Page 5 of Her Viking Saviour
“Thirty-seven, child.”
Wynflaed had recently passed her twenty-second.By common standards, they were both old maids. What kind of life did they have waiting for them back in Northumbria? But what would they do in Klavik?
She looked back at Torben who still watched her as Leif spoke to him with gesturing hands. Leif clearly thought this was a bad idea and she could not blame him. They were strangers in every way.
A ray of sunlight poked through the grey clouds and caught Torben's fair hair, highlighting his rugged handsomeness. She spied a faint scar through one of his brows and another on his cheek. The sides of his head were shaved, and the rest of his hair was long—longer than her own now—and pulled into a tight plait at the back of his head. She lifted her hand to her tresses, feeling the short uneven length. While she knew it looked unsightly, the missing hair gave her a lightness. She had never realised hair would hold a noticeable weight. Hilde, who was watching her, gave her a look of guilt. Mistaking Wynflaed's musings for distress, she wrung her hands.
“I am sorry about your hair, Wynflaed. I only sought to protect you when I cut it. You are very fair, and I had hoped cutting your hair and the smell of fish and dirt would disguise your beauty and keep them from looking at you too closely.Men are drawn to your beauty and some men, like those who captured us, will seek you out against your will.”
Wynflaed nodded, the gravity of their current circumstances not lost on her when Hilde spoke of savage lust-filled men. And there was no man here she trusted save for Torben, even though he was still a stranger. He had already proven his kindness in rescuing them. That action showed her he was a good man. Her decision would have to be based on faith and instinct. She had ruled out Kyivan Rus, which left her the choice of risking a ship back home or travelling to a new land with a stranger.
Cola caught her attention, his sister Cynewin close at his side. They were siblings, both younger than she. Cola had dark features that belied the meaning of his name. Cynewin was a wisp of a girl with mousy hair and huge brown eyes who had barely spoken a word and clung to her brother's side. The others were all men of different ages who had been intent on looking out for themselves. Wynflaed did not judge them but did not hold feelings for them either. The siblings, though, were sweet and they now looked to her for advice.
“Wynflaed, what are you to do?” he said. “The others are going to return on a ship back to Northumbria. I do not think that is wise for my sister and me, but I do not wish us to stay here either.” His dark brown eyes flashed with indecision and a plea for guidance.
Wynflaed took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She pictured the sky, the ocean, the green earth. She pictured freedom. A freedom not guaranteed if they returned home to Northumbria. Their path was clear. She would decide the fate of them all and face the consequences, come what may.
“Hilde, Cola, and Cynewin, we will go with Chieftain Torben back to his home in Klavik. Of all our choices, this seems the safest option where we may survive and have a chance to live out our lives.”
All three of them nodded. They still looked a little nervous but also relieved a decision had been made. Wynflaed watched Torben head over to the three men. He nodded and pointed them towards Leif, his expression resigned, but holding bundles of clothing. Torben turned and their eyes locked again. Her pulse quickened as he approached them with the intensity of a wolf circling its prey. Instead of making her feel frightened, she was excited. The flutter in her heart was like a butterfly in flight, and it signalled the stir of passion deep inside her.
“Wynflaed, what choice do you make?”
Chapter Six
Torben wished the three men well and followed through with his offer to clothe, feed, and provide them with some coin. Despite Leif’s grumbling over the cost, it was no real concern. Their own wealth was plenty, their trade successful, and their lands had prospered well in their last harvest. He did not dismiss Leif’s concerns lightly, he had a shrewd mind for business, but being humane would always come first. And despite his grumbling, Torben knew Leif was less disapproving of the gesture than he seemed.His cousin did have a kind and giving heart.
Wynflaed stood slightly in front of the remaining freed captives, who huddled together and showed their deference to her as their voice. She stood tall as he approached, flashing a bold, amber-eyed gaze that spoke of decision. A Northumbrian Wynflaed may be, but she had the strength and spirit of a Valkyrie. As was her beauty. He stopped a short distance before the group and offered a small smile to the youngest woman who trembled in what he hoped was not fear.
“Wynflaed, what choice do you make?” He hated the fretfulness being displayed in his voice for all to hear.
“We shall go with you, my lord,” she said. She followed this up with an awkward curtsy as did Hilde, while the young mangave a bow. Torben was confused by the sudden formality. He did not like a meek and mild Wynflaed.
He had no reasonable right to feel the relief that spread from his fingers to his toes when she gave him her answer. He had not wanted to sway her free will before their decision, but now he opened his arms wide in invitation to share more of his life.
“I am very pleased to hear this. And yes, I am what you would call a Lord, I am Chieftain to my people. I have laws but I am fair. As I said, we have no thralls, everyone chooses what they will do with their life and is compensated. We live mostly in peace but will battle anyone who comes to do us harm. My land is in Norway, a place called Klavik. It is a bay settlement where my ancestors have lived for centuries.”
“Do we need to decide now what work we will do?” Wynflaed asked, and he shook his head.
“There is time for you to consider this, we have the journey back and you will need to see our lands. I assume you all have a skill of some kind?” They all nodded except for Wynflaed who blushed at the comment. Strange. Not wanting to cause any embarrassment, he changed the subject.
“Let us find you clothing and food. We will need to go to a trader who caters to women, as I am afraid that what we have will all be too big. But first, what are everyone’s names?” He looked first to the young man.He is scrawny, but he has a large frame he will likely grow into, Torben thought with approval.
“My name is Cola, milord, and this is my sister Cynewin. I am grateful to you for saving us. We already know what we can offer. I am a skilled hunter and butcher and Cynewin here is a fine weaver.”
“Those skills are always most welcome, thank you Cola and Cynewin. Cola, go grab your clothes and footwear from Leif and we will set off,” he said, knowing the siblings would not want to be separated for too long. Their youth made them even morevulnerable then Wynflaed and Hilde. He was relieved they had also decided to come with him.
“And of course, I know your name is Hilde.” He spoke in a kind tone to the older woman Wynflaed had defended. Her hair was a shade of grey, but her face remained unlined. Only when she smiled did her skin crinkle at the corners.
“It is, indeed, and I am also grateful for all you have done for us. I can be of use as a minder of children, as a washerwoman or as a weaver.”
“A person with many skills is always welcome, Hilde.” He could see this compliment pleased her as she beamed a smile. Of the group, she seemed the most at ease in his presence.
“And I know you are Wynflaed, but Cola is returning so we can discuss your skills at a different time.”
Torben saw the relief wash over her face.
Why wasshe embarrassed by this subject? What profession had she had? Was she a whore of some kind back in her homeland?
