Chapter 13

A woman's body trembled on the white snow. Rough ropes had left red marks on her wrists and ankles. Freezing cold and terrifying fear made her shake nonstop.

"Please, I beg you, don't do this," she wept as she tugged at the ropes.

A figure in a dark, hooded cloak was standing in a circle. A pale hand finished writing a runic spell that shone in red symbols on a white surface.

The figure stepped out of the circle and walked towards the woman. A strong hand gripped the poor woman's hair and dragged her towards the circle.

"For the love of the Gods, in the name of our father Odin, have mercy!" The victim wept as she was dropped mercilessly on the ground.

The voice began to sing:

"I summon thee, child of evil,

Whose anger never stops,

Come forth, from the veil of darkness

Bless me with your black heart…."

The voice sang the incantation and the body moved in a strange dance. The knife kept drawing unknown and ancient symbols in the air, while its owner sang in a trance:

"Child of fire, born from delusion,

Cast your eyeless gaze at me,

Spread your venom in my soul,

Lend me your blinding rage…"

With these words the hooded figure straightened and turned to the victim. The knife hissed through the air and stabbed the woman in the heart. Her screams faded after a short lived struggle. The hand pulled the knife out.

"I summon thee, rise, rise from the abyss…" the voice screamed.

The ground started to quake. Somewhere in the distance, wolves howled. The snow started to melt and the ice cracked.

The ominous laughter lingered in the night air.

A man in his early forties was sitting at a table. He was sipping red wine from a silver goblet. He was handsome with long, light brown hair and grey eyes. He tapped his fingers on the table.

"Oh, brother, what makes you so thoughtful?" A voice like a clear spring purled. A woman of rare beauty stopped at the table and glanced at the man. Her raven black curls were reaching her slender waist and her black eyes glittered with mischievous sparks. A red gown defined the paleness of her skin. Her lean fingers adorned with precious rings held a similar goblet, also filled with fine wine. "This is a good deal, trust me," she went on. "You need a strong ally in their land and he is the best option. He and his warriors are famous even in your lands." She sipped the drink.

The man stood up and paced back and forth. He frowned, his face expressing worries. "There is something in this plan that makes me concerned. But I cannot understand what it is." His deep, pleasant voice filled the chamber.

The woman softly laughed. Her white teeth flashed. "I assure you, there is nothing to be worried about." She approached the man and held his chin. Her full lips parted in a smile. "Trust me, Gunter. I know what I am saying."

The Danish Jarl moved away from her awkwardly. He drank the remaining wine and put the goblet on the table. "What if he refuses? He does not need my help, I just need his."

The woman sat on a bench. Her dark eyes studied the man in front of her carefully. "Do you really think he will be able to refuse?" Her voice was like a calm sea.

Gunter stared at his sister. Her unruffled composure and easy speech stirred his suspicions even more.

"No," he said finally.

"He will not refuse, considering the gifts he will receive. Only a fool can refuse when Fire Island is offered, with its famous Dragon Castle." The woman laughed gently and stood up. "Very well, Gunter. Two more weeks left till we go to Norway."

"We?" Gunter's eyes widened.

She laughed at his surprise and clapped her hands. "Yes, my dear brother. I am coming with you."

"But, Gunda!" the man exclaimed.

"No buts, Gunter. I am coming and that is final. I think we have discussed everything. I will go and tell my servants to start preparations for our trip." She patted his cheek and with a sly smile walked away.

Gunter moved to the table and leaned on his hands. "I hope I am not making a mistake," he mumbled.

Times were bad. Everyone fought for authority. Rivals did not disdain even the dirtiest tricks to get rid of their opponents. Gunter, the Danish Jarl, needed allies in Norway. From reliable sources, he knew that his enemies were hiding in Norway and had insidious plans. He needed a strong ally there. And Dean the Berserk was the best option. His name was famous in other countries too.

Gunter's sister had arrived three days ago at his house, when she heard the newest story about his brother being attacked by his rival's men. Before the men were executed, they confessed that their Jarl Asvald had sent them. Asvald himself was hiding in Norway.

After seeing his brother in such a state, Gunda suggested that he should make an ally with the Norwegian Jarl, Dean. Gunter told his men to send a messenger raven with a short note about his visit. But the message did not say the reason why he was visiting Dean.

With each passing day, Gunter felt uneasy. His instincts screamed he was making a big, irremediable mistake, but he brutally suppressed them. The trip had to be made. It was his only option.

The waves tenderly licked the bottom of the ship. A flock of seagulls flew over the ship, screaming. Their cries made Gunter flinch. "I cannot explain why I feel like this. If I am making a mistake, please give me a sign." The man looked up at the grey sky that was promising snow. The sign never came.

The next day, at dawn, they were sailing to Norway to make an allegiance with the Norwegian Jarl. By that time, the raven presumably would have reached its destination, bringing them the important message.

Gunter turned to leave and found himself face to face with his sister. He gasped in surprise. "I did not hear you coming."

Gunda flashed her white teeth in a wide smile. "I can walk without a sound. I am like a cat."

Gunter laughed at the comment. "True. You have a habit of sneaking up on people unexpectedly."

"Thinking about our trip?" Gunda glanced at the ship.

"Yes. Let's hope everything goes well as planned." Gunter was contemplating the horizon.

"It will, brother, it will." Gunda's eyes lit up again and a mysterious smile danced on her lips as she walked towards the castle.