Destiny Enslaved (editing)

part 53

Hello you lovely people- me again!

I'm still getting into the swing of writing properly again so my posting is still irregular- though has it ever been anything else?

anyway please enjoy this chapter - comment - vote - share - care

thank you very much for your continued patience and perseverance

please read the note at the end to find out about a new project I'm bringing to Wattpad!

The shieldmaidens were quick with the orders that they were given, assembling fires and screens.

The fires beside the river were surrounded by screens of animal fur tacked to wood. The screens effectively cut us off from the view of other Vikings further down the river. Two screens were also staked into the riverbed.

''my lady!'' Magda called to me.

She had overseen and helped in all preparations. We four; Aziza, Jasmine, Tanaruz and I, waited beside a stoked fire.

''my lady- everything is ready for you to bathe'' Magda approached us from the riverside.

I had been able to shed my soiled clothes and wrap them in a large robe as we sat.

''Thank you, Magda... '' I said looking at the women who had worked hard to assemble everything. ''will you and your maidens be joining us?''

''I – '' Magda was suddenly at a loss. Her eyes flittered to Aziza and back to me. ''I would rather the shieldmaidens be focused on your protection... my lady.'' She answered stiffly before bowing and returning to her command.

Jasmine giggled as she scooted next to me, ''do you think Magda would be too distracted by something?''

I craned my neck looking down at jasmine as her eyes jumped from Magda to Aziza.

An observant child...I smiled at her luxurious brown ringlets, my hand coming to gently stroke her crown as I looked back to the activity of our little sanctuary. I was reassured as jasmine leaned into my side and we sat in silence.

Tanaruz had remained on a rock nearby but did not join us though we had seated around ourselves near her perch.

She stared at the gently running water through her eyes and shifted around the camp quickly so as not to be seen- she didn't trust our 'captors' no matter how hospitable they were being.

Not that I could blame her.

She had, as we all had, been taken from her home and seen these people brutally raid her city... one would not think to be able to overcome such a trauma.

Especially so young...

But then that was also in her favour -the young can learn to forget...

I dragged my mind away from the weary past as Jasmine and Aziza rose for us to make our way to the river.

I stood to follow their lead when I noticed that Tanaruz had still not moved...

Aziza and Jasmine were behind a screen undressing as I walked up the rough rock face to stand before Tanaruz.

She kept her eyes on the river.

''are you coming to bathe, Tanaruz?''

''no.'' she squeaked burying her head into folded arms as she scrunched her figure to become small.

I crouched down trying to find her eyes.

''I know this is hard Tanaruz... I can't make it easier'' I said gently. Her body grew rigid in response. ''the only thing I can assure you, Tanaruz, is that I am here for you- as you have all been for me.''