Destiny Enslaved (editing)

Part 47

Ahhhh- update -finally!- hope you all are staying safe and connected to take care of yourself. i hope this chapter takes you back into this world and you find in yourself your own power.

When the wind shifted, like a beast, my hackles rose.

I stared at the forest where the French soldiers had walked into a trap.

''my lady, what is happening?'' Hilda came to my side her eyes darting all around in anxiety.

''someone is coming, and we must be ready- take the others and return to our camp- discreetly''.

Hilda paused, maybe she thought to question me, she did as I said, nonetheless. Signalling to her fellow shieldmaidens discreetly she soon merged into the crowd like a phantom. Her comrades mimicked her easy portrayal of the unnatural.

They were gone. On my words, yes, but that didn't steady the tremble in my heart as I looked back to Bjorn.

He emanated raw and barely restrained rage as he spoke to rollo.

''you thought that you could break me, uncle?''

as he turned to stare into the crowd his eyes scalded me with their fury before addressing his people.

''can he break me?'' he asked

The crowd rattled with deep dissent to the prospect.

Bjorn smirked, buzzing with energy, his fur cloak cast aside as he grabbed his axe. He turned and stormed to Rollo. The axe became an extension of Bjorn as it menacingly caressed his uncle's cheek.

''he thinks he can break me...'' he was loud enough to here so far and then the murmuring of mimicry carried through the army.

''Bjorn, I have not-'' Rollo protested.

But Bjorn would here none of it as he spun to face the crowd axe raised

''He cannot break me! He cannot break us!'' ''I am a Ragnarson- I am Bjorn Ironside!'' he roared to the heavens with unbridled passion. And confidence in his own power.

And his supporters roared back in assent to his power.

I felt terribly alone then.

And extremely outnumbered.

What will you do...? The fich fich spoke in its legion of voices playing on my fear. It knew, probably better than I, that I had no idea of how to save myself.

She's here.

The wind rose carrying a scent of apples.

Then I could hear them; the thundering of hooves and clattering armer.

''Bjorn.'' I said quietly.

I was sure he would not hear me or even care to listen in this moment.

''Asa?'' his arms dropped from above his head and the crowd hushed.

''what does your witch say now Bjorn? That it was elves?'' Fine hair chortled.

No one else did.

''what is wrong, Asa?'' Bjorn came to my side his axe tightly gripped as his eyes darted around.

I ignored my shock and doubts to speak.

A word was carried on the apple scented breeze.

''Gisela...''

Suddenly the wind dropped, and the air was still as death.

''Bjorn, you must sound the alarm- she has come for blood.'' I rattled off my plea.