Valkeryn 2: The Dark Lands

by Beck, Greig

  ‘Good – if they’re not in our way, they’re not our problem. We need to keep moving.’ Teacher pushed his gun up over his back. ‘Will you travel with us?’

  Sorenson tilted his head. ‘You will slow me down. But I fear without me, you will not survive in these Dark Lands.’

  Teacher snorted. ‘You sound like Balthazaar.’

  The Wolfen grabbed him, pulling him close, and causing Alison Sharp to raise her gun, pointing it at the Wolfen’s head.

  ‘The counselor lives… you have seen him?’

  Teacher held up a hand at Sharp. ‘Yes, he gave us a map, and also the talking stones. How do you think we can understand you?’

  The Wolfen let Teacher go and then clapped his hands together. ‘Yes, I will travel with you. And you will tell me all about the conversation you had with old Balt.’ He almost danced on the spot. ‘We Wolfen are not dead yet.’ He made a fist, and looked with disgust down at his dead foes. ‘And we grow stronger each day.’

  *

  Sorenson led the Delta team through the mad tangle of jungle, coming to the riverbank and immediately spotting the skirmish marks. He walked slowly along the bank, his eyes missing nothing, before he half turned.

  ‘Teacher, watch the water. Something big came out and attacked Grimson and the Arnoddr here.’

  ‘Doonie, Simms.’ Teacher pointed with two fingers from his eyes to the water. Both men shouldered their rifles and scanned along the water surface.

  Sorenson continued his search, and then stopped and looked up. ‘They went back in… this way.’ He vanished into the forest, Teacher and the other Deltas having to race to keep up.

  After another half hour of ploughing through the vines and fronds, Sorenson stopped, his ears moving like twin radar dishes over the thick dark jungle. Teacher eased up beside him.

  ‘What do you hear?’

  ‘A fight – to the death. Big adversaries.’ He pointed with his nose. ‘Not far… that way.’

  ‘We should go around.’

  Sorenson stood and stared at the jungle, his gaze unblinking. After another moment, he slowly turned. ‘No. I must find it – there is something there I must see.’

  He started to push away again, gathering speed as he went.

  ‘Ah, crap…’ Teacher shook his head, and then circled his hand in the air. He and his team followed.

  After another few minutes of following Sorenson’s trail, the evidence of the battle became clear even to the Delta’s senses. Thumps, roars and hissing like a monstrous steam valve had broken loose came from just through a stand of bamboo like plants hanging with red bulb like fruits.

  They found Sorenson standing just behind a tree palm. He had dropped his pack, but pulled his sword free. Animals and birds screamed overhead, outraged by the vicious noises of the fight beneath them, and Teacher motioned to his team to spread out ten feet to either side of him. They lifted their guns, waiting on their squad leader’s word.

  The fight was rising in intensity and Teacher eased forward to become level with Sorenson’s shoulder. He could tell that whatever was doing battle was huge, like two bull elephants, but probably with a truck load more teeth. Sorenson’s gaze was unwavering as he pushed through the green curtain. Teacher followed.

  A roughly fifty-foot circle of smashed and trampled vegetation had been pummeled flat. It took Teacher a second or two to work out what he was seeing, so entangled was the mountain of flesh, fur and scales at its centre.

  There was a beast that looked a little like a Wolfen, but was at least twelve feet in height and probably weighing several tons. It was lying on the ground half bound in the coils of some sort of cross between a snake and lizard. A dozen scaled legs, or maybe hands, given the dexterity of their grip, braced themselves on the ground, while many more dug sharp talons into the fur and flesh of the huge creature’s muscles.

  The lizard creature had bound the furred beast’s body by wrapping it in coils many feet thick, and now only one arm and its head was free. Though the furred beast’s claws were as along as Teacher’s forearm, the head of the reptile stayed out of their range. It obviously knew time was on its side, and with each passing moment, it squeezed a little tighter, making breathing for the great beast more difficult. Teacher knew it would tire soon, and then the reptile’s head with its rows of curved teeth would strike.

  ‘What the hell is that thing?’ Teacher whispered, not knowing why he was, given the noises of the fight before them.

  Sorenson shook his head. ‘I know not… but I sense a… kinship.’ He lifted his sword. ‘And so…’

  ‘Don’t even think about it.’ Teacher reached across to try and grab hold of the large Wolfen’s shoulder, but he had already leapt, roaring as he flew through the air, and landing to slash at the scaled hide.

  Sorenson’s razor-edged blade managed to open a huge cut on one of the coils, but if he thought it would force the massive reptile to release its grip, he was wrong. From out of the jungle a barbed tail whipped around to knock him off his feet. More legs marched the spiked end towards him, rising up to impale the Wolfen’s prone body.

  Teacher shouldered his gun, but immediately Sorenson held up his hand while keeping his focus on the creature.

  ‘Do not, Teacher. You may harm the other.’

  Teacher turned to Simms, his sharp shooter. ‘Forget that; if you get a clear headshot, you take it.’

  ‘Got it, boss.’ The soldier lifted his rifle and aimed.

  The creature’s tail continued to rise, and then pull back. Teacher could see clearly what it would seek to do – it would soon dart forward and impale Sorenson with the barbed tip, and then lift him towards the head and waiting mouth – a morsel of Wolfen food while it crushed the larger prey in its muscular coils.

  The Wolfen managed to lift himself up on one elbow, and roared defiantly causing the reptile’s slitted eyes to slide across to him. The beast within the coils also turned its head, and for a second it met theWolfen’s eyes– an unspoken communication passed between them – and the bound beast immediately redoubled its efforts, thrashing against the embracing coils. It strained forward and a huge arm swung out to rake enormous claws along the coils binding it. Swathes of scales were ripped free.

  The reptile was forced to give its attention back to the larger threat. Sorenson rolled to his feet and flew forward with his sword raised, bringing it down with all his strength. Six feet of scaled flesh flew from the snake’s tail. Deep crimson blood spurted and the severed tail bounced and wriggled on the ground with a mindless life of its own.

  With the reptile’s secondary line of defense breached, it looked confused – it couldn’t dare unwind from its large prey, or ignore the Wolfen that circled it, blood dripping from a sword held ready. But Sorenson couldn’t hope to counter the massive head that carried enough heavily armored scales to repel his blade.

  There seemed a stalemate, and once again the huge furred beast looked to Sorenson, and Teacher thought he saw it nod almost imperceptibly. It quietened and lay still. The reptile tightened its grip, perhaps sensing success in its crushing embrace.

  As Sorenson advanced, the reptile’s tongue flicked out, touching at the beasts fur, and sensing no movement, it turned to face the Wolfen. Sorenson came in another few feet, his sword in a two handed grip. The upper coils loosened so the reptile could call upon extra striking distance.

  Sorenson roared, thrashing the air, and the huge reptile began to rear up for the strike. More coils loosened, and then Sorenson darted in.

  Teacher turned to Simms, but the marksman shook his head. It wasn’t needed – in a planned move, the massive furred beast, almost totally forgotten by the reptile, lunged forward, jaws opening as wide as a manhole cover, and grabbing the scaled creature at the throat, biting, ripping, spitting out huge chunks of flesh, and then returning to
tear at it again and again until the head fell free.

  Sorenson leapt down and rolled away. The massive reptile bounced around like it had been given a thousand volts. Even the severed head sill snapped at movement, though the eyes had already become milky.

  The furred beast pushed the coils away easily and got to its feet. Sorenson stood at ease, his hands on resting the hilt of the sword before him.

  ‘Oh my god,’ Weng whispered from beside Teacher. It towered over Sorenson, taller than even the biggest Lygon, and easily twelve feet in height.

  Brown scoffed. ‘It’s a bear… a goddamn giant freaking bear.’

  ‘Not just a bear.’ Alison Sharp nudged him and nodded towards the thing. Brown was right; the beast looked like a bear, but it had a leather harness strapped across its chest, and a gladiator style strap skirt around its waist. It sucked in and blew out air as it took grateful breaths. After a moment it thumped towards Sorenson and leaned down to look into his face.

  ‘I could have killed it by myself. I did not need your help, little warrior.’

  Sorenson bent forward in a small bow. ‘But you did kill it by yourself. All I did was annoy it.’

  There was silence for a moment, and then a rumbling deep in the beast’s chest. It bowed in return, and tilted its head, one eyebrow raised and a slight smile on the huge lips.

  ‘Only a Valkeryn Wolfen would risk his life with honor and then be so humble.’ It rose to its full height and thumped its chest. ‘I am Kodian of the Ursa, and I know I owe you my life.’ He turned to the jungle, lifting his head to sniff. ‘Tell your friends to come forward as I will do them no harm.’ His eyes ran across Teacher and his Deltas hiding in the foliage. ‘I wish to see them, as I don’t recognize the scent.’

  Teacher took a breath, and looked to his fellow soldiers. ‘Any friend of Sorenson, and all that.’

  Brown leaned towards Alison Sharp. ‘Just don’t steal his porridge okay, Goldiehorn?’

  She snorted. ‘It’s Goldilocks, you asshole.’

  Teacher stepped out first and walked towards the centre of the bloody clearing, but stopped a dozen feet back from the giant creature. His team fanned out left and right of him. All the Deltas had the guns hanging loose, but fingers resting on the trigger guards.

  A rumbling sounded deep in the creature’s chest once again. It placed massive fists on its hips and leaned forward to look each of them up and down. ‘So, the stories are true. There are Man-Kind walking the land again.’ he pulled back shaking his head. ‘No good can come of this.’

  Sorenson held out an arm towards them. ‘They are my friends. We seek another of their kind, and also a young Wolfen who travels with him.’

  The rumbling again. ‘One of the lost heirs of Valkeryn, perhaps?’

  Sorenson stepped closer. ‘Yes, you have news of him… seen him?’

  Kodian shook his head. ‘I have not seen him, but know of him. He turned and pointed off into the jungle. ‘I have heard he went to where the water falls from the cliffs. He seeks the lost Wolfen.’ He shook his head. ‘But he will not find them there.’

  Teacher walked up to stand beside Sorenson. ‘The Man-Kind with him; Arnold Singer. Do you know if he is alive?’

  Behind him Brown shook his head. ‘Jesus, we’re talking to a bear. This is freaky.’

  Sharp shrugged. ‘I’ll talk to anyone who’s gonna help.’

  Brown snorted. ‘My pappy used to shoot bears. He’s still got a mangy old head on his wall.’

  Kodian’s ears twitched, and his gaze came around. ‘Bears – we went by that name in the olden times.’ He took several thundering steps towards Brown. ‘Shoot bears, and then hang their heads.’ He roared so loud, that the Deltas stepped back, and in a movement so fast that belied his enormous size, he lunged at Brown, snatching the metal gun from his hands. The disarmed Delta fell back onto his ass, and Alison Sharp came and stood over him, her gun up.

  Teacher held up a hand. ‘Hold your fire.’ He turned to Kodian. ‘We are from a different time. But know this; none of us have ever, or will ever, harm you or your kind.’

  Sorenson came and stood beside Teacher. ‘It is true, they have good sáál.’

  Kodian looked down at them, his eyes still containing anger. After a moment his cheeks puffed out as though he was blowing away the ill feeling.

  ‘In the legends, it is said that in the time of fire, Fenrir released us from our prisons. We Ursa and Wolfen are kin. You helped because it is in your blood to help us, as it is in ours to help you. I owe you a debt Wolfen of Valkeryn.’ His eyes slid to Brown. ‘I owe the Man-Kind nothing.’

  He took the metal gun in both his hands and crumpled it like it was nothing but paper and wire. He tossed the ball of steel back at Brown’s feet. He then lumbered back to the dead reptile and drew a long flat blade from his belt. He set to cutting away some loose flesh from the severed head, and lifted it to stare into the milky eyes for a moment.

  ‘This spike-tail had been stalking our tribe, taking our young. I vowed to remove its curse, or never return.’ He bared his teeth at the head. ‘Its curse is removed and now I can go back to my people. I will repay my debt to you Soren-son.’ He pointed to the jungle. ‘If the young Wolfen still lives, then by now, he will be in the land of the Not–people. If there is a Man-Kind with him, he will also be there.’

  He dropped his hand holding the head, blood and gore dripping to the jungle floor. ‘Odin’s luck be with you, little brother.’

  In another moment he was gone.

  Sorenson quickly took to slicing meat from the reptile’s body, and wrapped it in leaves. ‘Let’s be gone from here. The blood will attract more predators.’

  Chapter 31

  Wyrmragon; the One True God

  Eilif was screaming. She strained and bared her teeth, but couldn’t break free.

  Arn held out his hand but couldn’t quite reach her. He seemed stuck, his legs refusing to obey the simple command to move him forward, even just a few inches.

  Eilif screamed to him again, her luminous ice-blue eyes implored him, cut through him with their hurt, confusion… and accusation.

  ‘Why?’ Her face was streaked with tears and sadness. And then, as if she finally understood what was happening, she slumped. Her head flew back and she let loose an unearthly howl that chilled his blood. The long torturous notes were like a blow to his gut, and they spoke of pain, betrayal, love found and just as quickly lost.

  Still he couldn’t move. ‘Leave her alone,’ was all the defense he could muster. He felt ashamed, as he was suddenly shouldered aside, a hand pushing him in the chest.

  ‘Get back; it’s dangerous.’ While he watched, a Taser dug into her stomach and was discharged. Eilif shuddered and danced, and then a bag was roughly pulled over her head. She didn’t make a sound as she was dragged down a corridor of concrete, steel, and fluorescent lighting.

  ‘I know her… I need her…’ It was soldiers holding her, human soldiers – she was in his time, his world – it didn’t make sense. He could still hear her in his head as she called his name over and over, each time she cried out it seemed farther away, weaker – his name echoed, echoed in his brain, and then was gone…

  ‘Eilif-fff!’

  Arn Singer sat bolt upright, perspiration running down his face. His heart hammered in his chest and he worked to calm his breathing. The dream again – just the damn dream again, he whispered as he gulped air. He groaned, crushing his eyes shut. ‘Oh God.’ He put his hands to his head, pressing his temples.

  Arn carefully allowed his eyes to open, and exhaled, suddenly realizing he had been holding his breath. Thankfully there was no harsh light, as he feared it would make his migraine a thousand times worse.

  ‘What?’ He spun left and right – Grimson was beside him, still snoring. ‘What happened?’ It was
growing dark outside. He tried to recall the last thing he remembered – it had been dawn when he had met the king. The feast. Simiana was there. He had drunk some sort of wine or nectar. Then everything just fell into darkness.

  He got unsteadily to his feet, and staggered to a small window – it was barred with wooden poles – he tested them – tougher than steel.

  ‘Am I in prison? Why?’

  A groan from behind him. ‘My head hurts.’ Grimson sat up, cradling his head.

  Arn came back to his side. ‘Mine too, little buddy, but it’s getting better now. I think we might have been drugged, and…’ he pointed to the window. ‘… taken prisoner.’

  ‘What did we do?’

  ‘Good question.’ Arn tested the door. It was made of the same strong wood. He gave up.

  Grimson got to his feet. ‘Can we break out?’

  Arn looked back to the wrist-thick bars over the window. ‘I don’t think so… maybe if the rising moon gives me more strength. But the bars and door feel like some sort of ironbark.’ Arn went back to the window, and placed one hand on a bar.

  ‘Psst.’

  He leapt back. ‘Jesus… there’s someone there.’

  ‘It’s me.’ A small brown hand gripped the bars and then waved. Arn went back to the window and turning sideways, looked down over the rim at the small woman.

  ‘Simiana, you scared me half to death. What’s happening? Why are we in here?’

  Simiana shook her head, looking down momentarily. ‘I am ashamed. Troglan distrusts you. He feels you will lead your giant people here, and they will overrun our tribe. I tried to speak on your behalf, but…’

  ‘What? I won’t do that. We’re just passing through. Look, let me talk to him.’