by Quinn Loftis
His lips tightened, his brow drawing into a sharp vee. She could tell he was fighting the urge to look away, to survey the damage she’d done to his hut. But Gisele knew his pride wouldn’t let him submit so easily, even when he was alarmingly close to a fight with someone entirely too powerful for him to oppose. “I still don’t understand why this book is so precious, worth so much.”
“And I don’t understand why you continue to ask about it. I’ve told you a hundred times it is none of your concern.” Gisele straightened her shoulders, stepped back, and tugged at her robes, pulling herself together. “Now, how soon can you be ready to go?”
Calder exhaled, relief the witch had stepped away clear upon his face. “A week and a half,” he said.
“Why so long?”
“Some of my men are away on a raid. I won’t go without an adequate number of warriors. It will also take time to get the ship packed and to make sure all weapons are battle ready. I can’t just snap my fingers and make everything happen in the blink of an eye.”
Gisele shook her head. “Inept. This clan is lucky it wasn’t obliterated under your leadership long ago.” Calder looked for a moment as if he were about to protest, but the witch held up a hand. “Fine. A week and a half and not a day longer,” she said. She turned, then strode to the door that was still swinging open. “Do not let me down, Calder,” she said as she paused in the doorway. “If you do, I will curse your clan, your bloodline, and put your head on a spike as a warning to others who might be foolish enough to cross me.”
“Good to see you again, too, witch,” Calder called as the door slammed shut.
“Pride can be a good thing, or it can be a wicked thing. I am learning when to be proud and when to be humble. A leader who learns this lesson well will gain the respect of many.”
~Diary of Allete Auvray
“To what do we owe the honor of your presence, Myra?” I asked as I offered her a seat at the small table in the kitchen area of our home.
“A matter of some importance. But it will be better if we wait to discuss my news until your husband joins us. I’m too old to waste time repeating myself.”
I smiled. She reminded me of Hilda. While it was a warm memory, it also uncovered the empty place in my heart where the oracle had once resided.
“You look well,” Myra said.
“And you are being kind. I resemble a dog who has been kicked one too many times and left out in the gutter to die.”
“You seem stronger.”
“As would the abused dog, I’m sure. Freya, the leader of the shieldmaidens, is training me in the ways of warfare. She has no mercy. Which I know is a good thing. It may save my life one day, I have no doubt. At the moment, I want to take a switch to her backside.”
She reached over, then placed her hand on mine. “You will be a fierce warrior for this clan. But you have a perilous road ahead of you.” Myra’s eyes took on a faraway look. “Much blood will be shed and lives will be lost before this clan is victorious.”
My stomach rolled, and I swallowed down bile. I didn’t want her to speak of death, not when we’d already lost so many. Not when the pain of Hilda’s death was still so fresh in my spirit.
The door opened, and Torben stepped in. Myra snapped out of her trancelike state.
“Myra, it’s good to see you again,” Torben said as he came in. He walked over to the chair where I sat, then leaned down to press a kiss to my forehead.
“It is good to see you both doing so well,” Myra said. “I knew Magnus would not be able to win against Torben. As soon as Magnus took you, Allete, I began watching for you in my cards and scrying. I would love the details of how Magnus was defeated when we have more time, but I do know Torben is in his rightful place, just as you are.”
“I know you aren’t here for a holiday with Clan Hakon,” he jested. “Why have you come?”
“A few reasons. The first being I know of your loss. I am so sorry Hilda is no longer with us in this life.” She paused at what had to be my extremely confused expression. “I keep tabs on the people I care about,” she said, staring straight at me. “The last time I scried for Hilda, I learned of her death. Though I don’t know the details.” Myra eyed Torben as she continued. “And I have news that may benefit your clan. When I arrived, I heard you telling your people of the need for allies. I agree. Clan Hakon is threatened on two sides. You cannot face both foes on your own. And I also agree that King Albric’s army, strong and disciplined though they may be, will not be enough to achieve victory. I hope I have a solution for you.”
“What do you mean?” Torben asked.
“You may not be aware, but other Northern clans have been attacked.”
Torben ground his teeth. “I suspected as much.” My heart skipped a beat, and I lost my breath for a moment. Innocent lives lost. Though Torben had expressed his concerns that Cathal, unaware of the exact location of Clan Hakon, would have harried the coast until he found it, we hadn’t yet verified the suspicion. Now, our fears were confirmed. Seeing firsthand how Cathal had decimated our clan, I was heartbroken to know other clans had suffered similar fates. Cathal had been searching for me. When he wasn’t able to find me, he took it out on anyone in his path. I was the cause of those poor people’s suffering.
Frowning, Myra studied me. “This isn’t your fault,” she said as if she could read my mind. “Cathal is an evil man with no goodness inside of him. All of these attacks are his fault and his fault alone.”
“How many?” Torben asked.
“Three other clans were attacked. Clan Akefor, Clan Bjornvik, and Clan Brending.”
Torben folded his arms across his broad chest, and I felt his anger through our bond.
“All three north of here,” Torben said. “He must have landed north of Clan Akefor, then worked his way south until he found us.”
“Leaving a path of destruction in his wake,” I offered.
Myra nodded. “They’ve been hit at least as hard as Clan Hakon. They’re likely to want the blood of Cathal just as much as you do. You should seek them out. Forge an alliance. I know the clans have fought amongst themselves in the past. Those days are over, Torben. Battles waged together can form lifelong loyalty.”
“Wise advice. But how did you learn of the clans?” I asked. “How did you even know where to find me?”
“Being a witch of my caliber does have certain advantages,” she said. “It is not an easy spell to cast. Certainly, it does require some sacrifices, but I can scry the location of lost objects if the need is great enough. The need of a king who has lost his daughter certainly qualifies. And, as I said, I’ve been keeping tabs on everyone.” She winked at me, then turned to Torben. “The ships are moored down at the beach.”
Torben nodded, and I could tell his mind was working. “Well, at least we know how Brant can reach your father,” he said. “I’ll send him back with Albric’s guard, and he can explain to your father what has happened and what we are planning.”
“King Albric is already preparing for war against Cathal. He will be an able ally when the time comes,” Myra said.
“We need all the help we can get,” Torben replied.
“If you want my counsel,” she said, “I would travel to the other clans as quickly as possible. Neither Cathal, nor Calder, is stupid. They’ll be expecting a counterattack. The longer they have to prepare, the more difficult your task will be.”
“Albric asked me to give you this.” Myra held out an object to Torben.
I gasped and stood, recognizing the Auvray crest. “My father’s seal?”
Myra nodded. “Show it to the clan leaders, Torben. Then they will know you speak the truth when you tell them the king of England plans to come to your aid.”
Torben took the seal, then wrapped his fist tightly around it. I could see in his face he knew the significance of the gift. The king’s seal was as good as a signed edict, a personal pledge on his honor. Not only had my father given his personal seal, but he’d also
presented it to a Northman, a group whom we’d previously considered barbarians, sworn enemies to England.
After a minute, Torben spoke. “I want you to stay here, Allete.” My stomach lurched. It seemed like we’d only just been reunited, and now my heart and soul would be ripped away from me again. I wanted to argue, to vow to remain by his side no matter what. But I understood why he wanted me to stay behind, and I knew he was right. My training was incomplete. I had made great strides, but I wasn’t a shieldmaiden yet. More importantly, I had to stay because Clan Hakon needed a leader. Torben’s earlier words came back to me. Other times, we shall walk in the midst of the clan because to lead, we must serve. I was the clan’s new queen. With Torben and Brant both gone, someone needed to stay and keep up the clan’s morale. That someone was me.
“All right,” I said, not able to stop my laugh when he frowned.
“No argument?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I like to keep you on your toes.”
Cackling, Myra slapped her knee. “You two are perfect for one another. It’s a good thing since you’re stuck with each other for life. I will stay here to help Allete. Even though I’m not an oracle, there is wisdom even this old witch can share with one such as Allete.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “Have you found Hilda’s book of prophecies?”
My eyes widened. “I…I…wasn’t aware such a book existed.”
Myra nodded.
“You mean all this time I’ve been trying to work through the chaos she left in my mind and I could have just been reading a bloody book?” I growled. “Even from the grave, your mother is aggravating,” I told Torben, though I hoped he heard the affection in my voice.
His eyebrows rose, and he shrugged. “Beats me. I’m no oracle. Half the time, I thought she was simply making stuff up as she went.”
“She would have put the book somewhere sacred,” Myra explained.
“I do have an idea where that might be,” Torben said. “There is a circle of rocks just over the hill.” He pointed in the direction behind the hut. “She said whoever left the circle also left their magic within it. It’s where she spoke a lot of her prophecies.”
“Then we will start there. We will need a tool to dig with as she probably buried it. I can’t imagine she’d just leave it lying about willy-nilly.”
“Do you want some of my men to help?” Torben asked.
Myra shook her head. “The book is sacred. It contains things only the oracle should know. There may be prophesies within that Hilda never disclosed to the clan, and she would have had good reasons. It was, after all, her choice to share the prophesies or not.”
Myra stood, then moved toward the door. “I’m going to give you two a moment to say your goodbyes. You need to leave as quickly as you can, Torben. Allete, meet me behind the hut.”
Once the witch departed, I smiled wryly at my husband. “She’s a bossy little thing.”
“Kind of like another small woman I know,” Torben said as he took my hand. He wrapped his strong arms around me, holding me tight. I could have stayed there forever, safe in his embrace.
“Please be safe,” I whispered. “I can’t lose you.”
“You’re not going to,” he rumbled. He ran his hand down my pleated hair. Gave it a gentle tug. “I love you, Princess,” he whispered in my ear.
“I love you back, Viking.” His lips pressed to mine. Seconds later, the kiss turned into something more desperate. Torben’s hand pressed against my lower back while his other wrapped around the nape of my neck, holding me still.
I let my hands slide into his hair and tugged slightly, loving the sound he made. The heat of his body against mine was intoxicating, the taste of his mouth addicting. I wondered if we’d ever get enough of each other.
“No,” he said, answering my thought. I must have been thinking it very loudly.
My breath was rapid as I gazed into his eyes. “Hurry home. There’s more of that waiting for you upon your return.”
He grinned. “You do know how to motivate a man, Princess.” With one last kiss, I started for the door. Before I could push it open, Torben smacked me on my backside. I glanced over my shoulder. “Behave,” he said in a deep, warning-filled voice.
“I always do,” I said with a smirk.
“Right, and I wear a dressing gown to bed every night.”
I laughed. “That’s a lovely mental image to give me, my love. Thank you.”
He shook his head, though there was a smile on his lips.
When I rounded the corner of the hut, I found Myra staring at the ground. Intrigued, I headed over and peered down. She was inspecting a collection of stones bearing strange symbols carved into their faces.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Scrying, or at least trying to. It’s not exactly the simplest and most reliable of spells.”
“Any good news?” I asked.
“There is evil at work, that much I can tell. Another witch.”
“Gisele?” I asked.
Myra snapped her head up. “You know of her?”
“She’s the witch who took my sister,” I said, wondering how on earth Myra didn’t know that. She seemed to know everything else.
“That’s not good.”
“Tell me something I don’t know, Myra.”
“It’s worse than you fear. Gisele is my sister.”
“What?” My mouth hung open. Myra had said she knew Hilda died, but not how. Which meant Myra had no clue her own sister had murdered Hilda. I didn’t think this moment was exactly the time to tell her something so horrible.
She nodded.
“But she’s so…”
“Evil?”
“Uh-huh, and you’re so…”
“Wonderful, delightful, generous, and kind?” Myra said.
“I was going to say not evil, but I guess we can go with your words.”
“I don’t know how not evil I am, but I try to help when I can. Gisele, unfortunately, chose a different path. I haven’t been able to find her for a long time. She can block my efforts when she wishes. Gisele uses dark magic—blood magic—and it is immensely powerful.”
I shuddered, remembering the last time I saw my sister, she had been at the evil witch’s mercy.
“Our fight will be more difficult than I first anticipated,” Myra said.
“Our?”
“You cannot hope to defeat Gisele without my help. I doubt someone lacking elemental magical ability could kill her, even if they had a sharpened axe raised overhead and she was bound and gagged.”
“Of course not. That would make things a little too easy, and easy doesn’t seem to be in the cards for my life.” I blew out a deep breath. It could be worse. Myra was plotting the death of her own sister. Dayna made me want to pull my hair out at times, but at least she wasn’t a crazed, evil witch.
“Nothing worth having comes easily,” Myra said.
“I think Hilda told me that once.”
Myra laughed. “I imagine she probably told you more than once. That old woman loved to dole out full cups of refreshing wisdom from her never-ending fountain of supply, whether you wanted a drink or not.” Myra reached down, picked up her runestones, and pocketed them.
I followed the witch as she started up the hill. “Are you going to be able to make it,” I asked, pointing at the incline.
She tsked. “I’m not an invalid…at least not yet.”
I didn’t say another word, but I did stay beside her as she moved slowly and steadily toward the top. When we finally crested the hill, I saw the circle of stones Torben had spoken of. Myra started toward them, but she held up a hand to stop my progress.
“Let me examine the magic first,” she said. She began to walk in a slow circle outside the rocks. Her lips moved, but I couldn’t hear what she said. Myra held her hands out over the rocks. Light began to glow from the stones. A barrier seemed to shimmer into view, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
“As I suspected, she’s put a
protection spell on it. Only Hilda could enter the circle. With her death and the transfer of her power to you, however, you should now be able to enter it.”
“Should?” I asked skeptically. “And what happens if I’m not able to?”
“It will most likely fry you up like bacon,” she said without inflection.
“Gee, thanks for being concerned,” I muttered.
Myra shrugged. “We won’t know unless you try. Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to be the chosen one.”
I took a step closer to the circle. “Please don’t fry me. Please don’t fry me,” I chanted over and over as I continued to move closer and closer until I was only inches away from the rocks. I could feel a pulse of power from the circle. The magic felt familiar, like an old blanket from my childhood.
“We don’t have all day, Allete,” Myra said. “Suck it up, shieldmaiden, and show us what you’re made of.”
Had to love it when people challenged others outright. Now, my pride spurred me on. It wouldn’t let my fear of becoming bacon keep me out of the circle. Stupid pride.
With a deep breath, I stepped over a rock and planted my foot upon the ground. Nothing happened. Taking another breath, I brought my other foot over and stood inside the stones. Freezing, I waited to see if the frying reaction was delayed.
“Guess you’re good to go,” Myra chirped as if my life hadn’t just been on the line. I was beginning to think that all witches, good or evil, had a measure of donkey butt in them.
“Now what?” I asked, giddy over having successfully managed not to get fried.
Suddenly, Amund came up over the hill. He gripped a spade. “Torben said you needed this—something about planting a garden?”
I couldn’t help the smirk that spread across my face. A garden, Torben, really?