The Dawn of the Lost

6

As my eyes closed, Ragnar appeared to me. "You can fight this," he said crouching next to me. "You're strong."

"Ragnar?" I asked. "You're in the north, how did you get here?" He chuckled as he placed a hand on my head. "You're not mad that I joined Uhtred?"

"No, why would I be?" He asked.

"I just know you have a temper," I replied looking at him. "Are you here to get me out of here?" He shook his head.

"No, I'm going to wait with you till Uhtred finds you," he replied.

"I could be dead by the time he finds me," I said.

"I don't think so," he ran his fingers through my hair. "You will get through this, you will heal."

"I hope you're right Ragnar," I said leaning into his touch, a touch of comfort. Something I had now been denied. His gaze travelled over my broken legs.

"They're not as damaged as they must feel, you will walk again Astrid, I can promise you that," he said.

"I hope you're right, just wish Uhtred would get me out of here!" I said I found my eyes beginning to cloud over.

"Save those tears," he said resting his head on mine.

"I can't help it," I replied.

"We're Danes, we're tough we don't cry," he replied and wiped them away. "Astrid, it's going to be okay I assure you."

"I wish I could believe you," I said. 

"You should," he answered.  "Whatever you do, never close your eyes." 

"Why?" I asked. 

"Because the Valkyries will take your soul to Valhalla," he replied.

"Maybe that's for the best," I said. 

"You will be silent if you're going to say that," he replied. 

"But it's true if this is how people see me," I answered. 

"No. You're a strong warrior, kind natured soul. Never think bad of yourself," he said. He paused, got up grabbed a cloth and dunked it in a barrel of water and softly dabbed my head. "You need to hang on till Uhtred rescues you."

"T...That's impossible," I said feeling myself beginning to fade. 

"Astrid! Don't you dare!"His voice laced with concern. He shook my being gently which bought my senses back a little bit. 

"R...Ragnar please, I can't," I replied. Suddenly the door opened, we both looked over, it was a child of one of the tenants but a child that Uhtred was fond of.

"Who are you talking to?" She asked wandering towards us. 

"Ragnar," I answered, I looked to my side but he was gone. "Nevermind." 

"You're Uhtreds friend," she said. 

"I am. And I need you to do something and I will give you a very special shiny coin," I told her. 

"What is it?" she asked. 

"I need you to go and get Lord Uhtred, bring him here. Tell him I must speak with him," I instructed her.  Without hesitation, she ran out of the barn and straight to Uhtred as I could hear her footfalls and her squeaky voice calling for him. 

"Okay," she replied running out, I could hear her foot