The Isle of Atisoll

Sibbe gave a playful smirk in response. “Allegedly I am a Seer, yes.” She leaned her head back as she took a long drink. “Though...I do not feel it. Yri explained to me the feeling. Mine does not...quite feel like that...” She pressed her lips together and then shook her head.

Yri chuckled as she was bid farewell by Signe. “Uh huh, you know I’ll find you later.” She smiled as she walked away. She always had her way of finding Signe. If anyone was her friend here, it was Signe. The others, she cared not for. But Yri always seemed to gravitate toward her.

“He was furious with you?” Sibbe questioned, her eyes upon Signe. “Truly?” She asked, her lips parted. How had her meeting with Kaida gone so well? She hadn’t asked for this. She didn’t ask for the dragon to welcome her in such a way. It just happened. Just like her magic. It happened without her wishing for it. Without her trying. A true gift. That is what the elder said about her within her hut at her home village. That she was truly gifted. That her magic would be unlike other seers. That Yri would be jealous. Elder Tenalis had spoken truer words than Sibbe could ever imagine.

“You’ll gain his grace, Signe. I believe it.” Sibbe spoke with a bright smile. “To have his grace...just imagine. He is the most powerful of the dragons. The eldest too if I am not mistaken.” She grinned. As Signe glanced to the other table her golden hues followed. Yri glanced to the two with a bored expression on her face, she smiled though as she caught eyes with the two before her attention was taken back by the young woman that she sat with. Halldis was a blonde beauty, but she was full of herself. Even more than Signe, and she didn’t have reason to be full of herself. She hadn’t accomplished even half of what Signe had. But Yri entertained her with laughs and smiles.

Sibbe brought her attention back to Signe as she had leaned into her hand upon the table. The crooked smile upon the woman’s face caused Sibbe to giggle. “The whole village?” She questioned and shook her head, “Signe...I’m not like you.” She smiled. Of course she was nervous of her gifts. She didn’t know what she was capable of. Let alone what to do with it. She was a bit of a late bloomer. The others got their abilities younger in life than her. They had time to grow into it. Sibbe on the other hand went from zero to one hundred over night.

“My m-mentor?” Sibbe questioned, a grin slowly crept onto her lips. She giggled and leaned forward on the table. She stood as Signe did and followed after her. “Okay. I accept.” She filled her mug of mead and then smiled. “Skol!” She called out and then downed the entire mug. The room echoed her call. Sibbe grasped onto Signe’s hand next and pulled her to the open area that others danced about. She grinned as she moved about allowing her body to sway to the beat of the drum and to the rhythm of the flute and hurdy gurdy. “For now, we dance.” She leaned her head back as she relaxed.

The dancing was lively and fun. It was clear that Sibbe truly enjoyed dancing with the music. Yri came to join the two after awhile and held her mug up in the air as she danced along. Laughter filled the air into the late hours of the night. Eventually though the elder walked upon the stage again and the room grew quiet. Sibbe stood breathlessly as she gazed up to the headdress that the woman wore. She was striking. “Tonight you have welcomed the Gods into your souls! You’ve danced with them and started these two weeks as all Vikings should.” She held a mug up. “Skol, sisters! Now we rest.” She spoke and then drank her mug before she stepped from the stage.

Sibbe was rightfully drunk. She giggled as she swayed to the silence of the room. “I never want it to stop. That feeling of the drum. Here.” She pat on Signe’s chest and then her own before she did a twirl. Though her balance faltered and she stumbled slightly to catch herself. “Ah yes. Just like that.” She walked toward the opening to the long house and out into the cold of the night. She hummed the music playfully as she swayed to the music within her head. “Where...was it again? Our cabin?” She asked as she paused and watched the others milling about to go to their beds for the evening.

“That one.” Yri pointed to a cabin that was atop one of the hills. “Good night you two.” She smirked to Signe before she walked off with Halldis. “Don’t be late in the morning, Sibbe.” She chuckled.

Sibbe giggled and shook her head. “I’ll be late if I want.” She replied as she started toward the cabin on the hill. She danced about on her way there as she whistled the tune out loud and drummed upon objects that she passed. Soon enough they made it to the door of the cabin and she pushed it open. It was a gorgeous hand crafted cabin that held a stone fireplace with a bear fur before it, seating and two beds. It was small, but cozy. But larger than some of the other cabins. “Wow.” She spoke as she sat down before the flickering flames of the fire. She swayed slightly and then lay back on the fluffy fur on the floor. “This must be a dream.” She spoke finally and then giggled.

**

Hadley watched with a sweet smile upon her lips. “A lot huh?” She asked. She peered to the image again. “What...was he like? My father? Did you know him?” She questioned then. She leaned into the moment. Into the emotions that she felt in the air. The smirk upon Signe’s lips encouraged her that much more. “If I am her child...then...this will work...” She gave a soft smile as she took in the instructions from the Seer.

They stood within the city next. Her breathing quickened, her face held that of fear. “The crow?” She questioned. Signe’s voice was muffled. “Signe...how…? How could she leave this for me?” She questioned and then followed the woman’s pointed finger to the crow. Hadley rushed after it as it flew through the city. “This is my...home...the...the orphanage...” She skidded to a stop her eyes looked to the familiar building. The carefully tucked curtains that were a beautiful blue like the sky itself. She walked up to the cloaked woman and went to reach for her just as the raven turned into the beautiful woman. She paused frozen.

Hadley stared to the Goddess with parted lips. She listened to the words of the woman and looked to the woman that was her mother as she gripped onto the wrapped child in her arms. Her breath caught in her chest and quaked as it was released. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. Her brows pulled together, a sadness washed over her expression. Tears welled in her eyes. She didn’t move even after the two took to the skies with their beautiful golden wings. Signe’s voice was muffled. Hadley stared to the babe that began to cry upon the doorstep of the orphanage.

Will use to wake, or else we may become trapped.

The words sliced through the memory, Hadley’s emerald hues looked to Signe as the woman grasped her arm.

Come now, child.

She blinked again as the sky began to shatter like glass. Her eyes turned to the door of the orphanage as it opened. A young woman with braided blonde hair stepped outside. “Goodness...” She scooped up the babe and rocked her. “Shh, shhh it’s alright dear. Shhhh.” She bounced her about. “Look at those eyes you have.” She smiled. “How could anyone leave you?” She looked left and right and stepped into the street. “Shhh.” She soothed the baby. The horizon was full of black lines now. The world around them was beginning to lift away. A wind kicked up and rushed around the two. Hadley still stood frozen. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Was it worse to know? Or worse to only imagine how she was left at the doorstep of the orphanage. She was sucked back then. Hadley let out a yelp as she gripped onto Signe’s arm. Finally she was brought to her senses as the world fulled crumbled in around them. “Signe!” She cried in fear as darkness swarmed around them. Hadley turned to Signe and shoved her back. Just as the darkness collapsed.

The bowl shattered and the water splashed onto the floor. Hadley’s grip upon Signe’s arm loosened and her body slumped back. Her eyes rolled back, her breaths quaked.

**

Hadley twisted and turned as she tumbled throughout a violent wind in the abyss that had become the memory. She screamed as she attempted to right herself. “Signe!” Her body slammed against something harsh and cold. An ice cold chill surrounded her body and she found herself falling down a hill of snow. Her back slammed against a boulder and the air was forced from her lungs. Hadley fell to her knees as she gasped.

“We have to leave.” Sibbe’s voice echoed over the snow. “We did not ask for this curse. To be damned to stay on this island forever. Odin is not at our side anymore, Ragnvald.”

Hadley coughed blood as she pushed herself shakily to her feet. She stumbled down a snowy path and fell to her knees in foot deep snow as her eyes came upon Sibbe and a viking man. He had blonde locks and black tattoos upon his face that darkened his eyes. His beard was well kept and braided like his hair. He wore thick furs and armor upon his body, a shield upon his back. “Sibbe...what are you proposing?” He questioned with an incredulous look upon his face. “We cannot leave.” He held his arms out.

“I do not want our babe to grow here. There is no growth...Kaida told me to never falter...that my kin would change this world...I see now that...this is the moment that we have to do it.” She sliced into her palm and began to speak a spell to call to Freyja. She allowed her blood to drip into the snow around her as she begged for the goddess to come to her.

Hadley spat up blood as she took in quick breaths. Her eyes lifted and she stared into the striking icy hues of her father as he seemed to stare to her. She felt her heart leap within her chest as he stepped forward and gripped the front of her tunic. “You do not belong here.” He spoke as blood leaked from her nose. A crow that circled above them cawed. The image of her father began to crack once again. Hadley gripped onto his hand that held onto her, her toes barely reached the ground.

“Captain Hadley Addington.” She heard her own voice echo. The world around her vanished in the blink of an eye. Hadley stood upon the deck of an old rickety ship.

“You? A captain?” A man stood before her and cackled. He walked around her small form and then laughed once again. “You’re tellin’ me this ship is yours?”

Hadley stood tall a smirk upon her lips, “This crew is as well.” She spoke as the men drew their swords. “Best be on your way, hm?” She reached forward and plucked the tricorn hat from his head. “I’ll be keeping this.” She grinned.

Hadley leaned against the railing of the ship, her muscles quivered. “Wake up...” She whispered harshly to herself. “Please wake up...” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Come on damnit.” She took a step and fell to her knees from weakness again. “Come on...” She told herself. “Just wake up.” She pushed herself to her feet.

“Emery!” The memory called out. “March this man off our ship. Would you?”

Hadley staggered back as she watched the memory play out. This was nearly 10 years ago. Her first ship. She’d stolen it in true pirate fashion. She watched as Emery marched the man toward the edge of the deck. The man pleaded for his life. They were in the center of the sea. Her knees buckled to a wave and she went toppling over the edge of the ship. As her body hit the water she felt this crushing sensation.

A cry of pain came from Hadley and she suddenly sat up. Her breaths were labored as she found herself in the Seer’s hut. Blood trickled from her nose. She rolled from the cot and fell to the floor in the dark hut with a loud thud. “S-Signe?” She gasped.

“I’m certain that every time is an experience.” Sibbe giggled as she rolled to her side. She gazed into the icy eyes of Signe as she found the woman next to her upon the soft fur before the fire. When the woman cupped her cheek she did not shy away, but a smile curved up her lips. Her lips parted to speak just as Signe leaned forward and kissed her. The young Seer reached her own hand forward, her fingertips slipped into the hair at the back of the woman’s neck. Her lips pressed against hers. It was a passionate kiss. One full of fire. One full of the energy that is that of the excitement of the moment.

Sibbe released her own soul to Signe in that night. She called to the Gods and gasped. Her body pressed against Signe’s as the two danced their own dance by the dim light of the fireplace.

When morning came, Sibbe was curled into Signe’s chest, the fire had gone out and the cabin was filled with the cool kiss of winter. She gazed about the cabin, clothing was tossed here and there. One of the chairs was haphazardly knocked over from the dining table. A soft delighted sigh came form Sibbe’s lips as her eyes fell upon the Raven haired woman before her. “The first night, really is an experience.” She whispered softly before she kissed Signe’s cheek. She slipped from the bed and gathered her clothes, piece by piece. There was a heavy knock upon the door.

“Sibbe? Signe?” Yri’s voice carried through the heavy wood.

Sibbe had her pants pulled on, and a tunic roughly pulled over her body. Her hair was still a tasseled mess. She stepped to the door and cracked it open slightly. The icy winter air pierced her skin. “Yri.” She spoke with a playful smile upon her lips.

Yri stared to the fiery haired woman a long moment. “You’re going to be late.” She spoke as she eyed her and then peered beyond her. “Both of you.” She raised a brow slightly.

Sibbe smiled and pat Yri’s cheek, “I’ll be late if I want to.” She spoke and then shut the door. She stretched as she walked back into the cabin and made her way to the bed Signe was in. She sat on the edge of it and traced her fingertips along the woman’s arm and then she played with her hair. “Must we go?” She asked with a playful smile.

**

Hadley muttered in her sleep. Her breaths quivered, her brows furrowed. When she finally woke and she felt the gentle touch of Signe upon her arm. She allowed the woman to help her back onto the bed. Her eyes stared to her, a golden glow over took the emerald of her iris. “Signe...” She gripped onto the woman’s arm as she stared into her eyes. Her voice fearful. The touch of the cloth against her face felt so far away, yet so gentle and real. She didn’t break her eyes away as she listened to the words of Signe. She gave a slow nod as the woman explained how powerful visions could be.

The glow slowly started to fade from her eyes as she looked to Signe’s hand that held her own. The gentle touch. The warmth. Her breathing slowly began to calm. She gripped Signe’s hand back and lifted her eyes to the woman. The emerald color held the golden flecks of magic within. Though the glow had disappeared now. “That was terrifying.” She whispered after Signe’s comment. She glanced to the place that they had sat on the floor where the bowl was once before.

“I was taken back to when my mother first contacted Freyja...to request her help to leave the island. But...” She paused as she remembered her father’s eyes. The way he looked to her. “It was...not like the vision before. My father...he saw me...he told me that I did not belong...I...I didn’t belong there...” She shook her head slightly with fear. “I...then went into my own memory...”

Hadley bit her lip slightly and then gazed to Signe, she still held onto the woman’s hand. “To the moment that I acquired my first ship...” A laugh came over her lips. “I stole it. Even my hat.” She shook her head. “It hurt though...I felt as though my insides were being crushed and ripped to shreds...why...did that happen?” She lifted her eyes once again to Signe. “What happened to Sibbe? To Ragnvald?” Her voice held a pained sadness behind it, her eyes were glassy. “Why did we see that?” She asked with a slight quiver to her voice.

Sibbe smiled as Signe stirred. She hummed lightly to the gentle massage of her arm and the feeling of the warm lips upon the back of her hand. “We must?” She asked softly as she watched Signe sit up in the bed, her eyes played over her a moment before finding the woman’s hues once again. “Poor habits? Signe.” She grinned playfully. “My habits are only what Baldr has given me. Hm?” She froze as Signe cupped her cheek. The kiss. It stole her breath. Sibbe leaned into it and then smiled as she watched the woman. “Hm. I do suppose that is a deal that I can go along with.” She whispered softly.

Sibbe climbed from the bed and moved about to gather her own clothing. She brushed through her hair carefully and braided it in a few places. She bit her lip slightly as Signe spoke that there would be more moments. “Hm, there shall.” She kept close on her heel as they descended into the village.

“Oh. Well. Good morning.” Yri spoke, her eyes bore into Sibbe for a moment before she looked to Signe and smiled sweetly. “Sleep well? You’re not usually one to sleep past dagsbrun.” She smirked then knowingly. She knew exactly what happened and the jealousy was thick in the air. Tangible even. She walked into the long house where food was set upon the tables. Many chattered amongst one another, they laughed and enjoyed their mead.

Soon enough groups were announced, Sibbe smiled to Signe as it was announced that Signe, Yri, Halldis and Sibbe would be in a group with one another with an elder to guide them. “Good, we are all together.” She spoke as she glanced to Yri whom was still fuming. She couldn’t blame the girl. All she had done was talk about Signe….and Sibbe had come in and ripped the mat out from beneath her so to speak. They had the task of climbing the mountain to the alter that rest nestled at the top. It would take the entire day to summit the mountain and pay their respects. “Shall we?” She asked as she stood from the table. She lifted the pack that had been offered to them. Sibbe paused a moment, her brows drew together, her breath caught. She stared blankly for a moment before her knees gave way.

“Sibbe.” Yri grasped the woman and lowered her slowly to the ground. She pulled the pack from beneath her back and watched as Sibbe muttered in her trance like state. Her eyes were still open but now they glowed.

“Dark...d-darkness...” Her voice quivered.

One of the elder Seers walked over and watched the girl. “Hm.” She hummed lightly as she listened to the incoherent mumblings. She looked to Signe and nodded to her, “Keep this one close, Signe.” She spoke before she walked away to join in with her group that she was assigned to.

Sibbe sat up with a gasp, Yri was at her side a hand upon her back. “Hey, you’re alright.” She spoke and gave a gentle smile.

Sibbe’s golden hues found Signe, her lips parted slightly. Though she didn’t speak. She merely stood slowly and grasped the pack again. “I’m alright.” She finally spoke. “We should get going, huh?”

Yri furrowed her brows, “What did you see?”

“I...don’t know...it didn’t make any sense.” Sibbe spoke. “Come on.” She made her way from the long house with a quick pace.

“She knows exactly what she saw, Signe. She isn’t telling us something.” She spoke before she turned and left the long house with haste to catch up to her friend.

**

Hadley looked to Signe’s hands as they slipped away from her. She nodded slowly to the offering of tea. “Y-yeah...tea sounds really nice. Thank you, Signe.” She breathed as she ran her fingertips through her hair. She looked to Signe as she spoke the next line. If she was anything like her mother – the vision of her death would become real. She swallowed and pressed her lips together. She remained quiet as Signe made the mugs of tea, her mind racing. To stay. Or go. Did she attempt to stay to find out more about the Viking people? About her mother?

The Captain took the mug into her hands and hugged it, she breathed in the scent deeply. “It seemed as though it was hidden yes. The way she spoke to my father...I...” She bit her lip as Signe questioned about how her father saw her in the vision. Her emerald hues stared to the woman as she spoke of what a projection was. How dangerous it could be. How death in a projection would translate to death in reality. Her heart pounded within her chest to this thought. She could have died. What if she had? Would she have been lost? “You...you’ve never done that?” She asked, surprised. Hadley bit her lip slightly. “This is...all too dangerous...” She gave a laugh, “Says the pirate that risks her life every damn day...” She ran her fingertips through her hair again. Nerves were getting the best of her and it was easy to see.

She lifted her eyes to look to Signe as she sipped upon her tea finally. The memories that she saw were meant to be seen. Shown to her by Sibbe and Ragnvald. “You think...she’s alive?” She asked in a soft tone. The thought of her mother living. Breathing. Alive. She’d never had a true family. The thought of it didn’t seem real. She took another drink of the tea before she hugged it to her chest. “You’re right...she saw something that I do not...” She pressed her lips together.

Hadley perked up slightly as Signe spoke of a temple. She nodded, “Yes.” She stood and set the mug of tea down. It still steamed. “We leave...as you said….there is little left for me here...the longer we stay the more likely it will be that Eskil will call for me to be sacrificed to Yule...if I am sacrificed then this...all of this is for nothing...whatever it is that I must do...I cannot complete it if I am dead.” She paused a moment. The Captain stepped over to the two bottles that Signe had made of the blue potion. She popped the cork from one and held the other to Signe with a smile upon her lips. “Skol.” She grinned before she downed the drink.

As she took it she looked to her hands, slowly her body melted from existence. She giggled lightly, she felt warm and cozy. “This...is incredible.” She whispered as if someone would hear. She turned then as she heard footsteps approaching.

The door pushed open and two men stepped inside. “Where are they?” One questioned. “Eskil said that they were here. We have to find Sibbe’s daughter. Yri said it is the only way to cast light from the Gods upon us once again. We must regain their favor.” The two men looked around the hut.

Hadley drew in a breath as she watched them, any second longer and she would be dragged just like in her dream...she saw a knife in one of the men’s hands and it dripped with poison. She was moments away from the vision becoming true. She stepped forward and gripped onto the man’s wrist, she easily jerked the dagger from his hand and sliced it across his chest. The man staggered back as his body loosened from the poison. The other turned and just as he did Hadley sliced the dagger down his back. He too fell to the ground helpless. She scoffed slightly before she turned, “Come on.” She spoke softly as she slipped from the hut.

The Captain slipped through the snow without a trace, she moved about the buildings of the city as many guards roamed about. The storm kicked up heavier it seemed and the flakes blocked her vision slightly. Hadley made it to the docks and climbed up the ladder onto her ship. “How do we get out?” She questioned as her body started to become visible once again. “We have to get out without them noticing.” She looked to Signe as the potions wore off.

Yri’s cheeks flushed, “Oh...um...I don’t...” She stammered and then gave a nervous chuckle as Signe had grasped her shoulder. “Yes, right, the bold.” She gazed to Signe and then looked to Sibbe whom smirked slightly to her.

After Sibbe’s vision, Yri raised a brow slightly to the silence that she was met with. She glanced to Halldis whom gave a chuckle, “Stop trying so hard.” The young woman spoke, “You’re snuffing out your own flame. Hm?” She spoke as she followed the others out of the long house.

Sibbe was silent as she ascended the mountainside. She grasped the straps of the pack with her hands, her golden hues would glance about to look to the views every now and again. But her expression remained puzzled in a way. She seemed to be sorting through whatever it was that she saw in the vision. When Signe would look to her, she would offer a small weak smile before she would advert her eyes and continue the climb behind the elder. Halldis and Yri on the other hand chattered the whole way up the mountain. The two spoke of the feast, the dance, they spoke of the ale. They even spoke of their trips to the village and the past year that they had. Sibbe seemed unbothered by most of it. Yri tried to include her at one point but she shook her head and offered little conversation back. To which Yri frowned, but she carried on with Halldis.

Once they reached the peak Yri and Halldis took their place before the alter – the two continued chattering away. Sibbe stepped to the cliffside with Signe and gazed down to the puffy clouds that they ascended through. “It’s beautiful.” She spoke as she gazed to the tips of trees that pushed through the clouds. “Jotunheimen is the only mountain of this size that I have climbed.” She spoke as she pushed her thumbs beneath the straps of the backpack. “I saw you in my vision.” She spoke, her golden hues looked to the woman. Her expression serious and solemn. “Halldis and Yri too.” Her breath quivered and she bit her lip slightly. Her eyes peered to the skies above the white puffy clouds that were as blue as could be. Her lips parted to speak once again just as the Elder began to speak.

Sibbe pulled the pack from her back and cleared her throat slightly. She turned and stepped to the alter and took her seat next to Yri on the ground and placed her pack before her legs. She took in the beauty of the alter. How much work had gone into it to make it such a beautiful piece. She had not heard the story of Eir before. It was a story of a legend, her lips parted as she listened and she seemed to push away the troubling vision. She closed her eyes and inhaled the smoke as it wafted in her direction. She was completely entranced and relaxed by the end of the story.

The fiery haired woman rose to her feet to peer upon the large tree, the piece of Yggrassil that cut through their realm. She stepped forward over a few of the roots as she took it in. Her eyes lifted up to the gorgeous canopy that was created by the tree. She felt so small. Her fingertips brushed over the thick ridges of the bark, as she touched the tree her eyes glowed slightly. Reacting to it, it seemed. The elder watched her with a smile upon her lips, “Ah you – young one – are quite gifted aren’t you?” She stepped up to her. “Let me see you.” She grasped Sibbe’s chin and gazed into her eyes, she looked over her features. “The golden eyes of a blood descendent of Eir. As pure as can be.” She spoke as she gave a smile, “Tell me, child. What was it that you saw before we left the long house?”

Sibbe felt the woman’s hand draw away from her and she glanced to Signe a moment before her golden hues returned to the woman. “I saw the dark.” She replied. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Dark almost black clouds were approaching the summit. “I saw a trial of the Gods.” She spoke and then pressed her lips together.

The elder turned her eyes to the fast approaching storm, her brows raised slightly. Upon the mountainside they would be exposed. It would be like standing before death and taunting its very existence. “We move. Now.” She spoke.

“No.” Sibbe spoke and grasped the Elder’s hand to stop her. “If we do as you believe, we will die. The storm will be relentless. It is not snow that is coming.” She spoke as lightening struck in the distance. Wind began to whip against the side of the mountain. The clouds churned ever so slightly.

“Sibbe what do you expect us to do?” Yri questioned, fear in her tone. “What did you see?”

Sibbe looked to her friend a moment and then shook her head. “We do not go down the path we came. We cannot.” She looked about her eyes held the shimmering glow of her gift. She sucked in a breath as she nodded slightly. “This way.” She spoke as she grasped her pack. The lightening grew closer. The wind threatened to push her over as she rushed down the side of the mountain along an old trail. Likely the original trail that Eir herself had used. They curved around the mountain as the storm churned above them and rain began to cascade from the skies. It was unlike the weather to be this way at this time of year. But the Gods willed it so. Sibbe gazed up to the skies as a dark twisting form slinked toward the ground along the pathway that they would have descended. Death and darkness. The darkness that she saw was that of the storm and the twister that would have ripped them all to shreds.

She quickly rushed into a small cavern in the side of the mountain. The wind howled along the mountainside as the rain turned to hail. They had gotten inside just in time. A deep growl came from within the cavern then. Yri pulled her dagger from her hip. “Are you so certain it was the storm that you saw?” She quipped. Halldis pulled her axe and prepared to defend the group.

Sibbe gazed to the elder whom gazed into the dark shadows of the cavern. The snarl felt familiar to Sibbe. Her brows tugged together as she held a hand up and stepped forward. The light of fire within the jaws of a dragon lit the inside of the cavern as she paused before Kaida. She gazed up to the dragon with her golden hues and held a hand up and forward. Not a word was spoken as the dragon’s wings stretched out behind her. Sibbe stood her ground as the dragon relaxed her wings and lowered her head to press into the outstretched hand of the fiery haired woman. “It’s alright, Kaida.” She spoke softly.

The elder stared with a baffled expression as she watched the interaction. The storm rumbled outside as the twister ripped through the hillside. Sibbe didn’t look away from the dragon as she nudged her snout into her hand. You have done well. Trust your sight. It will never lead you astray. You will have many challenges ahead of you. But you serve a greater purpose. Kaida spoke in her mind before her dark hues looked to the group. There will be trials. But you will succeed, Sibbe. Kaida moved from Sibbe as the storm suddenly disbursed outside. She looked to Signe a long moment before she moved out of the cavern. A rumble came from the dragon before she looked back into the cavern.

“You were led here, by Kaida. Weren’t you?” Yri spoke, her expression shocked.

Sibbe looked to her and shook her head, “I do not know. But this is where I felt we needed to go. The storm is passed...we should go….” She looked to the elder and nodded. She then stepped to Signe and gave a gentle smile. Though it was then that Kaida gripped onto Sibbe by her pack. She let out a yelp as she was pulled into the warmth of the sun. The dragon took flight then, with Sibbe dangling from her mouth. Sibbe screamed as she was tossed onto the dragon’s back. Her hands gripped onto the huge creature as Kaida slipped through the skies.

Yri rushed forward from the cavern, her eyes wide. She stopped at the edge of the cliffside and gazed to the destruction of the twister. “She saved our lives...” She muttered as she looked to uprooted trees. The roar of the dragon in the distance echoed through the mountains.

**

Hadley gazed to Signe as she spoke of the projections. Her eyes full of curiosity. “Pure blood descendant of Eir?” She questioned. She’d never heard of Eir before. As Signe explained her brows raised slightly. “Oh...” She gave a broken laugh and then shook her head. “The Gods truly must have willed me to find you, Signe...” She spoke softly. “I started having these visions almost a year ago. Small at first...but you have already helped me understand them more...” She spoked and then sipped her own tea.

To the next statement Hadley had smirked. “Hm. I will have to learn to laugh. The sight of my own blood running into a bowl for sacrifice did not give me emotions of laughter.” She grinned and then shook her head.

The journal that Signe lifted was well kept, it was nearly full of writing with only a few pages bare in the back. It had a thick leather cover with a beautiful feather attached to the front for writing within it. A talisman of Yggrassil hung from the front binding, attached to a leather string that bound the journal shut.

After Hadley had sliced through the second man and Signe complimented her on it she dropped the poisoned dagger to the floor. “You forget, I’m a pirate. It isn’t my first time dealing with assholes.” She smirked, though in her invisible state that was lost to the world. As the potions faded Hadley had the thick cloak of Yri wrapped around her, she was cold. Snow stuck to her fiery locks as she glanced to Signe. “How can we leave in this storm? I can’t see anything.” She questioned as Signe called her closer. She held onto the woman’s hand and allowed her to pull her close. She drew in a breath and closed her eyes as the storm’s wind stung her skin. The flakes of snow pelted against her body. Then suddenly it seemed to stop. Her eyes opened and she peered to the orb that protected them. A smile curved up Hadley’s lips.

As they boarded the ship Hadley kept her fingers laced in Signe’s. The ship was silent. Dark. Her feet crunched through the fresh snow as she stepped to the wheel. She gazed to Signe as her hand was released. Her eyes watched as the anchor lifted onto the deck and then as the lines loosened she felt the ship shift against the ice. She adjusted the wheel and as the ship bound forward she gripped onto it tightly. Her brows furrowed and as they escaped the curse she too felt the weight lift from her shoulders, the air moved more feely within her chest.

Hadley gazed back to the island and the white cloud of snow that surrounded it. “Without you. I would have died.” She spoke as the warmth of the sun kissed her cheeks. She turned her gaze to Signe and then stepped to the woman, without speaking her arms wrapped around her and she hugged her close. She stayed like this for a long moment before she released her. Hadley searched her eyes a long moment with a smile upon her lips. She then drew in a breath. “The place you spoke of.” She turned to the wheel and grasped it once again as she reached and lifted the compass. “What direction is it?” Hadley glanced to Signe then. She awaited the answer before she adjusted the direction of the ship and it bound forward. Slowly the crew began to trickle from beneath the deck. They gazed to the warm sun and then up to their captain. Hadley slipped the thick cloak from her shoulders and hung it over the railing in front of the wheel. She drew in a breath as she watched one of the men climb to the crow’s next.

“Hadley.” Emery spoke as he climbed up the stairs, he stepped to her and pulled her into an embrace that lifted her feet from the ground. “You’re not dead.” He chuckled and set her down. “Good job bringing her back.” He pulled the tricorn hat from his head and set it upon Hadley’s head.

Hadley chuckled as she adjusted the hat. She glanced to Signe with a smirk upon her lips. “You have the wheel Emery? Keep the ship northeast. We have quite a distance to cover. I have things I need to discuss with Signe.” She spoke as she stepped away from the wheel and walked down the stairs. She walked into her quarters and then paced slightly in thought. “When we contact Freyja...what will that be like?” She asked curiously.

Yri gazed to Signe, “That magic...that you used...the shield.” She smiled as she stepped passed her. “I didn’t know you could do that. You’ve been practicing new skills since last year, hm?” She leaned against the side of the cavern and watched as the white dragon disappeared into the clouds. “Can you imagine...flying on the back of a dragon? Have you ever flown upon Glauryig?” She questioned curiously.

Halldis stepped to the edge of the cliff that overlooked the town. “I’ve never heard that language that you spoke...your voice sounded so strange.” She raised a brow slightly and crossed her arms. “The west side of the village looks damaged...” A sigh came from her lips.

The Elder stepped forward, “Then we descend to check on them.” She led the women down the side of the mountain. As they descended the destruction was clear, pieces of homes were littered upon the side of the mountain. Rocks over turned. Trees uprooted. Suddenly a loud thud sounded behind them, Kaida had landed behind the group at the edge of the village. Sibbe was clutched to her back, her eyes full of both fear and wonder. The white dragon lowered her shoulder and glanced back to Sibbe whom slid off shakily. The dragon’s dark eyes then fell upon Signe.

You speak our language. She stepped to the raven haired woman and eyed her for a long moment. Glauryig is too prideful...so he told his human? A chuckle would have filled Signe’s ears as the dragon snorted. I will find him again one day. But for now... She glanced back to Sibbe whom stood at her side. I have other matters to attend to that are far more important. The dragon then took to the skies without another word.

Sibbe’s breath still trembled from the adrenaline of flight. She stared up after the white dragon until Yri nearly knocked her over with an embrace. Sibbe gasped as she looked to the woman whom had a bright smile upon her lips. “Look at you. I hate you for it. But...also it is incredible to see.” She released her from the hug. “Thank you, Sibbe.” She then turned and looked to the destroyed homes and drew in a breath. “I’m going to search and see if anyone needs anything...” Yri had chosen to specialize in the herbs. Her magic was more along the lines of a healer, and she was quite skilled at it.

Sibbe looked to Signe then as they stood in the middle of the path, “What did she say to you?” She questioned as her brows furrowed slightly. She gazed up to the mountain and then to the destruction of the storm around them. Just as swiftly as it had come, it was gone. The sun kissed her cheeks as her golden hues gazed about.

**

Hadley smirked as she looked to Signe. “Oh I wouldn’t?” She questioned with a grin upon her lips. “If I had grown the courage enough to make the long trip, we would have gone. We would have anchored to the edge of the ice and marched in to our deaths...so I’m very glad that you were there.” A chuckle came from her lips. She adjusted the wheel to Signe’s directions. “Islands that far north?” She questioned. The maps did not hold the islands on them at all.

Emery smiled, he looked over Hadley for injuries until she bat his hand away. “And without being injured I see.” He commented at he stepped to the wheel. “Glad to have you both back.”

The Captain happily took the glass from Signe that was poured. She swirled it around as she listened to the woman speak. “So it is all dependent upon her...I see.” She paused a moment, she then chuckled as Signe spoke of her confidence. “Ah yes, that is what throws me off.” She winked. “Skol.” She downed her glass and poured another. She leaned over the desk next to Signe and looked over the map. “That is quite far. You weren’t kidding.” She looked over the blank portion of the map that the island rest within. She sipped upon her whiskey as she looked to Signe, “Perhaps I became a pirate out of fate, hm? My viking roots led me to this life.” She swirled her glass and then drew in a breath.

“No raids huh? Shame.” She grinned as she looked back to the map. “Can I ask you...” Her brows tugged together slightly. “You spoke of the Rite of Vision...that it showed what the future would hold...do you still plan to perform it?” She lifted her emerald hues to look to the woman. “Perhaps it can give a clue as to what purpose fate has brought us together.”

“Most dragons see humans as weak. But that will be their downfall.” Yri spoke with a crooked brow as she walked around Signe down the mountain. Her eyes moved to the destruction, her lips parted.

Soon enough Sibbe stood before the group, “Cryptic you say?” She questioned as she lifted up a piece of wood from one of the destroyed homes and turned it about in her hands. It held etchings from a child perhaps. “Lovers you say?” She glanced to Signe – thoughts of the previous night flooded her and her own cheeks flushed hot. “Perhaps...it will bring them back together. Each action...there is a reason for it, the Gods have willed it to be so.” She smiled brightly. Her belief in the Gods was unwavering. She would make to be a strong Seer on day.

As Signe held her hand forward Sibbe leaned the piece of splintered wood against a pile of rubble. She grasped the woman’s hand and gazed into her eyes as she spoke the words. Give me your strength. She could feel the tug almost instantly. Her own eyes swirled to life with a golden glow. Her breath caught in her chest. “Signe...” It was as if the air was being sucked from her lungs. Though as their magic melded together she watched as the village began to heal. She squeezed her eyes shut and relaxed to channel her magic to Signe. To willingly give her power over to the woman. When Signe stumbled as the spell was complete Sibbe grasped onto her. Her own vision blurred slightly as she gripped onto the woman.

“Incredible.” The voice of an older woman spoke. She walked forward slowly, bones clacked together about her neck. She had blue tattoos across her face, black around her eyes that appeared to be white. “The two of you are even more capable than my visions wrought.” She spoke as she stepped to the two. “Come. Come along.” She motioned and walked the two along to a small hut. Within the hut feathers hung, flowers were strung up to dry, herbs were placed in jars. The sweet scent of an herbal tea wafted through the air. The woman poured from the steaming kettle into two large mugs. She grinned as she pointed. “Sit. Sit. Drink.” She placed the mugs into the hands of the two. The old Seer hummed as she moved about. She grasped herbs and bundled them together. Then she held the tip of the bundle over the fire as she began to chant in the old language. She turned and blew a blue smoke into the faces of the two.

Sibbe had taken the tea and sipped upon it as her body quivered slightly, almost as if she was cold. She glanced to Signe with tired eyes. Then as her eyes moved back to the woman the puff of smoke came forward. It wafted into her nostrils – a sweet scent of vanilla and something...else. Something she couldn’t quite place. Her eyes fluttered slightly. “Signe...” She swallowed as she felt an overwhelming warmth begin to flood her body.

“Do not fear it child.” The old Seer spoke. “Breathe. Relax into it.” She moved the bundle of herbs about which left smoke that circled around the two.

Sibbe’s golden hues looked to the woman just as her vision faded and her body slumped against Signe. It was as if she was laying within the field on a hot summer’s day. The old Seer stepped forward and carefully took the mug, she smirked slightly. “Give into it, Signe.” She began to speak in old norse once again. “Allow yourself to commune with the Gods. Follow Sibbe.”

A cool gentle breeze woke Sibbe. Her eyes fluttered open and she became aware of the cool air around her. The sun was setting in the distance, the chill of night had begun to set in. She sat up slowly and gazed around. “Signe?” She questioned as she stood slowly. She was in a mountain valley, alone. The trees reached toward the twilight of the sky above. The orange and pink rays of the sun were slowly disappearing over the horizon of the mountains. Her brows tugged together as she glanced about. “Signe? Yri?” She questioned as a shiver ran down her spine.

**

Hadley listened to the wise words of the Seer, her eyes upon the woman as she spoke of Fate and Destiny. A chuckle came over her lips. “Even if there is no such thing as Fate. I believe in it.” She replied as the woman spoke of her lineage. When Signe spoke the name of her mother Hadley looked to her and furrowed her brows slightly. A true thread of fate.

The Captain gave a nod to the woman. “I wish for you to prepare, yes. It could give us some idea of what is to come. Yes?” She questioned and then downed the rest of her drink. “But we have a few days on the water. Proceed as you wish, Signe. You deserve rest if you wish it.” She spoke as she walked around the woman. She climbed the stairs to the wheel of the ship where she relieved Emery. She placed her hand upon the smooth wood of the wheel and adjusted it slightly. Her eyes carefully looked to the skies above, then to the sails of the ship. Calculating as she made minor adjustments.

Emery leaned against the railing near the wheel, his eyes upon the captain. “Well Captain?” He asked. “What happened on that island?”

Hadley looked to him a moment, her lips pressed together. She then gave a chuckle a moment before she shook her head. “Many things, Emery. Lucky for us we found Signe at the right time. Otherwise you may be the captain of this ship.” She winked before she looked back to the sails and made a careful adjustment. She spent much of the afternoon speaking with Emery, answering his questions of the island. Though she didn’t speak of her lineage to him, of the Vikings...of her mother. As much as she wanted to believe it – it didn’t feel real. Had she truly found a link to who her mother was? Her father? She couldn’t deny the magic. The things she’d found upon that island. It had more questions that rose within her mind. More than she could count.

Eventually the sun set over the horizon, the men cheered and carried on beneath the deck. Ale sloshed over their mugs. Hadley remained at the wheel, her eyes carefully watched over the dark horizon as the ship cut through the sea swiftly. A bell sounded from the crow’s nest late into the night. Hadley had been off in her own thoughts. Her emerald hues gazed up to her man up above. “Starboard side Captain!” He called down to her.

Her gaze quickly moved to the starboard side of the ship, she furrowed her brows as she saw another ship that was fast approaching. A chuckle came over her lips as she recognized the sails. “Raise sails!” She called out and the few men that remained upon the deck scrambled about. The ship slowed and then bobbed within the open sea. As the ship approached Hadley stepped to the side of the deck, her elbows leaned against the railing, a smirk on her lips. “Capain Leroy Jones.” She spoke as the ship came close enough for her to call out.

A man stood upon the bow of the ship as it slowed next to hers. He had a grin upon his lips. He looked over her ship, “Strike it rich, eh?” He questioned as he brought his eyes back to her. “You’ve got a pretty penny on your head, Captain Addington.” He grinned. “Seems you’ve pissed off a king or two.” He chuckled and then crossed his arms. “I could turn an eye for a price.”

Hadley watched him, her brows rose slightly. He wasn’t usually one to go after head hunting missions. But when the price was right. Well, that was a different story. “You came to ask me to surrender? And for what might it be for?”

“Oh treason of course.” A board was set down and he hopped up on it easily and walked between the two ships where he jumped off and landed upon the deck next to her. He grinned as he leaned against the railing in a relaxed fashion. “So what will it be? Are you going to come peacefully? Or shall I name my price?”

Hadley rolled her eyes slightly. “I highly doubt whatever price you wish to offer would be beneficial in anyway to me.” She crossed her arms as she took a step back from him. “Get off my ship, Leroy.” Her voice grew bitter with her last statement.

The man chuckled as he watched her, “Hm, too bad, Hadley.” He spoke with an amused smile. “To think, I only wanted you to accompany me to Kehl Island for the annual festival. I could...” He reached forward and swiftly grasped her hat from her head. “Take this to the King. Report you dead….no more head hunters come after you.”

Hadley swiped forward at the hat which Leroy easily held out of her reach. She grit her teeth, “Give it back.” She snapped as she gripped onto the front of his tunic. “I can handle my own.”

“Oh? Can you? Can you handle a million hanging over your head? I’ll even give you a cut.” He grinned as he leaned into her grasp.

Hadley narrowed her eyes as she roughly released him. “Fine. I’ll meet you at Kehl.” She replied. She knew the odds would be against her, even with the power that Signe held. She would mount more and more enemies if the king continued to pursue her. “Now get off my ship.” She ordered.

Leroy twirled her hat around on his finger before he placed it under his arm. “No thank you?” He questioned and then smirked. “I do suppose I’ll get that later.” He winked as he climbed onto the plank. “See you there, Captain Addington.” He held her hat in the air and waved it was he made his way back to his ship. Soon enough the ship pulled away from them.

Hadley stood for several minutes at the railing as her eyes gazed over the sea. She hated Kehl Island. It was a universal meeting place for all of the pirates. It was a place without rules. A place where anything goes. The only rule was no one may sink another crew’s ship within 100 miles of the place. Beyond that? Everything was free game. Hadley made her way back to the wheel where she rubbed her face slightly before she called out orders to drop the sails. She adjusted the direction of travel as she looked up to the stars within the skies as her guidance.

The beauty of the mountains around her was breathtaking. Sibbe lifted her eyes as she heard the response that whispered within the wind itself. A smile cracked her lips before she gazed up to stars that twinkled within the sky above. Words were not needed as she felt the warm grasp of Signe’s hand. It was a welcomed comfort, it provided clarity. Her eyes were drawn to the stream that Signe towed her toward. The rushing rapids that bounced from boulder to boulder had her attention, though as the trees appeared a giggle came over her lips. She was high as a kite on a mid-summer’s day with a gentle breeze.

As the music filtered in the air Sibbe hummed along with it. Her eyes lifted up to the skies as the aurora borealis began to dance about within the dark skies above. Then as they came to the large pool of water Sibbe paused as she felt Signe’s hand fall away from her own. Once again the woman’s voice grounded her. Her golden hues gazed to the woman as she stripped clothing from her body. A grin split her lips as she took followed suit. Piece by piece as she approached the water’s edge. She left a trail of clothing aside the warm pools. Her eyes gazed over the beauty that was Signe – where she would have normally been shy to this – she was not. She slipped into the water and let out a sigh of relief from the warmth. “Signe.” She spoke as she stepped forward, she reached a hand forward and cupped the woman’s cheek. A smile slowly curved up her lips as she brushed away a droplet of water. “Gods...” She breathed, her breath caught slightly.

**

Hadley hadn’t noticed the presence of Signe, her lips were pressed together, her jaw clenched tight. The stress was clearly evident, even in the way the woman stood. As the tricorn hat was held toward her a broken chuckle came from the Captain. She grasped it and inspected the hat carefully. Her emerald hues looked to Signe as she posed her questions. “Hm.” She responded at first as she placed the hat over her fiery locks.

“Leroy and I go way back.” She spoke as she adjusted the wheel slightly once again. Her eyes peered to the stars in the sky as colors danced within the stars. A chuckle came over her lips. “Been awhile since I’ve seen those colors.” She remarked as the shades of green moved across the sky like a ribbon. She reached behind the wheel and flipped a mechanism forward to lock it in place, something she did when she had other matters to attend to at the helm while she stood watch.

“He and I grew up in the same city, except he wasn’t an orphan.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Believe it or not Captain Jones was a man of nobility once upon a time. Clearly he’s thrown that out the window.” She chuckled as she glanced to the sea and a sigh escaped over her lips. “He used to bring me bread when I was young. Soup on the cold days. The orphanage couldn’t keep up with feeding us, so most of us relied on the streets to supply us with what we needed.” She pressed her lips together. “He was a friend once upon a time. But – there are those that become one with the sea to be free and there are those that have other prospects. Leroy is the latter. But I am few and far between in this world. Most of the pirates that you encounter are more like Leroy.” She leaned her hips against the railing next to the wheel, her eyes locked upon Signe.

“He’d do just about anything to make a quick coin. Though I am surprised that he wished merely to get the bounty off of my head. Usually when you deliver the person the bounty is on directly to the person whom has created it – you get a bonus lump sum. For him to offer this to help...I don’t trust it.” She drew in a breath as she thought for a moment. “This island, it is far away from any civilization. It is a meeting ground for pirates...to make trade, to brag of plundering and coins. I’ve only been one time.” She gave a forced smile. “It isn’t my cup of tea. There are no rules on this island – aside from no sinking of ships. So even in trades you’ll find a sword fight. Trades of all kinds are made on this island. Nothing is out of the question.” She clicked her tongue. “So, I imagine Leroy has some sort of trap hidden up his sleeve...but this time of year he is wanting me to show up to the island with him for the festival of bone.” She cracked a smile finally, “You might like it. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage. Offer some allure to the other pirates with your abilities?” She moved and grasped the wheel once again as she unlocked it. “Either way. I wouldn’t trust a single soul on Kehl Island.” A shrug came from the Captain then. “I may be a pirate but I’m not a dirty pirate.” She smirked to Signe then. “I’ll take what’s mine and enjoy the sea. But I won’t plunder just to do so.” She gazed up to the ribbons that danced within the skies once again. “We will survive the festival of bone and then we shall move onto the island. The good news is...we aren’t moving too terribly far of course. It is...not really on the way...but it is enough on the way that is isn’t a huge inconvenience.” She chuckled lightly as her eyes moved back to Signe a smile upon her lips still. “Did your people have anything like that? Aside from the annual gathering of the Seers?” She questioned curiously – changing the topic it seemed.