The Prophetess *COMPLETED*

Chapter 7

The stallion's gait was smooth, and I felt rather comfortable perched in it despite the Viking behind me. I did know how to ride easily since Albert taught me when I was a child, but a stallion had always been forbidden to me. 

The view from the path was astounding. We were travelling through a well used one going about halfway up the mountain, and it afforded us sights from the valley and its river below us. I stared, trying to follow its path. Throst obviously decided to tell me everything at once, for he started talking at length.

"That river comes from the mountain where my lands are. It flows near my village so we always have water and fish regardless of season. You'll like the village. All who live with me can be trusted, or they wouldn't be welcome in the first place. The forest is very green, with boulders in the banks of the rivers. These rocks are covered with moss where mushrooms grow freely. Most of them are poisonous so beware, but there are some which are not and we use them for food. Between the trees are shrubs full of berries although those too, you need to be careful about. There are many rabbits in the woods but you there are wolves as well. They are very large and hunt in large packs. You must not stray from the paths, or else you find yourself at their mercy, and they have none. Just last winter one of ours was found with nothing but his bones on him. There are also deer in the woods and we keep sheep for cloth and meat. I have a falcon that aides me in battle. His name is Wulf. I will let you met him. My sister Thora lives with me and she has a small son, Thorin. Thora's husband died last winter in a hunt, killed by a bear. Thora is herself a warrior and a healer, and she will help you recover your damaged chords, but she doesn't speak Saxon, you will have to learn our tongue. My house sits higher on the mountain than the village as I'm the chieftain, and there's a path from the village that goes to a private harbour on the other side of the mountain from where Ynvgarr's harbour is. Unlike my brother's house, my keep doesn't have drapes to divide spaces, I made thin wood walls to make each space separate, and we have skin and cut curtains as doors. The outside walls of the house are made of stone, covered with wood on the inside to keep the place as warm as possible on our harsh winters. This cold temperature you are feeling is autumn only autumn. We have one month of summer, or so it feels like it, a year, which half of us uses to go raiding for what we can't grow or trade on our longer voyages. Tomorrow, my brother will send the carts with your old belongings, and jewels and other possessions to distribute among my men that went with him. Now, you must understand that even though they might have been yours, according to our laws, they are mine, for you are my slave. Behave well, obediently and with honour, and you shall be bringing me honour as well. I have the right to keep you as slave for only one year, and then you shall be merely a servant in my home, not a slave. If you do exceptionally well as a slave, I may release you before. Do you understand?" He waited expectantly. I nodded and noticed then we had reached the village while he talked. 

The river he had pointed out was 60 paces away from the village, and I did see the boulders full of moss like he had described. They looked perfect to sit and bask in the sun after a swim. The village itself was very large and well kept, with orderly homes made so there were streets and even shops! Just as we rode in, there was an old lady with a cart who traded sweets with other foodstuffs others paid her with, and the people looked prosperous and happy. I saw servants going about in simple, clean tunics and they too seemed well treated and content, without bruises or wounds on their visible skin. To my astonishment, everybody worked together, servants and freedman working together in the fields near the village. These were fenced in and were surrounded by the wild forest on three sides. Seeing my look, Lord Throst told me more.

"This is a harsh land. Even the masters work alongside the slaves and servants otherwise we will not survive the winter. Everybody pulls its own here. And so will you." We arrived at the main house.