The Game of Predators and Prey

Sail

Erik and I made our way to the bonfire outside. I realized that Calder and the other two Ragnar sons stayed inside to drink. That was alright with me. It made me feel a little less watched.
"Why are they dancing?" Erik asked as we watch the woman glide around the fire. A few men draped in wolf pelts surrounding them like hungry predators.
"Its symbolic Erik," he looked at me with clear confusion on his young features, "they are doing the dance of winter. The weak circle the fire, in search of its security from the elements. Because if they step outside the rays of light. The predators will get them." He still looked confused and I smiled at him. I kissed his head and motioned him to stay here.
"Watch and I'll be right back,"

My feet carried me towards the dancers, they smiled at me and as I approached the woman started showing me the basic steps. One two, spin and a few more steps here or there. It was easy enough. I held the hem of the dress in my hands to not trip over the long fabric. My shins and ankles exposed to the wind and the warmth of the fire. I followed in sync with the beat and twirled around. A smile wiggling across my face. I loved these type of people. The type that want you do join in on their happiness, the ones who have everything to loss but nothing at all.
We laughed and smiled but out of the corner of my eye, I could see Calder standing with Erik now, Hvitserk and Ubbe now with them. My stomach dropped to which I missed a step. Tripping outside the line and one of the men in the dance swooped in to grab me.

That was what I was not prepared for. I was terrified, even though I knew it was just a dance. Something in this moment triggered a memory I had worked so hard to suppress.
"Let me go!" I barked and I knew the man was drunk. I could smell it on his rank breath.
"You're mine now little lamb," he growled in my ear and I looked for Calder to help. But he wasn't there anymore. The man had his meaty arms wrapped around my upper body. Squeezing me, a suffocating embrace. I kicked his right leg out from under him and twisted to unlock myself from the hold. My body broke free as the man fell to the ground. I turned to prepare myself to defend my actions.

Looking at him, he was large and way stronger then I was. The only reason I escaped was the fact he was drunk off his rocker. A hand gripped my shoulder and I jumped.
"Hey it's alright. Let's get a drink," Hvitserk came to my aid, just as the man rose to his feet.
"Hey!" He called after us as Hvitserk guided me inside. Ubbe stood between us as we retreated.

I was embarrassed but also kind of proud that I could defend myself. My brothers were with us at this table now. A large glass of ale was placed in front of me. My hand gripped the cup and Hvitserk watched me closely.
"Your dancing is very good," I smile at him meekly. Be polite.
"Thank you, unfortunately I tripped at the end," I chuckled and too a small drink. I just had to get through the evening.
"You still looked beautiful," heat rises to my face and my older brother scoffed.
"She's as beautiful as she is annoying," I scowled at him and a small chuckle erupted through the table.
"At least, I can make people smile. You just make people cover there noses," he glared at me as I smiled. Him and I would always bicker. But he loved me, I knew that much. A uproar of shouting caught our attention.

"Listen everyone," Ivar spoke, "Earl Halvor and I have come to an agreement." Everyone waited patiently as I tensed. A chill ran down my spine. Like it was a way that the gods were telling me something.
"He will join us this summer on our raid to England," the whole crowd shouted with excitement. My brothers and the Ragnar Sons included. Everyone ecstatic about the chance to raid again. But I knew there was more. "As well as we shall share and exchange 50% fish stores with 50% of their grain stores," that sounded like a more fair deal. But I knew he was holding back the last part.
"However, Earl Halvor wants our help at claiming Hildabrand as his own. With that, I have no interest in his endeavours. No interest in helping him to power," everyone whispered amongst themselves. My brothers even more confused on what they were going on about.
"But with him claiming more land it shall help us in the long run. So we have agreed upon a... delicate arrangement." He smirked and my blood ran cold. My father stood and joined Ivar at the head of the table.
"We have agreed that my daughter Melti," he pointed his hand towards me and waved me to stand and join him. Carefully, I stood to my feet and my footsteps echoed against the wood of the floors. Like giants feet against stone. I'm sure everyone could hear my heart beating in my chest. "Will join Ivar as his second wife. She will bare many stronger warriors and sons I am sure." My heart sunk to my gut.
"And in exchange, we will help them conquer Hildabrand," My father placed me between him and Ivar. Ivars gleaming eyes started at my breasts, almost hungry. But then also highly annoyed. Everyone cheered around me and I glared with immense hatred.
"No!" I barked shrugging my fathers hand from my shoulder. He looked at me begging me to test him. But I did not care. I would not be his pawn. Not again.
"Daughter, I suggest you sit down," everyone was watching and I did not care.  I turned the all of Kattegat. Everyone's intense gaze on me.
"I will not be your breeding mare. When you obviously already have one," I motioned to his already wife. "However, I understand my duty and will remain in Kattegat for the winter months," Ivar's flaming gaze would burn holes through my back.
"You do not wish to marry a cripple?" He was testing me. I looked at him as he was leaning now against the table. But his stature even when leaning towered above my head.
"No, I wish not to wed purely for my womb, for I know you would not love me the way I deserve" That I was certain. My full attention was on him and it was neither him or I that would waver.

"Daughter," my father growled and he grabbed my arm tightly. Much like he did that night. I respected my father. But I did not love him. Not anymore. My brothers looked after me, he did not.

"Enough," Ivar declared. "She may do what she wishes but the rest of you will return home until spring." My father let me go and his surprise was shown on his face.
"As you wish," my father agreed and that was the end to the evening.

......

To say I didn't get a scolding for my actions would be an understatement. My father was furious with me and my smart mouth. He told me it would ruin everything and get me killed over the winter.
"I won't lay on my back and let some cripple use me as his whore," I seethed and he knew I wasn't about to take his shit anymore.
"How did the gods give me some sort of beast of a daughter," he growled and wiped everything off the table in the room. At one time I would be scared of him. Today, he was a fool. Since our mothers death, he has had every woman he could possibly get in his bed. He seen women as pawns to a game nothing more, and I was no different to him.
"I shall stay, but Calder must remain with me," I ordered and he blankly stared at me. "Ivar made it clear that only you shall stay the winter, you should be lucky he didn't kill us all on the spot,"

I wasn't about to remain in a new place with no one to help me. This wasn't a safe place for me to be. I didn't trust these people.
"Ivar will not hurt you, he knows what's at stake here." I wasn't so sure he cared to be honest.

My brothers and father were set to sail yet again. And I was meant to remain. At this time I was not meant to wed Ivar but I didn't have many friends here in Kattegat. Which made staying here even more dangerous. I had to play my cards right.
Waltzing across the docks, with Erik matching my stride. He begged for me to come with them. Of course my father scolded him for grovelling.
"I will see you in spring," I assured with a smile. He looked at me with sadness in his eyes. For I didn't even believe the words I was speaking to him. These may be my death wish.
"Hell you may even be an uncle by the time we come back," Calder patted my shoulder and shook Erik's. The boy swatted his hand away, before hugging me quickly and running to the bow of the boat. I watched his retreated. Sad that this may be the last time I see him.
"Everything will be alright sister," a small tear welled up in the corner of my eye. Calder hugged me gingerly. The eyes of 100 Kattegat citizens watching our exchange.
"I hope you are right brother," I looked at Erik again, "look after him okay," he met my eyes and he nodded.
"You know I will," I sighed and swiftly hugged him again. Bringing my lips to his ear, "watch out for uncle," he assured Erik's safety and released him from my death grip. Calder jumped to the boat, joining Erik at the bow. My father marched up to me and hung an arm over my shoulder.
"Be polite, proper and ladylike. Understood?" I rolled my eyes and pushed away from him.
"Goodbye father," I sneered and stood at the base of the dock. Men barked orders and boats sail out of the harbour. I watched with pain in my heart. I was alone, and in some dangerous territory. I look over my shoulder and Ivar sat on the steps of the hall. A smirk prominent on his face. I was in trouble and I knew that. The thoughts behind those blue eyes scared me for obvious reason. But I wasn't going to let him win.