Fenris

Its late in the evening on a warm summer's night. Fenris is toiling away at his forge filling orders made by his village's chief. Taking a moment to cool down, Fenris walks the edge of his workshop, leans against a support beam, and wipes the sweat from his brow. Staring at the moon, a flash of the woman in the wood's creeps into his mind. Fenris pinches the bridge of his nose as if in pain, he cannot get her out of his head. Was she just a dream? Is she some crazed woman who drowned herself? No that could not be. Fenris knows what he saw, he was certain. Fenris looked around at his progress and decided he had done enough and would continue tomorrow. Walking back to his home, another vison of the maiden came flashing into his mind. That moment, when she turned and smirked at him, it brought a- smile to his face. Fenris continues to walk through the village, the ground crunching lightly beneath his feet. As he reaches his door, he lets out a sigh and walks through the threshold. Entering the home, he pours a nearby jug of water onto the dying embers of his fire pit, causing all light to be snuffed out. Fenris climbs the ladder up to his loft and falls into his bed. Breathing deeply, he stares out a small window staring into the starry sky, his eyes lids growing heavy. Before fully passing into a deep sleep, Fenris lets out a deep yawn and whispers a single name while passing out.. "Lunetta..".

Morning comes quickly, the village blooms into life, waking Fenris. As he lays in bed, he listens closely to see what is going on. From the sounds of it the children are playing war, fighting with their wooden swords and shields. The farmers are headed out the fields to start the days work. Fenris begins to ready for the day by dressing in fresh clothing and grabbing his satchel. "I wonder if I should bring her something?" shaking the silly thoughts from his head, he loops the strap around himself and sets out. Walking through the town everyone greets him, and he would nod back in return. As Fenris reaches the edge of the forest he stops and senses something calling him back to the village, he knows who he should speak with. Turning back , he heads for an old dilapidated home covered in plants from lack of care. As he reaches the door, a strained voice from within hoarsely calls out "come young wolf ". Fenris enters the home and looks around at his surroundings. Lit candles cover the room a smokey haze lingering in the air. Skulls and bones of animals hang from the ceiling, with runes carved into them. In the furthest depths of the home sits an old woman with a bandage wrapped around her eyes, hair grey and wispy. Hunched over from old age and withered old hands grasping a long pipe emitting a smell of herb. Fenris slowly approaches her, bows his head, and sit on the torn cushions across from her.

"why do you come to me, boy?" the old woman says, her voice weary. "Embla, Seer, you are old and wise and know many things. What do you know about…." His voice trails off unsure if he should continue. "You want to know about the children of Ran?" the seer says with a chuckle. Fenris stiffens and looks at her stunned "what do you mean children of Ran?" he asks in a hushed tone. Embla takes a long pull on her pipe and turns her head toward him. "Do you think you are the first to ask me? No one visits me unless it's to know the future, past, or present." Taking another pull on her pipe and cackling, she pulls out a book out of a nearby pile. Fenris stares, puzzled, as Embla flips to a page and turns the book toward him. On the page were old sketches of part human part fish creatures, but these looked violent. The sketch showed the creatures with pointed teeth and claws, slaughtering a ship full of warriors. Shaking his head Fenris hands the book back "No this is not quite what I was looking for, she…" he stops himself before continuing. Embla puts the book back in its pile "Ah a young woman is it; I guarantee she is a child of Ran. Personification of the sea, wife of Aegir, god of the ocean and its creatures, known to drag our northmen to the depths". Fenris has always known the Norse gods, but never considered beings like this to be real. "Have they been seen before?" Fenris asks. Embla sits quietly at first, only to respond "anytime one has appeared, they have vanished just as quickly, but it could be possible to develop a connection with the right circumstances." "what do you mean?" he replied. "What I mean is gifts, offerings to make them feel welcome. Establish trust." Fenris runs a hand through his hair, he feels foolish having this conversation and gets up to leave. As he starts to walk, Embla snatches his hand. Surprised he gasps and stares at the old crone. With a raspy strained voice, she croaks "In a few days' time she will return, be sure to bring her something to wear. Don't keep Lunetta waiting, Fenris, she needs you". Embla lets go and falls back into her seat panting, Fenris mutters thanks and leaves quickly. What was he thinking going to see the witch, everyone knew she was insane. For now, his best bet was to focus on his work instead of exploring the woods. Besides, they would not be seeing each other again for a few days according to the witch.