Seven Endless Forests - April Genevieve Tucholke Page 0,19
fire liquor.”
Gyda went to the door and motioned for us to follow her outside. She raised her arm to the moon above and then put her fist to her heart. “Back on the Boar Islands, I had a vision of a female jarl sitting on Esca’s throne. I discussed it with my elders, and they decided I should leave and discover Avalon.”
“A woman on Esca’s throne … Aslaug and Mother used to talk of such a thing, late at night, when they were relaxed and dreamy after a long day’s work.” I paused. “They used to daydream about setting off and trying to find Esca’s forgotten lands themselves.”
“I remember,” Morgunn said. “They used to complain that the current jarls were too busy expanding their lands or building trade to concern themselves with the poison-drinking wolves who burned their way across the Middlelands. They throw some coin at the Quicks and then mostly let us fend for ourselves. Mother encouraged me to seek Esca’s sword when I grew older and win myself a jarldom—she used to whisper it to me late at night as I was falling asleep.”
“And she used to whisper to me that I should never stand in the way of your glory.”
Gyda’s eyes met mine. “Your mother sounds cruel.”
“She was … complex.”
“Aren’t we all.”
The howling began again, unearthly wails that sounded like a child screaming in pain.
Morgunn crossed her arms and shivered in the chill night air. “I hope you are right, druid, and a woman will pull Esca’s sword. Perhaps she could stop these wolf-priests from crossing the border.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Viggo’s hut, at the shepherd’s crook that still leaned against the far side. “Perhaps she could hire an Orate Healer from Santor to create a cure for the snow sickness.”
Gyda nodded. “She could do these things and much else besides, I think. If I can’t pull the sword from the stone tree, then I will find the woman who can. The time has come.”
I put my fist to my heart. “Heltar.”
It was an Old Vorse word meaning “hero.” It had been shouted in Halls across Vorseland for centuries, to move men and women to fight, to battle, to war.
“Heltar,” I shouted again. I didn’t care if the wolves heard me. I didn’t care if the gods heard me. “Heltar.”
“Heltar,” Morgunn echoed.
Gyda raised her strong chin to the dark sky. “Heltar, to the woman who pulls Esca’s sword. Heltar, heltar.”
* * *
We finished the last of the Vite that night, nodding off one by one.
I woke some time later, startled by some unidentifiable sound out in the dark. Gyda was next to me, wrapped in her cloak, deep asleep.
Morgunn was gone.
SEVEN
“She went to fetch more Vite, no doubt … She likely had some stashed in the Hall.” Gyda’s voice was calm, but she looked worried. “That girl is probably drunk right now and sleeping it off in some dark corner.”
I’d woken the druid when I found Morgunn missing. The two of us stood by the hearth, embers glowing bright orange. Gyda lit Viggo’s pipe and began to smoke it in long, slow puffs, waiting for me to make up my mind.
I took Viggo’s gray wool cloak, threw it over my shoulders, and then handed my own to Gyda. “I’m not waiting until morning. Let’s go get her.”
The moon was fat and round, but its milky rays were weak and didn’t cut through the dark night. The druid and I trod along in silence, listening to the calls of a pair of ravens overhead. Gyda was in front, the edge of her tunic rustling softly against the tall grass. I kept my eyes on the trail, not wanting to lose my footing in the dim light.
We’d walked a mile in silence, our attention focused on the path in front of us, when Gyda made a low noise and halted. She turned and grabbed my arm, fingers pressing into my flesh.
She pointed at the horizon with her free hand—
I followed her gaze—
Fire.
We ran.
We ran, knowing it would do no good, knowing we were too late.
We reached the last hill and peered out over the edge—
The Hall—
My home—
Gone.
The roof caved in as I watched, flames leaping through the gap, climbing up the sky.
I howled. I howled like the day I buried my mother and Viggo. I screamed my sister’s name into the smoke and flames.
Gyda grabbed me by the waist and yanked me to the ground. “Be quiet, for Hel’s sake, Torvi. Do you want them to