Viking With A Heart

Chapter 6 (Reworked)

Asher's P.O.V:

It was our 3rd month at sea and the gods have been kind with the weather. It was early morning and the sun hasn't even come up yet, but we have gotten close to land. I know this for two reasons, one I can hear birds chirping and singing that is how I know it is early morning, and two we can see the ships slowing and then they come to a stop which means we have been landed. I get up and see my friends Maddox, Calder, and Langley smiling at me and our fathers come up with us, as well as other men and their sons and a few warrior women.

We all get out of the 5 ships and congregate on the beach and listen to my father as he speaks. "My men and women, take what you want. For those who have not found a wife, you can take one from here if you want. Other men have accepted brides from raids, so they will be welcomed, just remember to give them your mark on the area right under the front part of the shoulder and they are yours. Now who ever isn't marked gets killed those who are marked will get put in a pen, and other young girls that can be considered of age get put in that pen as well, they are to be untouched. Women if you find a man and are unattached either slice their cheek or top of their hand. It is their job to accept you and put their mark on you, because as you know only women bare the mark, once accepted into the village. Does everyone understand?"  All you can hear is grunts or yes'. "Now take what we need and burn the rest to the ground, kill all that come in your way."

 We get some fires started and quickly two men get pigs out of a pen that will be used to hold who we keep, while we raid, those two men will also watch over the pen and make sure no one tries to escape. The two men take the pigs to our ships so that we will have food for our journey back, the gods have provided well so far. Some people start coming out of their homes and see us and start screaming, the fun has now begun. One of the men, Tidus ran and slit the man's throat as he was yelling. Then runs into his house and all we can hear are screams, then silence then the fire in the house started.

As we split up and went about our business I see another man, Nikko go into a house and drag out an older woman and a younger one. I stop dead in my tracks looking at this young girl. From her looks and body stature I know she is of age and over 16, but she if fairly short, her birthing hips more than make up for it though.  She could give me healthy, strong boys some day.  She has long brown hair that waves like the water, and as I get closer I can hear her crying begging for mercy while clutching something around her neck. Nikko laughs and says something about killing them both but not before enjoying her body and drags a knife across the older woman's neck and I hear the young girl yell no. I quickly run up on the scene grab the girl away from the dead older woman. I pull out my knife and cut the strap of her night dress off her shoulder and mark an A on her claiming her as mine. I look straight into her eyes and she is just staring back. She has beautiful medium brown eyes with darker specks inside and a dark ring around it. I found my future bride, and I just smile. 

That quickly goes away when Nikko speaks, "Did you just claim her? I was planning on having fun then getting rid of her."

I pull her into me and hold her close, "Touch her and I'll kill you, she is mine." And I drag her to the pen so I can continue to raid not thinking about any other girl but her as I do.  I can't help the small smile that slips on to my face as we are walking away.  All I can think about is how happy we can be together in life once she accepts me as her husband.  And I will only be faithful to her.

As we are walking a guy steps in our path with what looks like a butchers knife so I draw my sword still holding onto my bride. He says something to her and points beside him. She stays in my grip getting closer to me even. I sensed something must be wrong and as I am looking at her face I notice it is a little swollen and her plump red lips have a split in it. I pull her closer again trying to show her she is safe with me, while wondering if he did that to her face. The man yells something to her. She shakes her head no at him but he lunges any ways and my sword goes through his chest. She just lets out a breath looks down at him as I slide my sword out of him then looks up at me. We continue to walk and finally get to the pen next to what looks like a shop. The men guarding it see my mark nod at me and let me lead her in.