The Devil and The Snake

10. Fire and Blood

In the week following Caroline's return you kept by her side every moment of the day. The first three days you even slept by her side but Ivar convinced you to leave her with Ren because alone with her you were afraid to close your eyes, leaving you so tired and frail it wouldn't matter if someone came back for her, you would be no help.

Caroline sometimes woke up and you tried to feed her and make her drink when it happened, but she was always so panicked it was a miracle whenever you could do it. You had changed her to a clean dress and detangled her hair with the help of Ren. Speaking of, she was also devastated by Caroline's state, praying for her to the gods whenever she could. In secret you would think about your god, asking him to help your sun, because even if you had to renounce him, Caroline didn't.

"She'll come back; I know it." Ren would sometimes say. Keeping her faith close to her heart. You would, occasionally, catch her whispering something in Caroline's ear.

In Kattegat, rumors started circulating. Some would talk of wolves, some of a lone killer, some of a rival's group. Caroline was loved in Kattegat, so no one joked about what happened but at the same time no one was actively looking for the one responsible and that made your furious.

Seven days later you went to see the one they called, the seer. At the sight of him you hesitated, there was no one that ever looked like him in your land. Before you could say anything, it spoke.

"Queen (Y/N), you finally decided to pay me a visit."

"Yes, it is time." You sat down in front of him, looking at this face with no eyes.

His smile was unsettling, it took a long time before he spoke.

"What do you wish to know?"

"I want to know what will happen to Caroline, to my friend. Will I find who did this."

"You will find more than what you asked my queen. The gods love the wrath in you, they will give you three marks to remember it. only then will you find where to begin."

"Will she be okay?"

"The sun shines only after the rain, and sometimes it shines so hard it burns the eyes of the one who look at it."

"What do you mean." The seer laughed.

--

One night, you were supposed to go to your chamber, but you kept having a bad feeling throughout the day, so you decided to stay. Ivar wasn't happy by your decision but there was no reason to fight about it, he wouldn't win. As the night grew, you told Ren to go sleep in her tent, hoping that she would for the both of you.

You dozed off a couple of time, your head falling on the bed but every few minutes you would wake up. You'd close your eyes, but sleep wasn't fast enough, and every single sound woke you up.

That's why the man who entered the room had you on your feet instantly. He was armed with a sword and an axe. At first you froze, hoping he was one of your husband's man but by the look of him he wasn't a foe.

"What are you doing here?"

He didn't answer so you grabbed an axe that was left near the bed. It was heavy but you managed to hold it high enough for him to see.

"Get out of here." He smiled and got closer. You screamed and put yourself in front of Caroline, trying your best to protect her. When he was close enough you threw a bucket at him, he avoided it with ease, only getting closer.

"IVAR!" you screamed, hoping someone would hear you. As a last resort you threw the axe, it lodged itself in his leg and he screamed in surprise, dropping his sword. The bow may have hurt him but now he looked angrier. He hit you with the back of his hand and you fell on the ground.