Viking

title: Viking chapter 2
author: Low Fat Cottage Cheese
disclaimer: shakes magic 9 ball ( yes 9 ball ) \" Will I ever own GW?\"
9 ball say: Don\'t count on it!

not beta-ed if you see any boo-boo\'s please let me know, k?

for full warnings and stuff please see introduction chapter.


Viking
chapter 2
LfCc

Isle of Man , summer 851 ad.


Cold gray waters washed the western shore.
Peasants native to the island knew better than to build to close to the sea lest a
savage viking hoard swoops down upon them in their sleep ans slay them.
They were wise enough to build well away from the sea to give them time to
close the log gates of the palisades surrounding their village.

A young peasant boy wrapped in a heavy woolen cloak stretched and yawned and
got stiffly to his feet. His job was to watch for any strange craft approaching their
shore and warn the village in time to arm themselves.

He has seen nothing since taking over from another boy the night before.
He reached into his greasy leather wallet for his breakfast, but before he
could take a bite, something far out in the swirling mist caught his eye.
He blinked, then stared fixedly at the dark shape riding low in the water.

Another appeared then another, five total. Suddenly the sun caught the edges
of sails and glinted off of oat blades. Now he could see the fierce dragon
heads rising above the graceful hulls.

The young watchman stood frozen with fear as the five narrow, shallow craft
ships scraped the shore below.
Thirty tall raiders leaped a shore from each ship. One hundred and fifty in all.
They wore full battle armor and carried all their weapons. Tow fierce vikings
charged up the hill and seized the boy when he finally found the courage to
move.

\" We have the boy, Duo.\" Ulm said as he dragged the struggling boy to the
beached ships where Duo was directing his men. \" What shall we do with him?\"
Duo gave the lad a cursory glance, noting that he was very young and offered
no threat to them except the warning he would have carried. \" I will speak
to him.\"

Ulm held the boy by the shoulders while Duo fired off the questions.
\" How far to the village?\" The lad stared at Duo, surprised to hear the savage
viking speak to him in Gaelic. When he remained mute, Ulm gave him an
ungentle shake.

\" Answer the question, boy!\" The lad gulped and tried to speak but terror
froze his throat. \" I will not harm you, just answer truthfully.\" Duo said.
\" How far to the village?\"
\" N-not far. A league, no more.\"
\" Does your village have a palisade?\'
\" Aye, but the gate will be open.\"
\" I am looking for a boy, he has hair as dark as the richest earth and the eyes
the colour of midnight. He is a witch, do you know of him?\"
The boy\'s eyes widened. \" A witch? Nay there is no witch in the village. Only
one person matches the description that you gave, Heero the Learned, but
he is no witch.\"

Duo\'s eyes narrowed. \" Think hard lad, the boy I seek is a great beauty, no
mere peasant.\" The lad licked his lips nervously. I-I-nay, I know not of whom
you speak.\" Duo did not believe him. He would find his witch, and when he
did he would force him to remove his spell. \" Take the boy away. We will
learn nothing more.\"

Duo led his savage hoard to the unsuspecting village. Ulm turned off the path
where he spotted a monastery situated atop a hill. Monasteries usually
held a wealth of gold and silver. Duo continued on alone. He was here for
one reason alone...The witch.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Heero the Learned wended his way through the forest to J. the Wizards cottage.
As was his habit, he visited the old Celtic sorcerer daily, usually before his
father stirred from his bed and the villagers began their day with morning mass.
Today, he carried a bundle filled with medicinal herbs such as St. John\'s wort,
Laural, fennel, vervain and sage. J was a healer as well as a wizard. J
concocted potions and brewed medicines that had mysterious healing powers.
The villagers sought J\'s help with everything from love problems, to impotence
to warding off danger.

Heero trod the well-worn path to the daub-a-wattle cottage, sitting in a small
glen not far from the village. Heero knocked once on the door, then let himself
inside without waiting for an invitation. The cottage was dark and smoky,
smelling strongly of herbs and medicines of which only he and J had knowledge.

Be her her untimely death, Heero\'s mother had been a renowned healer and
she had taught her son her skills. though Mai-rie the Healer had embraced
the Christian religion, her Celtic roots ran deep. She was said to have
mystical powers, inherited from her Celtic forbearer\'s.

Heero\'s powers were not as strong has his mother\'s, but J had shown
him how to use those he did possess, such as clairvoyance and healing,
for the benefit of others. Heero peered through the smoky gloom of the room
and saw J standing at the single window, staring toward the sea. J did not
stir as Heero approached him.

Heero set his bundle on the table and gently touched J\'s shoulder.
\" J? What is it? Are you unwell?\" several moments passed before the
old man turned to acknowledge Heero. Though his eyes were clear, they
burned with a ferver that made Heero shiver. They seemed to look right
through him. He had never in his life seen J so distracted and it alarmed him.

\" J, what is amiss?\"
\" Ah, Heero.\" J said suddenly, gaining his wits. \" \'Tis beginning.\"
\" What? What is beginning?\" J glanced past him, his eyes unfocused
as he began to recite in a sing-song voice. \" They will arrive on our shore
to plunder and raid. You will know him by his name. He is called \' Relentless\'.
His sword ( don\'t even think about it, hentai!) is Shinigami and his ship is
\' Deathscythe \'. he holds your fate in his hands, he comes to take your life.
Instead he will steal your heart.\" His words fell off and his eyes cleared.
But his expression remained grave.

\" I have heard that prophesy before, J. Why do you taunt me with it now?
I no longer believe it to be so. Vikings visited our shore a year ago but nothing
came of it, thank out blessed Lord, and they did not return. \'Tis an
abomination to think that a viking berserker will steal my heart. Besides,
why would a Norseman come to our shore specifically to kill me?\"

\" The answer is unclear, but you will know soon. If you survive the day, you
will travel to a far-off land and face grave danger.\"
Heero knew better than to dismiss J\'s prophesy out hand. Heero had cut his
teeth on J\'s teachings and trusted his implicitly. But this...
This implausible prediction simply could not be true.

\" How much time do I have before prophesy becomes reality.\"
J gave him a sad smile. \" The day is at hand.\"
Heero started violently. \" The Viking\'s are here!? On our shore? Now?\"
Why had he not sensed this?
\" A the village gates this very minute.\"
\" Lord protect us! What am I to do? I must return immediately.\" J nodded
his shaggy white head. \" Aye, we must make haste to the village. It may
already be too late.\"

Heero did not stop to ask what J meant as he made a hasty exit and sped
along the path to the village. J was hard on his heels, moving surprisingly fast
for one so old. \" Hurry,J.\" He called over his shoulder. \" I can sense them now
and feel their anger reaching out to me, you are right. They want to kill me.\"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Duo had surprised the villagers at their morning chores. Few villagers had had
time to arm themselves, and those who did were quickly cut down by the
fierce marauders. Few pleaded for their lives, for most expected to die.

By the time Ulm, fresh from his raid upon the monastery, rejoined Duo, there
was naught left to do but plunder, rape and fire the huts. Duo had no appetite
for rape but he could not deny his men their pleaser. Duo was on a witch
hunt. He would not rest until he found and destroyed the boy who had cast
a spell upon him.

\" Who is your chieftain?\" Duo barked. A tall man of middle age, with blond
hair stepped forward. \" I am Odin.\"
\" Are you the chieftain?\"
\" Aye,l mel me, viking, but spare my people.\"
\" No one will die if you give me what I seek.\" Odin made a helpless gesture.
\" You have already stolen everything that we own.\" Duo dismissed Odin\'s
words with a wave of his hand.
\" I seek a youth. I know not his name, but he is a witch. His hair in the
colour of earth on shadow and his eyes are stunning prussian blue.\" Duo
was surprised by the collective gasp that rose from the crowd. Odin stared
at him, apparently appalled. \" There is no witch in our village.\"

Duo\'s eyes narrowed as he waved Shinigami in the air.
\" You lie! I want him. Bring him to me!\"
\" Why? What do you want with him?\"
\" The witch has placed a spell on me.\" Duo waved his sword in the air.
\" Shinigami will slay him and free me.\"
\" I do not understand any of this.\" Odin said slowly. \" We are Christians.
There are no witches in our midst. Where did you encounter this witch?\"
\" On your very shore.\" Duo said. \" He lured me hen myn my last voyage.
Twas then he place a spell on me. If you do not produce him now, you
will all be made to suffer the consequences.\"

Odin knew the viking was referring to he own beloved son, Heero, for
no one be it man or woman matched this description. But Heero was no
witch. he did have certain powers that Odin did not understand, and he
prayed that Heero would sense danger and remain hidden, no matter what
happened.

Odin hung his head.\" Do to me what you will, viking, for I know of no witch.\"
Exasperated, Duo turned to the villagers, who were clinging to one another in
abject fear.
\" Which of you will speak out to save your chieftain\'s life? Where is the
witch I seek?\"
Not one man, woman or child stepped forward. \" You have sealed you
own fate.\" Duo thundered. \" One man will be slain each hour, until the witch
is produced, beginning with Odin. When all non-breeding men are slain, the
male-breeders, woman, and children will be sold into slavery.\" Duo expected
to see at least one person willing to trade information for his life and was stunned
when his words were met with silent tears and quiet acceptance.

Was everyone bewitched? What manner of man earned such blind loyalty?
\" You!\" Duo said, pointing Shinigami at Odin. \" On your knees. Perhaps
when these peasants see your head roll, they will come forward.\" Odin fell
to his knees and bent his head. Duo stared down at the vulnerable place
on his neck and felt scant liking for his task. He lowed Shinigami and
motioned for Ulm to take over.

Ulm moved with alacrity into the spot vacated by Duo.
He raised his sword and prepared to bring it down upon Odin\'s bowed head.
Suddenly a man darted through the parting crowd and flung himself upon
the kneeling man. Duo felt as if he had been slammed in the chest with
a battleaxe. his limbs trembled and he felt a hardness swelling in his loins.
Duo had found his witch. \" Hold!\" Duo cried when Ulm would have slain both
Odin and the youth.

Obviously disgruntled at the delay, Ulm lowered his sword.
Duo strode to Heero ans pulled him away from Odin, then held the youth at
arms length and stared at him. Duo saw at a glance that the boy had not
changed since that first meeting, except, perhaps, to grow more beautiful.

The Duo made the fatal mistake of looking directly into the boys eyes
and was captivated anew. His lust was so powerful, he wanted to tear off the
boys clothing anrustrust himself between Heero\'s legs, to lose himself in that
sweet flesh, to rut until he was sated, Seeing him again was a shock to his
system. He was convinced he could not escape the spell as loins as the boy
lived and breathed the same air as he.

Heero\'s eyes widened in dismay when he realized that this man was the same
viking he had encountered that fateful night a year before. Heero should have
known it would be he. J\'s predictions were rarely incorrect. Duo\'s expression did
not change. \" So, you / do/ remember me.\" He said when he saw Heero\'s eyes
kindle with recognition. \" Do no deny it, for I can see it in your eyes. What
are you called?\" Duo asked roughly.

Heerp stared into the Heero violet-cobalt eyes and saw his own death, but
whatever the reason, he would not beg for his life. If it was meant to be, the Lord
would deliver him from this heathen monster.
\" I am called Heero the Learned.\" Duo repeated the name slowly. \" Did you
get this name by practicing witchcraft?\" Hero gasped.
\" Witchcraft? I am no witch. What ever gave you that idea? I am a Christian.
I was given thime bme because of the healing powers I possess.\"

Duo gave a snort of laughter. \" Do not lie, Heero the Learned. I know you are a
witch. You cast a spell upon me and I have not known a moments peace
since then. You have stolen my mind.\" Duo leaned closer, thrusting his
face into Heero\'s, so his words could be heard by no one but them.

\" You threaten my manhood.Me!\" he thumped his chest. \" Duo the Relentless.
Men and women no longer appeal to me. I am possessed, I tell you, and \'tis
all your fault.\" His unfounded accusations seemed to appall Heero. \" You are
mad. I am no witch. I did nothing to you. Twas you who assaulted me.\"

\" Do not deny it. I know you are a witch. Even now I can fell your seductive
pull upon my heart, squeezing the life blood from me. I will not be free until
your blood is spilled by my sword. Kneel witch!\"

Odin suddenly lurched forward, shielding Heero with his body. \" Nay!, do not
slay him, viking. Heero is my son, In truth he is no witch. He is sweet and
well-loved by all who know him. He has served the villagers since his blessed
mother died and left her legacy of healing to Heero.\"

Duo shoved Odin aside. Though his heart was not in it, killing Heero was the only
way he knew to escape the spell. A shudder went through him as he raised
Shinigami . He had expected Heero to cower, to beg, to cringe, but to his
surprise the youth stood his ground, chin raised, his extraordinary eyes piercing
through Duo\'s very soul.

Thor\'s balls, he could not do it! Heero the Learned had stripped his soul bare
and left him half a man, deprived of both his manhood and his courage. He felt
a hand on his shoulder and whirled on he heel, ready to strike down the man
who dared interfere. He very slowly lowered Shinigami as he stared into the
dark, glowing eyes of an old man with flowing white hair.

\" You can not slay him, Lord viking.\" J said in a voice surprisingly strong for
one so frail.
\" Out of the way old man.\" Ulm said, pulling J away. \" Tis Duo\'s mission to
slay the witch.\"
\" Heero is no witch. He is a holy being and a healer. His knoge oge of herbs has
save countless lives. killing him would bring a curse down upon your family.\"
Duo blanched. Curses were not to be taken lightly.

\" Who are you?\" J\'s eyes burned like twin coals in his wrinkled face.
\" I am J the Wizard, viking. I honed Heero\'s skills, making him as knowledgeable
in the art of healing as I. Heed me well, Viking. Protect him, for he is your future.
Your stars travel the same course.\"

\" You speak in riddled, old man.\" Duo jeered.
\"I will say it again, viking. Kill Heero and you will live to regret it.\"
Duo stared in horror at J. Was he truly a wizard? Or was he a fraud who spun
lies and practiced witchcraft.

Duo was superstitious enough to consider the consequences should he slay
Heero. He stared at the youth standing defiantly before him, his chin raised,
his prussian eyes as clear as the precious jewels that decorated Shinigami\'s hilt.
They seemed to suck the very soul from him. And Duo wanted him, Loki take him,
he wanted that boy until he ached from it.

\" The man is a charlatan, Duo. Do not listen to him.\" Ulm warned. \" Give the
word and I will slay every non-breeding man over the age of ten, burn the village
to the ground, and sell the women, male-breeders and children into slavery.
\'Tis no more than the witch deserves. \"

Duo did not want to kill Heero. Nor anyone else, for that matter. Killing peasants
had never bothered him before, but something made him look at the village
with an eye to the future. This Isle was lush and rich with game and wild life.
Someday he might want to establish a holding for himself on this island.
These people could conceivably become his karls.

\" Halt the killing and raping, Ulm.\" Duo ordered. \" I wish to leave the village intact.\"
Ulm grunted in obvious disapproval. \" The boy has made you soft. You will never
escape the spell unless you kill him.\" Duo\'s heated gaze settled on Heero.
Heero returned it boldly, neither dropping his gaze nor pretending submission.

Duo had to admire a person like that, even as he loathed what Heero had
done to him. But the emotions boiling inside of him were complex and went
deeper than simple admiration for the witch. He could not kill Heero. That
shocking thought decided the course he would take. He would make the
witch his thrall and force the boy to remove the spell.

With great difficulty, Duo tore his gaze away from Heero.
\" This land is fertile and will produce good crops.\" he said \" Someday I may
decide to settle here and I will need karls to till the land and pay taxes. With
that in mind, it makes sense to spare the peasants and their village. I will
ask for volunteers to remain on Man and rule in my name until I am ready to
return, as for you, Heero the Learned\" -Duo gave Heero a smile that did not reach
his eyes- \" You will become my thrall. I doubt you will adapt to slavery, but you
will learn.\"

Heero sucked in a startled breath. To become this viking\'s slave would kill
him. How would Duo use him? Would he expect Heero to share his bed?
Would Duo rip away his innocence and make him a whore fore his men?
Heero could nor bear it. He face Duo squarely, his expression grim.

\" Kill me now, viking. I do not wish to become your slave.\"
\" Remove your spell and I will consider it.\"
\" I havacedaced no spell on you, I am a Christian. Ask any of the good Monks
at the monastery.\"
Ulm gave a nasty laugh. \" I fear the Monks are in no condition to answer
questions at this time. They were unwilling to part with their riches and we
had to use force.\" A shocked cry echoed through the throng of villagers gathered
in the dustreetreet. Only Heero was foolish enough to voice his opinion.

\" Murders! Berserker\'s! How dare you touch the holy ones!?\"
\" Enough!\" Duo bellowed \" We will see how well you wear the chains of slavery.
A thrall always obeys his master. I command you to remove your spell.\"
\" The devil take you!\" Heeo spat \" Only a brainless baka would consider
me a witch. I am a healer, nothing more.\"
\" A baka am I!\"

Duo thundered. He turned to his men and shouted orders in his own language.
Immediately a pair of hefty vikings seized Heero and carried him away. Heero\'s
father made a feeble attempt to stop them. \" Do not take him, my lord. I beg you.
Heero is a good some. He is all I truly value in this world.\"
\" You are young enough to sire another son.\'Tis best you forget Heero. He
is my thrall now, to do with as I please. Be thankful that I have spared your
village instead of destroying is and selling the people. My men will deal fairly
so long as you obey the laws I set forth.\" Duo said.

Heero tried to keep panic at bay but the prospect of leaving his home was daunting.
He sent a desperate look at J even though he knew J could do nothing to save him.

\" Hold!\" Heero was shocked when the old man stepped directly in front of Duo.
\" Take me with you, Lord viking.\"
\" Why would I do that?\" Duo jeered \" When I can tay piy pick from the sturdy
peasants.\"
\" Because ve pve powers that none of your people possess. One day you will have
need of me, Duo the Relentless. This much I know.\"
\"Witchcraft!\" Ulm said, backing away from the old man. \" We do not need the likes
of him.\"
\" Aye, you / will / need me. \" J predicted. His dark eyes burned with inner fire,
as if he saw things others did not. \" I will retrieve my medicines and potions from
my cottage and return shortly.\"
\" Why do you wish to leave your home?\" Duo asked suspiciously. \" If you mean
us harm, old man. I will kill you my self.\"

J glanced at Heero and his expression softened. \" My reasons are clear, lord viking.
No harm must come to Heero. I cannot stop you from taking him, but I will do
everything in my power to see that he is kept safe. And I tell you this with all
certainty, the day will come when you will have need of my special powers.\"

\" Very well, get your potions, magician. But heed me well, neither you or Heero
wrecereceive special treatment. You are both thralls, nothing more, and will be
treated like my other slaves.\"
\" J! Do not sacrifice yourself for me!\" Heero threw over his shoulder as
Duo\'s men carried him away.
\" Be at peace, Heero. All will be well.\" J assured him. He sounded do utter sin sincere that Heero\'s trembling eased some what. \" I will be with you anon.\"
J said as he hurried away.

Duo\'s face wore a frown as Heero was hustled away to his dragon ship, Deathscythe.
Intuition told him he was making a grave mistake, that he was inviting trouble.
Duo realized his family was not going to be happy with this turn of events.


tbc....

reviews pwease lowfatcottagecheese@yahoo.com

LfCc: *gets kicked by Duo repeatedly* : * : * Grinning manically*