Childish superstition, maybe—or survival instinct.
I made Ari promise not to come for a look at me bathing, of course, though I had stolen a peek at him. He just laughed. Ylvin was gone this morning, along with Elof. Strange, considering it’s our last day. We will walk down the mountain after lunch. Now, I build an appetite with a little swim.
A slave, allowed to swim under the rainbow. Quite the privilege. A runaway slave. It’s clear to me now, I was not meant to flee to the hills. I was not meant to die. But then again, what’s the point? Is everyone in our world a slave? Slave to the Norns? Slave to the carvings of some mad old crones?
What’s the point then?
I breathe out slowly, unmoving. When I move, the water feels colder. Now, only the cool currents from the mountain peak wash over me. It’s like Groa said. I cannot control the water. But I can control my body. I can control if I will move, dive, float, or even drown, apparently.
I dip the back of my head, wetting my hair and squeezing it. It needs another wash, or two, maybe three.
“By Freya,” a familiar voice rings out. “Look at you.”
I straighten up at Ylvin’s words. I should have searched for her.
“Ylvin, forgive me. I didn’t know where you wer?—”
“At ease, girl,” she laughs. “You look like a goddess under the rainbow.”
The woman lays down her drying linen before letting her blue robe drop to the ground. She weaves her naked body closer to the river with long elegant steps.
“Mind if I join you?” she asks.
“That’s fine,” I answer as I keep tending my hair. Ylvin seems to be in a good mood. I’m still struggling to get over the fact that she drugged me without warning. Such an experience could destroy someone’s mind. Not being self-aware around others could ruin a girl’s body and honor. I have heard stories of girls getting too drunk and blacking out around men. Not a good idea.
“Last day,” says Ylvin as she enters. “Are you ready to return?”
The woman doesn’t even flinch as the cool waters envelop her. I’ve always thought I had good control over my body—control over pain, or cold or lust—but even I had taken timid steps into the pool earlier.
“Maybe,” I reply. “Do you think I’m ready?”
“Why so short, Kilda?”
“I just… I just didn’t know you would drug me.”
“Fine, forgive me, my child. I wanted to help you. Seems it worked.”
“What? How?”
“You finally broke your chains. Practically all slaves live their entire lives in servitude, no matter how they are treated.”
“I just?—”
“You made a run for it. You decide over yourself. A Volva has to. I respect that.”
“I’m sorry, please don’t tell Sigurd.”
“You really think I am more loyal to Sigurd than you?”
“He’s paying you.”
“Fuck payment. Honestly, I’m surprised you think so low of me.”
“I don’t, I just?—”
“You are my sister as a Volva. And as a girl, Kilda, you are my child.”
I laugh as my mood is lifted. What a compliment.
