CHAPTER ONE
Katrin sat at the side of the boat, watching the passing riverbank. Her fingers lightly caressed the woodenstav, the staff in her lap, held so the woven bulb-like tip might harness the powers of their surroundings. The mid-Haustmanudursunshine kept at bay the chill that hinted at winter's coming. The call of birds echoed over the water, no movement but for the boat gliding across the surface, propelled by the oarsmen who worked hard to keep the quick pace.
At the head of the boat, Gunilla sat serenely, the other maidens mimicking her. Katrin huffed and returned her attention to the coastline. She'd once been like those girls, in awe and wonder of the magical woman who had taken them under her wing. Though several of the girls possessed the sight, like Katrin, most were simply glorified slaves who served Gunilla whole-heartedly. As the most senior and most gifted, Katrin had the task of helping to train them in using their skills as seeress. But she hadn't shared all she knew with the others. Which was that after so many years trusting her mentor, Katrin now suspected the woman's intentions may be dishonorable. While she knew her mentor could be cruel and spiteful to others, there was usually a specific reason. Katrin failed to see any logic in the last year of their travels. Straying to alternate routes through the lands had more than once left her with the sense they might be heading into a godless realm of demons.
Even worse, she had recently seen a dark shadow hovering near Gunilla. The first sight had come prior toManí's last three cycles. The latest one had come only last week. While she still didn't understand the woman's intentions, she suspected this shadow was related to the dark truth about Gunilla's powers.
The Seeress always managed to convince everyone in the villages they'd visited that she could communicate directly with the gods. She couldn't, at least, not anymore. The woman was a fake, who had lost her own powers many summers ago. Katrin had discovered this during the last several years. She' hadn't revealed what she'd learned, fearing the older woman would turn her vindictive tendencies on her. The worry was odd, since Gunilla had always acted as mother, as well as stern, but loving, teacher. She had cared well for Katrin. And Katrin loved her for that.
From time to time, she feared her mistress might inflict on her some of the vicious attacks she had directed at the other girls in her charge. She anticipated the day those fears would fade and she would be free of servitude.
Perhaps that was the reason for the restlessness. The completion of her debt to Gunilla now lay only a few short months away. On that day, the day marking her eighteenth summer, she would be free to make her own way, lead her own life, on her own terms. While she had no real plan, knowing their retinue would ultimately arrive in Hedeby before summer began left her with many options. The large trading center to the north brought merchants and travelers from all over, and with them, many chances to start her new life. She looked forward to exploring all of them.
Until then, she continued to meet with Gunilla each morning and each evening and stare into her eyes, maintaining the routine of the last several years. Most of the time, she was granted a clear vision of the coming days and related what she saw, but occasionally, she saw nothing. Those were the times she worried most about. Without foreknowledge, she could not easily anticipate when one of Gunilla's foul moods might lead to violence and possible injury. Each year, the woman grew bolder, and at the last town they had visited, she had nearly caused a battle among that village and a nearby clan. They had been lucky to escape withtheir lives, but Katrin had worried for days that those seeking vengeance for Gunilla's treachery might follow.
"Look!"
Katrin turned at the sound of Gunilla's voice. The silver-haired woman pointed. A village came into view. Even from the distance, the numerous buildings sending smoke from fires and forges into the sky indicated a sizable and flourishing town. Katrin's heart sank. She'd hoped a few more days would pass before they descended upon another town. Gunilla would accept valuable payment in exchange for her supposed abilities in speaking with the gods and enacting their wishes and blessings upon the town. Once the villagers started to suspect not all was right with Gunilla, that they had seen very little in return as far as the gods' blessings, the small entourage would depart, usually under cover of night and after a sacrifice to Frigg for their safe escape. Likely this village would be no different than the others. Katrin often wondered how much longer the older witch could successfully continue her fraudulent ways.
The girls seated around Gunilla chattered excitedly. Many of them thoroughly enjoyed their time in the various towns and villages, often finding a handsome warrior to dally with during their stay. In the last several months, Gunilla had actually lost the service of three girls, who had stayed behind to wed the men they had met. Katrin often found herself wishing to do the same, but she had been forbidden to men under Gunilla's decree. The older woman insisted Katrin's gift would vanish if she lay with a man. Several of her visions had seemed to clearly confirm her mistress' claims that the gods wished her to remain pure. Katrin couldn't deny the ever-increasing resentment toward Gunilla for keeping her so secluded.
Once she'd grown beyond childhood, she'd longed to experience for herself what the other girls spoke of. Listening to the tales of their affairs had left Katrin wanting to learn more, to experience the heated touch of a lover.
Not for her. Not now. To maintain her own powers, she must maintain her purity, until the gods indicated otherwise. Until then, should she lay with a man, she risked angering them into stripping her of her gift of sight. She had accepted this long ago, but lately the yearning had arisen anew. She knew why.
Over the last several months, her nighttime dreams had been haunted by images of a virile warrior, with dark eyes that seemed to pierce her soul when she looked upon him. She would reach for his outstretched hand, only to awaken a moment before they touched. The dreams were surely meant to torment her with what she could not have. Had they been sent by the gods, to test her? Though the tales made clear it wasn't unusual for them to toy with mortals, though she could think of nothing she might have done to earn their cruel attention.
"Katrin, aren't you excited? We are about to arrive in a new town. Think of the fun ahead!" The excitement in Ranka's voice drew a smile, despite Katrin's trepidation about the coming days.
"For you, perhaps. I will be quite busy helping Gunilla while she brings prosperity to the village."
For a moment, Ranka's smile faltered. "I'm sorry, Katrin, I'd forgotten that you aren't permitted to… I promise to share everything with you, so you won't feel left out."
"Just enjoy yourself while you can, Ranka. You will be plenty busy as well with the tasks for Gunilla."
"Perhaps this time, we might stay a little longer."
Katrin shrugged. She cared not one way or the other. She merely wanted to pass her remaining time in service with haste so she might finally have a chance to make a life for herself, beholden to no one.
The boat neared the village quickly. The male slaves Gunilla kept rowed furiously. How long before she bargained them to the village chieftain? Many of the villagers had come to line the banks. Three men stood at the end of the dock. The tallest, with long white hair and a matching beard, stood ahead of the othertwo. Likely the jarl, she surmised. Were the other two advisors or family? They were turned away from her, deep in conversation, but each maintained a hold on the hilt of their swords. One of them stepped beside the white-haired man. Neither made any threatening movements when the boat slowly moved alongside the dock.
Gunilla stood, holding up a hand in greeting. "I am Gunilla, and these are my attendants. We are Völur, possessed of the abilities to foresee, declare and carry out the wishes of the gods. They have sent us here to bring you their prosperity."
The white-haired man stepped forward, at the same time motioning behind him. A moment later, a plank was placed across the gap.
"I am Jarl Thorfinn, Gunilla. Welcome to Grindafell. You have arrived in time to join us as we beginVetrnaetr, our Winter Nights celebration."
Another quiver of apprehension slid along Katrin's spine. This would be the first time in many years that they had dared arrive in a village before the longest hunting and feasting season. Many sacrifices lay ahead, which could lengthen their usual stay. If the weather turned too cold too soon, it would be many months before they might have a chance to depart. Could they keep up the charade for so long? In recent years, Gunilla had planned all their visits to last no longer than two ofManí's complete cycles. Despite the recent brush with disaster, she feared the older woman grew careless, depending on their previous successes. Katrin longed for the days when they truly brought prosperity to a village, departing with great honor and celebration. Many seasons had passed since since such times.
Gunilla strode down the plank, followed by the other girls, seven in all. Katrin hung back and waited until they had all stepped onto the dock before following. Her gaze swept the crowd alongthe riverbank, then to the three men who greeted them. To the left of the jarl, the tall man with suspicious eyes folded his arms. To the right …
Katrin's heart seemed to stop beating for a moment when the other man turned to face them. It couldn't be! She blinked several times, certain her eyes deceived her, but no, it was him. She would recognize those dark eyes anywhere.
Dream Man.
Thor's bones, he was tall, and quite broad-shouldered, too. Much more so than she’d seen in her dreams. His dark hair fell to his shoulders in a tangle of braids and loose waves. The short-sleeved leather tunic bared most of his upper arms, revealing tattoos of his bravery. A thrill passed through her to note there were many, which meant he must be quite a valiant and formidable warrior. Finally, her gaze returned to his face
He stared at her, that familiar intensity no dream this time. She felt pinned to the spot and the racing of her heart indicated an oncoming vision. Usually, she would close her eyes to allow the prophecy to come clearer, but Katrin could not break the stare with her Dream Man. A moment later, images assailed her, more potent than any other vision she'd ever had.
