Eclipsim

Chapter 5 "becoming friends"

Note: This chapter is a little bit of a filler. Nothing too important happens and is kind of boring but this chapter is needed for few next ones.

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too I thought I was the only one.    

Josephine turned in her bed.
"A cripple? What he meant by that? Is he lacking a leg, a hand, an arm?"
She wondered. "It's not nice for sure. Hvitserk used this weird tone like, he was sorry for Ivar. Oh God thanks to him I won't get a sleep tonight. Thanks Hvitserk, I really appreciate that"
Josephine thought to herself. She was wrong however, because the girl felt asleep really quickly.
Josephine slept through the whole morning. Maybe she would sleep longer if it wasn't for her older sister who's now pulling her out of bed.
"Wake up you have duties!"
"What duties you are running this place."
Josephine murmured sleepily.
"I need your help you are my sister after all."
"What help. You don't need my help, last time I offered you my help you said that I should just be quiet before God will curse me."
"You insisted that the bishops shouldn't have any power and their land taken."
"As it should be."
"Josephine what did the bishops even done to you? You used to be strongly believing Catholic woman."
God if she knew what I know about Bishops and Catholic priests she wouldn't be scolding me like that.
"Let me just tell you that I know something that you shouldn't."
"Why not? Why's that?"
Gisela asked with curiosity in her voice.
"What duties you wanted me to attend to?"
Josephine asked changing subject quickly. Gisela furrowed her eyebrows, confused but then decided to drop the subject.
"Today, after your late breakfast I wish for you to show Hvitserk around the castle and town."
"Couldn't Rollo do it? It's his nephew after all."
"Rollo has more important things to do."
"Such as?"
"Choosing warriors that will he be sending to Kattegat."
"To where?"
She asked confused.
Gisela took a deep sigh, for Josephine it looked like she was few seconds from snapping at her.
"The place Hvitserk and Ivar want to get back. We talked about it yesterday."
"Oh all right. I'll go for a walk with Hvitserk. However I want you to promise me something in exchange."
"What is that?"
"That after our guests leave, when I will make some decisions you won't question me and will allow me to do what I want"
"that's it?" asked surprised Gisel.
"yes, that's it".
"very well then. Your servant will bring you breakfast soon and then will dress you. I wish to see you after dinner. Have a lovely afternoon sister and I see you later."  she said and left Josephine's chamber.
***
After she got dressed, Josephine was informed that Hvitserek is waiting for her by the entrance to the gardens.
"They should find themselves different hobbies than visiting gardens. I've been there already."
Josephine turned to her servants and said "my ladies I will not need your help for now. You can take a little bit of time for yourselves. Have a lovely day."
The girl dismissed her servants and made her way towards the entrance of the garden.
Hvitserek was already waiting for her, he was looking at the few paintings on the walls. Josephine smiled to herself. Maybe I can surprise him?
However when she tried to scare him, Hvitserek took his dagger and showing her against the wall, he put a dagger to her neck. She was breathing quickly with fear and surprise.
"What was the purpose of you trying to..."
"oh my apologise I tried to scare you."
"Scare me? You realise my lady I am a Viking and it's really hard to scare us because we are trained to block unexpected attacks?"
"well, I forgot about that for a moment and please call me Josephine. I don't like titles."
"We already have on thing in common. I hate titles as well. Shall we?"
Hvitserek asked pointing at the door with his head. She smiled and nodded her head.
For a while, they were walking on the grounds not talking to each other. Finally, Josephine had enough and decided to ask Hvitserek something that was bothering her.
"Well, I was thinking yesterday about what you said."
"what exactly?"
"This about Ivar him being cripple. What's wrong with him?"
"He can't really walk. Ivar was born without the ability to walk and without the ability to please a..you know I'm talking too much."
"to please what?"
"I can't really tell you anything more dear Josephine. So will you show me your favourite place in here?"
Josephine nodded her head with a smile and took Hvitserek to her favourite spot in the gardens.
***
She spend whole afternoon laughing and listening to Hvitserek's stories of battles and Nordic gods. It was fascinating to her how people were explaining something like eclipse or meteor showers, as will or warning from Gods. Josephine knee why those things were happening but didn't want to upset Hvitserek so she just stayed quite.
Also Josephine liked the passion in his voice when he talked about Gods.
She was having such a wonderful time that she didn't notice when sun started setting and servants called her for a dinner with her sister.
"Excuse me Hvitserek but it's seems that I have to meet with me sister. I spend lovely time today."
"It's alright Josephine I did too had amazing time. Have a lovely evening and I hope I'll see you tomorrow to bid me farewell."
He said with a small smile.
"Of course but for now I'll have to go. My sister calls and I don't want her to wait for long."
Josephine said and left the gardens leaving Hvitserek there alone.