Destiny Enslaved (editing)

Part 59

Part 59

Wow> so much has been happening!

From breaking his hip to drinking at the mad hatter's tea party, my grandad has been on a journey... but we are by his side 'til the end.

that is an abridged version of the chaos of 2023.

So....

How about a chapter of Destiny Enslaved! I do hope you enjoy x.

When I opened my eyes from the eerie darkness between worlds there were signs to tell me I was back.

From the residual ache in my head and the new pain in my back. Not to mention the cacophony of voices calling and muttering to each other.

"Lady, lady! Can you hear me?" Tori became clear in my vision as he hovered over me. His brown eyes staring desperately into mine.

"Lagertha?!" an unfamiliar voice exclaimed.

I lolled my head to see they had lain Lagertha and I on furs. Though instead of being foggy and dazed, as I was, Lagertha had bolted upright to punch someone. The person currently on the floor from Lagertha's force clutched their face for a moment as blood overflowed. When he stood, I rolled over to face Jasmine who sat with her small hand pressing a cold damp cloth to my forehead.

''you scared us again lady Asariel... '' she still said my name like an eastern melody.

I smiled lazily before speaking to her ''I am sorry, jasmine- for scaring you... I am glad to see your face again.''

as she turned back to the bowl of water, she restrained her rosy cheeked smile.

tori suddenly squeezed closer to jasmine staring into my eyes ''your eyes have such lustre, lady.... they are the finest of dwarven gold.'' He smiled with his crooked mouth.

''thank you... I think.'' I looked back over to Lagertha who was now staggering on her feet taking deep breaths. Her shieldmaidens steadied her but said nothing as their eyes flitted around the hall for any threat. Though what threat they expected from their own people I could not understand... Bjorn was now standing at his mother's side, the bleeding from his nose stemmed, he tried to gauge what was happening.

But his eyes did not even glance in my direction.

I could understand his focus on his mother's welfare- but it looked forced as I stared at Bjorn's back.

"You have been missed, lady" tori brought my attention away from the royals of Kattegat. I smiled to see the twinkle in his amber eyes. Tori smirked, his eyes flitting scornfully, towards Bjorn for a moment.

"Help me up, please... I should see that queen Lagertha is well.'' No more was said as Tori held out his hands to drag me to my weak legs. Magda came from nowhere to be my support. And though she said nothing I knew that she had plenty to share. Her mouth was set in a grim frown as she too watched the crowd. Why were they so suspicious of their own people? What was I missing?

Magda led me towards the queen of Kattegat, who was finally calm whilst being braced by a shield maiden with short black hair- she was beautiful in the way a snake could be. Another of the women was now tending to Bjorn's nose. She had blonde hair twisting into plaits which streaked backwards exposing her scalp. She touched Bjorn tenderly as her eyes scanned the damage to his face- it was all superficial... still she fussed and gently cupped his cheeks. Small touches lingered and I knew she couldn't believe Bjorn had returned to her...

I turned away as a bitterness began to choke me.

I searched the great hall and soon found Aziza and Tanaruz were being held back by the rest of our shieldmaidens including Hilda. As the maidens struggled to keep them surrounded many people within the hall leered and sneered at Aziza and Tanaruz- though they were oblivious- or at least Tanaruz was as she clawed and yell like a feral feline.