My hands shake. My stomach is so nervous I’m afraid I might shit myself. The crisp morning air should refresh me, but it only makes me bitter at the world and its ignorance of my plight. Bird-song rings from the trees. I wish I could make them shut the fuck up. Wish I could scream at them.
But I don’t. I walk along the house of someone I don’t know, keeping my eye on Vidar’s house up the hill. I haven’t been in there. Thank the gods. I can’t imagine what would have happened had I been lured to this animal’s den.
A glance in all directions. No one in sight. All the men are working in the field, finishing the wall or preparing for harvest. The women are busy, performing the countless chores needed to keep a farm in order. A cold ripple crawls up my spine as a twig snaps under my foot. Lucky for me, I am alone.
I approach the house, trying to look casual. Just enjoying a stroll. The house is huge. Three times the size of mine at least. Clearly Vidar has done well for himself while pillaging. No doubt killing and raping to fill his loot-chest.
The house looms over me. I crouch to be less visible. Now it’s serious. Anyone spotting me now would wonder what I am doing lurking around Vidar’s house.
Peeking through the wind-eye, everything is dark. No lights are lit, only the white cloud-covered sunlight lets me see what’s inside. The table has bowls and cups on it, remnants from last night’s meal. I can see some shape in the bed, under the covers. It’s way too small to be Vidar. My heart punches against my ribs. Could it be?
“Hello,” I whisper through the wind-eye. Nothing happens. No reaction whatsoever. Turning the corner and arriving at the door, I knock on it, hard.
A flurry of sounds escapes through the door, like someone rushing to clear the dishes and cutlery that were used yesterday.
“Just a second,” I hear a panicked voice from inside.
A voice I know. I decide against calling out. She won’t open for me. She will only open for him. Because she has to.
The door is flung open. And there she is. Relief floods my body as I see Eidunn’s beautiful face in the dim light of day. Her eyes widen as she learns it’s not who she expects at the door. I am shocked at her black eye. The bruise sits on her perfect face like rotten fruit still hanging on a tree. Shame fills my chest. Vidar’s hand did this, but I caused it to happen. That’s what Eidunn screamed at my house. She was right. I made it all worse with the duel. If only I had known.
“You!” she growls as she tries to slam the door.
I jump forward, stopping it from closing. My shoulder groans against the wood. A flash of panic. What if she screams?
“Please, wait,” I whisper.
“What do you want?”
“To speak to my closest friend.”
“Friends don’t cause each other misery.”
“It was never my intention.”
“Fuck off!” she shouts, pushing the door against my body. “You’re going to get us both killed.”
“Keep your voice down,” I whisper.
“Just fuck off.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No. Listen, I have a plan for?—”
“I know how your plans go,” she snarls, still pushing the door against me.
I refuse to budge.
“I want to help.”
“Fuck your help.”
I push the door with all my might. Eidunn is gorgeous, but she isn’t strong. She is shoved backward into the large room. I step in. The hearth is cold. The air is stale. The interior is lavish but lifeless. Planks in the wall creak from the buffeting wind.
Vidar entered my house uninvited. Now I enter his. Fuck him.
