Destiny Enslaved (editing)

Part 14

It was a stoic atmosphere that enveloped the ship until we came close enough to the cliff face to begin searching for the cove.

''we must be careful, Bjorn. Signal the rest of the ships to weigh anchor.- I don't want any of my beauties wrecked for this foolishness.'' Floki sneered as he peered into the crystalline waters. We could see the fish which swam below and fled as the ship cut through the shallowing waters.

Floki's orders were carried out as the call went out to the other ships to stay back. Floki's eyes examined where we were to come ashore. A few moments and a taste of the water was all he needed to devise the perfect course that would save us from a dip in the sea. he hopped up from leaning over the side of the boat to bounce over to the rudder and begin expertly steering the vessel through the current.

We sailed into the small inlet with relative ease. They bay was grey, shielded from the soft morning light, it was cold and stark. The cliffs which surrounded it, however, bloomed with flowers of whites and blues scattered over the slate coloured stone. As the vessel came to be beached the soft sand proved to be a solid resting place as the hull moaned under its own weight.

Floki, now certain we had successfully come ashore, ran to the bow bending over the side; half his body disappearing from sight. When he came up again he wore a wild smile of triumph.

''though I have made the best landing you will see from a mortal, I suggest we make this quick- the tide will shift the sands and we do not want to be trapped here'' he gave me a pointed look as though he was expecting that to be part of some great plan of mine. To trap them and then signal an ambush. It was ignored though thankfully by most. Other than Bjorn whose eyes went to the cliff top which, if planned, would give a great vantage point to send a storm of arrows into them.

But as I think he realised, the cove was only big enough for one ship. Had I really helped plan a surprise attack it would have been better to get the most ships I could to land. Bjorn looked at me then and I saw, with sadness in my heart that I could quite explain, he had his guard up now. He was a leader now maybe even some sort of royalty if his jibe at fine hair being a king was to be read into.

Still, as Floki disembarked then Finehair- both vaulting over the side to land firm-footed in the sand. I imagined that they were used to such acts were like breathing to them. part of me wanted to join them. to run grab the side and fly threw the air only to land with purpose. But Bjorn was ahead of me and before I could make any move to the contrary he pulled me to the side of the boat before making his own exit only to turn and grasp my waist firmly. He then swiftly lifted me high, I bent my legs to cross the side of the ship, and he planted me in the cool sand.

I had a moment to take in the feel of the grains passing over my still bare feet. To gaze around at the blooms on the walls which curved and gave a sonorous ring to the grating of footsteps in the sand. It was enough time f=to feel the overwhelming swell in my chest which urged me to express the outstanding joy that I was having to suppress. Joy at the fact I was actually looking at and feeling this place. The joy that hit me as I looked past the shadows to see the pink clouds in a new light was breathtaking. I was under the open sky. By the gods I was free.

''MAN KWAHISH NAH FARAMUSH KARDAN!'' I called out, throwing my arms wide to the sky, an uncontrolled grin tightening my lips- a promise to never forget. To never forget this joy and the pain that made it so beautiful in contrast.

The echo resounded in the air around us.

Those in the boat began their mutterings again in shock and fear that the suspicions unspoken were true. That I had signalled to an army.

''Bjorn!'' Hvitserk shouted. He came quickly to the beach beside me and my expression only served to worry him some more. Finehair had taken out his sword and swivelled his head around searching the cliff top for an attack.

But Bjorn and surprisingly Floki shared their expressions of ease. Floki looked at me with eyes that held recognition. As if he knew this feeling of freedom that overcame sense. Bjorn stared at me with a youthful smirk. He knew, somehow, that I was just happy to be alive and out of that place.

Hvitserk, upon seeing Bjorn's expression, calmed a little. Though it was obvious that Bjorn's attitude towards me bothered him.

I gave a sigh of relief as I took in the fresh air before Bjorn jerked his head to tell me to walk on. I did as I was told but skipped through the sand twirling and embracing the air. I mean why not? They could be my last moments if the gods had screwed me over.

We had to climb once we hit the cliff- about 50-60 foot. It was an experience, to say the least. Climbing was hard and showed me plainly how little the exercises I had done really served to strengthen me. I would also blame my lack of foot wear. I climbed up before Bjorn and Hvitserk but quickly enough Hvitserk passed me. my hands and feet scraped along the rocks seeking soft dirt from which the flowers grew. But after a few instances of the soil crumbling away at my touch it became evident that I would have to bear with clutching the razor-edged rocks.

Soon as I looked up I saw the three men above me disappear onto the grassy plateau. Breathless I would glance at Bjorn below me. he climbed with the same relative ease as the others yet seemed to purposefully lag behind me. I felt a hot blush of embarrassment and anger flood my cheeks as I realised he was there to catch me when I fell- he didn't think I could do it.

I looked down at him and scowled to which he gave a befuddled expression as he had no idea why I would be mad. But that didn't matter. I began pushing my muscles harder the last twenty feet. I felt them burn and ache for a reprieve. I went on until finally my right hand reached above and felt the knitted grass. My fingers anchored themselves in the dirt as I began to haul myself up. I was half way over when Hvitserk loomed over me.

For a moment his eyes, full of despise, looked from me to the beach below and I thought he might boot me off there and then. Instead, the look vanished and he extended a hand to me. A part of me wanted to ignore it and finish the climb myself but I felt that might be an insult too far so soon. On the other hand, he could use the opportunity to let go and send me to my death.

Fighting the anxiety which was choking my dry throat I pushed forward my hand. The action happened just as the small foothold I was pressuring gave way and for a long second, I felt that weightless horror of coming too close to the fall. But a rough hand caught mine. Hvitserk pulled with little effort to have me stand before him and for that moment when relief flooded me my eyes widening as I stared into his searching. Did he know that he just saved me?

Blank faces. That's all we really showed each other.

Grunting from behind us pulled our minds back to the present and Hvitserk immediately moved across the small space to the cliff edge. My eyes cast down to the lush grass but the feeling of eyes staring at me forced my head up to meet the challenge. Blue eyes defined with their careless and precise kohl lines- they reminded me of berries that sent you mad-gave me a questioning look as though I were a child caught playing with a viper. Naïve.

I jutted out my chin in response and gave a stony stare as I remained statuesque. I felt I needed to stare the beast down now if I was to survive.

Maybe my façade of defiance and strength would have worked to drive respect into the mad man's head.

Unfortunately, the impression of strength crumbled when the man beside me decided to make a meaty smack upon my rear. The jolt of sharp pain sent me forward like an ass whipped before the cart. After the shock, I spun on my heel to kick Hvitserk over the cliff. When I came face to -well chest- with Bjorn. Light whispers of his beard tickled my forehead the delightful sensation was another shock. It had been a long time since gentle sensations sparked across my skin. I jumped backwards half a foot which elicited an almost horrifying giggle from Floki. I had to let the fury and embarrassment bleed from my features as I fixed my gaze straight ahead. Of course straight ahead still meant staring brazenly at Bjorn's chest. Trying to convince myself that staring at his tight shirt was better than running over and throwing a punch into Floki's stomach. The tensing pecks made it a lot harder to force the blood to stop heating my cheeks.

When I forced myself to look into his face and away from what was apparently the safe view I swallowed hard seeing that Bjorn's features were stern as they stared down at me.

My behaviour was getting out of hand it seemed.

Notes:

here's another translation from farsi
MAN KWAHISH NAH FARAMUSH KARDAN= i will not forget