The slightly upset God-Slayer objected:
"We could head towards the Finger of Fate. It is a choice that would not lengthen our path, and King Robert has a powerful army!"
"I fear King Robert has been overwhelmed. To him and to no one else I had entrusted the control of Rockroad, and the management of the Damwall. As you have all seen, my dear ones, not a single red man of Finger of Fate appeared on the horizon to help us. There are too many unknowns to allow us to move towards such a goal. The situation could prove very serious," explained the Lord of the North, far-sighted as always.
Not even the Lord of the East had any more arguments to bring forward, King Holaf having unveiled a much more disturbing panorama than was thought. The Nordic Queen intervened:
"My King, therefore, let us turn the few remaining horses towards the castle of Frozen Blood! As soon as the healers have helped every seriously wounded person, we will all load them on the goods wagons and we will march as you have said, if none of those present can find valid reasons to do otherwise."
High was more bothered than anyone in the hurry to get to the south his mouth twisted, but he gave his approval anyway:
"It would seem a meaningless delay, caused only by slender doubts and ancient fears. But since you, my brother, have until now only made fine and considered moves, I am inclined to follow your plan!"
"My soldiers and I will follow you anywhere, my Sovereign, as long as there is glory, honour and fame!"
Anastasia added hers to the general approval offered to her husband. She was a warrior, a northern Valkyrie and would follow Holaf through the jaws of a titan, mocking death itself. Olrund, after the wrecking of enemy flesh and covered in the flow of the blood, sat down next to its mistress, calling attention with light sounds of woe. Anastasia approached her trusty companion, putting her arms around its neck without being able to reach even half way round, and congratulated the bear:
"Well done, you are a very good girl. Luckily you didn't hurt yourself!"
The scene impressed everyone except those from Trondheim or the Eternal Frost, the birthplace of Anastasia. Seeing a giant Balmung bear waiting for caresses and hugs so tenderly and brazenly, brought good humour to many.
The God-Slayer could not help but recall the image of the blond Boris, imagining how much he would appreciate such an absurd steed, and a whisper escaped from him:
"Boris would have liked the power of Olrund."
The Lord of Trondheim approached the King of the East, seeing him upset, as no one had ever seen him. Holaf embraced him vigorously shaking him reassuringly:
"You are my brother of the sword and we are bound by powerful threads. We'll reach your home in time, this is a promise! We will become so strong that we will defend the entire Kingdom and your family from every cursed creature. But to do this we need the help of the Red Devils and their war machines!"
To this new detail, confided in with the knowing smile of those who have seen the unimaginable, High became curious asking:
"What machines do the Red Ice masters have?"
The smile of the King of the North was luminous and convincing, Holaf leaned down to the God-Slayer’s ear, slapping his brother's shoulder, replied in a whisper:
"You will see, my brother, and I guarantee you that you will be enthusiastic!"
Long Sword moved away in the direction of his son, intent on stabbing Orcs and looking for survivors. The wind hit the powerful King Holaf, shaking his long hair and blowing his mantle of the arctic wolf around, making him look like a giant not only because of his weight.
The wounded were loaded on the wagons and the rest lying on improvised litters, like the one on which the powerful Sovereign of Trondheim was carried on for a long time. King Grigor cried happy and proud:
"Knights, march! A marriage must be celebrated, as long as life still flows in my veins!"
The Bear's Head alongside his surviving horse, now prepared to transport Sersy and Tyra, exclaimed:
"My King Grigor, I will be worthy of marrying and protecting your sweet daughter! You have honoured me with your approval and for this I will be grateful to you as far as Ragnarok!"
"Come on, Master of War, do not stand on ceremony! You are, surely, able to protect my sweet Arctic flower! You've knocked down many enemies today, almost as many as I did," the blond King replied, boasting, but the words he uttered were followed by a strong ugly amused laugh.
The hilarity spread on the lips of many, the Bear's Head excluded. He was almost offended by such an insinuation. Eivind intervened and brought justice with a comment:
"Father, limit your warrior’s conceit, people will believe you have lost your mind after the enemy’s blows to your head!"
Shaking, low and full-bodied thunder echoed for a long time among the spurs of Rockroad. This was followed by a whispering distant noise and a second baritone sound. The drums of the Orcs stopped their beating. The Commander did not drop his weapon, turning around to investigate what caused such a metallic noise, echoing throughout the stony field.
Short notes on the Author
Andrea Gallina, also known as Andreas Hennen, is a designer who graduated from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan. He worked as a graphic designer until fate sentenced him to a different path, leading him to set out into the twisted tunnel of writing.
For years he has been following, with growing interest, the panorama of the Fantasy genre, finding a form of clear artistic expression, using its freedom to make a gift of his precious imagination to those who are willing to read and understand.
Combining the knowledge arising from years of interest in the historical military sector and the beautiful evocative images granted to his writing, he decided to start creating the Trondheim Sagen.
Also by Andreas Hennen
TRONDHEIM SAGEN:
Earth Shattering
Green Flood
(coming soon)
TRONDHEIM SAGEN: Earth Shattering Page 67