The Viking Slave

Chapter 18: Pain

This chapter features Mature Content.

"Before you wonder off in a hurry," Leif smiled a crooked smile and took her by the hand. "There is someone I want you to meet."

Astrid stopped slowly and turned to face him. "I have no desire to meet anyone of your standards. I am certain they will be just like you; I am sure everyone here is like you and Bard."

"I think you will like this person." Leif said as he continued to walk down the path with his arm around Astrid.

They walked down the streets past the smithy and traveling marketeers, who were only there for the time being. Once they made it beyond the small shops in the village, a tiny wooden, square house stood alone beside the high fence of the community. A gray cat roamed just outside of the entrance way of the dwelling. The flag of Lundur flew on the roof point.

Leif walked up to the door where he knocked loudly until a lady appeared at the door. The lady was short and thin. Her hair was a golden blonde while her eyes were a deep green. She stepped through the doorway, sweeping her long blue apron dress through the dirt as she hesitantly walked towards them.

"Father," she said with a smile on her face. "I was not expecting you." She looked beyond him at Astrid, who was dumbfounded, staring back at her. "Who is this?"

Leif glanced at Astrid and smirked.

The lady looked displeased at Leif and stepped closer to Astrid, outstretching her hand. "I am Erika, named after my uncle in Oliefsborg." She paused. "What is your name?"

"I am Astrid, the slave of Bard. It is a pleasure to meet you Erika." Astrid meekly introduced herself.

"You are too pretty to be a slave. How old are you?" Erika asked sincerely, tilting Astrid's face from side to side.

"Twenty-six."

"Well I am twenty-seven." Erika replied, glaring back at Leif. "If you do not mind my asking, why are you a slave?"

"Erick traded me to Bard for his aid in fighting the French." Astrid informed. "Bard promised me freedom but did not fulfill that promise."

"That sounds correct with Bard." Erika bluntly shared. "Bard is nothing but a bold faced liar and cheat!"

"Erika, do not talk about your brother like that!" Leif scolded her harshly.

Erika whirled around and stormed towards Leif. "And there you are taking his side again. You are just like him! You do not know how to value life for yourself or anyone else. You cannot argue that! You and I both know it is true." she shouted angrily as she poked Leif in the chest with her index finger. "I am not like you and Bard, I do not lie."

Leif huffed angrily but did not reply.

"That is what I thought father." Erika finished, returning to Astrid. "I am going to show Astrid into the house while you go elsewhere. I will have her returned by nightfall. Farewell father."

Erika took Astrid by the arm and began leading her towards the house before Leif could argue.

Astrid stepped through the door, followed by Erika who slammed the door shut. A bright fire located in the middle of the floor lit the one large room. Off to the right side of the fire was tables and to the left was a separate room where the beds were. The walls was decorated with carvings of gods and dimly burning torches. Further into the house was a pen with sheep and a cow tied on the gate of the pen.

"Make yourself at home." Erika invited as she gathered wooden bowls and cups from a table beside the door. "It is nothing fancy here but it is livable."