“Charge!” Eleesa, with no mind for strategy, order an all-out assault. The shield wall broke apart and the Hinn battle cry rang out. Archers, ignoring Eleesa’s command, continued firing arrows. However, the archers lost cohesion and shot arrows at will. They also began to pick targets at random. Eleesa payed no mind and spurred Marco into action. The bear got to his feet and roared. The archers parted ranks and Marco bounded through. The foot soldiers also parted to make way for the charging bear. Saliva spewed from the bear’s jaws as he ran. Marco’s massive paws kicked up clouds of sand. Many of the Hinn warriors had to cover their faces as the bear passed by. Eleesa raised her shield to protect herself, letting go of the bear’s fur. She also drew her sword and placed the tip atop her shield. During the preparation phase, Eleesa had painted a silver star on her shield. The warriors that saw her do this did the same. In fact, many of the Danfear also painted silver stars on their bodies. Along with this, everyone had covered their bodies with lines of blue and red paint. They also used black paint and ash. This created fearsome looks for each of the defenders. The sight of this must have struck the invaders with fear. At the sight of the charging defenders and the bear, the invaders once again started to flee. The Danfear chased after them, more boats landed, and the Marco reached the landing boats. He picked up a Bahl soldier in his jaw and flung the man into the sea. Then, he bounded a few feet and closed his mouth over an iron helmet. His long teeth broke through the top of the helmet, into the head protected underneath. The teeth on his lower jaw pierced through the man’s neck. The scream that came from the dying Bahl soldier horrified Eleesa. She entered a state of shock at the carnage around her. Her daze ended when she caught sight of Jut.
The Danfear warrior, that had become a Ledir, was surrounded. He was much farther down the beach. After getting caught out from chasing Bahl deserters, Jut had been enveloped by enemies. He was getting tired as he swung his axe. The iron blade of his weapon, and his body, was drenched in blood. He had felled a pile of Bahl soldiers, but there were so many more.
“No!” Eleesa screamed as she watched Jut topple over. Marco instinctively charged to Jut’s aid. The troops surrounding Jut fled, after taking sight of the bear. Eleesa leapt from Marco’s back. There was no stopping the bear once it had taken sight of a threat. Growling and spewing saliva, the bear continued after the fleeing Bahl soldiers. Despite his size, Marco bounded quickly. He was much faster than a fleeing human. No one could escape his mighty jaws. So, Marco tracked down one invading enemy after another.
Eleesa crouched over Jut’s broken body. She raised his head. Even the man’s skull was extremely heavy. Eleesa could barely hold it up. She sobbed into his shoulder as she hugged him. Then, another miracle happened to Eleesa. Jut opened his eyes and began to cough. Dumbfounded, Eleesa watched as Jut stood. He caressed her cheek and smiled.
“Thank you, great god of the mountain.” Without another word. Jut reentered the fray and Eleesa sat on the sand. She was confused, and awe struck. Was it she that had healed everyone she touched. She had always been told by Juno that she could heal. She never believed it herself though. First the blind boy in her village, then Marco, and now Jut. There was also Segruide. Her dead friend had acted differently to her after the fight with wolves. Perhaps, she was indeed a god. That thought did not last long. Eleesa did not feel like a god. Surely, she would know if she were one. She bled, she had urges, and she grew hungry like everyone else.
Eleesa was not allowed to reminisce long. There were some enemies still standing their ground. The sand and sea had turned red. So, Eleesa had to return her attentions to the fight. Marco returned and Eleesa remounted her furry steed.
“They are amassing farther down the beach!” A Hinn warrior came running back from chasing down fleeing soldiers. Jut stopped fighting and looked down the beach. Eleesa did the same and saw a nearly complete formation. General Hamo, stood at the head of a long skirmisher line. They royal army had decided against landing horses. This made Eleesa the only cavalry unit on the beach. It would not matter, as the Bahl army had too many numbers.
“Retreat to the town!” Jut shouted, and the men responded. The Hinn warriors all broke and fled. The archers also broke to run. Fortunately, Jut sprinted up to them and reformed the archer line. They just managed to cover the retreating men. However, the archers eventually fled. Jut remained, alone, to ensure a safe retreat. He stood his ground for a few minutes against overwhelming enemy numbers. With a mighty roar, Jut charged head long into the Bahl skirmisher line. The rest of General Hamo’s army was still forming up behind. Jut took out over a hundred soldiers before he fell. At the end, General Hamo walked up to Jut. Soldiers piled on top of the Danfear giant to hold him down. General Hamo, with one swift strike, plunged his sword into Jut’s throat. His eyes wild with rage, the giant continued to struggle until he had no more breath. However, before he died Jut reached up and tore off General Hamo’s helmet. The Hinn warriors, Eleesa, and Diodo looked back to see the inhuman face of Hamo. Eleesa and her defenders gasped at the sight. Then, Eleesa had an idea.
***
Within the walls of Ulsgard, the Hinn defenders prepared for a last stand. At the northern section of the wall, they awaited the invaders. The wooden walls would not last long. Thanks to a successful retreat, the Hinn archers had survived. Now, they took places on the battlements and held their bow strings taught. Muscles began to shake as the enemy approached. Eleesa had a plan. She stood outside the walls of Ulsgard. Diodo and the other warriors attempted to dissuaded her from doing this. She almost caved until Queen Magiya appeared on the horizon. She was walking next to her general. Together, they marched at the head of the army towards Ulsgard. Diodo finally gave up and ordered the northern gate closed. Eleesa rode atop her bear alone. Taking a deep breath, she urged Marco forward. The bear growled but slowly moved out to meet the enemy.
“General Hamo!” Eleesa swallowed a breath before shouting with all her might. The Bahl army stopped to witness this strange sight. Eleesa dismounted her bear and walked out to meet them. “General Hamo!” She called again, and the General walked out to meet her. Queen Magiya, smiling, waited and watched. The General removed his helmet. The man’s disfigured face almost caused Eleesa to throw up. Desperation won out over disgust and Eleesa remained calm. General Hamo threw aside his shield. Then, he unbuckled his sword. Drawing the iron blade his blade, the General threw his scabbard also. “I will not fight you. I am here to talk.” Eleesa threw down her weapons. This action gained laughter from the enemies and Queen Magiya. “I understand you pain and I can take it away.” Eleesa raised her hands as General Hamo came within striking distance of her. His eyes narrowed, and he peered at her skeptically. “I beg of you. Allow me to heal you before you strike me down.” Queen Magiya ceased laughing and became concerned. She picked up her long flowing black dress. Walking out to meet Eleesa, she felt another force vying for control of Hamo. She gritted her teeth and growled. Eleesa placed her hands on Hamo’s face and Queen Magiya became afraid. Hamo felt the dark force his queen held over him. He stepped away from Eleesa in confusion.
“General, do not listen to her!” Queen Magiya shouted, but she dared not run. This may alert the other soldiers to what was happening.
“Hamo, it is alright. I sense that you want peace. This woman has tortured you enough. Think of all your friends. Do you not wish to meet them? Let me show you the way.” Eleesa placed her hand on the general’s arm. The General began to succumb. Just then, the Dark Queen Magiya placed her hand on General Hamo’s back. The spectators looked on in wonder. A dark cloud had arrived but somehow there was no shadow around Eleesa and Hamo. Diodo felt himself growing sick. The men on the wall began to cough as well. A few fell over, but none could take their eyes of the situation below the wall.
“She is trying to poison your mind. These are your enemies. They are our enemies. Kill them all!” Queen Magiya pushed on the General’s back. Eleesa stumbled backwards under the weight. However, M
arco came up behind the young woman. He placed his furry side against Eleesa’s body. This saved her from falling over.
“Come with me. Let us go together.” Eleesa hugged Hamo and pressed her check into his. She closed her eyes just as knife blade pierced her. A hot pain radiated from just below Eleesa’s rib cage. She knew the queen had stabbed her. The burned skin of Hamo began to heal. Eleesa felt the man smile. Then, she felt the knife blade leave her body. The blade entered her body again, this time in her back. Then, she was stabbed again. She clung tightly to the General and opened her eyes. She and the General were crying. The man’s age and old wounds began to set in. Eleesa and Hamo collapsed together onto their knees. A cry of rage went up from the Bahl army. The did not understand what was taking place. So, the ground began to shake as the Bahl army charged down the beach. They hoped to rescue their General.
“Thank you, young woman.” General Hamo’s tongue had grown back. His skin sagged, and his eyebrows turned grey. “I am so tired. I think I will rest now. Why would you sacrifice yourself for me?” General Hamo rested his head against Eleesa’s shoulder. They two toppled to the ground. Queen Magiya, covered in Eleesa’s blood, stood above them.
“Not for you only.” Eleesa closed her eyes and the breath left her body. Queen Magiya roared in anger as Marco’s jaws closed around her torso. With a gasp, Queen Magiya’s body was broken in half. The Bahl army surrounded the group and watched in confusion. The Dark cloud lifted, and all the sick defenders became well again. The two forces looked at each other in bewilderment. Just then, a bolt of lightening came down from the sky. It struck the bodies of Eleesa, Queen Magiya, and General Hamo. Their bodies turned to ash before the eyes of the soldiers. The Bahl soldiers looked up at the battlements. Their expressions were empty. As a group, the entire Bahl army turned and retreated to their boats.
After the Bahl army left, the Uslgard defenders ventured out from behind the walls. Orfik and three other Hinn warriors were the first to the site. Orfik, Ringalt, and a woman named Hiltrude, kneeled among the ashs. They began to scoop up the ash, but static shocked them as they touched the ground. Frightened, the three warriors ran away from the site. Diodo gestured for everyone to stay back.
“We know not what unholy forces have battled this day. We must bury this area.” Diodo threw a handful of sand on the ashes.
“What will you do now wonderer? Ulsgard is saved. Will you remain here?” One of the Hinn warriors placed a hand on Diodo’s shoulder.
“No, my place is in the world. I shall travel to Furvik and then south. Eleesa’s story must be told.”
Epilogue
The old lady of the village of Umbria sat back in her chair. She was tired from story telling and wanted to go to sleep. The young children were all still alert though. The hour had passed midnight. As well, the fire had almost died. Only orange embers remained in the fireplace. So, the children waited for the old woman to continue, but she began to snore. Her mouth opened, and drool began to drip from her chin.
“Hey, hey, woman! Wake up!” The oldest of the boys began shouting. The old woman woke up and smiled.
“Yes? I seem to have fallen asleep.” The old lady wiped away the drool.
“You can’t end the story like that! We want to know what happens next.”
“Later, the hour is too late.”
“Well, what happened to Diodo?”
“He traveled the world and spread the story of Eleesa.”
“Just like that? Did the coward Orfik ever die?”
“He was no coward. Later, children, later.”
“Did Ulsgard survive?” At this question, the old woman laughed.
“Yes, yes, it did. We live now where the old town once stood. Now go to sleep.” Disappointed the children obeyed. They all slept in the main room, on top of animal furs. The snows had grown to harsh for any travel. The old woman hoped they would not be trapped for long. The fire children began to snore and the old lady joined them.
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Publication Date: August 8th 2018
https://www.bookrix.com/-lr7d0627baa86b5
ISBN: 978-3-7438-7702-3
BookRix-Edition, publishing information
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The First Valkyrie Page 21