Northwind

22

"We are men of Uhtred," Finan said and pushed me behind him. 

"You are?" an older man asked. 

"Yes, we need to protect the warrior here. Some men are hunting him," Sihtric said. 

"Well, let us help you," he said. Everyone dropped their weapons away from us, "we too have pledged our lives to Uhtred." A younger man advanced towards us and looked at me, he knelt before me. 

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, I hope to become your companion one day," he said. 

"I need no companion," I said. 

"Come let us leave the forest, we have a fort not far from here," the older man said.  We followed them, my hand rested on my sword as we entered. Men, women and children all stared as we walked to their main hall. Sihtric and Finan stood behind me, we all knelt as we met their queen. 

"Please stand, there is no need for that," she said and descended down the steps towards us. "So you're the famous warrior, I see the rumours are true," her eyes gazed over my form. "You're smaller than I thought." I looked back at my men and we all chuckled amongst ourselves. 

"Well, I apologize I don't live up to your expectations," I laughed. 

"No need to apologize, but I am willing to offer you my protection warrior, for as long as you and your men see it fit," she said.

"Where are we sleeping?" Finan asked. 

"I can arrange for some rooms in the tavern for you," she said. "guards please escort our guests to the tavern." We followed them, I pulled my hood over my head and kept my gaze to the ground. When we settled down for the evening and the guards left us, mine and Finan's gaze met. 

"Sihtric, send word to Uhtred," Finan said, we watched him leave till it was just us. I pulled my mask off and leant my head against the wall. 

"I can actually breathe now," I said. 

"Didn't realize you had that problem," he said. 

"Sometimes," I replied. I walked out to the balcony and stood looking out at the bustling town as the night fell upon us.  I took a deep breath in. 

"Didn't realize I was known this far," I said taking a glance back at him.  

"Your reputation travels far and wide as it grows," he said and joined me. 

"Too many people will ask for my blade," I said and leant against the wooden balcony tapping my fingers against it. 

"And will you give it?" he asked. 

"No," I said, "my place is with Uhtred." 

"What if he falls one day?" he asked. 

"Then I will fall too," I said running a hand over my braids. 

"You can't, you must move on and find a better person to serve," he said. 

"I shan't, I will break tradition," I said.

"Freya, with this character you play you can't, you don't have a choice. You must keep going," Finan said, locking a serious glance with my eyes.