The Game of Predators and Prey

Camomile and Lavender

Minor mention of suicide. Warning to skip if anyone is triggered easily. This is all fake but reader discretion is advised.

It was dark, the room only lit by the smallest flame on the table across the room. The monster sleeping soundly beside me. His rise and fall of his chest assuring me he was still sound asleep. I needed out of this suffocating room, Ivar had admitted I was a pawn to his sick plan. I knew there was more then to what he was telling me. But of course the trickster never gives them away. And tonight he protected me, although even if it was for his own future benefit. Thinking about the interaction, I could still feel his hot breath on my skin.

I pulled the fur from off my body and stretched my legs to the floor. The wood cold to the touch of my bare soles. I held my breath as I slunk out of bed. Careful not to wake the beast. Tiptoeing my way to the door, Ivar's body stirred and if I ran now he would not be able to physically catch me. But the glint of the ax by his bed side, told me not to be an idiot. I creeped open the door, still only in my thin gown, my breasts instantly reacting to the cold breeze as I slunk into the hall.

Outside, in the dark. As ominous as it was. This was the only time I felt safe. Like I was not under anyones watch. Looking at the low tides, I needed answers to my questions and it I could tap into my mothers senses. Maybe one of the gods could answer why I'm here. Why they destined me to this fate?

Slipping the fabrics off my shoulders, they landed into the sand with soft thunk. My skin instantly covered in bumps from the cold air. It was early winter and if any colder. I could die from hypothermia. But this was my one way to reach the gods. I held the tip of my hair pin in my palm. The sharp pin tickling my skin. I took two steps forward and held the pin to my finger. Pricking the smallest amount of blood and letting the drop hit the sea. I took two more steps in and waded slowly into the frigid waters.

Lying within the water. I held my face above, taking slow breaths. The air from my lungs feeling like they had froze instantly. My skin now feeling enclosed my ice, I drifted for a few more seconds before releasing the air from my lungs, my body sinking deeper and deeper into the harbour. My face bubbling below the surface. Answers, that was what I craved. An insight to the plans of the gods. My lungs started to burn with the lack of air, they were starving for oxygen but I didn't care. I wanted the gods to open up to me. Give me something.

Smoke floated into the heavenly sky, black tar like smoke. The smell thick, and bold in my nostrils, making them curl. Sickly dark laughter echoed in my ears, as screams of people were heard among long battle cries. I seen myself standing on a large open area. The building surrounding me were much like the ones from home. Thick bricks held together with clay and twine. People were running in terror and screaming in pain as my body just stood in the opening. My back was facing the vision and a few crows circled above my head. Their dark wings flapping against their thick bodies, and with every flap came the sound of drums.
A large black stead ran into focus. It's mane and tail long and wrapped in red cloth. Behind the horse, a large chariot with a large black figure of a man as its driver . Myself stood still as the being approach. It's essence raging fear in the others around me. Blood seeped below the man's feet like a river flowing through a valley. When the man stopped in front of me, my hand reached out to him and he had a large amount of blood at his feet.
With a bag in his right hand, it too started to seep red crimson blood into the palm of my hand. The liquid seeping through my fingers. But before I had the chance to see more. The vision fizzled. I screamed for it to continue. But the crows around my head dive bombed my vision self and she faded into nothing. Darkness was all I seen, I heard nothing, smelled nothing. It was all just abyss.

I came too a little while later. The coldness of my feet and hands made me realize how dumb I had been to try that method in the middle of winter. I was inside now, a large amount of furs engulfed me and trailed warmth across my bare skin. I realized I was back in my room that I shared with Ivar and that the door was held a jar. Sitting up, my head ached with a large amount of pain. Like my brain was being compressed by two large rocks.
"You're awake?" Selby's head peeked in the door, her small body slipped into the room with a large bowl and cup. She wandered in, her feet lightly tapping against the floor.
"How did I get back here?" I asked, as the last thing I remembered was being in the harbour. She swallowed hard and explained that her and Ubbe were heading back to the hall when they noticed my pile of clothes. Concerned, they scanned then harbour and if Ubbe hadn't ran up part of the dock, he never would have seen my body. He had pulled me from the frigid cold waters and brought me inside. I guess I was pale, not breathing and my lips were intensely purple. Not anything like my natural tone. He woke Ivar and Hvitserk to help him practically revive my still body.