The Viking Maiden Box Set

by Kelly N. Jane

  Crawling on his hands and knees, he shoved her toward the rock shelter, as a bright light and a deafening, hissing sound cracked through the air near them.

  Blinded to all their senses, Jorg and Ingrid fell into the gully. With another boom of thunder, rain poured down harder, creating a black veil so dark, they couldn’t see but a few feet in front of them, and the rushing sound of the water caused their voices to slam back when they tried to locate each other.

  Further away, another flash of light gave a view of their surroundings. Two dark figures lay on the ground where Ingrid had last seen Hagen and Selby, but there was no movement.

  Rushing to the slumped bodies, she was flooded with relief when Selby moaned. As gently as possible, she helped her friend roll over, then bent over her to block the rain from her face. Ingrid’s bead created a soft glow when she brushed Selby’s hair away from her eyes. Closing her own eyes, she kept her hand in place until the glow dimmed and Selby took a long draw of breath.

  A few feet away, Jorg hovered over Hagen as he lay at an awkward angle. Even soaked from the rain, his cloak was smoking, and his hair looked like it had been singed in a fire.

  Concerned and fighting her rising panic, Ingrid crawled over to Hagen and put an ear to his chest. Small and fluttering, his heart beat persisted, confirmed by the slight rise and fall of his ribs.

  Disoriented, Selby made her way over to the others and made a feeble attempt to rouse Hagen. It was clear that he would not wake, so Jorg heaved his listless body over his shoulder, and they trudged to the rock shelter. Once settled, Jorg broke off small branches from some nearby bushes to fashion a small windbreak.

  Ingrid sat on her knees next to Hagen, closed her eyes, and concentrated on calming her heart rate by rubbing her hands together. When she opened her eyes, she could feel the warmth spreading from her core through her arms and into her fingers. Pressing her hands directly over Hagen’s heart, she felt the pulse deep within herself pushing into her brother. Lost in the rhythm of energy flowing out of her body, she lost sense of time and space. It was like she floated, not seeing anything in the darkness except a blinding light, which she somehow knew was her own body.

  As the light faded, and cold settled deep within her bones, she fell against Hagen’s chest. Jorg grabbed ahold of her shoulders, and helped her into a sitting position. She leaned against him while she regained enough strength to open her eyes.

  Her mouth was dry. In fact, all of her felt dry, like she was a withered flower on a hot day, even though she was soaked to her skin. Burned hair and wet wool overpowered the smell of rain and mud within the small space.

  Leaning down once again to listen to Hagen’s chest, she found that his heartbeat was stronger and his breathing even. Still, his eyes didn’t open. She hadn’t healed him.

  Why didn’t it work? This can’t be happening. It’s like the vision of the baby girl.

  Traitorous tears slipped down her cheeks, and she slapped them away, falling to the ground on her backside. “I didn’t fix it.”

  “That was lightning, Ingrid, direct from Thor’s hammer. I’m sure you’ve helped. Maybe he just needs more time.” Selby tried to sound convincing, but Ingrid could hear the wobble in her voice.

  “You did what no one else could have done. Selby’s right, let’s rest and give him time,” Jorg said.

  Ingrid lay on her side and watched Hagen’s chest rise and fall, ignoring the attempts made to reassure her. Tears silently slid down her cheeks while she concentrated on her brother’s unconscious form.

  Hours later, she rubbed her face and sat up. Rain still poured down, but the skies were lighter and no longer rumbled like an angry herd of horses pounding through a meadow. Selby sat propped up against the back of the rocks, but Jorg wasn’t in the shelter. Scrunching her forehead, she peered out into the rain.

  “He needed to step out for a bit.”

  “How long has he been gone? Is everything alright?”

  “If we don’t count that Hagen won’t wake up, or that we have been shipwrecked, battled with trolls, attacked by some wolf-shifting man, and are now stuck under some rocks, yeah, it’s all great.”

  A weight pressed down on Ingrid as she moved over to wrap her arms around Selby. “I don’t know what to say. This is all my fault. I don’t know why I can’t help him.” As she watched Hagen lying on the hard, cold ground, her heart felt numb.

  “It’s not your fault, and you know better than that. Hagen and I would have followed you down that river no matter what.”

  “I wish I could have gotten to shore before that happened.”

  “I think we all do.” She stopped short, then after a second, said, “I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry I’m acting like such a toad. I’m cold and hungry.” She hesitated, and then whispered, “And scared.” An attempt at a smile pulled at her mouth, and she rested her head against Ingrid’s shoulder.

  Squeezing her arms tighter around her friend, Ingrid could not remember ever hearing Selby say she was afraid of something. It was comforting, in an odd way—like they were equals for the first time. She used her free hand to stroke Selby’s hair, and they sat in silence for a while.

  “Why do you think Jorg came after me? In the river, I mean.”

  Selby made a noise in her throat that sounded like a cross between a grunt and a snort. “You are so cute and so lovable, but you have to catch up when it comes to men, my friend. That boy likes you. Maybe as much as you like him.”

  “I know,” she said with a shy smile. “I mean, it seems sudden. Why now?”

  Selby sat up and looked Ingrid in the eye. “He has liked you for a while, you just didn’t notice. He was subtle. I think maybe with everything that’s happened, and the things you can do, things have been brought out in the open.”

  Ingrid sucked in her lips, but couldn’t hold back her smile. “He’s really cute, don’t you think? He smells like a fresh pine tree, and I get all wobbly when he flashes that dimple at me.”

  “You get all flushed and red when he smiles, too.”

  “Don’t say anything. I feel bad even thinking about stuff like that while we’re stuck in here, so far from home, and Hagen is . . .” Her voice hitched, and she swallowed hard before continuing. “How are we going to do it? Get him home, I mean?” The reality of their situation put an end to her musings about Jorg.

  “We’ll have to carry him somehow.”

  Just then, Jorg ducked back under the rocks, dropped some branches on the ground, then left again. The girls looked at each other, and Selby shrugged. Jorg entered again and dropped another set of branches on the ground.

  “It’s getting better out there,” he noted. “Not as rainy. But we’re going to have to stay the night. I thought we could build a litter to haul Hagen on while we’re waiting for the storm to pass. Some of the wood might even be dry enough to start a small fire to warm it up in here.”

  “That’s a great idea, but how do we build a litter?” Ingrid asked.

  “If we strip the bark off these smaller branches, we can use it as binding to wrap around these longer ones, then we tie a cloak over the frame, lay him on top of it, and drag it behind us.”

  “It’s better than sitting here doing nothing,” Selby agreed, grabbing a piece of wood.

  “How will the cloak support him? Won’t he fall through?” Ingrid asked.

  “No, I’ll strap some smaller pieces across before putting the cloak down.”

  “Have you had to make one of these before?” she asked as she set to work pulling the white bark off a branch.

  “Once. One of my uncles got hurt while we were out hunting; it worked really well to get him home. He complained the whole way, but it seems like Hagen will be fine with it.” He lifted his mouth a little, trying to grin.

  “Funny,” Selby said. “But you should leave the jokes to those of us with the gift.” She winked at him while pulling on a long section of bark.

  “It’s okay, I don’t have the knack, either. Be careful
, though—if you are the object of her humor, she can be brutal,” Ingrid warned.

  “No chance to avoid it. Anyone as serious as this guy is a constant supply of material. Besides, it’s an honor to be one of my victims.”

  “Oh? How’s that?” Jorg asked.

  “I’m super funny.”

  Ingrid shrugged her shoulders at Jorg and kept working. “I’m sorry, she’s uncontrollable, but she grows on you.”

  “Hey . . . ! Alright, that’s fair.”

  Jorg snorted, and a smile stretched into his eyes.

  I could enjoy that smile every day. Ingrid sighed then forced herself to concentrate on the bark she was pulling.

  When she glanced up a little later, Jorg was looking at her. He smiled and winked. Ingrid studied her branch with more intensity, and tried to control the flutters in her chest.

  14

  Ingrid sat in the dark, holding herself together by the thinnest of threads as she reviewed the events of the day over and over. The rain had stopped, and once they’d finished the litter, everyone had gone to sleep. Except Ingrid.

  Her thoughts raced and tormented her. How can I not heal one of the most important people to me?

  Hagen, the biggest pain in her life, and her biggest treasure, was always at her side when she needed him. Sure, he picked on her, gave her a hard time around his friends—at least before this trip—but that was part of being a big brother. Not once had Ingrid questioned his love or loyalty to her. She’d grown up under the illusion that life could be whatever she set her mind to, that it would happen because she wanted it.

  All of those beliefs lay shattered around her.

  How could I be so naïve? My nightmare is happening all over again because I’ve learned nothing. I am as weak as everyone has always thought of me.

  Looking at the tiny group huddled under the outcrop, she sighed. The damp ground seeped through her clothes, and her gooseflesh tingled against her linen tunic. In an attempt to warm herself and clear her mind, she decided to head out for a short, brisk walk. Sleep was not an option, and her legs were aching, needing to stretch from the cramped quarters.

  “Ingrid!” Jorg shouted in a loud whisper, trying not to wake Selby.

  Turning, Ingrid stopped and waited while Jorg jogged toward her. “What?” she asked, keeping her voice low as he neared her.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I can’t sleep and I’m cold. I’m going to walk around a bit.”

  “You shouldn’t go alone, you know that.”

  “I’m not going far. I need to move so I can clear my head. Go back and sit with Hagen.” She looked down and kicked at the ground. “I’ll sit with him when I get back.”

  The concern in Jorg’s eyes was one more item to add to her thoughts.

  “Don’t go far, promise? Stay within shouting distance.” He stared at her and touched her arm so she would look at him. She shivered at his touch, and he noticed. “It’s warmer when we sit close together; you don’t have to walk around.”

  Being close to you is why I have to walk around! She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”

  A wince flashed in Jorg’s eyes, but he recovered quickly. “Yell out if you need help,” he said through tight lips.

  She rolled her eyes with a hint of a grin. “I won’t need help, but fine. Now go back and watch Hagen. I know Selby isn’t doing it, I can hear her snoring from here.” She smiled.

  Looking over his shoulder, he huffed a smile, then turned serious eyes back to her. She turned to walk away, and when he didn’t also move to leave, she shooed him with her hands. Hesitating, he turned and walked back to the rumbling alcove.

  Ingrid walked straight ahead then turned left, keeping the outline of the rocks in her view. Her intention was to make a large circle but stay close, as Jorg had asked.

  A faint glow, like a campfire, flickered off in the distance to her right. She stopped and wondered whether she should go back and tell Jorg.

  I’m sure it’s nothing. I’ll tell him about it when I get back.

  Determined, she walked toward the glow. There would not be any cowardice from her. Life was dangerous; she knew that now better than ever. Whatever she found, she’d tell everyone when she returned.

  With heavy clouds still blocking the stars, she tried to use landmarks to guide her, but on the moors, one clump of bushes or rock jutting out looked no different from the next. Even though she’d walked for a long distance, she was no closer to the mysterious fire. For a moment, she contemplated turning around and giving up. That consideration only fueled her need to find the source. She walked faster.

  At last the light grew bigger, and her steps quickened again. The land sloped down in a small depression, and she saw that the light was over the next rise. Vaguely, she thought it odd that the smell of burning logs hadn’t reached her yet, but she pushed it aside.

  When she arrived at the top of the next rise, she froze. Her blood lurched in her veins, and a thick ball of fear dropped into her stomach. What she saw in front of her was not the expected campfire—it was a large, shimmering oval, like a looking glass suspended in midair. Within the light, blurry images appeared, moving, dancing, and beckoning her to another world. While she stood unable to move a muscle, the images cleared, and she recognized the landscape: the lake and the tree with glass leaves that she’d sat beneath while talking with Hnossa in Asgard.

  Without another thought, she stepped through the shimmering portal.

  Melodic birds blessed her ears, and the sweet smell of flowers graced her senses. A familiar voice called to her. She turned to see Hnossa walking toward her through a serene meadow.

  “Hello, my dear. I’m so glad you found me.”

  “How is this possible?”

  “It was imperative we speak, so I created a doorway for you.”

  “But I have to go back. My brother needs me . . . Wait, shouldn’t there have been a bridge?”

  “Don’t fret, Ingrid,” Hnossa soothed. “Heimdall doesn’t always need to know everything. I’ll make sure you get back to your brother, but there are more important issues to discuss first.” For a second, a shadow passed behind Hnossa’s eyes, but then her sunny smile returned and radiated warmth around Ingrid. “Come with me.” Hnossa took Ingrid’s hand and tucked it into the crook of her elbow.

  “Where are we going?” Ingrid let her gaze float around to the unnatural sights around her. “Everything is so beautiful here.”

  Leaves played melodies as they brushed against each other, yet there was no breeze. Butterflies left splashes of pink, orange, and lavender as they bounced from one flower to the next against the glimmering aquamarine sky. Vanilla and berries scented the air, with a hint of pepper tingling in the background. Ingrid realized that while the day was brilliant and clear, it had been night when she left.

  “How is it daylight?”

  “Asgard is not on the same schedule as your realm, dear. We do not need the same sleep cycles that mortals do, so we have far more sunlight.”

  Mesmerized, Ingrid stopped, eyes wide, when around a corner, the path opened and ended at a palatial home. “Wow! Is that where Odin lives?” she whispered to Hnossa.

  Hnossa laughed with a sound like beautiful crystal chimes. “No, silly girl. That’s my house.”

  The ‘house,’ as she put it, was made of a cream-colored stone that reflected so much light it should have blinded Ingrid, but instead it was soothing. Golden shutters graced both sides of each window and matched the solid gold front doors, which opened on their own, welcoming them inside. The opulent marble entry tile shone like glass beneath her feet, and golden handrails with intricate scrollwork edged the spiraling staircase to the upper levels.

  Hnossa patted Ingrid’s hand, and she breathed again. “Let’s keep walking, dear. I will show you around if there’s time after we’re finished talking.”

  Still gawking, Ingrid followed when Hnossa pulled on her arm. The soft sounds of a harp followed them as they walked down
a wide hallway flanked on either side by beautiful art hung within paneled walls. There were no sconces anywhere, yet light illuminated every corner. Hnossa stopped in front of a set of double wooden doors that rose so high, Ingrid couldn’t touch the top even if she stood on Selby’s shoulders.

  Removing Ingrid’s hand from her arm, Hnossa opened both doors to show a room like nothing Ingrid could dream. The ceiling was higher than the large oak tree outside of the village, and shelves lined two of the tall walls from floor to ceiling, every inch of them filled with books. Large, comfortable-looking chairs were scattered atop a rug that squished with softness underfoot. Along the second long wall stood floor to ceiling windows that opened out onto the fields they’d walked through.

  Intrigued by the crystal clear glass panes that kept out the weather, Ingrid touched one with her finger, leaving a smudge, and gasped as she watched the fingerprint fade away. Overwhelmed, she turned once again to soak in the sights of the room, her eyes scanning the thousands of leather or cloth-bound books.

  With panic written on her face, she turned to Hnossa and clutched her stomach. “I don’t know how to read,” she whispered.

  “That’s fine, don’t worry yourself. You wouldn’t be able to read these, anyway; they are written in the language of the gods. I only brought you here because we can talk in this room without being overheard. It is enchanted with a protection that makes eavesdropping impossible.” Hnossa pulled Ingrid into an embrace. “Relax, my special girl. Let’s sit over here on the couch, and I will tell you what you need to know.” The two settled into the soft cushions, and Hnossa wove a tale for Ingrid.

  “Long ago, the Vanir ruled as the gods of all realms. Jealous of the growing power of Asgard, the goddess Freya used her enchanting spells and charms to enter their realm and cause discord among their people. Odin declared her an enemy for her manipulation of his home and family—rightly so, don’t you think?” She smiled at Ingrid, who nodded.