Page 3 of Her Viking Saviour
“Come now, Torben. Tell me what is wrong so we can continue with our day.”
“People from all over come here for trade, not for bloodshed. Why is your man treating a woman so?” he replied in an even tone.
Wynflaed felt a rush of gratitude for the handsome stranger coming to her defence and gave Torben a small smile. She saw his eyes crinkle slightly as if he wanted to smile in return and felt an odd flutter in her stomach.
“She attacked me,” Haakan growled in protest. Wynflaed scowled back, her nice moment with Torben forgotten. The brute refused to see his behaviour, again treating her and her fellow captives like animals and not people.
“See, Guthred, she still tries to smite me!” he whined.
“Your men have no discipline,” Torben observed, his eyes now on Guthred as his lips curled in disdain at the insolence.
“What do you care for a thrall,Torben?” asked Guthred, raising one eyebrow. “Ah, but I had forgotten you do not approve of slavery. Torben Hel-Bringer, killer of any who crossed hispath, chose absolution by turning into a champion for the people.”
Guthred’s men laughed uncertainly, knowing their leader had made a joke but not understanding what it had meant.
“No, I do not care for humans being enslaved. You have seven what are they, Saxons? No doubt wrested violently from their homes, and for what? Coin? They are living, breathing humans, just like you and I.”
Wynflaed heard the passion in his voice and silently cheered his words. However, Guthred remained unmoved.
Guthred shrugged. “It is the way of the world, old friend.”
Every time Guthred said friend, he smothered it in a silky tone that dripped with bitterness. Wynflaed could taste it in her mouth. Though Torben’s words had set her hopes to soar. Was he challenging Guthred with a goal to rescue her?
As she looked back at him, Wynflaed sensed Torben was losing patience as his eyes narrowed. That was all he allowed, as he was so controlled. He was skilled in making his point known in a disciplined way. His manner helped her feel anchored while her emotions spun out of control. Something about this drew her to him and piqued her curiosity. She heard Hilde groan as she tried to stand up and she quickly grabbed the woman to steady her, relieved she had found the strength to rise. Turning to Guthred, she intended to explain herself without any further hostility. Between that and Torben’s intervention, she hoped he might see reason.
“My Lord, Guthred,” she started, causing his men to laugh and his grin to widen. “Your man kicked poor Hilde after she had fallen. There was truly no cause for it.”
“And what of you, little flower?” he said as he eyed her speculatively. “You shine brightly from your wash. Now, tell me what you did to cause such fury in Haakan.”
She cringed at his scrutiny and him calling her a little flower as she tried her best for nonchalance.
“I was defending a friend.” She was unable to stop the stubborn jut of her chin.
His men laughed again, as did he.
“I will need to sell you with a warning, I think. You come with a lot of fire,” Guthred told her.
Wynflaed’s stomach sank as the realisation of her situation struck again. She looked to Torben and she started when their eyes met. He was already staring at her. Pleading with her eyes, she silently begged him to do something. Why this stranger would help her she did not know, but she willed it with every fibre of her being.
“I will buy her,” he spoke, turning back to Guthred. He said the wordbuywith distaste. What did he mean when he saidbuy? Buy her freedom or buy her life?
“What is this I hear? Torben the Hel-Bringer is to take a thrall?”
Torben did not reply, but his eyes narrowed dangerously at the insult. It gave her confidence he was buying her freedom.
Not knowing what might happen, she yelled, “And Hilde, too, please.” She couldn't leave Hilde alone with these brutes.
Torben nodded, his eyes still on Guthred. As her saviour, Torben the Hel-Bringer, seemed agreeable, she made one last request. “And the remainder of my five companions. Please.”
She felt the tension of the crowd as they all waited with bated breath for his response. Her plea for the freedom of herself and her fellow captives was entertainment to these people.
This time Torben’s head did turn to her, his fair brows raised, but he smiled at her boldness. She blushed at this contact and the striking way the smile enhanced the beauty of his face.It was very unexpected, for before today, the last thing she could have imagined thinking was a Viking man having any beauty.
“I will take them all, Guthred. Ragnav will provide you with the coin.”
Guthred had kept silent and now looked speculatively at Torben. Finally, he threw his hands up in the air.
“Sold. They are all yours. Myfriend.”
