A thick fog was hanging low over the water, floating on the high wind from over the mountains. Dew dripped from the thick clusters of ferns on the hillsides, and patches of sunlight poured down to the earth, pulling Floki from his slumber.
Groa awoke to the sound of a light melody, finding herself lying alone on the bed furs, save the strange creatures that sat around her. Three ravens were watching her, making her want to shrink under the covers. She had fallen asleep with Floki's arm around her, and his hand resting on her hip, making her feel strangely safe. Now curious as to where he had gone, she rose from the bed and straightened out her clothing before making her way out of the cabin. She spied the shipbuilder lounging in the bow of a thick tree branch, playing pan pipes to the forest around his home. Approaching him gingerly, she noticed how his leg hung down on one side of the branch. She wanted to climb up there with him. He looked so peaceful in that moment. And yet she would have to leave him soon. If he would not lend her his boat, she would have to take it from him.
Resting her hand on the tree trunk for a moment, Groa wondered what drew Floki to shipbuilding and trees in such a fond way. Her fingers lingered on the rough bark, before she continued walking up the path, deciding to go and explore a little. She had been in a rush the previous evening, running after the men with torches, trying to overtake them before they reached the boat. At first she had been afraid that they planned to burn the forest down, or even the cabin near the water, but when she had seen the beautifully crafted long-ship, she knew she wanted to save it.
Walking a short way into the forest, Groa looked up to see a fern covered ridge. The brilliant greens pulled her in, and she climbed the short way up the mountainside to walk amongst the large plants. From there, she could see a waterfall, cascading down from high up the the rocky ground. She ambled over to the water's edge, and dipped a toe in to test the temperature. It was much too cold to swim in. Instead she sat down, pulling up her dress to kick her legs slowly through the fresh water. Several fish swam about her ankles, cautiously approaching, before swimming away down stream. Just then, a salmon drifted towards her. It was oddly stationary, simply floating in front of her under the surface, using its fins to keep itself in place. It appeared to be hiding from something, as if afraid. What could possibly harm a salmon in running water in a place like this? Groa felt uneasy for a moment, then wondered if the fish would make a good breakfast. She teased at it with her toes, knowing it would not harm her.
The fish seemed to have no quarrel with Groa stroking it with her feet, and she decided that she would not eat it after all. Harming such a beautiful creature when it was so complacent would feel wrong. It was showing no signs of fear or distress, so she saw no reason to end its life. More fish would swim by soon enough, or perhaps Floki would have fresh bread brought out for them. She leaned forward to touch the creature with her fingertips, gently tracing along the scales that covered his back.
Suddenly the fish leapt out of the water, knocking Groa backwards as it collided with her chest. She was stunned, feeling the heavy salmon on her, and tried to wrestle it back into the water. Was this fish suicidal? She tried to calm it down, easing it backward, but when she did, it slipped through her fingers. A moment later she was blinded by light, bathed in a powerful presence, and felt instantly cold. She moved to turn around, but a voice cut across her,
"Do not turn mortal," Came the command, in an authoritative, masculine voice. She remained still, knowing better than to challenge something so otherworldly. "You wanted to eat me, you are hungry, and yet you comforted me. For that I am grateful, and I shall bestow a gift upon you. You will however, tell no-one of this, and never disclose my location to anyone. Do you understand?" Groa nodded slowly, frozen on the spot by the presence of this being, and the surreality of the situation. As soon as she had nodded, the light was gone, and she glimpsed the salmon diving deep into the stream. She blinked several times, trying to gain control of her breathing. What had just happened? Who on earth was that? Had she been hearing a fish speak? She shook her head. Madness was not something she would accept willingly.
Slowly Groa became aware of something large and round beside her. There sat an ornate, carved bowl, containing a strange looking dark liquid. She gazed at it for a moment, pondering whether to drink it or drain it. The strange figure had promised a gift, and she felt at once that this was it. What she did not know however, was whether or not she should trust this man, who would not let her see his face.
Floki appeared from behind some trees, walking curiously to join Groa where she sat. He spied the strange bowl at once, and wondered where it had come from. He did not have such a thing in his possession, and Groa had been carrying nothing when he had found her the previous day. Crouching beside her, he observed the strange liquid that reflected back a darker image of himself. His head cocked to the side as he reached out a hand to poke at it,
"Wait!" Groa suddenly grabbed his wrist. "I think it is holds magic..." She explained, a little nervously. Floki could see the genuine concern in her features, and withdrew his hand from the bowl. He sat down, waiting for further explanation, intrigued by the strange object. "There is something mystical about it..." Groa continued helplessly. Why was she not telling him how she had come across it? The little trust he had for this woman was slipping away by the minute. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her to her feet,
"Tell me what this is." He insisted, frustrated by how she held back so much with her words, yet had no problem trying to seduce him. The sudden look of disappointment in her eyes did nothing to loosen his grip on her,
"I do not wish to lie... but I cannot tell you." She sighed. Floki could not see into her like he could with other life forms, which bothered him somehow. She was clearly telling the truth in that she was unable to explain, and yet she was clearly hiding something important. He let go of her, leaning down to pick up the bowl. It was heavy in his hands, but he lifted it, and began to carry it back to his cabin. He would not let her touch the liquid inside until he had closely examined it, and tested it on one of his birds.