1 Prologue

The morning was clear and cold, with a crispness that hinted at the start of winter. Valkya, free-spirited as she was, had run off towards the fields, surrounding their fishing village. She did care if it worried her father, all that mattered to her was the feeling of her feet pounding against the ground and the smell of the salt sea.

She whooped as the wind battered against her face, causing her long red hair to billow out behind her. Spotting a small fishing ship not too far from port, Valkya dove into the water and swam towards it, as fast as her twelve-year-old body could. The two fishermen could already spot her from afar, it was hard to miss her fiery mane. She dove in and out of the waves, adapting to the change of current whenever needed. As she reached the vessel, Valkya grabbed onto the two men and they hoisted her up with ease. She grinned and collapsed onto the deck exhausted. "By the All-father Valkya, you really are getting too old for this." one of the men said massaging his temples.

Rolling her eyes, Valkya sat up, and stretched, "Stop complaining, father won't let me train with the other boys so I have to find my own way of staying in top shape." "Hasn't your father already found a fiance for you?" the other man asked. Valkya gritted her teeth, "I won't be marrying that vatnisse!" She then stood up and dove back into the sea.

It was further down the coast, where Valkya came back onto land. She hated her father's decision to marry her off to some Norwegian shit. She spat a bit of saltwater out of her mouth, "Damn fanden!" Spotting a group of farm boys ogling her, she glared, and they scattered. Valkya sighed and slowly began making her way back towards the village, her wet clothes pulling her down.

She reached the outermost houses at midday, by now she was shivering. Her hair hung from her scalp, hard as ice. As she neared her uncle's large longhouse a thrall ran up to her, a large pelt in her arms. "Freyja Valkya, please put this on, you might get sick." she had a thick pomeranian accent, just like a lot of their slaves. Grabbing the pelt, Valkya swung it around herself and trudged into the longhouse.

She sighed in relief as the warm air washed over her and, waddling over the hearth, she huddled down next to it. "Get me something warm to drink!" Valkya ordered, and the thrall scurried off. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to relax and leant closer to the fire. Hearing the door slam open, Valkya rolled her eyes, knowing what was to come.

"THE SEA?" her father roared, "WHAT, BY ODIN'S NAME, WHERE YOU THINKING?" Valkya didn't respond, her eyes transfixed on the dancing flames. "VALKYA!" he snapped, and stomping over to her, he forcefully turned her around. Her father was huge, even for a dane, and that plus his thick red beard, made him look like Thor incarnate. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?" he asked exasperatedly. Clenching her jaw, Valkya tore herself out of her father's grasp, "I don't care!" and stormed out of the longhouse.

As she strode out onto the training yard, Valkya spotted Knud and grinning, waved for him to follow. The boy, three years her senior, rolled his eyes, "As you wish Freyja Valkya." He then picked up a few weapons before accompanying her out of the village.

It was a bit later when they finally reached the clearing. It was surrounded by trees, the tops of which had begun bedding inwards forming a makeshift dome. "Catch." Knud said, and Valkya caught the spear. The boy then picked up a sword and shield and hunkered down at the other side of the clearing. Valkya grinned ferally, and charged, her spear lashing out. Knud raised his shield and grimaced at the impact. Roaring, he swung at her, but she parried and drove the blunt end of her spear into the boy's side. He stumbled and taking the opportunity Valkya lunged, but she was too late as Knud, sidestepped and slammed his shield into her side knocking the air out of her.

Jumping back, Valkya grinned, "I'm only getting warmed up." She then let her, still, soaked furs fall off her, leaving only her linen undergarments. Using the moment to her advantage, Valkya leapt forward, and unable to defend himself, thanks to the shock, Knud toppled to the ground, with Valkya on top of him, spear aimed at his sternum.