Nine Realms: Gods and Warrior Hearts

Chapter 9

Back in Valhalla...

Now that didn't go well. Ard was fuming. What an old fool his father was, what an utter waste of immortal DNA. He punched about a dozen statues on his way out and kicked a pillar so hard that little cracks appeared in the ceiling. Why did he think he could have a fruitful conversation with him? Perhaps he was the fool for believing that there was an ounce of decency in his father.

Wodran was the chosen king. When the highest power descended in the flesh it had given his father another part of the divine so that he could rule wisely for all eternity. Every god was made with a spark of the source but Wodran was given two, how comes he was now nothing more than a moping bundle of self-pity? He wasn't a worthy ruler. He didn't rule. The Elders were now in charge with Asereth as their leader.

The Elders. Ard wouldn't waste anymore time trying to make his father see the light, he would have to speak to Asereth. They might have had a disagreement, but Ard still hoped that maybe, only maybe, the Norn was right and making the effort to properly listen to Asereth might clear things up.

He made his way to the council hall. Empty. None of the Elders were present. Ard cursed but then saw Lugh heading towards him.

"I'm always amazed by your extensive vocabulary of foul words."

"I went to see my father and it took less than 5 minutes for the violent fantasies to take over my mind."

"I take that it went badly?"

"He's got those servants and I don't trust them. He wasn't himself. I mean, we know he's in a bad state but something was off."

"Do you think he's going insane?"

"I'm not sure, but I will find out. There was a metallic scent in his room and his eyes looked...empty."

Lugh understood. He and Ard had this understanding that often didn't require words. Ard suspected something was happening and whatever it was, they would have to find out.

"I've spoken to your brother."

"Yes? What did he say?"

"Well, he appeared quite happy and spoke very highly of Asereth. Apparently he's done a lot of great things for the winged legion recently. He also mentioned that Galath came to speak to him and that a meeting was imminent. A meeting for the highest ranks within the army. He said that they'd send word soon."

"Now that's interesting" Ard said scratching his head, walking up and down the little side corridor they were now in, tugged away from nosy eyes and ears.

"Interesting indeed, especially because Galath went to see Arl straight after you got kicked out of the council hall."

"A mysterious meeting..."

"I think he is expecting some good news, perhaps an honour for your services..."

Ard laughed a sarcastic laugh.

"Surely not. An honour perhaps for him because he's Asereth's little puppy and does as he's told but they wouldn't honour me in a million years."

In recent years Ard and Asereth had increasing arguments about who should be allowed to join the army. Asereth believed that the forces of Asgaard should exclusively consist of pure gods, of original gods. Ard would regularly go against Asereth's wishes and recruit half gods and goddesses. Under Ards command, ranks would go to those who deserved it and have proven worthy, not only to those who were created by the source itself. To him, authority wasn't a birth right. He would allow females to become Valkyries whatever their background and elevate servants to soldier status if they had what it takes. Ard believed that everyone should be allowed the honour of serving if only they had a true warrior's heart. He despised the arrogance that most of the original gods harboured. They all came from the source because everything comes from the source. They were all equal.