‘Yes.’
There was a moment of silence where Runar wondered if she would say more, but then she nodded and gave a hesitant smile. ‘Do you think I will be safe enough to go outside for a moment? For a little privacy, or should I...?’ She looked around the cave with growing distress, no doubt horrified at the prospect of having to relieve herself inside.
He nodded with understanding and stood up, offering her his hand. He was pleasantly surprised when she took it without hesitation. ‘I will come with you. There are some bushes not far from the entrance. You go there, and I will go in the opposite direction. Be quick though, and do not go far.’
She nodded a rosy blush on her cheeks. ‘I will.’
They made their way to the cave’s entrance, Sten following cheerfully behind them. Cautiously Runar stepped out first and cast his eye over the surrounding landscape. The snow bank had fallen to the side of them, not a large one but enough to concern him. The snow shifted on this side of the mountain regularly. It was one of the many reasons he avoided this area unless it was necessary. The other reason was back in Gudvangen, and if he were lucky, he would never have to face her ever again.
It was bad luck that the only woman he had any interest in would be a close friend of Gertrud’s. But then the Norse trickster god Loki had always found his life entertaining.
He watched her trudge through the snow towards the bushes. Her progress was slow and careful, interspersed with regular fearful looks up at the mountain.
No matter how attractive he found her, he had to admit she was not suited to this kind of life. She looked scared of even the snow beneath her feet, and she had barely scanned for potential dangers like wolves or bears when she had left the cave. Freya must have decided to protect her, for only a goddess could have ensured the safety of someone so obviously unaware of their surroundings.
Still, he found her fascinating. Not only because he found her curves and pink cheeks attractive, but also because he felt strangely at ease with her. Strange, because he had never felt at ease with anyone before, except for his mother—who he avoided for other reasons, mainly her poor matchmaking skills.
Embla was different. She asked so many questions, and yet he did not mind them, and even liked speaking freely with her. She was sweet and kind in nature, without pride or selfishness, and he admired her honesty. His throat hurt from all the conversations they’d had, but he did not regret them, and would happily have more if she allowed it.
Even when she had told him how they could never be together, he hadn’t taken offence. She had answered him truthfully and kindly; very few could live like he did, and he knew that he couldn’t force it on someone. The past had taught him that harsh truth.
Still, he would enjoy her company in the short time they had remaining. Soak up the sight and sounds of her for as long as possible. Perhaps she would allow him to walk with her back to Gudvangen?
It would certainly be safer for her, but she might find his continued presence intimidating, or even consider his offer of help offensive—as it was only a short hike to the main path, and a clear route from there back to her home.
Maybe he shouldn’t tell her, and just follow her home at a polite distance... But then he wouldn’t get to talk to her, and he found he liked that as much as he liked looking at her. Although holding her close to him had been the greatest pleasure of all.
After relieving himself, he checked one of his traps and found another hare frozen solid in the fresh powder. He tied it to his belt and wandered back to the mouth of the cave. The sun was now bright and warm, so he had not bothered to wear his thicker layers. But he would need to get them if he were going to walk down to Gudvangen.
Embla came out from the bushes and gifted him with a bright smile when she saw him. He couldn’t help but return it. But then something else caught her attention. Her eyes darted up and over his head to the mountain above. The pretty colour he admired in her cheeks was suddenly washed away as her pleasant expression turned to one of fear.
A terrible crack boomed down from the peak above, followed by a rumbling thunder that grew louder with every breath. He didn’t need to look up to know that this snowslide would be much worse than the one before. Birds flew from their perches, and immediately he threw himself into action.
‘Run, Embla! Run!’ he shouted, charging forward to meet her.
Chapter Five
Embla ran faster than she ever had in her entire life. The fear on Runar’s face had ignited a fire in her belly, and she had known without question that her next actions would determine whether they lived or died.
His life depended on her too, because he had rushed forward to meet her.
Her boots ate up the ground between them with astonishing speed, as if she were a Valkyrie racing into the heart of battle. Even if she ended up crushed beneath the storm of snow thundering towards them, she would still die proud, becausefrankly,she would never have imagined that shecouldrun like this.
If only Gertrud could have seen it.
Such strange thoughts were quickly washed away as the first shower of powder hit her face. It was like being pummelled by a hundred snowballs, and she stumbled. Grabbing her by the waist, Runar hauled her body to his. It was brave of him to come for her; he could have easily turned and run back into the cave without her. Together, with him half carrying her, they ran towards the mouth of the cave. Shelter was their only hope of survival.
‘Sten! Sten, come!’ he shouted desperately as they entered the cave. Bits of rock and ice were crashing around them, but she thought she saw a smudge of brown run in ahead of them.
Sliding and stumbling over the boulders at the entrance, they scrambled to get further inside, away from the cloud of ice that rushed in after them. But the cave wasn’t the place of safety it had once been. Dust and pebbles were falling around them, even the stone beneath their feet seemed to shake, and it was getting darker as the snow fell more thickly at the entrance, rushing into the cavern with frightening speed.
The roar of it echoed around the cavern walls as Runar shoved her into a hollowed-out part of the rock. It was barely big enough for both of them, but at least it sheltered them from the falling rock and dust.
‘Keep your head covered and stay here. I have to get Sten!’ he bellowed above the thunder and chaos.
Her eyes darted around the slowly dimming cave.
Surely the dog was in here somewhere, or had she imagined that dark shape rushing into the cave before them?
