Helga : 'Tears of blood' by Heads Kevin

Author:Heads, Kevin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Michael Saxon Publishing
Published: 2024-03-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The village was silent, apart from the sound of boats knocking together in the gently flowing river. The stars blinked in a cloudless night sky, as I walked along the riverbank with Rognvaldr.

‘Tell me, don’t you have an opinion of your own? Or do you always hide in the shadow of your father and brother?’ My words stung, as I knew they would, but I needed to know whether I could trust him. I liked him and I knew he liked me. I had little to no experience of matters of the heart but his reluctance to leave my side and the constant glances suggested he was interested and wanted more than friendship. I knew he loved this land and its people, and I couldn’t help thinking if he were King, he would give up everything to protect it. He responded just as I had expected:

‘This is my home, Helga. I would gladly fight and die to protect it. I believed Guthrom when he said that Harald would reward our loyalty if allied; but my father is my King and so I will follow his lead, even if that means fighting for Heggalund.’

‘You are right to honour your father, but I hope and pray to Thor that you will fight with me and not against me. Heggalund is a monster, and if we are all to prevail and halt his tyranny, then we will need every sword and shield we can muster to stand against him.’ I stopped walking and looked across the river. It was so peaceful and serene.

‘You’re not like any other woman I have ever met,’ Rognvaldr whispered. ‘You talk of war and battle the need for revenge; you should be careful Helga; it may get you killed.’ He seemed genuinely concerned, which pleased me and so I turned and faced him.

‘If I’m to die, fighting alongside people I love and care about, then so be it. If the Gods decide my time here is over, then hopefully I will die with a sword in my hand, not a needle and thread. All I need is someone to teach me the skills of a warrior. I hate it when I’m told it’s not my place. Women fight every day. We fight to be seen, to be heard, to give birth. Our strength and fighting spirit are only matched by the Gods themselves, and you men are weak in comparison.’ Rognvaldr smirked, which riled me.

‘I hate that look, so wipe it from your face. All men have such long noses,’ I cursed.

‘What is that supposed to mean,’ he asked, raising his eyebrows.

‘It’s the way you look down them at us woman folk, I hate it. Now go away and leave me alone.’

‘Helga,’ he pleaded. ‘Why are you being like this? Not all men are as you say.’ I turned on him and he took a step back, convinced I was crazed enough to attack him.

‘Will you teach me then?’ I glared at him, daring him to answer.

‘No, I won’t.

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