Viking Girl

Chapter 8

841AD

The journal of Brynhild the Bold

Today I must fight the prisoner. I have only ever had fighting practice against a tree. I suppose it is good because it will make my hits more powerful, as I really had to drive it to make any kind of impact against the tree. But it also means that I am not used to it moving out of the way, and striking back at me.

This day may be the last day I ever see, so I spent the morning exploring this valley fully. There are multiple streams and trees, giving the valley plenty of shelter from the harsh rays of the sun. I have also found many little bushes with a sweet fresh fruit growing on it. There is also so much wildlife. We have been feasting like kings these last couple of days. Most of the provisions that we had have been used up, so before we go away we will have to kill a large amount of the livestock and dry out the meat. We will also have to see if we can dry the fruit to preserve it, otherwise we will be having strips of dried meat for every meal. I must begin to head up and get ready for what might be the last fight I ever experience.

Sighing, I place my helmet on my head. My leather breastplate comes next. It doesn't provide much protection, but it is a little bit. Walking to the place that has been set up for our duel, I take a last smell of the air. It is fresh and fruity, a disguise against the bloodshed which is soon to occur. Seeing who I have to fight, free of chains, brought back all my fears.

He cut an impressive figure, 6 feet tall and very muscly. With a borrowed sword he practiced, and the strength of his blows carved deep welts into the tree. I felt like I had already lost the battle before it had even begun, just looking at the sheer size of him. And I still didn't even know his name.

A roar announced that the battle was ready to begin. Striding our to meet him, I decided there and then that I would not go down without a fight. He didn't know what he had started. The first clash of our weapons, and already I felt my legs beginning to buckle under the force he was using. I had to at least know his name before I died so I asked him as we increased the pressure against eachother.

I think he was surprised, because he eased off for a second. Then he came back with even more force and in turn surprised me by answering.

"Leif," he replied with a grunt, the only sign that he too was struggling. I was surprised that he was called Leif, as it was a viking name and he was so obviously not viking, judging by the way he attacked us in the night, when we weren't ready. That thought enraged me and I attacked again with renewed force. He stumbled back, then regained his footing and attacked again.

Then I had a thought. What if I feined to be exhaused and fell over, then as he went for the killing shot I dodged and managed to hit him. As I was lost in thought I was brought back to reality by a burning pain in my waist. One of Leif's relentless drives had hit home. As I was gasping for breath he hit me again, this time in my leg.

This was the perfect opportunity to carry out my plan. Trying to ignore the fresh waves of pain that came when I fell, I tried to look as helpless as possible. Time seemed to slow down as he approached me. As he raised his blade, a strange look crossed his face. It almost looked like regret.

Shaking it off, I prepared myself for the right moment. The blade came flashing down, and I was gone. Next thing I knew, Leif was collapsed on the ground, bright red blood streaming from a wound in his side, almost exactly the same place as I was. Then I realised that I was bleeding as well. Everything went dark, and I collapsed.