The Virtue

The Blood Wood Coincidence

(Theme song = believer by Imagine Dragons)

Floki? What an intriguing name it really is, I have never heard it before

"Floki? interesting name, I am Nova, King Darrell's daughter" I say while lowering my knife and placing it back to my boot

He lets out a small childish giggle and say "The rumours were right, you are the most exquisite woman I have ever laid my eyes on, sorry princess if I am crossing a line with my words" he gets down from his horse and bows down to me

"What brings you here at the blood woods at night?" I ask with utmost curiosity, as he steps closer to me I see him clearly a little from the lamp hanging by the side of my saddle, he has a different look, he is tall and with black ink all over his face. The area around his eyes are darkened and he almost scares me by looking right in my eyes, still I maintain composure and I don't let him see my fear.

"Well Princess, I am a trader" he says while looking at the ground

"You are not from here I suppose?" I ask

"I am a Northman, I trade in sheepskin, I just came here recently and have lost my way at night. I apologize to have scared you, I meant you no harm" he bows down again

Something in his voice and gestures makes me want to trust him but I am skeptical of his behaviour. Why would a trader cross the blood woods at night? But then again how would a northman know what french blood woods are.

"I am not scared of anything, I was concerned about your presence at the blood woods at this ungodly hour" I say while maintaining a stern face

"You really aren't scared of me?" he asks while looking at me and raising his eyebrow, he let's out a small giggle

"No, not at all" I say, even though I have chills in my spine

"What is a pretty princess like you doing outside the castle at night?" he asks while rubbing his chin

"I had work in the town" I reply while shifting my gaze back and forth

"Hmmmm, interesting... and where are your guards?" he asks while tilting his head and smiling as if he has figured out my lie

"Do not question me in my own land, you understand?" I command him and tighten the reign

"I apologize princess" he raises his hand in defeat "I don't mean to anger you" he says

"Do you want me to show you the way out of the Blood woods? It is quite dangerous here" I say while patting Ella

"Not dangerous for you? Forgive me but you are a lone woman travelling at this rainy night, alone with a man like me in the woods, I can easily harm you" he says with a wicked smile

"If you were to harm me, then you wouldn't have warned me about it" I say with a smirk, "Now tell me if you want me to show you the way out of the woods then mount your horse" I command him

He gives me a curious looks and climbs up his horse and we start riding towards the east, that is where I know the town away from the woods is

"You are quite a daring, fierce woman, I must say" he giggles again

"I have been told so" I say' "A dangerous one too" I smirk

"Ooohhh don't excite me so much princess" he says while raising his shoulders and shaking in excitement like a child

He scares me so much that my heart is in my throat but I know I have to keep my back straight and my head high or he can easily kill me but still I am not as scared as I should be

"Are you married?" he asks me and looks me in the eyes, his question makes me uncomfortable

"Not yet but I soon will be" I say while breaking my eye contact and staring directly at the road, it is pouring lightly and we both are drenched in rain

"Interesting, there are men who would kill to marry a woman like you, strong and sweet at the same time" he smiles

"All I know is that I am unmarried and I wish to marry soon" I say and look at him "But someone of my own age" I give him a stern look

"Hahahaha oh no princess I am already married to a beautiful woman named Helga" he laughs and his response gives me a relief, "I was just curious you know" he looks at the road again

Silence creeps again

It's just owls hooting and the sound of our horses galloping, we reach a small town where I could see the chimney smoke and firewood burning inside the houses, I pull the reign of Ella and stop her, Floki follows me and stops too

"Here is your destination, dear floki, I hope France serves you well, you are most welcome here" I say with a smile

"I am thankful for the Allfather that he gave me your company tonight, I would have died otherwise" he half bows on the horse and smiles

"It was pleasure meeting you floki, I hope to see you soon" I say and turn my horse

"Yes, very soon" He chuckles

"Haaa!" I scream to Ella and we head back to the castle, I ride as fast as I can because I know there are Pagans in the woods who kill for the thrill of it but somehow I do not fear them, I have crossed these blood woods quite a few times and if they wished to hurt me then they would have but they haven't so it's best to believe that don't intend to

I ride as fast as I can and thank the christ when I see the caste gate and two women dressed in red, they are Anna & Amelia, my ladies and my partners in crime, I dismount my horse and give Ella to a stable boy

Anna and Amelia walk towards me with their arms folded, I now they are quite mad at me

"What?" I say while removing my cloak and dusting myself, "Where were you?" Anna asks while helping me in removing my wet cloak

"I went to meet Medusa" I say shyly, "Nova it's not safe for you to be..." Amelia says

"I know, don't mother me please" I interrupt her and they both look at each other and let out a small sigh in unison

"Now come on I have to change my dress and get dried up, help me here" I command

Anna carries my clothes and Amelia my satchel, we run upstairs from the side staircase to avoid anyone seeing me while we reach my chambers

"Now hurry up I need to change" I say while Anna loosens my corset and Amelia searches for new clothes to wear

As I said, they are my partners in crime.

(Please comment and vote if you like the story and where it is heading!! I have so much on my mind about this story. It is going to be a great one, please let me know what you feel about this!)

1) Theme song