Arcanum

It's All Too Much

Shadows in the house grew lighter as dawn approached. Agnethe knew it was time to start the hearth fire and prepare for the morning chores, but she couldn't bring herself to leave her spot on the floor. Not because her legs were too cramped to move, or she was frozen stiff, but because her mind was too numb to think otherwise. She sat, staring at nothing, and no longer cared to worry about the wrath of her aunt or cousins. Her father would come home, someday, maybe she'd stay right where she was until he returned. A sick feeling passed through her middle, one that whispered her father wasn't coming home, but she pushed it out of her mind. The same feeling had plagued her before, weeks ago, when her mother was still alive.

You are just scared, he'll be back soon. Yet, this time the feeling mingled with her fears from the night before and peace would not overtake her worries.

In the back of the house, bodies shuffled as her family woke. They would have to pass through the house in front of her soon. After their anger over the cold fire, they might notice the barred door and search for her.

What will they think when they find me? A slight shake of her head was all she could muster as she doubted they would take her side.

Malfrid, was the first to wander into the great room, rubbing her eyes with one hand and holding her shawl around her shoulders with the other. Attempting to go outside, she lurched forward and nearly bumped into the door when the unexpected lock held it shut.

"What is this?" she asked. Spinning around, her eyes passed right over Agnethe and called for her sisters. "Heidrun, Solaug—Agnethe! Someone come out here and help me." Muttering under her breath she tried to remove the beam one handed, failing miserably and getting more irritated. "Aahhh, someone come in here," she screamed, stomping her feet like a child.

Heidrun and Solaug came running with their mother at their heels. "What is it?" Heidrun asked when they all stood together.

"Look. Someone has barred the door and I can't get it open."

"Who would do that? And why? We haven't ever barred the door before that I can remember," Solaug said.

"Where is Agnethe?" Bierka asked.

"I don't know, just help me get this open," Malfrid whined. "I need to go out, deal with her later."

Helping to lift the beam and set it back off to the side, where it had sat for ages, the remaining sisters stepped out of the way as Malfrid hurried through the door. Giggling at her expense they turned toward Bierka and saw that she was scanning the room.

"There she is," Solaug said. Walking across the room, she knelt down in front of Agnethe. Of all the women, Solaug had the most amount of empathy. "What are you doing there, Agnethe? Are you hurt?"

Agnethe swallowed hard and tried to speak, but her voice cracked and only a small squeak escaped her throat. Bierka and Heidrun stood behind Solaug staring down at Agnethe's huddled form.

"Pull her up," Bierka said.

Solaug took hold of Agnethe's hands and pulled without success. "Help me, I don't think she can stand."

Heidrun took one arm, Solaug the other and between them they dislodged Agnethe from her spot. Although the assessment was correct and her legs buckled under her when they tried to let go. With her arms stretched over their shoulders they led her to a bench and lowered her down to it, then stepped back.

Agnethe looked down into her lap. Dried mud was caked all over her shift and hands. It itched on her face as well and when she reached up to rub her cheek, dust rained down onto her legs.