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by Desconhecido

  Next door they bought a good store of wine and then a few sacks of grain for the hall. Eirik arranged to have them delivered immediately.

  Last they stopped at a jeweler’s. Eirik picked up gifts for his mother, daughter and a few others, including Nokki’s wife and daughter. Fridgeir kept admiring a matched set of hair chains meant to be woven into a woman’s braid. Silver, copper and gold twined together in a rope like chain with green beads at the ends.

  “That would look very nice in her hair at the victory feast,” Eirik suggested. Slaves wore plain clothes but their masters could add jewelry or fancy belts to their attire.

  Fridgeir sighed forlornly. “I haven’t that much coin on me.”

  That started a rather spirited bargaining session.

  Fridgeir carefully tucked his purchases into his belt pouch as they left. He’d gotten a very good price and a simpler chain thrown in for Saibh.

  * * * *

  Fridgeir entered the hall looking for Eireann. As he crossed the hall he noticed the women and some of the men looking him over and whispering, amused expressions on their faces. Eireann turned to greet him with a bow of her head—the submissive slave. That didn’t bode well. He stroked her cheek.

  “Has the lady of the hall finally taught you manners?” he queried with a smile.

  She shrugged and turned back to her work. The lady of the hall looked him up and down then left, snickering loudly.

  “Just what did you ladies talk about while we were gone?” He leaned over her shoulder and nibbled her ear.

  She stared at him and he realized she was holding a ladle as if it were a weapon. After a moment she lowered it and replied sweetly, “She demanded to know what I was laughing about last night. I’m just a slave so I had to answer.”

  Fridgeir sighed and closed his eyes. “All of it?” Last thing he needed bandied about was sucking on his own seed!

  She turned to face him, smiled demurely and replied, “Not all, yet. Of course if someone asks I have to answer, don’t I?”

  She’s teasing me. He shook his head. “No you don’t!” He leaned closer. “Some things should stay between us. Unless of course you want me discussing it in detail with every man on the Fire.”

  She shrugged and replied with a wicked toss of her hair as she turned away, “Suit yourself. I’m not ashamed of anything.”

  Fridgeir shook his head and started laughing. Nothing like good sex to improve a woman’s attitude. He slapped her ass as he walked away, tossing a few words of instruction over his shoulder, “Finish up there, we’re almost done loading.”

  She shot a look of pure evil after him, then turned back to her task with a little smile.

  * * * *

  By midday, the ships sat fully loaded and ready to sail. The three companies of men milled about the docks or waited aboard ship. Once more loads were balanced and slaves moved to one ship or another. Leocadia went with Hjorr on the Serpent. The other two from the forest went on the Drake, leaving the Fire with Eireann, Saibh and Chloe.

  The lady of the hall approached with a small flask full of mother’s milk. “This is for the baby. A few ladies I know helped out but you should keep it in cold water until needed. Put just enough in here.” She held out an odd-looking sack made of well-cleaned gut with a cloth tip. “And warm it close to your heart before feeding it. Make sure it still smells sweet. If it doesn’t, it could make the baby sick.”

  Jargeir took it with awe and reverence in his eyes. Most of the company felt sure he would speak for Chloe when they reached Dragon’s Head—or rather his mother would. The young warrior needed his share of the take for more important things like better weapons. His mother, a well-to-do clothier in Dragon’s Head, could afford a new slave and doted on her only son. A shrewd move on Jargeir’s part.

  The three drekkar headed to sea and home.

  * * * *

  Eirik moved to the front of the Fire as they rowed out of Dungar harbor. He gave a quick signal to Fridgeir and Arinbjorn who stood near the women in the bow. Eireann felt a chill. They’re up to something!

  Eirik called to her sister gently, “Saibh, come here.” Eireann hugged her sister tighter.

  “You promised to let her be.” She glared at him.

  “And so we have, and protected her. Our next landfall will be in the Northlands. She’s too young to go north as a slave. I don’t mean to hurt you, Saibh.” He smiled softly. “Slaves do as they are told—now come here.”

  Eireann swallowed hard, but having no real choice she let go. Arinbjorn took the girl’s arm and gently steadied her in front of Eirik.

  Eirik pulled his seax and Arinbjorn raised her chin and turned her head out of the way. He had to hold her tight with his other hand.

  “Let her go! Lying, goat-humping, man-beasts!” Eireann lunged at her sister but Fridgeir caught her and held her tight to him. Snake-quick, she bit into Fridgeir’s arm hard as she could. He yelped.

  “Oden’s beard, woman! He’s not going to cut her throat!” He shifted his grip so she couldn’t reach him.

  Eirik stepped to a shaking Saibh. Arinbjorn held most of her weight to keep her from collapsing. “Child, by Northland law, you are too young to be a slave. You will live as one of my hall until a new family is found for you.” Eirik’s voice took on a formal tone. He cut the collar loose. “Henceforth, Saibh, you are a free child of the Northlands.” He smiled. “But as a child, you still have to do what you are told.”

  Eireann froze in total shock. Free? A child of the Northlands?

  “I’m going to let go—bite me again and I’ll beat you,” Fridgeir admonished her firmly.

  Saibh stood a moment then darted back behind her sister, clutching at her skirt.

  Eireann’s eyes narrowed furiously at the grinning men. “You couldn’t just tell us what you were up to? You scared her half to death!”

  Eirik shrugged. “It’s custom. And slaves need to learn to hold their tongues. Even my own don’t talk to me like that.”

  She swallowed hard and dropped her gaze. “Forgive me, your Highness.”

  Fridgeir rubbed his arm where she’d bitten him. “That’s the last time you get to do that.” He grinned big. “Outside of bed sports. We’ll be at Dragon’s Head in a few days. You’ll be expected to behave as the slave you are.”

  She stared at him angrily, then remembered what he’d said about punishment for slaves. “Forgive me, Master.” She slipped a little sarcasm into the words, then she sat back down with her sister tight in her arms.

  A few men nearby chuckled.

  “Better watch it, Fridgeir, she might change her mind about biting it off!” someone teased.

  Eireann held her sister tight for a bit. Her free sister.

  “Did you say someone would adopt her?” Eireann tried to keep the worry from her voice.

  Eirik answered from the rail behind Fridgeir. “To be one of us, she’ll need to be adopted. And she’s young enough to still need family to look out for her, take care of her. And before you ask, no—Fridgeir can’t adopt her.”

  “Why?” She looked around at him. The men close by chuckled.

  “Because then I would be sharing my bed with my daughter’s sister! We frown on that in the Northlands even if she’s not a blood daughter,” Fridgeir replied with a mischievous wink.

  Eireann nodded thoughtfully. “Oh. Then what will happen to her?”

  Leif joined in. “I expect she’ll have some choices. Especially when they hear her story.”

  Cedric chimed in from across the way. “Most women just can’t resist a child with a sad tale!” He grinned mischievously. “Not even certain shieldmaids.”

  Fridgeir shrugged and Eireann got the impression it had to do with him. And that he didn’t want to talk about it.

  She nodded and looked away so he wouldn’t see the tears of loss. She wondered how far away they would send Saibh.

  “Eireann, she won’t be leaving the hall. At least I don’t think so. She needs you close.” Fridg
eir gently caressed her shoulder, clearly in understanding of her concerns.

  Saibh patted Eireann’s hand reassuringly. She shivered slightly as a wave sprayed over the bow. Moments later, well-oiled furs made their way to them and Chloe.

  Chloe looked worried and to everyone’s surprise said. “Will someone take my daughter? Since I’m a slave?” Her twisted voice was filled with worry.

  “Hope has a mother, Saibh doesn’t. It’s different and, to be honest, a bit awkward. Children belong with their mothers. She’s not a slave but not one of us unless she gets adopted. Hopefully, someone will claim you and then adopt her as his daughter. If not, well, it always seems to work out,” Eirik explained with a few quick glances at Jargeir. Chloe didn’t miss the hint and smiled shyly at the young man.

  The Fire caught the wind and raced north with the Drake and Serpent on her heels. Today the sea rose rougher and for a while conversation died as the ship tossed spray over everyone. Even Eirik sought his cloak and a less wet place on the deck.

  * * * *

  The fastest route home crossed a good bit of open water so they wouldn’t be putting in at night for a couple days. The sea settled down as the sun set and the drekkar slid through the waves like the sinuous beasts they were named for.

  Eireann sat puzzling over what had happened with Saibh. Law wouldn’t allow them to treat her sister like a slave. So what did I really bargain for? Anger rose as she realized they’d used her sister to make her behave! Taken advantage of her concern for her sister.

  Fridgeir settled next to her and offered her water. She refused to even look at him. He sighed with resignation. “Until we reach the Northlands, she could be sold. Would have made good coin off her in Dungar. That slaver had heard about you and offered quite a bit for the two of you, more than we got for the three virgins put together.”

  She glanced his way out of the side of her eye. “You used her to get to me!”

  He shrugged. “Seemed like a good idea. Couldn’t really appreciate your many talents with you bound and gagged.” She saw he was trying to lighten her mood by teasing a bit.

  She stayed silent. Angry at having been tricked and used.

  Fridgeir reached over and stroked her cheek. She pulled away. “Eireann, think about it. You got what you wanted, your sister safe. I got what I wanted, a willing bedmate.”

  She glared at him. “If I refuse to let you touch me, refuse to…to satisfy you, what then? You’ll beat me?”

  “Slaves have no choice. But I’m sure I can find a more creative method than beating you. Unless that’s what you really want?”

  He smiled, the tease clear in his eyes.

  He sighed when she continued to glare at him. “We held to our end of the bargain. Your sister will be safe from now on. That’s what you wanted for her, a chance at a good life. Now she has it. Isn’t that worth something to you?”

  She turned away in thought for a few moments. “It is. Or are you saying you could take it all back and sell her anyway?”

  * * * *

  Fridgeir knew he had to find a way to convince her to continue cooperating, but he was much better at physical sparing than verbal. He took a few moments to gather his thoughts. “No, we won’t. Understand this isn’t done lightly. She has all the rights of one born of our kind. We don’t often adopt those not of our blood, unless they earn it first. It’s worth more than you realize.”

  She shrugged, and he could see she remained unconvinced.

  He shifted and his voice took on a firmer note. “I hadn't realized our deal had a time limit. We kept our end, for good. Are you unable to keep yours?”

  Her head jerked up. “I hadn’t thought of it like that. Frankly, I haven’t thought beyond the next few days or weeks in a long time.” Her voice grew quiet.

  For the first time he saw the desperation that must have dogged her for so long.

  Fridgeir stroked along her arm in a gentle caress. “Continue to hold to your word and you can have a good life, too.” He hadn’t missed her tone and wanted to give her some hope to cling to. A reason not only to behave, but to want to live.

  She snorted softly and almost whispered. “As your bed slave? Such a great life!”

  “I’d hoped by now you’d feel a little differently. It could be a lot worse.” Fridgeir reached to brush hair from her face but she pulled away. “Do you really hate my touch that much?” he said softly, lips close to her ear.

  She started to pull away again but paused. “I was born a free woman of a strong clan. Men sought my favor. I had my whole life ahead. My life, my choice. It’s not easy knowing that’s gone forever. All I had left was keeping Saibh safe. I am…” She hesitated and her voice filled with sorrow. “I was a woman of the clans. Of the Wild Isles, wild and free. The Witch King destroyed that and now I’m just a slave at the mercy of whatever man takes me.”

  Her pain tore at him. He knew what it meant to lose everything. He put his hand carefully over hers. “Wild one, there’s nothing I can say to make up for what you lost. But remember that I didn’t put that collar on your neck. And I would hope you find things better now then when I found you.”

  This time when he brushed the side of her face and tucked her stray hair behind her ear she didn’t move. She sat quietly while he stroked her.

  * * * *

  He had a point, her life could be far, far worse. But she still felt used and she resented the way her body responded to his touch. She eagerly sought the anger that kept hopelessness at bay.

  He leaned close to whisper in her ear. “Wild one, when a man of Eirik’s company brings home a slave, he’s honor bound to care for her for at least one winter. Give me that time. Make an honest effort to enjoy my company. And if you still hate me so much, I’ll let you choose another to belong to. I can’t just set you free. That has to be earned.”

  She shifted to look at him, puzzled. “Earned? Slaves can earn their freedom? How?” She kept her voice low.

  He shrugged. “There are a number of things a slave can do but in the end, it’s up to the master to decide.”

  She stared at him in silent question.

  “Years of loyal service. For women, sometimes bearing a man children is enough. Unlike those savage painted men, we consider any child born with one parent of the Northlands to be of the Northlands.”

  She blinked as she thought about it. “All I have to do is give you whelps?”

  He grinned. “Maybe—still my choice.”

  She snorted. “Of course it is!” But it gave her much to think about. Though when he stroked her arm she didn’t flinch. What would they be like, children sired by this overgrown bear?

  Fridgeir leaned closer to her ear. “I get the feeling you have more questions, just ask.”

  She shrugged. “Just wondering what it’ll be like, at your hall. What I’ll do there. What’s expected of me.”

  He caressed her arm with the back of his hand. “Much like anywhere. You’ll be expected to do your share around the hall, cooking, cleaning, whatever you’re told. At least when I don’t require your services.” He grinned mischievously.

  She snorted softly. “So I’ll be a house drudge except when being your whore.” She tried to sound teasing but failed.

  Fridgeir sighed. “No. Like now, you’ll serve me at meals. Keep me company both in and out of bed. The rest of the time you can help out around the hall. Can’t have slaves lazing around while free women work.”

  “So I’ll sleep with you? In one of those sleeping alcoves?” She turned enough so she could look him in the eye.

  “Yes, but bigger and with a nicer bed,” he replied with some pride. “After all, I am among the High King’s elite warriors.”

  “Oh—and Saibh? Will she join us?” Eireann asked softly, not sure if she wanted her there or not.

  Fridgeir shook his head. “No, she’ll sleep with her new family.”

  Eireann nodded thoughtfully. Probably just as well. She really didn’t like the idea of her sister that clo
se when he wanted her.

  “But I’ll still get to see her? Every day?” She swallowed hard, fearing the answer.

  “I’m sure you will. Like I said, I expect she’ll stay in the hall. Hopefully she’ll get used to all the noise and people.”

  Eireann remembered how difficult Nokki's hall had been for her.

  Spray flung sharply over the rail. “Anything else on your mind?” Fridgeir pulled the fur tight around Eireann’s shoulders.

  “I find myself wishing we’d met before all this. I think we could have had some fun together.”

  Fridgeir chuckled. “I doubt you’d have given me a second look, other than in terror. And what’s stopping us from having fun together now? I certainly enjoyed last night.”

  She tugged her slave collar, but said nothing.

  He shifted slowly and raised a knee behind her, but not touching her. She could lean on him if she wanted to, or not.

  “I think it’s your attitude toward that bit of leather that matters more than anything. Think about how that beardless midland worm would have treated you. Somehow I doubt he would have treated you like one of your own would. They don’t have a reputation for treating their women as equals.”

  She had nothing to say—her former husband’s father had started treating her like a servant as soon as the vows were exchanged.

  She made herself lean against him for warmth as the night air cooled rapidly. Would it really be so bad? Or different than what she’d have faced had that lying pig lover even kept his word? Much as she hated to admit it, even to herself, Fridgeir treated her much like a man from her own clan would have. Most of the time anyway and especially in bed. His caressed softly down her arm almost as if he could read her mind. It felt good when she let herself enjoy it. She made herself relax against him.

  Night closed around them and the women huddled under the furs to find what sleep they could. When his turn came, Fridgeir sat near the front on the rail again, adding his weight to balance the Fire as she raced north.

  The moonlight danced off the waves and wind ruffled his beard. She thought his eyes might be closed, he looked so relaxed balanced on the ship’s rail. A true Northman, her Northman. She snuggled down to sleep.