Power Play: Act 1 Svartalfheim (Ragnarok on Ice) (5 page)

I did not need to turn around.  “Ustin, you should have just let me go.  Nothing you can say will change my mind.”

“I know this, but I also wanted to offer my assistance.  To travel the rest of the way alone is not a good idea.”

He meant well and I am glad to call him my friend, but my mind was made up.  “Please make sure Ryle and Drexler get back to Svartalfheim safely.  Make sure everyone knows how they died and they receive the honor worthy of a warrior.”

I could feel the disappointment coming from him.  “What am I to tell your father?”

“You woke up and I was gone.  The three of you tried to track me, but with the fallen bodies, you gave up to bring them home.  He will understand and I will take responsibility for my actions when I return.”

“Very well, I will honor your request not as my superior but as my friend.  Keep going south; it will take about three quarters of the day.  From there, you will see it in a clearing similar to this one.  Good luck Rumil and may The Norns watch over you.”

“And you as well Ustin.”  With that, I paused for one more moment and then continued into the woods.  I was grateful for his directions, as that would give me something to follow. 

The forest stretched for as far as the eye could see.  With the sun making its first appearance, I felt a quiet solitude as I traveled.  The hurt was still there from what this trip had taken from me, but out here alone, I was also free.  Moving at my own speed, I was able to visualize my eventual confrontation with the Warrior Maiden.

Continuing my pace and direction as Ustin had said, I came to see off in the distance smoke.  It was a single column, much like one would expect when a fire has been made.  I was close now and the feeling of bloodlust and hate started to replace the inner peace I had barely achieved.  I looked up and it was late afternoon.  I wanted to wait until evening and use the cover of night to conceal me, so I stopped.

“No turning back now Rumil.  This is the moment you have been waiting for.”  I knew talking to myself was crazy, but hearing my thoughts aloud seemed to help.  I could not afford to let my anger, hate, whatever emotion it was get the better for me.  I needed to keep a clear mind.

With just a little bit to eat and rest before I would be on the move again, I sat down on a tree stump.  Travel rations were not always the best, but the boar and bread hit the spot and gave me energy.  The rest was also welcome.  It had been nonstop traveling the past few days and it was catching up to me.  It would all be worth it if I succeeded in my mission.

Darkness was starting to fall and it was time to make my move.  I moved quickly and stayed low to the ground.  In no time, I saw my target in sight.  The cabin was right where Ustin had said it would be.  I carefully looked over the entire area and spotted the perfect place.  A tall oak tree was close to the backside of the cabin, with perfectly placed branches that I could use.

I stayed hidden in the tree line.  As I circled the cabin, I saw nothing out of the ordinary.  There was light coming from the window along with smoke coming from the chimney.  I made it to the tree I had spotted and a few quick and quiet movements later, I was in position.  I did my best to look into the window, but without giving myself away.  I saw two shadows and could hear laughter.

Sif was definitely here, as was someone else.  I would just have to be patient; time for her to face her crimes to my people was close.  I could feel it.  Just as I was about to leave my hiding spot in the tree over her cabin, I heard the other person speak.  It was a man’s voice.

“Thor has been gone for many ages Sif, you should indulge yourself.  I could help you with that.”

How pleasant, I had come just in time to hear the Aesir fornicate with each other.

“Baldr, you know Frigga made me promise to have no other but Thor.  I cannot help it if the Thunderer does not reciprocate those feelings.  Frigga is second to none in her abilities.”

Baldr laughed at this, “I know mother’s strengths.  She for instance was instructed by the Allfather to use her magic to make me invincible.”

It was now Sif’s turn to laugh, “Surely you jest Baldr.  Even the mighty queen cannot make such things happen.”

What was Baldr talking about?  I needed to stay to hear this.

“I do not lie or jest to you Sif.  The Allfather has a special request of me to do some of his more ‘covert’ work.  To do so, he made mother weave a spell that protects me from death in battle.”

“Impossible!  The laws of magic forbid such things!”

“Oh there is a cost and it is two-fold.  First, fatal wounds will not kill, but they will also never truly heal.  The scarring will act as a reminder of the enchantment.”

“You said the magic was two-fold.  What was the other cost?”

“I tell you out of trust.  To complete the magic, I had to choose something that would be able to kill me; a safeguard is what mother called it.  I was free to pick anything I liked.”  Baldr started laughing again like this was some great joke he was bursting to tell.

“What did you pick Baldr?  How rare or useless is this item?”

“My dear Sif, I picked mistletoe as my bane.”

They both erupted in laughter, not knowing that I was there.  In light of everything I had just heard, my revenge would have to wait.  If what Baldr said was true, then even if I was to defeat Sif, I would not overcome him.  I stayed in the tree for a little while longer, just listening.

“With Freyr and Freyja in the ear of the Allfather, it will only be a matter of time now before he lets us out of the shadows.  The alliance with the light elves could not come at a more appropriate time.”

“I do hope so Baldr.  It is only a shame that the dark elf did not give up the terrible secrets his race is hiding.  To know what foul magic they are weaving would have been a boon.”

“It matters little; we will just catch another one until we get the answers we want.  But I grow tired of talking about elves.  Do you have any more wine?”

I had heard enough.  Quietly, I slid down the tree and began my long trip back to Svartalfheim.

“Father, I know exactly what I heard.  Do not doubt my recollection for one moment!”  In what had started with him being angry at me for striking out alone in hostile territory was now reversed.  It was known that I had my mother’s fiery temper and he did his best to avoid seeing it.

“I am not saying I doubt you.  No, what I am saying is that if true, what was done was a perversion of the laws of magic.  I do not believe anyone would do that intentionally.”

I gave him the look.  “We need to seek council with King Oor and Azmodeous.  As the royal mage, he can clarify what is possible and not.”

Father knew I would not back down.  “Yes, I agree.  The information you bring back is most disturbing, along with everything else that has happened.”  His face softened a bit, “Both Drexler and Ryle were given the highest honor among dark elves.  Their ashes, along with Krang’s, were laid to rest in the Warrior’s Mausoleum.  You did well to bring them home.”

His words brought joy to me.  “May their sacrifice not be in vein.”

“While you were unaccounted for, we had a visitor.”

Before I left, no one said anything about a visitor coming.  “Do not keep me waiting, who came to see us?”

“It was a bit unexpected, but the Trickster’s chosen came to see us.  She relayed news that Loki himself had told her.  It goes along with what you heard; the light elves are influencing Valhalla.”

I was suspicious of any Aesir, but Loki and his chosen from my knowledge were somewhat of outcasts in Asgard.  Her word supporting mine would have to be enough to make King Oor see reason.  “Did she have anything else to say?”

“Loki has gone to Midgard.  Apparently Odin requested him to go retrieve someone, but who that was, she would not say.”

Midgard?  “I thought the way was blocked off?  Did Odin break his own agreement?”

“I do not know daughter, only time will tell.  In the meantime let us just focus on what we know.”  It was hard, as the stories of Midgard always piqued my interest, but he was right.  “I will send word to the king tonight.  For now, you need to rest and I need time to consider everything said.  These are matters not to take lightly.”

“Yes father, I will see you in the morning.”

He smiled, “I am glad you are safe daughter.  The thought of losing you, like I already lost your mother, was unbearable.”

I gave him a hug before retiring to my room.  I felt a sense of relief when I walked in.  Sif was still alive, but hopefully tomorrow when I told King Oor what I had heard, that everything would fall into place.  I lay down on my bed and sleep came quickly.

****

Was I dreaming?  I looked around and I was still in my room, but I did not remember ever waking up.  I got out of my bed and walked over to my desk.  I reached out and it was solid, it felt as if this was real.  I turned around and where my bed had been empty, now someone was sitting on the corner.

“Mother?”

“Hello Rumil, I have missed you and your father so much.”

Without caring anymore if this was real, I ran over and tackled her into a huge hug.  Tears were flowing down my face and I buried my head into her shoulder.  “I have missed you too mother.”

Her hand stroked the back of my head, comforting me.  It took a moment, but I composed myself and released my hug.  I looked at her closely; she looked exactly the same as the day she left on that ill fated trip.  Her hair was white like mine, deep blue eyes, and such a soft smile.  You would have never known she was even more feared than my father.

“I understand you are going through a very tough period in your life.  I wish I could truly be here to help you my daughter.”

I felt my tears coming back, but I bit down on my lip to stop them.  “It has been trying mother, but father does his best, even if we do not see eye to eye.”

“Hargna has always tried to be more of a friend than parent, especially with you.  He spoiled you rotten, unlike your younger brothers.”

This made me laugh, mainly because it was true.  “It is not my fault father cannot be fair.”

She gave me that knowing look, like she could see through my ruse.  “Your father’s parenting is not the reason I am here.  And before you ask me anything about how I died, I have been forbidden to share that with you.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but she put her finger up to my lip.  I had lost before I even had a chance to start.

“I am here to give you a message of hope.  Your destiny is at hand child and you will play an even bigger part than you know.  The fate of not only Svartalfheim, but all the realms will depend on you one day.”

I did not know what to say.  I was not out trying to save the realms, I was out for revenge.  “Are you sure mother?”

“Of course my daughter and I am very proud of you.  One day, when you are a mother, you will understand.”  As she finished, her form started to fade away.  “My time is almost up.  Know that I love you deeply and will be waiting for you.”

“I love you too mother.  Will I remember this when I wake up?”

As she disappeared, “Your heart will remember the truth.”

I woke up in the morning feeling refreshed and truly loved.  I had been hugging my one pillow so tightly that I almost ruined it.  I found that strange, but moved to get dressed and meet father.

It did not take long to find him, as he was in his library reading and taking notes.  “You were not up all night, were you?”

He looked up from his notes and set his quill down.  “I did rest for a little, but there is work to be done.  King Oor and Azmodeous are coming here soon to hear your account.  We decided it might be less conspicuous that way.”

This was the second time he made a comment that puzzled me.  Right before we left, he alluded to something and again now.  “Is there something you are not telling me?”

“I do not want to come across paranoid, but so much has happened that makes you suspect certain things.”

“Father you are being vague again.  Just get to your point already.”

He got up and went over to the door.  He looked out and then closed it.  “I hate even suggesting this, but I feel as if we may have a traitor in the midst.”

“Father!”  To make such an accusation was not in his character.  “What makes you think that one of our own would betray the race?”

He sat back down.  It was the first time in many years I thought he looked his age.  “I do not know Rumil, but I have the nagging feeling.  I am trying to see the trees in the forest to support my theory, but it is hard.”

“I take it you have not told anyone else this?”

He gave me a quick harsh laugh.  “I do not know how close to the king this goes.  Plus I might just be imagining this and do not want to cause any unneeded stress.”

“So why did you tell me?”

“I just want you to be careful.  If I am wrong, then it was just a father’s worry.  If I am right, the situation will only get worse.”

Before we could discuss anymore, there was a knock on the door.  Father opened it and it was one of his assistants letting him know the king was on his way.  “Meet King Oor at the entrance and bring him here.  The library is fine for this meeting.  Also, I want you to keep the corridor clear.  I do not need any interruptions.”

His assistant, whose name I could never quite remember, bowed and ran off to fulfill his tasks.  I needed to compose myself and make sure I did not miss a detail in the retelling of my story.  I grabbed a piece of paper and one of father’s quills and started writing.

I finished putting all my thoughts down just in time.  I heard footsteps closing in and scrambled to my feet.  My father must have been doing the same, as he put his quill down as well and followed my lead.  His assistant entered, with King Oor and Azmodeous in tow.  Father and I both bowed as they entered.

“Hargna, Rumil there is no need for this.  How many times do I have to tell you to treat me as an equal?”

Father just laughed.  “If we did that, I am sure one of your honor guards would have us beheaded for insubordination.”

“Sometimes I think they want to behead me for being too at ease.”  This is why the king was so well liked.  He had a very commanding presence but did not force it upon his people.  “But now we have business to attend to.  From Hargna’s message, it seems you have made some interesting discoveries after leaving the safety of the group?”

His gaze told me he did not agree with my decision to leave the Dark Moons behind, but it was too late to do anything about that.  “Yes your majesty.  After parting ways with the group, I continued on to the cabin that they identified as Sif’s.”

With his encouragement I went over every detail.  As I told them everything from Baldr’s secret to the mention of the light elves and Asgard making a pact, I could not help but notice Azmodeous seemed uninterested.  The look in his eye told me this was the last place he wanted to be and was probably only here due to the king.  No matter, I pressed on and finished, hitting every major point.

“Your information matches up with what Sigyn told us during her brief visit.  I cannot say I am surprised that the light elves have taken such measures.  After the passing of the last emperor, their queen has been set on vengeance.”

I smiled at the acknowledgement.  “We should also prepare ourselves for Baldr.  If he cannot be killed in battle…”

Azmodeous came forward, “You must have misheard what he said.  Magic cannot be used in such ways and certainly Frigga would not be capable of completing such a spell on her own.”

“I am certain in what I heard.  He jested about only being able to be hurt by mistletoe.  We can use that information to our advantage.”

His reaction caught me as odd, as did his next words.  “We are taking every precaution.  I know you are just trying your best during a strenuous situation, but know I am advising the king in all the ways of magic.  What you have suggested just cannot happen.”

I wanted to protest more, but father put his hand on my shoulder.  “I thank both of you for coming to see us and listening to Rumil’s report first hand.  If you need us for anything, please do not hesitate to ask.”

They passed along some pleasantries and eventually left, making their way back to the royal estate.  As soon as we were alone again, I turned upon my father.  “Why did you not back me up there?”

“Daughter, I understand your anger, but listen to me.  Azmodeous is powerful, more powerful than either you or I.  You made your case and told them what you heard.  It is always best not to push too hard.”

Hmph, just because they would not listen to me did not mean I was going to ignore what I heard.  I parted ways with father and made my way down to the kitchen.  There I found a young elf named Jemma who would be perfect for my next task.

“How my I assist you may lady?”

“Jemma, I need you by any means necessary to find me as many mistletoe berries as possible.”

“Of course mistress, but I recommend not eating them if that is your intention.  The berries can be quite nasty.”

I grinned at her comment.  “Perfect, the nastier the better.”