The Viking Slave

Chapter 12: Then We Shall Fight

As the boats stopped in the low tides nearing the land, Astrid felt her heart begin to pound, harder and harder with each step. The sound of the heavy, steady beats rang through her ears loudly, creating even more dreadful thoughts in her mind. The men began to jump from the boats into the clear blue water with their weapons in hand, unknowing what was to come once upon the shore, and their wildly painted shields strung upon their backs. It was not their mission to kill but to gather precious valuables to return to Oliefsborg and give Bayeux a Northman title.

Astrid jumped into the cool, clear water, landing with a splash, where she began trudging up to the shore. Iona followed closely behind her, terrified of what was to come. Astrid felt no fear or no real emotion except the few butterflies which jittered in her slightly nervous stomach, as she disembarked onto the land. The world around her was different. The light brown sand was soft and light to the touch. On up the shore was a grassy area which housed many colorful wildflowers that bounced around playfully in the wind, which gave life to a drab shore. The clouds hung low and depressed, showing signs of a potential rainstorm. Beyond the flowers were walls; Tall, light gray, impregnable walls.

As soon as each of the Northmen reached the shore, they began sitting up their camps. Some began gathering driftwood from the shore while others were pitching their large canvas tents made with heavy wooden beams. Astrid worked with Iona and several other women sitting up the weapons in a nice accessible pile alongside the shields.

"Do you think they will put up a fight?" Iona asked softly, putting up another sword in the circle.

Astrid shrugged her shoulders as she sharpened a battle axe on a whetstone.

"I do not know. I speculate that they will since we are entering into their homeland." Astrid responded, glancing around at the other ladies.

Their faces held the same fearful expression as Iona did. They were terrified and uneasy but there was no options left but to fight.

"I am certain the gods will give us a promising fate at the end of it all." Astrid reassured them.

The women pleasingly nodded at her remark as they continued working on the stockpile of weaponry. Astrid caught a glimpse of Bard and Erick coming towards her in a steady, yet speedy, pace. She arose slowly to greet them.

Her feelings had not changed towards them, if anything more hate boiled. Despite the fact he was handsome, Astrid still could not stand Bard's cockiness in everything he did. Bard's dashing looks was the only thing that was attractive on him, the rest was corrupt. Erick was sly in his ruling. Astrid knew he cared for one thing-wealth. Wealth was it, no feelings were in the man's heart but greed, and Astrid knew not a thing was meant by the sweet-nothing's he spoke to Jezebel, who was becoming greedy just like himself.

"You surely know something about these people, do you not?" Bard rudely blurted out making his way in front of Astrid and pulled her close. "You better speak up if you do, or else you will be punished." He growled in her ear.

Astrid leaned away from him and stared at them both carefully before opening her mouth to speak. No words came from her gaping mouth.

"I am sorry, sire, but I cannot tell you anything that could put innocent people in danger." Astrid finally spoke. "Punish me if you will but do not kill people unnecessarily. Forgive me."

Astrid slightly bowed to them with her eyes never leaving their piercing gaze. Bard looked at Erick and let out a drawn out sigh.

"We are not here to kill unless, by chance, it comes down to it. If we can gather assistance of how to go about getting what we want, it is pretty well insured, no more blood than need be will be shed. You, if you know anything, could be the one to prevent the mass bloodshed." Bard informed her, placing his hands firmly upon her shoulders. "Do you understand?"