Come fall, a group of men came to the village; at first, Sif was keen to gauge their character, but once he saw them, he understood them to be villagers that were returning. The older men and women crowded around them, and a few of the children that had just become old enough to work in the fields.

Even the old woman that had become Sif's companion went forward, and embraced a young man, weeping.

" Lady Hélna, Lady Hélna, thank you for bringing my grandson back to me!" she cried.

Sif was surprised that there was yet another one. Most of the other grandchildren were somewhat young. This man was of the age that, had he been in the village the whole time, he should've had a wife and small children.

" Is Father well?" he asked, voice guarded.

" Yes, yes," the old woman said strongly. " Lady Hélna has cured him of his cough."

She took her grandson by the arm, and pulled him over to Sif.

" Lady Hélna, you haven't seen my Rágn," she said, pushing him. " He was taken by Calsar's army before you descended; yet now, with your grace, he is back!"

The man fussed about with his grandmother.

" Grandmother, you've grown so superstitious, he complained. " With as much as you speak of Lady Hélna, you'd think tha-"

When he turned from her, to face Sif, his eyes went saucer-wide.

It was obvious why. Anyone could tell at a glance that Sif wasn't a regular human; he had white hair, slit pupils, and, most obviously, cat ears.

Oblivious to his shock that a real god was standing in front of him, the old woman spoke lightly.

" You must thank Lady Hélna; I will have your father explain everything that has happened over the last three years to you when we return home," she said, guiding him along. " For now, I must have you warmed up by the fire. These clothes are far too light to travel in during winter! You'll catch cold."

She threw a glance back at Sif, who was deliberating between investigating the other men and following.

" Lady Hélna, come now, hurry along. Your kittens are waiting for you."

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