26 comments/ 53453 views/ 37 favorites Berserker: Captive of a Viking Ch. 01 By: lottieH (this is just a try, if you'd like to hear more chapters please leave a comment, I appreciate the support.) * I stared out the churning waves of the sea, smiling. This was my dream, this was destiny. My childhood dream of running away from home to become a pirate on the high seas, was probably just as simple as a kid in Africa dreaming of a winter wonderland, I did after all, grow up in Manitoba Canada (no where near the ocean). But my heart told a different story, my heart said, "Francine, you should have been a mermaid....". As I said, I wanted to be a pirate, but mostly for the life on the sea. Though I was far from living my childhood dream at this moment, I was living the next thing to it, to be sure. I was, after years of careful planning and investment, sailing across the Atlantic in my own sail boat, with a crew and navigator I paid nothing at all. I wasn't the only one with a dream it seemed, hell most of the crew had been ready to pay me, just to work on the boat. But I saw a kindred spirit in all of them, so we all made a pact to tell our families we were only going across the Atlantic and flying back, but we were just going to keep on going around the world once we got to France. Through the Meditation, stopping at Greece and Italy, down the Nile and seeing the pyramids and the dead sea. Then around India and... Well honestly I hadn't searched quite that far ahead yet, but I was going to research the crap out of every little town and island we visited, so we could see all there was to see. Was I scared? Yes a little, but my navigator was experienced! Alex has spent his whole life learning boating and navigation from his fisherman dad in Newfoundland. And Robin, my crew head, knew everything there is to know about working my forty foot vagabond 42, who I named Freya (after the Norse warrior sex goddess (GO prehistorically feminism!!!)). My crew was five men and three women, but gender really didn't matter, we were all sea lovers at heart. We were surely the reincarnations of skivvies of sailors who sacrificed family and fortune and eventually their lives to their one true loves... the sea. Not that that would happen to us, we were all smart and experienced (though most of us were under 25), hell my Freya even had a GPS tracking system that would send an alarm right to the nearest coast guard the second we tipped. It was one of the benefits of having rich parents, don't get the wrong idea though I'm not spoiled my sister is, but that's just because my parents didn't know how to raise a child. They learned their lesson when she almost blew our fortune ten years ago, so they were a lot stricter with the both of us after that. But of course when my sister graduated high school they bought her car, which she promptly wrecked in two week, so when my graduation came along they asked me what kind of car I wanted. I told them I didn't want a car, I wanted a boat. They laughed and said they'd just get me a car for now and if I still wanted a boat after I graduated university, they'd buy half. They said it as a joke, they didn't think I'd actually have the discipline to scrimp and save and work until I had every penny of the forty thousand dollars I needed (only big boats can make it on the high seas). So now here I am finally living my dream; sailing the high seas with eight kids and doctorate in ancient civilizations. I stretched my neck up and took a deep whiff of the salty air around me. But unfortunately after two weeks on the ocean it just smelt like air, I guess that's the price you pay. I smiled anyways and began to go down below, I could still only tolerate so much sun, my skin already felt a little bit itchy which for me is a sure sign I'm starting to burn. Down below Alex was typing at his laptop at our community table. He was a strange sight, dressed it a tye dye t shirt and khaki shorts, he had a few days of stubble growing. I guess he'd forgotten to shave again, most of the guys had been staying shaved, they said the salt water would dry in their beards and make it feel grainy. But Alex had been preoccupied, though we'd left at the perfect time of year, global weather readings were predicting a wall of storms ahead he was trying to find a safe way around. But what was strange about this sight was that he had a fake ancient looking sea chart and a fake medieval measuring device he called a sextant lying on the table too. He said he liked to keep them out while he was navigating because they made him feel "authentic", he even liked to brag about how they were family heirlooms from 1476 but no could miss the engraved made in china if you looked hard enough. But I liked to let him have his fantasies, after all I sometimes like to pretend the occasional far off fishing vessel is our targeted plunder ship and we'd be stealing their gold and jewels after we'd scared them shitless with warning cannon fire. Yes old habits die hard. "huh?" I said, Alex had startled me out of my reverie with a question. "I said I think we should hit a hard left and try and circle north again around these storms." It wasn't a question, more of a statement. "I thought you said the weather was dangerous north?" "Ya, but it would be a hell of a lot more dangerous if we tried to race these things south, if they caught us, we'd probably tip and if we didn't tip they'd just spit us out god knows where." "alright then, should we be praying to the fates yet?" He gave me a sarcastic snort. "not quite yet, but I wouldn't but it past those bitches to cause all this." It was an inside joke of ours, I'd met Alex in my Ancient civs course, we had both learned plenty about the three Greek fate goddesses. I began putting together a few sandwiches while Alex went to go tell robin to adjust our course. This was my job, at first it had seemed like a great idea to hire a crew to do everything and sit on my ass and watch the waves, but after a few days at sea I felt like a complete parasite, so I filled the role of crappy cook (since I didn't know how to do anything else). For some reason it had never occurred to me to hire one, but since everyone here (like me) had about enough cooking talent to make kraft dinner, it wasn't that hard to impress, though the internet had saved my life on more the one occasion, like when I didn't know what the hell I was supposed to do with a fresh caught herring. I was so glad I had installed a satellite on board, we all cherished and revered the internet like a god. When it had started to rain for the first time, everyone took a beeline for the satellite and wrapped it in tarps and ropes until it was more carefully swaddled like a new born babe. Even though it was waterproof, though to be fair I had forgotten to tell them that. I continued to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with pickles on the side. My precarious pile out sandwiches was almost done when I heard it. Like the roar of a jet engine it seemed to scream like a banshee rising from the ashes of hell. Except it didn't stop to take a breath, it just kept going louder and louder until I couldn't hear myself scream. It was shaking the ground with so much noise, I landed on the ground with a thud, amongst masses of peanut butter. But before I could even think to rise from my feet the boat continued tossing up and down. I realised it wasn't the noise, it was the waves. From the feel of it, they must have been ten foot swells. Where the hell had they could from? My eyes cast about the disarrayed cabin and focussed on a pair of eyes across the room, Lindsey had gotten the door of the hallway way open and was shouting something at me, most of the crew were behind her, trying to gain their footing. They looked like poorly acted marionettes. Lindsey was still trying to shout at me but I couldn't hear the words over the banshee's roar, she seemed to realise the same thing because, she began to mouth the words very carefully, pointing at her mouth. "Wa-tr sp-oo-t" No that couldn't be right, water spout? Suddenly I remembered, Alex had gone above to find Robin. Oh god please let them be in the navigation cabin. I scrambled up and grabbed hold of the ladder next to me, climbing was much easier than walking. I caught sight of Lindsey trying to get my attention, she was shaking her head violently trying to get closer to me while motioning me to come back. Didn't she realise I had to find them? If they died it was all my fault, we were all going to die weren't we? When I reached the top of the ladder I flung the trap open preparing myself for the worst. Nothing could have prepared me for this. What rose up before me was only a couple of football fields away and at least one field wide. It was a massive swirling vortex of water that stretch far into the murky black clouds of the sky, from the thunderous roar it screamed, it truly did seem like a hell demon devouring all in its path including me. Oddly enough there were only a few thoughts in my mind when I saw it, but no fear. The first thought was that I now remembered what a water spout was, it was a tornado that formed over water, it would suck up torrents and spew them out, making it appear to rain around it. The second thought was what I remembered from the movie twister, tornadoes make a sort a roaring sound. The third thought was how strangely light I felt all of a sudden. And then I went tumbling in to the darkness. I was floating on a cloud... If clouds were warm and wet, carried in strong but small arms. Who was carrying me? If I could open my eyes I would know. But I was so tired... Wake up Francine.... No I'll sleep Open your eyes. Shhh go away. AWAKEN! I screamed. I was so cold, when did the ocean get this cold! I was swimming, why was I swimming? Looking around me all I could see was waves, my mouth tasted like saltwater. I spat over and over only to get swept under by a swell, after a moment of sheer panic underneath the water I surfaced sputtering new mouthfuls of the awful saltwater. So cold, my shoes were gone, every part of my body felt like someone was stabbing me repeatedly. I'm going die, oh god I'm going to die. Please no! I'll get baptized I'll go to church! I'll send my sister to rehab again, please don't let me die! I began to cry, adding my own tears to the water around me. I kept swimming, I suddenly heard dory from finding Nemo in my mind, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. Asegill stared out at the darkening sea, soon the night would set, soon he would return home, soon he would lose everything. He ran a hand over his face, sighing in irritation. The peace and serenity the sea had always brought him, held no promise of such gifts today. Three more times the sun would rise before he lost everything. Uh, foolish man, you will lose your house and title and ship but you will not lose your life. it's a just fate, you leaving so late in the year. Even if you married the first woman you saw at the docks it would still be to late. Ten years ago when Biorn, his father had died, the old man had left his wife and two sons with a promise. Should Asegill not be married on his twenty fifth birthday, all rights and property would fall to his brother, Gudmundr. Now here he stood one day away from his twenty fifth birthday and he was stuck, unmarried, on a ship full of men. Asegill bent his head in pain, he would lose his lovely Freya, the only creature he truly loved, his ship. She was fifty feet long, his father had chosen the exact great tree to carve the ship hull from. He had only used the best of the saplings and pines for the rest. Her width could stand straight against any wave, no storm had ever bested her. She boasted no massive engravings or fancy stitch work, she was a man's ship, like the goddess she was named for, she was a ship of war. A hand settled on Asegill's shoulder. "worry not Asegill, you can always marry Grimr." Said Falki, the blond haired town flirt, though he could always be relied on to make light of serious situations. It was what made him an essential part of Freya's crew, he could keep spirits up in even the harshest conditions. Grimr was the smallest Norseman of their crew and most did refer to him as the woman. Asegill shrugged Falki's hand from his shoulder. "Go eat Falki, tell Ketill I'll dine in my cabin tonight." said Asegill, without turning from the sea. Falki didn't leave, he stood beside his lord, Captain, and friend instead. After a moment he spoke again. "Perhaps your mother will change her mind, she keeps Biorn's decision." Asegill snorted humourlessly. "She was the one to decide to threaten me into marriage. You know as well as I Gudmundr does not have a berserker's soul, he will shame our house. Yet mother thinks he will make a fine leader." He shook his head. "Nay I'd wager my life she has been praying for this damned weather..." Falki smiled anyways. "You know how the god's love to jest, perhaps they will send us a fine wind and at the docks will wait the most beautiful maiden in Asmondr! She will bear you seven little berserkers of your own." He grasped Asegill's forearm and went on his way. Asegill smiled to himself. If he truly didn't manage to convince his mother than he and Falki would steal Freya in the dead of night, and find a new home. Asegill knew his friend would follow him anywhere, they were closer than brothers and would follow one another to the afterlife as well. But still, though he knew it would do no good, Asegill raised his head to the sky and sent one last prayer, Odin, Freya, Thor, Loki whoever might favour me, please send me a wind or a woman and I will conquer any enemy that is set before this berserker in your name... A ship! Oh thank god a ship. In my frozen terrified mind, I didn't see anything but a ship ahead of me in the water. I had been swimming and screaming with all my heart at the vessel. But I wasn't a fool the only reason I was nearing this ship was that the current was taking me there, I didn't even wonder at the strangness, in that though I was being pulled towards the ship, the ship wasn't being pulled away from me. There were no longer any coherent thoughts in my head, just a sort of hope that kept my numb limbs moving. Though I was so close now, I couldn't make any noise at all, like trying to scream in a dream, only a whisper escaped my blue lips. But my eyes never left the ship. I heard a shout in the air, it seamed like a mile away, but I heard it. Have they seen me? A splash now, I was so tired. My eyes began to close. WAKE UP. I jerked awake sputtering water. Who said that? Suddenly I felt warm arms surround me, these weren't thin like the others, they were the most muscled arms I'd ever felt. And then I was rising from the water I felt almost warm now. Everything was coming in flashes now, arms holding me, voices around me, and beautiful blue eyes.... Asegill stared at the tiny woman in his arms, he knew standing up she wouldn't even reach his shoulder. But she was undeniably beautiful, even as freezing white as she was her skin was like a dark tan, she had waves of thick dark brown hair framing her heart shaped face and gently sloping cheekbones, and he was sure he had seen stunning green eyes beneath those lashes. Though he was sure if his mother were here, she would comment on how her skinny body just wasn't right for childbearing, those lithe curves were sending what little warm blood left in him, to the wrong areas. Asegill stood up with the woman, he would have thought her a child, but her full breasts left no doubt of her womanhood. "Thor's hammer Asegill! Did you dream her into existence?" Falki was staring in wide eyed shock at the woman, as were almost all of the crew. "Could not you have summoned her to the ship instead of the sea?" Asegill shot Falki a look while elbowing his way through the men "One of you get some cursed furs!" He ignored the bombarding questions and climbed down the hull ladder, carefuly manouvering the uncurious girl in one arm. He burst into his cabin moments later, with Falki behind him. Lying her on his bed he grabbed the large hand sewn blankets on the bed wrapping her with them. Grimr rushed past him, dumping a pile of furs and blankets next to her as well. Asegill smiled at the boy, clearly he had been the only one with sense in the moment of shock. "Tell Ketill to send up some hot coals." Asegill set about wrapping the woman in the rest of the blankets as well, while Falki sent the boy on his way. She seemed not to breathing at all, Asegill reached under the blankets to feel her stomach just to sure, after a moment of panic he felt it rise slowly. "turn away Falki, I must get these wet clothes off her." He heard a snort behind him. "Already claimed her I see." Asegill unwrapped her very quickly, not doubting Falki would obey him. "It's not as if I have a choice." he stopped now, he hadn't paid much heed to he clothing on the deck. But now was confused, she was wearing breeches, with the most terrible blue dyeing he had ever seen. There were no laces to undo them, just some sort of metal contraption on the front. "HA! Yes this must truly be a terrible sacrifice for you. Come now, she's more beautiful than Halldora, and sent to you by the gods! Which god were you paying too, I might had to do the same." He grabbed his knife, he didn't have time to try and figure this out. Asegill sliced the tight fitting breeches down each leg, carefully avoiding her skin. Her upper body was much easier to uncloth, the perfectly sewn multicoloured cloth, stretched over her head very easily. But underneath her strange clothing she appeared to have another article made just for her breasts. Asegill sliced this off as well, now he had to force his mind to focus on other things. All he wanted to do was feel those lovely mounds. Asegill closed his eyes and bit back a groan, he carefully covered in the blankets again. "Falki leave now." Asegill wasn't even listening to the words of his friend, he only had eyes for this beautiful god sent prize. When he heard the door close behind his friend, Asegill quickly removed all but his breeches. He climbed into the bed beside her and drew her freezing body into his arms beneath the blankets. Her hair was soft as fur now that it was dry, and she smelt of sea and citrus. Asegill found it hard to remember he was holding her to save her life, his body wholeheartedly disagreed. Soon enough, he knew he would hold her in a far different way, soon enough. Berserker: Captive of a Viking Ch. 02 (thank you all so much for your comments. Hope I haven't kept you all waiting to long, here's chapter 2. Although I'd just like to remind everyone that, though I did do a bit of research I don't know a lot about sailing, I apologise for any editing mistakes but I am a terrible editor) I felt warmth all around me, so warm so soft. My fingers were stroking, fur? My eyes cracked open slowly, I saw only a pile of blankets around me, and above me a plank ceiling. I felt something move in the sea of furs and blankets around me, two thick arms were wrapped around my waist, my naked waist. Panic gripped me making me freeze and scramble in my mind. Who the hell? I once had a boyfriend in college, we had dated for bit, we had had sex, but we had never slept together. I had always thought of sleeping together as way more intimate than sex, and this douche was doing it without my permission! I carefully grasped the arms and untangled myself very slowly, I heard a loud snore behind me and sighed in relief, It was then all of a sudden that I noticed my surroundings. I was in a large cabin, but the entire thing was made of real wood! From the sway beneath my feet I knew I was on a boat, but what kind of boat used 100% real wood. All around my was real wood items, not the classic printed wood, but real damn wood, where the hell was I? There was a tall wardrobe against one wall, it was carved with intricate twisting vines an authentic looking sword was propped against it in a scabbard, there was also a desk with an actual massive quill sitting in a pot of ink. The entire left wall of the cabin was a book shelf, each shelf had a ledge in the front to keep the books from flying off, the books themselves were massive tomes, they were embossed with many different languages, none of with I recognised. There were no windows in the cabin, it felt all closed in like a cave, I've never been claustrophobic before, but with the only light source coming from dim candles about the room, it felt like the walls were closing in on me. I looked down and realised with a shock that I was only wearing my underwear. Oh dear god! I don't care who this guy is I'm gonna kill him! I looked around on the ground but my clothes were no where to be seen, crap, I raced to the wardrobe and pulled it open, praying it wouldn't creek. But it opened silently, inside were shelves of various tunics and pants, some were made of leather with fur trimming, others were rough home spun clothe and some featured various talented embroidery. It was like opening the closet of pre medieval Viking! I pulled one of the leather tunics out, it was mostly plain, except for a few wooden buttons it the front and a thick furry grey collar. Its sleeves fell way farther then my wrists when I put them on, so I rolled them a few times, the shirt was long to begin with, so it now fell to my knees. I looked for a belt in the wardrobe, but couldn't find a single one, I finally turned away with an exasperated sigh. I suddenly realised there wasn't any snoring coming from the bed anymore. I looked over at it to see one the of the most ruggedly handsome males I had ever encountered. He was huge! The massive bed I had found myself in, looked perfectly natural with him. What with the blankets I could only see his chest and up, He was as broad as the come, with a divine six pack and gorgeous pecks, he really shouldn't have had a face that sinful, with its high cheek bones and stunning blue eyes. Blue eyes.... I gasped, suddenly the entire events of the last twenty four hours came rushing back to me like a dream I wanted to forget, the terrifying water spout, the freezing days? Hours? Minutes? At sea, and finally the stunning blue eyes, before falling into oblivion. He was looking at me now with an amused expression. My face hardened in anger. "What the hell do you think your playing at! I'm going to give you one chance to explain yourself! Why did I wake up naked in your bed with you?!" I stared him down only to see his expression change from humour to shock and then awe within the space of a few seconds. He stared me down, examining me from head foot. I crossed my arms and maintained eye contact so he wouldn't see how disconcerted his expression made me. He gave a short laugh and got out of the bed, I tensed for a moment, then relaxed when I saw he was wearing pants. "You speak the ancient language.... I did not know there were any tutors left." He said the words with a thick deep accent, I'd never heard before. My brow furrowed in confusion. "I speak English. I learned it from my parents like everyone else in my country. Now answer my question." Asegill stared at her in shock over two incredible things, one, she was one of the fara... the people from where the ancient language had originated, many said it was the will of the gods that they found their way to his world, though none had crossed over in many lifetimes. And two, she had just commanded him as if she wasn't a woman at all! Asegill was stunned silent for a moment then recovered his voice, he drew on the ancient words his tutor had taught him so long ago in secret. Asegill walked towards her backing her into a corner, he could see the fear in her eyes but she masked it quickly with contempt. Though it didn't stop her from hitting the wall behind her. "You awoke in my bed because I pulled you from the ocean, and you were freezing cold. Your clothes were not helping that." He saw her mentally back track as she realised her mistake. "oh. Sorry um, thanks for saving me." She glanced around her again. "this one of those nautically authentic ships right, can I borrow your phone?" "This my ship, I do not know what a phone is." She looked at him as if he were crazy. "Well... I need to go home now so if so could turn around back to the states that would be great." Asegill suddenly realised she didn't know where she was. "You are not in your world anymore, the god's have brought you to mine." Asegill turned away from her and opened the wardrobe, beginning to dress. "My name is Asegill and the god's have sent you here to be my wife. You shall be pleased when we return to land, I'm lord of my town and have many servants in my hall, and you will be my lady." "um... no thank you." He kept his back to me "I was not offering a choice." I didn't wait for him to finish his little psycho speech. I rushed through the door of the room and out in to a long narrow hall way. I saw a ladder further down and made a beeline for it. Just as began to scrabbled up towards a shaft of sunlight, I felt the massive arms I was now beginning to recognise. "Put me down you psycho!" He paid no attention to me, he held me easily on his hip like a bag of dog food. It suddenly occurred to me that insane people shouldn't be allowed to workout. I tried to struggle but he only hitched me higher on his hip, squeezing me until I could hardly breath. Oh god, I've been kidnapped by a crazy pirate. I had time enough to imagine what he was planning before we entered the room again and he unceremoniously dumped me on the bed. I scrambled up and backed away from him, he stood at the door for a moment, pulling out a key and locking it, then tucking the key away in an inner pocket of his shirt. The sound of the lock clicking had a dreadful finality to it. He turned around with an angry expression. I situated myself in the center of the room and examined his face more carefully, after all when I escaped and found the police I needed to be able to id this guy. He had very long blond hair it was braided and fell down past his shoulders, he had a couple of wrinkles around his Caribbean blue eyes, I guessed he was probably in his early thirties. He had a slightly crooked nose that must have been broken in the past, he also had a scar running over his lip on the right side of his mouth. Although his entire appearance reminded me of a Nordic god, the only thing I felt for him right now was fear. I quickly ran through a few self defence moves in my head. He stalked towards me again, this time I stood my ground. He stopped in front of me, forcing me to crane my neck back to keep eye contact. "Don't be so foolish. Where would you hide on MY ship? You might as well get used to this idea you find you disagreeable." I tried to decipher his expression, then I realised, he was insulted. I pushed away my anger and fear and went for a different approach. "look I don't know where you are from, but where I'm from you can't force someone to marry you, and I am definitely not marrying you. I'm sure you have a very nice hall, but I'm staying single, why don't you find some other girl." He gave a deep chuckle, and reached out taking hold of my chin his hand. I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go. "believe me I have looked, but where ever you are from, you are in my land now, and here a man can take whatever he desires, unless it belongs to another man. I see no brothers or fathers of yours here, thus you belong to me." I gasped in outrage, and tried once again to free my face, when that failed I tried to kick him in the groin. He caught my leg between his own before I got anywhere near his family jewels. I tried to punch him next but he caught both my hands in one of his as easily as one would subdue a child. I was truly outmanoeuvred. I looked into his eyes again, and pleaded. "please, why are you doing this?" His expression didn't soften one bit. "I will tell you the truth, if I do not marry today, I will lose everything that I have, my home, my ship, my title." I actually felt a little pity for him for a moment. "But truthfully even if this hadn't been the case, I would taken you as my own anyways." I almost snarled I was so angry, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "alright you have to get married, how about I marry you, you get to keep your stuff, and then you drop me off on shore, you find a different girl, and we forget this ever happened?" He threw his head back and laughed, the prick. When he had finally finished he bent down close to me. "why would I do that when can keep you for so much longer instead?" I could see the sudden arousal in his eyes, I knew this was my only chance. I pulled my wrists towards his thumbs in one sudden jerk. Just like I learned in self defence, then while he was taken off guard I punched him as hard as I could in the balls. All the air left his lungs for a moment and I tore out of his grip I looked around the room for a weapon, I saw the sword again and ran for it, tearing it out of its scabbard. I turned around with the surprisingly heavy sword to face him. He was walking towards me now with an expression of pain and murder. I pointed the sword at him. "stop!" I was proud of how firm my voice was. Asegill stared at the little spitfire holding hid sword. The gods had to send him the most insufferable woman in all of their worlds and make her look like a goddess incarnate! A mix of pain, anger, and excitement was churning inside him, despite the pain she had caused him, he liked her fire. Thor's Hammer, she would be a tigress in the bed. That thought helped him calm his anger, He tried to see all this from her point of view, taken from her home without notice only to land in the arms of a man who wanted to make her his own. He could understand her actions, but he wouldn't tolerate more of them. "What is your name?" "why should I tell you? I'm the one with the knife!" Asegill hid his amusement, little did she know he could harmlessly have that sword from her within a few seconds. But she seemed calmer now, he could tell she liked being in control. "I gave you my name. Why not give me yours?" she hesitated a moment, then seemed to reach a decision. "Francine." She said softly. He took one slow step towards her like he was taming a wild mare. "Francine." The name was different and exotic much like her, he liked it. "like it or not you are in my land, and you do not wish me to let you go when we reach the shore. This land is dangerous for a woman on her own." "I'll take my chances." He was getting frustrated now, he could tell she didn't believe him, how does one convince a woman she is no longer in her world. Why was he trying to convince her of anything! He should just take her now and be done with it. But he couldn't help but feel sorry for her plight, and also feel a sort of grudging respect for her, most women he knew would be weeping by now. But she was holding his own against him, her stunning green eyes were staring into his own with intense anger. He could easily see her commanding his men when he went out to sea, yes she would make a fine wife. All he needed to do was force her to surrender. Asegill took another step towards her she stiffened, he could see the fear in her eyes. He knew what she was thinking, if she didn't keep him away he would kill her for threatening him. "Put down my sword now and no harm will come to you." "You'll take me back to shore and let me go?" "Yes." he lied. "Give me the key first." Ah, she was good. If she could get him out and lock the door, she would buy herself some time. But the door was good workmanship, he was loath to break it down. He pulled the key out of his shirt and tossed it to her, while she focussed on catching it he rushed her. He easily reached forward and grabbed the hilt of the sword before she could react. He squeezed her wrist hard enough to make her let go. While the sword clattered to the floor, he plucked the keys out of her hand. She tried to fight him again, but now he knew her tricks. Before she could try punching him again, he pulled her back against himself holding both her wrists in both hands now. She stopped struggling after a few moments. She was breathing hard in obvious fear, that sound did things to him, everything she did, did things to him. He pushed her away and bent to pick up his sword and thread it through a loop on his belt, He couldn't stand not having her anymore, this had to end now. He strode to the door unlocking it and exiting, shutting and locking it again behind him. "What are you going to do!" She shouted from the other side of the door, her voice still piqued in rage. "Marry you minn hyrr." he purred, just loud enough for her to hear. He heard something large hitting the door with thud as he walked away. Berserker: Captive of a Viking Ch. 03 (Thank you to all the people who left compliments, you have no idea how much it helps. But everyone should know that this isn't earth in the past. It's another world entirely. I was planning on revealing that later, but I've been getting some comments on historical inaccuracy. Don't worry there are still plenty of surprises planned) "She's a Fara?!" Falki sat down beside Asegill on one of the benches lining the table of the mess hall. It was a large room with one massive table and two benches running along it. The room was lit with several bright oil lanterns fixed to the walls. Unlike the rest of the ship, which was mostly unadorned, this room had several detailed tapestries hanging between the lanterns. Some depicted scenes of gruesome battle, others pictures of tranquility, and one even showed a depiction of the glorious Valhalla, a place where all good soldiers dreamt of living in their afterlife. It was Falki who made Asegill place the well-woven tapestries on the previously bare mess hall walls. He had thought their home away from home needed more personality. Asegill had never seen the point in decoration; he himself liked a few simple but well-made things. Every surface didn't need to be covered with carvings and statues. Asegill leaned forward and rested his chin on his interlocking fingers. "Either she was born into a family of wealth or... Nay! Even that wouldn't make her as stubborn as she is. Even if I hadn't dragged her out of the sea and seen her clothes, I would have known she was from a place far different from here merely from the way she acts! She tries to boss me about as if she is the man. I'm the bloody man! The gods haven't saved me. They've cursed me!" But his words were not genuine. Inside, Asegill felt more alive than he had in years. No woman had ever given him such fiery glares, and it made him want to feel the fire of her kiss as well. Part of him thought that perhaps it was just her exotic looks and attitude that made her desirable. That perhaps once she became his wife for a few weeks, his need would relent. But his inner berserker beast told him she was the perfect mate. That no amount of time would quell his new found hunger. His inner beast was practically purring in approval. Surely she, where every other woman had failed, could accept the part of him that he had taken his entire adolescence to come to terms with. Falki had to hide his internal grin which was something he was unaccustomed to. He had watched his dear friend turn his nose at every woman he had ever met. And now, he had the incomparable pleasure of watching a woman turn her nose at Asegill! Truly, Falki had never seen him so obsessed with anything that didn't have to do with battle. Asegill and the other lords of Asmondr had spent most of their lives keeping the southern Heidinn armies at bay. That was the reason he had let his need for a wife slip by him. This journey's purpose had been to visit the southern cities and to see where men were needed. Asegill had thought that he would find his woman there if anywhere, but when none had lived up to his expectations, he had decided to return and settle in Halldora. Thankfully, the mess hall was empty for now. Most of the men were either working on the ship or resting in their hammock-lined cabins. Though, none would have tried to invade on Asegill and Falki's conversation even if they had wanted to. "Will you have trouble with the ceremony?" asked Falki. "The men have been looking forward to having a wedding on board since you found her, and Ketill has been cooking in the galley all morning." Asegill pretended to look affronted, though he was wondering the exact same thing. "Best not tempt fate. Tell the men I'll be marrying her tonight." ~ I was pacing back and forth so much I was surprised the floor wasn't wearing down. What do I do? What do I do? I guess it was from years of Sunday school that I despised, but for some reason I heard, "What would Jesus do?" in my head. The thought of Jesus being in this situation made me smile despite myself. It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be in this cabin, but that probably had something to do with a small metal stove tucked next to the headboard of the bed. There was a mound of coals inside that served as a space heater. I gave my surroundings another glance; no new objects jumped out at me. The large book I had chucked at him still lay open by the door. I was completely and royally screwed. Moaning, I fell backwards on the bed only to spring up when I smelt him on the sheets. He smelt like leather, ocean, and something distinctive I could only determine as him. I didn't like what he did to my head. When I had stared into his eyes before, I felt like I could get lost in them. Think, Francine! Think! I could always play it cool and pretend to be all gung-ho about getting married. Then, once we were on shore and he didn't suspect a thing... Yes, that seemed like the only logical answer. My only shot of escaping was on shore so I would just trick him. Once we docked, I'd run through the people and get lost in the crowd of whatever town we were in, and I'd find the police. Surely he wouldn't chase me in a crowded street, right? When my plan was solidified, I found myself wondering if my crew was alright. Were they even alive? Oh god, what if I never find my way home, and my parents think I'm dead and... God no! Just stop it! This isn't helping anyone. I wiped a tear off my cheek and sat myself at his desk working through the plan in my head again and again. I had already looked through the many papers in his desk, but they were written in a different language. I tried to keep my mind occupied, but after a while, I just spent my time staring at the door wondering what would happen to me. I tensed when I heard footsteps outside the door. Since I had been hearing plenty of footsteps over my head, I assumed it must be daytime. I hadn't been wearing my watch when I got sucked up. The door opened, and it was Asegill. Yes, that's what he said his name was. He walked in with a shroud of subtle confidence I doubt he noticed. He was obviously someone who was used to people following his orders, but my attention was soon distracted from him. He was carrying food! He eyed my place at his desk. I had thankfully put back all the papers I had looked through. Crossing my arms in front me, I leaned back in his chair and raised my chin. I may have decided to go along with his charade, but I wasn't about to be submissive. I wasn't an idiot. I knew he had the advantage, but attitude was all I had left. He smiled and cocked an eyebrow not saying a word. He set a bowl and a cup down in front of me. "Eat." It wasn't a suggestion. I ground my teeth a little, but he just stood there staring me down. I took a deep breath and ignored him. Instead, I looked at my food. I heard rather than saw him move away and sit down on his bed. The food looked heavenly, but then again mac 'n' cheese would have looked like a feast right now. It was a bowl of stew with chunks of miscellaneous meats and vegetables floating around in a salty pungent aroma. I couldn't help myself so I grabbed a spoon and took a mouthful. It was hot enough to burn my mouth a little, but I didn't care. I ate the stew without even looking up once at the eyes I knew were watching me. How could a crazy person be so hot? Whenever you watch movies about kidnappers, they're always skinny, pale, creepy guys. Why couldn't he be too? There was a warmth running through me that I didn't think had anything to do with the stew, but hell would freeze over before he ever found out. When I was done, I glanced up and resumed leaning back as if I were comfortable. Though, I'd never been more tense in my life. I had to break the silence. "So where are you from?" My voice sounded a little too nonchalant. He chuckled and smiled a bit. I hate it when people chuckle. "I am from the land we are but a few days away from, Asmondr." I frowned. "We can't be a few days from anything. Is it an island?" "No, it is a very large land connected to Heidinnland and Fuglfit. It would take more than two weeks to cross it by horse. My city, Blodhugr, is one of its largest cities." "Mm hmm." I didn't want to get him angry, but there was no way in hell I would have missed an island that big in the middle of the Atlantic. "Francine, I know you do not believe me, but you will." He seemed very sure of himself. "We are going to marry tonight." "Tonight?!" My façade fell. I looked away from him not trusting my eyes to disguise my panic. "Fine. When do we reach...Asmondr?" I was sure I was mispronouncing it. He seemed taken aback by my agreement. "In two days." "Cutting it a little close." He didn't seem to know what I meant by that. I picked up a glass of what looked like water, but before I took a sip, I sniffed it just to make sure. Over the rim of the glass, I looked at him again as he reclined on the bed looking for all the world like he was having a relaxed conversation with a friend. He met my eyes and lowered his lashes giving me a smouldering look. Ok, maybe a little more than friends then. I got up immediately wanting to put some space between us. I walked to the other side of the room and pretended to read the spines of the books on his shelves. "Francine, you needn't fear me. I will never hurt you." He had probably said it to reassure me, but it just pissed me off. My fear disappeared in a wave of anger. Clenching my fists, I narrowed my eyes and spun around marching over to where he was sitting on the bed. Even with him sitting down, my head was just barely above his. "So you don't count kidnapping me, forcing me to marry you, and scaring the shit out of me as HURTING me? You're right. I shouldn't fear you. You should fear me because believe me, no one does all that to me and gets away with it." Since I was a little girl, I've had a very short fuse. God forbid it ever run out because when it did, I tended to get myself buried in shit deeper than before. This was one of those times. Asegill's eyes blazed in anger. One moment I was standing in front of him madder than I had been in years, the next his hands grabbed me around the waist, and he pulled me on top of him. Before I could think to protest, he rolled. Suddenly, he was leaning over me, and my arms were pinned to my sides. There was something else entirely in his eyes now. It was something I'd never seen before. I don't know if I opened my mouth to tell him off or to scream, but before I could I get a breath in, his mouth was on mine. My first instinct was to pull away, but he grabbed the back of my head and threaded his fingers through my hair. His lips just touched mine for a moment. Then he pressed his mouth to mine harder. Heat shot through me from my lips to my toes, and it felt like my soul was on fire. I used all of my will to hold still and keep my lips closed, but he growled. He actually growled! The noise didn't sound like anything human. He turned his head and pressed harder forcing my lips open with his own. When my lips did part, he snaked his tongue into my mouth, but his tongue didn't just touch mine. It conquered and plundered my mouth as if he was dying to taste me. He tasted like wine and sweetness or like cooked onions on steak. Delectable. I felt an answering cry in me. Fuck this, I'm no submissive. I had one free arm now that he was holding my head. I grabbed the furred collar of his shirt and yanked his mouth to mine harder. I pushed his tongue back and plundered his mouth instead. It was a heady feeling, and I could feel the heat rolling off of him as well. We were battling between our lips like two soldiers parrying and thrusting. His body still pressed up against mine, and his hips pushed into me like there were no clothes between us at all. Then I felt him from what I could feel, and he was far larger than my old boyfriend whatshisname. Fear shot through me and quenched the fire inside me. No, this was not going to happen. I yanked my head to the side, but he just moved his head down. "Minn hyrr," he growled. He kissed my neck, but then I felt his sharp teeth. He bit me! It was not hard enough to break the skin but enough to leave a mark. I gasped. For some reason, his bite caused more heat to rush through me. "I... Get off! Stop it!" I pushed against him, but he was like a brick wall. "Asegill!" He stopped. He hadn't moved, but at least he had stopped. I realised that he was hotter than I had felt, like he was running a high fever. I could still feel him pressed against me. Oh god, how had this happened? If he tried to have sex with me every time I yelled at him, oh god we really would be married. He moved slowly looking up from my neck. I looked up at him and gasped again. His pupils had elongated into slits. They were still that same blue, but now they looked like cat's eyes. He pulled away from me still breathing hard from the kiss. God, I couldn't believe that had just been a kiss. ~ Asegill straightened and backed away from his undoing. He had always had a temper, but he hadn't let it awaken the berserker since he had been a child. He had always kept such a tight lid on his emotions never letting his other self emerge. Yet, when she had yelled at him he had been angry, but it wasn't the anger that had done it. He looked into her confused, angry, scared, passionate eyes and knew it had been her. He had grabbed her to teach her a lesson and show her who was in charge only to discover it hadn't been him. When he had kissed her, he had felt something awaken inside him...something that had grown even more powerful when she kissed him back. It was only his name spoken by her scared voice that had pulled him back. Now, here he was barely holding onto his humanity. Perhaps he should let go. Asegill chased the thought away. He glanced at her. Well, she had seen his eyes and hadn't run away. No, she didn't even look scared right now. She looked worried and preoccupied like she was putting something together in her mind. Instead of looking at him, she was watching a flickering lantern. Asegill took his time to study her then. She was so beautiful, so passionate, so stubborn, and she toppled all of his carefully built walls without even trying. He wanted her. Oh gods, how he wanted her despite her stubbornness. No! It was her stubbornness that made him respect her, and he respected so few people. The way she acted scared and meek one moment only for it to disappear in a wave of anger infuriated and excited him. But it wasn't just that. It was so much more. It was something he couldn't quite put his finger on, and then it hit him. Of course! Before her, he and his berserker beast never agreed on anything. For once in his life, both sides of him cheered in consent. It was amazing. He knew with absolute certainty that she was meant to be his. Suddenly, the prospect of losing control was not so daunting. He knew she would accept him. He just needed to wear her down, and he was greatly looking forward to the challenge. ~ I was trying to make sense of it all. How could this happen? I knew he'd try and make a pass at me, but I hadn't thought I'd actually enjoy it. I certainly hadn't thought I'd fall into a blaze of passion, the kind I'd only read about in romance novels. I didn't even think it was possible to get turned on by kissing. The first boy I had ever kissed was fine, I guess. No magic or disgust. Just "Oh, his tongue's in my mouth." Then, there was David―that was his name. His kisses had been nice, but they were a quick prelude to an often disappointing finish. But this...this was something else...like mouth sex. I touched my lips which were still swollen. I was in way over my head. Glancing at Asegill, I could see that his eyes had returned to normal now. I wasn't even thinking about trying to figure that one out. It must have been a trick of the light. I didn't know what I should do now, but I wasn't just going to let him have his way with me. Immediately, I sat up which made my head swim a little. "This...this doesn't change anything." I reached up to feel my neck. Had I imagined that too? No, I could still feel the indent in my skin. I looked at Asegill again, and he was watching me with an unreadable expression. At least he didn't look like he was about to jump me again. "You're right. It doesn't. Tonight, you are mine." "So I guess you don't consider rape hurting me?" I looked him in the eye. "My people find no fault in a husband pleasing his wife." He raised an eyebrow. "First, you won't be pleasing me no matter what you'd like to believe." He looked like he was about to disagree so I continued, "And second, I don't give a crap what your people think." He narrowed his eyes, and I raised my brow now. I knew what a dangerous game I was playing, but my only hope was that this asshole had some morals. "I assure you Francine that when I take you, you will be most willing." I wanted to disagree but I thought of the fire that had rushed through me from just a kiss. Well, I wouldn't be doing that again. Next time, I'd fight him tooth and nail. He smiled a little, but before I could ponder what that meant, he walked to the door. He paused on his way out. "I'll return at sunset. Behave or I might just change my mind about you being willing when I take you." ~ Asegill realised there was very little to do in weddings when women weren't involved. Ketill was handling the feast and promised it would be good. It was fortunate that Asegill had brought home many foods and gifts from the south. He had brought his rings and sword with him in hopes that he would find a bride in the south. The only thing that was needed was the bride's sword which could easily be chosen from the plentiful supply on his war ship Freya. They didn't have a priestess to marry them, but fortunately, it was known for some couples to marry themselves by saying their vows and exchanging swords in nature. Thankful the wind was being good to them, he leaned against the sail of the ship. Glancing at the coast of Asmondr in the distance, Asegill was looking forward to showing Francine his land. He knew she would never let him know she was impressed by anything he showed her, but he was getting very good at reading her. Asegill looked down at the blade in his hand. It was a small dagger with intricately swirling gold making up its grip. It reminded him of fire. Two semi precious jewels were set into the pommel making up the eyes of the moulded wolf head. The guard twisted upwards in two curling points enhancing its look of fire. The overall beauty served well to distract from the wickedly sharp point and the cruel serrations on the beginning of the edges. He had received the dagger amongst the many gifts he had been given by families trying to sway his choice in a wife. It described her perfectly. Luckily, he had his family blade with him, and it was far more worthy of her than any other sword. Well, he would give her the crown she deserved when they reached his home. Every bride should have a crown. Though he knew she would resent its implications, the crown was given to a woman to symbolize her rise to womanhood as a result of bedding her husband. Asegill glanced up at the sun for the hundredth time. Not even close to time yet. ~ Staring at the door, I couldn't breath. My heart was beating so loud I could feel it in my fingertips. Oh god. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. So this is what a panic attack feels like. My knees felt weak, and I sat down on the floor rather abruptly. I concentrated on the gentle sway of the ship. Relax, I told myself. It's not like it's a real marriage anyway. There's no way in hell it's a real marriage. I wanted to summon the anger that so readily claimed me when Asegill opened his big fat mouth, but all I felt when he wasn't here to aggravate me was fear. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around my knees. I didn't know anything about this guy other than the fact that he was a kidnapping potential rapist. Berserker: Captive of a Viking Ch. 03 I had always had this vision in my head of the perfect guy. His looks had varied over the years mostly due to the latest Disney movies. When Beauty and the Beast had come out, I had been fantasising about a half man half beast for the better part of a year. But one thing that had always remained the same was his gentlemanly ways and his respect for me. He would often tell me what an extraordinary woman I was. Then in my mind, he would get down on one knee and ask me for the honour of being my husband. Although, unlike in Beauty and the Beast, when I married him I wouldn't just give up my dreams and move into his castle. No, we'd buy a boat together and explore the world like Indiana Jones and his girlfriends. Of course, I wouldn't be like that pansy bitch in Temple of Doom. No, I'd be more like that girl in Raiders of the Lost Ark. But this...this was never in one of my fantasies. Why then did this guy make me hotter than any of my fantasy men put together? I don't know. I don't care. I'll just get fake married, wait to get to shore, and then run. Yes, it would work. It had to work. I don't know how long I sat there on the ground, but it was long enough. When I heard footsteps again, I was sure it was him, and my gut churned. I thought I was going to be sick. I scrambled up as the door opened, but it was a young boy who poked his head around the corner. He was a ginger with a mess of red hair and a wash of freckles. He was only as tall as me which is, of course, not a lot. His hair looked like it had been hacked off with a sword, and I felt the urge to push some offending bangs out of his eyes. He had cute blue eyes that were darker than Asegill's. He also showed potential for fine bone structure once his teenage lankiness wore off. At first, he only had his head inside the room, but he pulled it back quickly. Then the rest of him backed in shutting the door behind him very slowly almost as if he didn't want anyone to hear him. He smiled when he finally turned to me, and I felt an answering smile on my own face. I found that I felt the need to know someone else on this ship maybe even to call for help when the time came. He was wearing an ill-fitting but finely made tunic with a stain or two on it. On the front, there was an image of a bird stitched in green thread. His pants fit better, but matching stains adorned it as well. He held something towards me which made me smile in absolute adoration. In his arms were my clothes! My tank top was dry and clean at the top of the pile. When I picked it up, I saw my jeans underneath looking almost perfect. Someone had done a good job of sewing together the edges of a long rift running right down the pant leg. I gasped and hugged them to myself. My clothes! I had my clothes! As I jumped forward and hugged him, he seemed stiff with shock for a moment. Then he hugged me back a little and backed away. I tossed my clothes on the bed and turned to him again. "I'm Francine." He shook his head and said a few words in a language I didn't recognize. I pointed at myself. "Francine." He smiled in understanding and pointed at himself. "Grimr." Crap, how was I going to get him to help me if I couldn't speak his language? I pointed at the door making a turning motion with my hand. His eyed lightened with understanding, and he pulled a key out of a pocket on his shirt. I reached for it, but he pulled it back and shook his head again. He pointed at himself and then pretended to sneak towards my pants on the bed. When he got there, he slipped the key into and out of the pocket. "Minndrottinn," he said. I shook my head in misunderstanding. He hesitated for a moment and then as if he wasn't supposed to, he said softly, "Asegill." He did the demonstration again. "Oh!" I realized. "You stole it from him." He waited for me to nod my head before he pocketed the key again. I did understand. He took a huge risk by getting my clothes for me, and he had to sneak the key back now. I didn't have any way to ask him, but I hoped if he was willing to help me this way, then maybe he would also help me escape when the time came. When someone started walking down the hallway, I raced to the wardrobe and opened it motioning towards him. He didn't wait to be told twice and jumped in quickly before I shut it behind him. I tensed, but the footsteps stopped and receded. After opening the wardrobe again, he jumped out and hurried to the door. He smiled at me again and bowed before opening the door and locking it behind him. I turned around and glanced at the clothes. They were now a symbol in my mind. They were my freedom, or at least, they represented it. And now I had a friend. Maybe he had a thing for damsels in distress, maybe he was just hoping to woo me, or maybe he felt he had to help with an injustice being done in front of him. I didn't know or care, but the world felt a little more bearable now. I walked over to my clothes and replaced them on my body shutting Asegill's clothes in his wardrobe. This time I didn't huddle on the floor. I sat at his desk again and leaned back waiting. Hit me with your best shot, honey. ~ It was time. Asegill made his way through his ship pausing at the door of his cabin. He knew she would be waiting for him. She would probably be sitting behind his desk in what she would consider her most dominating pose. He smiled to himself. Well, she had met her match. She would marry him today even if he had to drag her up top kicking and screaming. Opening the door, he found her leaning back in his chair as expected but drawing on a piece of paper. That he had not expected, and for some reason, it annoyed him. He thought she would have had her full attention on the door, but she took her time lifting her eyes up from her work. He walked into the room and right up to her. It was then that he noticed her clothes. How the hell? He had assumed that Falki had removed them at some point during the night, but who had gotten them back in here and repaired them? Thinking to scare the information out of her, he leaned over her and put both of his hands on the arms of the chair. She craned her neck back to keep eye contact with him, but he caught the subtle rising of her breasts that betrayed her deep breaths. "Who gave you those clothes?" he growled. "You mean MY clothes? I don't think that's any of your business." He eyed her up and down. One side of him was angry that someone on his ship had betrayed him and that she was defying him. Another side of him loved the way her body looked in that clothing. Every bit of her, from her lovely breasts to the v of her thighs, was tightly encased in that fabric that gave everything away and yet nothing at the same time. He wasn't sure which side of him was which at the moment. "You will tell me―" "No, I don't think so." He had to acknowledge the truth in that. Very well, he'd get the information another way. "Well, shall we get this over with?" The way she said it made it sound like an irritating errand and certainly not like something she would be swearing herself to him for all time. He leaned back. "Change first." Sitting up straight, she said, "No. I think I'll stay in my clothes." He narrowed his eyes as he thought about why everything had to be a fight with her. He knew why. This was her only way of fighting so he pushed down his anger. "How about we make a compromise? You wear a shirt over that." He backed up a few steps. He could see she was about to argue so he continued, "You realise that dressed like that you might as well be naked in front of my men. Besides, it will be cold upon the deck." He reached into his wardrobe, pulled out his longest shirt, and held it towards her. After chewing on her lip for a moment, she finally took the shirt from his hand. It had been the same one she was wearing earlier. Then, he reached into the back, pulled out a sword belt, and handed that to her as well. When she was done, he glanced at her when she thought he wasn't looking. For a moment so brief, he might have sworn it didn't happen. He saw her brows furrowed in worry and her eyes filled with fear. Then, she clenched her fists and walked to the door. Folding her arms, she waited for him. Only her white knuckles betrayed the moment he had seen. He reached for the door to open it, but she beat him to it. Instead, she opened it and walked down the hallway as if she did this everyday. He came up behind her and walked beside her. When he rested his hand on her hip, she stiffened but ignored him. He gestured towards the ladder when they reached it. ~ My hands were shaking, but I wasn't about to let him know that. Confidently, I stepped up the ladder and climbed into the light of the setting sun. Even with the fear that was churning inside me, I couldn't help but love the sight and feel of the sun again. The entire deck of the ship was very wide; each end came to a point like a giant canoe. Waiting on the deck were a dozen or so men I assumed was the crew. They were all dressed in that strange clothing of mixed leather, fur, and wool spun cloth. Most had weapons, and I noticed that blond and red seemed to be the most common hair type. They were mostly very brawny men except for a couple of men who were younger and a bit lanky. The smallest was Grimr who I recognized immediately. Most of them were staring at me so I deliberately looked them in the eyes until they broke contact. Asegill had been right about it being chilly up here, but I pretended not to notice. When he came up on the deck as well, he smiled at his men, and I didn't understand why a laugh went through the group. I hoped that the ceremony would be performed in his language so it wouldn't feel as real that way. He motioned towards the head of the ship. I walked ahead of him and turned to him when I reached it. Just breath...it's not real. When Asegill stood in front of me, I noticed that he had a beautiful sword strapped to his side. He reached into his shirt and pulled out a beautiful golden handled dagger. He held it out to me and leaned close to whisper in my ear. "Do not try anything." I snatched the dagger out of his hand and snorted. Did he think I was an idiot? He pressed a simple, wide gold ring into my hand as well. I clutched them and glanced up at him. His face looked way too intense. His eyes were boring into my own until I couldn't look away. Then he started. He didn't look away from my eyes when he said his lines in that strange language. I didn't recognize a single word, but at times it looked like he was suppressing a smile. I didn't want to know what he was saying. Then, he opened my hand and plucked out the ring. I couldn't move or think as he placed the ring on his index finger and reached into his shirt again removing another smaller, simple gold band. After he pulled my right hand out and slid the ring onto my finger, I looked down at the ring. It was a little large and would have fallen off if he hadn't closed my hand in a fist over it. He then pulled out the sword at his waist and gathered both our hands on the grips of my dagger and his sword. I could feel the cold metal of my dagger and the old leather of his sword underneath my hands. His own large calloused hands covered mine holding them. He started to speak again. My head jerked up when I noticed it was in English now. A murmur went through the crowd at the change of language. "I take this woman, Francine, as my own." He said my name slowly savouring each syllable and making me shiver. "To protect and cherish and to hold on the coldest of nights. I give her my sword which will always protect. I give her my ring which will always bind. I will honour and love Francine in this day and until Ragnarök comes upon us." My anger sparked up. His own, my ass. Asegill smiled like a predator and leaned down to whisper in my ear again. "Repeat after me." He said another sentence in his language now. I repeated each part in a dead monotone except for the part when I said his name sarcastically. When Asegill straightened again, his hands were gripping mine a little too tight. He let go pulling the dagger out of my hand and left the heavy weight of the sword in my own. He threaded the dagger through his belt, and I did the same with the sword. Looking back at the men, I noticed that they looked as if they were about to burst into laughter. I smiled hoping they would recognize the sarcasm. Suddenly, Asegill grabbed my arm and spun me back towards him. Before I could do anything, he bent down and claimed my lips again. There was no tongue this time as he started the kiss off hard but ended it softly. I held still again not letting my lips or body betray my emotion. But when he pulled away, he ran the back of his hand down my cheek, and I couldn't help but wonder what I had done. Berserker: Captive of a Viking Ch. 04 (I'm sorry to my readers that this chapter took so long. Writer's block. but hopefully this chapter will not be the last.) * We were walking towards the ladder again. My mind was strangely quiet, I wasn't exactly sure what had happened but it was done. There was nothing to concentrate on now but the next stage of the plan. Asegill's hand was on my lower back again, like I couldn't walk without his support. I turned my head to give him a scathing look, but then my breath left my body and I stopped dead in my tracks. Far off in the distance was a shoreline. My mind raced, it wasn't possible! But sure enough on the horizon, lit up by a setting sun, was no little island. Instead it was a massive sea coast that stretched too far off to the right and left for me to see an end. But by the land's own shoreline I could see massive snow capped mountains, rising up so high, I had to crane my neck to see the tops. I heard voices but I wasn't listening. My thoughts jumped around, like my mind's wet hands were trying to grasp the soapy bar of reason. Could we be back in the states? No, we would never have reached them in a couple of days. And I'd never seen mountains like that anywhere. Canada then? China? Doctor Dolittle's floating island? No explanation made sense, no reason to be found. Except... Asegill's explanation. Oh no, oh god no no nonononono. There was no way what he said could be true? Could it? I felt a shake of my shoulders and realized that I was staring into Asegill's eyes. He was bent down tilting my chin up. He looked worried. My eyes refocused and I blinked a few times. "Francine? What is wrong?" I pulled my chin out of his grip and looked around, we were alone on the deck except for a few crew men going about their business while keeping a distance. I cleared my throat, trying to gather my thoughts into coherent sentences. "What is that place?" I asked. My voice wavered, but for once I didn't care. He glanced over his shoulder at the mountains, casually as if he did every day. "Those are the fjallbani." He paused a moment. "The slaying mountains. They are the reason it is easier to travel around Asmondr by ship instead of going through them." he chuckled. "I suppose I should be thanking them, without them I wouldn't have found you in the water." "So that's Asmondr.." He looked down at me again, his hands fell off my shoulders as his eyes dawned in understanding. "You believe me now." It wasn't a question. I felt a massive lump in my throat and a bottomless pit in my stomach. My whole world was crumbling beneath me. Don't cry Francine, for god's sake don't cry in front of him. I spun around and ran to the side of the ship. I guess it wasn't crying that my body had in mind. I heaved the only food I'd eaten in days over the side of the ship and into the waves. Don't think just don't think. I breathed through my mouth and out my nose, closing my eyes and pulling on the old meditation techniques I'd picked up in yoga. I hadn't heard him move, but I felt Asegill pull my hair back and rest his forehead on the back of my head. "I am sorry." The first and only apology I hear from this guy has to be about the one thing he didn't cause. "how is this your fault?" I whispered. "I prayed to the gods to send me a wife. While I don't regret receiving you, I am sorry that I've taken you from everything you've known and loved." I laughed humorlessly to myself. "You didn't do this. And there's no such thing as gods." I spat in the ocean and wiped my mouth, keeping my mind blank. Pushing down any emotion that crept to the surface. With any luck I could just do this for the rest of my life. But the knowledge sat in the back of my mind and wouldn't move, your not on earth anymore Francine. I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Toto. I'd never watch a movie again... Shut up! Stop thinking. I straightened and turned around to face Asegill. The thought of going through anymore ceremony was daunting. "Do we have to do anything else?" "Ketill, my cook, prepared a feast. But you should retire." He never asked always commanded. But I didn't care anymore. I didn't care about anything. I was in another world, he had been telling the truth. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, even the salty air didn't smell right. It was too cold. I opened my eyes again and kept them centred on the deck of the ship. I didn't want to see those massive snow capped giants that seemed to flaunt their other worldliness. "Fine." I whispered. ~ Asegill had shared many wedding feasts and he'd certainly tasted better, though Ketill would never know, he'd never attended one with such a heavy heart. He smiled at the good natured ribbing, and cuffed a few shoulders at the bawdy remarks. The jibbing went on long into the night and escalated with more of the drink. It got even more personal when the shifts changed and the deck workers came down to talk about how Asegill's bride got sick... Right after his kiss. He sat though it all with a stoic but humorous attitude. But inside there was a restlessness that he didn't understand. Though he had been frustratingly trying to bend Francine to his will all this time, he never wanted to see her like this again. He would take her spitting fire and punching him over the dead defeated look in her eyes. She hadn't fought him when he'd commanded her, she hadn't pulled away when he led her to his room, she didn't say a word more. He was such a stupid fool, all this time thinking about what he wanted. He hadn't even considered that she had a family on her world, friends, maybe even a lover.. a husband? Jealousy rushed through him. Falki clapped Asegill roughly on his back. He leaned close and said in an undertone. "be strong, friend." Asegill glanced at his hands and saw they were clenched into fists over his cutlery. He could tell from the look in Falki's eyes that his own eyes were going pointed. He plastered a fake smile on his face and continued to eat, pushing the unwelcome thoughts to the back of his mind. The deliciously seasoned and fried fish tasted like ashes in his mouth. It was gloriously flaky Agerit Trout stuffed with a creamy mushroom sauce, but he couldn't bring himself to enjoy it. He may have taken her from everything she knew but he would give her a good life. She would always have any clothes or finery she desired, and there home would always have fire in the hearths and life in the halls. But far more importantly he would protect her and keep her happy for the rest of their lives. This thought soothed his beast, she may have had a husband before him, but she was his now. And he would see to it that he bested any other man her world contained. The night was long, even once he had finished his plate, Grimr would come forward with another platter of fresh bread and seasoned vegetables, and ask if he wanted more. Asegill knew that the boy was just trying to be helpful though he was getting increasingly annoyed. But it would be impolite to leave the table with a full plate. He suspected that this custom might be an explanation to why so many Asmondr countrymen were so large. The men were taking shifts, manning the ship and then coming down again to have fun. Asegill found himself thinking of what Francine was doing in that moment to often. Visions of her curled up in his bed and crying softly were tormenting him. He should be there for her. The men were currently singing an old song about a sailor who had braved the oceans and monstrous sea creatures, only to return home and cower in fear of his wife. It was all in good humour of course. That would never be him. Though, thought Asegill wryly, it would not be for lack of trying on Francine's part. Finally, late into the night as the men were winding down, Falki proposed they move the celebration above deck. Asegill smiled gratefully at his friend and took care to be the last to leave and made his way back to his cabin. He hesitated outside the door. He should be quite after all, she may have only just fallen asleep. Taking care to be silent, he unlocked and opened the door. Though Asegill's eyes were immediately drawn to the bed. He was startled to see it empty. The lantern in the cabin was flickering as bright as ever and Francine was seated at his desk again, she was sorting through various drawings she had made on his expensive paper. Her eyes looked fine, not red and puffy. There were no tear tracks on her face. She seemed to be so focused on her work that she didn't even glance up when he entered. For some inexplicable reason, disappointment twinged inside him. He knew it was foolish, but he had been looking forward to comforting her and holding her with out her trying to attacking him. He felt like a fool for thinking that realizing she was on another world would make her fall apart. He never should have left! If he had stayed with her he might have been able to comfort her enough so that she would feel she could let go of her grief. But no, he was quite sure that he was back to the beginning of this battle. He shut the door loudly behind him, she glanced up for a moment but turned back to her work before he could decipher her expression. Asegill pushed away his frustration and walked over to the edge of his bed seating himself to face her. "What are you doing?" He asked as patiently as he could. Francine set down the charcoal shaft and picked up a piece of paper. She held it up to him. it was a carefully drawn large land mass, not extremely detailed around the edges. But he knew a map when he saw one. "Is this Asmondr?" Asegill watched her eyes for a moment, but whatever moment of weakness she had had before was long gone. She was calm and collected now. He studied the paper, it wouldn't do any harm to humour her. "No," He said surely. "nor is it Heidinnland or, Fuglfit. Or any part of each." Francine's brow furrowed in anger and she balled up the paper and made a slash through a word on another paper. He leaned over to read the words on the paper. Canada, China, Scotland, Italy, Russia.. the list went on and on. He didn't recognize any of the words. Asegill sighed impatiently, "I told you this is not your world." "How do you know that? Maybe your world is in a part of mine." She didn't look up at him, she just kept drawing. She picked up her finished work and looked at him with the same question in her eyes. He glanced at it "No." She made a noise of frustration and set the charcoal down on his desk. "what does your world look like then?" "Come. We have both been awake for far to long." Asegill made to reach for Francine but she pushed her chair back. She got up quickly and stood with the chair between them. "I'm not going to stop until I figure out where I am." Asegill considered picking her up and throwing her in the bed, but he knew there was only one way to end her obsession. He stood up and walked to the wall of books, sliding back a panel at the top of the bookcase. Inside were a few dozen scrolls of varying size, he pulled out the second largest and walked back to the side of the bed. It only took one quick practised motion to roll the scroll out on the bed. ~ I walked over to the side of the bed slowly, I was afraid to look at what Asegill had to show me. It felt like every one of my hopes, dreams, and certainties were written on that scroll, what if, what if. I shook mentally shook myself, standing here like a coward wasn't going to solve anything. I peered down onto the bed. The massive scroll stretched further than my arms spread wide. It seemed too soft and oiled to be paper yet to thin to be leather. Yet more evidence that you aren't on earth. Shut up brain! Just shut up. Black ink swept over the massive landscapes in stunningly detailed coasts and dozens of mountain ranges. The occasional small drawing of ships and mythical creatures dotted the land and sea. There were hundreds of small drawings of medieval looking settlements of varying size. They all seemed to be on a shore line or river. I tried to look at it as a whole, but no countries sprang to mind. "where are we?" I asked. Asegill reached out and set his finger on a shore line to the north east. Next to it were a line of mid sized mountains. Wait, midsized? I glanced to the south and saw other ranges that doubled its size. I felt woozy, but maybe that's because I hadn't eaten or slept in the last... I couldn't even remember how long. I closed my eyes and tried to picture the map as landmass, without the mountains or intricate detail. Nothing.. I pressed the palm of my hand on my forehead. I felt a sharp pain over my left eye. I think I was starting to have a migraine. I was so angry and frustrated and tired and miserable. I couldn't ever recall feeling so terrible in all my life. I wanted to rip the scroll to shreds. I heard a smooth ruffling and opened my eyes to see Asegill rolling up the scroll. I made a hurried grab at it, holding tight to one end. "I'm not done with that." I said. "Yes you are." Asegill moved to remove my fingers from the scroll. "I told you! I'm not stopping until I figure out where I am!" I avoided his hands. Asegill exhaled sharply and dropped the map, throwing his hands up in the air. "Your never going to figure out where you are! Your not in your world anymore!" He said angrily. "You don't know that!" I shouted. I took that moment to gather up the massive scroll in my arms and back away. Asegill paused and took a deep breath, when he looked into my eyes I could see the anger in his expression. But I also saw pity, I didn't know how I felt about that. "I do know that." He said slowly. "I know that because I know about your world, My people have countless legends of it. And I know that our worlds are connected in the slightest way, but according to legends no one has gone to or from your world in ten generations. But even when they did come through, they never got back. Everyone in Asmondr knows this." I didn't want to hear this. There had to be explanation, there was always an explanation. I closed my eyes and cleared my head. He was right, his land didn't resemble anything Id ever seen, and holding his map hostage wasn't going to change that. I opened my eyes again and held out the heavy awkward scroll. Asegill handled it with a ease I envied. He looked ever so slightly relieved for a moment and he carefully rerolled the strange paper, I realized that it was probably worth a lot of money. When he had finished replacing the map in his shelving, Asegill turned around and looked at me with quite intensity. "Believe me Francine there is no way back to your world." "But you said that people have gone to my world!" I said desperately. "Never someone who had already been brought here. Why would the gods undo something they had done." There he went with the gods again. "I need to get back.." I pleaded with him with my eyes, trying to make him understand. Trying to appeal to whatever non Neanderthal part of him existed. But if anything his face hardened more. "Why? Who do you need to return to? A man?" The last words were more of a growl. For a moment I could of sworn something had happened to his eyes again. Was he jealous? he didn't own me. "What? No. My family! They need me." I tried not to look like I was lying. My family was filled with independent people, which included me. No they didn't need me, but still I knew that they would be worried sick about me. He seemed satisfied. "Daughters always leave home eventually. I am sure it will not be easy but they will move on." I wasn't giving up that easy. But I pretended to let his words placate me. I thought about how important it was to him that I wasn't with anyone and an idea formed in my mind. Maybe if he knew that I wasn't a virgin he would consider me soiled goods. After all that's what people from the dark ages thought. "Well I'm sure my old boyfriends will worry about me." His jaw clenched with an almost audible click and his eyes took on a possessive gleam. "I thought you had no man in your life." he spoke in a deadly quite tone. "Well I'm not with them currently, but we do keep in touch. You didn't think I was a virgin? No, I've had plenty of men in my life." Technically I wasn't lying. There was no denying it, his pupils lengthened again and stayed that way this time. Rage boiled in his eyes and I backed up until my back hit the wall. Calm down. I told myself. This is what you wanted to do, convince him you not a prospect. I swallowed and stared into his blue lizard eyes. He took a slow predatory step forward, my pulse raced. "You kissed them.. They bedded you." He stepped closer a dangerous look of his face. "Yes." I squeaked unsteadily. "None of them married you." He was right it front of me now. "No." If anything he looked madder. I shouldn't have to explain anything to him. But what little self preservation I had kicked in. "It's not exactly uncommon where I'm from." He reached out and threaded his fingers through my hair and holding the back of neck in a steel grip. He bent down until his face was inches away from my own. My entire body was frozen like a deer in the head lights on an oncoming car. "It is good then, that there is no way back to your world. Else I would hunt those men down and kill them myself." I only had time to assume a wide eyed panicked look, before he kissed me the second time that day. He didn't bother with a charade of an invitation this time. His lips encased my own with fire again. His other arm snaked around my waist and chained me against him, hard. He attacked my lips with a savage force that almost hurt. But still I couldn't keep the flames from consuming me. Heat scorched my body from head to toe, but I held still. I could feel my nipples harden beneath my shirt. I could feel an ache between my legs I had never felt before. I couldn't keep my mouth closed from him. he had me pinned against the wall so I pushed against him with my hands, I might as well be trying to push away a brick wall. I could feel his hard member again pressed into the V of my thighs, for the first time in my life I ached for a man to be in me. But I wouldn't let him win. What was there to win though? This was passion.. NO! No, this was a predator. With one had in my hair He pulled back just enough to growl out a barely intelligible. "Your mine minn hyrr, minn orsimmi" He grabbed both my hands in his left hand and pinned them above my head. And then he continued to plunder my mouth. I repeated the word in my head like a mantra. predator, predator, predator. Yes he was a predator. Like a savagely intelligent jungle cat. But the fire, the attraction would not abate. I couldn't say how long he kissed me. But I know I was hanging by the thinnest threads of self control when finally, mercifully, he stopped with a growl. He pulled his head back breathing heavily and raggedly as did I. Even though this was not what I had wanted my mind and body cried out in disappointment when he pulled away. I opened my eyes and took stock of my situation. I wasn't even on the bed, I was pinned against the wall by him. When had that happened? At least all of my clothes were on. I had won.. So why did I feel like I had lost? ~ Asegill stared at the swollen lipped beauty below him. She was strong. His beast continued to thrash at his control. She is ours.. claim her, it whispered. He had seen oh to clearly the men she had spoken of earlier. He could see it in his mind's eye, her face in sexual bliss and hunger as men crawled all over her. Just looking at her all he could see was places they had gone, they had touched. Never in his life could he have killed a man so easily as right then. Not even in the wildest battle rage. Not even if one of his own people betrayed him could have felt like this. She played with forces beyond her imagination. One moan from her lips, one press of her hips. And he would have shredded those clothes from her body and taken her then and there. But she was smart, she knew that even he wouldn't take her completely by force. There were some men who would, of his people. But they were foolish men who would awaken to blade at their throat one morning by the very woman they had considered theirs. No, a true man gained his wife's trust. Asegill could see the heavy lidded look in her eyes. She would succumb eventually. He wasn't surprised that she felt his fire, a berserker did not choose his mate idly. Francine appeared to be coming back to herself again. She blushed and looked away from him. Asegill moved his hand from the back of her neck to hold the side of her face. His thumb brushed her sensitive moist lips. She looked so sinful in that moment. Like a goddess of sex. Her darkly tanned skin was flushed and hot to the touch. Her hair so dark in the flickering oil lanterns it was black. And those green eyes with tones so dark on the outside and so light within. Her face had a softness to it that other women of the north lacked. He wouldn't change one feature on her, she was exotic perfection. Berserker: Captive of a Viking Ch. 04 Before she could object, Asegill bent down and scooped her up in his arms. He pulled back the fur lined blankets on the bed with one hand and deposited Francine in the middle. She looked like was about to move but Asegill pushed her back down on the pillows. "You need to sleep." He said. Her eyes narrowed but she didn't try to move again. Asegill pulled off all of his clothes but his breeches and moved to slide into the bed. This time Francine sucked in an angry breath and tried to slip out the other side of the bed. But Asegill grabbed her around the waist again and pulled her back against him. "You're not sleeping with me." Francine said darkly. "This is my bed. But why does it matter, we've already slept together." Asegill playfully reasoned. "I was unconscious!" she spat. "I think that is the point of sleeping.." "I don't " "Francine." Asegill gently interrupted as she strained against his hold. "Do not fight me on this. I will not move." She should consider herself lucky that this is the only price she plays for toying with me. He thought to himself. He felt her nails dig into his arm for a moment and then she slowly lowered her head to the pillow. Her entire body was stiff as a board. Asegill didn't mind, just the feeling of her body tucked into his was divine. His head was against her intoxicating hair. Surprisingly his beast did not demand more but seemed almost settled almost satisfied. It wanted more but it liked this too, he liked this. Still he wondered how long he could put off the inevitable. After a while Francine finally relaxed against him and then a few minutes later her breathing deepened into sleep. Asegill glanced at the flickering lantern, he never blew out the lantern when he slept. Otherwise he might awaken blind to an enemy. But then even if his orsimmi managed to get a blade to his throat before he woke. At least he would die happy. ~ When I awoke I found myself alone this time. I could still smell Asegill in the sheets and it angered me how much I liked the scent. I was glad I had slept in my clothes last night, it wasn't much of a barrier between us but it was something. I crawled out of the giant bed and ran into the bathroom. When I was done I checked the cabin door just in case and found it unsurprisingly, locked. I noticed a platter of food on Asegill's desk. I sat down at the desk and began to think as I tore into the food. It was some sort of sauce stuffed fish and it was surprisingly delicious. So his land was another world. I didn't like how crazy my thoughts sounded. Or maybe it was some little unknown corner of earth. Did that change my plans? I remembered Asegill's promises to make me his wife and after our kiss last night I knew I couldn't hold back that tide of passion forever. Maybe he wasn't human with those strange eyes of his. Besides, I could never have a relationship with someone so... Powerful. It wasn't the word I expected to think of, but it did fit. He holds way to much power over me. Francine took a sip of water from a cup on the platter. Not only physically but sexually and social status, he was a captain after all. No I had always found peace in balance, maybe not soul searing passion. But peace was better. Or is it just safer... Some unhelpful part of my mind whispered. If I go with him to the docks... Where had he said we were going? I couldn't remember. Well if I lose myself in the city then maybe I could find someone who could help me, or hide me. If this is earth I should be able to find a phone. But if its not? My pessimistic mind murmured. Then I'd look for a way to get back, he said there wasn't a way but why should I trust him? Ultimately all these reasons made me certain I had to escape him. I finished the food and walked over to where the shirt I had worn on the deck yesterday had been discarded on the ground. I dressed and found a comb and a small mirror in one of the dresser drawers and set to hair on my hair with a determined air.