Cursed Silver Orange light from the fire danced on the wooden walls of the hovel. Unleavened bread baked on the stone hearth. Ragna sat near the fireplace, absently watching the bread bake. Her fingers curled around a wooden mug brimming with goat milk. She hummed softly to herself, swaying ever so slightly along with the rhythm. Ragna thought about Torin. The man who used to be her husband. She had tried her best to block him from her mind, but the memories of him always crept their way back to her mind. It had been years since they divorced. The agony that originally plagued Ragna had dulled over the passing years, but it was still a wound that hadn t completely healed. She never wanted the divorce. But her former husband had become terrified of her magical abilities. The magic did not scare him when they were first married. In fact, Torin was rather intrigued by it. He even used his blacksmithing skills to craft a special iron staff for her to use in her mystic chants. But over time Ragna s powers began to grow stronger than she could control. On one occasion, Thorin badly burned his arm when he was working with the forge. She simply tried to use her magic to speed up the healing process. But as soon as she had touched his arm, the wound burst back into flames, damaging the arm even further. Thorin refused to let her touch him any more. A chill wind found its way through the chinks in the planking of the rude hovel, snapping Ragna out of her thoughts. Her thin, half-starving nephew Kari had thrown open the door, bringing in an armful of kindling as well as an icy gust of wind. His face was red with cold and his fair, curly hair was windblown. The wind, muttered Kari. I don't remember it ever being this cold so early in the season.
It is cold. Ragna said. But the bread will be done soon. Kari looked hopefully toward the hearth. I am famished, he said. He took some kindling and built up the fire. Ragna handed him a mug of goat milk and he nodded his thanks. Kari sat down cross legged next to her. She took the baked, unleavened bread from the hearth and tore it in half with her calloused hands. She gave Kari the larger half. They ate their meager meal in silence. The sun dipped lower in the sky as Ragna, wrapped in her cloak, hobbled outside to tend the goats. The goats stood quietly and chewed their cud as she drew a bucket of fresh water from the well. Cold water slopped against her legs as she struggled to carry the bucket back to the goat pen. She sloshed the water into the trough and leaned against the fence to catch her breath. Are you Ragna? The voice was deep. A colossal, bearded man stood behind her. He wore a dark woolen cloak trimmed with animal fur. Ragna inhaled sharply and slowly straightened her back. Yes. she said. And who is asking? I am Bjorn. People say you practice the art of seiðr. I used to, but that was many years ago. Bjorn reached into a small leather pouch and pulled out a bracelet of silver. Would this persuade you? Bjorn asked and held up the bracelet. He tossed it to her and she caught it with her outstretched hand. Ragna thought of the many nights when she had no food to give to her starving nephew. With this silver, they could
have enough food for weeks. She held it close to her face and examined it. There were runes engraved on it, but she could not decipher the meaning. They probably meant nothing to her now. This will do, she said finally. Follow me. Ragna slipped the bracelet into a pocket of her cloak and led him up the path to the small hovel. Bjorn, sit by the fire and warm yourself. Ragna said. She lay tanned goat skins on the ground to sit on. Kari fetch my staff. Kari opened a wooden cupboard that he had crafted. It was made skillfully, but still looked awkward compared to the woodwork of masters. He lifted out an iron staff. He handled it with great care and carried it soberly to Ragna. She ran her thumb over the intricate engravings on it. Torin had spent hours making it just for her. She took it in her hands and sat down across from Bjorn. She looked intently at him. Why have you come? she asked.. Terrible things have been happening to my family. First my brother was found dead in the woods. The people who found him said he had been killed by wolves. He was an extremely skilled hunter and a strong man. Wolves would not have been so bold. Several days later, my only son was struck with a sudden illness. He died within hours. And my wife was bitten by a poisonous snake and she lost her leg. Now I fear for the rest of my family. I do not know the cause of these misfortunes. Ragna took her staff and stood in front of Bjorn.
Kari bring me my herbs. she said. Kari brought her a small deerskin bag with henbane and other dried plants. She opened it and sprinkled the herbs around her. A handful of the herbs was also thrown onto the crackling fire, inducing a haze of smoke. Staff in hand, she began to chant rune verses and sway in the circle of herbs. Her eyes glazed over. Her trance lasted for several long minutes. Kari and Bjorn sat in silence, their eyes fixed on the witch woman. Ragna sat down in front of Bjorn again. Her eyes were no longer glazed, but flashed with anger. I traveled to the past. I saw the tragedies and now I know the cause of them. Several moons ago, you plundered a village and stole a certain silver bracelet. This one! she hissed. She flung the silver bracelet that he had given her onto the dirt floor. Bjorn looked unsettled and knitted his brow. You took this from the volve. This bracelet has magical properties and was vital to her rituals. She did not take kindly to this. She brought down a weird upon you. We defeated their clan, Bjorn protested. I only it took as part of the spoils that were allotted to me. You must lift this curse from me! Her powers are far greater than mine. I dare not interfere with it. You must take the bracelet and go. I can only say that you must find some way to appease her. But I cannot help you with this any further. Bjorn quivered with anger, but said nothing. He picked up the bracelet from the dirt and started to leave the hovel. Suddenly, Bjorn turned and grabbed Kari by collar of his tunic. He snatched his bone handled knife from his leather belt and pressed it to Kari s throat.
Because of your unwillingness to help, I m taking the boy. Bjorn growled. Kari trembled and stared at his aunt with wide eyes. Ragna did not have the chance to say anything before Bjorn dragged Kari out the door. She stood in the doorway and tried to catch her breath. Her breathing steadied and she watched Bjorn and her nephew disappear down the path. Anger coursed through her veins. You will regret this. she spat.