Page 102 of Daughter of the Serpent

“It could be.” He said. “Perhaps the gods have seen to walk among us, to take on their earthly shapes to see certain outcomes come to light.”

Sylvie's brows knit together as she tried to process his words. “You think the bear was…a god?”

A shadow of a smile touched his lips, tinged with unease. “The gods like their tricks, Sylvie. With the trials approaching, it wouldn’t surprise me if certain ones have their own plans. They can take any form - bear, bird, or man.”

“Then why attack us? Why come after Haldor,me?” Sylvie’s voice wavered, her mind recalling the creature’s eyes, the way it had studied her. “And why would I see it twice?”

Godvick’s gaze turned sharper, pinning her in place. “You’vestirred the waters, Sylvie. Your powers, your presence - it’s drawn attention. The gods might be watching you closer than you realize.”

Sylvie's eyes dropped to the flames, which leapt wildly as if mirroring her chaotic thoughts. “But why a bear? What could it mean?”

Godvick’s expression softened, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips. “The gods speak in riddles, in symbols. The bear... it could be a sign of strength, courage, protection. Maybe it’s meant to remind you of your own power. Or perhaps it’s telling you that you’re not as alone as you think. Whatever it is, it didn’t kill you - and that, Sylvie, is a message on its own. The gods may have plans for you yet.”

Sylvie’s heart thudded against her ribs, each beat echoing with the memory of the bear’s glowing eyes.Was it truly a message meant for her? Or a god wrapped in flesh, testing her?She glanced at Haldor, asleep by the fire, his breathing steady and calm, a stark contrast to her swirling thoughts.

If the gods were playing their games, what was her role? And more importantly - what did they want from her?

A feeling of dread washed over her, as another realization took hold.What if the god was the very one who was said to have given her her curse?

“I know what it is you are thinking.” Godvick said suddenly, his eyes observing her closely.

“Could it be true?” She asked, fear suddenly clutching her belly with a relentless grip. “Could it be Lafar?”

“He was known to be the great shifter - the god who could change form and play out his trickery and deceit.” He said solemnly. “It could very well be so.”

“What would he want with me now, after all this time?” She asked, her heart rising in her chest.

“I don’t know.” He said honestly. “There is no way to tell the designs of the gods until they wish them to be known. But you must keep your wits about you now. It is a strange time in these parts, and there's no telling what will come next.”

She nodded, dropping her eyes to her feet, the realization sinking in. She too had felt the shift - the energy, the way the wind blew - something had changed since the snows had begun to thaw, and the new earth began to sing. Something about this time was different - unpredictable.

Now that Lafar could be among them, made her even more on edge.

Were the rumours she had heard her whole life true? Was he truly her kin, her father? And if so, would that mean she was doomed to follow in his footsteps?

“What happened to him, Godvick?” Sylvie asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Was he always wicked? Was there ever… any good in him?”

She had heard the stories, the common threads of who and what he was - a god of evil, the god who created death - yet each time she had inquired to learn more - she was quickly shut down.

“The stories - the histories - make it seem as though he was born of darkness. But that’s not the whole truth.” Godvick’s tone carried the weight, and went quieter still as his eyes shifted around them.

She looked at him, her heart rising in her chest. “Tell me, Godvick.”

His eyes turned thoughtful, his gaze concentrating on the flickering flames before them.

“You’ve only heard of what happened later, after his betrayal,” he started. “But what the people fail to remember is what he wasbefore.”

Her eyes glittered, hanging on every word.

“You know him as the hateful brother of Hallva, god of deceit and death - but once, he was celebrated for his cleverness, his wisdom, and his silver tongue. He was as much a boon to the gods as he was a thorn in their side. His wit often outsmarted those who sought to harm them. And… he was beautiful, one of the most radiant of the gods.”

Sylvie tried to imagine such a sight, when all she had seen weredepictions of his hateful face, twisted and ugly, with eyes like her own - consumed with something inhuman, untamed.

“Out of all he was most beloved by Hallva who sought to keep him at his side. Together they did many things - fighting as brothers against all Hallva’s foes, conquering foreign lands, and even deceiving the king of Joki to give them the cherished blade ‘Luna’ created of stars and moonlight by the dwarves who dwelt in the high mountains of Murra. They were said to be the closest among the gods, yet over time their relationship began to deteriorate. Hallva married Freya, and began to have children of his own. Hallva created mankind, and began to rule over them and create their fate, and soon Lafar began to grow jealous and hateful in his heart.

In an effort to appease Lafar and keep secure in his brother’s affection, Hallva, in his wisdom, granted him dominion over these lands and their people. He believed that once Lafar had a people for his own, a nation to give him reverence and love - it would ease his jealousy.

For a time, it worked.

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