Chapter 4

When Skadi woke, her head felt heavy, and she had a sharp pain in her right shoulder. She didn't want to open her eyes, but the sounds surrounding her made it hard to deny it. People were fighting, many people. When her eyes did finally open they told her she was right. Arnes men and the guards at Hedeby were fighting, and she was in the middle of it. Great.

Skadi looked to the gates, more warriors were swarming out. This was her fault, Hedeby certainly had the numbers to defeat them but it was the middle of the night, they were unprepared. While wallowing I'm self pity she heard a familiar voice yelling out her name.

Following it to the source she saw Bjorn, and her mother in all they're glory fighting ferociously. Ulf stood close to the earl too, following Bjorn eyes to the young girl.

That when she heard him, Arnes mocking voice behind her. "Oh mockingbird," Skadi had tried to get up and run to her mother, like the frightened little girl she was, but he was faster. He dragged her up and pulled his knife out of her back, pushing it to her throat.

But Arnes army was losing fast, and the retreat already ordered. It was him, and her. And like 500 tired, angry and armed warriors, one very overprotective brother, and her mother. Who was a force even when her mama bear mode wasn't activated. If looks could kill, she's pretty sure Arne would have imploded by now.

Yet he smiled, laughing like a mad man, his teeth stained red and his eyes wild.

It was then that Skadi made eye contact with her mother, the fire behind scared even her.

Lagerthas words were blunt and sharp, "let. her. go." With such venom it put Jörmungandr to shame.

"As you wish." He smiled relinquishing his grip. But before she could run he brought his hand down, stabbing her stomach nearly three times before an arrow shot through him. But Skadi didn't know where he went after.

Though Skadi was finding it hard to breath, she managed a a few steps falling into Lagerthas arms. Her harsh glare was gone, replaced with only worry for her youngest child. Lifting her up like she was a baby once again, Lagertha set off to the main hall. Ordering for healers to be sent at once.

Skadis eyes shut before she got home though, the pain she felt was subsiding, the world around her going black once again.