Hero's Curse

by Jack J. Lee

  I had expected Tim to be doing his version of a decapitated barnyard fowl. He was pale and unusually silent, but he wasn’t shaking or showing other signs of fear. He simply said, “See you later” to both of us, climbed into the van and drove away.

  As soon as Aidan got into my truck he made a phone call. “Philippe, it’s Aidan Cahill from Salt Lake City…Well, not so good. We have had a major attack…You, too?...It looks like the Jotunn you drove off are now in Salt Lake City…Yes, nineteen sounds right.”

  It was annoying listening to just one side of a conversation but I got the gist. Three weeks ago, the Boise Paladin had been attacked at his home by twenty-two Jotunn. He called for help. Fifty Oath Brothers answered his call. Three Jotunn were killed, and the rest forced to withdraw at a cost of twelve Oath Brothers. Aidan made arrangements for the Swensons to stay up in Boise. Philippe promised to keep an eye on them. Aidan didn’t ask Philippe to send help.

  After the phone call to Boise, Aidan called Billings and a couple other cities. All of them had been attacked recently by the Jotunn. Instead of attacking the paladin directly, the Jotunn had been targeting Oath Brothers. In the last few weeks, hundreds of Oath Brothers had been killed.

  Aidan got off his phone as I pulled up into the driveway. I turned to him; he was slouched forward staring at his phone. “You never asked for help.”

  He gave me a tired shake of his head. “Oath Brothers are bound to cities just like paladins. Every Brother I talked with is in a city that has been recently attacked. As long as their cities are in danger, they can’t come to help even if they wanted to.”

  “What’s going on, Aidan? Why is every city being attacked?”

  “I don’t know, Victor. I haven’t seen anything like this in all the centuries I’ve been an armorer to the paladins. What I DO know is the Great Game has very strict rules and dire consequences for those who break the rules. Somehow, they are circumventing the rules.” Aidan shook his head with in bewilderment, “The Mythic Hero always crosses into another dimension by himself. He is allowed to find companions, but I have never known of any to gather more than two or three. Heroes are usually young and impulsive. Mythic Heroes want to kill their monster, gather their treasure, and return home as soon as possible. They never go after auxiliaries or noncombatants. It must have taken years, maybe even decades of infiltration and hiding for the Jotunn to form a warband of twenty-two.”

  Aidan put away his phone and placed his head in his hands. “Victor, I killed the sisters. The Brotherhood leaders have been communicating by email for the last two weeks. All the Brothers have been spending their nights together in case they get attacked. The emails have been going to Greg Smith, our leader who was killed two weeks ago.” He pounded his fists against his thighs. “I have been planning every day since then to formally announce to the National Oath Brotherhood that I am now the de facto leader of Salt Lake City, but I have allowed myself to get distracted by something I thought was more important each and every miserable, wasted day. If I had just taken two lousy minutes to send an official email, I would have gotten the warning about the Jotunn and the sisters would still be alive.”

  I don’t know if leprechauns are more emotional than humans or if Aidan really liked the sisters, but he started silently crying, shoulders heaving. In the little time I’d known him, I’d developed a respect for him, but we weren’t friends. I briefly considered patting him on the back but, instead, I waited quietly a few seconds then continued with the questions. “How powerful are the Jotunn?”

  He looked up miserably and wiped his face clean with a handkerchief. “Loki, the Norse God of Fire, is a Jotunn. The ones picked to be Mythic Heroes will not be nearly as powerful. My best guess: the Jotunn who attacked the monastery are as powerful as you on the low range and close to twice as powerful on the high.”

  My shitload kept piling higher and higher. I needed to know how deep it went. “And unlike me, they’ll know how to use magic?”

  “Yes and no. The Norse are extremely reluctant to teach each other magic. They are as likely to attack each other as they are their enemies. Most of them know how to heal all their wounds except those caused by fire. Many can shapeshift into human and animal forms so they can get around in the daylight. If they stay in their natural form during the day, they risk being turned to stone. If they take another shape, they lose most of their powers, so they don’t like to fight during the day. Given their likely youth, the odds of the Jotunn here knowing other spells are fairly low.”

  “If they don’t know much magic, how did they break through the protective spells on the monastery?”

  “It is one thing to cast a spell and another to resist one. The first takes knowledge and skill. The second requires power and stubbornness. Victor, you are extremely good at resisting spells. It looks like the Jotunn are equally good.”

  Now that he had mentioned it, I realized I had been able to sense the Ignore spells Aidan and Tim had cast upon themselves. I remember feeling something change on both of them as we walked back to Tim’s van. That was the disadvantage of doing something unconsciously; I had no idea what the hell I was doing. “I know the Swenson threshold is powerful. How does it work and how are the Jotunn going to break it?”

  For the first time today, Aidan gave me a real smile. “Victor, this is not the Swenson’s home. It’s the Salt Lake City Paladin’s residence. It is your home as long as you live. Before you took your position, Paul Swenson’s children had to live here as the ex-paladin’s biological heirs to maintain the threshold. Once you became our Paladin, the house became yours. The only way to destroy your threshold is to kill you.”

  “Do the Swenson’s know they don’t actually own the house?”

  “No, they do not. I understand they were thinking about trying to sell it. They would have found out if they tried. Their parents hired a lawyer to run their trust funds. When they all move out of the house or when they each turn twenty-five, whichever comes first, they will get considerably more money.” Crap, I could imagine the shitstorm that was going to come my way when Mina found out her house was actually mine. “But going back to your previous question, the threshold is not an actual physical barrier. Within its sphere of influence, any minion will feel like they’re being burned alive, although no real physical damage is done.” Aidan gave a weak grin. “When they attack us, they will not be in a good mood. The Norse are infamous for their berserker tactics. My guess is that the Jotunn will use rage to overcome our threshold.”

  “What about the store? What about the protections there?”

  “The store does not have a threshold. It cannot. It isn’t a home. It is surrounded by spells that will incapacitate or kill minions. At best, the store is warded against a maximum of four Jotunn or their equivalent in power. Unfortunately, the spells aren’t strong enough to ward off nineteen Jotunn. A few of them will die if they try to force their way in but eventually they will be able to breach the store’s defenses.

  “Victor, until the Jotunn are killed, Tim and I will need to stay at your home. We don’t have a chance in our own places or at the store. Do we have your permission to stay here?”

  “Yeah, when you moving in?”

  “Actually, right now, Tim is packing the van with all our essential gear, which includes your armor and weapons. He’s also bringing over our suitcases.”

  “Aidan, from what you’ve told me, the sisters would have died last night no matter what you did. If they had been holed up with you in the store or with me here last night, they still would have died.”

  “I know.”

  I looked into the eyes of a defeated man, someone who knew he was a dead man and struggling to put on a brave face. To his credit he looked sad, not scared. Fuck that! He was going to live. “Let’s go inside, Aidan. Let’s get this over with.”

  Chapter 14: The More the Merrier

  I was opening the door to get out of my truck when Aidan said, “Victor, you might want to take off the pendant. Otherw
ise the Swensons will ignore you until you make loud animal noises or dance like a drunken hooligan to break the spell.” For the second time today, he flashed an honest grin. “To be sure, it would add comic relief, but I don’t think that’s the effect you’d want.”

  I had completely forgotten about the pendant. I took it off and tossed it to Aidan. “When we have time, you’re going to need to teach me that spell.”

  “Sure, when we have time.”

  As we headed toward the house, I wondered what I was going to say to Mina. I was still wondering when I opened the door to the kitchen. Mina and Elaine were sitting at the table drinking coffee. They were both laughing.

  Mina jumped up from her chair in surprise. “Uncle Aidan!” She ran to him and gave him a bear hug, almost lifting him from the ground.

  Again, the leprechaun reminded me of a tiny Santa Claus—one who was pleased to have his head buried in her bosom. His laughter was muffled, “Lass, lass, it’s good to see you, too.”

  Mina pulled back still clasping his forearms. She was obviously puzzled. “Uncle Aidan, how do you know Vic? I thought he was going to work.” She threw a quick, questioning glance at me.

  I had a plan. Aidan was going to do the talking. I felt someone staring at me—oh yeah, Elaine. I told myself I wasn’t embarrassed as I met her gaze. Her expression was hard to read which was good; I really didn’t want to open that book. I made a hello gesture in her general direction. Her expression didn’t change. I hoped she wasn’t the kind that needed closure.

  I turned back to listen to Mina and Aidan. His voice was quiet as he met her eyes, “My dear, Vic and I are working together.” He sighed. “I wish this was just a friendly visit. It’s been too long since I’ve seen you, Andi, and Ben. Are they home? I have something of great import to discuss with all of you.” He turned to Elaine.

  Mina distractedly made the introductions, waving her arm toward her friend, “Elaine, this is my Uncle Aidan. We’re not actually related but I’ve been calling him Uncle my whole life.”

  He walked to Elaine and gallantly shook her hand. “Glad to meet you.” Aidan switched his gaze from Elaine to Mina and back again. “I apologize for breaking in on you unannounced but I need to talk to Mina about something quite private.”

  Elaine quickly stood, shouldering her purse and nodding her understanding, “Sure, no problem. Mina, I’ll talk to you later.” She smiled down at the leprechaun. “Nice meeting you, Uncle Aidan.” She didn’t look my way or say goodbye to me. I was grateful. Awkward silence and a cold shoulder are often the best of all possible options when dealing with a woman you don’t want. Mina walked with her to the front door. I heard Mina call upstairs, “Ben, Andi—hurry and come downstairs! Uncle Aidan is here and wants to talk to us”.

  It didn’t take long for all of them to come back to the kitchen. They both waved to me and gave big hugs to Aidan, exclaiming over his unexpected visit.

  Aidan pointed to the kitchen table. “Please, all of you sit down.” He glanced at me. I was leaning against the counter. “Victor, you sit, too.” He waited for us to all get situated and said, “Mina, Ben, and Andi, your father had a secret. That secret killed both your parents.”

  As expected, the Swensons reacted with shock. Ben was the loudest, “WHAT are you talking about?”

  Andi fired off at Ben and Mina, “I TOLD you guys there was something fishy about Mom and Dad’s deaths, but no—you guys wouldn’t listen.”

  Ben fired back, “You don’t know anything! You think sneaking around and listening...”

  Aidan interrupted, “Kids, your father was a protector. He defended the people in this city. Your parents weren’t killed in an accident. They were murdered….”

  Andi broke in, “I knew it!”

  Ben shushed Andi impatiently, “Quit butting in, Ms. Psychic. Let the man speak.”

  Mina ignored her siblings, she fixed her attention on Aidan, “Why weren’t we told the truth if they were,” she paused and swallowed visibly, her voice quavered over the next word, “murdered, and why are you telling us now? I don’t get it; how is Victor involved? He just rented a room from us yesterday. How do you even know him, Uncle Aidan? You say my father was a protector and defender of the people in Salt Lake City. He was in law enforcement?” She kept her entire focus on Aidan, not looking at anyone else. Something in her voice quieted her brother and sister. They all looked at Aidan expectantly.

  Aidan took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, and then his whole face as he thought about what to say. He raised his hand in a staying gesture toward Mina—wordlessly telling her he’d answer in his own way. He turned to me. “Victor, can you gear up? I think it’ll help them understand.”

  I stood up and moved to the open center of the kitchen. “Azam-shay.” In an instant, I was in my helmet and leathers, Sanguinis in my arms. I saw astonishment on Mina’s face—and a flash of another emotion—before she looked down at her hands clasped on the table. Ben and Andi shouted in unison, “Holy Shit!”

  “Please ,Victor, now call your spear.”

  “Obex.” Sanguinis was replaced by my spear.

  The leprechaun stood up and walked to the counter and grabbed a large carving knife from a wooden cutlery holder. He handed it to me. “Please, show them how sharp Obex is.”

  I moved my hand to just below the spear head and used Obex like a whittling knife. I sliced through the steel carving knife like it was made of cardboard. The top half of the carving blade landed on the ground. Mina, Ben, and Andi watched in silent fascination.

  “Now, please get back into your regular clothes.”

  “Azam-shay.” Back in my civilian clothes, I handed the bottom half of the carving knife to Ben, hilt first. I leaned against the counter, arms folded across my chest.

  He picked up the piece that was attached to the hilt and tapped the blade with his fingers. He repeated himself, “Holy Shit!” Once he was satisfied it was made out of real steel he laid it next to Mina’s hands. She didn’t move to pick it up. She didn’t seem impressed. Andi reached down and gingerly picked up the top half of the blade like it was alive and might bite her.

  Expressions of shock, anger, confusion, and fear flickered across Andi’s face. She suddenly exclaimed, “How in the heck did Vic DO THAT? Did my dad know how to do stuff like that? Oh my God, did my dad wear leather pants? Uncle Aidan, why didn’t you tell us about our parents earlier?”

  Aidan had an expression of deep regret on his face. He sat down again, and reached over to touch her hand. “Your father was a warrior in a hidden war, and just knowing about that war is potentially dangerous. If you kids learned too much, you’d be recruited to fight and your parents wanted to avoid that for you. I promised them I’d keep you safe. I’m telling you now because you all have to leave Salt Lake City today, for your own safety.”

  Ben and Andi cried out in unison, “WHAT!” Andi stared at Aidan in astonished disbelief.

  “Your lives are in danger. There’s a chance the creatures that killed your mother and father will attack this house tonight.”

  The younger Swensons both started speaking at once. Their voices became a babble that had no meaning; Aidan couldn’t respond. I had enough. I slammed my hand against the counter and the sharp report echoed through the high ceilinged room. “KNOCK IT OFF!” Everyone stared at me and the cacophony stopped. I pointed at Ben and Andi, “You two, listen.” I could feel their wills clash with mine. They had power too, but I was much stronger. Ben and Andi stopped talking.

  I almost lost my train of thought when I realized I was using magic—my will, to make them pay attention to me. I wondered how many times in the past I’d used magic without knowing it. To what degree was charisma and the ability to wordlessly intimidate due to magic? The question was interesting, but I had more pressing matters to deal with.

  In the quiet, Aidan slowly made eye contact with Andi, Ben, and finally, Mina. “Your father was a paladin. He protected Salt Lake City from creatures from other dimensions.
” He nodded toward Mina. “Like law enforcement, or perhaps more accurately, border patrol—just not against humans. Your parents were killed by trolls. Now Victor has taken your father’s place as the paladin.” I heard Mina’s sharp intake of breath, but her attention remained on Aidan.

  Andi became the perfect picture of a disaffected teen. She slouched in her chair, arms crossed, and spoke in a sullen undertone, “Trolls—you’re talking about trolls. Like in ‘Billy Goat Gruff’ trolls?” She rolled her eyes. “Geez, Uncle Aidan, give me a break! We’re not kids. Tell us a story we can believe. Besides, I can’t leave. I’ve got a job, I’ve have cheer practice, and there’s no way I’m changing schools.” Andi glared at me. “All my friends, my whole life is here.”

  Aidan, his face filled with caring and sorrow, looked at her without saying a word. The silence lasted long enough to become uncomfortable. She was on the verge of squirming when he spoke, “Lass, I’m sorry but magic and monsters do exist. Vicious trolls killed your parents. Haven’t you just seen Victor do impossible things; things that can’t be explained any other way except by magic?” Aidan paused until Andi reluctantly nodded. He glanced over at Ben and Mina with a brow raised until they also murmured agreement, “Now, I’ve made arrangements for you to stay in Boise. As for how long, I’m afraid I just don’t know; I wish I could say something more comforting. Victor and I will be staying here until the trolls have been neutralized, but I don’t know long that will take, either. You may never be able to come back to this house.”

  Andi’s defiant face softened; she obviously had deep feelings for the leprechaun. She uncrossed her arms and reached for his hand again. “Uncle Aidan, how dangerous is it going to be for you?”

  I was grateful Aidan had taken charge of breaking the news. I had no idea what I’d have said to Mina. I wondered if he was going to tell about the home ownership situation or if he’d wait until later. This conversation reminded me why I liked working alone.