Thrown Through Time

Chapter 4

"Why do you purposely try to vex him?" Eirik asked, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, waiting to see what would happen with nearly as much anticipation.

"Because he's a pompous ass and it's funny," she replied.

He couldn't argue with that.

Ulriech had finished his conversation with the men. Finally. Sophie wasn't surprised that he hadn't heard her, but she found it interesting that none of his men had alerted him to her presence. Perhaps they didn't mind seeing their fearless leader being taken down a notch at a time by a woman.

As soon as he was done talking, he twisted as if he was going to turn around, but his feet were tied securely together and he suddenly fell flat on his face into the snow. When he realized why, he sliced through the cord with one of his daggers and stood up, bellowing like a moose.

It was all she could do to keep from bursting into laughter. She wasn't sure how Eirik kept a straight face, but he seemed to manage.

Ulriech stomped over to her, his face red and angry. He started to pull the dagger back out of his boot, when Eirik stood up and stepped between them.

"You'll not always have him protecting you, wench!" Ulriech snapped. "And one of these days when he's not, you'll regret it!"

"You know," she said, not even slightly intimidated by his blustery threats. "You could just let me go. I'll head back to the village you kidnapped me from and I won't bother you ever again. Or, you could continue to force me to come with you and I'll be sure to make you very aware of the fact that I'm unhappy about it."

"I'm going to kill her!" Ulriech lunged at her, ready to strangle her with his bare hands, but Eirik caught him and pushed him back. Ulriech jerked himself free and straightened his tunic before pointing his finger in his brother's face. "And you'll regret protecting her!"

Sophie stood up and stuck her tongue out at him, which angered him so much that the veins in his forehead started popping out. His eyes were crazy and he grabbed at her again, only to have her slap his hand away.

"Ulriech! Enough!" Eirik barked.

Fuming, Ulriech stormed off, kicking snow out of his way as he went.

"You're not helping," Eirik turned to sit back down and found Sophie still sticking her tongue out at his brother.

She laughed softly and returned to the pile of furs she'd been sitting on. "You know, when a man can't control his temper, he tends to make mistakes. Your brother's temper could get him killed."

"Are you going to be the one to do it?' he asked.

She shrugged. "I suppose I might, if he bothers me enough." She thought she saw the twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth, but when she glanced over, he was as serious as ever.

"I'd like to say he wouldn't actually try killing you," Eirik said with a sigh. "My father would be furious if he did, but I also know that my brother is very hot-headed and is fully capable of doing something in the heat of the moment that could have very bad, and lasting consequences for all of us."

"Most lasting for me, if I were to be killed." She found it a little funny.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not."

"So, the only reason you all think that I'm the woman in this ancient prophesy of yours is because I'm blonde?"

He turned his head to look at her. "You haven't heard the prophesy?"

"I'm not exactly from around here, so no."

"The woman is described as strong, bold and crowned with gold. You don't think that sounds like you?"