“Johan!” A hand slapped him. “You almost fell overboard, what’s wrong?! Are you okay?!”

  The sensation of standing changed in a heartbeat, instead he was laying on his back in a slowly moving boat, with only the quiet noise of shifting water and his hammering heartbeat in his ears.

  “The village!” Johan managed to say and quickly pushed himself up but he saw nothing. No other boats, no fires. No village.

  The last was the most damning.

  “What about the village?” Emil asked.

  “This can’t be happening.” Johan muttered, going for the oars. They had to go quicker! “We’re still so far away-!”

  Johan stumbled and almost fell back to the floor in his haste. Still on the ground Emil watched him, his expression slowly turning from confused concern to real worry.

  “What about the village?” Emil asked again, slower this time.

  “It’s burning.” Johan answered without thinking.

  “It’s burning?! How do you know?!” Emil stopped himself in realization. “Did you have a vision?!”

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  Johan felt his eyes burning.

  “Johan!” Emil got to his feet.

  “I can’t go faster!” Johan burst out. He let go of the oars, defeated and got to his feet. “Damn it!” He kicked the side of the boat before slumping back down on the seat, head in his hands.

  “Damn it.” He whispered and felt his eyes watering up. “Why today?”

  “...Johan.” Emil whispered and a thud sounded in front of him. Johan looked up to see Emil kneeling in front of him, fear in his eyes. “What’s happening to the village?”

  Johan clenched his jaw, trying unsuccessfully to keep the tears in. What was he going to say? Emil’s home was burning down and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

  Johan hesitated. He tried to get himself under control. It helped nobody that he was acting like this.

  “I saw the village burning.” He said lowly, finally he looked up at Emil. “Longboats sailed past and shot burning arrows. The entire village went up in flames.”

  As he spoke, horror slowly found its way to Emil’s face. Johan looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

  This was all Johan’s fault. If he never entered the village then the deities would never have done anything to it. Was this revenge for telling Greed no?

  “I shouldn’t have stayed.” Johan whispered to himself, staring down at his feet. His breath hitched as tears ran down his face.

  “No.” Emil said weakly. “This is not your fault. We knew the dangers when we asked you to stay. This is not your fault.”

  Johan didn’t say anything.

  “It’ll be fine. It’s all fine.” Emil whispered and sat down beside Johan. It sounded more like he was speaking to himself.