Kingdom Come

Prologue

"Do you know why I named you Valkyrie?"

Meglovania brushed back the child's long honey hair, tucking if behind her ear. The little girl smiled brightly. "No mommy."

She knelt down, bringing the girl close and holding her hand. "You will protect the thing you love the most. Even if it could hurt others. You must be strong and brave. When the time comes, you will only have yourself to rely on." She smiled back and enclosed her in a hug.

The girl laughed and hugged back, then returned to playing in the wildflowers. Meg stood and watched over her child. What would this new peace bring them? Where they really safe here?

The sun began to crawl closer to the tree line. It was time to return to Jax and the others. Winter was on its way, now it seemed like there was so little day left, and the nights as long as an eternity.

Meg picked up her bundle of happiness and made way for the Old Roads. It was the quickest way back to the farm, but by no means the safest.

She knew, as she looked up at the blushing sky, they had been out too long. Panic grew in her chest, sending adrenaline into her legs and pushing her further down the road. Little Valkyrie rested her head on her mother's shoulder, completely unaware of the danger they faced.

It felt like seconds passed, and the sun had vanished. Twilight was upon the mother and child. Meg pulled her knife out, it's engraved blade gleaming in the early night. "Mommy, are we almost home?" Valkyrie sighed. She was hungry and tired, a feeling that she would have to grow used to.

Meg shushed her, but it wouldn't have made a difference. They detected heat and scent before hearing. Even then, they had keen, focused senses that could spot blood from miles away. She needed to calm down. Meg knew that. But the fear of losing her last child thrummed at her ribs like a bird. They couldn't get her, no matter what.

Although there were no signs, Meg knew when they arrived. Like a field mouse, or any prey for that matter, they all could sense when a predator was nearby. And now, the thirty seven year old felt it. The hairs on her neck raising, the wind shifting directions and the impression of eyes watching her every move.

She looked around. Nothing but the black tar river and forest on either side. They were sitting ducks out there. Why did she have to chose the quickest way?  A deep guttural howl ripped through the thick silence. She had to hide Valkyrie.

Meglovania steered them off the road, dashing between trees. She could feel them, almost corralling her towards one area. She searched for a safe place to put the babe. A tree lay across the most forest floor a meter away. Meg inspected it quickly. It was only big enough for a child.

She knew what she had to do. "Okay honey. Listen to me very closely." She put down her little one and ushered her into the hollowed stump. The girl was drowsy, but nodded.

"I love you more than anything in the world. You are going to grow big and strong. There are big things ahead of you so don't look back, ever. Wait here, and don't move. When the sun comes up, follow it out of the forest and back onto the Old Roads. The farm is only a mile away sweetie. Stay hidden."

And then Meglovania kissed Valkyrie on her head, brushing back her hair and taking in the last thing she would ever see.

The woman ran. For three precious minutes, she ran her heart out, sending blood like a river through her body. She took deep breaths and sliced down her arms, letting the bright red blood blossom. It would draw them to her, away from her child. This might have been the end of her, but she knew that her little warrior would see another day.