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across the
fields toward the coastline. He would follow it for several days until he found
another settlement who might find him useful. With the return of Rennir and the
other men, he was no long needed and how could he stay to watch Rennir and Esa’s
love blossom once more? His heart hurt just thinking on it.
    The
breeze coming from the sea flowed over him, the salty scent almost erased the
aroma of Esa that seemed to stick to his skin. It was better this way. Elsa
might claim she loved him but she would forget him soon enough after some
attention from Rennir. He had been merely a diversion.
    Alrek
paused to take in the sight of the bay stretching around. The weather was clear
and the seas calm. He was making the right decision wasn’t he? He strode
further along the cliff top and froze. His heart stuck in his throat.
    Boats.
    Raiders.
    There
was no sign of the occupants of the boats which meant they had already made
their way inland. To the settlement. And to Esa.
    Alrek
turned and fell into a sprint. He recognised this sails. They were from a
settlement to the north and Alrek had fought them before when their men had yet
to head out on the expedition. The raiders were ruthless and the battle had not
been easily won. With so few men, he feared there was no way they would be
victorious this time. And he had left them to their fate
    He
sprinted until his lungs ached. Each intake of air felt raw and ragged.
Brandishing his sword, he released a cry when he reached the fields on the edge
of the village and spotted several men trying to pin down one of the women,
forcing her into the dirt.
    They
turned and released the woman, attentions now on him. He cut the first down
with ease—a quick slice across his throat. The second and third raiders came at
him at once and he received a nick across his shoulder as he ducked their
swings. He shoved his boot into the gut of one and whirled to drag his sword
across the other’s chest. When his enemy fell to his knees, he faced the prone
one and plunged his blade into him.
    Withdrawing
his sword, he snatched the woman from the ground. “Hide,” he ordered before
heading for the village.
    Chaos
reigned. The few men left were still fighting but women screamed and children
cried. He looked around for Esa or Rennir but saw no sign of them. A raider
approached but Alrek killed him quickly enough, driven only by the need to
protect the women he loved and the rest of their friends and family.
    He
ran to her home, killing anyone who got in his way. When he kicked open the
door, his heart dropped. Where could she be? And where was Rennir? He stepped
outside and peered around. The other women had likely made for the safety of
the hall and boarded themselves in there. Was she there?
    Alrek
sprinted across the dry mud. Any enemy unfortunate enough to get in his way was
dispatched to meet Odin. When he reached the hall, he released a breath. Esa
was there, a shield and sword in hand. She guarded the doors with Yrsa and a few
of the other women. As he ran over, several enemy tried to break through but
the women beat them back with the kind of savagery he only expected from men.
Apparently the women of the village were not as vulnerable as he had always
thought.
    A
look of relief washed over Esa’s face when he approached. “You are returned!”
    “ Já .
I saw the boats. I should not have left.” He glanced around. “Where is Rennir?”
    “I
do not know. He was angry and he left too.”
    “Why
was he angry?”
    “I
confessed my love for you, Alrek.”
    Alrek
cursed. They had both failed Esa and the other women by letting their emotions
get the better of them. He brushed a hand briefly across Esa’s cheek. “Come
now, we must see off the invaders. Yrsa, can you and the others defend the hall?”
    The
woman grinned. “Of course, Alrek.”
    “Esa,
come with me,” he ordered.
    She
shifted the shield and nodded. They ran at the invaders together, first killing
those who were out in the open.