"Good morning, sunshine," I said, smiling at her.
"How long was I out?" she asked, her voice cracking.
"Better part of a day," I said. "How do you feel?"
"Terrible," she replied. "My mouth tastes like I've been eating sand."
Reaching into my pack, I grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to her.
"Here you go."
"Thanks," she replied, twisting the cap off and downing most of the bottle in one long pull.
"Go easy on that," I said. "You'll make yourself sick."
"Where are we?" she asked, looking around.
"We're on our way to Pensmore," I explained. "We're riding with Fornjot and his people."
"What?" she asked, clearly shocked.
"We're working together to get to Loki," I said, smiling. "It's the only way we were going to get through all of the Hrimthurssar."
"Can we trust them?" she asked, frowning.
"Can we trust anyone?" I replied, shrugging. "For the moment, we have a common goal. They want Loki stopped as badly as we do. They have just as much to lose."
"What happens after that?" she asked, looking around nervously.
"That will be up to them, I suppose. I won't turn on them, but I will fight if they turn on us."
"The two of us against all of them," she said, scowling. "Not very good odds."
"We've been through worse," I said, grinning.
"It's sad to say, but you're right," she replied, finally smiling. "I really hope you know what you're doing, Wylie."
"Yeah, me too," I said. "We'll find out soon enough."
"How's your leg?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Still hurts a lot," she said, probing her left leg with her fingers. "I don't think it will support weight, yet."
"Rest here in the wagon," I said, crawling out of my bedroll. "We're heading out, soon."
"Wylie," she said, pulling me up short. "I'm not in any shape to help you fight. You can't do this on your own."
"We have to strike now," I said. "Before Loki has the chance to consolidate his forces and send them after our people. I don't have a choice but to keep fighting."
"I want to stand beside you," she said, tears in her eyes.
"I know you do," I replied. "I want you to be there, too. That's how we started all of this. But now that it's coming to an end, I want you to survive. I want you to be the one who tells the story. What good is going down in a blaze of glory if there's no one left to tell the tale."
"Instead of planning for this to be the end," she said, sniffling, "why don't you plan on winning and both of us going home?"
"Believe me," I said, grinning. "I much prefer that outcome. The odds of that happening are pretty slim."
"We've been beating the odds since this all started," she said, tears in her eyes.
"I promise," I said, softly. "I don't plan on dying. I want to win this fight and go back home. I'm just going to take it one fight at a time. We'll see what fate has in store for us."
"I don't want to lose you, Wylie," she sobbed.
"Hey, don't cry," I said, wiping her cheek with rough fingers. "This ain't over. Save those tears for when we need them. I'm not finished, yet."
"Don't give up," she said, sniffling.
"I won't," I replied. "I never have and I never will. Now, get some rest. We'll be heading out of camp any time now."
Jumping down from the wagon, I began buckling on my gear. After everything was in place, I double-checked the loads on all of my guns. Once I was satisfied, I shouldered my pack and headed towards where Fornjot was waiting with Volcano. He smiled as I approached, handing me the reigns. I returned the smile.
"Today, we ride into death, Grant," he said. "If your directions are correct, we should arrive at this Pensmore by midday."
"Then what are we waiting for?" I asked, climbing onto a log and then into the saddle.
Volcano snorted and tossed his mane as I settled into the seat.
"I think Volcano is starting to get used to me," I said, grinning.
"He was bred for war," said Fornjot. "He knows that battle is at hand. He can feel it in the air. We all can."
"I felt it, too," I said.
"Then let us ride into death together," said Fornjot.
"Let's ride," I said, putting my heels to Volcano's flanks.
We rode out in a column, with the wagon near the center. It was a long procession of warriors. I wasn't exactly sure how many were in our ranks, but it felt like I was leading an army into battle. Even though they weren't my people, I knew that they would follow me. I could feel it.
Since I had stopped Surtr, I had learned that there were only two types of the Eldjötnar. The ones who wanted to kill me to be the man who beat the man. Then there were the ones who looked to me as a conquering hero. They would follow me into Hel, itself. The thing is, with Loki waiting for us that might be exactly where we were going.
"Victory or Valhalla," I whispered.
Above me, two massive ravens circled on the wind. It was just the sign I needed. The All-Father's eye was on us. Whatever the outcome, this battle would not be forgotten.
Chapter Thirty Three
The Road to Hel
"Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well."
- Robert Louis Stevenson
We cleared the city of Ozark by midmorning. Years ago, I had lived in Ozark for a few months. It was before I met Karen and right after I had gotten out of the Army. Although the town had grown considerably since I lived there, there were still landmarks that I recognized. Even with all of the desolation, I could see familiar places.
The occasional tremor that ran through the ground reminded us that the volcano that had once been Springfield was still actively spewing super-heated rock and ash into the air. With stark clarity, the realization dawned on me that even if we won the battle against Loki, nothing was ever going to be the same here. Even the landscape was going to be forever changed.
I felt a wave of sadness wash over me with an oppressive weight. It felt like the sorrow and loss from everything that had happened since the fall was now squarely on my shoulders. There was so much death and loss and so few of us left that rebuilding was going to take generations. The world we were going to build would bear little resemblance to the world we knew. The world we lost.
We crossed the Finley River by using the bridge on what had once been US-65. Fortunately for us, the bridges were intact. There was enough room between abandoned cars for us to cross without having to go around. Although the river was still choked with ice, there were sections of water that was already moving. That meant the ice wasn't thick enough for the horses to walk across without falling through. I had no idea how deep the river was, so I didn't want to take the chance.
By the time we reached the burned out hulk that had once been the local Mega-Mart, the horses were beginning to get skittish. They were sensing some kind of danger that we hadn't seen. It's been my experience that you shouldn't ignore warning signs like that. I noticed that the rest of the warriors were taking notice, too.
Without any sudden movements, I flicked the safety indicator from off to semi on my Beowulf. Stealth wasn't our primary concern, at the moment. It wasn't like an armored column riding down the interstate was easy to miss. Quite the contrary, it was almost as loud as marching through the area with a full band blaring out a John Phillip Sousa march.
Motioning for the column to come to a stop, Fornjot began studying the area looking for any signs of a threat. I let him search and instead turned my senses to something else entirely. I began glancing around looking for the twin ravens that had been following us all morning. It didn't take long before I spotted them, circling high above the southernmost wall of the burned out Mega-Mart.
Bringing Beowulf to my shoulder, I put my eye to the ACOG and began sweeping the area. Initially, I didn't see anything. I didn't let that discourage me, though. I decided to sweep the area, again. Instantl
y, I was glad that I did. I caught a glimpse of movement near the eastern end of the ruined building. Zeroing in on that section, I could see the vapor cloud from the breath of something large. If I had to guess, I would say it had to be a Vargr.
"They're behind the building," I said, pointing.
"Are you certain?" asked Fornjot. "I do not see anything."
"I'm sure," I replied.
"Then we should send riders to flush them out of hiding," said Fornjot. "If it is battle that they seek, we shall be more than happy to give it to them."
"I think I can do that from here," I said, chuckling.
"Then proceed," said Fornjot, drawing his blade.
Sighting in again, I waited until I saw the puff of vapor again. I knew it was behind a concrete block wall, but the range was only about eighty yards and Beowulf's .50 caliber rounds should have no problem punching through it. It might not be a kill shot, but I guarantee it would get their attention. There would be little doubt that we knew they were there.
With a gentle squeeze of the trigger, Beowulf roared his challenge across the distance and I watched the concrete block disintegrate from the force of the impact of the massive round. I could see what looked like blood spurt into the air and splatter into the snow behind the wall. That's when all Hel broke loose.
From behind the building boomed the resounding call of one of the Hrimthurssar signal horns. It was immediately answered by horns from all around us. I could hear the roar of battle-cries erupt as hundreds of the Hrimthurssar emerged. We were heavily outnumbered.
"Defensive circle around the wagons!" bellowed Fornjot. “Move!”
The Eldjötnar reacted without hesitation and soon we were all in an outward facing circle with the wagons in the center. We all had our weapons up and ready for battle, but the Hrimthurssar didn't charge. They merely presented themselves and let us know that we were completely surrounded. Our only chance of escape would be to try and punch through their lines and open up a section big enough for us all to ride through. I don't believe that any of us were planning on trying to escape. If they wanted a fight, then they were going to get one.
I fully expected Valgard to ride out and challenge us, but I was surprised when two riders emerged from the line of warriors. It was Vigdis and Valdis. They were both armed and armored with bows in their hands and arrows at the ready. Although they didn't attack, they looked prepared for battle. I couldn't help but wonder just what was going on.
"Hold your fire," I called to Fornjot. "Let's find out what they want."
"They are Hrimthurssar," said Fornjot, as if that explained everything. "They only seek our heads on their spears."
"I know them," I said, gesturing at the twins. "If they wanted to attack, they would have already done it. They have us surrounded and outnumbered."
"If you choose to parley with them, then so be it," he rumbled. "But do not expect them to be reasonable. Our people have been battling theirs for thousands of years."
Fornjot motioned for the others to hold their positions as I rode out to meet the twins. They came out to meet me, allowing us to talk without anyone overhearing what it was we said to one another.
"Hello, Grant," said Vigdis, smiling. "It pleases me to see you again."
"What's going on here, Vigdis?" I asked. "Why are you surrounding us?"
"Because we needed to speak with you before you reached Pensmore," said Valdis.
"You couldn't tell me last night?" I asked, hesitantly.
"What we have to say did not occur to us until we had talked long into the night," said Vigdis.
"We need to know something," added Valdis.
"What's that?" I asked, eying them both suspiciously.
"Do you really believe that you can defeat both Valgard and Loki?" asked Vigdis.
"Do I have a choice?" I asked, shrugging. "I either defeat them or we all suffer the consequences."
"Indeed," said Valdis.
"What you see here are the assembled warriors of only one of the nine tribes of my people," said Vigdis.
"Are the other eight waiting for us at Pensmore?" I asked, shocked.
"Not yet," replied Vigdis. "With the Bifrost opened, Loki will soon begin to bring more of them through. For now, we represent almost half of the Hrimthurssar that followed Loki here."
"The rest serve Valgard," added Valdis.
"Are they one of the other eight tribes?" I asked.
"No," said Vigdis. "They are outcasts; warriors without honor who follow Valgard. He does not lead one of the tribes."
"The nine tribes have a sense of honor," said Valdis. "Yet we have always served Loki because our ancestors pledged themselves to him."
"Why do you question that now?" I asked.
"Because what he seeks to do is without honor," said Vigdis. "To defeat an enemy in battle is honorable. There is no glory in this battle. To use the dead in this way is to go against all of our ways. Our people are warriors, not butchers."
"If you ride to Pensmore," added Valdis, "there will be a fierce battle. Many lives will be lost, on both sides. We do not wish to throw away the lives of our kinsmen for such a cause. If you were to win, our people would be free of their oath to Loki. If you fail, we are doomed to a life worse than death. Our tribes will be absorbed under Valgard's banner and we will be bound to him by Loki's decree."
"If we help you reach Pensmore," said Vigdis, "then we can hold off Valgard's men. We can force the fight to remain between you and Valgard. Once you defeat him, Loki will be forced to face you personally."
"That is why we must know," said Valdis, "can you defeat Valgard?"
"I defeated Surtr," I replied. "I may not defeat Valgard, but I can promise you that I will weaken him enough that Fornjot can finish the job."
"And what of Loki?" asked Vigdis.
"I think that between the two of you and Fornjot," I said, "you should be able to take him."
"You would buy us the chance to gain our freedom with your life?" said Vigdis, incredulously. "Why would you do this for us?"
"I don't do it just for you," I said. "Freedom for you means a fair chance for my own people. If I can stop Ragnarok, then they have a real shot at survival."
"If you do this for us," said Vigdis, "we will do our best to help your people. This world is certainly big enough for us all."
"Fair enough," I said. "Let's get Fornjot involved in this conversation."
I turned in my saddle and motioned for him to join us. He had a confused look on his face as he rode forward. Clearly, he hadn't expected this to happen. None of the Eldjötnar would have believed that the Hrimthurssar would want anything beyond their deaths. Clearly, the Eldjötnar felt the same way about the Hrimthurssar.
"What transpires here?" asked Fornjot, stopping his horse beside mine.
"Funny you should ask," I replied, chuckling.
"I see no humor in my statement," said Fornjot, clearly annoyed.
"I didn't mean it that way," I said, smiling. "It's an old expression. I meant that it was strange you would ask since that is exactly why we called you up here."
"Hmm," he snorted, dismissively. “Humans.”
"We have unexpected allies in our fight against Loki," I said, jumping right in.
"Why would they help us?" replied Fornjot. "They have always been willing servants of the Trickster."
"No longer," said Vigdis. "For too long, we have endured his reign. Our people have been used as pawns in his schemes for far too long."
"I doubt that all of your kind will feel that way," retorted Fornjot.
"True enough," said Valdis. "But not all of your kind supported Surtr, if I recall."
Confusion mixed with doubt clouded his features as he struggled with this new revelation. I could understand his confusion. Undoubtedly, his entire life had been spent believing that the Hrimthurssar were loyal to Loki and were the sworn enemies of the Eldjötnar. I just hoped that he could put aside their age-old differences and work together. We had plenty of
enemies to face without fighting each other.
"The important thing is we all want to take down Loki," I said, watching Fornjot closely.
"So it would seem," he said, after a moment. "This does not make us friends. Only allies of convenience."
"So we are agreed, then," replied Vigdis. "We have no great love for your people anymore than you do for ours."
"Once Loki is defeated we will go our separate ways," he said. "Agreed?"
"Agreed," answered Vigdis and Valdis in unison.
"Close enough," I added, shrugging. "Just so long as we accomplish the mission. I don't expect you all to set aside generations of hatred. Frankly, I'm happy you even agreed to work together."
"We, as you say, do not have any other choice," said Fornjot, darkly.
"Desperation makes for strange allies," added Valdis. "Times are indeed desperate. If Loki succeeds, we will all suffer."
"As a great man once said," I quoted, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall hang separately[8]."
"A wise man," said Valdis.
"Indeed," agreed Fornjot.
"How are we to proceed?" asked Fornjot. "If we ride in together, it will undoubtedly draw out the full wrath of the Trickster."
"Yet if we arrive separately," said Vigdis, "they may not realize that we are on your side until the battle has been engaged."
"Precisely," said Fornjot.
"A clever deception," I said, nodding my approval. "By the time they realize that your people have switched sides, it will be too late to position their forces to counter you."
"Let us hope that it gives us a decisive advantage," said Valdis. "The element of surprise only lasts for a few moments."
"Then we'll just have to make the most of it, while it lasts," I said, grinning. "If I can use that to draw Valgard out, I might be able to force him to fight me alone. His troops will be too busy with the combined threat from your forces."
"We will only get one chance at this," said Fornjot. "Once you engage his forces, everything will erupt into chaos. That is when Grant must seize the opportunity to take on Valgard. Once Valgard falls, that will draw Loki out. He will have no choice but to join the battle, personally."
Ragnarok Rising: Desolation: Book Five of the Ragnarok Rising Saga Page 43
