“Ryle! Ryle! Stay with me!”
With Ayr and Ustin finishing what was left of the pack, Gretta also ran towards the young elf. “I am coming Lady Rumil. Keep him stable!”
When I got to him, I saw the wolf’s claws had ripped his back to shreds before I could pick it off. I rolled him over and saw blood coming from his mouth. “Ryle, please, stay with me!”
He coughed, more blood came up. “I am sorry I failed you. I should…have been…more…vigilant.”
“It is not your fault! It is mine for asking so much of you. We are the ones who failed you.”
I was crying and Gretta pushed me out of the way. She did her best, but as I looked in his eyes, I saw the light fade as he passed on to the other side. “No…Ryle I am so sorry.”
Ustin and Ayr killed the remaining wolves and had quickly come over. I heard them talking, but none of the words processed. Ryle was the youngest of the group and now he was gone too. Two were now dead on my watch and another captured by a hostile target.
“I am not fit to lead.”
Ayr came over and sat in front of me. “Do not say that my lady. Young Ryle knew the dangers and we all did what we could. Had it not been for his warning, we may have all perished. You do him a disservice in not honoring his memory for saving us.”
His words were like a slap in the face. “But if I had paid more attention…”
“If we all had paid more attention to the signs we so blindly missed, he would still be here. Every one of us deserves blame in the young elf’s death, including him. I did not know Ryle very long, but he would be the first to agree with me.”
I looked over at Ustin, who also was struck by grief. His brother Tymon had looked up to Ryle and I could only imagine how hard he would take it when Ustin told him.
“We must take him home, when we are finished. Is there a way to hide the body so it will remain undisturbed?”
Ayr and Ustin went over and took out Ryle’s sleeping roll. They wrapped him in it and with some rope, tied it together. With the body protected, they dug out a spot in a nearby snow bank and carefully covered it back up. It was close enough to a tree that Ustin took out a dagger and notched the name Ryle in Druhir. No one but a dark elf would know what it meant.
“Thank you, everyone. I wish we had more time to mourn, but we should continue while we still have light.” Even as I said the words, my heart was heavy with loss. I resented being the leader right now; I just wanted to mourn the loss of a friend.
“We must continue south Lady Rumil. If we make haste, we should make it to the next clearing before nightfall. There we should be better protected from attack.”
I nodded at Gretta and got up. With one last look over where Ryle was buried, I made a promise to him that his death would not be for nothing. I would find Drexler and I would make the Warrior Maiden pay.
Chapter 11 - Found
After the attack by the wolves, the forest had grown quiet. It was so eerie how a place filled with life could make absolutely no sounds. We had slowed our pace some, without Ryle leading and tracking we wanted to error on the side of caution, but Gretta informed me we should make our stop in the timeframe set forth.
The closer we got to our destination, the more I tried to put everything that had happened so far in the back of my mind. To do that, I focused on my target. “What should we expect the closer we get to Sif’s cabin? Does it have any traps or barriers set up?”
“Lady Rumil, when we came upon it, nothing out of the ordinary appeared. It was only after the second nightfall we were there did we discover Sif entering the residence. We waited two more nightfalls, but she never appeared again. I can only assume she came to be out here on the orders of Odin.”
Ayr was right. Whatever caused Sif to engage us that night must have been on order from Odin himself. “I think it is best if we understand there may be more than one Aesir present. If that is the case, we may have no choice but to fall back.”
“A wise and excellent plan. With the situation hanging on by a thread, we do not want to give Asgard any reason to attack Svartalfheim.”
Ustin was right. As long as this was personal against Sif for taking one of ours, we should still be able to make Odin see reason. However, if more than one Aesir is here and we attack, the results could be disastrous for us and Svartalfheim.
“The clearing is just ahead. We will camp there tonight and prepare for our final leg of the trip.” Gretta pointed ahead of us.
I saw the snowy spot through the trees. It was not overly big and seemed to be in a good location to see everything approaching. I was looking forward to stopping; the day’s travel along with still holding on to the pain of Ryle’s passing had left me very tired.
The closer we came to the clearing, something caught my eye. “Does anyone else see that red spot in the snow?” I pointed to an area beside a tree, right before the forest opened up.
We all slowed down, almost to a stop. Walking a little off the trail, the four of us made our way over to where I saw the red. That is when the smell hit me. It was the smell of blood and decay.
“Lady Rumil, I do not think it is wise for you to see this. Let us take care of this from here.” I wanted to see what had happened, but Ustin stopped me. “Please my lady, it will only make the situation for you even worse.”
With that, he and Ayr went over and inspected the scene even closer. Judging by their reactions, I knew we had found Drexler. Gretta started to cry as they brought the body up from under the snow and broken limbs it had been under. Judging by the amount of red I saw, it looked as if he must have lost a lot of blood.
“Drexler, what did they do to you?”
I caught a glimpse of his broken form as they laid him down. Bruises covered his face and arms, with a slit across his throat. It was obvious that he had been beaten and tortured before finally killed. This was by far the most brutal and disturbing scene I had ever witnessed.
Ustin took out his bedroll and just as they did with Ryle, he and Ayr properly wrapped him up and gave him the dignity he deserved. My mind was racing and heart pounding; I found relief only after I moved away and vomited. It was not the scene that had done this to me; it was the act that had happened. To do this to another living creature sickened me to no end.
“Why would anyone do this? This is excessive and brutal…”
Gretta came over beside me. “I would guess they wanted information. Based on the bruising patterns, Drexler was tortured until he either told his captor something of value or refused even in the face of death.”
“I had just hoped we would be in time to save him.” A third death on my hands, caused in some way by my actions. No, not by mine, this was the work of Sif. It was her actions that caused this pain.
“It is getting late in the evening my lady. With Drexler’s body recovered, I suggest we make camp tonight here and in the morning make our way back to Svartalfheim. We will recover Ryle’s body on the way back as well.”
I waved my hand in acknowledgement. I did not wish to speak anymore about the situation; I had some thinking to do. While I was starting the fire for us, I went over each situation again. I needed to learn from the past and use it to avenge my fallen teammates.
“Tomorrow will be a trying day with the travel. I suggest we all try to sleep and recover our strength and our wit. The forest still provides many dangers. I will take first watch and we will rotate with the cycle of the moon.”
“I agree Ayr. We will need all of our strength to survive what lies ahead.” With my mind made up, I crawled into my tent and lied down on my bedroll. I just needed to wait to make my move.
I must have dozed off; as I felt a hand touch me and I awoke with a flinch. “It is your watch Lady Rumil. Morning is not that far away now. Wake me if you need anything.”
My eyes focused, Gretta came into view. “Thank you and I will. Now rest and let The Norns watch over us.”
As I got up and into position, it did not take long for her to fall asleep. I would wait un
til as close to dawn as I could before I left camp. I did not want to leave my friends unguarded in the night.
While I waited for the moon to get closer to the horizon, I went about making sure my weapons and provisions were intact. I had collected most of my arrows from the dire wolf attack, so I had eighteen usable ones. My dagger was still sharp and I had enough dried boar meat and flat bread for at least three more days. I was as ready as I would ever be.
Time did not dally around and soon the moon was as close to the horizon line as it could get before the sun would wake the others. With my pack ready, quietly I got up and made my way out of camp. I crossed the clearing and just as I was about to enter the opposite side I stopped. Someone was behind me.
“Rumil, are you sure you want to do this?”
Chapter 12 - Ustin
I did not need to turn around. “Ustin, you should have just let me go. Nothing you can say will change my mind.”
“I know this, but I also wanted to offer my assistance. To travel the rest of the way alone is not a good idea.”
He meant well and I am glad to call him my friend, but my mind was made up. “Please make sure Ryle and Drexler get back to Svartalfheim safely. Make sure everyone knows how they died and they receive the honor worthy of a warrior.”
I could feel the disappointment coming from him. “What am I to tell your father?”
“You woke up and I was gone. The three of you tried to track me, but with the fallen bodies, you gave up to bring them home. He will understand and I will take responsibility for my actions when I return.”
“Very well, I will honor your request not as my superior but as my friend. Keep going south; it will take about three quarters of the day. From there, you will see it in a clearing similar to this one. Good luck Rumil and may The Norns watch over you.”
“And you as well Ustin.” With that, I paused for one more moment and then continued into the woods. I was grateful for his directions, as that would give me something to follow.
The forest stretched for as far as the eye could see. With the sun making its first appearance, I felt a quiet solitude as I traveled. The hurt was still there from what this trip had taken from me, but out here alone, I was also free. Moving at my own speed, I was able to visualize my eventual confrontation with the Warrior Maiden.
Continuing my pace and direction as Ustin had said, I came to see off in the distance smoke. It was a single column, much like one would expect when a fire has been made. I was close now and the feeling of bloodlust and hate started to replace the inner peace I had barely achieved. I looked up and it was late afternoon. I wanted to wait until evening and use the cover of night to conceal me, so I stopped.
“No turning back now Rumil. This is the moment you have been waiting for.” I knew talking to myself was crazy, but hearing my thoughts aloud seemed to help. I could not afford to let my anger, hate, whatever emotion it was get the better for me. I needed to keep a clear mind.
With just a little bit to eat and rest before I would be on the move again, I sat down on a tree stump. Travel rations were not always the best, but the boar and bread hit the spot and gave me energy. The rest was also welcome. It had been nonstop traveling the past few days and it was catching up to me. It would all be worth it if I succeeded in my mission.
Darkness was starting to fall and it was time to make my move. I moved quickly and stayed low to the ground. In no time, I saw my target in sight. The cabin was right where Ustin had said it would be. I carefully looked over the entire area and spotted the perfect place. A tall oak tree was close to the backside of the cabin, with perfectly placed branches that I could use.
I stayed hidden in the tree line. As I circled the cabin, I saw nothing out of the ordinary. There was light coming from the window along with smoke coming from the chimney. I made it to the tree I had spotted and a few quick and quiet movements later, I was in position. I did my best to look into the window, but without giving myself away. I saw two shadows and could hear laughter.
Sif was definitely here, as was someone else. I would just have to be patient; time for her to face her crimes to my people was close. I could feel it. Just as I was about to leave my hiding spot in the tree over her cabin, I heard the other person speak. It was a man’s voice.
“Thor has been gone for many ages Sif, you should indulge yourself. I could help you with that.”
How pleasant, I had come just in time to hear the Aesir fornicate with each other.
“Baldr, you know Frigga made me promise to have no other but Thor. I cannot help it if the Thunderer does not reciprocate those feelings. Frigga is second to none in her abilities.”
Baldr laughed at this, “I know mother’s strengths. She for instance was instructed by the Allfather to use her magic to make me invincible.”
It was now Sif’s turn to laugh, “Surely you jest Baldr. Even the mighty queen cannot make such things happen.”
What was Baldr talking about? I needed to stay to hear this.
“I do not lie or jest to you Sif. The Allfather has a special request of me to do some of his more ‘covert’ work. To do so, he made mother weave a spell that protects me from death in battle.”
“Impossible! The laws of magic forbid such things!”
“Oh there is a cost and it is two-fold. First, fatal wounds will not kill, but they will also never truly heal. The scarring will act as a reminder of the enchantment.”
“You said the magic was two-fold. What was the other cost?”
“I tell you out of trust. To complete the magic, I had to choose something that would be able to kill me; a safeguard is what mother called it. I was free to pick anything I liked.” Baldr started laughing again like this was some great joke he was bursting to tell.
“What did you pick Baldr? How rare or useless is this item?”
“My dear Sif, I picked mistletoe as my bane.”
They both erupted in laughter, not knowing that I was there. In light of everything I had just heard, my revenge would have to wait. If what Baldr said was true, then even if I was to defeat Sif, I would not overcome him. I stayed in the tree for a little while longer, just listening.
“With Freyr and Freyja in the ear of the Allfather, it will only be a matter of time now before he lets us out of the shadows. The alliance with the light elves could not come at a more appropriate time.”
“I do hope so Baldr. It is only a shame that the dark elf did not give up the terrible secrets his race is hiding. To know what foul magic they are weaving would have been a boon.”
“It matters little; we will just catch another one until we get the answers we want. But I grow tired of talking about elves. Do you have any more wine?”
I had heard enough. Quietly, I slid down the tree and began my long trip back to Svartalfheim.
Chapter 13 - Trickster
“Father, I know exactly what I heard. Do not doubt my recollection for one moment!” In what had started with him being angry at me for striking out alone in hostile territory was now reversed. It was known that I had my mother’s fiery temper and he did his best to avoid seeing it.
“I am not saying I doubt you. No, what I am saying is that if true, what was done was a perversion of the laws of magic. I do not believe anyone would do that intentionally.”
I gave him the look. “We need to seek council with King Oor and Azmodeous. As the royal mage, he can clarify what is possible and not.”
Father knew I would not back down. “Yes, I agree. The information you bring back is most disturbing, along with everything else that has happened.” His face softened a bit, “Both Drexler and Ryle were given the highest honor among dark elves. Their ashes, along with Krang’s, were laid to rest in the Warrior’s Mausoleum. You did well to bring them home.”
His words brought joy to me. “May their sacrifice not be in vein.”
“While you were unaccounted for, we had a visitor.”
Before I left, no one said anything about a visitor coming. “
Do not keep me waiting, who came to see us?”
“It was a bit unexpected, but the Trickster’s chosen came to see us. She relayed news that Loki himself had told her. It goes along with what you heard; the light elves are influencing Valhalla.”
I was suspicious of any Aesir, but Loki and his chosen from my knowledge were somewhat of outcasts in Asgard. Her word supporting mine would have to be enough to make King Oor see reason. “Did she have anything else to say?”
“Loki has gone to Midgard. Apparently Odin requested him to go retrieve someone, but who that was, she would not say.”
Midgard? “I thought the way was blocked off? Did Odin break his own agreement?”
“I do not know daughter, only time will tell. In the meantime let us just focus on what we know.” It was hard, as the stories of Midgard always piqued my interest, but he was right. “I will send word to the king tonight. For now, you need to rest and I need time to consider everything said. These are matters not to take lightly.”
“Yes father, I will see you in the morning.”
He smiled, “I am glad you are safe daughter. The thought of losing you, like I already lost your mother, was unbearable.”
I gave him a hug before retiring to my room. I felt a sense of relief when I walked in. Sif was still alive, but hopefully tomorrow when I told King Oor what I had heard, that everything would fall into place. I lay down on my bed and sleep came quickly.
****
Was I dreaming? I looked around and I was still in my room, but I did not remember ever waking up. I got out of my bed and walked over to my desk. I reached out and it was solid, it felt as if this was real. I turned around and where my bed had been empty, now someone was sitting on the corner.
“Mother?”
“Hello Rumil, I have missed you and your father so much.”
Without caring anymore if this was real, I ran over and tackled her into a huge hug. Tears were flowing down my face and I buried my head into her shoulder. “I have missed you too mother.”
Power Play: Act 1 Svartalfheim (Ragnarok on Ice) Page 4
