Norse Valor (14 page)

“It will work,” Bram ground out. “He can ride with us as
long as possible and make his own choice. Right now, your sister needs him.
Vakr, your men. Get them into action.”

“Bram,” Vakr whispered.

“Vakr, look at me,” Bram ordered.

Vakr looked at the man, the young man before him. When
Vakr’s eyes settled onto Bram’s, he saw something he hadn’t noticed before.
Wisdom, strength, leadership. Bram’s determination lit a fire under him.

Vakr nodded. He was in motion. Everything happened in a
blur. Vakr remembered his mother saying goodbye to him while he bellowed for
action. David kissed his sister. Vakr shouted orders. Kitta said a quick
farewell. The vessel was packed lightweight for quick traveling. David shoved a
ring onto Vakr’s finger. They left the dock. The sails were raised and the men
rowed. Svana was huddled in a mound of furs on deck. Bram was holding her. Vakr
had the ship moving at the fastest rate they had ever achieved. The vessel
sliced through the water like a seal.

While Vakr shouted orders, Bram sat on deck with Svana
cradled in his arms, speaking to her in a soft tone. Vakr realized he was
telling her stories of when she was a child and her mother had been alive. On
and on the man droned in a quiet tone, willing her to stay awake and listen.
Vakr searched the ocean looking for any kind of foggy mist. He wondered if it
would work. He wondered even if it did work, could anyone possibly be saved
from a mortal wound?

On and on they sailed into the darkening skies. With each
passing moment feeling like a lifetime, Vakr’s hopes began to falter. Svana had
slipped into unconsciousness. Even wrapped in a mound of furs, her tiny jaw
quivered and her teeth clicked together from cold. When Bram lifted his head to
gaze at Vakr, he looked desolate. Vakr could see the love he had for his child.

“You were right,” Vakr said. He dropped to one knee before
Bram who still sat cradling Svana. “She will die because of my selfishness.”
Vakr waited for Bram to swear, to yell, he did neither.

“Vakr, son, it was an accident. If I blame you, then I need
to blame myself. It was my sword. Then I could blame Ginna or her mother for
not watching her. Where would it end? Should I blame myself for not letting
Rakel be cast out with her children? Svana loves you; I see it each time she
looks at you. She loves me. It would hurt her if we fought.”

“I can’t go on without her,” Vakr said. His head lowered.
Tears filled his eyes and splashed down onto his wrist. When he looked back up,
he was stunned. His eyes widened with fear.

“What’s wrong, Vakr?” Bram asked.

“What’s happened to you?” Vakr whispered. He fought the urge
to retreat in fear.

“What is it?”

“You’ve aged,” Vakr said in disbelief.

Bram’s face was aging right in front of him. The years raced
right before Vakr and he felt his skin crawl. The man before him had gone from
a virile man of twenty-eight to fifty-three in mere seconds. Vakr put a hand to
his heart, wondering if the man would stop growing old or become bones before
him. Then suddenly it stopped. Bram was gray at the temples. His rock-solid
body was slack. Vakr swallowed hard. Would something like this happen to him,
too?

Bram’s hand rose to his face, his fingers tracing the lines
at his eyes.

Vakr looked around as the mist settled over them. It was
happening. The same musky scent invaded his nostrils like the day he had found
Svana. Vakr jumped up and yelled for his men to stop rowing and start
listening. In the quiet of the night, a sloshing sound was heard ahead of them.

“Ahoy!” Vakr shouted.

The call was returned.

Bram stumbled to his feet carrying Svana.

Vakr took her from him.

“We need help,!” Bram yelled.

The vessel and the yacht came side to side.

“Wow, this is one authentic-looking boat,” a man exclaimed
from the yacht.

“My daughter has been injured; she needs a hospital,” Bram
said.

Bram scrambled with care across to the yacht. Hands reached
for Svana. Vakr stood on his vessel looking at Bram holding Svana. David’s
words resounded in his ears. What would happen if he went with them? What if
the ring wouldn’t let him through? He could find himself all alone in the
middle of the ocean if the vessel disappeared. Would he age like Bram? Would he
grow very young? Would he die?

“It’s your choice, Vakr. But make it fast,” Bram warned him.

There really was no other choice to make. Svana needed him.
Vakr leaped aboard the vessel. It moved away until Vakr could no longer see his
ship.

Chapter 14

Vakr’s fingers dug into the car door. His breath came in
quick pants. The kartr, if this could be compared in the slightest to a wagon,
or ‘car’ as Bram called it, was whizzing through streets. They were following
an ambulance. When the yacht had docked, Vakr was amazed. Everything happened
so fast. Men in blue outfits were waiting. Svana had been dragged from his arms
and placed on something called a stretcher. Vakr was horrified. They wanted to
stretch her? He liked her height. Bram told him it would be fine and she wasn’t
about to be pulled on or yanked.

Next Bram had shoved him into a Porsche. A car with horses
under the hood.
Under the
hood?
When the horse-car-thing began
moving, Vakr had gripped the seat. There was no saddle of any type. The ground
they rode over was made of a black hard substance.
Where is the grass in this century?
Lights blazed, but not one
hearth or bowl with a wick could be seen. Vakr tugged at his pants. Jeans, Bram
had called them. The fastener was a vicious little thing with jagged teeth that
had captured a part of his cock and pinched painfully. His shirt was soft cloth
with odd things called buttons that Bram did up for him. On his feet he wore
sneakers. Where was he going to sneak?

“What place is this?” Vakr said, almost choking on his
words.

“A hospital,” Bram said. He leapt out of the car when it
stopped and raced around to throw open Vakr’s door and tug him out.

The structure was massive. There were so many people. They
were like swarms of ants. Svana was wheeled down the hall at a fast pace while
Bram and a man in a white coat shouted orders. Light shined down on them
brightly, but it wasn’t the sun. A strange smell invaded his senses. Everyone
was speaking at once. Odd objects were held up to people’s ears that they
talked into.
Are they crazy? Why would
they speak into such devises?
A woman was wheeled by him in a strange chair
that rolled. Long poles that looked to be attached to others squeaked by
holding clear liquid over loops.
What odd
spears
. Bram took Vakr’s arm and pulled him into a room with a window. Soon
after, Svana was wheeled into the room that was slightly below them.

“What will they do?” Vakr asked.

“Everything humanly possible to save her,” Bram replied.

Vakr leaped to his feet. “They’re cutting her!” he howled.

“They need to get to the wound,” Bram said.

“By making a new one?” Vakr asked, incredulous. “They will
hurt her.”

“It’s all right, Vakr. They need to sew both wounds. She
can’t feel anything. They knocked her out.”

“They punched her?”

“No, no. They gave her a drug that makes her sleep very
soundly. When she wakes, they will give her something else, so the pain she is
in won’t be as bad.”

“What is that red bag that looks like blood hanging beside
her?”

“It is blood. She lost too much, so she needs more.”

“Where did it come from?”

“It’s Svana’s. When she went to Africa, I demanded she store
some just in case. If she needs more, they can get it from others who have the
same blood type.”

Vakr thumped to his butt in the chair. “This is so odd.”

Bram looked sympathetic. He placed his hand onto Vakr’s
shoulder. “I will watch out for you here. After all, you took care of me and my
children in your time.”

Vakr swallowed hard. Tiny blips and bleeps and other strange
noises came from the room Svana was in. Vakr almost jumped into Bram’s lap when
a deep voice invaded the room.

“You can relax, Bram. Your daughter will be fine.”

“Was that Odin?” Vakr whispered, glancing about.

Bram chuckled. “It was her doctor. In a way, he was Odin for
a while.”

* * *
*

Svana’s eyes fluttered open. Vakr was sprawled in a chair to
her left. Her father was snoring in another off to her right. Svana gazed about
curiously. She was in a hospital bed. The last thing she remembered was being
on Vakr’s vessel. Svana shifted then groaned. Her belly hurt. Vakr stirred. His
eyes opened and he immediately rose and went to her. It was so odd to see her
Viking warrior in jeans and a shirt.

“Svana, you’re awake,” Vakr said.

His relief was written all over him.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“In our time,” Bram said as he rose and went to sit on the
bed beside her.

“Daddy, you look like your normal self.”

“I miss the way I looked in Vakr’s time.”

“Rakel must be missing you terribly,” Svana said.

“David will care for her and the children,” Bram said.

“How long before I can get out of here and go home?” Svana
asked.

“A few days,” Bram replied. He held her hand. “We almost
lost you. I want to make certain there’s no infection or any other risk.”

A pretty, young nurse came in at that moment with a tray for
Svana. She lifted the lid and underneath was lime jello and apple juice. She
took Svana’s blood pressure and temperature, then injected a clear fluid into
the IV line. Gave a hungry look in Vakr’s direction before leaving.

Vakr watched her leave.

Svana cleared her throat. She grew annoyed when Vakr
continued to watch the easy sway of the woman’s hips as she strolled out the
door.

“Will she be returning with food for us?” Vakr asked. He
poked his finger into the jello and grimaced. “This is the strangest vegetable
I’ve ever seen. It wobbles as though fearful of being eaten.”

Svana sighed, she should have known Vakr was only thinking
of his belly. Since meeting her, Vakr had voiced his opinion of beautiful women
but never once looked as though he were interested.

“I’ll take you to the cafeteria,” Bram said. “Maybe we can
find something a bit more palatable.”

“Daddy, why don’t you take Vakr home and get some rest? I’ll
be fine. Find him and yourself something decent to eat, too.”

Bram chuckled. “What do you say, son? Are you up for another
car ride?”

Vakr shuddered and Svana felt sorry for him. Her heart
filled with so much love that he had braved the time difference for her. She
could only imagine how frightening this was for a man of the eighth century.

“Are you all right, Vakr?” she asked.

Vakr nodded and offered her a lopsided grin. “Your father
has promised to show me his sword collection.”

“I’m sure you’ll be impressed. I knew Daddy collected them,
but I had no idea he could use one until I saw him with a sword in his hand in
your time.”

“Why don’t you try and get some rest?” Bram said. “I promise
I’ll take good care of your warrior.”

Svana nodded sleepily. She wondered what the nurse had given
her. Her entire body felt lazy and content. She felt Vakr’s lips touch her
forehead and her father squeezed her fingers in a tender gesture. Before long
she was asleep.

* * *
*

Vakr was amazed with the sights he had seen. Driving in the
dark had been the most terrifying feeling, but in the daylight, it was magic.
The home Bram had taken him to was beyond impressive. High vaulted ceilings
rose around a circular stairwell. The walls were smooth and the most beautiful
ivory color. Intricate colorful rugs were strewn around the hard wood floor
that gleamed. With a floor this amazing, Vakr wouldn’t have minded putting his
own precious rug on it. He could see himself in the polished floors.

Vakr had never really paid attention to his looks. He had
seen himself in the clear stream on numerous occasions. He knew he was big and
broad, but the first time he stood before a full-length mirror, he studied
himself. He really was quite huge and impressive. The color of his hair was stunning.
His eyes looked like cut glass. The clothing he wore added to his chiseled
muscular appearance. It was hard not to admire himself. Bram had clapped him on
the shoulder and declared him to be a real stud muffin. Vakr was uncertain
about the reference to food, but he sensed it was a compliment.

Vakr felt naked without his sword, but Bram assured him that
no one would sneak up on him. He had been uneasy about leaving Svana with so
many men around, but Bram assured him the doctors had her best interests at
heart. Still, he was wary until Bram had posted a security guard outside her
door. Vakr learned they were men who, like his own, offered services to another
for protection. Vakr wondered if Bram would offer the man a well-crafted sword
in exchange. After all, Svana was very precious.

“You can sleep here,” Bram said.

Vakr was led to a huge room. The bed was impressive. A far
cry from the tent and furs he could offer Svana. In fact the more he was shown,
the more his heart fell. How could he take Svana away from all of this? He
turned to slowly take in his surroundings. A window, as Bram called it, was off
to the side. Vakr touched it like all the others he had seen. It was like a
giant eye. He could see through it. It was amazing, this see-through glass. The
sky was a beautiful blue, and the clouds fluffy and white. What a marvel to be
inside yet outside as well being able to take in the sights.

“It is no wonder you wanted to bring your children home,”
Vakr muttered. A dove flew by and soared over the long expanse of grass. How
remarkable that the grass below was all the same length.
How is this possible?
Bushes were cut into the shapes of animals.
Amazing.

“They have a home,” Bram said. “They are happy in your time.
Hell, after awhile, I was happy in your village. I miss Rakel and the girls.”

Bram led him to another room.

“Your outhouse,” Vakr declared.

Bram chuckled. “This is yours to use. I have mine in my
bedroom and will show you the other washrooms as they’re called here. This
white stuff is toilet paper, you, uh, use it to, ah, you know. Oh and when
you’re done this little handle gets pushed and voila.” Bram flushed the toilet.

Vakr’s eyes rose as he watched the water swirl, go down,
then refill. “Amazing,” he declared.

“If you like that, you’re going to love the Jacuzzi. Just
don’t pee in it.”

“Jack whosie?” Vakr asked. He’d never heard of him.

“I’ll show you after we eat.”

“What is this half-coffin made of white?”

“It’s a bathtub. I’m starving. Iva must have something
finished by now.”

Vakr was led to a huge dining room. A charming older woman
brought him toast, eggs and bacon with orange juice. Vakr had tasted orange
juice before and he was very fond of it. This was the first time he had ever
tasted such finely sliced meat. The jam he was offered for his toast was so
heavenly, Vakr closed his eyes to savor the taste.

After he cleaned his plate, Bram told him to catch a few
hours of sleep and they would return to see Svana.

Vakr stripped and slipped under the sheets. Never in his
life had he felt anything so luxurious. The pillows were soft and plump and
their smell was like sleeping in flowers. He could picture Svana with him. Oh
the fun they could have in this huge bed. Vakr didn’t like the tent they used
in the cramped cabin, but it was what he was used to. After being shown so much
more, he couldn’t help but wonder what his life would be like in this century.

The idea was startling. Vakr was certain Bram would head
back to the village, but did he want that too? He realized it was the same
situation only reversed. Bram would want to go back and he would want Svana to
go too. Vakr wanted to learn more about these car things. He just knew he could
drive one if given a chance; after all, he could control horses. Perhaps he
could talk Svana into showing him more of her world…at least for a little
while. Slowly, his eyes began to close. Vakr fell asleep dreaming of himself
behind the wheel of a car with Svana by his side.

* * *
*

Svana was sitting up in bed when her father and Vakr walked
in. Vakr had changed into black jeans and a black t-shirt that showed off every
one of his bulging muscles. Svana felt her heart flip. The man was gorgeous. If
she wasn’t feeling so weak, she’d jump him right now. It was apparent Vakr was
thinking the same when he took her hand and kissed her lips.

“Vakr, are you wearing aftershave?” Svana asked.

Vakr grinned sheepishly and nodded. “Do you like it?”

“I’ll say. I could eat you alive.”

A nurse walked into the room with a tray.

Vakr frowned at the bowl of broth and orange jello. Clear
tea was steaming from a mug.

“Are you trying to starve her to death?” he snapped at the
nurse.

She gave him an amused glance while fiddling with the IV.
“We need to make certain she can keep something down. If the liquids come up,
how painful would it be for her to vomit something solid like meat? It’s a
belly wound after all.”

Vakr took the spoon and dribbled some of the broth back into
the bowl. “It needs to be thicker. There can’t be anything in here that will
put color in her face and strength in her bones.” Vakr tasted some and made a
face. “By the Gods, it tastes like warm salted brackish water.”

“I assure you, it’s fine,” the nurse said primly and
scowled.

“It’s not good enough,” Vakr growled.

“It’s fine,” the nurse said through gnashed teeth.

Svana grimaced when Vakr glared hard at the woman. He was
impossible to argue with. The poor woman didn’t stand a chance.
Twenty-first century prim technology, meet
eighth century stubborn brawn
.

The nurse shrieked when Vakr’s booming voice ordered her to
find a thicker soup,
now
. The woman
raced from the room terrified and returned shortly followed by a security
guard.

The man sized Vakr up.

Vakr picked up the spoon and again let the contents dribble
into the bowl.

“Would you let this shrew feed this crap to your woman?”
Vakr demanded.