In a small clearing surrounded by the forest stood a Great tree. Under it was a small and modest house.
That is the place we call home.
My twin sister and I are living on our own, our father passed away during a war and our mother at our birth.
Although our features are identical, Rosabeth and I are very different. Her hair is a blonde so pale that it appears white, her skin a caramel brown and her eyes as gold as the sun. My hair is a dark shade of brown, my skin almost as white as the moon, and my eyes a purple hue of pansies.
She is everything I have and I am everything she has. I would do anything to make her happy. We live and complete each other. Once our father passed away, we only had us. We can only count on each other.
Living peacefully, we take our food from the earth behind our house. We were mostly self-sufficient, but we still had to go to the nearby village once in a while.
As I put in the last ingredients in the soup, Rosabeth comes in with a basket.
‘’Lilyabeth look at all the strawberries our garden has gifted us! I cannot wait to eat the delicious desserts you will bake with them.’’ She said smiling at me.
Wiping off my hands on my apron I walked towards her.
‘’They do look delicious. I wonder, what should I make with them?’’ I answered as I took one and tasted it. They were indeed perfectly sweet.
“I know!” she exclaimed excitedly. “You could make your delicious strawberry cake with jam!’’
“That does seem like a good idea, it has been a while since I did one. But we are missing a couple of ingredients, we would need to go to the market.’’
‘’It’s alright, we were supposed to go soon anyway.’’
I sigh ‘’I know. Might as well get ready to go now before it gets to late.’’
---000---
My sister and I are walking arms in arms towards the village. Although it is sunny there is a small wind cold enough for us to have our hoods up.
Arriving at the marketplace, we were greeted by the usual stares of judgment, fear, and disgust.
As usual we keep our talk to a minimum and go as fast as possible through our shopping list.
Most of the villagers didn’t talk to us. Living in the woods without having much contact with them, rumors started about us being evil beings. Add the fact that we are mostly identical and that we live on our own, they started to fear us. Some even went as far as saying we were demons from Muspellheim disguised as young maidens.
We tried to befriend them to put a stop to the rumors but after a while we saw that no matter how hard we tried; they never wanted any connection to us.
So, we kept our contact to a bare minimum, that way they would have less reason to hurt us.
We didn’t bother them; they didn’t bother us.
There was, of course, one exception to that rule.
Sir Gorm.
He was the man in charge of the village. Everybody looked up and listened to him. When my sister and I turned of age, he asked for her hand and she refused. He asked her multiple times after and her answer never changed.
After a couple of years, he stopped. It was around the same time that the rumors started.
Now he was mostly the only one who spoke to us. Every time he saw us he would always make unpleasant remarks.
---000---
As we were walking back towards our house, the sun would soon be setting. Looking ahead, we see two men riding in front of us on the road. The one on the right, was on a white horse, had blond hair and a red cape. His form was a bit larger than most men from the village. The man on the left, riding a dark grey horse, with his black hair pushed back and a green cape, was looking a bit leaner than his companion.
As we approached them, the blond one called out to us:
‘’Good afternoon ladies.’’ He said with a loud voice.
We slightly bowed our heads in sight of acknowledgement.
‘’Would you happened to know where my brother and I could find a place to rest?’’ He asked with a smile.
Putting on a polite smile I answered. ‘’If you continue about 20 minutes in your current direction, there is a village where you should be able to find lodgings.’’
Turning towards his brother he said, ‘’You hear that brother! We shall sleep in a bed tonight.’’
‘’Yes Thor, I heard.’’ He answered to his brother with a look of exasperation on his face.
They seemed familiar somehow. Thinking it would come to me later, I brushed it off.
‘’Thank you for the information.’’ The man now known as Thor said to us. Looking between my sister and I he added ‘’Might I be asking why two beautiful maidens such as yourself are heading to the forest at such an hour? We would be glad to offer you both a ride and bring you back safely home before the night fall.’’
I quickly answered ‘’My sister and I are actually on our way home.’’
‘’But thank you for the offer sir.’’ Rosabeth answered with a smile. I could not help but notice the look her and the man shared.
Giving my twin a small nudge and look, we gave a little bow with our head and continued our way back to the house. Leaving the two travelers a bit confused.
As we reached the small valley between the trees Rosabeth asked.
‘’Didn’t they seemed familiar to you?’’ turning her head toward me.
‘’They did, but I can’t quite point from where.’’ I answered furrowing my brows.
‘’Well wherever they come from they were quite handsome.’’ She said nudging me harm a playful smile on her lips.
‘’Could it be that my dear sister fancy one of them?’’ I asked teasingly.
She laughs. ‘’How can you tell.’’
‘’Because I know you.’’ I answered with a small laugh.
Looking at the sky I saw a grey cloud approaching. Following my gaze my sister said: ‘‘Let us hurry inside before the rain decides to turn into thunder.’’
And that’s when it hit me.
‘’Of course! I know who those two travelers were.’’ She looked at me encouraging me to continue.
‘’They are the two warriors who killed the beast that was stealing the villager’s crops a couple of years ago. Do you not remember?’’
‘’You are right!’’ She answered as we entered the house.
---000---
A few months later…
The town’s people were getting restless. It had not rained for quite some time and the dried season had killed almost all the fields and the cattle were dying due to an unknown cause.
As the night fell, Rosabeth and I were getting ready to go to bed.
Having a small house, we only had one bed to share, but neither of us really minded. We only lived with one bed all our life after all.
‘’Do you think we will ever find someone of our own Lilyabeth?’’ My twin asked, slipping under the covers as I checked the dying fire.
‘’Are you still thinking about a certain warrior we met?’’ I asked with a teasing smile.
‘’Well as a matter of fact, yes. You can not say they were not attractive.’’
I advanced towards the bed.
‘’I admit, they were rather handsome.’’ I slid under the covers with a small smile.
We turned to our side and faced each other. We could barely see our faces, the fireplace being the only light in the house.
‘’I can not wait to get married and have children of my own.’’
‘’And I can not wait to spoil them.’’
‘’What do you mean spoil them?’’ She said, raising on her elbow. ’’Lilyabeth you can not seriously be thinking that I will let you live the rest of your life alone.’’
‘’I will not be alone, Rosabeth. I will have you and my many nieces and nephews.’’
She laid back down with a sight.
‘’I do not need a husband in my life. You and your happiness are all I need to feel fulfilled.’’
‘’Please promise me something.’’ She asked, looking directly in my eyes.
‘’Anything.’’
‘’No matter what happens do not let happiness pass you by. One day you will meet the person that makes your heart go faster. I do not want you to be alone. Promise me that you will not let that person pass by.’’ She said, looking at me with pleading eyes.
Smiling softly, I took the pendant around my neck as she took hers, fitting them together and placing our forehead on one another.
‘’I, Lilyabeth, elder twin, child of the moon and earth, swear to fulfil my sister’s wishes and not let happiness pass me by. For my happiness is my sister’s.’’
‘’I, Rosabeth, youngest twin, child of the sun and sky, swear to pursue my happiness so that my sister may find hers. For my happiness is my sister’s.’’
A small giggle escaped our lips at our silliness. Remembering the day, we created our little ritual as young children. We fell asleep as the moon rose across the night sky, a smile on our lips.
---000---
I woke up startled by hands grabbing me. I screamed and tried to free myself, but my struggle was in vain as they were firmly holding me. Hearing a muffled scream by my side I looked at my sister. We were both being held by men we recognized from the village. As they brought us to our feet, my sister and I looked at each other, fear on our faces. But before I had the chance to say anything they blindfolded, gaged, and tied us. They brought us outside, threw us into a chariot and left.
As I laid on the hard wood of the chariot, my respiration started to accelerate as did my sister’s as she laid beside me.
‘’Do you think this will really work?’’ one of the men asked.
‘’Of course, it will! Sir Gorm is never wrong.’’
‘’It is the only way.’’ Another said.
Sir Gorm.
Of course, it was him. He was the only one who could have convinced everyone to do such a thing. After all it was him who started the rumors of us being demons in the first place. It was him who always made everyone scared of us.
I was scared. Not only for myself but for my sister as well. As they took us out of the cart, my blindfold dropped…And i felt my stomac drop. Sir Gorm was standing before two wooden pillars with chains in the town square. His sickening grin plastered on his face. As they chained Rosabeth and I to the pillars, they took my hanging blind fold and Rosabeth’s off.
‘’MY FRIENDS!’’ Sir Grom announced ‘’WE ARE GATHERED HERE, AT THIS LATE HOUR TO PUT AN END TO OUR SUFFERING!’’
The people around us started cheering at his words. Panic still in me. My breathing only went faster.
Looking frantically at the crowd, I turned towards my sister. She looked at me with tears streaming down her cheeks.
‘’OUR FIELDS STOPPED FEEDING US! OUR CATTLES ARE DYING!’’ Turning and pointing towards us. ‘’AND IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF THEM! THOSE DEMONS STRAIGHT FROM MUSPELHEIM.’’ He advanced toward us ‘’THEY HAVE DISGUISED THEMSELVES AS YOUNG MAIDENS TO TRY AND FOOL US. TO MAKE US BELIEVE THEY ARE INNOCENT BEINGS.’’ He signaled at some men behind us and turned back to the crowd. ‘’THE ONLY WAY TO RAISE THE CURSE THEY HAVE PUT UPON OUR VILLAGE IS TO CHASTISE AND BANISH THEM.’’
At those words, the crowd cheered once more.
Terror took place in me, shaking my body as I saw Gorm’s men arrive in front of us, each holding metal barres.
One by one. Following their leader’s orders, the villager’s each took their turn and hit us. Our muffled screams filled the air of the night.
Beaten and half conscious, Gorm stepped in front of us, another sickening grin plastered on his face while one of his men came up behind him, two iron red as fire in his hands. The symbol on them was clear.
Sutter's crown.
Before my brain could register what was happening our nightgown had been torn and the burning iron was already marking us. Screaming as loud as my voice would let me behind the rag in my mouth, they marked the skin between my breasts.Once the iron left my skin, I turned my head to look at my sister, who had gone unconscious from the pain.
They unchained our limp bodies from the posts and let us fall to the ground only to drag us through the dirt.
Then the rain started to fall.
“BROTHERS AND SISTERS! THE CURSE IS ALREADY STARTING TO LIFT! AFTER SO MANY DAYS WITHOUT RAIN THE CLOUDS ARE FINALLY BLESSING US.’’ Gorm shouted to the crowd as they cheered to the rain.
His men continued to drag us on the ground towards the forest. About 10 minutes later, they reached the ravine by the village. The rain was now falling so hard that we could barely see the end of it. As they held us above the ravine Rosabeth regained consciousness. Her screams muffled by the rag in her mouth and the pouring rain we looked at each other as Gorm continued.
‘’DEAR PEOPLE OF RIVEN-LANDSBY! WE MUST NOW MAKE THE LAST SACRIFICE TO BREAK THEIR DEVILISH CURSE.’’ He looked at us and said ‘’ DEMONIC TWINS, YOU HAVE LONG CURSED OUR LIVES. WE BANISH YOU FROM RIVEN-LANDSBY TO NEVER RETURN! CRAWL BACK TO MUSPELHEIM WHERE YOU BELONG!’’
At those words, the men holding us pushed us into the ravine. As we hit the rock and tumbled farther and farther into its depth consciousness left me. The cheering of the townspeople being the last noise in my ears.
---000---
As the rain slowed to a small mist, still in the darkness of the night, I slowly regained consciousness. The ropes around my wrists had loosen during my fall. My body was aching all over and a sharp pain in my abdomen made itself known as I took a deep breath. I looked around; I saw Rosabeth lying on her side, her back to me.
‘’Rosabeth.’’ I whispered ‘’Rosabeth!’’ I called louder as I painfully crawled toward her.
As I reached her body and cradled her in my arms, pushing her wet strands of hair out of her face. Her eyes were opened, their golden color now faded no longer holding the light they once had. Upon realizing that my sister had left this world, I could not stop the tears from streaking down my face.
‘’No! No no no no no no no no! You cannot leave me! Rosabeth! ROSABETH!’’
No longer feeling the pain in my body, a wrenching scream left my throat towards the sky. The physical pain I was feeling seemed like nothing compared to the pain of losing my sister. She was all I had. Her death stole a part of my soul and ripped a piece of my heart from my chest.
I cried and cried as sorrow and grief filled me.I don't know how long I cried holding her in my arms.
As I looked back at my sister face, I lifted her body and brought her back home. When I reached the little valley in the trees, the sun was already high in the clouded sky. I was greeted with the sight of our little home burned to the ground, the ruins had long stoped burning. As I reached the half-burned tree that leaned over the remains of what was my home, I put her to the ground, took the shovel of our little garden and started digging. I laid her down on the earth, covering her as much as possible with the pieces of her nightgown, trying to give her as much dignity as I could in her last moment. Taking one last look at my sister, I took her necklace and buried her.
I stayed there…kneeling by her grave and cried until the tears ran dry. I felt like a shell, empty and hollow. When the stars filled the sky and the full moon brought her gentle light around me, slowly, the sorrow and pain of my grief turned into hate. It turned into an infernal rage that filled my body and soul.
‘’They will pay.’’ I swore ‘’ Each of them will pay for what they have done. This I swear. On my sister’s grave. THEY WILL PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID!’’
As my rage filled me I felt the moon’s light coursing through my limbs and enveloped my bare form as it clothed me into a loose and simple dress as black as night. I slowly lifted myself from the ground and marched towards Riven-Landsby.
---000---
As I approached the town’s square, I could hear their cheers of joy and laughter. Holding a banquet as they rejoiced at what they thought was the lifting of a curse. Three large tables forming a ‘U’ in the middle of the town’s square. At the center of the great table was the man who started it all.
Sir Gorm.
I slowly approached towards the center of it all, the voices and cheers getting quieter as I advanced. With each step I took, my bare feet marked the ground with black vines. As I advanced to the front of the great table, the people fell quiet. Standing a meter from the table right in front of him, I looked at the men with pure hatred. Now the assembly was completely quiet.
One of Gorm’s men, thinking he was brave, decided to charge at me with his knife; ‘’You bloody dem-‘’
I lifted my hand and abruptly stopped him in his tracks about two feet from me. The man was now suspended just above the ground, hanging from black thorny vines. I slowly turned my head to the left toward him and flicked my wrist. A loud crack echoed through the air and the man's lifeless body fell to the ground.
Slowly turning my head back in front of me, I looked at my sister’s murderer with pure rage.
Gorm stood up holding my stare, as much as he tried to appear unphase by my presence, I could see the fear in his eyes. After a moment, he broke the silence ‘’You have no right to be here, spawn of Suttur! Lea-‘’
He stopped the words staying in his mouth as my crazed laugh filled the air, a look of panic and fear starting to creep on his face.
‘’Have you learned nothing from your actions?’’ I spoke loud enough for all of them to hear ‘’It is because of you! That I stand before these miserable people as I am today. My sister and I did nothing to your resources. YOU made us outcasts! YOU destroyed all that I had! YOU are the one that MURDERED MY SISTER!’’
Gorm looked around trying to stay calm and composed but panic was now evident on his face. Looking frantically at the townspeople and pointing at me he added ‘’Look at her eyes! Look at the darkness emerging from them and the blackness she controls!’’ He said to the villages. Looking back at me with disgust he added ‘’Does she not look like a follower of Suttur!’’
I took a step forward, to which he responded by taking one back and bumping in his chair.
‘’PEOPLE OF RIVEN-LANDSBY!’’ I said, black vines started to grow behind him as I kept my gaze deeply into his eyes. ‘’LOOK at your leader!’’ The black thorns grabbed him and lifted him up from the ground as he struggled. ‘’THIS is the man you chose to listen to!’’ The vines bringing him above our heads. ‘’LOOK at the man YOU have chosen to TRUST!’’ The vines grabbed his neck. ‘’LOOK! As the man you decided to follow blindly pays for his crimes.``
The vines around his neck tightened slowly around it. The small thorns tearing into his flesh and blood dripping from the wounds. His face changed color as the air was no longer able to enter his body. As I raised an opened hand, four other vines attached themselves to his arms and legs. Slowly closing my fingers, they each pulled agonizingly slowly until each member was ripped from his body.
At that moment, the people started screaming and running trying to save themselves. Others tried to attack me in vain.
One by one, my black thorny vines caught them.
One by one they died from my rage.
One by one, they paid for their crime.
The night was filled with screams of terror, agony, and pain as I wreaked havoc on the town.
The Moon was now hanging high in the night sky as I left the village filled with corpses and painted with blood.