Magic Within Us

The Last Dance Part 1

"Emmeline, we need to go."

"Just a minute Genevieve." Emmeline spoke as she pulled on her sister's hand leading her deeper into the woods.

She crouched down in the bushes to pick up an orange wild flower.

She turned and smiled as she placed it in Genevieve's hair.

Genevieve rolled her eyes at her sister.

"We shouldn't be here Em."

"Says who?" Emmeline spoke in a playful voice still moving forward.

"Papa." Gen spoke in a small voice.

This was enough to make Emmeline pause. She was the older one and by default the braver one. But that didn't mean the sound of her father's name uttered didn't make her shudder.

She still and turned to look at her little sister, whose big eyes widened in concern. "It's okay Gen, he's not going to find out."

And even if he did, Emmeline would protect her. Like she always did.

Genevieve still had her reservations. But she knew her sister never let her down. She let her lead the way but she still held onto Emmeline trying to stop herself from shaking.

Eventually they appeared in a clearing.

Emmeline grinned when she looked around at the vikings who were currently fooling around, sparring.

Emmeline turned to her sister. "Stay close." She whispered.

It was way harder for them to blend in with their nomad clothing, curly hair and darker skin. But Emmeline hoped no one would give them too hard of a time as they wandered around.

Maybe they would think they were just running errands or here to trade or tend to patients on their mother's behalf.

Emmeline tugged Genevieve away from a man who had been pushed hard by his counterpart.

But instead of a fight breaking out, the men just chuckled and slapped each other's backs.

The sisters looked at each other and giggled.

Emmeline suddenly caught sight of a fair haired man standing not too far away from all of them.

She perked up.

"Gen, why don't you go look at the pretty necklaces. I'll join you in a few."

"Em, no." Genevieve spoke in a panicked tone as she grabbed on her sister's arm.

Emmeline sighed when she looked into Gen's eyes seeing fear.

"What are you two nomads doing here?" A gruff voice spoke.

Emmeline looked up and saw a huge Viking man, his hair braided down his side.

Emmeline backed away slightly, making sure Gen was properly shielded behind her.

"Oh we mean no harm kind sir, it's just that our mama sent us over to fetch some herbs for her -"

"No nomads on Viking land without a summon or an escort." He spoke gruffly.

Emmeline tried to appear braver than she felt.

She stood up straighter. Her mama didn't believe in using magic for violence. But if this man tried to hurt her or Gen she would have no choice.

Before Emmeline could say anything in retaliation, a voice joined them.

"They do have an escort."