Valkyrie Fallen, Chapter 25

Leif

*

When Brenna told me what she intended to do, I was certainly surprised. I also understood why she said Bjorn wouldn’t like it. He was fiercely protective of his sisters, and what she was planning was dangerous. It could go completely the wrong way, and Signe would lose her foot completely.

However, Brenna seemed to know what she was speaking about, and she was completely confident that Signe was about to lose her foot, anyway. If the result of inaction was the worst consequence that could arise from the action, then it made the most sense to at least try.

What she asked of me was challenging. Provide comfort, sure. Distract Signe while Brenna worked? Absolutely. Hold her down if she started kicking? That one scared me more than I cared to admit.

I listened while Brenna described what she needed, then left with the agreement to return in a few hours. We definitely had extra cloth at home I could take, old fabric from clothes too worn to function any more. The other things she needed, well… I would do my best. 

I enjoyed woodcarving as an art form—I was nearly finished with the figurehead for the ship—but making practical pieces for a function was not my strong suit. That was more Bjorn’s strength.

But for Brenna, I would try.

By the time I returned to Bjorn’s farmstead, a bundle under one arm, I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my body.

I’d never heard of such a thing as Brenna described. If she could actually heal Signe’s leg, it would be nothing short of a miracle. Which wouldn’t surprise me; Brenna was something other than an ordinary girl. It was clear enough for anyone to see. She was hauntingly beautiful, with skin that seemed to glow in the sunlight. She also knew things, spoke about things I’d never heard of. And the glimmer of soul in her eyes was entrancing… I felt as if I could see entire worlds in their clear pewter depths.

More than just my curiosity and trepidation about how Brenna would fix Signe’s ankle, my concern about my role in this process was enough to send butterflies through my stomach. Signe was like a younger sister to me, and I hated to see her in pain. It would take everything I had to hold her in place while she suffered, even knowing the result would be that she could be healed.

Fervently, I whispered a prayer to Frigg that everything went better than Brenna feared, the tea worked so Signe felt no pain, and I could provide comfort by holding her hand and nothing more. When I reached the door, I drew in a deep breath, then knocked on the weathered grey wood.

“Come on in, Leif!” Brenna’s muffled voice called from inside.

Well, here goes nothing.

*

Brenna

*

Leif returned with a bundle of ragged pants, perfect for creating strips to help bind the ankle once I set it.

He’d also done an admirable job fashioning the splints I’d asked for. Padded on the inside with wads of soft wool, he’d hollowed two pieces of wood slightly, allowing for them to curve around her leg more comfortably. She’d need proper crutches after a few days—I was determined to keep her laying down as much as possible to make sure the adjustment took—so perhaps I could have him work on those once we got past this part.

Signe was quiet, likely terrified but keeping her fears to herself. She’d brewed her tea and was sipping it; the cup shook from her trembling fingers, causing the liquid to splash over the side at first. Frustrated with herself, she blew across the top to cool it and took a large gulp, then continued until she’d drained the cup.

I laid out my gathered materials on a chair at the long wooden table and set a pillow and a cushion on the tabletop.

Turning to Signe, I asked, “Are you ready?”

The tea appeared to have taken effect; she looked calmer, her eyelids drooping. When she stood, Leif rushed forward and scooped her up. Signe looped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him as he carried her to the table.

Yep, the drugs were definitely working.

Once she settled on the cushion, Leif glanced my way, unsure of what to do. His eyes were filled with concern for Signe, and he compulsively tucked the strands of golden hair behind his ear.

“Just have a seat next to her and hold her hand for now,” I encouraged. “Hopefully it won’t be too terrible and it’ll be over quickly.”

Relieved, Leif sat and grasped Signe’s limp fingers, then spoke to her in a low voice. Her clear blue eyes were glassy, and she gazed at Leif’s face as if he were some kind of vision she wasn’t sure existed.

As gently as I was able, I eased Signe’s slipper and stocking off. The bruising had spread even more; now close to half her foot was purple.

Concern rose in my throat, and I tried to swallow it down. “Signe, let me know if you feel anything.”

I dragged my finger along her heel, across the sole of her foot, then lightly squeezed each toe. She responded to each touch, and I sighed in relief. For now, at least, she still had sensation in her whole foot.

There was still hope.

Pressing my fingers to different areas of her foot, then her ankle, I watched her carefully for reactions indicating pain. She winced from time to time, but nothing showing intense pain .

“Leif—give her the other thing, please.”

His cornflower blue eyes flashed to my face with trepidation, then pulled the item from his pocket and handed it to Signe.

“Signe, I want you to put that between your teeth and bite on it. Sometimes when people are in a lot of pain, they clench their jaw; they can clench hard enough that it would damage their teeth. This will help.”

Signe’s glass-eyed gaze left Leif’s face. She placed the stick in her mouth, and Leif clasped her hand, whispering to her with a tender smile on his lips.

His eyes turned to me, and I knew what he was saying without words: Let’s get this over with.

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