The Lost Tale

The Call of Fortune

The morning was silent, our footsteps rhythmically thumping as dawn breaks slow over the horizon. Harald says we will be there soon, the main group of men splitting off from us as the village comes into view. The two older men who are with us move around the right side of the village as Eluf hovers several yards from the entrance gate.

As Ove and I circle the other side, he points to a spot for me- behind a small house a tree slithers into the sky and we both share the thought. We set ourselves up quietly. He boosts me into the tree- my limbs intangles with branches as I set myself up just next to the roof of the small building. I'm careful to make no sound, unsure if anyone is inside.

I raise my finger to my lips and nod to him; his footsteps hushed as he leaves me there. He heads around the side of the house and we hear it- the main attack of men sweeps into the village- already screams and shouts fill the air. I hear the door of the house under me open- and I move to the roof- peaking over the edge as people filter from their homes.

It's a small village; the main fighters numbering about twenty. It feels cruel, but I smile in spite of them and hitch an arrow on the string of my bow. Both sides are savage, Vali storming through the streets casting a whirlwind of blood and bile into the air; his height towering over most of their warriors.

Children cry as men cut them down and elders do their best to protect their young. I lose arrows into the warriors, dropping four to myself as chaos spreads below. A young boy across the square looks about eleven years old, a bow and arrow in his hands but horror in his eyes. Blood splatters across his face as Harald pierces a woman's neck, his sword decapitating her.

Harald takes no notice of the boy as he raises his bow and I lock onto my target. My arrow goes into the small man's eye, his scream blood curdling. He falls to the ground and Harald turns- the slumped child still grasping the bow as the life pours from him. Only a child.

I shed a tear for him, he was only trying to protect his home. There aren't many of their warriors left now, most of the village lies as mangled bodies against the dirt. Some of the young children are captured, women too as the place is looted.

I land hard on the ground from my perch as I help my team round up any would-be survivors. We collect them like cattle in the middle of their town, each one on their knees among their dead brethren. Two women sob as they hold children to their bosom- they eye me as if I'm a demon.

Several men go through the houses and the town's hall- bringing out all sorts of plunder; chests filled with jewels- rubies and emeralds- coins and valuables weighing down the arms of our men. The two women are pulled away from the children and their screams pierce the air as they are slit open several yards away.

I feel bad for the five small children huddled on the ground. They cry and some of them vomit at the sight and smell of death. The oldest is eleven, a young girl who tries to soothe them, the others are all under six years. Her green eyes are soft as she speaks softly, the orphans' knees now soaked with the blood spilled over the ground, I wonder what we will do with them.

Harald approaches. Eluf and I stand with Ove around the children as our elders help with the loot. "Good job to each of you. Bind these children- they will be our future soldiers." He seems cold- covered in blood as he blinks at the kids. He turns to watching his men move their rewards, calling over his shoulder- "and good eye raven- you may be useful yet."

I feel conflicted at his praise, never the less I watch the children as the guys bind them as I was bound only weeks ago. The children cry but none of them fight- they are too afraid to die. As the binds are tightened and linked together we set off- soon returning to our ship. The sailing ways are ground in me now, though I feel the adventure is over before it begins.

I want more than a sad slaughter; I want to see the world between battles.

I find out after we leave that Harald only chose this village because he heard that they had a new leader. The man who'd taken over this village was more than just a bad omen for the town, but also happened to be one of Harald's most hated traitors. It's funny what you find out when you listen. Some men whisper about fearless Jarl Harald when he isn't around and I make sure to take note.

As we return we sleep in shifts, and I rarely sleep at all for the days we spend on the boat. Once we return to Lunansholt Harald divides the wealth out among the men- and the children are placed in homes with women to raise them. I go back home, the cot welcoming me as I fall asleep with the sun- and dreams invade me of other worlds.

~~~~~

The energy here is intense- the hairs on my arms stand on end as my feet hit the cold marble floor. I know I'm between the realms- Asger and I had spoken much about this since the last time. I blink into the light filtering through the air from nowhere in particular. I see large walls, though I see through them; their transparency only distorted by the pale blue color within it.

I follow the walls to each side of me- the adventure I was seeking earlier now before me. The halls twist and swerve, I feel lost in this labyrinth of trick walls, before the walls open into a large room- other halls extend from each side. The room is empty and the floor seems to sink in the center as I walk closer.

As I get closer, the floor forms into steps leading me down into the darkness below. The cold of the floor shifts into a soothing warmth as I descend- a small amount of light reveals silhouettes to my site as I reach the bottom of the steps. I can make out one- I assume to be Odin at this point; his large shoulders standing above the other shadows with him.

"I know you are there." My voice calls into what I believe is just a dark hallway. "You've called me- and I answered. Will you really hide in the shadows now?" A burning in my chest rips at me as I raise my voice. I feel the temperature drop as a large beam of light flashes- the room now brightened by a harsh flash. Odin's eye stares into mine as he leans down- face floating only inches from mine.

"You've proven yourself to be a bird of flight. Now I have a real job for you." His voice booms- echoing through the hallway we stand in and throughout the rooms behind me. "My son has taken several things from me, and scattered them across Yggdrasil; you'll fetch them."

He lifts his hand, one of the two shadows behind him handing him a rolled parchment. The paper hits my fingers- a list of the missing items with illustration; and a map of Yggdrasil. "How am I supposed to get all of this for you?" My question sounds like a challenge- though my inquiry is all too serious.

I've read about the places on this map. Odin shrugs as the other two disappear; my eyes widen as I look at the paper in my hands. The possibility of me dying on this journey seems unreal- the worlds listed filled with threats; Goblins, giants, elves... gods and demons. "You'll figure it out good child. Otherwise your fate may change."