Читать книгу Kama - Terese Brasen - Страница 14

3

Katerine was on a sleigh. Rope held her down. Wind was spitting in her face. They had given her something to drink that made her feel tired. She was hungry but no one cared. If only the horse would slow, so the bumping would stop. Our father who art in heaven, she prayed. The words gave her something to hold on to. She tried to imagine god’s face to block out this. Our father who art in heaven. She had done god’s work. She had stopped Sigtrygg and saved Kama from his cowardice. No one understood. They were all low creatures tricked by the devil. She had done the angels’ work, but these pagans were as stupid as dogs. They couldn't comprehend paradise or hell or see Katerine’s power the way god saw her.

The horse stopped. There were no trees anywhere, just white snow. He dismounted, the man with hands like shovels. He bent over her and untied the ropes. His cheeks were spotted red from the cold. The tips of his fur jacket were white with frost. She tried to meet his eyes but he looked away. The ropes dropped. He stood, turned and walked back to the horse. He remounted. The hooves barely made a sound as they tore across the open field. She stood. Her legs were numb and unsteady after the long journey. There was nowhere to lean. She fell. She knelt then stood up slowly, one leg first then the other. She needed to walk. She couldn’t just stand still. Perhaps she would find some shelter. She wasn’t made for the cold. How could anyone live here surrounded by white and ice? The freezing wind cut through her. There were trees in the distance. They could hide her.

Katerine walked and walked but the trees never came closer. They seemed to be stepping further back as she advanced.

She felt hunger and thirst. She sat down in the snow. She scooped snow into her mouth. That eased her. More snow. More snow.

The cold turned to shaking. Lie down on the snow. Don’t fight it. Let it come. But it wasn’t that easy. She wanted to be still and quiet. But the cold tremors rattled her frame. Constant. She was shaking with cold, but it wasn’t just from the wind and ice. Her inner soul was frigid now.

Finally she closed her eyes, and everything stopped. He was there ready to receive her. Soon she would be in the garden with the flowers and fruit. Sweet perfumed scents would touch her like a hand brushing her cheek.