I woke up with a pounding headache, taking a moment to gather my bearings and remember where I was. The reality of my situation quickly sank in as I glanced at the empty side of the bed, and tears welled up in my eyes. I was hoping that Michael and our adventures would be just a distant dream, but here I was, still trapped in this unfamiliar time. The longing to return home consumed me, and I yearned for it more than ever.
It was still dark outside as I rose from the bed, making my way to the window. The first hints of the rising sun painted the fields in soft hues. The chill in the air seeped through, prompting me to wrap myself in animal skins for warmth. I gazed at the dying embers in the fireplace and decided to revive the flame. Prodding the charcoal, sparks ignited, gradually turning into a small fire that provided me with much-needed warmth.
Contemplating my next move, I realised that today they would be taking me to the City for the millennial celebration at the Cathedral. It occurred to me that if Michael were alright, there was a chance he would search for me there. However, the prospect of meeting the Varangians posed a challenge, as they would have no knowledge of who I truly was. Perhaps it was time to create a cover story, an identity as a Viking lady that wouldn't arouse suspicion.
Engaging with my AI, I delved into research on the various Viking tribes and dynasties of the time, immersing myself in their histories. As exhaustion set in, I unintentionally drifted off to sleep. Startling awake, I heard a knock on my door, and breakfast was delivered to my room. I used the AI to project a dress similar to the one I had worn upon arrival, finding it far more comfortable and warmer than the tattered Egyptian wedding dress.
Once I had finished eating, I ventured outside, where I met Boleslaw surrounded by a group of men and women preparing to depart. They were climbing into carriages and mounting horses. Boleslaw greeted me warmly and assisted me in climbing into one of the carriages. Soon, we set off toward the City, the journey proving to be short as we entered the walls of the bustling town. The entire place was adorned with vibrant decorations for the millennial celebration. Purple tapestries hung from the walls, flags fluttered in countless windows, and intricate crests were carved onto wooden and metal fixtures adorning the doors. We stopped just outside the lively marketplace, and everyone began to disembark from the carriages.
Huddled together, we scanned the surrounding crowd, searching for any sign of Michael. The noise was a symphony of voices conversing, market stalls bustling with activity, and children's laughter filling the air. I peered through the throng of people, desperately hoping to catch sight of him.
Boleslaw approached and instructed, "Lady Bethania, please follow me." I obliged, and together we weaved our way through the marketplace, navigating through the bustling crowd. Eventually, we came to a halt in front of one of the stalls. Boleslaw called out to a young man who appeared to be rummaging through a large bag at the back.
"Arne! Arne!"
"Just a second!" he shouted, still engrossed in the bag's contents. Finally, he extricated himself and I noticed his tall, slender frame, prominent ears, and a wide grin as he turned to Boleslaw.
"Ah, Boleslaw, my friend! What brings you here? Care for some northern delights?"
"Not today, Arne. This is Lady Bethania, also a Varangian! I was hoping you might be able to assist her in returning home," Boleslaw explained.
The young man scrutinised me suspiciously before speaking. "Where are you from, my lady?"
I could feel the AI in my ear switching to Norse, flooding my mind with the language necessary to respond. Thankfully, I had prepared myself through research. It seemed this would be a test of my knowledge.
I greeted him with a nod. "I am from Birka. I have been traveling with my father for the celebration. Have you seen him?"
"No, my lady. And who is your Earl in Birka?"
"My Earl of Lade is Olof Skötkonung, naturally."
"And what is your father's position in his court?"
"He is an advisor," I replied, giving him a subtle look to convey my reluctance to delve further into the matter.
"My lady, do you happen to know another advisor named Fjölnir?" he asked, with a knowing smile.
I paused, sensing that this was another test. Discreetly, I activated my AI and repeated the name. I discovered that Fjölnir Yngling was one of the legendary kings of Sweden...
"Are you asking if I know Fjölnir Yngling?" I looked at him with a smile and continued, "I do not know him personally. However, I hope the wisdom of his life serves as a valuable asset to Earl Olof."
He nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Boleslaw, switching back to their shared language. "I know that Olof Skötkonung is on this side of the sea. He has summoned some of his men based here in town to join him and his forces in Mecklenburg. Lady Bethania can join them." He turned to me and asked, "Would your father perhaps depart to join him there?"
"I don't know... I don't think he would leave me here alone. But... perhaps the Earl called for him. Maybe he didn't have a choice?" I replied, sadness and worry evident in my voice.
"Don't worry, lady. I will ensure you are returned home," the young man reassured me.
Boleslaw addressed Arne and myself. "For now, Lady Bethania, you can stay with my family. Arne, make the necessary arrangements with your people, and once you are ready, you can come to collect her. We will take her to the Cathedral for now. It would be a shame for her to miss the celebrations, and perhaps someone will recognize her. Thank you, Arne."
Arne nodded in response. As we turned to leave, he reached out and caught Boleslaw's arm. "Take care of her. She undoubtedly speaks our language, knows our history, and if she is who she claims to be, our king himself may inquire about her." Boleslaw nodded, and we left Arne amidst the bustling market, moving with the crowd toward the Cathedral.
The festivities were long but captivating, and although I kept my eyes open for Michael, I couldn't help but be swept away by the enchantment of the occasion. The day passed, and we returned to Boleslaw's home. Michael was nowhere to be found. During dinner, I decided to express my concerns to Boleslaw.
"I am worried about my father. Perhaps something happened to him when we got separated in the forest. I was fortunate to meet you, but it's possible that my father never made it out. He is a brave and skilled fighter, but none of us knows when our fate will catch up with us. I would like to go back to the forest at dawn tomorrow, maybe I can find some clues as to what happened."
"It is dangerous, my lady. Please allow me to accompany you," Boleslaw insisted.
"If you are able and willing, I would appreciate your assistance," I replied gratefully.
"Very well, then. We shall do that tomorrow."
The next morning, we returned to the forest. I was grateful for the horse riding lessons I had taken as a child; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to maintain this charade.
We reached the spot where I was attacked by the animal. Dismounting from my horse, I retraced my steps to the place where I first spotted the creature. From there, I followed Michael's trail after our separation. Fortunately, the muddy ground made it easier to discern his path. Tracking was not my forte. As we walked for a few minutes, I noticed Michael's clothes under a tree. With Boleslaw close behind, I ran towards them.
I found Michael's jacket, and inside it were two colorful, glittery eggs. He always kept these in his boots. I checked the pockets and discovered some powder and other equipment...
"It's my father's... He wouldn't leave it here. Unless he was facing danger and left it for me..." I explained.
"So you believe he encountered his adversary, had time to plan and prepare, and left these items for you?" Boleslaw inquired. I nodded in confirmation.
Continuing on, Boleslaw walked past the tree, examining the ground and the surrounding bushes. While he did so, I quickly zipped up the pockets of Michael's jacket, ensuring the eggs were securely enclosed. Holding the jacket carefully, I followed Boleslaw.
After a while, he stopped in the middle of a clearing, looking around intently. "This is where your father's trail ends. I can see his tracks leading from there to here. There seems to be another person present, but I can't discern where they came from or where they went. The trail simply vanishes..."
"My people are skilled at hiding their tracks..." I murmured, thinking of Isabel. It must have been her. She must have taken him. She knew I was with him. I knew he would find a way to come back for me. I am important for history; they can't just abandon me here, can they?
Boleslaw's voice broke through my thoughts. "You collect eggs?" He raised his eyebrows, noticing Michael's jacket in my arms.
"My father does... he collects them."
"Why?"
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure... He values them for some reason... Why do you ask?"
"Oh, it's nothing... Those things, when they're buried in the ground... they stink. But it seems like only my nose is sensitive to the odour. When I was a child, my cousins and I, along with the other boys from my household, would go out and hunt for those things. We would dig them up. I remember one summer, we had a huge pile of them. The adults didn't know what to do with them," he chuckled.
"And what happened to them in the end?"
"I don't know... I think they might still be in a barn," he replied as he helped me back onto the horse. We rode back in silence, but a sense of unease churned in my stomach.
Throughout the journey back to Boleslaw's home, my mind raced. What should I do now? I couldn't continue pretending to be this Viking lady forever. I wouldn't be able to sustain the web of lies. I didn't want to live like this. I needed to return to my family. They would think I had abandoned them.
Once we left the horses in the barn and began walking back to the house, Boleslaw spoke up. "I know you're worried... I can send men to expand the search for your father. Or if you believe he's been captured by someone in the clearing, maybe you have some clues? I'm sure once we inform your people, they will support you in rescuing him."
"Thank you, but no," I replied, surprising him. I continued,
"I suspect the person who took my father, if indeed he has been taken. If that's the case, I will never be able to find him. Only he himself will be able to escape. He has done it before, many times. I just have to hope that he will do so again... and then... he will find me."
As we approached the house, a commotion filled the air. People were running, shouting, and some were even crying.
"What's happening?" Boleslaw asked anxiously, rushing towards the house. One of the men standing in the doorway responded, "Your father collapsed. They say he's gone." My eyes widened, and I hurried after Boleslaw as he dashed into the main hall.
His father lay on the ground, surrounded by men and women. Some were on their knees, crying and holding his hand. We rushed to their side, and a sobbing woman spoke through her tears, "He was fine. We had just finished eating, and he was telling me about the taxes, and then he just collapsed, just now, for no reason."
"Just now?" I asked, seeking clarification.
"Yes."
"Move!" I commanded, taking control of the situation.
She stepped aside, and I checked his pulse—it was still there. I checked his breathing—nothing. He wasn't breathing. I immediately checked his airways, opening his mouth—empty. I carefully tilted his head back into the proper position. I checked his pulse again—it was still there, but faint.
"Everyone, step away! Give me some space. I need all the windows open, now!" I shouted, realising they were too stunned to move. I looked at Boleslaw and instructed, "Anyone who isn't needed should leave immediately. And I need that tablecloth, quickly!" I pointed towards the table. Sensing the urgency in my voice, Boleslaw demanded that everyone leave and instructed a boy to bring me the tablecloth.
When the boy brought it over, I instructed him to hold it over me and to cover the body. "Hold it here and don't let anyone see what I'm doing!"
I began performing CPR, starting with three rescue breaths. I became completely absorbed in what I was doing, losing track of everything else around me. After a couple of rounds of CPR, Wojciech started coughing! He gasped, desperately trying to fill his lungs with air, and his eyes fluttered open. Exhausted, I let out a sigh of relief and sat down on the floor beside him. In a shaky voice, I said, "Don't move yet. Give yourself a moment. It's best if they carry you to your bed. You shouldn't be walking right now."
Wojciech's eyes widened, and he seemed to be in pain, but he was breathing. I looked up to see Boleslaw, pale and speechless, gazing at me and his father. Then my gaze fell upon the boy who had held the tablecloth, tears streaming down his cheeks.