𝐒𝐊𝐘𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋 ➻ ѕιнтяι¢ кנαятαηѕѕση

chapter one

Visions

There were still many things Kyra needed to get accustomed to, one being, the number of Danes that watched her as she mastered the art of sword-skill. While they'd all accepted her as their one seer and sorceress, Brida had commanded that everyone capable of wielding an axe, sword, bow or any weapon, must be trained. While her speciality was with her runes and concoctions, she had been fond of her daggers, courtesy of Ragnar.

"Brida I cannot train while your men are here to watch me fall on my arse," Kyra whispered, it had been the third time they'd tried challenging her skills, each time, she'd come crashing down on the cold, hard soil. The garments Brida had provided were uncommon to her, while she found comfort in wearing breeches and boots, she'd much rather preferred her many gowns.

Brida chuckled at her response, placing a hand on her shoulder, "When it comes to defending yourself, you will hardly notice who's around, watching."

Giving a signal, Kyra stood, in a defensive stance, her daggers by her hip and a heavy axe in her hand. They'd given her various weapons to practice with, and she'd been the sole focus of Brida and Ragnar, Kyra believed it was likely due to her being one of the weakest within their gates.

Blow by blow, she'd learnt to dodge, though attacking wasn't her greatest skill.

"Kyra, you must fight back," Ragnar's voice boomed, encouraging.

She didn't know how to fight back, it was almost laughable that they're telling her to do the thing they're meant to teach her. If she'd told them to cast a curse, they'd not know where to begin or how to proceed, it was not the same. Nevertheless, she looked for weaknesses in the man, at his stance, just as Brida spoke about the last time. Kyra waited, she took every blow that came her way, stumbling on her own feet but as she did so, she glanced at the man's footwork. As she was knocked on her back, she took it as an opportunity to watch his arms, swinging his sword, she realized that the man was weak on his left ankle and heavy on his right hand. Taking the opportunity, she kicked the man's ankles, while the man didn't fall entirely, it had given her some time to gather herself and kick the man again, this time, knocking him and her down with such sheer force.

"Now she's learning!" Ragnar chuckled, "Tomorrow she will learn more!" Brida lifted Kyra up, giving a proud tap on her shoulder. There wasn't much pride that filled her, she'd still fallen on her arse.

Kyra had grown to truly care for both Brida and Ragnar, they'd taken her in, she'd lived in their care and company for almost 2 years. They were more than generous, and Kyra more than grateful. While her days at Dunholm were usually peaceful, there'd been talk of more Danes marching in the surrounding areas. They say many men are starting to gather, tensions were rising and with it, they were required to be more alert. She felt a change in the air when she'd awoken, it was slight, any persons wouldn't have noticed.

Kyra pulled Brida to the side, her voice hushed in a low whisper.
"There's a change in the air," She said, "I feel there are warriors near, I'd advice you to send out your spies," If there was one person, who's words Brida took on most seriously, it were hers. There'd never been an instance where she was wrong. As Brida left Kyra felt the sudden urge to gather her runes and head to the woods.

Kyra was only allowed at the edges of the woods near their town, with her a guard was always required to watch over her. Brida had assigned Jacksaw to her, he always stood, silent and un-interrupting when it came to her many sorcery. This time was no different. Though, it had grown significantly colder, and as Kyra sliced open the small rabbit that she'd caught, the hairs of her body stood up. There were most certainly warriors nearing them. Whispering a melodic chant as she used the blood to coat her hands and cheek, a vision came towards her.
It was a man, familiar to her, with a sword, an orb at its hilt, she saw him fighting the Danes, then another flash of vision. Brida. Beside him, comforted with her head on his shoulder as they sat on the cold soil, the same soil that her hand now unconsciously gripped. Then she saw it, darkness. Death.

"Jackdaw. Take me to Brida. Now."

─── ∘°❉°∘ ───

"It was a man, Brida," Kyra urged her as they sat around the war table, "You know him." She saw the realization hit Brida's face as if it were a slap.

"It is Uhtred," Brida said, turning to Ragnar. The expression on their faces were mixed. Kyra had heard of the great warrior and also of his relation to Ragnar, she knew the time was near for when she was to meet Uhtred of Bebbanburb and Kyra knew they would have a great deal to discuss about.

"The warriors, that I felt were near," Kyra whispered, "I believe it's them. My visions, they tell me they'll be joining us soon." With that Brida stood from her seat.

"I'll find him," She reassured Ragnar, though her voice was unsteady. There was another thing, she needed to mention.

"I saw death, Brida. A death like no other. It was plagued by sorcery," Kyra stared at the blood that coated her hands. There was nothing but darkness that she saw around Uhtred, a part of her felt a curse in her vision. While Kyra possessed the same visions and conducted similar practices as many seers, her gift was said to have been a blessing by the Goddess Freya herself. It had been proclaimed that her magic was of the light, that her looks had been blessed. Though, as a consequence, Kyra had difficulty with men. Brida had protected her after she'd explained what she was capable of.

The darkness she witnessed was one that was familiar to her, the sole reason for her seeking refuge in Dunholm two years ago.

"Brida. I think he'd been cursed, and I believe I know the woman that did that to him. A woman from my past," The words were heavy in the air. None spoke for a moment, until two men entered their chambers.

"Men were spotted heading towards here, there were only a few." The man said. With those words, Brida left and Ragnar close at her heels. Kyra stayed sitting, going over her thoughts.

The halls were always booming with sound, life at Dunholm was everything but peaceful. There was always something occurring. Kyra had found comfort in the noise, silence was a fear for her. Though one of the things Kyra was fond of was darkness and there, she found herself wandering towards the edge of Dunholm.