by Farah Cook
He moves in close, observing me as my entire body is still like prey in sight of its predator. Perhaps he wasn’t expecting me to walk into his office and lie straight to his face. His clear green eyes move up and down and examine every inch of me.
His face grows still, but the movements of his eyes are quick. He leans in much closer now, his polished face only inches from mine. As the unbearable tension between us grows there’s little escape from the imprisonment of his rigid gaze.
“Why are you really here?” he asks, rolling his wide eyes more than necessary.
“I’m accepting an opportunity to work for you,” I spit out like poison.
“What opportunity would that be, Miss Hunt?” He asks with reverent seriousness in his voice. “No, Miss Hunt I suspect you’re here for something else. Something in which you have a dear interest.”
“That may be, but there’s a benefit for you…”
He opens his mouth and I expect him to say the worst things about me now. How my pathetic lie is obvious and obnoxious.
“The girl from the East who speaks Norse fluently wants to work for me…” he frowns and his face shrinks like a raisin. “Maybe you want to die?”
“Maybe I want to live. If I get you what you want, in return there’s something you can do for me.”
Curiosity takes over and replaces his arrogance. I’m looking at a man who’d do anything to get what he wants. He falls silent for a moment.
“I don’t do trade deals, Miss Hunt.”
“I take it you’re not interested in drinking from the well of Mimir where treasures of wisdom break into the mind like poison ivy.”
“What do you know about wisdom, you’re just a girl.”
I don’t let his patronizing remark bother me. “I think you’re forgetting that I’m the only girl who can help you understand ancient Norse.” I say and broaden my shoulders. “Just imagine all the ancient mysteries in your dust-filled museum being solved.”
His facial expression changes. He utters a hollow laugh, shaking his wide chest. He corrects his square-framed glasses slightly and bends down and breathes on me.
“Convince me.”
Hildebrand turns and snatches my hand, almost dragging me across the room. He leads me to the corner of his office. Behind a set of blue curtains, he reveals a secret doorway. He punches in a long number on his chip, which I manage to catch a glimpse of and the door opens. We take the spiral staircase down to a lower level. Could this be where he keeps all his treasures from raids?
The room is dark with oak floors and it smells musty. When I glance around there’s nothing but old leather-bound books on shelves in endless rows.
“What is this place?”
“Wisdom,” he whispers in my ear. “All the wisdom in the world that Odin didn’t acquire drinking from Mimir’s well. His eye was an unwise sacrifice for someone that’s known to be so wise.”
My chest grows tighter, the dress feels restricting against my body like a swirling snake. I can’t breathe – falling to my knees I cough out pockets of dry air. My eyes see black and Hildebrand’s voice fades.
He grabs me with his large flat hands and pins me against the wall, shaking me so I wake up.
“Let go of me!” I lash out at him and he drops me. I straighten up, dusting myself off. “I’m fine.” My fingers travel up my back and pull the zipper of the dress down, but only slightly so he doesn’t see my tattoo. Oxygen reaches my head and it stops spinning. He frowns at me.
“This place, it is not for sensitive souls. It contains ancient words of wisdom.”
“Your books are cursed,” I say. “Black magic.” My senses are telling me to get out. The heaviness in my head settles momentarily, but I hear whispers from the books – words of evil, not wisdom.
“Meet the only true power in the world,” Hildebrand takes out a book and opens it. The letters leave the page and dance in front of me. Old mystic letters known as runes. Some Vikings used them to cast spells and perform magic.
“Why are you showing me this?” I voice my concern, but he goes on.
“I want you to study some of these books for me, Miss Hunt. Help me decode a passage that leads—”
“Beyond the horizon—” I say and recall my interpretation of his Norse book in the glass casket, “lies the entry to the secret world.”
He leans forward observantly. “Not so hasty,” he says. “Your interpretation was not entirely correct that day I first met you in Ocean Eye. It is not the entry to a secret world, but the ancient Viking artifacts—”
“Beyond the horizon lies the ancient Viking artifacts? You bastard! You tricked me,” I snap. But where are the artifacts? Surely not in Hildebrand’s possession. The world tree Yggdrasil would have given me a vision.
“You tricked yourself. Although I quite enjoyed watching you spider your way into my private artifact collection,” he says and laughs. “Did you really think it was that easy to get to something so precious,” he speaks with a strong accent now and glides his thick masculine fingers through his straight brown hair. I draw closer to him. The rough lines on his face run deep, showing signs of worry.
Hildebrand seems a little less intimidating now.
“What do you know about the ancient Viking artifacts?” I ask. “You’re just a notorious collector who sends raiders on death missions to get what you want – you don’t care about—”
“Enough!” he shouts and glares at me like he wants to slice me up like a piece of meat. Hildebrand’s face darkens. Hatred and anger dart from his eyes. “May I remind you, you’re here to see me. I suppose whatever it is you need my help with can be exchanged for your wisdom, shall we say, translating ancient runes for me.”
“I’d have to think about it,” I say grudgingly.
“Very well. Jarl Raiders seem diplomatic enough to make their own deals without approval from the Orkeney Dynasty – a little rough and unrefined I must admit, but at least you didn’t break anything like the last savage raider that came to see me.”
“Who? A Rognvald Raider?” I say and think of Frederick’s shifting temperament.
“Quite the opposite,” he says. “Someone from your own band. Young wild and beastly.”
“Tove?”
“Who knows?” he says. “You all look the same to me in your ridiculous raider attire and cloaks.”
“Why would she come to see you? That’s not possible.”
“She came to see me about the map that leads to the City of Vikings. What we call the red zones. Unknown and forbidden,” he says flatly, like my opinion doesn’t matter to him.
“Is that what Frederick Dahl also came to see you about?” I ask cautiously.
“Classified information, Miss Hunt. I don’t get involved in personal politics. If you on the other hand are looking to gain access to the City of Vikings—”
Tove, that traitor. She knew this. But why would she go to Hildebrand and tell him everything? I’ve got to speak to Magnus.
“—I can easily get that for you, in return for your knowledge about the runes.”
“I’ll do it,” I say, “on one condition.”
“I’m all ears.”
“I’ll keep the knowledge I acquire…”
“Don’t be foolish. Dark ways are dangerous for those who follow the light ways,” he hesitates. “You do, don’t you?”
I nod. “It’s my only condition in case you turn me in to the authorities in the West – besides you’ll never be able to solve what the runes say on your own.”
“Says one criminal to another,” Hildebrand sighs. “Very well, Miss Hunt. You can keep the knowledge, but without guidance on how to use ancient runic spells I’m afraid they’re not much use to anyone.”
“We’ll see about that,” I say. Hildebrand hands me a rare-looking book. “Take this, and meet me in one week.” I’m surprised, why would he just give it to me? I’d imagine he’d be more protective of his books.
“That’s not enough time.”
/> “Very well, three days then,” he says.
I frown. “I need the map that will lead me to the City of Vikings,” I say.
“I don’t have it,” he laughs.
“What?” I say, incredulous.
“But I know who does and that should be enough.”
“That’s not what we agreed.”
“We didn’t agree on anything, Miss Hunt, and your reckless speculation is not doing you any favors.”
I open the book he gave me. Something feels wrong. This book is not in Norse. It appears to be in Elvish, but not the usual kind, the words are corrupt.
“Neither is yours,” I say and shut the book. His narrow eyes are filled with glee. He knows the task he’s given me is impossible. But if I solve it I gain everything and more. “Who do I have to speak to, to get to the City of Vikings?”
“A friend of yours I believe. Frederick Dahl,” says Hildebrand icily. “He came trumpeting in with his father, and I sold them the old maps I had.”
“Just like that?” I ask inquisitively. “Are there no access codes or…”
“Why don’t you know?” he arches his brows. “It’s going to be a silly little riddle, perhaps like the one from your Viking clan glaring hideously at me on your wrist.”
I rub my tattoo. I should have seen this coming. I am not looking forward to my re-encounter with Frederick. The enemy I’m so foolishly in love with.
12
“YOU DID WHAT.” Shouts Helena and glares at me. “Nora Hunt, I can’t believe you did that?” Helena is livid after I told her everything.
“I had to go see him. It was the only way to get access to the City of Vikings.”
“Hildebrand is corrupt,” says Helena. “I know you want to find your dad, and the Viking assassin weapons, but you’re putting yourself in danger dealing directly with people like him. The Orkeney Dynasty would never have agreed to this – I could have gotten you a much better arrangement. Why didn’t you wait for me? We agreed…”
“There’s no time. I have to find the Viking assassin weapons before Frederick does. Why do you think they bought the map to the City of Vikings? They are after the same thing – only, I have the sword.”
“Nora, what makes you believe Frederick will give you the map? And why in the name of Odin would you decrypt elf magic for Hildebrand? That will only make him more powerful.”
“What do you mean?”
“The nine worlds are home to different races – all with magical powers. The elves are known to be smart sorcerers and they seal their powers in spell books. Using their magic could put your life and health into serious danger and summon dark forces that no one from our world knows anything about.” Helena sounds worried now. “Only elves understand and read Elvish, unless there’s something you’re not telling me.”
“I can’t read Elvish, yet.” I say, “But that doesn’t mean I can’t learn it.”
“Don’t you see? Hildebrand is just using you. He wants to control the nine worlds,” says Helena. “When the world tree Yggdrasil is awakened, each race would want to claim their world – and Lord Nourusa would want to rule them all – but only the person with knowledge and power will rule the nine worlds the tree holds in her branches.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Trust me. If you give Hildebrand what he wants he’ll be unstoppable. No Norse god, or any other living creature has this much power – pure magic and wisdom from all nine worlds to control the entire universe.”
“Helena, I know what I am doing,” I say, in a relaxed fashion.
“What is it, Nora?” And of course, she’s detected it. “What do you have in mind?”
“I can read every dirty little thought Hildebrand has. I know exactly what he’s up to. He thinks I’m helping him, but I’ll be helping the Goth Empire in gaining its strength back,” I say.
“What makes you believe that?”
“With Magnus in charge it will be,” I say, “but he’s in danger from all sides. As Viking assassin, my main mission is to protect the Empire.”
“No one likes change, Nora, and Magnus will face a battle when he begins his rule,” says Helena. “There are too many secrets, and when they all spill—”
“That’s bound to happen,” I say. “Secrets are not meant to be kept, they’re meant to be broken.”
“What about Frederick?” says Helena. “He’ll never give you the map to the City of Vikings. What will you do then?”
“He doesn’t have to.”
“This isn’t the East. You can’t just make up your own rules,” Helena continues to speak, but the sound of her voice muffles in my ears. If only she knew the new feelings I’m discovering inside myself. It’s like my nerves and veins have been replaced with electric wires firing me up. My skin is tingling and my mind is clear. Was I in a fog all this time? Yggdrasil is stretching her branches. She’s reached every corner of my body and is wrapping herself around me.
Mina breaks into the room. Breathless, her face is crimson and worried. She runs toward me, carried by her small-framed body. I’m unable to read what’s on her mind – but whatever it is, it can’t be good. Tove, Maja and Tene follow. Tove stands in the doorway – Maja and Tene walk slowly in my direction.
“We’ve just had news, Nora,” says Maja. “The Rognvald Raiders just left the towers. They are on a secret mission.” I remain silent. The deception stings. Why would Frederick draw attention to a secret mission? He doesn’t have the Viking weapons – maybe he never wanted them and the map his father bought from Hildebrand was just meant as a distraction.
“This doesn’t necessarily mean they are on to something,” I say.
“What does it mean?” Demands Tene.
“I don’t know, but there’s nothing we can do right now,” I say.
“Are you mad? We have to do something,” Tove curls her lip irritably.
“I lead the Jarl Dynasty now,” I say and keep my posture rigid. “It’s too soon to react to the Rognvald Raiders action. They might just be distracting us.”
“From what?” says Tove. “The Republic have the ancient Viking artifacts. What can they possibly be up to?”
“The Viking assassin weapons. Frederick is looking for them,” I say. “We’d have to wait before we make any rash moves. Please trust me.”
“I agree with Nora,” says Maja. “It’s wise to wait. We have no map that can take us to the City of Vikings.”
Helena clears her throat. “I wouldn’t go that far,” she says.
“You, angel of the gods,” says Tene and smiles broadly. “You didn’t?”
“Yes, I did,” Helena seems self-assured. “You see my dear fellow raiders… Never judge a Togus, for we are wise owls. We foresee the unforeseen. That’s why we make such good Orkeney Raiders.”
Here we go again… Helena makes another proud speech about the greatness of her division. The West is powered by greed, and the North by knowledge. And the East was never really defined, only categorized as selfless tribal hippies or savages. The usual blah, blah, blah.
Never was I selfless. I always set out to win and I give in when it matters. Compassion and kindness are not virtues I possess, and I do not let self-indulgence control me. I may not be smart like Helena, but I can figure things out fast. But this I haven’t figured out and I can’t wait to hear what she’s got to say.
“Just tell me what is going on,” I say in a high-pitched tone.
“I’ve got close-ups of a map from the exhibition on Ocean Eye,” squeaks Helena. “It’s an old map of the City of Skies before the borders between divisions. Girls, your mission seems to be pointing you to the Shadow Forest in the Forbidden Areas.
“I’m not setting foot there,” says Tene immediately. “No sane person will,” she continues, only drawing more attention to her snobbish attitude. Tene is better suited as a display Raider, someone who doesn’t get her hands dirty. She’s powerful and beautiful, but she’s got to start using her Elite privileges more practic
ally. She’s behaving more and more like a princess.
“Show me,” I say.
Helena pulls out some blurry images from her hologram.
“What in Odin’s name is this place?” I say.
“Not quite sure, but it doesn’t belong to the Forbidden Areas. There’s no contamination, or perimeters, security or wires. Just a gray zone,” says Helena.
“Are there any rare creatures we should be aware of?” asks Tene.
“Forget about the creatures,” I say. “What’s the death rate?”
“So far?” says Helena. “Zero. The territory is unexplored.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” says Tove. “I hate surprises.”
“I agree with Tove,” says Maja. “Unexplored areas are dangerous.”
“We have to explore it,” I say firmly. “I’m not saying this is the way to the City of Vikings, but it is within close proximity to our current location – it’s a possibility. Either we search this area or we steal the map from Frederick.”
Tene drums her fingers together.
“There’s too much speculation going on,” says Helena. “You don’t know why it matters where Frederick’s band went?”
“It matters,” I say. “The weapons can’t fall into their hands.” I take one look at Tove and she knows what we have to do next.
“We need to move fast,” she says.
“Tonight, we set up a gathering with the raiders,” I say. “In the meantime, you’ll have to build an alliance with members of the senate.” Only Elites are allowed into Slotsplads. I ask Tene, Maja and Tove to leave and make arrangements, and if possible seek advice from Magnus. He might be occupied. With Empress Benedikte counting the hours, and his royal duties still up in the air I don’t want to steal his time to worry about our mission. But who will be supporting it?
“Helena,” I say, “Can I see Niels?”
The hologram image of Niels makes a bold statement. He looks young and overconfident. His arms are crossed over his chest and he is standing tall and his head is raised high. I get the impression he thinks a lot of himself.