Lord of Legions

by T. R. Hamby

  Andreas caught Roone’s eye, and Roone gave him a firm nod. He nodded too, heartened. Them then arrived--Barry and Andreas tilted their heads, listening, and so did the Valkyries.

  It wasn’t quite what everyone expected. Them wanted Andreas to start out small--for good reason--so she had him carefully shoot a jet of flames into a snowman. The fire burst from his hand, and Barry stumbled away.

  Andreas swore in Swedish. “Sorry.”

  “You need more control, mate,” Barry said.

  So Them, to Andreas’ chagrin, sent him to the far end of the clearing, where he could work without putting anyone in danger. Barry practiced on his own, lifting and twisting stones with his small power. Everyone else--a little disappointed--began to train.

  Michael continued his lessons with Roone, who wasn’t quite in the right mind to fight. After a couple hours, in which Roone seemed to be getting nowhere, Michael told him to forget it.

  “You need your strength for later anyway,” he said quietly.

  Roone felt his stomach turn, and he nodded.

  Michael hesitated, before adding, “Look….none of us--we don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  It seemed all he could manage. Roone felt very strange, hearing that, and he cleared his throat, looking away.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  Michael was awkward too, and left to work with Gabriel.

  Roone sat in the snow, not caring that his clothes would get wet.

  He felt emotional, and quickly blinked back tears. It meant a lot for Michael to say that, and Roone could read between the lines. They cared for him. All of them--they were worried. They wanted him to be safe. The past week had been one of the best he had ever had. They hadn’t treated him like dirt. They had been kind, polite--even friendly at times. And there was Andreas, of course, his best friend.

  He was beginning to feel like he belonged, and the realization was overwhelming.

  Just then Theresa appeared, and he looked away before she could see his tears.

  “Have I done something already?” she asked, sitting beside him.

  He chuckled. “Why? Do you do things wrong often?”

  “No,” she replied, “but it’s never too late to start.”

  He chuckled again, finally able to look at her. Her long hair was swept back, and her cheeks were red from fighting.

  She looked at him too, and smiled. “Andreas seems to like you.”

  “He’s my best friend.”

  It felt strange to say it out loud, but Theresa didn’t seem bothered.

  “Are you in love with him?” she asked, and Roone shook his head quickly.

  “No--no, I….”

  He trailed off. He couldn’t help where his gaze went--to Nora, of course. She and Gilla were dueling furiously, swords clanging. Nora looked so fierce, her brown eyes flashing, her body moving so swiftly. He remembered their time together at the cafe, and he felt sick again.

  Theresa looked over at them, frowning, and Roone steered the conversation away from him.

  “Tell me about you.”

  She looked at him and smiled. “You mean my history.”

  “No,” he replied honestly, “I meant--you know--you. What do you do Up There?”

  “Oh,” she said, and she thought. “Well, being a Valkyrie is very busy work. I’m either training or finding people to Ascend. But I do enjoy reading, and music--I dearly love music.”

  “You would like Elvis, then,” Roone said, and she grinned.

  Her eyes were bright. “It’s a wonderful Place, Up There. There are festivals, with all sorts of food and performances, and singing and dancing. Operas and musicals….Shakespeare….storytelling.”

  “Operas?” Roone said, surprised. “Really?”

  “Yes. Do you like them?”

  “I love them. Nora--” and his breath hitched, “--was an opera singer….before all of this. Gilla too.”

  “Oh,” she said, looking at the two women again, “I wonder if they would let me sing with them.”

  There was longing in her voice, and Roone asked, “You sing?”

  “A little,” she replied, returning her gaze to his. “I had a patient who gave me lessons. He loved my voice.”

  Roone could tell by her tone that this patient loved more than just her voice.

  “You were--?”

  “A nurse,” she supplied. “I worked in a sanatorium for the consumptive--tuberculosis.”

  “Yes, I remember those days.”

  She nodded sadly. “It’s how I died. I caught the disease….but I worked for as long as I could.”

  Roone was amazed. He hadn’t realized he was in the company of someone so heroic.

  She suddenly looked at him. “You’ll be busy later,” she said worriedly. “With him.”

  Roone felt sick again, and he cleared his throat. “Yes.”

  “Don’t worry. Andreas won’t let anything happen to you. Or Them. You’ll still be under her shield.”

  “I won’t know what to say.”

  “You will,” she said firmly. “It’ll come to you.”

  “Theresa,” Diana’s voice called, and she scrambled to her feet.

  “You would have thought I had been sitting here for an hour instead of five minutes,” she sighed, before picking up her sword and running off.

  Roone smiled. He could see why Andreas was so fond of her.

  But all the training was winding down, and one by one they sat in the snow, tired.

  They all looked furtively at Roone, who felt his heart sink.

  Andreas approached him and held out a hand. “It has to be now.”

  Roone allowed him to help him to his feet. He took a shaky breath. “You’ll be there?”

  “Of course. Right behind you.”

  Mel approached too. “Remember what we said,” he said quietly. “What to tell him.”

  Roone nodded.

  Mel clapped his shoulder. “It’ll be fine. We’ll be waiting for you when it’s over.”

  Roone nodded again, a little heartened by his words. Andreas took his hand, and together they walked back into the trees.

  The creek was still frozen, with a layer of snow blanketing it. Roone suddenly remembered discovering Samuel Gene’s body on the bank. A lot had happened since then.

  “Now remember,” Andreas said nervously, squeezing his hand, “he can’t read your mind. He can’t hear you, and he can’t see you. He can only sense your….openness to his voice. The only way you can speak to him is to….think aloud, for lack of a better phrase. He’ll hear that.”

  “Right,” Roone said quietly.

  He looked out on the creek, and felt a chill. How likely was Father to kill again? He risked weakening himself even more. Would he do it for Roone?

  “Just breathe,” Andreas said, turning him so they looked each other in the eye. “I’ll be right here. I promise.”

  Roone’s hands shook. His heart was beating so quickly that it was humming.

  He gave a jerky nod. Andreas nodded too, his face pale.

  Roone stepped out onto the ice.

  It wasn’t as slippery as he thought it would be. Them had said the middle, and Andreas was supposed to whistle when he got there. All the while Roone’s heart pounded in his chest.

  He can’t kill you, he reminded himself. Not under Them’s shield. You’ll be fine.

  It wasn’t enough to assuage his worries. What if Them’s shield was weaker than she realized?

  Finally Andreas whistled, and Roone halted.

  He waited. The opposite side of the creek looked very far away. A willow’s snow-covered branches brushed the ice.

  Roone, a familiar voice said, and he jumped, poised to run away.

  He took deep breaths. Father, he thought, as firmly as he could.

  It seemed to work. You’re perilously close to the edge of Them’s power. Why?

  His voice was distant, difficult to hear.

  Roone hesitated. He wished they had drawn up some s
ort of script. He had no idea what to say.

  I wanted to talk, he finally said. I want….Nora.

  Yes. You would have had her if you had killed Gabriel.

  He wasn’t angry, not yet. Roone took another deep breath.

  You tricked me, he reminded him. Sydney was Michael’s grandson. He wasn’t mine.

  You should have trusted me. Serene isn’t fit to have a child.

  Roone knew that wasn’t true.

  Why do you pine over my dear Nora? Father asked. There are many women who would make you happy.

  That also wasn’t true. All I want is her, he replied. She’s all I think about….all I dream about….if she could just see that she loves me….

  Yes….if only she could see.

  There are many humans who think that way, Father said scathingly. They are diseased creatures.

  Roone shuddered. Please, Father….I’m only here because of her….they tolerate me….I’m so close to her….

  Why not kidnap her again, then? Father growled.

  She said she would kill me.

  There was a long silence.

  Roone was sure Father had gone, that he had seen through their ruse.

  But then he said, I can offer you Nora again. If, this time, you trust me.

  Yes, Father--anything you ask, I’ll do.

  Tell me about Them.

  His voice, from what Roone could hear, was almost feverish.

  Roone steeled himself. She’s changed her name now….she calls herself Reina.

  Another long silence. Roone shuffled restlessly. He glanced over his shoulder at Andreas, who was pacing on the bank.

  Reina? Father said, so quietly that Roone almost didn’t hear.

  Yes. That’s what she said.

  That can’t be possible.

  Roone remained silent, amazed at Father’s disbelief. It was working.

  What does she want?

  Roone hesitated. They had anticipated this question, but he didn’t like the answer.

  Michael and Mel, he finally said.

  My sons, Father breathed.

  He was quiet again. Then he said, They betrayed me. Now you will betray them. What is Them--what is Reina planning?

  Roone was glad they had discussed every possible question. She’s thinking of overthrowing you.

  Another pause.

  Roone looked up at the cloudy sky, where he imagined Father was, with an invisible wall between them.

  Is she strong?

  Roone hesitated. He decided to go with the truth. She hasn’t shown us her full power yet.

  How wise of her.

  He paused again, before asking, How close are my sons to following her wishes?

  Close. Very close.

  They cannot be allowed to live if they are.

  Roone felt a chill.

  What about the man with all the power? Father asked.

  Roone could barely make out his voice. A demigod. Resurrected by Reina and given some of her power. So he can protect us.

  A demigod.

  Roone waited a few moments, then tried to steer the conversation toward Nora. When will I have Nora?

  When they are all dead, Father said. Or when they come back to me, their lord. With what I have in mind, they would be wise to return to me.

  But Nora will be kept safe? I will be kept safe?

  A pause.

  Yes, Father said, I won’t let them touch you.

  Roone let out a breath.

  It was true. Father was raising an army.

  I want you to find out what she’s thinking, Father said, and Roone was amazed to hear fear in his voice. Whatever way you can. You can manage that, can’t you?

  It was a sneer, and Roone flushed. Yes, Father. I--I’ll find out.

  And you will come here again. I’ll give you time….a month.

  Roone nodded. And then I’ll have Nora?

  When this is over, you will have Nora. Now go….before they notice you’ve gone.

  He didn’t need telling twice. He turned on his heel, and carefully made his way back to Andreas, who looked immensely relieved.

  “Fuck,” he breathed, and the two embraced. “Christ. Are you all right?”

  “Just….I could use a drink.”

  Andreas smiled. “A liter of whiskey, maybe?”

  Roone managed a weak grin, and together they returned to the house.

  The rest of them were waiting at the treeline. Roone’s party sighed, relieved, and the Valkyries--all except Theresa--looked at each other nervously. Theresa looked triumphant, and smiled brightly.

  They went inside, and sat in the living room. Michael and Mel brought in chairs from the kitchen, but it was still a tight squeeze. Drinks were passed around. Roone was seated in the middle of the sofa, flanked by Andreas and Gilla. He was handed a tall glass of whiskey--enough to give him a decent buzz.

  He downed it, and there were chuckles.

  “When you’re ready,” Diana said, sitting regally in her chair.

  She was braiding Theresa’s hair, showing her some surprise affection. Theresa was staring at Roone expectantly, her gray eyes gleaming.

  Roone was embarrassed by everyone’s eyes on him. He shifted, then said, “We were right. He’s sending more. A Legion.”

  “How did he say it?” Mel asked.

  “I did what Gilla said,” Roone replied. “I asked if Nora would be safe. He said he won’t let ‘them’ touch us.”

  “Fuck me,” Michael sighed, running a hand through his hair.

  “That’s why we’re here,” Diana said firmly.

  “But we don’t know how many he’s sending,” Nora said.

  “I can get it out of him,” Roone said, surprising himself.

  Everyone looked at him.

  “What do you mean?” Andreas asked, frowning.

  “He wants me to come back,” Roone replied. “Give him updates on Them. Tell him what she’s planning. If I can build his trust, I can find out what he’s planning too.”

  “Roone,” Nora said, and he looked at her, his heart leaping.

  She flushed, and looked away. “It’s too dangerous.”

  Now his heart sank, and he too looked away. “It has to be done.”

  “He’s right,” Barry said. “We need to stay ahead.”

  He and Andreas cocked their heads, listening. “Them says she’ll be sending more Valkyries,” he said. “Sixty.”

  “Sixty,” Nora breathed.

  “Good thing we have a big backyard,” Michael said dryly.

  “We need it,” Mel said firmly. “Father’s not going to fuck around now. He’ll make sure he sends enough Angels to destroy us this time.”

  There was a chill. Several people shivered.

  “It’s war,” Diana said quietly.

  Everyone tensed. Roone looked at Andreas, who looked just as afraid as he felt.

  A war. A war.

  “We’ll have to discuss things,” Mel said, looking at Diana. “Roles, regiments, training.”

  Diana nodded.

  “When is your next meeting?” Gilla asked, touching Roone’s arm.

  “A month from now.”

  “Time to prepare,” Mel said quietly.

  Andreas looked at Roone. “Did he ask about me?”

  “Yes. I recited everything.”

  Barry shivered. “She wants to know if he was afraid.”

  Roone shivered too. Them’s anger was chilling, despite her kindness. He supposed it was like that with any powerful Being.

  He shrugged. “I think so. He was quiet for a long time when I brought her up.”

  He shifted nervously. “He wants all of you dead. He doesn’t know about the Valkyries.”

  And Roone looked at them. Diana had finished braiding Theresa’s hair, and Theresa was studying him, troubled.

  “We start now,” Diana said, looking at her troops. “Half will guard the estate by day, half by night. We’ll rotate when the others come.”

  “Let us help,” M
ichael said.

  “You can’t patrol,” Diana replied, frowning. “We’re supposed to be keeping you safe. You put your lives on the line by patrolling with us.”

  “Well, what are we supposed to do? Provide snacks?” Mel asked grumpily.

  “We’re helping,” Michael said firmly. “We’re not going to sit around and wait.”

  “What about training?” Nora asked.

  “We’ll take it in turns,” Gabriel said. “A couple of us will patrol during the day. We’ll get our sleep at night. And the rest of us will train.”

  “Is Them saying anything?” Nora asked Barry, who had been staring blankly at the coffee table.

  He blinked. “We were talking….she thinks she might have to come down. When the time is right.”

  “She should come down now,” Andreas said, glancing upwards. “You know that.”

  “Don’t push her,” Roone said.

  He didn’t want her to be angry, or to feel pressured. “Don’t lecture her. It’s her decision.”

  Barry was nodding. “We have to respect that. She needs us to trust her.”

  “So we train,” Roone said, “and we patrol. And….I’ll try to get information out of Father.”

  There were nods, murmurs. Diana didn’t look happy, but she didn’t argue.

  It was all they could manage to plan. No one could come up with anything else, so they dispersed. Half of the Valkyries spread out to patrol, and the rest set up their camp. Roone and the others helped, until two neat rows of five tents were created. There was room for a large fire in the middle. A much larger tent was set up near the stables for planning.

  Nora and Gilla were struck with an idea, and darted into the house. They returned with string lights, and helped the Valkyries thread the lights over the tents. They connected them to a portable battery, and the camp became alight. Everyone clapped, heartened, and the Valkyries swarmed the two women, chattering.

  Roone watched as the group of women began to put together a fire. Nora was flushed, grinning, and chatting animatedly with the Valkyries.

  He felt an ache, but he was pleased. He couldn’t have her, but at least she was happy.

  Evening came, and the Valkyries who had been patrolling returned. The others took their place. Mel ordered pizzas, and the group of thirteen squeezed into the living room and the kitchen.

  Roone took his pizza into his room, leaving the door cracked open. He needed space to think. He hadn’t quite processed what had happened between him and Father yet. And, of course, Nora was heavy on his mind.