CHAPTER ONE #2
Another quiver of apprehension slid along Katrin's spine.
This would be the first time in many years that they had dared arrive in a village before the longest hunting and feasting season.
Many sacrifices lay ahead, which could lengthen their usual stay.
If the weather turned too cold too soon, it would be many months before they might have a chance to depart.
Could they keep up the charade for so long?
In recent years, Gunilla had planned all their visits to last no longer than two of Maní's complete cycles.
Despite the recent brush with disaster, she feared the older woman grew careless, depending on their previous successes.
Katrin longed for the days when they truly brought prosperity to a village, departing with great honor and celebration.
Many seasons had passed since since such times.
Gunilla strode down the plank, followed by the other girls, seven in all.
Katrin hung back and waited until they had all stepped onto the dock before following.
Her gaze swept the crowd along the riverbank, then to the three men who greeted them.
To the left of the jarl, the tall man with suspicious eyes folded his arms. To the right …
Katrin's heart seemed to stop beating for a moment when the other man turned to face them. It couldn't be! She blinked several times, certain her eyes deceived her, but no, it was him. She would recognize those dark eyes anywhere.
Dream Man.
Thor's bones, he was tall, and quite broad-shouldered, too. Much more so than she’d seen in her dreams. His dark hair fell to his shoulders in a tangle of braids and loose waves.
The short-sleeved leather tunic bared most of his upper arms, revealing tattoos of his bravery.
A thrill passed through her to note there were many, which meant he must be quite a valiant and formidable warrior. Finally, her gaze returned to his face
He stared at her, that familiar intensity no dream this time.
She felt pinned to the spot and the racing of her heart indicated an oncoming vision.
Usually, she would close her eyes to allow the prophecy to come clearer, but Katrin could not break the stare with her Dream Man.
A moment later, images assailed her, more potent than any other vision she'd ever had.
Hands, caressing damp trembling skin. Fingers, sliding deep inside wet heat. Lips, gliding along the slender column of a throat. She seemed to be floating above the tangle of bodies. She recognized her Dream Man and peered closely to determine who his partner was.
The breath whooshed from her lungs to see her own face on the woman engaged in carnal delight with Dream Man.
Legs suddenly weak, she attempted several deep breaths, but she only grew more agitated while the images continued to change.
Heat speared her core, making her stance all the more unsteady.
As if from faraway, she heard shouts before her vision clouded and everything went dark.
***
Hradi knew the instant the young flame-haired woman was about to fall and moved quickly to catch her before she tumbled into the river.
Her slender body, while limp, was warm and soft against him.
The sensation set off strange emotions, combined with several very familiar ones, though it had been some time since desire had sparked in his blood.
He scooped her up and turned to his father, ensuring a somber expression to hide the sudden riot in his thoughts.
"To the great hall," Thorfinn said. He turned to the woman named Gunilla. "We have plenty of room for you and your girls. If you'd prefer something more private, we can discuss it after we tend to her."
Hradi let the way to the hall, noting the pale complexion, more striking against the red of her hair. Was she ill and would she spread the illness among the village? Hradi wondered if his father made the right decision inviting this Gunilla into their home.
"What do you think is wrong with her?" His brother Kori, strode up beside him.
"I don't know. I worry if she is ill, it will be devastating for Grindafell."
Kori nodded and placed a hand to the woman's forehead. "She doesn’t have a fever."
"No." Hradi strode quickly through the village and waited while Kori opened the doors to the hall.
Aware of the others following, he brought her to the back, and placed her in his own bunk.
A moment later, the silver haired Volva pushed past him and sat beside the fallen woman.
Hradi resisted the urge to shove the woman aside.
Instead, he stepped to the side of the bunk.
"Katrin, wake, my dear," Gunilla said.
The sound of the ill woman's name sent a jolt through Hradi, as if he had actually been struck by Odin's lightning. Why? Why did he feel such resentment to the witch who led the throng of girls?
"Come with me." Kori's grip on Hradi's upper arm drew his focus from the fragile girl. He followed his brother through the hall and outside.
"What has you so uptight?" he asked his older brother.
Kori continued to stride across the village square, to the forest beyond.
"Yo, brother, where are you going?" Hradi followed. Once they were out of sight of the village, Kori stopped.
"I didn't want to discuss this in front of Father yet, but I don't trust the Volva. Even so, the young one, there is something about her."
Hradi nodded. His own interest in the girl had taken root within him and he wanted to learn more about her and what had befallen her.
"What troubles you about the Seeress?"
Kori shrugged. "When I saw her… there is something familiar about her. I was reminded of a tale I heard at The Thing last summer."
Hradi recalled that story. "You think she might be in Grindafell to deceive or cheat us?"
"It's possible. Rumors said there was a witch who pitted clans against each other."
"How can such a woman do that?"
"By choosing those who are already share hostility for each other. A few whispered words, a spell cast to turn the gods from one to the other…"
"You believe such tales?"
Kori shrugged. "Perhaps. Maybe it is the sense I have seen her before, though I cannot say for sure that I have. I think the whispers are worth listening to. I think you can learn if those whispers might be true."
"How?" Even as he voiced the question, Hradi sensed what was coming.
"The girl. The way she looked at you..." Kori held Hradi's gaze. "I think you can use her obvious attraction to get her to trust you."
Hradi let out a bark of laughter. "Brother, you are a fool. She fainted in fear at the sight of me."
Kori's gripped Hradi's shoulder, squeezing. "Did you not see the look on her face just before? That wasn't fear. That was the look of a woman aroused. By you."
Hradi didn't know what to say; the sudden bolt of excitement made it feel as though Thor's thunder itself hammered through him. He had wanted the girl the moment his gaze landed upon her, but only realized the fact at that moment. That she might harbor similar feelings seemed too much to hope for.
"I see the idea intrigues you," said Kori.
Hradi grinned and nodded. "I will certainly enjoy earning her trust."
"Come brother, let's see how the maiden fares and you can begin your seduction. If the Volva means harm to our clan, we will expose her."
When they returned to the hall, Hradi noted Katrin was now awake.
She looked much recovered, sitting comfortably among the others at the head table with Thorfinn.
Hradi noticed that she sat quite close to the Volva and kept her head down.
He ignored the calls from his clansmen. He wound his way through the rows of tables filled with people feasting and drinking, sharing tales and challenging others in various ways.
Before long, bouts of wrestling and good-humored swordfights would break out.
"Come, my sons, and meet our guests properly," Thorfinn stood, beckoning them. Hradi kept his gaze on the girl, but she did not raise her head to look at him and Kori as the others did. Thorfinn stood, a wide grin visible and framed by his long white beard.
"These are my sons. Kori and Hradi. Fine warriors both," Thorfinn bragged.
Hradi nodded toward the Volva, his gaze sweeping over the other girls at the table. He noted many hopeful and suggestive looks cast his way, but he disregarded them, his attention returning to Katrin. As if she sensed his stare, she finally lifted her head, her gaze meeting his.
Once again, her face paled, her breathing unsteady, but this time she did not faint. Hradi recognized the alarm in her wide blue eyes and had the peculiar urge to offer words of reassurance. He remained silent, studying her while she held his stare.
Her fair skin, faintly pink and not ashen as before, and blue eyes presented an enticing contrast to her dark red hair. He imagined releasing the braids and running his fingers through the thick mass. A jolt of pure lust swept over him and he looked away, ignoring his brother's knowing grin.
He took a seat beside his brother, barely acknowledging Geira, Kori's wife, when she offered him ale.
His position placed him directly across from Katrin.
He sipped from the horn cup, his gaze still steadily fixed on Katrin.
Her earlier alarm had fled, now replaced with an innocent curiosity that had him half-hard imagining watching her eyes darken with passion.
He vowed to make that happen, his reward for gaining the truth. His gift.