* * *
“I’m sorry Ulla!” Soryn shouted when he awoke abruptly the next morning.
Ulla laughed when he heard the boy’s exclamation.
Soryn jerked his head left and right, trying to reorient his mind after waking so suddenly. He had a horrifying dream, but he didn’t remember it.
It’s alright, little Maslyn. I knew you wouldn’t come to see me. Really, I understand.
“You’re sure?” Soryn was still half asleep.
Yes. Don’t worry about me. Besides, you need to get out there and enjoy the day. I hear it is sunny. Your manservant came already. He left the breakfast there for you and your clothes. His thoughts indicated a desire to let you have your rest. He did not seem suspicious, so no need to get anxious.
“Mm,” Soryn murmured as he swung his feet over the side of the bed and clamped his hands to his head—he had a frightful headache. Wobbling initially, the noble was finally able to right himself and walked to the table. Without even bothering to change, he ate his breakfast. His appetite from the day before had failed to wane in the night. After he scraped the plate clean, he changed his clothes and scribbled a note to Arna on a spare piece of parchment from the desk. It read:
“Gone to visit Ulla. Come on down when you’re ready. I think he’s getting lonely.”
-Soryn
Ooh, goody. I get a visit. To what do I owe this honor?
“Ulla, be sensible. We’ve been very busy the last few days,” Soryn scowled as he activated the secret passage to Ulla’s study and climbed down.
Alright, alright. I know you’ve been busy. I just like to give you a hard time.
“I guessed that.”
The passage to Ulla’s study was so much warmer than the passage on the other side of the fireplace. Soryn relished the warmth, especially since the evening’s fire had died out sometime in the night. Soon, he bounded up the few short steps to the study and leaned against the threshold. Ulla sat, his head cocked to the side in a strange fashion, next to the miniature sun spire.
“I’m here. What do you want to talk about?” Soryn folded his arms.
Whatever you would like. Don’t you have burning questions for me?
Several questions came into his mind at once, but only one question interested Soryn at the moment: “Is it likely that the person we saw in the woods was Fanndis?”
Could be. But how should I know?
“You always seem to know a lot about what goes on in the castle and elsewhere.”
True, but I don’t know specific details about anyone, really. What I know about this place and what goes on here was pieced together over several years of information from Geri and Freki. It also comes from my own experience. I know little about people that live in the forest.
“You said you knew Fanndis was there,” Soryn countered.
I only know that because my feline companions apparently caught wind of the information through a friend of theirs.
“Oh.” Soryn frowned.
Your little friend just arrived upstairs. Better go and fetch her.
“I left a note for her. She’ll come down when she’s ready.”
She still doesn’t like me, you know.
“She’s entitled to her own opinion of people. It’s none of my business what she thinks of you. I like you. You are a bit odd and usually spend your time making us uncomfortable in some way or another, but I like you.”
I appreciate your sentiments.
While they both waited for Arna to arrive, Soryn looked around at the arbitrary objects that inhabited every square scrap of counter space about the room. He saw many notes that had been hastily scrawled—most seemed unintelligible. Arna bounded in and Soryn turned around, smiling.
“Good morning, all,” Arna said, brimming with energy.
“Good morning.”
Good morning, my dear.
“What are you two up to?” She smiled at Soryn and glared at Ulla.
We were discussing the woman you saw in the woods. Soryn had asked if I thought it might be Fanndis.
“Well, was it?” Arna rested her hands on her hips.
I have no idea. How could I know? From what you two have told me, you did not get a great look at the person holding the lantern, correct?
“Yes, I suppose.” Arna pursed her lips and mentally prepared for the forest exploration ahead.
“Is there anything else you want to talk about Ulla? I think we both would like to head to the woods now.”
Nothing comes to mind. You two go and have fun. Be careful and remember that you will be too far away for me to prompt you to come back. You’re on your own. Also, Father Kimbli comes today.
Soryn nodded.
He slipped his hand around Arna’s and they bounded up the stairs. When they arrived in Lord Maslyn’s room several minutes later, Arna promptly grabbed her spare clothing and sauntered down the castle passage. Soryn took that as a cue to prepare for the day’s business. She returned, after giving him plenty of time to change, and firmly planted her hand on the table. Her gesture somewhat startled the boy.
“We have a problem,” Arna announced, looking very serious.
“We do?” Soryn words squeaked a bit.
“It’s sunny today and the guards can see everything for miles. The only advantage we have is that the castle’s main building is far from the tower. However, they could still walk the parapet that runs along the top of the passage from the main castle to the tower.”
“Do you have any ideas for avoiding them?” A bead of sweat formed on Soryn’s brow and a fit of anxiety brewed in his chest. It would be torturous to spend the day inside when it was so beautiful out.
“Let’s get down there and check on the hole outside the door.”
Soryn agreed.
The two of them hobbled down the other fireplace passage. Soryn silently scolded himself for having forgotten their candle stand when he had visited Ulla just minutes before. When they reached the bottom and opened the door, they were relieved to see that their hole had not filled in too much from the night’s snow storm. It took about ten minutes to dig their way out again.
“Let me think,” Arna said, pacing.
Soryn peeked through the gaping hole above him and glimpsed a flock of birds flying overhead. He was fascinated by their wings and flight patterns. The songs they sang were spirited and beautiful.
“Okay. I think if I scout out the guards’ movements, we should be alright. It may take a few minutes. Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.” Arna nimbly climbed out of the tunnel and skirted the tower’s exterior until Soryn could no longer see her.
He smiled. She was awfully brave. While he waited for her to return, Soryn stood very still and closed his eyes. He wanted to listen to the sounds of the birds chirruping in the forest trees. Most of the birds on Niflheim were very big, and their heavy feather coats kept them warm in the frigid temperatures of the planet. The smaller ones lived in great caverns the majority of the year. Soryn opened his eyes and marveled at their grace as they flew overhead. Their iridescent, ebony wings spread the height of a grown man with each flap. They seemed to dance across the sky. Arna might know what they were called, and he intended to ask her when she came back.
She returned suddenly, looking flushed. Soryn worried that she had been spotted, and raised his eyebrows in question.
“They didn’t see me. I think we have only one shot at this.”
“Alright,” Soryn said.
“He’s just turned to head back the other direction and he’s facing the village, not the forest. We have to go now.” Arna turned and crawled back up onto the highest level of snow and ran towards the forest.
Soryn climbed out and sped after her. It took them only a minute or two to reach the trees. Arna signaled for Soryn to squat behind the trunk of a large pine and she peered out, checking for movement or alarming activity from the guards. When she exhaled heavily, Soryn knew they were safe. She nodded at him and they
turned towards the rest of the woods.
“Do you think we’ll find her?” Soryn whispered.
“I don’t know. Let’s go and find out,” Arna whispered back, slipping her gloved hand into Soryn’s.
The woods were flooded with tangling rays of sunshine. The snowy evergreens reflected the light and cast a green hue over the blanketed forest. The bare deciduous trees looked like wispy fronds amid the powerful firs and pines. It was a glorious day, and the two children forgot the cold as they navigated their way through the wintry flora. Any tracks they had left the previous night were gone, so they were content to make new ones and worried only about finding the snow woman’s dwelling place.
“What are the giant birds called, Arna? The ones that make such pretty sounds?” Soryn asked, still curious.
“Oh, them? They’re called fifa birds. They sure sing prettily, but they make a giant mess if they nest in the thatch of your roof. People have to set traps and things to keep them away—especially during summer. It’s their breeding season.”
“Fifa birds…I like their name. It sort of sounds like the calls they make.” Soryn hoped they would see more of them.
Arna laughed and picked up her pace, hoping they could explore more of the forest before they had to return for lunch.
After they had been walking for close to a half hour, Arna heard the unmistakable sound of an axe splitting a block of wood. Soryn was alarmed, never having heard that sound before, and she had to assure him that it was most likely safe.
“Perhaps there’s a cottage up ahead,” Arna suggested.
Though Soryn felt a bit timid about it, they pushed ahead. The sounds of the axe grew louder as they continued walking. Within minutes, they caught sight of a stone house with a heavily thatched roof. Smoke gushed out of the three chimneys. The sound of the chopping came from behind the cottage. Soryn’s heart beat loudly in his chest and he felt he would explode from his fright and excitement.
“I’ll go first,” Soryn said, trying to assert his own bravery.
“You don’t have to,” Arna told him.
“It’s alright.”
Soryn tried to move quietly through the bushes, with marginal success, and pushed through knotted branches. He stepped into the small clearing surrounding the cottage. A sigh escaped his lips and he relaxed a bit after realizing he had not been discovered yet. Just as he stepped further into the snowy yard, the door of the stone cottage swung open to reveal an older woman standing in the doorway. A fur hood covered most of her face. A fluffy grey and white cat wound itself around her legs.
“What do you want, Lord Maslyn?” the woman’s severe voice demanded.
Soryn was taken aback at her words. Arna was stunned and stayed firmly hidden in the thicket.
“And you! Girl! I know you’re in the woods, so come on out and let’s talk like civilized people,” the woman barked.
She turned around and, to the children’s amazement, beckoned them into her house. Meanwhile, the sound of wood chopping continued in the back. The children knew this meant she was not alone. Soryn grew apprehensive. They might have found the person they had been looking for, but he had no idea if they would actually learn anything from her.
“Do hurry up, you two. I don’t have all day, you know. I am quite busy.”
Holding hands, Soryn and Arna bravely entered the woman’s cottage. There was still no proof that this was the “Fanndis” that Ulla had mentioned, but they hoped it was. As they ducked under the short door frame, they saw the old woman shedding her coat and moving to stoke the large fire that blazed in the hearth. The room was smallish and had two dark corridors leading off of it—one on either side. The woman was short, thin, and her grey hair lay braided down her back loosely, allowing stray hairs to escape at their leisure.
“You can hang your coats on the pegs by the hearth. We keep it quite comfortable in here,” she commented, busy with the fire.
Arna and Soryn did as she said and stood awkwardly, waiting for her to talk. She was quiet until she finished with the hearth. The old woman looked up and stared directly into Soryn’s eyes. Her own were ice blue and cold, like the sky at dawn.
“You never answered my question, Lord Maslyn. What do you want with me?” Her eyes never looked away from his for a second.
Soryn felt like his whole personhood was unearthed by her glare. Her manner was far more direct and blunt than Ulla’s. This fact comforted Soryn, even as it intimidated him.
“We… um, that is to say…are you Fanndis, the old snow woman?” he blurted out.
Merest hints of a smile graced the aging face and she chuckled, “The old snow woman?”
“Yes?” Soryn said, unsure of himself under her piercing eyes.
“Yes. I am Fanndis. Though, I should tell you, I’m not quite that old yet. Why were you looking for me?”
The boy looked to Arna and seemed at a loss for words. How could they explain Ulla and his ideas? Soryn was afraid he would muddle it up and squeezed Arna’s hand.
“Well, we wanted to know if you could do something for us—not for free of course. We just wanted to know if you could tell us about the Seidh.”
Fanndis pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her grey apron. The children were growing afraid she would not answer them when a back door somewhere in the cottage opened loudly and heavy footsteps entered the house. The children tensed, but Fanndis seemed unaffected. They turned their heads when a tall, broad-shouldered man entered the room. Arna blushed when she looked at him. He had a strong face with tanned skin, blue-grey eyes, and sandy blond hair that seemed to stick up on top as if he had not combed it in years. On his face was a scraggly, closely shorn beard that seemed etched into his skin.
“Stigg, meet the young Lord Maslyn and his friend.” Fanndis gestured to Soryn and Arna.
Soryn was again struck with confusion that she knew who he was. He had never seen her before in his life. The man called “Stigg” nodded to Soryn and bowed slightly to Arna. In his arms was an enormous stack of firewood. He was so tall that he had to bend over slightly as he moved about the room. Still, he was remarkably graceful and navigated the room’s sparse furnishings and people quite well as he made his way to the hearth. Each piece of wood was then placed in a brass basin. Stigg never said a word, not even when he left the room—through the other side of the cottage—and disappeared.
“Don’t mind my son. He is not a man of many words.” Fanndis smiled after him.
Soryn could not stand it any longer. He felt almost like he did when Ulla was toying with his mind. “How do you know who I am!?” he demanded.
“Soryn, I know who you are because I was the one who brought you into this world twelve years ago. I also brought your brothers before you. Your mother and I were old friends before she passed away. I was also your brother Olan’s teacher.”
Arna was surprised the woman was so forthcoming with her information. Something within told the girl that Fanndis spoke the truth. No façade or pretense. Despite her sauciness and blunt nature, Arna found she rather liked the “old snow” woman. She glanced up at Soryn who stared at Fanndis with a look of hopefulness.
“You knew my mother?” the boy asked.
“Yes, I knew your mother. Lizbet was a remarkable woman. It’s a shame what happened. It’s a grand shame. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.”
“Can you tell me about her?”
“I certainly can, but not today. I want to know why you two came here asking about the Seidh. That’s a dangerous topic for everyday conversation.” Fanndis crossed her hands in her lap.
“Well…I don’t know where to start,” Soryn admitted.
“Typically, one starts at the beginning—which in your case means the night of the fire, I suppose.” Fanndis leaned back as far as she could in the straight-backed chair and propped one leg over the other in a masculine fashion.
“I don’t remember much about the night of the fire. You seem to know
more than me,” Soryn began.
“Yes. I know, as well, of some strange circumstances surrounding the event.”
“Well, all I really remember is the fire itself and that I woke up the next morning in the tower room and I never left it for six years. No one really talked to me about the whole thing, not even Father Kimbli.”
“Is that ancient man still around? My goodness, I haven’t seen him in ages…” Fanndis smiled at the mention of her old friend’s name.
“He comes to visit me and he asks about how I’m feeling each week. He doesn’t mention much about what happened that night, though.”
“I should think not. Priests don’t typically dabble in matters involving the Seidh.”
“Anyway, things carried on like that for six years. About a week ago, I discovered a secret passage leading from my fireplace down to a study in the bottom of the tower. In this study, I met a rather unusual creature. His name is ‘Ulla’ and he’s a black pig.” Soryn felt a little sheepish telling this wise woman about Ulla when he knew she wouldn’t believe the pig’s mind reading.
“A pig, you say?” her expression changed to one of immediate and eager interest.
“Yes. He talks to me and he thought it might be a good idea to learn about the Seidh, so I could better understand what happened the night my parents died.”
“How does he know so much about that night?” Fanndis retorted, narrowing her eyes.
“Well, I don’t really know, but he said that he does and that he knows I’m interested in learning magic.”
“Are you?” Fanndis asked.
Soryn did not answer right away. He thought for a moment about what he should say. He could tell from her tone and questions that she was as distrustful of Ulla as Arna was. Still, he wanted to know about the Seidh, if only to unravel the mystery of the night that put him in the tower.
“Yes, but I’m not interested just because Ulla suggested it. I’ve always been interested in magic,” Soryn confessed. He felt the truth would go further with her than falsehoods.
“The Seidh is not just about altering perceptions. It’s also about depth of character, discipline, commitment. As well, one must have a biological aptitude for it.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Yreth, right? The hormone that lets you use magic?” Soryn hoped she would tell him more.
“Yes, as a matter of fact. Does your little friend want to learn magic as well? She’s been overly quiet.”
Arna was startled when Fanndis brought the topic of the conversation to rest on her. She looked pleadingly at Soryn before saying, “I…uh…well…I just wanted to come along and help Lord Maslyn.” Arna looked downward in the trained servants’ way.
“Oh, come now, child. We’re all friends here. I do not intend either of you harm. In fact, I am quite intrigued by your visit. You would do well to tell me what you’re up to. I may be able to help.” Fanndis smiled, then, and Arna felt her heart melting at the sight.
The girl felt some strange kinship with this woman, though she knew they were not related and that they had never met. She knew she should tell Fanndis the truth.
“I want to learn the Seidh. I have always dreamt about learning it, just as Lord Maslyn has.”
Again, the old woman smiled at Arna’s words. It had been quite a long time since children were in the cottage. Stigg had been a grown man for many years now. Fanndis decided that, for the time being, they should take a break from their conversation. Fanndis offered everyone hot tea from the kettle that hung over the fire in the hearth.
“Yes, please,” they both said, graciously.
She poured the steaming liquid with poise that belied her years. Arna felt the older woman had some youthful spirit that enabled her to be so vivacious and blunt in her advancing age. Fanndis caught the girl staring at her and smiled kindly in return. She knew the girl was fascinated with her. The interest flattered the woman, but it also amused her. She had, apparently, been made up to be quite a powerful woman in their eyes. Fanndis wondered more and more about “Ulla” and how he knew about her.
Everyone sipped their tea in silence. Soryn was enchanted by the sounds of the forest outside the cottage and with the company inside it. He wondered where Stigg had gone until he heard the sound of wood chopping again a few minutes later. He wondered why Fanndis did not offer her son tea as well. There was a comfortable sense of ease in this woman’s house. Soryn was far more tranquil here than in his tower room or Ulla’s study. It felt almost like home—as though it would be a shame to leave. This thought made him remember that they did not know how long it had been since they left.
“Fanndis, do you happen to know the time?” Soryn asked.
Her eyes gazed above Soryn’s head. He followed her gaze and saw a small clock hanging next to one of the windows. It was 10:45 in the morning. The children knew they would have to leave soon. Arna looked crestfallen and Soryn was glum as well.
“Whatever’s the matter with you two? Is the time that saddening? You may stay as long as you like,” she said.
“It’s just that…” Soryn did not really know how to tell her that no one knew he had escaped from the tower. More than that, he realized she had not even asked him how he had gotten out. He chose, again, to tell the truth. If she had known his mother, he felt he could trust her. He had to.
“I escaped the tower using another secret passage leading down from the fireplace in my room. No one but Arna and Ulla know about me being able to leave my room when I like. The thing is, we have to make sure we get our meals at regular times and my manservant, Jori, brings the paperwork I need to sign after we’ve had our noon meal. Also, Father Kimbli will come to see me this afternoon.”
“I see,” Fanndis replied.
Arna was sad that it was time to leave and stayed quiet.
“You can come back and visit me anytime, you know,” the snow woman said, attempting to encourage the two of them. “I won’t give away your secret.”
“Could we, really?” Soryn beamed with excitement. “May we come back this evening?”
She thought for a moment. The lad had mentioned the name, “Jori”. Fanndis wondered if it was the same Jori who had served the Maslyn before the incident. If it was, he was a good man—very trustworthy—one who would most likely keep the boy’s secret. However, she could always arrange for more time with the children than just spare moments in the morning and evening. It was impressive that Soryn had escaped when he was only twelve. She had anticipated it would have taken longer for him to find the secret passages she had made so many years before. Perhaps she had not hidden them as well as she had supposed. Still, she was wary of this Ulla character. Fanndis wanted to know who he was. He certainly had no business in her old study.
“You may return this evening, but I have some matters that I will need to attend to, so plan on staying in your room until I can send a message to you.” Fanndis stood to see them off.
They left, promising to return after they heard from her. She walked with them to the edge of the woods and watched them enter the bottom door of the tower without the guards seeing. A plan formed in her mind. If it didn’t work, she would have to provide them with better protection from the watching eyes of the castle guards. Fanndis found it hard to quell her excitement. She had hoped for many years that there would be another chance to help the Maslyn family. The first time around, disaster had ensued and she was exiled to the forest by Steward Asmund. Perhaps her “meddling”, as Asmund had called it, could now help set things right.
Her steps crunched through the snow back to her cottage and, instead of entering the front door, went around to the back where her son was working. Stigg had his overcoat off, and sweat soaked through his shirt despite the fact that the temperature remained below freezing. Fanndis admired how hard he worked at every task. She did not wish to disturb him, but it was necessary this time.
“Stigg!” She raised her voice just enough that she could get his attention without startling
him.
He turned and rested the axe on the stump he used to station the wood blocks. “Mmm?” he asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a cloth that hung from his back pocket.
“Lord Maslyn has found our passages in the tower. He left through the outer door passage and has even been to my study. But some sort of creature now lives there who has been talking to the boy about the Seidh.”
“What sort of creature?” Stigg was as surprised as his mother that something was living in the study they had once used for their work.
“A pig, apparently. One named ‘Ulla’. Have you heard that name before?” Fanndis queried, frowning.
Stigg thought long and hard about it. Eira, the cat, wound herself round his legs while he pondered it. He shook his head. “I haven’t heard a name like that. What about you, Eira?”
He leaned down to scratch the feline’s tufted back. She meowed and shook her head. Though Eira understood human speech perfectly well, she preferred not to converse with people. At her negative reply, Stigg smirked. He was distrustful of this “Ulla” creature, especially since it had taken up residence in their very secret passageways.
“I think it is time to peacefully end our exile. Saddle my horse, if you please. I think I’ll be going to pay Father Kimbli a visit before the children come back,” Fanndis told him.
She went indoors to change into warmer clothes. By the time she came through the back door of the cottage, her son had saddled her longhaired horse, Liv. Stigg helped her up and secured her stirrups.
“Be careful. People in the village may not be happy to see you.” Stigg warned.
“Well, I suppose I’ll find out one way or another, though I’ll try to be secretive. I’ll return as soon as I can.” Fanndis clicked her heels on Liv’s sides and the horse trotted obediently into the woods.
Fanndis was an expert at navigating the snow-covered brambles, soil, and roots of the woods. It took her only a few minutes to make it through the tree line and into the field behind the castle walls. She gave the great stone edifice a wide berth and entered the village streets without attracting the guards’ attention.
She stared at a village she had not visited for six years and wondered how all their lives would change once she accomplished her goal. Shaking off any apprehension (for, in her opinion, she was too old for such nonsense), she nudged Liv forward towards the village church. Most of the townsfolk failed to notice her as she rode through the streets. Others simply stared at the gorgeous horse she rode—blonde horses were rare in their country. When she reached the churchyard, she dismounted and stared at the great red doors before her. Exhaling heavily, she led Liv to the hitching post by the gate and prayed that her trip would not be fruitless.