Eben sat on the beach for some time after Astrid left. She had told him wonderful things, horrible things, things he could not accept. And nothing he said had changed her mind. He, a skald, a storyteller, a man who had talked the crew out of more impossible predicaments than anyone could recount. But Astrid was not just anyone, maybe that was the problem, he loved her so much that he couldn’t influence her because this was the path she chose, the only path she could see. Eben knew it was not the only path, but it was a path that for certain led through Nifleheim, and perhaps it never returned.
It was not until the tide was coming back in and threatened to soak him, that Eben finally stirred and stood, he looked out across the water. He was struck by the bounty the sea had given him; reunited with Thorir, an escape from monotony, wealth. And yet the sea had just brought him more sorrow than he knew was possible. Sighing, he turned away and wandered back towards camp. Rolf had been setting snares for rabbits when Eben came across him.
“Oi Eben, Thorir’s been looking for you,” he said barely looking up from the trap. Eben nodded and gave thanks for the message. Eben set a more direct course for camp. There was nothing to do but bare his soul to Thorir. He was Einar’s full brother, a true Volundson. Perhaps he could find some way to help, to stop Astrid from enacting her desperate, suicidal plan.
As he entered camp, the men slowed their work and stole glances at him as he walked. Thorir must have put the word out, and within this crew little remained secret for long. Eben headed towards Thorir’s tent. But he found Old Raveneye there sitting on a stump carving rune sticks to protect the tent. Raveneye looked up at him, and just shook his head and pointed to a tent a little ways off. For a moment Eben was confused. Then he heard a whine from inside the tent, a wolf and suddenly all became clear to him. This was indeed Thorir’s tent, but Astrid was inside. And he wasn’t. From the stance of Raveneye, Eben wouldn’t be inside any time soon either. Eben nodded to Raveneye and turned and headed to the other tent directed. There he called out to his half-brother. The tent flap opened and Eben stepped inside.
For the next few hours Eben told Thorir everything. All the hidden history Thorir had never asked about, he had just accepted Eben as he was. But now Eben needed to tell him, tell him everything so he would understand. Flagons of ale were consumed, lanterns lit and still the tale continued. The secret, desperate love, the pain of separation, all the way through to the events at the beach. Not a detail did Eben spare. Finally as he wound down he pleaded, “She can’t do this Thorir, you know Einar, you can’t let her do it.”
Thorir had listened patiently, carefully. The Norns had woven a Gordian knot around Eben and Astrid and it appeared he was now tangled up in this as well. He listened intently so he would know the why and the history. Thorir drank and listened and lit the lanterns as the history unfolded. Thorir asked no questions throughout the entire story, just letting Eben let the story spill out like a river.
As Eben emitted his final plea, the ultimate result of hours of storytelling, Thorir still did not speak. He stood and poured a large mug for Eben and sat back down and stared at his brother. That deep piercing stare that Thorir had that Eben had seen so often as he was assessing a target. Eben had never had that stark glare turned upon him before though. It was quite unsettling. Eben drank deeply and waited. Thorir stroked his beard for a while as he stared at Eben. Finally he spoke. “That is quite a tale Eben. It will make a fine saga someday.” Thorir paused nodding his head. “Tell me again about the mark on Astrid, the one from the cultists.” Eben described it again. Thorir’s eyes flashed in the darkness, the only reaction Eben could see. Thorir sighed. “Okay. Stay here. Drink. Heavily. You are to stay away from Astrid while on this island, by her request and now my order. In the meantime, I will see what we can do for your lassie.” Thorir opened the tent and entered into the night.
Thorir finished his ale and headed to the store pile and picked up a couple bottles of wine, good southern fare. He then walked back to his tent, his proper tent. He greeted Raveneye who let him pass. Thorir called out to Astrid. He then waited until she said it was fine for him to enter.
Astrid of course knew that voice, knew it was Thorir. She had seen that he had set a man outside her tent, which was at least somewhat reassuring. As the Sea King entered, Ruby jumped up despite having been invited, Astrid settled the wolf down before gesturing Thorir to a chair as she sat back down on the couch that formed the only furniture in the tent besides a small table. Thorir saw the remains of a small meal there and was pleased. This whole kidnapping scheme had gone to the trolls very quickly. Thorir pulled out a bottle of the wine. “Very nice wine we picked up down south, care for some?” he offered as he poured himself a glass.
Astrid nodded her head in affirmation but she was wary. She didn’t trust the Sea King and did not know why he was here and so would keep her guard up. She accepted and thanked him for the wine and waited for him to reveal his intentions.
Thorir sat and sipped his wine as he gave Astrid a long evaluative look, that look that made her always feels so uncomfortable, the same look he’d just given Eben. After a long moment he finally spoke up, “So I have kept Eben away as you have asked. And Raveneye will keep him away as well as any depredations,” the grin returned. “Eben has provided me with a very, uh thorough, history of the two of you. He also asked me to stop you from marrying Einar.” Thorir held up a hand to forestall Astrid’s opening salvo. “He told me of your plan, and of your determination, yes.”
“However, before we begin to make any decisions about the future, I need to know more of the past. I have a request of you, one I do not make lightly, yet it is for your own safety, and for Eben’s, and even for your child that I make this.”
Astrid again looked at him suspiciously but let him continue on.
Thorir continued. “This does break bounds of modesty, but seeing as you intend to be my sister-in-law and are apparently the mother of my niece, I feel a little more within rights to ask. Please lift your dress. I need to see your brand.” It was not a request, yet there was no hint of salaciousness. It was as if he was inspecting a horse or a ship and wanted to see some evidence of the structure. Astrid noticed that Thorir’s eyes flashed when he mentioned it. A harsh burning light, despite the anger he had shown before, despite any sign of intimidation he had shown her on the ship, that fire was more frightening for Astrid for she saw anger, and pride and hurt and fear in that fire. She did not want to allow it to come out, even if it was not directed at her. But he was not giving her a choice. And didn’t he know everything?
“Are you insane? No! I am not letting you… I am not doing that...” she violently shook her head no.
But there had been something in the way he asked and something in the way he looked at her… she would do anything to help get Karsii back and why would Thorir be asking this of her if not to help her?
Astrid looked into the warrior’s eyes critically, those blue eyes so similar to Eben’s, so similar to Karsii’s…
“Alright,” she agreed reluctantly, standing from the couch. Though she felt extremely uncomfortable, and considered asking for Eben to join them, in the end she decided to just take a breath and do it.
With more care than she had done with Eben, she lifted her skirt all the way up to reveal the foul brand upon her abdomen.
As Astrid lifted her skirt, Thorir kept his face impassive. This was not a show, this was deadly serious and his gaze was intense. As the brand became fully visible, Thorir swore under his breath, "By Hel's ice cold teats," and the drinking horn in his hand shattered in his grip.
Astrid jumped back and Ruby startled up off her perch on the couch at the warrior’s reaction. The girl quickly patted her shift down to her ankles to cover it then stood back up, afraid to look at Thorir again. The wolf came to stand between her master and the man sitting on the chair with wine dripping between his fingers.
Finally Astrid lifted her eyes to meet his. “I know it is quite ugly, luckily for you it is covered and you will never have to see it again.”
Thorir was silent for a minute, lost in thought. He shook himself to clear his head, and saw as though he had been unaware, the remains of the drinking horn. He gave Astrid a rueful smile.
"My apologies little Jarlinna. That was not for you. Yes, that brand is ugly, all the worse to have been put on such beautiful skin. My anger was not at the brand as such," said Thorir wiping his hand on his pants. "No, you see I know that symbol, I have seen it before."
Astrid’s brows furrowed together in surprise. “You-you have seen this before?” she stammered, pointing to the brand, forgetting it was now not visible. She recovered herself, and asked, half forceful, half frightened, “I mean you have seen this symbol before? Where have you seen it? Tell me now.”
Thorir smiled at Astrid's insistence. He momentarily forgot his anger seeing Astrid’s own passion. However his smiled faded away and he stood up and poured a good measure of the wine into Astrid's drinking horn. He noted Astrid was getting upset with his silence. Thorir then took a big swig from the bottle, keeping it as his new drinking vessel. He resumed his seat and gestured for Astrid to sit as well. She glared at him and huffed as she sat, he had still not answered her, not even spoken yet.
"There is a long story behind this, one I will not speak of in its entirety at this time. However, I think that I know more, or suspect more than anyone has guessed. I may know more of this story than anyone now. Yes, I have seen that brand before. I have seen it among my own people. Among ruffians who bully people, and take what they wish. I have seen it, but did not know what it meant, had no idea of the significance. But now that I do know, many things will be different little Jarlinna. If what you say is true, if this is truly a symbol of a cult, whether a part of the Demiurge or not, then there is much evil afoot in your lands, but even more so in my homeland. For you see, the first place I saw that brand was on my own brother, Einar."
Astrid slowly rose again from the couch, her now stormy green eyes narrowed at the warrior. She never broke eye contact from the Sea King, that man who dared to challenge everything she carried with her the past three years and everything she gambled her entire future on.
“You lie!” she accused him, jabbing a delicate finger at him, “You LIE! You are lying about Einar! You have been trying to cause trouble from the beginning of this whole… whole… scheme… you are a lying LIAR!!!!” she screamed.
Thoughts swirled through her mind… Einar pursuing her so persistently… charmingly wooing her for years… offering her everything and anything she wanted… something Eben said earlier came to mind, why would Einar so willingly offer to help her find her daughter and be willing to raise the daughter that he did not father, with her?
The anger rose inside the sorceress until it exploded out of her uncontrolled; she screamed in fury as a blast of magic emanated from her like a rogue wave upon the seas. The invisible wave caused Thorir to push back against the back of his chair and the bottle shattered in his hand; they could hear Raveneye curse as he was suddenly knocked clean off his log by the force of it. Gulls screeched and took to the sky; frightened, startled animals ran for cover. The camp became a loud cacophony as they tried to figure out what had happened.
Astrid crumpled to the ground, crying on her knees. “You lie,” she sobbed quietly, knowing full well the Sea King was telling the truth.
Thorir shook the wine that was dripping from his hand as Raveneye poked his head into the tent. Thorir told him to fetch another bottle of wine. Thorir was standing in front of the tent waiting for Raveneye to return when Leif the Wise came up trying to find Thorir. Bewildered he said, "The men are concerned, what was that, that force?" Thorir smiled and placed his hand on his shoulder. "That my friend, was a blessing of Baldur. A show of his presence. Go tell the men, tell them things are fine." Leif gave Thorir a quixotically look, their captain had never been one to see and acknowledge the presence of the gods, but he had no reason to doubt him and so Leif went among them men telling them of the blessing. Voices rang out to Baldur and toasts were drunk and the camp settled down by and by. Raveneye returned with a new bottle of wine and handed it to Thorir. "Thank you Raveneye. Please, resume your post." said Thorir ducking back inside the tent.
Astrid was still lying on the ground crying Ruby had come over and laid her head in Astrid’s lap. Thorir resumed his seat, took a drink, and watched her. He smiled at his own thoughts. Somehow this woman’s passion and vulnerability made him want to walk over and hold her, comfort her. He didn’t know what drove the urge but he knew it would not be well received.
Thorir waited until Astrid’s sobs became softer and less frequent. Softly, softer than Astrid thought his voice could be, he said, “I know Astrid, I know. It is hard to swallow, to understand, to believe. And I know today has been very hard on you. Being kidnapped hasn’t even been the worst thing.” Thorir had to laugh in spite of himself. “But Eben and now Einar. Hell, there isn’t a son of Volund who hasn’t done you wrong today, huh?”
“Women are always just pawns in the games men play,” the sorceress responded softly.
She was quite drained from this long day, and the power that had just burst out of her left her weak, though she would never admit that. She stayed on the ground gently petting Ruby for some time before she finally pulled herself up off the cold sand.
She stood and resolutely faced the warrior. “I thought I would need some time to think on this but the answer already seems to be in my heart. I still need to go to Einar.”
Thorir smiled. That damned grin that Astrid had come to hate. "Well, maybe. First, I think you need to sit back down, I can see your hands shaking. Second you either need more wine or more food I don't know which."
Astrid's face went white as her weakness showed. Still she wouldn't show any more to this vile man. She slowly and gracefully sat down in the chair and took a small sip of wine and had a small nibble of the cheese. "There, I have had wine and cheese." she said almost childishly.
Thorir roared with laughter. "By all the fires in Muspelheim woman you are a tough one!"
Thorir took a long drink. "Now there are some... concerns I have with you returning to Einar. I haven't finished taking my own counsel on it yet. I might even permit it."
Astrid's chest swelled with a barrage of words she was about to unleash on the Sea King.
"Wait…" he said in that commanding voice of his, that instantly deflated Astrid.
"First things first Jarlinna. You are a Voelva. And yet from what Eben has said you had no powers until the ritual. You did not inherit your father's power did you?"
Astrid took a deep breath in, buying herself some time to think before responding. She considered, should she share with this man? But what choice did she have now? Now that everything was ruined, everything was changed…
“I have always had some powers of my father’s. The dragon’s blood runs through my veins. But if you are asking if I have the same powers as my father… I currently do not.”
She looked down at the horn filled with wine still in her hand then took a few rather large gulps.
“Eben told you of what happened? When we were apart?” Thorir nodded in response. “When I had my baby, my daughter,” pain crossed her face as she spoke the name, “Karsii, when I lost her, whatever it is that took her, that light, left me with powers. Certain kinds of powers.”
Astrid’s eyes slowly rose to meet the warrior’s. “Call me what you will. Sorceress. Voelva. Witch. I do not care what you call me. Yes I have powers.” With a graceful flick of her wrist Astrid spoke a word very foreign to Thorir and four hazy purple glittering lights appeared, bobbing inside the tent lending an ethereal glow to the air.
“Yes, I am a Witch. And I could make you do whatever I want you to do.” The tiniest hint of a smirk appeared at the corners of Astrid’s full lips but she beat it down.
“But I would much rather you help me because you want to help me.” Astrid took another large gulp of wine, then stepped towards Thorir, placing a warm, soft hand on his arm.
“I want you to help me find your niece. Your beautiful baby niece that belongs with me.” She paused for a brief moment and locked eyes again, her green with his blue. “With us. Her family.”
“And I want you to help me get back to your brother Einar and find out if he knows anything about where she might be, about if this cult knows where she is. And then,” her green eyed stare turned hard. “And then I am unsure. I do know your brother surely wanted to acquire me so this cult could use me again for their vile and sinister purposes. What punishment does that merit?”
Astrid's touch created a wave of emotions in Thorir, emotions he quickly mastered and suppressed. "I suppose she is my niece. Though the Thing wouldn't recognize her since she was fathered by Eben," he mused.
"Einar has offended my blood, my family, and my honor. That deserves swift and sure punishment. I trust Eben's story and seeing the brand I see it is all too true. Einar is no longer fit to rule, much less stay in the hall of my fathers."
Thorir pulled his eyes away from Astrid. He wasn't sure if it was difficult because of her spells or her bewitching beauty.
Taking a large swig from the wine bottle, he paused and finally said, "Yes, yes I will help you. I have taken Eben as my brother, so his daughter is my niece, no matter what blood says. I know why you want to return. If the cult still wants you it would be dangerous. However, while I had no intention of returning soon, I feel I must return home and redeem my family honor."
Astrid released the breath she did not know she was holding at the warrior’s words and her body visibly relaxed. Her instinct was to hug him for agreeing to help her, to be comforted by him after this draining day; she could not have Eben do it as much as she might want to. Yet she did not forget the Sea King infuriated her only moments earlier, he enraged her so easily, he tested every ounce of her patience, so she resisted.
She stood from the couch so he wouldn’t be towering over her like an actual giant as they spoke.
“Karsii MacTier is heir to Viuland, she has noble blood because she has my blood and my parent’s before me, along with what Eben has given her. I still have not worked out exactly what about she or I made them take her…” The sorceress’s voice trailed off into quietness for a long moment before she rejoined the conversation.
“Still, I am overjoyed with happiness that you will help me. Eben will not be so easily swayed. He does not think this is the right thing to do. He wants to return home and search for Karsii just the two of us together.”
Astrid wandered over to one of her globes of light, stopping underneath it to stare up into its swirling, pastel light as she took another large gulp of wine. The pale light illuminated her flawless skin as it danced across her face, it made Thorir think wonder for a moment if she was even human; she looked so perfect standing there he pondered she must be a Valkyrie or some sort of faerie.
Thorir snapped out of his thoughts immediately when she started speaking again. “Your brother has not spent the last three years as I have, desperately searching for our daughter. Alone. Lonely. Surrounded by these evil cultists. Evading them while trying to capture them, trying so urgently to get this information…” Astrid sighed again, this time deeply.
“I care for him Thorir, so much, but I cannot abandon my daughter.”
She looked up at the tall man from under her eyelashes, her green eyes met his, this time soft and pleading, asking him to stay with her in her cause.
“Do you understand?”
Thorir stared back into Astrid's eyes. "No, I don't understand. Nor do I know if I ever could. I am not a father so I can't understand, nor could any father understand losing a child like that. Not compared to a mother. However, understanding or not, I will help you. I cannot deny the threads the Norns have woven about me. Woven Eben to me, woven you to me, woven even it seems a way back to my homeland. Only a fool could ignore their own Wyrd when it presents itself so plainly."
Astrid gazed thoughtfully at Thorir, a long, penetrating stare as she considered him fully. She hadn’t expected it to be easy to convince him, nor did she expect him to be so… what was it about him, exactly? She wasn’t surprised that he was intelligent but was it that somewhere hidden among that annoying roguish Viking attitude was a thoughtful and kind soul? One thing was certain, he was correct about their destinies all being woven together…
Ruby nudged her hand just then, breaking her stare and her concentration.
“I agree with you, Thorir Volundson, only a fool would ignore their fate.” It was the first time she’d addressed him by his actual name and it made her feel... she wasn’t certain what that emotion was but it made her feel something as she spoke it.
“So, now that we have agreed that we are returning to your father’s halls to investigate, all we have left to do is convince Eben and my father, once he arrives here. No problem, right?”
Her full lips had parted into a large grin right before she took another large gulp of wine, finishing off her horn.
Thorir returned her grin. "Right," he replied before taking his own swig of wine. He turned from Astrid and resumed his seat. From his seat he stared at Astrid for a moment. By Odin, what the Norns did weave. Here he thought it would be a simple kidnapping, a quick and easy ransom. And at every turn, the Norns had tied knots upon knots to different threads. First Einar, then Eben and back to Einar in a new and deadly way. Now he sat here drinking wine, conversing and plotting with his kidnapping victim as though the last day hadn't happened.
Maybe it was the magic of isle, maybe Baldur was protecting them all. But here was uncovered evil in his father's hall. Evil against his name, his blood.
Thorir shook his head. "Ok, I can handle Eben, he won't like it, but I will take care of it. Your father may be a different story, you will need to do the bulk of that convincing. But I will be able to have a hand in it as well."
Thorir took another deep drink. "Hrmm, you know, I didn't leave a calling card on your ship, only a destination. Nor did we use any names. So neither Einar nor your father knows who took you, maybe that can be used to our advantage. As a way to insert me back into court. Perhaps we spin the tale that it was I who rescued you, that would be quite a tale to tell. But you are going to have to convince your father that it is in his best interests to work with me. I assume he has supported you during your quest to find your daughter?"
“Of course he has!” Astrid answered, her tone prickly. “Why would he not? That is his granddaughter you are speaking of!”
The sorceress walked over to the small table where the second bottle of wine waited. She took her time pouring herself a second glass while she calmed, then took a sip.
She turned back to the warrior. “I am sorry I snapped at you, obviously it is a touchy subject. My father has invested considerable resources into searching for Karsii, and this cult in turn over the last three years.”
“It will be… difficult… to convince my father to work with you but hopefully he will see it is for me and for Karsii and he will do it.”
She tapped at her lip with her free hand. “Hmmmm, it could work to say you and your crew saved me from the real kidnappers, and then my father and yourself continued on to escort me safely to Grandael for the wedding. Though, I would certainly not want to go through with that .”
"Well, if you wish my help, you will need to convince your father to allow me to help. If we can go forward with that plan. We can get you to Grandael, but claim you need some time to recuperate from your ordeal and forestall the wedding for a while. That should buy us enough time to find what you need. I need evidence of this cult. Hard evidence of their intent, acts and treachery. With that I can challenge Einar legally. I am not sure how to gather that, but I would think that searching for your daughter will turn up evidence of it."
“Very well. The plan is set.” Astrid took one final long drink of the wine before place the horn back down. “I am sure my father will come soon. It will not be three days.”
She walked over to the couch and stood before it. “I am getting tired Thorir, and it has been a long, draining day. I suspect more to come just like it."
She sighed at the sight of the couch. “And here I thought I would be celebrating my wedding night right now.” She glanced out of the tent for a moment, knowing there was someone she desperately wanted so very close by…
A wicked grin crossed Thorir's face, but he quickly suppressed it and the thought that prompted it. Thorir stood and cast that appraising eye of his on Astrid once more. This woman, whom the Wyrd has thrown into his course, was definitely a Voelva. Not that Thorir hated magic, he respected it and those who practiced it, especially those in the old traditions. But he was beginning to understand why in the south they called them witches. Wasn't the word bewitching? To fall under their spells? And many Voelva followed Freya, and her beauty and charms were legendary. Perhaps it is Freya behind her powers, Thorir mused. In any case, Thorir had to admit that behind a beautiful face lay strength, courage and power. Certainly a fitting bride for a powerful jarl.
Thorir's face darkened as his thoughts turned to Einar. That blackguard has betrayed his name, his blood and his land. Thorir knew what he would have to do. I cannot let evil go unchecked, not in my homeland, he thought. But if I remove Einar, for surely he is beyond redemption if he has allowed himself to be branded, then who will rule Grandael? My father is old, and Einar has weakened him. The title and responsibilities would fall to me. I would lose the freedom of the Sea. Lose this life I chose. Yet, my life is not entirely my own, I am the son of a Jarl, I have a duty to our people. What would happen without a clear descendant of Volund?
Thorir sighed and shook his head, "I am sorry Astrid, I was lost in my own thoughts as I see you are as well. I will take my leave. Please consider yourself my guest from now on, and no longer my hostage. I hope that in time you would consider me an ally as well. We share the same enemy after all." Thorir gave Astrid a small formal bow and turns and left.
He stopped by Old Raveneye giving him a few words of new orders, then head out to see to further preparations. They had a Jarl visiting and he must ensure they were prepared.
After the Sea King left Astrid collapsed belly down onto the couch, her wolf quickly hopping up then curling up against her. The large amount of wine left her mind swirling, or maybe that was just everything that had happened this day. She didn’t want to think, she wanted to sleep, she wanted to escape back to that place of happiness and safety. Her eyes shut and she quickly drifted off to a restless sleep.