Free Norse Valor by Constantine De Bohon

for
expletives.
    “Oh good God, you have no indoor plumbing!” she suddenly
cried out. “I need a shower. I smell funny. You smell funny. The eighth century
stinks, literally.”
    She looked so lost sitting there. Vakr knew there was one
thing he could treat her to. “Come with me, Svana,” Vakr said and rose.
    Vakr hauled her to her feet. He draped a buffalo hide over
her shoulders and took her outside. The snow had tapered off and the sun would
soon be setting in the distance. Vakr led her up a hill to a large hut that was
set not too far from the village. Once inside, he heard Svana gasp. The hut was
warmed naturally by the hot springs. A large pool was steaming before them and
lit torches burned in three corners of the hut. They were not alone. Vakr
scowled when Ari dragged himself out of the water. To Vakr’s dismay, he could
see Svana gaping at the huge man. Ari was nude, and his big body dripping wet.
    Ari was one of Vakr’s best warriors; he was also a good
friend, normally. Vakr felt bad about his wife’s demise, but the way Ari’s eyes
were devouring Svana made Vakr’s hackles rise. Ari was built as impressively as
Vakr. Ari’s eyes were dark brown and his hair was black as a raven’s. He had
shaven off his beard. He was still a young man having been married at a young
age to a woman he had captured from a distant village. Like Vakr, Ari was in
his prime and formidable. Ari stood for a moment and allowed Svana to take a
good long look at him.
    “We will come back,” Vakr growled.
    Ari picked up his clothing. “I was just leaving. I had hoped
to be bathing with my wife, but that will no longer be the case. My son awaits
my return.” Ari dried quickly and tugged his clothing on.
    “I am sorry for your loss,” Vakr said. He could see
something in Ari’s eyes that made him watchful.
    Ari looked Svana over. “You may keep the dress; I have no
use for it.” His words were nothing short of a heated growl.
    “Why don’t you just say what you really feel?” Vakr said.
For all Ari’s size and sometimes gruff disposition, the man was compassionate
and Vakr could see his raw emotion battling. His friend had a need to vent.
    Ari scowled at him. His look was fierce and he didn’t blame
Svana when he heard her large intake of breath and she moved to stand behind
him. Ari’s fists were balled.
    “We leave with great promises of wealth and I return to have
no one to share my life with. You forbid us to bring back slaves with your
compassion and half the women here are weak and starving. You on the other hand
have found yourself a woman. Someone to warm your bed and stroke your face,”
Ari raged.
    “I did not kill your wife,” Vakr said quietly. “We couldn’t
have stopped the famine. We have no power over the weather. Perhaps we would
have made a difference, but what if we didn’t? There would only have been more
mouths to feed and we would have starved sooner. You are my friend, Ari. You
agreed to accompany me, as did all of the other men. I personally did not kill
Ing’s mother or make little Joka ill. Have you not grown tired of the whimpers
of a frightened woman who aches for her own home and her missed family?”
    “Does Svana not ache for hers?” he demanded.
    “Svana is different; there is no way to return her. She also
has her brother. I have sworn to her that I travel no more.”
    “You are always traveling,” Ari snapped. “Even when you are
still, the ground moves beneath your feet; you have spent so much time on a
vessel.”
    “I said I will travel no more. I gave Svana my word. Until
we move our village and rebuild, no one will go anywhere.”
    Ari moved to stand only inches from Vakr. Both men were of
the same height. Svana was pressed up to Vakr’s back, trembling.
    “If you leave Svana alone, I will claim her,” Ari threatened
or promised.
    Vakr wasn’t altogether certain.
    Vakr and Ari stared into one another’s eyes. Vakr could see
the threat. He could also see the