by Quinn Loftis
“There are no dates on any of these pages. Why on earth did that woman not date this book?” I growled.
“To protect the prophecies,” Myra said. “If, for some reason, the protections on this book had failed and someone managed to get into it, then having dates would help them ascertain when a prophecy might take place.”
“And you really think I should be allowed to add things to this book? Because I would have just been dating things like crazy.”
“You will learn,” she said simply.
“If you say so,” I muttered, then began to read out loud.
“I had a vision today of the white witch, Myra.” I paused. “White witch?” I asked.
“It’s what she called me occasionally.”
“Hmm, okay,” I said before continuing. “Her sister was in this vision as well. I, of course, spoke the prophecy out loud so I worry about who might have been listening on the wind. But there is nothing to be done about it now. I will record it here in hope it will remain a mystery to those who do not need to know of its existence.
There will be a great battle on the hills of Tara. A kingdom will join with the clans to take a stand against an enemy who is a threat to them all. Among the allies will be a witch who stands on the side of good. She is to face two foes. It is during this battle she will strike them down, destroying them both once and for all. The death they have brought to those around them will end, and those spirits can finally be at peace.
“It will also come to pass, at the end of the great battle, that the alliances formed by these clans and the throne of England will be forged forever, never to be broken. A new king will take over Tara, and he will be wise and just. These lands will be at peace. The blood will wash away in the rain, and all things will be made new.”
I read over the words silently again, trying not to let hope take root, at least not yet. So many things could happen that would cause this prophecy to change. If everything happened as it was supposed to, then this would our future. This prosperity was laid out before us. I wanted it desperately. I wanted peace. I wanted Gisele destroyed. Now if I could only know the fate of Dayna, Brant, and Clay.
“I wasn’t sure who the second foe was,” Myra said. “But now I know.”
“Evelyn,” I said.
She nodded. “We have to make sure she is there.”
“How?”
“Tonight, we will call a meeting with Torben, your father, and the generals of the armies. It will appear very official. We will have it outside around a fire, and I will do an incantation to magnify our words. Not only will I let any eavesdroppers hear, but I’ll also basically be inscribing our words in ten-foot high letters and placing them in direct sunlight for all the world to see and hear. We can only hope they’ll be paying attention.”
“You don’t think they will be?” I asked.
Myra took a deep breath. “Listening to the wind is a complex spell. They’re both more than capable of casting it, of course. But the spell leaves the witch vulnerable. One must focus all her senses on listening. This kind of concentration keeps a witch from defending herself should she come under attack at the moment she is eavesdropping. They will literally be blind to everything and everyone around them,” Myra explained.
“It’s risky?” I asked.
“Very. And neither of these women take risk unnecessarily. But they’re both willing to do anything to gain power. And that may be their downfall. Evelyn has already shown her hand. If she’s sending her sycophants here to get at you, then she wants your oracle powers badly. I’ve no doubt she’ll be listening. And now that I think about it…”
I watched as Myra’s face became thoughtful. “What?”
“Brant and Clay may be the wild card in this whole situation,” she replied. “Gisele won’t have expected them. She’ll have been more prepared for your father to send an entire army. It will confuse her he’s only sent one of his men and a Northman. She’ll likely wonder why the two are working together. This, I’m sure, will intrigue her. And don’t forget she wants this more than anything.” Myra tapped the leather-bound book. “Those two things together will certainly pique my sister’s curiosity enough that she’ll risk a moment of vulnerability to listen to what we’re up to. Now, we just have to make the bait enticing enough that she crawls out of her hole to meet us.”
“Great,” I said, rolling my eyes. I closed the book, then sat back in my chair. I was beginning to feel the effects of the day, yet it wasn’t even over, far from it. Though darkness had begun to fall as night came, there was still so much left to do.
I jumped in my seat when I heard the loud bellows of the horn once again, just as I’d heard when my father arrived. “Torben,” I said, standing so fast my chair fell backward behind me.
I didn’t even stop for poor Myra—just dashed out the door with only one thought in mind. I wanted to see my husband.
“I can hear the battle drums beating. War is brewing like a great storm approaching on the horizon. The clouds begin to gather, the wind picks up speed. The thunder rolls across the sky, and the rain begins to fall. When it is all over, it will not be water that drenches the ground. It will be the blood of our enemies. We will stand victorious.”
* * *
~Torben
When my feet hit the sand of our beach, I finally felt like I could breathe. It was as though I’d been holding my breath since the moment I’d left ten days ago. I was incredibly happy to see that Albric and his men had arrived. There was movement all over the beach as they set up a camp.
I’d managed to make it maybe twenty feet when I heard her voice. I looked up to see a vision. Allete was running full speed, wearing battle attire, her hair braided like the shieldmaiden wear when training or going into battle. Her face was covered in dirt, and there was smeared blood as well. She was a mess, yet she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
As she came closer, I could see her eyes sparkling with tears. My tender princess missed me. When she was close enough, she launched herself at me. I caught her around the waist. She wrapped her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist.
I heard the cheering all around us, but I was completely focused on the desperate whispers coming from my bride.
“I love you, I love you, I love you,” she said over and over again.
I ran a hand down her hair and back, tightening my hold. “I love you too, Princess, so much,” I said. I could sense she needed this connection, so I simply stood on the beach with my eyes closed, my face buried in her neck, holding her in my arms. Every now and then, I would say something about how I missed her, how lovely she was, how worried I was about her, and she would voice the same.
Eventually, she pulled back and cupped my face in her small hands. She smiled, her tear-streaked face lit up with joy. “Hello,” she said.
I chuckled. “Hello, beautiful.”
“You made it back safe and sound.”
“Aye.”
“Did I mention I missed you?”
I nodded. “A few times.”
“Did I mention I love you?”
“Aye. There is something you haven’t done, though,” I said.
“What?”
Placing my hand on the back of her head, I pulled her to me. I didn’t care who was watching. I wanted a kiss from the woman I loved, and I didn’t want a peck as though we were shy with one another. I wanted to taste her.
Allete moaned as my tongue traced the seam of her lips. She opened immediately, her tongue dancing with my own, each of us vying for dominance. Eventually, I won, and she let me explore her mouth at my leisure. And enjoy it I did.
It was the clearing of a throat that finally caused me to leave the realm of my wife’s delicious mouth. When we separated, she was staring at me with unmasked lust. I was completely on board with her sentiment, but there were other things that had to be dealt with before I could slate my hunger for Allete.
I set her back down on the ground and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her ag
ainst me, then looked for the person who’d interrupted us. And, of course, the only one who would have dared was a king.
“King Albric,” I said as I held out my hand to him.
He took my forearm in his. I clasped to his, giving it a firm shake. “Torben,” Albric said. “I am sorry for the loss your clan has endured. Thank you for getting Allete back safe and sound.”
“I am sorry Dayna is not here,” I said immediately.
The king held up his hand. “We do not control the fate of every life we come in contact with. Even as Dayna’s father, I do not control her fate. It is not your fault. Besides, I’ve been informed she has two rescuers on her trail as we speak.”
My eye widened. “What?”
“Brant and my father’s captain, Clay, went after Dayna. They didn’t return with my father. They left from England a few days ago,” Allete explained.
“I’m not terribly surprised,” I admitted. “But I am glad Brant did not go on his own. I can’t say I blame him. I would have done the same thing if it were you in Dayna’s place,” I said.
I was worried about my oldest friend going up against a dark witch, but I was also glad Dayna would no longer be alone. She would know she hadn’t been forgotten or given up on.
“Do you have everything you need?” I asked the king. “It will be another day or so before clans start arriving.”
Albric shook his head. “We have all we need right now. You, however, look like you could use a bath and sleep.”
I laughed. “Both of those would be welcomed.”
Allete held up a hand to stop me from taking a step forward. “Before you get those two ideas too deeply rooted in your mind, we need to meet with Myra. It is a matter of importance,” Allete said. “We need your closest men, Torben, Freya, and Babs as well. And Father, the leaders in your army as well.”
My father nodded. “Where should we meet you?”
I looked at Allete for direction because she obviously knew something I did not.
“In the middle of the village, we will have a fire. Meet us there,” Allete said.
“Now?” I asked.
“Now,” she said, and there was gravel in her voice. I blew out a whistle. A moment later, Amund was by my side. I relayed the information Allete had told her father, then sent him to gather those we needed. Taking Allete’s hand, I began walking in the direction of the center of the clan village.
“You look like you could use some rest as well,” I said as she walked beside me. Her face was beautiful but worn.
“Sleep would not be unwelcome,” she said, glancing up at me. “I slept alone all my life except for the week we’ve been married, yet, suddenly, I can’t sleep well without you. It’s most inconvenient,” she teased.
I lifted her hand to my lips. Pressed a kiss to her palm. “I don’t sleep well without you in my arms either,” I admitted.
“Then it is decided,” Allete said as she stopped and faced me. She rose up on her tiptoes, then pressed a kiss to my lips. “We shall never sleep apart again.”
My lips tugged up into a grin. “I have a feeling you will change your mind after you bear our first child.”
She stepped back with a roll of her eyes. “We can still sleep in the same bed. I’ll just be sure to put you in a chastity belt before bed.”
Laughing, I threw my head back because it was not what I’d been expecting her to say.
“She seems much happier now that you are back,” Myra said as we reached the center of the village. The old woman was already dragging wood to the circle for a fire.
“Woman, put that log down,” I barked as I hurried over and took the branch that was nearly as big as the witch. I picked it up, then chucked it into the pile she’d already begun to build.
She and Allete began to converse, and I called out for some help gathering firewood. Within a quarter of an hour, we had a stack of wood piled waist high, ready to burn. Another fifteen minutes later, everyone Allete summoned had arrived.
“Ask the rest of the clan members to continue helping King Albric’s people get situated and begin organizing space for the three other clans coming,” I told Kjell, then turned to Allete. “You and Myra seem to have a plan, so I’m going to follow your lead.”
Allete nodded, releasing my hand and surveying the group was now gathered around.
“Torben and I have called this meeting to discuss the strategic battle plan for our combined forces. Those of you who don’t know her,” she gestured to the witch, “this is Myra, a friend and an ally. She is a witch, but she doesn’t practice dark magic. During this meeting, she is going to use a spell to block anyone else from hearing our plans. There is a chance the kingdom of Tara is working with a dark witch.” She paused, eyeing me. Without saying a word, she shrugged and winked, as if to say she didn’t know if that were really true at all. Apparently, she and Myra wanted whoever might be listening in to believe we thought a witch might be working with Cathal.
“Myra,” Allete continued, “let us know if there’s anything else you need.”
Myra nodded, tossed something onto the wood, and then muttered something under her breath. The wood went up in flames. It became a roaring bonfire in a matter of seconds.
Everyone took a collective step back as we stared, wide-eyed, at the fire. It moved in a rhythm. When I glanced at Myra, I could see her lips moving and hear a murmured chant. I realized the flames were moving in tandem with her voice. The heat from the fire was intense, even when I tugged Allete a little farther away, it still felt unnaturally hot. I had no idea what Myra was doing, but it made me glad she was on our side.
The witch nodded at me. I supposed that was my cue.
“As most of you know, I went to visit three clans that had been attacked by King Cathal, just as Clan Hakon had been. These three clans have agreed to align with us and King Albric to attack the kingdom of Tara. They should begin arriving the day after tomorrow. As soon as they are all here, we will make our ultimate battle plans. My hope is it will take no longer than two days for planning and preparation before we sail. Tara is a four-day journey. We will pray to the gods to make it in three or less.” I was just about to wrap things up. There wasn’t much more detail I could provide at that point, at least until the other jarls arrived. Then I heard Allete gasp.
The fire rose into the air, despite the fact the wind was hardly blowing. I went to reach for my bride to pull her farther away, but when I grabbed her hand and tugged, it was as if I were attempting to move a huge stone. She wouldn’t budge.
Her head was tilted back slightly, and her eyes were wide. But I could tell she wasn’t seeing the fire in front of her. The wind, which had been light until then, picked up its pace. Allete’s hair whipped around her. Then she began to speak. Her voice came out in an amplified tone that could be heard over the raging fire and roaring wind.
“Five hunters stand on a hill. They gaze down into the valley of a great dragon that preys on anyone he sets his eyes upon. Now the hunters have set their eyes on him. They will fight the dragon and he will kill many, but if they stand united, they will defeat him. They must be ever watchful because there are two serpents who will come, like slinking snakes, into the battle. They prey on the unsuspecting, and they care not for the lives of any. They must be destroyed, or their legacy will live on and they will come back to haunt the five hunters. Make haste! Do not delay your departure by even one day. Stick to your course. Do not turn to your left or your right, but forge straight ahead.”
Just as suddenly as the wind had picked up, it died down and the fire with it. Allete’s head lowered, and she blinked several times. Her eyes were wide with shock, and I could see a slight tremor in her body.
“The oracle has spoken,” Freya announced, and those in our clan repeated her. Then all bowed their head to Allete.
“Let it be as the oracle has said,” I said. “We will seek to do as she advises. We will reconvene once the other clans arrive.” At that, everyone dispersed. I started pu
lling Allete in the direction of our hut. When I glanced over my shoulder, I noticed Myra, Freya, and Albric were on our heels.
“Are you all right?” I asked Allete as we walked.
“Yes,” she said. “Just feel a bit disoriented. As I was telling you all the prophecy, I saw my own words coming to pass. I mean, I actually saw the battle. Do you think your mom saw things like this? Do you think she saw me?” she asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know. She never went into details of what she saw. She only spoke the words that came to her. It’s possible she saw you. I don’t know if prophecies happen the same way for every oracle,” I admitted. I wished I could help her more. I wished I knew what to say to make her feel more comfortable with this new gift. All I could do was be a shoulder, strong arms, and a listening ear for her.
“Those things are more than enough,” she said, having picked up on my thoughts.
“They don’t feel like it, not when I can feel your fear.”
When we entered our hut, we had just a minute alone before the others would join us. “You promise you are all right?” I asked again as I cupped her face in my hands.
She nodded. “It was just a lot to take in, and I wasn’t expecting it.”
There was a quick knock, then Thomas stuck his head in the door. “We can always count on you for entertainment, cousin,” he said with a smile. Then his face sobered, and he narrowed his eyes. “Seriously, though, are you all right?”
“I’m fine, Thomas. Thank you for checking on me. Oh, and don’t think I haven’t noticed you’ve been missing since you and my father arrived.”
He winked. “And with the reminder of the lies I told our king, I will be on my way.” He was gone as quickly as he’d appeared.
“He’s a nuisance,” Allete said with an affectionate smile.
“A nuisance who loves his cousins dearly,” I pointed out. There was no time to say more as Freya, Myra, and Albric walked into our home.
“Let it never be said that you aren’t good for entertainment, Al,” Freya said as she took one of the seats at the small table.