Page 74 of Shared By the Vikings

“There are only three of you,” she said. “Hardly an army. I might be the extra warrior you need.”

“What is this talk?” Gunnvar stepped up.

“Ingrid wants to raid with us.”

Gunnvar helped himself to mead.

“And I know I can be of help,” she said, folding her arms.

“Help, you say?” Gunnvar drank, then set his gaze on her. He drew down his brows. “What would be a help was if you were here safe.”

“I want to raid.” She resisted the temptation to stamp her foot; that had never gotten her anywhere with her father and wouldn’t be likely to now either.

Erik and Gunnvar shared a look.

Good, a chink in their armor.

“I’ll stay back, with my bow and arrow. I’ll keep watch, fire only if I see it’s needed.”

“What if someone sneaks up behind you?” Erik said.

“You told me yourself, these foolish monasteries are unguarded, weaponless. I will have no problem fighting a Christian.”

Both men were quiet as they surveyed her.

“Please.” She frowned. “I have trained all of my life with weapons to do more than take down a foolish bird or deer.”

“That foolish bird or deer puts food in our bellies,” Gunnvar said.

“She can stay with me.” Tali walked over, his naked torso dust-coated. “I’ll protect her.”

“We’ll all protect her,” Erik said. “My point is, why should she need protecting?”

“It is no safer here on her own.” Tali nodded northward. “We know wolves roam, what else? What other English warriors. I say she stays with us, that way we are ready with our swords to slay any man, woman, or animal that threatens her.”

Ingrid swallowed, hardly daring to hope that Tali’s words had been heard.

Eventually Erik sighed. “Ja, she can come.” He waggled his finger at Tali. “But she stays back, and that means you must too.”

“I will.” He threw a quick grin at Ingrid. “As long as you share the loot with us.”

“None will be as treasured as Ingrid.” Gunnvar stepped forward. He cupped Ingrid’s face and stared into her eyes. “You understand that?”

She nodded. “I feel it, from all of you.”

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