Thrown Through Time

Chapter 18

Now that life had returned to normal, plans for Ulriech's wedding commenced. The great hall was being decorated and food for the grand feast was already being prepared.

Sophie offered to help, but there wasn't much she could do that wasn't already being taken care of by someone else in town. They told her to rest. To enjoy her time not having to battle or worry, now that she'd saved them all. She was a heroine, but she was also bored out of her mind.

Wandering over to the lists, she hoped there was someone there that she could spar with. At least it would give her something keep her busy. The arena was empty, but she supposed she should have known it would be. Everyone was getting ready for the wedding that evening.

She had just turned to walk back to her house when Eirik stepped out of the blacksmith shop. "Why aren't you getting ready for the wedding?" he asked.

Turning back, she walked over to where he was standing in the doorway. "Nobody needs any help and I have nothing to do. What are you doing? I thought for sure you wouldn't be here."

"I was just finishing up something I was working on." he said.

"But not planning on sparring today?"

"I wasn't," He chuckled. "But we could practice for a while."

"No," she sighed. "That's alright. I think I'll just walk down to the water for a little while."

"You're sure?" he asked.

She nodded and headed for the gate. Maybe wading in the cool water of the river would do her some good and help her relax.

She had just taken her shoes off and stepped into the water when she heard Eirik clear his throat behind her. "Always wandering off by yourself," he said.

"At least I told you where I was going this time."

"This spot makes me nervous," he said, sitting beside her shoes.

"Why?"

"It's where we saw that....what did you call it?"

"Oh." she said. "You mean the vortex?"

"Yeah. That."

"Other than the day I came here, that's been the only time I've seen it. I don't think it's going to appear again already."

"What if it does?"

"Well, like I said, I'm not a witch. I can't control it. I'm not even sure what it is, to be honest."

"So, if it brought you here without your consent, couldn't it also send you home the same way."

She'd been watching some minnows swim around her feet, but the sound of concern in his voice caught her attention and she straightened up before walking over to him where he sat in the grass.

Sitting beside him, she nodded. "Yes, I suppose it could."

"How would I explain that to my father. Or anyone else who would likely notice you were gone."

"I don't know." she was quiet for a moment. "Right before I came here, I was supposed to go to a friend's house. She was getting married and I was supposed to be in the wedding. I've wondered, ever since then, what she thinks happened to me. If she's still looking, or if she's worried about me."

He played with strands of grass between his feet, but stayed quiet.

"I wish there was a way I could leave some kind of message for you, if it were to happen that way." she said. "At least you'd know that I didn't just leave. Or that I wasn't kidnapped by raiders from the south," she laughed softly at how ridiculous it sounded.

They heard a horn blow off in the distance and Eirik got to his feet. "I guess we should head back. That means the wedding celebration will begin soon."

She slipped her shoes back on and followed him back to the great hall where the lavish ceremony was taking place. When they entered, it was crowded and Eirik reached back to take her by the hand, leading her to a table that had been saved for the family.

Having been there just less than a year, Sophie was surprised at some of the Viking customs. There was, as she was accustomed to, a ring exchange, but then there was also a sword exchange and a goat was sacrificed. Her eyes were wide and she glanced at Eirik, who seemed unfazed by it all as he sat back and drank his ale. When the vows ceremony was complete, the feast commenced. Every so often, someone would stand up and clang their fork against their goblet until the couple kissed, and the person would take a few moments to give a speech wishing them a long life, and many children. This went on for hours until Sophie was afraid she was going to fall asleep at the table.

"Come on," Eirik said softly as he got to his feet.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"I'm just curious," he said, leading her from the hall while everyone else was still occupied and wouldn't noticed their absence. Torches lined the road and he stopped to take one down before continuing on.

"Curious about what?" she asked. He was still holding onto her hand as he pulled her along down the street before turning off down a side trail she hadn't really noticed before. A moment later, they stepped out into a large clearing and Sophie realized where they were standing. "This is a cemetery!"

"That sword that Ulriech gave to Olga came from one of our ancestors," Eirik said. "It's tradition for a man to dig up a family sword to present to his new wife at the wedding."

"Men are buried with their swords?" she asked.

"Yes, and I have a feeling he dug up the one buried with our great, great grandfather, Magnus." he held the torch up as he walked carefully among the gravestones. Sure enough, the grave he expected to have been dug up appeared to have freshly turned dirt around it. "We've heard tales since we were young that Grandfather Magnus had the most jewels encrusted into his sword out of any family member."

"You think Ulriech was just showing off?" she asked.

He wasn't sure what that meant, but he shrugged. "If you mean he gets to brag that he gave his wife the most desired sword from our family history, then yes."

"Would you have picked that one too?" she asked.

"No," he laughed softly. "It's not the one I wanted, and beside, Ulriech probably would have killed me if I had."

"I hope you're joking," she said. "Do you really think Ulriech could kill you?"

"No." he laughed. "No, I don't think he could. Although if you asked him, I'm sure he'd start bragging about how skilled he is."

"I don't even think I'd have to ask him," she said. "He just brags to hear himself talk."

Eirik smiled. "And you've only known him less than a year!"

"I'm a quick learner." she said.

He walked slowly to another grave marker. There were flowers on this one. "This is my mother's grave," he said softly.

"How did she die?"

"Giving birth to my younger brother," he said. He pointed at a smaller marker next to hers. "He's buried there."

"Is that something that happens a lot here?" she asked.

"Not too often. Sometimes." he said, solemnly. "You seem surprised. That doesn't happen where you're from?"

"Not as often as it used to." she said. "There are obviously exceptions, but usually they can save the mother and the baby. Even if it's too early."

"I wish we could have saved them. My mother would have loved you," he said softly.

"I'd like to imagine you're a lot like her." she said. "Ulriech and your father are so similar, so I can only guess that you get your personality from your mother."

"I've been told that, yes." he smiled.