The Huntress: Rune of the Dead

Sven?

Sven!

Come to me!

- Runa. - Shh.. I'm here.

- Don't you want to sleep? - I can not.

- I just keep thinking of Father. - I know.

- Mother! - Yes.

- I have not slept well lately. - Are you ill or troubled?

I'm having bad dreams almost every night.

Are you afraid of going back to sleep?

No. I am now awake, wondering what they mean.

It sounds just like your father had. And grandfather.

They used to dream alot too.

It brought nothing good. This soon will pass.

Ah.. relax.

Remember your breathing, Runa.

Feel the calmness of the forest.

I am.

- I hit it. - I heard you did it.

Father was much better when he was at my age.

- Is that what he told you? - Yes.

When Joar was your age, he loved nothing more than he loved,

his bow and arrow.

He even kept it in bed with him at night. But, uh, did that make him better?

No ... let the bow rest, Runa.

Do something else for a while. Something you truly enjoy.

Well, I enjoy getting better.

You sound just like him.

I can hear you.

Did I tell you about that one time Father scared off an angry moose?

No, not what I can remember.

Father and I were out looking for honey bees..

when a big moose came out of the leaves, right in front of us.

And I think the moose was afraid, too. When he saw us.

But, he got angry and wanted to hit us with his horns.

- Do you know what happened next? - No, what happened next?

Father spread his arms and shouted and my ears almost fell off.

And he walked bravely toward him,

clapping his hands and stared him right in the eye.

Scaring him away!

Whoa.. ohh.. oh!

Grandfather, do you think father is dead?

- No, no, I do not. - But, many die on raids.

And many come back. Joar is delayed, that is all.

And when he does return, remember he did this for us.

It has been two years.

Maybe we'll not recognize him when he returns.

When I think of him, it's like I'm seeing through water or mist.

I went on two raids when I was young.

All I wanted was to return with a name and some wealth.

And that I did, but it was hard won treasure I brought home.

It didn't last long. I had good eyes then,

and my aim was true.

And when I showed my silver to Joar's mother,

she let your grandmother have me for her husband.

My good eyes gave me that.

Then we settled down and we had Joar and his sisters,

and my eyes started to fade.

The Lord's made my thread that way.

That was the real price for my happiness.

And I would gladly sacrifice it again if I was given a choice.

- Let's go inside. - Yes.

Runa, don't waste your love on the horse.

We have to sell him.

- But, you can't sell Nutbutter. - Go out fishing.

Mother, maybe we all can go fish?

- Come Bothild. - Your sister stays with me.

- What happened? - I fell.

- Into the lake? How? - I just fell.

Nothing more.

Don't worry.

I wonder what Father found on his journey.

He promised to bring back something for me.

If he is able, I know he will bring something back for you, my dear.

- I miss him. - Yes, I know.

We all do.

Well, clearly he is not missing us,

if he did he would've found a way back by now.

Runa..

Or maybe he is cold in the ground...

and no one wants to talk about it.

Where's mother?

Mother..

You're doing it again.

- What? - Standing there, not doing anything.

Can I not stand in my own home without someone complaining about it?

Do not deny it.

- Stop it. - Yeah, but, it's happening?

You're not alone in this, you know.

We have a right to suffer just as much as you are.

- You can not know about my silence.

- But, you can't shut us out in the fucking dark!

Don't you dare use that tone to me!

- You're thinking of father, aren't you? - Don't you have chores to do?

I don't. How about you?

Get out now. Go to your sister.

- No. - Go away!

- I want to talk about Father. - Go see your sister!

- You don't even care anymore! - What do you want me to say?

That I miss him? That I still love him?

Do you want me to say that I believe he'll come riding on a big black stallion.

Well, he won't. He won't. He has left us.

He has left us here to rot, like a pest.

Don't you see that it is you who has left us?

- I think Father tried, but ... - Maybe it's you who wants to leave?

Then, just go. Take your bow and go.

And leave me here.

- Where are you going? - Hunting.

Sometimes I think I can see again.

Then I realize.. it's in my head.

The sounds of the woods.

The smell of the leaves and flowers.

Growing and dropping.

Birth and decay.

It seems so clear to me, so.. close and strong.

I have lived a long time.

Soon I will rot and become soil.

I really hope there will be green moss over me.

Sweet green moss.

Remember to bring some pork to my gravesite and sing to my bones.

Do you see your own death?

No, I can not see a damn thing.

But I refuse to die until I have spoke to my son one more time.

- You are troubled. - I saw something today.

What did you see?

When I fell into the water, I felt like I was dreaming ...

... but I know I was awake.

And that what you think you saw was an omen?

Yes.

Tell me.

I saw mother, you and Bothild.

Anyways it was probably nothing.

It's getting harder to remember, the more I try.

Are you sure it was nothing?

There was something else. After... on the far shore...

I saw alot of dead birds on the ground.

But, I do not understand why.

That don't make sense.. dead birds.

You sure you didn't hit your head when you fell.

Do not try looking for signs in everything you see.

It can only lead to sadness and worries.

Who is there?

I mean no harm.

Did you hear me?

- What's going on? Who's that man? - Go and get mother. Hurry.

Bothild, stay!

- A warrior. Where did you find him? - In the far woods close to Närlunda.

- We must save him. - No.

He can barely move. We must help him.

You should have left him in the forest, Runa.

Take him back before he wakes up.

Father would have been ashamed if he heard you now.

His fever is very high. He may die tonight or in a couple days.

There's not much we can do.

But, there's a chance he might live?

I'm not sure.

Calendula flowers can help.

Thank you.

Hide his weapons. We put him in the goat shelter.

It's empty anyway. I do not want him in the house.

Who is he?

We don't know.

What's he saying?

He said something about gold on the way here.

I hope he will survive, but the fever is a threat damn it.

He's forced to sleep outside.

He looks like a traveling man.

Maybe he knows something about father.

Or he'll cut our throats in our sleep.

Could you please fetch him some water, Bothild?

- No, that's enough. You don't get near him again.

Freja and Odin and Thor together rode the gangster named Sleipner.

The horse had fell and broke its legs.

The gods then stood beside him.

Blood to blood, they sang. Their bones fell.

Sleipner stood up.

- What's up? - That man ...

He's in pain.

Don't be scared.

But, we should bring him inside.

- Make sure he drinks this. - I will.

- Where are you going? - To the market.

Without us?

You must stay with your sister. She must not know.

Good boy... leaving has started.

- Good to see you, Magnhild. - Same to you, Ketill.

So... here he is.

hmm...

I was not sure you'd come.

I haven't seen much of you at the market lately.

People miss your furs and skins.

I was beginning to believe that the woods had swallowed your family and home.

- We're very busy. - Have you?

It must be tough with your husband gone.

Does Ragnvald still live?

- He does. - He's such an old goat.

Surely he'll survive us all, don't you think?

- I thought your daughters were coming.

No, not this time.

- It was your husband's horse, was it not?