Foes

She felt drawn to the sea as if she were possessed by the water spirit.
She lay on her back and floated.
Slowly, she surrendered to the pull, submerging herself, letting the dark depths claim her.

Underwater, everything else disappeared. She felt utterly alone and free.

But the silence disappeared with the sound of breaking branches, piercing the air above.

Her pulse quickened as she surfaced, scanning the shoreline. Someone was nearby.

She swam hastily toward the shore, her strokes frantic, the once-calm sea churning around her. Emerging from the woods was a tall figure. His shadow stretching across the land. She froze.

It was him.

Her heart sank further when she saw he wasn't alone. Two others stood beside him, their faces unfamiliar but their presence no less threatening.

Her first instinct was to duck behind the jagged rocks jutting out of the water, to make herself invisible. But she quickly realized it was pointless. His sharp, knowing gaze was locked onto her, and the smug grin curling his lips made it clear-he had been waiting for this.

He stood there smugly, holding her nightgown.

"I knew I'd get my revenge one day," he called out proudly.

Her chest tightened with every shallow breath, and she bit her lip so hard she tasted blood as she lay there-trapped and bare.

●●●

Sigrid’s steps faltered as she approached Thora, standing at the edge of the sparkling brook, her arms crossed and foot tapping with impatience.

The weight of the moment pressed against her chest, the thrill of disobedience mingling with a touch of fear.

"What if Åsmund finds out you’re gone?" Thora asked, her voice sharp.

"Don’t worry," Sigrid replied with a quiet smile, glancing back toward the barn. "He sleeps like a log."

The scent of hay still clung to her clothes, a reminder of the barn where she had left him, deep in slumber after the day’s work.

Now, she and Thora, the new maid’s daughter, had stolen away to the brook, seeking relief from the sweltering summer heat.

"Are you coming?" Thora called, already several paces ahead.

Sigrid hesitated, eyes scanning the open landscape. There was no sign of anyone.

"Are you afraid?" Thora asked, a teasing note in her voice as she tucked a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ear.

Sigrid stopped at the edge of the water, her foot hovering just above its surface. Her father’s warnings echoed in her mind—no one was to cross this river. Her world had always been confined to the safety of her father’s lands, a life untouched by the unknown.

"No, not with Balder here," she said, reaching down to ruffle the thick mane of the gray dog at her side. He moved with the grace of a wolf, his presence often unsettling to those who didn’t know him.

A strange mix of exhilaration and unease filled her. She was on the cusp of something wild—both freeing and forbidden.

"The heat is unbearable," Sigrid muttered, brushing the damp curls from her face as the sun burned down on her skin.

"Just wait until we reach the mountains," Thora called back, her freckles glowing in the sunlight. The light freckles were even more prominent in the daylight, making her fair skin glow

It had been Thora’s idea. "The cliffs up there are beautiful," she had said, her voice full of excitement.

Sigrid took a deep breath and stepped carefully over the shallow brook, the cool water splashing around her feet. Her pulse quickened—not just from the effort of crossing, but from the thrill of sneaking away.

She pushed aside the last of her doubts. With Åsmund watching over her, no one would think to look for her here, not like they would if she were inside, occupied with sewing as she usually was.

Sigrid chuckled quietly, remembering last night’s supper. She had made a show of complaining to her father about how unfair it was that she had to stay inside, sewing while her brothers helped on the farm.

She had exaggerated every word, her voice rising in mock indignation.
And in the end, she had gotten her way, as she always did with her father.

When they finally reached the water, they wasted no time shedding their layers. Sigrid was the first to leap into the icy water, gasping at the sharp chill that instantly wrapped around her.

She grabbed a stick from the bank and flung it far into the water. Balder splashed in after it. His powerful legs churning the surface as he raced to fetch it.

They were all alone, shrieking with delight as they plunged from the cliffs. The forest echoed with their laughter. Sigrid felt the wild thrill of it deep in her stomach, the kind of giddy freedom she hadn't experienced since she was a child.

Sigrid swam back and forth, diving to the bottom. She lingered underwater, eyes closed, savoring the silence.

There was something about being underwater-how the weight of the world seemed to vanish, leaving only silence and peace.

When she finally surfaced, Balder was waiting. With a playful bark, he plunged toward her and gently seized her hand between his teeth, tugging her back toward the shallows.
They lay in the grass to dry before it was time to head home.

She looked back to call Balder to her side. The cliffs were hidden deep within the mountain, and they had to travel through a narrow passage farther into the forest, then cross a long, open meadow to return to the path.

But as her eyes scanned the clearing, she noticed his body tense, his powerful frame frozen, every muscle alert. His golden eyes locked onto something beyond her view, and a low rumble started in his throat.

She knew immediately that something was wrong.

At that very moment, she heard voices approaching.

"Come," she whispered sharply to Thora, who was already at her side. Her friend's wide, pale eyes darted toward the meadow, and Sigrid caught her trembling hand in hers. "Stay quiet."

She reached down, patting Balder firmly on his flank. The great dog hesitated, his ears flicking back toward her before he obeyed, vanishing into the shadows of the trees.

They crouched low and moved carefully through the grass, heading toward the path. The forest felt eerily quiet now, save for the distant crunch of footsteps approaching. The voices of young men reached their ears, growing louder.

"We must hurry," Sigrid whispered, glancing back to ensure they hadn't been seen. But in her effort to watch the meadow, she missed the figure stepping out onto the trail.

He was just a few meters away when they almost walked right into him.
Both girls jumped in surprise.

"Don't be afraid," grinned the boy, who seemed to be around the same age as her eldest brother, Sigurd. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and something darker.

"We were just going for a swim. Come, join us," he said, his voice smooth but far from inviting.
And there was a wicked smile on his face.

"No, thank you, we've finished our swim. Besides, we need to leave now."

He stepped in front of her, blocking their way with an arrogant stance. The meadow fell silent, save for the rustle of the other boys closing in behind him.

"Not before I get a kiss," he suddenly said playfully.

Sigrid blushed. She stepped back instinctively, her hands clenching into fists. "Ugh," she exclaimed, the sound sharp and cutting through the still air. Her reaction only seemed to amuse him further, and the younger boys snickered behind him.

"Let them go, Ragnar," one of them said. She noticed there were two others.

"They're just little girls."

But the one they called Ragnar did not budge.

Thora remained silent behind her, and Sigrid could feel her friend's trembling hands clutching her skirt.

"If you do not move, I'll have to send my wolf after you."

They all laughed. "And where is this wolf?" Ragnar jeered with a mocking laugh. "Hiding in your pocket?"

"A little girl like you couldn't possibly control a wolf," added another boy.

Never had she felt so furious and afraid.

"I think you're bluffing!" Ragnar stepped forward. His long, fair hair was pulled back.

"Move aside," she tried to step to the side to get past him, but he moved in the same direction.

"You won't get past me."

Ragnar's hand shot out, gripping her wrist. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, her voice erupted, startling even herself.

"Attack, Balder!"

He was upon Ragnar in an instant, his massive form slamming the boy to the ground with terrifying speed.
Balder stood growling over Ragnar, who lay terrified on the ground. The two younger boys turned and fled.

Ragnar tried to shove the angry dog off him. "Get it off me!" He shouted.

Sigrid stepped closer, her heart hammering in her chest, but her voice rang out clear and strong.
"Apologize!" She yelled back.

"You wouldn't dare! When my father hears about this..."

"Beg for forgiveness," she snapped.

Balder snarled, his lips curling back to reveal his sharp teeth, his drool dripping onto the ground as he barked in warning. The boy trembled beneath him.

Inside, Sigrid's heart raced, and the weight of fear pressed against her chest.

"Come, Sigrid, more are coming!" Thora's voice rang out, but the heavy beast was impossible to budge.

From the shadows of the trees, new figures emerged. Their eyes gleamed in the fading light, and the air seemed to thicken with tension. Sigrid's heart hammered in her chest.
They were trapped.

●●●