The Viking Maiden Box Set

by Kelly N. Jane

“My whole body feels cold inside, like I’ve been drained. It doesn’t hurt, but I’m tired.” Gooseflesh no longer covered her skin, but the heat of the blankets had yet to seep into her core.

  “You're pale. You should rest before you have to talk with your father about all of this.” She rubbed Ingrid’s hand gently.

  Greta pushed through the curtain door carrying a tray with steaming mugs that smelled like roasted meat. “I’ve brought you both some warm broth. Eat up, then rest so you can regain your strength.” She smiled at Selby. “Both of you. I won’t let anyone else disturb you, and what I say goes around here.” She cocked an eyebrow at each of them.

  Ingrid sat up, and Selby wrapped more blankets around her shoulders while she sipped the broth. She climbed under the mound of covers, too, when Ingrid insisted, and they snuggled next to each other when they’d finished their broth.

  Late afternoon light filtered into the room despite the covered window and door. Ingrid was exhausted, but couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw images of bodies covered in blood or worse.

  “Are you awake?” Selby nudged Ingrid.

  “Yes.”

  “I know what happened out there today was weird and hard to understand, but you need to know, no matter what happens—I’ll always stay by your side. And, whether you like him or not, I’m not the only one. Jorg is all about you.”

  “What?” It took her a second to realize what her friend had said. I don't want to think about this.

  “He went wild trying to get you away from all those men. He even fought a couple, standing guard over you like some sort of protector. He almost hit your father before he realized who he was,” she said with a giggle.

  “Why?” Wings fluttered inside Ingrid’s chest as she thought about what Selby told her. An image of Jorg’s dimple when he grinned made her bite her lip to keep from smiling. What’s happening to me?

  “You need to open your eyes, girlie. He's always staring at you like he wants to grab you and run off into the woods.” She gave Ingrid a couple little jabs with her elbow, and snickered.

  “He does not. You’re terrible.”

  “Maybe, but if he looked at me like that, I wouldn’t run away. You need to pay more attention.”

  Ingrid thought about that. He likes me? Am I ready for that? “I can’t care about that right now. I’ve got to deal with whatever this hot-hands-that-heal thing is that’s turned me into a freak show.”

  Selby snorted a chuckle through her nose.

  “Besides, I’ve seen lots of girls flirt with him—including you, I believe.”

  “I flirt with all the cute boys, that’s just fact. And not the point.”

  “You’re impossible. Let me rest, I’m tired,” Ingrid said dismissively, and closed her eyes.

  Jorg’s smile and drool-worthy dimple replaced the gruesome images behind her eyelids.

  Queen Greta insisted that Ingrid and Selby continue to stay with her as the days passed. Ingrid’s strength returned and she did not have any more visions, but she was happy to have the warmth and care of her kind benefactor. Selby, however, itched to get out and explore the city, follow the men, and have the adventure she’d been hoping for when they left.

  When Ingrid’s father arrived on the third morning to resume his meetings with the king, Ingrid asked him to allow them some time away.

  “I can’t spare any men to go with you, and it’s too dangerous for you and Selby to go alone,” Father said.

  “We will be careful and stay together, Papa, please. We’ve been inside too long. Did we work so hard to get to Jorvik only to see the inside of a room the whole time?”

  “That’s not a very good argument. I could just say it’s a fitting punishment for your disobedience.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But I will allow you some time to walk around today. You can go along with Hagen on his business.”

  Ingrid pressed her lips flat and sighed through her nose. The last thing she wanted was to give Hagen any more chances to lord over her and make her feel like she was too young to be there. “Can’t you spare anyone else, Papa?”

  “No. If you don’t want to follow the leadership of your brother, you can stay here.” He walked to the doorway and then turned back to her. “I have meetings to attend. Shall I tell Hagen of his duties today, or are you staying put?” He cocked his eyebrow, and she knew that he would not tolerate a plan to sneak away.

  “We’ll follow him. But does he have to bring his friends? I think Selby might try to kill one, if we spend too much time together.”

  Selby let out a choked snort from the other side of the room.

  Chuckling, Klaus shook his head. “I will tell him to just choose one other to go with him. You do your part to keep your friend in line, and we’ll see who makes it home at the end of the day.” He pushed through the curtain door, and she could hear him laughing quietly as he walked away.

  It’s better than staying in, I guess.

  “Finally. I’m so tired of being inside.” Selby threw herself onto the bed.

  “I’m so sick of being coddled, though. We don’t need to be escorted.”

  Just then a knock came from the doorway. “Ingrid, we are leaving in five minutes. If you want to come, get your arse out here, or get left behind,” Hagen growled from the hall.

  Four minutes later, the girls stepped out of the front door and walked up to where Hagen and Jorg waited, a few feet away.

  “Let’s go. Stay close, understand?” Hagen commanded, looking from Ingrid to Selby.

  Ingrid rolled her eyes, but Selby cocked her head sideways and gave a wicked little grin. Taking a step closer to Hagen, then another, she stood only a half-arm’s length away from him. “This close?”

  Exhaling through his nose, the muscles in his jaw twitched. “Just keep up.” He turned and strode off toward the gates.

  Selby looked back and gave Ingrid a muffled giggle, which made her bite her lip to keep from laughing.

  From the corner of her eye, Ingrid noticed Jorg shaking his head, and turned in his direction. He smiled in a way that made his hazel-green eyes shine like sunshine on a meadow, and his one dimple was fully on display. Her heart jumped and made her forget everything else.

  I need to stop listening to Selby’s nonsense!

  “After you, ladies. We’d better do as he says.” Jorg stretched out his arm, gesturing for them to go ahead of him.

  Selby slipped her hand through Ingrid’s arm, and they walked off after Hagen. Ingrid shook her head, but knew the day would be eventful.

  They wandered through the streets toward the pier where they had first arrived, and Ingrid was again struck by the stench of waste and the mucky grime that covered everything. Rows of small houses sat side by side, leaning on each other as if for support. Ingrid was starting to question her desire to explore the city when they turned a corner and came upon a market street.

  It was lined with the same dilapidated houses, but each had tables set up out front with wares for sale. Packed with buyers and sellers, the corridor resembled a crowded, muddy stream filled with hungry fish.

  They stopped to watch for a couple minutes before navigating through the narrow passage. Handcarts were pushed, and wagons pulled among the crowd. Some were even harnessed to goats, and the group learned to jump out of their way.

  The girls stopped at a table featuring beautiful beads. Ingrid was drawn to the jade, teal, and cobalt-colored glass ones that sparkled in the light. As she ran her fingers over them, the amber bead of her own necklace illuminated, as if it had come to life.

  Ingrid felt the air around her thicken. The little hairs on the back of her neck tingled, and her lungs tightened, making it hard to breathe. Turning slowly to her left, she saw a woman in the middle of the street. The flesh on Ingrid’s arms rose in small bumps. The woman stood the length of two wagons away, yet even from that distance, a power radiated from her. Ingrid shivered as if it was mid-winter, but she felt drawn to the woman.

 
She moved to take a step toward her, and felt a hand on her elbow. Dazed, she broke her gaze from the woman to trace from the hand up the arm, and she found Jorg looking back at her. He had creases in his brow and a question in his eyes.

  “Is everything alright?”

  “Yes. I was just going to go see that woman over there. “

  “What woman?” His eyes roamed back and forth, scanning the street.

  Turning back to where she had seen her, Ingrid examined every face. “She was just there,” she pointed, “watching me.”

  “What did she look like?”

  “She was tall. She wore a beaded cloak with the hood pulled up, but I could clearly see her face. It was beautiful, and she had long, brown hair spilling over her shoulders.”

  Jorg furrowed his brows further. “If you see her again, don’t go to her alone. Make sure I’m with you.” He hesitated, then added, “Or Hagen. Promise it.”

  “What’s with the overprotective act? You two boys need to give us a little space,” Selby interjected.

  “There are a lot of people here, and it would be easy to get separated and lost, that’s all.” Jorg still held Ingrid’s elbow while he stared at her.

  She nodded to him and looked down. Up ahead a few houses, Hagen was buying several skewers of some type of meat. They walked up to him.

  “Here, try one of these. It’s dried elk, and tastes delicious." He handed a skewer to Ingrid, and one to Selby. “Don’t say I’m never nice to you.”

  As Ingrid took a bite of the snack, she felt the familiar tingle on her neck. She turned to find the woman watching her again.

  This time, the woman nodded with her chin that Ingrid should follow her.

  Ingrid nudged Jorg without taking her eyes off the woman, and he followed her gaze. Pushing Ingrid behind him, he glared at the woman, who raised an eyebrow as she looked back at him.

  As if a question had been answered, she nodded her head and then smiled at Jorg before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

  Hagen had noticed his friend’s movement. “What’s wrong?”

  “There was a woman watching Ingrid, but she’s gone now.”

  Hagen questioned Ingrid, and she repeated the woman’s description.

  “Let’s keep walking,” he decided. “We have business to take care of at the skeldergate, but speak up if you see her again.”

  “We don’t know that she means any harm.”

  “You are too trusting,” he arched an eyebrow at her. Lifting his chin to Jorg, he told him, “You stay on that side.”

  Jorg nodded, and they started to walk, with Ingrid in between them.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll stay right here, behind all of you. Safely protecting myself,” Selby whined in a mocking voice.

  Ingrid smiled over her shoulder. The boys pushed through the crowded street, making room for them to keep three abreast, and ignoring the angry comments as they did. Selby shook her head and followed.

  7

  They walked among the scattered barrels and baskets, stopping to admire fine fabrics or braided leatherwork. Selby purchased a beautiful filigree box filled with kohl.

  “Since when do you wear kohl?” Hagen asked.

  “Mind your own business,” Selby answered.

  “He just wants to make sure you’ll share with us,” Jorg teased.

  Ingrid chuckled as they enjoyed a moment of fun. Her mind was distracted, though, with the sticky mud and the clamor of the crowds that reminded her of the battle days before. The coppery smell of blood while she had tended the wounded, and the way her hands squished with gore plagued her memories.

  Could I really swing a spear or an axe at a person? Would I? Maybe everyone is right; I'm not supposed to be a shieldmaiden.

  She trudged along behind Selby. They left the tight corridor, and turned a corner toward the sounds of water. Up ahead were the river and a different set of docks, but the entire street was lined on both sides with shield-makers. Ingrid gasped and stopped walking.

  Skeldergate. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

  Rows and rows of shields leaned against each other. There were large ones and small ones. Some had pounded iron elements, while others were made of all wood. All of them possessed a beauty that entranced Ingrid. The intricate carvings of dragons, snakes, wolves, and bears marked some. Vivid colors or none at all made no difference in their beauty. The craftsmanship was extraordinary.

  Ingrid walked from artisan to artisan, admiring all the work. Some of the crafters also made weapons, and there were spears, hammers, axes, and maces.

  Lost in the dazzle of sights, she startled when Selby spoke next to her.

  “This is incredible.”

  Ingrid nodded as she continued to stare.

  “We need to speak to a man farther down to have a few more shields made for father’s men,” Hagen said.

  “They are all so wonderful.” Her voice held a reverent quiet, as if she stood in a holy place.

  “Come on, Ingrid.” Selby walked quickly down the street, but Ingrid slowed her steps, mesmerized.

  She came to a cluster of shields that were smaller than most. Ingrid put her hands on one, and a voice from just inside the hut’s doorway said, “Go ahead. Pick it up and see how it feels.”

  She did, and was amazed. It was so lightweight; her arm didn’t strain to keep it in position.

  “How is this possible?” she asked. “It’s so light. Wouldn’t it splinter apart if it was used?”

  "No, I use linden wood. It’s coated in linen rather than leather so it stays light. Still just as hard, and works just as well. It’s a good shield for tight places and quick action.”

  Ingrid looked down the street to where the others stood. Selby was turned toward her, and she gestured to tell her not to worry.

  “Do you think you could make me one? Light like these, and to fit my size?” she asked, lowering her voice as she spoke.

  He peered sideways at her, skeptical, before he answered. “Why are you asking me? Who does your family buy their shields from?”

  “They have a maker, down the way,” she pointed toward her group, “but theirs are not as light as yours. I have money and I will pay you myself.”

  This was true. Her skills at spinning thread and nålbinding rivaled someone twice her age, and the women of her village paid well for her help.

  “There’s no need to worry about what my family does,” Ingrid assured him. She pulled her shoulders back and met his eyes with an unflinching stare. “When can you have it ready for me?”

  “I can have it ready when you need it, but the faster I have to work, the more it will cost you,” he warned with a smile.

  Ingrid reached into the pouch hanging from her belt and pulled out a couple coins. “I will give you this now, and the rest when it is finished,” she said. “I will be back to let you know when I need it.”

  “Fine, I’ll get started with this, but if you don’t come back today, I will not continue.”

  “I’ll be back. And I’ll expect your best work when it’s finished.”

  The crafter gave a snort but smiled. Ingrid savored the independence she felt as she strolled toward the others.

  An hour later, as the group made their way back down the street, Ingrid stopped to adjust her gauntlets.

  “Is there something wrong? Are your hands feeling warm?” Selby asked.

  “I’m fine. Really. Go ahead with the others, I’ll catch up.”

  “I’ll wait.”

  “It’s okay. Keep walking and make sure the boys don’t make a big deal about me stopping.”

  “You’re up to something. What is it?” Selby squinted her eyes and chewed on her lip. Her eyes popped open when she looked beyond Ingrid. “You are going back to the shield-maker I saw you at earlier, aren’t you?”

  “Shhh.” Ingrid glanced toward Hagen and Jorg, but they were still ambling up the street. “Yes, but be quiet.”

  “Will he make one for me, too?” Reaching into
her own purse, Selby pulled out some coins. “This should be enough to start, shouldn’t it?”

  “Fine, but keep them busy so I can go over there. How do you want yours to look?”

  “Surprise me!” Her friend’s eyes gleamed, and she gave a little squeal.

  “Hurry and catch up to them,” Ingrid pointed toward the boys. “I’ll be as fast as I can.”

  “They are a couple of mother hens when it comes to you.” She snickered and hurried off down the street while Ingrid rushed over to the shield-maker.

  Not long after, Ingrid strutted up to Selby with a satisfied smile and gave a pump of her eyebrows.

  When they returned to the shield-makers’ street later that week, Ingrid was anxious. She wasn’t sure how she would explain what she’d done, or even how she would be able to pick up her and Selby’s shields unnoticed. To decrease the risk, she decided she’d pay for Selby’s, but leave it for her to snatch up on her own when they rolled by with the wagon.

  It had all been unwarranted worry, however. Everyone was so busy inspecting and loading the new shields onto the cart, that no one even noticed when Ingrid slipped away.

  There was a surprise waiting for her when she arrived at the shield-maker’s tent. He had understood her perfectly when she explained that she wanted something light for her size. He’d also gathered her desire to assert her independence, and had taken it upon himself to make another item for her: a wooden mallet.

  Instead of being made of heavy fir or alder in the usual manner, he’d used the lighter linden wood, like the shield. A sturdy loop of leather was laced through a hole in the end of the handle to secure the instrument around Ingrid’s wrist.

  The hammer was perfect, and when the man saw how it fit Ingrid’s hand perfectly, he offered to give it to her at no charge.

  “This is quality work and you deserve your fee.” Even if it were perfect for her, she wouldn’t accept it for free. She’d forced her way onto this trip to prove herself and she would pay her way.

  After a few moments of negotiations, they finally settled on a price that Ingrid suspected was still below value. But that might be helpful to show her resourcefulness to her father when she explained to him what she’d done.