The Promises We Make- Uhtred of Bebbanburg

Chapter Thirteen

"You want to fight?" Uhtred repeated. He placed the deceased animal in the snow and his knife planted in the wood we both sat on. Then, his blue eyes gazed upon me.

"Yes. I want to learn." I confidently said. I held my posture and sat up proudly, trying to hide away any doubt I knew I would normally feel by now. "Viking women know how to fight. I have read somewhere that they are called shield-maidens." I explained more, trying to justify my reason.

Uhtred continued to stare at me, in a mixture of surprise and genuine shock. He had not expected a lady to know or want such things. But I wanted to learn the 'heathen' way. The way of a soldier.

"Am I wrong?"

"You are not wrong my lady." He smirked. He lent back against the tree, crossed his arms to rest on his chest and laid his feet out, imprinting the snow with his boots. I felt a little intimidated, on edge. It was like he was about to dismiss the subject and call me crazy.

Though I was unsure if he was going to take me seriously. I still held his attention, from the intense look of his eyes. So I took that as a sign to continue.

"Why can I not fight?" I spoke softly. 

"Why can't I defend myself? People are after me and I would feel better and safer knowing I can protect myself and not keep relaying on someone to save me all the time."

"My lady, you are going to be queen of Wessex. Queens don't fight or hold weapons." Uhtred stated.

"No they don't. But this soon-to-be queen wants to, and she wants you to train her."

He laughed to himself, amused at my newly found confidence and determination. Uhtred then resumed to prepare our food for the night. He began to skin the animal, tearing the brown fur from its flesh. I should of taken Uhtred offer of looking away as my face scrunched up and I began to feel queasy.

"I admire your strength my lady. Maybe you should lead the Saxon army into battle instead of King Alfred."

I was thankful for lord Uhtred for continuing the conversation. A  thankful distractions from is current task.

"Men will follow you into war if you keep that confidence Delphine."

I suddenly noticed that I had smiled to myself.

Heat rose to my cheeks, to the tip of my nose and I suddenly felt hot all over. The cold night made no attempt in cooling me down and I faced away to hide in embarrassment.

"Fine. I will teach you the basics." Uhtred spoke through a lingering smirk. "We will start with sticks"

"Sticks?" I was confused as to why I would have any need of them. Then, after thinking quickly, I came to the conclusion as to why.

"You are not serious." Shaking my head, but not a sound was heard from beside me.

"Are you?"

"As serious as you was with the rabbit."

I shoved his side, making him choke a laugh through the water he was drinking. He had managed to drop some down his clothes, with most of it dripping from his chin.

"Sticks are for children. They pretend to be knights and warriors for entertainment."

"That is true my lady. But they all become soldiers in the end."

*

The moon now sat directly above us, painting light shadows of the trees all around as still sat upon the dead tree trunk. We were currently sitting in silence, attempting to keep warm around the now calm fire with full stomachs, filled with roasted rabbit.