I woke up from a short nap. Octavius sat on his heels, gazing at the trees.

"Hey," I said softly.

He didn't respond.

"You were great. I can't wait until we can make love again." I tried to grab his attention but he was too distracted. "Hey," I called a little louder.

Octavius snapped to attention "Huh? Oh, sorry I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Us."

I gave him a confused look. "I don't understand."

"You saved my life. That is a debt I will never be able to pay off and I won't ever get the chance to even try."

My expression stayed.

"Look, if you come back with me I have no doubt that you'd be killed and I'd be punished for sparing an enemy. I'm sure the same would happen if I came with you."

"So this is goodbye then?"

He sighed. "I'm afraid so."

"Can you even walk?"

"I'll be fine." Octavius stood and brushed himself off. "We will meet again. First day of winter come back to this clearing."

"I'll be looking forward to it," I said and closed the space between us. Our lips met one last time and my lover hobbled away. I would miss him but not for long. Winter was only two months away.

I was left alone in the clearing. There was no more information to be found so I headed back north. The trek was long but not horrible. Golden fields and emerald prairies soon turned to brown tundras and white-capped mountains.

Relief and nostalgia flooded through my body when I recognized the all too familiar path that led to my hometown, Tyrberg. People hustled through the cold streets and didn't bother to notice that I had returned. Good, nothing has changed since I left.

I went straight to Earl Dreng. The grooves of the pine door felt rough on my hands. With a shove, the doors flew open and the hall grew silent. A warm fire crackled in a rectangular pit in the center of the long room.

"You've returned!" Dreng exclaimed deeply. He got out of his throne and lumbered over to me. "You are not dead."

"Did you expect me to be?"

He bellowed a great laugh. "Of course not. Come, eat and drink, Astrid. You must be exhausted from your travels." Dreng gave me a slap on the back and I sat at the long table with some other warriors. Servants brought out a platter of food and I greedily selected large portions of meat, bread, fish, and a large horn of ale.

"It's good to see you again," said Geir who sat across from me. He was a beefy raider who I had been friends with for many years.

"You too," I responded with a mouthful of bread. I gulped down a swing of ale. "So, what'd I miss while I was gone?"

Geir shrugged. "Nothing much. Dravin the baker lost his head for cheating customers but other than that nothing."

"You didn't go hunt any Christians?" I chuckled.

"Any you find up here are as poor as dirt so there's no point. Plus, there's enough warm beds and plump women here to keep me satisfied until I find myself in Asgard."

"Drittsekk," I laughed.

"What?" Geir threw up his hands in defense.

"You know, there's a reason why you still don't have a wife."

"You could always be mine if you ever wanted."

I glanced up from my food and he gave me a toothy smile through his beard. "Nice try."

"Astrid!" Dreng called from his throne. "Once you're done I need to talk to you."

I shoved one last piece of lye-soaked fish into my mouth and swung my leg around the bench.

"Take care," Geir said.

I nodded to him and stood in front of Dreng.

"So, what can you tell us about Ashfield?"

I cleared my throat. "Samurai are busy raiding the Knights encampments. I searched Samurai captains and found no evidence of future raids to Valkenheim." I cocked my head to my quiet audience. "They fear us."

Roaring cheers erupted.

"You hear that, boys? We're safe for the winter!" Dreng stood and reached behind his back. "Here, you've earned this." He handed me a heavy purse. I glanced inside and grinned at the gleaming coins inside.

I was walking back to my house and someone tugged at my arm. It was Geir.

"Good news," he said giddily. "The last raiding parties returned last night and brought back wagons of food. That means our stores will be fat this winter. Just think of it." He brought his hands out into the cold air. "We'll be able to have regular feasts."

"The gods have blessed us. Must've done something right," I chuckled. "Hopefully Skadi will bring gentle snows this year."

Geir scoffed, amused. "Hopefully." He glanced up at the white sky. "So, you want to go to your house?"

Geir and I had never officially been partners but we did sleep with each other on occasion. I would've gladly married him but it would interfere too much with the war. Plus, Geir was leaving to help another earl in spring so it would be a distant and forced marriage even if we both wanted it.

I shrugged and entered my home. He followed me inside. Dust gathered on my table and I could pick up the scent of rotting food.

"I was going to come in here and do a bit of cleaning while you were gone but all the doors were locked."

I chuckled. "It's the thought that counts." I picked up a stone plate and blew a layer of dust off. The particles danced in the soft light. Geir's strong hands wrapped around my waist lightly. He nestled his face close to mine.

"It's been a while," he said. His voice brought back pleasurable memories. I closed my eyes and indulged in his soft kisses.

"Wait." I broke his embrace. He gave me a confused look. "Sorry, it's just right now isn't a good time." Images of Octavius flushed into my head. "I need to go see Kjarat."

"The forest woman?"

I snatched my weapons, gave Geir a quick kiss on the cheek and left. I headed out into the pine forest. It was quiet. A soft wind blew through, rustling the branches. Far above, a pair of ravens cawed loudly.

The path quickly degraded into moss and dirt. Luckily, I spotted the hut built half inside a small hill. Grey vines drooped from the pine branch ceiling. I approached the door and knocked softly on the soggy wood. A second passed but the short woman opened the door.

Kjarat had dried blood lines painted on her face and her clothes were dirtied. Obviously, washing wasn't on the top of her list.

"Ah, Astrid. I'm glad you came. Come inside."

I followed Kjarat into the cramped hut. A thin layer of smoke lingered on the ceiling and the air smelled of burnt herbs and raw meat.

"The Gods have told me of your coming. Heimdallr whispers to me and Odin sends me dreams. Sit down. Tell me what troubles you, child."

I was actually a number of years older than her but I went along with it. I sat with my legs crossed in front of the small fire. It was the only light source besides a few candles which made the space around me dark.

Kjarat sat across from me and leaned her small head on her hands, staring deep into my eyes. "Through my ears, the Gods hear me. Speak."

"Geir and I have wanted marriage for a long time but it never works out. I love him but when I traveled to Ashfield I met a Knight. His name was Octavius. He-" I trailed off.

"You came here for guidance, child. I am here with the God's to help you. Speak your mind."

I gathered up quick courage. "He was wounded so I healed him. We made love after that I began to have feelings for him. Geir escaped my mind and I didn't know what I was doing. I promised Octavius that I'd meet him in that same clearing on the first day of winter.

"Now Geir wishes to be with me in bed but I can't keep the Knight out of my head. I want to love them both but that's impossible. Tell me, shaman. What should I do?"

Kjarat closed her eyes and placed her palm on my forehead. She then tossed a small handful of white powder on the fire, causing it to flare and sparkle. In a low tone, she whispered words unknown to me. Her whispers soon turned to growls and barks while her face contorted with an angry and pained expression.

Her ritual ceased abruptly. Kjarat's eye flashed open. "The Gods… wish for you to bear sons."

"How many?"

"That I cannot tell. Nor can I tell who will be the father to those sons. You will have to look into yourself, child. You have time but I suggest you choose quickly before your body grows too old to grow children."

"I'm only twenty-seven though."

She shrugged "But go now. You have a choice to make. The Christian or Geir."

I kissed her hand and stood to leave.

"Wait, I have one more thing that will help you on your journey. Sit by the fire." Kjarat scuttled off to the corner of the room and returned with a long knife. Its blade was curved and the iron was knicked and scuffed from use. She held it in the flames until the edge was bright red.

"Lift your tunic."

I obeyed her directions and she placed her hand over my bare abdomen. "The mark of Freyja will hopefully grant success in raising your family."

Searing pain erupted on my skin when the hot blade touched me. I squirmed but did my best to stay still. It was finished as soon as it had started. I glanced down at the raw patch of skin and saw the three intertwining lines. My shirt fell over my abdomen again but even the soft wool caused me pain when it touched the fresh wound.

"Thank you."

"May your choices bring the Gods happiness and satisfaction," she said as I opened the door to leave. I cast my gaze over the slow-moving branches and brush. I had a big decision to make.