by Farah Cook
“We are facing war anyway, whether you like it or not,” says Tove. “Frederick’s band will not play fair. They’re not meant to now that they’ve recruited two Nesferati raiders on their team and you know what that means.”
“What are you saying? The peace treaty among the three divisions was not sealed for nothing,” I say. “We want to avoid war.”
“Nora, now is the time to assign you to your true duty as the future Empire’s Viking assassin – before the Republic begins to suspect something about you we have to protect our interests and find the—”
“Viking assassin weapons,” I say and notice the surprise on Magnus’s face. He’s desperate to get me assigned to a mission to find the weapons I can tell. With the Empress’s life in danger, he stands to rule, and I am to serve him – Emperor Magnus of the Goths Viking clan.
“You knew?” asks Magnus. “How did you—”
“Because I tried one of the weapons out before coming here. The sword belonged to my ancestors and it is mine to keep. I’ve tested its magical powers—”
Maja turns to me. There’s more worry in her eyes than what she can carry.
“You are still obliged to serve the Empire. The sword doesn’t change your fate in becoming a killer.” There’s a sense of unfamiliar worry in Maja’s voice. “The only reason the gods chose you to carry the map that leads to the nine worlds is because you come from a line of killers. Without your past, you’re a nobody.” Maja’s words are hateful, but I don’t show sign of any distress.
“Goth shall rightfully rule the Empire because it’s what Odin, Vili and Ve killed the giant Ymir for – and created the nine worlds.” says Tene.
“I will do my best in serving the Empire for justice against the enemy because it’s my ancestry duty,” I say with fierce pride and look toward all of them.
“You sound so sure of yourself, Nora Hunt,” hisses Tove. “How can we be sure the map tattooed on your back is real? I mean you’re just a—”
“Enough!” Magnus shouts and slams his fist into the wall. It breaks, and blood splatters across the floor. “There’s no question in my mind that Nora is the chosen one from the Viking prophecy who carries the map of the world tree Yggdrasil. Only she will know how to find the nine worlds. And as to the Viking assassins – their secret has been buried for five hundred years, and no one has been able to find the ancient weapons they forged. They are scattered among unknown Viking descendants like the one Nora happens to have found. Where is this sword Nora?”
“The sword is kept in a secret place to protect it.” I say.
“Why did Lady Hunt never mention the sword to the Empress?” he says.
“What matters is that I have the sword,” I say. “As an assassin—”
“Life as an assassin is awash with cold blood. You’ll face large frost giants who can crush you like a bug. Alfheim elves will attempt to seduce you into killing yourself. Their knowledge is beyond any other creature’s. Those are some of our enemies. They’d want to claim their world, and the others. Power does things to the mind – terrible things.” Magnus takes a deep, concerned breath.
“As an assassin, you’ll be up against powerful races.” He keeps quiet for a while. A hundred expressions chase each other across his face. “It’s a risk for a young Viking assassin like yourself to embark on deadly missions – a risk I’m not sure we can afford to take because we have no protection to offer should something go wrong.”
“What could possibly go more wrong than the Empress dying. We stand here defenseless and unable to help her.” I say.
“The apples of immortality,” says Tene, “from Idunn’s casket. I should have mentioned this earlier, but I have information about where to get them from.”
“That’s ludicrous,” cries Tove. “We are just buying time. The Empress is dying and the unbreakable death spell that’s on her is spreading like poison in her veins.” There’s something quite heartless about Tove’s interjection.
“The apples could slow down the Empress’s death. Immortality apples are not considered magic,” hedges Maja as she swings back her long braid.
“Maja, have you lost your mind?” asks Magnus. “Of course, it is magic. But so be it, we have no choice, we do what we must to get Nora knighted.”
Maja runs to him, and takes his bleeding hand into hers. He shakes her off and stands up. He’s trembling with fury. Maja’s eyes sadden, but she stands firm.
“I’ve always cared to listen to you all before making any decisions. The weapons of the Viking assassins are hundreds of years old – the magic could have grown very powerful. Too powerful. But given that our strength is weakening and the Empress is on her deathbed, we need to locate the weapons before our enemy does.”
“City of Vikings!” Treason hails through Tove’s words. “That’s where Nora needs to go – she is, after all, the chosen one to serve the Empire.”
“Magnus, my dad is in exile there!” I say. “He could help us.”
“It’s high treason for anyone to enter such a city. Unless you have an alliance with the senate’s chancellors and embedsmen it spells public execution,” says Maja. Her beetle-black eyes move quickly and she circles around us.
“Nora will lead this mission and find the weapons,” says Magnus. “It’s her duty now and what she’s meant to do. This is not a game and our lives are on the line and so is the Empire our ancestors fought to preserve.”
“Nora must be knighted—” Maja hesitates, “by the Empress, right Magnus?”
“Without it, there’s no awakening,” whispers Tove. Her big eyes turn the color of dark amber, “and she will be in grave danger.”
“What are you getting at?” asks Maja. “Nora can attend the Empress’s chambers tonight to ensure she’s knighted.”
“The Empress is weak and dying,” says Magnus. “Members of the Republic have been trying to break into her mind for years. Today at the opening of the bi-annual sports games they’ve finally succeeded. I was informed the seven Lumini Lords were present at the games – but we could not have known they showed up only to cast their evil death spell on her. Regardless, the Empress is our mother and she is a strong woman. She would rather give up her life to guard the secrets she holds – and now she stands face to face with death counting her last breaths.”
“It’s not too late, Magnus,” says Maja, while Magnus rubs his bloody knuckles. “She did what she had to, to save the Empire.”
“Nora must meet the Empress,” says Tene. “Otherwise…”
“Fine,” spits Magnus. “Nora will meet the Empress first thing tomorrow morning.” I sigh in relief as the tension between us begins to ease.
“Thank you, Magnus,” I say. His granite face shows signs of softening I’m relieved to see that he is showing the more human side of himself.
“Don’t disappoint me, Nora. I trust that you will find the Viking assassin weapons, but bear in mind, you’re going on the deadliest mission anyone has ever embarked upon,” he says fervently. “An old Viking wizard who protects the City of Vikings may know where you’d find the weapons. His help could come at a great cost or even sacrifice.”
“Magnus why do you trust me so much?” I ask. He seems relieved of his own constant worries. I think he trusts me because he knows Karen, or perhaps he can read something in my mind the others can’t?”
“Because life is about taking risks. If we don’t we’d never know what we could have accomplished. Don’t disappoint the Empire, it depends on you.”
“What makes you think I would disappoint you?”
“Your heart,” he says and comes close. “It’s easily distracted.”
“Just like Maja’s heart for you?” I say and take a step back.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Magnus turns away.
“It’s obvious,” I say “Just as obvious that my heart is pounding inside my chest to keep me alive. The day I let go of it will be the day I die.”
“Nora, it doesn’t have
to be like that,” says Magnus. “You have to fight against the demon in your mind, and by the gods I hope the demon is not Fred—”
“What do you know about demons in my mind? Did you read my mind?”
“I don’t have to,” he says. “Sometimes a face can reveal a thousand secrets. The way Frederick looked at you in the assembly… the way you look at him.”
“Still you trust me to face our most deadly enemy that could cause our doom.”
“It would be your doom too, wouldn’t it?” Magnus looks into my eyes the way I don’t want him to. The way Maja looks at him, longing for love. The way I long for Frederick. Doesn’t Magnus know, I am already doomed. The day I fell in love with Frederick. That love cannot be replaced, and still I try to forget about him.
“Thank you for your trust. I will not disappoint you.” From the corner of my eye Maja’s glare burns my skin. But I ignore her and focus on the deadly mission ahead of me. The mission that could become our ruin or rescue.
As I leave the towers a world of secrets washes over me. I try to think of clues that will bring me closer to my dad – and the risks I’m willing to take. I just have to give Frank Hildebrand something in return for the access to the City of Vikings – the place that holds all the secrets I’ve been looking to unlock.
Not only does Hildebrand have to like me enough to grant me access, but he also has to be insane. I will be needing the help of my ally and best friend, Helena Vestergaard. What will her reaction be? A smile creeps up my face. I know Helena too well.
7
“FORGET ABOUT IT, Nora,” says Helena with such certainty that I think I’m going to lose this battle. She’s stubborn, but she’s also smart, witty and has one fine indomitable spirit when she’s in sync with it.
“Please, Helena,” I beg. “I need your help.”
“You want my help to find the Viking assassin weapons?” Helena rolls her big brown eyes at me. “You keep bringing back trouble. Stick to your dynasty and commit to your duty as Elite Raider! Go raid something, anything! But please stop taking about bringing deadly ancient weapons in to the Triangle. Besides I thought your real mission was to find your dad?”
“That’s what I’m trying to do,” I say, trying not to raise my voice. Why doesn’t she understand – I have to take extreme measures if I want to find my dad and the assassin weapons. “I’ve been given this mission so we stand a chance of defeating our opponents. They already launched an attack on the Empress and I could be next.”
“You have to keep your profile low or the Republic will scrutinize you – it can’t take them long to figure out who you really are. The girl who carries the real Viking tattoo and is destined to find the nine worlds.” Helena sits down next to me on the glass floor and cocks her head. “Don’t piss the Verans off or draw unnecessary attention to yourself – and stay away from the one guy that’s your sworn enemy. He’s not one kind of enemy. He’s your rival, too, in blood and in dynasty.”
“Thanks for the signposts,” I say sulkily. “You don’t need to rub my nose in it. I know perfectly well how to handle myself. Do you really think I am stupid enough to risk everything that I have at stake?”
“I just don’t want you killed.”
“I know you don’t, so will you help me out?” I ask. “I’ve been waiting my entire life to meet my dad, and this mission could bring me closer to him.”
Helena’s face softens. Her beautiful amber eyes, and chocolate-brown complexion shines bright and clear. Helena takes off her red-rimmed glasses and stares at me.
“Nora, you face execution, and I will not be able to help you when the Republic sets a price on your head. As an Orkeney I’ll be required to work with your enemy if needed. All I can do now is guide you so you don’t end up dead.”
“I will not die that easily.” I say. “The gods had a plan when they entrusted me with the map of the nine worlds. Besides there’s got to be another way to get to the City of Vikings without having to go through Hildebrand first.” I say.
My dad has to know about the Viking assassin weapons what else did Karen mean that day before the guards took her away and she said that he has something…she must have meant the weapons.
I know why she kept all this a secret. The more I know the quicker the Republic will find out about me. They are manipulators and would have read my mind in a heartbeat. The only reason they were unable to is because I’ve managed to conceal my thoughts well. I’m older and wiser and I feel my inner strength growing.
“The City of Vikings hides several secrets – you know you’ll be taking a great risk for only Frank Hildebrand has the map that will take you there,” Helena says. “And it’s not even certain that the weapons you’re after that your dad knows where they are. They could be anywhere. Perhaps they don’t even exist. I mean think about it. This year was all about raiding the ancient Viking artifacts. We are never allowed to question our missions and now that the artifacts surely have been found the next on the list of raids are the weapons. The Republic are on to them why else send Rognvald on a secret mission supported by Hildebrand?”
I sigh. “Look! If you’re not going to help me then I’ll reach out to him myself.” I get up and face the snow-white skies visible through the glass façade.
“You can’t do that,” rage flashes over Helena’s face.
“Yes, I can.” I show Helena the card with red raised text – clean and crisp, showing Hildebrand’s name in big bold capital letters and a number at the bottom. Helena glides her fingers over its surface. “You know I’ll be careful. I already solved the puzzle in the glass casket that day I met him in Ocean Eye. That was the day he gave me his card.”
“Hildebrand loves using unorthodox methods to get what he wants, and if you plan to use him without the support from the Orkeney Dynasty, you are putting yourself and your band’s lives in great danger.”
“Hildebrand is the only one who holds the maps to the secret cities and to every location in the Triangle and Forbidden Areas for that matter. That’s why you work with him. Just look at the wealth of artifacts and knowledge he’s gathered from our past,” I say. “I have to strike a deal with him.”
“He’s a greedy man and will sell your soul to vile creatures to get what he wants. The Orkeney Dynasty would never do that. Nora, let me at least guide you, Niels is the most experienced raider among us, with contacts in high places. Why choose a more dangerous route than necessary without our support?”
Niels, from the Orkeney Dynasty creates maps for raiders in the Forbidden Areas. The only reason he’s still alive, and the reason why Orkeney don’t compete against Jarls and Rognvald – they’re only interested in seeking alliances that spare their lives from danger. Their dynasty has chosen a clever middle ground.
“Because you don’t believe that I need those weapons to protect the Empire, which is fragile and will be destroyed if I don’t do something. Any day now the Republic could just wipe out the entire Goth clan. All it takes is that they start seeing us as a threat. I happen to descend from a line of Viking assassins sworn to protect and serve the Empire. That’s the only reason Magnus has assigned me this mission, and by Odin, I will succeed with or without your help Helena.”
“By your Norse gods, you are fearless, aren’t you?” she says, her eyes widening. “The gods did well choosing you. They knew what they were doing.”
“I just need to be sure that Hildebrand gives me what I need to get access to the City of Vikings, or at least helps me and points me in the right direction. I don’t have any other choice and in return I’d have to give him something that he wants. That’s how his mind works.”
“Then do what you must, Nora, you never listen to anyone anyway.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I demand, suddenly enraged.
“You know very well, what I’m saying,” Helena’s face is a map of misery and contempt. “But I don’t want to go there with you,” she says grudgingly.
“Trust me. I’ll figure out
a way that will get me to the City of Vikings,” I say.
My dad will be able to tell me about the Viking assassin’s weapons. Only then can I take out our enemies one by one. I’m reminded of the sword in Karen’s house – powerful and sublime, the sword will journey with me.
“You’re raving mad, but clearly, I must be as mad as you,” sighs Helena. “After all I did select the Orkeney Dynasty – I’ll be diplomatic and help you as much as I can. That’s where being a Togus helps me. The Togus Law in the North division is of reason and science and facts…”
“Helena, you’re my best friend, but you’ve got to stop worrying about me. I’m fully capable of doing this, and I’m not afraid to kill my enemies—” The words fly out of my mouth and I realize what I’ve just said. These are the words from an assassin’s mouth.
“Not so loud! The walls have ears!” says Helena. “They don’t just have ears, but bodies that move. These walls may well have a corrupt mind that could be hiding anywhere. Then where would we be?” Her voice is low. She looks more worried now as she cranes her neck around. Inside the Tower of Swords, the tiles and walls move daily, carrying flows of conversations from one end to another. Conversations like these can easily be transmitted. Only some chambers are secure, but no one knows which ones for sure.
“Because we’re not meant to have secrets in the Tower of Swords,” I say, and still this place hides more secrets than any other place I’ve ever been to.”
“You’ve not been to many places then,” Helena grins, “and you want to go on a deadly mission, snatching up ancient and powerful Viking weapons?” A condescending smile creeps over Helena’s face. I’m tempted to scream SHUT UP! at her, but the truth is I need Helena. I’ve always needed her. Her rationale and reason balance me. Although we have conflicting views, her reasoning often makes me think, Am I doing the right thing?
“I need those weapons,” I say, irritation crawling on my skin as I think of Karen. Why didn’t she tell me that I am destined to become a Viking assassin? What else is she hiding?
