*Soleil*
We walk in the opposite direction from when Siri had taken me to the stone circle. In this direction, the forest quickly become dense and the air is damp. There is a smell of still water, and the underground starts to get swampy and slick, the farther we get for away from the cabin.

"Stop here". Gudrun puts a hand on my arm, when we can't walk any further on the soft ground. "From here you have to walk in my footsteps. There are some very deep swamp holes, if you step into one of them, it can become very dangerous".

I nod feeling nervous. We keep walking for another couple of metres, before the mud turns into a dark murky lake. Gudrun stops taking of her cape and sitting down on it. I sit down next to her.

"Why are you wearing those old-fashioned capes and carrying the sticks". I ask.

"It's the uniform of the vǫlur. Tradition you know. It's pretty practical and I got a lot of pockets sewn into the cape, where I can hide a lot of the things we need when we are on the road. The rest are put in my belt". She pat her hip, were a wide leather belt with little pouches and snacks attached hangs low around her waist.

"What about the stick then ?" I nod towards the long thick branch that all three woman walk around with.

"The stick is our instrument to channel our seiðr through. For when we.. you know, for the hamram. And it's pretty practical when we are walking in the mountains. Well let's see if my kin can give us some answers".

"I certainly hope so". I say feeling queasy. Every time they mention the hamram a cold chill run down my back and I have to grind my teeth not to scream and run away.

"When Gudrun has placed the stick over her crossed legs, she closes her eyes and started crowing galdr. It isn't the kind of out of key sounds, that me and Siri had done earlier in the day, but a soft and clear tone.

And in an instant a magical scenario unfolded in front of us.

I know I'm gaping when little balls of life starts to emerge upon the bogs water. Yellow, red and blue lights dancing in the air, then collecting, forming a being. Suddenly the lights disappear and an old man step forwards, close to where we are sitting.

"Be greeted kin". He say with a rusty voice. He sends Gudrun a friendly smile, then he turns towards me and nod.

"Be greeted kin". Gudrun answers. "I brought sister Soleil to see you, hoping that you might know her kin".

"She has already received my scions memories. There is no one among us who can connect further with her".

"I understand". Gudrun answers. "I have to ask you to look in the water, if there's any premonitions kin".

"I'll see what I can do". The man look towards the middle of the pond.

The lights starts dancing again, collecting in a ring in the middle of the lake. Inside the ring the water starts bubbling and Gudrun softly crows. It sounds more like a whisper than a song.

Suddenly the lights disappear and the water turns still again.

"I have spoken to our new sisters kin. He can't contact her. You have formed protection against his kind. You have to remove this spell to let him in". The man turned back to look at Gudrun.

"But we can't do that; we would be vulnerable to attacks from all sides". Gudrun say.

"He asks you to trust him, he will protect this place and help make a new protection spell, that allows him to pass, but only him". The man say.

"Who is he ?"

"I am sorry but I can't tell you dear kin. He wishes to introduce himself". The man look away.

Gudrun bites her lip. "Can we trust that it isn't a sneak attack ?"

"Of course. I would never betray you". The man furrows his brow. "I see that great danger awaits you if you follow Your new sister, my dear kin. I have nothing more to tell. I greet you".

"I thank you kin and greet you". Gudrun answers.

Fog rolls over the lake, swallowing the man. The bog is once again dark and still.

"We better hurry back to the others and talk about this". Gudrun sigh, getting up.

"That was so beautiful". I gasp. "Who was the man ?"

"He is a lantern man. He is my kin among the water vaetter". Gudrun answers.

"Those lights ! They were magical".

"Yeah it's seiðr. The scientific explanation is that methane gas from rotting plants bubbles to the surface. The gas can spontaneously ignite especially if there is electricity in the air. That is called ignis fatuus - silly light. Luckily science don't know what causes the electricity, not yet anyway". Gudrun laughs. " one on, we have a lot to do.

"So the lantern man said I had received the memories from his scion. How many water vaetter is there ?" I ask as we walk back towards the cabin.

"You have met the elves and now the lantern man. Then there is the marsh woman, the river keepers and sprites. There is also mermaids and mermen". Gudrun answers.

"Seriously ?"

"Yeah just like there is trolls, fairies and forest elves with the vaetter of the stone and earth". Gudrun says with a laugh.

"There are fairies and forest elves to ? So everything from the books are true ?" I ask wondering how much I really don't know.

"Not everything. Our sisters has changed the stories with time, turning them into fairytales and folklore. But to make it easier for new vǫlur we like to keep some knowledge open in the real world". Gudrun explains. "I mean imagine if you hadn't even heard of a troll or an elf ?"

"Well something like finding out what a hamram is". I mumble.

After walking for a bit, I remember what the lantern man had said. "You were just told that I am dangerous to be around. How come you aren't scared ?"

"We are in danger everytime we get up against a hamram". She say with a small shrug. "When we get premonitions we have to see them in the big perspective. His warning didn't tell me anything I don't already know. The runes told me the same. And so did Marta's premonitions about the dark one".

"And you are just accepting that ?"

"Of course not. But as the runes also said we have to be patient and wait for the truth to unfold. Best thing to do is to learn as much as possible about our enemies before going to battle. You will also learn to listen to warning and se the hints around you. It is our kin guiding us". Gudrun explains.

"You sound like I have already decided to stay". I mumble. I can't forget the wolf man from my dreams. And knowing that I will endanger Gudrun, how can I stay then ?

"I have the utmost faith that you will do the right thing. I feel that we are closer to an end than ever before. It give me hope and strength to meet the dark one and what else comes with him". She say.

We walk in silence and I,can't help studying the other woman. Her flaming red hair is the first thing I noticed. You could easily think she is a fragile thing, with her slim body, the porcelain skin and freckles making her bright blue eyes stand out. But as I get to know her I realise how strong she is. And contrary to Marta, Gudrun always seems smiling and happy. Marta is very measured and collected. She is muscular, with chestnut hair. But I have a feeling that she is hiding something. That deep down she is loving and warm especially towards Siri.

If I stay I know I Will grow to Care about these women. I sigh, tired of being confused and constantly change my mind. It is impossible to make a decision. How Can I when new information keeps popping up ?

When we get to the cabin Gudrun tell the others what had happened.

"Of course ! If it is a thurse, then he can't manifest inside the protected area. I should have thought of that". Siri signed and sat down in the arm chair.

"It has been a stressful day, Eldest. Even you have Your limits". Marta stopped up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But taking into consideration what Gudrun just told there isn't much doubt to who Soleil's kin is. Question is if we dare lower our defences ?"

"What about me ? Don't I get a say in this ?" I am getting tired of them talking over my head, especially when they are talking about me.

"You hardly know who you are without Your powers. How would you understand what risk it is to let you meet this being ?" Marta looks at me overbearing.

"Maybe if someone cared to fill me in on this ? So I don't have to keep learning things because someone lets their mouth run off. Then I might be a help and not a burden". I glare at Marta. "Who is my kin ? Since you seem to think it's dangerous".

"She is right". Siri padded Marta's hand, to stop her from protesting. "Soleil our problem is that you kin isn't a vaette".

I sigh. "No it is a thurse, I am not deaf. But I have no idea what that is".

"A thurse is also known as a Jötnar or a giant". Siri smiles at me.

"Wait a Jötnar ? Like in Utgard-Loki ? The ones Thor was fighting ? Aren't they the enemy ?" I don't claim to know too much about norse mythology, but this I remember reading.

"It is important not to mix believe and fairytales into our reality. Like we are careful not to call hamram for werewolves, superstition is also colouring the knowledge of our helping spirits. Trolls steals kids, elven girls make men drown, christmas elves steals. All those things are made up to scare people to change to a new believe". Siri explain.

"Like christianity did with the horned God". I mumble to myself.

"The Jötnars was portrayed as evil giants. Thor was portrayed as the protector of the people against these powers of nature - The Jötnars. Truth is they are neither good nor evil. The fire, the water, the wind, the earth are Jötnar powers; they destroy, making room for new life".

"This is far beyond our power Elder". Marta said. "This is seiðr not meant to be in the hands of humans. If powers like this are misused, it would have enormous consequences". Marta looks shortly at me, shaking her head.

"What is she talking about ?" I gasp. "Am I supposed to be with a jötnar ? Be his kin or what it is called".

"We have never heard about anyone having a jötnar as her kin. We don't know what will happen if we let you meet him. And we don't know what Will happen if we let down our defences and let him in. It could be dangerous, because it would make this place visible for hamram and rogue vǫlva, maybe even to the dark one". Siri looks at me. "But you met him that day in the forest, didn't you ? What does Your gut tell you".

"Was he the tornado ?" This is getting weird.

"That was most possible him yeah. From what I have found some vǫlur has been able to call on Jötnar powers in battle, but none has ever been able to control them". Siri say.

"I have had a couple of experiences with the wind before that day. I have always felt safe. Even stuck in the tornado I didn't really feel any danger". I look at Siri. "It might be weird, but I trust that he don't want to harm me".

Siri looks me over, then she nods. "Okay then; we will all go to the circle at midnight and look for newly changed". She turned to Gudrun and Marta. "After you to go back here to protect the area. Me and Soleil stay behind to remove the protection spell, and then we are taking a small flight. If we get attacked, we can come back her. We should be able to hold the cabin till sunset". She walks to the window, looking out on the evening sky. "We still have a couple of hours. Good thing you made that flying ointment, we are going to need that".