WRATH OF THE NORTH [BJÖRN IRONSIDE]

CHAPTER TEN

The sky had turned dark, the fire outside the cave crackled. Vál sat quietly by the fire, her eyes staring at nothing and one of her swords beside her. She could see the tree tops and far, far way she could see where Björn probably lived. It was a breathtaking view, a view she had grown used too and she never appreciated it anymore like she used too. A small smile covered her lips when she remembered the first time she had found the cave and saw the view. She had screamed out in pure happiness, the powerful feeling of finding something so perfect this high.

She had been, or still was a loner yet the thought of Björn leaving made her feel rather sad. She wouldn't have anyone to bother or anyone bother her. She probably never would meet anyone like Björn, someone who wouldn't kill her and get to know her. She would've lied to herself if she said she didn't enjoy to speak with another human being, the constant croaking from the birds, especially the raven. The sound of wings flapping was heard and soon she saw the familiar raven, it only looked at her, croaking a bit however she just stared at it. This bird had been with her almost since the day she had lost her home and family. She didn't know why, she sometimes threw smaller rocks at it so it would disappear, which it never did, fed it, which was probably the reason it stayed.

As Vál stared at the jet black bird she slowly gripped the necklace that hung around her neck. She would never remove it and she would kill the one who broke it. She pressed the pendant against her cold lips and she sound of the raven croaking was heard. It was rather ironic that a black raven was following her when the pendant resembled two ravens, Huginn and Muninn.

Suddenly the raven flew to the ground infront of her. Her eyes were glued on the rather gracious animal as her hand still rested around the pendant. It croaked a few times and turned its head so it could look at her. There was a faint sound behind the bushes on her right and her head snapped in the sounds direction before she quickly stood up, taking the sword in her hands. The raven quickly flew away, disliking the commotion.

"It's only me," Björn said as he stepped out from between the branches. Vál let out a huff as she frowned. How did he find her up here, especially at this time of day. She lowered her sword as he walked closer to her.

"Why are here?" She spat, she didn't mean for it to sound as harsh but it came out that way.

"I've been wondering how you've survived for so long and thought I should find out before I leave," He said and he cursed under her breath. She didn't want him here, it felt odd that he knew where she lived even if he was leaving in the morning. Vál didn't say anything, instead she only looked at him as he walked around her. His eyes roamed the crack in the mountain that created the cave. Thankfully he didn't walk inside, instead he walked beside her and took in the view. They stood there, in silence and admired the view, side by side.

"You see right there?" Björn said and pointed somewhere in the darkness and she squinted her eyes, trying to spot anything with the help from the moon. She could only see how dark it got on the ground, indicating the lack of snow. She nodded.

"That's my home down there," He breathed and she looked at him in the corner of her eyes before looking back. "A place like that is better for someone like you,"

"Someone like me? What's that supposed to mean?" She spat, offended.

"No one should live like you up here, like a loner." He said and rolled his eyes. "For people in a village like mine, someone like you are very valuable. Your skills, strength and good vibes persona is worth more than gold. I personally think that it's a shame that you would waste all that in a deserted place like this,"

"So you've said." Vál responded and he just remained silent. "Even if I haven't been in a place like your home in a long time I know I probably would dislike it." She said and he smiled.

"So you've said." He mumbled and she rolled her eyes with a faint smile on her lips. "It would be a difference."

"Yes, and the warmth. I've always lived in the cold so that would be quite the change," She mumbled before a yawn slipped past her lips. Björn looked at her with a small smile on his lips before the sound of the raven croaked in the tree. He looked at it and frowned. "Don't ask,"

"Well, I think I should make my way back. I hope to see you tomorrow before I leave and would be even happier if you choose to follow me," He said and she rolled her eyes.

"If you're not careful on your way back I won't ever see you again," She said and looked him in the eyes.

"See you tomorrow Vál, sleep well," He said as he walked towards the forest. She could see his sword and a dagger.

"Sleep tight Björn,"

A loud yawn left Váls lips when she woke from her sleep. She had no idea who log she had been sleeping yet the sun had risen when she opened her well rested eyes. She got dressed in her usual fur jacket with the hood got her swords on her back before walking outside. She stretched her arms and yawned once more. The sun had risen quite high when she left her eyes wander over the tree tops. No thick dark gray clouds was seen on the sky today, only a few fluffy white ones.

Then her eyes widen, Björn. She ran inside her cave and grabbed all her armory she had made through the years, before running outside again. She didn't bother to take any of her furs with her as she charged through the forest. She ran past the stream, the peaceful sound of the water running down the mountain slowly faded the further away she got. She increased her speed once she saw the edge of the mountain. She ran towards the smaller path that led to the open ground. She saw the cabin and when it looked empty her speed increased even more.

However she almost stopped in her tracks when she saw Björn walk outside, all his things were packed even if it wasn't much. His back was facing her so she calmly walked up to him, catching her breath. The thin layer of snow creaking underneath her feet, revealing her presence which made Björn turn around. A smile covered his lips when he saw her, their eyes met and she raised her brow.

"Are you ready to walk back home now?" She asked him and he nodded. "Is there room for one more?" She asked and his eyes widen. Was she asking to join him, he almost couldn't believe what she said. He then realized that she had an unusual amount of armory with her, the bow was draped over her shoulder, her arrows were in the bag around her shoulder, two large swords peaked over her shoulders and daggers hung by her waist.

"Of course," He said and smiled. Vál looked him in the eyes and smiled as well. Björn took his things before he nodded towards the end of the open grounds, where you could leave the mountain area. "What changed your mind?"

"You saw my home, it's only fair if I see yours" She said with no intention of explaining anything else. She had dreamt of her parents for the first time in years. She had dreamt of them, Björn, the jet black raven and the gods. She didn't remember most of the dream yet she had the urge to follow Björn to his home. The little she did remember she could decipher.

"So where heading home to your village now then, how long is the journey?" She asked as they started to walk.

"We need to take a detour. I'm need to see my mother at Hedeby which adds two more days on our four day journey back home if we keep up a good pace. Vál nodded as a frown spread across her features. "Her new husband is...complicated so I just to check if everything alright." Vál nodded once again and looked him in the eyes as he looked at her. She could see the worry in his eyes which only added to the list of things she admired about him, how he cared for his mother.

"Then lets keep up a good pace,"

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This is a filler chapter, however they're slowly getting closer to Björn's home.