God's blood, she was sore! Her slender back ached miserably, and the palms of her hands were blistered and raw. She stood up from the bench and stretched her arms wide above her head. "I gave you no permission to stop rowing, Garric," Hakon said sternly, walking up beside her. Dropping her arms to her sides, Gwendolyn turned flashing eyes upon him. "I am tired, Viking. Does that mean naught to you? I have been rowing for several hours now, and you have not once given me a chance to rest!" she retorted hotly. Hakon pushed her back down onto the bench and set her hands upon the narrow wooden oar. "Row." Gwendolyn bit her lower lip in anger. Very well, if the Viking wanted her to row, then so she would! Heaving with all her strength, she dropped her oar back into the water and began rowing at twice the speed of the other oarsmen. A loud crack was heard as her oar hit the one next to it, causing the man seated on the bench in front of her to turn and curse loudly at her. Hakon smiled faintly, stifling the chuckle in his throat.
