The Viking Slave

Chapter 15: A New Hope

Before the evening hours set, the viking campsite had been taken down. The wounded were led onto a longboat where they remained in remission, while the dead had been buried in deep mass graves upon the rich soiled hill where the battle had taken place. Each boat was loaded once again with all of their supplies along with the loot that had been robbed from the peaceful village. Two of the ships had already began to sail up the Seine river, which were led by Erick and Bard, the rest were following closely behind.

Astrid stood leaned against the rail of the slightly rocking ported ship, watching the sun as slowly sat into the orangish-pink horizon as the other crew members loaded onto the boat. A lone bird sang in the distance, sending out a mournful sound in the air. Astrid closed her eyes to embrace natures sounds, figuring she would not have another opportunity to.

"Are you ready?" Knute asked, popping up behind Astrid.

"As ready as I will ever be." She responded simply with a shrug, stepping back towards a bench beside an oar where lowered herself slowly since her hip was still sore. "I do not want to be afraid, Knute, but I find it harder and harder to show no fear."

Knute sat down beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "I think that the gods will spare you. For you have been brave when no one else held bravery."

"I should be dead!" Astrid shouted, causing everyone around her to look up. "Iona was killed and she was innocent of everything. She never done a thing to anyone. She only wanted to prove herself but died while trying. Look at me! I am a slave! That is all! I have nothing to prove to anyone. I am not brave, I just do not fear death because I could not possibly be killed anymore!"

Knute tilted her head to face him.

"Iona is dead because she did not know fighting strategies. She did not know how to kill and survive. That is why she is dead not because of you or me or anyone else!" He scolded, pointing his finger sternly at Astrid.

Astrid dropped her head low, avoiding eye contact with any others.

"Astrid, " Knute whispered pulling her close to him. "I wa-"

"Do not waste any more of your time pleading or giving me speeches of things I already am aware of." Astrid blurted out, cutting Knute off rudely.

Astrid looked up at him harshly, showing no sense of care whatsoever.

"You should get to your position." She insisted, sitting upright poised.

Astrid glanced up at the burly captain of the ship. She had seen him around Erick's home occasionally but never knew his name. He had light brown hair cut into a short bur with a short, well-trimmed beard. He stood at the helm of the ship with a slave girl to his left, who was handing him sailing needs. Astrid locked eyes with the thrall and shared a sincere smile.

Knute sighed and nodded his head before he walked towards an empty bench behind a dark haired man.

"Row!" The captain shouted, looking into the distance.

Astrid pulled back the heavy oar with all of her strength, breaking the intense force that the water brought upon the wood. Back and forth the men and women rowed the large ship, making their way up the Seine river as quickly as the longboats would go up the wide river. The stinging pain returned in Astrid's hip as she pulled the heavy oar back once again.

They rowed until the moon and the stars painted themselves across the black sky. Astrid felt the veins in her forehead throbbing, louder and louder with each pulsation that sounded in her ringing ears. Come morning she knew the ships would arrive into the city where they would pillage and fight for objects useless to her life. She examined the crew around her who were all resting with exceptions of several that continued rowing the boat up the river. Knute slept soundly with his head propped against the siding of the boat with his knees pressed closely to his chest. Astrid felt the surge of loneliness jolt through her as she watched him sleep. She fought back every desire to go to his side and drift to sleep in his arms, where she imagined to stay forever but knew her dreams would never happen since she had to leave as soon as she reached her goal-freedom. But what was the price of freedom?