While Finan is in deliberations with the nobles about appointing his cousin as a Regent for the kingdom, Revna spends time in the kitchens, putting together her own special tea. After what happened to her father and Cinaed, she can’t get the rage out of her heart for the man waiting in the dungeon for some kind of judgement. Cinaed’s ex-wife escaped on the ship that was meant to take her father back into slavery, so they may never get revenge against that conniving bitch. But Rollo still waits in the dungeon.
“Let me pass…” she orders the guardsmen waiting at the entrance to the cells. They don’t hesitate to move out of their Queen’s way, although there is a look of surprise on their faces that she would venture down into the dark dungeon.
Revna waits as one of the guards unlocks Rollo’s cell. Seeing the big warrior from her childhood hanging from chains dangling from the ceiling, brings a little satisfaction to the shieldmaiden. It almost reminds her of when she and Finan ended Rorik, although he was hanging from a noose, and he no longer had hands.
Rollo looks up at her, a cocky smile coming to his face. No remorse whatsoever for the things he has done. Not only to her father, but to their kin, and his brother Ragnar.
“Revna…just look at you. All grown up…” Rollo praises in his sickening voice. “Oh…and a pup on the way I see. Who’s the lucky father?”
Revna knows he’s just trying to get under her skin, but he underestimates what she is capable of. Setting the mug of her special brew on a small table, the shieldmaiden glares at Rollo.
“My murderous Irishman…” she taunts as a wicked smile comes to her face. “You would do best to avoid him.”
“To think, you could have been my daughter. Gyda should have been mine. Not your bastard of a father’s.” Rollo sneers.
“Gyda would never fall in love with a traitor…and that is all you are. A traitor to your family and a traitor to your kin. Is that why you tortured my father for years? Because you were jealous?” Revna scoffs. “You’re pathetic.”
Rollo’s bravado falters a little being faced with the truth of his betrayals, but he still shows no remorse.
“For whatever reason, the Franks want you back…” Revna announces, ignoring the sudden delight that comes to Rollo’s face. “They have threatened war with Ulaid. I have no problem returning you, but I can’t say what condition you’ll be in when you return.
You stole eight years from my father and I. Eight. Years!!” Revna shouts. “It’s only right that I pay you the same respect you showed my father. I may not ever be able to get those eight years back, but at least I will get a little satisfaction knowing you won’t be returning home unscathed.”
A darkness flashes in the shieldmaiden’s eyes as she picks up the mug from the table. She gestures to a couple of the guards to hold Rollo.
“Hold his mouth open…” Revna orders. “….and pinch his nose so he is forced to drink.” While the guards hold him, Rollo tries to thrash around. One of them lands a punch to Rollo’s gut, causing the Duke to double over in pain.
“Hold him steady…” Revna says as she pours the tea down Rollo’s throat, smiling as he chokes and sputters on the bitter mixture.
“I figured I’d give you a taste of what my father was given. Your stomach will start churning, the room will begin spinning, and soon your arms and legs will feel like iron weights. But that’s not the best part. You are going to be haunted by the visions of all those you wronged. Your betrayals will play over and over in your mind, and you will be reminded of every moment that you were a traitor.” Revna says smugly as she watches a flicker of fear cross Rollo’s eyes.
“We have eight years of torture and abuse to make up for, and such a short time to do it in.” The shieldmaiden says coldly as she hands one of the guards a whip.
“Don’t worry, Rollo. We’ll send you back. But not before we leave you with a lasting impression that Ulaid should never be fucked with.” Revna spits out, before heading to the stairs to lead her out of the dungeon. She almost stumbles on one of the steps, but she catches herself. One of the guards reach out to steady her but she waves them off.
“I’m fine…” Revna begs distance as she continues the climb up the stairs.
The last week since Gunnar and Cinaed left, the shieldmaiden has been plagued with unusual dreams. Dreams about a grove of trees in the forest, with a big oak in the center. Similar to the oak tree in the forest outside of Bebbanburg, and one she remembers from her childhood in Kattegat. There is even one here, if she remembers correctly, recalling the time her and Finan had a picnic at the base of it. The tree reminds her of Yggdrasil, home of the nine realms of Norse mythology. She feels drawn to it, and it calls out to her in her sleep.
But that is not the most unnerving part of her dreams of late. Each night her mother, Gyda has been coming to her. She doesn’t appear as a ghost, she appears just as Revna remembers her from her childhood. She has been teaching Revna that she is more than just a shieldmaiden, or a healer. That she is a Seiðr just like her. There is shamanistic magic that runs through her veins and has been passed down from her ancestors. There is so much potential to what she could do, but there are aspects that she fears. Having the ability to heal people and protect those she cares about, is all Revna has ever wished to do. But to think she could walk between realms to save someone who is lost in their mind to bring them back, or to commune with the Norns.
Her power is rooted in the Earth. It explains why Revna has always been drawn to the forest. It recharges her when she is feeling drained. Much like she is feeling now. With everything that has happened these past couple of weeks, traveling to Ulaid, saving Gunnar and Cinaed when they were weakened, and now with punishing Rollo, Revna can feel herself getting weak. Thankfully nothing like when she was held captive here in Ulaid, where her magic literally caused her to wither being away from her husband. Finan is the spark that brought her powers to light.
Needing some time to herself in the forest, Revna grabs her satchel. She had just put down Tora for a nap, and a couple of the servants are watching over her precious daughter. As she walks into the dining hall, she spots Uhtred picking at some food on a platter.
“Finan still in the witan?” Revna asks the Dane.
“Wha..oh, yeah. They are still arguing about his cousin taking over while we’re away.” Uhtred replies, looking weary himself and anxious to go home.
“It shouldn’t be too much longer.” She tries to reassure Uhtred. “I’m heading out to gather some herbs. Tora is down for a nap. If you could keep an ear out, I’d greatly appreciate it.” Revna softly asks, giving the Dane an endearing smile. “I trust you more than the servants. Maybe send Hati up to nap with her.”
“I’ll keep an ear out for her, shieldmaiden.” Uhtred winks. “Don’t worry.”
“Thank you Uhtred.” Revna gives him a weak smile. “I’m heading out to the forest.”
“Revna…” Uhtred’s voice has a warning tone to it. “It’s not a good idea for you to be out there, especially with our captive. His people might try to rescue him.”
“I’ll take Maelock and Lorcan with me…don’t worry, I won’t be alone.” Revna tells Uhtred what he wants to hear, just so he won’t try to stop her.
“Come on, Maelock and Lorcan…” Revna calls out to the guardsmen as she head out the door.
The guards dutifully follow her until they get just past the gate and Revna turns on them. “You stay here. I need to go the rest of the way alone.”
Both guards look at each other as if they are trying to get the courage to protest their Queen. “But, my Lady…it’s dangerous. If Finan finds out we let you out of our sight, there will be hell to pay.”
“I will be fine. Just stay.” Revna says more firmly, before turning on heel and walking into the forest.
When she comes to the oak tree, Revna sits down at the base of it, laying her satchel beside her. She wasn’t planning on gathering herbs today, she was just using that as an excuse. Her hand digs into the dirt, as she take a deep breath in. She is so tired, physically and spiritually.
Laying down on the ground, Revna places her hand on the dirt feeling the vibrations. It soothes her like a balm to her soul. Even the pup settles inside her, their restlessness calming. Without even meaning to, Revna falls asleep, wrapped in the arms of nature.
