Realizing my friend was indeed serious, I nodded. “Go on.”
Brant took in a deep breath and continued. “In the dream, I am hiking through the forest, tracking a wild boar after having wounded it with an arrow. I notice a raven flying above me, but I pay it no mind and continue my pursuit. Moments pass, and then I notice two ravens flying above me, then a third. They swoop down, cawing and pecking at me. I curse them and swing my axe, driving them off momentarily, still intent on finding the boar. The next thing I know, the number of birds has doubled, and then tripled. I try to drive them off but there are just too many. I begin to run, thinking that I can outdistance them, but they chase, continuing to peck and claw at my flesh. I run even faster, a blind panic taking over me. I cannot see where I am going through their wings, nor can I hear over their incessant cawing. Stumbling, I fall forward onto my belly. Then, as if someone had snuffed out a candle, all is silent. The birds are gone. I look up and see you standing with your back to me in full battle armor, carrying your sword and shield. You are staring at a large stone chair, as if you are thinking about whether you should sit in it. Turning to me, you seem confused until you recognize me. You take a step toward me, possibly to help me, when a huge brown bear, larger than I have ever seen, emerges from the thick underbrush and charges right at you. You turn just in time to bring your shield up between your body and the bear’s slashing claws as you both tumble to the ground. Before I can move to help, the ravens return, but this time, they ignore me and descend upon you and the bear. I scream, trying to move, but I am pinned to the ground. From within the tangle of birds, I hear your screams, and then…then I wake up.”
I did not know what to make of Brant’s story. Unsure of what to do, I simply stared at him while trying to find words to offer. Finally, though my mouth felt impossibly dry, I spoke. “And you have had this same dream every night we have been at sea.”
“Every night, hersir.”
“And you feel this dream has some hidden meaning?”
“The gods often speak to mortals through dreams, do they not?” he asked me in return.
“I know not.” I responded honestly. “They have never spoken to me.”
“You never believe anything you cannot see with your own eyes, Torben. The man who was raised by the Oracle still refuses to believe in the workings of the gods.”
“Oh, I believe in the gods, Brant—never doubt that. I just have trouble believing they speak to us. Would you leave paradise to meddle with foolish mortals?”
“Have you not seen your mother’s prophesies come true?” He countered.
“Aye, I have, but I’ve seen them remain only visions. How can I know what is true from the delusions of an old woman?”
“You cannot, and that is probably the point of the whole thing,” Brant responded, “but I would wager a cart-full of new longswords that this dream does mean something.”
“Okay, self-appointed Oracle,” I said pointedly. “What does it mean?”
“It means you, my commander, are in danger.”
“Me? You were the one being chased by ravens.”
“But they let me go in the end. They only wanted to propel me to you so I could see what would happen. Don’t you see? It is the bear, you fool—the bear signifies danger, not the ravens.”
I made a noise somewhere between a grunt and a sigh. It was not that I didn’t believe in signs and omens. Living with a real prophetess, I had seen too many false prophets of the gods over the years. These charlatans seemed drawn to her, as if seeking validation. But there was something more that troubled me. While Brant had recounted his dream, my mother’s words had kept coming back to me. A young warrior will take his rightful place as leader of his people. Somewhere, deep down, I knew her words and his vision were connected. I wanted to ignore it, but I could not. Brant and my mother’s warnings rang true. Upheaval was coming to the clan, and I could only hope I was not the source of that upheaval.
“And what is this danger?” I finally asked. But before Brant could respond, a loud bellow rang out across the water.
“Land ho!” A deep voice cried.
We both turned to see Magnus, leaning out over the prow of his own longboat and gripping the railing. His long, shaggy, beard and hair flew wildly in every direction. He bellowed again. “Land ho!” It was only then I noticed the large bear-skin cloak he wore, flapping behind him in the ocean breeze.
“Something inside me is restless. I don’t know how to describe the feeling, except to say that it feels like a typhoon rages in my stomach like some mighty storm brewing on the horizon, sure to bring dramatic change to my life. I can feel it, coming steadily toward me on the wind. At first, I thought it related to my pending nuptials, but now I feel it is bigger than that, more significant. I feel the need to be ready, but I don’t know what to be ready for.”
* * *
~Diary of Princess Allete Auvray
Only a month remained until my very soul would be sucked from my body, leaving only an empty shell. Today was simply the beginning of the end. The King of Tara would arrive today. His arrival would bring my doom. Dramatics aside, the consequences of the coming month were going to be dire. Deep down, I knew it was not the courting month or the ceremony that I dreaded but what would come after I feared most. I daydreamed about having an out-of-body experience during my wedding night so I could escape being mentally present for the consummation of our union. Just thinking about the pompous king touching me—undressing me—made me want to scrub myself with lye soap until the first layer of my skin was completely rubbed away.
It was nearing dawn as I sat at my window, wallowing in my self-pity. Sleep eluded me no matter how tired I was. My stomach felt as if I had swallowed a gallon of curdled milk which threatened to come up my throat and out of mouth at any moment. I had been strong the prior three days, holding my chin high, keeping my shoulders back, and plastering a fake smile on my face, but underneath, I was an utter mess.
The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, the rays reaching up and spreading out as though they were long arms, stretching after a good night’s rest. I wished I could join in nature’s enthusiasm as light rolled over the hills, through the forest, and into the streets of the kingdom. It was as though the earth was calling out. Good morning, rise, and wake with me. It is a new day. Yes, a new day had come… but not a good day, at least for me anyway.