Viking Raid

Bjarngard

I cried out in agony as I awoke, my senses exploding with the pain pulsing from my left shoulder. I couldn't move my arm at all, even the slightest attempt almost causing me to black out again as nausea swept over me.

I closed my eyes and lay there for a moment, steeling myself before attempting to stand. I made it as far as one knee before I collapsed again, my strength deserting me. I felt weak...so very weak, that I thought I was dying. Only the pain from the wounds in my shoulder and side reminded me I was still alive.

I looked down through my haze, thinking to see how badly I was hurt. I was surprised to see the wound had been bandaged, the torn cloth stained with my blood. My shoulder was the same, treated with obvious care.

Suddenly I realised I was not alone. The red-hair was there, backing away fearfully from me, her torn dress stained with blood...hers? Mine? I looked down at the bandages, and then back up at her.

"Why...?" I asked weakly.
 
Hanna

I stared mutely at the tall man. He had awakened so many times in the last few days, I thought he would die. I had just laid my hand to his brow to assess his fever when he startled awake, his fever broken.

"I couldn't leave you to die," I said simply. "That would displease the gods." His eyes still pierced mine. "You saved me from them," I let my hand sweep across the camp to the spot downwind where I'd dragged the bodies. "Why did you do that?"
 
Bjarngard

I could barely remember the events of the past few...hours? Days?

Saved her? I glanced where the girl pointed, saw the bodies. Sudden bursts of memory flashed through my mind - the clash of weapons, the cries of agony, the scent of blood...and then the briefest image of the red-hair, tied helpless over a fallen log, surrounded by those four Northmen.

I turned back to look at her - pale, bruised, bloodied and fearful, but yet still she had a strength about her, her spirit unbowed.

"I protect what is mine."
 
Hanna

"Have you enough strength to get back to your home?" I asked tentatively. I did not want to try him about claiming me as his. I was a human being. I belonged to no one. He would know this soon enough.

With my help - may the gods preserve me, I thought he would crush me - we slowly walked back to the long-house. He immediately fell to the sleeping rugs and I turned and stepped toward the door.

"Where do you go?" he thundered.
 
Bjarngard

The girl didn't answer, instead continuing towards the door. As she reached the portal she stopped, leaning against the frame.

She closed her eyes for a moment, before pressing on outside. She walked on unsteadily for several yards, before suddenly stumbling and falling to the ground. I watched her for a while, but she did not move.

She had been through much hardship these last few days...no, I corrected myself, I had put her through much hardship. But yet still she had helped me, when she could easily have escaped and left me to die.

I struggled to my feet, feeling incredibly weak and fatigued. I knew this to be the all too familiar aftermath of the beserkergang, which usually lasted several days after the rage had passed. I lurched upright, and drawing on the little strength I had left, I staggered outside towards her.

Crouching over her, I rolled her onto her back. Her eyes briefly flickered open before closing again, as she drifted in and out of consciousness. With a loud grunt of exertion, I lifted her into my arms and haltingly carried her back to the long house.
 
Hanna

Sleep was a balm for what ailed me. Staying by the tall man's side while his fever raged, then while he slept took it's toll on me. I slept for what seemed like an age, but finally I woke.
A fire burned near my feet and I was snuggled under a warm fur. Something delicious-smelling tickled my nose and I immediately thought of home.

Then I opened my eyes. Instead of one of my sisters or my father, I saw the tall man. He seemed to be exercising, moving about slowly as if unsure his limbs would hold him. It seemed that he had bathed, for his hair was shiny and damp-looking at the ends. The scratchy whiskers were gone from his cheeks. His bandages even looked fresh. He turned to the side so I could observe him without his notice.
My breath caught. If we had met under different circumstances, I would have begged father to give me to him. He was so handsome.
My heart betrayed me finally and a small sob escaped my lips. Thinking of home had done it...
 
Bjarngard

I tested the power in my limbs, feeling my strength slowly returning. Tomorrow, I decided...tomorrow the weakness would be gone. I could still barely move my left arm, but that would heal in time.

I heard a quiet sob from the girl, turning towards her as I realised she was awake.

"Are you in pain?" I asked.

She shook her head and quietly answered. "No."

"I...washed you, and cleaned your cuts." I stated simply, before adding "To stop infection."

She didn't respond, instead just staring at me with eyes I could not read.

I walked over to the fire, over which was suspended a small battered cooking pot. This morning I had hunted for the first time in days, and although it had been difficult in my condition, I had managed to finally kill a deer with my spear. I carefully poured some of the stew I had prepared into a wooden bowl, the task made awkward by the lack of mobility in my left arm. Turning back to the girl, I offered her the bowl.

"Eat."
 
Hanna

"Eat."

He was a man of few words, it seemed. I accepted the bowl from him. It was tasty, I thought.
"Will I ever see my home again?"

The tall man looked up sharply at my sudden question. "What?" he demanded.

"Will I ever see my home again," I repeated, "my family?"
I did not know how to unravel the feelings invading my heart. One one hand, I missed them. Especially my sister. However, I knew what would happen if I were to return. Without my innocence, I would not be seen as a fit bride and Father would be forced to give me to someone who would have me. The very idea caused a shudder.

The tall man merely stared at me for long moments, finally turning his head away.

I pressed him. "Do you realize what you have taken from me? I may as well remain as your slave." I touched his arm, drawing his attention once more.
 
Bjarngard

I turned back at her touch, attempting to meet her intense questioning gaze, but I could not. I turned away again -- I had no words for her, no answers...but yet, suddenly, I found myself speaking, quietly and haltingly.

"There is a...beast, that dwells within me...a savage creature that cannot be tamed. It is a sacred gift from Lord Odhinn...a gift, but also a curse. Tomorrow, when my strength returns, the beast will follow, and things will be...as they were."

I paused for a moment, and then drew the knife from my boot, turning back to face her. She froze when she saw the wicked blade, but as I held the weapon idly in my hand, I looked into her piercing blue eyes.

"Do you know anything of my people?" I asked.
 
Hanna

"Do you know anything of my people?"

I thought for a moment. I knew what was whispered by the elders. They ate the flesh of their enemies. They sacrificed their children to their gods. So many things that were used to frighten children into behaving. But I was no longer a child. I did not accept such things just because someone "said so."

"No," I whispered, keeping my eyes on his knife. "I know nothing of your people." After a moment of hesitation, I asked, "Will you tell me?"
 
Bjarngard

I continued solomnly, knowing the path I must now take.

"When a warrior dies in battle, my people do not mourn his passing, we rejoice. For a man who dies a brave and glorious death may take his place in Valhalla, and live forever amongst his ancestors in the hall of heroes. To my people, there is NOTHING we value more than a warrior's death."

I paused, searching the girl's face for any signs of understanding, but if they were there, I could not tell.

"But if a man finds death in his sleep, or at the hands of a woman, it is a shameful death -- a cause of great sorrow and pity. For a man who suffers such a fate may never join the chosen of Odhinn, and will instead spend the afterlife in eternal despair."

The girl started as I wrenched open my tunic, her eyes widening as she saw the four bear-claw scars slashed directly over my heart.

"I know that what I have stolen from you is something precious; something I can never return."

I took her small hand in mine and wrapped it around the hilt of the knife. Turning the blade towards my chest, I pressed the point into the skin over my heart, drawing a trickle of blood. As I released my grip on her hand, I met her gaze once again.

"All I can offer you is this..."

[Edited by Friendly Dragon on 12-12-2000 at 01:12 PM]
 
Hanna

I stared at the tall man for a few seconds before the full import of what he said dawned on me. Immediately my hands let go of the knife and it clattered to the floor. I backed away from him until we were several feet apart.

"Even to my worst enemy," I said haltingly, "I could not do this!" I took a deep breath, trying to calm my raging heartbeat. "You may yet die in battle, but you will not die by my hand."

I was shocked by both the intensity and depth of my feelings. My heart continued to knock against my ribs and my breath came in little gasps. I felt my face flush. Something knotted in the pit of my stomach that I couldn't understand.
 
Bjarngard

I was confused. Why did she not take revenge when it was offered? I met her gaze, not for the first time unable to read the thoughts burning behind her sapphire orbs.

"I have nothing else to give you. You have much courage little one, and a noble heart. Tomorrow, when the beast returns, you would do well to be far away."
 
Hanna

Hearing his words, I felt strangely at ease. After the previous few days, I did not fear the tall man as I once did. The last time he'd taken me had been rough and quick, yet, but not painful. Perhaps he simply did not know how to be with a woman other than for his own pleasure. My sister had had such troubles with her husband. But she had somehow corrected it and had been happy when I'd seen her last.

I looked past the tall man's shoulder and saw the waning light of the day giving way to night. The tall man slumped over on his blankets and fell asleep, but sleep did not come easily for me. I lay awake watching him for many hours, wondering why he would warn me. Wondering why he would want me in the first place, why he kept me.

Finally, as the first subtle hints of dawn began to peek at the horizion, exhaustion and undernourishment finally took their toll and I fell into a restless slumber.
 
I stumbled, my hands breaking my fall as I fell face first into the snow. Staggering back to my feet, I looked behind me...it was close now, very close. I could not see it, but I knew it was there...it's low breathing and feral grunting seemed to surround me, invading every corner of my mind.

I pressed on, knowing in my heart that I could not escape. It had been tracking me for days, getting ever closer, and as I grew weaker it just became stronger, more determined.

The footing was treacherous, and I fell again. As I looked up, ahead of me in the distance I thought I could make out a figure through the falling snow. A young woman, with hair like fire, her arm outstretched, beckoning me.

I reached out to her, grasping at air. A mighty roar sounded from behind me, and I knew all was lost. Resolutely, I turned to meet my fate, seeing the beast looming over -- rearing up on it's hind legs, fearsome maw gaping wide, razor sharp claws slashing through the chill winter air, a savage fire burning brightly in it's eyes...


I awoke with a start, sweat pouring from my brow. I looked around the darkened confines of the long-house - all was quiet, save for the furious pounding of my heart and the faintest traces of the beast's roar echoing in my mind.

I felt a terrible thirst in my throat, and reached over to my water skin. It was almost empty, and I quickly drained the last few drops.

Climbing to my feet, I looked briefly at the girl, curled up asleep in a pile of furs. Why was she still here? I had warned her, I was sure, but yet still she stayed.

I turned and stormed out though the door, heading for the nearby stream, my mind a tempest of confused thoughts. Filling the water skin, I drank deeply until my thirst was finally quenched. I poured the remainder of the water over my face, trying to cool the fire raging through my body.

Empty again, I dropped the water skin to the ground and turned back towards the long house. Hunger suddenly filled my mind...a hunger that mere food could not sate...
 
Hanna

Groggily, my eyes opened at the sounds of stirring nearby. I resisted awakening. But curiousity gradually dragged my eyes fully open. I sat up, holding the fur to my breasts. Apparently, the warm fire had caused me to shed my blood-stained dress. If I could find something else to wear, I would try to wash it out today.

I looked to the furs beside me, expecting to see the tall man, but didn't. A noise drew my attention to the door and I saw him. His face was dripping with water, but his clothes were dry. He stood tall and looked as though he'd finally gotten his strength back. I smiled as he stepped toward me, until I saw the fire in his eyes...
 
Bjarngard

I stood in the doorway, watching the girl as she awoke, her pale naked skin barely covered by the sleeping furs. My heart echoed like thunder to my ears, beating as it had when I awoke from the dream...the dream that she had been part of...

As she sat up and turned her gaze to mine, I strode forward, looming over her. Expecting to see the familiar look of fear on her slender face, I was confused as instead she briefly smiled. I licked my lips as the burning hunger within me intensified, a fierce craving that must be satisfied, feeling an insistant stirring in my loins.

"Get up red-hair." I growled.
 
Hanna

"Get up red-hair."

His voice sounded hoarse, as if he were straining to hold back the words. I tilted my head far back to look up at him, startled by his expression.

Hesitantly, clutching the furs to me, I stood on shaking legs.


OOC: damn! I'm holding my breath...
 
Bjarngard

OOC: I know, I'm such a tease ;)

IC: As she stood, I lunged at her, grabbing her strongly and driving her against the wall of the long-house. She squealed as her back hit the hard timber, the weight of my body pressed against her rendering her struggles meaningless.

I crushed my lips against hers, swallowing her cries of protest. My hands found the edges of the furs that covered her, yanking them from her grasp, baring her to me. My eyes feasted on her delicate naked form, the fire within me burning ever brighter at the sight. My rough hands found her young breasts, groping and squeezing her crudely, as I hungrily devoured her soft lips...licking, sucking, biting, tasting.

I felt my hardness prodding urgently into her stomach, and reaching down with one hand I began frantically tugging at my breeches...
 
Hanna

My scream was abruptly cut off both by the tall man's mouth and by the force with which he threw me against the wall. I struggled frantically to hold on to the fur protecting my nakedness from him, but he was too strong.
Once again I was powerless against his desire. I felt his hardness pressing into my stomach and his hands....his hands were kneading my breasts as I have sometimes kneaded bread. Instead of hurting terribly, his hands were causing a pain in a different part of my body which frightened me more.
There was a new ache in the pit of my stomach that I'd never felt before...
 
Bjarngard

I hurriedly pulled my breeches down around my knees. My rigid manhood, straining for release, sprung free of it's confines, and grabbing the edge of my tunic, I pulled the worn garment up and off over my head, discarding it into the pile of furs on the ground.

I flashed a feral grin at the girl, teeth bared, as I closed in once again, smiling as she shrank back against the wall. My hands once again found her breasts, feeling her soft flesh yielding in my rough grasp, as my mouth feasted on her pale skin...sucking, licking and biting her lips, jaw, and downwards over her slender neck.

Groping down over her stomach and hips, I pushed one hand in between her thighs, prying them apart. My other hand gripped my cock, guiding it towards it's pleasurable destiny...
 
Hanna

The tall man's hands were invading between my thighs, but I had difficulty fighting him off because of the liquid feeling in my limbs. Somehow, the licking and biting on my neck was making it hard for me to even breathe. Fear returned, but muted by the strange pain I was feeling.

I tried to push him away, but my arms were no match for him. He bent his long legs and lifted me against the wall, his hands on my bottom steadying me for the invasion of his manhood.
 
Bjarngard

Her weight was like nothing to my hands, and I powered her effortlessly off the ground, gripping her ass roughly and holding her up against the wall, my fingers digging into her soft flesh.

I laughed at her futile resistance, small hands balled into fists, beating against my scarred chest. I pressed my body against hers, crushing her breasts between us. My mouth found her neck again, licking and biting, and I guided my hardness between her spread thighs, plunging into her exposed womanhood. She squealed as I thrust deep within her, grunting as I savoured the constricting tightness.

Pulling her onto me to match each stroke, I drove into her hard and fast, again and again, desperate to sate the blazing hunger burning within me.
 
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