Freak me again. Is she flirting with me? A Nordic spirit, now a Greek goddess? Wait, I don’t remember any Greek goddess named Alea! Did I just got served? What is it with women of this world not giving their real names? It’s like Earth! Urrggghhh!
Upset, Tyler turned and went his way. After a while, he remembered he also gave a false name. That brought a smile to his face. She got served first!
He continued his trek. His direction always to the north. When he got tired, he rested and ate. His waterskin he refilled in the small brooks and streams he came across. At night, he stayed up in a tree for safety. He could now see plenty of small game along the trail he blazed yet he noticed no large animals crossed his path. It was odd but he was thankful.
But he kept his guard up. Even with the triangular barrier around him, being alone was not a condition to put a watchful mind at ease. At the same time, he tried to check if Alea or pretty boy was following him. He found no such sign.
Finally, he arrived at the end of the foothills. The rolling plains of the Telemark lay before him. To the right of the plains, he could see Telemark Lake. To his left would be the way to the town of Thornby. If he followed the curve of the lake, he will be able to get to Scarburg.
The rocky terrain going down the hill slowed his progress which was already at a snail’s pace due to the need to check for danger. But this side of the Fossegrim area appeared to lack jotnar and dokkalfr presence. When Tyler thought about it, except for the encounter with the Greek entities, his trek had been uneventful.
As he reached the bottom of the hill, he paused and took cover behind some trees. The way seemed clear. In front of him, the thinning grass was up to waist level in places. Trees dotted the countryside though no roads or settlements could be yet be seen. But he still didn’t feel safe. Crouching, he made his way to the next clump of trees.
“So, what’s a little mouse doing in this land? Crouching and hiding at that!” A loud bellow followed the statement.
Tyler froze. His head turned to the direction of the voice.
Under a tree sat the familiar figure of an old man with an eye-patch. He could have sworn nobody was there a moment ago. He made sure of that as he knew he going to pass the tree.
“Come here, Tyler. Take a seat. Enjoy the breeze. The peace and quiet.” Tyler somehow hear the emphasis on the last phrase.
Tyler walked to the old man.
“Hello, my lord. Fancy meeting you here.” Tyler joked, taking his seat beside the powerful being.
“Heh. Could have been earlier but those nosy Greeks were all over the place. I don’t mind them checking around and I can’t say I blame them. Though I think Athena took a shine on you.”
“THAT WAS ATHENA? SHE SAID HER NAME WAS ALEA!”
“That’s gods for you, my boy. Names as many as you can think of. Alea is one of her names. I believe she had a temple called Athena Alea. So be careful next time about names of gods and goddesses, you never know what they will use from their bag of names. But I think she’s right about that boy. Prideful, arrogant, and a short fuse. Not too bright either. Those are the people who create a lot of headaches. Watch your back. If it comes to another match, I suggest you teach him a lesson he will never forget. Bullies understand only one language.”
“You suggesting I beat him to an inch of his existence?”
“More like half an inch. But I didn’t say that.”
Conflicting feelings churned within Tyler. Here’s Odin, the all-powerful head of Nordic pantheon, acting chummy with him. On top of that, telling him not to tolerate bullying even by divine entities. He can relate with the second but the first? The god must want something from him.
“So, to what do I owe this honor, my lord?”
“Straight to the point, Tyler. I like that. No wasted time and no misunderstanding. I have a request.”
“Why do I feel it’s not going to be an easy request?”
“Just hear me out. I can’t force you anyway. You’re not one of mine.”
“I owe you that at least, my lord.”
“Call me Gangari. One of my names during my wandering years. You know what it means? Wanderer, of course!” Odin laughed again.
“I am in a dilemma, Tyler. Ymir has immeasurably increased his forces. Forged an alliance with the dokkalfr as well as with barbaric human tribes. Now I hear the magic of the mages on his side are more powerful as ever. But until Ymir engages in battle himself, the gods may not directly intervene. But the pantheon’s strength had been greatly weakened. Nor can I commit the Valkyrie or the Einherjar. Their numbers have lessened and their presence may worsen the conflict from a mere attack to the beginnings of Ragnarok.”
“How can it be Ragnarok when Loki is not involved?”
“We don’t know if he is not involved. Though I know he is somewhere visiting again. Sutr appears to be not involved too. Nor has Fimbulwinter come. But Ragnarok is a process leading to the end. The coming battle may be a test of our resolve and failure may lead to Ragnarok itself. I cannot ignore the risk. My nature has always been to delay the onset of Ragnarok. I know Loki has said Ragnarok is not coming but who knows what lies behind that cunning mind, mad as it appears to be? No, the risk of failure in the coming battle is too great.”
“What do you expect me to do? I am not even a mage.”
“Oh, I know what you are and what you are becoming, Tyler. But as long as your purpose includes delaying of the coming of Ragnarok, you will always find an ally in me. Ragnarok here in Skaney is the beginning of an avalanche. Every pantheon has a similar apocalyptic legend. What do you think will the effect be on the enemies of other pantheons if Ragnarok does succeed? Stop Ragnarok from happening and your burden becomes lighter.”
“With the basic spells I have?” answered the incredulous Tyler.
“You can do it. I know. You would be surprised at what you are capable of. All I need from you now is you agree to stop the assault on Scarburg. You stop them there, that gives me time to move pieces against Ymir and his plans.”
Tyler thought about it. A tall and almost impossible order. But Ragnarok and the subsequent apocalyptic events affecting other pantheons will endanger his fiat to maintain Adar. But what choice does he have? He agreed to bear the burden. And bear it he had to.
“Alright. I will try to do what I can do.”
“Excellent! I have something to help you in this quest. One, a magical gift. The power to wield lightning.”
He touched Tyler's forehead. And as with his experience with Eira, the knowledge flooded his awareness and he knew he could cast lightning spells. But Odin’s gift had a different feel to it. Chaotic, barely under control. Primal.
“My second gift rests upon the fact that your quest will not end in Skaney. Don’t look too surprised. As I told you before, they don’t call me “the Wise” for nothing. But you can’t do it alone. Demigods won’t do as the Nordic pantheon will be identified with you. We don’t want a Divine War, do we? A trusty and experienced mortal or two can serve and help you in your quest. You know of Jorund, the huskarl sworn to me. I can make him transfer his allegiance to you, losing all connections to our pantheon. But you and your companions will be known as renegades outside Skaney. Exciting, is it not? I will also ask him to look for another trustworthy fellow under the same terms. But this arrangement will only be known between us. And that forest guardian who looks as if she had her eyes set on you. Two women running after you! Oh, the privileges of youth!”
Odin laughed so hard that he fell to his side. Tyler hoped the old man didn’t see anything so hilarious in his tangled future. Though he was already concerned about the seeming interest of the Greek goddess.
“Now, to bring you to Scarburg faster,” Odin said, while still trying to keep his laughter in check.
“Wait, I do have a question about Athena or Alea or whatever her current name is now.”
“Ask away.” Odin’s mirth was still showing.
“Why is it that her statues back on Eart
h show her to have a bit more… weight? I mean that not in bad way,” Tyler sputtered. “But there’s a big difference between her appearance and the depictions I have seen! She looks more… athletic in person.”
The old man again bowled over in laughter.
“Oh, Tyler. You never fail to amuse me,” he said after getting back his breath. “Never ask her that question. Or any goddess. Or woman for that matter. I’ve seen the statues. They’re a bit… voluptuous. But beauty is a matter of taste for the age. Those depictions were made during a time when the standard of beauty was more on the plus side of the female form. But remember, gods and goddess can change their appearances. It’s just that they have preferred forms. Just like humans with their favorite clothes or weapons. Now, are you ready to go?”
“Yes, I think?”
“Face me and place your hands on my shoulder. Close your eyes. We will appear in a grove near Scarburg. You can walk to the gate from there. This move will spend a lot of energy but the ring will show you to be one of my mages when you reach the town. Nobody will be the wiser. Get it? Wiser?"
Tyler's blank face discouraged Odin.
"I make a pun and nobody gets it. What is this world coming to?"
Odin then turned serious.
"But be careful. Removal of the ring will reveal it as a disguise and even my unknowing children will not be pleased about it. Some deities will take it personally and try to take your head. Come on, close your eyes.”
WHAT?
With a resigned sigh, Tyler closed his eyes. He could feel a surge of energy and felt a strong wind pass through them.
“We’re here.”
Tyler opened his eyes. They were indeed in a grove.
“Scarburg is that way.”
“Wait, I have a question. This has actually been bothering me. Why would we be considered renegades?”
“Well, you will be wearing a ring which shows you to be mine but your men’s loyalties will be for you only. Making you a sort of a mortal god? If there is such a thing. It won’t be discovered unless they start checking your men. If it is only you, then the disguise will show you, as I said, as one of my mages. If the ring is removed, then a lot of deities may get mad at your presumption of godhood. Or at the disguise. You know the kind. But you can handle them,” said Odin with a wink.
Odin disappeared. Leaving behind a stunned Tyler.
Freak me thrice. I really got served again. By Odin! That half-blind conniving, devious, scheming old man! I hope he doesn’t discover Viagra!
Fuming, he grasped his short staff, checked his sack of provisions and waterskin, and walked in the direction the old man indicated. After a while, he had left the cover of the trees and he could see the fortress-town in the distance. He was about three to four miles away. A road traversed the plains ahead and led to the town. It was full of wagons and people, all leaving Scarburg. On the opposite side of the road, he could see groups of armed men walking towards the town. Reinforcements, no doubt.
Bracing himself, he walked towards the town, taking care to avoid the road. He didn’t need the small talk, rumors, and aura of fear which will be his lot if he joined the evacuees. Even if he was going in the opposite direction.
Walking on rough ground, even if relatively flat, was hard work. Some people on the road did notice him and called out to him, but he ignored them. Nearing the town itself, he hoped Jorund and Habrok would still be there. Then he heard somebody calling out his name.
“My lord Havard! My lord Havard! Over here! Over here! HERE!”
He looked for the source of the loud voice. Finally, he saw Habrok. The man was jumping up and down. Like an armored monkey.
With a sigh, Tyler waved his hand and walked towards the man. He prayed that he wouldn’t jinx them again. Habrok was also walking towards him at a fast clip.
“Well met, my lord. We thought you were dead,” said Habrok, a wide grin on his face.
“Likewise, Habrok. Glad to see you’re alive. You all made it?”
“Yes, my lord. Thanks to the All-Father! It was harrowing. Hundreds of jotnar and...”
Tyler held up his hand, palm out, cutting the conversation. As he feared, Habrok was in a skaldic mode again.
“Let’s talk about it later. Let’s go find Jorund.”
As they walked past the town gates, Tyler could see the line of people leaving the town. It looked unending. It reminded him of the scenes on CNN showing conflict zones. The terrified faces of the women and children, babies crying, the resigned expressions of the men, the overloaded wagons loaded with hastily gathered possessions, dogs running around, and the grim faces of the guards and warriors who will be left behind. Around them lay the detritus of panicked and hurried evacuation. Some things never change, sadly thought Tyler.
“Where are they going?” he asked Habrok.
“Thornby. The town of Half is too dangerous and already evacuated. A few men remain there to man the town. Thornby is nearer and has not experienced any attacks. But if Scarburg falls, Thornby is no safe haven.”
“War it is then?”
“Maybe. So far no direct attacks on Scarburg though scouts report jotnar and dokkalfr in great numbers beyond the Gap. But Scarburg is not ready for war. Too few warriors. A handful of mages. Fixed defenses are inadequate. Reinforcements from Ahrensburg have yet to arrive and there’s no hope of help from the eastern towns or even Maljen.”
“That’s depressing news, Habrok.”
“Of course, my lord. But what can we do? That’s the truth and lying about it won’t change things.”
“And we’re going to be in the middle of it,” groaned Tyler. “Where’s Jorund?”
“He’s in the Drunken Boar Inn. We have been waiting for you. It appears he had a dream a few nights ago that you were on your way here. So, we took shifts waiting for you at the gate. I thought he was starting to be looney but it appears he was right.”
“That old man! He’s several steps ahead of me. Again!” thought Tyler. It's impossible to match wits with somebody who had millennia of experience in this kind of game. Yet he was still relieved that the old man didn’t know everything. As long as he keeps his focus on his goal, he trusted that everything else is a sideshow.
As they walked towards the inn, Tyler noticed the streets to be mostly empty. Except for a few warriors and inhabitants going about their business. The hustle and bustle of a thriving town were gone, replaced by an atmosphere of fear and waiting. When they neared the inn, he spied Jorund on its steps, sharpening his axe.
Jorund stood up when noticed them approaching and waited for them to come nearer.
“Heill og saell, my lord,” greeted the man, using a traditional Norse salutation.
“To you also, Jorund. Good to see you all in one piece.”
Jorund gestured for them to enter the inn. The inside was empty. When Jorund informed the innkeeper that they would need another room, the fat man looked as glad as he could be in a town where almost everybody was evacuating. The three choose a corner table with Jorund again sitting with his back to the wall. His battleaxe he kept at his side.
“My lord, I thought you were good as dead when the drake carried you away,” said Jorund.
“Somebody looked out for me,” answered Tyler.
“I apologize, my lord. I didn’t mean to pry. I do know you are more than what you appear. Habrok also knows. We’ve seen what happened to the jotnar encampment. And we made it to Scarburg alive even though I believed we were all going to die.”
The Accidental Archmage: Book One - Ragnarok Rising (MOBI EDITION) Page 24