The Wolf of Kattegat

Chapter 5

Siblings names:

Birger – One who helps.

Ragna – Giving advice.

The night was broken with screaming and fighting. When you finally had enough of laying still you crept to the window band frankly wished you hadn't. Blood stained the snow. Some people were moving but unable to crawl away from the fighting, others hacked at the Ragnarssons who clearly had the gods on their side... if not Loki in their midsts for the way Ivar tore through them.

He was coated with blood and you wondered how he'd managed to fight his way through as a wolf then returned to his form and still look as if he'd simply bathed in blood. "Selene!" The hiss came as a surprise so you shrieked, the sound seeming to lure Ivar's attention away from his fight to you.

"Oh!" You gasped when you saw the old lady trying to help a wounded Shieldmaiden into the house. You spotted Sigurd doing the same and called him over, helping the four of them inside before the helped you to secure the door.

"What is going on!?" Ragna asked as she woke, blushing when she saw Sigurd, wiping blood from his face.

"Help us patch these ones up... just because Ivar has sunk his teeth in them is no reason they should die." Sigurd ordered. He helped lug pots to the fire, slice fabrics for bandages and checked the cabin to make it more secure.

All the while you and Ragna followed the orders of the old woman who was fixing up the four souls who were weakly thanking you for your help. "I do not understand! Ivar can turn to a wolf... how?" Ragna asked and Sigurd sucked the air between his teeth.

"He angered a witch." His answer was quick and sharp.

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"He will turn again tonight." Sigurd said solemnly as he watched the street which ha died down, giving the brothers a chance to help Floki pull Ivar away.

"Again?" You asked and Sigurd nodded.

"He becomes weaker after the moon is full. The days leading up he gains strength but it is like the whole ordeal tires him." Sigurd shrugged and you glanced at the door before nodded, imagining Ivar would be tired from the strain of shifting.

"Selene." Birger gasped as he leant on the chair the old woman was napping in.

When you looked at what had caught his eye you saw the wounds of the warriors knitting together. You stood and a dreadful fear settled into your stomach. "Has he... has Ivar ever bit but not turned someone?"

"No, only killed. Why?" Sigurd asked as he strolled over. The shieldmaidens eyes shot open and they were the same Ivar's had been the night before, their natural colour lost. "We can barely control one!"

"How many more do you think are out there?" You mumbled and looked up at the prince who stared at the group gathered, watching the wounded heal before his eyes.

"To many. Ivar does not tread onto Floki's land... He did once but acted as if he was in pain and he doesn't usual get bothered by pain." Sigurd frowned and gestured as if that could help.

"The gods. Floki is devout to the gods and they will protect him." The old woman spoke so suddenly that you all jumped.

"Would they protect us?" Ragna asked as she stood and looked ready to sweep up everything she could carry and march through the blood and slushed snow, crossing the town with a fierce motherly stride.

"Perhaps. Even if not, strategically, it would have its advantages." She answered wisely and you nodded.

Hours later the sun was watery and the group trudged towards Floki's. Your brother pulled and heaved a cart of food and clothes, Sigurd had acquired a horse and a much larger cart which was loaded as full as it could. The old woman joined you all with her own herbs and pack.

You took two packs and Ragna took her own, blushing and talking with Sigurd who seemed to enjoy her keeping stride with the horse. "Floki!" Sigurd called, slowing you all when Ubbe and Hvitserk stepped out of the hut.

"You are not welcome here!" Ubbe snarled and drew his axe before Floki stepped between you both. "Move, she has exposed us."

"It is not her fault. As far as I see it she had the right to scream, to man, woman or the Gods. Ivar came for her life, had you done as I said and took him in before the moon rose. This would not have happened." Floki said firmly and welcomed you into his home as if he'd been waiting for you.

The warm sunny look of a mother filled the cabin which was a far contrast from the mess of the town. Helga looked as if she had been blessed with a hundred sons. Making room for your belongings and settling you all in became her priority.

"You have come too?" Floki said without looking at the old woman who smiled. "I should think you would have moved on by now. Or are you content?" Floki's words confused you but the old woman chuckled.

"I have come to guard my friends children." She said but Floki just scoffed and nodded.

"Of course." He motioned to welcome her in but looked irritated at the formality. "You two should gather the rest of their things for I doubt that little cabin will stand come morning and we shall need as much as we can salvage." He motioned to you and Ubbe.

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Ubbe frowned as you helped him gather the last of the objects that filled the house, wood, food and anything of value had been ferried back and forth as quickly as possible. The last trip put Ubbe on edge, it was dark and yet Ivar had yet to appear, all the while he may as well have dragged you back and forth before his brother and drew the beast into a rage with your presence.

"That is everything... just the bigger logs left." You muttered as Ubbe returned from his day dreaming and helped you secure the logs.

"We should get back. You are sure you left the injured here?" He asked quietly as he mounted the horse and pulled you up behind him.

"Yes and they could barely move." You sighed, holding on as Ubbe rushed the horse.

From nowhere a dark shadow appeared, flying over head and bursting into the light of the town centre. Ivar melted from the shadows as the huge wolf and snarled while blood that matted his fur dripped to the ground.

"Turn back and go the long way." You hissed as Ubbe seemed to be toying with the idea of bolting past the beast.

"Perhaps you would like to have them move." He gestured to the reflection in a large icy sheet that hung from one of the cabins and you swallowed utter fear as you saw several large wolves with the same hungry look Ivar held.

"We should cut the wood free and try to rush by." You offered as an option and Ubbe nodded, handing you a knife while he drew and axe.

Wrapping the large cloak about you, you turned, cutting the rope which allowed Ubbe to push on. The horse was taken out from under you and Ubbe barely had a hold of you as he rolled away from snapping jaws and fighting.

As you both recovered from the shock of the fall you watched the wolves. They all respected Ivar who seemed happy enough to devour poor Sigurd's borrowed horse. It was clear that Ivar knew you were both there and you were more than happy that the heavy cloak completely covered you, giving some imagined safety.

"We need to keep going." Ubbe whispered to you. "It will take longer without the horse and who knows how long beasts that big will make that last." He helped you up and you returned to Ragna and Helga's motherly fussing, Birger's fascination with your tail and Floki's grim reply as he seemed to understand something terrible was coming.