Three weeks passed, and Sophia had been training her sword skills independently or with Arne. She would also train Estrid in medicine, which she is slowly catching on. He had become distant after what she said to Arne, but he would still speak to her and agreed to train her. She felt relief that there hadn't been any planned attacks from Itzvar and his followers. Sophia vowed to kill him the next time she and Itzvar met. Fridleif would always come to her mind; she missed the young boy.

Ragnar would be making plans with Golm and his sons. Sophia gave him space; he lost his son, divorced, and his daughters were taken away. 

He was alone.

Being a Viking, let alone a man in such a time, is complex. Women and children rely on one person for their survival. It was night, and Sophia went to the river to get water for tomorrow's baths. She held two wooden buckets and went toward the river. As she was getting closer, she heard a sound.

It sounded like sword movement and quiet grunts. She could see someone from afar. A man was swinging his sword; it was Ragnar. Sophia stopped for a moment, watching him. He hadn't noticed that she was going his way. The young woman was contemplating whether or not she should go to another section but felt she couldn't leave him in his lonesome forever. She took a deep breath and went toward Ragnar.

Ragnar was still swinging his sword and didn't stop. It was as if he hadn't noticed that Sophia was watching him. His eyes looked empty. "R-Ragnar."

He didn't stop or look at her.

"Ragnar!"

It was the same outcome.

This made Sophia impatient. She dropped the wooden buckets and walked closer to him. On the grass, she noticed two other swords. Words would not get to him, so she used her actions. Sophia grabbed one of the swords with swift movements and went to Ragnar. When he swung his sword high, Sophia blocked the blade once it went down.

Ragnar stilled as he saw her before him. He expressed nothing as he lay his sword down. Sophia noticed that Ragnar turned around and picked up the swords; he would leave. She immediately ran in front of him, blocking his path. "Are you avoiding me now?"

He didn't reply. He walked around her to go back to the city. She did the same and blocked his path. "Don't ignore me. Whatever you are trying to do is not going to help anyone. Ragnar, I have been worried about you. You have been through a lot, and it's not healthy to keep your thoughts and emotions cooped up in yourself." A sigh escaped her lips. "I haven't spoken to you because I wanted you to have time for yourself. I realize the more I do that, the more distant you become." When Ragnar was about to move, she motioned the sword to him. "That's enough, Ragnar. You're a man, not a child."

 "Who is acting like a child now? I need to go and rest."

"You're not leaving until you talk to me. If you don't let out your anger, it will consume you, change you."

"You shouldn't mind yourself with a man's concerns. You also shouldn't be involved."

This confused Sophia. "What do you mean about not getting involved?"

Ragnar was silent momentarily. "It would be best if you left the city. Itzvar is after you. You used to be a traveler. I know another ally that lives far from these lands. You can go there to live."

Sophia couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What are you talking about? You want me to leave? The more I'm gone, the more Itzvar will attack. No matter where I go, he will be there. He has resentment toward you."

"This place is farther than even Itvzar hasn't gone to."

"No. I'm not going anywhere. I'm supposedly a seer that has these futuristic dreams. I am useful to you all."

"I am going to speak with Golm to have you taken away. If Itzvar finds out about your gift, more people will die."

The young woman bit her lower lip. "I will not be sent away without my will. Fight me!" She readied her sword.

Ragnar looked at her and held onto one sword while dropping the rest. "I should have realized that speaking to you won't work. I will not go easy on you because you are a woman." Without warning, he swung his blade and hit Sophia's. Sophia backed away, her sword still in hand.

"You're right. If I win, I will stay."

"And if I win, then you will leave." Ragnar swung his sword again, and Sophia dodged. She swung her sword from left to right, which Ragnar dodged. She then swung from the bottom to the right side. He blocked the attack. His sword was connected to hers. He twirled his sword onto hers, trying to make her lose her grip. 

Sophia realized this and almost dropped her sword, but caught the sword using her left hand and backed away from him. "You are trying to get me to leave will not solve anything! Itzvar will do anything in his power to get to you and me. We need to work together to bring him down! Together, we can take back your home and people!" She ran to him and switched the sword from her left hand to her right. She swung toward his waist and stomach.

Ragnar dodged. The two swung their swords, and they collided. "You don't need to involve yourself in my troubles!"

"Why!? You think that I will be in your way!? I can fight and take care of myself!" Ragnar's strength was overcoming hers. She knew that he was going to overpower hers. Suddenly, she fell onto the ground, surprising Ragnar. However, as Ragnar was about to fall on top of her, Sophia used her feet and leg strength to kick Ragnar upward, making him fall to the grass. Once his back was on the ground, Sophia immediately stood and got on top of him, pointing the blade's tip at his neck. "You need to learn how to trust people. Making them leave won't solve everything."

Ragnar looked angry. "You don't understand." He then kicked Sophia's legs, making her fall to the side. He immediately got on top of her, holding her hands to the side, causing her to lose her grip on her sword. 

Sophia tried turning from side to side to free her hands, but Ragnar was too strong. "What is it that I don't understand!? You are trying to get me to leave without my consent! I don't want to leave! I can make a difference here! You can't just make people leave! It never solved anything!"

"I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU TOO!"

The young woman stilled when Ragnar spoke. Her eyes widened. She couldn't react since Ragnar's face was on hers; his lips were on hers. He kissed her. Sophia's body trembled in the kiss. His lips were slightly dry, yet warm. Her body became calm. She closed her eyes and kissed him back.