Halvar gave in. "Very well, then. You may leave."
Kaarina turned around and walked back the way they’d come, winking at Eira as she did. Eira pretended not to notice.
With Kaarina gone, an awkward silence stretched between them. Eira expected Halvar to say something but he just stood there, gazing at her as if he had never seen a woman before. She walked on, continuing her search for herbs and he walked with her. It felt strange to have a man watching her collect plants.
"So, uh..." Halvar started.
"If you're going to ask if I'm truly a witch, the answer is no. I'm gathering these herbs for some of the sick people in the village."
"It is nothing like that, Eira. It is just that..."
"You don't know how to start a conversation with me, do you?" she asked him, staring him in the face.
Halvar chuckled nervously. "It is something like that. Wait! Are you trying to read my mind?"
Eira bent to pick a flower that she would use in her concoction for stomach ache. "There is no need to read your mind. It is written all over your face."
"Eira..."
"Do not worry, I will not even try to sense your feelings."
"No, Eira! Stop!"
His sudden shout startled her and she froze.
"Sorry. I did not intend to alarm you,” he said. “See those stone markers you just walked past?” He pointed at two large stones on either side of the path. “Those are the boundary markers for the village. Never go past them. Slave raiders lurk in these forests and you will not be safe if you stray outside the village boundaries.”
She shuddered and looked at him with wide eyes.
“I do not want you to be afraid, just stay aware so that you are safe. We try to protect our people but if someone gets taken by the slave raiders, we might not be able to get them back. Slave raiders are good at leaving few clues to follow.”
Eira looked around. Suddenly, the forest didn’t seem as friendly as it had before. She had no desire to become a slave.
"I am sorry, I did not know,” she said. “I promise to be careful. I think I have enough now. We can go back.” She flung her pouch over her shoulder. She would sort it all out once they got back to the village. He walked beside her, the struggle inside him intense. He thought about all the times he had rehearsed this moment and what he would say to her. He had told the wind how beautiful she was. The trees heard how her smile could melt the sun. The birds knew that he thought she was amazingly talented with her healing herbs. He had whispered his dreams of sleeping beside her every night to the stream. But why couldn’t he tell her now?
Eira felt the tension oozing from him. She knew he hadn't just walked down the stream to escort her back home. He had things he wanted to say but he was lost for words. She glanced at him and noticed the struggle written on his face. Yes, he was lost for words.
She felt butterflies in her stomach as she thought about being close to him. They were alone, with no one to accuse them of anything or watch their every move. Here was his chance to tell her of his feelings towards her. She was certain that he felt more than friendship for her. As for her own feelings, she found herself thinking about what it would be like to kiss his full, rosy-red lips. What would it be like to feel his strong arms around her? She felt safe with him to protect her. What would it be like to always feel safe because he was there by her side?
But there was more to Halvar than his looks, she thought. He was considerate and thoughtful as well as a strong and capable clan leader. He was wealthy, too. Surely every single woman in the area must desire him. It was odd that he hadn’t yet married. Many clan chiefs had multiple wives by the time they were his age.
"Did you hear that?" Halvar asked her.
"What? There is nothing, is there?" Eira asked, worry in her voice.
Halvar moved closer to her. "I heard it." His words were tinged with alarm.
"What? What did you hear?" She had to admit she was afraid since he had told her about the slave raiders. What if there were slave raiders following them right now? Halvar was strong but he was only one man.
"I hear the birds calling your name, Eira."
That was definitely not what she had expected him to say. For a moment, she felt angry that he had allowed her to think that there was danger.
"Birds? Really?!" Her arms were crossed and she was pouting.
Halvar laughed at her. She frowned at him but it only made him laugh more. Finally, she couldn’t help laughing too, even though the joke was at her expense.
"I am sorry," he said. "I could not help myself."
"You have won this battle, Chief,” she told him. “But there will be greater battles than this. Best get prepared."
She walked off in the direction of her home and he stood there, watching her. He smiled to himself as he thought of their conversation. He had made her laugh and it felt good. He was slowly making progress.
Eira thought about Halvar as she walked towards the house carrying her pouchful of plants. She had enjoyed the time they spent together and she felt her heart lift despite her home situation. She even thought about taking Halvar some herbs later in the day. She had found some that were good for general well-being and even the
