by Farah Cook
Tene utters a laugh. Her petite, firm body moves effortlessly. She pushes back her sandy blond hair and grabs an apple from the fruit bowl in front of her. I watch as she sinks her teeth into the fruit.
Tene: “Have some faith in them – they’re good at finding secret passages and creating maps that leads to the Forbidden Areas.”
Tove: “Death trap that is, sister. That’s how Orkeney buy their way out of every mission – deceived we are if we follow this continuous madness.”
Maja: “We don’t have to care about that do we now? The new elite in our pack…”
Tove: “Why do you like her so much?” Tove twitches her brow.
Magnus: “Without trust we cannot form a strong dynasty. Why do I sense doubt?”
Maja: “Your highness—”
Magnus: “I told you not to call me that!”
Tove growls. Her electric blue eyes meet Magnus’s gray storm. There are too many big personalities in this room. Tove retreats a little, dropping her silver cloak, which slides across the shiny glass floor.
Tene: “Stop, you guys. Not you two again! Other matters of concern need resolving. Magnus and Maja, go play love and hide.”
Maja and Magnus look surprised – like they didn’t expect that to come from Tene. Tene drops her apple, and Tove speedily grabs it. Her reflexes are extraordinary.
Maja: “I have faith in our new member. She’s dangerously different.”
Magnus: “But she doesn’t know our ways. She’ll have questions.”
Maja: “We have to break the news to her.”
Magnus: “It has crossed my mind and I think we should tell her everything.”
Tove: “Have you lost your mind, brother? Why would we tell her so soon?”
Tene: “I don’t approve of the idea. We’ll be taking an uncalculated risk.”
Maja: “She belongs to our dynasty now. We have to tell her sooner rather than later.”
Magnus: “We’ll do what’s in the best interest of the Empire. If she is the girl with the—”
Tene: “Magnus, the walls have ears.”
Magnus: “We will discuss what needs to be done after the awakening ceremony when the Empress knights Nora – that is, if she’s ready to have her heart awakened.”
Magnus, Tene and Maja form a circle holding hands. Their eyes wide open.Simultaneously they say:“Entrust, defy and liberate. Loyalty and respect.”
One by one they leave the room. Tove stays behind and growls. She cranes her neck backwards. I take a step away from the door and hold my breath. She places her hood over her head, and swings her silver cloak in the air and walks away.
The Jarl Dynasty is a band, with visible, ethics and rules, but what is it they have to tell me?
Like a spider, I stretch out my arms and flatten my palms against the glass surfaces to find a way out of the box room. But the walls and ceiling all seem to be sealed. Panic-stricken, I step into the large room, where Magnus, Tene, Maja and Tove just had their meeting. It smells like burned candles in here.
I tiptoe across the room, when I hear heavy steps marching back in. Quickly I roll onto the floor and hide behind a pillar. Tove looks around. Her hair is ink black, and eyes charcoaled. I stare at her from the side and she doesn’t notice me. My heart is racing like wild horses.
She’s looking for something, and walks further into the room. Quietly I slip out and rush toward what I believe is the south wing. In a hurry, I pass by few curious faces. I keep my gaze lowered and avoid eye contact with anyone. I bump into a frail frame in front of me.
“Nora Hunt.” I turn around. “Are you lost?” I look up. I don’t know her, but she knows me.
“I, erm…” puzzled that everyone seems to know me around here, I drop my shoulders and try to relax. Of course, they know me. I’m the fifth Elite Raider that just joined the Jarl Dynasty.
“You’ll need to dress according to your band. Elites wear special raider attire. Did Mina not show you?” I stare foolishly into the gentle eyes of the older woman who is questioning me. Somehow, she reminds me of the Silent Keeper back in the East. A woman that for all those years I thought was my mom. I longed for her love. She was no one to me. No one at all.
“I’ve heard brave things about you,” she says and smiles gently. Her voice is soothing and calm, and her eyes silver gray. “Allow me to show you where you can select new attire.” I follow her as she steps into an elevator that brings us straight into a dressing room full of mirrors.
“There’s nothing here,” I say and look at her puzzled.
“Seek and you shall find…” Elegantly she twirls her delicate body around the floor. She places her finger against the mirrored walls lightly and they open into walk-in wardrobes. Full of clothes, boots, shoes, jackets for any kind of weather. On one side, shining silver cloaks. Similar to those the elites were wearing at the assembly.
“Oh my…” I say and feel like a kid in a candy store. My vanity is tested, and I don’t give in at first. I smile warmly into her small light-colored eyes showing my appreciation. She smiles back. “Is this where all…”
“Not all. Just elite.”
“And you are?”
“I’ll leave you to it. We’ll have our time to get acquainted, Nora Hunt. If I were you I wouldn’t choose something spectacular for the ceremony tomorrow. It’s not about making impressions. We are past that stage my dear. Your life in the West has only just begun, and all of City of Skies will be watching you. So, think carefully, and choose wisely.”
Gracefully she pushes back her blue silk gown framed tightly on her bony body and tilts her head. Her long neck is stiff like a swan’s. She loosens it and leaves. However, she leaves an impression long after she’s gone, and something tells me she is no ordinary person. She is a woman of great charisma and someone very important and wise.
I run into the marvel filled wardrobe and grab as many nice things as I can get my hands on. Trousers, leather clothes, new boots and bundles of black T-shirts. Every direction I turn to has mirrors. The floor has mirrors and so does the ceiling. I try not to get caught in my own reflection staring back at me.
I pull my white T-shirt off and stare at the large black tattoo on my back. What secrets am I about to unravel? Tell me. But there’s no answer. There never is. The tree decides what she wants to show me. I hear footsteps outside, and quickly get dressed and leave.
When I get back to my room in the tower, it’s dawn. The dark sky turns crystal and beams of light begin to shine from every angle through the windows. I place all the things I could carry from the dressing room onto the bare cold floor next to my mat.
I lay on the mat and just when I’m about to shut my eyes, I hear a familiar voice.
“Nora Hunt! No freaking way!” My heart smiles and my body rises in excitement. Of course, it can only be, Helena Vestergaard.
4
“HOW DID YOU find me?” I say and run toward her. I give her a firm hug. “I’m so happy to see you, I was beginning to feel…”
“Lost?” she asks and adjusts her glasses. “Orkeney has access to the free zone. We are allowed to mingle between dynasties. Nora, you must be so excited to finally get here. Any news about your dad?”
“Not yet, but I went to see Karen.”
Helena’s chestnut eyes, grow sharp. I can sense the worry that gnaws at her. “She only confirmed that I’m a Goth, just before armed men took her.”
“What? Armed men took your mom? Is she okay?”
“I think she’s going to be okay, there’s meant to be a masquerade ball in the grand palace—”
“That’s the annual ball the Empire hosts in Slotsplads. It’s by invitation only,” says Helena, the all-wise owl that she is. “Is that what all the clothes are about?” She motions her eyes toward the pile I looted from the dressing room. That’s the thing about Helena. She never misses anything that is going on around her. Seeing her here unexpectedly makes me feel warm inside. She is the only familiar face and trusted friend I have.
She’d have to become my ally in search for the Viking assassin weapons. Though I know Helena, and this will not be easy.
“Helena, I’ll need your help. Karen didn’t tell me much else only the things Frederick speculated about—”
Helena’s oval-shaped face drops. “So how are you going to find your dad?”
I shake my head. “He’s in exile, in one of the secret cities,” I sigh. “The City of Vikings and it is not just dangerous to go there it’s also deadly.”
“Nora, we are raiders now, and danger should not keep you away from your true mission. You came here to find your dad, so do it.”
For a brief moment, I hold the news from Solvej on the tip of my tongue. I want to tell Helena everything at once. Who I am, my sense of purpose, my belonging.
Helena shows off a gloating smile. “I saw Frederick,” she says.
I lift my sullen face. I don’t smile. My face is stern and I try to change the topic to talk about something else. Anything but Frederick.
“Helena, I’ll need your alliance,” I say grudgingly. Her face glows unexpectedly. Outside, I hear crows crying. They blend into daylight as it leaves behind the pitch-black starless night.
“We can’t discuss these things now,” she says, her voice hollow and distant. “Pick the khaki trousers and black top, it goes well with your complexion.”
I look down at the pile of clothes. Raider attire, black and silver-colored pieces, with red patterns. Cloaks and capes. Here, I miss a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
I know Helena wants to be there with me tomorrow when I’m knighted. Although she’s not becoming an Elite Raider she deserves to more than anyone. Cheats like Mona and Peter should have been banned. But instead they will be in the glorious hall receiving a coveted award with myself and Frederick.
It doesn’t bother me that they’re in Frederick’s band. He has to tame them his way, being the leader of the band. I wonder if he can trust them after they tried to rob and kill him in Eldor? I don’t own his sorrows. Instead I’ve given Magnus something else to worry about. But who is Magnus really? Maja seems to know something that he doesn’t want to speak about. Your highness?
“Where are you going?” I ask as Helena gets up to leave. “Stay, please!”
“Nora, I just came here to warn you as soon as I heard. Frank Hildebrand is helping Rognvald with a secret mission – and this, you didn’t hear from me.”
Frank Hildebrand owns the Hildebrand Centre in Ocean Eye and has an extraordinary collection of ancient scripts, valuable artifacts and rare books. He’s known to be notoriously eccentric and a wealthy object collector searching for the ancient Viking artifacts.
“Something isn’t right here,” I say. “Why would he do that before the awakening ceremony?”
“To stir the rivalry,” says Helena. “You’ll catch up on the politics around here – and you’ll also learn who to trust.”
“What if the secret mission Rognvald has been assigned discovers something before us?” I say.
“Only if they make it back alive,” says Helena. “I don’t necessarily believe their assignment is to look for artifacts.”
“Me neither. Helena, I have news that the ancient Viking artifacts have been retrieved. No, Rognvald is missioned to look for something else. Can you find out what they’re looking for? Speak to Hildebrand.”
“You don’t speak to people like Hildebrand. You listen,” Helena’s irritation is obvious. “I have to go now Nora. I just came to warn you so you’re prepared when the news officially breaks.” She leaves as swiftly as she arrived.
At least something positive came out of Dock Harbor, and it is a relief to me that I can trust Helena and count on her alliance. Well – I hope I can.
I get ready for the ceremony which is taking place right after the sports games. The competition compasses four disciplines. This number reminds me of Magnus, Tove, Maja and Tene. The four of them are very close. Like they’d give their life for one another.
That’s what attracts me about the Jarl Dynasty – the sworn unity, where the females are bound to rule as the strongest. I believe it is out of courtesy they’ve let Magnus lead the band – he has no real authority the way I see it, but he has a heart of gold, and I felt it shining when he welcomed me and protected me from Rognvald at the assembly. I see myself forming a trusted friendship with him.
Clearly Tene is one of the strongest in the elite circle. She’s hot and cold at the same time, and aware of her own beauty. She’s fearless and elegant. Brute but smart. Maja distinguishes herself a little from the pack. She’s not cold-hearted. She has affections but hides them well. Equally she’s dark and dangerous – a trained Elite Raider from the West. Nothing stands in her way and she speaks her mind freely.
Tove I haven’t fully figured out, she hides behind Tene’s shadow and has yet to come out of her shell. She also looks slightly younger than the rest of us and tends to surprise people around her when she says something. And when she does, her words are more valuable than gold. The only question I have about Tove is, can she be trusted? Something about her doesn’t feel right to me. Should I take Solvej’s warning seriously? Is someone really trying to kill me?
Trust is the only thing that will keep us all together. Though I have to earn Magnus’s trust and find my place among the band. Win or lose, live or die. Whatever it takes – even if I have to shut off my feelings for Frederick Dahl. So be it, but it’s not going to be easy, as I will be facing him, but I just don’t want to face him in battle. It may be inevitable. He’s my enemy – in blood and in dynasty.
Accompanied by Magnus, Tove, Tene and Maja, I push the door open to a brand-new world, and step inside the grand palace hall of Slotsplads. The large crowd is cheering and smiling. For a moment, it appears to be deserted. The tall, white concrete walls surround the palace majestically, and before I walk into the grand arena, all is silent. This is a place for champions, athletes and fighters.
The central royal court is wide and large and embraces the audience. Streamers, banners and flags fill the place to celebrate the festive season sports games. The air is hot and humid and I have to get used to my new attire, which makes me feel like I’ve stepped into a different time and era.
The games are far from ordinary and four major events will take place before the awakening ceremony. Events of combat, bravery, willpower and strength.
We zip up to a private balcony with spectacular views of the central royal court. Trim bodies are lined up for battle and we’re greeted by a large mob admiring Elite Raiders. Some throw red roses, others a fist full of rice. They’re cheering at us, like we’ve been named victorious warriors.
I embrace my bespoke silver cloak, finely embroidered with red silk threads. The cotton is heavy, and designed to keep my skin cool in the blazing sun. My new boots are made out of soft alligator skin and reach up to my knees.
Underneath my cloak, I’m hiding a black corset. It’s not too tight and allows me to breathe easily. I took the pair of khaki trousers, which Helena wanted me to wear and realize I’m adapting quickly into my new environment. All it takes is to appear and behave like everyone else around me.
The biannual sports games are about to begin. The participants carry various weapons. Guns are not allowed in most sections inside the City of Skies, or anywhere else. It is one of the things we gave up after the wars to preserve peace in the Triangle. I can’t say it’s made a difference. Trickery and magic are far worse, and people kill their enemies sometimes without leaving a trace, or a body for that matter.
I catch a glimpse of swords, axes, daggers, bows and arrows, and shields.
My heart is hammering in my chest, and my nerves are all jumpy. I’m inside the most impressive imperial court of our time – Slotsplads, a place I only dreamed of seeing from a far distance. I’m in the company of chancellors of the dome, highly regarded barons known as embedsmen, lawmakers and royalty – and of course the Sovereign Republic.
Some of the Republic
’s members are spread across their seats like black hawks. I’d love to take them down, one by one before they plan an attempt on my life. I’m convinced they would, if they knew who I was. Who knows what the Lumini Lords hide among them? They never make their presence known in public.
On the other side, Rognvald enter. I don’t recognize two of the girls in their band, and they are all dressed in raven black. Elements of their crest are visible in tattoos all over their bodies and faces, in scattered segments. They show too much pride and arrogance.
Mona’s chest shows black wings, Peter’s forehead has a set of undertail feathers and Frederick has the crown of the charcoal crow on each side of his hands complete when locked firmly together.
Frederick locks those clear summer-blue eyes onto mine. The thick humid air wraps around him like a heavy blanket, he turns his eyes away from mine as he walks up the tight spiral staircase to his seat. The hot day turns into a dark night flanked by flaming torchlight. The darkness gives the impression of a dangerous dawn despite the light and brilliance of the past early morning.
Maja senses something and whispers in my ear.
“The two other raiders standing next to Frederick are Nanna and Diana. They never made it through Dock Harbor Academy – they’re called Nesferati.” I look at Maja. Her stare doesn’t falter, but stays fixated on Rognvald.
“What does that mean?”
Maja moves in closer. “They don’t follow any rules or ethics – not like the way we do. And their training is unknown,” she says.
“They are fully accepted?” I ask, trying not to sound too angry. “If we don’t know their strengths and weaknesses then how do we know what we’re up against?”
“Welcome to the West,” says Magnus. “The Sovereign Republic favors—” he pauses and scratches his chin philosophically, “—shall we say, the darker ways.” I try to hide the stress on my face. I know I have Peter, Mona and Frederick – but Diana and Nanna look ready to slay anything that gets in their way. Hollow, angry eyes and firm bodies pressed into black tight leather dresses. They’re ready to meet their opponents and tear them apart to get what they want.