Edin: An Ilmarinen Prequel

By Marilla Mulwane

Copyright 2013 Marilla Mulwane

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Cover Art By Elisa Ferguson

Copyright 2013 Elisa Ferguson

Chapter 1

There was no fanfare. No procession throughout town. Family and friends did not gather and cheer. These types of unions did not warrant such frivolities. There was a small banquet. The couple sat together facing their families, while the food that had been prepared by those family members was passed around. There was small talk, and congratulations, and the bride smiled happily at her new husband.

And Edin returned the smile, so as not to upset the girl. And that was exactly what his wife was: a girl. Having seen only thirteen years, the child still believed in dolls and was infatuated with Edin as a child would be, and did not truly understand the ways of love, of marriage. She was not yet a woman, but that did not matter to their lord Tanahn, who had ordered the marriage in hopes that the girl would mature soon. And it was foolhardy to disobey their immortal master. Not that anyone had tried, at least not in years. It was how things were done in this time and age of Ilmarinen.

But, Edin questioned it. Only silently, in his head.

The young girl, his wife, kept her hand placed on his arm, and looked up lovingly at him. She wanted to please him, as she had been taught to do since her birth.

The ceremony had been simple. Anessa's father had performed the ceremony. He united the two and handed the young Anessa over to her new family. She had flowers in her hair, but wore a simple dress, the same one she would continue to wear whenever the couple went into town or entertained guests. The girl had tried to look beautiful, and she was pretty in her way, and as pretty as a begotten girl could be. Her eyes stayed on Edin's face, and he felt her stare even as he tried to watch only her father as he spoke. It was over in minutes, and once the final words were spoken, Anessa's mother burst into tears. Edin could not tell if the tears were of joy for her daughter's match, or of shame for having given her away while she was still yet a child.

Edin glanced at the tearful woman and guessed it was the latter. The woman smiled at Edin, and nodded at him. Although Edin was only a stonemason, it was a trade that always had business these days, and the woman knew her daughter would be well taken care of. Edin also knew that there was gossip among the women of the town that Edin was the eligible bachelor to wed, but they were words he never understood. What was so special about him?

Anessa looked up at Edin and he looked down at her. He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. As he would his sister.

Chapter 2

In the very early morning, before the sun even began to think about waking and rising, Edin would be up and Anessa would fix his breakfast. It was her duty to feed her husband, and she did so very well. Her mother had taught her how to cook a delicious meal and she always made extra and heaped it on his plate before he even asked for it.

Then he would kiss her cheek, and leave for the day, with a promise to return for lunch, which she would already have done and waiting for him by the time he walked in the door.

Then, as he carried his lantern, Edin would follow the other flickering candles seeming to move on their own in the darkness. The light came from the other stoneworkers, with their own lanterns, as they headed toward their work. Once at the castle, the men would bring out their tools that were kept locked in a shed. Not a single one of the men owned their own tools, and only borrowed them from their lord. And then, by candlelight, the men would start their work, sculpting the giant chunks of stone into shapes. The quiet sound of scraping, of metal on stone, would linger in the air. Every now and then, someone would sneeze, or cough.

Not even one of the men really knew what they were building. Lord Tanahn created the plans for the fortress Tanahn. It was years ago, and the stonemason trade had been created because of it. Edin was a stonemason, because his father was one, and his father before him, who had been one of the first to learn the trade.

It wasn't until the sun started to peek out, it's rays hit the stone and made it shimmer, that someone would finally start to talk.

"Edin's got a wife now, I hear," said Cartel.

There were a few murmurs of congratulations, and Barin slapped Edin on the shoulder.

"A real young thing," Cartel stood up and wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. Edin continued to work. He never spoke much. To anyone. "Before long Edin will be a father, like the rest of us. It was surprising that lord Tanahn waited so long to wed him."

Edin was twenty-four. Most of the men around him had been presented with brides when they were sixteen. Edin didn't know why he hadn't been wed before, but he didn't question it either.

When dawn passed, that was when the women emerged from the castle and made their way to the garden not far from where the stonemason's worked. By watching the sun, Edin would know the moment the women would turn the corner around the castle and into his view. Every day there was a different group of women, of three or four, but Edin had learned their pattern by then and knew which ones worked the garden that day.

No one spoke of them. And no spoke to them. It was forbidden.

The workers ignored the women, and continued to talk as if no one was there. They sculpted stone and hauled it to its place among the walls of the castle. Except for Edin, who continued to work, but also glanced at the women every now and then.

The women always made him wonder. They wore the same dresses, which they would tuck up around their waists a little so they wouldn't trip over the skirts while they worked. They had no fear of digging into the dirt, and would bend over to rip the weeds from the dirt as if the plant was evil and needed punishment. Many of the women were pregnant, and still worked like dogs. And as time went on, Edin would notice how one pregnant woman would be no longer, but never for very long.

It was common knowledge where the babies went: into the arms of the couples in town, where they would grow up and become coupled and be given babies of their own. It was a situation that Edin was now in himself. Anessa was to have her own children, yes, but children would come to them even without her being pregnant.

Everyone in town had been told the women were not of their land, and were foreigners meant only for their task to populate the country. They were told that the women had no feelings beyond their job, and happily gave away their children for the benefit of Ilmarinen. No one questioned the words.

No one except Edin. But only silently, in his mind.

Chapter 3

"I have heard such news!"

Young Dai barged into the house and started to speak before the door was barely opened. Her family was gathered around the dinner table, waiting for her, and Edin smiled at the child. Of course, by Ilmarinen standards, Dai was nearly grown. She had seen twelve years, and the idea that in a year she could be a wife, much like Anessa, made Edin's stomach wish to turn inside out. He could not imagine sending his sister away to a fate worse than the one Anessa faced now.

"Where have you been?" Dai's mother asked. She stood up from the table to finally serve their meal. She served her father first.

The man, Dai and Edin's father, stared at his plate as if he didn't know what its purpose was. His face was pale, and his eyes sunken in. With every day that passed, the man seemed ten years older. The only thing that kept the man going was the medicine that was always happily given to them by the healer down the street, a woman who had grown up with him. Edin knew the healer loved his father, but he had been wed to another, Edin's mother, as the healer had had her own ceremony. Two actually, as her first husband had died young by a tragic accident and the woman could not save him.

But those were things that were unimportant in Ilmarinen.

Dai took her place at the table, the one beside Anessa. She thanked her mother when her meal was placed in front of her. Although she was being polite, Edin could see the excitement in her eyes. The news she had in her mind wanted out.

After everyone was served, they thanked lord Tanahn for their lives and then began to eat.

"Will you hear my news?" Dai asked.

"I wish to hear," Edin said when no one else seemed like they were going to respond.

"I have heard there is a new woman within the castle."

"That is not news," their mother said.

"No, but there is something about her that is very newsworthy."

"And what is that?"

"She is very beautiful."

Eating utensils stopped, mid-flight, and mouths hung agape. Even their father seemed surprised.

"Where have you heard this news?" Anessa asked. The girl seemed suddenly interested. As if beauty was important.

"From a friend within the castle," she answered while she looked down at her plate.

"Anessa!" her mother snapped. "You have not been with that young boy, have you?"

"He has been my friend since birth."

"You are no longer children," she snapped again. "Please, for your own happiness, leave him be."

"Yes, mother." Dai looked sullenly at her food and gave a great sigh.

Edin wanted to hug his sister to him.

"A beautiful woman," Anessa said. Her face looked lost in fantasy. "Edin, what if we are granted one of her children? A beautiful begotten?"

"If the woman is as beautiful as they say, I cannot imagine that lord Tanahn would give the children to any of us. He most likely plans to raise an heir," Edin's mother answered.

With a frown, Anessa nodded and went back to eating.

Edin was the child of his mother and father, born to them, their flesh and blood. Never did he have to wonder which of the women was his mother, trying to match eyes and noses, and never did he look upon their lord Tanahn as he wandered the streets and think of him as "father". He was part of a full begotten generation.

But, Dai was not.

She was brought to them as many were given. A man who worked within the castle knocked on the door with a small bundle in his arms. When the master of the house opened the door, the child was unceremoniously placed within his arms, the burden released from the other man, and that was it. The deliverer would leave, sometimes with a congratulations or a nod of the head, and the child now had a home, parents, and family.

Then there would be a mad dash to find milk, a young mother willing to provide, a place for the baby to sleep, and all other necessities since none were ever provided, and no notice given. No one knew for sure how lord Tanahn decided what couple would get what child, but most suspected there was no pattern to it. He just gave.

Since his marriage, whenever there was a knock on the door, Edin would freeze. He barely slept at night, waiting.

There was a story that surrounded Edin's birth. His mother would tell the tale repeatedly, to any that would listen no matter how many times they'd heard it. The whole town knew the tale. It was said that Edin's mother went into labor while she was within the forest, and feared she could not get back into town. And that Odin's consort, Lilith herself, came upon the laboring woman and eased her pain and led her to her home. Lilith laid her hand upon his mother's stomach and whispered unintelligible words. Usually at this part of the story, Edin's father would be asked if he remembered, and he always dutifully agreed that it was Lilith, beautifully striking, and that she did say some words to Edin, meant only for his ears.

The tale was told as if Lilith had been there on purpose, to aid his mother, but Edin knew better. It was common knowledge that when lord Tanahn's parents came to visit that Lilith could be seen wandering the forest. She must have heard the pregnant woman's cries and had offered her aid. Simple as that.

Edin was no one special.

After dinner, it was time to turn in to sleep. Anessa shared a room with Dai and would continue to until she could perform nightly duties to her husband. So, Edin climbed into his bed alone, and dreaded the knock on the door, while he wondered about the beautiful woman within the castle.

Chapter 4

"Give me a woman as ugly as a pig. They are more likely to give you what you want, and do what you ask, and all you have to do is lie every now and then and tell them that they are beautiful. But a beautiful woman has you fumbling over yourself trying to make her happy, just so you can be rewarded with a little pat on the head. And you will be happy with that little pat, yes you will, because it came from a beautiful woman."

"Back to work, Cartel. You have no idea what you are talking about." Barin shook his head with annoyance.

"Look at all the scion men, falling all over their women to buy them trinkets and bowing down to their feet. We never have to do such things. Because our women are ugly."

Cartel talked animatedly as he swung his pick around in heavy loops. Once the sun had risen, talk immediately started about the new woman within the castle. The beautiful one.

Usually the women of the castle were never mentioned, but this one, the new one, was a novelty and everyone in town was interested and gossip was everywhere.

Edin did not become involved with the conversation, he never usually did, but he listened. His features stayed bound to his work so that to everyone's eyes they would see a man hard at work and not bothered with gossip. It was no different than any other day.

Until the young woman stepped out from the castle and made her way toward the gardens. There was collective silence among the men, but none stopped their work. Except Edin. His eyes fell on the woman as she approached one of the centaurs given to the women to help them haul their loads. He stared as she reacted to the creature, and he thought it funny that she looked as if the centaur was something strange to behold while every man around him, himself included, looked at her in the same way.

"Edin," Barin whispered harshly. He placed his hand on Edin's shoulder and turned him away.

"Edin, you have just proven my point," Cartel said with a laugh.

If Edin had been caught staring, he would have lost his job. As Cartel said, a man would do anything for a beautiful woman.

Edin ignored Cartel's comment and resumed his work, but now his ears closed off to the conversations around him and his eyes constantly glanced at the woman. There was beauty there, similar to those of the scions, and the only thing that made her newsworthy was because she was one of the women meant to bear their children. Children not meant to be beautiful.

But, that was not what kept Edin's eyes on her.

That night, as Edin entered his home with the smell of his dinner in the air, his mind was full of thoughts about the young woman. His family greeted him happily. They seemed in good spirits and were talkative and excited. Dai pressed him down into his chair at the table, the one near his father who smiled a little at his son but Edin wasn't sure the man knew who he was smiling to. Anessa kissed his cheek as she set a dish down on the table before him. Once everything was ready, the women took their places at the table, and they thanked lord Tanahn for all they had.

"Her name is Serenity," Dai blurted the moment everyone was about to eat, food nearly to their mouths. She had waited for just that moment to speak, and smiled wildly at the surprise she caused.

"How do you...?" their mother asked, but then guessed the answer and frowned. "I told you to leave that boy be."

Dai gave her mother a defiant look.

"I wish I worked within the castle." Anessa sighed.

"Lord Tanahn would not let you approach her even if you did."

"But, mayhap, I could catch a glimpse of her."

Edin ate his dinner, silent like his father.

Anessa turned to Dai, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Has he seen her?" she asked, meaning Dai's friend. "Is she as beautiful as everyone says?"

"Yes."

It was Edin's voice they heard, and it surprised him as much as everyone else. He looked up from his plate at the eyes that stared back at him. When he glanced to Anessa beside him, he saw her frown. Feeling guilty, Edin smiled at her and raised her chin to meet his gaze.

"But only as beautiful as you."

The young girl's frown immediately disappeared and she believed without doubt Edin's words. Just as Cartel had spoken. She leaned up and kissed him quick on the lips, the first time their lips had ever touched. Happy now, Anessa went back to her meal, and the family changed the conversation to one about lord Tanahn's parents being seen. They had come to visit, and they always did so without fanfare, preferring to keep things quiet. The only time anyone saw them was by chance, and it was usually only Lilith, lord Tanahn's mother, that was seen outside the castle walls.

That night, while Edin stared up at the ceiling in his bedroom, he thought about the woman's name. Serenity. The name did not fit her. Yes, it was as beautiful as her, but its meaning did not fit. There was no serenity in the woman's face while he had watched her. She was not free of mind. There was no peace about her.

Lost in his thoughts, Edin did not hear his bedroom door open, and it wasn't until Anessa's small body pressed down upon his pallet that Edin even realized he was not alone. He stiffened as she spread out her body beside him. In the darkness, he could barely make out the outline of her body, and could not see her face.

"Anessa, what is wrong?" he whispered.

"You are my husband."

He kept silent, not knowing what to say.

"Although I can not conceive we could still practice." Her voice was nervous and unsure.

"You are only a child," Edin blurted from shock. If he had expected this he would have said something nicer, but he had been caught off guard.

The words had hurt her. Although he could not see, Edin heard the tremor in her throat, the whimpers as she tried not to cry. Anessa was just a child, but by Ilmarinen standards, she was a woman expected to please her husband. And her husband had just turned her down.

To make the matter worse, earlier that evening Edin had spoken, unintentionally, that Serenity was beautiful. All could see that she had been on his mind. Another woman had pleased him by just looking at her, and his wife believed she could not. That she was not beautiful enough.

So much spoken with just a few words.

Roughly, Edin wrapped his arm around Anessa and pulled her to him. He let her try not to cry into his shoulder, while he stroked her hair. When the whimpers stopped, he realized she had fallen asleep. Edin stared up at the ceiling and resumed his thoughts of the young woman. Of Serenity.

Chapter 5

The next morning, Anessa reluctantly sent her husband off to his work. To the castle where the woman who claimed his thoughts and eyes resided. Even though Edin knew that he would not see Serenity for some days, when that group of women worked the garden again, his body and heart still felt glad to head toward her, to the place she occupied.

It made him feel guilty. After he kissed Anessa's cheek, who would not look at him, Edin left his home and headed for work.

As the days passed, the men talked of Serenity until she became old news and no one much cared anymore about her. Edin listened, remained silent, and counted down the days in his mind when she would emerge from the castle once again.

But that day did not come. On the morning that Edin knew the rotation was complete, and Serenity's group would work in the gardens again, he was excited and although he did not speak his excitement, he was worried that it showed nonetheless. He showed Anessa a bit more affection, but not too much, so that she wouldn't become suspicious, and he walked along the street with a smile on his face.

"Let me guess, Edin," Cartel said when he spotted Edin's smile. "You are to be a father."

"What? No!" Edin said, appalled. While Cartel laughed at his responses, Edin ignored it and continued his work.

"Something has the boy excited," Cartel mumbled.

The sun was too slow. Edin gauged its place in the sky by the amount of heat on his back, and the shadows it made. When it appeared time for the women to arrive, Edin stood up, pretended to need a drink of water, and watched the castle. He waited, impatient, for figures to move past the wall and into sight. Taking sips, small ones over and over, Edin tried to not appear to be a man infatuated with a woman he had never met. But he could only drink so much without looking foolish.

When the first woman came into view, the dark-skinned one, Edin's breath caught in his throat, the bag of water frozen at his lips. The next came, and a third. Then there came a gap, and Edin assumed Serenity would be joining them in mere moments and that fate was cruelly making him wait a few seconds longer.

But, she did not come.

Nor did she come any other day. All Edin had were his dreams of her at night, and his silly hope that some day she would emerge. Anessa sensed a change, and she was glad for it. No longer did her husband wish to race to work, but instead he moped and appeared saddened, and she relished the job of pleasing him, of making him happy. As any good wife would do.

Serenity appeared when he least expected it. He was hard at work, covered in sweat and dust. His tool was in mid-air when he spotted her walk past them as if they weren't even there. The pick fell from Edin's hand and onto the stone. It made a ringing sound fill the air and the others to jump, startled.

"Edin, what are you...?" Barin asked, but Edin did not hear the rest. He was too lost, too far away. He followed behind Serenity as she walked into town.

As she walked through the village, she looked at everything about her, and ignored the stares of the villagers. Edin watched her just as the villagers watched her. He saw that she was pregnant, because her stomach bulged and her dress stretched out to accommodate. It pained him to see her with child. It also made him envious. When a scion couple congratulated her, Edin caught the emotion in her face. The baby did not make her happy. It made him wonder what kind of a woman did not love her child, when they had always been told that the women of the castle happily gave birth to further Ilmarinen's future.

The scions spoke as if she was one of them. Her beauty confused them.

Edin continued to follow Serenity throughout the city. Not once did she suspect that she was being stalked, and so he stayed pretty close to her, and pretended to be a man on the streets with a purpose, a place to be.

It confused him when he watched her look at the children upon the street, the way she smiled at them. Then how she looked when one of them ran to their mother. At first, Edin thought she was sad that she did not have love for her child, and silently wished she did. But, then the shock coursed through her, surprise so strong that it made her weak. Her wide eyes stayed where the child and mother had stood, although they were now within their home, and Edin quickly began to realize.

Serenity, with her hand upon her stomach, had just learned that her child would be given away. Did she not already know it? Had they all been lied to, to believe that the women gave willingly?

When Serenity ran down the street towards the castle, Edin instinctively chased after her. People looked, but he didn't care. There was nothing that could stop him from following. When she stumbled upon her skirts, and fell to the ground, Edin raced to her and when he reached her his hands rested upon her. There was no thought to his actions, just a pure need.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you," she said, and she tried to walk away from him. When she stumbled again, his hands moved towards her, and he scooped her up in his arms.

He carried her past his work, past his friends, but he did not look to see how they reacted. Once inside the castle, he headed towards the women's quarters. He had seen the plans, had been building the castle walls, so he knew where he needed to go. Once he reached the hallway, he spotted Dai's young friend, who gave Edin a scared look but silently pointed him to Serenity's door. Again, the fact Edin had no care that so many people saw him with Serenity was a dangerous thing.

It wasn't until he set her upon the bed that she looked at him, acknowledged his presence, and thanked him for his help. She seemed so sad, so helpless. He did not wish to leave her.

"What is your name?" she asked.

He hesitated, but not because giving her his name would further condemn him, but because she spoke to him, no longer lost in her sorrow.

"Edin, my lady." Although he knew she was not a lady of Ilmarinen, he wanted to give her that title.

She repeated his name a couple of times. In Ilmarinen culture, Edin was a term of endearment more than an actual name. Long ago, when Ilmarinen was new and dragons had not ripped it apart, people called loved ones "Eden," a word learned from Lilith herself, who said that it was a special word, a word of love and peace.

"Is that what you are for me?"

"My lady?" he asked, confused.

"A heaven on Earth."

"Heaven, my lady?" To her was Edin a place?

"A place of peace. A heaven for Serenity. Will you give that to me, as your name suggests?"

Although he did not fully understand her, he knew that she hurt. She was broken, and weak. He could not give her what she wanted. He did not understand what that was. But, what he wanted was to melt into her. To be carried about with her wherever she went. And when she was sad, he would show himself to calm her tears, and then melt back into her. He would move within her bones, her veins, pulse like her blood throughout her. And like blood, she would not even sense he was there unless cut, unless hurt, and then he would flow out of her, not to harm her further, but to remind her that she was not alone, that she carried him with her.

"I am sorry, my lady." And he had never felt those words to be so true.

She bade him to leave her be, but as he turned she left him with a few more words.

"I have sold my soul, and there is no one to redeem me," she said, words not directly spoken to him, but to her own misery. He didn't understand half of her words, but he felt her pain.

And it was at that moment that Edin vowed to save her. To be her Eden. To carry her to peace.

Chapter 6

Back at home, Edin's family greeted him at the door. His mother came at him and hugged him. His wife smiled, but looked shy. Dai looked about to laugh.

"Your wife is now a woman," his mother said, arms still wrapped around him.

Edin tried to look pleased, but he wasn't sure his face conveyed that emotion. Anessa smiled shyly. It was important to be happy at this moment, but it wasn't the kind of thing that a young woman wanted announced in front of everyone. Edin's mother was too excited to care.

"In a few days, you can consummate your marriage," his mother continued. She reached for Anessa's hand and pulled the girl towards Edin. Edin took his wife's hand and tried to smile again.

That night, Edin stared at the door in fear with his head covered by the blanket. He was frightened that one of lord Tanahn's men would come for him, and he was petrified that his wife would come for him.

It was a very long night, and his eyes were still open as the dawn approached.

For the next few days, Edin was paranoid. Every time someone said his name, he would jump a mile. Every touch on his arm startled him. He just knew that at any moment lord Tanahn would be after him for talking to Serenity. So many people had seen him with her. Anessa made him fearful as well. She would give him loving smiles whenever he looked at her, and he was frightened that at any moment she would tell him that she would be in his bed that evening. It made him not want to look at her.

"I know your secret," Dai said, as brother and sister walked through the market.

It was one of the rare days that Edin did not have to work, and he accompanied his sister while she shopped. She had asked him to, and now Edin knew why.

"Secret?"

"You have been acting strangely." She laughed. "And I know it is not a fear of poor performance in the bedroom."

"Dai!" Edin scolded, shocked at his sister's words.

Again his sister laughed. "Shylan told me," she said, her face serious. "That he saw you. Within the castle."

Edin stopped. He closed his eyes, raised his face to the sky, and sighed. Shylan was Dai's young male friend, and the boy that pointed him toward Serenity's quarters within the castle. If he had told Dai, had he told anyone else?

"Do not worry," Dai said. Edin could hear her voice, but he did not open his eyes to look at her. "He will not speak of it to anyone. He only told me because I am his dearest friend."

After he lowered his head, Edin opened his eyes and looked at his sister. She was nearly Anessa's age, and would be wed before long. Shylan was not yet old enough to be wed, as the boys were wed when they were sixteen and old enough to work hard. She would not be given to him, although he could see in her eyes that was what she wanted.

"I know you understand," she said as he looked at her. "How unfair it is. I just wanted you to know that I knew, that we knew. That you are not alone."

"Such a wise young woman."

Dai smiled, a huge smile, and they continued to shop. It was while they looked at an assortment of stones that a messenger rode through the streets, heralding his news. Edin and Dai watched the man as he reared in his horse, and let the crowd gather around him before he spoke.

"It has been decreed, by our great lord and god, Odin, that no longer are plants and stones to be used in the healing of the sick or wounded."

The crowed murmured their shock. Someone yelled out, asking how were they supposed to help their loved ones. The messenger ignored them all.

"You have until sunset to bring every stone and healing plant in your possession to the center of town. There is a well-guarded fire there, where you will destroy your goods. Once the sun sets, there will be a city wide search in every home. Failure to burn your items of healing will result in death. From here on out, any healing will bring your death. As decreed by our lord and god Odin."

Having spoken as he was ordered to, the messenger rode off to the next part of town, where he would deliver his speech again. This law made no sense to Edin. Why would they create such a law? Especially one that would harm their need for a growing and healthy population of people. Edin felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked down at Dai, whose face looked worried and fearful.

"Father."

Edin took his sister's hand and raced off toward their home. Without his medication, their father would not survive. The healer, the woman who loved him, kept them supplied with the items he needed to stay alive, and to function at least a little. As they ran down the street, Edin saw people as they talked about the new law. Many had tears in their eyes. They held their plants and stones in hand.

When they reached their home, the front door was wide open and no one was inside. Dai pointed to the huge bonfire just down the street, and Edin saw his family near it. They rushed over to them, and when their mother saw them, she grasped at both of them to pull them into a hug. She cried openly, and loudly. Anessa was in front of them. She guided Edin's father toward the fire. Edin went to his other side to help steady him as well. In the man's hand, his palm up, was a small stone. It had been given to him by the healer.

Edin's father looked over at his son and smiled.

Anessa cried, but they were quiet tears. They couldn't be sure that the man really knew what he did, as he tossed his stone to the flames, but Anessa kept her cries quiet so that the man would continue to smile. The stone rested among the flames for a moment, and then once it had absorbed too much heat, it burst with a loud popping sound. They stepped back from the fire and returned to the rest of the family.

The family stood together and stared at the fire, while others also burned their chances of survival. It was quiet within the city; the only sounds were of the flames as they ate their way through all they had been offered.

The silence was broken by a scream. It was a scream of both anger and fear. A few men, sent by lord Tanahn, pushed through the crowds with their arms laden with sacks that could only contain the now forbidden plants and stones. Behind the men came the healer, the woman who had loved Edin's father, and had tried to keep him alive. She screamed and begged. For the first time, Dai broke into a sob and buried her face in their father's shoulder.

"Please!" the healer begged, and she dropped to her knees. "I have done no harm to anyone. Why should I be punished so?"

She grabbed at one of the men's arms and tugged. He forcefully tore himself from her grasp, but once he was free, he looked back at the healer with sorrow in his eyes. As the men dumped all her goods into the fire, the multitude of people all cried out. The healer stared at the fire. Her face was red and worn. As the three men passed by, she looked up at them.

"You have just killed nearly half this city," she spat.

"I am sorry," the man who had grabbed her earlier said. "I have an ill child at home." He reached down and offered the woman his hand. She took it, and let him help her rise to her feet. The healer now looked at the man as an equal. He did not want to do as he was ordered. He must have done the same already, tossed away his child's chance to get well. The man started to lead the healer away, but when she saw Edin's family, she pulled away from the man and ran towards them.

"I am so sorry," she cried to Edin's father. Edin could hear his mother's breath catch at the display. The woman dropped to her knees again, and Edin leveled himself with the healer. He tried to get her to stand, but it was the touch of Edin's father, his hand upon the woman's head, that made her rise. She looked into his withered face, and he smiled back at her. Did he see the woman he had loved? Edin didn't know, but he hoped so.

The man from earlier led the healer away and back to her home. Edin and his family returned home as well.

They ate their dinner in silence, and when Edin went to his bed, he was exhausted and his mind was filled with thoughts about the new law. He wondered how much longer his father would survive. He wanted to know what caused their lords to create such a law. And he wanted to see Serenity again.

He was wide awake when Anessa entered his room. Edin sat up straight on his pallet and watched her make her way to his bedside. He let her lie down beside him, and he wrapped his arm around her. In his mind, he thought she was an upset girl who needed comfort. He pressed his lips to her brow, and held her close.

"I am ready," she said.

Edin's heart stopped, and he had to fight the urge to push the girl away from him.

"Although it scares me," she whispered, her fingers on his chest. "Not fear of you hurting me, I know you never could. But I fear having a child that I could not take care of if it became ill. This law will not last, will it?"

"I cannot say," Edin said, his voice hoarse.

"I am happy."

"Ah, Anessa, you are a child."

"I am a woman," she said, defiantly. She sounded like Dai.

"But, still a child."

The girl, Edin's wife, cried onto his chest. She begged and pleaded with Edin, asked him to take her, to give her what she waited for. She said that it would finally bring them together as husband and wife. Edin listened, but didn't reply. It was when she said that she felt that if she could give herself to him then he would stop thinking of Serenity, that Edin pushed Anessa from him and held her face in his hands. She looked expectantly at him.

"Is there not someone that you love?" he asked.

"I love you."

"Someone you were not told to love."

"I want to love our child."

He could not hear anymore. Edin got up from his bed and dressed quickly. He could feel Anessa's eyes on him. Without a word to her, he left the house. It was foolish to be out in the middle of the night. There would be so many questions if he were caught. But, despite that, Edin made his way to the castle. He walked past the ashes, all which were left of the city's medicines. Once he reached the castle, he walked around it, and looked up at the windows. He tried to figure out which one belonged to Serenity. A candle blazed in one window, and so he chose that one. Edin sat on the ground, his legs wrapped together, and stared at the light in the window.

He held his breath when he saw a figure move. Someone walked to the castle, but they didn't seem to know that Edin was there. He held perfectly still, but tried to figure out who the person was. It was dark, but the moon shone bright enough that he could make out some features.

Edin became sure of who it was when the person turned and looked at him. With violet, violent eyes, Lilith stared at Edin. Somehow, Edin did not feel afraid of the woman, although he knew he should have been. Only when lord Tanahn's mother turned away and entered the castle, did Edin take a breath.

He was afraid he wouldn't have many more coming to him.

Chapter 7

Over the next few days, life grew calmer. The people still reeled from the new law, but Edin felt safer as more days went by without him being dragged to the castle and thrown into a cell. Anessa slept beside him every night, but she no longer asked for anything. He would have preferred her to remain in Dai's room but it would have appeared strange to his mother, and he did not want to make things worse. As for Anessa, all Edin could guess was that she hoped that one day he would see her as an adult.

He knew that someday, he would. But that did not mean he would ever look at her as more than he did now. She looked like Dai to him. And even all grown up, she would appear to him as a sister because he had watched her grow into a woman before his eyes.

He could never look at her, or think of her, as he did Serenity.

But, he wished he could. Edin wanted nothing more than to happily return home from work to his wife, and to take her up in his arms and kiss her.

Because loving Serenity was dangerous.

He followed her again. Heavy with child, Serenity left the castle and headed toward the forest. The only reason Edin had noticed her was because he always looked for her. As she disappeared from view, lost among the trees, Edin should have turned back to his work. He should have dropped her from his mind. Edin was not strong enough to do that, though, and as he had once before, he dropped his tools and followed Serenity.

The forest confused him. Edin didn't know which way Serenity went, but he kept moving anyway, and listened for any footsteps. When he found Serenity, she seemed lost. At first, he just watched her, taking in her face, her swelling belly. He was quickly filled with envy that he immediately pushed away. Serenity did not love being a mother, he knew, and he did not want to be envious of a man who forced on her something she did not love. What he wanted, though, was to help her see that it was something to love. That he could show her gentleness.

When he sensed how frightened she was lost within the woods, Edin was about to show himself. He hadn't thought out a plan. As before, he was just going to help her. She would remember him, perhaps, but that would not change the fact that he broke a law. But, nothing could stop him from going to her.

Just as he took one step towards her, Edin felt something tug on his arm. He froze, knowing it was not a branch. The touch was unmistakably human. Edin turned around, slowly and eyes wide with fear, to come face to face with lord Tanahn's mother, Lilith.

She had a frightening beauty, dark and menacing. Her eyes looked amused, but Edin did not feel that there was anything funny about the situation. Edin let the woman run her fingers from his cheek and down along his chest while she held him pressed against the tree. The whole time, her smile grew larger. Then the immortal goddess placed her palm against Edin's cheek. She gave him a stern, almost warning look, before Edin felt his mind and body grow tired, and he slid down the tree, eyes closed.

When he woke, it was dark. Evening had fallen. Edin scrambled to his feet and immediately felt confused and disoriented. He wasn't sure what had just happened, only that his family would be worried about him. Edin raced to his home and threw open the door. Everyone looked at him like he was insane. Dai laughed.

"Is there something wrong?" Anessa asked. She had just finished up his dinner. As she always did, so it was ready for him when he returned home from work.

Edin shook his head in reply. Did he make it back home as he normally would have? Did no one know that he had left work and chased after Serenity? Did Lilith keep quiet? Edin was very confused, but he let Anessa lead him to his place at the table. She placed his meal before him and kissed his cheek.

Was Lilith just going to wait, torture him for a while? Twice now, the woman had seen him, and there was no way she would let him get away with disobeying the law. Edin was doomed. He just didn't know when.

While everyone ate, Edin stared dumbly at the table. He heard his mother and Dai argue, about Shylan, no doubt. After awhile, Edin felt Anessa's small hand rest over his. His eyes darted to her, and she gave him a worried smile. The last thing Edin wanted was to upset her, but he couldn't help but look at her and see that she would be widowed at only fourteen years. That she would be given away to another man, after she struggled so hard to love the one she had. She would have to do the same a second time. Edin knew that she might not be as lucky as she was with him. Another man would see her as an adult. She would be a mother. Then again, that was what she said she wanted.

But, she had been taught since childbirth to want that.

And Serenity! Serenity would not be free if he died for her. For being foolish enough to follow her.

"Edin?" Anessa's voice broke his thoughts, and he smiled at his wife. A fake smile, meant only to calm her fears.

And that is how the days continued. Edin smiled. He watched his back, and stared at his bedroom door all night, Anessa curled up against him. He smiled some more.

His fate arrived late one night. Eyes bloodshot from exhaustion, Edin watched his door, his ears strained to hear the knock that brought the men come to take him away. A knock did not come, though, but just a sense that there was someone there. For some reason that Edin would never understand, he just knew that someone waited for him, and him alone. Anessa slept soundly, unperturbed, while Edin's chest pounded and his mind screamed. Carefully, Edin pried himself from Anessa's grasp. As he felt his way through the small house, the light from the moon floating through the windows, Edin went straight for the front door.

He opened it quickly, ready to meet his fate.

His fate came in the form of Lilith, with an amused smile on her face again. In her arms, she held a bundle.

"Congratulations, father," Lilith said, and she stretched out her arms to offer the bundle.

Dumbly, Edin took the gift. The blanket squirmed, and Edin quickly moved the blanket aside so he could see what he had. Of course, he knew it was a baby, which was obvious. But why did Lilith deliver it? What Edin wanted to see was whether the child held the features he hoped.

The baby was beautiful.

Beautiful to Edin because it had her eyes, and soft tufts of her hair. The child was silent, and didn't fuss. Instead, the little boy looked up at Edin with curious, wide eyes. Unable to control his emotion, Edin gave a sob-filled laugh.

"I thought you had come to execute me." He looked at Lilith with thankful, grateful eyes.

"No," she said, lightly. "I have come to reward you."

"But, why?"

"This is where that little boy belongs."

Her words held a wisdom that Edin would never live to know. That his son would grow up strong and loved. He would carry on his father's work with stone. That he would fall in love and wed the very woman he loved. Children would be born from that love. Years would go by, the line would continue, until the day a dark eyed boy would be born. A boy named Garrick. Lilith had just delivered to Edin the start of her own death.

Chapter 8

It wasn't until Lilith had left and Edin closed the door that he noticed there was something in the bundle with the baby. Carefully, Edin pulled the child from the blanket and gently rested the baby's head on his shoulder. Then he shook out the blanket. A fairly large blue stone struck the floor at Edin's feet. As Edin picked it up, he could tell immediately what it was.

Lapis lazuli. A very rare stone, and very illegal in Ilmarinen. The lapis lazuli was said to give the bearer a strong sense of courage and love, but it was so rare that no one was sure how to use the stone for any other healing properties.

Had Lilith purposely left it within the blanket?

"Edin?"

Startled, Edin jerked his head toward the sound. It was Dai, and Edin gave an unexpected sigh of relief. She saw the baby and her eyes grew wide with excitement. Edin saw that she was about to yell for the others, to wake them up, but he shushed her and motioned her to get close to him. Once at his side, Dai took the baby from his arms where she was able to get a good look at the child's features. Then her jaw dropped.

"Is it?"

"Yes," Edin answered. "Lilith brought him."

"Lilith?" Dai looked from Edin to the baby and back again.

"And she left this within the blanket."

Edin presented the lapis lazuli. Dai was so shocked that Edin quickly grabbed the baby because she seemed about to drop him. With the stone in her hand, Dai stared with wonder. And then she frowned.

"What do we do? What does it mean? Will you destroy the stone?"

"No."

An excited scream filled the air, and both Edin and Dai looked toward the sound. Anessa rushed to them, squealed with delight, and she pulled the baby from Edin's arms. It took a few moments, as Anessa kissed and cooed over the baby, before she realized where the child came from. Who its mother had been.

That was when the excitement ended, and she gave the baby a blank look.

"Congratulations, Anessa," Dai said.

Something was wrong, they could both tell, brother and sister. Their mother, since she heard the commotion, joined them then. While the three women gathered around the baby, Edin snuck into his room and hid away the lapis lazuli stone beneath his pallet. When he returned, he found his wife in tears and the baby no longer in her hands.

"I do not want it!"

"Yes you do. This is what you have wanted all along."

Edin's mother held the baby and tried to get Anessa to take him into her arms.

"But it is her baby."

"It is our child, Anessa," Edin said, more forcefully than he intended. He took the little boy from his mother. Nothing would be able to take the child from his hands. "He is beautiful, not because of his heritage, but because he is ours to love and raise."

"You only love it because of her."

"Anessa!" Edin's mother shouted.

"Leave her be," Edin said. "Let her feel as she wishes."

Edin didn't tell them that Anessa was partly right. The baby carried Serenity's very being within him, and that was a part of him that Edin would love wholeheartedly. However, he also knew that if a child had arrived that was not Serenity's, his heart would still have loved it just as much. But, he was glad this baby boy was Serenity's, because by loving him and raising him, Edin was able to help Serenity in some small way, even though she may not ever know it.

For the rest of the night, Edin held his baby boy while the others woke up nursemaids for milk, and bought cloth and goods from tired-eyed merchants. They were used to such intrusions, and didn't mind. They always seemed glad for a newcomer to the city.

And the days passed. Edin hated to leave for work. He wanted to spend every moment with his son. He especially hated to leave him with Anessa, but always knew that Dai and their mother would not let any harm come to the baby. The house was filled with new warmth, brought on by the sounds of a child. Even their father, who never left his bed now, his eyes would gleam when the baby was placed on his bedside.

After awhile, Anessa warmed to the child. It was impossible not to. The baby made everyone smile, and Anessa had always wanted to be a mother to a beautiful baby. It made Edin glad and lightened his heart when he returned home from work and saw his wife feed their baby boy.

Edin felt at peace, and was no longer afraid of being dragged away and thrown in a cell, or executed. Lilith had rewarded him for loving Serenity, and he was grateful for it.

And then came the announcement: Lord Tanahn was to be wed.

Chapter 9

Edin had not seen Serenity in some time. When he did see her again, she was no longer the woman from the castle, dressed in one simple dress, but a scion to wed the lord Tanahn, dressed in finery. The men bowed to her as she approached, as did Edin. He could not help but recall the time he had repeatedly called her a lady, and she had despised the name.

If he were anyone else, Edin would have disliked Serenity for her change of status. He would have called her a hypocrite, and traitor. However, Edin knew Serenity, knew her heart and every meaning of every beat, and he did not see her relishing in her new role.

"I am dismissing you from your work," she said to them all.

"Dismissing, my lady?" Cartel asked.

"Well, not permanently. With Tanahn gone I cannot see why you should keep this up. I do not care if the walls are built. Go home to your families. Spend time with them, while you have it."

Her eyes scanned over the group, and when hers fell on Edin his breath caught. He wondered if she would remember him, recognize him, and somehow show him her gratitude. That is not what happened. Instead, Serenity's eyes passed him by, as they did every other man there. With a smile, Serenity walked away. And Edin followed her with his eyes.

He wanted to chase after her. To grab her arm and make her look at him. Once she recognized him, he would tell her that her son was now their son, and that he was loved. And he imagined that she would smile, and maybe even hug him in thanks, or place a light kiss upon his cheek.

He stayed. Edin went back to his work. It was not long ago when Edin would have risked all for the chance to be near Serenity, but now he was a father. Father to her baby. He could not risk losing that little boy.

That night when he returned home, he told his family that Serenity had given them all time off from work, and that they were to stay at home until lord Tanahn returned. It made them all very happy, and very grateful to Serenity, for her kindness. Even Anessa had to admit that with Serenity as their lady, things might be better for them.

"She spoke to us as well," Dai said. "She brought goods for everyone. The entire city."

"What did she say? Did she see Haniel?"

"No. Anessa kept him inside."

Edin nodded, but did not question his wife. Anessa would not want Serenity to see her son, in fear that the wife of their lord might wish for him back. It made sense for her to feel that way, although Edin knew that Serenity would not ask for such a thing.

"She gave us fresh bread, and wished that she could do more. She asked if there were children in the house. We mentioned Haniel, but she did not ask to see him."

The day came when the people of the town had to present their gifts to the wife-to-be of lord Tanahn. Everyone bustled about and nervously headed toward the castle. The scions tried to out do each other, while the begotten just tried to find something acceptable, worthy enough, for the new lady, even if it was some family treasure or an item that could have fed the family for weeks. No one could show themselves before Serenity and present a lowly gift.

Edin's family decided to sew a great blanket for Serenity. It was rumored that she was with child again, an idea that worried Edin although he did not speak it, and the women had spent most of their time sewing. The blanket had an intricate design, and was made from new cloth bought from the market. It was an item that not even baby Haniel had. The family could not afford to make two blankets.

Edin wanted to present Serenity with a different gift. The night before, Edin stood outside the front door, stared up at the stars, and tried to figure out how to get his gift to her without consequences. Lost in thought, Edin didn't hear Dai leave the house and stand beside him. When he realized she was there, he looked down at her and noticed that she stared at the sky as he had been. He laughed a little at his sister.

"What are you doing awake?" he asked.

"What are you doing awake?" she repeated.

Edin sighed and looked away from her. "I wish to give Serenity the lapis lazuli."

"Do it," Dai said. "Lord Tanahn is gone. No one will arrest you, unless by Serenity's orders. You know she would not order it."

"I do not know if I could face her."

"Why ever not?"

"I have so much to lose now." Edin's voice trailed off. He remembered how easily he would follow Serenity's every whim, as if she held a spell over him.

"I will do it." Dai stood in front of Edin, and he could see the plan form in her mind. Her eyes moved as she thought. "I will go after mother and Anessa. We will tell them that we have some other plans. Anessa would prefer it if you did not go. She would not want to see you with Serenity. Shylan will make sure I get in." Dai smiled, happy at the thought of the young man. "Will you let me help you?"

The lapis lazuli stone belonged with Serenity, Edin was sure of it. He didn't know why Lilith gave it to him, but he did not need it. This was going to be the only chance he'd have to give it to her. Dai was right when she said that no one would care about the law without lord Tanahn present.

Edin nodded, a slight smile on his face.

"Can I ask why you want to give the stone to her?"

"She wanted me to bring her a heaven."

"Heaven?"

"I cannot give her what I do not know, but she seemed to think that I could. I am hoping the stone will give her the courage she needs to find that heaven for herself."

"I hope so too."

"'A heaven for Serenity'," Edin mused. "That is what she said to me. She claimed my name suggested I could give her such a gift."

"Do I look as you do when I think of Shylan?" Dai laughed a little, and Edin blushed. "I hope I do."

While Edin's family went to present their offerings to Serenity, Edin wandered the forest outside the castle. Edin and Dai had told their mother and Anessa that they were going fishing. As Dai had believed, Anessa was glad that Edin would not go with them to the castle, to Serenity. Once Dai had delivered the stone, she would meet him in the forest.

He paced along the riverbank, and had been for some time, when Dai finally arrived. She told him that the stone not only shocked the entire city and would be talked about for some time, but that Serenity had loved it above all else. That made Edin glad, knowing that he had made Serenity happy. But, it was when Dai told him that Serenity remembered him, his name and who he was, that Edin felt more than elated. He could have danced and made a fool of himself throughout the entire township.

Instead, he went home with his sister, and although they claimed they didn't catch any fish, Edin did say that he had the best time in a very long time. Haniel was bounced on his knee, and Anessa was kissed upon her cheek, and Edin thought he would never stop smiling.

Chapter 10

Edin's smiles ended forever the day lord Tanahn returned. No one knew that he had returned from his travels until the immortal man himself stalked through the town. Edin and his family didn't even know he stalked through the town until they heard the raised voices outside. The women baked and Edin watched his son sleep. The voices made them all look toward the door. Edin went to open the door to find out what the commotion was, but he didn't even make it a few steps before the door slammed open.

Immortal lord Tanahn stood in the doorway. His eyes were dark, angry, and evil.

Annessa screamed, but covered her mouth quickly. Everyone dropped to their knees to show respect to their lord.

Everyone except Edin.

"You." Tanahn pointed at Edin. The man took a step forward and grabbed Edin by the neck. The pressure cut into his throat, and Edin knew that he was going to die right then in front of his family. "Why?" Tanahn growled. "Why you?"

Edin could not answer, but he wouldn't have known what to say anyway.

"Stop it!" Dai, brave, foolish Dai, stood up from her knees and glared at her master.

No one defies the gods.

Tanahn's face turned slightly, and his eyes fell on Dai. His hand remained on Edin's throat, but Edin felt the pressure lighten slightly. He was able to catch a tiny breath. Villagers had gathered outside, some bravely looked inside the open door. Edin recognized faces as friends, but none came to Dai's rescue.

Tanahn's hand released Edin, and he dropped to the floor. He hit the table as he fell, and the sound made Haniel wake and cry.

"Quiet that baby!" Tanahn yelled. Anessa crawled over to Haniel and picked him up. She pressed the baby's face to her shoulder, a face that Tanahn would never see.

Edin tried to reach for the lord Tanahn. He nearly grasped the man's pant leg, but he moved toward Dai much too fast. Edin didn't see Dai's eyes. He would never know if she became afraid or remained defiant. She never screamed.

Edin heard Dai's body hit the floor, but before he could even look at what happened, the angry lord had Edin by the back of his neck. He threw Edin outside without any effort, and Edin fell into the street. Then Edin felt a kick to his side. The kick was so hard it flipped him over once. A hand grabbed his hair and lifted his head so that everyone that had gathered in the street could see his face.

"This is what happens when someone defies me as this man has." Tanahn spoke loud for all to hear. "Be sure he will not die, no, but he will suffer. Long after your families have aged and died, this man will continue to suffer."

The last thing Edin saw was the toe of Tanahn's boot as he struck his head.

Edin would never see his family again, or ever know what happened to Dai.

Chapter 11

When Edin awoke, he was alone. The floor he rested on was cold stone. At first, Edin thought he was within the castle, but the stone was smoother and shinier. He sat up and looked around. The room was round with two floors. The upper floor had many doors. Behind Edin was another door. Was it the exit?

Something was very wrong. Edin was not tied up. He was alone, and with an exit within a few steps. There was no reason to run. Edin knew he would not get very far. He almost ran once he heard the footsteps and voices. One voice was lord Tanahn, but the second was deeper and sounded angry. The two people came into sight and Edin's breath stopped.

The man that walked alongside Tanahn wore a dark gray cloak. His hair was silver and his face looked withered and old. Although Edin had never met the man before, he knew right away, who he was: Odin. Edin looked upon the face of a god. The god of death, and Tanahn's father. He realized that he was within Odin's home, Valhalla, that was far from Edin's island town.

The two stopped once they reached Edin, but all he could do was stare up at Odin and try to breathe.

"You are like a child," Odin said to Tanahn. "I will not grant this man immortality. That would only prove to help."

"I do not want to just kill him." Tanahn gestured at Edin, but kept his face on his father. "I want him to suffer."

"For what?" Odin looked down at Edin for a brief moment. "What has the man done to you?"

"You know what Azurine said. She said a man would give my wife courage and that courage would weaken me. She has never been wrong when she sees the future."

"I was there, my son. But, how has this man given her courage?"

Edin listened to the conversation. His eyes darted back and forth between the two as they spoke. When they mentioned courage, Edin could have answered Odin's question. Instead, he remained silent.

"Serenity was given a gift. A lapis lazuli. This man found it and gave it to her."

The mood in the room changed. It was as if a cloud covered the sun so that it no longer shined down from the open ceiling. Edin looked at Odin after Tanahn spoke, and he shivered. The god's eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and anger. Did he know where Edin obtained the gem? Did he know it was from his wife?

The god closed his eyes a moment and then opened them to look at Edin. He seemed to contemplate his next move while Edin just tried to remain calm. It was impossible to do with the god's eyes boring into his soul.

"I will not make this man immortal so you can torture him forever."

"Why not?" Tanahn pouted like a child.

"I will, however, put him in his place. He is but a dog. A dog that has tried to bite his master's hand, and we will have none of that."

Edin didn't understand anything. All he had wanted was to give Serenity the heaven she asked for, and he thought the lapis would help. He didn't know what would happen to him, but all he could guess was that his punishment was for caring more about Serenity than Tanahn did himself. He did not know the power in that lapis. He did not know the power in his love.

Chapter 12

The wolf followed its master without question. The master ordered him to follow and the wolf obeyed. Simple as that. For the next few days, the wolf ran beside his master as he rode his horse. Then he rested on the deck of the ship, and puked a few times. His master struck him for that. It hurt, but the wolf wanted to please his master, so he did not strike back.

"We are home," the master said. He gestured toward the stone castle, and the wolf looked at it. Home? "Soon, you will meet your other master."

The wolf did not see the master's wicked grin, and even if the wolf had seen it, it never would have understood. The idea of meeting yet another master didn't bother the wolf, but for some reason, it entertained the master.

The new home was vast. The wolf followed behind its master through the halls and up the stairs. When they reached a door, the master opened it and they both entered. The woman in the room looked up at the door, startled at the intrusion, and then down at the wolf. Her eyes grew wide with fear and she jumped from her seat. The wolf watched as the woman hugged the wall. What was she afraid of?

"Isn't it magnificent?" the master asked.

The wolf could sense her fear. It was very strong. Was this woman his other master? If so, why was she afraid? The wolf felt sad that the woman hated it. What had it done wrong?

The woman ran into another room and slammed the door shut.

"Foolish woman." The master looked down at the wolf. "Do you have any bit of consciousness in there, stonemason? How does it feel that she despises you so?"

The wolf cocked its head in confusion. Stonemason? Was that a name? The idea of the woman's hate continued to sadden the wolf. The master opened the door that the woman entered and shoved the wolf inside. The door closed and the wolf found itself sitting awkwardly in front of the door.

The woman looked at the wolf from across the room. The wolf tried to look as solemn as possible so that the woman would not be afraid. Couldn't she see that the wolf was sad? The woman held out her hand. It shook with fear but her eyes showed determination instead of hate. The wolf slowly moved toward the woman so that its head rested just under the outstretched hand.

With just that light touch, the woman seemed much less afraid. She bade the wolf to rest beside her and it obeyed. The wolf wasn't supposed to obey anyone but the master, but he obeyed the woman. The two of them fell asleep. The wolf listened to the woman's light breathing, and took comfort that she slept so soundly.

Chapter 13

The next day the two masters said harsh words to each other and left. For a while, the wolf just watched the door in wait for the masters to return. They did not. It was some time, the wolf was not sure how long, before the master came to the room to fetch the wolf. It jumped to its feet in excitement, but saw the angry look on the master's face, and stopped.

They went on a hunt.

The wolf had never hunted before, but the other dogs seemed to know what to do. The wolf just followed them as they ran and howled. The wolf did not understand, but hoped to learn quickly in order to please its master. It felt good to run through the woods. The breeze felt nice as it rushed through the wolf's dark fur.

Then the master yelled out in pain. Every dog stopped running at the sound and looked to the master. An arrow stuck out of the master's chest and blood poured down. The dogs began to bark but the wolf just stared at the wound. Its eyes pulsed as it watched the blood pour down. The pulsing matched the master's heartbeat.

"Go!" the master screamed, and he pointed up a hill. "Make her suffer. Make her bleed, but do not kill her!"

The dogs ran toward the hill the moment the order was voiced. The wolf cocked its head, its eyes still on the wound. The master looked at the wolf. Their eyes met. Was that fear in the master's eyes?

"Do as I ordered," the master said, but his voice did not seem confident. The wolf glanced one more time at the wound in the master's chest, and then it ran off up the hill.

At the top of the hill, the dogs had caught its prey. They were roughly tearing at the animal, but even the wolf could see they avoided any wound that would kill it immediately. The wolf just watched the scene. He could not tell what the dogs had caught.

The master arrived at the top of the hill and called the dogs off. Only then did the wolf see the prey was his other master, the woman he slept beside. The woman had a bow and she was the one that had wounded the master. The tip of the bow had a blue stone, but the wolf knew nothing of those things. But, he recognized the woman.

Serenity.

The wolf looked at the bleeding wound on the master's chest. Then it looked back at Serenity. Her eyes locked on to the wolf's eyes. Her eyes seemed to beg. The master was about to kill her with her own bow, to finish what the dogs had started.

Tanahn was going to kill Serenity.

These names? What were these names? Why did the wolf remember them? Serenity's eyes. They were dying, but they continued to plead.

Serenity.

Serenity.

Edin.

The wolf remembered it all. It didn't have time to think about it. Instead, the wolf growled at Tanahn so that the man would be distracted from his kill. When the immortal lord turned toward the wolf, it lunged. The wolf pushed Tanahn to the ground. It ripped into the wound on the man's chest. It tore out skin and bone, desperately and angrily, until it reached the heart. The man screamed in pain. He begged, but had no strength to push the wolf away.

The wolf, Edin the wolf, dug teeth into the heart and ripped it out of the immortal man's chest.

Tanahn screamed and breathed no more.

The wolf dropped the heart from its mouth. Serenity was going to die. She was just moments from death. The wolf joined her on the ground, just as it had done that night in her room. Her breath slowed, and she clung to the wolf's fur tighter as death got closer. She was not scared. The wolf could feel that it comforted her. She was not alone.

It wasn't until after Serenity died that Edin fully realized what he had become. The pieces came together in his mind too late, but he knew he could not have saved her even if he had remembered. Odin turned him into a wolf, a dog for a master to control, but, somehow, Serenity had broken the curse on his mind and he was able to kill Tanahn before he killed Serenity. She was able to die of her own free will and not from Tanahn's hand.

Edin might have chosen to go home. Maybe he could have figured out a way to tell his family that he was the wolf. Or maybe someone would have chased him off or killed him if they thought he was in the town to harm the children. It didn't matter. Edin never thought about leaving Serenity. He knew no one would look for her. Her body would remain where it was with the hilltop as her grave. He could not leave her.

Edin cried. He did not cry because he was sad. He cried because Serenity had achieved her goal. She killed an immortal man and would no longer have to suffer.

It was then that Edin decided to go with her. He would follow her wherever her soul went and remain by her side. Edin closed his eyes and slept. He slept until hunger and sorrow finally took his life so he could join Serenity.

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If you enjoyed "Edin," check out the second prequel in the Ilmarinen series, "Serenity." Learn Serenity's side of the story and how she helped to create the prophecy from the Ilmarinen series. "Serenity" is another free ebook! The first book in the Ilmarinen series, "Ilmarinen," will arrive soon!