You two are so lucky Hagen let you follow him around when we were all too young to know better.
Their hulking size and long unkempt dirt brown hair, which included full, bushy beards, made them look more like shaggy pets than boys. Ingrid giggled, mentally deciding what animal they might be. Exchanging another new chunk of wool between her combs, she looked back over to the group of boys.
Jorg was different. His family moved to the village only four years before. Shy and quiet, Hagen welcomed him like a brother and they became inseparable. Both boys used to be around the same height as Selby, but over the winter they had grown two heads taller than her. Hagen was now about the same height as their father and while not as filled in, his broad shoulders and muscled arms and legs would equal that of their imposing patriarch soon. Jorg was a couple inches taller than Hagen and while not as thick through the shoulders still wore an equal amount of muscles everywhere. Ingrid almost dropped the combs from her hands, but she took a deep breath to clear her head a little. She peeked back over at Jorg casually. He wore his dark brown hair shorter than most of the other men, just below his chin, and left it free to show the waves it carried. Among so many hairy men in the village, his smooth, creamy skin with the one dimple on his left cheek stood out like a glowing beacon. His eyebrows had an arch to them that framed his hazel eyes and dark lashes, sitting over his perfectly straight, unbroken nose.
Ingrid let out a huff of air. Deep into her observations she hadn't realized Selby had joined her on the bench.
"What was that sigh for?" Selby asked with a wicked little grin on her face. Ingrid jumped when she spoke. "And I believe you finished that wool a long time ago."
The wool Ingrid had worked on was now a tangled mess. She looked at her best friend and shrugged her shoulders the tiniest bit. "Oops." They both laughed as she tucked that piece down along the side of her finished basket. She'd deal with it later. "And I didn't sigh."
"Oh, yes you did, and I'd bet it had something to do with a certain handsome friend of your brother's over there."
"Jorg? He's not handsome," she lied.
"Yes he is! He's more than that, he's beautiful--in a manly sort of way, of course." Selby grabbed a piece of wool, used her own set of combs and helped Ingrid whittle down her pile.
"He is one of Hagen's friends. I don't pay much attention to him." The need to defend herself prickled her nerves. "He has picked on me as much as Hagen over the years and I don't see him as anything other than a pest."
"Yeah, right. Whatever you say, my lying-to-herself friend. It doesn't matter though, Hagen's still cuter." Selby had had a crush on Ingrid's brother since they were about seven. She pulled in a deep breath and let it out with a little whine.
"Now that was a sigh," Ingrid laughed. "You need to stop hurting yourself about him." Hagen never knew, or acknowledged anyway, Selby's crush on him because he was all eyes for her tall, slender, beautiful sister Helka. She returned the attention, too, which made both sets of parents thrilled. Hagen would take over for his father one day and Helka had been raised to be a leader as well.
"I know. I will, someday, if anyone else better comes along," she smirked at Ingrid.
"You think about boys too much." She smiled at her friend but found it happening to herself more and more lately, too. Ingrid glanced back over to the boys and swallowed hard when she noticed Jorg's gaze. He grinned and looked away. Her heartbeat raced and the paddles nearly slipped from her slick palms.
"Uh-huh. I think about boys too much, yep, just me." Selby jabbed her elbow into Ingrid's side, making her yelp and scoot down the bench a little before they both broke into giggles. More and more men milled around the center.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" Ingrid changed the subject.
"Not much."
"Me either." An involuntary shudder shook both girls. "Do you think dragons have really returned after all these years?"
"It sure sounded like it. Poor Nels. Can you imagine being eaten by one?" Selby stared off into space, her full eyebrows squished together and her mouth turned down into a frown.
"Don't say that. Maybe he didn't. It could have dropped him or something."
"It's nice for you to have hope, but I don't think so."
Ingrid's father walked up to the gathered group of men and the girls put their combs aside to get closer to the crowd. The large men squished around Ingrid and Selby as her father talked. A wave of nausea hit Ingrid as the smell of sweaty bodies and wet furs flooded her senses. She pushed her way toward her father and stepped into open air next to him. Selby arrived a half second later and stuck her tongue out in a gagging motion. Bath day was not for two more days. Ingrid smiled and nodded then turned her full attention to what her father had to say.
"The information brought to us is too important, and dire to our survival, to ignore. If the dragons are returning, then there is more at play here than we may know. I think it is best if we send word to all the leaders. We need an emergency meeting, in Jorvik. This must be addressed by all the clans; no one is safe." Cheers and conversations erupted throughout the crowd, excited for action rather than waiting for more disaster to strike. Raising his hands, he quieted them again. "I will send messengers today about the gathering, but we shouldn't delay our departure. Three boats will make the journey. There is no need to pull all of our men and leave the village vulnerable." He made his choice of two other boat owners from the crowd. "Settle your families, load your supplies today, and meet back here in the morning. We leave at first light." Roars of approval rose into the clouded sky. Ingrid felt the bloom of a thought spread throughout her mind and warm her body. She grabbed Selby's hand and pulled her away from the group.
Ingrid dragged Selby behind a pile of wooden crates and briny smelling fish nets. A quick check of the area proved they were alone. "We're going to Jorvik." The words rushed out, and she could feel the flush of excitement in her cheeks. Tingles buzzed her skin while she paced in front of Selby with her hands on her hips. Years of being held back and left out exploded into a crazy idea.
"What? Says who?" Selby let her jaw drop open and looked back over her shoulder as if there might be someone near them she hadn't seen.
"I'm tired of no one believing me that I can be a strong warrior. If we go to Jorvik with the men, they will have to treat us as adults. We can be a part of finding the dragons." Ingrid bounced on the balls of her feet.
"Our fathers will never let us go. Mine wouldn't even let me go on the search party when I asked. How do you expect to persuade them to let us go on a trip like this?"
"We're not going to ask." Ingrid stared into Selby's rich brown eyes, which had gone as wide as possible to match the open hole of her mouth. "Don't you want the adventure? You are as strong a warrior as Helka, but no one in your family notices. This way we have a chance for glory, to have our stories told around the fire."
"How would we do that?" Looking around, she tried to process Ingrid's idea. Selby fidgeted with her necklace, rolling a bead between her fingers. "We'd have to sneak onto the boats, but there's no way. We'd get caught in seconds and thrown on the docks, if we're lucky. You would be fine, but you know how my father is. I'd be left with straps on my backside."
"We won't get caught. We'll sneak on board when they are loading--act like we are helping, then when no one is watching we hide and wait until the boats are too far down the river to turn back. They'll have to let us stay after that." Ingrid paced and rubbed her hands on her thighs, rolling her lip between her teeth as she thought through her plan. "It'll work. We would have to be really quiet and find a place that no one will check for a while."
"You're mad, and that's coming from me."
"Maybe, but we are doing this. I'm not getting left behind. Besides, think about it. Jorvik. How can you not want to see it?"
"I want to. It's just . . . where would we hide? What would my family think? My father isn't going so they won't know where I am or what happened to me."
"That's t
rue. They would figure it out, I'm sure. My mother will talk to them and they will be fine."
"I don't think I should go." Selby crossed her arms over her middle and the middle finger of her right hand picked at her thumb.
"It will work out. I know it. Don't fuss over it so much." She'll thank me when everyone cheers for us later.
Ingrid's smile stretched across her face as she bit down hard on her bottom lip. They were going on the boats with the men. No one would treat them as weak little girls anymore after they returned. They were going to see the Capitol and have stories to tell. They would be heroes.
* * *
They sat back in front of the longhouse combing their wool, as if they were not planning the adventure of a lifetime. Ingrid and Selby didn't say anything to each other for at least a half an hour, an unheard of event since they'd become friends as toddlers.
Hagen and the Stinks started to pass the girls and go into the house when Hagen stepped back and stared at them.
"Why are you two so quiet?"
"We're busy," Ingrid said.
"No, you're not. You could both do that in your sleep. What's up?" He narrowed his eyes at each girl in turn but then settled his stare on Selby, knowing she'd be the easier one to crack.
"Don't knock it. It's about time they shut up anyway," the older Stink said. At least Ingrid thought it was the older; she didn't bother to look, but rolled her eyes and kept to her work.
"You should try it, then maybe you wouldn't have so many people wanting to kick your butt all the time." Selby couldn't help but take the bait. Ingrid nudged her, worried she'd get going and forget to keep their plans secret. "You're missing one of your followers aren't you? Didn't think any of you went anywhere alone."
Oh, man, I'd rather she talks about sneaking on the boats. Don't ask about Jorg!
"Why? You worried you won't see him before he leaves in the morning? Maybe you should offer him a kiss goodbye." Brother number two laughed at his own comment.
"Shut up," Hagen said but bit the inside of his lip to keep from smiling. "You two are never quiet. But keep your secrets, we have work to do before we leave in the morning. Oh, and if you are worried where Jorg is, he went home to get his stuff ready. He's staying with us tonight." With that he smirked at Ingrid, who had snapped her head up at his information, and all three boys walked into the house.
Ingrid slapped Selby on the arm and growled at her. "Why did you have to ask about Jorg?
"I was changing the conversation so Hagen wouldn't ask anymore questions. I was afraid I might say something to those idiots and ruin our plans. They always know how to push my buttons. Besides, why do you care? They thought I wanted to know about him."
"Hagen didn't. Just don't do it again, but good job keeping your mouth shut about our plans." Thank the gods for small miracles. "Maybe you should stay here with me tonight too. It would be easier for us to get on the boats together that way."
"I was thinking that too. Since my father isn't going, I'd rather we stay together, alright?" Selby fiddled with her thumbs.
"Do you think he's angry?"
"Yeah, I'm sure he expected to go. I would rather not be at home. When I pack my things, I'll say goodbye to my mother."
"So, you'll stay here. As soon as they start loading the boats we go and help. I've never been on one before, have you?"
"No. I'm not allowed. It's for the men." Selby used a husky voice in a mocking male tone.
"I don't know where there's a place to hide, so we'll have to search around and make a good guess. Behind kegs or under something."
The girls talked and tried to figure out what they would take with them and how they would get it on board, so deep in their conversation they didn't notice the extra activity building up around the docks until someone shouted and a small argument broke out.
"They're loading already." Ingrid stood up and tossed her combs into her basket. She hadn't been using them for a while anyway as they talked. "They'll have the boats loaded tonight and just sail out in the morning. What are we going to do?"
"Think. We can figure out something. Maybe we just have to sneak on early."
Ingrid started pacing and biting her lip. This has to work. I am not staying behind. This is the perfect chance to prove myself. "You're right. We need to get on early but not in the morning. We should do it tonight. That way we don't have to risk being late." She stopped in front of Selby and smiled. "I've got it. I'll say I'm staying with you tonight, and you say you're staying with me. We'll get on the boat after dark and stay there tonight."
"Then no one will miss us in the morning because they'll think we're just still at each other's houses. Perfect."
"We need to gather our stuff. You go home and come back for dinner. We'll eat here and then leave after that."
Selby put both hands over her mouth but it didn't hide the wide smile on her face. "We are really doing this," she said behind her fingers, "It's going to be the best time ever." Ingrid nodded and gave her a quick hug before she gathered up her baskets and headed inside to pack. Her stomach started to wobble but her heart soared.
* * *
The village was a blur of activity all afternoon. Like busy ants storing food for the winter, those going on the voyage packed their boats. Small wooden planks bounced up and down as large bodies hurried supplies into the ships. The creaks of taut ropes rubbed against the hulls. Those staying home helped and made sure they were prepared to function with fewer men. Ingrid and Selby made themselves useful so they could watch how the boats were loaded. The smooth wooden sides of the boats rose high out of the water in a crescent shape. Ingrid craned her neck to see inside, but even as the boats rocked with the bustle of motion, the sides were still to high for a peek.
"Papa, can I take this onto the boat for you? It's a crate of extra linens mother packed," Ingrid called to her father as he stood inside the ship near the main mast.
"Leave it there on the docks and I'll have it brought onboard."
"Oh. OK." She put the crate on the dock and turned to walk back toward the village.
"Ingrid."
Turning, she looked up at her father. "Yes, Papa?"
"Would you like to come and see what the boat looks like?" He smiled at her.
"Oh, yes! Thank you." Running to the plank laid from the ship's edge to the docks, she stood at the bottom, gained her balance, and walked slowly up the small, unsteady board. As she made it to the top her father reached out his hand and pulled her over the rail. "It's so much bigger inside here than I thought it was."
"It has to hold 40 men and supplies."
Benches sat along each side of the hull where men worked the oars to propel the boat through the river and calm waters. Ingrid looked back toward the dock, but her head only poked above the side rail when she stretched high on her toes. The mast held the one large sail that was the boat's main power. At both ends platforms were built where supplies were stored undercover and men could sit above. Ingrid took special notice of those areas.
"Whoa," Ingrid laughed as she lost her balance. "It's a funny feeling to have the ground moving under your feet."
Her father smiled at her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "It's a feeling that feeds the soul once you get it in your blood. I miss it if I've been on land too long. Someday I'll take you for a small trip and you can see how it feels with the sail up."
"Could I go this time?" Might as well ask since he brought it up.
"No. This is not a time for fun. There is too much at stake and too much danger on this trip."
"You are letting Hagen go."
"Hagen is a man now and it's time for him to join me. Mind your place, Ingrid."
"He's only a little older than I am. I could help and I can take care of myself."
Klaus rubbed a hand over his face. "Meyla. I believe you could be helpful, but not this time. Show respect and let this go. Stay with your mother and work hard on your training. I expect to see how much better you are when I retur
n."
A sly grin etched her face. "You know that I'll be training? And you're OK with it?"
"Of course I know. Your mother and I don't keep secrets from each other. I am fine with my strong-willed daughter fighting for what she wants. It makes me proud of you." He leaned over and smiled like he had a secret. "You remind me of your stubborn Papa. Just be careful and rest when you tire." He pulled her into a hug. "Now, go back and help get things ready for the boats."
Ingrid hugged him tight once more. "OK, Papa." One more look around the boat to make mental notes. She hoped her father would feel the same about her fighting spirit in the morning when she and Selby came out of hiding.
The docks buzzed with activity. Ingrid strolled toward the village center and came upon Hagen and Jorg. They carried packs on their backs and rolled kegs toward the longboat. Ingrid took a deep breath and stood a little taller as she approached them. Expecting to be teased for staying home, there was no way she'd let them rile her nerves and wanted to be ready for them.
Won't they be surprised.
Movement caught her attention over Hagen's shoulder when she looked toward him. A small child, a girl maybe, toddled around on the shoreline. Ingrid stopped in her tracks. Her mouth went dry and her vision spun like she was standing on a high ledge. The scene in front of her changed, just for an instant. A child stood near some tall grasses and something shiny was on the ground all around her. Panic crashed over Ingrid like a wave and she blinked several times. The child was gone, light flickered in and out of her perception, and her bones turned to water. Her knees cracked against the wooden dock at the same time a set of strong arms pulled her away from the edge. Jorg's wide hazel green eyes stared into hers as focus came back.
Ingrid, The Viking Maiden (Viking Maiden Series Book 1) Page 3