Collide and Seek

by Sara C. Roethle

  “You know you can't tell anyone,” he whispered, still crouched so we'd be cheek to cheek.

  “She told me I couldn't,” I answered. “She said it wouldn't change anything.”

  He nodded again. “She was always wise beyond her years.”

  He pulled back and we both took in the people around us as we continued to dance half-heartedly.

  “I came back when I heard what had happened,” he explained leaning in, his arms loosely around my waist, “but I was several weeks too late. Since then I have been there each time the key was used, waiting for my chance at revenge. When it was sealed away, I thought it was over, then one of my spies brought word that the other clans were looking for it once again.”

  “You have spies among Estus' people?” I questioned.

  He nodded. “Among Aislin's as well. I knew who you were before you even stepped foot in Norway.”

  I laughed despite the current mood of our conversation. “Of course you did. I'm sure you knew where the key was hidden all along as well?”

  He let out a bitter laugh. “Just like many other things, the location of my chosen Salr was not mere happenstance. It was inevitable the charm would return, and I wanted to be near when that happened.”

  “And what about coming back here?” I pressed. “Was this all part of your master plan?”

  He shrugged, and led me to dance in a more quiet part of the Salr. Alaric watched us like a hawk, ignoring the invitations he was receiving to dance.

  “I had intended to come here on my own,” Mikael explained, “once I knew the key might resurface. I wanted to speak with Erykah so that I would be prepared this time. I wanted to promise to avenge her.”

  “And when the key came to you, it just made things a little more convenient,” I finished for him. “How did you get the Norns to agree to this?”

  A wry smile crossed his face, reminding me of the less sad Mikael, hell-bent on becoming ruler. “When the Vaettir abandoned their old ways, they abandoned much of their magic, including the Norns. Under our new way of living, we were forbidden to shelter them.”

  I rolled my eyes. “And you suck at following rules.”

  He nodded. “The Salr were made for the Vaettir, and the Vaettir alone, but we can bring others there if we wish.”

  “You found them a home,” I concluded, “and a trip back in time was your payment.”

  He pulled away from me, then led me to a vacant bench to sit. “A payment that took me several hundred years to call in. I've been waiting a long time for this.”

  Alaric finally took his cue to approach us as we looked out at the crowd. “You're sure we can't save them?” I asked, unable to let it go.

  “I'm sure.”

  A group of young children ran in front of us, giggling as they shoved each other playfully.

  I bit my lip, thinking of my own potential child. “How do you know?”

  Mikael's eyes met mine just as Alaric reached us. “Because I've tried before. There are other magics that can alter time, and I tried to save them weeks after their deaths.”

  Alaric watched Mikael warily as he helped me to stand, then leaned down and kissed my cheek. “We should get some rest.”

  I nodded in reply, but felt unable to look away from the raw emotion in Mikael's gaze. Everyone he loved was about to die, a reality he'd already suffered twice, though I was sure he would suffer just as much the third time around.

  It was all because of the little key around my neck. The key that chose that moment to buzz with energy against my skin, almost as if it wanted to remind me it was there.

  I felt the key's satisfaction as the thought that I would never forget its existence danced through my mind. Our existences had been woven into one string of fate. When that string broke, we would both unravel.

  17

  “Are you telling me I’m stuck here with you?” Sophie growled.

  James frowned. “I’m telling you that Aila ran off ahead of us, and everyone else has disappeared. Those creatures are standing in there like statues, just waiting. They won’t talk to me.”

  “The Norns,” Sophie mumbled as she rose to her feet. Whatever the Norns had done had knocked her unconscious. Now as far as James was saying, her brother, Madeline, and Mikael were gone, leaving her only the silent creatures to question.

  “What do we do now?” James asked, sounding frightened.

  Sophie hated hearing that tone in his voice. She’d take the overly-confident, easy-to-hate James any day of the week. He stood tall, well muscled, and imposing, even with his golden, angelic hair. At one point he had lived up to his looks, except the angelic part. An angel of sadistic destruction perhaps.

  Sophie strode confidently back into the room with the Norns, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder, trying to hide the fact that she didn’t feel entirely steady on her feet. She walked up to the nearest creature, one with little goat horns poking out of her head. The Norn didn’t acknowledge her in the slightest.

  Sophie jumped up and down, waving her hand in the air in front of the Norn’s green-tinged face as James approached behind her.

  “I already tried,” he explained. “It’s like they don’t see us at all. I’ve been awake for hours.”

  Sophie ceased her jumping and huffed in irritation. “Why didn’t you wake me sooner?”

  James shook his head and backed away, seemingly frightened by her tone. “I tried. You were out, probably because you were closer to whatever happened.”

  “And what did happen?” she asked, hating the slight tremble in her voice.

  James’ gaze went distant, as if seeing the scene play out before him. “The air began to shimmer, ever so slightly, and the pressure dropped, like right before a storm. Then everything . . . shifted. The extreme change in pressure made it hard to breathe and I lost consciousness.”

  Sophie rolled her eyes. “Well that’s of no help at all.”

  James looked truly apologetic.

  Sophie grunted in frustration, wishing James would at least defend himself, then a thought came to her. “Aila,” she growled, knowing she would likely get far more information out of the blonde Viking than she would the Norns. Without a word she left the room, heading toward the entrance of the Salr. Aila was Mikael’s number two, and Sophie had no doubt he’d shared his plans with her. She’d known to run before the spell began.

  James had to jog to catch up to her side. “But how will we find her?”

  Not looking at him, Sophie raised a finger to tap her nose. “That won’t be an issue.”

  James suddenly stopped walking.

  Feeling increasingly irritated, Sophie spun on her heel to meet his astonished gaze.

  “You’re going to sniff her out?” he asked incredulously.

  Sophie sighed, then turned to start walking again. The old James would have been useful in this situation. The new, impaired James was little more than dead weight. Maybe if she hit him over the head again, he’d regain his memory. If it didn’t work, well, it would still be satisfying.

  She reached the entrance of the Salr, and stared at a solid dirt wall. She shrugged, then pushed her fingers against the dirt, hoping this entrance was somewhat like the magical vines back in Estus’ Salr. She held her breath as her finger sunk right through the wall. Next went her arm, and soon her entire body was encased in the earth. She panicked, unable to breathe, then she was lying on her back above ground, bathed in soft moonlight. A moment later, James rose up beside her.

  Sophie was up in the blink of an eye, stalking off into the darkness with James trailing behind her. She’d find Aila, and she’d make her guide her to wherever Alaric had gone. For the past five hundred years, she and Alaric had always saved each other. She wasn’t about to let him down now.

  18

  I woke up cold, even though Alaric's arm was still wrapped tightly around me. I could feel the line of his warm body against my back, perfectly still in the thrall of deep sleep. He had even remained asleep as Erykah,
appeared for an early morning visit. Such deep sleep was unusual for him. We'd had a trying few days though, so his coma-like state was understandable.

  I, on the other hand, hadn't slept at all since Erykah departed. She had promised to teach me to control the key at first light, and that was what she’d done . . . sort of.

  She'd shaken me awake in what felt like the middle of the night, then led me outside to see the barest hint of sunlight peeking over the horizon. There was an unbearable chill in the air, but Erykah seemed unfazed.

  The lesson hadn't taken long, in fact, she never even spoke, since I wouldn't understand her. Still, the moment she placed her hand on my shoulder, gazing intently at me with her aqua eyes, I was overwhelmed with information. The images nearly knocked me off my feet, and I had to brace myself against her so I'd remain standing.

  She showed me her entire struggle with the key, from when she first found it, to when she realized it was controlling her, to when she was finally able to rid herself of it. The whole ordeal felt akin to an abusive relationship, where the abused was so far in they believed their abuser when they said everything was for their own good.

  I also saw some scenes with Mikael that made me blush. Erykah mentally tsked at my discomfort. He was her husband. What did I expect?

  Erykah shook her head and got to the point. She had broken the key's hold over her by tricking it. She'd learned to shield her thoughts so the key couldn't convince her what she was thinking was wrong. The key was an effective adversary because it could insert thoughts into your mind until you couldn’t tell the difference between your real thoughts, and the fake ones. Mentally shielding your thoughts meant the key would have nothing to work with.

  I'd panicked at the revelation, because I hadn't learned to shield my thoughts, therefore the key would know I was planning to try. It would then manipulate me to keep itself fully in my mind.

  At that moment, Erykah gripped my arms, conveying the thought, If you are strong enough, it cannot stop you from shielding. It already knows you intend to destroy it. This game was begun when it first came into your possession. It may try to convince you otherwise, but all it will take is a moment of clarity, and the needed skills to defeat it.

  I nodded as her thoughts left my consciousness. She was right. It knew I wanted to destroy it, but wasn't willing to give me up as its host. I had to beat it at its own game by learning to shield my thoughts.

  Then Erykah gave me what she thought was the answer to my problems. Mikael can teach you. Shielding is one of his gifts.

  Understanding played across my face, then confusion. If he can teach me what I need, then why did we travel back in time?

  Erykah smiled sadly. He doesn't understand how he does it, or that it's what you need to survive this. He won't be able to show you willingly, but if you can break down his shields like I did, you can gather that information for yourself. I would try to show you myself, but my shields are not as strong as his, not as complex. If you are to truly best the key, best it in a way I could not, you must learn to shield from the best. You must see inside Mikael’s mind.

  I shook my head. I'm an empath, I feel emotions. I can't read minds.

  She sighed. Thoughts and feelings are more closely knit than you believe. How else would we be having this conversation?

  I gasped. I'm reading your mind?

  Only because I'm letting you, she explained. It will be much more difficult with Mikael. He lets no one in willingly, even if he says he will.

  She hugged me suddenly, catching me completely off guard. Thank you for your promise. I can march toward death with honor, knowing that my adversary will not win. I was only able to shield long enough to rid myself of it. You will learn to shield well enough to destroy it fully. I have faith.

  I hugged her back as a few tears slipped from my eyes. They weren't tears just for her, as I'd only known her a short time. They were for the entire village. They would all die soon, even the children. I felt a pang of guilt for leaving, but in reality their deaths had occurred centuries ago. There was nothing I could do to stop them.

  Erykah had left me then, and I’d returned to the small abode where Alaric still slept. I climbed silently back into bed with him, wrapping his arm around me like a life-line.

  I could sense it the moment Alaric startled into wakefulness. His arm tensed around me, then relaxed as he maneuvered me more firmly against him.

  “Good morning,” he whispered in my ear, searching downward with his hand.

  Realizing his intent, I pulled away and rolled over to face him.

  He looked slightly hurt, then noting my expression, waited for me to explain.

  I sat up, reluctantly pulling myself out of the warm bedding. “We have to go. Mikael will be here soon.”

  Alaric sat up, pulling free from the blankets to reveal his bare chest and the top of his dark brown, woolen pants. “What about the key? We still don't know how to destroy it.”

  I looked down at my lap as I tried to think of what to say. I knew I couldn't tell him the entire truth, that destroying the key might kill both me and our unborn child, but he wouldn't let me just brush him off.

  “What is it, Maddy?” he said evenly.

  I looked up to meet his dark eyes, then reached my hand out toward his black, silken hair.

  He gripped my wrist softly, inches from his hair. “Answer me,” he pressed.

  I frowned, then shook his hand off my wrist so I could comb my fingers through his hair. He watched me cautiously with my hand inches from his face.

  “I know what to do,” I said finally, “but you're just going to have to trust me.”

  He grabbed my wrist again, but this time it was to press my palm against his lips. He kissed my skin gently, maintaining eye contact all the while. “I have ways of making you tell me,” he said, only half-joking.

  I pulled my hand away and let it fall to my lap, turning my head from him while I fought back tears. A moment later the bed shifted, and he wrapped his arms around me, bringing my face to rest in the crook of his shoulder.

  We both jumped as the small, wooden door to our temporary home burst inward. Mikael stood framed in the doorway. His long, auburn hair flew forward in the cool morning breeze, but did nothing to obscure the intensity in his rich, chestnut eyes.

  “It seems our manners have returned to medieval times as well,” Alaric mumbled, but Mikael didn't seem to hear him.

  Mikael's eyes met mine. He gave the barest of nods, which I returned without a second thought. We had to leave. There was no other choice.

  “Meet me on the path,” Mikael ordered, finally including Alaric in the scope of his gaze. “We don't have much time.”

  As Alaric and I disentangled ourselves, Mikael left us, leaving the door wide open behind him. I had kept on most of my clothing, so I only needed to put on the extra outerwear that had been provided by Mikael's village.

  Alaric was dressed in an instant, and crouched down to help me with my boots while I secured the clasps on my short, leather and fur jacket, loose fitting with only half-sleeves. He had been given a wool cloak that swept down near his knees. I would have preferred a cloak like his, but I wasn't going to argue when I'd arrived with no coat at all. The furs were thick and warm, probably warmer than his cloak regardless.

  Alaric pushed his hair out of his face as he began to wrap up my second boot. “Are you going to tell me what's going on, or do I have to guess?” he asked, clearly annoyed.

  “I'll tell you as soon as we leave the village,” I assured. “There's no time to explain now.”

  Alaric nodded as he stood, though it was clear by his expression he wasn't happy with the deal. He helped me to my feet, then placed his hand on my lower back as we squeezed through the doorway. He stayed protectively close as we made our way through the small village, likely sensing my nerves, but not knowing what they were about.

  A few of the Vikings I'd met last night were already out and about, shaking out rugs and pelts, and moving in
and out of the livestock huts. They paid us little mind, assuming we wouldn’t actually be leaving them any time soon. Erykah was nowhere to be seen, luckily, as I wasn't sure I had the heart to face her. I was doing what she asked, but it still felt wrong.

  I averted my gaze as a young girl walked by in front of us, oblivious to the peril that would soon befall her.

  “You're shivering,” Alaric commented, pulling me firmly against his side. “Do you want my cloak?”

  I shook my head and looked down, unable to meet his gaze. It wasn't the chill in the morning air that was bothering me.

  He let it go, though his expression remained concerned.

  We neared the edge of the village without interruption. I could see Mikael further down the path, standing in a copse of trees with his back to us. His satchel looked bulky, likely stuffed with fresh supplies, but the rest of him appeared normal, at least to anyone who might be looking. To my secondary perceptions, he was brimming with a grief so powerful it leaked through his well-formed mental shields. His grief become more invasive as we neared his still form. At first it had been like a chill wind, but increased to the ferocity of an icy ocean wave as Alaric and I came to stand behind him.

  He turned his face toward us, reddish brown eyes bland of emotion. I knew my face held just what he was feeling, and I knew he wouldn’t appreciate that I knew, but I couldn’t help it. I would have grieved even without his emotions helping me along. So many unnecessary deaths.

  Alaric rubbed his tunic-clad arms like he had goosebumps, then looked over his shoulder at the now distant village. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” he muttered, turning back to me. “We came all this way . . . ”

  I met his eyes and shook my head, urging him to stay quiet. Mikael was teetering on the brink, and I really didn’t want to see what would happen if he uncaged all the emotion he was holding in.

  Ignoring Alaric, Mikael turned to face me. “I trust you have the information you need.”

  Did I? What Erykah had given me was anything but clear, and definitely not what I needed, but I knew it was all she had to give. I nodded, and it seemed to be enough for Mikael. He turned from me to continue down the path. I grabbed Alaric’s hand in mine and started forward, anxious to be away from the village before things started happening.