A strange expression twisted Gunilla's face, her eyes darkening with something Katrin had never seen before. She shivered to find pure evil such as she had never seen boring into her soul.
Anger soon pushed aside her fear and she straightened once more. She released the hold on her disgust, her wand now thrust close to Gunilla's face. The wood vibrated under Katrin's fingers. The familiar tingle that preceded a vision came upon her quickly, more powerful than she'd ever felt before. But she found that instead of draining her, the sensation made her even stronger. Something within her changed and while she didn't understand exactly how, she thanked the gods for the obvious blessing.
More visions came at her, too fast for any single one to solidify, but she absorbed them all, knowing she would have enough time later to recall them with a special offering ceremony. Again, she didn't have the time to examine the reasons or forces behind this knowledge. Only one thing mattered now. Getting the truth from Gunilla.
"It ends now. You will not harm these people, this town. I won’t let you!"
Gunilla smirked. "It’s too late. Whether you agreed to it or not, you are allied with me in this fight. You will pay alongside me."
"I have heard enough. Take her!" Hradi's command was laced with disgust and fury. Katrin faced him, despair and anguish melding within her at the sight of the rage he sent her way. Was Gunilla right? Had she failed to convince him she was not complicit in the older witch's plans?
Heaving sobs threatened but she somehow held them back. If it must be, it must be. As she straightened, she realized the men had passed her and now surrounded Gunilla. Breathing remained difficult and unsteady, but warm hands on her shoulders soon calmed her.
"The invaders are not in search of us."
Hradi's voice, now free of anger and filled with reassurance, left her thoughts whirling.
"I don't understand."
"It is quite a tale. We will discuss all of it soon. But there is something you should know."
She searched his eyes, elation taking over her fear to realize he finally, truly believed her. All the hopes that had been dashed earlier rose again.
"What is that?" she asked, hoping her voice sounded as steady as she tried to make it.
"They were looking for you."
Fear returned, though it was different than what she'd felt when she thought Hradi did not believe her. Why were they searching for her? What had she ever done to make her the target of invaders? For the first time, she looked straight at the three men standing behind Hradi, silent, but clearly trying to get a glimpse of her. Behind them stood Jarl Thorfinn and Kori.
She nodded toward them. "They searched for me? Why? Who are they?"
"They are from a clan far in the north. They have been traveling for years."
Hradi's statement held no logic.
"What have they to do with me?"
He took a step closer and gathered her hands in his. "Look at them. Do you notice anything that seems… familiar?"
She looked at him, wondering if he had gone mad from the battle. When he nodded, encouraging her to look at the men, she did.
They were all tall, clearly seasoned warriors. All of them had fiery red hair, much fashioned into elaborate braids alongside well-groomed beards. They looked alike, and she realized they must be brothers, or at least related in some way.
"They are from the same clan no doubt." She chuckled. "They almost look like me."
The breath whooshed from her lungs a half-moment later. No! No! It couldn't be. Thinking of what she had just learned brought everything into sudden focus. Katrin's entire life had been a lie. Had been taken from her. Agony, fierce as a rusty blade slicing into her heart, burst within. She whirled about, looking ever more closely at the three warriors.
Anger and despair overwhelmed her, spots dancing at the edges of her vision. Every part of her trembled, knees shaking so badly, she knew she would eventually collapse. She looked to Hradi and the panic in his own expression warned that she –
***
A strange familiarity came over Hradi when he leaned forward to catch Katrin before she fell. Her eyes rolled back, the realization he was too late sickening him when she crumpled to the floor. He slid to his knees beside her and gently rolled her over, aware of the three brothers surrounding him. He drew her limp body into his lap and brushed the hair from her face.
"What’s wrong with her?" the eldest brother asked.
"Sometimes, when she…" He trailed off, not sure if they were aware of Katrin’s gift. He looked between the three men, finding concern and curiosity in their stares. "She will be fine with some rest. She… has visions, it’s a gift she possesses."
"Like our mother!" the youngest stated.
