Free Ragnar the Murderer by Lily Byrne Page A

body in contrast to Bjarni’s broader one. She must find out his name.
    “ That warm you up?” Bjarni kissed her happily.
    “ Oh yes. I love you.”
    “ I love you too.”
    She untangled herself from him.
    “ I’d better wash your hair away from this bank. The water here is a bit cloudy for some reason,” Bjarni chuckled, leading her away.
    Saehild felt lighter. There were ways to involve other men in her loving after all.
     
    *  *  *
     
    The group of Anglisc men marched towards Hallfridby in the early evening. On reaching the gate, they were halted by the Huskarlr on guard.
    “ What is your business?” asked one.
    “ We’ve come for our women,” said Maegla, who had taken charge.
    “ Oh yes?” The two Huskarlr chuckled, so Maegla stepped forward and knocked the spear out of one’s hand.
    Both Huskarlr bridled.
    “ We challenge you Danes to a fight for our women,” said Osfrith, Maegla’s unofficial second in command.
    “ Very well.” The Huskarl blew into the cattle horn he kept on his belt.
    Unfortunately Bjarni and another Huskarl hastened up just at that moment.
    “ That’s him,” muttered the Anglisc, gesturing at him in anger while the Danes conferred with Maegla and Osfrith.
    Soon, Steinar appeared.
    “ You cannot fight within Hallfridby,” he shouted, unable to lower his voice after so many years of commanding. “We will fight in the clearing between our villages.”
    Ten Huskarlr marched out, in full battle gear.
    “ That’s unfair!” exclaimed Maegla. “We are just farmers, we don’t have swords or spears. It should be hand to hand fighting.”
    After more conferring, the Danes handed their weapons to two Danish women who waited behind them.
    “ We have not left our village unattended,” boomed Steinar. “In case this is a trick.”
    The group of men reached the clearing, after much goading and provoking of each other on the march there.
    “ Right, pair up with a man of the same height and build as you!” roared Steinar. “A useful training exercise for all of you!”
    Ragnar was taller than all the Anglisc, so the tallest of them, Osfrith, stepped up. He was still at least a hand’s breadth shorter.
    The Anglisc and Danish women who had followed settled themselves round the borders of the area.
    Saehild didn’t understand why Bjarni was involved. As a married man, he had no direct challenger, but he wanted to fight, she could tell. Glaring at his opponent with a look of hatred she had never seen before, she quivered partly in fear, partly in arousal.
    Steinar marched up and down, giving instructions, then put his fingers in his mouth and whistled piercingly.
    The fighting began. The women round the arena leant forward eagerly, wincing and gasping at every blow. There were no rules, so some pairs wrestled, some hit each other, some tried any sort of tactics.
    Some of the women were becoming really excited by the fight, especially Leofrun. Her hand caressed her own breast, her mouth open, she groaned, eyes wide.
    Saehild watched the fight surreptitiously, feeling uneasy and becoming bored. Bjarni seemed to be easily winning his fight, similarly Ragnar, who seemed on a mission to destroy. Did Aelfwyn know of her lover’s violence? Perhaps she should fetch her sister and show her.
    She slipped away to Byrnstanham, stealing through the darkness.
    “ Aelfwyn!”
    Her sister jumped, and gasped with shock.
    “ Oh, dear Saehild!” She embraced her.
    “ The Anglisc men are fighting the Danes. They want their women back. I am a little afraid of what I have caused,” blurted Saehild, clinging to Aelfwyn. “Come back with me.”
    “ Is Ragnar…?”
    “ Yes, he’s fighting. He is so fierce, I am concerned for you.”
    “ Don’t worry, he is gentle with me.” She giggled. “I will come with you.”
    They set off again.
    The fight slowed. Many of the Anglisc were obviously tired and just hanging on out of stubbornness. The victorious men were sitting with the women, being