The Heart Of The Warrior (Rollo Lothbrok x OFC)

Chapter 20

Kari's body felt weak as she stumbled back to camp with the others, she felt exhausted, her body ready to collapse at any moment. Stumbling to the nearest bucket of water she dug her hands in deep and cupped water in her hands, bringing it to her mouth she felt some relief, washing water over her face she rinsed the blood from her cheeks and forehead. Taking a moment to breath she knelt down "We were defeated! my uncle is dead! we were not lucky" Bjorn screamed at his father. "We do not know if he is dead..." Ragnar continued, Kari felt an ache in her heart and stomach. Looking down she noticed a cut in her leather armour, blood seeping from it. The adrenaline of the fight was gone and she began to feel the ache of her sore body. Feeling weak she stood and stumbled over to Floki, grabbing his shoulder she pulled him to face her. "What is i- Gods!..." he cursed grabbing Kari's arm he wrapped it over his shoulder and carried her to his tent, helping her to sit he started rummaging through his bag "We need to get your leathers off, quick!" he panicked. Kari groaned as she fumbled to unlace the sides of the armour. Footsteps could be heard from behind her, Floki looked up and looked shocked. "Let me help, she is afterall my slave, I do have a responsibility of care for her" Horik spoke, each word like venom to Kari's ears. Her heart began to pound as his fat fingers unlaced the sides of her armour. He lifted it over her head with the help of Floki "That's enough, I don't need any help now" Floki's voice wasn't angry, but insistent "I think I should stay jus-" Horik began "No!...." Floki raised his voice before calming himself "she needs rest" he finished. Kari held her hand tightly over the wound, trying to stay calm but the anger and panic was getting too much for her, she began to feel faint, her eyes heavy and her vision dark. 

Floki noticed Kari's eyes beginning to churn like the familiar storm they withheld, he knew it was a sign of her visions oncoming. He seemed to be the only one who could sense this. Grabbing her as carefully as he could he helped her lay down so as not to let her fall, and began to work on her wound, a thin undershirt the only thing left covering it he carefully lifted it away, making sure to uncover as little of her skin as possible, to keep her modesty in case Horik returned again. 

Kari saw only black before the sound of cries could be heard, baby cries. Looking down into her arms an infant was cradled in her grasp, it was covered in blood like it was just born. She heard a mans voice from the distance and the cries stopped immediately. Looking up a warrior with grey hair walked towards her, one of his eyes glowing, the other hidden behind a patch. He walked over and reached out, taking the baby from Kari he spoke not another word as he began to walk away, walking into the forests he disappeared. Kari's head swirled before she woke up, shooting up from her sleep causing an ache in her stomach. Floki was nowhere to be seen, she stood up quickly and saw her wound had been wrapped. Walking out of the tent she noticed Floki approaching on a horse with... King Alle... Kari blinked a few times and began to walk over "What is going on?" Kari asked confused "Ragnar, Lagertha, and Horik have gone to meet with the king, to discuss an agreement" he sounded disappointed "this fat guy is our hostage" he chuckled to himself, Kari would have laughed if she  wasn't so caught up on what her vision had meant. 

King Alle climbed off his horse and eyed the northmen that surrounded him "Alle" Kari spoke saxon immediately getting his attention. "What does Ecburt plan to offer Ragnar?" she asked curiously, walking over to a log and gesturing for him to take a seat. Alle looked around and soon realized he'd rather sit with this women than anyone else, so he sat down. "Ecburt plans to offer land and other things in return for a few viking warriors to fight for him" he explained "Fight who?" Kari raised an eyebrow "Mercia, a kingdo-" he began to explain "I know Mercia. Offa is at war with Ecburt?" she asked Alle seemed confused as to how she had knowledge of these things but explained further "Offa died. Now his heir has been murdered by his sister and shes killing anyone who stands in her way of the crown, she wants Wesex and Northumbria as an ally and Ecburt will fight with her to secure her succession if it means she will be his ally" Kari raised an eyebrow and noticed Floki watching them with disdain, he hated Christians, he hated that Kari would talk to them. "So how do you know so much about England?" Alle asked "I lived here, I was a wanderer, traveled many places and learned many things" she explained before standing up and leaving him under the ever so fearful guard of Torstein.