“He’s going back!”
Göll stayed well behind, with Tove leading Erik but not leaving him behind. He would have to send her up first.
“Go, Tove! Get upstairs. I’ll wait under the window.”
She did not hesitate through the door of the inn and Erik stopped under the window. It was still open and Ljunge appeared a few seconds later. He looked over his shoulder, a triumphant smile on his face. It wasn’t until he’d leapt that he looked down, seeing Erik there. A panic ran over Ljunge’s face as he tried to change the direction of his descent, but it only resulted in an awkward landing on the stone street. He rolled his ankle, but still tried to come up and stand on it. The leg gave and Ljunge tumbled to the ground. He rolled over to face Erik, no pain showing on his face.
“I have another proposition.”
“No! And how are you fine?”
Ljunge looked down at his body. “After having died, you mean? I haven’t an idea, but listen—”
Tove came back down in a rush, stopping when she saw him on the ground. Ljunge looked at her, a smile creeping onto his face. Tove covered herself up with crossed arms and moved to Erik’s side.
The man shook off the distraction. “My proposition—”
“It doesn’t hurt when you come back? How about your leg now?”
Ljunge shook his head. “Neither.”
“Then why do you care if Modgudr skins you?”
“I don’t like the way she does it.”
Erik sighed. “Alright, what’s your proposition?”
“Take me with you. Göll, the tall one. Well, I like both of your women, but I’ve remembered her especially. She’s a valkyrie, is she not? They are beautiful…” He trailed off, eyes turning to Göll. “That would make you einherjar. Women love you, clearly… I would join to your cause and share in that in exchange for my willing return to Modgudr.”
Erik rubbed his temples, not sure exactly what was happening. “You… want to join me… so you can get laid?”
“Laid?” Ljunge furrowed his brow. “Does that mean sex?”
“Yes.”
He smiled. “Then, yes. Precisely. Sex and money. Both.”
Erik crouched in front of Ljunge, studying his empty expression. “How many times have you died?”
“In Helheim? Hundreds, at least.” He laughed. “Oh! But I should say, I’m terrible with a sword. Or dagger. Or with fighting.”
Erik’s face found his palm. “And why would that convince me to take you anywhere?”
“Ah! See, you’ve missed the crucial part. I can fail as many times as I need to.”
As stupid as Ljunge’s grin might have been, the point was a good one. “Alright, fair enough.”
“Fantastic! I’ve wanted to see Helborgen for ages.” Ljunge rolled over, starting to drag himself up on his good leg.
“Helborgen?”
“Hel’s city. I hear it’s better even than Gjallarbrú, with wonders no one could dream of. Are you not going there?”
Erik looked at Göll and she nodded. “Seems we are.”
“I’d thought so. Valhalla is there, after all.” He began walking forward, dragging the leg with the ruined ankle. “But it’ll be Helborgen for me. The women there…” Ljunge gave a low whistle. “The food as well, I’ve heard. Incomparable, they say.”
He carried on about food and women until they came to the courtyard where the custodian came and received them. There was a scar on the man’s face that Erik hadn’t noticed before. It was small, just below his chin. Erik was sure it hadn’t been there before.
“Modgudr awaits you in her hall. She will see the criminal Ljunge for herself.”
Göll put a hand on Tove’s shoulder as they started away, keeping her back. Realizing they were not following, Erik turned to see what the problem was.
“We will train,” Göll said plainly.
“Alright. I’ll come back when I’m done.”
Göll took Tove to the center of the yard, the guards turning to watch as curiosity got the better of them.
Inside Erik and Ljunge were led to Modgudr’s hall and presented to the giantess. She stood casually on a raised platform at the far end of the hall.
“Ljunge, I’m disappointed. You were caught so quickly this time.”
Ljunge smiled. “He’s not so stupid as the ones you normally send, it pains me to say. Ah!” He held a finger up. “But I’ve made a deal. I’ll go with him to Helborgen.”
Modgudr laughed. “And steal from Hel? You have a taste for pain, Ljunge. The berserker has agreed to this?”
“Berserker?” Ljunge gave Erik a look. “He is?”
Modgudr nodded.
“He has agreed, yes…” Ljunge’s eyes went back to Erik.
“I agreed.”
Modgudr seemed satisfied with that. “Then I shall return him to his bed by the morning that you may cross my bridge. Our deal is done.”
Guards came in to take Ljunge who was still looking at Erik. When their hands clasped around his arms, the man seemed to remember he was being taken away.
“In the morning, einherjar! I will meet you in the square with my things!” He was laughing, suddenly stopping and wrenching away from the guards to turn back to Erik. “Oh! And I have not asked your name!”
“Erik.”
“Then, Erik, I look forward to traveling together!”
chapter|30
A crowd had gathered to watch Göll and Tove training in the yard. There were cheers every time Tove managed to parry a blow. It seemed to make her all the more capable, which spurred Göll on. The display was impressive from both of them, though Erik could see that Göll was holding back. Strikes that would have landed fully were glancing blows, leaving nicks and cuts in Tove’s arms. Tove seemed as aware of it as Erik, pushing herself to make full contact with Göll’s spear.
The training ended abruptly when Tove shouted in frustration. Her concentration must have hit its limits and Göll planted a fist squarely in Tove’s chest, sending her tumbling backwards. The crowd sent up a disappointed moan and dispersed when Göll dissipated her weapon.
Erik met them as they walked back toward the keep. Tove looked at him, screwing up her face. She punched him in the arm.
“Why would you agree to bring that man along? He’s clearly a letch.”
“A letch? Like lecherous?”
“Exactly that.”
“Maybe I’m a letch.”
She punched him again. “Well then you’re terrible at it. And what if he means to do us harm? What if he attacks me?”
“I mean, you can fight Göll pretty okay, so you’ll probably be fine. Why, do you want me to protect you?”
She scoffed. “Shouldn’t you? You’re a man, aren’t you?”
“So you want me to then?”
She scoffed again and walked off. Erik followed her at a distance with Göll beside him.
“She’s getting better, right? I saw you putting some effort in out there.”
Göll looked at him. “At least you can see that much.”
“Hey! What is this? I had to catch that guy.”
“He caught himself as much as you did anything.”
Erik tossed his head back and forth. “Yeah, okay. But I… you know… I showed up.” He kicked at the ground absently. “That’s something.”
The doors opened and they entered, Tove happy to keep pace in front of him, still upset.
“What do you think about the guy?” Erik glanced over at Göll. “Ljunge.”
“He is pathetic.” Göll kept her eyes forward, a small crook at the side of her mouth was the only change in her expression as she cast the insult out. “But he is no more a threat than any of the guards. He is likely better with those daggers than he admits.” She paused. “Would you not protect Tove?”
&nb
sp; He huffed a laugh, surprised at the question. “Of course I would. I’d protect you too, if I could.”
Göll stopped, staring at him. Ahead the custodian showed Tove back into the room.
“You would protect me? Why?”
Erik’s brow furrowed. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Why?” She repeated the question, her eyes shifting across the features of his face.
Erik suddenly felt awkward. It was not as serious a statement as she seemed to be making it. “You’re… I don’t know… I like you. There’s things I want to know about you that I guess maybe I never will.” He chuckled. “Maybe I like underdogs or something.”
“Erik the Chosen, if you would see yourself to your room we will send attendants to see to your clothes.”
Erik turned his attention to the custodian. “Yeah, sure.” He looked back to Göll who still seemed confused that he didn’t hate her. “You coming?”
He walked off to the room, Göll lagging behind him. They were closed back in the room and food was brought. A servant took Tove’s shirt, replacing it with another. Later, sleep clothes were brought and another set for the morning. Their packs were taken away with promises that they would be filled when they woke. Erik was hesitant, but come the morning, the packs were waiting with the custodian to see them off. There were changes of clothes inside each of the packs, but no food. An oversight Erik was intending to ask about until the custodian explained.
“It is a half-day’s walk to Helborgen. Snacks have been prepared and since you took breakfast in your room, I expect that you should have no trouble making your way to a suitable establishment in time.” He stopped in front of the doors to the square. “I should say that it is rare to see Modgudr in such good spirits that she rewards someone so handsomely. I thought it prudent that you be made aware of her kindness and her greatness.”
“Yeah, thanks.” The custodian opened the door, ignoring Erik’s comments. “Listen, I have a question,” he said, walking through the open doors. “Do you have like a twin or something?”
“I have many.” The custodian closed the door.
Erik spun, pointing at Tove. “I fucking knew it! There’s a bunch of ‘em!”
Tove shook her head. “What? Why does it matter?”
“It doesn’t! But I fucking knew it!”
Tove turned, walking toward the gates at the center of the far end of the square. Erik followed, excited that he’d been right about the scar. Ljunge was waiting by the attendant guards. He ended a conversation when he noticed Erik coming and turned, waving excitedly.
“Good morning!” Unable to contain himself he came running toward them. “Good morning, new friends!”
He stopped in front of them and Tove walked past. Göll stopped with Erik to talk to Ljunge.
“Listen, Tove thinks you’re a creepy pervert and she wants you to die.”
Ljunge frowned. “How horrible, to want me to die. Flat-chested little demon girl.” Erik stifled a laugh. “But it’s no concern! I will remove myself from your list of worries when we arrive in Helborgen.”
“Whatever works.”
The guards were organizing around the gates as Erik came to join Tove at the center. Loud mechanical clanking inside the wall gave way to movement of the doors themselves. The guards took places in columns as a small crack opened in the door.
“Why are they doing that?”
Ljunge had a bored expression on. “There are those who try to return, not liking Helborgen for one reason or another.”
“Why would anyone want to leave?”
“I haven’t a clue.” Ljunge yawned. “All those in Helborgen are allowed in by Hel herself. I’ve never spoken to one who fled, but I’ve heard stories of the unwelcome passing through. I can’t say what happens to those who are caught, but Modgudr has lost her temper more than once after such an event. I saw her cast a guard into the north mountains after banishing him from the city.”
The columns parted when it was clear there was no one and a guard waved them through. Göll took the lead with Tove just behind her. Erik found himself curious at Ljunge’s cavalier attitude when he was clearly not among the invited. He had not joined Erik’s warband formally and any protection that might have offered Tove in no way extended to him.
“You’re not worried about being found out?”
Ljunge shrugged. “There’s no sense in carrying on about it if I do. At the very least, I’ll try to have a fine meal and bed a fine woman before I’m thrown out.”
They passed through onto the bridge. The structure was even larger than the gates that had seen them out to it. Tove slowed, coming to his side.
“The scale of things has changed.”
Erik had noticed it as well. There had been no doors so large as those in Gjallarbrú and no bridge the size of the one they crossed. As they came to the end of it, the land before them was perfectly flat, covered in green, lush grass. There was a different air about the world beyond the bridge.
“It definitely feels… yeah… not the same.”
It struck him after a few minutes of walking. This was a place no longer concerned with the appearances that humans found comfortable. Humans could surely use the bridge and walk the path, but they were sized for other things, grander things. There was a tingling in his stomach that had started when they’d passed through the doors and it had yet to settle.
It was two and a half hours of flat land before a wall appeared in the distance. It was massive and, even though he could see it, seemed to be as far away from them now as they had walked from the bridge. He was proven right by what was an uneventful walk. One he was happy of, even though the constant blue of the sky made him uncomfortable in ways he couldn’t express. Tove watched the skies as well, not having forgotten what open sky meant for them. Göll, curiously, did not. Noticing that she was unconcerned with the space above them made Erik feel somewhat silly for being so concerned himself. She’d said they wouldn’t attack but he couldn’t believe it. His body wouldn’t allow him to.
As they neared the walls around Helborgen, flowers appeared in the seemingly endless field to either side of the road. Butterflies flew and the smell of nectar hung in the air. It was strange, and even after so many hours the feeling in the pit of his stomach had not gone. He was nervous, though that was something he expected would have passed. He shook the concern away and looked ahead to a pair of doors. They were made of dark wood with the image of a dog on each, teeth bared and eyes watching the road.
Ljunge stepped ahead of them. “The doors are open.” He started toward them, stopping when no one followed him.
Erik watched Göll, who paid the gates little mind, looking to the west instead.
“Göll, I’m guessing those gates are no good?”
Göll shook her head. “It is one of Hel’s tricks. There is another way.”
“I’ll let you lead then.” Erik swung an arm to the west. “After you.”
They were off again, Tove beside Erik and Ljunge behind, still watching the doors he’d almost gone through.
“He is stupid, Erik. He will cause problems.”
Ljunge was quick to run forward and defend himself. “I am only as stupid… as…” He stopped, eyes turned upward in deep thought. “I am not stupid. And neither a fool! And I’ll only be your problem a while longer at that!”
Tove sneered at him. “I’ll believe that when you’re gone. You’re the sort to follow anyone who’ll stand you.”
“A rat recognizing a rat, aren’t you?” Ljunge scoffed. “You don’t talk as he does. Come, where’d you meet? When did he ask you to come along on his journey?”
Tove crossed her arms and looked away, refusing to continue the conversation. Erik couldn’t help but laugh.
“You two are going to be in love before long, aren’t you?”
Tove looked back. “A vile m
an like him? I’d sooner choke!”
“She’s fine to call me vile. I’ll take no insult from a girl with the chest of a boy.”
She turned bright red and rushed at Ljunge, swinging at him. The man ducked the punch deftly, something that drew Erik’s attention. He had ducked a second attempt when Erik spoke.
“Hey! Fight when we’re somewhere I won’t have to drag either of your unconscious bodies away from.”
A final sneer from each of them was the end of their conversation and the walk became a quiet one. It was a short walk to a portion of wall that had collapsed awkwardly, forming a sort of arch with a path through it. It was meant to look disused, but the path through was too clear for him to believe that it was accidental. They stood at it, considering the entrance.
“I should probably go last. You know, chosen one or whatever. Less likely a magic barrier or something will lock you two out.”
Ljunge was quick to move to the entrance. “I’ll not argue with good logic. Through I go.”
He went through with no problem, Tove followed and then Erik did the same, Göll motioning for him to go ahead of her.
There was immediate noise around them as they came into a lush park. It was a city, properly a city, bustling with life. There were trees in the parks and people walking them, unconcerned with the appearance of four people through the hole in the wall. They moved across the park, Tove and Ljunge marveling as they approached the street.
“Those lamps! There are no flames! How…” Tove’s question trailed as a streetcar rolled silently by. “What was that? There were people in it! Where does it go?!”
From Death to Valhalla (The Last Einherjar Book 1) Page 26