The night was deep, and Thorfinn woke from his bed. Quietly, he stepped around his sleeping family and slipped into a separate, isolated tent.
Thorfinn whispered, "Are you there, Lyra?"
After a rustling sound inside the tent, a faint light appeared. Lyra whispered back, "Come in, Thorfinn. I've been waiting for you."
Because they were both girls, Morla's and Lyra's sleeping places were close by.
Thorfinn cautiously asked, "Morla's fast asleep?"
Lyra replied with a hint of resignation, "Don't worry, she's sound asleep."
Only then did Thorfinn, feeling somewhat like a thief, enter Lyra's tent. A unique scent of a young woman immediately challenged Thorfinn's senses. Shaking off inappropriate thoughts, Thorfinn faced the girl and asked, "Is everything ready?"
Lyra sat down. "Just waiting for you."
Thorfinn was familiar with the scent. It was the perfume Lyra had recently concocted using various herbs. At first, Thorfinn had thought it was a new potion recipe, but now he was certain it was perfume. Thorfinn's expression grew strange, and he looked at Lyra with a hint of fantasy.
Thorfinn stared at Lyra intently. Lyra was pleased. She had deliberately worn the perfume tonight. It was a secret recipe Thenya had never recorded in her books, and it was rumored to have an arousing effect. Lyra was trying it out for the first time.
Lyra gave a playful smile. "Does it smell good?"
Thorfinn replied faintly, "Yes, very good."
Lyra smiled with satisfaction. The little witch took out a sharp steel needle and looked at Thorfinn. "Let us begin. Let's divine whether your journey will be safe or not, whether it's a good omen or a bad one." In truth, the little witch was thinking she could openly prick him now. Who knew why a witch would have such strange thoughts, but she had been looking forward to it for a long time.
Thorfinn finally regained his focus, as this was the true matter at hand. "Alright, let's start."
Thorfinn sat and waited for Lyra's ritual. Lyra smiled mischievously, then used the needle to prick Thorfinn's right index finger. A bead of crimson blood welled up, and Lyra used the needle to lift a drop and place it in her mouth. The witch closed her eyes, seemingly sensing something. One second, two seconds... three or four seconds passed, and her expression changed, growing pale. Lyra suddenly opened her eyes, ignoring everything else, seizing Thorfinn's hand and beginning to suck the blood from his finger.
Thorfinn was startled. He knew something must have happened, or Lyra would not have lost her composure like this. He did not resist; after all, it was Lyra, a girl he trusted.
Lyra tasted the blood, her eyes losing focus. She was seeing other images, but unfortunately, the scenes in the prophecy were not what Lyra wanted to see. However, these were things that were bound to happen. In other words, according to the rules of prophetic magic, this was a foregone conclusion that would inevitably come to pass.
Thinking of this, Lyra looked utterly distraught. She let go of Thorfinn's hand and lowered her head dejectedly.
Seeing Lyra in such a state, Thorfinn was equally frightened. He didn't know what to say, only waiting anxiously for Lyra to collect herself.
Lyra composed herself, looking at Thorfinn. "After you leave this time, you are destined to go South. I see you leaving us, leaving the Free Folk Beyond-the-Wall, and you are with people from the South. You have a small dwarf, a greasy fat man, and an elegant Southern lady by your side... Will you betray us, Thorfinn?"
Hearing the uncertainty in Lyra's voice, Thorfinn smiled and asked in return, "What do you think?"
Lyra stated firmly, "I know you won't betray us, but why must you go South? I do not understand. And I don't want you to go."
Thorfinn was silent. "I don't know either. So... will I be in danger on this mission?"
Lyra nodded. "Yes, you will experience death. Fate will lead you to an unknown future. The Green Men and the Three-Eyed Raven will guide your path. Before you leave the North, you will have a chance to return to us once more. After that, we must part ways."
Thorfinn was stunned.
Experiencing death and returning... does that mean my animal companion, or myself? And the Green Men... does she mean the Children of the Forest? If it truly involves the Three-Eyed Raven, then it must be right.
Lyra saw Thorfinn in thought and reached out, taking his hands. She used this to comfort Thorfinn and herself. Taking a deep breath, Thorfinn continued to discuss the details of the prophecy with Lyra, trying to gather more information.
Lyra: "I also saw Merek in the prophecy."
Thorfinn was surprised. "Merek? Are you sure?"
Lyra nodded. "I am sure."
Thorfinn pressed further, "Did he... return alive?"
Lyra: "I saw him in the later scenes."
Thorfinn finally sighed with relief. If his actions were to harm Merek, Thorfinn would never forgive himself; he already considered him his own brother. Just then, a sleepy girl was roused by their voices. Morla had woken up. In their excitement, they had forgotten to control their volume and had woken her.
Morla's voice rang out quietly, "What are you two doing?"
Thorfinn: "Er... If I said we were making a prophecy, would you believe me?"
Lyra gave an awkward smile, looking at the disheveled, frowning Morla.
Morla pouted and sat down in a huff. "What needed a prophecy? And why choose the dead of night? You're definitely hiding something from us."
Lyra explained, "Thorfinn has accepted Mance's request to explore the Lands of Always Winter."
Morla was shocked. "What? Thorfinn, are you mad? The Lands of Always Winter is a place where life is forbidden! Never mind the bone-chilling cold, the Others are there!"
Thorfinn sighed. "It can't be helped. I've already promised."
Morla: "So what? Just tell him no."
Thorfinn smiled helplessly and remained silent.
Lyra, too, now realized the truth. "I don't think you care about Mance's will, but that you want to see it for yourself, Thorfinn. Why? If you can't convince us, I will stop you."
Seeing Lyra's stern look, Thorfinn had no choice but to explain. "I've always had a premonition, something deep inside telling me that a great opportunity awaits me in the North. I wanted to go before but didn't have the means. Now that Mance has asked, I simply agreed."
As if afraid the witches wouldn't believe him, Thorfinn continued, "Lyra, you know my mind-power is strong. That feeling, while not as clear as your prophecy, is a more sensitive gauge of danger. I trust my feeling, and I trust my strength. I am no weakling!"
Lyra was silent this time. After a long pause, she asked, "Even if the price is leaving us?"
Thorfinn said solemnly, "Even so, I must go! This is important to me."
Lyra nodded. "I understand."
Morla, however, was confused. "Leaving? Thorfinn, where are you going?"
Thorfinn smiled, reaching out to ruffle Morla's hair. "You'll know tomorrow. Go back to sleep for now. It's late. Get some rest." With that, Thorfinn turned and left, returning to his own bed to sleep.
The next morning, the family gathered together, and Thorfinn announced his decision. He did not mention Mance; if he had, given Reynar and Orrik's tempers, they would likely have stormed Mance's tent and turned the place upside down.
Reynar was the first to object. "What? The Lands of Always Winter! You've lost your mind. Even without the Others, that place is a death trap. How is this any different from seeking death? I've never heard of anyone returning from that devil's land in one piece."
Thorfinn smiled. "Then I will be the first."
Reynar was furious. He took a stride forward and grabbed Thorfinn's ear. His father's grip was impossibly strong, and Thorfinn grimaced in pain, begging for mercy. Only after a flurry of apologies did Reynar release his large hand, and Thorfinn rubbed his aching ear.
Darie was also angry. "You little brat, you're absolutely lawless! Is the Lands of Always Winter a place for you to go? Are you tired of living?"
Orrik had a flicker of excitement in his eyes but dared not show it, as Darie was watching him. Orrik still feared his parents, but this dynamic had seemingly reversed as the two brothers grew up. As children, Thorfinn was obedient and Orrik was the troublemaker. Now, it was Thorfinn who gave their parents cause for worry.
Lyra and Morla, surprisingly, did not speak. After Thorfinn left last night, Morla swallowed her pride and pestered Lyra until she understood what Thorfinn intended to do. Perhaps it was this understanding that kept her from trying to stop him. Merek also sensed the danger, though he still couldn't understand why the usually sensible Thorfinn would make such an unwise decision.
Thorfinn couldn't get his family to understand no matter how much he pleaded. Finally, he asked, "Do you all think I am a fool?"
Orrik: "Only a fool would go to the Lands of Always Winter."
Seeing their expression, like they were looking at an idiot, Thorfinn was speechless.
Thorfinn steeled himself and explained, "I cannot explain matters of magic to you. These things are too abstract for you to feel directly. Lyra, you tell them. You must understand me."
Lyra stepped forward to explain. Everyone trusted the little witch's word. She handled people who came seeking wisdom and prophecy alone, and even Mance sometimes came to seek the power of magic. Everyone had seen her ability and therefore believed the young witch.
Lyra, having inherited Thenya's kind heart, was worthy of their trust.
Lyra: "Thorfinn is right. We made a prophecy last night, and I saw him return, bearing honor and precious knowledge. He is a champion for the Free Folk, and the Free Folk need someone to do this. Everything is for the future of the Free Folk!"
Lyra's words finally eased the tension for Reynar and the others. Yet, even with this, worry lingered. The Lands of Always Winter was never a good place; only great terror resided there.
"For the future of the Free Folk..." Orrik murmured. He didn't know what to do. It seemed neither persuading nor letting him go was the right choice. It was truly a difficult position.
Thorfinn was certain he would return alive and also had a premonition that he would accomplish something incredible there. Some people scoffed at psychic feelings, but as his spiritual practice deepened, Thorfinn believed in them more and more. The stronger the mind and soul, the deeper the feeling.
Thorfinn: "I must go. I don't know what will happen there, but it is a place that will transform me entirely. The pull is too strong for me to resist. This premonition is very accurate. I cannot give it up."
What more could the others say? Reynar and Darie still wanted to plead with him, but the words caught in their throats. At this moment, they didn't care about how great or outstanding Thorfinn would become; they only wanted him to be safe. But who wants a mediocre life? They could not stop him, neither for their son nor for their people.
Reynar said angrily, "Then get out of here. Go as far as you can. But if you come back missing so much as a finger, mind you, I'll beat you myself!" Ah, a father's love is like a mountain!
Darie immediately spat to ward off bad luck, then glared fiercely at Reynar. "Don't speak such ill-omened words! Our son will return safely; Lyra said so." The mother said no more, turning to pack Thorfinn's belongings, leaving the time to the young men and women.
Merek: "I'll go with you, Thorfinn. My fighting skill is no worse than yours."
Thorfinn refused, "No, it's too dangerous."
Lyra: "Let him go. You will need his help."
Morla also chimed in, "My brother has his flying eagle, which can certainly help you. Just let him go; any help is better than none!"
Merek smiled bitterly, A sister's heart truly faces outward.Morla was the perfect example of one who put her brother-in-law's needs first.
Merek complained, "Don't talk about me like I'm useless! I'm strong, too! And... is no one worried about me? How disappointing!"
His joking broke the tension, and the atmosphere became lighter.
Morla chuckled, "Val would probably be worried if she knew."
Merek deflated like a punctured balloon. "Let's not. I'll tell her when I get back. Otherwise, she'll just get angry."
Morla was puzzled. "Wouldn't she be angrier if you didn't tell her? Oh, you mean... she'll worry and try to stop you?"
Merek just smiled and didn't reply. The early bird gets the worm, as the saying goes. Being close to the camp made it easy to visit often. Their relationship had finally progressed; at least Val cared about him now, and the fiery little princess now had a tender heart for him.
With little fanfare, Thorfinn and Merek packed their bags and left with their animal companions. Their departure was not one of tearful goodbyes, only the silent prayers and hopes of family and friends for their safe return.
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