Destiny Enslaved (editing)

Part 15

I felt trapped under his gaze which had turned confused and angry for what reason I couldn't really say. Perhaps I was nearing my end? Were they expecting some grand spectacle conjured up to answer their questions- a transcendent miracle or a malicious ambush? But I could sense they wanted some sort of cessation of my meddling.

However, I couldn't give them the answers I didn't have.

So mute I stood staring into his Aegean eyes wishing that they would lighten just once into the warm sea I remembered from my awful past.

The silence which had descended was now a miasma beginning to choke the sense from my head as I broke the stalemate; my arm began to rise, my hand unfolding as fingertips twitched toward the lure of warmth on this frigid plateau. His body was only inches from my hand if I continued I could run my hand over his chest and etch the topography of his body into my mind.

Luckily Hvitserk suddenly came back into view. His immature yet still melodic voice was like cold water on whatever fire had been brought to life inside of me. ''Bjorn! It's as cold as Niefelhiem up here and I suspect if we don't finish our business soon I suspect either floki or Finehair will be flying down.'' Hvitserk's words were dulled- by the wind I thought. I looked behind us to the two men in question.

Though they were at least ten feet away from each other and facing different ways it was easy to see that the two intimidating figures had eyes on each other. Floki's hand twitched beside his axe readying to launch it and letting it be known whilst Finehair kept his form still whilst his eyes darted around their possible arena no doubt formulating tactics to overcome any disadvantages he would have in the fight.

I agreed with the young man's assertion though the tone in which it was delivered was supposed to be dismissive to my presence.

The I realised. I didn't know their language or at least I didn't yet want them to know that I knew it- and yet I had turned to look at the men they were speaking about. I turned around to face the brothers. Hvitserk busied himself with trying to stay warm in his relatively light gear. Bjorn, the ever watchful, had an eyebrow cocked in discreet suspicion.

My mind tried to work through the possibilities to rectify my mistake. I could say nothing and play dumb- but knowing my luck they would think me useless and throw me overboard eventually. No, it seemed I had only one option and I prayed to anyone who was listening that it would play out as I hoped.

I set my eyes wide and innocent hoping to show uncertainty in my young features. Then for a few seconds, I looked between Bjorn and where Floki and finehair faced off like feral cats. Swallowing hard I prepared to speak and realised how dry my throat had become from the excursion and fear.

I pointed to the pair boldly though my voice came as a hoarse creak mingling with the increasing wind which whipped my loose hair. ''Flok-E. Fin-Har?'' the words came out crooked and created a moment of silence when all eyes were on me.

I feared it was the end- they were going to send me on a short trip with a dead end.

But the trill bubbling of manic laughter rose up from Floki and shattered the strangling silence. I whipped around to face him my face set in a warning glare. I inched back only to meet Bjorn solid form much sooner than I expected. He had silently approached and now seemed to stand as my judge and protector as floki too approached. His movements were lithe and sinister like a predator trying to decide if something was prey.

''so the little witch has learned our names, hmm?'' his head dropped and rotated as he eyed my soft spots. ''and your master's name? hmm, little witch?''

Though I knew what he said the words from him felt more distant than Hvitserk and almost fuzzy. The sensation the created helped me to portray a look of confusion and innocence.

Floki merely looked bored and then roled his eyes before extending a long wirey arm and pointing to the silent sentinel behind me. I knew what he wanted me to say. I knew it should have been easy. Far too easy to say his name.

I slowly turned around to peer up into Bjorn's eyes. They were still dark but not ominous as before. Now they looked as still as the palace ponds and dangerously as deep. His expression too was almost unreadable but he waited not saying a word. When Hvitserk made to interject Bjorn raised his hand and silenced him – not once breaking eye contact. I could only hope he couldn't read me. could only hope he wouldn't see all of the darkness in my soul.

I thought better of it. Of pronouncing his name as theirs – crooked and malformed in my strange tongue. But once my lips parted I felt the air rush over my tongue and form the word I had been begging to speak to the heavens since I was enthralled by those blue eyes in my dream.

So in a hushed tone meant only for those moments of intimacy before the darkness of sleep takes you I whispered his name. ''Bjorn...''