Chapter 12: Then We Shall Fight

As the boats stopped in the low tides nearing the land, Astrid felt her heart begin to pound, harder and harder with each step. The sound of the heavy, steady beats rang through her ears loudly, creating even more dreadful thoughts in her mind. The men began to jump from the boats into the clear blue water with their weapons in hand, unknowing what was to come once upon the shore, and their wildly painted shields strung upon their backs. It was not their mission to kill but to gather precious valuables to return to Oliefsborg and give Bayeux a Northman title.

Astrid jumped into the cool, clear water, landing with a splash, where she began trudging up to the shore. Iona followed closely behind her, terrified of what was to come. Astrid felt no fear or no real emotion except the few butterflies which jittered in her slightly nervous stomach, as she disembarked onto the land. The world around her was different. The light brown sand was soft and light to the touch. On up the shore was a grassy area which housed many colorful wildflowers that bounced around playfully in the wind, which gave life to a drab shore. The clouds hung low and depressed, showing signs of a potential rainstorm. Beyond the flowers were walls; Tall, light gray, impregnable walls.

As soon as each of the Northmen reached the shore, they began sitting up their camps. Some began gathering driftwood from the shore while others were pitching their large canvas tents made with heavy wooden beams. Astrid worked with Iona and several other women sitting up the weapons in a nice accessible pile alongside the shields.

"Do you think they will put up a fight?" Iona asked softly, putting up another sword in the circle.

Astrid shrugged her shoulders as she sharpened a battle axe on a whetstone.

"I do not know. I speculate that they will since we are entering into their homeland." Astrid responded, glancing around at the other ladies.

Their faces held the same fearful expression as Iona did. They were terrified and uneasy but there was no options left but to fight.

"I am certain the gods will give us a promising fate at the end of it all." Astrid reassured them.

The women pleasingly nodded at her remark as they continued working on the stockpile of weaponry. Astrid caught a glimpse of Bard and Erick coming towards her in a steady, yet speedy, pace. She arose slowly to greet them.

Her feelings had not changed towards them, if anything more hate boiled. Despite the fact he was handsome, Astrid still could not stand Bard's cockiness in everything he did. Bard's dashing looks was the only thing that was attractive on him, the rest was corrupt. Erick was sly in his ruling. Astrid knew he cared for one thing-wealth. Wealth was it, no feelings were in the man's heart but greed, and Astrid knew not a thing was meant by the sweet-nothing's he spoke to Jezebel, who was becoming greedy just like himself.

"You surely know something about these people, do you not?" Bard rudely blurted out making his way in front of Astrid and pulled her close. "You better speak up if you do, or else you will be punished." He growled in her ear.

Astrid leaned away from him and stared at them both carefully before opening her mouth to speak. No words came from her gaping mouth.

"I am sorry, sire, but I cannot tell you anything that could put innocent people in danger." Astrid finally spoke. "Punish me if you will but do not kill people unnecessarily. Forgive me."

Astrid slightly bowed to them with her eyes never leaving their piercing gaze. Bard looked at Erick and let out a drawn out sigh.

"We are not here to kill unless, by chance, it comes down to it. If we can gather assistance of how to go about getting what we want, it is pretty well insured, no more blood than need be will be shed. You, if you know anything, could be the one to prevent the mass bloodshed." Bard informed her, placing his hands firmly upon her shoulders. "Do you understand?"

Astrid looked down at the ground uneasy for several seconds.

"On Sunday the bells of the cathedral will ring throughout the land. Everyone in the village is obligated to go to a church. They will be unarmed and unprepared for an attack." Astrid mumbled. "You will have the upper hand and can take what you want peacefully and get out quickly."

Bard pulled Astrid forcefully into an embrace. "I knew you would be good for more than a play toy." He whispered softly to her. "I shall see you later tonight."

Astrid pulled away from him, glaring at him in disgust. "I shall never -"

"You and Iona scope out the walls," Erick cut her off, saving her from a hot argument with Bard. "See if there is any way in."

Astrid nodded at them respectfully before walking back to circle of women. She looked back over her shoulder only to find Bard staring at her intensely.

"Iona you have to come with me," Astrid instructed Iona, who was still holding a pile of swords that needed to be stood up. Astrid's eyes wondered back to bard who stared back at them displeased. "Now!" Astrid finished harshly.

Iona hastily stood from her ground and began walking up the rich green bank with Astrid, whose face was a shade of dark red from anger.

"Would you please inform me of what is going on!?" Iona asked stopping cold in her tracks.

"They sent us to scope the area." Astrid responded. "That is all we are doing but I am thankful to be getting away from there."

"As am I." Iona laughed. "I thought I would never get away from those women. You know all that time and not one spoke a word."

Astrid smiled slightly but never lost focus on what her mission was. They walked for several minutes until the ships were out of sight. Astrid examined the heavy gray skies that were dropping small raindrops occasionally.

"We should probably hurry before the rain pours." Iona suggested, eyeballing her surroundings carefully.

Astrid shrugged off her suggestion quickly continuing on up to the large wall. It stood tall but short enough that a person could scale it with no trouble if they used the right equipment. In the center of the wall was a solid wood drawbridge that could no be seen through. She investigated the entrance way for a few minutes before she began walking the perimeter of tall barrier, until they found a shorter area in the blocks. Astrid studied it for an long while.

"Give me a boost and I believe I can see over the wall." Astrid insisted, scanning it once again.

"Are you sure that is safe?" Iona questioned, locking her hands together to use as a step for Astrid.

Astrid shook her head. "I am not sure. I was sent to do a job and I will return with information, now boost me up."

Astrid stepped onto Iona's hands as she pushed her upwards, allowing Astrid to gather enough force to jump the rest of the way.

On the opposite of the wall was the French army lined up ready to fight, commanded by a noble man sitting upon a white and gray stallion wearing a full black ensemble lined with silver chainmail along with a square shaped helmet, which over half of the army wore. Astrid's mouth dropped at the tremendous sight. They appeared to have better weapons, shields and attire to follow through with a battle.

"What is there Astrid!?" Iona shouted loudly, getting the attention of the army leader who glanced over at Astrid sitting upon the edge of the wall.

"They are here!" The man yelled in French, drawing his sword out.

Astrid's eyes grew wide as she stared into the eyes of the rough French man. She put her trembling hand over her mouth as she studied the ground on where to land and jumped from the wall as fast as she could, landing flat on the ground. Astrid laid still for a second to gather enough air to get up.

"There is an army of French over there wanting to fight!" Astrid screamed at Iona, pushing herself up from the hard ground and staggering towards her. "We have to get out of here."

Astrid and Iona took off in a fast run as the arrows of the French began to shower down upon them, leaving them with no option but to move as fast as they could to get out with their life until they got out of range of the wall.

Iona began gasping for air while panicking. "We must get out of here Astrid or we will be killed! They will be coming for us" She cried out repeatedly while Astrid was thinking.

Astrid placed her hands upon Iona's shaking body to calm her. "Get yourself together. We will be alright. They will not come until they are ready to fight, for we are only two harmless and unarmed women. Now let us leave, calmly."

Astrid turned and walked back down the bank cooly, pretending as if nothing was happening. Iona followed a few steps behind her scared out of her wits, leaving her off guard. They walked in silence until the familiar sight of their camp appeared. Iona jogged into the camp and sat back down beside the women that she had been working with before she left with Astrid.

"Erick!" Astrid shouted at Erick who was sitting beside of Bard. "There is a French army coming. I seen them when I scaled a shorter place of the wall."

"Iona looks scared out of here mind!" Bard stated, inspecting Iona from a distance. "What did they do to you?"

Astrid squinted her eyes annoyed with a slight shake to her head. "They shot at us with arrows. The poor woman is so innocent and scared."

"She should have thought of that before she signed with my army." Bard argued, turning his attention back to Astrid.

"Well I think we have bigger problems right now than whatever you are arguing about." Knute said, walking up behind them. "Look." He pointed out the immense army in the distance marching towards them. "I think your plan is not going to work Erick. These people appear to be many things but peaceful is not one." Knute finished speaking.

Erick straightened his posture to stand erect, looking as powerful and proper as he could.

"If they do not want peace," Erick spoke strongly. "Then we shall fight."

Erick reached down and patted the sword which hung at his right side, then the small, yet convenient, battle axes that rested upon his left hip.

"Knute, gather the Warriors." Erick ordered, peering back up at the French who was paused at the top of the hill. "It appears that we are going into battle."

Thanks for reading. I am sorry this is a badly written chapter but I didn't know how to describe this part. I hope the next parts will be better. Thanks for being patient with me. So much has been going on my writing has kind of slipped behind me, but I'm back now! Please vote and comment! keep reading for more in The Viking Slave!!

-Thanks & God bless!-

Sarah Jane