Valkyrie Heat (18 page)

hated what the men did to her. But even she knew she wasn’t

capable of battling a village full of warriors and ancient ideas. It

wasn’t in her nature to turn a blind eye at an injustice, but Rolf

was adamant with her. He explained if he were to step in and offer

his protection, the woman would be under his roof, night and day

as was herself. He was certain she would slit all of their throats in

their sleep. Sky had been so upset until she saw Rolf’s inner

struggle. Her in-control warrior battled his own emotions over the

issue.

Rolf swore to her on his life that the woman was a deadly

killer of not only men and women but children and babes. Did Sky

want to see the woman loose?

The horror scene from the village had invaded her thoughts

when he had said that. It was a scene she still had nightmares about.

Could a woman warrior have caused the villagers’ destruction?
The

thought was sickening. Sky couldn’t help the woman, since she

couldn’t offer her protection. She had even tried talking to Eirik,

but her concerns fell on deaf ears… He had an entire village to

protect, he couldn’t watch the woman twenty-four hours a day. By

rights, she was Thorvald’s problem. The man was just as merciless

with her. It was awful what the men did to her, but the woman had

killed right alongside her husband. The pair had been heartless.

The only reason she hadn’t been put to death was because the men

in the village wouldn’t kill a woman. No one seemed to know

what to do with her.

Sky saw other men hand food to a few of the captives who

flirted with them and offered shapely views of their behinds or

breasts. Most of the wives shared their husbands’ plates, as well as

the children. It all seemed very odd to her. It had for the last week

since she first really noticed the practice. It was one question she

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wanted to ask when she felt she could articulate better in their

language. The older boys also had their own plates and good-

naturedly shared with younger siblings, making a point of everyone

knowing how generous they were. Sky was given her own food by

Brandr. She asked him why.

“I hunt with the men or alone. The meat I get is mine and a

portion of every hunt goes to a warrior or young hunter who will

become a warrior. I share with who I choose,” he said and

shrugged.

“Do you ever have captive or slave men?”

Brandr blinked. “A captive man can pledge to join our village.

If he is agreeable, he is spared. Any from battle are killed.” He was

frowning thoughtfully. “Some use captive men to man oars. But

slave men are too dangerous. Our village is peaceful unless

provoked. We have no need of captive males. I suppose if we did,

they would hunt with us. They couldn’t be left to guard our

women. It would be like having wolves caring for hens.”

“What if I hunt?” she asked.

Brandr scoffed at her. “Fluffy little bunnies would make off

with you. What would you hunt? Chipmunks? I would wager the

chipmunks would take you home as a trophy.”

“The women help plant and gather crops and other edible

things.”

“A captive woman or slave is dependent on any and all food

from a man. They can ask any man from the village for something.

Whether or not they choose to feed the woman is up to them,

although most do. Our women, captive or not, aren’t starved,

because that would be cruel. If a woman is free, she can eat all the

vegetables, fruit and grains she chooses. But if they want meat, it is

up to their father, sons, brothers or husband to provide.”

“Why don’t they just hunt for themselves?”

“They would and have in the past. But not now. The warring

is fierce. Too many women are stolen or killed when on their own.

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Even when banded in groups, an entire bunch can go missing. The

villages are at unrest, and women seem to be getting the brunt of

the warring. Each village wants to covet women—theirs and

everyone else’s. Except some who murder for sport. There is even

a rumor of renegades stealing women to sell back to villages they

have plundered,” he explained.

“Teach them to use swords.”

Brandr sighed. “A woman can be strong but male warriors are

far stronger. Our bones are bigger; we develop more muscle mass

quicker. We are able to train for many hours, nonstop. Women

would need someone to watch and care for the children. What

would they do? Battle with one hand, while changing a child’s

soiled behind with the other? If the men took turns with other daily

chores then a village would have half-trained men and half-trained

women. Our village has trained men; we have great power and

protection.”

Sky thought about that. She had been told of how Brandr lost

his parents. It had been the last attack on their village many, many

years ago. She could see how deeply this affected him. The blow to

their village had been bad, but not nearly as bad as one time, long

ago, when almost all the women had been killed and all the

children had been slaughtered for sport.

“Women have much to do already; they take care of the men’s

needs,” Brandr continued. “The warriors here see how many

different things a woman can do, while all we do is train and hunt

and help with a big harvest. Do you see any hungry women here?

They are indispensible. Our men want to provide for them. They

want women to stay near the village and be safe. It is understood

that if men stop sharing food, women will leave to hunt. Men are

eager to share to keep their women from harm or death.”

Sky could see it was a touchy subject with him, but she had a

motive. “The captive slave who has no protection hasn’t eaten all

day. I can’t give her food,” Sky said, head bowed.

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“Ah, now I see,” Brandr said and smiled. He visibly relaxed.

She could see he was relieved she wasn’t questioning the

reasoning behind the men’s thoughts.

When the captive came close again, Brandr handed her some

meat, bread and cheese.

Sky sighed in relief.

“We are not so cruel,” Brandr said with a small frown. “She

doesn’t ask for food. If she doesn’t ask, how do we know she is

hungry or who has fed her?”

Sky thought about that. When she was hungry she had no

qualms about telling Brandr or Rolf. Most often they heard her

belly rumble and demand she eat something. It was nice having

them both take care of her. Her heart warmed with the thought.

She offered Brandr a smile that made his face light with animation.

He was such a handsome man. She was delighted when he kissed

her. His mouth was always so warm and sweet. His blue eyes were

shining a vivid blue.

Sky gasped involuntarily and jumped up when she heard a

shrill scream. She was horrified to see a huge warrior clasping and

shaking a young boy upside down by his ankles. It became apparent

he thought he was helping the child. Sky raced over.

“He’s choking,” the mother cried out. Her eyes were wild

with panic.

Sky grabbed the boy and turned him upright setting him onto

his feet. His hands were clutching at his throat; his eyes were as

wild with panic as his mother’s. His face was red and his lips were

turning blue.

His father reached for him again, but Eirik stopped him. Sky

asked the child to cough; he couldn’t. The boy was perhaps ten and

in obvious distress. Sky turned the child in her arms. She pressed

his back tightly to her chest. She spoke calmly to him and said she

would help him. She searched for his diaphragm, exerted pressure

on the bottom of it and clasped one hand over the other and thrust

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up. Once, twice, then a small bone flew from the boy’s mouth and

he gasped in a huge amount of air. Sky turned him to look at her.

“Breathe,” she said and breathed in through her nose and out

through her mouth. The boy complied. “Did I hurt your belly?”

“No. I’m strong,” he said although there were tears in his

eyes.

“You are very strong, Gufi. Also very brave,” Sky said with

relief.

Sky’s body was trembling. She felt his belly where a red mark

appeared. He didn’t flinch or shy back. Gratefully Sky realized she

had done no internal damage. She was more grateful when Adisla

came and squatted by her.

The healer did her own exam and declared him to be fine.

Sky was grateful when Adisla placed her hand on her

shoulder, smiled and commanded she take in calming breath.

“You did well, my friend,” Adisla soothed.

The boy’s mother collapsed onto the ground and pulled her

son to her breasts. “Thank you, Sky,” Dalla sobbed.

Sky looked around her. It appeared the entire village

surrounded them. She shook her head, noting all the council men

in close proximity. She knew what was coming next. Adisla gave

her a comforting squeeze. Sky rose wishing Brandr would just take

her home. But there was another shout of dismay. The captive had

escaped!

* * * *

“We should have killed the murdering captive when we had

the chance!” a man shouted. It was Gulli, Gufi’s father.

“We are all in danger,” another, Unr, grumbled.

“We will find her,” Eirik insisted.

“We should discuss the child, and how Sky saved him,”

Thorvald said, suddenly appearing at Eirik’s side. “Eirik is right,

the captive won’t get far.”

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“You can discuss the matter after Sky eats. She saved Gufi’s

life,” Brandr argued.

Gulli and the boy’s mother, Dalla, agreed quickly. Dalla sent

a sympathetic look to Sky.

Sky knew her friend was offering support.

“Everyone needs a few moments to calm down,” Gulli said.

“My son almost choked to death in front of his mother. Give them

some time to compose themselves.”

Everyone began voicing their agreement.

Katla sent a quick reassuring glance to Sky.

Sky smiled back tentatively. She swallowed as her gaze settled

onto Thorvald. She was afraid this would be worse than her last

inquisition.

“This is the second time Sky has saved the life of a boy, one

who will become a warrior. Once he is a warrior, how many will

he save in the village? And because he was saved by a woman, he

will be doubly protective of the women here. She has done us a

service, and you should be thanking her,” Brandr raged.

He was supported by Gulli.

“We will,” Eirik said calmly. “Brandr has a point. We are just

curious. Sky is in no trouble. The captive can be tracked tomorrow

at dawn. We will keep any of our vulnerable families safely in the

cabin tonight while the men scout the perimeter. For now return

to your meal.”

Sky was led back to the table where she sat. At least she had

some time to compose herself. Thorvald was always watching her.

There was something about his eyes; they held anger and

frustration and she didn’t know why. She kept her distance from

the man, which seemed to enrage him further. She didn’t like

Thorvald. He was older, but still powerful and a bully. He used his

position to frighten and intimidate. A few of the women had said

they found themselves to be a captive for a day for some infraction

if they spurned his advances. He or a follower of his would then

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charge them with some incident, usually false and would use them

and claim they needed to be taught a lesson. Sky had shuddered

with the thought. He was now looking at her the same way.

“Brandr,” Sky whispered.

Brandr leaned in closely to her.

“Don’t let him hurt me.”

Brandr looked at her in confusion. Sky had felt her face drain

of color when she noted Thorvald eyeing her intently.

Brandr looked to where her gaze was settled. His face

reddened and he glared daggers at the man.

It became apparent to Sky that he loathed the man as much as

Rolf did. Brandr wrapped his arm around her and turned her

slightly so she was out of Thorvald’s view.

“I would kill him first,” he snarled.

“He wants to make me a captive,” Sky whispered.

“He would need the approval of all members of council. You

saved Eirik’s son’s life, so he would never agree. Since you have

come, Eirik seems to be more interested in council arrangements.

The man is more convinced than anyone that you are a Valkyrie

gift of the Gods. It’s as though the man has renewed hope.

Especially since you and his wife have become so close. Katla

seems less wane and more hopeful herself as her pregnancy

progresses.

“If Thorvald declares you captive and is unable to get all

council to agree, he would then need to challenge Rolf and me.

Other women he has made captive almost always have little or no

protection. Not the whole council agreed that the last woman