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Waging War Against the Heavens (Alvis and xanaphia)

Thorkell had not been inclined to further discuss his mother. Her descent into madness had been a trying time in his life, and had catapulted him into the life of a raider far earlier than most would have. Perhaps it had been helpful to him, to have survived all of it, and been made to find glory almost his entire life. But it had cost him his mother, his last few years as a child. He felt it then, the pang of heimthra again, but he pressed it away. He couldn't let himself dwell on that.

When she spoke again as he advanced on her, it was a curious choice to him. It almost sounded like she was making an excuse, more to herself than to him, vocalizing why she was not in the wrong to be wanting this, to be accepting of what was very likely an obvious outcome. He stepped close to her, bringing them close enough that they were almost touching. Memories of how they'd stood like this before came flooding back, remembering the times that they'd faced one another down, neither willing to give an inch, showing that they would not be cowed by the other, and he felt that same thing now, but changed. One of his hands came up to gently touch the side of her face, the rough callous there contrasting with her soft, temple reared skin.

He kept his gaze on her eyes, not speaking, not wanting to break the mounting tension of feelign that building between them. it was all coming to a head now, adn he knew that he likely wouldn't be able to restrain his actions if he didn't stop now. But he didn't want to stop, didn't want to restrain himself. And the look in her eyes made it look very much like she didn't want him to either. Thorkell leaned down, bringing his face closer to hers, still giving her every chance to break away from him, and brought his lips to hers.
 
There were no words from Thorkell. She was sure what she wanted him to say, aside from maybe talking her out of it. But there was no way Thorkell was going to talk her out this. Not with the way he was looking at her now.

Instead rough, calloused hands cupped her face. Thumbs played over her cheeks,  his touch gentle, at odds with his hardened digits. She mimicked him now, cradling his face in her hands, finding the skin beneath his beard and stubble.

Closing her eyes, she closed the distance between them, meeting his lips with her own.  Her hands slid down his face to his neck, wrapping behind and pulling herself closer to him. Breasts flattened into his chest as her mouth opened to his tongue.

It was her first kiss. She hadn't a clue what to do, all she could think to do was mirror Thorkell, and listen to her body. The blood coursing through her vein was sweltering, drawing pink over her skin. A flutter between her thighs consumed her thoughts, her reservations, her better sense. Gasping, she pulled away just enough to breathe.

"I want you," she managed to exhale before moving in to kiss him again.
 
Quick, steady actions from Althaea let Thorkell know that whatever reservations she might have been harbouring, they were laid to rest at this moment. Which was perfectly fine by him, the less he was worrying about her changing her mind, the more he could focus on giving her every reason to have no regrets about her choice.

He slid an arm around her, encircling her waist, pulling her to him with the same kind of fervour that she was showing, feeling a heat rising from her, from himself, knowing that if he was honest with himself, he wanted this as much as she seemed to. His arm keeping her tight, he bodily lifted Althaea off of hte ground, bringing her level to his eyes, keeping her there, and turning to the interior of the house, carrying her along, his mouth still locked to her, drawing out the kiss that the ey shared, enjoying the moment, the feeling it all evoked.

He came to his bedroom, the room that she ahd been using for some time now, but rather than simply lay her out ont he bed, he pressed her back tot he stone wall, leaning into her, using the pressure between them to keep her in place, and free up his hands. they slid along her sides, lower, along her legs, finding that smooth, soft skin that had drawn THorkell's eye more than once. His lips broke away from hers, and came to her neck, a little lower on her neck, before drawing his teeth along her skin.
 
Goddess, he lifted her so easily, not stopping kissing her as he carried her through his dwelling. She had already felt as if she were floating, and his actions only intensified this. She never wanted to come down from this feeling, never wanted to leave his arms.

She hadn’t thought about this moment at all before meeting Thorkell. Since she had come here, however, she found herself thinking about it, more and more. Fantasizing about how Thorkell might take her. Golden hair spilled across the makeshift mattress, looking up into his eyes as he get between her legs, clinging to him, as he moved inside her. She hadn’t expected this, but she trusted Thorkell to know what he was doing. Just lose herself to lust, to the feel of his body against her, and his lips on hers.

He pinned her to the wall, his hard body preventing from going anywhere. Still, she helped where she could, wrapping her legs around his waist, spreading herself for him. Calloused hand were rough on her supple skin, but she just sighed and hummed as he caressed her, her body grow warm and her skin growing flushed. There was a whine when he broke the seal of their lips, only to turn into a gasping hiss as he bit her neck.

“Thorkell…fuck…I…fuck…”
 
THorkell coldn't help but smile as he heard her. Such language from the priestess! What would the rest of her temple think to hear such from her? But then, they'd probably be more concerned that she was giving herself to a barbarian from the far North. Highly likely. Her legs going around him helped anchor her in place, and he took the opportunity to slide a hand along the smooth skin he found there. He didn't stop there, his hand sliding higher, over her thigh, rough hands dragging along the curve of her bottom, and then tot he skin on her side. Her dress was sliding higher, hiking up from his actions, and there was only a glimmer of thought, restraint that stopped him from ripping the garment off of her. But that glimmer did know that she had some attachment to it.

Still, he had to admit he was not a patient man by nature. And his nature was coming more and more to the fore.

Thorkell pulled her back from the wall, breaking her contact with it, leaning her forward into him in stead. He found her lips with his own once more, but knew that the contact would break in a moment as his other hand found her dress, and lifted the whole thing up, pulling it from her.
 
His hands were all over, running electric over her bare skin, as she found herself craving his touch. She didn’t question his actions as he pulled her away from the wall, didn’t think to even begin questioning his actions. Not while his mouth was on hers, and her body burned for him. But he pulled away as he stood her on her own feet, and before she could press herself back to him, he had pulled her dress form her body. The feel of air on her bare skin was a shock, even more then his eyes on her, taking in all of her.

The sudden vulnerability gave her pause. She wasn’t like the shield maidens, tall and strongly built, their strength imprinted on their skin in their muscles and scars. The work she had put towards her training was already having an effect, but was hardly visible on her figure. Still soft in many places, favoring the curves found on the statues made to honor the Greek goddesses. The Vikings weren’t know for being particularly picky, and she had even caught Thorkell’s sidelong glances from time to time. In the past few weeks those glances had excited her, as she grew more comfortable with what she assumed to be an inevitability. This was inevitable, and at least this was what she wanted.

She was positively pink when she managed to meet his eyes once more. Equal parts timidity and desire. Giggling with nervous energy, she pressed her nude body against his against, amazed by how his skin felt against hers. How his chest felt, as she flattened her breasts into it. “You…You will go slow, right?” She whispered, her breathing ragged, excited and anxious at the same time.
 
There was the handful of moments THorkell had with her simply standing before him, moments he used wisely, taking in the sight of her. Yes, very different from the women of the Felag, more like some of the women back home, some of the women that were at the courts of the more powerful nobles. Women that always drew the eye. Women that could get a man in a lot of trouble. At the back of his mind, Thorkell knew that Althaea had all the potential to be every bit, if not more dangerous than any of those women.

But that voice in his mind was barely a whisper now.

His hands went to her now bare waist as she closed on him, he could feel the conflicting emotions in her, knew her question was a good one, a fair one, especially for one such as her.
"Slow as I can manage, yes." He all but growled to her, his mouth quirking in a half smile. His hands tightened on her waist, getting a hold on her, adn lifting her again, turning around as he did so, and taking hte step needed to get to teh bed. He started to lay her down, one hand sliding up her back to ease her over adn nto just drop her suddenly. It also let him keep her close, putting himself over her. He kissed her again, fierce and heavy, beofre breaking off again. His lips were on her neck, then her collarbone, and then he was moving lower. His hands gathered her breasts, kneading them as his mouth wrapped around one of her nipples, his tongue circling along it as he nipped it gently with his teeth.
 
Althaea lost herself in his embrace, returning his hunger in each kiss. Hungrier, perhaps even, for a meal she had yet to sample. Each moment, each touch, each kiss made it easier to give in, to let this happen, to let go of a decade of celibacy. So engrossed in his actions, she hardly noticed him lying her down, not until her back was flat on the mattress. Not until his body was pressing her down.

This was what she imagined, so close, she have suspected they might have been visions. She wasn’t sure she actually believed that, but she would accept any self-justification at this point. Her blonde hair cascading over her shoulder and spilling across the mattress as he brushed it aside to kiss her there. Kiss her all along her body, leaving her skin to tingle in his wake. His hands were rough from years of wielding his axe, yet gentle as they cupped a breast, the soft flesh yielding to his touch. There was a gasp as he suckled at her, followed by her back arching to offer him more of her.

Her own hands were wrapped around his neck and back, feeling his muscles flex and strain under his skin. Feel him move against and along her. Her thighs brushed against the outside of his, her toes tickled his calves, as she spread herself for him Even with his pants still on he would be able to feel her heat coming off her. A building moist heat that made demands she could no longer resist or deny.
 
Thorkell didn't linger for long, feeling Altheae move under him, yearning, seeking, and he knew that he wasn't going to keep her waiting long. But first...there was still something to be done. His lips met his skin lower, the base of her ribcage, and then on her stoomach, shifting himself ever lower. He dragged his hands down along her skin, still savouring that contrast between them. Different lives, different tasks in those lives. Such a difference it made.

Thorkell moved into osition bewteen her legs, waiting a moment before leaning in. His tongue played along her sex, slow, strong, and deliberate. He lingred a moment on her clit as his tongue played along her, drawing outt he moment, the sensation, pushing her along. If this was to be the first experience she had, he woudl make sure it was one she would recall fondly.
 
It was easy to lie back, and let Thorkell take charge. Easy to get lost in his exploration of her body, as she explored her own desire. Whatever little voice warned her against this, was quiet now, drowned out by her sighs and moans. Drowned by the blood rushing through her veins and the pounding of her heart. Sensations that increased as he moved down her body, moving his head between her thighs.

Goddess, even just his breath on her sex drove her mad, shivering in anticipation. And then his tongue traced her slit, the hot muscle like fire on her flesh. “Thor…Thokell!” She gasped, arching her back into him. Her body twitched and squirmed and writhed, towards and away from him, seeking more and overwhelmed by what he was giving her.

Her thighs went over his shoulder, as it really felt as if it were the perfect place for them. She looked down the length of her body, at Thorkell, mesmerized by the movement of his tongue against and within her. Not hiding her appreciation, her wordless vocalizations and heaving breaths, “…fuck Thorkell…”
 
There was a part of Thorkell that did want to answer her words, the sounds she made as he got her started, got things moving for her. Really moving anyway. But that would make him stop what he was doing, and no one was interested in that. He kept at her, working on her for a few more moments, letting her build up, letting it keep building in her, but never quite letting it break. Each time it came close, he would back off again, drawing her along.

When he'd had enough of the build up, when he knew that she would never be more ready than she was now, he stopped. As he drew away from her, he undid the belt on his breeches, and let them fall. Now as bare as she, he moved up her body, getting over her, poised before her, and he looked her in the eye as he leaned down to kiss her again, beginning to press his member against ehr sex, gently starting to push into her.
 
Was this what she had been missing out on, all this time? What she had denied herself, in obedience to Athena? Maddening pleasure, that commanded her body against her mind. She couldn’t control they way hips squirmed and writhed, the tensing of her inner muscles, or the moans dripping from her lips. He stopped, leaving her whimpering and tensing and begging for more, for his touch, for him, and she pulled her against her as he crawled over her body. She opened her mouth to him, her legs rubbing the outside of his built thighs, already needy for this touch, need exacerbated by his ministrations.

Althaea cried out into Thorkell’s mouth as he pushed into her. He was so thick between her trembling lips, even as her desire soaked his meat, guiding him inside her. The friction of her virgin walls warred against the wet heat he had enflamed within her, a delightful, confusing sensation that consumed her. Armed went around his back, holding him tight as her body resisted and accepted him in equal measure.
 
There was no hesitation in her now, nothing that Thorkell coudl sense in her holding back, and he loved that feeling from her. It was meeting another side of her, one that he knew no one else would have had the chance to encounter. She was all but wrapping herself around him, throwing herself into this moment, and he didn't leave her waiting for it to continue. He pushed himself forward at a steady pace, feeling the heat of her enfolding him, fighting the urge to simply abandon his restraint. He knew that it was likely he would eventually, but not yet. Not yet.

That steady, gentle pressure finally bore it's fruit, adn THorkell felt his hips meet hers, felt himself fully sheathed in her. He held hismelf there a moment before he ground his hips into her, drawing out the moment, the contact. With an equal amount of care, he began to back his hips off, sliding himself partly out of her before pushing back in. This motion was smooth, but a little faster this time, a little more force. he broke away from her lips, his mouth finding the side of her neck, lips first, then drawing his teeth along her skin, then again at the junction of her neck and shoulder, this time a little harder. His hips moved again, repeating hte move, and a little mroe strength to it this time, as though he was building his momentum. A hand trailed down along her side, before coming to rest on her ass, lifting her up into his next thrust.
 
Althaea had thought the first time would hurt, at least some. Perhaps that was part of what made it so easy to stay celibate. Even if the pain eventually gave way to pleasure, there hadn’t been a man worthy of that suffering, not for her at least. Not before Thorkell, that was.

And yet, even as she prepared herself to endure, for him, there was no pain. Pressure, as he pushed into her, a nearly overwhelming sensation of fullness, but not pain. Even when their hips met again, and her body engulfed his length, there was no pain. Just the shuddering of her body, escaping as gasps from her open mouth.

He pulled out some, and her smooth channel collapsed as he did, just to open for him again as he thrust back in, a little harder and faster than the first time. Her body gripped his as he moved in her, each stroke stoking her fire, wanting, craving more friction.

Soon she got a sense of his rhythm, and she moved with him, legs tightening around his to pull him in. Meeting his hips with her own, to swallow every inch he had to offer. Soon the moist sound of his flesh in hers played background to her moans and sighs, an enthusiastic chorus of pleasure and hunger.
 
Thorkell slid a hand up her body, feeling the heat between them growing, the faint tracings of sweat on them both mingling together, his hand sliding up her arm, until he engulfed her hand with his, fingers twining together, getting a grip on her there. His other hand followed suit, getting a hold on both of her hands. He stretched his arms forward, pinning both of her hands over her head, keeping them there with nothing but his own strength.

Thorkell could feel that Althaea was as acclimated to him as she was likely to get, and ceased the restraint he'd been showing. Each thrust into her now was made with intent, force, shaking her body with each one, his breathing ragged with the now faster pace, the sight of her stretched out, pinned beneath him. He leaned back to her, mouth on hers, a kiss with all his pent up lust and aggression pouring out. Passion and fury were not leaving Thorkell in a state of calm, feelign himself starting to swell inside of her, knowing that he was coming to his finish soon.
 
He moved harder, faster, within her, his thrusts rocking her petite form each time. Althaea’s moans became shuddered cries, her only outlet as he held her hands down over her head. Her cries and her legs, trying to hold him inside her, squeezing with all her strength. But there was still no stopping him, no disrupting his rhythm, no pause to the pleasure he pounded into her body. His pace catching up to the temp of her pulse, consuming her mind her hungry slit consumed his cock.

“Thorkell! Gods, you feel so good!” She exulted, praise from lips most devout. Lips trembling, giving herself to him completely, until the trembling passed from her lips into her body. Goddess, was she dying? Her heart was pounding out of her chest, her entire body growing rigid and stiff. Clenching, as he moved against, gripping him tighter as his rhythm intensified. Slick muscles rippled and fluttered around him, nirvana like communion with Athena flooding her mind and her thighs. She tried to grasp his hands holding hers down, her legs growing tighter around his waist.

“Thorkell…” She gasped, as eyes rolled back into her head.
 
Feeling Althaea under him, seeing that she was falling into what looked almost like a fit, the whole experience was enough for him to reach an ending. He ground himself into her, leaving htem locked together as he felt himself release, a long wracking thing that made him shiver as it swept through him. He shot wave after wave up into her, more than he'd thought he would, the feeling harder adn mroe intense than he'd experienced from any other woman. He let himself relax some, lossening his grip on her, easing himself down onto her more gently, not withdrawing from her, but not pushing it any farther either.

He kissed her again, letting one of her hands go to cup the side of her face.
"Was it what you had hoped for?" He asked her, a teasing note to his voice.

"You are sure?" The Jarl asked.
"Not too many reasons a woman makes a noise like that my jarl. Thorkell has gotten much closer to her than we'd thought." The other man answered.
"So be it. Provided that this has not compromised her abilities, there is no issue, but it does mean Thorkell does have a weakness we might exploit at need." The Jarl smiled at the thought. He was gainign ground, ever so slowly.
 
Althaea laughed, blushing, embarrassed somewhat by her display of utter carnality. She had been perfect chaste and devoted to her Goddess, and yet, underneath all of that, she was indeed a woman capable of sensuality and desire. She took a moment before answering, took a moment to breathe, took a moment to recover from the passion of their union. Nuzzling his beard-scruffed cheek, she made meaningless sounds of delight, before she could finally speak. “I guess I finally understand what all the fuss is about.”

A few kisses later, she leaned into his embrace, resting her head against his sweat slickened chest. She was tired, and elated, and safe and accept now, in his arms. Filled pleasantly with emotions and his pleasure, it didn’t take long to fall asleep.

She dreamt of Athens. Of the temple, where Thorkell claimed they kept her a prisoner. Even now she wasn’t sure she agreed with him. She dreamt of her room and her bed and her things. Her life, before she came here. Was brought here, forcibly by Thorkell, who had threatened her life, and made love to her. These visions were not memories, she knew. Not recollections or nostalgic reminiscing. She would be back in Athens, once more, and soon. Before the week are up. After the next raid.

It was still early morning when she awake, the future still warm on her mind. Thorkell still warm against her, their naked bodies entangled in an embrace. While she was grateful to know Athena hadn’t rescinded her gifts for what she had done the day before, and while she should have been happy to know her time among the Felag was nearly over, she wasn’t. It wasn’t just because she had slept with Thorkell, she knew. She had a purpose here, a purpose beyond reading the ripples for the wealthy warmongers of Greece. She had found camaraderie here, among the Felag, and they were beginning to accept her. Still, despite finding that she liked the taste, this wasn’t her life. She wasn’t a killer, a warrior, a raider. She was a priestess, and her place was at the temple.

Still, she leaned over Thorkell, planting kisses on his lips. Kisses that started gentle, but grew increasingly fervent, remember his lips and on her skin and his body against and inside hers. She pulled back as his eyes fluttered open, and smiled, making no move to cover her nudity. Still, despite the playful attitude, she pulled back when he reached for her, instead choosing to speak, “The Jarl is going to call on you about another raid, which you will leave on within the week.”
 
THorkell had to admit that he was pleased with the turn of events. Althaea had been one unending surprise to have around, adn this was easily the most pleasant one to discover. No compunctions about whiling away the rest f the time here with her, as she snuggled into his side, he enfolded her in his arms, letting himself drift off. There was a flyutter of concern, remembering the last few times that he'd slept near her, and now he was far more connected to her.

All he could remember was that his head hurt. His wrists were chilled, the familiar and yet unwelcome feel of heavy iron manacles on his wrists. He was a prisoner, he knew that much, but he couldn't remember why, or where. There were words making it to his ears, but not ones that he knew easily. Not his native tongue. He took a deep breath. Her scent was on the air, he could smell Althaea nearby. But not as she was now, not the scent of the hot springs, the undertone of leather and wood smoke. THis was the perfumes, the oils, the scents of the temple that they'd taken her from, the way she'd been before. Thorkell felt his eyes snap open, the light of hte morning flitting in.

Was this prophecy? Was it fate? Was this something etched into the tpaestry of the world, and he was just approaching it? Or was this vision, this dream, was it for another? He'd not been sure it was himsefl he was seeing. And what did it mean? Too many unknowns. As Althaea seemed to be waking, adn had started to lead into what felt like a pleasant way to start the day off. Her withdrawl had him frowning, unsure what to make of this. When she spoke, he felt his back tense a moment. There was a very subtle cadence to her voice that he'd recognized. The kind when she spoke with complete and utter faith in what she said. He'd only heard her sound quite like that when she was speaking of a vision.

"It's likely he'll want you to accompany me again. But you are of the company, you have the right to decline such. Even if I am not here, the Shield Maidens would keep you safe." He said quietly. If his own dream had a grain of truth to it, he didn't want to risk injury to her if she went on the raid. But then he knew that trying to outright forbid her such a thing would likely only cause her to do the exact opposite thing out of stubborn drive. It would have to be her choice.
 
Althaea tried not to show any reaction to his words, stiffened ever so slight as he seemed to suss things out. Did he know that she still sought escape? Was he just trying to keep her here, with him? No, no he was just trying to protect her the best way he knew how. But even if she didn’t have the vision of returning to Athens, she doubted she would want to stay here. She wanted to be close to Thorkell, especially after last night.

“I should go,” she insisted, brushed some hair back behind her ear as she sat up. “I know I am not yet much of a warrior, and I still stand by what I said about not wanting to murder my country men, if there is a choice. But I am a healer, and my gifts would be most effective if I am present to administer them when the wound occurs. I should hate to think what would happen to me if I failed to save someone’s life because I was left behind here. I am not sure I can take on anymore debt, Thorkell.”

She dressed and accompanied Thorkell into the great hall, not interested in awaiting the Jarl’s summons. She wanted to walk in beside him, make a show of strength at his side. A mistake perhaps, cementing the idea that she was helpless alone, but that was true regardless. At least this way she demonstrated the allies she had cultivated.

“Seer! You are called upon to prophesize upon the next raid,” The Jarl commanded, just as they entered, “I should hope this is not an issue?”

“It is my gift, Jarl. The gift I use to serve and bring glory to the felag. Of course it is no issue with that,” She declared, unsure why he seemed skeptic suddenly. She did her thing, seeing the future in the movement of the water, reflecting the dreams she had. “A storm comes in four days, making the water rough, and the ground muddy, and difficult to march in. A raid must be made before then, if there is to be triumph.”
 
Dressed for the day, Thorkell had no issue accompanying Althaea. Her heading to the Jarl directly and not waiting to be summoned was something of a bold move, but he had to say he approved of it. It was the kind of thing the band valued, an independence of spirit. Althaea was showing herself to be better suited to being amongst them than she knew. The Jarl nodded to her words, and looked to Thorkell.
"Ready the ship, prepare the men. You will strike to shore and bring back what gods you can, remind hte Greeks that they are not rid of us, that they must still fear us." The Jarl announced, lounging on his throne. Thorkell nodded, but looked outside at the sky. It was clear now, but Althaea hadn't been wrong yet. Four days made this a tight operation. "Concerns?"
"Aye my Jarl. Should the trip go amiss, even slightly, then we may find ourselves stranded. The ship is not solid enough to risk during a storm." Thorkell established easily.
"Quite so! Then you must ensure nothing goes amiss then, hadn't you?"

Thorkell didn';t protest, knowing that there was no way out of this. He could make landfall, amke his attacks, adn get out quickly since there wasn't a clearly defined set of goals, but he knew that he still had to make it good, adn had to be carrying back enough plunder to make the trip worth it. A day to travel to a landing point, two days to raid and rampage, adn then another to reach home. Close. But he'd done similar in the past, before coming here.
"We depart as soon as the ship is ready. Canute! Rally the men, and get them moving. Yrsa, rally what maidens are willing, and head to the docks. We sail with the tides." Thorkell ordered. Canute and Yrsa didn't hesitate, but set to work.

Thorkel noted that many of hte men were looking at Althaea a little differently, there was a sense to them knowing what had happened. He wasn't terribly surprised, there were few secrets in the band, and he and Althaea had not been trying to hide what was happening. When he noted one man leering a little mroe poitedly at Althaea, THorkell rest a hand on her shoulder, lightly, but possessively, giving a grin and a scowl close together tot he man. The other warrior barked out a laugh adn went back to checking his gear, suddenly more interested in joining the raid than staying behind.

Provisions were set aside, not many since it was a short run, and Thorkell took a head count. Canute had managed to rally a good count of men, but Yrsa had more success than Thorkell had thought. Nearly every able Shield Maiden had assembled, making up nearly half the force. He made a note that such would change his tactics quite a bit, he'd need to make sure he put sucha force to use. It bode well for a fast raid. They put to sea, and began the journey. Far off in the distance, Thorkell could see the start of a cloud brewing. Teh wind was low, and it would take some time to arrive, about the time Althaea had predicted. Thorkell stayed close to Althaea, not simply out of protection, but to keep company with her.
"Is there anything else I might need to know about this raid?" He asked her.
 
Althaea wanted to just cuddle against Thorkell as they sailed, but she resisted. He had a reputation to maintain, and while it wasn’t like he couldn’t kick the ass of anyone who might mock him , but no point of letting it even get to that point. She didn’t know how she felt about being possessed by Thorkell, she did appreciate the implication of protection that came with it. Perhaps one day she would be strong enough to protect herself, and then no one would own her. She might still be with Thorkell then, perhaps, but as equals, like Thor and Sif.

Though, it wouldn’t be like that, would it? Wouldn’t, because her time among the Vikings would be coming to an end. She was going home, this time. Athena had shown her as much, and that was that. This was a good thing, wasn’t it? Wasn’t it what she wanted? But she knew she’d miss Thorkell, and what they had shared. What he had awakened within her. At least…at least she had him, once. No regrets of what might have been. Just the somber knowledge she’d never know it again.

"Is there anything else I might need to know about this raid?" He asked her, seeming to sense her guilt. She swallowed hard, challenging her conviction. Never before had she tried to change a vision. She wasn’t certain it was even possible. Did she want to change it? To stay with him, and the Vikings? It was nice, being with him, but the threat of violence still loomed overhead. What if he wasn’t close by next time, or another shield maiden? She be safer back in Athens, back at the temple. Back in your prison, she heard in Thorkell’s voice, but she pushed it aside.

“It’s not going to be as easy as the last raids. The Greeks are ready for you, and will put up a greater fight. Do no linger, do not get greedy. You will lose your people, if you do.” All of it was truth, and would protect them, if they followed it. Still, the part she held back made her stomach twist in knots in an undeniable sense of duplicity.
 
Althaea was not skilled in deception, and Thorkell knew it. But he had the sense to trust her. After all that they shared, he had to believe that she wouldn't betray him. Or so he chose to think. There was no other option to Thorkell. He either had his trust in her, or he didn't, adn he made the choice to trust her word. With that, he didn't question her further. There were a few glances at Althaea, as though her having been with Thorkell made her all the more appealing to the Norse. Thorkell only grinned at them in a vaguely threatening way. It was a way of warning them off of her without making an overt statement. Althaea and he had something now, a connection that he wasn't interested in shaking or breaking.

Thorkell kept his council to himself, that in and of itself a quiet vote of confidence to Althaea. The rest of the warband seemed to take that as an order. Yrsa and the Shield Maidens were a silent vote of other confidence, seeming to adopt Althaea as one of their own. And with the current crew, that meant half the warband at least supported her.

Her words rang true to his mind. It wasn't so long since the last raid that the Greeks wopuld forget their coming. Itf they lingered, there was a very high likelihood of them being brought ot battle by a larger force fo the foe. While Thorkell might normally revel in the chance for battle, he knew that his first task was to bring as many of the warriors int he band home. They were not in a position to get more people involved on their side, and a lot of potential to rouse the Greeks against them. Athens alone could put a lot of troops in the field if they tried, and that woudl make a problem. The Norse were dangerous fighters, but quantity was a quality all it's own.

When the sahip came close to te shore, Thorkell quickly assigned a small crew to keep the ship safe from any atackers. Then he was over the side again, landing in the shallow surf of the shore. He gave a tight smile to Althaea, silently calling for her to jump down to him, to trust him to catch her. Another raid, another attack and another trip inot the country with her alongside him. It was a good day by Thorkell's reckoning.
 
This was her last chance, Althaea realized as she was leaving the ship. She could make up some excuse to stay with the ship, and could possibly thwart her vision. If that was what she wanted, it would be easy. She was close enough that they could bring back any injured in time for her to heal, while keeping true to her pacifist ways. With half the crew remaining with the ship being shield maidens, she knew she’d be safe, too.

Could she defy the will of the Gods? Could she stand with the felag in the face of her vision? What if she did stay, and this defiance angered the Gods such that they rescinded her gifts? The felag would abandon her in a heartbeat, her fighting skills still not worthy of the band. Would Thorkell still want her? Or would she be punished, the punishment that had been denied from the last raid?

The look on Thorkell’s face bid her to decide, and decide quickly. She could see the trust in his eyes, as he told her without words that she could trust him. And she did. She had for some time now, with everything she was. But what could she do, really? The Gods had spoken, and she was their servant, first and foremost. So she jumped into his arms, unable to put form her mind the way he carried her to his bedroom as his arms went around her. Sliding down his body, she was once more in the knee deep water.

There were a few hours of daylight left, and from what she recalled of the last raid, they would rest first, to be ready to fight under the cover of darkness. She looked to Yrsa, who had led the marauders last time in the march, few able to keep up with the strong, slender shield maiden. She was realized to discover they were heading towards a different direct ion to a different cave to wait out the day. Still she remembered the shepherdess, her life ended before she could know the horrors of the Viking men. Before Althaea could be forced to witness it. All she could hope was that there were no unfortunate souls awaiting them in the designated resting place.
 
The sun was going to be going down soon, and Thorkell knew that they had a lot of ground to cover before that happened. They were on a tight schedule this time. There was a small part of him that wondered at what he thought might have been a moment of hesitation. That sense that there was something more at play than he knew came back, but he couldn't focus on that right now. Now it was all about the job.

Yrsa was on point, he face still split in a wide grin, running for the sheer love of the exertion. As far as Thorkell could tell, if they ever got back home, Yrsa was a woman going places. Her exploits from this time here would give her enough leverage to set herself up with a small warband of her own, and he wished her all the best in that endeavour. She wouldn't be the first Shield Maiden to be a leader, but she would be one that was remembered. As the band kept on the move, Thorkell did keep Althaea in sight, on his right, but not so close as to make it seem like he was trying to shelter her from the other members of the band. She had become more capable recently, and he wanted to make sure she knew he trusted her to handle herself, unless she felt she might need the aid of someone else. It was her right as a member of the band.

It was into the darkness of the night when Yrsa stopped running, well ahead of the band, and she was scouting the cave that they were to stay in. This one did show a little sign of habitation recently, but it had been empty for at least a few days. She raised her spear, tilting it to send a brief flash of moonlight on the steel of her weapon, signalling the rest of the band to approach.

It was close confines within the cave, with warriors breathing heavily from the constant run. Canute was ushering people into the entrance, catching Thorkell's eye.
"What's our plan? How long do we wait it out here?" He asked. Thorkell hesitated. Tight schedule, warnings not to linger.
"Not long. Have everyone rest, we move in a few hours. We cannot linger here." He ordered. Canute nodded, seeming to accept this. Yrsa dropped off of the mound of earth that was over the cave, and set up by the entrance to watch for anyone that might approach. "Even you Yrsa. We'll need you fresh and at your best for this." The Shield Maiden gave him a fierce grin, but dropped back a little inot the cave, adn leaned on the wall. She could doze there, but stil be the first one out of hte cave when they moved.

Thorkell found that a space had been left for him near the wall of the cave, and he dropped into place, looking about to see how Althaea had fared on the run.
 
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