Based on “Broken Priestess”

This takes place in a vaguely pre-Christian Germanic/Nordic tribal fantasy society.

Each generation, a tribe selects its most galliant warrior to be chief. The warrior is then wedded to the priestess chosen by the gods. Their marriage is meant to be symbolic of the gods’ relationship to the people. Infidelity in the marriage between the priestess and chief is punished harshly by the gods.

The main character is the current head priestess. Prior to her selection she was of low status, having been captured from another tribe. Her husband, though a great warrior, is prideful and grows more greedy and arrogant as the tribe becomes more and more successful. She tries to be a good wife to him and tries to use her wisdom to guide the tribe. Eventually, the chief takes a liking to another woman and makes her his mistress. The priestess speaks out against this, knowing it will cause misfortune for their people. He and his mistress in turn begins accusing her of wrongdoing. Most of the tribe takes his side and the priestess foretells misfortune.

Furious, the gods remove their protection from the tribe. The tribe is attacked by a new enemy and the priestess watches as her people are slaughtered. Instead of being killed, she and a few of her fellow priestesses are taken prisoner. What fate lies before them is unknown.