For the next week, Bjorn kept Nerida by his side, the map a constant in their conversations. He asked her questions about the villages and the people of the world, Nerida telling him only what she felt he deserved to know. In the days since she had come to Kattegat, she had learned some of their language. Bjorn insisted that she learn, since having a tradesman eavesdrop on his plans wasn't something he wanted. Nerida noticed a shadow constantly following and watching her, a shadow named Ivar. No matter where she was, she felt his gaze, even as she slept, she could still feel him watching her as if their souls were somehow connected. They hadn't spoken much, but they didn't have to.

"Tomorrow we go see Floki." Bjorn said, Nerida scoffing and crossing her arms as she looked out at the open ocean. She missed it. Nerida missed being in the open water, the thrill of the adventure and promise of more riches.

"Floki must constantly ask me about my gods. He laughs at me." Nerida explained as Bjorn hid a chuckle with his calloused hand. The moment Torvi caught Bjorn's attention, Nerida left his side, wishing for once to just be alone. She tired of answering questions, Bjorn showing that he was not ready to take in the world.

The men and women of this small trading city were not ready for the dangers of the world. They were happy and content in their little corner, but Nerida knew that the spirit needed to soar. Nerida smirked as she saw Ivar sitting on a large rock gazing out at the ocean as if he had not a trouble in the world.

"Why are you here?" She asked as she sat beside him her hand grasping a handful of cold snow-covered sand as she watched it fall through her fingers. Her heart fluttered as she looked up at Ivar, his deep blue eyes reminding her of the vast Mediterranean.

"I wanted to see you, we have not talked since—since you gave me this." Ivar smiled as he pointed to a healing bruise on his chin. "My mother was not happy about this, she wanted you tortured."

"I have seen the worst of torture, nothing she could do would break my soul." Nerida admitted as she thought back to her dear friend Tanais. She remembered how those men beat and tortured them, but she knew she would never forget his screams, the screams that still woke her from a dead sleep.

"Have you, been tortured?" Ivar asked almost hesitantly, Nerida nodding her head yes as she looked out at the crashing waves, the harsh memories coming back to her as she still felt the sting of the wooden rod across her back.

"My crew and I landed in Italy, we raided a small village, but in the middle of the night came. My men could not fight them off, and I lost so many men trying. They killed everyone—but they did not kill me nor my dear brother, Tanais. They chained us up for days with nothing, but that was not the worst of it. They drug us out into a large crowd, stripped us naked and whipped us." Nerida said as she quickly wiped a tear from her cheek, her body tensing as Ivar placed his hand on her shoulder for comfort, something she hadn't felt in so long.

"What happened to Tanais?"

"He was placed inside a large Iron bull, a large fire underneath it." Nerida said as a small whimper escaped her lips as she pulled her knees up to her chest and hid her face from Ivar. "He screamed, he screamed so loud Ivar! I pleaded with them to stop, I begged with them—but it was no use. Two days later I was given a small boat and told to leave. They spared my life, so I could bare the scars of their torture and to warn others." She explained as hot tears poured down her face.

She allowed Ivar to pulled her to him, allowed him to comfort her in a moment when she felt raw and vulnerable. "No wonder I am so drawn to you, Nerida. We are the same."

"No, we are not, we are nothing the same." Nerida protested, her eyes going wide as Ivar kissed her lips. She pushed him back, their eyes connecting as she felt a blush go over her cheek. Nerida wiggled from his grasp and stood, very unsure of what to say or do in a moment so new to her.

"Nerida!" Ivar yelled as she quickly turned and ran back towards Kattegat, her breathing heavy as she clinched her eyes shut and tried to push her feelings from Ivar as far away as she could.

****

Nerida stood back as she watched Ivar, Ubbe and Sigurd train in the ways of the Viking. She crossed her arms and smirked as she knew she could easily take them if needed. Her brow furrowed as Sigurd knocked Ivar from his stool and into the harsh and unforgiving snow-covered ground, mocking him as Ivar tried to fight back.

"Stop!" She said as she felt an anger grow inside her as she knew that Ivar was more than just a cripple. He had potential that Nerida could see laying dormant, only needing a small push.

"You like picking on him Sigurd?" She said as she grabbed a sword from Ubbe, her gaze dark as she blocked out everything but the enemy in front of her.

"Oh, look Ivar, another woman fighting your battles, just like mother." Sigurd laughed as Nerida stepped forward and kicked him hard in his stomach sending him flying down to the ground.

"Get up! Shield up!" Nerida yelled as she kicked at him again, Sigurd blocking her leg with his shield. Ivar watched in fascination as Sigurd hurried to his feet only to be shoved down again by Nerida slamming him with her body. Nerida placed the tip of her sword on Sigurd's cheek, a flick of her wrist leaving a small slash.

"Again, up! Shield up!" She yelled as Ivar watched her grab a shield, his eyes mesmerized by how she toyed with Sigurd, moving her feet so swiftly as if she were dancing. "Stop fighting with fear! You are a Viking! Ivar grab a sword!" She yelled, Ubbe's eyes going wide as Ivar smirked and crawled towards a sword.

"Ivar will be killed on the battlefield, if mother ever lets him go." Ubbe laughed, Nerida shooting him a dark glance.

"Ubbe, do not speak unless you can improve the silence. Ragnar Lothbrok sons are not as they say. You are all weak! The gods are laughing at you!" Her words struck a cord with Ubbe as he swung his sword at her, Nerida blocking him with her shield as she dipped low and twisted behind him, her sword at the small of his back.

"Stop fighting with your anger, Ubbe. Again." She said as she shoved him forward, her eyes going to Ivar who had an air of anxiety about him. "Ivar, come." She said as she pointed her sword in front of her, watching as he crawled the best, he could over to her.

"You cannot use your legs, so you must use this." She explained as she bent down and tapped his head. "Now, come—attack." She said as she stood and stepped back watching as he crawled towards her and tried to swing at her, Nerida blocking his sword with ease. She stood there looking at him, contemplating how to teach him and how to train him in the ways of the sword.

Nerida dropped her sword and shield and sat by Ivar, her hands removing a belt from her waist as she tied her legs together as Ivar had them. She had to see the world from his eyes, see the enemy the way he was seeing them.

"Sigurd, come—attack me." She motioned as she felt her heart begin to race. She was a great warrior and could kill any man she faced, but in this moment, she felt true fear. As Sigurd tried to strike Nerida, she rolled along the snow-covered ground and blocked his strike with her shield. Nerida smiled as a prideful smile made its way over her face, watching as embarrassment and anger rose in Sigurd.

"Nerida!" Bjorn gruffly yelled causing Nerida to break her focus, a groan escaping her lips as she removed the belt from her legs and walked to his side.

"Queen Aslaug does not want you training Ivar. She asks that you stay away from him." Bjorn said sternly yet quietly as Nerida saw The Queen standing close by, a smug smile on her face as Nerida darkened her gaze.

"And what do you say, Bjorn Ironside?" Nerida asked as she locked eyes with a man, she now saw as a friend. A blood pact bound them for life, her fealty was tied to Bjorn and not the sit in Queen.

"I say to just stay out of her sight." Bjorn whispered as he motioned for her to follow him into the Great Hall, the warmth something she would welcome. Nerida poured herself a cup of Ale, the liquid warming her body as she sat by the fire.

"Are you content here?" Bjorn asked as Nerida stared absentmindedly into the fire, her mind and heart searching for the answer to his question.

"For now, I am. I do not feel as if I belong here, or anywhere. My life belongs to the sea." She answered honestly as she pulled her large cloak over her body.

"What about family?" He asked curiously, Nerida feeling a heavy feeling wash over her as she thought of her father, remembering how she had viciously attacked him before stealing his ship.

"No."

"Tell me more about your adventures." Bjorn insisted as he felt the air around them becoming tense. The last thing he wanted was to make Nerida feel more out of place than she clearly already was. He sat back and listened to her tell of her vast sailing, each story seeming like a dream to him.

"I have been to a world rich in gold, where giant pyramids block out the sun. I have seen lands with mountains that reach into the sky, and water so clear you can see the bottom." She said as a small crowd began to form around her. Nerida told stories into the night, everyone's eyes on her as she told them of far off lands.

One man's eyes watched her very closely, watched with admiration and envy. He watched as his brother stared at her with pure love. His brother had laid claim to her, and he had to respect that, but part of him felt that he would be more of a match for Nerida than his younger brother. He needed to push those thoughts from his mind, since the mother of his children was sitting by his side. No matter how hard he tried he could not break the thoughts he was having for Nerida, feelings that kept him up at night.

"Bjorn, are you alright?" Torvi asked as she placed her hand on his arm ripping him from his thoughts. He nodded his head and forced a smile, his gaze turning back to the beauty in front of him, a strong guilt rising inside him as his feelings would not faulter. He wanted more than anything to kiss her lips and feel her body against his, but in his heart, he knew they could never be.