𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒆𝒔 (Thorfinn x Reader)

8. Don't touch her!

Current Year: Oct, 1012

The cool breeze felt nice on my face. The joy I felt at the sight of the painted canvas of red, yellow, and orange trees was indescribable. It was one of the few times I actually felt good. It made me forget when and where I was.

Throughout the past year, this whole area of land that we've gone back and forth to from the ocean has been raided. All the decent ones with things actually worth stealing we've already stolen from. It's also getting closer to winter, which is never a good thing. And so, in Askeladd's words, we're migrating. Heading to where the food is.

Honestly, at this point, I've tried to stay neutral when it comes to raiding villages. I know it sounds indecent and immoral but think about it. I'm surrounded by death almost daily. I can't afford to sympathize and try to save everyone I come across. I'd end up dead myself.

The screams of pain and death can be heard from miles away. Walking up to the top of a hill, you can finally see where it's coming from. Two different clans fighting each other. I grimaced at the amount of dead bodies I could see from where I was standing. Thorfinn was expressionless like always and all Askeladd cared about was treasure. Of course.

Me and Thorfinn were standing close to the front, towards where Askeladd and Bjorn were standing.

"Looks like the headquarters of a powerful clan. Practically reeks of the smell of treasure doesn't it?" Askeladd's voice is what finally brought me out of my concentrated focus on the battle down below.

"Oh, so that's your target, huh? Alright, let's do it." Bjorn was next to speak.

"We'll join the attackers, then open that treasury, then everything will belong to us." 

"Hey Askeladd," I spoke to him, which pulled him away from the battle below to look at me, "how exactly do you plan on doing that?" I'm pretty sure I could guess what his answer would be before he said anything.

He just grinned and said, "Isn't it obvious!" 

"Let me guess. Thorfinn." At the mention of his name, we both turned to see him crouched on the ground.

"So Thorfinn. Well, you better get ready." He retrieved his daggers from his spot on the ground and proceeded to stand up and walk forward. My heart clanched at the thought of him going down there and fighting in that even though he's done it dozens of times at this point. My right hand reached for my left arm and scratched at it. I claim that it's because of the itchy, brown clothing I wear all the time, similar to Thorfinn's clothes, but fitted for me. However, it's actually a nervous habit I indulge in every time Thorfinn is to fight.

"Let's go to war!" Askeladd finished, causing his men to cheer and chant in delight. All I could do was look away in disgust.

"Thorfinn," I pulled on his sleeve to get his attention in case he didn't hear me. His eyes slid over to me. Knowing that I had his attention now, I proceeded. "Be careful, okay?" He just nodded and then faced forward again. I let him go and backed away a few feet. I don't try to stop him from going into battle anymore because I know I can't. I know that he cares for me, in his own way, but I wish I could do more for him than what I'm doing right now.

"Make contact with their leader," Askeladd said to Thorfinn after his men's cheers died down. "Give him this message: 'You're terrible at battle. I can't stand watching you. Therefore, my men will help you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer. I shall lead you to victory, no matter what. Once the fort falls, we will take half of the spoils. We shall att*ck again tomorrow morning." Honestly, Askeladd was pretty smart when it came to strategies. I know the plan sounds pretty dumb, but people like the Franks, from what I noticed in this timeline, are pretty naive and gullible. They'll believe anything. And Askeladd knows this too.