Norse Valor (7 page)

Svana thought their lives to be a bit lonely. Every day the
women came and asked for some kind of help then left. Vakr needed to translate
for her less and less. But the storms kept them indoors a great deal. Vakr said
it would end, that not many months were blistering cold and she needed to have
some patience. David was out of patience. He snarled and snapped at there being
no TV or games or the yacht or a multitude of women his wealth could dazzle. He
didn’t like sleeping in the same hut as Helga who apparently mothered him
to death
. He complained about the
endless potatoes. Mashed potatoes, potato bread, boiled, steamed, baked, potato
salad, fries and potato soup and potato pancakes, potato skins. What he
wouldn’t give for filet mignon and broccoli covered in cheese sauce or even a
peanut butter sandwich.

“Vakr?” Svana asked.

“Hm?”

“Why don’t you tap your own trees for syrup?”

“We’re warriors, hunters and farmers,” he replied.

“You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?”

“Our trees are not as sweet, or so I’m told.”

Svana walked over to him and griped his chin in her hand.
“Well you’re gonna find out, honey. The sap should be running now.”

Vakr smiled at her, removed her hand and downed some ale
from a rolled birch bark cup. There was a knock at the door. Ari strode in
followed by his son, Njall. Svana liked the boy; he was going to be as handsome
as his father one day and probably just as large. Svana sat the boy at the
table and encouraged him to try the fries and ketchup.

“Well?” she asked.

“Very good,” Njall replied with enthusiasm.

Svana chuckled. “A hit with teens in any era.”

Ari helped himself to food as well. Most often, Ari and
Njall ate with David and Vakr while Helga and Svana fussed over them. Svana had
grown fond of Ari. Vakr and he had seemed to settle their differences and Svana
was happy for them both. Both men were much the same. Gentle giants.

“Where is David?” Svana asked. Ari had been teaching him
swordplay along with his son.

Ari grinned. “Kitta stopped him to say hello.”

“Oh no,” Svana said. “Is her brother nearby?”

“Her brother is always nearby,” Ari said. “Don’t worry, Koli
still suffers from hearing loss and is keeping some distance between your
brother’s ample lungs and himself.”

Svana whacked the man with the cloth she carried at her hip
to handle hot objects. “Stop making fun of my brother,” she scolded.

“He screams louder than a woman giving birth. By the Gods,
he could frighten off a bear. Even
my
hair stands on end when he lets loose—not an easy accomplishment,” Ari said and
both men and the boy howled with laughter.

Svana went red. “Then stop scaring him on purpose.”

“But he’s so much fun to tease and we have had little to
laugh about,” Ari said. “Did you see him when we brought the elk in? One sight
of the blood and he fainted.”

“You slit it open and plopped the liver right into his
hands,” Svana growled out.

“When he woke he threw his hands in the air and went running
like a little girl chased by a wolf,” Ari continued. “His hair was standing
taller than hay stalks.”

David chose that moment to enter the hut. He slammed the
door behind him and latched it. Svana groaned. His breathing was rapid and his
face was red. Svana knew that wild-eyed look.

“Now what did you do?” she asked.

“Nothing,” David said innocently.

A sword came through one of the cracks in the door barely
missing David’s crotch. All eyes raised in surprise and David carefully lifted
a leg over the sharp object while clutching his family jewels higher.

“David?” Vakr demanded, his arms crossed over his chest.

“It was just one kiss,” David insisted. “Koli is demanding I
marry the girl. He can’t be serious. She doesn’t even have a grade twelve
diploma. In fact I’m certain she never even went to grade school.”

“Come out, coward!” Koli demanded.

“Vakr do something!” Svana yelled.

Vakr threw open the door.

Koli stood there, with his feet apart, chest heaving, and hair
disheveled. To Svana, he looked like a madman. His sword rose and pointed in
David’s direction. Svana maneuvered herself in front of her brother.

“You were warned about my sister,” Koli snapped.

“It was a kiss,” David insisted.

“She is home crying her heart out because you spurned her,”
Koli said.

“David.” Svana faced him.

“I didn’t mean to make her cry,” David said. “I thought she
understood that, that…”

“That what? She’s a toy, a plaything?” Svana yelled. “This
isn’t the land of fast sex and loose promises! These people have morals!”

“I hardly know her,” David whined.

“Your hand knows her breast,” Koli snapped. “How often have
you met at the hot spring? What else have you been teaching her while she
teaches you our language?”

David went red.

Svana groaned. “David, are you still going to say you just
kissed?” Svana demanded, arms crossed over her chest.

“I don’t want to get married. I can’t get married. How can I
support Kitta here? I can’t hunt, and she knows that. I can’t use a sword. What
kind of provider would I be for her? I don’t want to see Kitta starve all year
long. How will I ever be able to protect her?” David was back to whining and
wringing his hands.

Koli was suddenly smiling and so too was Vakr. Both men
looked like cats that swallowed a canary. Svana had a bad feeling about this.
Koli lowered his sword and slapped David on the back. David looked stunned.

“A summer wedding,” Koli declared. “No worries, my friend.
By that time I will have helped Vakr turn you into a good hunter and provider
for my sister. We will be brothers.” Koli left chuckling.

“What just happened?” Svana asked.

“David made a fair argument,” Vakr replied. “Koli had
thought he did not respect his sister when in truth he cares enough to know he
needs to be more of a man.”

“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding,” Ari said.

“Married? Me?” David whispered, his face pale.

David fainted.

Chapter 5

By mid-April the village food stores were gone. Svana had
taught the others to collect sap and boil it down, but that supply too was
exhausted. The men hunted every day, but game too was diminished. Mostly they
survived on flour made from the inner bark of a tree and fish from the freezing
ocean. Vakr had decided to take their vessel and head downstream with twenty
men to see if they could find a new home. Svana was waiting patiently in
Helga’s hut for him to return.

It had been a surprise to Svana how fast she had gotten used
to the village and the people. She had made friends who came to visit during
the long days. At night, Vakr’s arms embraced her in safety while they were
warmed by their lovemaking and the heat of the fire’s flames. Vakr was so
strong and he was so tender and gentle. The feel of his hands on her bare skin
was intoxicating and if all she ever had was flour and fish, it would be fine
if she was with him. In truth, she was in love with Vakr. Oddly enough her
brother seemed happy as well and resigned to the fact he was soon to be
married. Her playboy brother was becoming quite efficient with a sword, if not
a bow and arrow.

“You have lived here a long time?” Svana asked Helga.

Svana had described a rocking chair to Vakr who set about
making one immediately. It was a gift for Helga from them both. The woman was
rocking contentedly, a smile on her lips. Svana didn’t think she had ever once
seen the woman worry.

“Yes. My husband built this hut after Vakr graced our lives.
Vakr’s father was just like him, always wanting to see the world, never content
to sit still. I’m afraid both my husband and son would need more years added to
their lives to see what wonders are out there. My husband died at sea a few
years ago with Vakr by his side, as was his wish. Vakr is our only child. The
love of my life. He will take care of us.”

Svana smiled fondly at the woman. She had grown to care a
great deal for her. Helga was tall and broad but slim. After the months of
going without much but gruel, her face was still gaunt and haggard, but the
woman loved to smile. It was an endearing quality.

Svana reached over and laid her hand atop the older woman’s.

“Vakr will find us somewhere nice. When we get there, I’ll
help you with a garden. If we’re lucky, we will have tomatoes and pumpkins and
corn and potatoes,” Svana said.

The idea made Helga’s face light up. “Perhaps next year we
will make more syrup.”

Svana chuckled.

Helga had quite the sweet tooth.

“That sounds like a great idea.”

Svana screamed when suddenly the heavy wooden door was
kicked in. Both women jumped to their feet and backed up as three strange men
came for them. Svana swallowed hard. The men were huge yet looked as though
their clothes hung too loosely. Their eyes were wild.

“Your food!” one of the men bellowed. “Give us your food or
die!”

“We have nothing,” Helga cried fearfully.

“Liar,” he snapped and backhanded her.

Helga went flying and slumped to the ground.

Enraged, Svana grabbed a steel ladle and whacked him across
the head. Blood oozed down the side of his face. The man bellowed loudly, but
Svana held her ground.

A hair-raising scream came from behind the men and Svana
watched as David raced into the hut and jumped onto the nearest man’s back.

Svana swung her weapon again at the same man she had already
struck. From lack of food, the warrior’s reflexes were slower and the intruder
was unable to move out of her path quick enough. Down he went.

David was being whizzed around the room by the man he hung
on tight to. They bashed into furniture, walls. The third warrior tried to help
his friend, but Svana tripped him and he sprawled face down into the dirt. The
warrior David hung tight to was on his knees as David choked him from behind.
Soon enough, that man was down. Svana raced to Helga who stumbled to her feet.
All three raced outside to find help.

Men were battling in the village. Women and children were
screaming and running in different directions. Fires had been lit and huts were
burning. Everywhere Svana looked, people were falling to the ground. It was
horrifying. An intruding warrior was yelling they didn’t want their women and
children, just their food. But there was no food to give them. The raiders
refused to believe the pleading women and some were slain in a crazed rage. The
village men who had remained behind were battling for their lives and were
outnumbered. Sparks flew when swords collided.

Svana yelled at her brother when he grabbed a sword and went
after two men who were battling Koli. David screamed his god-awful wail at the
top of his lungs and one of the warriors cried out in surprised fear. Koli ran
him through while he was distracted. Koli grinned at David.

“Perhaps we won’t change your battle cry after all.” Koli
laughed.

A huge war cry rent the air and suddenly more warriors
joined the slaughter. Vakr had returned and Svana shivered at the look on his
face. She had never seen Vakr battle. Svana had been told he was a formidable
opponent, but witnessing it was something entirely different. Vakr looked like
someone she didn’t recognize. His face was a death mask. She felt frozen to the
spot. Every rise and fall of his powerful arms sent a man to his demise. He was
merciless. Four, five, six men he downed and still his blade rose and slashed.
It was the village warriors who now far outnumbered the raiders and they were
healthier and better fed. They made short work of the invading men and soon
only a few of the intruders remained, on their knees begging for their lives.

“We only wanted food,” one man said desolately.

Another bloodied man was crying pitifully. “We have gone
weeks with almost nothing. Most of our women and children have starved to
death. Please, I beg you, kill me but do not let my family die alone and
suffering.”

“Where is your village?” Vakr asked, his sword at the man’s
throat.

“They have suffered enough,” the man said warily.

“I will not slaughter women and children,” Vakr replied. The
words were spit out in disgust as he gave a quick glance around and saw that
the men had killed and wounded some of Vakr’s women and teenaged boys who had
tried to aid.

“Vakr,” Hakon snapped. “We have no room or food for strays.
Look around at our own who have fallen this day. What mercy were they shown?
Will your kindness once more place us in danger?”

“When has his kindness placed you in danger?” Svana snapped.
“Once more, Vakr has returned in time to save your life.”

Hakon turned red, having once more been reminded of his past
failure.

Svana knew the man hated being challenged by a woman.

“You should learn your place,” Hakon said, glaring at her.

“Her place is at my side and she has every right to ask you
a question,” Vakr said.

“We cannot feed our own anymore! How will we feed others?”
Hakon shouted.

“Farther up the coast five of our warriors have stayed
behind!” Vakr bellowed into the crowd. “There is a beached whale and plenty for
everyone.”

The village cheered. Vakr’s attention was once more on the
man before him. Svana was angry the raiders had attacked, but she also
understood why. The remaining men looked gaunt and thin. Starvation was a
terrible way to watch a loved one die. Svana looked over at Baldr who also held
a sword to a man’s throat.

“Baldr, it was not long ago your daughter almost died of
starvation,” Svana reminded him. “You were torn with despair over her
suffering. Does the man before you have a daughter who is also dying?”

Baldr eyed the man coldly. “He would have killed my little
Joka for a crust of moldy bread.”

“Wouldn’t you do the same?” Svana asked him. “No one should
ever have to watch their child suffer.”

Baldr took a deep breath. “How many women and children are
left in your village?”

“Four women, one is my wife, three with no husbands—they
have fallen to your weapons. Six children without parents. Four boys, two
girls. My own child was buried just two days past. I can’t lose my wife as
well. It would be better to die here in battle than watch her suffer. By the
Gods, claim them; they are good women and well-behaved children. None of the
children’s fathers’ died here this day, so there will be no threat of
retaliation when they are older,” said the man.

Svana could hear his desperation; his eyes were begging them
to have compassion. Everyone looked at Vakr. His look was grim. Svana
shuddered. She could feel her mouth go dry. Vakr looked deadly, but Svana knew
him, her gentle giant would never harm women or children. Knowing glances were
passed back and forth between Vakr’s men and Svana was confused. It was like
some secret warrior talk of nods and tiny gestures. The man before Vakr went
white. The weeping man shook his head no. Vakr’s grip on his weapon tightened.
Oh God no.
Svana suddenly knew what was
about to happen and she rushed forward. Koli stopped her.

“Vakr,” Svana whispered.

“All of the women and children of your village, including
your wife, will be found and spared. My village will lay claim to them,” Vakr
said to the man on his knees before him.

“Thank you,” the man said, then lifted his head proudly and
looked in the distance. “Today is a good day to die.”

“Vakr!” Svana shouted.

Vakr didn’t look at her; he motioned to his men who began
taking women and children into their huts.

Koli grabbed Svana as she once again attempted to run for
Vakr. Easily, Koli hefted her slight weight to his shoulder. When he took her
and Helga and Kitta to Vakr’s hut, David followed, head bowed.

“Vakr, no!” Svana screamed as Vakr raised his sword.

The hut door slammed behind them. Koli latched it. He set
Svana onto her feet. “It will be a merciful death, Svana. All four men killed a
relative of someone here. Sparing their lives would not be tolerated. Other
warriors would seek justice and the men would not last long. This way there
will be little pain,” Koli said with urgency.

Moments later a battle cry sounded to tell Odin one of his
warriors was being returned to him. Then a howl rent the air followed by
silence.

Svana slumped to the ground. David pulled her into his arms.
Svana couldn’t believe what had happened. Her mind was in turmoil. Her gentle
giant had just murdered and had allowed others to murder four men. A man whose
tender hands caressed her with love had taken a life—a man who held no weapon
in his hands. A man who had been on his knees before him. A knock on the door
sounded. Koli let Vakr in. When Vakr knelt before her, Svana couldn’t help it,
she shied away from him. She thought she would vomit when she saw the blood on
his hands. Svana was now afraid of him.

* * *
*

Svana watched the shoreline slide by from the vessel she
rode on. Cool air whipped her hair around her face. Other women and children
and men were either sitting or standing. Most everyone was quiet and solemn.
Vakr was moving the village. It would take many loads of things they could
salvage, but Vakr needed the help of the women and children to butcher the
whale. Once the women and children arrived, the men left behind would begin
setting up a place where everyone would sleep in close proximity until stronger
shelters were made.

Vakr had moved quickly. Other men had stayed behind to deal
with their dead. Svana had no idea how many were lost. Vakr had felt they had
seen enough death for one day and corraled the village women and children and
moved them down to the vessel. Svana knew some of those who were dead, but many
more had been killed within their huts. She never got a chance to say goodbye.

When Vakr approached Svana, she couldn’t help it, she pulled
away from him. Vakr approached slowly. He seemed to understand her fear. Svanaglanced
about the vessel looking for an escape route. There was nowhere to retreat.

“Svana?” Vakr said, his voice soft.

“Go away,” she whispered.

“Svana, I know what you are feeling,” Vakr said.

“How?”

“I have seen it before after a battle. Women whose husbands
slaughtered men in front of them, with smiles on their faces, are often afraid
of their mates. They know their men are warriors, but seeing a Viking warrior
kill is frightening. We become not the lovers they are used to, but death.
That’s why I sent the women and children inside.”

“Those men were on their knees before you. One was sobbing
for his life. How could you just cut them down?” she asked.

“Better me and three others who would do it quickly than the
four warriors whose women were slain or the fathers of the children who were
wounded. Svana, those men killed your friends. Could you have lived with them
here?”

“You could have let them leave,” she wept.

“And have them try again? No. I could not take the chance
that they might return. They were desperate men. More of my people could be
killed if they struck in the night. Do the men of your time not wage war?” he
asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“And are all shown mercy?”

“No, but…”

“Vikings make their own laws. Here, I am the law. My people
come first.”

Vakr moved to pull her into his arms. Svana shook in his
embrace.

“I hate being afraid of you,” she said quietly.

Vakr’s chin rested on her head. “It will take time, but the
feeling will pass.”

Svana didn’t know what to say. She broke free of him when
the vessel docked. A massive whale lay gutted. Five men were elbow deep in
blubber. Seagulls were everywhere squawking and vying for meat, making hasty
dives and retreats.

After the women and children had disembarked, the vessel
once more set off to retrieve the raiders’ families. Svana felt no fear for
them for she knew Vakr was a man of his word.