Chapter Text
“Please, don’t kill me.”
I stare down into those wide blue eyes and the trembling pink mouth.
He smells clean and flowery.
I look at his legs as they peek out from underneath the weird brown dress he is wearing before focusing on the book he is holding to his chest.
“What is that you have in your hands?”
“A book. The gospel of St. John, I wanted to save it.”
I take the book from him and crouch down next to him.
He takes shaky panting breaths.
I flip the pages and shake the book to see if any hidden treasure will come tumbling out but it’s just a book with weird writing and pictures.
I start to feel his hand on my knee.
I slam the book closed and look down at him.
“Out of all the treasures I see in this place, you chose to save this?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Why?”
He opens his mouth but he doesn’t say anything.
I know Leif and Erik are watching on in amusement and curiosity.
I grab the priest and lift him.
He gasps then groans as I press him back against the wooden chest.
“Why?”
He shivers against me.
“Because without the word of God there is only darkness.”
I hear Rollo come in and I release the priest making sure to stand in front of him.
I know my brother would not miss the fact that this priest is very pretty and can be of some use before killing him.
Rollo inspects the treasures we found in this room.
He looks at me.
“This is a strange place indeed. We have been everywhere and we have found no women.” His eyes shift to the priest behind me and he nods. “Just these strange men.”
“I believe they are the priest of their god.”
“Take what you will, it’s what we came for.” Rollo tells the others who come in after him.
He walks towards me, a smile on his face and I can’t help but notice how his eyes keep going back towards the priest.
“Why have you not killed this one?”
His eyes don’t leave the boy behind me.
“He is worth more alive to sell as a slave.”
“I will kill him. We have no more room left on the boat.”
The priest starts praying behind me.
“I forbid it.”
“How can you forbid it little brother? We are all equals and I say he dies.”
He pushes against me and I shove him back.
I had this strong urge to protect the priest.
Rollo becomes angry right away.
He glares down at me.
“Does it really mean that much to you brother?” I ask.
He grabs his axe and takes it out on the wooden cross.
I can hear the priest gasp in shock.
Rollo walks towards the priest and for a moment I consider standing in the way again but we have gathered an audience and I do not want to show just how much I value this strange boy yet.
“That is what we care for your god.” Rollo tells the priest before shoving him away.
I watch my brother walk away and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Leif looks at me.
I turn to look at the priest who is crying.
“Come.” I say grabbing his arm.
He looks at the destroyed cross before lowering his head.
I grab a piece of rope that Torstein hands me.
“Hold out your hands.”
The priest looks at me.
I nod.
“Come on.”
He places the book inside his dress before holding out his hands.
His skin is soft as under my hands and resist the urge to touch my lips to his delicate wrists.
“Where are you taking us?”
I look at him and he stares back.
“Home.”
He frowns.
“But this is our home.”
“I mean, our home. You will all be sold as slaves.”
“Why must you take us? Why not just take the gold and the treasure?”
“Because treasure is not the only thing that can be of value.”
“Please don’t take us. We won’t tell anyone who you are or what you look like.”
“Gather everything, let’s move out!” I order.
I look at the priest one last time before turning away.
********************
I crouch down next to the priest.
He hides his book away.
I smile.
“What is your name?”
He does not look at me.
“Athelstan.” He says quietly.
“I am Ragnar Lothbrok.” I lean in closer to him. “What was that place called?”
He considers whether or not to answer me
“Lindisfarne.”
“England?”
He finally looks at me and I smile.
“Yes. It was foretold that divine punishment would fall upon God’s chosen people for all our grievous sins and so it has happened. And that is why I am here.”
I chuckle.
So naïve my dear little priest.
“No. You are here because I spared your life.”
He frowns confused.
“Why did you spare my life?”
I look back at Rollo who has turned in his seat and is staring at Athelstan.
I catch his eye and he turns his head away.
I look at Athelstan.
“I don’t know yet.”
I walk away and sit down at the front.