by Andromeda -
Besides her eating, she had been a bit temperamental as well, wanting him constantly in a sexual way. She couldn’t seem to get enough. He thought that she was complimenting him in his great skill, but maybe it could be more.
They approached the docks, and Henrik, who was checking on one of the ships, lifted his head when he saw them.
"Alrik," Henrik said as they approached. "Seiðr.”
“Father,” Alrik said with a nod.
"Hello, my lord," Rashida said coolly.
"Which ship is ours?" Alrik asked.
"That one," Henrik said as he pointed. "It's right next to mine and will be under your command."
"Sven?" Rashida gasped in shock when she saw who was on their ship. “Is that you?"
Sven looked up from where he was checking the ropes and smiled. "Hello again, Rashida, and yes, I am. I'm Alrik’s second in command of his group."
Rashida looked at the ship. Large enough for 15 people to lay side by side comfortably like the others, the shields were hung on the side and already the 15 people under their command were there, prepping the ship for launch.
"It’s time,” Henrik called the others around him. “Launch!”
The sails were opened, and the already strong wind began to push them away from Safirinnsjø and to where new adventures awaited.
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"I see land!” a watcher shouted.
All lifted their heads up and scrambled to the sides of the boat to see what lay before them. They didn’t know how long they had been at sea, but from what they could tell, it had been a couple weeks, if not months. They stopped at local ports as they traveled until they hit open sea and under the careful guidance of Henrik, had finally made it. Now, they could see the lush green land that seemed untouched.
"Rashida, look," Alrik said as he turned to his side. "Rashida?"
Rashida was bent over the edge of the ship, throwing up into the sea for what seemed to be the thousandth time. She hadn’t stopped throwing up since they hit open sea. Mainly nausea from the constant rocking of the ship. However, if it weren't for her, they would have drowned once when a storm came out of nowhere and threatened to kill them all. If she hadn't calmed the storm, there was no way they would have made it this far.
"Are you alright?" he asked as he rubbed her shoulders.
"I'm fine," she sighed. "Just sea sickness."
Alrik frowned. He suspected that something was the matter with her. Something much more than sea sickness, but he dared not say it aloud as he didn’t know how she would react.
A scouting ship was sent first to the land with a band of ten warriors as the others waited, and when the all-clear was given, they moved in. The first thing they did was got to work making a camp and they did it in proper Norseman order. There were three main commanders on this trip: Henrik, Alrik and Gerik. Each one had a command of 15 men and all made their own set of minicamps around the main larger one.
Trees were cut down to make sharpened stakes that were driven into the ground, then flattened down and covered with hay and grass. Once pulled with rope, they sprang up and made a sharp shield that no one could pass. Scouts looked and found fresh water that the women who were not shieldmaidens gathered in large pots for storage.
Alrik watched over the building of his camp, while Rashida helped the women, using her abilities to bring large volumes of water from the river to put into the pots. At her side, of course, was her loyal Bastet, who had come with them. Most were afraid of the large cat and tried to keep away from her. While not riding in their boat, Bastet had her own one made that was tied to the tail of theirs and trailed behind.
He left the builders and walked to his father's camp, finding him in a meeting with Gerik. However, when his father looked up and saw him, he waved him over.
"From what I can tell," he was saying to Gerik, "this land is all untouched mostly. However, 100 miles to the north lies a great city and that is where we are going."
"What is your plan?" Gerik asked.
"I say we divide our forces," Henrik answered. "We have 45 warriors between us, right? I say we take 30 with us to the great city, and then make a camp close to it while leaving 15 back to watch everything here. After we camp near the city, we will stage minor attacks around it and then attack the city itself."
“Do you have a plan on how to attack?” Alrik asked.
“I have a good idea,” Henrik said. “But I’m going to need the Seiðr…”
Chapter Nineteen: Raiding Lessons
Rashida woke from her deep sleep with a soft moan. She felt something, someone, under her nightgown. A familiar tongue was pressed against her, familiar fingers rubbed her sacred pearl. With a soft groan, she arched her back as another moan rolled off her tongue as she slowly began to open her eyes to look down. Her gown was pushed up to her waist, her legs were spread wide and between them was Alrik’s head.
“What…What are you doing?” she asked.
Alrik lifted his head from between her legs and smirked. “Having my morning meal. I did not think you would mind sharing…”
Before she could retort, he dived back in, moving his tongue in rapid session. She covered her mouth with her hand to try and muffle her moans, but when he slipped a finger inside, it almost shattered her. With a grin, he kissed up her body, reached down to grip himself and then slid into her warm depths.
With a deep groan of pleasure, he wrapped her legs around his waist as he began to move his lips. He smiled as he reached down and tore open her gown, bearing her lovely breasts to the warm, morning light. A large hand cupped one, gently pinching and rolling the dark-brown dub between his fingers.
“How did I ever end up with a lovely, beautiful woman like you?” he asked as he kept his pace slow.
“I still ask myself how the king’s son looked to me, a simple slave, when he could have any woman he wished,” she whispered back.
“Because I already knew what woman I wanted,” he said. “You.”
The blow of a horn made him stop a moment. Both knew what it was. It was a message to all to leave their tents and listen to Henrik.
“I guess we have to stop now,” Rashida sighed.
Alrik looked down at her and smirked. “And who…who ever said that.”
He pulled his hips back and then slammed into her. His strokes were savage and deep. Not only did he wish to bring her to release, but he also wanted to plant his seed again. She was not pregnant as he had thought at first, because if she were, then her belly would have been showing by now. However, that gave him another mission while they were raiding. He wanted her to bear his child.
As he pushed deeper within his love, as he listened to her breathy moans of pleasure, in his mind’s eye, he pictured her holding their child in her arms. A boy or girl he did not care, but if it came from her, then he would be eternally happy. He wanted to have a family with this girl. He wanted to wake up and hear the giggles of children. He wanted to be a better father than what his own father was.
Henrik was a good man, as he firmly had declared that Alrik was his heir. Alrik was to take the throne when Henrik either died or grew too old to rule. Alrik knew that Gala was inwardly furious at this declaration, but she had no power to stop it. However, Alrik knew that Gala would do everything in her power to stop it.
“Min kjære kattunge…” he whispered. “My dearest…kitten…”
Rashida smiled softly as she groaned, feeling her release nearing. Alrik pressed his lips to her neck as he pulled her into his arms as he leaned back. As she straddled his lap, he bounced her upon himself, both panting, their lips and bodies pressed close together.
As he pushed himself deeper, Alrik felt himself reach his peak and he groaned deeply, filling her with his seed. He uttered a soft prayer to Freyja to plead with the goddess. He asked her that if he had found favor in her eyes, if Rashida had found favor in her eyes, then please bless them with a child.
Rashida panted softly with a smile as she kissed his cheek and lips, her
hands holding him close. “Now then, let us see what your father wishes of it.”
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Henrik stood by the dying fire that they had lit the night before. His eyes looked over the warrior and when he saw Rashida and his son, he nodded. He knew of course what had made them so late, but he wasn’t angry. If he was a younger man, he might have pulled Rashida into his own bed, but when he was a younger man seemed like a lifetime ago.
“I was wondering when you were going to join us,” Henrik said with a soft smile.
“Forgive me, father,” Alrik said as he wrapped an arm around Rashida’s waist. “But I was in a deep discussion with our Seiðr.”
“The deep part I am sure,” Henrik said. “But now that you are here, we can begin our meeting.”
Henrik told them the plan of how several scouts had located a settlement not far from where they stood. The homes were basically farmers. The settlement was a small village, but when they looked more inland, they found a strange building. It was unlike any they had ever seen, yet from what the scouts had described, there was gold in it.
Strange gold items decorated the top of the building and strange gold banners flew from standards high in the sky. When people went in, they were greeted by men all holding gold and jewel inlaid bowls that held water in them. This was going to be their first target. As they listened, Rashida felt Alrik’s grip around her waist grow tighter as he pulled her closer to him.
“I’m going to be fine, you know,” she whispered in his ear. “This place…sounds like a temple. When I was in the Temple of Bastet, we had golden objects with us all the time.”
“I just hope these people give up their treasures without a fight,” Alrik whispered back. “My people can be bloodthirsty when it comes to things such as these.”
Rashida nodded and her hand went to the amber on her necklace as she sighed softly. She had seen his people’s lust for blood firsthand repeatedly. She had been on the receiving end of it before. She knew what they were capable of.
“You will be divided into three groups,” Henrik said as he grabbed a stick to begin to draw in the mud. “The first group will be of five warriors, led by Gerik. Your duty is to scout out again; this building might have hidden defenses. The next group will be led by me and will be a group of 15 warriors. Our duty is to strike fear in their hearts. The last group, a group of 10, will be led by Alrik. Your duty is to begin the raid. You will storm this building and any building near it for their hidden items. Understood?”
Alrik nodded and looked to where his warriors stood, all awaiting his orders. He walked over with Rashida, his arm still wrapped around her waist. Sven saw it and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“So, what is the plan?” he asked.
“We do what my father said,” Alrik answered. “So, let the raiding began.”
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Rashida knelt next to Alrik in the tall grass as they watched Henrik and Gerik begin the attack. In the beginning, they all walked until they reached the settlement and saw that it was indeed mainly a farming village. But it didn’t take them long to see the large building the scouts had described for them.
It wasn’t as big as the Temple of Bastet, but was close to it. The design was also foreign as it was made of uneven cut bricks that jutted out in all direction. They all saw the strange golden design at the top of it, as well as the golden banners.
People were walking inside. Families who were laughing and talking amongst themselves. Two men stood outside, both held large golden bowls encrusted with jewels that glittered in the sun. If they could be seen this far, one could only imagine what other treasures lied within.
Gerik and his group went first. They moved through the village like ghosts, their weapons at the ready in case anyone appeared out of nowhere. Nothing happened, so when Gerik gave the whistle of safety to Henrik, the real battle began.
The warriors all leapt to their feet, their weapons ready as they began to walk down the streets of the village. At first, all was quiet, and then they reached the tall building where everyone was. Henrik turned back to look at Alrik and then he nodded. His men kicked open the doors. The screams of the people inside filled the air and Rashida heard Henrik bark an order at them. He told them, in their language, if they would all not resist, then no harm would come to them.
When Alrik heard the second whistle, it told him that all was safe for them to begin their raid. He looked to Rashida and grabbed her hand before he led his warriors out of their hiding place. The buildings were unlike anything either of them had seen before, but all knew they did not come to gawk. They had come to raid. Alrik nodded to his men to get to work, all the while keeping Rashida close.
“Will you stop worrying?” Rashida asked him.
“I am not worrying,” Alrik said back. “I am keeping you safe by my side.”
She laughed. “Let me go and explore. We have control of the village. I will be fine.”
Reluctantly, Alrik let her go and Rashida knocked an arrow as she carefully began to explore the village. From what she could tell, the layout of the village wasn’t that different than the ones back home. The build and structure of the buildings were what was different. She heard a rustle nearby, and curiosity got the better of her, so she followed the sound. Her eyes widened at what she saw.
She saw one of the warriors in their group holding a woman down, as he began to pull up her grown. Rashida knew exactly what he was doing, and she acted instantly to stop it.
“Stop it!” she yelled at him. “Leave her alone!”
She tried to pull him off the woman, but the warrior pulled his hand back and slapped her hard across the cheek.
“What do you care about this English woman?” he growled. “Go back to the king’s son and spread your legs like a whore you are.”
Rashida’s eyes flashed angrily and she grabbed one of the knives on his belt and stabbed him in the shoulder. The warrior howled in pain and he turned around, punching her brutally in the nose. She staggered back, almost falling onto a table in a daze and the man smirked as he looked around, seeing no one.
His hands pulled at the ties of her pants, working to undo them. Her eyes snapped open and she thrust out her hand. The man gasped as he clutched his chest, as a tightness began to close around it.
“You dare try and violate a Seiðr?” she demanded. “The price of your offence is death!”
The man’s eyes rolled into the back of his head as his chest exploded, blood and entrails spraying in all directions. Panting softly, Rashida dropped her hand and then looked at the woman, who was whimpering in both shock and most likely pain.
“Get out of here,” Rashida said with a jerk of her head.
The woman quickly rushed off, and Rashida left the home, leaving the body of the warrior behind. The moment that Alrik saw her, he rushed over, his eyes full of worry.
“What happened?” he asked. “Are you hurt?”
“The blood is not mine,” she said. “I stopped a man from raping a woman.”
“Rape?” Alrik asked.
“Yes,” she said with a nod. “Alrik, I understand that your people love battle and killing others, but rape is where I draw the line. I have to go and speak with Freyja.”
Chapter Twenty: A Meeting with the Saxons
They did not stop at the small temple. The small raiding party moved deeper and deeper into this strange land that seemed to have surprises around every corner. Rashida herself was very intrigued by the colorful glass these people had, as well as the statues they had in their temples.
After the incident with his own men, Alrik kept Rashida even closer. They found the body of the man and burned him, of course, but the thought of a man defiling what was his pushed Alrik into a fury. He didn’t let any strange men near Rashida after that and would attack anyone who looked in her direction. It got so bad that Rashida herself had to tell him to stop or else she would close her legs to him until he learned to behave himself.
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nbsp; As they traveled more and more inland, their targets switched from being small temples, to larger buildings. They quickly found out that while the temples held wealth, these larger buildings held more. When they swept inside and explored, Rashida realized that these larger buildings were homes.
They were much larger than any home she had ever seen before, almost as big as a temple, and she wondered how anyone could feel at home in a place so big. They found gold, silver, jewels, furs and silks; everything that would make someone wealthy. However, while most looked at these, Rashida found something else.
Books. Always one to love to read, she took books from every home or building they raided. At first, she couldn’t understand the language, but with the help of the goddess, the words slowly began to make sense to her. Always one for the gift of tongues, she devoured these books as if they were food to her, and before long, she was fluent in all that she read. This was of great help to the raiding party, as she could act as a translator.
Most of the men would want to slaughter everyone, but Henrik and Alrik did have a sense of honor. Women and children were to be unharmed, and if the men did not resist, then they too would be untouched. The same could not be said for their homes, however.
The Norsemen would take everything they could find, and then destroy what was left. While inwardly this conflicted with Rashida’s conscience, she knew that this was their culture and she could not stop it. One thing she did institute, however, was no rape.
After her own almost assault, that became a firm rule in their group. Anyone who disobeyed it was to be killed with his heart exploding from his chest. His body would be burned in disgrace, which in their culture, was the worst way to die. They all wished to die a warrior’s death and be seated at Odin’s table in Valhalla. That would not happen if they disobeyed a few simple rules. And seeing that it was mainly men who would be inclined to rape, the axe was heavy upon their necks.
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Word soon spread throughout all of England about a group of raiders who fought as if they were not afraid of death. They held little respect for their sacred items, yet refrained from killing most men, women and children, only slaughtering those who got in their way.