The Abomination of Asgard

by James Malcolm Elrick

  Grum let out a low whistle, said: “That is more than I expected, but I think it is still manageable. When are you expecting payment from Jakobus?”

  “In two weeks.”

  “You can pay us back then,” said Arastead.

  The guild’s man said: “You lads do not have the coin.”

  Farling scoffed, said: “You are as stupid as you are big. Wait here.”

  Inside the forge, Grum pulled out the reward from under the floorboards. Grum bounced it again in his hand. “Reminds me,” said Grum, “Einar owes us a coin, as this bag is still short one.”

  “Soon,” said Farling, “as he also owes me my father’s sword.”

  Outside they gave the bag of coins to the guild’s men. Grum had also added to it all his winnings.

  “It is all there,” said Grum. “Now scram.”

  The guild’s men exchanged glances, obviously deciding whether to deal Grum some punishment. But as they bounced the bag of coins in their hand, they decided against it.

  Farling insolently crossed his arms, said: “We will also need a receipt.”

  Bringon added: “Better, I will have the loan paperwork destroyed.”

  One of the men pulled out a piece of paper that bore Bringon’s signature. In front of Bringon, they tore it up, then left.

  A tear welled up in Bringon’s eye. “I am most grateful, boys.” He shook each one heartily by the hand.

  “We could not let anything happen to your forge,” said Farling.

  “And besides, you are going to pay us back as soon as you receive payment from Jakobus,” said Grum.

  “Of course, of course,” and Bringon half cried and laughed at the same time. “Right, upstairs we go. Time to celebrate!”

  Upstairs, Bringon told his wife the good news. She cried in happiness as she hugged each of the boys.

  “Well, I think we have some proper food for a small celebration,” and she bustled about the kitchen pulling out some salted meat and other delicacies.

  ***

  After the meal, Grum leaned back in his chair, said: “I think that feast would rival the one the royals are having tonight.”

  Everyone else agreed that it had been a most delicious meal. Clara blushed at the compliments.

  Everyone went quiet as there had been a knock at the door. Bringon went down the stairs to see who it was. Everyone heard a quiet discussion, then footsteps coming up the stairs.

  “Einar,” cried the boys. Clara poured him a drink as he took a seat at the table.

  “My thanks, Clara,” said Einar. “I see I came at just the right time as I also brought dessert.” Clara divided up the cake and handed out pieces to everyone.

  “What news?” asked Farling as he took large bites of cake.

  “Well, a couple of things. First, a gift for Farling.” And he handed Farling his father’s stolen sword.

  Farling grinned, said: “You remembered. I am surprised.”

  “Well, actually, Pressan remembered, and he made sure I followed through on the promise.”

  “Well, then thank Pressan for me.”

  Farling opened his mouth to say something else when Arastead elbowed him lightly in the ribs.

  “Be nice,” Arastead reminded.

  Farling snapped his mouth shut and grinned, said: “You are right. You have my deep gratitude, Einar. So, tell us, how did you get my father’s sword back?”

  “Oldest trick in the book. Once we discovered where Ostend had taken your father’s sword, we got him and the guards in his small guard house stinking drunk. While they were all passed out, we searched the place and found your father’s sword in his personal trunk. It took me just a few moments to unlock it and recognize the sword. We even had time to make a quick replica and put the fake sword back in the trunk before anyone else was the wiser. That way, Ostend will still think he has your sword.”

  “Again, my thanks,” said Farling. “It feels good to have it back.”

  “What else?” mused Einar.

  Grum snapped his fingers, said: “You owe me a coin, and I think you know what I am talking about.”

  Einar grinned. He took out a coin and gave it to Grum. “I still admire that gift of yours, Grum. Now, before I forget, time for you boys to get dressed in your finery.”

  “Why?” they asked.

  “Because I think at any moment you will hear a knock at the door with a very interesting invitation. Well, I must be off.” He shook hands with everyone and then quickly left.

  ***

  Sure enough, a few minutes after Einar left, they heard a light rapping on the door. Bringon went down to see who it was. After a few brief moments, at the top of the stairs appeared Phillius, the king’s secretary.

  Everyone immediately stood and the boys bowed and Clara curtsied.

  Phillius dryly said: “Pardon the interruption.”

  “Good sir, would you like to sit down?” asked Clara. “I may have some mead that would be to your liking.”

  Phillius sniffed, said: “My thanks, my lady, but I must be brief. I bring word from King Frederick. Farling, Grum, Arastead, you are invited to an audience with the king.”

  “Tonight?” asked Grum.

  Phillius answered in a flat monotone: “If it pleases you.”

  Grum guffawed, said: “Of course, of course, I was not trying to offend. We will meet you out front in just a few minutes.”

  “That would be best,” answered Phillius stiffly. “My lady, smithy Bringon, a good night to you both. I will ensure your apprentices are returned safely tonight.”

  Bringon found his voice and stammered: “I am honored you visited my humble forge.”

  Phillius barely nodded in response, then left as fast as he could.

  Bringon said: “This has got to be the strangest King’s Tournament ever. A mysterious black ship appears, then disappears. The Master of the Hunt visits us at Orlough’s burial. My three apprentices help save my forge. Now, King Frederick has asked that you attend an audience with him. My, if I did not know better, you may not feel like being blacksmith apprentices after all this.”

  The three boys all shook their heads and Farling said: “We will always be blacksmiths. Nothing may change that. It is in our bones. Now, let us clean up so that we look our best.”

  ***

  Outside, the Hive and Trondheim were busy with revelers. While the royals had had a feast for the tourney champions and other guests, the rest of the city also celebrated the end of the King’s Tournament.

  At the castle, Phillius quickly led them to a small hall. Inside was a table spread with food, desserts, and drink.

  In a dry voice, Phillius said: “I think you know everyone,” obviously not interested in introducing the blacksmiths.

  But they did not care for formalities. And indeed they did know everyone. It appeared that King Frederick had brought together all the people who had rescued him from the traitorous barons.

  First, they shook hands with Sihr who had brought his staff. “For safe keeping,” he explained.

  To Einar, they laughed, then Farling said: “That is how you knew we were invited.”

  “Of course,” Einar said. “It is my job to know everything.”

  They congratulated the Aarlund brothers, Cruithni, Tuathail, Eithlenn, and Airthear on their matches. They even shook hands with Nas the druid.

  To Conall, they laughed and joked about the sword match he had had with Farling.

  At the sound of someone clearing their throat, everyone came to attention. At the entrance stood Phillius, King Frederick, King Cormac, and Princess Margret. Everyone bowed deeply in respect.

  Frederick said: “I see no one invited the Master of the Hunt.” Everyone chuckled appreciatively at the king’s humor. “We will need to return to the closing feast soon, but I wanted to take the time to personally thank everyone here in this room for rescuing me. Sihr, priest of the Paupers Temple, what would you ask of me?”

  Sihr took a step forward, respectively nodd
ed, said: “My king, I would not ask for anything. I am grateful you are well.”

  “My thanks, Sihr, but perhaps there is something I can do for the Paupers Temple.”

  “The roof does need fixing and there are some other repairs that need to be done to the stable.”

  “A good idea, Phillius will work with you to make sure the builders do as you need.”

  “My thanks, Your Majesty.”

  “Einar, what would you ask?”

  Einar took a step forward, bowing graciously, said: “I hope it is not too onerous a request, but my brother Orlough was buried in a pauper’s grave. I would ask that he be given a proper burial, one that would better commemorate his former life as a king’s secretary.”

  “I agree, I was not happy with the burial arrangement, but there was nothing I could do at the time. I will ensure he is buried properly. Done.”

  “My thanks, Your Majesty.”

  “Arastead, blacksmith apprentice, what would you ask.”

  Arastead bowed, said: “My King, I have no needs, but I would ask that the library at the School be outfitted more completely with more books and resources.”

  “Done. A tremendous idea.”

  “I am grateful, Your Majesty.”

  “Grum, blacksmith apprentice, what would you ask.”

  Grum bowed, said: “Much like Arastead, I have no needs. I am healthy and strong and wield my hammer in the forge. I worry about Bringon. He needs to be more financially secure.”

  “More work will be sent to Bringon’s forge to make sure he has enough coin for the many years.”

  “My deepest thanks, Your Majesty.”

  “Farling, blacksmith apprentice, what would you ask.”

  Farling bowed respectively, said: “Your Majesty, I came to Trondheim to earn enough coin to purchase a small farm in Jordheim for my mother and brother. Nothing fancy, but something they can call home, with enough goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, and horses.”

  “Coin enough to make your dream come true for your mother and brother will be given.”

  “My thanks, Your Majesty.”

  Frederick then had Phillius give gifts to the Aarlund brothers.

  Last, in front of the small crowd, Frederick looked to Cormac, said: “I never thought there would be peace between our two countries in my life, and I most certainly never thought that the king of Aarlund would rescue me from certain danger.”

  Cormac grinned, said: “I know too that if my life were in danger, you would not have hesitated.”

  “I would not. Friend?”

  “Friend.”

  They shook hands while everyone clapped.

  “We must return to the feast,” said Frederick, “else the lords and nobles will wonder what to do with themselves next. Again, my deepest thanks to everyone and I hope the gifts I have given will be enough to demonstrate my gratitude.”

  Everyone bowed in respect.

  Once the kings, princess, and others left, Grum tucked into the spread on the table, said: “The food is pretty good.”

  “Some things never change,” said Arastead.

  CHAPTER 23

  A Parting of Friends

  It was early morning when Farling stood in front of Bringon’s forge.

  The King’s Tournament had been over for several days; the stands torn down, the banners removed. The knights struck their tents and pavilions, and everyone made their way home.

  Fortunes had been made; some big, some small. And fortunes had been lost; some big, some small. The number of ships in the port of Trondheim went back down to the usual number. Members of the merchants guild smiled again as their purses were once again fat and the financial damage caused by the mysterious black ship had turned out to be minimal. The Hive as well returned to its usual level of busy. The Knights Stable, cleared of all the visiting horses, was once again as tranquil as it could ever be.

  So much had happened in such a short amount of time, thought Farling. He had fought a skeleton, met the thieves guild master of Trondheim, met the Master of the Hunt, rescued a king, sorry, two kings, and brought a Norse goddess back to life. And here I thought all I was going to do in Trondheim was work in a forge as a blacksmith apprentice. He had never thought or dreamed that his life would become so much more, that his life could be so much more.

  It had been quite the adventure. At times, he had thought his chest was going to explode from sheer excitement—and fear. Life was different in the big city of Trondheim. Can I return to the quiet of Jordheim and still be happy? But he would be with his family and with his blacksmith friend, Mantock. It was time to help his mother and brother build a new life, a better life, with a sizeable farm, and animals to provide good coin from eggs, milk, and other goods they could sell at a local market. He could still visit Trondheim and maybe even travel with Grum and Arastead to Aarlund to visit Conall. All the darkness of which Freya spoke could be left to the intrigues of kings. Farling knew that if asked, he would help, but right now, all he could think of was how much he just wanted to go back to Jordheim.

  “I guess this is good-bye,” said Arastead.

  “I will visit,” said Farling.

  “You had better,” said Grum.

  “We could visit Jordheim,” said Arastead.

  “What, and miss all the excitement here?” said Grum. “We need to fix up our forge and start getting orders.”

  “Good luck opening Lanson’s old forge,” said Farling. “My blacksmith master in Jordheim will be pleased to hear his old friend’s forge is in good hands.”

  “The Hive does not like unused forges,” said Arastead. “It has been empty long enough according to their charter so that we were able to purchase it. As much as we liked working for Bringon, it will be good to have our own forge. The next step is acceptance in to the blacksmiths guild, but we do not expect any problems.”

  “I expect to work again in the forge up in Jordheim,” said Farling. “It will be good to return to the calmness of the forge.”

  “It has been quite the adventure,” said Arastead.

  “Personally, I think the forge will be quite boring,” said Grum.

  “I think that is why I will like it,” said Farling.

  “And that is why we also accepted to help the thieves guild, especially Pressan,” said Arastead. “We were taught our letters and numbers at the School, so we should be able to help him in the library. I think Einar is also hoping we might do some training, but we shall see about that.”

  Farling smiled, said: “Should keep things interesting.”

  Arastead smiled back: “That is the plan,” he said.

  Farling said his good-byes to Bringon and Clara. Then after shaking hands and hugging everyone again, he, Grum, and Arastead made their way over to the King Cormac and the Aarlunders. Farling was to ride part of the way north with them.

  Farling found Conall, asked him: “Which horse is mine?”

  “The one with the new saddle,” said Conall pointing.

  Farling inspected the horse. Inside the saddlebags was a great amount of coin, more than enough for his mother and brother.

  Farling looked over the group as they got ready to leave. He noticed Margret and the druid were not preparing to leave. He asked Conall about this.

  “Princess Margret and Nas are staying in Trondheim,” he answered. “Nas plans on training both Princess Margret and the Paupers Temple priest, Sihr, on their new gifts.”

  “Where is he planning on training them?”

  “Most likely in the Paupers Temple, but I also heard word he might do some training in the thieves guild to keep away any prying eyes.”

  Grum lightly punched Farling in the shoulder. Then: “You sure you will not reconsider and stay in Trondheim?”

  “I was born in Jordheim, I will return to Jordheim. Trondheim is my second home. And I know I have family here as well.”

  Arastead nodded, said: “You are always welcome to visit as you are as family to me. Same to you, Conall.”


  Off to one side, Farling watched as Cormac said good-bye to his daughter and to Nas.

  “It is time we ride,” said Cormac after he had mounted his horse.

  Everyone else readied their horses and the camp cook sat on his horse-drawn cart. As before, an honorary guard of Dennland riders were to escort the Aarlund group safely back to the border.

  As the group rode away, Farling waved to Grum and Arastead.

  “I am going to miss that Jordheimer,” said Grum waving.

  “Not as much as me,” said Arastead with a big sigh. “Come on, we have got our work cut out for ourselves fixing up Lanson’s old forge.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Alchemist’s Stronghold

  Doshmin, now a common thief from the Pitcairn thieves guild, had been riding hard for the past two days. While he had not been summoned, he knew it was well past time for him to confront Alchemist and explain his side of the story. He preferred the knife he could see to the knife in the dark. He had heard stories of people who had failed Alchemist and that they had never been seen again.

  Doshmin had been assigned two tasks by Alchemist: kill Orlough and help the barons of Dennland kidnap King Frederick. He had killed Orlough, but somehow King Frederick had been freed. None knew that an imposter had sat the throne of Dennland except for the barons, a select few of their followers, and whoever had rescued the real king. Doshmin had warned the barons that the Master of the Hunt and his two massive hounds prowled the forest near Trondheim, but they had dismissed him. Doshmin had seen too much in his life that could not be explained easily. He knew somehow the Master of the Hunt had played a role in rescuing King Frederick. But how? And more importantly, why?

  He had also failed in killing King Cormac, his daughter, and the druid. That had been an extra job suddenly demanded by the treacherous barons. He had been able to extract high payment from the barons, but then failed to collect as he had been foiled. Again, somehow, someone had known of his plans. He had been confronted by Trondheim thieves in King Cormac’s chambers and been made to sign a contract allowing half of all payments from work performed in Trondheim to be paid to the Trondheim thieves guild. That had been a bitter drink to swallow. He had heard King Cormac talking, then suddenly he was gone just before he and his thieves had entered the room. The thieves of Trondheim must have known of his plans and must have also played a role in rescuing King Frederick.