Ragnar the Murderer Read Online Free Page A

Holding her tightly, his hand slid down her skirt, hoisting it up as he put his hand under it, moving up her legs too fast. She tried to move away but the hut wall behind her prevented her escape.
     
     

Thrie
     
    Back in the hall, Ragnar sat down where Aelfwyn had been, looking around for her.
    “ Your woman’s left,” said a sleepy man.
    “ She’s not my- where’s she gone?”
    “ Outside with Kjartan. Into the village.”
    “ What!” He shoved his horn of ale at his informant and strode towards the door.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Aelfwyn desperately tried to stop Kjartan touching the delicate folds of skin between her legs. His fingers pushed hard upwards but she squeezed her legs together frantically. His other hand squeezed her breast, squashing her against the wall with his weight.
    He made a noise of exasperation and pushed her down on the hard, cold ground, holding her down with one hand and undoing his belt with the other. He pulled down his trousers a little and hitched up her skirts.
    She screamed, but his hand covered the noise.
    “ Give in to me, woman!” he snarled.
    He was suddenly wrenched off her and flung aside by a furious Ragnar.
    “ What are you doing?” Kjartan scrabbled to stand up on the slippery grass.
    “ You don’t touch her! She’s betrothed!” Ragnar wasn’t even sure why he felt so angry.
    “ What? You-“
    But he didn’t finish the sentence. Ragnar punched him so hard he fell like a limp doll back onto the grass, unconscious.
    He shook his hand out, glowering, his brows low over his eyes.
    Aelfwyn cringed, not sure if she could trust him.
    “ Come on. We’ll get Saehild and go home.” He still frowned, unable to let his anger go quickly.
    She followed, trotting after him as he strode along. He went to another hut where they found a bare chested Bjarni and tousled Saehild cuddled up round a fire.
    He launched an angry burst of Danish at his friend, who put his tunic back on and helped Saehild up. The quartet hurried silently out of the village and set off for Byrnstanham.
     
    *  *  *
     
    On the way home, Bjarni and Saehild walked arm in arm, dawdling along, despite Ragnar snapping at them to hurry up.
    “ Thank you for helping me and Saehild,” ventured Aelfwyn, determined to be polite despite his anger.
    “ I don’t want your family to be dishonoured. You are betrothed, he should not spoil you.”
    Aelfwyn felt disappointed, she wasn’t sure why. How silly, Saehild’s romantic notions had affected her brain. Of course Ragnar was just being sensible, there was nothing more to it.
    “ I wish we hadn’t asked you to the feast now.”
    “ Oh, sorry we were so boring!”
    She flounced off before he could answer, and put her hand through Bjarni’s other arm. He looked round in surprise, but didn’t mind and led the sisters back towards Byrnstanham.
     
    *  *  *
     
    At their home, they sneaked in quietly, but Sigulf caught them. Luckily their parents were snoring, worn out by the day’s household tasks and farming.
    “ Had a good time?” he whispered as he lay in his bed with his brothers, not wanting to get up and disturb them.
    The girls made non committal noises and wearily got into their night clothes.
    “ Its lucky Ragnar fought off those Danes for me,” whispered Saehild. “I was a bit worried. I told you he liked me, didn’t I? And Bjarni too. Looks like I can have them both.”
    “ You are so self centred,” hissed Aelfwyn. “Did you even thank him? You could have got into real trouble tonight! It wasn’t just a bit of fun.”
    “ Oh shut up. At least I danced and didn’t just sit there like an owl.”
    “ Shut up you two!” hissed Sigulf across from his bed. “You’ll wake everyone.”
    The sisters quietened, each brooding on their grievances with the other.
    Outside, Byrnstanham village slumbered, quiet and dark. Founded by the stream many tens of winters ago, the huts were different sizes for the various families. The villagers were