Norse Valor (9 page)

Vakr continued to pump wildly until finally he threw back
his head and roared.

Svana couldn’t help but giggle. A curious wolf must have
been close to their lean-to because it yelped in fear from the sound Vakr made
and she heard its hasty retreat. Vakr slumped to the side and she heard him
chuckle. He rolled over her to kiss her cheek then released her wrists.

“Still afraid of the wolves?” he asked.

“No,” she said, and she wasn’t. “I guess I’ll just have to
stay close to you until we get a hut made.”

“Mmm, I may never get a hut made.”

Once more, Vakr thrust into her.

Chapter 7

“All I’m saying is it would be far more feasible to build
one large central cabin first so everyone is safe, then the smaller individual
homes,” David said.

“It sounds like an awful lot of extra work,” Hakon grumbled.

“But well worth the effort,” David insisted. “If you men can
build vessels the way you do, why stop there? Build a place where you can hold
real meetings, instead of piling everyone together at a rock, or in the cold,
freezing weather.”

Vakr thought the idea had merit, especially since the light
spatter of rain was dripping over their faces where they had gathered.

David went on to explain what the pros and cons were then
listed off what he felt were the biggest pros. Safety for each family from the numerous
wolves in the area. More storage space both inside and underground. A community
place to gather where people could bond closer all year. That way, the winter
wouldn’t seem as lonely. If they created large hearths, they could roast a few
animals at a time inside, safe from predators. Outside there was more exposure
when drying meat. If they built an area inside off to one side, they could use
it specifically for that purpose.

“Well why not just one drying cabin? Then we can build
another bathing house. Why stop there?” Hakon’s voice was condescending. “Why
not separate a place to piss in? Or shit in?”

“That’s a fantastic idea,” David exclaimed.

Vakr could see Hakon’s feathers ruffling, thinking he was
being teased. But Vakr had come to know David and by the man’s expression, he
knew damned well he wasn’t joking.

“You can’t be serious?” Hakon blustered.

“Well sure, why not build an outhouse?” David said
excitedly. “No wandering in the woods when you can crap in private indoors.
Kitta always drags me with her when nature calls. You can’t blame a woman for
not wanting her ass bit by a wolf.”

“The only thing I want biting my woman’s ass is me,” Ormr
concurred.

Vakr was very happy to see Ormr taking such an interest in
his new woman, Halla.

She was young and had only wed with her first husband for
protection when her parents had died in the famine. She had been too terrified
to be alone and had willingly agreed to her first marriage. The village leader
had given her to her husband right before he had died. Halla’s husband had been
indifferent toward her for the most part and Ormr had confided to Vakr that
Halla had been a virgin. Halla’s husband was unable to perform. When Ormr had
asked Halla if she had slept with her husband, she had naively told him of
course. They had only been married a week before the raid. The young woman had
spent the night in her husband’s furs side-by-side, but had never had sex with
him. It was impossible for Ormr not to be smitten with her sweet innocence when
he found out the truth.

Svana had gone to each woman individually and asked them if
they were suffering or being abused.

Vakr had kept his distance.

Svana would become his wife; she would be in charge of any
women’s issues.

Though a few were frightened of their new husbands, they
were settling in. They were unsure of their new husbands but had not been
harmed, and the idea of them being on their own was too terrifying, especially
at night when the wolves howled. So many beasts so close was unnerving. The men
were a safe haven in a sea of animalistic fear.

That was something Vakr knew Svana understood. She let the
arrangements alone. Especially when she realized the women didn’t share her
sense of outrage. After all, they had been raised Viking all their lives.

Vakr was beginning to realize just how much of a handful
headstrong twenty-first century women were.

The new children had made friends and were already looking
less pale and gaunt. Their new parents watched over them and introduced them to
the other children of the village. They were accepted as well without
prejudice. All ran and played together as if they had known one another a lifetime.

Vakr had chosen a rich area. Already they had a successful
hunt and as well as whale, they would be dining on elk that evening. Vakr could
smell haunches of it being roasted over open flames.

“Why don’t we put it to a vote?” Hakon said smugly.

Vakr shook his head. The stupid man felt since David was an
outsider, Hakon would be chosen over him. What Hakon didn’t realize was that
David seemed efficient in making interesting little devices that made their
lives easier. David had gained the respect of most of the men. His sword arm
was strong and sure. Now if only Vakr could teach the man to hunt—and stop
screaming like a stuck pig.

“Sure. Let’s vote,” David said.

“All those in favor of a large cabin?” Vakr asked.

Almost all of the men agreed.

Hakon was spluttering.

Vakr wished the man could see reason instead of taking
everything so personally.

Hakon stormed off in a rage into the woods.

Vakr thought to call him back then shrugged. Hakon was
older, but he had no need to fear wolves. His sword arm was still strong and
useful.

“This brings me to a new subject,” Vakr began. “When in the
vessel, many of us spotted smoke far to the right. I’m thinking it past time to
visit our neighbors.”

Many men smiled with knowing.

“And what of slaves this time, Vakr?” Baldr demanded. “My
wife is certain she is with child again and I could use the help of another
woman.”

“If we raid from a village that close and steal loved ones,
they may retaliate. I know we would,” Vakr replied.

“Vakr,” Ari said. “I know how a woman’s whimpering makes you
feel, but we are not evil. I too would like a wife. We can stalk the village
and if there are few, we can challenge them. Let the men pledge allegiance
before they are slaughtered. If they comply, spare them. If not, kill them and
take the women.”

Many men agreed.

“What of their boys?” Vakr asked. It was one thing to kill a
man but to kill a boy because he may retaliate was different and Vakr thought
the practice barbaric.

A few shuffled their feet. None of the men killed babes, but
there seemed to be a fine line between newborn to nine years, and the soon-to-be
men of ten to fifteen. That was the most challenging of boys. They could turn
either way and no man wanted a boy he took in and considered a son to stab him
in the back whilst he slumbered.

“Why don’t we check the village first?” Ari suggested. “If
their numbers are very small, they will band with us and will be grateful to do
so. We are a strong village.”

“Agreed,” Vakr said. “We will set out at first light.”

* * *
*

Vakr and his men walked silently through the seemingly
abandoned village. It had taken them the better part of the day to make their
way there. The few huts were empty. Bowls of food still sat on tables as though
awaiting the dinner hour. Animals bawled and lowed from pens demanding to be
fed. There were no people. There was no blood, no sign of a struggle. It looked
as though the people had suddenly vanished.

“What happened to everyone?” David whispered.

“I don’t know,” Vakr said, perplexed.

“Do you think they are hunting?” Baldr asked.

“With their women and children?” Ari said.

“Why would anyone leave an obviously prosperous home?” Ing
mussed.

Vakr scratched his head in confusion. Other animals were
milling around aimlessly. Inside the homes were baskets of flour, nuts, covered
salted fish, and last year’s apples. Cider and ale were barreled and untouched.
Stores of cheese were shelved and also untouched. The only damage they found
were a few dead bloodied chickens.

“Wolves got these fowl,” Ari said.

“Look around and see what remains! We will take everything
of use back with us!” Vakr yelled.

Vakr and Ari went into the last hut yet to be checked. This
door was latched. Two strong shoulders pushed it and the hinges cracked as the
door creaked open. There was no fire, the window was shuttered and it was dark.
The hut was quiet, eerily so. Hardened porridge hung in a cauldron over the
center where the fire had once blazed. At a blur to his left, Vakr drew his
sword, but Ari had already captured the fast-moving creature. They dragged a
kicking and screaming woman into the sunlight.

She clawed at Ari who held her easily. She was a small
woman, young and very beautiful. Her clothes were ripped and her hair was a
wild mess. Her bare arms were a mass of bruising. Whatever had been there, it
was obvious she had fought for all she was worth. It had proven to be too much;
she slumped in Ari’s arms and muttered incoherently.

“What is she saying?” Baldr asked.

“She’s saying she…” Ari cocked his head to the side. He
frowned. “She must be insane with fear.”

“Why?” Vakr asked urgently.

All of the men were glancing around with trepidation.

“She says she was raped by a pack of wolves,” Ari said.

“What?” the men asked, startled.

“She swears she was raped by wolves. She says at dusk,
dozens of them invaded the village and dragged off the people. They were corraled
together and the pack drove them into the forest and scattered them. Some were
ripped to pieces. She had run and hidden, but could hear them growling and howling
to one another. She was attacked from all sides at once. When they pinned her,
she thought they would eat her, but she was shoved onto her hands and knees.
They all took her from behind. It grew darker. When the last wolf had her, they
all howled at the moon. She said they were distracted and she escaped and ran
home.”

“That would explain why the other food was left. But what
about the animals? Why didn’t the wolves kill the animals?” Baldr asked.

“I think we should discuss this at home,” Vakr said. He
wanted to return to Svana and his people as soon as possible.

“What of the woman?” Ing asked.

“I caught her. Her name is Sibba. She’s mine,” Ari declared.

Ari tossed the woman over his shoulder. It was his right,
Vakr knew. The men gathered the village supplies and moved off at a hurried
rate for home.

* * *
*

“There is no cause for concern!” Vakr shouted.

People were milling around the tall rock he had chosen to
stand on. Their elation had gone from joy with the food and farm animal
discoveries to fear with the wolf story.

Svana could see the mounting concern, especially when Ari
stood holding a limp young woman in his arms. A woman who claimed she was raped
by a pack of wolves.
It wasn’t
possible…was it?

“We live in lean-tos,” Hekja, Baldr’s wife cried out. “Those
people were in strong homes, according to what Baldr told me. They couldn’t
protect themselves. What will become of us and our children?”

“We will keep watch!” Vakr shouted. “We are many against a
pack of wolves. We will work day and night by blazing fires to build the large
cabin.”

Already, fires blazed and torches were placed around their
tight circle of shelters. The warriors had returned late not wanting to stop
and make camp for the night. With fires burning brightly, all could see the
fear on faces.

Svana felt David’s hand slip into hers. His other arm was
wrapped snugly around Kitta who was weeping. David was making shushing soothing
sounds to calm her.

“Tonight we will pull our furs into the open where we can
watch everyone!” Vakr shouted. “We will stay in groups of no less than ten if
we need to venture into the woods.”

Svana groaned when Vakr said that. “I need to go,” she
whispered to David.

“Now?” he asked, eyes wide. “Damn it, Svana. Haven’t you
outgrown the need to pee when someone just suggests it?”

Annoyed she replied, “Well, you should talk about needing to
outgrow certain behaviors. Not that I’ll sleep anyway, but I can’t hold it all
night.”

“Me either,” Kitta said, while tears streamed down her face.
“With the wolves always howling, I waited for you to come home.”

“Please don’t cry,” David said, wiping her cheeks.

“I need to pee when I’m afraid,” Kitta said and wailed
louder.

“What’s wrong?” Koli demanded.

“Kitta needs to relieve herself,” Svana explained.

“Damn, woman,” Koli complained with exasperation. “You pick
the worst times.”

“I can’t help it!” Kitta howled.

“Fine!” Koli yelled. “We will take ten men with us and find
another two women who need to go. We can take four at a time.”

The group was soon formed and with Vakr at Svana’s side,
they ventured into the woods. Vakr took them only a short way and demanded they
pee fast.

That had Kitta wailing again. She couldn’t pee with someone,
especially a man watching her so closely.

Koli shook his head.

Svana, who also suffered from a shy bladder, grabbed Kitta’s
hand and pulled her behind a tree. The many torches made it easy to see a ways
into the forest. Unfortunately, the shadows were numerous and played havoc with
their thoughts.

“What is that?” Kitta whispered as she peered into the
night.

“A tree blowing in the wind,” Svana whispered back. What she
wouldn’t give for a rifle and a real bathroom—and toilet paper. God, how she
missed toilet paper.

Svana could hear consistent chatter. Vakr had demanded they
make lots of noise to scare the wolves away. David was to her right, Vakr to
her left. She could hear Baldr soothing his wife not far from her. Vakr yelled
to see if everyone was finished. Svana was about to call yes when she heard a
god-awful scream coming from her right. The scream set off a chain reaction.
Soon every woman in the woods and in the camp was screaming.

Hair standing on end, Svana screeched louder when David
grabbed her under one of his arms, and Kitta around the waist with his other.
David screamed again when a huge shadow came for them. He shoved both women
behind him. Svana and Kitta screamed and clung to his back.