WRATH OF THE NORTH [BJÖRN IRONSIDE]

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Sigurd and Vál walked back to the village hand in hand. Sigurd talking endlessly about the farmers goats but she had stopped listening, it wasn't because she was bored or uninterested, as they had been seated on the hill she had watched her so called people fight. As she spoke to Sigurd she had actually admired the way they were fighting, the rawness of it, the realness. No one was hiding behind a shield or anything, instead they did like her, embraced two weapons at once. Fearlessly embracing the fight like no other. That intrigued her more than ever, and her mindlessly staring had been noticed by Vidar who smirked.

"Sigurd, I think it is time to get some food in our stomachs." She said and the young boy agreed before running ahead. She smiled when she saw him running, giggling a long the way. She smiled at Sigurd who stopped by the porch to wait for her, him hugging one of the wooden pillars that held the roof up.

"Vál!" Björn shouted and watched up with her. She continued walk and only peeked over her shoulder and gave him a nod. "Where have you been?" He asked as he reached her and she nodded towards Sigurd.

"Sigurd and I sat on the hill, enjoying the view." She said truthfully and he nodded. They reached the great hall, Sigurd ran inside when Björn looked at him and nodded. Before Vál could walked inside he gripped her arm, pulling her back. She frowned and tried to pull away without success.

"I need to talk to you." Björn said and looked her in the eyes.

"Yeah? Ask me nicely and I might listen." She snapped before walking away, Björn releasing her arm. He frowned when he saw her walk inside and let out a defeated sigh. She had been emotional recently, something she usually wasn't. His eyes moved over to the village, seeing the familiar woman walk by towards Harald's tent. He quickly walked over, hurrying so he didn't have to speak to Harald more than necessary, even if they had found a few things in common.

"Hey you!" Björn said and the woman stopped, a frown visible on her face. "You train with Vál right?" He asked and she nodded.

"Yes, she teaches me." Amanda said.

"Have you noticed anything different with her?" He asked and she shook her head, shrugging.

"What would it be?" She asked and he shrugged.

"Anything." He said, almost sounding desperate.

"No, she's still very good like usually." She said. "Maybe a little more out of breath than usual or maybe that's something I've recently picked up with her." She said and he nodded with a sigh. Amanda walked inside the tent and Björn looked around before deciding to eat as well.

Vál were laughing with Björn walked inside, Ubbe telling stories that made everyone by the table lift the corners of their mouth. Björn took a seat opposite her as Hvitserk and Sigurd were occupying the seat next to her. Soon the conversation drifted towards travels and the world, Ubbe talking about traveling with his brothers. Aslaug clenched her jaw when Ubbe talked about taking his brothers with him, knowing that Ivar in her lap wouldn't be fit for traveling.