by Keller, Tom
"I can't use this," Lucius said, trying to hand it back.
"No, but Charlie can. He's as Fae as I am." I turned to the big dog. "If I don’t make it, take him back to Hades and try to contact Kyras. Now, get ready for a running start. You're gonna use me as a spring board. When you get to the other side, run like hell. When you get to the road, turn... Just turn left. I'll catch up. When you're both on top, I'll start my run. Got it?"
Lucius shook his head, but then nodded in agreement and the two of them walked back about ten yards from the bridge.
I walked to the front and pulled my shield from my back. I gave a last look to the Shades that blocked the entrance and then turned and nodded. I kneeled and lifted the shield.
Lucius came first, leaping onto my shield as I pushed up to give him a boost. Then it was Charlie's turn. With both of them on the roof of the bridge, I pulled Cronus' blade and walked up to it, hoping to get the shade's attention before they went for the others. I held my shield in front of me and willed the blade to extend. It lit up with blue sparks. Not as much as in the other worlds, but it would do.
"I am Hades, Lord of the Underworld," I cried. "You will let me pass!" I started moving forward; the Shades moving to the sides as I pushed my way in. I was about halfway through before they decided to call my bluff.
One Shade, then another, tried to block my way. I reached out with the sword and cleaved them in half; their bodies exploding into a spray of mist as the blade came in contact with them. I didn’t know if they'd be back, being already dead souls, I mean, but at least they were gone for now.
Unfortunately, there were still a lot of them in front of me, and it became difficult to move forward, even with the success of my sword. I was almost to the end when they breached the shield; claws and teeth scraping and biting at the Fae armor. I went down on one knee from the onslaught, as more and more of the Shades began to get through. I swung my blade wildly, but there were just too many.
Something grabbed my leg and I felt myself sliding over the bridge. Thinking it was a Shade, I drew back, only to see Charlie's jaws as the wraiths fell off of me. Lucius was swinging and thrusting the bident at any that remained. While not as effective as my sword, the Shades screamed as the blades bit into them. Seconds later he was pulling me up and we began to run. We barreled through the few that remained as we made it to the crossroads, then turned left, running all out to escape. Only a few followed and even they dropped off as we came to a pitch black wall, some thirty feet high, that ran along the length of the road. We followed it for several miles before stopping to rest.
"That was close," Lucius said as he leaned over and gulped deep breaths.
"So much for following directions," I replied, gasping for air myself.
"I will always find you," Charlie said. Even he was panting.
Fae or not, something about the Underworld drained one's strength. Then again, wearing full armor didn't help either. Although it had held off the teeth and claws of the Demon-like Shades.
I took out the orb, watching it point to the wall.
"What now?" Lucius asked, glancing at the direction of the arrow.
"We find a way past the wall," Charlie said, and then began to trot along the path.
Several miles later, we found a point where the wall had been damaged. Black bricks had fallen and there was opening some 15 feet up.
"You brought rope?" Charlie asked.
"I have what was left of the mooring line," I replied, reaching into my pack. "It's not much; about twenty feet or so."
"It will do," he replied, grabbing the coil in his mouth. He took off at a run and then came back, leaping up and scrambling over the top of the breach. Then, with one end firmly clenched in his jaws, he dropped the length of rope down the wall.
Grabbing the rope, I let Lucius go first, following him as he went up the rope. When I reached the top, I stopped to survey what was inside. Having once read that Helheim, although not the paradise for warriors that was Valhalla, it was still said to have huge mansions and tall walls with great guarded gates; the sight before my eyes seemed a little out of place. I was no expert on the nine worlds but the huge building that stood in the center had definitely seen better days.
It was big, I'd grant it that, but looked more like the stereotypical longhouse, or great house, I'd seen in movies. It was also dilapidated. Made of huge timbers of solid wood, the sides were in various states of ill repair, and the roof showed signs of caving in on one side. There was a great wooden door in front that looked solid enough, so we made our way down the wall and headed through the long dead field toward it. As we walked up, the door began to open.
"Welcome strangers," a rather large, barrel of a man said. He had long blonde hair, a full beard, and wore a course grey tunic with a leather-like covering and boots. On his belt were both a seax and battle ax. "I am Gunnvor, keeper of this place. He awaits you inside. Come. Come." As he spoke, he waved for us to enter.
I was about to ask who, but before I could utter the words, Charlie went straight in through the door. I glanced over at Lucius and with a shrug, followed him inside.
The place was huge. A cavernous hall with solid timbers of wood as large as any I'd ever seen. Even in its current state, it was impressive. The ceiling that hung several stories above was slanted upward toward the middle, where a round vent was located. Ahead of us, in the center, was a pit with a blazing fire. Next to it, was what was left of a raised throne, the wood long dried out and crumbling. Most of the rest of the furniture was scrap, but near the fire a few tables and chairs, still in one piece, could be found. Sitting on one was Bernd.
"I was wondering when you would come," he said as Charlie almost knocked him over in greeting. He patted the big dog's head before turning back to me. "You have brought another."
"This is Lucius," I replied, smiling. "I believe I may have mentioned him to you. As for my timing? I came when I was needed, as you're so fond of saying." Then I walked over and gave him a hug, relieved to have found him. "So you knew I was coming, did you?"
"I was confident Lucinda would find a way to ... Shall we say... prod you in that direction."
"She did, and so did Alf."
"You met Ataulf, did you?" he asked.
"Let's just say he ran into the Garden Faeries and I had to rescue him, as well."
"A story for another time," he said, sliding off the chair. "Come. We must go. You took your time getting here and there is still the other High Fae problem we must deal with. The portals have moved closer. We must return to Hades if you wish to stop them before they reach Tartarus."
"How do you know about that?" I asked, dumbfounded. The problems hadn’t even started till way after he'd left the human plane.
"Although it may appear that this place has fallen through the abyss of time, souls still pass through the gate. One hears things, if one is willing to listen."
"I'm not even gonna ask," I replied with a chuckle. I looked over at Gunnvor, who had been standing quietly behind us. "What about you? Care to join us? No offense, but this doesn't seem like the greatest place to spend eternity."
"The Norn themselves sent me here for a purpose," he replied. "I may not have been the greatest warrior in my past life, but I shall not waver from the duty the Fates have entrusted me with in this one. I thank you for the offer, but I must decline."
"As you wish." The Norn were the equivalent of the Fates in Viking lore. Far be it from me to interfere with their judgement, once known.
"Perhaps there is one thing you can do for me," he said a moment later. He walked over to one of the tables and picked up what looked like a longsword in a weathered leather scabbard. Pulling it out, he walked back over to me and displayed it in both hands, the inscription, +VLFBERHT+, clearly visible on the blade.
"This was passed down to me by my father," he said. "I have no use for it here, and truth be told, such a blade does not belong in this place. The Dwarf has told me tales of a great Fae. A Viking warrior t
hat still lives among you. While I cannot leave this place, perhaps you could deliver it to him. As last of my line, I, Gunnvor Tryggvason, ask this of you, so that it may be returned into the service for which it was forged."
"Of course," I replied, assuming he wanted it to go to Siegfried, the Viking Fae. The Ulfberht was the most famous of all Viking swords and he would be worthy of such a blade.
"Thank you," he said, placing it back in the scabbard before handing it to me.
Suddenly feeling like a packhorse, I strapped it on my back with my shield and other weapons. Taking the bident back from Lucius, I moved back toward Bernd.
"You sure Hades is where we want to be?" I asked the Dwarf, already knowing what he would say.
"We must wait at the river of fire," he said, meaning the river Phlegethon that bordered Tartarus. "She will have to appear there if she is to attempt to find the route to Tartarus. We must be there when she arrives."
Once again, I wasn't even going to ask how he knew that. I knew better than to even try. Besides, I hadn't a clue where to start, so going back to Hades was as good a plan as any. I fired up the bident and watched as the black swirling cloud appeared. As we stepped through, I realized that he'd said she. How did he know that? Could there be someone else involved after all?
Chapter 22
"Where are we now?" Lucius asked as the cloud dissipated.
"This was Hades' palace," I replied.
"Why is it in such disrepair?" he asked, looking at the aged remains of what was once a glorious palace. "It did not look this way when I passed it on the road to the Fields."
"Maybe because you belonged here," I replied. "You saw what you expected to see. We're outsiders now. Things are different." I turned to Bernd. "So how did you end up in Helheim, anyway? Doesn’t seem like the place for a Dwarf."
"It is not," Bernd replied. "I underestimated Grerin's resolve; as well his abilities. Something I will not do in the future. Like your own enemy, he has had much time to think. The spell he wrought was crafted to send me to a place that none of our kind could ever leave. Fortunately, he is not as wise as he would believe. While the spell prevented me from walking out of the gates of Helheim, he did not account for the bident. As he underestimated your daughter, he has also underestimated you. But the story can wait for another time. We must set out for the river soon, if we are to stop Marissa from obtaining the talisman."
"That's not going to be easy. We had to fight Harpies and Chimeras just to make it to the Gate to Elysium. Getting there is going to be a bitch. So, how do you know we're chasing a she anyway?"
"Gunnvor saw her," he explained. "He told me of it. There was a noise like thunder from the bridge, and he ran to the tower to investigate. He saw a great storm cloud with lightning, then a bright flash and a Faerie materialized. A great whirlwind trailed behind her and Shades were drawn inside before it collapsed. She stayed but a moment before the process was repeated, and she was gone
"Any idea who she is?" I asked, remembering the glimpse of wings from the bull-centaur's blood.
"That I do not know. But Gunnvor believes she was in great distress. He saw weariness in her face, and pain as well. He also said that she carried an amulet of silver, with a blood red stone. He believed it was the talisman that brought her there. Red fire burst forth from it when she disappeared. We must prevent her from reaching the river."
"I think I saw that stone in a portrait. Marissa was wearing it on a necklace at the time. Another transportation spell then," I said. "Seems to be what she's best at. But why is a Faerie carrying it; how do you know all this stuff anyway?"
"I am a Dwarf," he replied with a strange fire in his eyes.
I'd seen that look before. Once. When I first met him. I'd been my usual asshole self and questioned his allegiance. Let's just say I never did that again.
"Grerin may have tried to condemn me to oblivion in the Underworld, but he cannot take that away from me. Whatever spell Marissa's compatriot used to bring the Talisman here, it was not perfect. I believe she needed someone to guide the stone to Tartarus."
"For what it's worth, the Wizard that crafted it died after he cast it. She doesn’t seem to have much luck in her choice of servants. All right then, let's figure out our next move. Might as well get the party started. Lucius, go upstairs and check the windows. Let me know what we're facing out there. Hopefully, they haven't figured out we're here; so keep it low key."
He headed up the stairs as I talked to Charlie. Bernd was quiet for the moment, lost in thought. Whatever had happened had changed him. He no longer spoke in riddles. I knew that he'd been planning to fight Grerin's Dwarves, of course. But around me he'd always played the counselor, or advisor. Somehow, I think Grerin woke something up in him. Just a guess, but I think he was going to regret that.
"There does not appear to be any safe exit," Lucius said a bit later, coming down the stairway. "Many creatures roam the area around the palace. They do not seem particularly interested in this place, if that is any consolation. But there are many more than I would like to fight my way through."
"I figured that." Then I turned to Bernd. "Where exactly do we have to go?"
"The entrance to Tartarus is said to be blocked," he replied. "There was once a bridge that led to the gate and the tower guarded by the Fury, Tisiphone. That is where we must wait."
"You said once."
"The tower may still stand, but the bridge was destroyed by Tisiphone herself during The Fall to prevent escape. Although the way to the gate is closed, it is the narrowest point on the Phlegethon and the only place where something could cross the river and survive long enough to bring the talisman across."
"How could anyone cross a river of fire?" Lucius asked.
"She needs only to live long enough to make sure the talisman is on the other side."
"That's a pretty stupid plan," I said. "What's she gonna do, throw it?"
"It may be that simple," he replied. "The magic that guards that place is strong and prevents anyone from leaving. Nor can one simply use magic to get in. But the jewel that powers the talisman is, in truth, only a stone. Tartarus was made to keep souls in. With the Fury no longer in the tower that guards the pit, the entrance is no longer guarded from above. One needs only to get the talisman to the other side for someone to gain access to it."
"That's still the dumbest idea I've ever heard."
"Legend has it the gate was made of adamantine," Lucius added. "No harder substance exists. Not even a stone can pass through that."
"Unless they flew above it," I said, remembering what Bernd said the Viking had seen. Then I realized what I was saying. "Oh shit! That's what Gunnvor saw. She's using one of the Aurae! She must be under a spell. I can't believe she'd do such a thing willingly. Without the Fury to stop her, she could get high enough to cross it; or at least toss the stone into the pit."
"You are right," Lucius remarked. "That is a stupid plan."
"Sure it can," I replied. "Besides no one ever said her followers were the brightest. We've kicked their ass every time. But throw enough magic around and even they are bound to get it right eventually."
"I would not have put it so... eloquently. It is but one possibility," Bernd added. "There may be another that we have not thought of."
"What?" I replied. "Even if she had the key to the gate, she'd never be able to use it? Not with the bridge down and the way blocked. Marissa would know that. If she did have another way out of Tartarus, she'd have used it already. No, it's just dumb enough to be something they'd think of. Desperate measures and all that. Plus, we know she had captured and experimented on Aurae's from the raid on the Mages place. We found their remains. Either way, we need to get to the river. Every time she pops into another Hell, she sends Demons back to the human plane. We've got to stop her before she tries to cross it. Who knows what else this talisman will free if it gets into Tartarus. Any ideas on how to get out of here?"
"We need a diversion," Lucius said.
&
nbsp; "I will do it," said Charlie.
"Ok," I replied. "But before we go off half-cocked again; any clue as to what we're going to be travelling through to get there? I didn’t see a map around and the ones I looked at back home were only guesses. The Keres seemed to think we should avoid the Plain of Judgement, and I'm not keen on battling a horde of Harpies and Chimeras all the way there."
"You met with the Keres?" Bernd asked in surprise.
"He asked for her name," Charlie chimed in.
"Indeed," Bernd remarked, smiling again. "And what was her name?"
"Oh for... Her name was Kyras, and yes, I forged an alliance with her. Any other questions?"
Bernd just smiled. "An alliance with the granddaughter of Nyx herself? You never cease to amaze me."
"You didn't tell me that part," said Lucius. "Are they truly as horrendous as it is claimed?"
"If you mean the hideous looks and the gnashing fangs and claws; then, yes, they can be. But like all Fae, that's just one side of them. They're no different than us, really." I turned back to Bernd. "Can we talk about something else now? Like how we're getting to the river?"
"We will take the least populated route," he answered, drawing a finger through the dust on the floor. "North of the plain where the Judges once sat. It will be best to avoid the areas where many souls congregate." He pointed to a spot up from where he had drawn the Plain of Judgement. Here the way is hilly and the trunks of long dead trees will hide us from sight until we are close to Tartarus and the river. It should be desolate there. Few souls have any desire to see that evil place."
"Works for me," I replied. " The Harpies aren't great flyers, but they can haul ass in short hops. If Charlie heads out first, he can lead them and the Chimeras away. Then we can make a dash for the forest. We can wait for him there. I'd say we go in the morning but that's not gonna work in this perpetual twilight. We can keep watch from an upstairs window and be ready to leave when the time looks right. They've got to be less active sometime."