Thrown Through Time

Chapter 10

"What's wrong?" Eirik had walked up to Sophie who was pacing back and forth in front of her house, mumbling something over and over.

"Something's not adding up," she muttered. She continued pacing, mumbling under her breath until he grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her. "Have you even heard the prophesy?" she asked, looking up at him. "I mean really read it, word for word?"

"It's been a long time." he admitted. "I don't know if I've actually read it for myself. I've just heard it since I was a child."

"Yeah? Well what everyone was telling me it said and what it actually said are two completely different things!" she said.

"Okay, what does it really say?"

"Faye of golden tresses she, shall fight the dark that threatens thee, black shall be the days and nights, the prince will die unless she fights, woe to anyone who preys upon the love of she who stays."

He gave her a blank stare and she knew that he didn't understand it any more than she did. With a sigh, she plunked herself down on the steps and ran her hands over her face. "Why does everyone think the prophesy has to do with you? Wasn't it written over a hundred years ago?"

"I don't know." he sat down beside her.

"So it could have already happened." she said. "Or it could be hundreds of years from now."

"It's possible."

"Who is it everyone thinks we're supposed to go to war with?" she asked, knowing that's what they thought the prophesy meant.

"Clans from the south, as far as I know. They've been trying to expand north for generations, so it would make sense." He glanced over his shoulder and realized that some of the furniture from her house was sitting piled up on the porch. "Are you changing houses?"

"No, I'm trying to get rid of the rats," she said. "They're disgusting and I've had it with them."

"They're just part of life," he shrugged. "I don't think there's anything you can do to get rid of them."

"Yeah, well I'm going to do my best."

"How?"

"Peppermint oil, for one." she said, pointing to a pile of what looked to him like half dead weeds lying on the bottom step. "They hate the smell, so I'm going to put it everywhere. That, and I'm going to clean until there's nothing left for them to scrounge around for. I haven't seen any cats in town. Does no one own a cat around here?"

"A cat?"

"Never mind. I'll just have to figure it out."

"I don't know why it's such a big deal," he shrugged.

"Because they carry diseases," she wrinkled her nose.

He laughed and she realized that she wasn't in the same time period as she was born into. They probably had no idea what a germ was and still believed that diseases were caused by the planets aligning in a certain way.

"Well, regardless, I don't want them in my house."

"Can I ask you something?" he cleared his throat.

"Yes."

"Is the reason you don't want to be the woman in the prophesy because you think if you are you'll have to marry Ulriech?"

"No," she shook her head. "I mean, I am not now nor am I ever going to marry him. But that's not the reason. I just don't think I'm good enough at any of the requirements needed to be her."

"What requirements?"

"Just being a warrior." she sighed. "You've probably been training since you were able to walk. I haven't! I'd never even been in a fight until I came here. I don't think I'm strong enough to protect you, or your brother, or anyone else. And I'm afraid that if I tried, I'd end up getting you, or someone else killed."

"You're stronger than you realize, Sophie," he said.

"I don't know if I'm strong enough, though. Look at me compared to Elgin. She's a foot taller than I am. I could never beat her. How am I supposed to beat men her size?"

"You already have," he chuckled. "You've been in two battles already and you've been victorious both times."

"But those were just scouting parties." she said. "What about if we had to go up against a large army? I know we've been training, but I just don't have the stamina the rest of you do, and I don't know if I ever will."

"Then I'll fight while you rest and-,"

"And get everyone killed because they're busy protecting me again."

"Hopefully, if that day ever comes, you'll see that you're as strong as any of us."

"I hope so." she said softly.

"Do you really want a cat?" he asked.

"Yes, why?"

"I know someone who has one that hangs around their house. It had babies a while ago, but I'm not sure what you would do with it."

"Let it catch mice and rats in my house," she said.

"Why?"

"Because they're disgusting!"

"I'll see if they're still coming around or if she's chased them off yet."

"Thank you,"

Over the next few days, Sophie assumed the cats must have wandered off into the forest, because Eirik didn't mention them again, and they sparred in the lists nearly every day. In fact, a whole week passed by and if she hadn't seen another rat scurry across the floor in her house, she probably would have forgotten all about it.

She had just killed said rat with a heavy broom and jerked the front door open to sweep it outside when she realized Eirik was standing on her porch holding a kitten and looked very concerned by her aggressive sweeping habits.

"Awww!" she squealed, seeing the tiny kitten. "Is that for me?"

"Are you sure you really want it?" he asked. "They're kind of a nuisance,"

"They hunt rats." she said, reaching for it. "Of course I want it!" Eirik watched with a sudden curiosity as she cuddled the small kitten and carried it inside the house where she set out a small dish of milk for it to eat. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Are you going to treat it like a pet?" he asked.

"Of course I am!" she stood up from stroking the tiny animal's fur and looked straight at him. "Does nobody around here keep cats as pets?"

He shook his head. "No, not really. Perhaps only the most eccentric, old ladies."

"You think I'm like an old lady?" she gasped and he burst out laughing.

"No!" he backed away from her, towards the open door. "Not like that at all. I'm going to go. I have to.....sharpen my sword."

"Well, go on then!" she snapped, closing the door behind him as he fled down the stairs. "What, is he afraid it's catching? So ridiculous!" She went back to doting on the kitten and eventually had to take a nap on the furs in front of the fireplace, for the tiny animal had made himself comfortable on her lap, and she simply couldn't move after that.