Public Enemies

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A look ahead:

She slipped off her nightgown, one slow movement at a time,
until she stood bare beneath the moonlight.

Drawn by something she couldn't name, she walked toward the water.

Lying on her back, she let the cold embrace her, pulling her beneath the surface.

Then, there was a snap.
A branch cracked somewhere in the darkness.

She broke the surface.
Someone was out there.

She thrashed toward the shore, her breath ragged and limbs flailing.

From the shadows stepped a tall figure.
Two other boys followed, their eyes sharp and hungry like wolves.

She pressed herself against the jagged rocks, hoping they might hide her.

But he saw her.

"Did I scare you?" He asked, trying to hold back his laughter.

"You did not," she tried, as convincingly as she could.

"Come on, join us. I promise I won't look," he said with a grin, glancing back at his friends, who tried and failed to hide their laughter.

"I think I'll stay here."

He held up her shift, twisted in his fist like a trophy. "I told you I'd have my revenge."

A tightness gripped her chest, and she bit her lip so hard she tasted blood as she lay there trapped and naked.

There was nowhere to run. And he knew it.

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Some time before that night...

The weight of the moment pressed on her chest.

"What if Åsmund finds out?" Thora asked, her eyes wide.

"Don't worry," Sigrid said, glancing back. "My brother naps like a log."

The scent of hay still clung to her clothes, a reminder of the barn where she'd left him after a long day's work, just before he fell asleep.

Sigrid hesitated, looking around the open landscape. No one was anywhere to be seen.

She paused at the water's edge, her father's warning echoing in her mind: never cross the river in the north.

She had lived all her life within the boundaries of her father's land, having seen little of the world beyond.

"Are you coming?" Thora called over her shoulder, already several paces ahead. A smirk played on her lips. "Or are you afraid?"

"No, not with Balder here." Sigrid patted the grey dog's mane. He was often mistaken for a wolf.

"But the heat is unbearable." She swept the damp, golden curls from her face.

With a deep breath, she stepped over the shallow brook.

Sigrid chuckled, remembering how she'd complained to her father the night before-loudly and dramatically-that it was unfair she had to sew while her brothers worked outside.

As usual, she'd gotten her way-working in the barn with her brother, where she could slip away with ease.

When they reached the water, they shed their layers without hesitation.

Sigrid flung a stick into the river, and Balder dove in after it.

Laughing, they hurled themselves off the cliffs. The reckless thrill was something she hadn't felt since childhood.

Underwater, she lingered, eyes closed, savoring the silence.

Afterward, they lay in the grass to dry, the sun warm on their skin.

She looked back to call Balder to her side.

Her eyes scanned the clearing, noticing the rigid posture of his body. His powerful frame froze, every muscle alert. His gold eyes locked upon something she couldn't see, and a growl rumbled within his throat.

Something was wrong.

Sigrid motioned for Thora to be quiet. Her friend's wide, pale eyes darted toward the meadow, and Sigrid held fast to the shaking hand. "Stay quiet."

She reached down to pat the big dog on the side. He hesitated, his ears flicking back toward her before vanishing into the cover of the woods.

They stooped low to the ground and came along the path through the grass.

"We must move," Sigrid said while glancing back to make sure they remained unseen. But focusing on watching the meadow, she didn't notice the figure emerging from the path.

They came within mere meters of him before almost colliding.

Both girls jumped in surprise.

"Don't be afraid." Amusement flickered in his eyes. "We were going for a swim. Come join us."

"Thanks, but we will pass."

He stood in front of her, blocking the path. The meadow was quiet, aside from the rustling of the other boys closing in behind him.

"This is private land. You have trespassed."

"Then we will leave." She took a step, trying to get past him.

"Not so fast. There are consequences." He blocked her with his tall body and wicked smile.

"Consequences? For walking on land? I thought nature belonged to everyone."

"This is sacred ground. But I'll be kind." He leaned in with a sly grin. "I'll let you pass if you give me a kiss."

Sigrid blushed. She stepped back, her hands clenching into fists.

"Let them go, Ragnar," one of the other boys said. "They're just little girls."

Sigrid felt the tremor in Thora's hands as they gripped her skirt.

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

"Wolf?" He burst out laughing, and soon they all joined in.

"I think you're bluffing!" Ragnar stepped forward. He pulled his long, fair hair back, and his face was beautiful, but his eyes were dark and unreadable.

"Get out of the way." She placed her hands on her hips.

"You won't get past me."

Ragnar's hand shot out to capture her wrist. She cried out, surprising herself, "Attack, Balder!"

He positioned himself before Ragnar in an instant, his massive body forcing Ragnar to stumble back.

Balder stood growling at him. The two younger boys ran off.

Sigrid stepped closer, her heart pounding, but her voice rang out loud and firm.

"You go too! Or else..."

"Or else what?" He said, testing her limits.

"Apologize!" she cried, her voice almost breaking.

Balder gave a low warning growl, but Ragnar shouted, "Never!"

A sudden warmth rushed through her. Her breath thundered in her throat. What had she done?

"Come, Sigrid! More are coming!" Thora cried.

In an instant, Sigrid tried to drag her dog, but the enormous creature would not budge as new figures emerged from the shadows beneath the trees...

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