Alfhilde opened her eyes and turned over in her bedroll. It was still dark. To her left, Hrothgar snored away along with Jakob, the baby sprawled on his father’s chest. To her right, Sif curled up, sleeping peacefully. Alfhilde sat … Continue reading
“What if you could, though?” Alfhilde said. Sif raised her eyebrows. “What is it you’re really looking for? A place to belong?” Sif thought for a long few heartbeats, then cautiously nodded, not yet daring to hope. “I understand if … Continue reading
Sif looked at the pouches of food in front of her, made a decision, and cinched the pouches closed. She would want something to snack on during tomorrow’s march. “I think so too. It’s good for us—we get to survive—and … Continue reading
Mercifully, the day’s march passed uneventfully. They found a place to set up their camp, set back from the road and out of sight. Falthejn went off to one side of the camp by himself, drew a circle on the … Continue reading
Falthejn could give them the slip without trouble, especially if he waited until night, and his watch. Would they go on without him? In one set of hypothetical futures, he stayed nearby to watch. They would, if he left them … Continue reading
Following the road with some corner of his mind, Falthejn spent most of his attention on his foresight. The effort of using his magic without his usual totems, runes, or tools of any sort, and walking besides, strained him nearly … Continue reading
Alfhilde didn’t care. “In a fight? Yes! The man has been trained since birth to kill, and he can see the future. He is a better fighter than you.” She caught herself, and her tone softened, as her face did … Continue reading
“Harsh words for a man you think so highly of,” Hrothgar said. Alfhilde seethed inside, but kept her lid on, though her words came out fast and clipped. “Highly? I think nothing beyond that he is our best hope of … Continue reading
Alfhilde huffed. “We will see about that.” Turning to Sif and putting on a smile, she said, “That’s all.” Sif picked up her pace to walk next to Falthejn, while Sif slowed her step until she was walking with Hrothgar. … Continue reading
Falthejn shrugged. “Before we knew the dangers of magic, we had only the Twelve’s warning that its unsanctioned use meant death, and their wrath if we tolerated it. Now that we know the truth, your choices are a great deal … Continue reading
