The stranger

"That would certainly teach him a lesson." Leif said, while laughing and pulling a face as he leaned forward.

Moving carefully, they crept forward. The distant sound of laughter and splashing masked their quiet movements as they gathered the scattered garments.

Sigrid bit her lip to keep from giggling, her pulse racing with exhilaration.

As they backed away, Leif cast one last glance toward the water. "We should leave something behind," he whispered with a grin.

Sigrid smirked, then plucked a single boot from the pile and placed it on a rock. "There."

Leif stifled a laugh, and together, they slipped into the trees.

"Where should we put them?" she asked, barely able to get the words out between fits of laughter.

"I'll take them and leave them somewhere my father will see!"

"You're not too bad for a Gustavson."

"You're not so bad yourself," he said with a smirk.

"I'd better go now, so they don't notice I'm gone. I can't wait to hear about Ragnar's punishment."

"Me too," Leif laughed as he waved, heading up the meadow.

A strong hand seized her shoulder as she entered the barn.

"Where have you been?" The voice came from right behind her—it was Sigurd.

"I just went to pee."

"For that long?" His eyes narrowed.

"Balder ran off, so I had to find him," she lied, trying to sound calm.

Sigurd glanced at Åsmund, who stirred. "I see Åsmund is asleep. You both have far too little to do around here."

"We do everything we're supposed to!"

"Yeah, calm down," Åsmund said, mumbling, still half asleep.

"I'll be watching you two," Sigurd said, storming out.

The next day, Sigurd's constant scrutiny kept them trapped, leaving no chance to slip away unnoticed. Winter passed in the same way, his presence a dark cloud over their days.

By spring, Sigrid had had enough. Seeking respite, she spent a day doing needlework with her mother.

"Åsmund can't even sleep anymore. Sigurd watches us like a hawk."

Astrid frowned.
"So that's why I noticed him being tired, falling asleep everywhere."

"Yes, he needs his day naps, Mama. He's not like Sigurd and Thorstein."

"He's not..." Astrid stood up, uneasy, and paced the room before finally meeting Sigrids gaze.
"Maybe we can get Sigurd assigned to the church project in the village."

"That's perfect mama! You are the best!" They looked at each other and smiled before continuing with their work.

Already the next morning, Gudbrand announced Sigurd's new job.
Sigurd sat tall, his chest slightly puffed and head held high—completely oblivious to the laughter Sigrid and Åsmund struggled to suppress.

Sigrid hurried through her chores and set off to Erik Gustavsson's land.

Leif called out her name while he came running towards her. "What took you so long?"

"It was my brother Sigurd. But fortunately, he is no longer a bother."

They ran together to the stable and got Fenrir out. Leif lay down in the grass, watching as she rode across the meadow.

"By the way, how did things go with Ragnar?"

Leif grinned. "I was just about to tell you! Father found the clothes and caught Ragnar red-handed! You should've seen him-he was furious!"

"Yes, I can imagine," she said with a smile.

"And now, Ragnar has to marry if he even looks at a girl!"

Sigrid glanced around. "Where is he now, by the way?"

Leif's grin widened. "Father's put him to hard labor somewhere."

"Good! That'll teach him," Sigrid said with a smirk.

As the time to head back approached, a strange feeling washed over her as she strode down the path. A sudden sense of being watched crept into her mind.

She quickened her pace, but just as she neared the path, she heard something behind her.

"I'd like to accompany you." Ragnar burst out from the trees, coming so close she could almost feel his breath.

"There's no need," she said, trying hard to keep her distance.

"I'm going, anyway. After you," he said, stepping closer with a teasing smile.

Sigrid suddenly stopped in her tracks and called: "Balder!" While turning back to him with a smirk.

Ragnar froze before he looked around. "Is he going to kill me?"

"Not as long as you keep your hands to yourself!"

He walked silently behind her for a while before he burst out in a playful tone: "Just so you know, I knew it was you that took our clothes. Were you perhaps a little jealous?" She could almost hear him smirking behind her.

"I don't know what you mean," she lied, keeping her gaze ahead.

"You can pretend all you want. I know you want me."

"Its more like I despise you, deeply and intently."

"Well, it doesn't matter now, does it? There's no hope for us anyway, not when you're set to marry."

Sigrid stopped and turned to face him. "What do you mean by that?"

"Haven't you heard?"

"Does it look like I have?"

He laughed, "Absolutely not! He's much older, I heard."

Ragnar took a step closer to her, his grin widening. "I'm not so bad now, am I?"

"Stop, I think we're crossing a line now. It's best if you leave before someone sees you."

But Ragnar grabbed her hands, pulling her closer. She could smell the earthy scent of smoke and thyme on him. She pulled back as Balder stirred behind them.

"What if someone sees us?" She said, while her eyes darted around.

"Let them see." His face was now close to hers.

"Please, just go before my father or brothers find you Ragnar."

He smiled and leaned in once more, whispering, "One day, you'll pay for what you did. Just wait and see."

She pushed him away again. "We'll see about that," she said with a sly smile, then turned and quickly walked away, leaving him standing alone on the path.

Her father and her two oldest brothers were already seated at the table when Sigrid and Åsmund came in for dinner. And they had a guest.

Her mother was busy, eagerly arranging the table, her movements quick and precise, as if the presentation itself could determine the success of the meal.

Her father's voice rang through the hall with an unusual air of excitement. "Sigrid, come and sit here," he said, gesturing toward the seat beside the stranger.

She hesitated a bit, long enough to feel Sigurd's gaze burning into her from across the room. He always watched her like that—judging, waiting for her to falter.

Not tonight, she thought. Whatever this unexpected meeting was about, she wouldn't give Sigurd the satisfaction of seeing her falter.

With a composed smile that betrayed none of her thoughts, Sigrid walked to the chair and sat down, folding her hands in her lap. She finally allowed herself a closer look at the man seated next to her.

The stranger wasn't imposing, at least not in stature. Small and stout. Sharp discolored teeth, short black hair, and his grin felt oddly predatory despite its supposed friendliness.

Her father clapped the man on the shoulder, an act of camaraderie that made her stomach tighten. "Sigrid, this is Knut Olafsson."

"Knut Olafsson," Sigrid said while inclining her head politely.

"Sigrid," Knut said like a wolf trying to mimic civility. "Your father has spoken highly of you."

"Has he?" She said, forcing a small smile.

The meal was brought in shortly after. Platters of roasted meat, fresh bread, and steaming vegetables were set before them, but Sigrid found herself with little appetite.

Throughout the dinner, Knut peppered her with questions—about her interests, her daily routine, her thoughts on the world.

He laughed too loudly at her measured responses, his eyes lingering on her in ways that made her skin crawl.

She answered everything with polite indifference, refusing to give him any insight into her true feelings.

Sigurd, meanwhile, barely touched his food. His gaze remained locked on her, sharp and calculating. From the corner of her eye, she could see him smirking faintly, as though he were enjoying the game unfolding before him.

"What do you think, Sigrid?" Knut's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her attention back to him.

"About what?" She asked, careful to keep her tone pleasant.

"Your father tells me you are strong-willed," Knut said with a chuckle. "But I wonder, are you as practical as you are spirited? Could you adjust to... new circumstances?"

Her pulse quickened, though she didn't let it show.

"I'd like to think I can handle change when it's necessary," she said evenly, reaching for her goblet to take a slow sip of wine.

Knut leaned closer, so she could feel his bad breath. "Good. That's a quality I admire in a young woman."

The words sent a chill down her spine, but Sigrid held her composure.

And as she met his gaze, she vowed silently to uncover what this man was truly after-and why her father seemed so eager to please him.

The meal dragged on, tension coiling tighter with each passing moment. By the time the final course was cleared away, Sigrid's resolve was set like steel.

"We need to talk with Sigrid," her father said after he left, sending everyone out except for her mother.

"It seemed like you and Knut got along well," her father said.

"Well, I suppose I was just behaving as I've been taught."

He cleared his throat. "It happens that Knut wishes to marry you. And we think you should accept."

"Do I have any choice in the matter?"

"We like to believe you want what's best for this family," her father said firmly.

"I agree, however, marrying him-is that truly necessary?"

"He's not that bad, Sigrid," her mother said. "There's ten years between your father and me. I was but fifteen when we wed, and look at us now."

"Yes, look at you now," she said, knowing well how little affection they had shown each other over the years.

"This man is heir to vast lands. He is precisely what we need," Gudbrand said, as if Knut were a gift sent from the gods.

"Need for what? We have salt for our food and plenty besides."

"Sigrid, there are great matters unfolding in this land-things beyond the understanding of that small head of yours. His alliance would mean much for us, for this farm. We need more allies, and Knut is a good match for our family."

She played the fool, pretending not to understand. But Sigrid knew well what he meant. Her father had stood against the king, and he and her brothers were involved in matters kept secret.

"At least it won't be for another year," her mother said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"That's not far off. Why not marry off Sigurd instead? He's much older than I am."

"Boys take a little longer to be ready than girls, Sigrid. You're fortunate to be given some time."

"Yes, I'm the luckiest in the world," she said sarcastically.

"I'm off to bed. You've made your decision, haven't you?"

"One more thing before you go. I've already arranged for you to stay with my cousin Ulvhild. There, you'll receive the finest training you need to manage such a large estate."

"So, you're sending me away?" Sigrid had to hold back her tears.

"It's the best education you can get, Sigrid."

"Fine," she said coldly. "When?"

"In a few days."

Just then, her oldest brother entered the room.

"Thank you, brother," she said, walking over to him and stopping right in front of him. She saw the surprise in his eyes. "For arranging all of this for me. I'm eternally grateful."

"But... how?" Sigurd said like he was surprised that she was so happy for the marriage.

"Oh, I figured it had to be you," she said while smiling a false smile, her teeth showing as she turned away, adding, "Good night," before the tears began to flow as soon as her back was turned.

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