*Erik*
I wake up and eat breakfast with my family. Hvitserk’s family does not join us. No doubt his child is scared for his life.
“Do not hurt him,” Ellie admonishes me as I place a bite of food into Ivar’s mouth. “He is a child.”
“He is a child that finds it acceptable to hold my daughter’s hand.”
She smiles at me and giggles. “Because it is acceptable.”
“Not if he can’t protect her,” I tell her firmly.
I tie my sword to my belt and head outside, ready to find the little boy. To my surprise, he’s seated just outside the longhouse on a fence, his feet dangling as he waits for me.
“Are you ready, sir?” he asks.
“Are you not afraid, Thorolf?”
He shakes his head full of brown hair at me. “No. Why would I be? I am good and know you will not hurt me badly.”
I nod, not agreei
