by K.E. Rodgers
***
Hin Sal Felagi (The Soul-Mate)
“Why on the gods wintery earth would you agree to that woman’s demands? Is she some kind of witch that’s turned you into an addle-minded simpleton?” Álfr aired this day’s grievance as they continued through the Black Woods several hrosses behind Kári and her companions, which he had been informally introduced to as his guards were being released from their capture.
Álfr continued to grouse about the woman who in his eyes was no better than the Red Rebels who had troubled them the entire journey to the Eastern capital. In truth, Aõalríkr hadn’t thought much of the agreement he had committed himself to in order to accept her services. At the time it had seemed the easiest way to subdue the anger in this mysterious woman’s fetching eyes. The fact that he was mulling over those same fetching eyes made him consider Álfr’s assessment of Kári as possibly true.
Aõalríkr had no doubts about the possibility of princess Sefa finding him more than acceptable as a husband. It wasn’t arrogance that kept him assured of her acceptance, just simple truth based on the testimony of every eligibly unwed female in his father’s kingdom. He was going in to this potential engagement with a sure and winning hand. Yet at the same time, Aõalríkr held back a deep truth from himself and the others that he wouldn’t mind losing this once.
“There is no chance that either the princess or her uncle will find fault with me,” Aõalríkr explained to Álfr confidently. “We’re not risking anything by accepting her absurd condition. And when you’re standing next to me at the wedding alter you’ll realize that I was right all along.”
His childhood friend gave him a hard stare as they rode along side each other through an open pass. “I am seriously considering the woman was correct when she called you pompous. You’re more self-assured than the gods themselves and that my friend is not a good quality to have.”
“And you are as fatalistic as they come, friend.”
Álfr shook his head in disappointment of his friend’s overconfidence. In his experience when one became so sure of the outcome that in their mind there was no other possible outcome that was when the Norns would sweep in to turn your expectations on its side.
He was forced to move back behind his prince as they made their way through the dense foliage.
Several hrosses ahead, Kári led the now expanded party toward the Eastern capital. Her men had reluctantly released their prisoners upon her orders, which she had discreetly directed through Finnr, grudgingly accepting these western citizens into their camp. So far there hadn’t been any casualties upon banding together for this journey, but then the day wasn’t over yet.
“I’m surprised you’re willingly escorting your sister’s future husband to her,” Finnr remarked as they crossed through a narrow strip of open trail. He was riding just behind her with Eymundr just behind him. The western guards had situated themselves behind and in front of their prince, isolating him from their rag tag group of Eastern followers.
“Actually, when I saw you returning from the clearing with him and the shape-shifter I was sure I was seeing things.”
Kári turned around in her saddle to give a questioning stare. “And what did you see that surprised you so, Finnr? That I hadn’t loped his head off?”
He chuckled as he shifted on his hross. “No, though I have to admit that did cross my mind at first. No, what I mean is that in all my life or yours I have never seen you sit upon another’s hross especially not with another riding it with you. You have to admit it was a sight to see you with the prince and there was no doubt that you were holding onto him rather tightly.”
Kári made a terrible face, turning forward with a huff of indignation. “I was holding on because I thought I would slip off the back. His hross doesn’t like me very much and I was sure it would try any means to eject me from its body.”
“And the reason you accepted being on his hross in the first place?” Finnr questioned with a sly smile. She couldn’t see it, but Kári knew it was there all the same.
“It was the fasted means of travel back to all of you. Besides what would you have suggested; I ride on the back of that great dog? I think not.”
“Rationalize it however you like, princess. The truth will come out in the end.”
Kári’s hross was jerked around by the sure movement of her hand. The result of which halted the band of her followers and the smaller western party. Suddenly several voices could be heard from the crowd behind them at the unexpected need to stop. She refused to hear their complaints.
“As long as we are on this journey do not ever accidently or intentionally call me that word again. I’m very serious about this. They think I’m just a ladies companion turned camp follower by my half-brother who leads us. That’s you by the way. And now we’re returning home to our simple and humble lives. I hope that’s simple enough for you to remember.” With that she turned her hross around and directed the animal forward.
“Oh the lies we weave to save our pride.” Finnr scratched the stubble over his chin as a thought occurred to him.
He was a friend of the Haldis family. Even though he was of lower class, Finnr always felt the family treated him with the respect of a trusted friend and not a servant. He would do practically anything for them. His rare gift with the Norns and their world allowed him to see the fate of the world and its people. It did not however mean that he could change the desires of the Norns, for their desires were not easily swayed. A person’s fate rested partly upon their own shoulders, but much was directed by the hands of the Norns.
In the sleeping world of men was where the Norns spent most of their time. They traveled through the minds of the sleeping stirring up trouble and sometimes making great events happen. Ultimately, though, the success or failure of the world and its occupants lies with the will of the dreamer to make what was a dream into a truth. But every dreamer needs a little help from time to time. Finnr, a dream-speaker, had a thought to motivate two stubborn individuals to their fated futures.
