"Whatever have I done to deserve this?" she said to a bird as it sang its pretty song in a tree above her head. "Why can't they just leave me alone?"
The bird cocked its head and looked at her, then flew away.
"Even you would leave me all to myself," she said to the retreating bird.
Nothing made sense to her anymore. Every time she had tried to explain herself, it had ended badly. She was ridiculed and made the object of suspicion and mistrust. She was no evil witch. She had no power to curse anyone or do evil. She was simply able to read the emotions of those around her with a high degree of accuracy. And she had felt compelled to warn people who would have otherwise become victims of some kind of crime or evil plot. But her abilities were not appreciated by the members of her clan. They were regarded as strange and sinister, a view propagated by those whose malicious intentions she’d foiled.
As a young girl, she had dreamed of being loved by a strong and noble warrior, one who would make her his queen and share his whole life with her. She wanted someone who would give her many sons and daughters and be content to have only her as his wife.
Hadn’t the priestess said she would be blessed with many children? Why was it so difficult for things to turn out the way she had expected? Not a single family had considered her father’s offer of marriage even though it would have meant sharing in the wealth and prestige of being connected to a clan chief. Everyone feared that she would taint their bloodlines with whatever was wrong with her and had declined her father’s offers of marriage. She had brought disgrace to the respected name of her father, all because she had an unusual gift.
Deep in thought, Eira didn’t see the men as they approached. It wasn’t until they surrounded her, each of them stepping as quietly as he could, that she sensed the stench of resentment. It was so strong that it almost overpowered her. She leapt to her feet and tried to run but one of them tripped her and she fell. Strong arms grabbed her and pinned her down while they forced a bag over her head.
"Your options are simple, evil one," one of them said, his voice filled with hatred. "You either come with us peacefully or we can do this the hard way."
Eira stayed silent. She knew she had little chance if she tried to put up a fight. Despite the resentment, she could feel some remorse amongst them. Maybe she had a chance if she went along with them.
"Good. I see you've decided to cooperate," the man said. "Well, then. Let's go, men."
The walk back to the village was very short. The men were silent as they marched her forward, dragging her occasionally if she failed to keep up with their pace. As they began to enter the village, the noise started, shouts and screams of anger and hatred. The villagers all knew who was under the sack and for many, it was the perfect chance to take out their anger against her. She was the ideal scapegoat for all that was wrong in their lives. One of them threw a handful of eggs at her. Another threw leftover food and one was even bold enough to pour water over her.
"Stop that at once!" one of her captors shouted at them.
"She's illr!" a villager yelled.
"She must be burned to cleanse this land of her evil!" another one cried.
"She is armr!" Burn the witch!" One of the villagers began to chant and soon everyone else joined in.
Bjarni heard the noise from inside the house. He didn't pay much attention to it and continued his work of mending a shoe. His thoughts were still with Eira.
It was Astrid who burst in shouting. "They're going to kill her, Bjarni! They're going to kill her!"
He was taken by surprise. "Kill who?!" He hated it whenever someone startled him this way.
"Eira! They're going to burn her, you fool! Are you deaf? You want to tell me you cannot hear them shouting?!"
He didn't wait for her to say anything else. He grabbed both of his axes and ran out of the house, shouting as he ran towards the gathered crowd. He looked like a madman as he advanced on the crowd, wildly swinging both axes. People scrambled out of his way. No one wanted to be on the receiving end of a blow from Bjarni. The shouting stopped and everyone drew back to watch what would happen next.
Bjarni cut the rope that bound Eira and told her to stay behind him. "Which of you is next?!" he roared, brandishing his axes. "Who is next?!" His fury was unrivalled. Only enemy warriors in the heat of battle had ever seen him like this. It was terrifying.
Many of the men melted to the back of the crowd. They knew they stood a good chance of being injured or killed and this was not a cause worth dying for. The boldest ones remained, drawing their weapons as they faced Bjarni, forming a wall of defiance.
Astrid got there just in time. "What is this madness, Arne?" she asked the leader of the group.
Arne swung his axe menacingly in Eira’s direction. "Your daughter is a bad witch and we will rid this village of her evil works before we all die!"
“Come on, you know that’s not how we do things in this land. Eira is as worthy as anyone else of a fair trial before she is condemned for evil-doing!” Bjarni said, trying to persuade the villagers to think rationally. His efforts proved to be futile as the crowd yelled in response.
It appeared to Bjarni that this was a planned attack. He had suspected it would come to this for a long time but he hadn't expected nearly everyone to side against his family. Even if he could protect his daughter, it was a matter of time before he tired out from fighting so many men at once. He was in a precarious position and he couldn’t see a way out.
Astrid looked at her husband and child. This was a crucial moment. If they didn't do something to salvage the situation, not only would they kill the girl but Bjarni stood to lose his position as head of the clan. He might even lose his life. Their two sons came and stood beside them, ready to help their father defend the family.
"So, you would kill a girl without having any evidence to back up your accusations?!" Bjarni asked the seething crowd.
"Oh, come on, Bjarni! We all know she's an evil witch. Even you! Deep within your heart, you can't ignore the fact that she does things that you cannot explain. She has done many things to make us fear that she will strike us down with a curse or some other evil sorcery." Arne had the crowd's support and he was determined to press home his advantage
"She is my daughter, you fool! Why would you think I would let you kill my own daughter?" Bjarni shouted back. "Besides, as the leader of this clan, I have the power to make you stop this nonsense. Or you will find yourselves before the judges of the land for murder."
Arne moved closer to the big man, his axe pointed downwards. "Well, then,” he said menacingly. "If that is how it is, I guess it is time we had a new leader."
Astrid stepped in. "Arne, what is your problem? Stop this at once! It is madness!"
Arne moved close and shoved his face in front of hers. "You stop this. Give us the child and everything will be back to normal."
Astrid knew exactly where this was going. It was a game and Arne thought he was winning. She decided to change the outcome. "Very well, then. Since you would kill the girl, there is another alternative."
There was silence as she walked away from the two men and stood before the crowd. "Eira is hereby banished from these lands! She is never to return for whatsoever reason it may be." She paused and turned to Arne. "If for some reason, she does return, you have my permission to kill her."
Eira gasped as she heard the words. She had seen her mother hunch her shoulders up in defiance but she knew it was a cover for her real feelings. Her mother was hurting as she spoke those words. She didn’t want Eira to go anywhere. Finally, Eira understood the reason her mother wanted her sent away. It was for her own protection.
Arne stepped back. This hadn't gone the way he had planned it but Astrid had offered an alternative to killing the girl. If he refused to take it, he would be on trial for murder.
"You have done well," he said to Astrid as he walked past her.
She looked at him with disgust in her eyes. “Get out of my sight,” she spat as
she turned away. For now, her anger fueled her to keep going; she feared that she would collapse with grief in front of the hostile crowd. She must appear to be strong and ruthless in front of them. There would be time for grief later when everything had calmed down. She could hardly face thinking of a future without her beloved daughter. Of all her children, Eira was most like Astrid. Talking to Eira was like being with a younger version of herself.
It took less than two hours for Eira to prepare herself for the journey ahead. Her heart broke as two warriors, chosen for their knowledge of the area they were going to, led her away from the only home she’d ever known. She was distraught, weeping as she realized that she might never see her family again. She loved this place; the forest and flowers soothed her soul. The birds and animals were her friends. And now, she had to leave it all behind, never to return. It seemed too much to bear.
Her father walked her to the edge of the forest, tears pouring down his cheeks as he said goodbye for the last time.
“Make the best of your new life, my child,” he said, holding her tightly against him. “Remember to always do good and you will get by. I pray that life is kind to you.”
He let go of her and she mounted the horse that would take her far, far away. She looked back until her father was lost to sight in the dense forest. Never had she felt so alone and helpless.
CHAPTER 3
M any hours later, they reached the edge of the village of Myrkvior Fjall. They had travelled all night to reach it and Eira was tired, hungry and frightened. The warriors pulled the horses to a stop.
“Get off!” one of them ordered. “This is where we leave you.”
“But you were told to take me into the village!” she protested.
“There is no one here to make us,” the other one sneered. “You are on your own, evil witch.”
“We have no more time for your stupidity. Or your wicked deeds. Good luck with your new life,” the first soldier said sarcastically, ignoring the tears pouring down her cheeks.
They wheeled their horses around and galloped back into the forest, leaving Eira standing there all alone.
She knew she had no choice but to go into the village by herself. She picked up her things and tried to look confident as she approached the first group of buildings. This was no time to break down. Her father had told her to remain strong in order to survive what she might face. She had no idea what the future held, but whatever it was, she would face it with bravery, as befitted the daughter of the great clan leader, Bjarni.
As she stood near the houses, a man walked towards her. He was wearing the clothing typical of a farmer but his shoes were good quality and he was well-fed. She guessed that he was wealthier than the average villager. Although she was wary, she sensed that he wasn’t the type to take advantage of a defenseless woman.
"Excuse me, sir,” Eira called to him as he approached. "I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of Taft Havardr."
The man looked up and gasped in shock. Then his expression became bland and inscrutable as he examined her from head to toe. Eira was puzzled by his reaction to her. She had only asked for directions.
"And who are you?" he asked her.
"I am Eira, daughter of Bjarni, chief of the Ottarsung clan of Thvengr. My mother, Astrid, is a sister of Taft. She sent me here to him." Eira watched as the man's puzzled look changed to something else that she couldn't decipher. She sensed a mixture of resentment and anger in his heart. Topped off with just a touch of curiosity.
"Did you say Astrid?" he asked as he moved closer.
Eira took a step backwards. "Yes. You know her?"
The man stopped in his tracks. "Wait. There's no need to be afraid of me. It's just that things are not the way you think they are."
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe Astrid did not tell you this but there is a disagreement between your clan and ours. And it all began with Taft and your mother." He watched her keenly, hoping she would understand what he had just told her.
Eira looked puzzled for a minute before she raised her head and looked beyond the tall man standing before her. "I need to find Taft,” she said. “If you will not help me, I shall find him myself."
The man smiled dryly. "Wench, you have no idea, do you? I have only one piece of advice for you. Leave while you still can." He turned and walked away without another word, leaving her standing there wondering what she had done to deserve such rudeness.
"What a rude and inconsiderate man!" Eira muttered as she walked into the village.
The village layout was almost the same as her own village. The houses were built side by side, adorning a large expanse of land. There were big fireplaces out in the open where meat was skinned and preserved. Some of the houses looked larger and more prosperous than others but all were constructed in the same style as the houses in her village. Several longhouses accommodated multiple families at the other end of the village. Children ran around, their happy laughter a pleasant sound. Eira could smell the cooking pots and her mouth watered. She was so hungry. Many of the men were absent, presumably out hunting or working on their farms. A stream bordered one side of the village and Eira could see several women bending over the clothes they were washing in the stream.
Eira walked up to a woman who was crouched beside her fire, stirring a cooking pot.
“Excuse me, would you be kind enough to point me to Taft?” she asked.
The woman gestured for her to take a seat on the other side of the fire. “You have been on a journey, haven’t you?” the woman asked, looking at Eira’s clothes. Her coat had dirty marks on it from where the horses’ hooves had flung up mud and her blonde hair, worn long and loose to show that she was unmarried, was knotted and untidy. The woman handed her a jug of water and a dipper.
"Yes," Eira replied. The water was cool and soothing to her dry throat. “Thank you,” she said, taking another sip.
The woman inclined her head. "Tell me, why do you seek this Taft?"
"He is my mother's brother," Eira answered.
"Are you passing through or staying?" the woman asked.
Eira raised an eyebrow.
“I am not trying to interfere in your business,” the woman added quickly.
"I would do the same in your position,” Eira said.” And yes, I shall be staying with him."
"I am surprised you made the journey all by yourself. It is not every woman who can do that."
"I was not alone,” Eira replied. There were two men with me but they turned back at the edge of the village."
"Wait, what?! You were escorted here and then they left you there by yourself? What kind of man would do such a thing?!" The woman's concern had turned into anger.
"What is your name, please?" Eira asked.
"Hella."
"Well then, Hella. I did not leave the village because I wanted a change of scenery. Let us say I was forced to leave." As soon as she'd said it, Eira realized she’d made a mistake.
The woman collected the cup from her quickly, fear and resentment written on her face. "You were banished?" she asked.
Eira made no attempt to answer. She just sat there, staring at her hands.
"Do you know why women get banished?! Because they do evil! They cause bad things to happen to people! You're an evil witch!" Hella screeched, pointing an accusing finger at Eira.
Eira tried to stand up but Hella pushed her down.
"Gather round!" she cried to the rest of the villagers.
A crowd quickly formed, many of them anxious to know why Hella was holding another woman down.
"What is it now, Hella?" a man asked sarcastically. "Has your husband brought home another wife and it displeases you?" His mockery was greeted with laughter.
"Hold your tongue in place, Canute. If you have nothing helpful to say, then keep your peace,” she told him.
There was a hushed silence as they all stared at her, awaiting whatever gossip she was going to share. She paused, adding weight to the d
rama. There was nothing she liked better than to be the bearer of some kind of sensational news. She enjoyed the attention it brought her.
"Well then, speak!" Canute barked at her.
Hella crackled inside with resentment. Canute hadn't allowed her to savor the moment enough, the slimy coward. "This woman here was banished from her own village and says she was told to come here,” she said, pausing for dramatic effect. “I would like to see what Halvar has to say about that!”
Her news caused an audible gasp from the crowd but Canute was unimpressed. "Hella, it is not news that people get banished from their villages. I see no need for all this drama you've created. Were you not banished from your village years ago also?"
"I was not armr!" Hella snapped back, stung by the reminder of her banishment for adultery.
The crowd went into a frenzy of speculation and accusations and even Canute was forced to keep his mouth shut. Using witchcraft to commit evil against the people wasn't a thing they could take lightly. The penalties were severe: death or banishment.
"Let the girl speak for herself!" someone yelled from the crowd. "We are not savages. We have a process of law and order for cases like this. We must hear from her!"
Eira yanked her arm from Hella's grip and stood up. "It is true. I was banished from my village," she said. "But I was only accused of being armr. I am not wicked!" Hot tears dropped from her eyes, and although the crowd remained hostile, she could sense sympathy from some of them.
"Liar!" a woman screeched. "If you are not illr, how come you were accused of it?"
"Because I am cursed with a gift that people think is evil!" Eira knew she had to hold her ground now or lose it. “I have never practiced evil sorcery or dark magic on anyone! I know not how! I am no bad witch!”
Eira: Banished (Viking Guardians Book 1) Page 2