The Winter

Chapter 17

My hand slipped from Hati’s so I could get a closer look. He allowed a few steps of distance before I sensed him turn to watch me, shifting anxiously on his feet.

Awe and wonder filled me as I was certain the rabbit in white thread had definitely leaped to the other side of the woven image. I grinned and turned in a slow circle, eyes trying to catch every magnificent detail so I could describe it for my family when I returned home. No words would be able to do it justice but I would try.

“This is not a place to linger,” Hati called, hand outstretched for me.

“I’m coming,” I murmured, walking backwards even while I tried to decipher the meaning of a tapestry in which Freyja, I guessed by the two lynx at her feet, had her hand held up to what appeared to be a breath of air in golden thread that ebbed and glowed with real light. Something in my gut twisted as I stared at it, like I was looking at something I should remember but couldn’t. It wasn’t a scene from any story my father had ever told me.

Hati grabbed my hand, tearing me from the feeling that had settled over me in a chill with a firm yank to get me moving again. Golden eyes cast over me in concern, darting to the image I’d been entranced by then back at me.

The next set of doors we were led through were smaller, but still so large that I was sure they were made so giants could fit through. Walking through them was like entering yet another realm.

A rainbow streamed across the room, formed by sunlight fracturing on a strange cut ball of glass hanging high above. The sun warmed the side of my face as we made our way further in, large windows making the room bright and welcoming. Painted walls made it feel more like a garden than a room, every inch of space between the windows on the right covered in vibrant scenes of spring; green vines climbing around the frames with life-like flowers blooming all around.

On the left were scenes of a harvest at sunset in shades of yellow, brown and orange, the details caught with the smallest strokes of a brush so that it appeared the wheat truly was swaying in the wind, undulating and flowing like waves across the sea.

“My lady.” Hati stopped in the middle of the hall and bowed, though he was careful to make it clear it was out of respect and not submission.

Vali remained a step behind us, hunched as if that would stop the glowing goddess I now noticed sitting on a wooden throne from noticing him. She was flanked by another woman in a dress of rich blue and a golden band around her head, her eyes the same golden brown colour as the leaves that fall in autumn. Gná took her place on the other side of the seated goddess, her spear thudding against the ground as she rooted it in place, fingers curling tight around the wood.

Numb with the shock of finally facing the deity who was responsible for my existence, I was unable to emulate the curtsies Ingrid had taught me. I struggled to so much as find the will to look when I feared doing so would make everything I’d been through all too real. All too inevitable. I suddenly wished I’d taken Vali’s approach and chosen to linger behind.

“Your manners have improved greatly since our last encounter, Hati Hróðvitnisson, son of Fenrir.” Her voice was soft and melodic as she greeted my mate, but the warmth of kindness and perhaps even affection did not put me at ease.

Hati chuckled. “I would like to say I have grown and learned much since I last had the honour of being in your presence, My Lady. This time I would leave with you smiling and certain we are on the same side.”