Destiny Enslaved (editing)

part 38

Asariel POV
With Bjorn’s approval I decided to take Floki’s hand – if I am honest I probably would have done it anyway but I had seen how Bjorn had seethed heard the maleficent tone in his harsh words. I had to wonder if he was jealous- I had had jealous lovers but... they usually expressed themselves better- I suppose it was something I had to learn about Bjorn if I was to communicate with him- he couldn’t read subtle very well. I would have to show him my feelings.

But for the time being I was going to enjoy the night air and try to get the blush to leave my cheeks. I wrapped the cloak, which Tori had given me, around my shoulders fastening it with a golden brooch which had a beautifully delicate design of knotted metal.

As we walked together I heard a low whistle which did not sound at all familiar as a bird would. It was answered though and then the usual chorus of the near by woods could be heard with the distant lapping of the waves.

But all this beauty did not served to cool my temper- Floki had really pissed me off. I  began to half drag him away from that damned tent so as to meld with the darkness and possibly kill Floki. My cheeks cooled but I knew that a lot of damage had been done; first when Magda had shown disobedience toward Bjorn in order to protect me. And again when Floki decided he was going to get revenge on Bjorn for his little tantrum.

Now what would Aziza think of my very sudden relationship that was developing between Bjorn and I?
When I felt I had gotten us a safe enough distance from the tent I swung Floki around to face me and I punched him in the arm as hard as I could.

‘’ow!- that’s a mean sting for such a pretty bee’’ he sniggered

I had really had enough

‘’listen you mad bastard!’’ I exploded with a hushed voice so that only us two were privy. ‘’if you do that sort of mind game with me again I will put a knife in your gut!’

He put his hands up in peace  before he started grinning insanely, looking first at me and then to the heavens. He collapsed to his knees and I rushed to his side in concern. But he wasn’t injured or fatigued he was... relieved and jubilant.

‘’finally’’ he began softly. ’finally, I am forgiven...’’ his eyes began to well up and tears slid down his cheeks. What did he mean? Why had he had such a reaction to her... talking... shit.

I had actually let my guard slip around this lunatic and he could now bounce off to tell Bjorn - whom I think doesn’t really like being lied to – just a hunch.

‘’oh!’’ Floki exclaimed as I realised he was now staring at me with frantic eyes ‘’oh-‘’ he continued again but much quieter as he shuffled on his knees closer to me ‘’ oh please lady don’t be upset- I am- I am truly sorry for upsetting you’’ he said bowing his head to me.

To be honest I had no idea what was happening and I really needed to know because my life- and that of those whom I was now tied- hung in the balance. I had to decide if Floki was a threat and then world forgive me if he was I would have to kill this poor soul. It was cruel thinking and I was shamed as my hands twitched and my eyes desperately sought out his weapon.

But... the thought came to me softly but he has been a friend. My heartbeat, which I only now realised was beating slowly, came back into sync with the world. It was too easy to slip into her shadow again...
‘’oh my lady I only wished to know – to truly hear your beautiful voice summon our words- the god’s words...’’ he was tearful and I recalled that night in the tent- he had lost much on this journey- Ragnar, Helga- who knew what he may have found here...

‘’I-‘’ I began un sure as to what to say. Floki looked up to me with eyes filled with hope; they shimmered under starlight. Then I sighed having heard the words once before- echoed from long ago. ‘’I am glad to have met you, my friend.’’ I smiled down putting my hands on this strange Vikings shoulders in defeat.
Floki jumped to his feet in joy lifting me into the air. I squealed atypically and began hurriedly thumping his shoulders to prompt him to put me down. He did and we stood in silence as I straightened my clothes and he continued to smile with glee. ‘’ yes well now that we have an ... understanding?’’ Floki nodded emphatically but remained silent- which meant I still had very little understanding of what exactly Floki believed that he was doing.  ‘’yes... ok then- you tried to make me reveal this to those in our tent- why?’’
Floki looked ashamed ‘’ I am sorry- truly. But I have felt so alone in this time since-‘’

‘’since he killed Athelstan.’’ Ragnar finished I looked to him beyond Floki he stood with a Christian monk- though his hood shrouded his face beside Ragnar he seemed to calm Ragnar’s fire and made the night air fresh and alive.

‘’Since Athelstan.’’ I repeated which made Floki fall to his knees

‘’oh- thank the all father! I knew that the gods had given me another chance-with you ‘’ he smiled manically’’ I wish to serve you my lady.’’

I was stunned- in all my years I had never had someone willing to serve me – most hated me for my gifts – others utterly feared me...

And here Floki was offering to serve me...

‘’why? Do you want to serve me Floki? I am a witch to your people you cannot deny that they do not want me with them- you would be ostracised – so why?’’

He rose slowly starring upwards- I kept my eyes on him trying to further decipher his intent. He was in awe with what he saw.

‘’my lady, I wish to be at peace I wish to bring peace- to... everyone. But I cannot find this peace- I couldn’t begin to know where to look and then I entered your people’s temple-''

‘’its called a mosque -’’

‘’ in that place I felt a new hope rise within me and then- then you came... and I tried to resist, but, I see now that this is my path to follow- the path that the gods have laid before me and I would be a fool to ignore it any longer’’ he locked eyes with me ‘’please lady, allow me to be your left hand- I shall spread your word humbly.’’

With that he took a hold of his axe. I was startled but i did not fear this man. He was lost and he hoped that I might lead him- another soul bound to mine. The chains felt heavy around my heart.

Floki then proceeded to open his shirt and expose his chest before he swore to the all father that he would follow the path that I walked.

I allowed him his moments of peace before rousing him from his reverie.

‘’Floki, I thank you and... I accept your oath. But I must tell you this now- I want no one else to know of my gift- do you understand?’

‘’yes- but what of the shield maidens? And your thralls?’’

‘’they cannot know either’’ he went to object but I cut him off ‘’ not yet. At least not until I know who I can trust...’’
‘’I am honoured to be in your light ..’’ he said.

I huffed manoeuvring to sit on the little mound we found ourselves on. ‘’you kind of forced that on me...’’ I muttered and Floki barked a hearty laugh.

I put my finger to my lips shushing him. ‘’haaa, I really am in a mess.’’ I confessed to no one.
‘’I swear not to tell lady, be sure I-‘’ I cut him off with my hand seeing that he was becoming anxious.
‘’I trust you Floki- or I would have killed you’’ I said honestly and Floki smiled with pride. ‘’but I have other issues now- namely the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok.’’

‘’ I have seen how Bjorn looks at you- if it is not reciprocated I will protect you.’’ He said stone faced.
‘’no- the feelings are... complicated. No, its Hvitserk that is the more pressing threat.’’

‘’Hvitserk? -why?’’ Floki said concerned

‘’he is not Floki’s favourite..’’ Ragnar said bringing me back to another pressing matter- this ghost who chose to appear at random and give unsolicited advice.

‘’come Ragnar- let them have some peace.’’ The monks voice was gentle and it lifted my spirit to hear it.
The monk began to usher Ragnar into to forest to walk beside him. ‘’thank you ‘’ I said and the monk paused in his actions to pull his hood down. He was indeed a handsome monk; brown hair, blue eyes and delicate features. He looked happy. And with a silent nod he turned to walk with Ragnar into the night air.

When I returned to being present with Floki he was staring at me with curious eyes. ‘’who were you speaking to?’’

Ragnar said not to tell him that he was here... ‘’a monk.’’ I said flatly and Floki’s brow furrowed with thought.

‘’why is Hvitserk a threat?’’ Floki said steering us back on topic.

‘’he – he chased me today- toyed with me- he wanted to scare me...’’

‘’ he is young- you saw tonight; young men do stupid things-‘’

‘’its more than that Floki he – he has this malice in him when he looks at me- he is one who hates me...’’ we let that hang between us.

Until Floki laughed’’ I cant wait for you to meet Ivar’’

‘’hmm ‘’ was all I could respond my eyes still seeing his face, his eyes.

Floki sighed seeming to realise that I needed an advisor in this turbulent time rather than a sycophant.
‘’Hvitserk is not my favourite of the Ragnarsons. ‘’ I stifled a little laugh at his words which echoed Ragnar’s. ‘’he likes blood- but that is all – he has no head for leadership- luckily he can look to his older brothers for that...’’ Floki left a pregnant pause which I was eager to burst.

‘’ but?’’

‘’he is a feral dog that if not put down will bite your throat- Bjorn must show him he is still Bjorn iron side.’’

I mulled this concept over. How could Bjorn show Hvitserk that I was off limits it would be even better if I could do it...

Whilst I was lost in thought Floki rose at my side. I did not join him as I wanted to prolong this lost moment in this life. ‘’I don’t think you should get involved with Bjorn lady, but if you must proceed with caution – he is a prince-‘’ I could tell. With that one word my mind flashed backwards to that day.
Men shouted’’ in the name of the prince!’’ as fires consumed my first life- it consumed the bodies of my father and brothers- and it tore the soul from my mother’s flesh. The smell lingered in the air long after we had left the screams of my mother that died on the dawn. The low sun made the blood which clung to the soldiers sparkle like rubies. We travelled at night only. During the day I was cared for and even played with these men I had just watched destroy a village- my village... even then I knew that something had broken inside of me. I knew their names – their faces were kind- and I knew what they did. I knew what they did it before they even thought of it.

The fich fich was uncontrollable those days and the visions tore through me with no mercy the only solace I could find was in my mother’s sweet voice- now I am tormented by her keen laments atop a pyre.

But I had seen it I had told people but no one imagined that such a horrible thing could really happen and so I was ignored. And they suffered. And I felt that it was my fault; but I was 8. It took us a month to reach the palace.

It was a place beyond imagination like a pillar  of glittering light rising from the dessert

‘’look Malaki! The palace of the prince of this the Byzantine empire!’’ he proclaimed with pride. I watched his worn face fill with relief at the site of it. He had told me many times of his wife and daughter whom I would be allowed to play with. It was confusing at a time when my life was unravelling I wanted to hold on to some one and he held out his hand to lead me.

As we passed through the grand gates of the city the warrior whispered one last piece of advice ‘’you are entering a new world; keep your eyes and ears open- your mouth shut. And always have a guarded mind and heart those doors can lead to ruin...’’ that wasn’t the last time I saw him but it was the last thing he said to me that I think was true.

At the palace I remember my heart pounding like a trapped bird. ‘’will you stay with me?’’ I asked.
‘’ of course Malaki.’’ He said cupping my chin in his hand.

I was given over as a gift to the prince- a dark haired, grim man. ‘’she is truly the one? But she is so young?’’

‘’that just means that she can be trained more easily- younger the better.’’ The warrior responded.
They were bartering. I felt cold. I felt alone truly- no illusion of a safe future.

A handshake and the deal was done the man left- I realised I didn’t know his name. Then the women came – priestesses from the old world. They ushered me into a place of darkness beneath the sand. Till we came to an enormous space under the city. The cavern was decorated with tiles and torches which danced creating a cave of wonders. But as I neared the table which rose above the flood floor I smelt the blood.

Thinking back they really were beautiful women- even as they strapped me down I wondered why such kind people would hurt me so much. Now I know – for power.

Even their song was beautiful. It climbed and dove into the depths of ancient spells. A breeze caressed my bare flesh and the fich fich pierced my head with its warning – PAIN.

Their song rose in the cave to harmonise with the resonance of the earth and then the knife flashed across my chest trailing blood- their first cut. I forget how many days were spent on that table. I have long forgotten their song which bored into my bones as I screamed with their melody Nor how many cuts were made. But I remember the pain...

I left that cage as something else. With each cut I felt my mothers angel being erased. And with each sip of water and the soothing words I became the darkness in his voice whenever he had called me Malaki.
I did see the warrior again- a final test and an anniversary present.

Mother gave me the order. Father threw him a knife. But it didn’t matter – destiny was foretold.
They woke her that day. The me they feared the one proclaimed as  Asariel – an angel to lead men to their death.

She was a silent predator whose gold eyes saw past all possibilities to find the certain outcome of death. She was 14 now and well trained. It took a broken knee and jaw to bring him down-  his weakness had been thinking that he could trick me again with his nice words.

I gutted him restraining any grunts of effort or heaves of nausea. And when I rose from his corpse father’s laughter filled the hollow space where his screams had echoed. I touched my bloodied face – swollen and cut but... smiling.

When I finally came back to the present I found Floki staring wide eyed at me- ‘’what?’’

‘’you look like a Viking- someone for us to follow...’’

I laughed the notion off instead even considering such a thing.

‘’we should head back’’ I proffered. As we turned a very chilling sound erupted into the air- a howl.
It rose and faded on the wind.

‘’Floki?-did you hear-‘’ my vision narrowed around Floki. All I could see was his face slowly turning to dread. And then I was gone.

A/N hello again another update for you as im typing up the ready written chaptersx