City of Assassins

by Farah Cook

  “Where is this path, Nora?” says Tanya. “How long are we trailing for?”

  “We’re on it and just need to keep moving.”

  “Are you sure? And what about—”

  “Stop questioning me. I’m sure, okay?”

  I hurry ahead, when yellow light flashes into my eyes.

  “Nora!”

  “Frederick,” I crane my neck. “The trolls are back.”

  The car drives full speed in our direction. It misses, and crashes into a tree. Between the flashes of lightning I see elves, fairies, dwarfs, and other mystical creatures.

  “Did you forget,” says Tanya. “The Nine Worlds also belong to the fairies, trolls, giants, elves, dwarfs, wizards and witches and several other mystical creatures and dark forces lost in the Forbidden Areas.”

  “Is that supposed to scare me?” I say. “I’ve seen the Nine Worlds. Yggdrasil showed me the different mystical creatures living in them. The worlds that were, and the worlds that will become. They all belong in it, and are not here to fight, but to join me.”

  What about the trolls of Norumb,” says Magnus. “Or the elf queen?”

  “How do you know about them?” He shows me Odin’s eye. “You used it to spy on me?”

  “I used it to make sure you were okay,” he says. “We don’t have an alliance with the trolls or elves. It’s been broken for centuries. The trolls can be bought with gold, and the elves with wisdom, but we do not have the time to make offerings. We need to get to that gate.”

  The troll that was driving the car gets out. He grunts loudly and grinds his teeth so my ears ache. He walks past me and blocks the path that would lead us to our destiny.

  “You killed all the trolls of Norumb. You stole the key to the City of Vikings.” The troll pulls a face. “And Sumras, our leader. You also killed him. You think we don’t know. Trolls see and hear everything.” He glares into my eyes.

  “I’m sorry for what we did,” I say. “Now is not the time to get your revenge—”

  “You also entered the forbidden kingdom of the elves,” says a small voice in the darkness. “You cut off the head of our elf queen.”

  My patience is running out, and I feel tired, dizzy, and hungry. The way the troll and fairy speak makes me feel itchy. I draw out my sword and point the tip down, spinning it around. Something tells me I should not underestimate the creatures accusing me for my doings. They may be small, but they all carry the strength I need to defeat Nourusa.

  I stop the spinning and place the sword back into the sheath.

  “I need your alliance, and in return you will get your worlds back from Yggdrasil. You will no longer dawdle in these cursed woods. You will have a place of your own. A place you can call home.” I feel Frederick’s hand fall heavy on my shoulders.

  “Do you give us your word?” says the troll.

  “You have my word,” I say. “In the presence of the tree and in the spirit of the gods.”

  I catch a glimpse of lightning in the sky.

  “You are a Viking assassin. Blood is written in your fate. The weapons you carry are a testament of your calling. How can you make a promise you have no control over?” says the elf. Her large green eyes consume me. The fairies also make themselves visible. Their feathery wings flap gently against the dark night.

  “All I wish for is to set the Nine Worlds free. I had my doubts at first. I will not lie to you. This journey has not been easy. I left the East one year ago and have returned to find everything destroyed. I did not know that I was meant to become a Viking assassin. Neither did I know much about the tattoo on my back or what these weapons from the City of Assassins carry. I know now. I wish for us to live in peace. Nourusa is a threat to us all. If we don’t stand up against him together, all the worlds will fall into eternal darkness.”

  The lightning in the sky disappears and the rain stops. Rays of bright light illuminate the path like a golden line leading straight to heaven. Frederick pulls at my arm.

  “Come on. It’s time,” he says. “We’re with you.”

  I look around the familiar faces. Helena, Magnus, Tanya, the members of the council. Then I look at all the creatures joining in with us. Finally, I look at Frederick. His eyes sparkle with joy.

  I turn around and look over my shoulder. The dark forest is changing. I see green fields emerge faster than the storm cloud. Everything is transforming into beautiful, blooming things. The flowers and tall swaying trees spread their colors like eagle wings. The grounds beneath us moves like a soft blanket. I move my feet through soft brown soil.

  Ahead of me the path that leads to the gate draws up like a thirsty river. I follow it like a moth to a flame. A cool breeze flaps in my direction. Finally, it’s in sight. The door through the tree that leads to the Nine Worlds. I look at my palm. The nine encrypted runes glow gloriously. My hand inches from touching the door.

  “Stop it right there.” It’s a dark heavy voice. Whispers in Norse crowd my ears. Kill him, kill him. Use the strength of those with you to kill him. The sword shines from its sheath—a clear blue glow. I use my heightened senses to listen to the sound from beyond the woods. Screams of terror strike as an army of Nourusa’s men approach the East. They ride the sea horses across the ocean. Soon they will be here.

  Swiftly I turn. My hand moves away from the door and pulls out the sword. I swing it against the darkness, and blood splatters across my face. A heavy body thumps to the ground and lands between my feet. The shadow shrinks, screeching evil spells in Norse before turning into dust. I lick the air with my tongue as heat rises to my face. I’ve done it. I’ve killed Nourusa with the sword. In doing so, I have saved the Nine Worlds, but I have engaged with evil. His spirit enters my body. I feel my blood boil, my soul turn black. I scream in agony.

  “What have you done?” I hear Frederick’s voice become distant. The wind sweeps in from the sea—violent and angry. Nourusa’s army is crushed under the waves, their shrieks muffled by the water. Their lungs filled with pain.

  Magnus rushes to my side and places the palm of my hand against the door. The runes lock into the gate and opens. A gale blows our way and sweeps us in. Screeches, laughter, and cries. The ground beneath me moves and is no longer earthly. It is heavenly. I land on straws of green soft grass. Next to me I see Frederick. His body is sprawled against the field. He stretches his hand out to feel mine.

  “We are here Nora! We’ve made it.”

  I stand. The sky shows her branches, and in them she holds the worlds dangling like sea pearls. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. Frederick takes my hand and we walk toward the light and laughter. The still lake underneath the bridge shows the face that I wear—a face that belongs to me now. I gaze into Frederick’s deep blue eyes. It is going to be a wonderful day in Midgard.

  City of Assassins

  I hope you enjoyed City of Assassins, book three in The Viking Assassin Series.

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