Ingrid, The Viking Maiden (Viking Maiden Series Book 1)

by Naomi Jane Kelly

  With panic written on her face, she turned to Hnossa and clutched her stomach. "I don't know how to read," Ingrid whispered.

  "That's fine, don't worry yourself. I didn't bring you here for that. Besides, you wouldn't be able to read these, anyway. They are written in the language of the gods. We can talk in this room without being overheard. It is enchanted with a protection that makes it impossible for eavesdropping." Hnossa pulled her into an embrace. "Relax, my special girl. Let's sit over here on the couch and I will tell you what you need to know." The two settled into the soft cushions and Hnossa wove a tale for Ingrid.

  "Long ago, the Vanir ruled as the gods of all realms. Jealous of the growing power of Asgard, the goddess Freya used her enchanted spells and charms to enter their realm and cause discord among their people. Odin declared her an enemy for her manipulation of his home and family. Rightly so, don't you think?" She smiled at Ingrid who nodded.

  "The Asgardians tried to kill Freya, but they could not, and it only angered her Vanir family. The two sides fought a fierce and destructive war. Neither side earned an advantage over the other and the war stretched on without an end in sight. Eventually the two groups of gods and goddesses reached an understanding with each other since it was clear there would be no true victor. As part of the truce agreement, each side exchanged prisoners to ensure fair treatment of everyone. Downtrodden after the war, most of the Vanir left Vanaheim and settled into a quiet existence on Alfheim."

  "I have heard much of this from the sagas told on different occasions, but most of the stories are of Odin and Asgard, not Vanaheim or Alfheim," Ingrid looked to Hnossa with her forehead burrowed. "I've only heard the occasional mention that the Elves of Alfheim choose not to associate with any other realm, especially Midgard."

  "Yes, that was true. The Elves viewed humans as an inferior race of creatures and could not understand the Asgardians' affinity with them." Hnossa smiled with tight lips, a look of pity, or something darker, swirled in her eyes for a moment and then was gone.

  "I'm not sure what all of this has to do with me?"

  "You will. Let me have some juice and sweets brought in for us as we sit here. Tales are always better with a snack," Hnossa's cheerful smile back in full view as she rang a bell that tinkled a soft chime.

  How could anyone hear that in this large house?

  Seconds later a wizened old gentleman opened the door carrying a tray with golden goblets and a plate full of decorated treats that Ingrid had never seen before. Hnossa handed her a goblet.

  "May I ask what this is?" Ingrid asked.

  "It is only juice," Hnossa answered with a confused expression.

  "I would like to stay away from mead, that's why I asked."

  "I would never serve you mead from the gods. You will have no ill effects from our food or drink here. Shall I continue?"

  Ingrid could only nod because her mouth was full of the sweetest bread-like food she had ever tasted.

  "That's my favorite cookie, too," Hnossa winked, launching back into her story. "The Vanir and the Elves share a heritage from the beginning of the realms, which is why they are so close. Not everyone agreed about a truce with the Aesir. They desired to continue the battle and defeat the Asgardians, keeping their rightful place as the true leaders of all the realms. Eventually it caused a split in Alfheim. Those who sought ways to overpower the magic of Freya and Odin moved into their own lands and learned the power of the dark arts. Known now as the Dark Elves, they traveled throughout many of the realms gathering resources and making allies among the enemies of Odin. The weaker, passive Elves stayed within Alfheim, associating only with the dwindling Vanir, until both retreated deep into secret, hidden lands, rarely to be heard or seen."

  She reached over and patted Ingrid's hand. "This is where you come in." Ingrid's eyes widened, and she sat up taller. "Enlightened with the knowledge of more powerful magic, the Dark Elves sought to restore Vanaheim and heal the rift on Alfheim at the same time. Odin learned of their plans and, working with Freya, cast a spell around Midgard and connected it to Asgard. It protected the weaker humans, but it also increased Asgard's power and position against the other realms."

  Ingrid felt her chest constrict and her heart pound against her temple. She swallowed a gulp of juice and waited for Hnossa to continue.

  "Freya, as always, devised a plan to tether the protection in place forever by stealing a piece of thread from the Norn, Skuld. Woven within the magic is the fate of a human. Born with the ability to heal like Eir and use the gift of sight like Frigg, that person would add the strength of Midgard to the powers of Asgard, binding the spell until the end of time." Hnossa looked deep into Ingrid's eyes. "The magic is weakening, and that is why beasts unseen for centuries are once again within your world, but the one prophesied has been born. It is you, Ingrid."

  Ingrid choked on the cookie she ate and jumped off the couch gulping air into her lungs. Hnossa sat quiet and waited. Guzzling down the rest of her juice, she squared her shoulders and shook her head at Hnossa.

  "I can't be that person. I'm not a healer, to start. My brother lays unconscious because I can't do anything for him. I can barely keep a hold of anything in my hands without dropping it and my muscles are too weak to hold a shield. There is no way I have magic like you describe."

  "My dear child, I know it is hard to believe, but you must. The Elves are failing and if they do not restore the equality of magic to the Vanir, the imbalance will destroy your realm and mine. Giants, demons, and dwarves, to name a few, will roam your world taking all of mankind as slaves or killing them. No one will survive. Eventually, even Odin and Freya will fail to hold Asgard and evil will prevail with no hope for anyone. You must control your abilities and learn to harness your power so it can not be used to harm anyone. Right now you don't know how, which is why your brother still suffers, but you can learn."

  "No, this is too much. It's not me." Ingrid paced back and forth in front of the couch. Her heart beat like a war drum and she felt dizzy. She bent over, put her hands on her knees and tried to catch her breath. "Why would Odin and Freya put all the realms at risk? They guide and protect us. Why would you think I am this person?"

  "The gods are as emotional as humans and can lose their way when they let greed and power cloud their judgement. This is a lot for you all at once. Perhaps you should go back and rest. When you have time to think over all that I have told you, we can speak again. In the meantime, you must not tell any one of your trip here. We cannot risk the information of who you are getting into the wrong hands. No one can be trusted, do you understand?" Ingrid shivered as a cold chill spread throughout her insides but she nodded in agreement. "Remember what I told you before: Be wary of anyone who comes to you in secret, working in the shadows. They would only try to deceive you."

  "I understand. I would like to go back now, please. I'm worried for my brother. I shouldn't have left for so long."

  "You shouldn't worry. I am here to watch and guide you, sweet child." Hnossa stood and wrapped her arms around Ingrid. A bright, warm, and soothing light flashed in Ingrid's eyes and she felt herself floating until everything disappeared.

  Ingrid cracked her eyelids and peered out cautiously. Darkness surrounded her, and she lay on the hard ground with something sharp poking into her back. Cold pierced every inch of her body and made the smallest movement painful. Little by little she brought her knees up and with monumental effort pushed herself to standing.

  Now what? I've never felt so cold. Ingrid's body felt numb but her teeth chattered together so hard it echoed behind her eyes and pounded in her ears. Gone were the light, airy, sweet smells of Asgard, replaced by the assault of mud, moldy grass, and juniper. Wrapping her arms tight around her middle, she tried to look around after her eyes adjusted to the dark, but nothing looked familiar. Whether she was in the same place where she'd found the portal earlier, she didn't know. Not too far away she saw a clump of bushes.

  It has to be warmer under the bushes.r />
  Slow and steady, she shuffled her feet until she reached the shelter and pushed her way into the brush, collapsing into a tight ball once she was as far in as she could go. After a time, when she could not get comfortable or warm, she got back to her feet.

  I may as well walk. It's better than freezing to death where no one will find me.

  Ingrid walked in the darkness, listening to the scampering of rodents as they scouted for food and the occasional hoot of an owl. The night air was clean and fresh, washed anew from the earlier storm. While she walked a gap opened between clouds and she gazed up into the stars showing overhead. Smiling, the North Star shone bright and steady, giving her the guidance she needed to get back. Oddly content after the day's events and her conversation with Hnossa, she let the emotions wrap around her like a shawl--until she saw a tall mass of angry male headed straight for her. As he closed the distance between them, Ingrid noticed the tight fists by his side, the flared nostrils and straight line of his mouth. For a brief second, panic fluttered through her and she thought about turning to run away. Just as quick, she set her feet and waited for Jorg's approach. The corded muscles of his arms were bulging under his shirt sleeves.

  What is his problem?

  Well within her personal space he stopped, towering over her, but said nothing. She lifted her chin to look at him, knowing her eyes were too wide and the hard swallow belied her false confidence.

  Jorg grabbed ahold of Ingrid's upper arms and shook once, tightening his grip before letting go. Ingrid wanted to yelp but kept quiet, daring a glance down to his fingers that were flexing in and out as if he was trying to regain control.

  "Where have you been?" he asked between clenched teeth.

  "Walking."

  "I have been searching for you for two hours."

  Did I really walked that far? "I can take care of myself. I'm on my way back so you didn't need to come searching for me."

  Jorg drew in a deep breath and let it out slow. Ingrid used the opportunity to shift her weight into her heels, gaining an inch of space between them. "You said you would stay within shouting distance."

  "If I recall, you said that, and I implied that I agreed. I needed to be alone, so I walked further."

  "Implied!" he roared. Silence filled the air as all creatures within earshot halted.

  "I'm not lost and I'm not a child." Her own voice gained volume and the quickening of her pulse made her hands shake. Anger billowed off of Jorg like steam but she kept his stare without flinching. Growling, he turned away from her, walked a few steps and then returned only to turn around and do it again. Ingrid watched him pace and willed her feet to stay where they were.

  Jorg stopped again in front of her, not quite as close this time. "How do you know you're not lost?"

  Without moving her head, Ingrid pointed with her eyes at the star still shining brightly between the gap in cloud cover. Focused again on Jorg's face, she raised an eyebrow, begging for his response. He reached up and ran his hand over his face before dropping it to his side.

  "Do you have a plan for where you'll sleep? If you keep walking, you won't make it back to the others before dawn. Unless you don't need sleep. Since you have everything worked out and all."

  Ingrid rolled her eyes. "I didn't think about that. It's not a problem, though. I can find a safe spot and rest for a while wrapped in my cloak before going forward."

  "Hmm. Well, since you have a plan, I'll leave you to it." Turning, he strode off toward their camp.

  "Wait. You're just going to leave?"

  He stopped and twisted back toward her. "You said yourself, you're not a child. You don't need me."

  "I never said I didn't need you," she whispered, unsure if she wanted him to hear her or not. Within a few strides, he closed the distance between them and once again stood before her. "I mean, I need Hagen and Selby, too. We all need each other," she stammered over the words without looking him in the eye.

  Nice, Ingrid, way to sound like an idiot.

  Earthy pine scents tickled her senses, and she bit her lip trying to focus anywhere but on the imposing figure in front of her. A strong finger pushed her chin upward and a pair of hazel eyes swirling with brown, green, and gold bored into hers.

  "That's true. Stop trying to prove how brave you are by yourself. We already believe in you. How about we both rest and walk back together?"

  Mesmerized by the starburst of colors in Jorg's eyes, Ingrid realized it was the first time she'd noticed them. I'm sure they must have always looked like that. I wonder why I've never noticed.

  "Ingrid?" Jorg's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He also seemed like he was struggling to keep from grinning. Ingrid stepped away from his touch and brushed her hands on her thighs.

  "Yeah. That sounds fine." Her voice sounded squeaky in her ears.

  "I passed a good place to stop about ten minutes from here, how does that sound?"

  Shaking her head and setting out in a brisk walk, she concentrated on the ground. "Sure." Jorg moved up to her side, and they walked together in silence.

  By the time they found the spot Jorg mentioned, Ingrid's muscles were sore and all the information Hnossa shared with her kept battering her thoughts giving her a headache.

  "It would be warmer for both of us if we share my cloak," he said. Leaning toward her, he winked. "It's bigger."

  Ingrid felt the heat rise up her face and into her ears. Jorg flashed her a glimpse of his dimple then sat down on the ground. Lying down on his side, he stretched the fabric so it made enough room for Ingrid to lie next to him and still be able to fold over the top of them both. She sucked in a small breath, lowered herself down next to him, wrapped the warm wool over her shoulders, and flinched when his arm pressed around her middle.

  "At least Selby isn't here. You can relax and not worry about what she might say." His breath tickled her cheek as he spoke, and she bit her lip to keep from smiling, without success.

  "I'm sure she'll have plenty of comments, anyway."

  Jorg huffed, then shifted forward and pressed a light kiss to her cheek. "Goodnight, Ingrid," he whispered and leaned back tucking his free arm under his head.

  Stunned, Ingrid held her breath and didn't move. If Jorg's arm wasn't holding her down, she might have floated away. Her cheeks squished into her eyes as she smiled against the elbow under her head and relaxed.

  15

  Something tickled Ingrid's nose pulling her out of sleep. Hoping she could ignore it and fall back to sleep, she twisted and wiggled her face to relieve the itch. It didn't work. Just before she could brush her hand across her face, her arm was held down tight. She stiffened and snapped open her eyes.

  "Shh. Don't move or make a sound," Jorg whispered in her ear. It sent a thrilling shiver down her spine making it hard to follow those directions, then she noticed the hare. It must have hopped next to them without realizing what they were. Fast as an arrow, Jorg's arm shot out and grabbed the small animal. In his attempt to jump to his feet, Jorg's cloak pulled against him and flipped Ingrid over onto her stomach as he did everything he could to avoid falling on her. Squealing, she covered her head with her arms and Jorg landed hovering over Ingrid, one knee on her left side with the arm not holding a squirming rodent braced against the ground near her right side. While his second knee had bumped her back, he'd managed not to put his weight into it. There wasn't much choice but to straddle her while he gave the rabbit a quick death, then shimmied out of the cloak and scooted away.

  Ingrid peeked out from under her arms to find Jorg sitting on the ground laughing and she joined him.

  The predawn skies were pushing away the darkness, and it was time for them to head toward the others, anyway. Ingrid stretched her back and rolled her neck while Jorg secured the hare to his belt.

  "We'll have breakfast now, at least," he said still smiling.

  "You do make mornings eventful."

  He snorted then grabbed her hand. "Let's go."

  Hesitating for a secon
d, she peeked a glance at their joined hands, smiled, and walked with light, happy steps.

  After about thirty minutes of walking and neither saying a word, Jorg cleared his throat.

  "Where did you end up yesterday? How far did you walk?"

  Ingrid didn't know how to respond. Should she tell him about Hnossa and where she really was? Would he believe her?

  He won't believe you. And I'm not supposed to tell, anyway.

  "I don't know exactly. I just kept going until I felt better, then turned around," she lied. Gooseflesh rose on her arms and she tried to convince herself it was the morning breeze when she shivered.

  Peering at her sideways, he squeezed her hand. "Don't do it again." It wasn't a question, nor was it a strict command either. More like a plea. She squeezed his hand back but didn't dare say anything. It wasn't a promise she could make.

  Selby came running up to them once they were in sight of the overhanging rocks they used as camp. With hair sticking out in all directions, her braids were a mess more than a simple night's sleep could achieve. A wild look in her friend's wide-open eyes grabbed hold of Ingrid's stomach and squeezed.

  "What is it? Is it Hagen? Did something happen to him?" Ingrid ran to Selby and pelted her with questions.