Summoning Annika_The Viking Witch Trilogies

by Lizzie Vega

  “Katie and Sam, please stand with Annika, where our, um, guest, can see you. I want his last view of this time to be a gentle reminder for him as he returns home.”

  He posed them together exactly as they were, a trio of blonde warrior princesses. Standing just outside the protection circle, Annika and Katie each held swords while Sam just put her arms around her two good friends. Her sober expression hinted at what would happen once Amund was gone.

  “Michael, please bring me your shield.”

  The young man walked around the circle and gave the wizard the shield that had, piece by puzzle piece, created the entire adventure.

  Alec asked him quietly, “Did you figure it out?” as he flipped the shield around to hold it in front of both of them. He tapped his finger on a small empty clasp at the center of the shield. Michael’s puzzled look answered the question.

  “Look at our three beautiful princesses. Anything different?”

  Michael looked at the three of them, and with a nod to his Sesame Street days, “One of these things is not like the other?”

  Alec smiled, “Quite, but it’s so simple, I didn’t realize it myself for quite some time.”

  Annika saw Michael struggling with the question and subtly tapped at her throat. Her jewel pendant was missing from her neck.

  Michael looked at Alec, “You’re kidding me, all this time?”

  “Yeah, pretty much.” He opened his hand to reveal Annika’s pendant, the jewel had taken on a life of its own, glowing softly in his hand. “It fits into the center of the shield and, at that moment, the shield will be complete. I just wanted you to be the one to see it first.”

  “And you will send Amund back with it?” Michael asked.

  “No, actually,” Alec smirked, “I’m going to send Amund back without it. I anticipate it’s going to be a rough ride. I will use it for our princess, she deserves to travel in style.”

  Like Iris, Alec walked to the center of the circle and raised his arms toward the ceiling. His invocation began as hers had but, instead of a welcoming theme, it was quite the opposite,

  “From Mother Earth to the distant stars

  We span from our time back to another

  We have received your gift

  But, sadly, it has proven unworthy.

  Whatever the distance,

  We ask you to traverse time and space

  And remove it from our presence.”

  Alec took a step back as a series of orbs rose from the floor. While the sequence seemed to be the same as the summoning, the movement was accelerated. Amund, continued to twitch and drool as the lights began to spin above him. He seemed to look up briefly at the three young princesses gathered in front of him, his eyes widening in fear, just as the column of light enveloped him and he disappeared in an upward flash of light.

  “Good riddance,” Alec said as the lights faded from view in the warehouse rafters. He turned to the group, “No pretty light show for him. Let’s take a break for a little while,” he hesitated, “Until the next send off.”

  Chapter 52

  The group relaxed around the warehouse with quiet conversation mixed with periods of silence. They knew what was next.

  Stefan and Annika sat together in the warehouse for a long time holding hands. There was some gentle laughter but there were tears as well.

  After a few minutes, Alec walked over to Annika. In a voice befitting of a royal advisor, addressed her, “My apologies for the interruption, my lady, it’s time to return home.” She nodded and gathered her tunic and robe and walked quietly to the bathroom.

  Annika walked out of the bathroom dressed in the same tunic and cloak she had arrived in. Her usual cheery disposition had been replaced by something more solemn. Parker saw her expression and tried to lift her spirits, along with his own, “Hey, everyone, Princess in the house,” but it came out quietly adding to the sadness of the moment.

  She walked by Allie and Mac at the computers and reached out her hands, “Thank you for being part of this.” She kissed them both on the cheek, “I wish you all the best.”

  As she walked toward the others, Mac raised his phone to film the goodbyes and Allie reached over gently and covered the lens with her hand, shaking her head, ‘No, Mac, this part stays private.”

  Parker was next. She managed a small smile and reached her arms out to give him a hug. She whispered in his ear, “You were so brave, Parker, thank you for all you have done for me,” she looked over at Katie, “You be her prince, ok?”

  Parker could only nod as he fought back tears. Annika turned to face Katie. Samantha stood at her side, tears rolling down her cheeks, “This is so hard, Anni, I don’t want you to leave.”

  “I know, Sam,” she said as she put her arms around both of them. “I will think of you often.” She parted the collar of her tunic to reveal the bra strap of the matching lingerie set they had bought her at the mall. “Yeah, I’m wearing the whole outfit,” she whispered causing Katie to burst out laughing, “God, we’d make such great sisters.”

  She looked around the room at all of them, “I have a bigger family here than I do at home.”

  She turned and walked up to Michael and smiled, “But they are taller and braver,” she winked at Sam, “And more handsome here, than at home.”

  Michael stood in front of her straight and strong, a warm smile on his face, “It was an honor to have served you, Princess Annika,” his voice was solid and deep. There was no awkwardness or hesitation in it, only confidence. He held out her armaments, “Your sword and your shield, to protect you during your journey.” Only then did a tear roll down his cheek.

  Annika reached up and caught it as it rolled down the side of his face, “Thank you, Michael for all that you have done for me. I will be forever grateful.” She took the sword from his hand.

  “Please, keep the shield as a token of my affection for you. I saw your strength from the moment I first met you.”

  She placed her sword through the metal rings around her belt as Stefan reconnected the chain mail around her shoulders. He worked methodically making sure the clasps were in the right position. He cinched up the ties in the back of her armor. It was if he was squire preparing a knight for battle. Stefan stood back and looked at her to see if he had missed anything. Seemingly satisfied with his work, he took her by the shoulders and slapped his hand roughly against her arm as if to test her strength, “Klar? mi dronning” He asked in a loud voice.

  She grinned, “Ready? Yes, Stefan, I am ready.”

  He smiled and leaned down to where their foreheads were almost touching. Now she was his little sister. He whispered quietly, “I’m going to miss you, Anni…again.”

  She nodded, “I will find a way to tell mother that you are doing well,” She looked at Iris as she waited for her at the top of the summoning circle, “I will tell her how much in love you are.”

  Annika walked to Iris as Alec began to light the candles around the circle. She had Anni lean down as she placed her original amulet back around her neck. She stood up and Iris worked her hair out around the armor and cloak. “Dronning?” she asked, as she brought out a strand of her purple highlights, “What does that mean, Anni?”

  Annika smiled, her expression was one of mild embarrassment, “Queen.” she said with a smirk, “Who knows?” she said with a chuckle, “It will be an interesting journey.”

  Iris took her hand, “I’m going to miss you so much, Anni.”

  The young princess looked at Iris, “I would have loved to have you serve with me in my court.” She leaned in and kissed the young witch on the cheek, “I will miss you, Iris,” She nodded toward Stefan, “He’s an amazing man, isn’t he? You made it possible for me to see him again. I am so happy for both of you.”

  Annika’s resolve was crumbling as tears began welling up in her eyes. She tried blinking them away but it was a useless effort. She took a deep breath and straightened up, “Alec,” she announced strongly, “It’s time.”

  Annik
a watched Alec as he made final preparations for his ritual. She stood off to the side of the circle as the wizard set Amund’s armor and sword as well as his clothing into the center of the prepared area. She would stand on top of them as she shifted, further denigrating her almost husband’s once powerful, if ill begotten, power.

  The image of a conquering warrior besting a rival would not be lost on either family upon her return.

  As he moved around the circle, Alec was aware of the responsibility that Annika would shoulder once she returned home, he watched her as she gripped and then released the handle of her sword multiple times. It looked like a meditation. “Anni?” he asked in a gentle voice as he passed by her, “Are you nervous?”

  She nodded and blew out a long breath.

  “Mmm, understandable.” He motioned for Iris. “Perhaps a nice calming spell, just to ease her nerves,” He took a step back to allow Iris to stand in front of her.

  “I am honored.” She softly took Annika’s hand and turned it like she had with Michael’s. She traced a small star across the back of Annika’s hand and placed it, along with her own, on Annika’s shoulder. The invocation this time was gently different,

  “We are peace, we are calm, we call on love, trust, and hope. Please, send us the angels of times forgotten, and lead us to inner peace.”

  A small spark leapt from Iris to Annika, but it didn’t disappear. The light quietly spread out from her fingertips and traveled in a small outward wave across Annika’s chest and then down her arms and legs. As it left her body, a sharp crackle followed and ended like a small chime had just been rung. Iris’s eyes sizzled quietly with an iridescent green flare.

  Annika laughed, “That tickled.” Iris bowed slightly and as she retreated out of the circle, she heard Alec’s amused voice behind her, “Show-off.”

  “Still nervous?” he asked the young princess.

  “No, not at all,” but she lowered her voice, “Alec, will I remember?”

  The wizard smiled and nodded, “Oh, yes, my dear. I believe you most certainly will.”

  She looked over to her friends once again and smiled broadly, “Good. I want that.”

  She repositioned herself to the center of the circle with her foot propped on Amund’s shield, “I’m ready.”

  “If, I may, princess,” Alec asked as he picked up Amund’s sword and exchanged it with Annika’s. He commented as he slid it through the metal rings of her belt, “It’s yours’ now.” He put her sword into her hand, “Raise this one, my warrior queen. Point it toward the stars.”

  He turned around and drew a circle over the top of the shield with the palm of his hand leaving a swath of bright blue light as he did so. He bent and placed the glowing jewel in the center of the shield causing an almost instant crack of thunder within the walls of the warehouse.

  Parker commented from the darkness, “Oh yeah, here we go.”

  In a burst of light, the stars of the Orion constellation appeared simultaneously to the delight of the spectators below. They began to rotate quickly picking up speed until they were a solid ring of light around the room. The rotation produced a quiet hum as the velocity increased.

  A second set of orbs materialized settled just above the concrete floor rotating to match the speed of the ones above. Alec moved out of the circle as both sets of lights encircled Annika. The orbs from the ceiling lowered slowly as the ones from the floor began to rise.

  Tendrils of colored light began to trace up from Annika’s feet and, as their intensity and volume increased she began to laugh as it began to trace around her legs, “It tickles,” she called out over the hum of the light show.

  With a grin, Alec stepped back to the edge of the circle, “Everyone,” he thundered, “Step into the circle. This is for all of you,” as he began to raise his hands to the ceiling. The blue glow from before now swirled its way to the center of the room.

  “From Mother Earth to the distant stars

  We offer this most loved and cherished gift

  Wherever you are, I appeal to you

  Whatever the distance,

  To open the gate

  Traverse gently through time and space

  And return home with reverence and celebration.”

  Although it was the middle of a storm filled night outside the warehouse, a small circle of brilliant blue sky opened above Annika and she looked up into it with a smile and reached up to the sky with her sword. They could all see as a few clouds drifted above in the tiny aperture above them.

  Alec clapped his hands together and she disappeared into a bolt of white light and shot up though the opening. The vibration from the bolt caused the skylights in the roof to rattle. Most of the spinning orbs followed her through the opening and she was gone.

  A few orbs remained, bobbing gently at the ceiling of the warehouse.

  It was over.

  “Beautiful,” Sam whispered still staring up at the ceiling.

  “Did anyone else hear birds chirping when the sky was showing?” Mac was just shaking his head in disbelief, “Maybe, it’s just...”

  “Nope,” added Katie, “I heard them too. It was just so pretty.”

  Stefan walked over to Alec, “Thank you, my friend. She looked very happy.”

  “Yeah, I thought so too,” said the wizard, “She’ll have quite a life.”

  Iris came up and locked her arm in Stefan’s, “Ok, Alec, now who’s the show-off?”

  Chapter 53

  Alec walked quietly to the edge of the circle and looked up at the remaining stars as they spun slowly above. While the intensity of the lights had greatly diminished, there was the occasional burst of power from the largest orbs, perhaps as a reminder to what they had just experienced. A soft fluctuating hum from the ceiling was just enough to provide a gentle background noise.

  The others sat in the lounge area trying to come to terms with what they had just witnessed.

  Alec looked back at the group and smiled. They had worked hard and risked everything to help return Annika back to her family. Their lives were forever changed and it would be something he would have to help them process.

  He watched Mac and Allie, headphones on as usual, playing the video back over and over, each time their child-like faces looked on in amazement as if each time was the first time they had seen it. He cocked an eyebrow over that. It may require a bit of intervention to keep this little episode from being uploaded to the world.

  Goodmund grinned as he watched Katie bring a beer over to Parker. They clinked the bottles together and Parker said something that Alec couldn’t quite hear. From Katie’s soft smile it must have been finally something appropriate. She sat next to him on the sofa and nudged him playfully with her shoulder. It’s a start, he thought, Parker, maybe there’s hope for you yet.

  Stefan and Iris were talking quietly in the corner. She dabbed at the cut on his shoulder with a wash cloth. It wasn’t a serious wound and the playful expression on her face, she was projecting anything but concern. With her wild hair and provocative outfit, along with what remained of Stefan’s costume, it was a reminder for him of a time long ago.

  Iris had been the wild card during all of this. An unexpected wonder that had assumed the role of keeping all the others safe and informed. He would see that she would be deeply rewarded.

  Michael and Samantha sat together on the sofa. She had her arm intertwined with his and her head on his shoulder. Michael appeared to be very much at peace. Still in his costume with the sword and shield at his feet, he looked like a young warrior. His eyes were closed and he seemed quite relaxed as Sam gently traced her fingers down his arm. She took his hand with hers and brought it up to her lips and kissed it. Alec took a deep breath as he watched them.

  It had been a good day.

  He turned from them and looked up into the remaining stars. Only one of the larger orbs persisted.

  It was his time now. He would have to finish what he started.

  Alec placed his hand to his heart
, All things are possible, he thought to himself and he stepped into the circle.

  Samantha blinked once and put her hand to her chest. She drew a breath so abruptly it sounded like a gasp. Michael, jogged from his relaxed state, quickly turned to her, “Sam?

  “Are you...?” She held up her hand to him and nodded her head in between very short panting breaths. She was drawing something inward, something very strong, “Oh my god,” she choked, she sounded more stunned than scared.

  Michael looked to Iris. She had heard Samantha and she stood up quickly and rushed to her side, “Sam?” and at that moment the two women turned and looked at Alec.

  Samantha nodded, “It’s Alec,” tears were streaming down her cheeks, “Something big is happening,” she tried to stand up, “I feel incredible sadness and loss,” she drew her hand to her mouth, overcome by emotion. She began to shake her head, “No, I, I don’t understand this,” Her eyes grew wide in wonder.

  Iris looked at the others and then looked at Alec. Only then did she realize he had stepped inside the protection circle. An enormous single red orb was slowly descending from the ceiling. “Jesus,” she exclaimed as she looked to Stefan, “we have to help him.” and she began to walk toward the warehouse where Alec stood.

  The group quickly assembled grabbing their costumes and weapons as if they were marshalling for a battle. There was no hesitation and they moved toward the protection circle as a group.

  Without turning towards them, Alec raised a hand to warn them to stop, “I don’t think this is quite over,” he said loudly as a second, then a third large orb appeared and they both began to rotate in concert with the original one. Their appearance created a now familiar hum but this time it had an almost metallic grating edge to it.