WRATH OF THE NORTH [BJÖRN IRONSIDE]

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Vál walked out from Signes temporary home after Karls outburst and unacceptable behavior. She had given the older woman and her child her cabin as Björn offered her to stay with him. She had given them food and drinks after comforting Signe. She had also met Margrethe for the first time, a beautiful little child with blond hair and were older than she had thought, probably around Sigurd's age but so small. Signe hadn't left her daughters side as they ate while repeating her excuses for her husbands behavior.

"How are they?" Björn asked as they met outside the great hall. A sigh left her lips as she crossed her arms over her chest, her body feeling drained from energy and her lids hid heavy yet it was only close to midday. Björn frowned and placed a hand on her shoulder as he noticed her lack of energy.

"Shaken but she's very strong." Vál said with a faint smile. Björn moved his hand to her neck, giving it a gentle squeeze as she stared at the ground.

"You okay?" Björn asked and she shrugged.

"Just tired." She said shorty and he nodded but worry grew in the pit of his stomach. He had known Vál long enough to know her impressive amount of energy. She had told him stories in the mountains of her long hunts which required her full attention for many hours. After the battle in Paris she had been one of the last to fall asleep, early wake and late napping. "I just need to rest." She added.

"Sleep. I need to talk to father about what happened with that man." Björn said and she nodded before walking towards his cabin. His eyes followed her, seeing how her shoulders and head hung heavily. Vál usually had a very strong posture and never missed a chance to show her impressive physic.

Björn walked towards the great hall, searching for his father and Aslaug. Even from the outside of the hall he could hear his brothers speak about the fight between Vál and Signhild. Ubbe telling it with his brothers adding details he was missing, even exaggerating some parts. Björn's eyes was met with Aslaugs as she looked at him entering the cabin but Hvitserk quickly begged for her attention as they were demonstrating the fight between the women. Ivar was sleeping peacefully in her embrace.

"Brothers, I need to speak with you mother in private." Björns voice booming in the room. His brothers whined but his stare made them hurry quickly out the door. He looked over his shoulder to make sure they had left before looking as Aslaug who was waiting for him to speak.

"What's the matter Björn?" She asked, calmly and straightened her back to show her title and power. "I hope you're not coming through with more men in the forest?" She added, not bothering to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"No but the people knows about the man, they got the information in a rather displeasing way." He began and Aslaug only raised her brow. "Karl, the farmer has been abusing his wife and might have been violent towards their child as well." He added and she nodded with wide eyes.

"I'll take care of it." Aslaug said and Björn only looked at her. Thinking if he should mention the fact that Karl had expressed hatred and been threatening the Queen herself from neglecting the poor in Kattegat. Björn didn't like the woman but he cared for his brothers and they needed their mother, even if Vál had taken that role on a few occasions.