by J D Franx
Engier used his superior strength to drag her within reach, but the magic went slack and disappeared as the woman let go of her spell. He growled and swung his axe at her head. A sly grin jumped to her lips a second before his axe struck and bright magic exploded in his face. Engier lost his footing and spun through the air as more explosions rocked the meadow and the intense, bitter reek of magic flooded his nostrils.
He winced, landing hard on his back, but managed to hold on to his axe, even when more bright lights flashed before his eyes and another detonation spun him back into the air. The second landing hammered him into the ground, driving the air from his lungs. The dark fog of unconsciousness wavered over his vision. Moans and gut-wrenching shrieks reached his ears while he rolled onto his back and fought to stay conscious. It took several seconds before he realized the moaning was his own. He breathed slowly and focused on the sky swirling above him, but his head reeled with confusion. Passing out would leave him wide open to attack.
“Engier!” The voice echoed in his head, and though it sounded familiar, his muddled head couldn’t place the speaker. A dark shadow appeared in his sight and he blinked several times in an effort to slow down his whirling surroundings.
“Come on, Engier, get yourself together.”
He reached out his hand and the person grabbed it. As if anchoring his addled mind to solid ground, the person jerked him onto his feet and the earth quit spinning at last.
“Brenna,” he gasped, finally recognizing her as the fog of confusion cleared. Looking around the meadow, he gasped. Carnage reigned from one end of the meadow to the other. Broken horses and men were scattered across the grassland. The still of death hung over a dozen men and women but he suspected the death count would be much higher. “What happened, Brenna?” he breathed, rubbing his temples with his palms.
“The Skeyth happened,” she said with a moan. “I’ve never seen such magic, Engier. It makes Ama Taugr tricks look like child’s play. We had no chance, the Skeyth are gone and they took those we came to rescue...”
“And now we’re surrounded by their magic,” another voice butted in. It took him a few seconds to understand who owned that voice as well.
“Drengr,” he eventually managed to blurt out as he rubbed his pounding head.
“My apologies, my Lord,” the runecaster offered. “I never even had time to grab my rune pouch to try and defend us. Their magic is far more dangerous than we could have guessed.”
“Not your fault,” Engier replied. “You said we are surrounded? How did that happen?”
“Look for yourself,” Brenna said, turning on her heel with her hand out.
Engier glanced around the meadow in disbelief. The entire area, including their armies, were surrounded by a slanted wall of silver spikes at least ten feet high. Layers upon layers of spikes a least a dozen feet deep circled the clearing where they ambushed the Skeyth. Every single spike faced inwards.
Approaching the closest wall of gleaming silver spikes, Engier examined the magic closely. Shaped like spears, short and long, thick and thin, the imposing wall would be impossible to navigate safely. The jagged points were too close together.
“How long have the Skeyth been gone?” he asked, not sure if he actually lost consciousness.
“A half hour perhaps,” Brenna answered.
“We do not have time for this,” Engier said, jamming his axe against one of the spikes. A hollow thud echoed down the shaft and the runes in his axe scored deep into the surface. A second, third, and finally a fourth strike from his axe cut through the surface, confirming they were hollow. “Drengr,” he added, before stepping back a few feet. “Tear this shit down, these spikes are hollow.”
“I can try, my lord,” the wizard replied and then waved him and Brenna back even further. “Fire?”
Engier nodded and then stared at Drengr as the man dug through his rune pouch and pulled out a fire opal and a thin stick of rare black onyx.
“I don’t have any shield stones left, my lord,” Drengr said, turning back. Engier nodded and backed away before he dropped to one knee and jammed his shield into the ground. A dozen other warriors followed and did the same at his side accompanying Brenna as she scooped an abandoned shield from the ground. Together they created a shield wall to act as a safety buffer in order to deflect any wild or stray magic away from the rest of the clans on the far side of the meadow once Drengr began.
The Ama Taugr wizard snapped the fire opal between his fingers and a second snap from the onyx followed instantly. Fire magic rolled from the broken stone and Drengr held the broken opal as it floated in his palm. With his other hand, he teased the black magic drifting from the broken stick of onyx, and slowly worked it into the swirling fire from the opal. Knowing what came next, Engier lowered his eyes to just above the edge of his shield. To his shock, the red veins coursing through Drengr pulsed and then glowed, as his magic vanished with a crack of power, knocking him to the ground. Engier snorted with amusement when the wizard groaned.
“What happened, Drengr?” he shouted over his shield.
“Stupid wizard probably forgot how to magic,” Brenna muttered as she stood, handing her borrowed shield to one of the other warriors, who leaned closer and whispered something in her ear.
Engier stood as well and slid his shield over his back and went to make sure his friend was all right.
“You alive?” he mumbled, offering Drengr his hand.
“Barely,” the wizard muttered. “Uhhh, my head.”
“What happened?” Engier asked again.
“I don’t know,” Drengr replied. “Everything was fine for about a second, then the magic essence from the runes vanished, it just disappeared. Never heard of that.”
Engier tapped Drengr’s shoulder where some of the red marks were the heaviest. “Your marks were glowing like the Herald’s Flower from the dark swamps.”
“Really?” he whispered. “Oh no, I hadn’t considered...”
The man trailed off, rubbing his temples in thought and Engier knew better than to bother him further. “Let me know what you figure out,” he shouted back at Drengr as he walked away mumbling. The wizard waved a hand his way and Engier shook his head.
“Jarl Engier,” Brenna yelled, making him whirl. “Come quickly, you’re needed.”
She spun on her heel and rushed ahead, leaving him no choice but to follow after her. It took less than twenty-seconds to cross to the meadow’s far side and he came to a sudden stop when he saw what awaited him.
“Boulder!” he shouted and raced to the old Sea Lord’s side.
Three broken spikes jutted from the man’s back as he lay on his side struggling to breathe. “My… sent… I… My son.” The Sea Lord gasped but refused to give up. “My son, Samir… Sent… Sent him.”
Engier shook his head, taking his oldest friend’s hand. “I’ll find him Boulder, I promise, him and the remaining Sea Lords, as soon as I can, brother. You just relax.”
“No...” the old sailor growled, pulling him closer. The big man shuddered with agony and the calm of death settled over him. Engier winced and pressed his forehead to his friend’s.
“May you have a seat at Odin’s table, old friend,” he whispered, frowning at the loss.
“One of his men said he put his back between the incoming magic and a group of Clan Rollick’s youngest warriors,” Brenna offered before he could ask.
“But not before he captured this wench,” Boulder’s man barked, and tossed a young woman to the ground at his feet. He recognized the big sailor immediately. Asger, the Sea Lord’s military commander, carried on uninterrupted. “Boulder dragged her inside the closing magic before she could cast her share of this filth and escape. Then he shoved the youngest of Rollick’s fighters out of the way of the closing spikes.” Asger laid his axe blade on the woman’s shoulder while Engier knelt at her side.
“What is your name?”
“I am called Eira.”
Engier snorted at the irony.
“Your name means ‘mercy’ in the old tongue...”
“I am well aware.”
“I thought the Skeyth have forgotten the old ways,” Brenna stated.
Eira laughed. “Your people have forgotten everything, including your place, but especially the old ways,” she hissed. It was the first emotion she’d shown since being turned over to him.
“Your people left you behind,” he said pointing over his shoulder towards the sea, but his eyes never left her. “They have forgotten that a Northman never abandons their own.”
“You know nothing of my people,” she said softly.
He studied her close, but her blank features returned, giving away nothing. “They abandoned you,” he added. “I know that much for certain.”
She scoffed. “The knowledge of a fool is meaningless. The spell required one of us to stay behind, in order to enclose the magic around you. I volunteered and was captured. I was not left behind.”
“Good,” Engier said with a smile. “Then you know how to let us out of this trap. How to get rid of this magic.”
Eira wiped her nose with her sleeve and inhaled deeply, as if steeling herself. “I cannot,” she replied, offering him a wry smirk. “It’s why a volunteer was required. Once closed, the wall of spikes cannot be recalled or destroyed from the inside. You can kill me if you like...”
“I’m not going to kill you,” he snapped.
A frown marked by surprise and suspicion crept onto her features. “Then you should be able to cut your way out in a few days, especially once the magic weakens.”
“If she anchored the magic, killing her will reverse it,” Asger argued.
“I agree,” Brenna offered, handing him a shiny silver weapon. “You can use my new spear.”
Engier ignored her and the newly crafted spear she clearly made from the spikes surrounding them. He grabbed Eira’s face and pulled her closer. “I agree with them, as well. We don’t have a few days,” he growled. “Your people will be gone with our children by then.”
“I know,” she whispered, and the smirk returned. “Your little ones are far better off with us. Killing me will not remove the spikes from this meadow. I cast the final spell to close the spikes, I am not actively anchoring them.”
He pushed her back, disgusted. “Go get Drengr,” he said, turning to Brenna.
“Already here,” the wizard commented, pushing his way through the gathering crowd.
“Your wizard cannot help you, either,” Eira said.
Engier made room as Drengr crouched beside him. Eira instantly backed away, scrambling in fear.
“You see that?” Brenna breathed, and Engier nodded.
“I certainly did,” Drengr added. He reached out to touch the Skeyth woman and she recoiled, but Asger pressed his knee to her back to prevent her from retreating further.
“You don’t like me, do you?” Drengr asked.
Eira quivered with revulsion as she answered. “Those who manipulate the stones of power should be cherished...”
“Yet you pull away from a simple touch,” he said, reaching out once more. “Why is that?” Even with nowhere to go, the woman pressed herself against Asger in an attempt not to be touched.
“You are an abomination!” she finally shrieked. “And you will never cast another rune. Stay away from me!”
“Touch her, Drengr,” Brenna pressed.
Engier reached out and grabbed Eira’s arms, holding her tight. “Do it,” he growled through clenched teeth as the woman fought to get away.
Obeying his Jarl’s command, Drengr reached for the woman but stopped short when she screamed hysterically.
“Stop please! I’ll tell you whatever you want, just don’t let him touch me. Please... anything, just...”
“Why?” Engier barked, shaking her. “Answer me now.”
“I can’t tell you,” she cried. Drengr shuffled forward, moving his hand closer. “But I can show you, please,” she added, on the verge of panic.
“Then do so,” Brenna snapped.
“I need my hands,” Eira gasped.
“I smell a Skeyth trick,” Asger replied.
“Please,” she said. “It’s the only way. If I use any real magic, then kill me.”
“Be certain of that,” Brenna said, with a crooked smile.
Engier nodded and released her left arm but pulled his axe and placed it just short of her throat so the runes weapon wouldn’t sear her flesh, but she could still feel the heat. “No tricks,” he warned.
Eira exhaled heavily. “You have my word. No tricks. I don’t know what happened to you,” she said slowly turning to face Drengr. “Not even Mistress Giera knows. But... It is not something I can explain. Let me show you, I need to cast a small bit of magic. No tricks, I promise.”
Engier nodded and raised his axe further and held it just shy of her chin until she recoiled from the heat of the blade.
“No tricks, I promise,” she repeated, seeming to understand what would happen if she did. Lifting her right hand, a small silver scaled serpent grew from her palm. It didn’t attack, but merely swayed calmly back and forth. “Reach for it,” she said, staring at Drengr. “Grab it, but please be careful you don’t touch me.”
The young wizard did as he was asked. The red veins under his skin lit up and pulsed, expelling a light red mist that dragged the silver snake from her hand to his. The moment it touched his palm, the serpent twitched as if in agony and then turned to dust, dissipating on the wind.
“Shit,” Brenna gasped. Drengr just stared at his hand and the dark red marks on his flesh.
“What happened?” he asked, no louder than a whisper.
Eira sighed when Engier grabbed and held her arms again. “You are what we call a Sycophant. A magical pariah who feeds on the magic of others. Someday you will understand the danger you pose to other magic users, to everyone.”
“Of course,” Drengr gasped. He stood and reached out to the wall of spikes. The marks on his skin lit up again, glowing red. As he passed his hand over a half dozen spikes, they slowly turned to dust, but it would still take better than a day to bring down a section big enough to escape. Looking back at Eira, he added, “If I touched you the same way, your magic would dissipate just like these spikes or the serpent you summoned.”
“Not just my magic, you fool!” Eira shrieked, pulling her right arm from Engier’s grasp. “The Skeyth are magic. Your touch will destroy me just as easily as that silver serpent. You could destroy magic everywhere.”
“Not exactly a bad thing,” Brenna laughed, but it was quickly cut short.
“You foolish woman,” Eira barked, locking eyes with her. “Magic is within every living thing, and it is everywhere in this world. This... Sycophant...” she only stopped long enough to spit at Drengr’s feet. “Could destroy the world as we know it.”
Engier growled and pulled Eira closer. “What in all of Hela’s domain is wrong with you?” he asked. “Huh? Some gods-cursed wizard has already destroyed the world we know. We came to you for help. In return you stole our young ones and fled. Your shit-filled words of righteousness mean nothing.”
Eira head butted him, cracking his nose. He returned the favor and shook her, but she merely laughed. “We are only following the sacred words written by the forgotten gods,” she hissed. “My people are heading for the lands created at the same time as Sokn, we have a destiny to fulfill there. In a land created by magic, for magic users.”
“I don’t care why, only where your people are headed,” Engier snarled and wiped the blood from his nose.
“We don’t need her anymore,” Drengr said. “I’ll start bringing down the spikes.”
“That will still take a day or more,” Brenna added.
“There has to be a faster way,” Engier said, shaking Eira. “How? How can Drengr bring down these spikes quicker?”
To his surprise, she laughed again, harder, but it quickly slowed to a sigh as she spoke. “You do not want him to do that,” she said. “
If he cannot control himself, he will destroy us all.”
Engier rose to his feet, dragging her with him. “Then you’d best make sure that doesn’t happen,” he snarled. He dragged her back across the meadow to the southeast corner and then stood behind her with his axe handle resting on her shoulder. “I have no desire to kill you,” he added. “But I will without hesitation. Do what you can to help him and you have my word you will not be harmed. You may even return to your people when we catch up to them.”
“I am supposed to believe you?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “Unlike your kind, a Northman’s word can be trusted.”
“Very well,” she huffed, slumping in defeat as Drengr stepped up beside her. She nodded, acknowledging him as she continued. “The magic inside you is like a hungry parasite. It can be unleashed, manifesting like normal magic, but it has a life of its own and it will run wild as it tries to infect anything with a magical spark. It will always go after the strongest magic first which is the only reason I am helping. It will go after the spikes first, so you must control it when it manifests outside your body. One moment’s distraction in your concentration means you will lose control and it could jump to any nearby magic and snuff it out like a hurricane blowing on a small candle.”