Chapter 34: Greetings From the Castle

"I am afraid I cannot do that." Erick stated, strolling inside the room. "You see, Astrid, I cannot risk the lives of everyone in Oliefsborg or the lives my wife and child." He stood on a single heel, staring intensely back at Astrid. "You are the only thing that is keeping them alive."

Astrid shook her head, raising a brow. "I suppose that it is their time to die." She shrugged, approaching Erick. "We all must die, for it is our destiny. It is time you accept it."

"Curse you!" Erick shouted, running at Astrid aggressively. "I thought better of you! I thought you cared for those you love."

"I love nothing anymore." She stated, crossing her arms across her chest. "You took everything left that was good in me, and now you expect me to care again. Erick, you truly made me a monster and now you will get to see it come out of me!"

Erick angrily inched himself closer to Astrid. She stood erect, arching her shoulders back with pride.

"I despise you." Erick gritted his teeth as he circled around Astrid. "I-"

"I do not care whether you like me or not. Quite frankly, I do not like you either. I hold no care for your wife or child! You all betrayed me." Astrid yelled, hastily cutting him off. "Can you not just leave me alone? Why does your world revolve around my life? I would have rather you just killed me years ago with my family than have me constantly wondering who will die next because I do not do your every whim." She glared at him coldly. "What is so special about me that causes you to search everywhere for me?"

"Bard has went mad with the thought of you burnt into his mind." Erick stated, stopping beside Lorna who was curled up on the floor. "You are the only one who can stop his rampage."

Astrid stared at him without speaking a word. She shook her head, looking around the room.

"I strongly believe that you all are insane." Astrid mumbled, locking eyes with Erick. "I have not seen anyone be normal from Oliefsborg!" She furrowed her brows. "I think the best thing that could happen for your people is to be wiped out completely and start over. You are all mad like a wild animal!"

Erick's flushed bright red with anger. He flared his nostrils and gritted his teeth. "How dare you speak of my people like they are some kind of animal!" he rared his hand back. "I spared you your life and this is how you repay me!? I valued you, Astrid."

"I have remained innocent." She replied, bracing herself for impact.

Erick huffed loudly, striking the side of Astrid's face. Astrid shook her head, regaining her mind from the hit. She glared back at him, holding her intellectual posture.

"Never have I betrayed you or Oliefsborg." Astrid stated. "I remained loyal to you as a master until you sold me to your terrible son! In Lundur I stared death in the face and yet I am the evil one because I fled to save my life." She angrily stepped closer to him. "You were the one who caused it all; not I. Remember Erick, you drew blood first; I am only here to stop the bloodshed."

Erick drew back again. "I believe you are making a mistake, Astrid."

Astrid slyly grinned back at him. "I am not the one who is making the mistake." She responded, tightening her posture once agin.

Just as Erick drew back to strike Astrid again, the doors burst open and in rushed Deman, with his sword drawn.

"I suggest you step away from my wife." Deman boldly stated, moving closer to them. Erick glared back at him, jerking Astrid by the arm. "I said, step away from my wife."

Astrid looked Erick in the eye, while another sly smile crept upon her face. "You cannot win, Erick."

"Bard will take you, one way or another." Erick stated, releasing Astrid forcefully.

Astrid remained beside Erick, staring coldly at him.

"Who is this Bard?" Deman asked, approaching them both. "I have heard much talk about him and would like to meet him. Do have him sent here so I can greet him properly." He stated, looking around the room. It was at that moment his eyes met with Lorna. He swallowed hard, dropping the sword that he held.

"Uncle?" Lorna whispered, melting into tears. "I have returned." She pushed herself up from the cold floor and stood before Deman. She smoothed out her raggedy dress, then folded her hands over her growing stomach. "I have missed you. I am so sorry for leaving." Lorna sped towards Deman with her arms open wide.

Deman raised his hand, signaling her to stop. "That is close enough, Lorna. Why did you return?"

Lorna's face was filled with sadness. "I regret leaving. They were horrible people." She stepped closer to him once again. "I am back to stay with you and marry whomever you so choose."

"Stop Lorna." Deman scolded aggressively, glancing back at Erick. "I am sorry you had to leave, but you are no longer welcome here." He pointed at Erick. "People like that man is your life now. You made your decision and-"

"Uncle!?" Lorna shrieked, rushing to him. She wrapped her arms around him, only to be pushed away.

"I, too, have made my decision." Deman finished speaking. He moved toward Erick. "I want you to bring me this man named Bard." He boldly stated. Erick opened his mouth to speak, but was swiftly cut off. "Do not argue with me! You will bring him to me and we will talk. Do you understand?"

Erick nodded, waving for Lorna to come to him.

"We will send Bard here as soon as we return." Erick informed, rolling Lorna out of the door.

Lorna looked back with tears welling in her bloodshot eyes, pleading for the mercy that Deman refused to give.

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In the camp, Bard stalked Erika as she strolled down to the shore of the river. She pulled a line up from under the water that held several fish. One by one, she placed them in a basket and began scaling them. Stopping for a moment, Erika fixed the same fishing line once again in the water. Bard staggered down to the where Erika was working alone. Filled with rage, he rushed closely to her, rudely hovering over her.

"Look at the whore that stole my earldom." Bard grumbled, approaching her slowly from behind. He slyly began circling around her, like she was his prey. Erika stopped her work and faced him.

"Well," She stated, pausing momentarily to rise from the ground. "You were not using it." A cocky smile crossed her face as she turned away from him. "I am not seeking trouble, Bard, so please just leave me be." She started to walk away, only to be jerked back by Bard. "Go back to where you came from!" Erika yelled, attempting to free her wrist with no success.

"Why did you do it? Why did you let Astrid go?" He asked, meeting eye to eye with Erika. "What I did with Astrid was none of your concern, yet you pretended as if she was and took her from me."

Erika clinched her jaw, pulling away from him. "You did not deserve her, just like you did not deserve your earldom." She glared back at him, rubbing the leather band around her waist. "You left her to die in the streets after you beat her. I brought her back home to save her life. When you leave someone to die, especially if that person is innocent, they become my concern."

"Did Leif do this? Did the old man finally get the nerve to take my earldom?" Bard asked, circling around Erika once more.

"He is dead." Erika bluntly stated. "When he died he gave me all of the power he held. You were nothing to him, and now you are nothing to anyone else. I am who they want. I am the Earl!"

Bard tackled Erika violently to the ground, where he held his hand over her throat.

"I will always be the-"

Erika knocked him from her body and pulled out a dagger that she hid in the top of her boot, placing it on his neck.

"You are so close to death, Bard." Erika stated, her eyes growing wide with rage. "But you shall never enter into Valhalla, for you are too much of a coward to live eternally where the great warriors feast. You would only die."

Bard wrestled his way from underneath Erika's tight hold around his midsection. Soon, they were both on their feet, facing down and ready to fight.

Bard smacked Erika hard, knocking her back. She quickly regained herself, making a tight fist.

"Only a coward," Erika blurted, touching her stinging face. "Hits a woman and acts like he is tough."

Bard straightened his posture, holding up his fists. "A typical-"

Erika cut him off with a punch to the nose. Blood poured from it freely, causing him to stagger backwards. Bard began taking several more blows to his face by Erika, drawing more blood from him.

"Insult me again." Erika stated, stopping her rampage. "I dare you."

Bard ran towards her, seeing through the blood that dripped into his eyes. She caught him by the neck, slamming him to the ground where she pinned him down.

An audience began to form around them, watching carefully as they fought aggressively. Erika punched his face until she broke the skin on her knuckles, making them bloody and raw. Igor pulled Erika off of Bard, while Erick arrived back on the scene. Erika wrestled around in Igor's grasp, desiring to return to her fight.

"Everyone return to your business." Erick brashly spoke, while the crowd dispersed. He neared Igor and Erika, who were both inspecting the injuries she sustained. "What is this? I leave for a while and you are killing each other on the shoreline. Whose side are you on, Erika!?"

Erika gritted her teeth, stepping forward. "Anyone's side other than your son." She spit blood out of her mouth. "Or yours." Erika turned to leave.

"We need you." Erick blurted, chasing after her. "You are our only chance to defeat-"

"I would never turn my back on those I loved." Erika smiled, resting her hand on Erick's shoulder. "Just remember that. I am not like you, nor will I ever be."

Erika strolled off with Igor, hand in hand. She returned to her camp, where they commenced to it packing up. Erick rushed to Bard's side, bringing him to his feet. Bard held Erick tightly, while his head spun violently in circles.

"They want to see you at the castle." Erick informed Bard, leading him back to their camp. "Astrid and the King wants to speak with you. You need to go."

Bard rubbed his head, wiping the blood and dirt from his face. "I am going to kill Erika!" He shouted loudly. Erick wrapped his arm around his shoulder, hoping that it would settle him down.

"No you are not," Erick spoke calmly. "You are, however, going to visit Astrid within the castle."

Bard nodded and set out for the castle.

¤§¤

Bard entered into the throne room where Astrid and Deman were at. He stared at Astrid closely, his wild eyes scanning up and down her body as if she was a piece of meat. Deman smoothly sipped wine from a silver goblet, watching the stranger in front of him.

"Can he speak out language?" Deman whispered to Astrid, who trembled ferociously. "I know the other man can."

Astrid shook her head, meeting Deman's gaze. "I do not believe he can. Erick learned from Jezebel, however, Bard could have learned."

Bard disgustingly licked his lips, flashing his carved teeth, which were stained red in crevices. "Astrid, oh my sweet Astrid." He arose from his tall-backed chair. "You do not know have much I have missed seeing your beautiful face." He jumped onto the platform where they sat upon their thrones. "Too bad you are married now," Bard stopped beside of Deman and began tracing his finger along his face. "I suppose I could kill him and take you back to be mine." He moved toward Astrid, placing his face close to her's. "You can live with me," he paused, pressing his face against hers. "Forever."

Astrid jumped up aggressively, pushing Bard away from her. "I hate you! I would rather die than return with you!" She pointed her finger at him, while anger boiled in her face. "Do not hurt anyone else because of me! I am the one you have problems with, no one else."

Bard cocked his head to the side, his eyes growing wide. "I cannot help it. There is a rage inside of me that craves death and I promise you will be mine in the end." He approached her.

Astrid stood perfectly still, breathing heavily. Bard placed his hands on the sides of her face, squeezing her head tightly. "I could have killed you."

Astrid pursed her lips, and spit in his face. "You should have." She jerked away from him, drawing her fists back. "It would have been much easier."

Deman rushed toward Astrid, standing in between them. "What is he saying?" He asked Astrid, who pulled a small knife from her sleeve.

"He is threatening me, that is all." Astrid said, moving back to face Bard. "I could have killed you too!" She yelled at him, clinching the handle of the knife. "You keep forgetting that."

Bard flashed another smile at her, showing the crazy in his eyes. "I think I am going to leave." He stated, walking away. He abruptly stopped beside Deman and touched his face. "Do tell your husband thar we have waged war and in the morning your kingdom will just be a memory, like yours was!"

Astrid's eyes boiled with anger as she watched him leave the room. Deman quickly pulled her into an embrace, holding her tightly and securely in his arms.

"They are attacking in the morning." Astrid mumbled, closing her eyes. "This is all my fault. If I had never fled, you would not have these problems."

Deman lifted her head to face him. "Do not say that." He stated, brushing loose strands of hair away from her face. "If you had not fled, I would have never met you or become happy again. I do not care about these men, they are just there. We can fight just like they can."

Astrid nodded, resting her head against Deman's broad chest. "Will I be coming with you?"

"No." Deman flatly replied, holding Astrid closer to him. "I cannot risk your life, for it is far to precious to me. Now, I want you to go upstairs and rest." He suggested, placing a light kiss upon her lips before returning to his throne.

Astrid nodded and wondered upstairs, distraught and angry with some form of hope for the future. Her feet dragged slowly as she entered into the dark bedchamber, where she plopped down onto the bed and let out a sigh. She stared over at the small, glowing lantern that  hung beside of her red velvet chair. A lonely feeling came over her, while anger boiled in the pit of her stomach. Camilla entered moments later, lighting the fireplace.

"Camilla?" Astrid asked, swinging her legs from the edge of the bed. Camilla faced her with concern written along her face. "Could you find me men's clothing," she paused, laughing slightly. "Something that could be worn into battle?"

Camilla approached her, sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. "Are you sure? Deman would be very disappointed in you if he knew."

"That is why he is not going to know." Astrid replied, leaning forward. "I need the clothing, Camilla. You are the only one who I trust to get them for me."

"Astrid," Camilla mumbled, folding her hands in her lap. "Why do you want to go into battle?"

"All of this is because of me." Astrid shared, rising hastily. "I have unsettled business to take care of before it ends." She paused, dropping her head. "And what if Deman falls, who will bring him back?"

"But what if you fall?" Camilla added, moving close to Astrid. "He will not know you are there in need of saving."

Astrid nodded. "So be it. I will have died proudly and that is all that matters."  She poked her chest forward, staring back at Camilla. "I just need you to help me. Can you do that?"

Camilla agreed, leaving the glowing room. Astrid returned to the bed, flopping down on her stomach. Closing her eyes, she began to drift into a sleep. Dreams of war and death filled her mind. She awoke when Deman scooted in beside her and took her into his arms. Astrid rested her head upon his bare chest, laying her hand on his muscular midsection.

"Morning will be here soon, and tomorrow-"

Astrid pressed her finger over his lips, and straddled him. "Do not say it." She whispered, leaning close to him.

The feel of his hot breath on her cheek sent a shiver down her spine. She placed kisses along his jawbone, running her smooth cheek along his stubble. Her hands rested upon his chest, tracing the outline of his muscles.

"You found parts of me, Deman, that I never knew are there." She pulled upward, stroking his face. "I found a love in you that I no longer thought was real."

Their lips crashed together, while Deman's hands moved down her back, reaching the hem of her nightdress. He slid it over her head, leaving her body bare in front of him. Astrid nodded with a smile.

"I love you, Astrid." Deman shared, pulling her closer onto his body. "One night-"

Astrid pressed his lips with hers. "Shh." She mumbled, kissing him lightly. "Forget about the world. Think only of you and I. You and I are all that matters right now." She ran her fingers through his hair. "You and I."

Slowly and tenderly, they made love up into the night. Astrid drifted off to sleep wrapped securely in his arms.

Astrid awoke when Deman crawled out of bed hastily, throwing on his clothing. She glanced outside at the morning sun, which was rising quicker than she desired. Down below, she spied Erick's army formed and ready to fight. Erika and her men were no where to be seen, however several of her boats remained beside the shore.

Astrid pulled herself together after several minutes of staring. Quickly and efficiently, she slipped on the black trousers and thick leather tunic that Camilla had brought to her the previous night. She gathered her weapons and left the room, chasing after Deman.

"You are not coming with us!" Deman boldly stated, closing all of the doors down the hall. He abruptly stopped beside the servants' rooms, inspecting Astrid's attire. "Go inside of the room with Camilla so I can leave you where it is safe." He motioned for Astrid to enter the dim room which held several of the servant women.

"No." Astrid argued, stomping her foot. "I will not go inside only to be locked in! I cannot let you leave my side!" She shouted. Deman shrugged his shoulders and let out a displeased sigh.

"I do not have time for this, Astrid." He spoke disgruntled, pulling the door shut only this time he locked it. Deman continued walking down the hallway without speaking a word more to Astrid.

Astrid followed closely behind him, rushing down the spiral stairwell. "This is not my first time fighting. I know I can do it."

"No." Deman sternly spoke, stopping cold in his tracks. "It does not matter if I die, I have already lived. You have so much more to live for, Astrid. Do not put your life at risk for a kingdom that means nothing to you." He paused, staring at Astrid intensely. "If I do not return, know that I love you so much. You gave me something worth living for."

"I am the queen of this kingdom. This kingdom means something to me or I would not have not dedicated my life to it when I could have been a free woman." She paused, glancing up at him. "We are a couple! Where you go, I go. What you do, I do." Astrid shook her head, with tears welling in her eyes. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck pulling him close to her. "You will come back to me. I know you will, for you would never leave me here alone."

Deman tilted her head up with a tender smile melted upon his face. "I would never choose to leave you." He kissed her lips passionately, holding her body tightly against his. "But God may say otherwise."

He pulled away from Astrid, continuing down the narrow hallway. "You must stay. Someone must be left to rule."

Astrid stopped, watching him depart from her sight into the outside world. She swallowed the nervous lump that welled in her throat and pressed behind him. The bright sunlight stunned her momentarily as she fell in line with the marching soldiers. Nervously, she watched as the gates opened and air was the only thing standing in between Erick's army and hers. She drew her sword like the other men, and held her long, black shield tightly in a sweaty grip.

A strange silence overcome both groups of soldiers. Astrid looked around at the men, scanning for Deman. She caught a glimpse of him at the front of the army giving commands. A loud drumming sound disturbed the silence. Her eyes wondered over to the Northmen where she spied Knute, who was front and center and painted with red war paint, banging his sword against his shield ferociously just like the other men. It was then, in a split second, Erick yelled and they started running toward them. War had begun.

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