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Prize Ch. 01

By: tenicka



"Thank you, little Kyrja." My older sister smirked as she yanked the plate of food out of my hands, shoving me backwards meanly as she did. I fell on my rump and glared at those around me who snickered and smiled at my discomfort, promising trouble if they continued. After all, I was a daughter of the Queen of the Valkyries! I stood up slowly, glaring at my sister Hildy, but she was too busy eating MY dinner to notice my expression. I knew better than to fight with her as she was much stronger than I, so I sighed softly and went to get another dish of food from the kitchen hall. 

Still muttering under my breath, I scooped a big lump of peas onto the dish along with the mutton and turned, feeling the rumbling in my stomach intensify at the delicious smells that assaulted my nose. But before I could get out of the log cabin that housed our cooking pits and ovens, I nearly bumped into old Freyja. The woman startled me so that I nearly dropped my plate, but managed to hold on carefully despite it all. Her milky, cataract-filled eyes stared up at me and I cringed as her hand, which was gnarled and held almost translucent skin, touched mine. Unlike the other women of the village, I never teased the old crone; instead I made her plates and cups with the red clay that I harvested from a nearby mud quarry. It was my passion and so it was not a tremendous issue to make her something nice. 

Life in the village of the Valkyrie was simple. Mother, the Queen Hausta, told me that it was because there were no men. Men made wars, caused trouble, and were unable to keep themselves out of mischief especially if a female was involved. We all had grown up despising the weakness of the males of our species and so as Valkyries, we never dealt with them if at all possible. If a stray male would come into a trap, getting too close to our village, we would use them for breeding, (if they had good strength and intelligence) and then blind them and send them away. Or destroy them. It was our way.

It was afternoon, the next day when one of our scouting parties ambushed a group of men who had strayed too far from their normal trade routes. We were unaware that a storm had deviated them from their path, but I am not sure if any reason would have mattered, valid or no. I was watching my sister spar with a guardswoman when the call was sent out that we had a prisoner arriving, and everyone literally dropped their spears and swords to go get a glimpse of what the scout party had brought home with them. Overflowing with curiosity, I followed the group of warriors as the four scouts approached on their wolven mounts. Tied behind one of the far riders was a lone figure struggling to keep up with the small party. I glanced over to the cage in the center of the village and saw two guardians already had the gate open and ready for him as they came closer. 

When the man, for that was what he was, drew closer, he intrigued me from the start. He was very tall, for a man, as Valkyrie's usually towered over men of the villages of the west. His hair upon his head and sprouting under his chin was dark, opposite to our fair hair that ranged from whitish yellow to brownish straw coloring like my own. A large cut ringed his forehead like a crown and I realized he had not gone down with a fight, which indicated spirit. I found myself gawking as they brought him near and listened to the Valks around me as they gossiped about him.

"Oh, my, he is a tall one!" 

"He will make a great baby!" 

"I want to feel him between my legs; I am already wetting myself." A strong warrioress told this, and I knew she had a good shot at him. As expected, my mother, Queen Njala, exited our house and studied the man as the closest warrioress pushed him to his knees. He glared up at my mother with defiance and I groaned, knowing he would be something the women would fight for and over. 

"A man has been brought into our midst, my sisters." I admired my mother's smooth but commanding voice as she spoke to us all, loud enough to be heard by everyone. "It has been a while since we have been graced with such a prize." My sister pushed her way in between the group of women closest to the scouts and grasped the man by his top hairs roughly.

"He is mine, mother. I lay claim upon him as the firstborn." This declaration by Hildy caused much dissension especially with two of the scouts who had found the man.

"Nay, we found him, we should have priority, my queen!" The first scout spoke with anger in her voice and I could see the desire to push my sister. I secretly cheered her on.

"Sisters, please." My mother lifted her hands and motioned for her daughter to attend to her side, which my sister complied with, reluctantly releasing the man's hair and going to the older woman. "You know how we must settle this. We shall hold a competition in five sunrises. The strongest, bravest, fastest shall claim him as their prize." The women around me began to whoop and holler, making gambling bets and boasting of their prowess and skill. I sighed softly. I wished to have him, but how? I was weaker than half of the women. I had no chance. When my eyes landed upon the bent-over figure of Freyja, I had to look again as she grinned a knowing smile at me as she slowly made her way to her lone hut off away from the rest. 

Long after they pushed the male into the cage, and the others had finally gotten their fill of gawking at him, I remained, unable to remove myself. I hid behind the edge of one of the huts nearby and studied him covertly as he sat in the dust of the center, well away from the prodding and poking hands that would have come his way. The two guards, once they had also had their fill of staring at the man and jeering at him lewdly, stood on the other side of the cage, talking to each other. Probably trying to plan strategies and determine what their spawn of the man would look like. 

"Might as well come out." The man spoke with his head slightly turned my way so that he was staring with one mahogany eye in my direction. I turned my head to see if he was speaking to another, but it was just me. I approached slowly, uncertain of myself, and squatted just out of arm's reach beside the cage, continuing to stare at him. He was pretty; I could not think of another term for the man as he turned to where he was facing me. We sat on the opposite sides of the bars and stared for a while at each other, silently. 

"I do not suppose you would let me free?" His voice was self-defeating and he did not seem to even notice when I shook my head negatively. "Dandy." He sighed, rubbing a finger in circles in the dirt as he waited his day to finish. I felt a flash of pity for him for being trapped in a village of crazed Valkyries like a prized pet. 

"What are you? I mean what do you do?" I asked, unable to stifle my curiosity.

"I am a smith by trade." His reply was gruff, and I understood the frustration. After we sat with an uncomfortable silence, I felt the need to break it.

"I am sorry you were captured." I was not certain of what else to say. Anything I would have asked would have probably made him feel bad for himself. He did not reply and I wanted to make the air a little less tense between us.

"Tell me, would you," His brown eyes locked on my own blue ones and I was unable to move. "What is to happen to me?" With no will to stare away from his powerful gaze, I answered.

"You will be a prize for a contest with all able-bodied and eager women. There will be three contests held and whoever wins two out of three will win the rights to mate with you." 

I wrapped my arms around my legs and rocked, wondering what it would be like to be with a man. Some of the women chose women partners to live and cherish, but I could never find myself interested in touching any females in that way. My body longed for the touch of a man. 

"And so I will become a breeding bull? After they have enough of my seed, then what?" 

I had been afraid he would ask that and bit my lip.

"Depends upon who wins you. Sometimes we blind the man and sometimes we kill him." I studied my feet as I replied, unhappy with having to break him the bad information.

"Marvelous." He muttered before going silent. It was at that point one of the guards had spotted me and looked as if she were coming my way, so I hopped up, gave the man one last look and ran to my part of the cabin I shared with my sister and mother.

But I found myself drawn back the next afternoon. I peered around the corner of the hut as before, not for hiding from the man, but to make certain the guards were not near. Once it seemed safe enough, I made my way back to the same spot as before. The man was lying on his side, staring at something with his back to me. But once he heard me approach, he sat up and turned my way, one eyebrow raised in surprise at my return.

"You are back I see." He mumbled, but not in a negative way. Once again, he began to swirl patterns in the dirt and I pulled my treasure from behind my back. 

"I wanted to show you what I did." I told him in a small voice; fearful of his mocking or teasing as I held out the small clay cup I had so lovingly spent hours making. It was by far my favorite and I was proud of it, keeping it hidden away in a hole covered by a rock in the back of the cabin. 

He scooted close enough to where he could reach through the bars and touch it and held out a hand to me, indicating his interest. Nervously, I pushed it through the bars and handed it to the man, watching him as if I were a hawk watching a mouse. He turned it over and over, studying the patterns I had made with colored dye and touching the rim. Glancing at me, he caught my eye and said, "It is beautiful. You have quite some skill." He carefully handed it back to me through the bars and I smiled at his warm praise. No one but Freyja ever had told me anything positive about my cups and plates, the village used them to eat from and drink from without a word to me. 

"T-thank you." I replied timidly and as I reached for the cup, our thumb and fingers brushed against each other, sending tingling sensations up my hand. But the cup never quite made it back to my hand. Before I could completely grasp the edge, another hand swept it up from me and I turned in shock to see Hildy holding it now, glaring down at me. 

"What is my little sister doing? Are you playing with the prize?" She snarled and did not give me a chance to stand to my feet, instead pushed me so that I fell backwards into the cage bars. I felt the man's hand steady me, holding me so that I did not hurt myself and help me up until I was standing, facing my sister and her companion, Sheba.

"You should not talk to the animals, Kyrja. They may bite." Hildy laughed as she spoke and then snapped, "Stay away from my prize; understand?" There was no mistaking the threat in her voice. I cried out softly as she shattered my cup in her hand, dropping any of the remaining pieces to the dirt ground and stomping on them with her leather booted foot. I fought to keep the tears at bay at least until I had ran home, throwing myself upon my pallet with an overflow of pain that welled from within from the cup that lived now in my memory as well as the realization there was no way I could ever take the man from her. And the worst part was that she would treat him cruelly, keeping him tied up like a fattened hog prepared for slaughter. I shuddered, grateful I was not in the man's position.

The very next day, I promised myself I would not go to the man's cage. I told myself this all day long. I would not risk having Hildy see me, and so I did not. But on the fourth day, I returned, unable to help myself. I was as wary as a rabbit in the open field, eyes darting to and fro as I gathered close enough to speak softly to the man.

"I am sorry, male, for what is about to happen to you. You do not deserve it." I told him, voice ripe with honesty. He had been lying upon his back and at my voice sat up, crawling to where he could speak to me. His hands clenched around the bamboo bars and he peered through at me.

"Then free me, Kyrja." His eyes blazed with emotion and I knew I could not, despite believing the man did not deserve such a fate as to be stuck with my sister. 

"I cannot!" I cried out to him softly, reaching to the bar to put a finger lightly upon his hand. He was swift and would have caught my wrist had I not been faster. I glared at him with mistrust in my eye but he just continued to look at me until finally he spoke.

"I was going to hold your hand. Not harm you. I swear it." His shoulders rolled into a shrug of defeat. Pity swelled in me and I reached through the bar, but was not close enough to touch him. When I pulled back, his eye caught the motion and he slipped his hand around mine and held it loosely. We sat like this for a while until I grew nervous of being caught. 

But before I stood, I asked him, "How did you know my name?" Cocking my head, I waited, but could have grimaced at his reply.

"Your sister had mentioned it." Of course! I had forgotten she had called me by my name. And now he knew I was a daughter of the Queen. The pressure that put upon me to free him was troublesome as I knew I would get punished for letting him loose, but not as badly as the others of my village. 

"I am sorry." I repeated, sighing in disappointment at my weakness.

"My name is Willhulm." I nodded as he gave me his name. It was nice to know the name of my sister's new plaything after tomorrow. I gave the man, Willhulm, one last sad look before leaving. More than for my own needs, I wanted to free him. But how?

As I walked through the village, not going in any particular direction, knowing tomorrow was the big tourney and by tomorrow night, Willhulm would be bedded by my sister, I found myself upon the path that led to old Freyja's hut and ended up knocking upon her bamboo door lightly. I heard her soft voice bid me to enter and I found her brewing a small teapot on her hearthfire. 

"You would desire to have the male, Kyrja?" Her directness of the question shocked me and all I could do was nod. The old woman took her time in reaching up on a shelf and removing a tiny pot, one of those I had made for her, full of some powdery substance.

She funneled four pinches into a small rabbit skin pouch and ambled over to put the soft bag inside of my hand, closing my fingers over it slowly.

"Drink two pinches before the tourney tomorrow and you will be given strength and speed and stamina. You will win your prize, Kyrja." I gasped at the magic powder now in my possession. I looked at Freyja with gratitude. She was doing this for me?

"You can add two pinches before you take him later to your bed and it will help you then too with the stamina." She cackled madly and I blinked at her blankly. "Do not worry, you will understand once you win him." As she patted my hand, the one holding the pouch, she motioned to the door, but I was hesitant.

"My sister would never let me attempt to take part in the Tourney. She will do everything in her power to stop me or hurt me." I told her, heart heavy, eyes downcast. I reached to return her back the pouch, disappointed and frustrated, but she pushed my hand back and went to her shelf that was full of knickknacks, herbs, and pottery. Reaching in the back, she pulled out what appeared to be a mask. It held plumes of multi-colored feathers and was very pretty to the eye. She handed it to me.

"Wear this, young princess, and earn your prize." I nodded, letting her wrap the mask in leathers to hide it and thanked her wholeheartedly. As I left, heart lifting at the thought of me winning, I could not help but wonder why the old crone had helped me.

When the sun began to rise the next morning, I was a bundle of nerves. I was alone, my sister and mother already gone in preparation for the tourney, so I dressed in the plain brown competition leather of a cropped top and loincloth, pulling on the boots I had scavenged from the equipment hut as well. Once I put the twin pinches of powder in a cup of water, drinking down the bitter tasting concoction, I closed my eyes and began to feel the power flowing through my veins. I felt my muscles contract, my heart began to race. It was working! Once I put on the mask, I felt as if I truly would win. But it was time to attempt that win. Making certain no one was near the entrance of our cabin, I exited swiftly and made my way to the area where the first part of the Tourney would begin. Five deep pits had been dug into the earth, with bamboo poles sharpened to a deadly point below. A thin ramp was put atop of them, and anyone falling without conceding would surely die. In my hand was placed a bamboo pole and pushed to the thin ramp to face my challenger. There were ten total fighting over the five pits. The winners of those would fight five more Valkyries and the winners would slowly be narrowed to one. I gulped, fearful of slipping as I nearly did once just stepping to face my competitor, we begun the fight. I groaned as I knew the one facing me was a tough fighter. But I stiffened my back, knowing I would win with the magic powder inside of me.

"You are a little thing." My competitor snorted, holding her pole out in challenge. I glared back, full of confidence from the magic.

"The larger the Valk is, the harder they fall to me." With my words of defiance, she charged me and I easily counteracted her, parrying a few times. With my strength as my advantage and my swiftness, I easily knocked her pole out of her hand and held mine to her throat until she conceded. I had won! But as I stepped off of the pit, I heard cries of horror and ran to the next pit over, to see my sister smiling down into the pit's depths. Her competitor had fallen. I had no doubt she had done it on purpose and I had to stifle a growl. She saw my glare, but was unaware of who I was and laughed at me.

"You! Fancy peacock face. You are next." She motioned to the pit and I shook from anger and just a little fear. 

My next competitor was not my sister, thankfully, and was more of a challenge than my first. Several times she nearly swept my feet, but thanks to the powder I was light and lifted easy. When she swept a fourth time, she lost her footing and began to fall. Fortunately, she was able to grasp the ramp with one hand, hanging precariously from it. I could tell the sweat from the competition was making her slip soon so I thrust myself to my belly and grasped her hand with both of mine until finally she had been pulled up. Embarrassed in defeat, the girl pushed past me and I caught the eye of my sister.

"Weak fool. I shall not offer the same." Her words were a threat and I knew I would have my hands full with her as she had beat the other girl. It was time for us to compete to see who would come out victor of the first challenge. 

I gripped my pole tightly, glad the powder was giving me the confidence to not sweat as much as my sister and we parried a few times before she began a vicious onslaught. It was all I could do to keep from losing my balance. But in her eagerness to defeat me and overexertion she tired herself and that was her undoing. It was almost not a fair fight and I pushed her feet, knocking her in her ribs, and placed the tip of my pole at her throat, waiting. 

"Kill me!" She snarled, embarrassed and angry. But I shook my head, waiting for mother to announce me victorious, which she did. No one wished me well, disappointed in their own failures or companion's failures as no one knew me and so, alone, I made my way to the next challenge -- a race. 

Once the race had begun, I paced myself, ignoring the throng of women as they darted past me, my sister included. I knew better. They would burn themselves out and so I ran at a steady pace, enjoying the scenery and taking my time as I ran. As time went by, those who burned themselves out quickly started to slow, some stopping, and I took it as my cue to speed up a little. After more and more began to fall back, I began to pick up the pace quite a bit until I could see the three forerunners. As I was on the tail of my sister and two others, I saw Hildy step-hop, sending a large loose branch toward one of the women running beside her. The branch fell under the girl's feet, causing her to lose her balance and trip, and I nearly trampled her, dodging at the last moment, grateful again to the powder for giving me the strength to do so. 


Prize Ch. 01



And so it was just the three of us running for a while. I could hear cheers ahead though; we were coming upon the end. It was at this point that my sister purposely shoved my arm hard, before we got out in the open for all to see, and sent me careening into a dead tree. I knew the moment my foot tangled in the fallen log I had lost the race. Not only did I fall and watch her run forward to win the race, grinning evilly, but my leg was injured as I slid. When I recovered enough to stand, I saw the leg from my knee to the top of my ankle was a bloody mess. Frowning under my mask, I sighed and began to limp toward the finish line, wanting to at least finish that much. One of the girls from the very back stopped when she saw my leg and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, letting me limp with her to the end where we tied for last place. It was humiliating to know my sister had won by cheating, but then again, with the powder I had no right to complain. I kept my mouth shut as the shaman doctored up my leg, stopping the bleeding at least.

When it came time to the last event that afternoon, I wondered if they would even let me compete with my leg so badly injured. The queen stared at it and shook her head, making my heart sink. She looked at me in the eye and I felt my heart flutter -- she knew who I was -- and said, "Do you want to continue this last trail, sister? You are given the option to decline gracefully, still a winner. I nodded with force and was allowed to compete.

But when I saw the task set before me, I blanched. It would be a fight between my sister and I on a tiny float in the middle of the Gengni river. The river was teaming with crocodiles and I panicked knowing they would smell my leg and it would be impossible to fight them off of the floating raft that we would fight upon. 

My sister was cocky and told the crowds around us, "This girl is hiding her face because she knows she cannot win. I shall be victorious!" She raised her hands high and many, many women cheered at her strong words and motions. I could not stand to think about how death would come swiftly for me. I had no chance! But then I felt the powder strengthen me and sighed. I had to at least try. I glanced to the center of the village, but was unable to see Willhulm in his cage, wondering if he were dreading the outcome. It made me all the more determined not to let my wicked sister's hands upon him and so I stepped upon the floating raft, attempting to let the powder find my footing for me. My sister jumped upon the raft, cocky and sure, and began to rock it to and fro as they pushed it out into the rapids. 

It was all I could do to keep the raft afloat and me ontop as I lifted the sword I had been given and blocking attack after attack that my sister sent my way. When she got wise and saw my leg, she began to attempt to bring it more injury, and it took every single ounce of strength and stamina I had to keep her away from it and not cut or kill me. She would push and attempt to throw me into the water, but I did not let her. The black forms of crocodiles, smelling my leg, began to surface and the fear was almost overwhelming as she and I danced with our blades. We were not too far from the shore and I could hear the Valkyries chanting my sister's name, which encouraged her. I knew I had lost. I had no way of beating my sister. But the only thing that saved me was Willhulm's face in my mind. I wanted to save him from my sister. But most of all, I wanted to know his touch on my skin. I remembered him holding my hand and the warmth and feeling that came from it and it was better than any powder or tonic or support from my sisters on shore. I swung viciously and furiously until my sister was pushed to the very edge of the raft.

As a crocodile charged upon the raft, becoming bold in his hunger, I lost my balance and fell over the side, grasping onto the raft before falling into the water.

As I managed to pull myself out, I saw my sister was also hanging on the side now, but she was fighting with the crocodile, swinging her sword at it to hold it off. I ran to her, sliding my blade in its side, which caused it to fall, bleeding into the water. The injured crocodile was soon preyed upon by his fellow reptiles, leaving my sister and I alone. Despite the fact that I wanted to kill her, I pushed my sword to her neck and held it there until she glared up at me.

"What are you waiting for? Do it!" She snarled, her eyes red with exertion and anger. But I shook my head.

"I am not a killer." I said so softly that she could not hear. My mother called out to us, making motions to her guards beside her.

"Well done, masked one. You have won the Tourney. You have won the male. We shall pull you in." And I nearly slipped as they yanked on the rope to drag us back to shore, but mostly from shock. I had won? I had won! 

To Be Continued... 



Prize Ch. 02



As soon as we reached the shore, almost all of the women were surrounding me, patting me on the back, smiling happily that I had won. It felt wonderful, yet I also felt terrible for cheating, despite the fact that my sister had done it to me. I followed my mother to the center of the village where two guards were standing at the ready to open the cage door for us. Once it was opened, they prodded the man out and moved him into the small hut that had been designed for this situation. My heart was racing and I felt weak with relief, fear and nervousness. My injured leg was throbbing, but my heart was joyous. But before I could go join my prize, my sister stopped me.

"Not so swiftly shall you go just yet." When she yanked my mask off of me, the look on her face was almost better than ten season's worth of harvesting. "Kyrja!" Her face became pale and she looked as if she were going to faint. I smirked at her and then pressed the mask back on my face, turning to our mother. 

"I am ready, Queen Hausta." I held my chin up, daring her to tell me I had not won my prize, but she smiled so briefly I nearly missed it and saw something akin to pride in her eye. She motioned to the cabin where Willhulm was waiting.

"Then claim your prize, sister, you earned it well." I felt bad at her words for a few moments as I walked slowly to the hut, ignoring the pats on the backs and rude comments about best positions and such. But before I could enter, Freyja grasped my arm and leaned in to me to whisper in my ear.

"I have lied to you, Kyrja. Forgive me." I stopped, startled at her words. What had she lied about? "When I told you the herbs were magic, it was a lie. I told it to you to give you confidence. And it looked as if it worked. I knew you could win without anything but belief in yourself." I blinked, taking in her shocking words. I had won on my own?

"The powder...?" I gasped softly.

"...Was simply chamomile. Good for tea, but not so much for winning an exhausting tourney. You have truly excelled today, Kyrja. I knew you could do it." She pecked me on the cheek and began to hobble away, leaving me in shock in her wake. I glanced ahead at the guard standing at the door, waiting for me, and braced myself in preparation for what was inside. When I entered, limping as I did, I took in the room. The fireplace was made of stone, but screened so that the males could not bring harm to themselves, the hut or their new mistress. There rested a huge grizzly bear hide rug on the floor in front of the fireplace. And in the background was a nice-sized bed made of pine postings with leather shackles at the head and foot of the soft mattress to keep the male submissive. Sitting on the bed, his back to me was my prize. Willhulm.

As I stood there, studying his bare back, he rose slowly and turned, glaring at me in sheer defiance. I was startled at first, but then remembered I was still in the competition top and loincloth as well as mask. My eyes were drawn to his body. He had been given simply a loincloth to wear, which accented the rest of his muscular frame. His arms and chest rippled at the slightest movement and I realized that blacksmithing must require quite a bit of strength, as he had the muscles from it.

"So, you are the winner, here to take your prize?" His voice was full of rebellion and I smirked underneath my mask. "Why do you hide your face from me?" I opted to toy with him a little and began to slowly circle him. 

"Aye, I am your new mistress." I said the words softly so that I would not give my voice away if he recognized it. "And I am not hiding my face; I am playing a game with you." He leaned in a little, confused and curious. "If you can tell me my name, Willhulm, I will take off my mask."

"Hmm." He began to scratch his hairy chin, thinking of a name that could fit a Valkyrie champion living in the middle of a jungle. As he began to form a random name in his mouth, he blinked at me in shock, realizing he had given no one his name. But me.

"If I were to say 'Kyrja'," he asked, clasping his hands behind his back and circling me now. "Would I be far from the truth?" Without letting me answer, the man pushed my mask off of my face and laughed. "Kyrja? You won the tourney?" I nodded proudly; especially proud now that I knew I had done it without cheating. He grasped my hand and pulled me to the bear rug beneath us. "You must tell me how you did it!" I winced when my leg brushed against the rug, which made him look down. "Oh, no. Your leg. It looks quite painful." He reached out to touch it, but refrained, worried about hurting me further.

As we sat, dining on fruit and fruit juice left for us to enjoy, I explained about the mask and how it had probably saved me from the wrath of my sister, but not so much since she had almost cost me dearly. I told him of every event and the things I went through and the things running through my mind. When I told him about my sister lifting my mask and her reaction, we both burst into laughter. 

"Oh Kyrja, I wish I had seen it. I am certain it would have been side-splitting." He smiled warmly and then looked at me almost as if seeing me in a different light, and not just the one from the fireplace. The heat was making me a little drowsy, but I fought it, enjoying spending time with the man. "How did you do it? How could you go through all of that and have the courage to finish?" 

I blushed profusely at his question, knowing the answer, but went forward with my reply.

"You." I saw the confusion on his face. "Anytime I drew close to giving up, I just thought about my sister mistreating you. It encouraged me to put more effort in, so that she would not be put in that position." I blushed again, knowing how it made me sound weak. But I saw some sort of glimmer in his eye as he reached out and stroked my cheek gently. I shuddered at his touch; it felt so nice. 

"So," Willhulm's voice was low, sultry. "What are you going to do with your prize now that you have won him?" His other hand went to my other cheek and he pulled me slightly forward as he leaned forward himself until our lips touched. I pulled back, as if struck, my fingertips going to my lips. Confusion was clear on his handsome face as I did. "I am sorry, did I hurt you?" 

I shook my head, regretting my actions. I was mature enough to be with the man I had won. I was confused myself at why I was acting so shyly around him. 

"I...I am sorry. I do not know why I am acting this way." I felt my face heat up and wondered what was in the juice as I was being extremely ridiculous. I realized I was trembling and knew that if the night were to proceed as it should, I would have to get a hold on my nervousness and stop being so utterly shy. I watched as he stretched out on the rug, patting his tummy. 

"You can rest your head here, if you would like." I complied and enjoyed the feeling as he ran his hand across my hair and forehead, down my cheek, completely relaxing me. His hand reached out and stroked my arm, and I found myself drifting to sleep. 

I woke a little while later to soft fingers brushing against my cheek and realized I was staring up at Willhulm as he stroked my face. My head was resting in his lap and he helped me up on my own when I made the motion to move. I let him pull me backwards so that my back was resting comfortably against his chest and sighed softly, enjoying the touch and contact. It was worth all of the struggles of the day just for this one moment.

"Are you cold?" He asked upon seeing goose-bumps where his hand brushed my arms and I shook my head, unwilling to tell him that his touch was sending shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes when he brushed my hair away from my neck and began to place little tiny fluttery kisses there. Unable to help myself I turned my head and let him kiss my lips, and I found myself truly enjoying the touch. 

I let him pull me onto his lap, and almost naturally I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him kiss me more. Our kisses deepened, so did the quickening of my pulse and the beating of my heart. I felt such an odd fluttery feeling in my gut but did not want him to stop kissing me; I had worked hard for his kisses! When he slid his tongue into my mouth, I had to keep myself from pulling back in surprise. It was not unpleasant though, so I remained still until he pulled his tongue back out and pressed his lips onto my cheek, then neck, trailing downward. When he stopped, I felt a loss, but realized that there was no hurry. He would kiss me again -- he was mine! Carefully he deposited me back onto the rug and looked worriedly at my leg. 

"It looks so painful." He murmured softly, pushing me down gently so that I was on my back, on the soft rug, staring up at him. "I do not want to hurt you any further, Kyrja." I nodded, understanding his hesitation, but I was beyond the pain now. I reached for and grasped his hand, bringing it to my lips. I put several kisses on the palm before he closed his hand over mine and brought it down. Once his hands were freed, he took the opportunity to unfasten the ties on the front of my tunic until they were loosened and he was able to spread my tunic apart, freeing my breasts from underneath. I saw the admiration in his eye and wondered what it would be like when he entered me. Would it hurt? Would it feel pleasureful? I could not wait to have him lead me to paradise.

"Am I correct in assuming you have never been with a man before, beauty?" His eyes bored into mine and I nodded, blushing from the thought of being so inexperienced as well as his sweet term of endearment.

"I have only been with one woman before, Kyrja. She was a harlot my brother had hired for me, so I only know of my experiences from that one time. I might not be the best to lead you down the path of pleasure. But I am willing to try." His mouth twisted into a smile. "If you promise not to blind or kill me once I father you a child, that is." I nodded, hoping he could see the honesty within. I was not teasing him or lying to him; I would free him before that would or could ever happen. He must have seen the truth as he brought his hand back down and began to touch me, stroking my cheek, neck and breast. As his fingertips brushed against the nipples of each, I gasped almost inaudibly as they did. The sensation was incredible! I did not want him to stop, and so closed my eyes as he touched and rubbed and stroked. 

When I felt the most incredible feeling I had to pop my eyes open to see what he was doing to me. His tongue was swirling in a circle around my left nipple, which was standing up tall and as large as I had ever seen it in my lifetime. I gasped in pleasure, feeling a burst of liquid beneath my loincloth, and I knew there was no possible way I could ever get any more aroused than I was at that point. But I was wrong on that.

He shifted to the other nipple to give equal treatment and our eyes locked. I saw within his expression a look of lust and of appreciation and I knew that in bringing me pleasure, it was bringing him pleasure - a truly selfless thing despite being forced into the position he was in now.

I wanted to bring him pleasure as well, but was uncertain how so I reached out and stroked his hair with a hand as he began to suckle on the nipple that was his current focus. The sensation was amazing and it just seemed to go on and on, the fluttering in my belly constant. I heard a low guttural moan coming from somewhere and understood it to be from my throat. It was interesting the sort of reaction the man was bringing from me, feelings I had never felt before were coming to the surface and I realized with a start that I did not want the night to end. I watched him as he attempted to untie my loincloth, but failed and so I had mercy on him after a few moments of his fumbling and unwrapped it for him, freeing myself so that I was lying before him completely naked.

When Willhulm shook his head, I wondered if he was displeased with what he saw. I was about to ask, but he spoke first.

"Your body is what my dreams are made of, Kyrja." He shook his head again, taking in my body from head to toe before reaching out and stroking my flat belly. He tickled me lightly, causing me to laugh, and I understood why -- I was tense and nervous. Appreciating his thoughtfulness, I closed my eyes and gulped softly, waiting for him to do with me what he wanted. 

" Kyrja?" I opened my eyes, showing I was listening. "May I touch you in your most private place?" I nodded hesitantly, knowing it was probably something he needed to do. Something I wanted to experience -- I wanted it all. But nothing prepared me for the sensation of his touch. I could not help but arch my back and gasp as he gently rubbed between my legs gently. It was incredible!

When I felt his fingers slide inside of me, and yet more pressure on the outside, I began to moan and spasm. My body was out of control! But what happened next nearly drove me mad. I felt an incredible burst of pleasure, so much so that the room grew dark and I saw little pinpoints of light as I exploded within my body. 

"Oohhhhhhhh!" I shrieked, unable to help myself and I grasped the nearest thing I could hold, which was his arm. I squeezed probably a little too hard, but he did not remove my hand and let me continue to shriek and moan in pleasure until I could not handle his hands between my legs for the sensitivity. He seemed to understand and moved his hands to his side while I panted, relaxing from my incredible pleasureful experience. 

As he stood, I watched him, curious as to his next moves and was unable to blink or even twitch, when he began to drop his loincloth. When his manhood sprung free, I know my eyes had grown wide, but it was simply because although I had seen animals in the wild and knew what to expect, I was completely taken unaware at the sight of such a long and thick piece of flesh on a human. It was standing tall and fully formed, leaning a little to the right. It bobbed a little as he lowered himself down and I shook my head slightly, completely unsure of how he could possibly get such a large thing inside of me. His lips found mine and he lay upon me, being mindful of my injured leg as he did. Our lips moved together as if dancing to a rhythm all of their own and I felt his hands stroking my hips as he prepared himself.

"This is going to be quite painful for you, I am sorry to say, Kyrja." His voice was husky, full of desire and arousal and I know mine sounded quite similar when I replied.

"I understand. I feel as if it is important for this to be completed though. It is not such a bad thing for you to have pleasure." He nodded and smiled slightly, kissing me once more as he shifted his body in place, spreading my legs apart as he did. His finger went once more into my private place, as he prepared it to receive him and as he thrust into me, he continued to rub my sensitive spot, which made the pain and pleasure mix. I screamed out as he began to push his way inside of me, unsure if those listening on the outside would come rushing in to see if I were dying. Once he was fully inside, he stopped moving, looking down at my face with concern and care. 

I smiled up at him, wondering if we were done. Was his seed inside of me now? Would I conceive? He stroked my hair as he continued to stare, a worried look on his handsome face.

"Kyrja? Are you all right?" I felt such joy at his concern. For being coerced into something like this, the male was certainly treating me well. I nodded and wondered if at some point we could do it again. As he slowly withdrew from within me, I scrunched up my eyes, as it felt really good. When he thrust in again, though, I was unprepared and felt myself clench, every muscle went into the throes of pleasure. Back out he came and continued to do this until I thought the world would tilt upside down and spill us out of it's grip. He pushed into me and out a few more times until I felt as if I were unable to contain the explosion I felt, which was even greater than when he had put his finger within me. He began to suck in his breath deeply, grasping the bear's hide under us as he scrunched up his own eyes in what looked to be extreme pain. I felt a strange sensation as if he were pulsing inside of me as he let out a thick moan and understood that he must have reached his own pleasureful high as had I. 

Willhulm relaxed on top of me for a few moments, his body twitching as did mine and I felt an incredible sense of well-being and contentment from our lovemaking. He lie upon me for a while, and I might have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, I was being lifted and put into the bed. The woolen sheet was pulled over my body as he joined me, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling my neck, while holding me tightly to his warm body. I curled around him and drifted into a pleasure-filled sleep. 

To wake with someone cradling your body in their arms I discovered to be the most pleasant way to wake. As I stirred, I felt his movement indicating he was waking or awake already and I smiled as Willhulm squeezed me lightly in greeting for the day. I slowly rolled over so that I was facing him, resting my head on my elbow. I knew I could not remain this way for long as my leg was throbbing in pain, but it was worth studying his sleep-filled face as he attempted to wake fully. I reached out and stroked his face, touching the stubble on his cheeks with curiosity. Being this close to a man, after never seeing one so near, was intriguing and I could not get enough of looking at him, of touching his skin.

He grinned at me, his dark brown eyes glowing as he grasped my hand and brought it to his lips and then pulled it down to his chest, pressing it over his heart. I mirrored his smile until he began to move my hand lower. Once he had moved my hand to his manflesh, he wrapped my fingers around it. Was it always so hard? I ran my fingers around it as he closed his eyes and I wondered if he were going to sleep. His sharp intake of breath from time to time as I stroked the tip and then down the shaft of it, told me he was quite awake. 

"You do not have to be so gentle with it, beauty. It will not break." At his words I nodded and began to grip the shaft tighter, pulling upward as if it were inside of me as I remembered it being. Just the thought of the night before sent my body into a frenzy, and I felt a wetness beginning to flow from between my legs, aroused again.

At one point, he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine and pulled me onto his body so that I was staring down at his mahogany eyes. 

"You are so beautiful, Kyrja." He pulled my head down so that he could kiss me as he reached down between my legs and stroked me. I gasped, of course, as it felt wonderful.

It did not take him long to remove my hand from his manly member and slide my body upon it, almost as if impaling me with it. I wanted to giggle at the thought but the ecstasy that it sent me into erased all thoughts of humor and once again I found myself shrieking with glorious pleasure. Wave after wave of spasms of passionate enjoyment rocked my body and I felt myself fold under the pressure, collapsing on his chest.

"Kyrja? Are you unwell?" His voice was full of pain for me and I nodded to alleviate any worry. 

"My leg is swollen, but I feel wonderful." I did not want to stop and so I attempted to climb upon him again, but Willhulm had other ideas. He rolled me gently onto my knees, wound side out, and lifted my buttocks in the air, climbing onto his own knees. Like this, on the bed, he mounted me as if he was a mating bull and once again I nearly giggled until he slid into me, piercing me with his passion and thick mansex. If I had thought I had felt pleasure before, this new position brought me to tears, it was that intense and we soon both were shrieking and moaning in unison as we burst into a pleasure-filled climax. I collapsed, with him on top of me but off to the side so that he was not bearing the weight upon me. 




Prize Ch. 02



I decided at that point, that I wanted to make love to him for the rest of my life.

As I lay there, with his arm slung over me, I could not help but wonder if he felt the same. I twisted my head so that I was facing him, but his eyes were closed. They popped open once I pressed my lips on his cheek and I smiled at him.

"I enjoyed that." His statement was so matter-of-fact that I had to smile and nod in complete agreement, glad he had also felt good from it. We made love for the rest of the day, anytime we felt up for it, and both had stamina to do so. I knew that soon life would intrude again and I pondered how to tell him that I would have to return to my chores the next morning. 

"Willhulm," I started to say as we sat naked upon the rug, eating the fresh fruit and meat dish that someone had left just inside of the doorway for us. He stopped eating the peach and stared at me, curious to hear my words. "Tomorrow morning I will have to return to my normal chores. However, they will not take but a short while, and I will come to your arms as much as possible. I promise." He nodded in understanding, realizing the gravity of the situation. He was still a prisoner of the Valkyries, no matter how well he is treated by one of their members. 

"I am well fed, have a good place to rest my head, have fire for warmth at night, and a beautiful, kind woman to warm my bed. I could not imagine a better life." His words thrilled me, making my heart sing. 

We made love once more in front of the fireplace before retiring for the night, and I decided that I wanted to wake and fall to sleep to such passion. Except my leg began to throb fairly badly during the morning love making session and we had to cease the activity else injure my leg further. He held me, sweaty from the exertion and kissed me, regretting the inability for us both to have climaxed in passion as we had grown accustomed to doing in each other's arms. I reached my hand to grasp his still erect manhood, but he stopped me.

"Please, beauty, I do not want to harm you. You have already cried out in pain from your leg. Let us give you a small amount of time to heal? We have time, yes?" I nodded, but sighed sadly at the premise of both of us going unfulfilled and unsatisfied. 

I climbed off of the bed and gathered the fresh tunic dress that had been left for me and kissed him with a long, passionate kiss. Willhulm's eyebrows rose in surprise at my passion and I smiled, stating, "More when I return." I limped to the doorway and stared back at him as he lay upon the bed, the sheet covering his lower half. I took a short moment to stare at his handsome face and chest before opening the bamboo door and limping into the rising sunlight. The guard standing outside must not have been there the previous night as she smiled at me, as if to encourage me to speak. I knew that if she had been the guard the night before, she would have heard us moaning and shrieking and so was thankful she was not that guard. 

I fed the wolves that belonged to myself, my sister and my mother, set off in a pen all to themselves, treated special for the royalty of the village. They accepted the fresh lamb that had been set aside and for once I wished that they would take the meat from anyone but me. But for some reason, the three wolves would not allow anyone in the pen but me to feed them. I hurriedly fed them, spending time scratching behind their ears, especially the black that was my own mount. Mist as I called her; I loved her, as she was a she-wolf with large, intelligent red eyes that stood out in the darkness when I rode her at night. I patted them once each one last time and hurriedly limped back to my cabin, but was brought up short when I saw there was no guard. Cocking my head at the oddness, I pushed my way into the cabin to a terrible scene.

"Hildy!" I gasped at my sister as she hovered without a single item of clothing upon her body over Willhulm's also naked form. I wanted to get upset at the man, but then realized his hands and feet were locked in the leather straps that spread his arms and legs apart. With his body incapacitated, my sister was attempting to arouse the man by putting his manhood into her mouth, lifted and falling in a rhythm. When the naked woman saw me, she pulled her mouth from his mostly erect manflesh to yell at me.

"He is MY prize!" She shrieked at me as she massaged his manrod. "I should have him, not you!" I did not see that she was not alone until it was too late and her companion, Sheba, wrapped her arm around my neck from behind and twisted my left arm behind me cruelly. 

"Ahhhh!" I cried out in severe pain as it felt as if my arm was being pulled out of the socket. I was incapacitated and it infuriated me, because I knew I could not help Willhulm trapped like I was. 

"Let her alone." The man's angry words came through clenched teeth as he looked at me helplessly, frustrated with the betrayal of his own flesh. 

"You, man, standing up for her? HER? How odd. I will have to break you of your spirit." With her words came a fist into his face, smashing his chin, whipping his head back. "You are mine. MINE!" 

I whimpered when I saw him hurt by my sister, fury nearly overwhelming me so that a string of threats spilled from my mouth. My sister glanced at me, upon seeing with alarm that his erection was leaving him, and snapped at Sheba.

"Get her out of here! Quickly!" But I fought with her companion, digging my heels into the rug as best as I could. Overcome with pain for the man and anger that my sister would betray me so, I clenched my right fist and swung it upward, landing it squarely into Sheba's nose.

The pain was enough for her to release me and I used it to my advantage to thrust my knee into her lungs, pushing her over in agony. I then used my elbow to smash it into the back of her head, dropping her to the rug. I spun to make my sister leave Willhulm's side, but she was already on her feet, approaching me with a wicked looking knife shaped like a snake; her favorite, an heirloom from our mother. I had no doubts she would use it on me if given half a chance. I heard Willhulm's voice tell me to be cautious and I nodded absentmindedly at him, my eyes trained upon my sister's, watching for her movements.

She was bad at displaying her moves and so when she swung, I easily pulled back, avoiding the bite. I took the chance at the miss to swing my own fist, smacking her in the wrist hand, which caused the dagger to drop. When my sister realized I probably could best her, especially after the display from the tourney, she cruelly kicked my wounded leg. Pain shot throughout my body and it was so intense I nearly blacked out, but managed to keep my focus on Willhulm's worried stare. I could not lose this else let him suffer at her hand. And he would suffer, of that I had no doubt. As I had grasped my leg, my sister kicked me to where I fell over to my side, but my hand landed upon the edge of something sharp -- her dagger! I quickly grasped it and as she was bringing her fist around to crunch into my nose in a move she hoped would push bones into my brain to kill me, I thrust the dagger into her chest. She gasped, looking down at the dagger as if she could not believe that I would do such a thing and promptly fell over dead. 

My eyes filled with tears as I gasped in horror at her unmoving form.

"No...Hildy. No, no, oh no!" I had killed my own sister!

To Be Continued...



Prize Ch. 03



"Kyrja?" I was frozen in shock until the masculine voice of Willhulm broke through my haze, snapping me back to the spinning earth. I limped to my lover's side and began to hurriedly untie the straps the held him down, rushing as if the world would implode upon me at any moment. Once I removed the last tie, I nearly collapsed upon the bed, weeping for my sister's life that I had just taken. Willhulm gathered me into his arms, wrapping them tightly around my body to console me, but I was inconsolable. 

"I k-k-killed her." I cried, burying my head in his shoulder as I did. He rocked me gently, rubbing my back to try and comfort me as best as he could. After I had recovered somewhat, I stared at his naked form, full of relief that my sister had not touched him except with her mouth. It was selfish, and she was dead, but I wanted him to myself.

"I have to get you away from here." I snapped back to the problem at hand, mind working furiously for answers and solutions. I could claim I had killed Hildy, but I doubted my mother would believe me and that meant Willhulm's life was in danger. I chewed on my lip, tugging at his arm, but he stopped me.

"I must dress first, Kyrja." I saw the logic in his words but was distressed that I would have to have him leave without me. He slid on his loincloth and boots, slinging a vest over his chest that was resting on the edge of the bed, and turned to me. "All right, let us flee this place." 

I shook my head at his urgent words. "Nay, I cannot leave." I saw the look of pain in his face, feeling it within my heart.

"You are staying?" 

"I must. The wolven mounts could find you. I shall distract as long as it takes to let you get free." He wrapped me within his arms and sighed heavily hearted, which I echoed in my own sigh. 

"I will never forget you, beauty." I fought the tears as he spoke the soft words to me as I led him to the door, staring out into the sun's rays. It was noon, so that meant most of the village should have been in the square preparing for the noon meal. It was as good as any of a time during the day to have to flee. I ran with him, dashing into the forest's edge, running until I led him to a brook that ran for a long way. I pointed to the water.

"Take this brook and run within it as much as you can. It will mask any scent so the wolves cannot track you." I let him pull me into his arms and once again found tears flooding my face as we said our final words.

"I will never forget you." He repeated and I could only nod, feeling as if a part of my heart was leaving with him as he dashed downstream.

I hurried back to the hut, making it inside without being seen and tucked myself away in a corner of the room after gagging and tying Sheba to the bed to buy Willhulm some time. I curled my body into a ball and wept for how poorly the way things had become. I could not believe that he was gone! I felt so alone and found myself falling into a troubled sleep as I waited to be discovered. It was during the time when the guard would have been replaced that the newly appointed guard had entered, curious about the lack of the current guard she was there to relieve. I barely heard her horrified screams of discovery and was in a daze when two of the stronger women lifted me up and carried me to my own room, depositing me gently upon my bed. I could hear my mother weeping in the distance, and although she was in the same cabin as me, it sounded as if she was so far away. 

"Kyrja?" I heard a soft voice calling and felt a warm hand upon my forehead, which made me open my eyes and stare up into the concerned face of my mother. "Kyrja, daughter, only daughter I have now, please tell me everything. How did your man prize kill your sister and escape? Did you attempt to capture him? Did he harm you?" Her questions were asked so rapidly I could not answer them all, so I focused on the one that was important to me.

"He has fled. He is far, far from here by now, mother." My voice was resigned and I closed my eyes, willing away the world and the memories. I must have drifted away to sleep, attempting to avoid what had happened, because it was nightfall when I opened my eyes and staggered out of the cabin. The village was in a flurry of activity and I knew why -- we were making an exodus to our winter village. I stumbled back to my cabin, lacking any heart or strength to help pack and gather items to take. 

"Kyrja!" I stopped and turned to face Sheba. She looked upset and angry, so I braced myself, uncertain if I had the strength to fight her if it came to it. She did nothing but stare hard at me. "What happened when you knocked me to darkness?" I kept my mouth closed, not caring to answer. She reached out and touched my cheek, which caused me to yank back as if she had burned me. "Your sister, I cared very deeply for her." She stepped closer, but stopped when I sent her a warning glare. "I could come to feel the same about you..." Her words nearly sent me into a furious frenzy, but I managed to control myself. 

"Get out of my way." I snarled with a clenched jaw, shoving past her angrily. I threw myself down upon my bed, knowing that by nightfall the next day we would be leaving and I might never see the cabin again. I decided a move was a good change and drifted into sleep, preparing to spend my last day in mourning for my sister.

But my sleep was interrupted by feminine screams and the smell of burning pine. They came just at dawn, a surprise as we were expecting it during the nights to come, not so soon. As I dashed out of the burning cabin, I froze when I saw men in armor and swords, slashing and hacking their way through my fellow Valkyries. The women were putting up a valiant fight and I dodged my way through the mass of twisted flesh and metal to grasp a fallen soldier's sword and join in the fray. I fought fiercely, downing quite a handful of solo men before I saw my mother in the distance surrounded by three swordmen. She was holding them off with the ceremonial spear and I knew she would not have the stamina to last with three fighting her, so I dashed her way as swiftly as my leg would let me go.

"Mother!" I cried out, attempting to fight them, but they were too strong and after being slashed in my arm and ribcage, I was overcome by the men and thrown onto my side. Rusty metal shackles were clasped around my legs and my wrists as I watched two new men do the same for mother. Once they had us linked, they began to add more and more of the surviving Valkyries. We had lost. It was over.

When the sun rose fully, I found myself pulled into a clearing, well away from the licking flames and thick plumes of smoke of our destroyed village. I whimpered when we passed the corral that held my family's wolves, all slaughtered. My eyes landed upon Mist's beautiful black body, now lying still in the dirt, and I felt a tear trickle down my face at her loss. Never again would I feel her tongue lick my face or hear her playful bark-like sounds as she danced around me, begging me to ride her through the meadows. I stumbled, my leg throbbing angrily, and scurried to my feet quickly as men were walking beside me and would smack me with the flat part of their swords if I faltered. 

Once we were arranged in the meadow, the leader walked the line, staring at each of us as if we were livestock. His belly was round and I knew this one loved the pleasures that came with living in luxury and high status. 

"What about this one, Magistrate?" One of his companions grasped one of the women roughly by her chin and pushed her back, laughing as he said, "I would bed her with no hesitation." The leader, this Magistrate fellow, nodded lustfully, moving down the line. I cringed when they got to my mother. 

"You." The Magistrate pointed at her and then grasped her breast roughly, which evoked quite a bit of anger from her minions, myself included. I struggled against my bonds fiercely, growling at the men.

"She is leader, yes?" The portly man turned to his companions, who all nodded in agreement. "Well, we shall set precedence for these wenches." He pulled out his long saber and pressed it into her chest, never ceasing to stare into her eyes as he did. 

"Noooooo!" I cried out, reaching for my mother as she fell to her knees groaning in pain. I felt such anguish at her loss and heard the weeping of my fellow Valkyries as their beloved queen breathed her last breaths at the feet of our enemy. "I shall kill you myself!" I bellowed, struggling against my bonds to reach his thick neck, my eyes bulging with fury. My anger drew his attention though and he turned to face me, eyeing me up and down as he did.

"This one. Now, she has promise. I like the fire; I would wager she is an animal in bed." He reached out to grasp me, going for my chest, but never made it as I snapped at him, biting a big chunk out of his palm as I did. He wanted an animal? He had one! "Owww! You sow! You foul wench! You shall pay for that!" He continued to curse me as his other hand slammed into my cheek in retribution. He turned to his two cronies and barked, "Strip her now!" I felt my eyes widen as I realized what was about to happen. I struggled against their grasping hands as they tore at my leathers, pulling my tunic away and then my loincloth until I stood naked before them, attempting feebly to cover myself with my shackled hands. 

"Nice." The Magistrate grinned at my exposed body as he let one of his men wrap his hand where I had bitten him. "I shall let you men take turns with this one. Kill her when you are all well satisfied. The others we shall sell as slaves." He turned his back on me and went to where they had set up a small table with fruit and drinks, letting one of his pages pour him a cup while he sat in the chair provided and watched. I snarled in defiance as three men dropped their swords and approached me with a hungry look on their grinning faces. I would fight them with all I had! I would not let them touch me as long as I was conscious. 

The first one to reach me attempted to grasp my hair but my mouth was snapping at his hand. He yanked back, unwilling to have his flesh removed like his master and growled in frustration. I knew they would have to work in harmony and so that meant I had very little time before they would claim my body as their own. I would move my mind to a far away place if that happened, not giving them the satisfaction of crying out. 

"Stop!" A masculine voice rang out as they prepared to spring upon me, and all three turned to look at the newcomer. I was so incensed that I ignored the man walking to join them, not caring that they would fight over me. Everyone paused, still glaring at the interruption, watching the new man walk to the Magistrate, who had stopped sipping his drink to stare up at the tall one. "She is mine. I told you this, Magistrate. It was part of our deal." My heart began to flutter at the sound of Willhulm's voice and I gasped when his words registered in my head. He had brought the men to the village? 

"Well, now, Smithy, I do not know if we can honor our agreement upon seeing her beauty. After all, we did provide you with the cottage and acres for you to grow whatever you wanted there. Surely that is enough." The man who had shared my bed with me turned his back to me and spoke in softer tones.

"I traded the Valkyrie village for the cottage and for her. The cottage was for her, Magistrate. What purpose would I have in living there alone? I could stay with the Master Smith, if that were the case." But the Magistrate simply shrugged. 

"Fine, fine. You can purchase her from me. She is mine now." He snapped his chubby fingers at the men, who frowned in frustration and disappointment, picking up their swords and fastening their pants. I stood panting, my focus solely on the man I had felt such attraction and devotion to, now my enemy. I hated him, building up the fury within for what he had done. If he were to come near, I would have attempted to take his hand off as well, but he never once looked at me, the coward.

"How much? I am not a wealthy man, but whatever it takes." Willhulm began to haggle with the fat man, as if I were some animal to be purchased along with pigs and sheep. The Magistrate saw nothing but dollar signs in me and set my price high, from the sound of Willhulm's angry words. "That is unreasonable! I am offering you back the cottage and my entire purse and anything else I can make in the next three seasons. How do you expect me, a mere journeyman blacksmith, to make that sort of coin?" I was pleased that he was having such a difficult time, but also realized that if he could not afford me, some possibly mean and filthy rich man could instead. Whether I liked it or not, Willhulm held the keys to my future. 

"Fine then, if she means that much to you, Smithy, I will take the cottage, FOUR seasons worth of your coin and anything else you happen to come along that you deem worthy." Willhulm sighed loudly, nodding, and turned to look at me, finally. I was ready to scratch him, bite him and do what it took to make him regret his actions, but the sorrow in his face almost quenched the fires of anger. He walked to me quickly and put his cloak around me, to cover my body. "Unleash her now." He snapped at the nearest guard, pointing to my shackles. 

I held my hands out, eager to be free as they would find my wrath very soon. But before the guard twisted the key into the lock, Willhulm leaned down to me and whispered, "Please do not do anything to get yourself killed. I already regret everything I have done to you and your village. Do not let your death be on my head as well, Kyrja." I forced myself to nod and waited patiently for the guard to twist the key.

As soon as I was free, I launched myself onto Willhulm, ignoring the twin cuts on my body and the wounded leg. I had only one intention -- making the man pay for the destruction of my village and the death of my mother. I began to assail him with all I had, his cloak flying off of my body so that my bareness was on display. At that point I did not care about anything except retribution.

"Ow, ow, Kyrja stop!" He held up his hands defensively, not fighting back as I kicked, scratched and bit him in various places on his body. The guards surrounded us and began to hoot and cheer me on, laughing each time I gouged him or took a chunk of his flesh with my mouth. 

Finally, he could not take it any longer and forcefully knocked me to the ground. I had grown weary from the exertion and blood loss, so that was the only way he was able to do so as I was as a she-devil as the men surrounding us called me. I gasped for my breath, attempting to save up energy so I could go at him again and he tossed the cloak down upon me so that I was covered once more, much to the disappointed groans of the men.

"Please stop, Kyrja, I do not want to hurt you any more than you are." He reached a hand down to help me up, but I angrily slapped it away, climbing to my feet on my own. I wrapped the cloak about me and stood shaking, my anger overwhelming me. Willhulm shook his head sadly and reached for my hand, only to have it slapped again.

"Kyrja, stop fighting me! I am trying to save your life." He tried to reason with me, looking uneasily over his shoulder at the smirking Magistrate.

"Save my life?" I cried out indignant. "Save my life? If you had not brought these beasts to my home, I would not have any need for your saving!" He held out a hand, and I pushed it away. He held out his other and I pushed it away. We did this a few times until the Magistrate stood to his feet.

"Mayhaps you should hog-tie the wench, hmm? Shall I have my men help?" His voice held much humor, which angered me even further. I knew I must have looked like a beast, but I did not care. All I wanted was retribution and to get my sisters freed. 

Willhulm frowned at the Magistrate and noted with alarm four guards drawing close, smiles lit upon all four faces and turned to me urgently. I knew I would garner trouble if I continued, but I was too angry to stop myself. 

"Look to the sun, Kyrja. See how high it reaches in the sky?" He pointed upward and so I followed his gaze. It was a ploy to distract me. I did not see his fist fly swiftly at my face until it was too late and I felt excruciating pain lance throughout my body, sending me into complete darkness as I collapsed into his arms.

When I woke, my head was spinning and I found myself tied with a soft rope that encompassed my hands and feet. Not too far from me stoking a small fire was Willhulm. I glanced about me to note we were in a clearing alone, with night falling rapidly around us.

"What have you done?" I gasped, fear lacing my spine for my Valkyrie sisters. Where were they? Willhulm's head shot my direction and he dropped the log to push me back down on my back. 

"Please refrain from moving, Kyrja." His voice was soft, full of anxiety. I knew he feared my escape, but he had to know that was the only thing on my mind. "I am taking you back to my village. I do not know if my master will let me keep you with me in my small room or not, but if so, we must come to an accord, you and I." 

I moved my head back and forth defiantly, stubbornly refusing to agree with anything the foul man would suggest. "Please, Kyrja, do not make this more difficult than it is. Do you not know how sorry I am for leading them to your village?" I heard sadness in his voice, but did not trust it to be truthful. "I could not let any more men become victims to the Valkyries, Kyrja. Not many of them are like you. If they were, I would never have considered doing such a thing. I know you think I betrayed you, but I do not feel it is right to capture men just to breed with them and then kill them off when you are done and emptied of their seed. It is not right. Do you understand?" I glared at him, holding my tongue until his jibber-jabber was done. "Of course you do not." He sighed softly, attempting to put his hand on my head, but I snapped at him, unable to help myself.

Angry now, frustrated at my stubbornness, Willhulm pulled out a thick cloth and inserted it into my mouth, tying it tightly at the back of my head, gagging me. "If you are going to act like an animal, Kyrja, then I will treat you like one." His tone was sullen and I knew I was now his prisoner. I did not trust him to not misuse me, and so I harbored as much bitterness and anger towards him that I could muster. I struggled against my bonds, screaming as loudly as I could over and over again at him, while he attempted to ignore me. I fought with all I had in me and promised him with my angry glare that I would never stop. He tied my rope off to a tree to make certain I did not have a chance to flee and relaxed upon his side, turning his back to me. I struggled and pulled at the rope as much as I could and when I tired, I rested until I could do it all over again. I would not stop. I promised my mother I would avenge her and if that meant killing him, I would. 

I must have tired myself completely out as I woke to feel a soft touch upon my forehead. I started to fight but when I saw the face of Sheba, staring down at me with a haggard look on her face, I stilled myself instantly. Using a dagger, she cut my gag first and then began to work on the thick ropes around my hands. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Willhulm sleeping, his back still to me and continued to keep vigil while she sliced into the ropes. Finally I was freed and I grasped her arm in thanks, looking to Willhulm in thought, wondering what to do with him. I held my hand out for her dagger, which she complied with and motioned for her to gather the ropes, which she did. I crept softly to the man and pressed the dagger to his throat, signaling her to tie him. He woke with a start and then noted my face with alarm, struggling to sit up until he felt the sharp edge of the dagger at his throat. 




Prize Ch. 03



"Move and die." I stated plainly, anger driving me despite my heart aching to kiss his lips. It was not difficult to shrug off the desire for him, as I kept seeing my mother's fallen body at the men's feet, which drove me forward.

Once he was tied, I wrapped the rope to the same tree, with Sheba's help in moving his big form to it, and began to walk the direction I thought we had come from, ignoring any of his pleas for me to stop. 

"Please take me with you at least!" Willhulm's last cry stopped me, and I pondered if I should. 

It would be easy for a predator to attack him as helpless as he was, so I bit my lip until Sheba commented, "He is to blame for all of this, Kyrja. Leave him to die." I nodded at her words, and we began to trek through the forest with the intention of rescuing our Valkyrie sisters. When I could no longer hear his voice, I began to ponder why he had betrayed me. Was it so important to him to seek justice against my way of life that he would destroy lives in his path by doing so? I decided to think on plans of rescuing the rest of the Valkyries as each time I thought of the man, my prize, it fostered anger. 

We moved stealthily through the forest until we came upon the men and their captives in rest. They had tied the girls to the trees and were sleeping, with a few guards taking turns at watch. Very few guards, such was their insolence that nothing could harm them. They were about to be rudely awakened to the fact that there were worse predators in the forest than wild cats and bears. 

I saw movement in the forest, after counting two guards on one side and one on the other and motioned to Sheba to follow. We wove our way silently around fallen logs and between fronds where I nearly stumbled on top of the guard. His pants were pushed to his ankles and he had his hands pressed against a young Valkyrie's arms, pinning her naked body down. She was whimpering and I could tell he had hurt her to get her to submit. As he rose up and down quickly, rapidly and with a grunting noise as he assaulted her body, I flicked Sheba's dagger swiftly under his neck, silencing him forever. 

As Sheba and I helped the young Valkyrie up to her feet, waiting for her to dress and wipe her tears, I began to devise a plan to destroy the men. I had not seen the Magistrate and his men so figured them to be ahead of the slave group, unwilling to travel slowly enough to stay with them. I gathered the sword not far from the man's dead body and motioned for both to follow, with the young one behind us.

In one swift motion I attacked the lone guard, left by his companion to do with what he wanted to my young sister-in-arms. He fell silently and I gave the young one his sword. I noted the feral look within her eyes and smiled as we swiftly moved to the lone two remaining guards. We cut them down fast and began to wake their captives, releasing them one by one. I wished there were more than a few swords and the dagger, but we would work with what we had. 

As I led them in the direction that I supposed the Magistrate and his men to be, Sheba held my arm tightly, pressing me back. 

"Shall we not flee? We can make it to the winter village by the next nightfall." Her words were full of wisdom and I glanced at the faces of the young ones the men had chosen to keep, pondering the best course. If we fled, we could rebuild and live in peace for a short while, but if the Magistrate never stopped searching for us, then our peace would be short lived. No, we had to destroy them else they get it in their minds to come after us. I shook my head and began to devise a plan. The Magistrate would have many, many guards so we would have to attack fast and hope we could get more swords as the men fell. 

"My queen," Sheba startled me with the word 'queen', but I realized with my mother and sister gone, I was now leader. "The girls are tired, weak and full of fear. Do you think it wise to do this thing? Perhaps we should return once we have re-established the village?" I sighed softly, understanding her point. The young ones were not skilled. If I led them to the guards, they would surely be slaughtered. I would lose a good amount of them for certain. 

After much debating within my mind, I finally nodded in agreement. We would make for the winter village and regroup, retrain and then seek our revenge. As we began the long trek through the dark forest, I spared one glance back, wondering if Willhulm would be well. I did not wish him death now that I had my Valkyries back with me and the anger had some time to fade. But one thing was certain, I would never let him touch me or love me ever again.

To Be Continued...



Prize Ch. 04



"Kyrja?" I looked behind me to note with pleasure the spear that my mother always had carried was now whole. When we had found it on our way to the winter village, it had grieved me to find it in two pieces, a gift from the Magistrate and his soldiers, no doubt.

I held my hand out, after removing it from my swollen belly, and grasped the spear tightly within my palm. It was light, yet sturdy and it felt right for me to hold it. It had taken so many months to rebuild our clan, with most of the Valkyries saved being so young, but they had taken to training very swiftly and were ready for revenge soon. I smiled at the thought of twenty bloodthirsty Valkyries attacking a village of the men who had attempted to destroy us and knew without a doubt it would not be easy. I knew we had to be victorious -- there was no option for failure.

"I hope it is a female." Sheba had come up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist, caressing the bulge there carefully. I let her touch me in such a manner, despite not allowing her into my bed, because it kept her favor. Sheba was a strong ally to have and I did not want to set her against me in any manner. There were times at night I found myself so lonely in the large cabin of the queen that I thought I might reconsider her frequent offer and bed her, but I just could not allow myself to think of her or any woman in that way. I knew it disappointed her, but fortunately for me, it did not harm our friendship or her respect for me and my leadership.

I unwound her arms from about me and turned to her, staring into her pretty face.

"It will not be such a bad thing for it to be a boy, Sheba." My words startled her, but I was expecting her reaction. 

"What do you mean?" 

"I mean, I shall not let any harm come to him if it is a boy." I let my eyes pierce hers. "I know what my mother would do to newborn males, Sheba. I knew she had them destroyed and called it 'the sickness'. I am not my mother and that will not happen evermore. Understood?" She nodded, her face turning a little green when she realized what I was saying. I was surprised she did not know, but then again, she would never be one to have a man inside of her. 

"Let us gather the women together? I would talk to them." I watched as she nodded and ran off to follow my request.

As I held the spear tightly in my grasp with my main hand, I let my other slide back to my belly. I would deliver in a season and so was uncertain how I would fight being so heavy with child. I often thought of my baby's father, missing his arms around me. He had treated me very well, except for his betrayal. I sighed softly, wistfully wishing he were standing beside me, telling me soft words to ease my anxiety and worry. I took in a deep, relaxing breath and went to where the majority of the women stood, waiting for me. I climbed upon the barrel, with Sheba's help, and spoke to them. I could see the tension in each face as I did.

"Today is important, sisters." I told them, "Today we will gain our revenge on those who hurt us and took what was not theirs. We shall extract vengeance for every loved one they took and for everything vile they did to us." I glanced at the young one who had been raped by the guard and saw the anger and determination in her eye. It made me proud that she had not let the experience turn her weak but instead had made her strong.

"We will not stop until we have our justice, even if that means the last chapter of the story of the Valkyries is finished. Be strong, sisters, we fight to death or we fight to life -- either way, our lives shall not be compromised!" I lifted my new spear high and yelled a warcry, smiling inside of myself when the entire village repeated the cry, calling out as one. 

As we loaded up our pack animals, domesticated elk that were swift of feet and strong of back, I took one last look at the village. It had treated us well over the last two seasons. I was sad to leave it, as I was uncertain if we would return to it alive. But it was important, this thing we were to do and so our journey to the village of the men who had assaulted and destroyed our main village began. We walked for many days until reaching the outskirts of the village that we knew to house the Magistrate. I had sent scouts to trade, dressing them as simple women from the village, making certain they were hunched over to hide their tallness. It had taken several journeys to locate the right village, but once we did, our true purpose was set. Revenge would soon be ours.

We awaited nightfall, using the darkness to cover and hide us as we made our way to the correct house that belonged to the Magistrate. It was more like a palace and his guards were plentiful. We managed to dispatch any that got in our way, making our way into the main centre of the home. When we reached the Magistrate's chambers, to find him not sleeping, but in the arms of two women, my justice was swift and he died to my mother's spear while I stared at him in the eye. Ignoring the screaming women, I left his bloated naked body lying in fast-pooling blood for the village to see. I should have felt victorious but instead I felt hollow inside. 

We nearly escaped unnoticed until one of the guards had downed a Valkyrie he was fighting and ran, alerting the entire village to our presence. We attempted to dash into the jungle, hoping to evade capture, but the guards of the village soon caught up to us. My girls and I turned, knowing this was our last fight, our last battle. 

As I stared at the guards surrounding us, my heart held no fear. I knew we had accomplished our great goal and could die content. My mother and fellow Valkyries who had died had been avenged. But they made no motion to harm us. Yet. We were numbered at thirteen now and there were more than forty guards surrounding us. It would be a swift end, if they would attack. I lifted my spear into the night's sky and hollered, "Valkyries live with no man's thumb to rule over us!" As I said the words, I felt something bite into my shoulder and gasped, turning my head to see a crossbow bolt's fletching sticking out from my shoulder. The force had caused me to drop my spear and I felt shamed. I reached down to lift the spear with my other hand, but was hit with another bolt in the opposite shoulder of the first. 

The men surrounding us began to laugh at my agony as sweat began to pour from my forehead caused by the excruciating pain. I knew my belly was probably next and wanted to weep for the innocent babe that would be lost. I watched as Sheba launched herself in front of me, to protect me from further harm and appreciated her gesture. Before I could put my hands on her shoulders to guide her away, a bolt thwacked into her, forcing the Valkyrie backwards. Sheba died in my arms, after gasping a few moments from the bolt lodged in her throat. 

"Stop fighting like cowardly men that you are! Send me one warrior! Just one! If he bests me, we will surrender and you can do with me what you will!" It was the only way I knew to die with dignity -- fighting. But the one who stepped forward, his ornate blade whistling through the air, was not who I expected.

"I will take that fight." Willhulm moved to stand opposite of me, his eye never leaving my swollen abdomen. 

"Willhulm." I breathed softly, in shock that he would offer to fight me. It sent barbs far more painful than the two bolts in my shoulders into my heart, and knew without a doubt that he had been my enemy from the start. Suddenly the baby inside of my womb was something I would not have wanted had I been offered a choice now. He leaned over and picked up my spear, tossing it behind him and went to one of the soldiers, gathering a sword and brought it to me, holding the blade in his hand as he held out the hilt for me.

I glowered at him as I somehow found the strength to slide my hand onto the hilt and pull it gently back, taking care not to slice him; I wanted him unscathed for when I ended his life in battle.

"Kyrja," Willhulm's voice was uncertain as we circled each other, everyone giving us plenty of room. My shoulders ached and the one that held the sword was weak, but I remembered the time I fought my sister in the tourney with my leg injury and knew I would somehow find the strength. Yet if I died by his hand, somehow that seemed fitting as well. "I do not want to harm you, beauty. But if you fight anyone here, you will die. Your wounds are bad..." His eyes darted to my left and then right shoulder, noting with wide-eyes the red patches that had begun to soak my tunic. I knew I had lost a lot of blood, but that would not stop me from skewering him like a pig for a feast. I lashed out first, sending a slash to him, which he easily parried.

The blow from the parry shook my arm and I nearly blacked out from the pain of it.

How could I possibly win? I would have to find the strength somehow. I knew it would come from my mother and eyed her spear not far. It would be her memory that would drive me forward and I lashed out at him swiftly, cutting into his shoulder deeply. He let out a cry as I did, jerking backwards, which freed my blade. I watched him without pity as he gasped in pain, shocked that I would hurt him and even more shocked to see the lack of regret or feeling in my eyes.

"Do you not care for me at all?" He asked, almost as if astounded that I would act so. "Do you not want the father of your child to be with you?" He lowered his sword slightly and stepped closer. "I want you to live with me, Kyrja. I want to raise our child together." 

I laughed at his proposition and took the opportunity to slide my blade cleanly through his other shoulder top. Now we were even. 

Blood poured from his wounds and I knew now that I had a chance. He was a decent swordmaster, but not a match for a Valkyrie when on even ground. I saw an opening and took it, but this time he was ready and with a gasp of pain, he parried, keeping me at bay. He was strong and had that for his advantage, but I was swift. I spun, twirling my blade as I did, ready to end it. I was exhausted, weak and ready to die. 

As I spun, blade set to pierce him, I watched in horror as he lifted his own sword up and then purposely let it fall from his uplifted hand, disarming himself. I tried to stop but the force of my actions pushed me forward until I slid the blade deep into his chest. 

I had killed him. 

I had won.

I heard my Valkyrie sisters cheering from behind me, but the world was spinning madly out of control and I had no choice but to fall over the body of my once-beloved. As I let my eyes slide closed, I watch Willhulm turn his head in my direction as he gasped for air and smile at me.

"Kyrja?" The voice sounded familiar and when I opened my eyes to stare up at the weathered, wrinkled face of Freyja, I gasped softly. 

"You are alive?" I asked inanely and then groaned from the pain in both of my shoulders. I stared down at my body, naked except for a sheet covering my bloated waist downward and saw twin bandages on my shoulders. "I am alive?" I sounded as if I had addled wits, so clamped my mouth down until I could gather more information.

"Yes, yes. I escaped during the first attack. I finally found myself at a village where a nice master blacksmith took me in to this house and cared for me. When I saw you come to attack the village, I knew I had to stop you, but it was too late." 

I nodded and then felt a twist in my gut at the thought of how I had killed Willhulm. I surprised myself by feeling tears gather in my eyes at the loss. 

"How long have I been unconscious?" I asked the old woman as she peered under the left bandage. 

"Five sunrises." 

I nodded at her reply, wondering where I was; it looked unfamiliar to me.

"You are in the village still, Kyrja. You must rest. Your body has been through a lot and I suspect your mind needs some time too." I nodded once more and closed my eyes, attempting to rest. But all I could see was my blade sliding into Willhulm's chest. It hurt terribly to do, but I brought a hand to my belly and rubbed it gently. At least I had one thing to remember the man by. I promised my unborn child I would never let them forget their father as I continued to rest.

I must had had fallen asleep as I felt better the next time I opened my eyes. Freyja was smiling down at me as she checked a bandage, nodding in approval.

"You will be up soon, Kyrja." I nodded and relaxed, waiting for my body to heal. I finally managed to sit up that afternoon, with the old woman's help. I had more questions for her.

"Where are the others? The Valkyries that came with me?" I leaned back against the house's wooden wall as I asked.

"They have been integrated into the village. They are being taken care of by kind couples and people who mean them no harm." I disliked the idea of my girls being taken care of by anyone but me, but had to concede that it was probably a better life for them.

"Kyrja..." Freyja looked as if she had something important to tell me. "I want you to remain in this place. I must go. My journey is not complete, but yours is. You belong here in this house." 

I cocked my head, unsure of what she meant. I belonged in a stranger's house?

I know she saw my confusion and heard her sigh softly. She approached me, and pulled down the sheet that covered me, holding out a hand. I knew I was weak, but felt strong enough to slide to the edge of the bed. I leaned on the bed as I stood, wobbling for only a few moments until I realized I was stronger than I thought. I let her slide a soft woolen dress over my head so that I was clothed and followed her into the main chamber of the house. There was a cot sitting next to the fireplace and in the bed rested a man.

"Willhulm?" I gasped at the sleeping form. "But how? I cut him deeply." I looked to the old crone for answers.

"You missed his important parts, Kyrja. He will be fine." There was a touch of amusement in her voice as she spoke. "This is his house. The old blacksmith, his master, and I... well, we are going to travel the lands together." She blushed -- the old woman actually blushed. Had she found love even at this advanced age? "He has granted Willhulm, his apprentice, the house and so now it is his. The small room that Willhulm once lived within is just the right size for a nursery." I understood what she was saying, but it seemed like a dream. She was telling me to stay and live with him and raise his child? Like some common wife? I shuddered in resentment of the implication, but felt a twinge in my belly that made me realize that I did not want to be off alone in the jungle without his help or touch when my baby was born. 

"You have much to think about." She patted my hand and led me back into the large room, helping me into bed. "Rest and think. We do not leave until tomorrow eve." I nodded, watching her amble out of the room and did as she suggested.

It was four sunrises later when Willhulm woke. I was sitting by his bedside, holding his hand, watching him when his eyes slowly slide apart. 

"Kyrja?" His voice held disbelief and I nodded at him. "Have you come to finish me now?" I wondered if he were lucid, but when I saw his smile, I had to grin back.

"Perhaps we shall have a rematch when the baby is born and you are stronger." I ignored his eyes resting on my two shoulders where the cotton dress cut off. I knew he could see the bandages. Mercifully for me, he did not mention my own weaknesses.

"You are good with a sword." He winced as he moved slightly, and I pushed my hand against his forehead to still him.

"You are good with a heart." I told him, leaning down to kiss his cheek. "You held mine all this time and did not damage it after all."

It was a short while later when we both felt strong enough to remain out of bed. He began to work on some of the blacksmith orders that had begun to pile up, taking it slow. 

Horseshoes were his first priority as they were easier on him to make and in high demand. 

"Shoes on horses? How strange." I was sitting beside him, one evening, watching him as he worked. In my hands was clay that he had brought for me and I began to form a cup. I wondered if I could duplicate my favorite cup, the one my sister had destroyed.  

I was taken by surprise when Willhulm set down the tongs he had been holding and leaned over to press a soft kiss on my lips. I stared up at him in shock, the clay nearly falling from my hands. It had been so long since I had last kissed him, I had forgotten how good it felt.

He stood slowly, holding his chest as he rose, and cleaned his hands from the coal that coated them. I felt his eyes on me as I put the half-modeled clay down and wiped my own hands, cleaning them, though uncertain why I did.

And that was when our bodies collided. 

"Oh Kyrja, I have missed you so much." Willhulm mumbled against my lips as we kissed as if we were to be parted forever. I closed my eyes and sighed as his lips trailed down my neck, back up to my lips and down again as if he could not get enough of my skin underneath them.

"I hope you can forgive me, Will, for hurting you." I looked at him, fearful of seeing pain or blame in his eye, but the only thing I saw was affection. He smiled a winsome smile at me and leaned back in to capture my lips as my reply.

When he scooped me up, it was not a good thing to do, as his chest began to ache and I was heavy with child, forcing him to set me carefully back on my feet with a laugh. I soon joined him in his mirth and our laughter rang throughout the house together. He took my hand within his and pressed his lips onto it, leading me back to the bedroom where I had been sleeping. Once I was standing next to the bed, he began to lift up my woolen dress and I surprised myself by letting him take it from me, revealing my extremely swollen body to him. His eyes traced the roundness and he brought his hands to the mound, stroking and touching gently and in awe. When he pressed a sweet kiss on the crown of my belly, I smiled at him, reaching to ruffle his hair affectionately. 

I admired his incredibly muscular body once he dropped his pants to the wooden planked floor, exposing his extremely rigid and erect manflesh. He smirked at me and gently pushed me onto the bed, taking care to not hurt my thick middle. I wiggled my eyebrows at him as he rested beside me. As he touched and kneaded the nipple nearest him, beginning to arouse me, I told him, "You already impregnated me once, my prize. Think you can do it again before the baby is even born?" 

The man laughed and began to lower his hand, sliding it between my legs, stating, "I think I shall give it a good try..."

The End