Destiny Enslaved (editing)

Part 37

Magda rose suddenly which set everyone on edge before she smiled at Aziza once more saying ‘’ I will see to the Seer’s clothing.’’ Magda then disappeared behind the taupe which split the tent in two. The weapon racks had been removed and bedding had been laid in that area. The sight of warm furs was very tempting. Magda appeared again giving Aziza a nod to look inside- whatever she saw made her pleased as she nodded then turned around to present me with a broad smile that was almost shocking. It was as if all of what had just happened didn’t matter as the ends justified the means- theoretically an impossible opponent to beat…

As I began to rise a sudden jerk of my pants made me pause. Jasmine was looking at me through a haze of exhaustion desperately trying to stay awake. I took her hand gently unfurling it from my clothes as I guided her to lie down saying ‘’ shhhh… its ok little shikufah - Aziza is her to watch over you and I shall join you soon.’’ I rose again and Aziza quickly took my place to hold Jasmine as she slept. We exchanged a reassuring look to the taupe which she now sat in front of with jasmine- it said we knew where to find each other just in case.

I turned to walk to Magda and exchanged a pleasant smile with the woman whose eyes were like icicles on the mountain tops- so strange in their colour. She was not doubt a beautiful woman.
I bowed my head to enter beneath her arm which held a gap open in the cloth for me. Then she nodded her head before letting the material drop. When I turned around I was lost in thought – Shikufah… blossom. My Maman (mother)  used to call me Malak- angel. I half smiled at the memory trying to come through of her voice calling ‘malak fly home I’m waiting… malak…’ before the fich fich brought the cascading voice of that man ‘Malaki! Malaki!’

I shook my mind I didn’t want to think of it- any of it. When I was back in the present my mind was suddenly consumed by completely different memories the bedding area was awash with the strange light of flames dancing behind cloth. And the soft glow which so dangerously mingled with shadow took me to last night – to Bjorn. I stifled a sigh as I was horrified yet again by my behaviour – I was acting like a love sick noble brat. Until I met that bloody beautiful Viking I wasn’t so lost with whims of the heart – in fact I didn’t think my heart could stand whims anymore….  I was supposed to be stone; I had been for years now. So much had happened to me that I had to be stone or else a knife could come at any time to stick in my back. Or worse my naïve heart. I admitted that I was truly naïve in the ways of lov-wait. Not that – this wasn’t that. It couldn’t be. I had once like most people been incapacitated by those feelings but I learnt then that it wasn’t meant for me.

The shield maidens began talking amongst themselves again in their feigned relaxed way. It, thankfully, brought me back to my purpose. In front of me on the floor was a stack of clothes which I assumed were for me. I took my soiled clothes of quickly and found myself in my underwear examining the clothes with some confusion- firstly it was clothes plural- I had expected a woollen dress and that would be it. There were fresh bindings of course and I had rewrapped my breasts already- but the rest; pants, two tunics and a bodice- not to mention leather boots that looked almost new. I couldn’t help questioning it.
But then that too had to be put aside when a high pitched whistle pierced the air and killed the welcoming hum of conversation.

‘’Halt!’’ a female voice I had not yet heard shouted. When no answer came the shadows painted on the taupe erupted into a speed of movement accompanied by little sound. They moved into a waiting position near their comrades on one knee waiting as reinforcements- but not to be seen yet.
‘halt three said in unison empowering the word with their number to warn off the intruder.  Immediately looked for Jasmine and Aziza’s forms which were pressed against the taupe now – so much so that I could see the glint of metal which stabbed the clothe- drawn and ready for battle. Satisfied I could leave Jasmine to Aziza for the moment I looked around for some sort of weapon- since the place had been cleared I thought it useless until I saw a pole sticking out awkwardly from under one of the furs- a spear. Well a broken one with no blade but it still had its barbed hilt and that was plenty I scooped it into my hands and stood prepared trying to think through my strategy in my head when a familiar voice came from the darkness. ‘’easy! Its me!’’

Bjorn.

‘’nice to have you back’’ Floki said as Bjorn’s silhouette joined the others in the tent.

‘’yes, well, some of us have things to do, Floki.’’ Was Bjorn’s taught response. Floki just chuckled and the rest of us were perfectly still waiting to see if now was when they would finally come to blows. ‘’how has it been Magda?’’ – apparently not- Magda didn’t hesitate to report the lack of action we had seen here on our perch away from the rabble.

‘’no one has approached since you left.’’

‘’good.’’ Bjorn breathed the word with relief as if he hadn’t been able to breathe easy- it made me curious if the trouble with fell had already come back on Bjorn.

The tension that had so quickly built up was quickly released as Bjorn came further into the tent and the shield maidens resumed their watch. Yet Aziza had not yet returned to hiding the knife. It twitched with every footfall that Bjorn made.

My mouth opened to speak a warning when a hushed whisper came from next to Aziza. ‘’Aziza?- he’s a friend, right”  jasmine quietly asked with complete innocence.

The knife’s point vanished leaving a small hole- one of many and as remarkable as a tree in a forest. Then the kind answer came from Aziza’s slightly rasping voice ‘’ yes, yes Jasmine. Don’t fret you are safe with Asariel and I- sleep and dream kitten dream for me.’’ Her voice was lulling and soft and soon a purr was heard from where they sat.

The tent seemed peaceful for but a moment when suddenly Bjorn raised his voice above the din ‘’’ where is Asaroul?’’ he almost demanded as he realised I was not among them. I could tell by his rigid and darting movements that he was now alert and concerned.  In a second his shadow now came to face me his hand suddenly protruding from the canvases opening.

He was set to open the taupe and reveal me dumbstruck and half naked. My bare ochre skin no doubt tinged with blush from just being near this bear of a man.

All I could pray for now was that instincts would not force me to attack .

Suddenly a flash came from the small gap that Bjorn had created. It was Magda ‘’she’s changing ‘’ she said sternly. As I watched her bangled hand wrapped around Bjorn’s wrist restraining him like a snake. Bjorn’s hand turned white as his grip on the taupe became vicious. He was clearly angry.

‘’good’’ Bjorn spoke curtly to Magda as his fingers snapped open releasing the partition and saving my dignity. Well what little I had left. Like a crack of thunder silencing everyone Bjorn growled at Magda when she did not immediately let go of his arm. As the sheet still in the moment that followed I could imagine the stoic expressions etched into the shadows. With the second beat of my tempered heart she released him and moved to return to her seat. Magda sat seemingly at ease once more as Bjorn stood still and a nervous chatter began trying desperately to fill the oppressive silence.

‘’’Come Bjorn, have some stew.’’ Floki offered in a strange lilt.

‘’Ill pass ‘’ he said through gritted teeth before he let himself calm down and continued in a light hearted manner ‘’ I’ve seen you raiding the plunder – some of that food is as strange as a flying pig.’’
Floki chuckled at the casual offence and so all had effectively buried the incident in moments.
Bjorn’s shadow retreated and went to the fire. My mind suddenly started working again and a unified whisper said quick. I listened and snatched up my remaining clothes and dressed with haste.

Bjorn POV
Magda had crossed the line. I knew that she had no allegiance to me- in fact I had no idea where her true loyalties lay. She was no fan of Finehair but that didn’t mean that she would sway to my rule so quickly. But even though I was not her king my name , my heritage was one that meant she was in no position to question my authority. She was now too comfortable with her position – too familiar with myself.  She had confidence n herself that she could if not stop at the very least slow me down in my pursuit of what? I was going to enter a place where one of my prisoners was changing. Unless…

Had I underestimated Asa’s sway on people? Was she indeed a witch who had captured Magda and definitely Floki’s mind- perhaps even Tori’s (I still questioned why he had not followed Fell.-though it was a private affair which could soon be renaegged- there was as of yet no reason to trust him.)
for all I knew he and Magda could have been in cahoots with Finehair plotting my demise... was there anyone to be trusted in the world?

Magda took a beat too long to release my hand – in that time the air had changed  it was subtle but the fact that it was there at all was what unnerved me. When you were the son of Ragnar Lothbrok you could taste the winds of loyalties- how the strengthened, waivered or shifted. Two things had accompanied Magda’s hesitation; first Tori and Floki had readied themselves their hands moving to their weapons with caution. And the twitching Shield maidens who seemed to want my blood- it seemed that in this tent I was out numbered by converts. It should have been expected but for it to happen so quickly momentarily stunned me. I stared into Magda’s eyes with a burning question – would her loyalty shift again?- and what had made her so quickly reject her lord to serve this girl?

I will sit and wait.” I finally announced as Magda averted her gaze in submission.

I sat beside Floki watching for guidance from the open flames which danced over the remains of their feast snapping their fingers in veracious excitement. I thought that my ignoring the insolence and choosing only to comply a my own will would have eased the shield maidens twitching – it did not. It was not until Magda took up her watchful position once me that their eyes returned to search the darkness for threats.

I also noticed that now all had settled Tori would not look at me; his eyes wandered with his thoughts but he could not let his eyes land on me for more than a moment. Was it the conflict earlier that had him so strange or was something else ticking along in his mind. I could understand it being hard fore the young man to come to terms with what had happened – in a day he had lost his place next to Fell, a sure track to success, and now he was here supping with the people his previous lord had found to be deserving pf death . the reason for his turn about in fate was a mystery to me. And a mystery so close to my Asa was dangerous.

Perhaps he would reveal himself as a spy and I could kill him. But if not I would have to figure the lad out.

I looked to Floki who simply tended to the fire perhaps fully aware that the whole camp was a blaze with the fascination that Floki had for my Asa and her foreign god. He had not been back to his own tent and the camp had murmured that Helga had not yet left that same tent with her slave or whatever she was to be...

We settled into an uneasy peace when a hand appeared, bronze and gold being set alight by the fires glow, shyly it curled around the taupe obviously hoping to slip by unnoticed but how could we not notice her? She eventually drew the cloth back to reveal her new apparel. She was a vision of fire in flesh- alluring and hypnotic. As the flames light danced over her skin I couldn’t stop myself from taking all of her in. I had requested that she be dressed in something presentable but practical.

Magda did not disappoint. She was dressed in red tanned, fitted trousers that did not leave much to the imagination- luckily she puled her tunic down properly and her rear was suitably covered by the blood red material with is gold and black trim which etched her out of the shadows.

It was breath taking seeing how her clothes changed her from stranger to destiny. I could see it clearly – as clearly as Ragnar had seen himself as king- only I sat next to her as my queen.

“here-“ Tori stepped forward suddenly which caught everyone off guard. But before any of us had drawn our weapons he brought her a red cloak which was trimmed with tan fur. She took it with a bow as thanks but his eyes had wandered. To the young girl who was sat shielded by one of Asa’s close thralls. Ah...

I smiled to myself as these girls had certainly been unexpected additions to our journey.
“you’re welcome Lady.” He said before retreating only now aware of the tension he had caused.
She looked to her two friends in the corner first and then to Magda all gave approving smiles so that she did not retreat. Finally her eyes moved over to my feet by the fire before she looked up at me thorough dark lashes which seemed to shatter her gold discs. I had been ready to show her my pride in her dress my desire for her but instead I met her eyes with a slack jaw.

She quickly turned to look at Floki – did she want reassurance from him? I could almost guarantee he would not give her any. Then he did.

He looked down at his fire smiling to himself before he remarked “ha!- she looks like a real woman now- real Viking!” his glee was evident in his toothy grin.

I looked between them and felt a pang of jealousy as I realised they shared a connection which allowed him to reassure her – I didn’t like it. I knew it wasn’t sexual or anything like that it was more powerful like they had seen themselves in each other. And that sent a chill down my spine.

I knew Floki very well by now. And inside he was a broken fragile man- did she see the darkness in him? Did it reflect her own?

Another thought to weigh on my mind as the wolves were beginning to bay for my blood. The moment I went back into camp I was harassed by people who need direction in order to be ready to sail. And the rumours of Fell’s breaking ties with me- it flew around the camp as well as the worrying possibility of Fell teaming with other lords to split the fleet when we got back to Kattegat.

Then their were the more whispered curiosities about myself- had this seer whom the Gods had thrust upon us like a storm  indeed taken control of my mind. I couldn’t deny it though. As I walked  I was consumed with thoughts of her –where she was- if she was safe. But also I couldn’t help think of her soft and full lips that I only briefly tasted - she was sweet- was the rest of her?

But with those blissful thoughts of her the real danger of Fells lack of allegiance  was truly worrying he had been under Ragnar and etched out his own position as Jarl of a farming village. He had wealth. He had influence with old friends – he was a danger.

And everyone was waiting to see what happened next...

He was also fanatical enough that when the harvests were bad he chose a warrior to be sacrificed – against his will some said.- but his people allowed it – even praised him for ending the bad weather.
He was the sort of man who could escalate the circumstances quickly and violently. He could tear us apart. I knew that I had made a deadly enemy in Fell.

For now though, Fell was silent. He wasn’t one to parade his business. No, he wanted the rumours to grow and exaggerate- to let it seep into our foundations like a blight upon us. Then he would strike and until then I would have to be ready.

Floki finished tending to his meal when he suddenly stood, stretching like a cat, all the while keeping his eyes glued to my Asa.

My blood boiled as she reacted to his stare with a shy blush. I couldn’t stand not knowing what seemed to link them and so I let my anger get the better of me. I sat seething snatching an errant stick from the kindling pile and began stoking the cinders making them crumble and snap at the air.
‘’finally panning on going to see your wife Floki?’’ I spat the question as an accusation causing Floki’s eyes to darken and the air to become heavy. Let him expose his true self and let this bod burn.
Floki did not rise to meet my childish goading. Instead he simply smiled down at me with restraint- it was clearly I who was being revealed in a new light and I could only thank the gods that Asa did not know our tongue yet.

‘’Helga does not need to be coddled- that’s why I married her.’’ Floki stated proudly.
I felt I could not rebuke that. Not now, at least not while Helga remained in her strange state of torment. It had cleaved her heart in two when they lost Angrboda. And now she was clearly trying to stitch it together by forcing an orphan into the gap. Most worried that she was too far gone...
‘’ besides Bjorn, she would never begrudge me spending time with a beautiful woman.’’  Floki smirked. I turned away quickly in anger only to be met with Asa’s rising blush- I growled a low warning when Floki turned and offered his hand gracefully as a tree spirit. I was about to object when Magda voiced my words for me

‘’what do you think you are doing, Floki.’’ She warned as she rose to her feet. Her shield maidens felt the ripple of her tension and readied for a sticky situation.

Floki simply smiled keeping his eyes fixed on Asaroul giving his answer to her rather than to us showing his reverence for her.

‘’I am offering to take the seer for a walk in the night air- to help calm that blush’’ he smiled cheekily at her and she smirked in return. It made me want to punch him. However, I knew that to do that would translate into her language and might make her fear or even hate me- I couldn’t afford to do that.
So I sat with my hands tightly grasping each other staring at the fire. When they didn’t move I looked up and locked eyes with worried gold discs of light. They sought permission. I was about to give it when Floki piped up again.

‘’you are a free woman seer- you need no man’s permission.’’ He said zealously. Her eyes briefly flitted to his but stayed with mine. I wanted the world to fade away in that moment as she stared at me her face showing her anticipation to walk. I couldn’t deny that if I was a braver man than I would have offered first so that we might steal a moment alone...

But as it was all I could do was calm myself before looking at her again with what I hoped was a kinder expression I could only hope I was able to hide my true feelings; I would never be able to deny her.
I nodded before realising that everyone’s eyes were on us. I cleared my throat which broke the fire’s spell – a missed opportunity... I turned away to help myself to the stew that had been prepared.  I couldn’t help but eye the mushrooms suspiciously.

A/N hello everyone who has stuk with this no mater how few yu might be i am so happy to be able to update again aafter so long. unfortunately my only explanation is that this has been a trying couple of trying years taht has really kicked my ass - but here's to the newyear and a daily writing routine - jebus save me from procrastination