Infinite 01 - Infinite Sacrifice

the wagon. Warriors stand to hold their positions, yet none brave going against her.
    The chieftain brings his hands up in the air and says, “What thrall here is from Iona?”
    The thrall who drove Thora’s wagon stands up.
    The chieftain nods to him. “Translate for me.” He looks at the she-man with his jaw clenched and speaks. “I greatly misjudged you, shield-girl. You’re not destined to be a thrall. The valkyries, Goddesses of War and Choosers of the Slain, have sent you. You will fight beside me and bring us great victory!”
    The thrall translates to her, and she seems surprised to hear her own tongue. She calms slightly and looks around her at the village, then says something back.
    The thrall repeats, “Does she have a choice?”
    “Everyone has a choice.” The chieftain smiles. “There is always death for all of us.”
    The she-man rests her stick down, takes a deep breath, and the thrall translates. “She will fight, but bed no man.”
    He laughs. “After nearly castrating Orm, I can promise no man will ever try.” The whole village laughs and she nods. “Tie her feet, then, and give her my small house in town for her own.”
    When a few scared men hold up ropes and start to approach her, she yells, “I thought I was no slave!”
    Toke replies, “No slave, but you will have to remain tied until you have shown your loyalty in battle. I cannot turn my back on you yet.”
    She looks angry but allows the nervous men to approach and tie her legs. As she shuffles away to the house, Toke yells, “I will give you the name Gunhilda: shield-girl.” He points to his blacksmith and says, “Make her the finest armor and weaponry.”
    Dalla seems upset and turns on Toke. “ She will get her own house and the finest things and not have to share her bed?”
    The chieftain chuckles. “Do not be jealous Dalla; you get to have all the pleasure.”
    He dives into the space between her neck and shoulders and grunts away as her eyes stare blankly up to the sky. He pulls her back into the house with him and shuts the door.
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    Next week Thora has me take the reins and bring the team into Hedeby. It’s Saturday, the day the whole village takes a bath. Thora has Erna on her lap, flapping her chubby little arms in excitement of being on the wagon for the first time. I try not to get distracted by her since I’m trying my best not to hit the side of the road and throw a wheel. Erna gurgles up a storm and makes us both laugh at the troll sounds she’s making.
    Once in the village, we make our way down the large bathhouse by the shore. The thralls are already busy, coming in and out with steaming buckets of water. The noble class stands in line first, and Thora knows to wait until her class is allowed to line up. By the time Thora can go, I help her in and hold Erna. As she undresses, I stare into the murky water. I turn my eyes while she gets in and look only when her chin is sitting on top of the water.
    “ That is clean water?” I scrunch my nose, happy that thralls are not allowed in.
    “At least it’s warm. I’m not going to drink it.” She smiles as she swims her hands through the deep water. The tub is constructed like a giant barrel and looks as if you can fit a whole family in it.
    “Hand me Erna.” She puts her arms up, and I step on the last ladder rung to hand the naked, fat baby to her.
    Erna squeals in delight at being submerged, and I say, “She’s going to get sick from being in there.” I’m happy with my rag baths in the morning after Hela warms up a pot of water for us. “You will need to wash off after you get home.”
    I turn away as she stands up and hold the linen cloth out for her with my eyes closed.
    “From now on you will take the team in on Saturdays. I don’t like the way the other thrall watches me.” Thora shivers. “Gives me goose skin just thinking of it.”
    I help her and Erna up into the wagon as another warship comes in. The warriors get off with great noise. This time Toke’s first off the ship. He motions for the four men behind him to carry his things to the bathhouse. As soon as he comes up, he claps and shouts, “Empty the whole bath for your chieftain!”
    Thralls go running as a huge whoosh of water comes flooding out of the raised foundation of the bathhouse. I try to think of what they must have done to empty it so quickly, and then I remember seeing that large iron cap at the bottom. The thralls immediately