"So, Eivor." Valka walked towards her with intent and gathered the leaves Eivor had collected. Her hands, aged from the sun and work on her herb gardens, expertly plucked and sorted and tossed away any stems and debris she did not want mixed into her concoction as she spoke. "Something is troubling you?" A sweet aroma filled the room.
"Aye, I have put myself in a situation that I do not wish to deal with the consequences of." Eivor sighed heavily as she confessed this to her; it was seldom that she came knowing what she needed to do.
"Oh." Her hands slowed as she processed the words that flowed over her shoulder and to her ear. "This must be some situation you have yourself in."
"Yes, I fear that this will destroy all that I know, but I cannot go on leaving the situation as it stands. It will come to light, whether I speak on it or not. It is best I address it before it becomes a larger problem."
Valka examined the hands that twisted together on Eivor's lap and noted her avoidant stare. "Drink. This will calm you."
The liquid thrust towards her was grey in color, with chunks of herb splashed on the walls of the wooden bowl she grasped in her hands. Her lip upturned and her stomach gurgled at the thought of putting the chunky liquid in her mouth. She couldn't tell if the sweet smell mixed with mint that snaked its way into her nostrils helped or only made the nausea grow stronger.
She chugged the mixture, wincing as it slid down her throat and sat the bowl down on the table beside her. She did her best to hide her displeasure. Valka's potions were never pleasant, but they were always effective.
"I have heard the mint makes it more pleasant." Valka smiled as she watched Eivor go pale.
"I would have to agree." She choked.
"I am still working on it, but the experience seems to help those who are having troubles take their mind off of them for a moment. I have thought about leaving it be."
"Seems like a cruel form of treatment." Eivor chuckled as she wiped her mouth. "But I cannot argue with effectiveness."
Valka smiled and waited until Eivor calmed before continuing. "You say that you do not want to deal with the consequences of your own actions. Did you know that what you were to do would lead to this set of circumstances?"
"Yes, I did." Eivor sighed.
"Do you think that you have made the correct decision?"
"I…yes, I do. I have felt broken since I traversed Ireland and returned to Ravensthorpe.. this is the first time I have felt complete in a long time."
"I see. So, this is dealing with your relationship with Randvi?"
"Yes, and the ending of it in a way that I know she will not be understanding of, and rightfully so."
The Seer paced her cabin as she thought. "You fear you will break her heart and she will not forgive you?"
"Yes. I would not forgive myself if I were her. What I have done it is not a noble decision, but it is one I feel I must make for my sake."
"The heart longs for the happiness it does not have, I understand." She turned to face Eivor. "You confided in me not long ago about your affair in Ireland. Have you once again found love that is not with the one you have committed to?" Valka's question was as pointed as a shovel, digging for the answers she needed to understand the situation. She was not afraid to point out Eivor's wrongdoing.
Thoughts of Azar's brief visit on the emotional torment Eivor had been on flooded her mind. "Azar had an unknown stowaway on her ship. I thought I was seeing visions of her, hearing her songs. I am not too proud to admit that I chased her voice more than once through the wood, but last night…I followed the songs that woke me from my slumber and I found their maker."
"Ireland has come to you." She understood now.
"I am not willing to let her go again, Seer, but I fear I will forever lose Randvi. I do not feel that she will remain a friend with how I have betrayed her, but I do not feel that we can lose her as an asset, either. Sigurd is only now somewhat close to what he used to be."
"Are you sure Randvi will not understand? Her faithfulness has wavered in the past."
Eivor glanced up at Valka and pondered her words. She was correct. Randvi had pursued Eivor while Sigurd was missing, but Eivor had pressed her to stay faithful. If she had allowed, Randvi would have done exactly what Eivor had done in Ireland. They were not much different from one another.
"You must think of your happiness first, Eivor. Your people have been without you for too long. Randvi may have filled what your heart needed for a time, but she no longer fills that purpose. Do not allow yourself to be weighed down by trying to make sure others are also happy. You must do what is best for you." She walked up to her and looked her in the eyes. "But be mindful that you do not take advantage of those around you. There is a fine line you must walk."
"Thank you, Seer."
"I wish you luck, Eivor."