One Viing and 3 French Women

The Vikings carried the plunder to the remaining longship with a few observing people. The Priest, Father Luke, was able to communicate slightly with one of the Vikings. Under supervision, a few women were allowed to cook, so the children could eat, but it meant cooking food for the Vikings too. The Vikings were quick to find wine and ale and consumed this with great speed.

Rhoar remained a little separated from the rest but gestured to Belle toward the place where women were cooking and then gestured to the other two women, clearly wanting her to get food for them. He didn't seem to think of himself. Lise, her sister or cousin clearly didn't approve of Rhoar and didn't try to hide it. Jeanne had understood what Belle had done and that this stranger had actually risked his life saving all three of them. Saving them was maybe not the right way to put it, but saving them in the moment, for whatever awaited them later. Jeanne told Belle to get food for them all, Rhoar included and send Lise to get a bucket of water.

Jeanne knew that it would be best for the 3 women if they looked out for Rhoar. When Belle returned, Jeanne sent her to Rhoar having instructed her how to clean him up, his wounds. Not any serious wounds but they could become so if not treated. Rhoar was instantly defensive but not hostile when Belle approached with water and some fabric torn from the bottom of Jeanne's dress. He seemed about to object when Belle took his right hand first. It was very bloodied, but Belle came to realize this was mostly the blood of someone else, the Viking he had killed. But his knuckles were bruised and clearly it was sore, but he seemed amazed as he watched this beautiful girl gently cleaning his hand and then proceed to clean the cuts on his arms and the single one on his torso.

Belle had seen this man naked already but in the slowly waning light of the Sun and things being calm right now, she saw him in a new way. He was young but already had scars that showed he had been in life and death situations. Not old scars but clearly healed within the last few years. Having her so close clearly affected him, and she could sense his breathing calming down getting deep. But she could feel his eyes constantly on her body, and he did nothing to hide how beautiful he found her. She knew he was looking at her body, thinking of earlier. But mostly when she dared to give him a sideway glance, his eyes were looking at her face, into her eyes. When she finished, he gave the briefest nod and accepted the food that Jeanne had sent Lise to serve him.

At all times his eyes showed his vigilance and Belle could feel that even in his relaxed state while she had cleaned his cuts and bruises, he was ready to go into action. Lise gave Belle a remark about how they should have poisoned the food, clearly showing she wasn't aware of how lucky she was for not having been raped and now protected from it, at least for now. Jeanne made sure her girls had food before she had some herself. She had a split lit from being hit and slapped multiple times. And she cleaned her face off and briefly told Belle that she was ok herself but how Belle was doing, if she had been hurt... molested. Belle explained as much as she felt she needed to about what had happened when the assault of the village had started and until she was carried to the square on the shoulder of Rhoar.

This might have seemed peaceful but only because Rhoar had taken them aside from much of the rest. On and off there were screams, cries and sobbing of women as Vikings had their way when they wanted to. Father Luke was allowed to walk around to look to everyone in the village and he proceeded to help wounded or unconscious men from the fighting to be gathered into a building. He tended to their wounds and prayed over those that could no longer be helped. He also came by where Rhoar was with the 3 women. Father Luke was particularly worried about Belle, for whom he had a special fondness. He spoke to the three women but also said a few things to Belle in Latin to console her and lessen her worries. Belle noticed Rhoar reacting to it when they had exchanged words in Latin and had a feeling, he understood them or at least some of what they had said.

While all this was going on, things were happening in the countryside around. All this had happened because of all the extra rain and water from the melting snow. The river was overflown and, in many places, deeper than normal. This the Vikings must have noticed coming along the shore and decided to go upriver to check for new towns to pillage. Why for the first time this village had been raided. The two other longships had continued upriver and had raided two other smaller settlements. Both with less defenses but also less riches. But in the hills in a tower, a guard had seen the two ships and had sent warning to the Lord of the area, and soldiers were getting ready to stop the raids further upriver or maybe even to send the longships back down river and back to the ocean.

As darkness approached drinking continued by the Vikings. Some sang and often moans and sobs could be heard by women violated. Jeanne gave Belle a look, but she had already realized it herself. Rhoar seemed restless and alert, and men like that can be dangerous to have around. Lise was quick to fall asleep, still not aware of either the danger that was around them or the luck she was in for her particular situation. Belle approached Rhoar and under the pretext of looking at the cuts and bandages, she slowly undressed Rhoar and made him lay down. Like the first time she had surprised him, she managed to do that again. Suddenly he just felt her hands instead of tending to wounds, suddenly grabbing his manhood and caressing him there. And in the light from the fire that kept them all warm he could look into those beautiful eyes as he watched her take him into her mouth. The tension melted away and Rhoar closed his eyes and leaned back, swept up in what was happening, it didn't take long before Belle had to accept everything, he was giving to her but by now she had learned what to do and was ready for it.

What happened next surprised her, Rhoar just reached down and took her into his hands and lifted her up into his arms. And he just rolled over, holding her tight, holding her trapped.... holding her safe. Those big strong, earlier bloodied hands that had violently killed another, holding her with tenderness and making her feel... protected.