“Nope. Don’t need worshipers or champions. It is enough that people believe that I am around. That little escapade was more of an entertainment. I can’t tell you where he came from but he was peculiar. He insisted that he was my champion and pestered me about giving him quests. As if I need a champion! The mere presence of you people on Adar already serves my purposes. If not for the agreement among the divine pantheons not to open any new portals, I would have brought in more of you.”
Loki sat down on the chair opposite Tyler and put the fingers of his hands together, his elbows on the table.
“People think I am evil. That may be as I have done definitely evil things. But I mainly exemplify change. That is what I am and that is my nature. No omelet without breaking some eggs. No grog without getting drunk. Can’t leave those gods and goddesses just sitting around you know. I have to keep them on their toes. Stagnation is boring.”
Loki mused for a while and then asked Tyler, “Do you think I should protest? Picket Asgard? Stagnation or Death? Or should it be Stagnation IS Death? Nice slogan, don’t you think? I could easily scrounge up some supporters.”
Loki looked serious.
Oh my God, thought Tyler, A grade A loon? A clear-cut psych case? A few apples short of a barrel?
Tyler realized he had to put the discussion back on track, in any direction except the manic one. That was dangerous. Yet it occurred to him that Loki’s madcap personality may have been the result of the god’s incarceration. He didn’t seem to be evil. Dark, of course. But his wife was not a demon or some other evil creature. To stay by her husband’s side throughout all those millennia meant Sigyn saw something in him deserving of her love and sacrifice.
“I really have no idea, Mister Loki. Mass action or even advertising was never my specialty. By the way, what happened to the visitor you and Enki got?
“Mister Loki! That’s a good one, it’s usually “my lord”, “your divineship”, “your divine evilness” or other such mewling crap. If people only knew….”
“Oh, about that guy!” exclaimed Loki as he remembered the query, “He died.”
“How?” Tyler could feel the fear in his gut again. He was already imagining his fate. And he had a very active imagination.
“The quests. He kept asking for more and more, complaining that the difficulty was too low after a while. So Enki and I devised more difficult quests. Something about leveling up. I really couldn’t understand him. Though I have to admit both Enki and I had fun! I was going to set him up in Skaney and let him introduce some changes but nooooooo… it was all about leveling up. Finally, he asked for a boss quest. I certainly did get the “boss” reference. I was fed up by that time so I sent him after Freyr’s Sword held by the fire jotunn Surtr. Oh, I didn’t send him unprepared. He wore massively enchanted armor and weapons. He lasted around five seconds. Impressive.”
Shit, thought Tyler.
“So, what happens now?” asked Tyler. All of a sudden, he wanted to get out of the god’s presence. Loki’s story and his casual way of telling him that he purposely sent a person to be barbequed by a fire giant because he was fed up greatly unsettled Tyler.
“I just wanted to see what the hubbub was all about so here goes - Nice to meet you, Tyler,” Loki gave him a smile and shook his hand. Earth style.
“Don’t worry, no time has passed in the tavern. They won’t even realize you’ve been gone or that we’ve met. Even deities won’t know. I do have some tricks up my sleeve. My magic is not only Vanir or Aesir, it is also Jotunn. I may have also learned other skills from friends,” winked the smiling god, “Though I may look you up from time to time. There’s that scared face again. Stop that. I won’t impose or be a burden. I may even think of a gift to give you for taking up your time.”
“Uh… thanks?” answered Tyler.
“Without further ado, we’re back!” whispered the god. For some odd reason, Loki’s tone and choice of words reminded Tyler of Jack Nicholson’s grinning face and dialogue in the movie “The Shining”.
The world again swirled around Tyler. He found himself back at the tavern, clasping Farman’s forearm. Reality bit Tyler.
As he found himself back at the tavern, disorientation set in.
“I am Ty… Havard,” he stuttered, catching himself in time, “And my companion there is Jorund, a huskarl of a friend.”
Jorund gave a nod of acknowledgment. He remained silent. Not even a grunt. Though his eyes were still focused on Farman.
“Please sit down. You do owe us two rounds of ale,” said Tyler with a grin, gesturing at the table. Quick on the uptake, Tyler recovered enough to get back into character.
Farman sat down on the bench across Jorund. Tyler could see Farman’s left hand make a quick gesture while seated. Jorund couldn’t see what Farman was doing but Tyler could as he was seated on Farman’s left. All the while, Farman was smiling at Jorund.
Tyler noticed that Jorund was stock-still. He looked at Farman and raised his eyebrows.
Farman looked at him and whispered, “Making sure he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.”
Tyler blanched and worried about the god’s action. Farman noticed.
“Oh, don’t be such a baby. This doesn’t work on visitors. There’s no magical energy in your bones.”
“Won’t the All-Father notice? He’s sworn to him, you know,” Tyler quickly whispered back.
“Nah. I can cover my traces easily. Why do you think I was able to do the tricks I have done without him noticing?” came the murmured reply, “Anyway, it’s done. Let’s get back to our show.”
It was a surreal experience for Tyler though he again learned something vital about how magic was practiced in Adar. But it was still a strange encounter, the fact that he had Loki in front of him never left Tyler’s mind. It was all a charade, for Jorund’s benefit. They talked about trade and possibilities of linking up mercantile ventures as well as possible trade routes. It was all beyond Tyler’s limited knowledge. Farman was doing most of the talking while Tyler murmured something about furs and lumber. In turn, Farman talked about iron ore and the possibility of an overseas trading venture.
The huskarl, in turn, appeared to be listening to the discussion. The promised ale did arrive at their table. After a while, Farman excused himself, saying that the merchants would be open for business by now and he had to do some errands. He mentioned he could be reached at the Metwold trading guild house. Tyler gave the Gothi’s house as his address, saying he could be staying in town for a while but emphasized that he was but an apprentice trader.
After Farman left, Tyler turned to Jorund.
“Are you hungry, Jorund? We can have our day-meal here, if the food is good.”
“The food is good, my lord. The roasted beef made the Greek way is excellent. I would also suggest the teganites, a sort of Greek bread topped with honey or cheese, depending on availability.”
“Let’s try that,” agreed Tyler, noting the sign of a cross-cultural exchange, at least in food. Jorund appeared to be a gourmet of sorts, as shown by his familiarity with and evident love of Greek food.
Jorund gestured to the tavern maid and ordered for both of them. Tyler was still stuck with ale as the staple beverage.
“How long have you been a huskarl of the Gothi, if you don’t mind me asking,” asked Tyler, trying to make conversation with the taciturn warrior.
“For about a semester, my lord.”
Now that’s illuminating, sarcastically thought Tyler, just what the hell is a semester?
“How did you become one of his huskarls?” Tyler assumed that the Gothi would have more than one huskarl, being an important priest.
“I was a warrior of Jarl Thorvald. The call came for huskarls to serve a new and important Gothi of the All-Father. I volunteered as I have always considered the All-Father as my personal deity. Other warriors have Thor. But the All-Father also exemplifies wisdom and a warrior should have bravery, honor, skill, and wisdom in equal measure.”
“How old are you then?
“I am of twenty-one years, my lord.”
“Have you been in battles? Against humans? Against creatures?
“Several battles, my lord. I have lost count. The last being between Jarl Thorvald and Jarl Leifr of the Eagle Banner. Also against bandits. I have also fought dokkalfr, svartalfar, and wild jotnar. I have also been a mercenary in my younger years.”
Tyler was impressed. The man is clearly a battle-hardened veteran. Though he wished Jorund would be a bit more talkative. It was like talking to a machine. No exposition at all. Come to think of it, he had not seen the man smile nor laugh.
“Are you married? Children?”
“Not anymore, my lord. My wife and child died during a raid by wild jotnar on our village.”
“My condolences, Jorund.” Tyler sympathized with the man, he must not have been married long before the jotnar raid. Though at the same time Tyler was wondering about the jotnar. Again, what the hell are they?
“My thanks, my lord. But as the All-Father said – cattle die, kindred die, we ourselves die. Life goes on and one can only hope to be accepted in Valhalla.”
Man, this guy is hardcore. No sense of humor either, thought Tyler.
The food arrived and Tyler paid one large silver coin for the meal. The food was tasty, Jorund was right about that. Looking at the man, he asked the warrior’s weapon preferences. The man answered that he preferred the axe, though he was also skilled with the sword, the spear, and the bow. He can handle a seax, the algeir, and the throwing axe. The battleaxe he carried was a broad axe with a single crescent shaped edge with a silver inlay. It was iron but with runic enchantments for durability, sharpness, and accuracy. Jorund explained that this type of axe was usually wielded with both hands. But his strength enabled him to use it one-handed in combat, freeing his other hand for the casting of runic battle spells.
Tyler’s interest was stirred up when the warrior mentioned battle magic which led to further questions. Jorund told him that though magical practitioners are the principal users of magic, access to a limited range of runic magic become available to huskarls and warriors who have sworn to an acceptable personal deity. But the range of such magical abilities is also restricted by the magical affinity and capacity of the beneficiary.
They left the tavern after noon, by Tyler’s estimation. On the way back to the Gothi’s house, they passed by the merchant district which now busy and full of people. The permanent stores of merchants were organized around a large open square which hosted carts and stalls of itinerant sellers. Tyler changed course and passed through the middle of the square, looking at the displays of the vendors. It was a colorful and noisy scene. Though he noted that several armed men with simple blue tabards were watching and patrolling the area. Those must be the town guards, he concluded.
He didn’t remember Nordic warriors ever wearing tabards. Another cultural adaptation, he surmised. Cross-cultural occurrences must be pervasive. Though the emerging trade between civilizations could be responsible for it. Either that or some visitor came up with the idea.
As he reached the edge of the square, he noticed a small stall selling runic amulets, figurines, and other bric-a-brac. It looked to be this world’s equivalent of a religious curio shop. He felt a strange urge to visit the stall. Asking Jorund to stop, he went over to the displayed items. He idly looked over them, more out of curiosity than a desire to buy. But he inexplicably found himself to be drawn to a 6-inch wooden figurine of a woman holding up a vase. Examining it, the detail was exquisite. The woman was smiling and the delicate features of her beautiful face were wonderfully done. Her gown accentuated her voluptuous figure. The figure seemed awfully familiar.
“Interested in buying, my lord?” A woman’s voice inquired in a musical whisper, the voice having an ethereal quality to it.
“Maybe. How much is it?” asked Tyler. He felt he was in a daze. He looked at the seller and saw she was wearing a gray hood. She was evidently very beautiful but Tyler found he couldn’t focus on her features except for her emerald eyes. Gorgeous and stunning eyes which promised to draw one to a world of infinitely pleasurable surprises.
“Only one large silver, my lord.”
Tyler didn’t remember paying her. But evidently he did as he found himself walking already on the street past the square, holding the statue, with Jorund following him.
What was that all about, he thought as he suddenly remembered what happened. He began to be worried. Was I mesmerized? And who was that woman?
He was sorely tempted to throw away the statue but for some reason, he couldn’t do it.
When they got to the house, Jorund stayed outside. The Gothi was in the main hall, apparently the man just arrived.
“Havard!” greeted the priest, “Seems like you went tourist shopping!”
“We just went to see the Mended Horn. Had lunch and went through the merchant square. I got this though. Looked very well crafted.”
“Let me see,” said the Gothi, taking the small statue and examining it. Tyler found that the compulsion to keep the figurine had disappeared.
“The Lady of Fossegrim Forest,” concluded the priest, “A bit far from here, around two days ride. Enchanted area, especially around its lake. Few venture there. Though I don’t think the fiddler troll lives there anymore. The Lady herself has also not been heard from for ages. More of a legend among people from around here.”
CHAPTER LORE:
Vanir – Norse mythology. A group or tribe of gods associated with the Nordic pantheon.
Aesir – Norse mythology. Another group of gods associated with the Nordic pantheon. After a war with the Vanir, the Aesir became part of the Vanir.
Huskarl – Old Norse. A warrior in personal service to someone. Anglicized as housecarl.
Enki – Sumerian mythology. Deity of crafts, mischief, water, among others.
Enlil – Sumerian mythology. Chief deity of the Sumerian pantheon. God of wind, air, earth and storms.
Jarl – Old Norse. Norse chief or a title designating lordship over a certain territory.
Dokkalfr – Old Norse. Meaning dark elves. Dwells within the earth and mostly swarthy.
Svartalfar – Old Norse. The term has been used to refer both to dark elves and dwarfs. For this story, the term refers to dwarfs.
Jotnar – Old Norse. Plural of Jotunn. A mythological race living in Jotunheimr, one of the Nordic nine worlds. Usually enemies of both the Vanir and Aesir but instances are recorded of non-hostile interaction.
Seax – A kind of knife or short sword. Many variants. Popular in Europe up to the early Middle Ages.
Algeir – Old Norse. A special kind of deadly polearm similar to a halberd.
CHAPTER V
A Date by the Lakeshore
“You know her name?” asked Tyler, referring to the wooden statue held by the priest.
“No, sorry. An old legend of Fossegrim Forest. Only heard about it from Eric as a place to avoid.”
At that point, Tyler was trying to decide whether to tell him about the encounter with Loki. He decided against it. He hoped the decision wouldn’t come back and bite him in the ass.
“How do you find Maljen?” the Gothi inquired, at the same time gesturing at the chairs of a small side table located at the right of the main door. The two took their seats.
“I have to admit I was surprised. Unique in a lot of ways. And I mean that in a good way. Paved streets and no garbage or sewage stinking up everything. The people look healthy and comfortably dressed in general. Trade seems to be booming and the guards don’t look like thugs.”
“The work of the gods. Somebody finally realized that the benefits of a basic public health system do wonders in increasing the number of worshipers. Though I would like to think that the limitations imposed by territory on pantheon power also contributed. I mean, if those whose belief sustains the being are within a specified territory, wouldn’t it be better to try to make sure they don�
�t die out of plague or sickness? But I do have a suspicion that a past visitor contributed the practical aspects of it. The correlation between public hygiene and public health is a modern notion. Before modern history, the focus was on remedial rather than preventive measures.”
The Accidental Archmage: Book One - Ragnarok Rising (MOBI EDITION) Page 10