“I want to marry him,” she said, nodding.
“Very well, I shall summon Freya for our casting.”
Freydis spread a white cloth on the table and untied a small leather sack from her apron, the stones inside rattling. Shaking the pouch, she opened it and offered it to Saga.
“Extract three stones only and place them in front of you left to right.”
As Saga pulled out the stones, Freydis said, “Hail to thee, Freya, Queen of the Aesir, Mistress of Magic, Mother of Midgard. By the sovereign power of Seithr and the strength of Brfsingamen lend me your insight in this my rite. Come Queen of all, into this circle and bless the casting that is to be performed.”
Saga considered the three stones as Freydis straightened them. She had always been a little in awe of them, if also a little afraid at the same time. To think that Freydis could interpret messages from the gods from these tiny stones was rather incredible.
Freydis pointed to the first rune. “Laguz,” she said. “This stone represents your past and signifies a journey over water. Since you have not been on a ship in many years, I believe it to mean our people’s journey in coming here.”
That made sense, they did not originate on Islay and in fact her grandfather had arrived here by ship decades ago.
“How far into the past does this usually go?”
Freydis nodded. “I see your meaning. It is usually more recent than this.”
“Then could it mean Giric’s journey over water to land here?”
Freydis cocked her head to the side. “It may be possible for his path to be linked with yours, but he is not here, nor does he believe in our gods.”
“But if his path is linked with mine than his journey is my journey too, is it not?”
Freydis considered her for a moment and nodded. “Ja, it would be as you say. Perhaps the remaining runes will give us more insight.”
Bjorn grunted and snorted behind them causing Freydis to stop with her hand hovering over the stones. Once he had turned on his side she continued, pointing to the second stone.
“Inguz represents the present and this stone signifies the god Ing and the literal representation of male sexuality and fertility. This is where you are right now.”
Saga’s cheeks warmed, thinking of the encounter she’d had with Giric a few short hours ago.
“Considering the look on your face at the moment, I think it likely you have an understanding of this stone. But this may not only represent the relationship you have started with the Scot. Rather it may represent releasing potential stored energy and the change within you that will put you on your future path.”
Saga pondered that for a moment. While the literal meaning was true and there was a definite heat between them, something had been welling within her for a time. As though she’d been preparing for something her whole life and it was on the horizon.
“And what is the last stone?” she asked.
Freydis smiled. “This is a good stone, my friend. This last one represents your future. Othala represents property.”
“You mean I will remain here and inherit our lands? But how is that possible when I have two older brothers?”
“It also represents a new beginning and perhaps that is more likely in your case. I see change for you, Saga.”
“Ja, change, but here or in the land of Scots?”
“That, the runes did not tell us.”
“Then I am no further ahead,” she said with a sigh.
“You may consult the runes to seek guidance, Saga. But they will not tell you what to do. For that you must seek your own conscience. The gods may lay a path for you, but it is you who must walk that path of your own will.”
“I do not know what to do.”
“You must follow your conscience. If you think you can love this man in time, you must go with him.”
“But I do not wish to leave my home, and I do not wish to fall out with Magnus.”
