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The Ritual	By : Svb84 Category: +A through F > Assassin's Creed Views: 795 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own assassins creed valhalla and make no money from this fiction.

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The Great Army was finally moving.It was going to wash over this land in a tide of blood.It’s destination; Nordimbraland.To hold King Aella to account for his honorless killing of King Ragnar.There were many miles between them and Eoforwic.The Volur were given a cart to themselves surrounded by guards.They followed behind the main force at the head of a long caravan of followers.They had been on the road for weeks,stopping here and there in temporary camps to see to the wounded.

The Volur were gathered around the fire pit,enjoying a brief respite from their duties before bed.Lyja came over and sat close to Una,she had been wanting to speak to her for a while but they had been busy of late.They shared pleasantries and small talk for a while as Lyja built up to ask what was on her mind “What happened to Ivarr when he returned from Bretland?” She asked quietly. “Why do you ask?” replied Una mildly suspicious. “Just something I heard” Lyja said trying to sound indifferent “I wanted to know if it was true is all”.Una turned to her giving her a look that said I can see right through you Lyja Thoroldsdottir.

“He returned in disgrace, his crew dead,his face disfigured.His father was furious.He had wasted the lives of his warriors because of his arrogance.He ran back home with his tail between his legs empty handed.Ivarr has lived with his shame ever since,consumed with thoughts of revenge.Too single minded to see that the blame lies with him”.Lyja considered Una’s words,more of the piece’s fell into place”. Una sighed and shook her head “Your mind strays to him far too much and you are keeping secrets”.Lyja’s eyes widened and she started to protest “You are your own woman Lyja and they are yours to keep,I don’t begrudge you that”. “I haven’t seen Ivarr for weeks”Lyja said.Una leaned forward and cupped Lyja’s face “Ivarr is dangerous in a way you don’t understand.I dread the day you finally realise because it will be too late”.Lyja looked at the floor in silence as Una stood brushing off her robes “Come on you girls,get to bed the night is slipping away” she threw the remainder of her drink in the fire and walked into the tent.Lyja followed behind the girls as they whispered together arm in arm.

They snuggled up together under the blankets.Lyja lay on her back unable to sleep for thinking of Una's words.She didn’t think about Ivarr that much,her mind did stray sometimes she had to admit but of late she had been too busy to think about anything but the next person she was going to stitch back together.“What have you been up to?” giggled Inga. “Nothing” lyja said defensively.She giggled again “That’s not what we just heard”.Lyja let out an exasperated sigh “I haven’t been near him since the feast and i told you about that”. “Just as long as it's only your mind that drifts,keep your hands above the covers Lyja” Asdis said with a loud smirk.”Says you Asdis, the nights you and Inga have kept me up”. Halla banged the pot next to her bed telling them to shut up.Inga and Asdis sniggered under the blanket.Lyja turned away from them in a huff.Ingas hand slipped around her and she buried her face in Lyja’s hair “I’m sorry” she said muffled “I didn’t mean to upset you”.Lyja squeezed her hand in forgiveness. “Why are you still thinking of that rude little rat man?” Asdis whispered “I saw Vili sniffing around again this morning,wouldn’t you prefer to have a go on him instead?” Inga snorted a laugh into Lyja’s shoulder “Stop teasing and go to sleep” she whispered angrily. “Woooo!” they whispered in unison breaking out into giggles making Halla bang her pot again.

After that night the war seemed to escalate.The Saxons had seemingly pulled their fingers out of their asses and had started to become more organised.Realising that this Dane Army was a real threat and was single mindedly burning its way north.The Great Army started to encounter larger,more organised forces the closer it got to the city of Eoforwic.The warriors started coming back to the war caravan in the back of carts,wrapped tightly in blood stained winding sheets.Once the pyres started to burn they did not stop.A never ending stream of the dead to see on their way to Valhalla.The Volur now had a more permanent area to see to the wounded,left behind in the followers camp as the Ragnarssons took their warriors into battle.There was no shortage of patients to patch up and send back to the battlefield and it kept them busy day and night.There was not enough of them to keep up with the demands of an army and they had to turn many away to look after themselves.Una had called the Volur of Mercia to her and they were appearing slowly, some travelling far but it was still not enough to cope with the influx of wounded warriors

Early one morning just before dawn Lyja was shaken awake,it was Una “Get dressed,come now” she whispered. “What is it?” She said as she dressed hurriedly. “Is Gunhilde’s baby coming?”. “No,there are men outside.They want you to go with them, now” she handed Lyja a sack and walked her to the entrance “Who are they?,Where am I going?”.she asked in confusion. “To the forward camp I suspect”.There was a horse waiting for her,one of the warriors helped her to mount without waiting for her to ask.They were riding away before Lyja could say goodbye.

They rode hard for half the day.Through battlefields and scorched earth.Burned out villages and corpse lined roads until they reached the main forward camp.Finnr greeted her at the gate and walked her off to the side of the main command tent,He held open the flap for her a she walked into the gloom. Ubba was standing over his brother Ivarr with his arms folded “Hello” she said trying to get his attention “Oh for fucks sake” Ivarr exclaimed “What’s she doing here?”. “Your injured you stubborn bastard,I sent for a healer” Ubba replied in exasperation. “I don’t need a healer,I’ll be back on my feet by morning you watch”. “I’ll leave you to it” an exasperated Ubba said as he walked out.

“What happened?” Lyja said putting on her best healer in charge don’t mess with me voice. Ivarr huffed “Took a slash to the ribs,it's just a scratch”.Lyja walked over to him “Let me see” she said curtly. “I thought you would have seen enough,'' he said snarkily. “Fine then,suffer” she said as she turned to leave.He grabbed her wrist “Wait”.Lyja stopped,pulling her wrist from his hand.Ivarr sat up trying to hide his pain unsuccessfully. He stripped to the waist as Lyja went outside to get a couple of men to raise the tent side up on poles to let in some light.Sending them for hot water when they had done.

Lyja unwound the dirty bandage carefully from around his ribs,having to soak it to remove it from his wound. “Tss,how have you been walking around with this?” Ivarr had a gash in his side,deep and obviously infected. “Why didn’t you see a healer?” She chided “This could have been dealt with easily,now it’s infected”.Ivarr rolled his eyes “Do you feel any other pain,in your chest or neck?.Do you feel cold?” “You would think we were married the way you nag,just get it stitched” he replied impatiently.Lyja bit her tongue.She placed a cool hand on his forehead checking for a fever.He was a little warm but his skin was dry.She told him to lay down on your side as she laid out her equipment.Once the hot water had arrived she began cleaning the wound, carefully making sure there was no dirt or debris.Sterilising her needle in a candle flame she began to stitch up the wound “Deep breath” she said just before she punctured his skin.He stiffened but made no sound “Good boy”she said with a smirk.Ivarr gave her daggers but held his tongue,somehow he didn’t mind so much when she said it.His tummy twitched as she dug the needle in again “It won’t take long”.

Ivarr lay there quietly with his eyes closed bearing the pain as Lyja saw to his wound.Feeling her soft hands on his skin.”Are they dead?”.He looked at her “Who?” “Whoever did this,did you kill them?” “Ja” he was sure he saw a smile. “I gutted the fucker,emptied his belly for him”.He watched as her tongue passed across her dry lips,her hand slid over his skin as she repositioned herself. “Does that please you?” He asked quietly.Lyja stopped her needlework and sat back on her heels,she let out a shaky breath and looked at him “What if I said it did?” She bit her lip unsure of what she was doing and how she felt. “I would ask you why,because he wounded me? or because he is dead?”.Yet again Lyja felt like a rabbit in a snare under his gaze,unsure if she should answer and what it would mean if she did.She took up the needle again and continued with her work. “Answer” he said softly as he held her wrist. “Both” she replied quietly “Let me finish”.He let her go and closed his eyes.She cut off the thread with her belt knife and smeared honey over the stitches then bound his ribs with a clean bandage.So very close to him as she passed the cloth around his back,their cheeks touching a few times as she worked,making her ache. “It’s no use me telling you to rest is it?” She said as she made another pass with the bandage.”No” he said as he let out a breath he didn’t realise he was holding “I’m needed on the field”.She felt his hands slide around her waist,holding her gently.Her heart pounded in her chest.She turned her head slightly, her freckled nose brushing his cheek.Ivarr mirrored her movements slowly not wanting to scare her.They were close now,so close,their breath mingling,warm on each other skin.Their lips brushing against each other’s as their eyes closed, until they met gently.Her hand touched his cheek as she pulled back leaving their kiss chaste,her hands went back to there work as she picked up the end of the bandage,pulling it tightly and tying it off. Ivarr stared at her face,wanting her to look him in the eye but she wouldn’t. “It wasn’t me that night” he said trying to get her to listen.Lyja stood, moving away “Lyja” she froze as she heard her name fall so softly from his lips,turning to look at him.He stared into her hazel eyes,green like mossy trees,he stepped towards her and took her hands “I won't hurt you,I swear an oath on it” he whispered.

“Ivarr!” Halfdan roared from across the camp.Ivarr closed his eyes swearing inventively.Lyja stepped away blushing, picking up his armour and handing it to him.”What! He shouted back, his arms spread wide in askance of what was so important “Guthrum Has returned,command tent now!” He turned back to Lyja,she was packing up her things “Don’t leave,I'll be back” he said as he put on his mail and leather.Lyja nodded watching him go.

“I’m leaving” he said when he finally returned. “When?” She asked walking towards him.He took her hand and led her into one of the supply tents,closing the flap behind them. “Now,we are making a push toward Eoforwic.The Volur are coming here,the forward camp is moving north”.Ivarr walked towards her slowly,closing the gap between them.

He stood close his hands cupping her throat gently stroking her jawline with his thumbs.He pressed his forehead to hers and they closed their eyes,sharing a breath.His long hair falling about her face,enveloping her in his scent. “I…” she began his thumbs pressed against her lips quieting her.He pulled back and looked at her his clear blue eyes full of the feeling she had tried to express “Shut the fuck up” he said,his voice thick with emotion and pulled her back in kissing her softly.Their lips gently overlapped as he guided her.Slowly introducing his tongue,she matched his movements, soon their tongues were pressing and gliding over each other’s.Ivarr turned his head slightly deepening the kiss.She broke the kiss as it began to gather heat,intimidated by the feeling. “I can't,” she said, leaving his arms and taking a step back. “We don’t have to” he said taking a few steps back giving her some space.Lyja stared at him breathless the longing aching in her chest.He stared back feeling the same. “Ivarr”halfdan called from outside the tent. He lifted the flap letting in the daylight, “The men are ready, what are you doing?”.His eyes flicked to Lyja he bowed his head greeting the volva apologising for the intrusion. “I need my brother”Lyja nodded, turning away,Ivarr left for war without looking back.
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The Ritual