Screams were heard throughout the small city. Sophia stood in the center, looking like she was in a daze. Men, women, and children were running everywhere. She looked at her surroundings. From afar, she saw arrows coming from the sky and landing on people, killing some instantly. There were wooden statues of gods that stood and would fall when people bumped into them. She saw the Vikings and shieldmaidens running to the attack, trying to defend their home. The young woman could walk forward and see the piles of dead bodies.

Suddenly, Sophia heard a feminine scream. Looking to her left, she saw Lagertha landing on the ground, kneeling. Tears were falling from her eyes as she was covered with blood. "Lagertha?"  The young woman tried to move, but her feet were still as stone. There were crowds of people running past Lagertha. The more the young woman looked, the more she realized that Lagertha was holding onto someone. This person wasn't visible.

Then, Sophia saw Ragnar from afar, with a sword in hand. He saw Lagertha; his eyes were wide open. "NOOOOO!"

"SOPHIA!"

"Ah!" Sophia opened her eyes and saw Estrid in front of her. The young woman looked at her surroundings and saw she was in the healer's house. 

Estrid saw that Sophia was drenched in sweat. "Were you having a nightmare, dear friend?"

"Y-Yeah." Sophia sat up and massaged her head. "Though I had this same dream before."

"It was a vision." The two young women saw Maja standing by the room's entrance, holding plates of food. 

"Are you saying that Sophia is a seer?"

Sophia sighed. "Please, not this again. It was just a dream."

Maja put the plates before the young women. "The more you deny who you are, the more it will cost you and all those around you. You had this vision twice. That means that this vision will soon come to pass. You must speak of this to Lord Ragnar and the other leaders. Also, Fridleif came to me and told me to tell you that we are to be in a meeting with the leaders. Eat and wash." The older woman walked away, leaving Sophia and Estrid alone.

"Maja is right. If you are a seer, then you have a greater purpose. Mention this dream you had. It could be vital. Well, we must get ready, friend."

Morning finally arrived, and people in the city were awake, readying for the day. The three women walked to Golm's home, where Fridleif mentioned where they would be awaited. They arrived, and once inside, they saw Golm, his sons, Ragnar, Lagertha, and other men who were commanders. They all sat around a fire. "My Lords, we have arrived," said Maja.

Golm nodded. "Please sit. We are to plan battle plans. You three are needed to help our army heal."

The three women sat; Sophia noticed Arne next to his father. They looked at one another; Arne smirked. Sophia looked down for a moment and sat next to a commander. She also felt another pair of eyes on her and knew it was Ragnar. However, the young woman refused to look at him. Sophia didn't want to give Lagertha the wrong idea. "Now that we are all here. We must plan our defense and offense tactics. As we know, Frode and Itzvar are working together, but we fear that more allies will be called to arms. We must also do the same."

"I agree. Itzvar and Frode are cowards, and cowards would do anything in the shadows. However, will our allies fight with us? I know the other leaders will do anything to keep their territories and people safe," said one of the commanders.

"Well, we must ask for their aid. Itzvar has a third for power, and it will only be a matter of time before he tries to raid them. It would benefit our allies to be done with these fools," said Arne. "Father, we must send messengers as soon as possible. We cannot sit here and idle. I have a feeling that an attack will come soon."

The men and women murmured to one another. 

"Ragnar, what do you think?"

"I agree with Arne. We must gather as many allies as we can. We may plan ahead but need the other leaders' guidance. I will send my fastest messengers. Now, for these women." All eyes were on Maja, Estrid, and Sophia. "These are my healers, and we should train some men and women to be healers on the battlefield. Also, we cannot afford our warriors to get ill before the upcoming battles."

Golm nodded. "We want you women to help train others how to heal. I know it won't be easy, but we trust you will succeed. Will you agree?"

"We shall, Lord Golm," answered Maja.

"Very well, now let's speak of-"

"Lord Golm, forgive the interruption. There is something that you all should know. Sophia here had a vision." All became silent; the crackles of the fire were heard. Sophia felt her body stiffen. She wished that Maja had kept her mouth shut. All eyes were on her. 

"A vision? What do you speak of?"

Maja glanced at Sophia. "She had seen a vision of the attack on our village before it happened. I believe that Sophia is a seer."

Everyone murmured. "You have seen another vision?" asked Ragnar.

"They're just dreams. Nothing more."

Estrid cleared her throat. "You told me you had the same dream twice in a row. Tell them what you dreamt, my friend. It could be something important."

All eyes were on her. "Please tell us what you."

Sophia bit her lower lip. "I-I dreamt of this city. People were running all over the place, scared. It looked like this city was under attack. Arrows were coming from the sky, killing many people."

Golm and Ragnar were silent. "Did you see anything else that could indicate when this attack can happen?"

The young woman was thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I notice wooden statues of gods."

"We are almost doing the Yule celebrations. Knowing Itzvar and Frode, they will attack when we are most vulnerable. It seems they did so against your people, Ragnar."

"Agreed, we must inform our people of the attack. We will keep celebrating the traditions so our enemy doesn't suspect their attack." Ragnar noticed Sophia sitting thoughtfully. "Is there more to your dream?" This caught Sophia off guard. She saw something else in her dream but didn't want to say it. However, Ragnar was able to see right through her. "You must tell us what you have seen; it could save more lives."

"I-I did see..." Sophia looked at Lagertha. Lagertha glared in return. "I saw Lagertha in my dream. In the first dream, I saw her kneeling, covered in blood, screaming. Crying. The second time I had this dream, she was doing the same, but I noticed she was holding someone, but I couldn't see who it was. Then, I saw you looking at her, screaming. That's all I saw."

All were silent. Sophia noticed that Lagertha squeezed her hands. "You witch. You must hate me so to have such dreams."

"I don't hate you, Lagertha. I don't have dreams because I want to. They come to me."

"How can we trust these dreams? They are nothing more than fantasy!"

Ragnar looked at the fire. Sophia noticed a hint of worry in Ragnar's eyes. "Wife, we heard stories of seers; they are rare. However, Sophia had a dream of the previous attack. Now she had these dreams about a future attack—not once, but twice. We must assume that they are a message." He looked at Sophia. The gods have chosen her to be a messenger. We must heed their warnings."

Lagertha stood up. "You believe her because you desire her, husband. She thinks ill of me."

Sophia stood up. "You hate me because you think I want your husband!? What kind of woman do you think I am!?" All eyes were on them. No one dared say anything. "I heard you were a great warrior and even admired you. Now I see you are nothing more than a fearful woman thinking the worst!"

The men were stunned. Arne immediately stood and went to Sophia. "That is enough of you both! We mustn't quarrel for insignificant reasons!"

Lagertha slowly got her sword. "You dare speak to me that way, witch?"

"Lagertha enough!" yelled Ragnar. He was ignored. 

"You wanted me to train this wench. The gods made you cruel, husband. You made this problem between us. Come outside, witch. Let us see if you hold valor."

"Sophia, do not..." Arne was ignored.

Suddenly, Sophia motioned out her hand to Arne. "Please give me your sword. I want to settle this once and for all." Arne was surprised by her determination. He sighed and gave her his weapon.

Lagertha walked outside, and Sophia followed. Everyone followed suit. Arne glared at Ragnar. "You always had a talent for creating trouble." The two men walked outside. Lagertha and Sophia stood apart from one another. The people noticed what was going on and stopped to watch.

The two women drew their swords, ready to fight.