The Viking and the Witch [Halfdan The Black]

Chapter 10: Her

They brought them to the ships. Dividing the new Slaves onto all boats. Mary was brought onto the very first ship together with eight women from her village. They were scared of the strangers and Mary equally, chanting prayers to their God to protect them. Mary immediately sat down, leaning on the side of the ship, closing her eyes. She was exhausted from everything that happened today.

The savages continued to pack their ships until they got ready to sail away. The movement of the boats on the waves lulled Mary into sleep.
She was woken up by the wailing of the women and the hand of one of the pagans.

He was older, his dark blond, almost brown, hair already had grey specks on the side and his face showed a few wrinkles. His cold blue eyes held kindness as he gave her some kind of cup filled with a strange substance. Mary thanked him taking a sip of the liquid. It tasted strange, unlike everything she ever tried, but she liked it. She gave it back to the man but he just pushed it back showing her to drink it all, which she did.

"What your name?", he said in a very broken English, he had a thick accent but Mary was able to understand him clearly.

"Mary."

He pointed to himself, "Olaf."

She nodded and looked to the women from her village. She noticed there were only seven now and she looked to Olaf.

"She jumped."

He said it in their language pointing to the seemingly endless sea.

"What is going to happen?", Mary asked but knew he wasn't able to understand her.

Olaf called over to one of the men in a loud voice, making the women whimper in fear. They started crying again.

The same man who untied her and saved her from the stake walked towards them.

"What is going to happen?", she asked again.

"You'll be sold to the highest bidder at the market."

Mary swallowed. What would ensure not only her survival but also a good life?

"I don't speak your language." She told him.

"You'll learn."

"Could someone teach me?"

The man paused. Why was the woman so accepting and passive, letting everything happen to her? But her request wouldn't hurt. They could sell her for more money if she already spoke their language. So he agreed, calling over a third man who would teach her their language. They had to travel for weeks before arriving at their desired place.

Mary was taught the language of the Vikings over the weeks. It came to her easily and Gustav, her teacher, soon deemed her fluent in their language and she started talking to a very strange man called Floki. He talked about their Gods teaching her the names as well as their traditions. Mary listened to everything he told her, soaking it in like a sponge.

Olaf usually beside her, making sure no one else bothered her. He grew found of the young woman, even more when he realised how alone she was.