Chapter Text
The Gods were known to choose people who were to be the most successful. Some knew when they had been selected and others…well, they learned to find out. Those chosen by the Gods were powerful beings yet..they were still human. This story is about a woman who the Gods chose…a woman who could hear and see the Gods. A power like this was greatly abused in a time like this, yet the Gods had other plans for Astra. Ragnar Lothbrok was a man who worshipped the Gods and their plans for him. He believed that he was a descendant of Odin and that all of his sons were sons of the all-father. However, the Gods had something different in store for the blood-thirsty Viking.
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It was a rainy day in Kattegat, which is the usual nowadays. Some traders had come to the island, and Kattegat became a wide trade center for all of Norway. Slavers, Spice traders, and many more. It wasn't uncommon for the people of Kattegat to see their Earl, Ragnar Lothbrok, prowling around his kingdom. His wife and son, Lagertha and Bjorn had recently left Ragnar in search of a better life, a healthier life because living with Ragnar wasn't always the easiest. The Earl walked around the trading post on his land, his bright blue eyes scanning the people who came and went on the island. A new ship, one that he hadn't seen before was making its way to the docks and it certainly caught Ragnar’s attention. The man who looked to be the owner of the boat was scruffy-looking. His beard reached his round belly, his bald head covered in black ink. He stood on the dock, yanking a rope with Slaves on the end of it. Ragnar stood a few feet away, watching the movement of the slaver carefully. It was like he was stalking him, hiding in the shadow and hassle-bustle of the port.
The slaver walked further into Kattegat, announcing his arrival. “People of Kattegat!! Find your servant and slave needs here! I have a new batch, three very capable slaves for any of your needs!” The people of Kattegat looked his way, Ragnar making his way through the crowd which made way for him. He walked up behind the slaver, tapping on his shoulder. The slaver flinched and turned around quickly, looking up at Ragnar. His gaze was intimidating, his bright blue eyes causing the slaver to take a step back and avert his eyes. “Earl Ragnar…it is a pleasure, my lord.” The man bowed his head, Ragnar sneering as soon as the slaver looked away. Ragnar looked at the women attached to the rope, their heads bowed, all except one. She had long black hair, two strands braided with jewelry hanging from the strands. She had dark makeup around her eyes, the makeup dragging down her cheeks from her eyes. Her clothes looked like rags, and she had rings on her fingers with tattoos on her hands.
The slaver seemed to notice Ragnar’s lingering eyes, and he smiled slyly. “My lord, do you see something of interest? We can discuss pricing if you're interested.” Ragnar ignored his words, slowly walking up to the woman, who was slowly taking in her surroundings. It took a moment for her to realize that Ragnar was walking towards her until the rain stopped hitting her face. She looked up abruptly, wondering what stopped the cool touch of the rain. The first thing she noticed was Ragnar’s eyes. The bright blue hue made his face look other-worldly, his beard reminding her of Odin’s beard. “What is your name?” Ragnar spoke up, his voice low enough so only she would hear. She didnt speak at first, knowing better than to speak unless instructed by the slaver. The slaver made that very clear when she tried to speak freely once. Ragnar seemed..different, though. There was a kindness behind those icy eyes. Before she could open her mouth, the slaver tugged on the ropes, causing her to lurch forward. “Speak when spoken to, witch,” the slaver hissed at her. Ragnar slowly turned to look at the man, glaring into his soul as if to say, “Watch it.” The look confused the woman, knowing that most didn't care how they spoke to slaves. Slaves were less seen than humans in many eyes. “Astra..that’s..my name,” she spoke up, causing Ragnar to turn his head when her voice reached his ears. He eyed her face before clenching his jaw and turning back towards the slaver. “How much?” He whispered, almost seeming embarrassed that he asked. The slaver looked at Astra and then back at Ragnar, who looked to be losing his patients. “50 pieces of silver”, said the slaver, clearly seeing that Ragnar took a liking to Astra. Astra watched the exchange, hearing loud and clear that Ragnar had every intention of purchasing her. Ragnar slowly stalked over to the slaver before digging his hand in his pocket and picking out a small satchel of 50 silver pieces. He pushed the satchel to the slaver’s chest, walked back towards Astra, pulled a blade from his hip, and sliced the rope. Ragnar then grabbed the other end of the rope, walking away with Astra behind him.
Everything happened so quickly; she wasn't expecting to be picked up so fast. She pulled back on the rope, which caused Ragnar to look over his shoulder at her. “Wait…” She whispered, turning her head to face the slaver. She sneered at him and spit at his feet before speaking. “The Gods will curse you for the things you do to women.” Astra threatened before slowly turning around, meeting Ragnar's eyes. He had a humorous look in his eyes, a small smile on his face appeared but disappeared as quickly as it came. He gave the rope a light tug, the motion asking her to follow, which she did.
The rain had come to a slow stop by the time they made it to their destination. The walk through town was… interesting, to say the least. Many eyes were on her as if some of them had never seen a woman like her before. ‘Maybe it's my looks…I don't see too many with black hair.’, Astra thought to herself as the two made it into a grand hall. Inside the Grand Hall, there was a long fireplace in the middle of the main room. Two thrones sat on one side and animal bones hung around like decorations. There were furs laid about, Astra’s hands twitching at the sight of them. They looked so soft and warm compared to the straw she was used to. Once the doors shut behind them, Ragnar dropped the rope and pulled the knife from his waist once again. He walked up to Astra, the sliver blade catching her eye. The closer he got to her with the blade, the more on edge she became. Astra took a step back, fear making its way into her chest. She didnt understand, why would he pay for her and then try to kill her?
Ragnar stopped in his tracks when he could see the clear fear and anxiety that the knife brought her, finding the reaction normal since they hadn't spoken much. Ragnar put his hands up, the knife still in one hand, showing Astra he meant no harm. “Easy..” he said calmly, slowly approaching Astra once more. She stayed in her spot, but her heavy breathing didnt change the closer he got. When Ragnar was close enough, he snatched her wrists, bringing the blade to the rope and slicing her hands free. As the rope fell to the ground, Ragnar took a step back, placing his knife back at his hip. “What a waste it would be…to kill someone that I just spent silver on.” His voice was laced with amusement as if it was funny that she was scared of a man coming at her with a blade. She wanted to say something snarky but decided it would be best not to do that, who knows if he’d actually kill her for being rude. He was an Earl, after all. She had so many questions…where was his wife? Why was he the one to personally purchase her and not someone else? Don't Earls have better things to do?
Astra stared at Ragnar, confused by his actions. “You don't talk much, do you?” he hesitated, giving her another once-over. “Follow me,” he said, unclear as to where they were going. She followed nonetheless, keeping a safe distance from Ragnar. She didnt know exactly where she was or who she was dealing with, but she would find out soon. As if the two were carbon copies, Ragnar was also thinking the same thing. He didnt know much about the girl aside from her name and that the slaver called her a witch. That caught his attention. He led her to a long dining table, snapping his fingers at the other servants. Ragnar straddled the bench, motioning a hand out for Astra to sit. As she slowly sat on the bench, the same servants from before came out with bowls of meat and bread along with ale. Once the servants placed the items on the table, Ragnar shooed them away and grabbed the bowl, placing it in front of him.
Astra watched Ragnar place the bowl between his legs, starting to eat as he faced her. “So…Astra. What were you doing on a slave boat?” His eyes went from his bowl to her, taking a bite of meat, and waiting patiently for her to respond. Astra looked at Ragnar with curiosity, finding his lax behavior and humorous deminer to be different than most. “You are strange compared to most men,” Astra mumbled, turning her gaze to her bowl. She didnt see it, but Ragnar raised a brow and smiled to himself. No one had the balls to call him strange to his face, but he didnt mind that she did. “I…woke up on the boat. I don't remember what happened.” Astra reached for the ale first, taking a slow sip. Ragnar could see the stress that the lack of memory caused her, so he changed the subject. “The slaver…called you a witch. Why is that?” She looked at him, anger in her eyes at the name. She hated it being called that. She was…special, is all. At least that's what her mother said. Her mother used to say that she was touched by the Gods when she was born, allowing some of their powers to transfer to her.
“I am not a witch.” She said sternly, reaching for a piece of bread and taking a small bite. Astra could hear and see the Gods for as long as she could remember. She would see their dark shadows follow her around, feel their cool touch when they wanted to speak and hear their voice when she had questions. She kept her power a secret from many until she couldn't any longer. Word got out quickly, and she became a target in her village. “Then why did he call you that?” he pressed, scooting closer with his mouth full. Astra didnt know the type of man that Ragnar was, but the Gods did. They meant for this to happen, there was nothing either of them could do to change that now. “When I was a little girl…my mother told me that the Gods touched me before I was born. She said that their touch gave me some of their powers…I can see their shadows..hear their voices..feel their touch.” Astra kept her voice low and eyes trained on the bowl of meat in front of her, picking up a few pieces to eat.