Beowulf - Curse of the Dreygurs - Chapter 25

I follow the ways of my people

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Chapter 25

However, Leofe could not understand how Malo and Sigibert could condemn her power to help. As the girl sat by the fire, she did not hear Beowulf come up next to her.

“It is good you are using the Algiz for our protection.” His statement brought her out of her thoughts. “I have a feeling we will need this magic and more in the coming days.”

Leofe looked down and realized her image showed such a symbol. It could mean either a shield or protection against evil.

“The gods must have shown me,” she agreed with a sign.

“But your mind is not on this.” He sat next to her, pulling his seax from his belt. He used the dagger to draw a line in the dirt, the symbol of ice. It meant a barrier or obstruction.

“I overheard your conversation with Sigibert,” he explained. “It would appear the challenge you have is difficult.”

“And what makes you think you know this?” she asked while staring at the symbol.

“I learned from a great king named Hrethel. He always told me to open my eyes while I listen to those around me. It is a trait of a leader to learn from those who guide him,” Beowulf recounted. “I’m not a wise man, but I realize you live in two worlds. Therefore, you’re not trusted. Just like your village, some would like you to be gone from our midst.”

“Does that include you?” She looked at him, searching for a clue in his expression.

“Perhaps less than the others,” he confided. “But you have given me cause to doubt your intentions.” He paused, looking around to make sure they did not overhear him.

“You have no family ties to my men or me. And you have declared us to be enemies of the Brythonians. Still, you help us,” he continued. “Therefore, I must ask myself how a beautiful Brythonian of noble birth is not married. How can you have no family in a village? The only people left follow this new religion. Somehow, this hamlet remains safe from dreygurs. It leaves me with many questions.”

“Oh, so you want to know more about me? I guess I should expect such things.” She replied with a heavy sigh. Leofe looked down at the symbols on the ground before making up her mind.

“My family, like Morcant Bulc, are descendants of the Votadini once lived in these lands from long before the invaders. When my mother died when I was young, father sent me to the lands across the sea to marry a noble of the Osraige,” she explained.

“My family believed we could gain status and allies through such a marriage. However, just before I arrived, the man who would be my husband died in battle. The Osraige took me in for a while my family worked to arrange another marriage. I attempted to know their religion and beliefs.”

She stabbed harder at the ground as she recalled her past.

“When my father died during the Angles invasion, the Osraige no longer had a need for me since the Angles controlled our lands. I believe the Osraige learned of my charm casting and turned it against me. They shunned me and had their priest escort me back to my homeland.” She looked at him, dark brown eyes showing her vulnerability as she explained.

“What I said before is the truth. Sometimes I see things, and these visions tell me what I should do. Just like the symbol I made.”

“You’re stuck between the visions of your past and the thoughts of your future. It strikes me it takes an extremely brave or an incredibly rash woman to come in among a group of warriors.”

“So, what do you think?” she asked.

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