by Desconhecido
“Suck me!” She leaned her breast close to his mouth. She gasped and whimpered in pleasure as he expertly sucked, licked and excited her breast. His beard hair tickled softly adding a new tactile feel.
She pressed her clit against his soft-haired belly. It ached to be caressed but she didn’t want to take time to strip off her undergarment just yet. She started with a slight circular motion. She gasped with pleasure. She pressed harder and he tensed his stomach to hold her. The suddenly harder surface contacted with still healing bruises and pinched swollen skin. This time she yelped in pain. She all but threw herself off him.
“Eireann!” Fridgeir sounded a little panicked. “Did I hurt you? Are you all right?”
She didn’t answer but lay on her side fighting the tears that threatened to spill. “Dog humping man-whores! Goat-sucking demon spawn! May their filthy pissers turn inward and fuck them until they fall off!” Her voice rose with her building rage.
Fridgeir sat up and set a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry that hurt!”
She shook off his hand and sat up still cursing. “Filthy spineless boymen! I hope their cocks swell up and burst like overstuffed sausage, spewing their stinking man pus in their diseased faces!” Her tirade gained strength.
* * * *
Fridgeir’s worry faded and he tried not to laugh. She comes up with the most vivid curses!
“May they rot forever in the darkest corners of the deepest hell with their pissers swelling like dead rotting pigs and their balls like huge turnips. And be completely unable to relieve themselves while being forced to walk in endless circles!” Her voice took on a gleeful but evil tone.
“I can just see the hairless worms trying to walk with their swollen manhood ready to burst like overripe fruit! Ah, wild one. I hope I never make you that angry!” Fridgeir grinned impishly. “I’d hate for my cock to shrivel like dried fruit and fall off.”
She chuckled and turned to him. “For you, I’ll have to think of a special curse.” She grinned and then sighed.
For a brief moment he saw sorrow and regret cross her face. It turned to an almost evil smirk as she continued to rake him over with her gaze.
“Should I be worried about what’s making you smile like that?” Fridgeir asked in mock fear.
She met his eye, then pointedly raked him over, her gaze lighting on his now flaccid cock. “I think it’s too late already.” She cocked her head slightly and sighed forlornly.
Fridgeir laughed and pulled his pants up. He continued to laugh quietly as he dressed.
“Do you want to try again?” he offered with a soft stroke down her shoulder.
She shook her head. “Afraid the mood’s been spoiled.” She sighed somewhat sadly as she fastened her bodice back together. He stood and offered her his hand.
“Come, wild one, we’ve a dry bed in a warm tent waiting. But next time, let me try a little harder to bring you pleasure.” He smiled as he leaned down to kiss her, so lightly.
A chill breeze swirled off the ocean, causing her to shiver suddenly. He swirled his cloak around her, ending with a soft brush of her cheek with the side of his hand.
* * * *
They reached one of the large tents made of well-oiled hide. The windbreak formed one side and the tent draped over fresh-cut poles. They weren’t quite tall enough to allow people to stand up in except in the very middle.
Eireann froze in the door. She felt slightly faint. The only open space lay in the very middle. Surrounded by large men. Fridgeir turned to see why she was letting all the cold air in.
“Forgive me, I thought I’d be joining you,” she quipped to hide her fear.
“You will be,” he replied evenly. “But I think you’ll take the outside. Not right for a mere slave to have the warm middle.” He winked at her.
She dropped her defiant pose. He understood and arranged things to suit her without making it look that way. Now she noticed that Saibh slept at the men’s heads, across the far end of the tent. And the three smaller bodies next to the windbreak were the young virgins. She’d had little contact with them, since they stayed staked well away from the fire circle, or safely on the ship.
Fridgeir nudged Arinbjorn. “Move to the middle, shield partner.”
Arinbjorn looked up slightly. “There’s room enough on the other side of me.” He grinned. “For a woman.”
Fridgeir snorted. “And what would your dear wife say when she heard you’d been cuddling my slave?”
Arinbjorn snickered. “It’s not what she’d say that worries me!” He moved over against Leif, who nudged Eirik over to the center.
Eireann had to crawl over the bedding to reach her spot. They’d laid a floor of soft branches and dried leaves and grass. As usual, they wrapped in their cloaks for warmth. With a good bit of squirming, they got Fridgeir’s cloak around them both. She faced the wall of the tent and tried to think of anything other than the large men sharing the small space. She had to admit it did make for a cozy, warm place to sleep.
Fridgeir turned his back to her but that put him face to face with Arinbjorn. He sighed and rolled the other way. He carefully kept his arms from around her, letting her decide how close he could get. After a while he heard her breathing slow. Now I can sleep too!
Chapter 12
Day 5, morning/afternoon
The morning dawned bright and clear. The sun quickly warmed the air and the tents disappeared back onto the Fire, along with most of the women. Eireann walked her sister to the shore. Puffy clouds floated well out toward the horizon and the sun bathed the cove in sparkling light.
“It’s alright, Saibh. It’s just a precaution. Do what they ask and don’t be afraid.” Eireann gave her a reassuring hug. “I’ll come by to check on you when I can.”
The day proceeded much as the last had, but with more horseplay among the men. She watched several wrestling matches, or whatever they called it, taking place on the beach. It involved men striking at each other and then one tossing the other onto the sand. Some times falling on them and pinning them down. Midmorning got hot enough they stripped down to just pants. She started to enjoy the show. Hard, sweaty male bodies working out, showing off made for quite a display! She’d never known a race of men so almost perfect! She wondered if they had to pass some sort of beauty test before they could join the High King’s company. She caught a glimpse of Floki and changed her mind. He seemed fit enough but his proportions weren’t quite right. He noticed her watching and grinned wickedly. He did fairly well at their games. But he still made her skin crawl! Just as it all seemed over, Fridgeir returned from his stint on watch. Eirik rose fluidly and beckoned. The beach got quiet, then burst into whispered chaos. She wondered what that meant.
Arinbjorn dropped onto the sand beside her. “You’re going to see a real treat. Not often Eirik spars with anyone and Fridgeir never can say no. Or give over. Should be entertaining.”
Cedric sat next Arinbjorn. “And educational, if you watch the technique.” Others gathered around them. She started to feel hemmed in, but the spectacle beginning in front of her soon drew her undivided attention. Eirik and Fridgeir stood equally tall, well over six feet, and both were exceptionally well-balanced and fit, but not crudely bulky. They moved with the sinuous grace of dancers. Or veteran fighters. The overhead sun glinted off their golden hair, Fridgeir’s just a shade darker than Eirik’s. They circled. Cedric offered a running commentary of their moves and countermoves but she ignored it. Too caught up in the dance like grace of their match. Strike, block, shift, turn. She did notice the almost inhuman speed of Eirik’s strikes. That Fridgeir could avoid or counter them at all amazed her. No wonder everyone’s gathered to watch!
The two closed in a classic wrestling grapple, each ready to sweep the other’s leg. Seemed like a foolish move for Fridgeir when Eirik’s superior speed got him in position first. Eirik’s forearm and elbow cut into Fridgeir’s ribs to twist and lift him as Eirik swept his leg. But Fridgeir moved into the throw, arm tight a
round Eirik’s neck. They went down, Fridgeir using their momentum to roll Eirik on to his back. Fridgeir’s other forearm locked across Eirik’s neck for a stranglehold. The crowd whistled and roared encouragements.
Eirik laughed. “Nice but you should have followed through faster.” Eirik’s free arm thrust between Fridgeir’s thighs and tossed him over. Fridgeir rolled to his feet just in time to dodge Eirik’s attack. They circled, looking for an opening.
Leif leaned over her shoulder to talk quietly to her. “Few will even try to match Eirik and fewer still can keep up with him like Fridgeir. They’ve been sparring since before they had the barest sign of a beard.”
She nodded and found herself rooting for her master. Sweat poured off him far more than off Eirik and his chest began to heave, drawing breath to his obviously overtaxed muscles. But he didn’t give up. It ended when for some reason Eirik let Fridgeir get in a sweep that knocked him off his feet.
Fridgeir reached a hand down to help Eirik up. “You going to pretend to be winded, too?” He shook his head. “You don’t have to let me win to salve my pride, Eirik.”
Eirik grinned and nodded slightly toward the watchers. “Thought you might want to impress your woman a bit.”
Fridgeir snorted and winked at her. “I doubt she bought it. Not with Cedric right there explaining it all to everyone!”
“Still, my friend. It doesn’t hurt for me to practice hitting the ground now and again. Someday, someone might actually knock me down for real.”
“Arrogant swine!” Fridgeir retorted. “Next time, I'll let Cedric or Arinbjorn soften you up for me. Then we’ll see!”
Eirik laughed and took his arm in a friendly clasp, signaling the end of the match.
Chapter 13
Day 5, late afternoon/night
Fridgeir gave her a wink then stripped the rest of the way down and dove into the waves to cool off. Eirik laughed and followed him. A few others joined them for some play in the waves. Eireann noticed that the bulk of the men stayed alert and armed even when not on watch. And once more the swimmers’ weapons stood up in the sand, ready to be grabbed at a moment’s notice. Watching their strong, lean bodies diving in and out of the waves started a warm tingle inside. A chuckle came from beside her.
“You could join them,” Cedric murmured, smutty humor written all over his face.
For a brief moment she considered it, just a heartbeat before panic set in. She focused on her hands for a moment to let the panic pass, then glanced at Cedric as he stood and stretched. A few had come out of the water already so others could go in. Much to her surprise, the older warrior stripped down and ran into the surf. Cedric had a stockier frame and enough grey in his light brown hair and beard to make her think he would be in his mid-forties, maybe older. But the lean muscle of a warrior still in his prime covered his frame. He turned and smiled provocatively at her just before he dove through a wave. She smiled. Even the old guy wants to show off in front of the women!
He stood up and called to one of the men still on the beach. One of them grabbed a thin, flimsy-looking spear and trotted out to him through the breakers. He took it with a nod of thanks and swam out before diving under the waves again. Twice he surfaced before coming up with a speared fish. Fridgeir, Eirik and the few still playing left the water and others armed with spears joined Cedric. We’ll have fresh fish for dinner!
She watched Fridgeir walking naked toward her. Tall, lean, strong and oh, so masculine! Her heart missed a beat—but partly in fear. He toweled off with his cloak before getting dressed instead of sunning. She glanced toward the cliff base.
“Thinking of taking a walk?” Fridgeir teased in a sultry voice.
“Yes, but I’m looking for something harder than that wet, shriveled wood of yours,” she quipped with a spirited toss of her head.
“Harder?” He looked offended.
“Ahuh, hotter too! Hot enough to fry a fish on.”
He laughed. “You want some flat stones to cook on.”
She shrugged. “That would do, for now.” She glanced at him coyly. Flirting came as naturally to her as breathing. A part of her feared the result but she really couldn’t stop herself.
Fridgeir gave her a warm look over, then waved to Leif, lounging nearby. They headed toward the base of the cliff to look for stones. She turned to look speculatively at the woods. She wondered if there might be some edibles to go with the catch from the sea.
One of the other men caught her looking. “Don’t even think about it!”
She swallowed nervously. “I was just wondering if there might be some greens or mushrooms or something fresh to go with the fish.”
He looked hard at her a moment as if deciding whether to believe her or not. “Likely—but you aren’t to enter that wood without Fridgeir.”
She nodded. He whistled and waved a couple others over and they headed into the edge of the woods with two of the other slave women. They let Chloe and Leocadia join her by the fire pit.
She turned to the fire. It would need the right coals in the right places. She grabbed a long stick and started shifting things around.
By late afternoon, the first batch of stone-cooked fish topped with wild mushrooms and wild onion filled the air with a delicious aroma. A salad of greens and flowers gathered from the stream area rounded out the meal.
“Fridgeir, I think your slave’s value just went up! She can cook!” Cedric gave her an approving nod as he downed his share.
“Yeah, but can she brew beer?” Giermund taunted, shaking an almost empty leather bag of wine. The gathered men laughed. And dove in with gusto.
It surprised her that they thought such a simple meal to be so fabulous. She wondered how long they’d been on trail bread, cheese and old stew.
They traded out as soon as they finished eating. Fridgeir, Arinbjorn and Leif left to allow another group to eat. Eirik and Cedric had gone before. She didn’t know any of the men left well, except Floki and Knut. But no one bothered her, not even Floki, though he stared at her often. She glared back and raised her brow, daring him to try something. A few other men near the fire ring sniggered at the exchange but said nothing. A couple even gave her an approving wink. They left Leocadia and Chloe alone but the other two were fair game once again.
She’d just set the last of the fish to cook when a horn sounded from the south. Less than two marks from sunset and the camp suddenly came alive. Men grabbed armor and weapons.
“Get those slaves on the Fire!” Cedric bellowed.
Eireann looked at the fish that would get burnt and quickly shoved it farther from the fire. A man roughly grabbed her.
“Leave it and move—now!” he barked at her.
She fought the almost overwhelming urge to pull loose. As soon as she was moving fast enough down the beach he let her go and turned to take his mail from his companion.
A ship rounded the promontory to the south just as they lifted her onto the Fire. It looked much like the merchant ship she’d been on, fatter and rounder than the longship, with a steeper prow and stern. It also stood higher above the water, providing room for a good-sized hold for carrying cargo. A few oar holes on each side allowed her to be rowed up to docks if necessary but she really couldn’t travel long distances that way.
One of the men urged her toward the small knot of women near the front of the Fire. She settled with Saibh wrapped safely in her arms.
* * * *
Eirik finished buckling on his mail, having just run from the southern cliff watch. His senior men waited, ready for action.
“Get that fat merchant on his feet!” Eirik bellowed.
Eirik could clearly hear the panicked calls of the ship’s captain as he ordered her swung about, obviously trying to lose way and keep away from the longship. Eirik couldn’t resist a grin. They hadn’t expected to see a drekkar and a full company of armed and ready Northmen. They need time to think! The sails came down and the ship glided to a stop, not far from the dock.
Eirik
walked purposefully toward the shore with his senior men. “Raise the trade flag!” Cedric called as he followed Eirik.
The ship wallowed while men scampered about on her deck. Finally a voice called to them. “We come to ransom my brother. Will you trade with us?”
Eirik smiled from his place near the mouth of the stream, and called back, “I sincerely hope you brought all the ransom! I think your brother and his son grow weary of our company. I promise you safe passage so long as you are here to trade for your brother’s life.”
Oars slid out and the ship eased up to the dock. A party of ten disembarked and made their way to the stream.
Eirik waited for them to speak first.
“Aah, we have the ransom,” a nervous-looking merchant offered. He had the same pasty skin and chinless face as the one they held.
“All five weights?” Eirik asked evenly.
The man became even more nervous. “We could only get four and two-thirds on such short notice. I hope that will suffice.”
Eirik cocked his head. “In truth, I think you owe us more. We dispatched your raiders and a nest of wild men.” The wolf grinned slightly and Eirik inhaled the sweet scent of their fear.
“Truth, Northman, we don’t mean to cheat you. We have nothing more we can offer save our thanks,” the spokesman offered, warming up to his task. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. “I often trade with one of yours called Sigurd. I always pay fairly. At least he seems to think so.”
Eirik called on his fire to read the man. He smelled nervous—but most did when facing him. There was something more. “And the other ships you have with you? Will they trade fairly or think to fall upon us in the night?” He grinned widely at their shocked and guilty faces.
“I…I assure you, we sailed alone from Alhenia,” the spokesman stammered. He stank of fear. And lies.
Eirik gave a slight nod to Cedric who turned and whistled. The men guarding the merchant and his son cut them free and started across the beach.
