𝐒𝐊𝐘𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋 ➻ ѕιнтяι¢ кנαятαηѕѕση

chapted two

Warriors and Sorceress

"We've been trailing them for half a day now, they're mostly Saxon, some Danes...maybe," Cnut said beside her. It was so rarely that Kyra was ever allowed to journey with them, they believed her purpose was within the walls of Dunholm.

"They're not of Eoferwic. They're warriors." Brida replied. The familiarity tugged at Kyra again, much like the same one she'd felt during her visions. The warriors that she felt, she was almost certain it was them.

"It's them." Kyra said lightly, "The ones I felt were near," While Brida turned to look at her, Cnut's eyes were focused, analyzing the scene.

"They're surrounding the cart, there," Cnut stated, "Protecting it and the man that lies on it,"

"Darkness. I feel it,"

Kyra allowed her presence to wander, forcing the air to move towards the men that were riding in the distance. With the small blade in her hand she pricked her finger and let the air mix with her blood as she sent it in their direction. She'd paid no more mind to what Cnut and Brida were discussing, only at the wind as she chanted slightly. The air was beginning to get heavier the more the air drifted closer to them, her eyes had begun fluttering, visions of darkness, death and distraction came at her like no other. Kyra gasped as she let go of the air she'd clung onto.

"Allow them to continue in peace," Brida's voice snapped her from the trance, as she began to help Kyra onto her feet.

"All the way to Dunholm?" Cnut questioned

"That is where they're headed,"

With those final words they'd been sent off and back to Dunholm. Brida had left moments after they'd returned, Kyra been instructed to get ready, to be more aware for when she comes back. There were to be some changes once Brida returns, Kyra felt it. It was almost nightfall, when she'd returned to her chambers. Clutters of plants, jars and liquid potions were scattered in her rooms, as she took off her boots, she felt the darkness come closer towards her. Sleep called for her, she had no time to change into her night clothes when she'd collapsed onto her bed. Washing away in visions and dreams.

When Kyra woke, the sun had barely risen and she'd felt a shift in the air. The darkness. It was here and it's owner with it. It hadn't taken long for her to strap on her boots, along with carrying a simple dress to keep her cool though out the days. A good washing was what she required, and something to block out the darkness. A Nithstong. Kyra could feel the curse that had attached itself, she needed one.

She'd washed at the lake along with the other women. When she ran into Brida, the Nithing Pole had already been created. Kyra knew that Dunholm was hers, the powers of the seer that Brida had brought back was filled with nothing but darkness. Kyra knew that it wouldn't be much fight to destroy the dark seer, which Brida had told her was Skade. A familiar feeling washed over her then. Though, Brida had also told her to keep by their side, there were new people at Dunholm, ones that Brida had told her not to trust.

As she wandered Dunholm she noticed few new men that she'd not seen before. The warriors in her visions, she believed. There were few of them, though only two stood out to her. A man, in garbs of a monk, and another, a Dane. Kyra thought best to approach neither as she entered the halls quietly, she noticed Ragnar locked in an embrace with a man. The same man she'd seen in her visions, Uhtred. Kyra snuck silently by Brida's side.

"Is it done? The Nithstong. I feel less darkness," Kyra whispered.

"It is done," She replied, as Kyra went to take a seat, Brida grabbed her hand, "Kyra, be careful around him and his men." Kyra eyed the man Uhtred, his other man, sat beside him. There was no doubt that they were the same warriors that she'd felt. The darkness was subtle, yet it still lingered around them, Uhtred in particular. There were many things she needed to say to the man Uhtred, she'd seen him many times since her last vision. Their paths were bound.

The feasting had begun, Kyra had slipped away from the main table where Brida, Uhtred, Ragnar and Cnut had sat. She had yet to speak to the Lord Uhtred, though she did to one of his men. The man Finan, he'd been kind and rather humorous, he'd asked her of her name and of her past, and she'd felt comfortable enough to tell him about her sorcery. Kyra noticed his worry.

"While I am a witch," Kyra began, the term was something she was not fond of, though it was the easiest term to comprehend, "I am not like that of Skade. My gift is that of Freya's, it is of the light," In saying this, Finan had somewhat calmed. Kyra had not ever comforted a man, it almost amused her.

"And what of you Finan, what brings you here?" Kyra asked as she stood, with her stood Finan. They'd both walked towards the door, Kyra needed air and a word with Uhtred's man in private.

"You tell me, Lady. Your the seer," Finan chided, Kyra smiled slightly as they passed through the doors. Kyra took on Brida's words about trusting Uhtred's men, while it's unlike her to ever trust men easily, Kyra could read them, could sense their intentions as they spoke and as their eyes met hers. Kyra knew the man Finan, would not do her harm, nor alert Brida or Ragnar of anything.

"I needed a word with you, somewhere that no one would be able to hear us," Kyra whispered. Finan was met with a look of surprise, though, some compliance.

"I need to know that I could trust you," She knew that it was a gamble to talk to him. Though, their little conversation and her gift had told her enough about the man.

"Of course, Lady,"

"I need a word from Lord Uhtred, if you could fetch him. There is an exit, by the gates, I'll be at the edge of the woods. Bring only men you trust." Kyra said. While she was free and able to speak to whom ever she pleased, there were still very few things that Kyra would like to keep private. She knew the danger of leaving alone, without guard, though it was not uncommon for her to do so. While Brida found it unfavorable, she was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions and to be alone.

The darkness was something of a comfort, at the edge of the woods she waited, with her was a small animal that frequented the area. A small feline, she gathered, as dark as night and it's eyes as bright as embers. Kyra fed the creature often, and in turn, she believed that it protected her. It had trusted her enough that she was able to hold it in her arms comfortably.

"You wanted to speak, Lady?" The voice of Uhtred came from behind her, with him were 3 of his men- Finan, the dane and monk that she'd seen before. Kyra read them quickly and quietly, seeking any darkness in them. She'd found none.

"That woman you'd brought with you, where'd you come by her?" Kyra asked as she placed the feline by her feet. Uhtred was a large man, a head taller than her, but when he spoke it was with caution and gentleness, perhaps it was because she was a woman.

"Your Brida's seer," Uhtred realized.

"Not another seer," The Dane man sighed as Finan chuckled slightly.

"She's of the light apparently, of Freya's blood," Finan responded, though the Dane still seemed uncomfortable to let his guard down, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword.

"She was Bloodhairs woman," Uhtred replied. That confirmed her fears.

"Bloodhair will be coming here soon, to Dunholm. Lord, I have seen your path. I ask that when Bloodhair comes, you will take me with you." Kyra said, urgently. She knew that there was more to be said, though, she still cannot decide if the man is worth trusting. Kyra trusted him enough to journey with, but not to tell her whole life story to. At least not yet.

"I have no plan of leaving," Uhtred countered.

"Not yet," Kyra said, "But you will, Lord. I have seen it, and when you do, all I ask is that I travel with you and in time I will tell you many things. Things that you'd like to know,"

Uhtred thought about it for a moment, "I will not be your man,"

Kyra laughed, a harsh, fierce laugh that blatantly displayed her disbelief.
"With much respect, Lord. I don't think either of us would like that,"

"I just thought, Skade had offered herself, and-"

"Lord, I am not that type of seer," Kyra reassured.

As they all headed their own ways back to Dunholm, she'd made small chat with the men in Uhtred's company. The monk, had been called Osferth and the Dane, Sihtric. While Finan and Osferth were somewhat warm and welcoming, from the eyes that kept darting back at her, she was well aware that Sihtric does not trust her.