Page 179 of North Is the Night
I look around, surprised to see a homestead appear. All remnants of the battle with Lumi and her wolves are washed clean. No blood mars the white winter landscape. A fresh powder of snow blankets the clearing. Smoke rises from the chimney of the cabin, with a barn looming behind.
“A gift for you both,” she says. “The shaman and the queen. May this restore your hope and bring you both some much needed rest. You must do all you can to prepare for the fight to come.” Before either of us have a chance to thank her, the goddess disappears, floating away with the winter wind, her last words drifting through the air.
56
Siiri
I open my eyes,orienting myself as quickly as possible to my new surroundings. Well, they’re notnewsurroundings. In fact, I know them as well as I know the tattoos on the backs of my hands. I’m home again, lying on the shores of Lake Päijänne. My body is safe in the north, guarded under Aina’s watchful eye.
After many long discussions over our evening fire, I finally convinced her to let me send my itse out again. It’s time to speak to our families and tell them of Aina’s safe return. It’s time to tell them of our plans.
It was never a question of Aina wanting her family to know we’re alive and safe; she’s simply new to soul magic. When I tell her that souls can become untethered, she panics, terrified she’ll lose me to the long dying. “You are the strongest tether I’ll ever need,” I assured her. “I will always find my way back to you.”
In the end, this was enough to mollify her. She watched over me as I drummed into the darkness.
And now I’m back where it all began.
It’s a mild spring morning, and the snow lies thin on the ground. All around me, thedrip dripof melting ice. I walk down the well-worn path, weaving between the birch trees along the south side of my family’s homestead. It’s late enough in the morning that the men should be away. That was one of Aina’s other stipulations. I’m not to repeat the chaos that was my own brother trying to burn me at the stake.
I smile to see my little sister in the yard feeding the chickens. She looks taller after all these months apart. “Hello, Liisa,” I call out softly.
She drops the basket of chicken feed with a gasp. “Siiri? You look different... your hair.”
I laugh, raising a hand to smooth it down. I got Aina to fix it so now it hangs evenly above my shoulders. Liisa’s never seen me with anything but a long braid. “You look different too. You look strong. Is Mummi finally making you do chores?”
Liisa surveys me with sharp eyes. “Are you really here, or is this like before?”
“I’m here in the only way I’m able,” I reply. “I’ve come to see Mummi.”
“She’s in the house.” She hurries away towards the open door. “Mummi,” she calls. “Siiri is here.”
I follow Liisa inside the house. Mummi sits at our large family table sorting the laundry. Her hands hold up a pair of breeches. “Siiri? Oh, thank the All-Mother.” She hurries around the table, wrapping me in her arms. The scent of home envelops me—fresh-baked bread and cardamom. “Oh, my brave girl. My sweet Siiri. You’re here.”
“She’s doing that disappearing trick again,” Liisa says from her stool. Her cat hops up on her lap.
“I’ve come to see Milja,” I say against Mummi’s shoulder. “And you,” I add, giving her another squeeze.
She lets me go. “Yes, of course. We’ll go there now.” She wipes hurriedly at her eyes. “The men are all out. Your father will be sorry to have missed you. The last time was...”
“I’m sorry for that too,” I say. “Did you suffer after I left?”
Mummi pats my cheek. “It does no good to dwell on the past.”
I stiffen. “What did the priests do, Mummi?”
“It doesn’t matter—”
“They ransacked the house and barn looking for you,” Liisa says.
“Liisa, that’s enough,” Mummi orders.
“Then they accused Mummi of being a witch,” she goes on. “Father had to pay a fine to the Church, so they wouldn’t send her south for a trial. We lost half our cattle. When the priests learned Milja and Taavi were giving us extra food, they fined them too.”
My gut twists. “Mummi, I’m so sorry.”
“I said it doesn’t matter,” she replies, glaring at Liisa. “All that matters is that you’re safe. Youaresafe... right?”
I nod. “I’m safe, Mummi.”
