Friheim - 2 (eng)

Help us!

Eira grimaced where she sat, deep in thought. She twisted the mug of mead between long, elegant fingers, but she hadn't drunk anything. Earl Asgeir had offered her and her companions room for the night, and even though she was grateful she wasn't in the mood for the festivities that went on around her. Despite the terible news she had given those gathered, Asgeir had seemed surprisingly excited by them. She couldn't put her finger on why and it made her feel powerless. She didn't like that feeling.

"You seem concerned."

Eira looked up from her mead. A pair of dark eyes met hers and she accidentally grimaced. The priest was the last person she wanted to talk to. "Not concerned, just... thoughtful."

He made a gesture towards the bench opposite her and she gave a nodding response. He sat down and adjusted his robe. Afterwards he calmly leaned against the table and looked at her for a long time. Despite the festivities going on around them he radiated a surprising calm, and Eira thought that if it wasn't for what he was, she could drown in his eyes.

"Want to ease your heart?" His question seemed genuine, but Eira still pursed her lips. Her gesture caused the priest to sigh deeply, then extend his hand. "I don't want to be your enemy," he smiled gently, "so let us start over. My name is Heahstan."

Eira hesitated. Why was he so determined to become her friend? She had no interest in getting to know a man whose mission was to destroy her world. She glared at him in frustration, but then extended her hand and gripped his arm. When she felt him grip her own she smiled weakly. "Eira. Greetings."

"Greetings, Eira." Heahstan let go off her arm, folded his hands and let them rest ontop of the table, "Does the feast not appeal to you?"

She shook her head. How could he even ask something like that? "Once again I witnessed the destruction of a village," she answered bitterly, "do you honestly believe I'm in the mood for a feast?"

Heahstan opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by someone saying Eira's name. She looked up and was met by the appearance of Erik, Asgeir's oldest son. He smiled politely, "I'm sorry to intrude, but I wondered if I could talk to you in private?"

Eira nodded. "Excuse me," she looked at Heahstan while she stood, "maybe we can continue our discussion at a later date?" She followed Erik outside and the chilly autumn winds that met them were welcome. "What did you want to discuss?" She wondered and turned towards him. In the soft light from the moon she could see how handsome he was. He was tall as his father, but his dark brown hair was half-long. Instead of a mighty beard he had a thick and well-kept stubble. Kind blue eyes met hers and his smile was charming.

"Honestly?" He pulled a hand through his hair and laughed nervously, but didn't avert his eyes.

"Honesty would be a good start."

He sighed. "I have nothing I want to discuss with you." The confession seemed to have deep roots and Eira looked at him questiongly. Then why had he asked her to follow him? "I just thought you looked so... uncomfortable in Heahstan's presence. It made me hope that maybe you would prefer mine."

Eira looked at him in surprise. She crossed her arms and turned towards the water. "I appreciate the gesture," she said, "but if you think I need saving, you're wrong."

Erik walked up beside her and looked out over the harbor and the water. When he stood this close, it was obvious how he towered above her. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, and she could see how thoughtful he was. "It would never occur to me," his voice was dark but pleasant, "to save you. You are obviously strong enough to ask a priest to leave you alone."

A crease appeared between Eira's eyebrows, but when she looked at him she could see the humorous smile that danced on his lips. "You are right," she smiled, "but he did seem genuinely kind."

A darkness appeared in Erik's eyes and he got a hard expression, "I do not trust him."

"How come?"

Erik sighed and asked if she was willing to go for a walk. They walked under silence for a while, but when they had gotten away from the earl's residence, he frowned. "My father is a good man with big ambitions," he said after a while, "but even he has bad sides. Heahstan is using it."

"How do you know?"

Erik stopped and turned towards her, "I have heard them talk about Friheim on more than one occasion. I think the priest is trying to convince him to attack them."

Once again her mind was filled with images of smoldering ruins and lifeless eyes. She swallowed. "We will leave tomorrow," she told him, "I need to warn them." Bidding him good night she walked back to the house. She had to speak with Sigrid and Khalidah, to prepare them of the long journey ahead. If what Erik said was true, they probably had less time than she wanted.

The noise hit her as she opened the door. She stepped inside and closed it behind her, letting her gaze sweep the room. In a dimly lit corner she saw, to her surprise, Khalidah talk to Heahstan. Her friend seemed to listen to what he said, but she had a disapproving crease between her brows. It seemed as if she was hesitant to the things he tried to convey.

She didn't see Sigrid anywhere. It made her feel uncomfortable. Eira always felt lost without her oldest friend. Sighing, she made her way towards Khalidah with determined steps. Heahstan seemed genuinely surprised when she appeared beside them, as he hadn't noticed her approach.

"Völva," he gave her a polite nod, "has the earl's son now told you about my ulterior motives?"

Eira gave him a confused look. "Your motives? You'll have to forgive me, but I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

Her words caused something untold to surface in his eyes, and something dark found its way to his features. "Erik has done nothing but spread false rumours since I got here, claiming I'm filling his father's head with dark thoughts."

"And you are, of course, completely innocent?" A harsh tone had found its way into Eira's voice, and she glared angrily at him. "But of course you are. You are after all a - what do you call it? - a man of God."

Heahstan took a couple of steps towards her and leaned closer, so that his breath washed over her ear as he spoke. "I have never claimed to be innocent," he answered bitterly, "but I did assume you to have a better understanding of the strange." He straightened and met her gaze, "I now understand how wrong I was. Good night."

Eira och Khalidah looked after him as he disappeared in the crowd. She felt guilty. Maybe it would have been better to get his side of the story as well. But why shouldn't she believe Erik? He was the earl's son. She sighed and turned towards her friend, "We leave at first light."

"Why?"

"I have a feeling that whatever's going to happen to Friheim is going to happen soon." She wet her lips and hugged herself, "We have to try and warn them."

Khalidah looked at her for a long time. "Why now?" she wondered, "What was different this time?"

A chill had settled in her soul and she shivered, despite the warmth in the house. She averted her gaze, "It was so palpable," she mumbled. "I could feel the heat from the fire. I could smell the smoke... but this time someone spoke to me. As if he knew I was there."

Khalidah grew pale. "Is that possible?"

"Yes." Eira sighed, "He asked for my help. I can't just leave them to their fate."

"I understand!" Khalidah straightened and once again she radiates warmth and kindness, "You should rest. I will find Sigrid and tell her we leave at dawn."

Eira thanked her friend and headed towards the sleeping quarters. After the sejd Asgeir had welcomed them to stay, at least for the night. It had surprised her, as most people often didn't want to be in her presence longer than necessary.

As she reached the door she turned around and studied those gathered. The feast had calmed down and people were sitting here and there. Asgeir was sitting next to his wife and two younger sons. He was in a deep discussion with Sigurd, the man with whom they had spoken when they arrived. Estrid, in the other side, seemed less than pleased. Her gaze wandered back and forth, but always rested an extra second in Heahstan's direction.

Eira turned her gaze towards Erik, who was sitting with a group of men and played dice. He laughed at something being said and for a moment the room seemed brighter. He must have noticed her gaze as he looked up. He looked at her and smiled, but Eira just gave a short nod and looked away.

With Erik's smile fresh in her memory she left the room. Finding the beds she began to systematically undress. It took a while to unfasten buckles and rows of pearls, untangle knots and jewellery. Whem everything was neatly folded and placed by the bed, she sat down. Thoughtfully she began to loosen the braids that decorated her hair, allowing it to fall down against her back.

The sound of someone entering the room caused her to stiffen. She listened carefully as the steps got closer, and pulled the blanket ro cover herself up. To her surprise it was one of Asgeir's slaves. The young girl seemed shocked that someone was in the room and mumbled an apology.

"I didn't mean to frighten you!" Eira smiled wryly and adjusted the blanket, "Was there something you wanted?"

The girl looked at her wide-eyed, but shook her head. "Nothing wanted." She made a respectful curtsy, if a bit clumsy, before turning on her heel and leaving the room.

Eira looked after her. She got a feeling that something bothered the girl, but that she was too afraid to say something. She debated with herself if she should get dressed again and find the girl, but finally chose not to. She had no desire to get involved in how Asgeir treated his slaves, even if she gladly would take all of them with her.

Sighing, she laid down. Thoughts swirled in her mind and she wondered what parts Heahstan and Erik would have in the coming battle.