the invisible string. Sihtric Kjartanson

Part II: Chapter five: prisoners

The three of us rode through the night. We were all terrified of being followed or a horse falling that we couldn't ride on. In the morning Guthreds men would notice that his precious peace cow was missing and they'd started searching. We were too far away to be found for now.

We continued for a few days just sparsely taking breaks. Hild eventually showed us to a small monastery on the borders of East Anglia. She bargained for us to be taken in for a few months. I volunteered to help with the upcoming harvest and Gisela showed them her silver that the nuns gladly took us in.

A few months turned into almost two years. We had a good life in the nunnery. I lived like a true nun and Gisela remained her pagan-self but that seemed not to bother anyone. Or the presence of her silver made no one question her. I liked the sisters. I liked praying with them and harvesting with them. But my heart longed to be a warrior yet again. I went through fighting formations and regularly cleaned my sword and armour but that wasn't like the life of a warrior. I longed for that again. I felt that restlessness and that burning desire for my first shield wall.

It was a peaceful summer day when I was tending to the garden and Gisela taking her time lounging in the gras when riders appeared.

"Who is it?" Gisela asked lazily lifting her head but not being able to gaze against the bright sun.

"Gisela" I said with more concern as I got my sword which also laid in the grass. I always kept Corpse Claimer close by. "They're warriors. Saxons from the gross hair" I said and she got up with some concern. A group of five Saxons against one Kendra could end in my favour but I was in no mood to fight. I was horribly out of shape. "Gisela my eyesight isn't the best but I think that might be your brother" I said slowly and I quickly motioned her to put on a head scarf.

"We demand to know if you're harbouring a fugitive" One man demanded to know. I knew him vaguely, we used to fight together. I was wearing a head scarf so he could not recognise me. Beyond the fact that two years had turned me into a woman instead of an awfully tall girl with gangly limbs.

"We do not. I hear a girl arrived in Allowic" I was quick to lie but Guthred dismounted his horse and took a step towards me.

"You look well Kendra but lying does not suit you" He said critically as he made out Gisela behind me. I unsheathed Corpse Claimer in warning. "Put you flimsy sword away. Today is not the day you'll die but your little summer break is over" He signed to his guards to approach. I did not know them but they would get to know my sword now. 

I swiped at the first one but he had been expecting it so he had no trouble defending himself. The second one came on me from behind and jumped on me bringing me down. It took four men to completely refrain me and Gisela was not exactly compliant as well. They disarmed me and bound me to a horse that I couldn't jump off and run. We rode through the night and arrived at Eoferwic not long after. I hated being a prisoner.

We were stood in the hall still bound but made for judgement by Guthred. This was so ridiculous because I was charged with kidnapping. I recognised Rypere and couldn't help but smirk and he did the same. He had grown into a young man and from the way his eyes traced me he noticed I had become a woman to.

"You stand here as a criminal" Guthred said and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Obviously. "You're charged with kidnapping my sister Gisela. How do you answer these charges?" He spoke unsurely because there was still a part of him that had once liked me.

"I ain't kidnapping no one" I spoke loudly and stood a little taller. My confidence seemed to surprise him because he recoiled. 

"Guthred this is ridiculous. Kendra did not kidnap me. I encouraged her to leave and try and find Uthred" Gisela lied and I was proud. That's my girl.