Viking Love Beyond Time (Time Travel Romance) (67 page)

             
“Show you what?”

             
“Show me how you make the fire from your fingers, the fire which kills”

             
Alodie sighed and tried to get up but his hands were like a vice, she could not move.  “Show me how you flew in the air to bring us here to Hergersby in a matter of days - or was it hours
elskin min
”

             
She shook her head.  “Herger, you’re scaring me.  I do not know what you are talking about.  I told you how I got you here”

             
“So -  you know the penalty for witchery here in
Northumbria
?” he asked, evenly.

             
Alodie swallowed and shook her head.  “Burning? Drowning?”

             
Herger smiled enigmatically.  “So long as it is done for good it is not a crime.  We are not Christians - we do not subscribe to your idea of the Devil you see.  We honour those in touch with the gods.  Olaf, however, is different, he uses his powers for evil and, to be honest, his magic terrifies me.  Oh, hand to hand I would crush him like I did that apple” he clenched his huge fist “but I have no defence against his sorcery” he stopped and took a pull of his ale. “Or I didn’t have before, now I am not so sure.  Are you a necromancer my Alodie?  Tell me, I need to know”

             
Alodie shook her head and got to her feet.  “I’m sorry my love, I have to disappoint you, I am a mere woman, unversed in any of the magic arts.  The only sorcery I possess is that in Granny’s bracelets”

             
Herger smiled.  “You are no mere woman my Alodie, you are
the
woman as far as I am concerned” he released her hands and leaned back in his chair “now where are my children, I want a good morning kiss from them”

             
Alodie smiled and picked up the bowls. “I’ll just put these in the kitchen then I’ll bring them to you”

             
“One moment”

             
Alodie sighed.  “Now what, Herger?”

“I want a good morning kiss from their mother first”

             
“You’re impossible Viking” she laughed and headed into the cooking area where she poured warm water from a container over the cooking fire into the big bowl which was kept in the kitchen for the dirty pots.  Rolling up her sleeves she had just begun to get to work when two large hands came from behind and swooped her up into the air.  “Herger Sigvardson” she shrieked “Anstice is in childbed, Maudya is about to set off to visit her son Sigurd this morning and I have work to do!” Giggling she turned to him and flicked water onto his nose.  He spluttered and grinning, held her squirming form tighter.

             
“Right, milady, t’is the horse trough for you I think” he laughed, kicking open the kitchen door and heading outside.  The mid September weather was gloriously warm without being sticky hot, there was not a cloud in the sky and the moorland was rich with the sound of birdsong.  Herger almost tripped over a squawking chicken but kicked it out of the way and strode purposefully toward the horse trough in the middle of the yard - it was a huge wooden one and had been used on more than one occasion as a bath.

             
“Herger, no!” hiccupped Alodie “as you love me I beseech you!”

             
“Flicking the nose of the lord of Hergersby, Mildenhall, Raddlesthorp and about ten other villages whose names escape me, deserves at least a dunking, not forgetting that that nose also belongs to Herger the sea king, warrior of Odin, master of
‘The Freyja’
and hundreds of other ships whose names I won’t even begin to list, although I know them all, the son of Sigvard, lord of Seinshaven and Thora niece of Agmund, King of Sewdelsund”

             
Alodie held up her hand.  “Don’t forget Herger, husband of Alodie of Bredond and father of Tom and Nerissa”

             
Herger grinned “Wetting the nose of someone who is
that
important definitely deserves a dunking, at the very least!” with that he let her go.  She fell with a scream into the ice cold water, it filled her eyes, nose and ears and she came up spluttering.

             
“You swine!” she gulped and clambering to her feet - the water was over four feet deep - she gripped the sides and clambered out.

             
Shaking her head, she opened her eyes.  Herger was leaning against the side of the tub, his eyes sweeping her from top to toe.  “I’m afraid a dunking is not after all enough payment for wetting the nose of such an important person” he drawled.

             
Alodie glanced down at herself.  She had on a white kirtle and, due to the heat, nothing else.  The water had made it almost transparent and it clung to her like a skin.  Herger raised his eyebrows.  “My lord of Hergersby and all points north, south, east and west” she whispered.

             
“Yes?”

             
She picked up her soaking skirts, “You’ll have to catch me first!” With that she turned and laughing, ran through the gate toward the moor which crept up to the stockade wall.  Within yards the hard baked dirt had given way to thick gorse and springy grass and she had not gone twenty paces when he caught up with her and throwing his arms round her legs, brought her down.  The bouncy grass broke her fall and as she hit the ground Herger whipped her onto her back.  She looked up at him, towering above her, 6’6” of male perfection and he was hers, all hers.

             
“I love you Alodie” he said quietly as he knelt astride her and putting his hands under her arms lifted her into a sitting position.  The laces of her gown were wet and his huge fingers fumbled the knot.  Alodie leaned forward and reached for the knife which was pushed down the belt of his braeis.

             
“Here my lord” she whispered “don’t struggle”.

             
Herger grinned, and taking the knife, sawed at the laces.   They gave way almost immediately under the pressure of the sharp blade and Alodie’s kirtle fell open, baring the sinuous length of her back.  Herger licked his lips and ran his fingers caressingly down her spine, then taking both sides of the wet kirtle in his hands he peeled it from her like a skin.  The warm sun bathed her body in a golden light, and, when he unfastened the ribbon securing her braid and she shook her head, her hair fell about her face and shoulders like a nimbus of living sunshine.

             
Herger groaned deep in his throat as Alodie wriggled out of her soaking kirtle and leaned forward so her full breasts brushed his bare chest.  She pulled off his jerkin then, running her fingers round his flattened nipples, she made circular movements through the thick black hair on his chest and down his flat belly to where his leather
britches
were fastened with a thong.  Hiding her impatience, and with agonising slowness, she pulled at the knot until the braeis were open, then inched them slowly down until his manhood was revealed, huge and throbbing.  Slowly she lowered her head and rang her tongue over its pulsing crown.
             

             
Herger groaned and buried his hands in her hair.  “Oh woman” he moaned “do you know what you do to me?”

             
Alodie took more of him into her mouth and began to suck, deeply.  After a few seconds she glanced up at him, guilelessly, and releasing him, smiled.  “It seems to me my lord of all you survey that, strong as you are, you are as helpless as a baby at the hands of a woman.  You are too much a slave to the pleasures of the flesh, it’s a weak point - I just thought I would point it out” she said waspishly.

             
Herger slitted his eyes.  “You little minx” he snorted and pushed her shoulders down to the ground as he parted her long smooth legs with his and pushed himself into her.  Alodie groaned and gripped his shoulders.  Herger began slowly, matching his thrusts to her jerking hips, going in as far as he could then pulling out as far as he dared.  As he quickened his pace Alodie felt her insides begin to convulse.  The orange glow of the sun burned on her eyelids but she felt she were in orbit around it.   She wrapped her legs round his waist and pushed up toward him, then, just as she was about to let herself go, let the heavens open, he stopped and withdrew from her.

             
Alodie jerked open her eyes.  “Herger - whaat?”

             
He grinned and leaning down on one elbow kissed her nose.  “Did I stop at an inconvenient moment, my love?” he asked innocently.

             
“You - you” she gasped and clenching her fist swung it at him, he caught it effortlessly and kissed it.

             
“You were saying about me being a slave to the pleasures of the flesh, my Valkyrie”

             
Alodie groaned and pulled her fist away.  Right, two could play at that game.  She reached for her dress and smiled sweetly.  “T’is a well known fact, my lord that women can go without pleasures longer than men” she quipped then crawling toward a nearby stand of bracken and shuffling behind it began to pull her wet dress over her head.

             
As she was in the process of doing so a huge hand grabbed her ankle and began to pull her leg whilst another ham like hand pulled the dress from her and threw it into the air.

             
“Clever wench!” snarled Herger and kissing her almost brutally he pushed her onto her back and soon the heavens did open for Alodie, the stars did fall and with a little smile of contentment in the afterglow she realised she had won a small battle too.

             
Two nights later the
village
of
Hergersby
was rudely awoken by the clatter of hooves on the cobbles followed by a deafening  pounding on the manor door.

             
Herger was instantly awake and pulling on his braeis before Alodie had opened her eyes.  At her exclamation of fear as he reached for his sword, he put a reassuring finger to his lips.  “Hush my love” he whispered “it is probably just some of my men arriving” opening the window he looked out.  “There seems to be around twenty horsemen - strangers” he announced, then, ducking back into the room, he opened the door and yelled “Bjarnie, Thorund Thorundssen, we seem to have visitors - rouse the guard!!”

             
There was a scuttling noise from downstairs and a cursing and clashing of weapons as men were woken from a sound sleep.  Herger left the room, returning a moment later with Tom and Nerissa, who was rubbing her eyes and crying.  “Put these two in bed with you and bolt the bedroom door” he ordered, putting a sharp knife down on the side of the bed.  “I will not let them get to you but if they are enemies and anything should happen..............”

             
Alodie smiled wanly.  “Do not worry, my husband, I can take care of us” she whispered.  Herger kissed the three of them then hurried from the room.

             
Jumping to the floor, Alodie bolted the bedroom door then turned back toward the bed, the children had already gone back to sleep.  She pressed her ear against the thick wood - feeling the tension thrumming through the house.  She could almost see the scene, the men standing in a phalanx behind Herger with drawn axes and swords.

             
“Who disturbs the rest if Herger Sigvardson, lord of Hergersby?” boomed Bjarnie’s deep voice.  She heard Thorund begin to croon.

             
“Messengers from Halfdan, King of
Northumbria
and
Denmark
.  Open the door Herger Sigvardson, we come in peace” rumbled the reply in the deepest voice she had ever heard, the man’s sonorous tones almost making the thick oak door vibrate.

             
“How do we know this to be true?” questioned Bjarnie,

             
“Open the door Bjarnie Svenson, t’is Magnus”.

             
Letting out the breath she had been unconsciously holding, Alodie gingerly opened the door, padded out onto the landing and peered down into the hall.  Herger nodded to Bjarnie who lifted the bar and slowly pulled open the massive door.

             
“Magnus the giant, why did you not say it was you?” she heard Herger say, “Come in, come in.  What brings you here at this ungodly hour?”

             
By leaning further over the balcony Alodie saw that the leader, Magnus the giant, was indeed well named.  He towered above Herger, who had, up to now, been one of the tallest humans she had ever seen, and dwarfed everyone else in the room.  As well as his enormous height, he also happened to be one of the most
unusual looking
people she had ever set eyes on, having a large jutting forehead, a badly smashed nose, thick sloppy lips and a cast in one eye.

             
The giant grinned and walked into the room followed by his men.  Alodie noticed that Herger’s own men had not yet sheathed their swords.

             
“I’ll be able to answer you when we’ve had some ale Herger” replied Magnus “riding twenty five miles in just over three hours is thirsty work”

             
Herger nodded to one of his men then sat down, gesturing for Magnus to do the same.  The giant then turned to his followers and waved his hands at them, they obediently seated themselves along the bench which ran the length of the table, whilst Herger’s men remained standing.  Magnus raised his eyes and glanced at them.  “How long have we known each other Raven?” he asked “twenty years?”

             
Herger laughed “say twenty five”

             
“And would you say I was a man of my word?”. 

             
Herger laughed again.  “I would say so Magnus, aye”

             
The man waved a huge hand at Herger’s karls.  “Then why the swords and axes?  I have said I come in peace, do you call my word into question?”

             
A tired serf stumbled in with a tray on which were wooden mugs and a huge pitcher, this he put in the middle of the table and, at a nod from Herger, left.  Herger poured himself a mug and one for Magnus, both men drank, then Herger wiped his hand across his mouth.  “You must understand Magnus, I was attacked on my own land not a fortnight ago by my bitterest enemy”

             
Magnus belched.  “Aye, that is why we’re here”

             
Herger’s head shot up.  “You have seen Olaf Trigvessen?”

             
“He is in Jorvik, now, with our lord.”

             
“...and?”

             
“And he said you were dead.  He said he shot you through the chest with an arrow and pinned you to a tree”

             
Herger laughed, “a mere scratch”

             
“It was not you I came for” continued Magnus “it was your wife”.

             
Alodie gasped, her blood drummed in her ears and her throat went dry, she gripped the banister so hard that her knuckles went white.  Thorund threw his sword into his other hand and once again began to croon.  Magnus looked up at him and snorted.  “Calm your berserker Herger.  I said I came in peace and I meant it.  I came for your wife because Olaf claims she is a far greater sorcerer than he ever was”

             
Herger gripped the edge of the table.  “What does he mean by that?”

             
“He states that when you were pinned to the tree your wife sent such fire from her fingers that three trees exploded and he and his men fled.  He is very much taken with her Herger.   He has claimed her as his wife, as, in our law, if he had killed you he is entitled to do”

             
Herger clenched his huge fist.  “But I am alive Magnus, and what had Halfdan to do with this?  Has he sent you to make sure that I am dead?  Is he so afraid of Olaf the Black that he would kill one of his most loyal friends?”

             
Magnus put a huge hand over Herger’s.  “Peace, Herger, peace.  Halfdan is sick.  Sick unto death.  His son is a child still and he does not want to die yet, he fears for the kingdom”

             
Herger nodded.  “As well he might with Olaf Trigvessen in it”

             
The giant shrugged then continued.  “Halfdan sent me to fetch your wife as he feels if she is as great a sorceress as Olaf claims, she might be able to make him well again”

             
Alodie saw Herger glance down at his bracelet.  “She is skilled in the healing arts, yes”

             
Magnus laughed and took another swallow of ale.  “You sitting there hale and hearty after being pinned to a tree by an arrow not a fortnight ago tells me she is.  I am glad you’re alive Herger, I would not see my dog married to Olaf the Black, never mind the wife of a boyhood friend, I have not forgotten
Brunhilda
”

             
Herger put his head in his hands.  “None of us have, Magnus”

             
“So I can take your wife back with me?”

             
“You can take my wife, myself and thirty of my warriors back with you Magnus.  When you see her you will understand my concern”.  He turned and looked up at Alodie, although she knew he could not see her, she was hidden in the shadows.  “My love, you can come down now” he called out.

             
She smiled and, stopping only to grab a shawl from a hook on the bedroom door and check on the children, walked slowly down the stairs.

             
As she came out of the darkness she felt an icy finger of fear run down her spine but taking a deep breath and lifting her chin she walked up the hall toward Herger and Magnus.  As she passed the men there were soundless whistles and indrawn breaths and as she drew nearer to the giant he opened his hideous mouth and began to chuckle.  “Herger, my friend, seeing this Valkyrie I quite understand your inability to trust any man born of woman with her, she is matchless!”

             
Alodie swallowed and walked up to the giant.  Seated he was taller than she was standing and as broad across the shoulders as three men, she smiled and turned to Herger “You sent for me my lord” she said sweetly.

             
“Obedient too, you lucky man” continued Magnus.

             
Herger grinned.  “Appearances can be deceptive Magnus.  Beautiful - yes, loyal - yes, fertile - yes, obedient - no”

             
Magnus laughed again, the sound echoed off the walls.  “Enough, she is a paragon, but seriously......” he turned to her “can you cure the king?”

             
Alodie took a deep breath.  She had no idea when Halfdan, king of the Danes, was supposed to die but this was tampering with history in a big way.  She decided to answer ambiguously.  “I cannot say until I have seen him sir.  What form does his illness take?”

             
The giant helped himself to some more ale and took a long pull at his flagon, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve.  “The lung sickness, he coughs and coughs and now and then he brings up foamy blood, he can hardly draw breath and he is as thin as a shotten herring”

             
“and does he have moments when he is wild - mad?”

             
Magnus nodded.  Tuberculosis, and in a very advanced state, it would be touch and go as to whether autodoc could do anything.  Alodie pursed her lips.  “The lung sickness, no one can cure that”

             
Magnus shrugged.  “You can but try, and anyway, Herger here will have to show himself as being alive to safeguard his lands”

             
Alodie wrinkled her nose.  “I do not understand, if Herger had been killed the lands would go to our son, Tom, surely”

             
Magnus guffawed and slapped Herger across the back.  “Tom!  Tom?  What kind of name is that for a Viking?”

             
“My son is not a Viking sir, nor ever likely to be!” snapped Alodie.

             
Herger scratched his nose.  “I told you she was not obedient Magnus.  Tom is short for Thomas, Thomas Alfred Oswy.  I was not around at the time of my son’s birth and my mewling Saxon wife gave him a mewling Saxon name!”

             
“If you remember, my lord Herger, you were otherwise engaged when I was bringing your children into the world!”

             
Herger shrugged and turning to Magnus raised his eyes heavenward, “You see the problems I have with her!  I should beat her but I am too soft hearted!”

             
Magnus barked with laughter and slapped his huge thighs.  “Nay, Herger - the wench is but spirited.  Spirited women produce the best sons but time’s a wasting.  Will you come with us?”

             
Alodie nodded.  “If you will excuse me for a few moments my lord, I will get ready and see for the twins”

             
Magnus turned to Herger.  “See, as soft as a kitten, putty in my hands.  You just don’t have the touch, Raven.  Give her to me for six weeks, no two months, and I’ll have her as sweet as honey and as eager to please as a puppy!”

             
“Two months with you Magnus, she’d be dead” laughed Herger and turned to Alodie.  “Magnus here, is not just big in height and breadth my dear, don’t be carried away by his handsome face and make the mistake of giving yourself to him, I assure you he will kill you”

             
This sally was greeted by a roar of laughter which echoed round the hall, together with even more outrageous comments, and Alodie was hard put to it to keep a smile from her face.  “Before I go ready myself my love, may I make a suggestion?”  Herger nodded.  “Come with us but disguised.  Let Olaf dig his own grave with his tongue.  Let Halfdan think you are dead and then reveal yourself as being alive, take him by surprise, don’t give him a chance to work his magic on you”

             
Magnus plucked his lip and looked at Alodie for a moment then turned to Herger.  “Wise as well.  I’ll give you three of my villages for her”

             
Herger laughed and shook his head.  “She’s above rubies, Magnus, above rubies”

             
******************************

             
They rode into Jorvik as the town was waking up.  The weather had finally broken and a warm drizzle was soaking the travellers through and turning the streets to mud.