Itzvar made it to the center of the village and commanded his horse to stop. He got off and held a screaming Sophia on his right shoulder. Her screams annoyed him; he felt her punching him on the back. It surprised him that her actions amused him; it excited him. "I can't wait to try her in bed." He carried her towards a vast wooden-like house, where guards watched with shields and spears. "You two can leave; I wish for my privacy." The guards nodded and walked away, quickly glancing at the screaming Sophia.

"Let me down, you big oaf!" Itzvar rolled his eyes as he gave her a quick slap on her bottom; he entered the house. Tables, chairs, a massive fireplace, a small throne chair, handmade pottery, plates, and cups were in handmade cabinets or were dangling with ropes from the ceiling. A huge bed covered with handmade blankets and see-through curtains covering the windows was in the corner of the house's interior. 

Sophia was thrown onto the bed and glared at Itzvar, who eyed her intently. "I told you that I am not a spy! I no longer want to stay here!"

Itzvar raised an eyebrow as he slowly undid his belt. "People can lie, woman. You cannot be trusted...yet. You must prove to me that you are worthy of my trust. You can start doing that by spreading your legs for me."

"You're a Viking; it's no wonder you act like an oaf! I refuse to lay with any man who tries to use force!" Sophia's eyes widened when noticing Itzvar's bulge tugging from his undergarments. "You pig!"

"I, a pig? You jest, woman. You should feel honored that I chose you as one of my many conquests."

Sophia immediately got off the bed and kept her distance. Itzvar blocked her way of escape. "I am not a plaything! I never agreed to be one of your conquests! Men like you give disgrace the name of Viking!" 

This angered Itzvar as he got before her and slapped her across the face, making her fall to the floor. The slap left a stinging sensation across her face, but Sophia refused to submit as she stood, ran to the table nearby, and motioned out a knife. "I refuse to be your conquest! I would rather die!"

"You speak big words, woman. You know that I can make your death very slow and painful."

"Then so be it! I will not give myself to a man like you!"

The Viking slowly walked toward her but stopped midway. "You truly are a brainless woman. However, I do enjoy a challenge. I will not take you yet, but I will eventually have you on my bed. Instead, you will be made my slave."

"I will not be your slave, you oaf! I-!"

"When did I say that I needed your permission, woman? It would be wise not to test my patience if you know what is good for you. I will order one of my slaves to take you to the slave quarters. You will be trained on how to keep your mouth shut. If you try to run away from here, I will not hesitate to share you with my men." Itzvar left. Sophia fell onto the floor as she was afraid and could not fully comprehend what had happened. This never occurred to her. Sophia knew that Itzvar would not give up until he had what he wanted. However, she refused to give herself to him.

The day became night, and Sophia waited in Itzvar's room; she couldn't leave since the guards had returned. She still had the knife in her hand because she feared his return. Eventually, two enslaved men entered the house with three guards behind them with weapons in hand. One of the guards ordered her to drop the weapon. He informed her that Itzvar permitted them to punish her if she didn't obey. Sophia dropped the knife and held onto her bag.

The two enslaved men led her out of a medium-sized, heavily guarded wooded house. She and the enslaved men entered and inside were men and women of different ages. They all noticed her enter. "Lord Itzvar made her into one of us; she is also not to be harmed."

An elderly man who looked to be in his early sixties and had an unkempt appearance. His dark gray hair was past his shoulders and looked tangled. His face and hands were dirty and sweaty. His face looked gaunt, but his toothless smile made him look alive. He stood with a bowl of porridge and motioned it to her. "We have seen you make a stir in the village, young one. Sophia, was it?"

"Y-Yes, and you are...?"

"The name is Asger. You're a pretty one. So, is it true that you are a healer?"

Sophia nodded as she motioned to sit by the bonfire. "Y-Yes. Other healers taught me after my parents died. I also have a taste for adventure, so I decided to travel to help others in need." She shrugged her shoulders. Now, I am here."

"I am sorry you were taken like this. Has...Lord Itzvar...?"

"No! No! No! I wouldn't let that fiend put a hand on me!"

Another slave, a middle-aged woman with dull blonde hair, laughed. "You speak as if you held courage! No one ever disobeys him!"

"Enough, Gertrude! It was not her choice to be a slave as it wasn't ours either." The young slave woman looked to be in her early twenties. She had a thin appearance that had slight bags under her blue eyes. Her curly light brown hair was unkempt, not washed for days. Her skin was pale, with a couple of bruises on her face. Her lips looked worn and dry. She stood and sat next to Sophia. "The name is Estrid. Nice to meet you."

Estrid gave Sophia a plate with meat; Sophia began eating. "Thank you; it is very delicious."

"You are the talk of the village. Where are you from?" asked Estrid.

Sophia stopped midway to her food. Where was she from? Her memories felt vague. "I know that I'm from a very far away land. I lost recollection of it since I traveled so much."

Estrid raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Estrid, it's best not to ask too many questions. The poor woman has been through a lot today. Let's speak of something else. Now, tell us more about your profession. What illnesses have you cured? What places have you gone?" asked Asger.

Sophia sighed in relief and began to speak of what she could remember. Many of the enslaved people started eating and listened to Sophia with interest. Many began to ask more questions, making her feel at ease. She did not know what the future would hold but refused to go down without a fight.