by Farah Cook
It’s not so much that she’s asleep, but how she’s sleeping that catches my attention. Still like a statue, she hardly breathes. Her eyes are delicately shut, but twitch every few seconds.
I swing my legs off the bed and the dark oak floorboards feel cold underneath my feet. There’s an old rusty fireplace, with the smell of burned wood. Large oil paintings are pinned against the white walls. Slotsplads feels creepy this early in the morning.
The door behind me opens, and I turn around to see Magnus. He’s formally dressed in a navy-blue suit tailored to his frame. I gather my thoughts. What happened and how did I get here? Then I remember. Maja slipped away last night.
“What happened to Karen?” I ask Magnus.
“She’s taken your death curse Maja gave you onto herself to save you,” says Magnus. “She’s in an in-between worlds coma.”
“What does that mean?”
“She can’t wake up,” says Magnus. “But it’s not just that.” I can see the worry in his eyes as he comes closer. The suspense is growing and I want to shake him hard. Why did he let her take the death curse onto herself?
“How could you let her do this?”
“I didn’t,” he says. “She wants to protect you. And now you must protect her.” You have until nightfall to find Maja and kill her or else Karen will not make it.”
“What do you mean? Is there no way we can break the spell?”
“The only people capable of reversing a death spell are the trolls of Norumb who made the spell, and in some instances elves. We don’t have an alliance with the trolls or elves. It’s been broken for centuries. The trolls can be bought with gold, and the elves with wisdom, but we do not have the time to start something new. You must go now, and take Tene and Tove with you.”
“Where is Maja hiding?” I ask. “I sense she’s not in the West.”
“She’s hiding in the underworld, Zenghis,” says Magnus, placing Odin’s eye on the table next to the bed. I examine the wise eye of Odin that sees everything. The eye blinks and then stares at me. The deep blue ocean is visible in the iris and the pupil is a black glowing sun. The eye rolls and Magnus catches it and slides it back into his pocket.
“Are you sure about that?” I ask and anchor my eyes on his. “Why would she hide in a place like Zenghis?”
“It’s a trick to lure you further into danger, because there they live by the rules of killing or getting killed.” says Magnus. “The all-wise eye never lies. Maja is to be found in the underworld and there you must kill her, but we don’t know how to get there – the place is protected from outsiders.”
To one side a set of clothes lie neatly folded. Black attire and the silver cloak for Elite Raiders, but something is missing.
“Magnus! Where is my sword?”
“We have the assassin sword,” says Magnus and smiles victoriously. “It’s the only weapon that will help you killing Maja.” He draws the sword from his side and places it into my hands, and it feels good to hold it.
“What if I fail?” My voice nearly cracks. My mouth is dry and my eyes watery. I feel slightly week and frail from the incident with Maja. “I’ve failed you all by letting Maja escape.”
“Nothing could have been done to stop her, you did all you could.”
“It wasn’t enough,” I say, disappointed. I look at Magnus and understand the dark thoughts that haunt him. Maja has become powerful, and I underestimated her. She knows black magic and is not afraid to use it.
Had Magnus just loved Maja would this unpredictable betrayal still be upon us? Our dynasty is already weak, and Maja’s disloyalty just made it weaker.
“We may need wisdom if everything else fails,” he says. When Magnus says wisdom, it’s code for magic. “Her powers have grown since joining the dark ways of the Rognvald Raiders. Perhaps this is the reward she wants.”
“She wants you,” I say. “I saw her affection for you in the towers. Maybe you should try and reason with her. She might listen to you.”
“It’s too late for that.”
Tene and Tove enter the room. “Nora, it’s time. We have to leave now,” says Tene, and looks over at Tove, who is examining her nails. She cocks her head.
“You’re not ready?” asks Tove.
My eyes rest on Karen – the mom I never knew. She’s taken a great curse upon herself in hope to save me, and here I stand, afraid that I may not be able to save her.
“No, not yet. There’s something I have to do first.” I grab the clothes neatly folded and get dressed. Magnus coughs and turns around to face the window. I don’t care if he sees me, and then it hits me. Last night I’m sure I heard him say he loves me. I must have been wrong. He can’t possibly be in love with me. I’m no match for him.
I stride across the room and before I make my way out, Tene yells.
“Nora, where are you going?”
“What do you think?” I say. “Frank Hildebrand.”
I’m riding my motorcycle in high speed and take a sharp bend on the curvy road that leads to Ocean Eye. There’s only one way to get to the underworld without losing time – Hildebrand. He holds all the secret maps to the Triangle. I’ve sent him a message and am on my way to see him now.
He doesn’t know that I’ve figured out his treachery and I’m taking a risk, by doing what I am about to, but I’ve learned I have to play by my own rules in this division to get what I want. Hildebrand gave me three days to decode the Elvish book for him. It contains an obscure secret language, without any symbols or codes from the world of the elves.
I embrace the book, which is covered in red velvet cloth, and walk into Hildebrand’s office. The silver leather garments I’m wearing creak against my skin. My brown boots are snug against my legs and stop just below my knees. When Hildebrand sees me I release my hair from my helmet. I keep my gaze locked on him.
Bright daylight spills into the room, and shades of sunlight dance in front of my eyes. I step further into his office and find a spot where I’m close enough to see his surprised expression.
“Miss Hunt, I must admit I did not expect to see you back here this soon.”
“You know why I am here,” I say. “I want a fast entry to the underworld.”
“Yes. I was wondering when I read your message,” he says. “And I thought to myself, marvelous – she’s finally lost her mind.” I ignore Hildebrand’s comment. His face is red and flustered. I suspect he’s been up to something.
“I have what you want,” I say. I unwrap the book and fling it in his direction. He grabs it with his hand without moving his eyes from mine. “Don’t you want to know what it says? The secrets you’re looking for?” I’m no man’s fool. I know Hildebrand would never part so easily with a book this precious. He’s given me a fake copy, and the reason I couldn’t decode it is because he’s rearranged the letters so it doesn’t make any sense. He was testing me all this time.
“Tell me, Miss Hunt. I’m dying to hear your revelations.”
“I’m afraid you’ve taken me for a fool! If you hadn’t given me a fake version of Alfheim’s book of symbols I might have been able to—“ his expression changes from hot to cold. “Oh, I’m sorry, but isn’t that what you’re looking for? The secret symbol in Elvish that will grant you access to their world. A powerful world that you think—”
“You’re not just a savage girl, are you, Miss Hunt?” He cuts me off.
Irritated, I march right up to him, and stand face to face with this sturdy man. He doesn’t scare me. His cold attitude and callous pride.
“I need the location—”
“Do I look like I care?” he asks. I give him a staggering expression. “Well, what’s in it for me if I help you?” He takes a step back from me and walks behind his desk. He opens the drawer, pulls out a fat cigar and sticks it in his mouth, chewing from side to side.
“I’ll spare your life for tricking me,” I say. I take out my sword and swing it around to demonstrate its power. The blade illuminates purple and lights
up his office. His eyes nearly fall out of his sockets and the cigar drops from his mouth.
“Where did you get the Viking assassin sword?” His voice is wavering. He takes a step closer to me, his eyes wide.
“I want the secret location to the underworld and the real map to the City of Vikings,” I say and place the sword on his shoulder. I let it rest there. “You may have cost Frederick Dahl his life by selling him a forged map.” Until now I tried not to think about Frederick. Is he dead or alive? I don’t know, but my heart tells me he’s still alive.
“Here, take the map to the underworld. It’s suicide to enter Zenghis unless you have an alliance. Someone like you they’ll eat raw.”
Hildebrand's wide eyes return to normal. I take the map from his clutches. I should just kill him. He’s a vicious, power-hungry man that’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. But he’s not my enemy. A searing pain shoots up my chest and I feel as if my heart is going to jump out of my ribcage.
Frederick, Frederick – the words echo in my mind and I want to open my mouth and scream out his name. But I bite back the words. If it hadn’t been for Hildebrand Frederick’s life would not have been in danger. Although I don’t want Frederick to get to the City of Vikings, I would never wish him any harm either.
“Where is the real map to the City of Vikings?” I demand. “I need you to give it to me.”
Hildebrand turns, shaking his head. “I can’t,” he says, arrogance filling his voice. “You’ll just kill me anyway.” Something about Hildebrand makes me think. I want nothing more than to draw the sword across his neck and see his head roll. But I remind myself why I was chosen to become an assassin. I can’t let people like Hildebrand get to me.
“I promise that I won’t,” I say. “I just want the map to the City of Vikings.”
“Do you take me for a complete fool?” His eyes roll skyward. “You were raised in the East and that symbol on your wrist is an old Viking tattoo of your clan. You’re a Goth. Your promise means nothing.”
“It didn’t take you long to gather that,” I say and give him a withering look.
“That sword is a five-hundred-year-old Viking assassin sword. How you got it is irrelevant. It’s why you hold it that tells me you’re the Emperor’s protector – a Viking assassin. You’re not able to make any promises. You’re only meant to take orders and execute them.”
“If you give me the map. I promise you, I will spare your life.”
“Without that map, you can’t locate the other weapons,” he says. “And your mission will be in vain.” I press a little harder and draw a line of blood on Hildebrand’s throat. “I’m not afraid to end your life right now. You deserve to die.”
Hildebrand is a commoner, and knows everything about the old Viking legend. The secrets buried among our clans, the importance of the ancient artifacts. He knows because he’s fighting his way in and will never stop till he gets what he wants – power.
“I don’t think so,” he says and removes the edge of the sword with his finger. “You see, Miss Hunt, you’re young and naïve. You may not realize this, but you need me. I’ll give you the map you really came for. On one condition.”
“No! I’m not playing your dirty games, Hildebrand,” I shout. “Frederick could be dead because of you. I can’t trust you – ever.”
“I’m your only hope to find the City of Vikings. I’ve dedicated my life to gather every ancient Viking book.” His brow furrows as his mouth turns into a grimace.
“That may be. But you have no wisdom on how to read the books. They’re of no use to you without—”
“The old Viking prophecy says a chosen person will lead the Vikings to the nine worlds.”
“What’s your point?”
“It’s my belief that you’re that person, Miss Hunt.” Hildebrand’s bushy brows knit into a frown.
I don’t say anything to reject his speculation.
“You can believe all you want Hildebrand – the prophecy is no secret.”
“The tree of life Yggdrasil has been traveling through time and space and now, one hundred years after ragnarok, she can revive. The nine worlds must be found.”
“Common knowledge from a common man. You don’t belong in the world of Vikings. Why bother reciting the legend?”
“I’m not disputing that. All I want—”
“What do you want?” I snort.
“The Viking prophecy states the chosen girl that can lead to the nine worlds carries a tattoo of the map,” he says. “You see, Miss Hunt, that day in my library when you fainted, I noticed something unusual on your back, something that tells me you are that girl with the Viking tattoo – and I want to see it.”
“You have lost your mind,” I say. “Why is it so important that you see it?”
“Because it’s an old legend – and something so rare it only occurs once in a lifetime,” Hildebrand’s eyes travel to my back. He knows the tree is tattooed there.
“Do you really think you have a place in one of the nine worlds?”
“I don’t think, I know.”
“You had your world. You destroyed it and now you want the world of the Vikings?”
“I’m a collector, Miss Hunt, and every dog has its day.”
“Your persistence is frightening,” I say.
“Does that mean we’re negotiating?” He asks.
“Always,” I reply. “But as you say, I’m the Emperor’s protector. I am sworn to defend the Empire – the ruler of what will soon become the Goth Empire.”
“Goth Empire,” he whispers and pulls a sour face.
“If you want an alliance with Goth, I suggest you speak to the Emperor.”
“Magnus has no authority—”
“Not yet,” I say, “but that’s all about to change. Give us what we want and I’m sure the Emperor will be able to cut you a fair deal.”
“Says the savage assassin.”
“Call me savage again, and I’ll show you how savage I really am and slice you up like an animal.” Hildebrand expels a heavy breath he’s been holding on to. “Now hand me the real map to the City of Vikings.”
He lifts his head. He looks tired and old. So much older than Lord Wilhelm, though I believe they’re the same age. It’s only a matter of time before the dark raiders will be after Hildebrand for selling them the forged map. He needs the alliance of the Empire. It may be weak, but he has no other way to turn.
“Can I at least have a glance?” His hungry wolf eyes motion at my back. I pull the zipper from my silver top and show him my shoulder blade. The ink-black branches begin to shrink. Quickly I cover my shoulder from his fixed stare.
“Satisfied?”
“Marvelous,” he utters, squeezing his eyes shut. He keeps them closed for a while and when he opens them again his face is at ease.
“A warning…” he says and pulls out the map from his hologram. He sends it to me and almost instantly it pops up on my screen.
“Now a warning?” I ask and study his features. “You couldn’t have cared to tell me that before you sent the map?”
“Evil lurking creatures are everywhere outside the perimeters of our division. The map I sold Lord Wilhelm, wasn’t fake it just led them through a less dangerous territory. It’s a faster route walking through the Shadow Forrest.” Hildebrand could be right. Niels said exactly the same thing, when he drew up his map.
“Whatever it was you gave him was deadly enough to nearly get him killed,” I snap at him. “If the map to the underworld is a forgery, your days will be numbered, Hildebrand, and don’t think I’ll let it slip—”
“I can only show you the path, Miss Hunt. The way you choose to walk it is at your own risk.”
I examine the map and there’s no knowing if this map is real and I must be a desperate fool to trust Hildebrand. As I leave he looks me straight in the eye.
“Tell Magnus I said hello,” he cocks his head to the side and stares out of the window with his feline eyes. He knows he’s safe fo
r now. A weak alliance to the Empire is better than no alliance at all.
18
ZENGHIS IS A dusky red-gray underworld coexisting with the West – an ugly face that represents a place of criminals. The dwelling is nothing like any other district in the Triangle and has become the hiding place for people who do not want to be found.
While setting out on my search for Maja in this tempestuous place where crime spreads like a virus, I’ve convinced Tove and Tene that trespassing on my own poses less of a risk in exposing the Empire. That and the truth being that the underworld is no place for Tove and Tene who carry noble blood.
The entry to Zenghis is on the Common Grounds. Following a ridge, I’m facing a wall and can see nothing else. I turn away and walk out of the grounds. I hope for Hildebrand’s own good that he has not tricked me. I read the map again and realize there’s another entrance to Zenghis south of the Common Grounds.
When I step out of the gated area the street is wet. I splash through, shielding my eyes to avoid the sharp brightness from the streetlight, and pull my hood over my head. Sullen faces rush by pushing and shoving into me. The place is deprived, with abundant poverty and illness.
Death and misery surround me and there’s nothing I can do except face it. While the siren from a high-speed car rushes through the streets, a woman in the crowd stands unfazed staring point blank into nothing, and although the rain streams down washing the filth off her face and piling onto her wrinkly eyelids and pointy nose, she doesn’t move. Not a flicker. Instead she just stands there paralyzed.
“They’re comin’ for ya,” she slurs through decayed teeth and drilling her sharp finger toward me. “Watch out.” I stride past her briskly, avoiding the attention she’s giving me. When I turn around she still stands watching me from behind, her finger hanging in the air becoming a tiny dot before disappearing completely. I try to block out the sound of her gravelly voice while she murmurs. “They’re going to get you, wait and see.” While her words linger in the air like whispers I keep my focus on what brought me to this damned place.