By SCE Swayne
After the long cold of winter, the sun’s warmth felt glorious. I knelt by the river to refill my pot, the water chilled by mountain snowmelt. Nearby, the other village women were washing clothes, their children playing beside them.
“Siv!” Fulla smiled at me from the knot of women. “Good to see you up and about again after yesterday. We were worried after you collapsed, but Anders said you were well.”
I smiled brightly at her, hiding my exhaustion. “The goddess is merciful, Fulla. As I live by Eir’s will, so do I live under her protection.”
A porcine cacophony drew my attention away from the riverbank, and I saw Sven driving his pigs through the village, taking them toward the edge of the forest. My stomach twisted for a moment, the last time I had seen him fresh in my mind. Shattered bone tearing through mangled flesh—so much blood… I forced myself to smile. He waved enthusiastically when he noticed me watching. His arm was whole, unmarked. All was well. But the memory was still present, along with the lingering exhaustion.
“Where is Anders today? He should be with you.”
I turned back to Fulla, hoping I didn’t look as pale as I felt. “He went out this morning with the hunting party. I’m fine, really. It wasn’t as bad as it seemed.” Her face made it clear she knew I’d lied, but how could you tell the village healer to take better care of herself? “I—”
A wail cut me off. One of the little girls, Ylva, was sitting on the hard-packed earth, clutching her knee as tears welled up in her eyes. I stood, went to her, and knelt by her side.
“What happened, Ylva?”
She sniffled. “The… the boys were chasing me, and they went too fast, and I fell.”
“Can you show me what hurts?” She pulled her little hands slowly away from her knee. The shallow scrape barely bled, but it had to sting.
I placed my hand over the wound, and Ylva gasped. The small abrasion didn’t take much energy to heal, but I could feel it weaken me. I pulled my hand away and smiled at her. The scrape was gone, her skin perfectly mended. “All better?”
She gaped, then shot to her feet and flung her skinny arms around my neck. “Thank you, Siv.”
“Oh! You’re welcome, darling.” I offered a prayer of thanks to my goddess, forever grateful that I could ease the suffering of my people.
A raw shout ripped through the spring day. This was no child playing. This was the desperate terror of a grown man.
Tor, the lead hunter, raced into the village. “Fetch the healer!”
“What happened?” I shot to my feet, worry clawing at my gut.
He gestured back toward the forest, gasping for the breath to speak. “Bear.”
I ran, reaching the edge of the forest as the hunting party emerged. Two men carried their injured companion, his feet dragging in the damp leaves.
I almost didn’t recognize the slack, gray face. Anders. Someone’s cloak was tied around his middle. From the amount of blood soaking through, the fabric seemed to be the only thing keeping his insides inside. His companions stumbled, unable to keep him upright any longer, and he fell. I collapsed beside him.
Tor babbled about the bear, how it was too early and it shouldn’t have been awake yet, but I couldn’t respond. My chest hurt so much I fought to breathe. My blood became ice, freezing my organs and numbing my limbs. Anders’ eyes were closed, his blond beard dark with his own gore. His lips parted slightly as he rasped for breath, each draw slower than the last.
He was in pain. But not for long. I could sense him fading. The final mercy of a quiet death.
No.
I pushed myself onto my knees, shaking so hard I almost fell again, and braced my hands on his chest. The void howled within him. My vision grayed as my life poured into the hollow, leaving emptiness behind.
I’m sorry, Eir. I won’t be there to help anyone else. I didn’t realize how cold my skin had become until my tears burned my cheeks. I’m so sorry!
I drained myself for him, as I never had for anyone else. Any energy that remained within me spilled out to fill the emptiness. My eyes fell shut as I waited for the darkness to claim me.
I’m so sorry.
A flicker of warmth emanated from Anders, tingling against my numb fingertips. I trembled as the sensation spread to my palms, chasing away the cold. The warmth of sunlight on the first spring day. Of the fire in our cottage on winter’s nights. Of Anders’ touch.
The warmth moved up my arms, gentle as a caress, and I gasped as it reached my chest, thawing the ice. It was sunshine in my veins, filling the void in me with love and light and hope. I had never realized how empty I was. Had so much of what I poured out never really been replenished? I could sense how much I was giving to Anders—more than I’d ever imagined possible— yet I was reviving, not emptying as this incandescence flowed from him back into me.
My tears fell faster now. Eir’s mercy, was this what they felt when I healed them? This love? This warmth?
Anders’ chest expanded under my hands, and I opened my eyes to meet his bright blue gaze. Blood still soaked his clothing and spattered his skin, but underneath, he was whole and well. He was alive. I was alive. I shouldn’t have been, but I was. And instead of being drained to an empty husk, I felt energized, vibrant and golden. Complete.
He wrapped his arms around me, and I felt that same warmth in his embrace, sunlight melting the winter’s snow.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
That was gorgeous. So powerful. Your writing style is so lovely!
Thank you so much!! I feel like style is where I always struggle the most, so that’s so good to hear!! 😭❤️
My favorite story yet! Can’t wait to see what you release next. ;)
Something tells me you’ll like my next story even better 😉 Thank you!
That was so sweet. I loved that story!!! Keep writing!
Thank you so much!! I’m doing my best! I’ll actually have another story coming out in August 😁
This was beautiful <3
I found myself holding my breath toward the end. Such a powerful and beautifully told story!
Another winner! More please!
This was so beautiful!