The Kingdoms of Wala: Agnar and the battle of the Firemountain (1)

by Maximilian Lukas Aichele

  MAXIMILIAN LUKAS AICHELE

  THE KINGDOMS OF WALA

  AGNAR

  AND THE BATTLE OF THE FIREMOUNTAIN

  ROMAN

  from the German,

  translated by the author

  Contents

  The bridge over the clouds

  The Mouse King

  Good Journey

  Hunter's and boar

  The Sword of Tyr

  Hot Springs

  Where are the children?

  A Royal Reception

  The bridge over the clouds

  In a small village in the mountains, there lived a young shepherd named Agnar. He was a boy of eighteen years and lived with his brother Geirröd in a small house, at the entrance of the village. Geirröd was a vigorous young man of twentyone years, which towered over his little brother in size and strength.

  Both brothers were cared every day the many animals on the great pasture in the South and enjoyed doing the peaceful solitude that this small, peaceful place them offered. In addition to rounding up the goats and feed the chickens they performed also all the other smaller and larger auxiliary works, which arose from time to time.

  Agnar and Geirröd were highly regarded in their neighborhood and were respected by all. The people could always rely on that, whenever someone encountered a problem, they came to help and everyone know, that there was no job for the two, which was too large or too difficult.

  The village in which they lived was high up in the mountains and was surrounded by meter high cliff on one side and seemingly endless forests on the other side. The only road that led from the small town out, ran over an old, wooden bridge in the north, which was always sealed with a high gate.

  The gate had several functions. Firstly, it served as a protection against unauthorized visitors, which it hadn't been since many years and secondly, it should protect the many children for the deep ravine, that ran under the bridge. In general, it was anyway not particularly wise to take the old bridge and its rotten ropes unnecessary.

  One night, long ago, Agnar and Geirröd sat after work at the lake, in the north of the village, as they did it more frequently, to relax and to fish a meal. The lake was right next to the old wooden bridge, in a small, by rocks circled bulge and was blessed with countless kinds of fish and the clearest water.

  It was a warm spring evening, one of the first in this year, where the flowers begin to bloom and the birds slowly returning from their winter quarters. On this evening the two brothers were not only on the lake to fish and to relax after a long day at work but also to wait for Uller, which every moment with his wagon had come over the bridge.

  Uller, that was an old, gray-haired man, who brought with his wagon regularly milk and food to the neighboring castle of Wala to sell or exchange them there. He lived also in the small village, but was most of the time traveling.

  On this evening the brothers awaiting him back, what has always been associated with great joy, because Uller had always bought something useful on his return and was always able to tell a new story of his journey. It did not take long, until he came with his rattling wagon around the corner and crossed with an easy pace the old bridge. Agnar jumped up, opened the door for him and closed it again, after he had passed it. Uller drove to the lake and brought there his wagon slowly to stand.

  "Good evening,", said Uller and he meant it. The sky was clear and the sun was standing with a bright red on the horizon.

  Agnar and Geirröd looked at him, as he slowly climbed from the wagon, his old, black leather hat took from his head and put him carefully on the seat of his car, where he had just been sitting.

  "Good evening,", said the brothers on the same time, while Uller stretched and sat down on the ground between them.

  "How was the trip?", asked Geirröd.

  Ullers gaze drifted from the sky to the lake, before he answered:

  "It was actually everything as usual, but somehow not." Uller laughed and looked back at the sky. He liked to annoy the two a little bit. Then he continued:

  "I always think I've seen everything you can only see and yet I'm always surprised."

  "What did you see this time?", asked Agnar curious.

  "Crazy things, my friends, a lot of crazy things," he said. "At the market place I saw dealers such large weapons selling, which only a giant could use. Another dealer sold armors, which were so small, that just a mouse would fit into it. Tomatoes I saw, which immediately regrow, without losing weight."

  Agnar was fascinated by Ullers story and would have given anything, to see those things with his own eyes.

  "What a unique place has to be this marketplace.", Agnar said.

  "I rarely saw comparable." Said Uller. "But I must admit, that it's been many years ago, since I was last traveled outside the limits of Wala." Uller laughed and looked at Agnar.

  In this moment it flashed like crazy at the fishing rod of Geirröd, who immediately began to pull at her. A giant fish must to be this. He needed all his strength to pull him from the water and after a final pull was it done. It was actually one of the biggest fish he had ever caught. He was almost four feed in diameter and had the weight of a fully grown goat.

  "Well, what do you say?" Said Geirröd full of pride and joy.

  Both Uller and Agnar were happy for him, but Agnar was also a little bit jealous, because he'd never had so much luck.

  "A really great catch.", said Uller. "But this fish is only a dwarf, compared to the fish that I once saw at that river, high in the north."

  This story aroused the interest of Agnar. "What were this for fishes and where have you seen them?", he asked.

  "It was when I was a soldier of the king of Wala.", Uller began. "I was a young man, when my king gave the order to bring the king of the lake, in the far north a message. I sailed with a ship and a few soldiers northward, along a river until we drove into a mountain, in whose walls shone brighter than the sun itself. Everywhere there were sparkling rocks who looked like they were made of uncountable jewels and right there I saw them. Fishes, as big as boats, that swam under us, and the waves pitched foamy. They were as colorful as a rainbow and had fins that looked like wings. There were huge peaceful animals that could be stroking by swimming past and made similar sounds like a Whale."

  Agnar listen Ullers stories always joyfully. He wanted very, once to go to the Castle of Wala and to explore the country up north. In the past, he had never gone far than up to the old wooden bridge, because Uller still considered him as too young and too inexperienced to take him on one of his trips with. Geirröd however could several times go with Uller to the marketplace by Wala, when there was so much to do, that he had to help him out.

  "What happened after that?", asked Geirröd. "Have you met the king of the lake?" Uller waited bevor he answered.

  "No!", he said, suddenly serious. "The river in mountain parted unexpectedly and we were herded into a gear with wild waters. The beautiful, sparkling rocks quivered, when we pitched against them and our ship crashed from one cliff to another. The river, which had carried us at the beginning of our trip so gentle about himself tryed to end our lives from the on the other moment. The so bright dazzling mountain suddenly became darker than the darkest night and just as quickly as it had begun it was already over. The water calmed down and we could see a the shining exit out of the mountain. Many of the soldiers had gone overboard and only a few of us had survived. I had luck. As our ship finally ran out of the mountain we couldn't believe what had just happened and how lucky we had been to surviv
e. The ship was carried forward heavy, but still seaworthy. After a while we looked around us and presented to our surprise found that we were back at the same point at which we were driven into the mountain."

  Uller seemed very sad and so gladly Agnar exciting stories heard, he wished at that moment that Uller did not have to experience this terrible adventure.

  Meanwhile the sun had set and a bright full moon illuminated the warm night. Geirröd lit a small oil lamp, and put them right bevor Uller.

  "Wet, freezing, and full of guilt, I drove back to the castle and told the king what had happened.", he continued. "I expected that he would blame me for this disaster because I had been responsible for this mission, but nothing happened." Uller took a quick sip from a water bottle, before continuing. "He did not say a word to me. He just stood there, turned to the window and looked out over the wide meadows to the west. Without looking at me, he showed me with his left hand the exit and I left the room without saying a word."

  Agnar knew that Uller had seen a lot in his life, and although many of his adventures found a good end, there were some that one would prefer to forget.

  Also Ullers father Tyr was once a man who always pulled into the distance, to explore countries and have adventures. Tyr was a great warrior, if not the largest, who later served the old king of Wala as a soldier and also as the closest confidant. Quite often, he moved to chase away to monsters and other bad guys and he always came back victorious. He was the strongest and most fearless man of all men's and the most famous in the entire Kingdom. After many years, when he had grown old and gray, he decided one day to leave the old king and to return to the small village in the mountains back, from which he he once came. The old King was anything but pleased and offered him gold and land, that he would still remain, but Tyr said:

  "I want neither gold nor land. I want to go back to where I was before; to my friends and cousins next. There I will sit and spend my life asleep. "

  Only then realized the old king that he could not hold him and let him go without further protest. When Tyr in his village returned he became mayor, which he remained until his death.

  "You Geirröd." Uller said. "I could need your help once again. Tomorrow morning I'm going back to the market place and could need help there. Would you like do go with me? "

  Agnar was a little bit disappointed, that he had not asked him if he wanted to accompany him, but he let it not to show. He knew already that he was too young and too inexperienced in Uller eyes, and he also knew that not bout brothers could leave, because always one had to stay there to look at the animals on the pasture.

  Geirröd watched Agnar and pondered. Reluctantly he let his little brother alone, but Agnar was already not a baby and he was able to watching a few days to himself.

  "I help you.", he answered Ullers question. "When we have to leave?"

  "Right after the sunrise." Uller said. "It would as well probably the best, if we now return home slowly."

  Said and done. Uller stood up, brushed the dirt off his pants and put on his hat again. Agnar packed up the fishing rod, while Geirröd put his cached fish over his right shoulder, because he was to big to get him in the bucket home. Agnar sat down with Uller on his wagon, but Geirröd would rather walk forward beside the horse. The road was fortunately not long.

  "I know that you would like to share a ride." Uller said suddenly while driving, watching Agnar. "But I promise you that I will take you next time."

  Agnar retorted Uller view and felt caught. Obviously I have my disappointment earlier not so well concealed, as I thought, he thought, and at the same time he was happy about the promise.

  "I would be very happy to go with you to the castle." he answered and was promptly cheerful again.

  "You know." Uller began. "It has become very dangerous in the world out there. There hang around more and more thieves, trolls and other dark figures in the countries and forests. Some years ago, my way led me into a small harbor town called Franang, in the west of the country, where I should bring up a charge with food and tobacco. The way was long. Four days and four nights I was traveling. It was the evening of the second day, when I rested just under an old stone bridge, through which ran a narrow river. I had made me a fire and was eating something, than I heard somewhere in the distance a barely definable, uncanny moan. At once it fell silent, but only a bit later, it sounding just as shrill again. Then I heard a rustling, followed by slight tiny steps that seemed to slowly approaching. I immediately jumped up and put out the fire with a bucket of river water. The noise grew louder and I was paralyzed with fear. Who or what caused these sounds I could not see, but whatever it was, it could not be good. I pushed as hard as I could with my back against the wall of the bridge when it was unexpectedly quiet. Then, without a warning, there was a huge cry at night. Whatever had caused this noise, it was right above me. Slowly it moved across the bridge and seems to suspect something, because just a few steps later it stopped again and I could see a shadow in the cold light of the moon. It was as big as a horse and walked on four legs. His head was huge and edgy, but before I could gain more impressions, it put into motion again and disappeared with a lot of rustling in the woods. I've never had so much fear, like in that night. "

  An icy shiver ran down on Agnar's back. Suddenly he found it uncomfortable and even the rustle of leaves in the wind strained his nerves to the utmost. The creature that Uller saw had to be jumped right out of a nightmare.

  "Well, that nothing had happened at that time." Said Agnar.

  "Since that day, many years have passed, but not a day passes that I do not think of this creature. Oh, I almost forgot." Uller turned and grabbed his hand underneath the cover of his wagon. "I have something for you. I bought it at the marketplace of Wala." Then he pulled out a long package and handed it Agnar.

  "What is it?"

  "Open it and find out."

  Agnar opened the drawstring and realized already during unpacking what it was. It was a sword. The blade was long and sharp, and the handle was made of pure silver and was decorated with fine embossed rune chains. One could see, that the blade was used, but this should not mean that it was an inferior weapon. Oh no, just the opposite. It was a sword made by a master hand and looked as if it had once belonged to a king or an other great man.

  Agnar was speechless. He would never have dared to dream, once to own such a sword.

  "You need me not to thank. Look at it as an excuse.", said Uller and winked at him. Agnar thanked him and not just once.

  "We're home!", said Geirröd at once. He had heard nothing of this. In front the house of Agnar and Geirröd stopped Uller the wagon.

  The house stood on a small hill, just at the entrance of the village. It stood alone and overlooked all the other houses, to the pasture in the south. It was small and completely made of wood. It had two windows and a large door, which was decorated with elaborate carvings of animals.

  Geirröd went ahead and opened the door while Agnar wrapped the sword again in the cloth and jumped down from the chariot. Then he took the fishing rod from the loading area, put it on the cloth with the sword and followed his brother into the house.

  "Sleep well, tomorrow it will be a long journey." Uller told Geirröd.

  Geirröd turned to him and nodded. Then Uller pulled his hat low and sat back in motion. His house was farther in the village inside, just on the other side, in the south. It was the last house where you had to drive past if you wanted to pasture.

  Agnar went into the house and put the fishing rod, including the sword on a bench behind the door. Geirröd went straight up to the chimney, where a large cooking pot stood and heaved the fish on a long table. He was visibly relieved when he could take the heavy burden from his shoulder. Agnar lit the fire in the chimney, while Geirröd began to disassemble the fish.

  While he was busy Agnar went back into the hall to hollow his sword. Again he grabbed it from the cloth and looked at it again. At that moment he noticed
that the sides of the handle were formed like two ravens. He did not want to think about how much Uller had paid for them. How much it was, it must have been a fortune.

  Agnar was just wondering why Uller had made him such a valuable and at the same time generous gift, when he suddenly heard his name. Geirröd called him. At the first moment he wanted to take his sword and show it to his brother, but then he hesitated. Agnar felt uncomfortable with the thought to show him what a great gift he had received from Uller, whereas he got nothing. Then it called a second time:

  "Agnar!"

  Agnar took his sword, put it back into the cloth, walked fast to his room and put it in the big brown wooden chest in which he kept his clothes. Just as he wanted to close the lid of the chest, Geiröd called him again. But this time more vigorously.

  "AGNAR!"

  As fast as he could ran Agnar back into the main room where Geirröd was still trying to disassemble the fish.

  "Where were you so long, I need your help." He said.

  Agnar thought for a moment what he should say, but not to have to lie, he simply asked:

  "How can I help you?"

  Geirröd lifted with both hands the disassembled parts of the fish and threw them into the pot.

  "Set the table.", he said.

  Agnar went to the cupboard, next to the window and pulled out two cups, two plates and for each knife and fork. Then he took from the shelf, above the mantelpiece the butter and salt jars and a pot with the goat milk down and put them together on the dining table. When that was done, he filled the cups with goat's milk and no sooner had he done so, the table was already set and it could be eaten.

  Agnar and Geirröd sat opposite each other and exchanged first no word to each other. The firelight flickered slightly back and forth and illuminated the room. The mood was kinked. It was very rare that Agnar was alone and accordingly makes Geirröd so his thoughts.