Before the Storm

Sigrid sat quietly at the back of the boat, the wind playfully tousling her hair.

Before her, the two men sat, each deeply etched into her thoughts in their own way.

The rhythmic splash of the oars disturbed the surface of the water, but the silence between them was palpable, heavier than the open sea that surrounded them.

Her gaze flickered between the two. Bjørn, with his stern, serious face, stared intently towards the horizon, already distant, as if he were halfway into the war that awaited.

Ragnar, on the other hand, was close, but his presence brought her no peace-only a deeper unrest that settled in her chest.

She had chosen to return to Frosta. Perhaps she could see her mother again, perhaps even meet her youngest brother. But the thought of what awaited her there gnawed at her. Many of the men had surely already left to join the other side.

As the boat drew closer to Frosta, the unease in her stomach tightened like a fist. Erik waited on the shore, his face dark. "We must leave almost immediately," he said softly, extending a hand toward Sigrid.

Erik pulled Ragnar aside before approaching Sigrid. His gaze was heavy, marked by the seriousness that always accompanied him when he had something important to say. He took a breath and lowered his voice.

"I am sorry it had to come to this," he said, almost with a trace of regret.

"It's not your fault," she replied, trying to offer him a reassuring smile. "And... we will marry when he returns."

Erik nodded, a flicker of hope in his voice. "I've decided that Leif will come with us. Ragnar must stay behind to look after the farm."

Sigrid furrowed her brow. "Leif? Is he ready for war?"

"Leif is tougher than you think," Erik said with a sly smile, but his expression darkened quickly. "Still, he won't survive on this farm if we lose. Ragnar, though-he can twist any situation to his favor."

"That's true," she admitted, her tone tinged with unease.

"I've spoken with Erlend Arneson," Erik continued after a pause. "If Bjørn doesn't return and the wrong side wins, I fear for you. Erlend has managed to stay neutral so far, but Central Norway leans toward the new king." His shoulders sagged under the weight of the admission.

Sigrid's brow furrowed, but she grasped at a thread of hope. "But you still have more ships, don't you?"

"Yes," Erik replied, straightening his back, his voice regaining some vigor. "Many. We will prevail. But we must be ready for anything." He glanced at her, his gaze firm. "Ragnar will take you to safety in a few days. You'll stay there until the war is over."

His words landed like a stone in her chest. The thought of a new king was unbearable-not just for what it meant for the kingdom, but for what it would hand to her brother. A power she feared. Her mind turned to Erik's farm, to the medicinal plants growing in the soil. If the land was lost, what would happen to the people who depended on them?

"So Ragnar agreed to this?" She asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Erik raised an eyebrow. "Yes, shouldn't he have?"

"I don't know," Sigrid mumbled, stopping herself and lowering her gaze.

"But... I wish I could go down and see my mother and brother before I leave. Do you know if Father and Sigurd have gone south?"

Erik hesitated, his brow furrowing. "It looks that way," he said at last, then paused. Turning back to her, his voice grew quieter, heavier. "Just promise me one thing, Sigrid-take care of yourself. No matter what happens."

"Wait!" She called as he turned to leave. Before he could respond, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. He stiffened, caught off guard, but after a moment, his shoulders softened, and he returned the embrace.

As she pulled back, her eyes searched his. A thought struck her, and she hesitated before asking, "Erik... Ragnar thinks you blame him for his mother's death?"

His eyes widened, and he shook his head, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "Not at all," he murmured. "But I saw what it did to him, losing her. He became someone else. And maybe..." He glanced away, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I was too hard on him."

Sigrid tilted her head, her voice soft but insistent. "Then tell him. Before it's too late."

Erik nodded slowly, the weight of her words settling over him. Straightening, he gave her one last look before stepping away.

Sigrid's gaze shifted to the path, where Leif was walking toward her. Without hesitation, she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck in an unguarded, heartfelt hug.

"Promise me you'll come back," she cried, her voice trembling.
"I'm scared, Sigrid," he answered, fear clearly in his eyes.

She hesitated for a moment, almost regretting what she was about to say. But when she saw the look on his face, she let the words slip out. "You can take Balder. He'll protect you."

"Are you sure?" He asked, astonished.
"Yes," she replied firmly, her gaze steady. "Maybe he can protect Bjørn too. Just promise me one thing." She sniffed, her voice low. "Promise me you'll bring him back."

"I'll at least do my best," he replied with a faint smile.

Those going to war gathered inside for one last meal. Sigrid couldn't help but stare at Bjørn, as if she were trying to capture every moment. After the others had risen and left, the two of them remained, the room filled with a fragile silence.

"Remember the full moon," he said with a sly smile.

"No," she answered firmly, her eyes challenging. "That's your job. Then you can find me in the next life. I'd rather remain unaware."

"As you wish," he said calmly, leaning forward to kiss her on the forehead.
"Don't look so sad," he continued, his voice gentle. "I've survived worse, and this time I actually have something to look forward to coming back to."

"Promise me you'll do as Erik says," he added, now serious. "Go to Erlend. He's a good man. He holds no grudges and will never force you into anything you don't want."

"I know," she replied, nodding almost reluctantly. "But it's just to avoid being here with Ragnar," she added with a hint of humor. "And besides... I know you'll come back. Otherwise, you'll be punished for all eternity," she laughed nervously.

He took out the box and placed it in her lap. "Keep this somewhere safe," he said quietly. "In case you change your mind."

Sigrid stared at the box, her fingers resting hesitantly on the lid, as if the contents inside weighed heavier than she could bear.

"I must go now, before they start getting impatient," he said softly, his voice tense, as if he were already halfway out the door.

"I'll follow you," she replied firmly, before he could protest.

They walked side by side to the dock, words between them almost nonexistent, but the feeling of parting pressed heavier with each step.

Her heart felt unbearably heavy as the boat pulled away from the shore, the wood scraping against the dock before it glided onto the water. Balder whimpered gently after her.

A wave of unease washed over her, a feeling that settled in her chest and made it hard to breathe. She stood on the dock, her gaze fixed on the boat slowly disappearing into the horizon.

Helpless, she watched the distance grow between them, every rhythmic stroke of the oars a reminder of everything she couldn't control.

But she clung to a desperate hope, an unwavering thought: He must come back. He will keep his promise. He must.

"Come, let's go inside," Ragnar commanded, his voice sharp, almost as if she were a prisoner.

"I'll stay a bit longer," Sigrid replied firmly, refusing to meet his gaze.

She remained seated for a long time, even after the boat vanished, her eyes clinging to the horizon. The waves swallowed the last traces of Bjørn.
The shadow of evening crept over the fjord before Thora appeared, her silhouette outlined against the pale light.

"He'll come back," Thora said gently.
"I know," Sigrid answered, taking a deep breath as if to hold back tears. "I'll just miss him so terribly."

Thora sighed heavily, her gaze drifting across the water. "I know that feeling," she said softly.

Sigrid turned toward her, studying her face in the dim light. "I have to say, I'm a little surprised you didn't want to stay with Ivar."

Thora let out a low, almost bitter laugh. "He would never have been interested in being with me," she replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Thora," Sigrid said firmly, gripping her arm. "Most men would be dying to have you. When all this is over, I promise I'll help you find your way back."

Thora's eyes lit up in the half-darkness. "Do you really think so?"

Sigrid smiled but quickly changed the subject. "But you must miss your mother. If it's safe, would you want to come with me to visit her?"

Thora nearly jumped with excitement, an enthusiastic "Yes!" bursting out before she could stop herself.

"Then we'll leave tomorrow," Sigrid said with a small nod, Thora's joy a rare spark of light in an otherwise heavy evening.

When they finally entered the farmstead, everything felt different. The house, once filled with voices and life, now seemed cold and empty.

The timber walls, which had once been warm and inviting, now felt darker, and the silence was heavy and oppressive. It was as if the soul of the house had left, leaving behind only an echo of loneliness.

Ragnar sat in their father's chair, as if he were already the master of the house.

"That's out of the question," he said firmly when Sigrid told him her plan.

"But Erik said you knew that my father and brothers had left," she pressed.

"Yes, but I can't be certain. It's too dangerous," he replied, arms crossed, his tone final.

"And you're planning to take us to Erlend Arneson?" She studied him carefully.

"Why wouldn't I?" he answered with a smug smile.

"Well," she began cautiously, "you seemed rather reluctant the last time."

He laughed, a mocking sound, leaning forward as if to share a secret. "Well, this time it's different, Sigrid. I'm engaged myself now."

"You're...?" she blurted, completely bewildered.

"Yes, to Gerd."

"So, while I was away, you and Gerd...?" She stammered.

"Yes, just like you and Bjørn. I knew it would happen."

"You assumed!" She pointed a stern finger at him but quickly composed herself. "Apologies, Ragnar. Of course, congratulations. I always knew you two would make a good match," she said, forcing a smile.

He mumbled something under his breath, clearly surprised by her reaction. Then, as if suddenly struck by a thought, he added, "I need to go out tomorrow."

Before she could respond, he looked at her seriously. "But promise me one thing, Sigrid. Don't do anything foolish."

She nodded, offering only a curt, "I promise. Goodnight," before leaving him eagerly.

Sigrid shook her head but smiled to herself.

"What did he say?" Thora asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity, already wrapped snugly in her blanket.

"Nothing important," Sigrid replied dismissively, then added in a near whisper, "We're sneaking out tomorrow."

Thora laughed softly, the sound light and almost disbelieving. "We are?" She asked, a big smile spreading across her face before she closed her eyes, a hint of relief washing over her.

●●●

They reached the riverbank, the silhouette of the farm visible in the distance. Sigrid's heart pounded in her chest, her eyes darting nervously, scanning for danger.

Though it had been so long since she'd left, everything feelt strangely unchanged, as though nothing had happened at all.

"I'll check first," Thora said in a low, determined voice. "If I don't come back, run!"

Sigrid barely had time to protest before Thora crossed the stream, her steps quick as she disappeared into the gray fog.

"Thora!" Sigrid called, but only the echo answered. Thora was gone, swallowed by the thick air.

Sigrid crouched low behind the bushes, her breath shallow, her hands trembling against her knees. Every rustle of the wind made her flinch. The day stretched on, each second heavier than the last.

But Thora never returned.

Sigrid's heart pounded in her throat. She knew she couldn't wait any longer. Steeling herself, she crept toward the farm, her footsteps light and deliberate, like a shadow that dared not be seen.

Through the window, she saw no movement inside. Her heart thundered as she slowly opened the door, its faint creak like a shout in the quiet. She froze, holding her breath. The strange silence was suffocating, unnatural.

"Thora?" She whispered, her voice barely audible. There was no answer.

And then she felt it-ice-cold fingers around her waist. Before she could scream, a rough hand clamped over her mouth.

Her muffled cry stuck in her throat as she kicked and struggled, but the arms around her were relentless, dragging her backward into the suffocating dark

●●●