Chaos Is Coming

Kattegat

Sunlight crept through the window as he lay in his large bed beside his lovely wife. Their bodies were naked under a fur blanket. He eased close to her. Her skin felt warm next to his. He knew only hours separated him from receiving visitors; he wanted to start his morning off right.

His strong hand caressed her soft skin as he showered kisses down her spine. She hummed. She welcomed mornings with her husband, Jarl Erick. He was a fine specimen of a man. His hair was dark and long. He had a nice beard and mustache cut low. His eyes were soft blue. He had just a tiny scar barely visible on his chin.

His finger plunged in and out of her center. She moaned in delight. He always made her cum hard with his finger before he’d penetrate with his cock. He lifted her leg; wild humping ensued. They groaned and grunted until he exploded and left her pussy messy.

She turned to him, “Good morning, my love,” said his wife, Freja.

“It is indeed a good morning,” he replied just before his lips touched hers. They kissed sweetly. They were lost in each other until...

“Father,” they heard. It was the voice of his oldest son, Soren.

“What is it, son?” he asked.

“Ships are arriving.”

“I thought they weren’t arriving for another hour or so?” said Freja as she left their bed.

“Get the servants to prepare the hall. I’ll be out to greet our guests shortly,” Jarl Erick said to his son.

“Yes, Father,” he said as he hurried away with his orders.

He sat up on the side of the bed. His hand rubbed his chin. Freja was already headed to the room to wash, “It’s time, my love,” she insisted.

He smiled and stood. He yawned and stretched out before preparing himself for the day.

******

The great hall was prepared quickly with the aid of the servants and Jarl Erick’s many children. He had four children with his wife Freja. Their son Soren was fifteen years old. Their second son, Felix, was thirteen, and their twin daughters, Liva and Sofie were ten.

Jarl Erick also had a second wife, Emma, who bore his infant son, Mikkel.

He sat in his chair next to his wives, Freja and Emma. His children were gathered close by when the men entered the great hall. It was quiet as Jarl Erick looked upon his visitors.

The man spoke, “Are we not welcomed?” he asked jokingly.

“I was expecting someone else today,” he replied.

He smiled, “I am King Knud of York. News has traveled far and wide about all you and your men have done in England. We were hoping to travel with you on this next raid.”

Jarl Erick looked at his wife. She didn’t say anything. He looked at the man who was of medium build. He had sandy blonde hair pulled up in a high man bun. “You are a King of York...and what exactly would you be expecting from me, Jarl Erick of Kattegat?”

King Knud smiled, “I would just be working with you, of course. I would follow your lead.”

Jarl Erick nodded, “You and your men are welcome to join us. I do have another raiding party that will arrive shortly. Sit, eat, and drink.”

King Knud sat next to one of his men at one of the tables. His eyes couldn’t help but notice Jarl Erick’s beautiful wives. Especially the youngest one, who held a baby boy in her arms. She had golden hair; her eyes shined blue as the day’s sky.

The baby became fussy. She stood and excused herself. He took notice of her assets as she walked away. His right-hand man Victor, nudged him, “She has a nice arse.”

He chuckled, “Very nice,” he replied as he looked around the great hall at all Jarl Erick had accomplished.

Food and drinks were brought to their table. As they ate, a note was slipped to Victor. He read it, and then he whispered to King Knud, “Our men will be in the area within the hour.”

He nodded and whispered, “Send word to wait two days. We should be well on our way to England. Too far for them to receive help from anyone.”

Victor stood and left the table.

*****

Emma was in her room with baby Mikkel. He lay sleeping in his crib when Jarl Erick stepped up behind her. His hands rested on her hips. She hummed, “Will I get to feel you tonight before you set sail in the morning?” she asked.

He kissed her neck and lifted her dress, “Why wait for tonight?”

“Ahhhh,” she moaned in utter passion as his cock filled her center, “Erick,” she moaned.

Festivities were happening right outside the door, but they were engrossed in humping. They heard a throat clear. He turned. His eyes met Freja’s. “Jarl Sigurd’s ships are arriving,” she said before she left.

He humped a few more strokes and gasped. He kissed her neck, “Ummm, I love you, Emma.”

She turned to him and smiled, “Go and receive your guests. I’m going to clean myself before returning.”

He stroked her chin with his finger before adjusting his cock back into his pants.

******

A plethora of ships lined the docks. Sven looked at Jarl Sigurd, “Looks as if Jarl Erick already has guests.”

He looked at the flags that flew on the mass of the ship. Suddenly, he felt uneasy, “Looks like you’re right.”

After they secured the boats, Jarl Sigurd and his men marched onward until they landed at the main hall. The majority of them were an attractive bunch. Many of the women both single and otherwise involved couldn’t help but notice the men.

Jarl Sigurd stepped into the entrance. The room went silent. Jarl Erick rose to his feet and started toward him. “Welcome back to Kattegat,” he said cheerfully. When he stopped in front of him, they shook hands and then hugged.

“Thanks for having me and my men back.” He looked around, “I see you have invited others.”

“Ah, yes, he arrived moments earlier. A King.” He paused and looked around. There he stood.

“King Knud,” Jarl Sigurd said with some reservation.

“You two know each other,” Erick asked.

“I don’t believe we’ve ever met,” said King Knud as he stretched out his hand.

Jarl Sigurd looked at it for several moments before shaking it, “We’ve never met formally. But you knew my father, Harald.”

“Ah, yes, a fine man. We went on several raids. You had to be barely seven or eight years old then.”

Sigurd nodded, “I was eight. Too young to go with my father and brothers when he accompanied you to raid in Germany. My father and brothers never returned.”

“Yes, well, I lost a lot of great men on that raid. Your father and two older brothers were among many. I barely escaped with my life.”

It was awkward until a beautiful servant girl walked up with a pitcher, “Lords, may I offer you some ale?” she asked sweetly.

King Knud smiled, “Yes,”

“I know you and your men must be tired; sit and drink,” Jarl Erick insisted as he patted his friend’s back.

They walked toward the main table where Jarl Erick’s family and closest friends sat and ate. After he greeted the wives and spoke to the children, Sigurd sat across from Erick. The beautiful servant girl nearly dropped the food in front of Sigurd.

She apologized profusely. He reassured her it was fine. Jarl Erick smiled, “I think she wants to bed you.”

Sigurd grinned, “She’s beautiful indeed.”

“When do you plan to take a wife? Have children”

“I was married before I left.”

Erick’s eyes widened, “Congratulations.”

“It was sudden, but I think it’s going to work out. At least that’s what the seer says.”

“Do you not love her?”

He sighed. He saw the way Erick was with his wives and children. He longed to have something genuine like what he admired, “I’m sure in time, I will.”

Erick took a deep breath. He saw how Sigurd looked over at King Knud. He had never heard Sigurd mention Knud before. He was surprised at the perceived animosity Sigurd displayed moments before. “How long have you known King Knud?”

“I knew him before he named himself King. He was a Jarl when he asked my father to join him on a raid. The first two times, everything was great. They returned with so much coin and gold, that I could bathe in it. Then my father noticed how Knud would look at my mother. He challenged him on the matter. Of course, he denied it.”

Erick rubbed his beard, “You never told me.”

Sigurd shook his head, “I thought I’d never see that man again. My father and brothers went to raid with him. And that was the last time I, my sister and my mother ever saw them.”

“I am very sorry my friend. If having King Knud—”

“No. I’m fine. I would just caution you to watch all that you have around him.”

Erick looked over at King Knud who had his horn raised in the air, “Skol.”

“Skol,” Erick replied.

*****

Ife, Northwest, Africa

Before the morning meal, Enofe made sure to leave. His wife questioned why he was leaving so early. He informed her that he had business to take care of. Since his father was well, he no longer had to meet at the square where members of the community brought issues to be decided upon.

Mobo brought his newly introduced grandchildren with him to the meeting. He thought it would be nice for them to watch him in action. He was a well-respected leader in the community. Unfortunately, his skills had not rubbed off on Enofe.

There were many complaints hurled at Mobo as he sat in his large chair looking out at his people. One woman cried out, “Thank the gods you are well, but what will you do about all that has happened in your absence?” she questioned with nostrils flared.

Yande sat between her brother and Oluwa. She had not spoken to him beyond normal pleasantries since he shied away from her that night after they kissed.

“That woman sure seems angry,” Samba mentioned to Yande.

As Yande looked into the woman’s eyes, she felt her pain. The woman complained, “These men are stealing from us. They even took my ten-year-old daughter’s innocence,” the angry woman sobbed.

“These people are hurting,” Yade replied, “there is so much sadness, anger, and fear in this place.”

Mobo stood, “I will do everything in my power to help end the suffering. I am back and I am here to serve.”

Another woman emerged from the crowd, “You will do nothing.”

The crowd gasped.

Mobo lifted his hand, “I understand that you are angry—”

“You understand nothing,” she said as she held something behind her back in one hand, “Your son—”

Suddenly, the woman’s body froze. An arrow cut through the air. It struck her heart. The crowd panicked as they looked around for suspects.

The guards drew their swords, and some had spears along with shields. More arrows struck various people as they scrambled. Yande saw a man who looked suspicious. His big guilty eyes looked away. He turned; she saw him with a bow and several arrows.

She reached for a spear which lay by one of the fallen guard’s sides. Samba called to her, “Yande, what are you doing?”

“We have to stop that man,” she said before taking off.

He huffed and took off behind her.

*****

The man ran swiftly through the crowd. He knocked over the merchant’s items and pushed people over as Yande chased him. The chase took them into the forest. The man hid behind a tree. His chest rose and fell rapidly. He tried his best to catch his breath.

He heard Yande’s footsteps. The sweat beaded on his head and ran down the sides of his face. It got quiet. He waited before stepping out. His eyes met Samba’s who was the perfect distance for one of the culprit’s arrows.

Samba gulped. He neglected to bring a weapon with him. As he stood there looking around for something, Oluwa joined him. They were both staring at this young man preparing to take them both out.

“Two little birds. This is too easy,” he said grinning.

Oluwa whispered, “We have to split up. He can’t get us both.”

The young man laughed, “I am the best archer in town. I will kill you both. You should have let the old man die.”

Just as he reached for his arrow, the man grunted in blinding pain, “Arggghh!”

Yande’s spear was stuck in his right hamstring. He fell to the ground wailing in misery.

“Thank God,” said Samba.

“Are you okay?” asked Oluwa.

“Yes,” she replied as she leaned over and looked at her victim. She stepped on the back of his thigh right where the spear struck his hamstring.

“You little bitch,” he screamed in pain.

Yande chuckled, “Such a filthy mouth.” She looked at Oluwa, “Let’s tie him up and bring him to my grandfather.”

The three of them did just that. Yande took the wrap off her head and ripped off several strips. Oluwa and Samba tied the man’s wrists tight. They practically shoved him back to the square as he limped along.

Aminata ran to them, “Yande, Samba, Oluwa, what on earth!”

“I know mother, but we had to.”

“He shot the arrows that killed the people at the meeting.”

“I wasn’t the only one. Bringing me here will do nothing to stop the chaos that’s going to happen here. And this little wicked b—”

Aminata punched his mouth, “Shut your face.”

He was laid out on the dusty ground. The guards slapped his face a few times to wake him up. They lifted him. His limp body hung pathetically.

“Take him to the pit, I’ll question him when he’s well enough to speak,” said Mobo.

They carted him off. Mobo looked at the three of them in awe and then at their parents, “These children are warriors. I recognize this spirit.”

Aminata was both proud and upset. “What they did was brave but...it was also very foolish. Yande knows better.”

“It wasn’t Yande’s idea, Auntie Aminata,” Oluwa said.

Yande looked at him with wide eyes. Kalu rubbed his son’s head, “I am so proud, my son, chased down a murderer and brought him back”

“The woman was about to say something about Uncle Enofe before she was killed.”

Mobo knew Enofe had a thirst for power but he refused to associate his son with the likes of murderers and sexual violators. “I’m sure she was just angry about her daughter. I say we get home and eat. We’ve all had enough excitement for today.”

“You’re right, let’s go,” Aminata said to the children.

“I wanted to buy a few things before we head back,” said Yande to her mother.

Aminata eyed her, “I’ll be waiting right here. Go and get right back. And please try to stay out of trouble.”

“Yes, Mother,” she said as she started walking. As she walked, she felt someone behind her. She turned, “What are you doing?”

“Your mother told me to go with you.”

“I don’t need your protection Oluwa.”

“I didn’t say you did."

She stopped and fussed, “And I don’t need you lying for me. I am responsible for my actions.”

“Fine.”

She nodded and walked away. He followed close behind, “Why are you so angry?”

She shook her head, “I am not angry.”

“I hurt your feelings. I am sorry. It’s just—”

“Forget it, Oluwa. It doesn’t matter. I am not the woman in your future.” She walked off to a merchant who was making swords and other weapons.

The man watched her as she inspected several swords and a sheath to house the weapons. “What is a pretty little girl like you doing with all of these weapons?” he asked.

She pulled out the gold and paid, “That’s not your concern.”

He looked at the payment, “Try not to hurt yourself. Maybe your husband will teach you how to use those after he beats you for having such a smart mouth.”

Yande smirked as she fastened the sheath around her waist. She stepped up to the man, “Is that what you do to your wife? You beat her?” she asked as her green eyes turned black.

The man became uneasy as she stood in front of him. He felt his chest tightening. He couldn’t breathe. She muttered a phrase in Yourba repeatedly. The man’s life was leaving him. He couldn’t speak.

“Yande!” Oluawa yelled.

The man’s body dropped to the floor, “Get out you evil witch!”

Yande hurried away from his stand. Oluwa followed close and grabbed her arm. She spun around. His accusing eyes pierced her soul, “You were going to kill that man.”

She didn’t speak.

“Yande?”

“I wasn’t. I swear. I don’t even know how it works completely. I only wanted to scare him. To make him stop being a bad person. He is a bad person, Oluwa.”

“It’s not for you to decide. You have to be better than that. Don’t be that kind of –”

“You can say witch, Oluwa.”

“It’s time for us to meet our parents and go back.”

She chuckled. He smiled, “What is it?” he asked.

“After you kissed me last night, I wanted to see us together. I wanted to see a future for us.”

He smiled, “I am glad you considered me an option.”

She nudged him, “Let’s get back.”

As they turned, “Yande bumped into a woman. She wore all white. Her eyes looked glassy. “My apologies.”

“Yande, daughter of Aminata.”

Yande froze as the woman stood before her but not looking at her. “How do you—”

Oluwa pulled Yande away, “That woman seems odd.”

“She was blind and she knew my name.”

Oluwa shook his head, “What are you talking about, Yande? She never said your name.”

Oluwa did not hear the woman speak. He only saw the woman holding Yande’s arms and staring into her.

Yande and Oluwa saw their parents waiting impatiently, “We were just about to come looking for you two. And what on earth do you need with all of these weapons?”

“We left all of our weapons on the ship. I didn’t have anything to protect myself when those men attacked us. If I had not found the spear of one of the fallen guards, we would not have caught that man earlier.”

Aminata looked at Joaquin. They both sighed.