𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐔𝐒 - 𝐕𝐈𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝟎𝟒

- Trial

Lizzie was sat at the table with Gyda, Bjorn and Athelstan having something to eat when Bjorn who was playing with his food looked up at the priest and firmly spoke, " I want to go to Kattegat. I want to see my father return soon. He must return soon" The priest shook his head in response with an apologetic look and resorted, " I gave your father my word that I would look after you all including Elizabeth."

Bjorn scoffed in disbelief glancing at his sister and Elizabeth before turning his attention back to the priest shooting him a glare and hissed, " you are not looking after us. We look after ourselves" Athelstan sighed in frustration looking up at Bjorn and told him, " I cannot allow you to go on your own to Kattegat. Your father would never tolerate such a thing" Athelstan then took a seat beside Gyda and across from Bjorn who glanced around the table at everyone and suggested, " Then we should go together, the four of us"

Athelstan frowned sending Bjorn a pointed look and questioned, " and who will then look after the farm?" Bjorn stayed silent with a furious look on his face while Athelstan closed his eyes and folded his hands together as he started to say his grace for his food, "For what we are about to receive, may the lord make us truly grateful." Lizzie and Gyda shared a look as they began eating as he was saying his grace as while he believed in his god the others didn't as they had their own gods and not just one but multiple with different powers, " Amen" Athelstan finished his prayer as he made the sigh of the cross with his hands.

The priest then poured Bjorn a cup of ale before pouring himself a cup when Lizzie looked between the two of them and asked, " can I have some ale?" Athelstan shook his head in response looking over at the blonde girl, "You're too young, Elizabeth, to drink ale even if Ragnar thinks it's okay" Lizzie narrowed her eyes at him mumbling under her breathe when Bjorn rolled his eyes at the priest words before picking up his own cup of ale and handed it over to the girl who smiled brightly before sending Athelstan a mischievous look taking a large sip before passing it over for Gyda to try who smiled at her friend in awe.

Bjorn shook his head as he looked amused at the two girls as out of the two he knew Lizzie was the more outgoing while Gyda was quite shy but it was what made them fast friends as the blonde girl was the one who made Gyda try different things and come out of her comfort zone, " I want to make a sacrifice to Thor, for my father's safe return" Athelstan raised his brows with a large smile on his face and questioned, " what will you sacrifice?" Bjorn stood up slamming his hands on the table leaning forward and snapped, " You!" He then knocked over his cup and bowl shooting him a death glare before storming out of the house.

❀❀❀❀

It was late that night, Gyda was fast asleep as Lizzie was laid beside Bjorn wide away staring up at the ceiling, " I'm sorry I was mean to you" the blonde girl apologised as she turned her head to glance at Bjorn, " it's just you get so angry at the littlest things." Bjorn smiled shaking his head as he gazed at the girl next to him, " I know. You irritate me like no other it's why I hate you at times and also because your a Christian"