in one hand.
“Again, with the slapping,” he mumbled.
Hearing him, Eira’s eyes widened and she threw her arms around him. She hugged him
tightly. He could hear her crying.
“Again, with the crying,“ he mumbled once more.
“Sire. Excuse me, but I have to attend to Habrok. Hopefully, that maniac is still alive,”
said Jorund as the warrior tiredly stood up.
His blurry vision was clearing. Now he could see the field before him. It had a surprising
lack of dead bodies. He looked around as he gathered the still crying Eira in his arms.
The same sight greeted him. Only a few dead foes could be seen. But the ground cover
was torn and broken, as if a giant lawnmower ran rampant around them.
Further into the Gap, he saw that a few tents and other camp structures remained, and
these were the ones nearer to the front lines facing the town. A mass of figures was
moving to the side of the Gap, running into the forest on his left. Or what remained of
the forest. Nearer trees have been uprooted or stripped of their leaves and branches. It
looked like a wasteland. He looked at Eira, her face still on his shoulder.
“Eira, what happened?” he softly asked.
CHAPTER LORE:
Jormungandr - Old Norse. A major figure in Norse mythology. Also known as the Midgard
Serpent. The arch-enemy of the Norse god Thor.
Mjolnir - Old Norse. In Norse mythology, the hammer of the deity Thor. Depicted as one of the most powerful weapons in existence.
Gungnir - Old Norse. Meaning "the swaying one." In Norse mythology, the spear of the deity Odin. Believed to have the power to strike any target.
CHAPTER XVIII
Aftermath
“You did,” answered Eira, her beautiful face streaked with tears.
ME? I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!
Just then, everybody’s attention was caught by the sight of part of the mound rising to
form an earth and stone door. Rumpr stepped out.
“Well, lad! You did solve the problem!”
At the sight of the ancient landvaetter, Eira broke her hug and knelt before Rumpr.
“My respects, Ellri.”
Rumpr looked at the kneeling Eira. He took her hand and helped her stand.
“My lady. Long has it been since I last saw you. You have become more beautiful since
then. Though I really would like to dispense with that “ancient” thing. Makes me feel …
old. But the sight of you, my Lady, makes me feel young.”
Rumpr kissed her hand and looked at Tyler.
This guy is smooth. As glass. A very short one.
“My young and not so crazy mage, should we all be going? Ymir and his people may be a bit distracted right now, the perfect time to leave this place of death. I doubt if they
could see us. You did put the fear of Havard in them,” chuckled Rumpr.
Tyler and Eira immediately entered the doorway. Tyler could hear Rumpr shouting to
Jorund.
“Hey, huskarl! Come on, bring Habrok. But bring him like a princess. Broken bones.
Lots, I think. That damn night-wolf better not die on me. Still have dates with his
girlfriends!”
They found themselves later in a giant cavern. Eira did cast a healing spell on the
unconscious ranger while they were in the passage. But she mentioned that the
recuperative magic she did was a temporary measure. Habrok needed serious magical
treatment, one which required time and examination.
The cavern itself appeared to be created out of natural processes though a long stone
table with matching chairs awaited them. A stone bed was on one side of the cavern.
Waiting for them was Hrun. Standing near the stone dais. Rumpr directed Jorund to
bring the ranger to the bed. Though Tyler noticed that the warrior also had wounds of
his own. Some had closed but the serious slashes on his arms and legs were bleeding.
He guessed the man also had minor healing skills but not enough for the larger
wounds.
“Eira, please see what you can do to help. Jorund also is wounded.”
She nodded and moved to the stone platform. As he proceeded to a chair, he noticed
Eira again knelt before Hrun.
Just what are these beings? They appear to be elementals but Eira treats them as gods.
There’s no way Rumpr is mere a landvaetter. No matter how ancient he claims to be.
Rumpr followed him to the table and sat down. Tyler looked at him.
So many dead at my hands. How can Rumpr be so blasé about it? I know I was
responsible. I know they would have slit my throat gladly and that’s the merciful way
they would go about it. Still…
“I know what you’re thinking, lad. Why old Rumpr could be so cold about the thousands
who died. I’ve seen them come and go. Heroes, kings, empires, and even gods. These
things can’t be avoided. And some need killing more than others.”
“It doesn’t make it easier. On my conscience.”
“Yes. And it shouldn’t. When the time comes that it doesn’t affect your conscience, then that’s the time you begin your journey to your own personal hell. But your guilt should
not overcome you and your purpose, whatever it is. Though I could say you have
Adar’s interests in mind, and that’s how it should be.”
Tyler looked at his hands, wondering how many will still die.
“Don’t think about it now. Rest for a while, my friend. And a friend you are now indeed.
Eat your fill. Magic is hard work."
Rumpr made a gesture and the table filled with food and drink.
“I do have something to show you. But in a little while.” Rumpr stood up and went to
where Habrok was being treated.
Tyler started eating. Jorund joined him and also partook of the meal. No words were
exchanged. Each had thoughts of his own. But Tyler could see the huskarl’s wounds
were already healed. Only red welts showed where he sustained serious cuts and
wounds. He waited until the man finished eating.
“Jorund. Tell me, what did you see? My eyes were closed and I was waiting for death. I
really thought we were all done for.”
“It was a … strange sight, Sire. I was able to defend myself, thanks to your help,
though I was already weary beyond measure. The one surviving
