Eric and his men had secured their ship and had taken two rooms at the inn near their campsite. He'd never been to an inn before and found the concept interesting. He and top two men would take the rooms and the rest of his band would hunker down near the ship for the few nights they stayed in this foreign place. They had been gone from home for close to a month now. The time for raiding was over for now. He had to travel to find this new market place and had not taken any slaves for this reason. He was very shocked to hear that no people were sold in this land. He still had no idea how he would ensure they had enough hands in the fields unless he tried to find a new place to raid, while still making it home on time.

While visiting markets wasn't exactly novel, it seemed to be becoming more and more popular. People said the world was changing. Eric had seen change before and had caused change in the lives of other many a time - usually when he tore through their towns taking goods and new able-bodied slaves. He truly didn't see what all the fuss was about.

He was hoping to buy a nice piece of jewelry for his sister who was quickly approaching adulthood, apart from that this whole trip did nothing but annoy him.

He looked over when he heard the crunch of thick boots on the gravel pathway. Four of his men were coming toward him, ready to walk to this market. They decided to not pay the fee to rent horses from the inn keeper and he hoped the walk wouldn't be too long.

"Are you ready?"

He nodded curtly and began to walk, his men following behind him.

They walked for less than an hour but saw nothing resembling a market place. They saw many trees, some small garden, one large farm, a block of home, and a long pathway surrounded by trees. He though about venturing near the homes to his right to ask for directions, but felt too embarrassed. It was a large market place, not far from the inn, how could he not find it?

From the corner of his eye, he saw someone looking at him. He did not want her to know he noticed her so he didn't turn his head. This denied him a good overview of her person, but he decided already that she was no threat to him. She hesitated for a moment before approaching him. He noted that she kept a reasonable distance from him. She was no threat, but he was very might be.

"You look lost." Her voice sounded kind.

He turned toward her. She was much smaller than he was, her head only coming up to his chest. She looked healthy and he imagined her curves were very soft. He couldn't help but note her large breasts which appeared to be straining against her gown. He wondered what her status was since she was clean, seemed well spoken, but wore cheap clothing with no jewelry. Her red hair was pinned to the top of her head with two curls hanging loose around her face. He forgot about her breasts once he saw her green eyes. He stepped closer to get a better look and found small gold lines in her iris.

"I find myself unable to locate the market." He said surprising his men.

"I'll take you there."

She began to walk in the direction he had just come from. He raised his eyebrow as this girl just expected he'd follow her. He smiled when he realized he was going to do just that. The people in their homes began to watch as these big foreign men moves behind this young girl. A few of the towns people, the ones with less shame, didn't try to cover the fact that they were staring at the scene as it played out.

A woman called out to the girl as she walked.

"You shouldn't be walked with those men. It's not appropriate."

Eric was less than pleased by this nosey woman's comments. The girl, his new tour guide, looked at her inquisitively. He immediately knew the look on her face was feigned.

"It makes me really sad to hear that anyone would think not helping someone in need is the appropriate thing to do." she said and kept walking.

His face broke out into a smile. He didn't like being classified as 'someone in need', but loved her rather diplomatic response.

Although he didn't know it, his tour guide wasn't an idiot. She observed that many people were watching them and she was safe from these strangers as long as others watched. She also knew that while some might question her actions, she was simply being polite. Times were changing. Her home wouldn't survive, more or less thrive, if they didn't start trading more. They need to expand and welcome people with wealth to come and put their money into her county's economy. Her people were kind and generous - and that needed to be extended to travelers now as well.

She turned down the path he passed up, with all the trees. He wondered how they were going to get to this market going this way. He couldn't see anything but trees. Having lived here her whole life, she knew exactly where she was going and knew they'd have witnesses monitoring them the whole way there.

She walked down a few yards and turned between two trees. Eric was right behind her and was surprised to see another farm house with a small pathway, going left, away from the house. He never expected there to be another path or a home between the cluster of trees. They stepped onto the camouflaged path and were greeted with more stares. Eric could see the market place from where they were standing.

He noticed her moving slightly to one side of the path. Before he could inquire about what she was doing, she darted over and picked up an object he couldn't make out, that an elderly man had dropped. The man was obviously having a hard time bending down to reach it. Eric hadn't even noticed. He was pleased at how kind this stranger was. She walked right back to the path and looked at him. She looked sheepish, as though she didn't know which would have been less polite - to leave the men who she was guiding or to let the old man struggle. When she saw him smile, she smiled back, happy he wasn't offended, before turning back to the road.

A small child ran up, shouting 'hi' to his Good Samaritan. When the little tike saw him, she got quiet and took a step back. Eric was a huge man, as were many Vikings, but he was even large for being a Norseman. He and his band must of looking like warring monsters to such a little girl. Without glancing back and with no hesitation, his guide walked over and picked the child up.

"Hey you!"

The child looked toward him once more.

"Can you come play today?"

"Maybe later. If I have any time, I promise I'll stop over. Deal?" She said in a sweet voice.

The child nodded and smiled. She gave her a humorous smacking kiss on her chubby cheek before placing her back down.

"Bye."

"Bye-bye"

They were back to walking and Eric found himself growing more and more fascinated.

It wasn't long at all before they entered the market place. The difference in the noise level from the trading posts compared to the block of farm houses they walked past, was deafening. Most of Eric's men began to scatter and only his top two men, his best friends, stayed with him. He took another moment to look at this woman. In some part of his mind, he realized she wasn't even the most beautiful he'd seen in his travels, but he couldn't remember the last time he stared at someone like this.

"Thank you." He told her politely.

"You're welcome. Are you and your men staying long?" She asked out of curiosity. She hoped he'd have good experiences in the town square and not think poorly of her home due to some of the gossip mongers who'd watched her lead them to the market.

"Yes." He said, surprising his men greatly. "You come from a beautiful place."

"I know." She laughed. "Have a nice day."

She turned to walk away.

"Wait!" Eric called out. "What's your name?"

"Aine."

Her named sounded like "awn-ya" and he immediately began to work on pronouncing it correctly.

"I'm Eric. Thank you again, Aine."

"It was no trouble, Eric." She said and walked away.

Eric tried his best to shop. They needed to buy all the materials they lacked after raiding. He wanted to purchase gifts for his family. He was distracted and could hardly listen as the shop keepers hawked their products at him. He would be of no use if anyone was hoping he'd show off his supreme bartering skills today.

Aine has stayed on his mind the whole time. He had no idea why he was so intrigued. He found himself annoyed. It wasn't as if he was in desperate need of a woman. He had a short encounter with a prostitute a town over from the one they raided three days ago. He'd also had the serving girl at the inn flick her tongue over her lips after smiling at him. He could go back right now and disappear into one of the rooms with her. But he found himself uninterested.

He decided he needed more information. Maybe if he learned things from others, he could figure out why he cared about this girl. He found one of his men, a young boy actually, and told him that he was going to the tavern and if he was needed he would return to the inn before nightfall.

He had little trouble finding the bar, even during the afternoon there were men gathering outside with their drinks enjoying the breeze. He walked in and noticed everyone turn to stare at him. He looked at the bartender and immediately relaxed his shoulders. The man was fearful of this Viking coming in and causing a problem. Eric knew he'd have a hard time getting answers because he was a stranger and he knew he'd get no answers, what so ever, if he was seen a threat. He had to be charming and he might even have to bribe someone.

He sat down and asked for some ale. He planned to drink sparingly, but enough that he'd seem like he fit in well with the locals. The stench of drink on the man next to him told him that being in the bar was probably a daily event for him. He sat and nursed his mug quietly for a few minutes.

"What brings you here, new man?" asked a middle-aged man, with a scar on his left cheek and no gold on his fingers.

"I wanted a drink after being in the market." Eric said neutrally.

The man cocked his eyebrow and looked at the bartender.

"You've had that drink for a while now. Are you sure that's all you're here for?"

Eric thought about this carefully. He didn't want to blurt out that he was here for information about one of their local women, but he could not lie again now and get any answers later.

"I do have some questions...well one actually."

"What question do you have mister?" The bar-keep inquired.

The two men were unsure of whether or not to trust this foreigner. But they were curious as well.

"What do you gentlemen know about a girl named Aine?" He asked, trying to sound casual.

The men glanced at one another.

"She's a good girl." He paused. "Very helpful."

"Responsible for her age." Offered the drunken man, nearest Eric, who'd been silent thus far.

"She's too smart for a woman." Added the Bartender.

Eric thought this over. He liked what he saw from her already. He knew she was helpful and could believe that she was mature for her age. She didn't giggle like the other women her age who threw themselves at him. She was well spoken and handled that nosey woman with ease. He decided he had to stop thinking about this and just make an action. His gut told him this was a good idea and he was right to take an interest in this girl.

"Do you know where she lives?" Eric asked.

"Why?" The men looked toward each other with confused and wary looks on their faces.

"I want to thank her." He smiled.

Eric went back to the market and spotted his second in command and his best friend, Bjorn.

"I'm going to her home." Eric stated without preamble.

Bjorn looked shocked and asked Eric incredulously, "Are you going to do what I think you are going to do?"

"Depends what you think." Eric said and walked away.