40. Interpretations and Confessions
Interpretations and Confessions
Larissa
The rough volcanic shore scratched against Larissa’s cheek, and the distant roar of Gadofass Falls filled her ears.
Picking herself up, she blinked to dispel the shadows that clung to her vision and saw the others doing the same.
Only Calder remained unconscious on the shoreline, where Larissa secretly wished she could leave him until the water drew him into its depths.
She froze, terrified by the direction of her thoughts. They felt too similar to her vision.
Darien leaned to the side, stretching his arms until something popped. “Is anyone else getting really sick of the Norn knocking us out every time they want us to move somewhere?”
“Probably just how they maintain their mystique,” Anara added, cracking her neck to the side.
“I can’t believe it,” Halla chattered, her eyes filled with wonder. She looked at Kai, as if attempting to infect his sour mood with her own joy. “We really met the Norn!”
“If I hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Masai muttered, rubbing his head.
“Weren’t you the one who supposedly knew the way?” Anara asked.
“Still”—he shrugged—“I only thought there was a fifty-fifty shot at actually finding them.”
Anara snorted. “Remind me never to follow you again.”
He leaned back on the palms of his hand. “I got us here, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, and you needed me to save your neck.” Anara indicated the thin scar that stretched across Masai’s throat from the draugr attack.
Had that been only hours ago or days ago? It was light again, but Larissa couldn’t guess how long they’d been with the Norn.
Masai’s fingers caressed his neck. “I guess I do owe you my gratitude.”
Anara raised a hand to her chest in mock surprise. “A Smaragdian thanking a Rubinian for being violent? And here I thought the Norn would be the most unexpected part of my day.”
“I said I owed you my gratitude,” Masai raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t actually say thank you.”
“If you two are done bickering,” Larissa said, though without any real malice. Her eyes were on Darien, who crouched silently beside Calder.
Noticing him too, the others gathered around. Anara scowled, pursing her lips. Masai knelt, his fingers pulling back Calder’s eyelids and pressing at the hollow of his neck. “He seems physically fine. Clearly his sleep was caused by the Norn.”
“When will he wake up?” Darien asked, his shoulders taunt.
“I couldn’t say.” Masai rocked back on his heels, eyeing Darien. “Is he really your brother?”
Darien huffed. “He was. We need to get back on the road. The Norn said if we didn’t arrive in Safír within three days, the Vienám would lose. You’ll have to help me carry him.”
“What?” Anara challenged. “Not going to ask me?”
Darien chuckled. “If we change our mind about killing him, I’ll ask you.”
Larissa moved toward him, resting her hand on Darien’s shoulder. “Do you think it’s smart to bring him with us?”
Darien’s back tensed under her fingers. “We can’t kill him, and we can’t leave him here to regroup with his draugrs . What other choice is there?”
Larissa sighed, letting her hand drop. Darien and Masai hoisted Calder between them.
It was strange. In Calder’s sleep, the remnants of Aeron were more prominent than ever before.
True, he was older than when Larissa had last seen him as Lovisa, but Aeron’s face was there all the same.
By the strangled look on Darien’s face, Larissa knew he saw it too. His pain was like poison in her veins.
The trek back up to the shoreline was far worse than the journey down to the lake.
Multiple times, Darien and Masai fumbled Calder’s body on the slippery slope, though they managed to catch him each time.
Larissa followed in the rear, watching Halla as her small feet found stability in every root and rock Kai’s hands guided her to.
Larissa had to admit, the boy was growing on her enough that concern shot through her at the tortured look on his face.
She didn’t have to ask to know it had something to do with his vision.
She felt the same unease when she remembered the rattle of chains she’d placed on Darien, Anara, and Halla.
The way Calder had smiled at her in genuine adoration.
Torsten’s blood staining the tiled floors.
Her own reflection, looking so much like Shiko, glowing in satisfaction at the world she’d created.
Your greatest fears and your greatest desires.
Larissa’s fingers tingled, encased with a soft glow as her galdr swirled uncomfortably within her. Kai glanced back, noticing the glow, but said nothing.
The crash of the falls faded into the rush of the élivágar River. Not far off in the distance sat Helga. The sight of the truck grounded Larissa. Finally, something familiar.
Darien and Masai hefted Calder’s body into the truck bed. Finding rope, Darien tied Calder’s hands and feet together. “Lara, you’ll drive. Halla and Kai can fit up front with you. I’ll stay back here and monitor Calder. Anara—”
She nodded. “I’ll be in the sky.”
Nudged by Halla, Kai followed her to the passenger door, pulling himself up onto the bench.
“Give me a minute; I’ll lead the way,” Masai offered, already rummaging through the bags on the side of his motorcycle. His hand came out with a small emerald vial.
“Is that nectar?” Larissa asked.
Masai raised an eyebrow, paused in his turn as he took in their shocked expressions. “Yes.”
“Where did you get that?” Darien asked.
“We ferment it in Smaragd.”
Though Masai’s voice was nonchalant, Anara’s eyes narrowed in his direction. “And the Empress keeps all batches under strict supervision. How’d you get it?”
“Regent’s son, remember?” he said, dabbing some of the nectar on his neck. The scar faded further until it was nearly gone. “Besides, it’s easy to nick some when I’m the one making it.”
“Well, run along home now that you’re all healed up.”
Masai’s expression flattened as he offered the bottle to Anara. “I know the draugr got you too. I’d heal you myself, but I’d have to touch you—”
Anara growled.
He smirked. “I figured. So use the nectar. Don’t suffer needlessly.”
“I’ve had worse.” But she snatched the bottle anyhow, dabbing it on the old and new wounds on her stomach and arms, relaxing as the nectar soaked through her skin.
Masai stuffed the bottle back in his bag. “I’m coming with you.”
“Great.” Sarcasm coated Anara’s words. “Then you can be around when Calder slits all our throats in the night—”
Darien slammed the tailgate from inside the bed. “Can we not get into this right now? The Norn gave Masai a piece of the prophecy. He’s coming, end of story.”
At his harsh voice, everyone stopped. Larissa could count on one hand the times Darien had lost his temper. The tight strain on his shoulders revealed just how close he was to exploding. What had he seen in his vision?
“He’s right.” Larissa moved to the driver’s door. “We need to get going.”
“What about the prophecy?” Anara called after her.
“We’ll figure it out later,” she answered, shutting her door with finality.
She squished against Halla, taking comfort in her sister’s presence while trying to give Kai space on Halla’s other side. Guided by the raven in the sky and Masai on his bike, Larissa pulled away from the river, wishing she could leave behind Vereandi’s words as easily.
When you need me most, summon me. I will come.
Larissa shivered, praying there would never be a need so dire where she would need to call on Vereandi. Her mother had done so, and look where that had gotten her. No, Larissa would handle whatever came her way without the child-goddess’ help.
Night came swiftly, forcing them off the roads and into a clearing just large enough to hide Helga’s bulky frame.
Still within the borders of the Smaragd commonwealth, Larissa couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that accompanied the Myrkvier Forest. They made camp close enough to Helga that Calder’s prone and tied-up form could be seen, but far enough away that he couldn’t hear them should he wake up.
They couldn’t risk letting him hear what needed to be discussed.
They settled themselves in a circle around the fire Masai had created—he was doing well out in nature, despite Anara’s reservations.
Anara’s elongated ears flicked occasionally in Calder’s direction, careful to listen for any movement.
A dull silence fell over the group. They exchanged furtive glances, waiting for someone to be the first one to break.
Larissa stared at Darien, trying to catch his eye, but he stared resolutely at the flames.
Anara blew through her lips in irritation. “Someone has to go first. Queen of monsters, dead without worth. Brings baptism of fire and of rebirth. That’s what the Norn told me.”
Thoughts raced across Masai’s unguarded expression. “Monsters dead without worth? Meaning the draugr ? Were they in your vision?”
“Yes.”
Perhaps he sensed not to push Anara further, because he looked away from her then. “ A forest polluted with deception and deceit will either be cleansed or face its defeat .”
“Well, well, well, I thought Smaragd was supposed to be better than everyone else with your peace and healing,” Anara spoke dryly. “Turns out you’ve got your skeletons just like the rest of us, huh?”
“Is that necessary?” Darien asked, exhaustion coating his words.
Anara pondered for a moment. “Yup. Tell us, Masai, what deception and deceit is happening in this godsforsaken forest?”
Masai ground his teeth. “The prophecy doesn’t even mention Myrkvier Forest.”
“But it doesn’t really need to, does it? What was in your vision?”
There was a visible tightening of the veins in Masai’s neck. “I don’t see you explaining what you saw in your vision. All you need from me is my piece of the prophecy, and I’ve given that.”
“Masai’s right,” Larissa added before Anara could reply. “No one has to share their visions if they don’t want to.”