Age of the Viking: A Twist in Time

The Unforgettable Face

Alice

The sound of the Raven over head letting out it's cry dragged my eyes to it. I looked around at the field I was standing in then brought my eyes back to the Raven who continued to cry out. "Why am I here? Why did I get sent to this time?"

The Raven swooped down towards me as I ducked down quickly. When I looked up the Raven landed on the staff of the old man I saw that night. "Hey!" I cried out as I ran towards him. It seemed the more I ran the further away got he was.

I cried out to him "Please! Why am I here?!" He lifted his staff and as it hit the ground I was ripped from the dream.

I sat up in a sweat as I was sucking in air as fast as I was pushing it from my lungs. I looked around seeing furs on the bed and floor. Weapons lining the walls. A pair of strong, but gentle hands pulled my face towards the source. "Alice? Are you okay?" I looked at the source as my eyes readjusted. Once my eyes settled and my breathing started to slow I saw Sigurd in front of me.

His eyes searched mine "Alice you seemed in distressed and kept saying no." My heart raced at the closeness of his face. "I'm sorry Sigurd..um" I moved back a bit. I knew I couldn't let myself gain feelings for him, especially when I go back to my time. If I let myself get attached to him my heart will just break when I do leave. He seemed a bit hurt if only for a minute. Then stood up. "Well I'm glad to see you are doing better. If you'd like I could take you to our seer." Seer? Wait isn't that what Valka was? "I would love that." I blurted out. Maybe the Seer in this time would be able to give me an insight on how to get back to my time.

Sigurd had left me to get dressed into one I could see is a dress with what I'm guessing is a vest to go over top. I found a pair of boots that looked to be my size as I slipped them on. Luckily I still had my socks because by the looks of it if I didn't my feet would hurt.

I walked to the door as a female guard opened it and smiled at me. "Sigurd sent me to stay with you and be your guide." I looked at her a bit confused on the matter. "Before I take you to see the seer, let me attend to your hair." Before I could ask she was braiding my hair along the side of my head.

It wasn't long after that she finished and we started on our way. "I know Sigurd sent you, but you haven't told me your name." She laughed a bit and looked at me. "I do apologize for that. My name would be Rae." I smiled at her. I enjoyed that name. "It is nice to know your name, mine is Alice." As we walked to the seer's hut she told me stories of a few of the adventures she's been on. I found out that she's Sigurd little sister. I took the opportunity to ask "Does Sigurd have a lot of women?" She laughed a bit at my question. "My brother? No, though he'll sleep around with a women after a conquest, but never gets attached to them." I couldn't say that her answer didn't hurt but I knew it would help me keep my distance from him at that point just until I get can back. "So he's a lady's man?" She shrugged but shook her head yes. "You could say that." She looked at me and I could see she was trying to read my face a bit "Don't tell me you fell for him already?" I stopped in my tracks and looked at her. "No, your brother and I could never work. In fact, if it's possible, could I stay with you?" She didn't seemed bother by the request. "I don't see why not. I'll be sure to let him know that you wish to stay with me instead." I could feel my cheeks heat up a bit and I could tell she enjoyed that.

After a moment, we reached a small hut and Rae smiled at me. " Well, I will wait here for you until after you are done speaking to the seer." I nodded though I did not want to go in alone. I took a deep breath in as I stepped through the entryway. Bones and herbs strung high above me. I looked around in awe. It looked familiar. The smells even were familiar. That’s when I heard the voice. “Sigurd said you’d be coming to see me. Though I was told even before that.” I froze in my spot. “By the looks of your stance it looks as if you’ve heard a ghost.” I kept yelling at myself to turn around. I knew I had to. I knew I had to look and see. I forced my body to turn and look. It was until just now did I notice I was holding my breath. As I let it go her name slipped from my lips. “Valka.” She smiled at me “Yes Child.” It was as if anger filled me. “Why am I here? Why me? How do I get back?” Question after question vomited from my mouth as if she’d know in an instant on how to answer them all. Her next words filled me with more anger. “I cannot tell you, for the answer doesn’t lie with me but within you. You were the one who cried out for change and do the Gods grant it.” This? This is what they had in mind? “This isn’t the change I wanted!” So much rage built up inside me, but her next words seemed to ease it “no but it’s what you needed. All I can do is help guide you but you must be the one to take the step.” All of this was just a bunch of bull. I didn’t ask to be sent here. I just wanted change from all my previous failures. I had worked hard and got my job to the point I could be happy. Now I just wanted a relationship to match.

I found myself sulking down and hold onto my knees. Her words may have calmed my anger but brought forth my depression. I had nothing to say about all of this and blocked myself. How am I to just be the one to take the step. I feel like all I’ve been doing is taking step after step just to get no where. How am I suppose to understand relationships here? Just so I can go back to my time and be let down? The gods do realize that men from this time are different from those in mine, or am I meant to stay here?

It seemed like hours since I found myself curled up confused on what I’m suppose to do. Nothing seemed to put itself together, nothing seemed to show itself as the answer.

I could hear talking but was lost deep in thought as I stared at the wall ahead. Before I knew it I felt a familiar set of hands gently nudging me. As if my body moved in it’s own accord to the familiar touch. I found myself being picked up. I could feel myself being fit as if like a puzzle piece against the body in front of me. I buried my face against his neck without a care. My arms snaked around to rest behind his head. I could tell the man was still talking to someone has he rested his cheek against mine as if soothing a child. Am I a child now?

Sigurd

I had gotten word from Rae that Alice seemed to be shutting herself down and away. I knew she must have been going through something hard especially with how I found her but I didn’t think seeing Valka would be this hard on her. What did the seer tell her?

I made my way to Valka’s hut and walked in looking for Alice. Valka appeared “This was way, Jarl.” She showed me to where Alice was curled up against the wall. Her eyes locked on to the wall in front of her as if she was seeing something. I looked to Valka. “What happened to her?” I knew there was a secret between a seer and those who they help, but I had to at least ask “I’m sorry Jarl, but you know I can not say. This is something she must go through. She has to find the answer in order to take the first step.” I nodded and made my way over to Alice. I gently started moving her and as if her body knew she moved with ease into my arms. It was as if her body was meant to fit against mine.

Once she settled I rested my head against her’s as Rae came walking in. “Brother, I am sorry to disturb you. She just wouldn’t let me touch her. She stayed frozen as if stuck in Jotunheim. “It’s fine Rae, I’ll go ahead and bring her back to my room” before I could finish Rae cut me off. “About that brother, she said she no longer wished to stay in your room but bunk in mine. I have a spare bed in there and I feel she would be more comfortable in there.” I stared at my little sister. “What made her want to chose this?” Rae looked around as if trying to avoid the answer. “Well brother, you see. She um.” Rae not spitting out the answer was starting to irritate me. “What is it Rae?!” I found myself yelling a bit and I felt Alice flinch in my arms, tensing.

I did my best to calm myself. I took a deep breath in.

Looking at Rae I asked again “What did you say?” Rae stepped back as if ready to run when she needed. “She asked if you slept with any other women.” I tensed, this could be the very last time I hold her the way I’m holding her now. She was different from the other Viking women who just would try to conquer what they could and settle when I wanted. They were beautiful but not gentle like Alice. “What did you tell her?” Rae looked down “that you would sleep with them but never stay with them long.” Great my little sister made me out to be a man w***e. Though you could say I am but I would never do that to Alice.

I sighed in defeat. “Let’s get her to your room then. I’ll have a few people bring her some clothes for her stay here.” Rae seemed a bit shocked but nodded. With that we walked back to Rae’s room as I took in the last bit of enjoyment holding onto Alice. I felt that after today it will be hard to get close to her again.

Alice

I felt my body being set down after what seemed like a long walk. I could hear the two voices talking before the door clicked and with that I was pulled from my trance. I looked around confused a bit but saw Rae. “Rae, where am I?” She jumped a bit and turned to look at me. “Alice! You’ve snapped out of it.” She ran over to me. “You’re in my room, do you remember asking me to stay here?” I wonder if he knows or cares though I guess that gives him free will to do what he wants. Though he isn’t mine to be telling him otherwise. “Yea, I remember. Does your brother know?”

She looked at me and nodded. “He brought you here.” My heart flinched in pain but I forced a smile. “That was very kind of him to do so.” I couldn’t say that I didn’t feel a slight bit of pain that he seemed to give me up so easily, but it was what I wanted. Right? I wanted this? What am I even thinking? I had to want this. I had to get back to where I needed to be. Where my time is. I can’t let myself to slip from the reality that I don’t belong here. Plus I could just be another notch in his belt and I wasn’t about to be that. I will never be another notch in a someone else’s belt again. Now I just have to get home.