Denmark 873
The young girl’s heart pounded in her chest as the man’s rough voice echoed in her ears, “Do you want to die?” Her eyes, wide with terror, darted between the raging inferno behind them and the man’s grim expression. Tears streamed down her soot-stained cheeks as she shook her head slowly.
He gently pulled her close, shielding her from the horrifying scene with a coarse wool blanket. The flames of the Longhouses licked at the sky, casting an eerie, orange glow over the smoke-filled night. The deafening crackle of the burning timber and the heart-wrenching cries of her people filled her ears.
Suddenly, she was lifted and tossed over his shoulder. With each stride, his shoulder dug into her stomach, and her breath caught in her throat. As they reached the edge of the dock, he shouted, “She’s here!” and tossed her onto the damp wooden planks.
A cacophony of shouts and the rhythmic slap of oars against water filled the air. The boat rocked violently as it was launched into the dark, mysterious sea. The once familiar sounds of her village were slowly replaced by the rhythmic lapping of waves against the hull.
The blanket was roughly pulled away, revealing the man’s piercing blue eyes. “Do you know what has happened?” he asked, his voice strained.
She nodded, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Your Mor and Far have gone to Valhalla,” he said solemnly. A single tear rolled down her cheek. “You are a Dane, and you will not shed any more tears tonight,” he commanded.
“Where are you taking me, Lord?” she asked, her voice small and trembling.
“I must take you away from here,” he replied, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Our supplies are low, and our numbers are dwindling. We must stay close to the shore and pray to the Gods that no storm or sea serpent threatens us.”
As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, the girl’s fear began to dissipate. She watched in awe as the sun rose over the calm waters. But her newfound hope was quickly dashed when she realized they were adrift, surrounded by endless ocean.
“Lord, where is the shoreline?” she asked, her voice filled with anxiety.
Panic seized the crew as they rowed frantically. “By the Gods, where are we?” one of them cried out.
YOU ARE READING
A Viking's Rage
Historical Fiction[2018 Watty's Shortlist] In a brutal world ruled by cruelty and power, Aiya is nothing more than a slave-her life defined by servitude and pain. But when her ruthless Lord betrays her and Northumbria falls under siege by Norse invaders, Aiya's life...
