Shield-Maiden
Cathryn kept her fur cloak on until the fire had warmed her through. When she shrugged it off on to the back of her chair, she revealed a tough leather tunic beneath. Across her stomach, she carried a knife big enough to skin a bear, and from one side of her belt hung a short-handled axe. Together with the sword she had left by the door, Cathryn was more than well armed.
She had told Ylva that she got by ‘trading this and that’, but Ylva was certain Cathryn wasn’t a trader. The way she was dressed, the weapons she carried, she looked more like a warrior. A shield-maiden. Swords were expensive and difficult to forge, and the only people who owned them were those rich enough to have one made, or those who took them from the dead fingers of a defeated enemy.
Cathryn didn’t look like a rich woman.
Bron hadn’t spoken a word since entering the hut. He communicated with Cathryn using his hand-speak, making signs and gestures in the air, but he kept his eyes on Ylva. He watched her like a hawk watches the forest from above.
The night limped on and they each stayed in their seats, not speaking much at first, and then not at all.
Eventually Cathryn fell asleep sitting upright in the chair, and as soon as she started snoring, Bron’s frown deepened further. He rolled his eyes at Ylva, as if the sound annoyed him, then went to the far side of the room where he took two blankets from the shelf and spread them on the dirt floor close to the fire. Satisfied with his makeshift bed, he lay down on it, hugged his fur cloak around his shoulders, and closed his eyes.
As she sat listening to Cathryn’s snoring, and watching her enormous chest rising and falling, Ylva wondered if the woman might help her find the three-fingered man.
Or take us somewhere safe. Geri sat up and nuzzled Ylva for attention. He pressed his nose against her arm and lifted a paw on to her knee.
‘Maybe,’ Ylva whispered as she stroked the soft fur between his ears. ‘Maybe. But I don’t like the look of that boy. I don’t like the way he watches me.’
Geri opened his mouth, letting his tongue loll out to one side. You’re afraid of him?
‘Of course I’m not afraid of him.’ She leant down to put her face against Geri’s neck. ‘I just don’t like the look of him. He concerns me.’
Just after midnight, Ylva quietly pushed back her chair to stand and stretch her legs. She edged around the table, taking tiny steps so her boots wouldn’t scuff the floor, and went to where Mother lay beneath the blanket.
She sank to the floor beside the body and sat with her legs crossed, placing the bow within easy reach. Geri sighed and curled himself beside her.
‘Tomorrow will be the first of many long days,’ Ylva said as she stroked his fur. ‘I’ll need you to watch over me.’
She glanced over at Bron to see that he was awake and watching her. He didn’t move or blink, but eventually he closed his eyes again, so Ylva waited a few minutes then put one hand on the shape beneath the blanket.
‘I’ll avenge you,’ she whispered. ‘I promise.’
Ylva sat dry-eyed and motionless, trying to stay awake because she knew the Mares would bring her bad dreams. But after time, her back slumped, her head dropped, and sleep took her.