Forever Bound

Chapter 27: Beating

(Authors note: This is a flashback)

Katrina wakes up on her bench lined with sheep fur, she rubs her eyes and looks to the side of her.

Her siblings aren't there, she gets up and puts her crimson red dress on and walks out of the room.

She walks outside and sees her mother Esther doing something with herbs.

She walks over to her, "Mother-" Esther cuts her off "Katarzyna dear, would you go get some water from the lake and go get Henrik from there while your at it".

Katrina nods "Yes mother" she walks back in the house grabs two buckets.

She walks through the woods and finds her little brother leaning on their favourite tree.

She smiles at him and sits next to him, he looks at her and smiles.

"You know one day I'm going to be the best warrior there ever was" Henrik says to Katrina.

Katrina raises her eyebrows, "Oh?" And how do you plan on achieving that?" She replies teasingly.

"One day, I'll beat father" he says still smiling, "And if you fail?" She asks.

"I don't die in vain" he says shrugging his shoulders, Katrina chuckles at the 10 year olds antics.

They hear a group of Vikings come through the woods, they look back.

Katrina rolls her eyes when she sees William, her future husband, they are arranged to get married once she turns 21.

Katrina mutters something under her breath, Henrik glances over and gives his big sister a smile.

The boys approach Katrina and Henrik, Katrina stands up in a defensive motion.

William chuckles and gives her a bit of a bow, "How my future bride" He asks smugly, Katrina rolls her eyes.

"Not wanting to be with you" She mutter under her breath, William looks up "What was that?" "Nothing I'm fine" Katrina says sighing softly.

He smiles smugly and looks back at his friends, who are looking Katrina up and down.

Henrik stands up as if he's going to protect Katrina from them.

The boys chuckle and another boy Ankin says "Who's this little one?" He says, his voice almost as smug as Williams.

"My little brother" Katrina says while holding onto Henrik arm, ready to protect him if it's needed.

Thnork crosses his arm and chuckles "Oooh, looks who's got defensive....I bet your brother couldn't take us if he tried" He said his voice laced with cockiness and arrogance.

"I could!" Henrik says confidently, Katrina looks at him and back at the boys, "He's ten leave him alone" She says she's slightly panicked but her tone is defensive.

"Oh c'mon, let him try" Another one of them says, Katrina quickly responds with, "Just because your named after a god doesn't mean you are one, Odin".

Odin seems offended by this, he pushes Henrik slightly and Katrina stand in front of him, "Dint touch my brother" She says her voice gone from defensive to angry.

Odin laughs, "Let him fight back....Your not going to be here forever so..." He says smugly, Katrina kneels down to Henrik.

Katrina whispers something in Henrik's ear and Henrik kicks Odin in the genitals, causing him to fall to the floor grabbing his crotch.

Katrina snickers lightly at this, wether the boys look enraged but help Odin up and leave.

Katrina turns to Henrik who seems very happy with himself, Katrina laughs at his expression.