Authors: Constantine De Bohon
charged months ago was at fault but she had only a son, a young
warrior-in-training. Eirik and another council member were on a
hunting exhibition. The vote was two to one, in favor of no
punishment. His mother agreed to be a captive for the day to spare
her son an assault; he couldn’t possibly face Thorvald when
Thorvald challenged the ruling. The only ones to work her and
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take her were Thorvald and a few men who follow him. It caused
great unrest in Rolf.”
When Brandr asked her to trust him, Sky nodded.
* * * *
“How did you know the way to help the boy?” Eirik asked
Sky.
Sky was standing tall, with her head held high. She trusted
Brandr. “I said before hat I watched children sometimes. Children
choke, as had Leif with the rock in his throat. But Leif was
unconscious, this boy was not. Anyone can learn what I did.”
“Who taught you?” Thorvald asked.
Sky looked directly into his vile eyes. “Many people where I
come from know how to do what I did. I have been shown by
many people over time.”
“It seems strange to me that you showed up right when those
boys needed saving. How do we know this wasn’t your fault?”
Thorvald asked. “Perhaps you weren’t sent by Odin, but by Loki to
play tricks. Did you help the captive escape?”
Many in the cabin gasped.
“She was with me!” Brandr roared in outrage.
“She is deceptive. You said yourself that she hid in boys’
clothing. Perhaps she ran with those stolen coins from a master
who would punish her. Give her to me to keep an eye on for a few
days,” Thorvald said.
“You are cruel!” a woman screamed. “You only want Sky to
be a captive and under your control so you can rape her like you
did me with your false accusations.”
Sky felt sick. It was Esa. A friend. This was the woman Brandr
had said was named a captive months ago for a day, for a crime she
didn’t commit.
A commotion broke out as many in the cabin agreed with the
woman who began sobbing.
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Thorvald’s face went red with rage. “Insolent woman. You
dare challenge my authority?” he bellowed.
“You should have no authority!” Esa screamed back. “If I could
lift a sword, I would battle you, as would many women. It is time
someone challenged you.”
“She is right,” came a voice from the doorway.
All turned as Rolf strode in followed by the other hunters. His
face was a mask of fury. He held his sword tightly in his hands. His
muscles flexed menacingly.
The people in the room parted to let him through until Rolf
stood before the council.
“Someone should have said something when Thorvald
demanded Esa be punished. If you recall, the only ones who felt
she needed to pay for a crime were Thorvald and his few friends.
We never should have allowed her to be harmed. Punishing a
woman by calling her captive was a law made long ago so a woman
could work off her crime—on her feet. A law made almost a
century ago because we were shown that a woman should never be
beaten. Somehow a man or men took it upon themselves to use a
woman in other ways.” Rolf’s glare settled onto Thorvald. “It is
wrong. We know it is wrong and yet the practice continues with
many turning a blind eye. Especially when the woman has no
protection. That’s why it’s done in the shadows; what you can’t
see doesn’t exist. Is this how you keep our village women safe?”
Rolf demanded.
All were shocked when he then cast a furious glare at Eirik.
“Do you challenge me?” Eirik said calmly.
“I will challenge any who would touch Sky.”
“As would I,” Brandr declared.
Both men had their swords drawn before the council.
“Rolf is right…to a degree!” shouted Unr. “Our women are
not slaves and should be left alone when considered a captive. They
are to work and only work, nothing more. The law has been
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twisted to accommodate lusty men. It’s wrong. But a slave is a
slave, free for use. We have all grown up with things this way.”
Sky could see a few nod and few shake their heads. Much
more shouting was heard. Soon the cabin was echoing with heated
conversation. Sky knew it would take time. After all, how long did
it take for the Civil War to occur?
“Sky is a witch and has turned us against one another! Look at
how we argue amongst ourselves!” Thorvald shouted. “She should
be made a captive for the rest of her life so we can keep an eye on
her. Again I demand she be handed over to me before any more
damage occurs.”
“How can saving two lives be damage?” Brandr bellowed in
outrage. “What is it you seek, Thorvald? You have an ulterior
motive, I can see it. You reek of deception. You want Sky and you
can’t have her; she is mine and Rolf’s alone.”
Rolf pointed his sword at Thorvald. “I challenge you.”
Dead silence met his declaration.
“The council needs to vote,” Thorvald stammered.
“There will be no vote,” Eirik said, his eyes narrowed onto the
man in open disgust. “Thorvald, you go too far. Do you have a
need to possess a Valkyrie? For what purpose? I believe Brandr
could be right.”
“She has bewitched you!” Thorvald bellowed.
“Accept my challenge or step down,” Rolf demanded.
“I will do neither,” Thorvald said calmly, though a blue vein in
his neck was standing out. “If there is no vote, there can be no
challenge.”
“And you will make certain there will be another accusation
against Sky,” Rolf snarled. “Whose woman will be next? Since the
captive has escaped, you will need someone to toy with.” Rolf
looked at Eirik. “Will it be your wife he accuses of an injustice if
you become incapacitated? Though she cannot be a captive for a
crime until the babe comes, what of after? Will someone’s
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daughter be chosen? A petty thief when no explanation can be
found can be blamed on a defenseless girl who loses her father and
only protection.”
Many a man with a daughter moved to stand protectively
close to their girls. Many more swords were drawn. Many backed
up Rolf. Many shouted their support.
“This ends now,” Rolf snarled.
Sky’s heart was pounding. She had known one day Rolf would
stay silent no longer. He was a man of great character. Perhaps all
he needed to take a stand was someone to stand up for. It appeared
the dam had burst within him. Sky filled with pride.
“Accept his challenge, coward!” Brandr yelled. “We cannot
have a coward on council.”
Many more were voicing the word coward as time elapsed.
Eirik turned to Thorvald. “You have been challenged by Rolf
the Hammer. You will not stain the reputation of this council by
refusing,” he snapped.
Sky’s eyes widened in stunned surprise. Rolf Hammer?
Oh my
God
.
This
is
my Rolf!
This has always been my Rolf. Does that mean
Brandr is my Brody?
Had they found each other after centuries to be
reunited back in time?
“When I win your challenge, the woman will be mine,”
Thorvald snarled.
“If you then battle again and win her from me,” Brandr said.
His look was as intense as Rolf’s.
“It is not a fair fight,” Thorvald raged. “I am older and there is
only one of me.”
“Choose a second,” Rolf demanded.
Thorvald cast his gaze about the room. “Who will stand with
me?” he yelled.
No one answered. Even the few men who followed Thorvald
looked to the ground, refusing to meet his eye.
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Sky didn’t blame them. She had seen Rolf and Brandr in
action. Both were vicious on the battlefield. She did not envy
Thorvald. Rolf would cut him to pieces. It soon became apparent
Thorvald thought the same.
“You will all be sorry!” Thorvald screeched. “The woman has
done this!”
“Leave or accept my challenge,” Rolf said quietly through
clenched teeth.
Thorvald rose from his chair. He balled his fists, but his sword
remained sheathed. He glared evilly at Sky and she hid behind
Brandr. Brandr’s arm moved back to pull her snuggly against him.
Again a path cleared, but it was to let Thorvald pass. The
humiliated man walked with a stilted gait. He left the cabin.
“Rolf, take your place at council,” Eirik said.
Rolf sheathed his sword. He moved to sit in Thorvald’s
vacated seat. He looked at the people who gathered around.
“My first act of council is to offer protection to Esa and any
other woman who loses their protector,” Rolf began. “I will speak
for you. If punishment is in fact warranted, I will make certain that
woman has protection. Work and only work as the law was
deemed before is what will occur. Eirik is one man; it is time
council steps up and aids him as they are supposed to instead of
doing nothing.”
Many nodded in approval.
His eyes softened as he looked at the shaking woman. “I’m
sorry, Esa. I should have said something then. Never again will I
turn a blind eye at an injustice.”
Tears rolled down the woman’s face and she was comforted
by her son.
“My second act is for the council and all the village people.”
Rolf stood and spread his arms wide. “If Sky is evil and I have done
wrong, may Odin strike me dead.”
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Eyes rose in surprise. People gaped. No one moved and each
person held their breath in anticipation.
Rolf stood for long moments. Nothing happened.
“Sit, Rolf. You have made your point,” Eirik said. “We will all
agree Sky is supposed to be here.”
Everyone, including Sky, breathed a sigh of relief.
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Chapter 6
“Why are you back so soon?” Brandr asked Rolf when they
entered the hut.
A melody of crickets played in the surrounding area. The
heavy wooden door closed to the sight of a million stars overhead.
Many were staying at the cabin until the threat of the captive
woman had passed. Rolf wanted Sky and Brandr alone. Brandr had
agreed with him that they were more than capable of taking care of
Sky together.
“I was worried about Sky. I thought perhaps one night would
be best. The next time I go it will be two nights,” Rolf replied.
Rolf went to Sky and looked her over. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she replied. “Brandr took good care of me.”
“I’m sorry about Thorvald. Something told me to watch out
for him. The way he looks at you is so odd,” Rolf said. “And I
noticed he seemed more interested in you than any of the other
women. Not that I blame him. It was just a different kind of odd
fascination.”
“Brandr said he wouldn’t let him touch me. I believed him,”
she said.
Her light silky hair had grown a wee bit longer and dropped
across her forehead, giving her an impish look. Her big brown eyes
centered on him in a way that made his heart melt. In truth, one of
the reasons he had come back early was because he just couldn’t
stand to be apart from her. He had also worried she might have
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been a bit frightened of Brandr and she might need him. He should
have trusted Brandr a bit more.
Rolf grinned. “Did Brandr touch you?”
Sky flamed red and Rolf knew Brandr had indeed done more
than touch her. He lifted her chin to gaze into her beautiful eyes.
His thumb stroked her sun-kissed cheek. She was so irresistible.
“I let him…” she stammered.
“And now you are not afraid?” Rolf asked.
“No,” she said.
He knew she was serious, but her chin quivered ever so
slightly. Rolf felt his heart fill with relief; she was still getting used
to the idea, but it would take a bit more coaxing.
He took Sky to the furs and removed her clothes. Brandr soon
joined them. Rolf stripped and could feel his hard cock throb to be
inside her. He had missed her, worried about her. He pushed her
back onto the furs. His hand searched lower and a finger slipped
into her moist heat. She was already wet; the thought made him
deliriously happy. Sky had told him once she always wanted him
when he wanted her. She had claimed just one look into his eyes
made her feel like a puddle of desire. Here was his proof. By the
Gods, he loved her. He thrust himself deeply within her. Sky cried
out, as Rolf continued his heated eager thrusts. Her hips met his.
He wanted to make certain Sky was no longer afraid. He had to see
it for himself. It was important to him. He pulled her up and
demanded Brandr tie her hands.
Sky whimpered when Brandr complied.
“Easy,” Rolf soothed. “I want to see the acceptance in your