He Who Sheds Blood With Me
Oh, finally a warriors great reward: a warm bath. Thankfully the Valkyries baths are not like the men, few showers here and there to wash the blood and dirt from them. The women have huge bathtubs where they could relax in group and maybe drink something. It was like an enormous SAUNA. when you often could hear them laugh and joke about the men under their command. Ylva doesn’t often participate in such common talks for their are always filled with silly comments but today was a particular and probably the only exceptional day. She did talk this time and took some of her several fellow sisters by surprise. She told them that this warrior save her life and he was very skilled in battle and that she was proud of finding someone strong and brave for the battles to come. Of course she did not speak further because like always, the girls wanted to know personal questions and Ylva leave that stuff for those who want to know about someone else past life, she for example didn’t. Past is past, sometimes someone wants to forget it, sometimes you don’t have one and she really didn’t want to disturb Kees by asking personal questions. Anyway she washed the blood and the mud out of her hair and body. For once in a week she felt like something made out of flesh instead of a sword who feeds on blood.
She got dressed and was ready to feed the hungry monster that her belly was the tables were not separated by specific genders, and you could see everyone sharing their food or randomly singing, the Hall was a mess and Ylva roll her eyes at the always crowded place the line for the food was endless but she waited patiently for her turn even if that means go nuts while waiting. it was finally her turn and she was served a copious amount of food, now was the time to find a place to sit in this mess of a place, but thankfully Kees have sparred a place for her, he did right?… right at the end. Oh, he also got a mug of mead for her, that’s nice. The corners of her lips twitch upward and with no hesitation she sits beside him. Words are no needed not with him, at least she discover that it was rather pleasant to not hear constantly the chatter of someone even if that one was a fellow partner of war.
“Thanks…” she mutters and promptly shoves the food into her mouth.
It wasn’t out of the kindness of his heart that he had brought her a tankard of mead. He didn’t know that there was a label for his behavior, but he knew well enough to understand that it wasn’t kindness. Juice from the succulent meat dribbled down his chin as he tore calm and methodical into it. He wiped it off with the back of his hand then continued eating without so much as a grunt in response to her gratitude. She looked barbaric wolfing down her meal in front of him -- a stark reminder of how better-suited she was to the culture of their people than he. His meal finished in silence. “I plan on being with The Völva tonight. If there’s a need for me send someone to seek out her clan. They’ll know where to find us.” He stood. “Don’t expect me back before the week.”
Kees waited for neither acknowledgment nor question from Ylva. He left without so much as a second glance, and no other person there found reason to stop him. His surliness -- a result that was credited to the childhood he’d spent as a thrall -- was deterrent enough. He was glad for the barrier. It was easier than the headache of camaraderie. Kees walked through the barracks with a purposed gait until he reached his tent then ducked inside. Its interior was as sparse as its exterior, and it didn’t take him more than a minute to gather his few personal belongings. There wasn’t much a man needed to take with him when the trip was a short one. He hung his large, silver battle axe from his belt then turned to exit the tent.
