The Dawn of the Lost

1

I stood panting on the battlefield. The rain poured, I witnessed the Valkyries take the bodies of the fallen. "You fought well girl," Ragnar said as he slapped a hand on my shoulder. I gave him a nod, words failed me. "What's wrong Fenris got your tongue?" I shook my head, I still hadn't quite caught my breath. I lifted my head to the sky letting Odin's tears wash over me. I walked the battlefield solemnly collecting the weapons of the fallen.

The smell of decay never did bother me. By nightfall, all of the weapons and dead had been collected. While they prepared the graves I stood on the hill staring down the town of Winchester. I knew that Uhtred was there, I had to rescue him, he didn't belong there with the Christians. "They will kill you before you reach the gate," Ragnar said.

"I can try," I said looking over my shoulder.

"Don't be foolish!" He said and turned me to face him.

"Ragnar he's lost without me," I said.

"I know, but he made his choice," he reminded me.

"I will not abandon him," I said flicking my hood up and whistling for my Friesian steed. He galloped towards us and used his head to nudge Ragnar out of the way. He stumbled back and almost slipped in the mud.

"Is this you also betraying your clan?" he asked trying to pull me from the saddle.

"No," I said pulling his arm off me.

"If you go, don't return!" He growled. I sat tall in the saddle, sighed and kicked my horse in the ribs. I took my black wolf mask out of my saddle, I slipped it on under my hood and continued my race to the gates. The guards gave me a quick glance but didn't stop, they let me straight through. I could hear a great commotion in the square, I kept riding till I reached it, there were two figures on their knees. I didn't recognize them till I heard the voice of the long-haired one, it was Uhtred.

I dismounted and walked around to meet him in an alleyway, I leant against the post of the forge and bit into an apple. "Brave talk when addressing a king," I said looking up at him. He paused in his step, and his eyes locked onto mine.

"How did you get through the gates?" He asked, removing my mask and hood.

"Apparently the guards aren't very good at their job," we laughed as he pulled me into a hug.

"Are you here to coax me back?" he asked as we pulled away.

"Yes," I replied, and followed him to his makeshift room with nothing but a curtain for privacy.

"I will not return. Did Ragnar not tell you I made an oath?" he inquired and sat down on his fur bed.

"He did, but an oath means nothing. Uhtred please come home to your family," I said and knelt in front of him, I gently took his hands in mine. "Please."

"I can't," he said gently resting a hand on my cheek.