“Wake
up, my child. You are needed for the great Ragnarok, go now.” Hertha grabbed
her torch and flung it around. “Who’s there? Come out!”
“What are you doing? Why do you have
a torch near your head? Go back to sleep, Hertha, and give me that torch. The
men will be needing it when they go for their next hunt. We have a few more hours
before the sky brightens up,” moaned Erica as she pulled the thick elk’s skin,
over her shoulders.
“Nei, someone called out to me. The
voice said I was needed for the Ragnarok.”
“The Ragnarok, and a twig of a
girl,” snorted Erica. “I’m sure you are hearing things, Hertha. What can a
skinny girl like yourself do in the great battle? You my dear, are letting all
of the elders get to you with their Odin talk.”
“I am not and I am not that skinny.
What about our ma’s vision? She said we were destined to be special. Do you not
recall it? I know what I heard. I heard it in my own ears. I could feel his
cold breath on my neck.”
“Go back to sleep, Hertha.”
Hertha shook her head and put on a
large pair of trousers. “I know what I heard. I’m not going to bed, I’m going
for a walk.”
As the sun came up in the morning
sky Hertha was able to take in an unbridled look at the land. The snow was
ankle deep and the branches were covered with snow. The white blanket was so
heavy that it bent the branches of the trees, causing them to brush against the
ground. While the branches were cracking loudly underneath the heavy snow, animals
were trying to escape with their very lives.
“Go
to the river,” whispered a voice from the wind.
Hertha
turned around and looked for the owner of the voice. “Who’s there? Say it
again.”
“Go
to the river, and stick your hand in the icy waters until your fingers start to
burn,” demanded the voice.
“Why
should I? Why would I do such a stupid thing? You wish to mangle my hand,”
snorted Hertha.
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