Blood And Stone

Chapter 46: The Ulfheðnar Rides

Soft grey clouds interrupted the shining sun, casting the city of Volker in a soft grey light. Gazing out upon the city, Rissa let her eyes drink in the soft pillows of snow that covered every building and home. The cold air that snaked its way through the streets was not altogether unappreciated as she stood naked in front of her window. The light from the fire behind her gave her caramel skin a healthy golden glow that only added to her joy and helped the smile spread across her lips. The soft winter air cooled the thin layer of sweat that shone across her body. A small shiver ran down her spine as she watched the everyday workings of her city.

The market was buzzing with life even as the heavy snowflakes began to fall again. Goods were traded and sold as the citizens enjoyed their newfound wealth. At the behest of her new Hersir, Rissa had counted and distributed the gold from Volker's vaults to the people, boosting the trade and overall morale of the people. The poor were given homes that were abandoned or left empty after the attacks they had endured. The damage from the attack she had led was nearly all repaired. A good many of the Volkarian soldiers had been accepted into the Ulfheðnar and the slaves were all given wages.

Rissa could not help the pride that burst into her chest every morning. Every day that passed seemed to bring a bit more happiness and peace to her, but nothing brought her as much happiness as that little Lyric. That brown-eyed girl was something new and intriguing to her. She was smart, kind, caring, and wise, even for being as young and inexperienced as she was. She helped Rissa make important decisions about the running of the city and, at this moment, was out helping the children of the Ulfheðnar train their pups, while her pup, Hvid trailed along behind her. Rissa could see them all now from where she stood.

Lyric's small frame looked hardly bigger than the young children who stood in a line before her. She was draped in a long fur cloak, the fur at the shoulders reaching up to tickle her earlobes when she walked. She paced back and forth, the end of her cloak leaving a trail where her footprints should have been. Rissa watched as one of the children attempted to have their wolf halt at the sound of their whistle but the pup slid on the snow and went careening into the boy's legs, sending them both falling into the cold waves. Rissa could hear the laughter as it burst from Lyric's throat. It was a sweet sound that always brought a smile to her face, especially since the pair had grown closer over time.

As she stood watching, Lyric and all the children stopped and gazed up at the sky. Before any of them registered whatever it was they were looking at, their wolves darted toward them, latched onto whatever piece of fabric they could, and began to pull them away from the field. Lyric's voice rang out as the children ran. She darted after them. Rissa's eyes lifted to the sky just as a loud explosion echoed across the land. The children stumbled and fell before they scrambled up and ran again.

Rissa spun, moving into her bedroom to quickly pull her clothes on. The girl in her bed sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and opened her mouth to speak. Rissa tightened her belt around her midsection and slid her sword into its place before attempting to head for the door. Before her fingers even let go of the sword, the world around her exploded.

Purple lightning cracked through the window. Rissa's back hit the wall before she fell forward, clutching her ears as the world broke apart. The girl in her bed screamed, but no one could hear. The heat that took over the room was intense, so much so that Rissa thought the entire world had been engulfed in hellfire. The air was pulled from her lungs. She gasped for breath, her hand reaching up to claw at the air as if she could pull it into her lungs. The pain that erupted inside her skull quickly forced her into unconsciousness and back again. She faded in and out several times, the pain so severe that her body could not stand to feel it but could not resist it simultaneously.

As quickly as the pain and strange feelings had come, they disappeared. Rissa lay quietly on the floor, taking several precious breaths before lifting her head. Her eyes looked around the room, searching for any sign of flame or destruction, but all she saw was a woman. The woman peered down at her with soft, lavender eyes. Her dark hair fell around her face like silk, sliding off of her shoulders as if it were liquid. Her clothing was something Rissa had never seen before. Her dress shone in the ambient light of the fire, with hues of purple and black. Large black feathered wings sat perched on her back, giving a little flicker before they disappeared.