Free Valhalla Hott by Constantine De Bohon

been lost, but we will
    do our best,” Ulfr said.
    Valerie didn‟t understand him, but she understood the sense
    of loss on his face. He was trying to be helpful.
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    Viking Warriors Book 1: Valhalla Hott

    “We will cut wood for the roof now. Do not fear, none will
    harm you,” Hott said and placed his hands on her shoulders.
    His words were unrecognizable, but his demeanor and
    expression spoke words she could comprehend. He motioned again
    to the roof. He gave a fierce look beyond her, and she realized he
    was saying she was safe here while he worked. She nodded up at
    him.
    Valerie picked up a crude-looking broom when the men left,
    needing to do something to aid in the disarray. This was her new
    home after all. She took a quick sweep at the floor, but decided it
    was useless. It was a damned dirt floor! She took the pot from the
    dead hearth, and scratched her nail at the hardened burnt contents.
    It was disgusting and smelled noxious.
    “I wonder if anyone has any blasting powder,” she muttered
    aloud.
    “Soak in river,” came a voice.
    Valerie looked over at an older woman standing in the
    doorway watching her. Her long hair was graying, but her eyes
    were bright with a look of wisdom beyond her years. Valerie felt
    herself warm to her immediately when the woman offered her a
    welcoming smile. She was much taller than Valerie‟s five foot six.
    She also appeared very powerful. The woman entered the hut and
    gazed around. Valerie had learned the words soak and river already
    so she understood most of what the woman suggested. She tipped
    the pot upside down, and clanked it onto a charred wooden
    tabletop with a scowl and a shrug.
    The woman nodded in understanding. She took Valerie by the
    hand and led her outside. Valerie was dismayed to see a group of
    about six young men in their prime, each one colossal, all waiting
    to catch a glimpse of her. The older woman grabbed the wooden
    broom and swatted at them without a shred of fear. Valerie was
    impressed when they scattered, only to regroup at a safer and more
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    Viking Warriors Book 1: Valhalla Hott

    respectful distance, grumbling in annoyance. Once more the
    woman propelled Valerie forward, giving her a wry grin.
    When they reached the river‟s edge, Valerie looked around
    self-consciously. A few of the men had followed, but again kept
    their distance. The woman looked at Valerie then pointed to
    herself.
    “Bera,” she said.
    Valerie understood it was the woman‟s name. Valerie pointed
    to her own chest. “Valerie,” she said.
    Bera put the pot in the water and scooped up a handful of
    sand. Valerie bent over to help then heard a huge whoop come
    from the men. She realized she had just offered a good view of her
    bare backside. She turned crimson. She knelt onto her knees, and
    tugged at the skimpy material. She concentrated on scrubbing the
    pot and, with Bera‟s help, they soon had it scoured clean with the
    sand.
    With the cleaned pot in her hands, Bera led her to a small
    swamp near the river. They cut cattails and reeds, and Bera
    gathered some leaves. She gathered many things while showing
    Valerie. She patiently taught her new words that Valerie repeated
    until she had them right. Bera asked her to repeat things over and
    over until she was certain of them and comfortable using them.
    Bera‟s patience was limitless with her, an endearing quality and
    Valerie was grateful. She could tell they would be friends.
    They returned to her hut with their arms full. First Bera threw
    down the aromatic leaves, next came the soft reeds they had
    gathered. They had stripped off the heads of the cattails and Valerie
    wondered what they would do with them. She didn‟t wonder for
    long. Bera was pounding them on a stone in the hut. She gathered
    the thick inside and worked it into a mass with water and other
    flour she produced from a leather sack at her side. She used her
    hands to knead the dough with herbs she had collected, and broke
    off balls she