The Awakening_Book 1 of Valkyrie's Curse series

by Ellie Mack

  “You are not going to plan all of my time for me. I might meet a guy there. I may fall madly in love.”

  Lena stared at her sister for a few seconds before they both burst into laughter. Gabby was always quick to circumvent a fight by throwing sarcasm at Lena when she got to be too bossy or controlling.

  “Touché” Lena lifted her glass, making an effort to reign in her habit of being the boss.

  Gabby listened intently as Lena went over the itinerary for when she would arrive at the project site. It had nothing to do with her major, but Lena managed to get her a spot on the team so they could work together. It was Gabby’s job to document and photograph everything they found: the excavation, the camp and even the local surroundings as well as the staff and students. This counted as a field course for Gabby as a photography class, plus she got paid for her work, therefore, she was happy.

  The next morning Gabby rode with Lena to the airport. After checking the luggage, and meeting Dr. Montgomery at the main terminal, the sisters said goodbye.

  As Lena settled into her seat, Dr. Montgomery walked past her to his seat. “Are you excited Ms. Eskildson?”

  “Couldn’t be more excited, sir! This is a lifelong dream of mine.”

  “Excellent. I am anxious to see the progression and work in cooperation with the University there. Evidence shows that this may very well be a breakthrough and I believe the national heritage society will be thrilled with our findings. Our benefactors want regular updates and progress reports. This is a great opportunity for you to make your mark Ms. Eskildson.”

  Lena smiled, swallowing hard. Nothing like a little added pressure to what she was already putting on herself.

  A nervous jittering in her stomach, a mixture of elation, excitement and nervousness, threatened to reject her fruity pancake breakfast. She took in a long slow breath, making herself breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. A few cleansing breaths to help settle her nerves should help.

  This wasn’t her first flight by a long shot, but it was the first time that she would be in charge of an excavation. What if she was a horrible project manager? Did she really have what it took to supervise this project? What if they came up empty? What if this turned out to be a failed project?

  All indications pointed to her findings being accurate and correct, it was still a great unknown until they unearthed something to prove her theories. She tried to get the flight attendant’s attention for a white soda to calm her tummy troubles.

  Lena unbuckled and made her way to the restroom, not sure if the breakfast was going to come up or not. She held the palm of her left hand over her stomach, as she moved down the aisle. Just before the restrooms, she caught the attention of the attendant.

  “Tummy upset? That happens a lot with new travelers. Can I get you a white soda? Some antacids?”

  “White soda would be good thanks.” She tried the handle, and the door said occupied. Oh great! She glanced at the other one, it also said occupied. “Ugh” a sudden flip-flop of her insides made her feel more nauseous.

  Lena eased into the last seat waiting for her turn. She leaned forward still holding her stomach, resting her head in her hand, propped on her knee. Closing her eyes for just a moment, trying to will her stomach into submission by breathing deeply. The slight click of the door sounded and two people poured out. She glanced up to see a dark haired girl and a tall stocky guy with shaggy brown hair. The girl blushed when Lena glanced up at her. She exchanged a knowing look with the attendant, then slipped into the ridiculously small restroom.

  How in the world those two fit in the cramped space she didn’t know. When nothing came up she decided to simply wash her face and head back to her seat and hopefully have her white soda.

  The Sprite was waiting for her as she eased into the seat. She took her notebook from her backpack along with her phone and earbuds. Her playlist picked up at Burn It to the Ground. Part of her liked the group simply because Bryce hated them. Plus she adored the lead singer’s gravelly voice. Inside her notebook was a note from Gabby. “Check the outer pockets of your backpack!” Lena unzipped all the little pockets. Inside the larger one on the right side was her teddy bear - Gizmo. She smiled, smoothed his worn fake fur and tucked him back in with a smile. In the left pocket were six bags of m&m’s. Her eyes threatened to leak as she took one bag out and tore open the corner.

  She took out one piece of chocolate and savored it as she read through her notes. To put her feet on the ground and touch the stones -her fingers ached for the feel of the cold monuments to a time long past.

  She could smell the musty underground chambers, feel the dampness of the tunnels. These were the things that called to her, not some glitzy party dress or fancy shoes.

  It stirred something within her like a ripple on the water. Part of her own identity was buried in the soil of that ancient site. She had to unearth it to know her destiny. It may sound cliché or an excuse but it was like there was a piece of her own identity puzzle missing that would only be unlocked at Roskilde.

  Ancient Viking ruins located near where her ancestors lived; this was gold. This was what excited her, what ignited her passions. Something integral within her drove her to find answers and connect to her past. Maybe it was losing her parents, maybe it was the ancient blood of the family she never knew - but something called to her in the wilds of a Norwegian village. A call that she couldn’t explain, couldn’t describe to anyone. Something primal, at the very core of her being. It was as if there was a part of her that had come to life near that ancient stone with her father and it yearned to be set free from the bonds that held it inside. Glancing down she realized that she was caressing the back of her pendant with her thumb.

  Lena rubbed her eyes. The high altitude was playing tricks on her eyes because it almost looked like the pendant was glowing. Lifting it from her chest with it resting in the palm of her hand she scrutinized the stone at its center. A sparkling energy seemed to be dancing within it, but as she focused on those spots, it was the same old stone. She closed her eyes, inwardly scolding herself for letting her imagination run away.

  Lena let out a deep slow breath to calm herself down. When she opened her eyes, she went back to her notes. This was the nervous energy that tightened its grip in her gut. This was the pulsation of every heart beat since the day the picture was taken so long ago with her father. The ‘call of the ancients’ was how her father had described it. Now she felt it stronger than ever.

  In her dreams, she heard the great horn sound. Upon the sound of it, she sprouted wings and took flight saving warriors. She fought bravely, feeling such an adrenaline rush as she swept in snatching brave men, laughing as she moved about untouched. Nothing could harm her, nothing even scratched her. It was her superhero dream.

  Easing back in her seat, letting the memories of those dreams fill her mind as she popped another chocolate piece into her mouth.

  Helena the Brave, saving the day, setting things right, evening the odds in battle. Doodles filled her journal, drawings of a flying super warrior woman. On one page she had drawn a picture of herself and Gabby flying over a battlefield, their hair blowing in the wind, wings on their backs, portrayed as Valkyries of Viking lore.

  The image sparked Gabby to make a painting of her simple sketch only with more detail. It now hung framed in their house. It was in fact, the painting that won Gabby a prestigious scholarship.

  Their mom was so proud of that painting and Dad was beside himself with pride when he saw it at the art exhibit. It was the closest she’d ever seen her Dad to crying.

  She missed them both terribly. There were times that she would get excited and want to share some news, then realize they were gone and get sad all over again. She knew they would be proud of her and her sister.

  She could feel the calling, pounding of her heart as the plane drew closer to their homelands. That part of her that was awakened recognized she was going home.

  Chapter 4 :Roskilde

  The blood of
the ancients thrums within my veins. Pounding a tattoo in my head that demands I follow.

  My course is set, my sails are full, and the wind is at my back.

  Whether I live or die, destiny has called with the many voices of my ancestors that it is my turn to carry the torch.

  -Skarsgal Saga Husted

  After the initial nervousness, Helena sipped her Sprite and settled into a comfortable position for the flight. In no time at all, she was sound asleep. She dreamed the superhero dream, with more vivid details than ever before.

  It had been recurring the past few months had become very realistic to the point of having that unsettled feeling upon waking. In the dreaming, she could feel her heart pounding, the blood surging through her veins, the elation coursing through her entire body as the exhilaration of her victory propelled her onward unafraid and uninhibited. She operated on instinctual actions, fueled by adrenaline, and propelled forward by a knowing that victory was sure.

  She woke smiling, feeling energized and ready to tackle the world. Well at least this archaeological dig!

  The driver was waiting for her. She scratched her neck stretching as she loaded her things into the back, wondering if she could convince him to stop along the way to get something to drink.

  “Etter middag Frøken Eskildson. Jeg tar deg til leiren din. Universitetet har satt opp en grunnleir på omkretsen av området.”

  He extended his hand to shake hers as she stared blankly at him trying to figure out what the heck he had just said.

  “Erik Dresden til din tjeneste mamma.”

  She at least understood his name and shook his hand. “Greetings Erik.” She adjusted her backpack over her shoulder as she worked through his words. Etter middag - after mid-day, afternoon. Din was camp. Universitetat was university. Har satt opp en translated as has set up an . . . she inferred that he probably meant they had set up the perimeter of the site, probably with accordance to the legal entities there.

  “Min Norweigian er veldig grunnleggende.” She said tilting her head slightly sideways, her brows raised, and her voice with an apologetic tone.

  “Ah! I will practice my Anglish.” He took the suitcases from her and began walking towards the parking area. “Let me try in Anglish. Ofternoon Miss Eskildson. I will be taking you to yerr comp. The University has set up base camp on ze perimeter of ze site.” He stopped at an old army jeep and tossed the luggage in the back. “Is that better?”

  She smiled, shook his hand and moved to the passenger door. “Yes. Thank you. I will try to learn more Norwegian if you will work with me.”

  He nodded in agreement smiling.

  “Is there anywhere to get a soda or coffee or something?”

  “Bare down vay herfra is det en stasjon med en mini-mart. Hvordan var flight Frøken?”

  He smiled at her as he buckled in and started the jeep.

  “Oh it was good. Mostly uneventful.” Lena slipped on her sunglasses to avoid the glare, then turned to Erik smiling. “To Roskilde Erik, with a detour at the mini-mart stasjon. Please call me Lena.”

  She practically had to drag him into the small little store. Mini was an understatement. She’d seen newsstands bigger than this convenient mart. There was barely enough room for her and Erik to move around in the small cramped area. After pleading with him, Erik finally pointed out a few snacks that she might like, and some beverages. She bought a couple large bottles of aloe drink, some sodas, energy drinks, and a variety of snacks ranging from shortbread cookies to chips, and of course chocolate.

  What was the point of being in a foreign place if she couldn’t enjoy some local flavor, right? Since the excavation site wasn’t exactly a social endeavor, she’d have to sample the food variety of flavor.

  Erik put her bag of goodies in the backseat, helping her into the jeep. Once they were underway, he began pointing out places to her to avoid and a couple places she might be interested in going. Copenhagen was a bustling community, and a little over an hour drive to Roskilde, where the site was.

  Erik would be working at the site for the entire summer. He was on the first line team, a group of five students supervised by Professor Romberg. They had set up the camp, marked off the perimeter, set up the tents, and field office. During the ride she tried to prompt him to share local legends, ghost tales, anything that might somehow pertain to or link back to the Viking village. He regaled her with a couple tales of ghost Vikings in the bay, ghost ships in the fjords, a lone sentinel warrior that stood guard at Ingram’s Point, and a fair haired Valkyrie that searched for the missing warrior.

  As they neared the site, Erik pointed out some local landmarks. When they passed the rune stones, her heart nearly leapt from her chest. They passed the trail that led down the hillside to the fjord, then as they turned the corner, she could see the lines of the outer wall beneath the long grass. Her fingers curled in on themselves, her grip tightening on her purse strap. She couldn’t wait to get the equipment set up and get the readings. She just knew this was going to be a fantastic excavation.

  Whether it revealed any priceless artifacts or not, it would give up its secrets to her and her team.

  Erik grabbed her luggage, loading it on a dolly then wheeled it towards what would be her tent.

  “This vill be your new home for ze summer. You have it to yourself, until the week six crew shows up, zen we have your sister slated to share your tent with you.”

  He eased the crates off the dolly, stacking them neatly. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

  Lena let out a deep sigh. She was actually here! “Not that I can think of at the moment, but I reserve the right to call on you for information, OK?”

  She bit her lip hoping that he wouldn’t take any offense. First order, she’d have to see about getting a temporary license so she wouldn’t have to get a driver every time she wanted to go somewhere. Second order, finding one of the four wheelers so she could take in the whole entirety of the area. She did a quick inventory of her tent, and found everything in order. She took out her external hard-drive, and a couple personal items securing them in her small safe.

  Wandering around the camp, she came upon the mess tent. Just inside was a tote that was labeled area maps. Fantastic! It was just what she needed.

  Seeing the site in her head wasn’t the same as connecting the dots in real life with the dots on her map. She spotted a couple ATVs parked behind the mess tent. Looking around she didn’t see anyone. She hopped on the bike and took off with a marker, the map, her cell phone with GPS turned on, and a huge grin on her face.

  No one stopped her, no one even seemed to notice her. This was sheer heaven!. First she made her way back to the rune stone. She took several pictures of it from various angles then marked it on her map. Next she headed in the direction of what they presumed to be an altar stone. The entire site extended over the equivalent of three acres. The altar stone was in a field just on the edge of a rock bluff, facing true north and overlooking the fjord.

  She took several pictures, some from a distance, some close up of the markings on it. To the best of her knowledge, the Norse gods didn’t demand sacrifices. This would require more research. Her personal theory was that if this was an altar, it was a Druid altar that predated the rest of the village. Aside from the harvest offerings, the altar stone didn’t fit with anything she knew about Celtic or Viking heritage.

  She made her way to the water’s edge. She had to really watch her step, the steep slope had a faint path that wove around three birch trees then angled back to the rocky shore. Something caught her eye glinting in the late afternoon sun. She toed the rocks, pushing a few aside to reveal a piece of amber. She bent to pick it up.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a motion. Turning towards the movement, she scanned the horizon watching for further movement. Turning the amber over in her hands, brushing the silt from the piece, her head lowered but her eyes still scanning. She saw a man moving along the bluff, behind the trees and undergrowth. A
black sock cap, black wool coat, he carried a bag thrown over his shoulder. He cut some leaves from one of the birch trees, then some of the fungus that grew on its bark. He tucked them in his bag. She thought nothing more of it, he was probably a local practicing homeopathic medicine.

  She pocketed the amber piece and moved back to the altar. Laying her hand over the stone, feeling it’s cool smooth finish. A small piece of stone lay on the ground, she picked it up. It matched a place along the edge where perhaps someone had fired a hunting rifle at a small animal and missed, but chipped the piece off. She pocketed it as well then moved back to the ATV.

  Following along the small hillock that she had deduced was the outer wall, she looked for the markers that Erik said they had placed. It seemed like a long way before she came to the marker, and checked her GPS readings. As she made a few notes on her map, she noticed the man in black moving to the altar stone, stooping to pick some sort of plant at it’s base. She felt compassion towards the man. It was often the case that the local residents were barely getting by, rarely affording modern medical benefits.

  By the time she had made her way along the perimeter of the camp back to the rune stone the sun was setting and it was near dark. Helena made her way back to camp, parking the ATV where she had found it then ran to her tent to download her pictures and make a journal entry.

  She opened her laptop, and sent a quick message to Leroy back home that she would have some information for him the next morning.

  “Knock, Knock” Eric said as he tapped her tent flap door. “Are you decent?”

  “Yes, come on in.” She closed her laptop and tucked her map beneath it. “I was just making a few notes. So excited to be here finally, you know?”

  “I vandered if you might join us for dinner. I guess you don’t know ze camp schedule yet, so I vill show you around if you like.” His English was broken with a heavy accent, but she could make out his words more easily.

  “That would be awesome! How’s the food here?” Her stomach growled it’s complaint just then.