The Winter Spirits

by E. C. Hibbs

  “That’s impossible…”

  Tuomas closed his eyes, as though doing so would shut off his sense of hearing as much as his sight. Elin regarded him as she hung her bow back up on the wall.

  “Are you alright, Tuomas?” she asked softly.

  “I’m fine.”

  Tuomas took one last look at Henrik’s drum before he threw it into the corner.

  Chapter Thirteen

  As soon as Lilja and Aino had finished casting the circle, Sigurd poked his head into the shelter.

  “Come on, the leaders are ready for us,” he said. “Everyone needs to go,” he added, throwing a glance at Tuomas.

  Elin sprang into action. Alda pulled on her coat and jammed her hat down over her hair. When she was ready, the three of them stepped outside, Elin leading the way between the huts towards the centre of the village.

  The layout reminded Tuomas of the main communal area at Akerfjorden, with several tree trunks laid in a circle to serve as benches, and a large fire pit in the middle. Many of the villagers were already there, a couple of men kicking snow out of the pit. When it was clear, fresh logs were placed atop each other, and the empty space beneath them stuffed with thin peels of birch bark. Once a flint was struck, it didn’t take long for a flame to catch, and soon everyone sat around it, whispering among each other in concern.

  “That was no troll, was it?”

  “I thought trolls carried blades as long as an arm…”

  “But the Spirit of the Lights was here as well!”

  “And she looked like a girl…”

  “Never mind that. Why did that… thing go after that boy? Something’s not right.”

  Feeling eyes on him, Tuomas kept his face down and stared into the fire. A log fell and spat sparks into the night.

  Elin and Alda went to sit with Sigurd, who put a protective arm around each of them. Then Lilja perched at Tuomas’s side, keeping a notable distance between them.

  He could tell she was still furious with him. The anger radiated off her like she had set another fire right next to him.

  On the other side, Birkir, the leader, cleared his throat. The hum of muttered voices instantly faded.

  “Everyone is accounted for and unharmed,” he started. “I don’t need to tell you that we’ve been lucky. Thank you all for coming and helping to drive that creature away. But something like that coming into our village is no small matter. We need to get to the bottom of this.”

  “What was it?” a man asked. “A troll?”

  “We never knew for sure whether it was a troll to begin with,” Birkir said. “That was just a rumour. Aino, do you know what it was?”

  “Not a troll,” the mage woman confirmed. Her words were heavy and serious. “I think it was a demon.”

  Seeing she had everyone’s attention, she got to her feet and addressed them all. The fire bounced off her ruddy face and highlighted all the strange angles of her skin.

  “Never have I seen one, but I know of their kind. They are created by… well, I wouldn’t even give the honour of calling them mages. Whoever makes one is a wicked person; powerful, dangerous. They distort the very nature of what we are.”

  Lilja pressed her lips together, not looking at Aino.

  “The demons are made by building an effigy, out of snow or earth,” Aino continued. “The mage chants life into it by giving it his life-soul and half of his blood. Then the two of them can walk independently, but he can see through its eyes, make it do his bidding.”

  Tuomas shuddered. He’d heard of those things in old stories used to frighten children, but never had he imagined how they were actually created. His stomach turned over at the thought.

  “If a life-soul is inside the demon, does that mean that the mage who controls it is surviving only with his body-soul?” he asked, barely masking his horror.

  “Yes, but they aren’t truly separated,” explained Aino. “It would be, in a twisted way, similar to when a mage goes into trance: the body-soul stays behind and the life-soul wanders to commune with the Spirits. But instead of travelling, the life-soul stays inside the demon’s form, to bind it.”

  “But how can anyone survive with half their blood missing? And half their souls?” a woman asked, her voice shrill with revulsion.

  “As long as the demon lives, he will suffer no ill effect,” Lilja said suddenly, making everyone turn to look at her. “If the demon is vanquished, he will be drastically weakened. But should the two be separated in any way – a great distance put between them – the demon will go rogue. It will roam until it carries out the last task set to it.”

  Aino’s brows lowered. “What do you know of this?”

  “No more than you,” Lilja countered. “But, wandering as I do, I’ve heard tales of them. Of how they can be killed. The only way is to strike them in the heart – that’s where the life-soul and taika is held. Hit there, and it will lose the blood and life-soul given to it, and fade away.”

  She got to her feet, twisting her hands together anxiously. Tuomas couldn’t hold back a frown. He knew she wasn’t used to being around people, but now she seemed like a scared little girl.

  “I know a few of you will probably remember me from the last time I was here. I’m so sorry for that thing coming here. I can’t believe I didn’t sense it coming.”

  “It wasn’t your fault,” said one of the men seated close to Birkir – Tuomas could tell by the similar decoration on his clothes that he was also a leader. “Nobody was hurt, and when we heard your boy shouting for help, we all came because we chose to.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement, but Tuomas blushed. It wasn’t Lilja’s fault, it was his. Tears threatened to spill and he quickly lowered his face so nobody would see.

  “What are you doing in Einfjall, Lilja?” a woman asked. Then she turned her eyes on Tuomas. “And who’s he?”

  “My apprentice,” said Lilja, not missing a beat.

  “I thought he didn’t look like you,” Birkir remarked.

  “He’s not my son,” Lilja snapped. “I took him on when I was passing through Akerfjorden.”

  “And you didn’t think to stay there with him?” Aino inquired, genuinely curious. “It’s difficult enough to learn our craft, let alone being on the move all the time.”

  “I don’t stay,” said Lilja pointedly.

  Across the fire, Sigurd shifted his weight on the log, then spoke up.

  “That demon went after Tuomas. Why? And… what was the Spirit of the Lights doing down here in a body like that?”

  His last question brought forth a fresh wave of mutterings. Some people even made the sign of the hand to ward off evil. Aino noticed and shook her head.

  “Now, there’s no need for that,” she assured, as though talking to children. “The Spirit of the Lights may be frightening, but she’s not wicked.”

  That’s one way to put it, Tuomas thought drily, his hand going to the pouch containing Mihka’s hair.

  But despite his cynicism, he found himself warming to Lumi a little. Their truce had to mean something. She had even exposed herself in order to defend him, even though she’d made it clear she didn’t want to be seen.

  “But… she won’t be able to get in, will she?” Birkir asked anxiously.

  “No. The circle will keep out everything not human,” replied Aino.

  Everyone relaxed at that, but Tuomas cocked an eyebrow. So even though Lumi had been labelled as not wicked, the protective circle would still bar her from accessing the village? She was trapped out there with the real wicked thing?

  Lilja seemed to have the same thought, because she threw him a sideways glance. Her eyes were still firm, but she gave the tiniest of nods; too small for anyone else to notice.

  Tuomas understood. Lumi was strong enough to take care of herself. And the demon might not be dead, but it was seriously hurt. Elin’s arrow had dealt more damage than anything else which had been hurled at it, even Lumi’s Lights.

  “That still doesn’t explain
why the demon went after him,” another woman said, nodding her head in Tuomas’s direction.

  Tuomas squirmed. To make such a beginner’s error as he had was embarrassing enough, but now he had to admit it in front of all of Einfjall?

  He threw a pleading look at Lilja, hoping she might step in and help him, but she didn’t move a muscle.

  “You want to be a mage?” she whispered. “Then own your mistakes.”

  All the villagers turned their gazes to Tuomas. The moment dragged into an eternity as he stood up. He felt like a ptarmigan standing out in the middle of the tundra, surrounded by archers, just waiting to be shot.

  “It was my fault,” he said in a small voice. “I was… trying to practise my drumming. I didn’t prepare properly. I’m so sorry. I put you all in danger.”

  He ran his tongue nervously over his chapped lips.

  “Please forgive me.”

  Beside him, Lilja nodded and turned her attention back to the fire. She stroked her throat with one hand.

  Birkir looked at Tuomas for a long time, then offered a gentle smile.

  “Thank you for being honest,” he said. “Luckily nobody was hurt, including you.”

  “No-one is without error,” Aino added. “Sit down, boy. You are our guests here, and as long as you are here, we’ll offer protection and shelter.”

  “Hear, hear,” Alda said. “They slept in our hut, Birkir. They’re more than welcome to stay. We have the room. It’s hardly the time of year to be travelling, Lilja, even you must admit that.”

  “I agree,” Lilja replied tightly, “and thank you for your hospitality. But we can’t stay.”

  “We insist,” said the other leader. “You’ll be safe here, especially now the protective circle is in place.”

  Lilja shook her head.

  “I appreciate the offer, but no. Tuomas and I have come north for a reason. We need to seek help from the Earth Spirits in the World Below. The easiest way to get there is at the Northern Edge of the World.”

  A fresh wave of mutterings started. Several people looked curiously at Tuomas again, and he did his best to smile back.

  It was clear the villagers were interested as to why they needed to cross into one of the Spirit realms, but they respected Lilja enough to not press her. So she hunched her shoulders forward, as though it was a physical strain to have all those eyes on her.

  Birkir noticed her discomfort and spoke once more.

  “Well, as thanks for helping Aino to protect the village, we’ll give you anything you need to assist you on your journey. And, of course, you’re welcome to stay here with us as long as you like, whenever you like.”

  The others nodded, and there was an immediate flood of offerings of food, clothes, furs, and tools. Tuomas’s head swam with the generosity.

  Even though it was the way of the Northlands, once again, he was humbled by how kind their people could be. No matter that he’d confessed to endangering every one of them. To survive out here, where the Spirits took just as much as they gave, discord and war had no place.

  “Thank you,” Lilja said. “But honestly, we don’t need anything more. Our sleighs are almost full as it is. All I might ask is for someone to come to the Northern Edge with us, to look after our animals until we return. With the distance, I’d rather go by sleigh than by skis.”

  Sigurd was on his feet in moments.

  “I volunteer. You stayed a night under my roof. Let me help you again.”

  Lilja smiled, though it was still strained.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll come as well,” said Elin.

  Remembering her impressive shot at the creature, Tuomas nodded at Lilja.

  “At least we won’t have to worry about that demon again if the two of them come with us.” he whispered.

  “We shouldn’t have to worry about it at all,” she hissed.

  Tuomas’s eyes hardened.

  “I apologised! Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  Lilja glared back at him, keeping her voice low.

  “I’m glad you owned up to it, boy, but don’t push your luck with me just yet. I’m probably the only one here who knows just how dangerous that thing is. So be happy you’re still alive and leave me be.”

  Tuomas fell silent. For as much as he wanted to press her, this wasn’t the time or place. She would forgive him in her own time, in her own way.

  “There’s nothing more to be said or done tonight, then,” said Birkir. “Let’s all go to bed. When were you planning to leave, Lilja?”

  “As soon as the blizzard was over,” she replied. “I didn’t want to overstay our welcome.”

  “Nonsense. I told you, you are welcome here. But there’s no point setting off when you’ve had hardly any sleep. The Northern Edge of the World is a day’s ride away. You’ll need your rest.”

  Tuomas half-expected Lilja to refuse, to want to get away from Einfjall as quickly as she could. But he was relieved when she nodded in agreement. She had only managed a few hours’ slumber, and he none at all. Now the fright of the attack was over, he was fading fast, eyelids becoming heavier by the moment.

  With a few more hearty words, the meeting was dismissed, and everyone retired back to their huts. Tuomas went to speak to Lilja, but she stormed ahead, not even pausing to look at him.

  Elin came to his side.

  “Is she always like that?”

  “Pretty much,” he replied. “She isn’t really used to being with people.”

  “So I see.” Elin glanced at him. “Are you alright? You’re whiter than the snow.”

  Tuomas swallowed. “It’s nothing. I just… got a shock, that’s all.”

  “That’s all?” She ducked a little to catch his eye. “She looked really angry with you.”

  He shrugged. “She’ll come around. I hope.”

  “I’m sure she will. Nobody can stay angry forever. And no-one was hurt, that’s the important thing,” said Elin. “Stop beating yourself up. Come on, let’s get back to sleep. We’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

  She walked off, so he could follow in his own time. As he watched her, a wave of relief washed over him. It had been horrible standing in front of the village and admitting his own stupidity, but now it was done, he felt a little better.

  He made his way back, following the routes of trodden snow between the huts. However, as he walked, a new thought came into his mind.

  The creature had only come because he had drummed without a circle. It hadn’t tried to kill anyone. It had just tried to capture him.

  Only him.

  Somewhere out there, in the endless Northlands, somebody wanted him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The next morning, Tuomas was woken by a sharp shove.

  His eyes flew open to see Lilja. She was already dressed and her long hair hung loose, twisted into waves from the tight braids she always wore it in. She looked different without it tied back: younger, almost childlike.

  “I let you sleep for as long as I could,” she said. “Now get up. We’ve got to go.”

  Her tone was definitely softer than the night before, but Tuomas could tell she was still annoyed.

  He clambered out of his sleeping sack and rolled it up, tying it shut with two strips of leather. Alda was by the hearth, cooking some more sautéed reindeer – from the smell of it, it was almost done. Sigurd and Elin were nowhere to be seen.

  Tuomas was surprised at himself. He must have slept very deeply to not have been woken by the scent of food, or even by others moving around. Paavo could barely sit up and get his shoes on without stirring him.

  Paavo.

  His heart wrenched. He’d never been away from his brother for this long.

  Lilja grabbed her coat from a beam and pulled it on. Her empty mittens dangled loosely from the cuffs, their red and blue trim vivid against the white fur of her sleeves. She bound the coat shut with her belt, laden with various pouches and blades concealed inside leather sheaths. Finally, she took her dr
um and tied it to the buckle with a thong.

  The bloodstain on it caught Tuomas’s eye again. How had that happened?

  It was yet another question he’d have to ask her when the time was right. He got the feeling that if he tried now, she might completely blank him for the rest of the journey.

  She combed her hair with her fingers, then began weaving it into braids with practised speed. When she was done, she strode outside; Tuomas heard her hitching the reindeer up to the sleighs.

  Alda gave him a warm smile.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine,” he replied, but a hand still crept to his throat, where the demon had snatched him. He could still feel its bony fingers, smell its rancid breath.

  “Are you in pain?” Alda asked.

  Tuomas quickly lowered his hand.

  “No. Just thinking.”

  Alda read him easily.

  “Try not to worry about that demon. It won’t get through the protection circle. And soon you’ll be in the World Below, you’ll be safe there. If the Earth Spirits aren’t protecting you, Lilja will.”

  Tuomas noted how Alda hadn’t mentioned safety on the journey itself, but mused that she probably wouldn’t be so calm about her husband and daughter joining them if she didn’t trust Lilja. Her power as a mage truly preceded her wherever she went.

  His eyes strayed to Alda’s trousers. Lilja had mentioned she had treated Alda for a leg complaint the last time she was in Einfjall. He hadn’t noticed Alda walking with a limp, so whatever Lilja had done must have worked well.

  No matter that Lilja had nothing – wherever she set foot, she lent her help and expertise. Here, she had healed Alda. In the Akerfjorden community, she had delivered him. Despite her demeanour, she was a good woman, and he had to admit his growing respect for her.

  Alda lifted the pot out of the flames and spooned out helpings. She called for everybody to come inside, and they all ducked one by one into the hut. Elin and Sigurd were completely ready; they didn’t even take off their hats to eat.

  Unease grew in Tuomas’s stomach, almost putting him off the meal, but he forced himself to keep going until his bowl was empty. He needed the strength. However, he couldn’t ignore how much he wished he could just be back in Akerfjorden, with Mihka and Paavo. He would even take Henrik’s boring company and bitter tea if it meant an end to all this madness.