Page 5 of Claimed By the Viking

“Even though he is blind, Signy?” The older woman shuffled forward.

“His sight shall surely return.” The younger one, this Signy, implored. “Leave him be.”

“Foolish girl!” If he wasn’t mistaken, it was the same terse voice that had called him mad when he’d roused. “Are you so simple that you cannot see the threat he brings?”

“Bothild chose me to take him in.” Signy’s voice was filled with resolve. “This doesn’t concern you,Móðir.”

“Hark at her! She speaks to me as though I’m green and know nothing. But let me tell you, child, I am not?—”

“Enough, Ulva!” The older woman, Bothild, cut short Ulva’s rant. “Signy is right. This man was given to her. If she thinks he’s no danger, then I suggest we allow her the time she needs to complete the task.”

Complete the task?

Whether it was due to the pounding in his head, Viggo could make neither head nor tail of the things Bothild said. Why not let this Ulva have her way? Let the true darkness consume him and end this derisible existence.

“You’re both fools!” Ulva snarled. “If he stays, then I cannot. The gods can decide your fate, Signy. I’ll be with Agneta.”

“Do as you must.” Signy’s tone had hardened. “I’m content here with him alone.”

“She wants his staff!” There came a cackle from some unknown woman. “That’s what this is about!”

My staff?

Fresh pain splintered his head.

He’d never been lucky where women were concerned, even when he could see… What woman would want him now he was but half a man?

“Bind him up then!” Another voice interjected. “Let her have her fun. ‘Twill be easier if he’s unable to move.”

“Aye. There’s only one part of importance, and it’s capable of rising regardless of the rest of him being trussed up! If young Signy has any trouble, call on me to help. I’ll have him pointing skyward in a trice.”

More laughing ensued.

It made no sense to Viggo. Did these women want to kill him or to rut? Had they been the ones to render him blind, all the better to subdue him?

“Stop this talk!” The kindlier woman spoke again. “He deserves our compassion, and I won’t restrain him. If he’s a threat to anyone, ‘tis only I. He can no longer see. If he escapes, what harm can he do? ‘Tis only himself he may hurt.”

“It is decided!” Bothild announced. “Signy will stay here with the stranger, and we shall see how she fares. Leave them now. He needs to rest.”

There were grumbles as the gathering departed. Only the old woman remained, moving close enough that he heard the wheeze in her breathing.

“I’m here should you need me, Signy. I grant you this freedom with the stranger, but I beg you to take care, and to call for assistance if ‘tis needed. You are precious… to us all.”

“Thank you, Bothild.”

What was that in the woman’s voice? Emotion?

If only he could look upon the scene! To know what was happening rather than having to guess.

“May Freyja guide you, child.”

He sensed the old woman embracing her, then her slow-footed departure.

Were his senses growing keener already in the absence of his sight? Or did he only imagine it was so? Perhaps this Signy was right that he needed to calm himself and gain better awareness of his surroundings.

He’d spent enough time in the ill-lit mines to know the importance of hearing and touch, relying on his sense of smell to know when the air grew too stale.

“It’s just us again now.” Signy sighed. “I’m sorry for… the commotion.”

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