Chapter 5

“What are you going to do?” Sky whispered.

“Everything,” he said. His mouth moved over her shoulders hungrily.

Sky felt her hip wrap fall to the ground. Brandr turned her around and pushed her backwards gently until she bumped against the wall. There was a small smooth log she stepped up on. He took her tied wrists and pulled them high over her head, slipping them over a large steel hook. Sky was standing on her tiptoes. Colleen had been held captive like this, not tied, but helpless. Sky’s heart began to beat madly. She whimpered his name with uncertainty.

“I won’t hurt you, Sky. Please don’t be afraid of me.”

Sky wasn’t afraid of him, but she was pensive. Brandr began to suck her breasts. He devoted long moments to each one until they throbbed. He pulled her bud into his mouth and worked it hard with his demanding tongue and lips. He grazed his teeth over the tip of her nipple. Sky squirmed under him, groaning and gasping for breath. It hurt and felt good at the same time. Her turmoil battled. This was always the part where she and Brandr had trouble. He wanted so much more, as did she, but she was too afraid of her feelings. They were too mixed, and her fear overwhelmed her desire.

“Please, be gentler,” she begged.

“Trust me.” His forehead pressed to hers briefly.

Brandr left her where she was for a moment before returning. It was scary to be left alone tied to a wall even though he remained in the hut. She was so vulnerable. His eyes were intense when he once more stood before her and he lifted a long leather strap to her face. Sky almost screamed. She thought at first he meant to beat her. But he would never harm her that way, she knew he wouldn’t, and she trusted him enough to know it absolutely. Instead he wrapped the length around her mouth, gagging her. Sky felt terrified. She could no longer ask him to stop; her vulnerability had doubled.

Oh God what is he going to do?

She moaned when Brandr returned to her breasts and ravished them. Her knees pulled up when one finger dipped into her vaginally. He pumped harder after spreading her legs apart. Sky had no leverage. Her feet were no longer on the ground, but Brandr was careful to keep her full weight from her wrists.

Brandr rubbed his erection on her and lifted her hips to wrap her legs around him. His thrust into her vaginal heat was punishing and Sky screamed. Her bound hands fisted tightly. She felt the tremor rush up through her belly. The wood against her back was unbending as the furs were not and she was pinned with nowhere to retreat. She had no choice but to remain in place and accept all of him. Brandr removed himself and thrust even harder. Sky screamed again, unable to even arch her back. She wondered if Colleen had felt this fear, pain, excitement. It was a confusing mixture. Brandr was merciless and she could see his muscles bunch and flex. Sky closed her eyes. He had said he would be gentle, but she fearfully realized he might have lost control. He bucked against her thrusting deeper until Sky could take no more of him in. Or so she thought. His finger went deeply into her behind. Sky didn’t scream this time. He was gently thrusting one finger inside her. Sky realized he did have control, only he had all of it.

The sweat dripped down her shoulder blades and between her breasts to mix with Brandr’s. Her head slumped back and she relaxed under him as Brandr slowed his movements. Her hands opened and lay limp. Her frantic gasps turned to moans. He rocked against her. His one hand squeezed her breasts while the other remained in her behind. His weight pressed against her, holding her still. She couldn’t decide what felt stronger, the solid wood beam at her back or the powerhouse of a man at her front. He thrust faster and harder until her eyes fluttered and she wondered if she would faint.

“You’re fine, little Valkyrie. Feel me; don’t fight me.”

Sky realized her insides had clamped tightly around him. Without realizing it, her body was resisting him even though she remained limp. She hadn’t relaxed her entire body. She hadn’t given him the control he so desperately sought. Concentrating, Sky stopped tensing when he thrust. He wanted her to trust him. He protected her. She wasn’t certain, but she thought perhaps he loved her. Her thoughts calmed her. It was difficult, but her entire body gave in to him.

“That’s it,” he groaned.

Brandr kissed her cheeks, her throat. She was captive beneath him. She was dependent on him. But as his captive, he owed her, too. Her legs wrapped tighter around his waist. He growled out she was his alone tonight.

She was. Her climax was building with each powerful stroke as she accepted him. He not only took her, but he took her to a place she had never been. A wave of such intense emotion washed over her, she tensed then stilled. She was motionless when he groaned.

He came and his body remained as unmoving as she.

“Think first before you answer,” Brandr panted. He was breathing as hard as she was. He was still carefully moving his finger in and out of her behind. “Are you hurt?”

Sky was tempted to nod her head. But in her mind she evaluated limb by shaking limb. He hadn’t allowed her back to smash into the wood behind her, since he had pinned her too tightly for her to move. Her vaginal area was hot and still closed around him. For all his roughness she didn’t mind that his cock was still buried inside her. She finally shook her head no.

“Are you afraid?”

She had been, but she wasn’t right at this very moment and shook her head again. He added a second finger that also slipped in and out of her behind carefully.

“Will you let me teach you more?”

Sky opened her eyes. Brandr’s blue eyes wore the same intense expression as before. Sky felt her body quiver. Very slowly she nodded yes. Brandr looked victorious and pulled himself from her heat. He gripped her under her behind and lifted her down to settle her onto her shaky feet. He removed his fingers. He untied her hands, only to retie them behind her back. He kept her gag on. Brandr laid her on their furs for a moment while he lashed her ankles together then dressed. Sky started shaking. Brandr wrapped her in a fur and slung her over his shoulder and left the hut.

Sky was panic-stricken. He wouldn’t take her to the cabin like this; she knew him well enough to know he would kill anyone who touched her, except Rolf of course. It was dark out and she was tied and gagged; she had no choice but to put her life in his hands. She felt him slowly decline down the side of a hill and realized they were heading to the river. Sky was concerned. But he didn’t stop at the river. He walked for quite some time and she wondered if he found her to be getting heavy. He seemed to have a destination in mind; his gait was sure and steady. She whimpered.

“It’s all right,” he soothed. “I’ll protect you.”

She wondered if she would need protection from him. It was an amusing thought. Sky knew in her heart he would kill a wild animal bare-handed for her. He spoke quick words to calm her, telling her she would love the little springs. It was his favorite place and he wanted to share it with her.

When they came to a cave, Sky was placed onto her back on the fur she was wrapped in. Though there was no fire, the pools of water had an odd glow that cast a little light. Brandr removed his pants; he had his leather pouch of grease. Sky had thought all of the men in the village were lust-filled dogs because each one had the same type of pouch. But she soon discovered the grease had other purposes. The leather was lined with the waterproof stomach of an animal. The grease could be quickly melted in a bowl or an indentation in a rock and the moss wicks the men carried could be lit and turned into added light. They also used it for cooking, as a butter substitute and on occasion one of the ingredients for soap. Right now, Sky knew there was only one purpose in Brandr’s mind.

Brandr rolled Sky to her belly and she felt his fingers, slick with grease, pump into her behind. Sky’s eyes widened in some trepidation. He was going to take her behind the same way? Out here where it was open? Though no one was around, someone could come upon them. She whimpered loudly.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

She knew that. She just didn’t want anyone else seeing them together…doing this. Brandr pulled her up and carried her to the hot spring in the cave. He entered the water carefully and placed her belly down over the pool’s edge. Sky still whimpered, as she looked at the entrance of the cave. Is that movement? No, it was a bush in the wind. Wait, is that a crunch? No, just a squirrel. Are there fish in this pool? No, it was Brandr’s cock moving in the water.

Her attention was on her surroundings until she screamed under her gag when Brandr thrust painfully into her behind. The grease had made her slick and every inch found its way inside her. Sky gasped, her eyes opened wide. He did mean to take her roughly. She squirmed and wiggled and he gripped her tightly, too tightly. He was so strong and she felt so helpless. Brandr pulled out then thrust again, harder, until he was pumping just as wildly as he had in the hut. No wonder Colleen hadn’t cared if she had been seen; Sky had too much to concentrate on with Brandr.

Oh.

His thrusts were so powerful, like the first time he had taken her this way. She had thought he had been angry, but now she knew better. It wasn’t his intention to cause her pain. Sky sobbed and choked and went limp, giving him complete control. She didn’t let any of her body tense as she accepted him. It was less painful when she remained calm under him. Sky felt Brandr’s grip loosen as he gentled his thrusts. Sometimes he didn’t realize his own strength. Water still sloshed over the sides, but Brandr was gliding into her. She realized it wasn’t really the roughness he craved, it was her total submission. Once he had it, the rough thrusting ceased. Now she understood. Her fear evaporated completely. It was never his intention to hurt her or make her fear him. And she didn’t. She wondered if Brandr even knew that compliance was all he wanted. His hand was stroking her bottom gently. She heard him gasp in huge amounts of air. He spoke sweet words of love to her. She was right; he did love her.

Sky heard him grunt when he came, as he worked his fingers against her clit. She was so aroused, so hot. The water was hot, the cave was warm. She could care less if someone came upon them. She was safe. Brandr felt so good. She shuddered her release. She lay there and wondered about the questions he had asked her before. She wasn’t in any real pain. Her butt hurt although not as much as she thought it would. She wasn’t afraid; she had a new insight to this man who would soon be her husband. Brandr would only ever share her with Rolf. Rolf had known this was what Brandr had planned. He trusted Brandr not to hurt her. She trusted Brandr not to harm her. She had agreed to what he wanted and she was fine. She felt so much relief.

Brandr removed her gag. She was breathing heavily; his big body had her wrapped in his arms, pinned gently.

“Not every night,” she whispered. “But sometimes I won’t mind if you take me like this again.”

“Good,” he said. And thrust himself into her and began again.

* * * *

It was Rolf’s second night away. Brandr had chosen to eat at the large cabin. Sky was sitting quietly beside him while the captives served them the meal. She watched each captive for a few moments with interest. The more she understood, the more intriguing their life became to her. She understood why Brandr had thought she was a slave when he had voiced his many concerns to her one day once she was able to understand him. He had been amazed she had asked for her hair to be cut; she hadn’t been forced. It wasn’t a punishment. She learned that people here knew of a slave’s status by their short hair. The free women kept theirs long and loose or coiled depending on their marital status.

Sky was aware of the captives who had daily protection. They smiled and laughed with each other. They were happy. Their captors were rabid bears when protecting them and it was easy to see the men were more than just fond of them. One man had already declared there would soon be a wedding and the woman had begun eating at the table with the others as Sky did. Others were able to coax protection for a few days at a time from different men who the women declared to be gentle and agreeable. Sky liked them and treated them with respect and they treated her with deference given a free woman and were friendly in turn. They looked healthy and well fed, never fearful of where their next meal was coming from. All except the one. Now with Rolf gone, no one seemed eager to feed the captive slave, the woman everyone would rather forget existed. In fact, the woman and her situation were so explosive, the villagers dealt with it by never referring to her by name. That alone made Sky wonder. If given a name, she would be given a soul. She would be made a person. Perhaps not only Rolf battled with himself.

The captive slave still glared at Sky. Sky was at a loss. She hated what the men did to her. But even she knew she wasn’t capable of battling a village full of warriors and ancient ideas. It wasn’t in her nature to turn a blind eye at an injustice, but Rolf was adamant with her. He explained if he were to step in and offer his protection, the woman would be under his roof, night and day as was herself. He was certain she would slit all of their throats in their sleep. Sky had been so upset until she saw Rolf’s inner struggle. Her in-control warrior battled his own emotions over the issue.

Rolf swore to her on his life that the woman was a deadly killer of not only men and women but children and babes. Did Sky want to see the woman loose?

The horror scene from the village had invaded her thoughts when he had said that. It was a scene she still had nightmares about. Could a woman warrior have caused the villagers’ destruction? The thought was sickening. Sky couldn’t help the woman, since she couldn’t offer her protection. She had even tried talking to Eirik, but her concerns fell on deaf ears… He had an entire village to protect, he couldn’t watch the woman twenty-four hours a day. By rights, she was Thorvald’s problem. The man was just as merciless with her. It was awful what the men did to her, but the woman had killed right alongside her husband. The pair had been heartless. The only reason she hadn’t been put to death was because the men in the village wouldn’t kill a woman. No one seemed to know what to do with her.

Sky saw other men hand food to a few of the captives who flirted with them and offered shapely views of their behinds or breasts. Most of the wives shared their husbands’ plates, as well as the children. It all seemed very odd to her. It had for the last week since she first really noticed the practice. It was one question she wanted to ask when she felt she could articulate better in their language. The older boys also had their own plates and good-naturedly shared with younger siblings, making a point of everyone knowing how generous they were. Sky was given her own food by Brandr. She asked him why.

“I hunt with the men or alone. The meat I get is mine and a portion of every hunt goes to a warrior or young hunter who will become a warrior. I share with who I choose,” he said and shrugged.

“Do you ever have captive or slave men?”

Brandr blinked. “A captive man can pledge to join our village. If he is agreeable, he is spared. Any from battle are killed.” He was frowning thoughtfully. “Some use captive men to man oars. But slave men are too dangerous. Our village is peaceful unless provoked. We have no need of captive males. I suppose if we did, they would hunt with us. They couldn’t be left to guard our women. It would be like having wolves caring for hens.”

“What if I hunt?” she asked.

Brandr scoffed at her. “Fluffy little bunnies would make off with you. What would you hunt? Chipmunks? I would wager the chipmunks would take you home as a trophy.”

“The women help plant and gather crops and other edible things.”

“A captive woman or slave is dependent on any and all food from a man. They can ask any man from the village for something. Whether or not they choose to feed the woman is up to them, although most do. Our women, captive or not, aren’t starved, because that would be cruel. If a woman is free, she can eat all the vegetables, fruit and grains she chooses. But if they want meat, it is up to their father, sons, brothers or husband to provide.”

“Why don’t they just hunt for themselves?”

“They would and have in the past. But not now. The warring is fierce. Too many women are stolen or killed when on their own. Even when banded in groups, an entire bunch can go missing. The villages are at unrest, and women seem to be getting the brunt of the warring. Each village wants to covet women—theirs and everyone else’s. Except some who murder for sport. There is even a rumor of renegades stealing women to sell back to villages they have plundered,” he explained.

“Teach them to use swords.”

Brandr sighed. “A woman can be strong but male warriors are far stronger. Our bones are bigger; we develop more muscle mass quicker. We are able to train for many hours, nonstop. Women would need someone to watch and care for the children. What would they do? Battle with one hand, while changing a child’s soiled behind with the other? If the men took turns with other daily chores then a village would have half-trained men and half-trained women. Our village has trained men; we have great power and protection.”

Sky thought about that. She had been told of how Brandr lost his parents. It had been the last attack on their village many, many years ago. She could see how deeply this affected him. The blow to their village had been bad, but not nearly as bad as one time, long ago, when almost all the women had been killed and all the children had been slaughtered for sport.

“Women have much to do already; they take care of the men’s needs,” Brandr continued. “The warriors here see how many different things a woman can do, while all we do is train and hunt and help with a big harvest. Do you see any hungry women here? They are indispensible. Our men want to provide for them. They want women to stay near the village and be safe. It is understood that if men stop sharing food, women will leave to hunt. Men are eager to share to keep their women from harm or death.”

Sky could see it was a touchy subject with him, but she had a motive. “The captive slave who has no protection hasn’t eaten all day. I can’t give her food,” Sky said, head bowed.

“Ah, now I see,” Brandr said and smiled. He visibly relaxed.

She could see he was relieved she wasn’t questioning the reasoning behind the men’s thoughts.

When the captive came close again, Brandr handed her some meat, bread and cheese.

Sky sighed in relief.

“We are not so cruel,” Brandr said with a small frown. “She doesn’t ask for food. If she doesn’t ask, how do we know she is hungry or who has fed her?”

Sky thought about that. When she was hungry she had no qualms about telling Brandr or Rolf. Most often they heard her belly rumble and demand she eat something. It was nice having them both take care of her. Her heart warmed with the thought. She offered Brandr a smile that made his face light with animation. He was such a handsome man. She was delighted when he kissed her. His mouth was always so warm and sweet. His blue eyes were shining a vivid blue.

Sky gasped involuntarily and jumped up when she heard a shrill scream. She was horrified to see a huge warrior clasping and shaking a young boy upside down by his ankles. It became apparent he thought he was helping the child. Sky raced over.

“He’s choking,” the mother cried out. Her eyes were wild with panic.

Sky grabbed the boy and turned him upright setting him onto his feet. His hands were clutching at his throat; his eyes were as wild with panic as his mother’s. His face was red and his lips were turning blue.

His father reached for him again, but Eirik stopped him. Sky asked the child to cough; he couldn’t. The boy was perhaps ten and in obvious distress. Sky turned the child in her arms. She pressed his back tightly to her chest. She spoke calmly to him and said she would help him. She searched for his diaphragm, exerted pressure on the bottom of it and clasped one hand over the other and thrust up. Once, twice, then a small bone flew from the boy’s mouth and he gasped in a huge amount of air. Sky turned him to look at her.

“Breathe,” she said and breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. The boy complied. “Did I hurt your belly?”

“No. I’m strong,” he said although there were tears in his eyes.

“You are very strong, Gufi. Also very brave,” Sky said with relief.

Sky’s body was trembling. She felt his belly where a red mark appeared. He didn’t flinch or shy back. Gratefully Sky realized she had done no internal damage. She was more grateful when Adisla came and squatted by her.

The healer did her own exam and declared him to be fine.

Sky was grateful when Adisla placed her hand on her shoulder, smiled and commanded she take in calming breath.

“You did well, my friend,” Adisla soothed.

The boy’s mother collapsed onto the ground and pulled her son to her breasts. “Thank you, Sky,” Dalla sobbed.

Sky looked around her. It appeared the entire village surrounded them. She shook her head, noting all the council men in close proximity. She knew what was coming next. Adisla gave her a comforting squeeze. Sky rose wishing Brandr would just take her home. But there was another shout of dismay. The captive had escaped!

* * * *

“We should have killed the murdering captive when we had the chance!” a man shouted. It was Gulli, Gufi’s father.

“We are all in danger,” another, Unr, grumbled.

“We will find her,” Eirik insisted.

“We should discuss the child, and how Sky saved him,” Thorvald said, suddenly appearing at Eirik’s side. “Eirik is right, the captive won’t get far.”

“You can discuss the matter after Sky eats. She saved Gufi’s life,” Brandr argued.

Gulli and the boy’s mother, Dalla, agreed quickly. Dalla sent a sympathetic look to Sky.

Sky knew her friend was offering support.

“Everyone needs a few moments to calm down,” Gulli said. “My son almost choked to death in front of his mother. Give them some time to compose themselves.”

Everyone began voicing their agreement.

Katla sent a quick reassuring glance to Sky.

Sky smiled back tentatively. She swallowed as her gaze settled onto Thorvald. She was afraid this would be worse than her last inquisition.

“This is the second time Sky has saved the life of a boy, one who will become a warrior. Once he is a warrior, how many will he save in the village? And because he was saved by a woman, he will be doubly protective of the women here. She has done us a service, and you should be thanking her,” Brandr raged.

He was supported by Gulli.

“We will,” Eirik said calmly. “Brandr has a point. We are just curious. Sky is in no trouble. The captive can be tracked tomorrow at dawn. We will keep any of our vulnerable families safely in the cabin tonight while the men scout the perimeter. For now return to your meal.”

Sky was led back to the table where she sat. At least she had some time to compose herself. Thorvald was always watching her. There was something about his eyes; they held anger and frustration and she didn’t know why. She kept her distance from the man, which seemed to enrage him further. She didn’t like Thorvald. He was older, but still powerful and a bully. He used his position to frighten and intimidate. A few of the women had said they found themselves to be a captive for a day for some infraction if they spurned his advances. He or a follower of his would then charge them with some incident, usually false and would use them and claim they needed to be taught a lesson. Sky had shuddered with the thought. He was now looking at her the same way.

“Brandr,” Sky whispered.

Brandr leaned in closely to her.

“Don’t let him hurt me.”

Brandr looked at her in confusion. Sky had felt her face drain of color when she noted Thorvald eyeing her intently.

Brandr looked to where her gaze was settled. His face reddened and he glared daggers at the man.

It became apparent to Sky that he loathed the man as much as Rolf did. Brandr wrapped his arm around her and turned her slightly so she was out of Thorvald’s view.

“I would kill him first,” he snarled.

“He wants to make me a captive,” Sky whispered.

“He would need the approval of all members of council. You saved Eirik’s son’s life, so he would never agree. Since you have come, Eirik seems to be more interested in council arrangements. The man is more convinced than anyone that you are a Valkyrie gift of the Gods. It’s as though the man has renewed hope. Especially since you and his wife have become so close. Katla seems less wane and more hopeful herself as her pregnancy progresses.

“If Thorvald declares you captive and is unable to get all council to agree, he would then need to challenge Rolf and me. Other women he has made captive almost always have little or no protection. Not the whole council agreed that the last woman charged months ago was at fault but she had only a son, a young warrior-in-training. Eirik and another council member were on a hunting exhibition. The vote was two to one, in favor of no punishment. His mother agreed to be a captive for the day to spare her son an assault; he couldn’t possibly face Thorvald when Thorvald challenged the ruling. The only ones to work her and take her were Thorvald and a few men who follow him. It caused great unrest in Rolf.”

When Brandr asked her to trust him, Sky nodded.

* * * *

“How did you know the way to help the boy?” Eirik asked Sky.

Sky was standing tall, with her head held high. She trusted Brandr. “I said before hat I watched children sometimes. Children choke, as had Leif with the rock in his throat. But Leif was unconscious, this boy was not. Anyone can learn what I did.”

“Who taught you?” Thorvald asked.

Sky looked directly into his vile eyes. “Many people where I come from know how to do what I did. I have been shown by many people over time.”

“It seems strange to me that you showed up right when those boys needed saving. How do we know this wasn’t your fault?” Thorvald asked. “Perhaps you weren’t sent by Odin, but by Loki to play tricks. Did you help the captive escape?”

Many in the cabin gasped.

“She was with me!” Brandr roared in outrage.

“She is deceptive. You said yourself that she hid in boys’ clothing. Perhaps she ran with those stolen coins from a master who would punish her. Give her to me to keep an eye on for a few days,” Thorvald said.

“You are cruel!” a woman screamed. “You only want Sky to be a captive and under your control so you can rape her like you did me with your false accusations.”

Sky felt sick. It was Esa. A friend. This was the woman Brandr had said was named a captive months ago for a day, for a crime she didn’t commit.

A commotion broke out as many in the cabin agreed with the woman who began sobbing.

Thorvald’s face went red with rage. “Insolent woman. You dare challenge my authority?” he bellowed.

“You should have no authority!” Esa screamed back. “If I could lift a sword, I would battle you, as would many women. It is time someone challenged you.”

“She is right,” came a voice from the doorway.

All turned as Rolf strode in followed by the other hunters. His face was a mask of fury. He held his sword tightly in his hands. His muscles flexed menacingly.

The people in the room parted to let him through until Rolf stood before the council.

“Someone should have said something when Thorvald demanded Esa be punished. If you recall, the only ones who felt she needed to pay for a crime were Thorvald and his few friends. We never should have allowed her to be harmed. Punishing a woman by calling her captive was a law made long ago so a woman could work off her crime—on her feet. A law made almost a century ago because we were shown that a woman should never be beaten. Somehow a man or men took it upon themselves to use a woman in other ways.” Rolf’s glare settled onto Thorvald. “It is wrong. We know it is wrong and yet the practice continues with many turning a blind eye. Especially when the woman has no protection. That’s why it’s done in the shadows; what you can’t see doesn’t exist. Is this how you keep our village women safe?” Rolf demanded.

All were shocked when he then cast a furious glare at Eirik.

“Do you challenge me?” Eirik said calmly.

“I will challenge any who would touch Sky.”

“As would I,” Brandr declared.

Both men had their swords drawn before the council.

“Rolf is right…to a degree!” shouted Unr. “Our women are not slaves and should be left alone when considered a captive. They are to work and only work, nothing more. The law has been twisted to accommodate lusty men. It’s wrong. But a slave is a slave, free for use. We have all grown up with things this way.”

Sky could see a few nod and few shake their heads. Much more shouting was heard. Soon the cabin was echoing with heated conversation. Sky knew it would take time. After all, how long did it take for the Civil War to occur?

“Sky is a witch and has turned us against one another! Look at how we argue amongst ourselves!” Thorvald shouted. “She should be made a captive for the rest of her life so we can keep an eye on her. Again I demand she be handed over to me before any more damage occurs.”

“How can saving two lives be damage?” Brandr bellowed in outrage. “What is it you seek, Thorvald? You have an ulterior motive, I can see it. You reek of deception. You want Sky and you can’t have her; she is mine and Rolf’s alone.”

Rolf pointed his sword at Thorvald. “I challenge you.”

Dead silence met his declaration.

“The council needs to vote,” Thorvald stammered.

“There will be no vote,” Eirik said, his eyes narrowed onto the man in open disgust. “Thorvald, you go too far. Do you have a need to possess a Valkyrie? For what purpose? I believe Brandr could be right.”

“She has bewitched you!” Thorvald bellowed.

“Accept my challenge or step down,” Rolf demanded.

“I will do neither,” Thorvald said calmly, though a blue vein in his neck was standing out. “If there is no vote, there can be no challenge.”

“And you will make certain there will be another accusation against Sky,” Rolf snarled. “Whose woman will be next? Since the captive has escaped, you will need someone to toy with.” Rolf looked at Eirik. “Will it be your wife he accuses of an injustice if you become incapacitated? Though she cannot be a captive for a crime until the babe comes, what of after? Will someone’s daughter be chosen? A petty thief when no explanation can be found can be blamed on a defenseless girl who loses her father and only protection.”

Many a man with a daughter moved to stand protectively close to their girls. Many more swords were drawn. Many backed up Rolf. Many shouted their support.

“This ends now,” Rolf snarled.

Sky’s heart was pounding. She had known one day Rolf would stay silent no longer. He was a man of great character. Perhaps all he needed to take a stand was someone to stand up for. It appeared the dam had burst within him. Sky filled with pride.

“Accept his challenge, coward!” Brandr yelled. “We cannot have a coward on council.”

Many more were voicing the word coward as time elapsed.

Eirik turned to Thorvald. “You have been challenged by Rolf the Hammer. You will not stain the reputation of this council by refusing,” he snapped.

Sky’s eyes widened in stunned surprise. Rolf Hammer? Oh my God. This is my Rolf! This has always been my Rolf. Does that mean Brandr is my Brody? Had they found each other after centuries to be reunited back in time?

“When I win your challenge, the woman will be mine,” Thorvald snarled.

“If you then battle again and win her from me,” Brandr said. His look was as intense as Rolf’s.

“It is not a fair fight,” Thorvald raged. “I am older and there is only one of me.”

“Choose a second,” Rolf demanded.

Thorvald cast his gaze about the room. “Who will stand with me?” he yelled.

No one answered. Even the few men who followed Thorvald looked to the ground, refusing to meet his eye.

Sky didn’t blame them. She had seen Rolf and Brandr in action. Both were vicious on the battlefield. She did not envy Thorvald. Rolf would cut him to pieces. It soon became apparent Thorvald thought the same.

“You will all be sorry!” Thorvald screeched. “The woman has done this!”

“Leave or accept my challenge,” Rolf said quietly through clenched teeth.

Thorvald rose from his chair. He balled his fists, but his sword remained sheathed. He glared evilly at Sky and she hid behind Brandr. Brandr’s arm moved back to pull her snuggly against him. Again a path cleared, but it was to let Thorvald pass. The humiliated man walked with a stilted gait. He left the cabin.

“Rolf, take your place at council,” Eirik said.

Rolf sheathed his sword. He moved to sit in Thorvald’s vacated seat. He looked at the people who gathered around.

“My first act of council is to offer protection to Esa and any other woman who loses their protector,” Rolf began. “I will speak for you. If punishment is in fact warranted, I will make certain that woman has protection. Work and only work as the law was deemed before is what will occur. Eirik is one man; it is time council steps up and aids him as they are supposed to instead of doing nothing.”

Many nodded in approval.

His eyes softened as he looked at the shaking woman. “I’m sorry, Esa. I should have said something then. Never again will I turn a blind eye at an injustice.”

Tears rolled down the woman’s face and she was comforted by her son.

“My second act is for the council and all the village people.” Rolf stood and spread his arms wide. “If Sky is evil and I have done wrong, may Odin strike me dead.”

Eyes rose in surprise. People gaped. No one moved and each person held their breath in anticipation.

Rolf stood for long moments. Nothing happened.

“Sit, Rolf. You have made your point,” Eirik said. “We will all agree Sky is supposed to be here.”

Everyone, including Sky, breathed a sigh of relief.