The Viking Slave

Chapter 37: All Because of War

Jezebel walked peacefully throughout the camp, returning from cleaning in the water. She smiled as she passed by warriors sharpening their weapons and eating, while an uneasy feeling grew in the pit of her stomach.

"My lady!" Lorna called from the corner of a tent, gaining Jezebel's attention.

Jezebel approached her reluctantly and confused. "Yes, child?" She questioned with concern.

Lorna looked around her in confusion. "Where is your son at?" She worriedly questioned, looking around once more. "Is he not with you?"

"No." Jezebel held a blank stare and shook her head. "He is being watched with the other children." She replied, rolling her eyes. "Why do you ask?"

Lorna's face dropped quickly into fear, closing her eyes. "Because Bard went into the tent with the other children." She informed opening her eyes widely. "He sent all of the children out..." Her trembling voice trailed off. "Except yours. I did not see him come out for several minutes."

Jezebel's eyes grew large, as her breathing intensified. She took off in a sprint toward the empty tent, hoping her thoughts were not true. Hurriedly, she pulled back the flap and saw the small child laying on the ground lifeless.

"My Baby!" Jezebel screamed, rushing into the dimly lit tent to the side of her motionless child and took it's small body into her trembling arms. "Wake up, darling. Please." She lightly brushed his cheek and placed soft kisses upon his face.

She held it close to her chest and stroked it's tiny, blue cheek with her finger. Tears welled in her stunned eyes as she began to rock back and forth, humming a Germanic tune into the child's ear. Her mouth dropped open uncontrollably while a loud, painful cry echoed through the camp.

"What has happened!?" Erick questioned, rushing to their side, wrapping his large arms around them both. Tears began to fall freely from his eyes, holding them tighter and letting out a groan. An audience formed around the tent as the heartbroken moans sounded from the tent.

Jezebel and Erick remained inside the tent, mourning the loss of the child throughout the night.

The morning light pierced Jezebel's drooping eyes, causing a stream of water to run from the edge. She glanced down once again at the child she held in her stiff arms. She forced her eyes to shut in disbelief. Erick slept on the ground beside them, sword in hand.

The evening appeared to them like a dream--a dream that never ends. Jezebel felt her heart breaking with the thought of her murdered child.

"Erick." Jezebel's voice trembled, shaking Erick awake. He hastily sat upright, drawing his sword up to attention.

"What is it?" Erick concereningly asked, averting his eyes away from Jezebel and the child. "Do you know who did this?"

Jezebel nodded, placing the child down beside her and approaching Erick's side. "I do believe it wad your son," she bit her bottom lip reluctantly. "Bard."

Erick burned with fury, slamming the sword aggressively onto the ground nearby. "I will kill him!" he shouted, jumping up from where he sat.

Jezebel watched him as he fled the room before she could argue. Erick focused sternly as he walked down to the water's edge, passing by resting warriors while thinking of ways to get the truth from Bard and ways to execute him for it.