A few years flew by. I made many friends among what I now considered my people. Eric took me still into the fields for practice early mornings. During the days I would hang out alone in the forests around our home.

Though I had many friends now I enjoyed solitude over their company. I wasn't much for conversation or physical contact for that matter. The first week here I discovered something about myself that made my strange looks seem like a small burden in comparison. Astrid had tried to show me how to braid my hair and had grabbed my hand to position me. Searing pain had ripped through my body while strange images of Astrid flew through my head. I saw her pregnant only to see her holding a small child a few seconds later. The last image was terrible I saw her dead along with Ulfrick in our home. I couldn't see Eric or the child anywhere. I had also been absent. I awoke in my bed with Astrid sitting beside me.

She said only that I had cried out and fell to the floor. The house slave had helped to get me to the bed and she sat at my side for hours waiting. Ever since that day I had avoided touching anyone to afraid of what would happen if I did.

Eric and I had left each other after our practice early in the morning. I went as usual to bathe in the ocean. I made sure no one was around before taking off my tunic.

I found I enjoyed chasing the sun daily. I would strip down in the ocean or the fields when no one was around and just enjoy the nature around me. I was the happiest in nature. Since we found out the Astrid was with child I found I spent more time away from my family. I lay afloat in the cold water and thought of the vision I had endured in my past.

Astrid would have a small girl but I was sure it would not last long before tragedy would strike us. In my vision the child hadn't been older then a year and she would be due any day. I mentioned it to a great seer in our village trying to find out if the gods knew why I was this way and how I could help my family. But it didn't help me in the end. He knew nothing of my gift and told me only that he saw nothing that could help.

Day after day I lost myself in the thought that Astrid and Ulfrick would be dead soon. I told Eric of my vision but was not believed. He would laugh and rustle my hair. He would tell me, "think nothing of it Olii all is well."

My thoughts turned to Eric often lately. We spent a lot of time together and soon he would leave to fight and I would not see him for months. I would miss him a lot.

Around our people he was strong and serious. Ulfrick was teaching him to rule them so when the day came Eric could lead our people. Eric did not wish to lead but took on fathers teachings to appease him. Behind closed doors he was silly and playful with a great sense of humor. I loved his company more then any one person, he was so full of life.

Astrid would complain to him that he would need to marry soon. She would scold him for his promiscuity and say, "You spend to much time between women's legs Eric. You will need to settle soon son."

Eric always shrugged her off. He was to happy being promiscuous. Eric would tell her, "Soon" or "We will speak of this later." Often it would lead to yelling and me leaving the scene.

Sighing I kicked my legs in the water splashing it in all directions.

"Oliivi! Find you're feet!" Eric yelled pulling me from the cold water and tossing me with a loud splash. It took me a second to figure out what had just happened.

One second lost in thought the next beneath the water trying to find my way back out and away from the searing pain that shot through my body. Pictures of Eric flew by.

Eric holding his small baby sister. Eric screaming from the death of his family. Eric in the arms of a beautiful young man, dying. Eric wearing odd clothes and eating someone? Drinking their blood? It got worse as it went on times changing, Eric living. I saw visions of a woman that traveled with him. At the very end I saw myself with the same woman and two small blonde children. Two young boys with bright blue eyes. They were laying with me wrapped in my arms asleep on some sort of bench made from pillows? I could not be sure it was me though. The clothes I wore where strange and revealing. My hair was different, shorter. I had black marks on my skin. But as soon as the images came they went.

Spitting water out of my mouth and rubbing my eyes I hollered at him, "ERIC! You came out of nowhere! You beast!" I lunged for him splashing him in the face.

I didn't harm him but I was trying to exact pay back on him. Eric never had joined me in the water before so I was truly shocked by his presence not to mention the fact that he had grabbed me. He knew my rules about touching.

I was breathing heavily my chest moving up and down heavily. Having become very aware of my nudity I threw my arms up to cover myself. Since I had become seventeen I had developed breasts and curves in places I was dreadfully aware of.

My cheeks turned bright red, "What are you doing here?" I asked searching his eyes for some sort of sign.

"I saw you swim and I thought I would join you. No harm in that sister." He said smiling a very weird smile at me. But I wasn't really his sister and I didn't feel great naked in front of him.

I felt his eyes on my skin and knew I should get away. I loved Eric and I thought him very beautiful. But I would not risk my heart or my status sleeping with my so called brother.

Eric stepped forward putting his hand on my arm and pulling me closer. This time nothing happened. I saw nothing as he touched me. "It was harmless Oliivi" He assured me still smiling huge, "You know I would not hurt you? I was only playing around."

I nodded to him in return, still staring down at his hand on my arm. How could this be?

'Most beautiful girl. Most beautiful breasts' I heard Eric's voice and I pulled away from him.

"Wha-what did you say?" I asked stuttering the words afraid of what would happen now.

'What is she talking about? So strange sometimes..'

"I said you know I would not hurt you." He repeated this time without a smile.

"No! NO! after that!" I hollered, trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with me this time..

"Olli, I said nothing after that." He answered looking worried now.

'What the hell is she talking about?'

"Ollivi are you alright? Maybe you should lie down a while?" He asked me, worried. I

realized the words were in my head. How could I hear him in my head? It hit me like a ton of bricks then, I was hearing his thoughts!

'So beautiful' I heard it again and snapped back to reality, cheeks still bright red. I said nothing more and quickly as I could I stormed back towards shore and my tunic.

Eric did not follow me after that. I went to our home to sit with Astrid.

"You're cheeks are red sweet one." She observed not touching me.

'I wonder where Eric went?' I heard her instantly in my head.

My eyes widened at her. "What is it child?" She asked looking worried.

"I heard you!" I said, "I heard you think of Eric." I said tears running down my face.

She looked very calm still looking to me. "You heard me think of Eric?" She asked, "Just now?"I nodded.

'Can you hear me speaking now?' She came through loud and clear.

"YES! Oh Astrid? What is happening to me?" I asked. I would never fit into Oland now. Not with this happening to me.

"I do not know sweet one. The gods made you special my child." She touched my face, nothing came.

She smiled to me, "You will be ok. Although I would not tell anyone you have this gift child. There are those would would seek to use you." I nodded to her.

When I had come through the village on my way to the house I had become overwhelmed with voices of those around me. My head spun as I headed to my room for peace and quiet. How could this be. First I wake up alone in the woods unsure of who I am or how I got there. Second I see visions of people I touch. Third I could now hear what they were thinking. If I didn't learn to control these strange things happening to me I would surely go mad.