Residents of the Ridge received this rare gift.
Could this be the gods sensing the nearing unification of the country and the stones? No, the gods grant theseidrby location only.
There is no question the Goddess named ‘Bjorn Redwood’ as a receiver, not ‘Bjorn Hansson.’
“Your Highness?” Bjorn whispers from the altar. “I think there has been a mistake.”
Sigvid shakes his head. “The Briny God doesn’t make mistakes. It would seem your destiny lies with Redwood.” Sigvid instantly finds Avina in the crowd. Her gaze is fixated on the boy as if she, too, has overheard the bestowment.
After Bjorn, Hilde is next and receives a common Salt ability.
Finally, Thora steps forward. Her eyes are hard with determination.
“Do you embrace our gods and accept your power, Thora?” Sigvid grips the dagger's hilt in his right hand, the Sacred Stone in his left. “Relax, kid.” He whispers.
She swivels her head to look up at him. A flicker of uncertainty flashes, and he wishes he could comfort her.
“Yes.” Thora chokes out.
After marking her wrist, Sigvid closes his eyes, his heart pounding in anticipation of her reveal.
“Thora Sigvidsson,”once again, the voice is feminine and husky—the Goddess Maeve. And, once again, she misnames a receiver.“We grant you the gift of… invisibility.”
What? I have plans to adopt her, yet have not taken the formal steps with Thrain’s antics. Apparently, the gods have other plans.
But the invisibility is most shocking.
Thora sits bolt upright, staring transfixed over Sigvid’s shoulder. Without turning, he knows she is looking for Avina.
He signals Thrain and the Gothi to conclude the ceremony while escorting Thora to the side.
“What does that mean?” She is quivering.
For winters, Thora talked about becoming a berserker. The gods' choices in receivers are fickle at best. Invisibility is far from anything he could have anticipated and signaled something more significant.
“Aunt V!” She runs into Avina’s arms.
His little Queen meets his gaze over Thora’s head, and he is sure she heard the goddess’ voice, too, now that she has accepted her role as Keeper.
“I thought only the Bloodstone line produced Keepers?” Avina asks, holding Thora close.
“Yes. Only those of the Bloodstone line can become a Keeper.” Sigvid removes his mask to see Thora and Avina better.
“I was supposed to be a berserker, like you, Uncle Sig!” Thora sobs.
“No. None of that.” He tugs her into his arms. “Thora, we cannot possibly comprehend the vision of the gods. All we can do is take what they give us and move forward. You have been chosen for greatness—by the Briny God himself—the second Keeper in hundreds of winters. I could not be more proud of you.”
Her bottom lip trembles. “The gods called me Sigvidsson.”
Sigvid nods slowly. “I wanted to talk to you first because I want this to be your choice, too. I guess now is as good a time as any. I want to adopt you, Thora. If that is alright with you?”
Tears trickle over her cheek. “I guess that would be okay.” She sniffles.
He smirks and pulls her into a hug while he looks into Avina’s orbs. She steps forward to rub Thora’s back. Together, they form the little family he will fight to the death to keep safe.
Off by himself stands the Sjoby boy, Bjorn. If Thora has been misnamed a Sigvidsson to herald her joining his family, what does Maeve intend by proclaiming him a Redwood? Seeming to read his mind, Avina squeezes Sigvid’s hand and then steps away to introduce herself to the boy.
Sigvid glances over his shoulder at the altar to see a Salt warrior lay his hand on the satin sheet. The warrior's hair and beard are identical to Sigvid's. When the figure lifts his head, Sigvid feels like he is gazing into a mirror image of himself.
