The Viking Slave

Chapter 36: Planning for War

Astrid entered into the dining hall, glancing around at the stiff expressions written on the soldiers' faces. The a dreadful silence hung in the deadened room, creating an uneasy feeling in the pit of Astrid's stomach.

Gracefully, Astrid eased herself down onto the wooden bench, which sat directly across from Erika and Igor along with several of her warriors. Astrid politely poured a glass of wine, offering it to the nearby people. Each person respectfully declined, returning into a stiff daze.

Astrid glanced around, locking eyes with Erika, who held a cold expression.

"You all fought well today." Astrid remarked loudly, rising from the seat. Hastily, she inched her way to the front of the room, where she began to applaud. "Defeat is necessary before one can achieve victory." She stated, pacing back and forth before the crowd. "The faults present in our tactics that we used today has caused a minor problem in achieving our victor against these," Astrid paused a moment. "The Northmen. However, this loss cannot be a burden placed upon anyone because no one was prepared for the brutal fighting tactics of these men. Because of their violent ways, we have lost." She stared intensely at the men and women seated around her. "We will be better prepared when we fight again; and we will fight again very soon in the future."

"What is the status of the King?" A deep voice boomed from the back of the room. "Is he dead!?"

"No," Astrid reluctantly spoke, shaking her head slightly. "The King is not dead yet, but he is not well by any means." She paused, wiping away the sweat that beaded on her forehead. "Deman is on the verge of death because of the injuries he sustained and now we must take charge and find a new way to eliminate this enemy."

Pain was written along the men's faces, while cold stares pierced Astrid. At that moment Astrid knew they were tired of it all, just as she was, but it would not be over until Bard was dead. Knowing that everything would be over soon was enough motivation to keep her and the others fighting.

"We must create new battle plans or we shall lose again." Astrid informed, finding her way back toward her seat with Erika. She glanced up at Igor, who secretly whispered to Erika.

"My husband is right." Erika blurted, rising up from the table. "These men are not like normal men, they are far more fierce and violent. When they fight, they do not fear death, but desire it. There is no greater achievement in their world than to die in battle." Erika spoke, tugging her lip between her fingers. "They kill without warning and do it violently."

"You are one of them!" A man shouted over the hushed crowd.

A dark haired man rose in the back and rushed to the front of the room, shoving people out of his way. Each member of the audience stared at him confused. "Why are they leading our attack!? The king or his councilmen should be giving us orders, not a Viking!"

The crowd began to mumble among themselves. Astrid looked at the unsettled crowd, displeased with the reactions she was seeing. It was at that moment when she noticed disgruntled look upon Erika's face as she leisurely strolled away.

"Listen!" Astrid yelled, climbing upon the wooden table. The crowd remained noisy and disruptive. "I said, Listen to me!" She shouted once again, only much louder and bolder. Silence fell amongst the people as she climbed down. "You must keep your heads, men." She calmly spoke, patting Igor on the back. "Erika and her army are not like the enemy that we are fighting, they are our ally."

"But they are Vikings!" The same man yelled obnoxiously. "I cannot believe that you have betrayed the king by allowing these monsters to be in our presence."