Valkeryn 2: The Dark Lands

by Beck, Greig

  Grimson turned, his eyes shining in the darkness. His mouth widened into a smile and he pointed at Arn’s face.

  ‘You become more like one of us every day, Brother Arn.’

  Arn felt his face. ‘Huh?’

  ‘Your eyes.’

  ‘What – what’s up with them?’ Arn blinked a few times. ‘They feel fine.’

  Teacher pulled back frowning. ‘They’re shining… like Grimson’s. Adapting to the dark. You really have been here too long.’

  Arn noticed his flashlight had been off for a while, and he could still see perfectly well in the gloom.

  ‘Hmm, maybe… maybe.’ He raced up the slick steps after Grimson.

  *

  Arn had to jog to keep pace with Grimson. They climbed stairs for an hour – stairs carved through tunnels and directly onto cliff walls, each set winding its way up through the rock and earth beneath the Valkeryn castle.

  At last they reached a wall of ancient stone, its green hue a testament to its great age.

  Grimson rested a hand on the rocks. With the other he held a finger up to his lips. Together they waited for Teacher to arrive, out of breath, despite being an elite soldier. He laughed, sucking in huge drafts of dank air.

  ‘I don’t know what you’re on, Singer, but it seems to suit you.’

  Arn shushed him, and then turned to Grimson. The young Wolfen pointed along a narrow corridor, and whispered his words.

  ‘These are the foundation stones of Valkeryn. It is said Fenrir and the original Guardians laid them down after the time of cleansing. Soon we will be travelling within the walls of Valkeryn itself. Remember, this is not our stronghold anymore. It belongs to Mogahrr and her vile creatures.’

  Grimson turned to point along the dark passageway, when he yelped from fright. Standing silently in the dark were two figures, nearly invisible under their cowls. A deep voice floated towards them.

  ‘The seed of Grimvaldr united again in Valkeryn. I knew Odin would make it so.’ First one, then the other pulled back their hoods.

  Teacher smiled. ‘Balthazaar.’

  ‘Balthazaar, Vidaar… you survived. But how?’ Arn rushed forward, embracing the old counselor.

  It was Vidarr who responded. ‘The secret-ways of the castle have been mine for many, many lifetimes. My only regret was I couldn’t save more of our people.’ His face dropped. ‘I was condemned to watch… even the fate of your mother and father.’

  Grimson lowered his head, and Balthazaar went to one knee before him.

  ‘Your return is the sign we have waited for. We are far from beaten yet young prince. Balthazaar looked to Teacher, rising to his feet.

  ‘Captain Jim Teacher, we meet again. I had thought you all dead or captured. The queen has made much sport with your taken warriors.’

  Balthazaar put his arm around Arn’s shoulder, looking into his face. ‘Our world and time seems to suit you, Arnoddr. You seem… different.’ He shrugged. ‘There are many things to discuss, but we have little time and more pressing urgencies. Princess Eilif is held captive by the Queen, along with some young Man-Kind.’

  ‘Eilif… alive?’ Arn grabbed Balthazaar by the shoulders.

  The old Wolfen nodded. ‘Alive, and safe… for now. She is being kept in the deep dungeons with the ones called Edward and Becky.’ Balthazaar reached out and gripped Teacher’s arm. ‘There is war afoot – a sizeable force of Panterran and Lygon has headed to the wastelands.’ His grip intensified. ‘To attack your world, Captain Teacher.’

  Teacher nodded. ‘We’ll be ready.’

  Balthazaar nodded. ‘Then that is something.’ He grew silent for a moment. ‘So here we are within the walls of Valkeryn surrounded by Mogahrr’s entire army. They will need to be cleaned out… all of them. We will need a strong plan.’

  Teacher nodded. ‘First we need…’

  ‘First we need to get Eilif out safely…’ Arn’s eyes blazed, and Grimson nodded in agreement. ‘… and also Becky and Edward; they are not strong, and must be petrified by now.’

  Vidarr rubbed his chin. ‘We believe we can rescue them. But then we will need to flee as the Lygon will tear the castle apart looking for us.’

  ‘We are not leaving without the diamond.’ Teacher’s voice left no doubt to his resolve.

  ‘The red stone?’ Balthazaar raised his eyebrows and continued. ‘It is hung from the queen’s neck.’ He shook his head sadly. She is in the heart of the castle and is never unattended. Even when she sleeps, her private guards do not.’ He lifted his eyes to Teacher’s ‘And what of the one called Briggs?’

  ‘Can she be saved?’ Teacher asked.

  ‘Saved? Perhaps. Restored to her old self? Not once a greyworm has been inserted. It burrows to the centre of the brain… where it nests, feeds and eventually lays eggs.’

  Teacher grimaced. ‘Then, she stays. But I need the diamond to close the doorway between our worlds. If not, ours will be torn apart – sorry, it’s not negotiable.’

  Arn sighed. ‘He’s right. It’s my fault it’s even here.’ He turned to Teacher. ‘We get our friends first, and then all make an assault on the diamond; okay?’

  Teacher nodded once, but his expression was unreadable. Arn went on.

  ‘Let’s hope your Deltas can make enough noise to draw a lot of attention away from us. Or we’ll end up attending the next Lygon feast – as the main course.’

  Teacher smiled. ‘Don’t worry; they know what to do.’

  Vidarr grabbed Grimson, and hugged the youth. ‘Good, and now, we must hurry. Mogahrr will be in the throne room, and should only have a skeleton force with her. If this is to happen, we must rescue Princess Eilif, and be safely hidden when the Lygon leave the castle to meet Captain Teacher’s forces.’

  ‘Forces?’ Arn turned to Teacher and grinned.

  ‘And then?’ The Delta captain asked.

  ‘And then we pray to Odin there is enough of a diversion to allow us to get beyond the walls of Valkeryn.’ Vidarr half bowed.

  In the silence that followed, no one asked what was supposed to happen after that.

  *

  Vidarr has instructed them to the utmost silence as the passages narrowed between a wall of solid rock and giant stones. They needed to creep, slowly, silently, Vidarr stopping every now and then to remove a plug of stone no bigger than his thumb. Immediately a shaft of light would beam through, and he would place his eye to the hole, nod, return the plug, and then continue leading them onwards.

  ‘To the lower levels.’ He whispered as they descended. By now they could make out the sounds of habitation beyond the walls – heavy bodies moving, or the clanking of steel. After another twenty minutes of easing down moss-covered steps and around broken boulders, Vidarr raised a hand.

  ‘The prison cells. The guards will be outside, and will stay outside unless they hear something.’ He scowled at Teacher for a second or two. ‘We must be quiet… and your kin must be quiet.’ Vidarr ran fingers along one section of the wall, pressing hidden studs, and then pushing. Stones moved on ancient hinges, but its protests were more a dull grinding than the squeal of rusted metal. He stepped through, waving them on.

  *

  The hallway was dark. Stone wall on one side, dotted with burning torches every dozen feet. On the other, lines of cells, empty. Vidarr put his finger to his lips and then pointed to the end cell. He then motioned to Teacher and the single entrance door at the end of the corridor – large, solid, and for now, closed.

  Grimson headed to the end of the corridor, Balthazaar hurrying to keep up. The young Wolfen stopped at the only locked cell, his face beamed and he opened his arms wide. ‘Sister.’

  Arn caught up and gripped the bars. Altogether they crowded around the barred door. Eilif was hugging Grimson through the bars, but when sh
e saw Arn she slowly rose to her feet, her eyes never leaving him.

  ‘I always knew you would come.’ She placed her hand over his, but then reached through the bars to grab his head and pull him forward. She kissed him hard.

  ‘Yech.’ Grimson grimaced and then looked at the lock. ‘Can we break it open?’

  Vidarr waved them away, producing a massive set of keys. ‘Mogahrr may control the castle, but I control the locks.’ The door opened easily.

  Inside Arn could make out the shape of Becky and Edward hugging each other and pressed against the damp wall. They only became less fearful when they recognized their friend.

  ‘Arn? Arn, is it you? I came looking for you, and this happened.’ Becky held out her arms, showing him the filth. She burst into tears.

  The door was pulled back, and Arn was first in – but it was Eilif in his arms. ‘I knew… I just knew you were alive.’

  Eilif pressed her forehead into his neck, hugging him tight.

  Becky stood trembling, her mouth hanging open. She looked down at herself, still only partially clothed in scraps of material she had managed to scavenge, and still Arn had barely noticed.

  Edward staggered towards them. ‘Way to go, Bro – gone totally native I see. Suits you!’

  Arn extracted himself from Eilif, and grabbed his friend. ‘Man, you stink.’

  Edward chuckled. ‘A gift from our captors. Note to self: don’t ask for anything when the Lygon are in charge.’

  Arn laughed and then went to hug Becky. She folded her arms, her lip jutting. He grabbed her anyway.

  ‘You’re so brave. Are you okay?’ He asked.

  ‘No. Just get me home.’ Her eyes narrowed and kept darting to Eilif.

  Once again, Vidarr hushed them, and beckoned them forward. Teacher closed the cell door, and was last back through secret doorway, closing it with only the slight grinding of sand. As they worked their way back up through the passageways, Grimson hung onto Eilif’s waist, and Arn could tell he was bursting to tell her of his adventures, forgetting that she had seen the monstrous battle at the fall of Valkeryn.

  Balthazaar put his hand on Teacher’s shoulder, pulling him close and whispering, ‘That was the easy part, Jim Teacher. We will help you, but we cannot risk the heirs of Valkeryn for you or your world. After all, perhaps the destruction of your world in your time was the genesis of ours – saving you might actually lead to our demise. An incredible risk, is it not?’

  ‘What will be, will be. Just show me to the throne room, and then you can run a mile.’

  Teacher lifted Balthazaar’s hand from his shoulder. Balthazaar bowed, and turned to follow Vidarr as he led them back up the winding alleyways behind the stone walls of the ancient castle.

  As they neared the royal rooms, they slowed. Many times Arn had to turn to quiet Becky and Edward who continued to bicker and complain, their voices rising ever higher. Eventually Balthazaar had stopped them, and threatened to bind their mouths if they put the group’s lives at risk again.

  Arn felt Eilif press up beside him, her eyes always on him, and many times she reached out in the dark to hold his hand. She leaned in close to him.

  ‘Whatever happens, know that I am now happy.’

  He smiled back at her and squeezed her hand.

  At last they reached a section of wall, with a step built up against it. Vidarr stepped up and removed a plug, peering through. He turned and waved Teacher forward.

  ‘Mogahrr is here… and so is your female warrior leader.’

  Teacher looked through the small hole. An enormous wooden throne dominated the room, and seated upon it the most disgusting looking creature he had ever seen. Beside the vile thing was her human pet, Colonel Briggs, sitting on a cushion, eyes vacant and a string of drool hanging from her open mouth.

  Teacher moved his head to a different angle trying to see more aspects of the room, until Vidarr grabbed his shoulder.

  ‘No, look to the mirrors at the far side of the room.’

  He did as the old Wolfen suggested. The mirrors hung on the walls showed him more of the large space. Lygon and Panterran milled about, and Mogahrr’s private guards attended to her. Overall, the numbers were still too formidable for him to take on by himself. He hoped his team’s assault would draw them away.

  Teacher stepped back down. He turned to Arn. ‘Soon.’ He pressed a stud on his suit’s collar, and it immediately telescoped up over his head, covering his face in the lattice mesh. Arn did the same.

  Edward grinned. ‘Very cool.’

  Grimson and Eilif’s eyes burned with hatred as they stood silently, staring at the wall of stones.

  *

  At the same moment, Alison Sharp pressed the same small stud on the neck of her CL suit, causing it to telescope up over her head and face. She moved her fingertip along a line of tiny lumps at one temple, selecting the first, then the second – immediately the landscape illuminated as the optics in the single wide lens over both her eyes changed from normal to night enhancement.

  ‘Hmm, I love these suits. You just try and get this baby back, Teach.’ She snorted. ‘Who are you kidding, Sharpie? You’ll probably be buried in it tonight.’

  A bird call from several hundred feet to her right brought her head up – a wave, from Simms. She waved back, and then repeated the call and wave to her left. Brown’s head came up and he returned the gesture. She noticed he then put his hand to where his mouth would be, kissing it and throwing it to her. She pretended to grab it out of the air, and put it in her pocket.

  She hunkered back down. ‘I hope so big fella. I really want to get home and claim that drink.’

  Each of the three remaining Deltas was dug in and had piles of the remaining ammunition stacked next to them; RGPs, spare clips, a few handfuls of toe-cutters – small grape-sized explosives that were powerful enough to blow up a vehicle, and with luck a few dozen fully armored Lygon. She held up a hand and made a fist. A foot-long spike extended from her hand.

  ‘That’s close quarters combat taken care of.’

  She drew the spike back into her fist, rubbing the knuckles, still feeling the tingle within the bones of her hand. She touched the line of tiny lumps at her temple again; this time the castle walls sprang towards her in close-up. The parapets were thick with Lygon and the heavy doors were closed. She looked at her watch – it was time.

  ‘Okay boys; party time.’ She shouldered her rifle, loaded a grenade into the underslung grenade launcher and fired at the massive wooden door. The grenade exited the barrel in a burst of explosive gasses, an incendiary arrow that crossed the several hundred feet of open ground in a few seconds, to hit the door in an explosive whump. It blew splinters, bronze hinges and panels away like so many matchsticks.

  ‘Yeah baby!’

  There was confusion on the castle walls for only a second or two, and then horns started to blare, and the sounds of confusion turned to roars of anger. Like some sort of horde of monstrous black and orange army ants, the Lygon poured forth to protect their nest.

  Sharp sucked in a deep breath and sighted along her barrel. ‘Fight or die.’

  *

  ‘Come on, come on.’ Hanson stood and moved the glasses over the black landscape. Just after sun down, and before the moon comes up, was one of the darkest time of night. It was the perfect attack time.

  Beside him, Bannock also stood, and walked along the ridge of debris. ‘We’ll get some starlight soon, and given the flat terrain, nothing is going to creep up on us.’

  A crack came from out of the dark, and then the sound of a bullet striking the hillside, made both men flatten themselves to the ground.

  ‘You were saying?’ Henson crawled to his foxhole and slid in, Bannock followed.

  ‘Nothin’ like your own weapons turned against you.’ Bannock d
rew a lens down over one eye and moved up and down the thermal and night scope ranges. ‘Can’t see anything. Must be coming in like they did at the camp.’ He lifted his head slightly. ‘Farfalle, give me some light down there.’

  Immediately several deep whumps sounded from a near foxhole, followed by parachute flares that burst into bright light and hung high in the dark still night for a few seconds, before gently drifting down, throwing huge pools of sun-like illumination onto the desert floor.

  ‘Pimples.’ Bannock, exhaled with annoyance. ‘Damn, these guys are good.’

  The desert was alive with tiny brown lumps. The Panterran were coming in low and slow, and as their dark-adapted eyes didn’t need light, they could totally cover themselves in damp blankets and creep along, an inch at a time. Bannock noticed a few of the lumps had rifle barrels sticking from their fronts.

  ‘Got some snipers comin in. I reckon Colonel Briggs gave them some quick lessons before they set out.’

  ‘We knew they’d have teeth. So, let’s take some of those teeth out before they get too close.’ He spoke into a small mic-stud on the side of his face.

  ‘Burnside, Mason, French; take out those guys with the guns. Fire at will.’

  The three sharpshooters fired down at the creeping Panterran who had rifles. Each shot made its mark and corresponded to either one of the mounds ceasing to move, or a small figure leaping in the air, before falling back to the ground, dead. In a few more minutes, Hanson was satisfied most of the rifle carriers had been terminated.

  He spoke again into his mic. ‘Good job. Now switch to full automatic – if they stick to their normal game plan, they’ll come in a physical wave to try and overwhelm us.’