《Viking Tribute》Chapter 6: Drowning

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When I woke up the next morning, the wind had picked up and dark clouds raced into the sky. I was alone, my captor was already up giving orders to his crew. The ship swayed on the waves and the sail was reduced.

My stomach clenched suddenly and I ran to the stern, bending overboard and throwing up bile. I had never before set foot on a boat, and the rocking motion didn’t agree with me. Another wave of nausea hit and I bowed again, only this time my bare feet slipped on the wet planks and I fell helplessly into the gray waters.

The cold seized me as my head plunged underneath, permeating my dress and smock instantly. My clothes were weighing me down. Instinctively, I fought my way to the surface, sucking in a quick breath when I broke it.

The longship was sailing away at high speed, I couldn’t swim to it. I looked around, but there was no coast in sight. I was lost at sea.

A high wave broke on me and I inhaled water. I came up coughing and struggled to stay afloat. My arms and legs were numbing, growing heavy, and I was finding it harder and harder to keep my head out. Before long, I was bobbing up and down, spending as much time emerged than submerged. I was fighting a losing battle. Why was I even trying? Didn’t I want to die?

Not that I had a choice anymore. I closed my eyes, muttering a last prayer. I asked God to protect my people and my family, and save Magge and the maidens from slavery.

I plunged below once more and everything went black.

There were loud voices around me and a heavy weight pressed on my chest. Salted water flooded my mouth and I spat and coughed, for what felt like hours.

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I opened my eyes to a strange vision. A dripping wet Viking was squeezing my ribs, his face contorted in an expression I couldn’t decipher. Was it rage, concern, panic? A woman was crying beside me, while a group of men stared, talking vehemently. What were they doing?

Suddenly, I was set free and the woman hugged me.

“My Lady, you are alive!”

Why was she saying that? She seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place her.

“I was so worried, you almost drowned. If Lord Einarr hadn’t turned the boat back and dived to your rescue…”

Her words unlocked a door in my mind. Suddenly it all came back to me, the banquet, my abduction…

“He shouldn’t have,” I retorted bitterly.

She was pushed aside by a seething pirate. His hands grabbed my shoulders with enough force to crush them.

“Did you jump overboard?”

I was tempted to lie, to let him believe that I had attempted suicide. After all, I planned to do it. Perhaps it would make him regret his actions.

But I thought better of it. I would only infuriate him further, and he would make me pay for it.

So I shook my head.

“Nay, I got sick and lost my footing. I am a Christian, suicide is a mortal sin.”

If my answer satisfied him, he didn’t show it. Pulling me to my feet, he dragged me to the tent.

“Take off your clothes.”

As I was too stunned to respond, he caught the hem of my dress and lifted it. I beat his hands off and he huffed in annoyance.

“You are drenched and cold. You will get ill.”

That’s when I noticed the water pooling around me and began shivering in the wind. But I was stubborn.

“So are you and you are dressed.”

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Wordlessly, he untied his belt and got rid of his kirtle. His shirt followed, and his hands moved to his breeches.

Blushing, I turned around and wrung my hair. I heard the fabric hit the floor with a slap, and his hands were on my waist, threatening me.

“Now, undress or I’ll do it for you.”

Mortified, I obeyed. I avoided his gaze, wishing he had left me in my liquid grave.

Once naked, he placed a warm blanket on my shoulders and pulled me flush against him. Only then, did I notice that he had covered himself warmly as well.

He rubbed my back vigorously, and then my arms, making my frozen blood flow again. Progressively, I relaxed, leaning into his body heat. My eyes closed by themselves and my thoughts stilled, leaving me in a trance like state.

His hands drew slow circles on my shoulder blades and soft kisses peppered my face and neck. I didn’t move, too tired to protest. Within a few instants, I was asleep.

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