You awaken to the sounds of war, 12th century war. Swords clash. Men cry out. You tremble. You look around. It is not your bedroom. These are not your clothes. You are dressed in a rough woven dress right out of a movie.
That's it. You are just having a vivid dream. This is just your mind's sequel to the Singing Sword, that silly movie you watched too late last night. In the morning everything will be back to normal. Then the dream gets more vivid.
The door to your chamber bursts. There is a Viking. There can be no mistake. From his horned helm to his booted feet, he is a mighty man. There is a blood lust in his eyes. Yet, he seems some how familiar. His beard is dark and full with a touch of red and a touch of silver. His sword drips with blood. His shield is notched from heavy fighting. He seems on a mission. Heaven help the man who interferes. He sheaths his sword. His shield still hangs from his forearm. On it is a longboat rolling across the sea under full sail. Where have you seen that ship?
Without a word, he takes you in his arms. Taking you and the blanket right off your bed. You hang your arms around his neck not knowing whether he is friend or foe but it seems so right. He carries you into the darkness, sheltered behind his great shield. His chest rumbles as he bellows orders in a strange language. You melt into his chest. It feels so safe, yet so dangerous.
There are Vikings everywhere. Buildings are on fire. Men lay dead. Women weep. It seems unreal, like something that happened centuries ago. Your Viking carries you through this chaos with long strides. Everywhere you look, Vikings salute the lordly man who carries you gently in his arms.
Soon you see the beach. A small fleet of ships is just visible through the mists. A few fireflies glow eerily in the night. There is a blood moon casting a grisly hue on the whole scene. Your lordly Viking heads unerringly towards the largest ship. The ship's dragonhead prow stares boldly at you. Its fierce teeth seem ready to devour you.
With great gentleness your are deposited amid ship. The crew does not even look up. A tall warrior at the back motions for you to come. You slowly make your way. He signs for you to sit and bows slightly.
In the distance you can hear your Viking bellowing orders. The raid is over. Vikings stream out of the village carrying their prizes. Suddenly it hits you. You have been taken as a prize. Ripped from the fabric of this strange place. Will you be ravished or cherished? Will you be thrown to the crew after he has had is way? Your body shivers and it is not just the night chill in the air.
One by one, the ships head to sea. Your Viking is back. He seems a little tired now. He nods to the tall warrior in the stern and the ship shutters off the beach. The gentle rocking is almost pleasant as the boat comes to life. Soon the fires of the village are just a glimmer. The fireflies fade into the darkness. Your Viking is inspecting the crew. You seem to be ignored. We pass around a point. We have left a bay. The ship starts to ride the rolling waves of the open sea. We travel before the wind. The sail is raised. The oars are stored and the crew sleeps save for the tall giant at the stern. He seems to be second in command. His arms look like trees. The muscles in his legs are sharply defined. He exudes power. You wonder what your Viking has hid under his heavy leather jerkin with its many heavy iron rings.