Northern Legends

Chapter 8

Hilda was just about to hang the big bundles of herbs from the ceiling again when there was a loud knock at the door. Who might that be?, she asked herself and, to be on the safe side, grabbed the dagger that was lying on the table. It had been a long time since anyone had come to see her. Last time a few days ago when Bjorn asked her for help. One of his children was seriously ill and neither he nor his wife Astrid knew what to do. The little boy developed a high fever and breathing became more difficult with every hour. Hilda prepared a decoction for him from various herbs which were supposed to lower his fever. Others she burned; the vapours that came out of it would give his lungs relief. She had promised Björn to come back at the next opportunity to check on the boy. Her bundle was already packed.

But the unexpected visit changed her plans. It wouldn't be the first time that thieves or other servants had taken shelter with her or were out for easy prey. But they had been looking forward to it too soon. Her husband Armon, may he be at peace with the gods, had trained her well in duel. Even armed only with the hairpin that held her long, wheat-blond hair together, she would be able to defend herself. The silver grenade-studded jewelry looked delicate and beautiful, but in the eye it was as effective as a dagger.

Hilda stood in front of the door ready to fight and was about to open the door when a loud voice called from outside:

"Hilda! Open the damn door! We're freezing our asses off out here!"

She recognised the angry voice immediately! Who else but her Earl could it belong to. She quickly opened the door and greeted the huge man in front of her with a beaming smile.

"Hraerek! My dear boy, how nice to see you again at last!"

Hraerek hugged her, delighted to see his old friend again; although ˋalt' did not necessarily apply in Hilda's case. She would reach her fiftieth birthday next year, but you couldn't tell that from her face. There were already a few wrinkles around her blue eyes, as well as the first grey strands in her hair, but that didn't diminish her beauty. As always, she radiated an enormous vitality, despite the many losses she had already experienced.

"Who did you mean by ˋwir'? Did you bring Jovssut on?"

Hilda's question was not surprising. After all, he had announced it loudly outside her door earlier.

"No, the guy would rather stay in Cielon to warm his chicken bones by the fire. But I brought you someone special."

Now Hilda's curiosity was aroused. It was not often that Hraerek brought her someone and even rarer that he referred to this person as ˋbesonders'. He turned around and gave her the look.

There was a young woman standing in the doorway. She was wearing strange clothes, starting with her leg warmers, the thick coat that took up her upper body to the thick boots on her feet. Hilda had never seen such garments before and wondered where she came from. Her features were very fine, but from her pale face her dark eyes stood out clearly. She had never seen such unusual eyes before. Of such mystical beauty that one could believe that the gods themselves had created this girl. Her hair, saturated with ice crystals, shone in the morning light and reminded of silver threads.

"This is Cassandra Heyner. I found her yesterday on the shore where she washed up. I thought you might have some more of Freya's clothes for her to wear."

Hraerek's voice brought her back from her thoughts. Yes, Freya's clothes had kept her well wrapped and because of the girl's petite size they would certainly fit hers.

"Come on in, girl! You'll freeze your feet off out there."

Hilde went out and took them by the shoulders. Her breath formed small clouds, her lip was already light blue. She must be half frozen.