Monsterscouldbe waiting for her. But if she didn’t go inside, the cold would kill her for certain. She pushed forward, the frigid wind still battering her, stealing her breath and causing her to curve inwards on herself.
‘Even little Magnus is braver than you!’ she moaned wretchedly, and began to pick her path carefully through the stony entrance.
A specific tale came to mind as she made her way inside. Not from the mythical stories she had heard, but that of a real man. She shivered; even though she had never seen him with her own eyes, others had. Unlike the stories about trolls and beasts, the stories regarding him had been whispered in dark corners.
The hunter! The wild man of the forest—more beast than man! His father was Norse and his mother Sami—although he belongs to neither people now. Be careful around him. He can curse you with a word or a look! He tried to steal a woman once!
She was not sure if there was any truth in the rumours of magic and kidnapping. No one had ever elaborated on their warnings, and she had heard more details in the tales about trolls than she had about the hunter. It was as if there was an unspoken rule never to discuss him, at least not openly.
Regardless of whether it was true or not, Embla was always grateful the Jarl had insisted the hunter trade outside of Gudvangen’s gates. Every autumn he came down from the mountains and sold his furs and mystical Sami crafts. The Norse both feared and treasured the crafts of the Sami, believing them to have great mystical power.
The Sami were an ancient people. They still lived according to the old ways, as shamans, fishermen, and hunters. They moved around the northern lands, depending on the season, and lived in tented communities.
But as far as she was aware, the hunter did not go with them. No one knew where he lived. Some said he lived in the caves, others that he lived by the coast. But everyone was certain of one thing: he lived in the wilderness all alone.
She frowned; she couldn’t imagine anything worse than to live without a home. Leaning against a huge rock, she tried to listen for any sign that wild animals lay beyond.
Nothing.
In a strange sort of way, she wished there was someone,anyonein the cave beyond. She didn’t think she could survive alone.
Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to face life or death depending on the will of the gods. Stumbling out from behind the boulder, she made her way into the cave and down through a scattering of rocks to a clearing below, which would at least be out of the worst of the wind.
She slipped because of her numb feet and ended up sliding down most of the way on her bottom. That was surprising enough, but when she rubbed her sore rump and looked around her, she was even more shocked at the unexpected sight that awaited her.
Set out neatly, as if they were waiting patiently just for her, was a basket of vegetables and a skinned hare ready to be cooked. On a roll of leather sat a cauldron, a knife, and a spoon. There was also a bundle of bedding and furs already rolled out in front of a pile of logs and tinder that was artfully arranged within a circle of stones. Helpfully, a lighting flint lay beside it.
Who had left these here? And more importantly, where were they now?
‘Heil!’she called out, but only her echo answered.
Was it the hunter?
It had to be... Who else would have such a small camp in the middle of the mountain?
Surely he would not mind a weary traveller taking shelter from the storm? Hemighteven appreciate her cooking his meal, so that it was ready for his return...
Maybe...
Unease grew within her, but what choice did she have?
He is just a man!
But men could steal and kill...
I am under Jarl Thorin’s protection.
That reassured her. No matter how beastly the hunter was, he obeyed the Jarl’s orders to remain behind the gate to trade, so he wasn’t completely wild.
But you are not in Gudvangen now,her mind whispered cruelly, and she let out a loud shriek of frustration that bounced off the walls.
Thankfully, it finally silenced the endless fears that preyed on her mind, and she took off her outer layers. Shivering, she placed them on nearby rocks to dry out, as she didn’t want to get the bedding roll wet.
Who was she to judge him anyway? She knew nothing about the man other than petty and idle talk.
Yes, he was feared by the people and disliked by the Jarl. But he had not committed any crimes since she had come to live in Gudvangen, and she had lived here for many years. His crime, or supposed argument with the Jarl, couldn’t have been too great, as he was still allowed to sell his furs and highly prized goods. Thorin even resold many of the items at a greater profit when he went trading, so it would be foolish to turn him away over something minor.
The hunter sold amber, seal skins, and reindeer furs, as well as rare bear furs, whale bones, and exotic horns from a large northern fish that had a single tusk the size of a spear. The crafts were equally impressive: colourful, highly skilled embroidery and carvings that took your breath away. Embla had seen and envied the luxuries people bought from him, but never the man himself.
