The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 15

Kari sat alone watching the rain, Helga had left them to return to her home, hoping that her being there might help Ragnar find them when he had finally returned.
The rain was heavy, the sound on the roof was relaxing as she sat silently thinking about what had happened just yesterday.

One of Jarl Borgs men was riding by, he'd stopped to ask Kari if she had seen the Queen and her sons. He seemed to believe her lie until Rollo called out from the barn, which had caused the man to grab his axe from his side and swing at Kari, seeing the brother of Ragnar was enough of a give away. Leaving a slice in her arm he lifted his axe again to go for Kari's head before she dodged him, grabbing his arm and yanking him off the horse, ripping the axe from his hand she screamed out in pain using both arms, holding them above her head she swung the axe down as hard as she could, directly bashing his skull. His blood splattered everywhere. Rollo ran over as soon as the fight began, arriving just as Kari killed him. "Take the horse, get it in the barn, nobody can see it or they will know he was here" Kari cried as she held her arm "But what about the body?" Rollo asked concerned "I'll get rid of it! Now go!" She yelled, angry at him as she clutch her wound, blood covered her hand. Rollo did as she said and took the horse, leading it out of sight. Kari was sure someone would be looking for this man soon if he did not return. Dragging him around the back of the farm she groaned in pain, doing her best to ignore it. Once he was there she grabbed a nearby shovel, used for burying any sick animals to avoid spreading disease. She began to dig, her arm throbbing each time she lifted the dirt. "Oh woow a dead guy!" A small voice came from behind her, Kari turned around "Oh no, Ubbe don't look, why don't you go back inside, play with your brothers" she said quickly only for Ubbe to call out to his brother "Hvitserk! Look a dead guy" his brother came running "Oh cool!" They both gawked at the body as Kari could help but laugh at them. "Go on inside, this isn't for little boys to see" they both chuckled and ran along. Kari had finally buried the body when the ran started.

As soon as she was inside her father began to curse "What happened!" He yelled, concerned, he walked over and began to examine her arm. "One of Jarl Borgs men rode by asking about Aslaug, he believed my lie until Rollo showed up!" Kari groaned as her father poked around her would. "Is he dead now?" He asked concerned "Yes. But I'm worried someone will come looking for him." She took a seat by the fire "Oh they will... don't move. I'm going to clean that wound before you get some sort of infection" Kari was going to protest but he simply raised his eyebrow and gave her a look she knew all too well, a look that said 'do as I say' and she kept her mouth shut.
He returned quickly and washed the wound, burning it to make the bleeding stop. It hurt like hell but Kari didn't complain. Once it was done she went and sat outside, under the the sheltered porch around. Halvar had come to check on her, the two sitting quietly listening to the rain before Kari saw something in the distance. Halvar stood up quickly "is that more of Jarl Borgs men?" He asked concerned, Kari stood up and got a better look. Helga, she could see Helga. And Ragnar! RAGNAR! "By the Gods... That's Ragnar. Kari pushed past Halvar, running out to meet her friends "Helga" she cried out, hugging her friend. Someone cleared their throat "And what about me? Am I not your friend too" Kari's eyes widened "Floki!" She reached out and hugged her dearest boatbuilder. Ragnar quickly ran into the house, hugging his sons and meeting his newest son Sigurd.

Kari was taking the others inside when Helga noticed her arm "Kari! What happened? Why is your arm bandaged?" Her two friends looked concerned "One of Jarl Borgs men came by, he got in a hit before I managed to kill him" she smirked, too happy to be angry about the fight.

Everyone was sat around the fire, happily catching up and eating. Kari's father had been excited to meet Ragnar, having remembered his father when he was just a simple farmer, like himself. "I knew you when you were small boys Ragnar, you and Rollo. You always fought like borther's, but you two always had each other's back" Rollo sighed and looked down, remembering his betrayal. He'd hoped one day his brother would trust him the way he once did.

Kari was sitting by Halvar, looking into the fire, it seemed to dance and twirl, Kari swore she could see something in the fire, she became captivated before her blue eyes grew icy and her pupils became so small they could hardly be seen. Images of a young man crossed her mind, riding with a small army towards them. They were not Jarl Borgs men. She felt she recognised the boy but couldn't tell because the vision was blurry. Someone else was with him, a women. But before Kari would see the vision faded. "Kari... Kari" Halvar shook her leg "What is it?" He asked "Stop, it's the Gods, they are speaking to her" Floki quickly stopped him "what did you see" he asked, moving to sit beside her. Kari tried her best to piece it together "Someone is coming, they are not Jarl Borgs men, they are coming to help us. A man I thought I knew. I couldn't see well enough to recognise him..." Floki looked at Ragnar who seemed concerned. "They were not coming to harm us?" Ragnar asked to reassure himself "No. The man spoke of coming to the aid of Earl Ragnar. They are allies"