Power Play: Act 1 Svartalfheim (Ragnarok on Ice)

by Jeremy Croston

  “I’ll take any advantage I can get. Now before Tymon gets back over here, do you have it ready?”

  Algrim slid his hand into his pocket and pulled it out. “Some of my finest work right here. I daresay that I even improved your original idea.”

  He certainly had. Being pleased with it, I put it in my pocket for safe keeping. “Thanks Algrim, when the time’s right, this will be the cherry on top.”

  Before Algrim could ask what I was talking about, Tymon came back over and had about ten different daggers and three bows with him. He immediately began questioning Algrim about the differences of each.

  What seemed like forever and a day later, we were leaving the blacksmith’s workshop. Tymon bought two of the daggers and a bow, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time.

  When we got back to the Darklighter stronghold, Tymon went off to show off his new wares to his friends and I searched out his brother. I finally found Ustin in some sort of meditative pose not too far from the training grounds. He didn’t seem to be in any hurry and I had all the time in the world, so I took a seat next to him. I’m pretty sure I fell asleep for a bit however.

  “Master Jack, are you there?”

  I jerked my head up. “Huh, what’s going on?”

  “I have been saying your name and prodding you in the shoulder for quite some time. I thought maybe you were in some human trance. It turns out you were just sleeping.”

  “That’s one thing humans are good at, sleeping. We also excel in eating. At least I do. Anyways that’s not why I’m here. I need a favor and I figured you were the best person to ask.”

  I told Ustin about my dagger being locked away in a vault for safe keeping and that now the only way I could protect myself was with my gauntlets. I asked him if he could personally train me. Even though Tymon and I worked well together in terms of skill, I needed to be pushed to my limit. After a moment of thinking, Ustin agreed.

  “I will train you as best I can in what ways you can use. Come, let us see what I have to work with.”

  Training with Ustin was much different than the sparring sessions with Tymon. Tymon fought with a youthful intensity, but was always just a tad out of control. Ustin, on the other hand, sparred with a very calm and calculating style. I could tell he was basically sleepwalking, as his normal speed would’ve beaten me in mere moments.

  That was the frustrating part; I still couldn’t even land a single punch. Ustin didn’t even try to attempt a punch; all he did was play defense, letting me continue to try to hit him with whatever I could. Finally, when I started to slow down, he called a halt.

  “Master Jack,” he kind of grimaced, “we have a lot of work to do.”

  After breaking down an extensive training program, I was dismissed and feeling a bit unsure of myself. I’d thought I’d improved quite a bit since I first got here, but apparently I was still behind the learning curve. I made it to the dining hall and was all set to eat by myself and wallow when the only person who could cheer me up took a seat next to me.

  “Oh I have quite a bit of exciting news to share with you!” Rumil’s enthusiasm for everything always broke a down mood. “A message from Helheim just came in and Hel wants to meet with all of us. She wants to lend her support in the ongoing issues with Asgard.”

  I still wasn’t up to snuff on all things Asgardian, but I’m pretty sure she just said hell and support. That didn’t seem like reason to celebrate to me. “Why in the world should I be excited about that? Hell sounds horrible.”

  “Jack, Hel is your father’s sister. Do you not remember anything?”

  No, no I don’t remember much. I’m pretty sure I’ve been here too long now as everyone expects me to know what’s going on. “So that would make her my aunt?”

  “That is correct and she wants to meet with our fathers. I think it would be wise if we were there with them as well.”

  “When and where is this all taking place?” I really wanted time to keep training with Ustin.

  “It is not currently that simple for Hel to leave Helheim, so she requested to meet us here on tenth daylight from now.”

  Well, that gave me some time to keep working on my combat skills. I didn’t know Hel and, even though she was my aunt, I’d prefer to be able to at least give myself a chance to escape if this was some sort of trap or anything. “Oh that’s good. By the way, I was able to convince Ustin to work with me. In his own way, he said he’d whip me into shape.”

  She sighed and mumbled something to the effect of boys and their obsessions but I let it slide. I knew she felt like I didn’t have to do all of this, that she was there to protect me.

  Feeling there was enough of talk of crazy aunts and fighting, I decided it was time to move forward with the craziest plan I had ever come up with. “So Rumil, I got a question for you.”

  “Yes Jack? I hope it is not something that is going to take awhile. I am about to go meet father to go over a few…”

  Without thinking I dug into my pocket and pulled out the ring Algrim had made for me. “So Rumil, you want to be my fiancé?”

  Chapter 40 - Engagement

  “You old dog!” Dad was smiling like an idiot when he found me. “I can’t believe you pulled that one out of your hat!” We were all outside enjoying the celebration that Hargna had put on in short notice.

  It didn’t take long for every elf in the area to find out about the ‘strange human bonding ritual’ and investigate for more information. Rumil explained it to everyone she could find and quicker than I could’ve imagined, there was a celebration party in full swing. Hargna closed up shop for the rest of the day and within an hour, we were all outside drinking, dancing, and getting ready to eat.

  “Well I know her as well as I’ve known any woman in my life and it felt like the right thing to do. Besides, it feels like it’s been years since I’ve got mixed up with all this craziness.” It really wasn’t, but it sure did feel like a lifetime since I was just a regular guy playing hockey.

  “Time in this realm does flow differently than in Midgard. There everything seemed to happen so fast that it was hard to keep up with. Here it just seems to slow down, like it wants you to savor every minute of life.”

  “Whoa dad, that was pretty deep.”

  “I think I’ve had too much booze.” We both laughed at that and toasted our flasks together and drank some more.

  Rumil had been walking around showing all the female elves the ring I’d made. Quite a few male elves came over and gave me a hard time because their girls wanted one.

  Algrim, ever the business man, thought that this was fantastic. “I already have received twelve orders tonight! Cheers to the human who made me rich!”

  The entire party was great, a nice way to unwind and relax. I even let Rumil drag me out into the dancing area and we cut loose. As the music stopped, Hargna gave a passionate speech about this being a momentous day and that this was a sign from The Norns that a more peaceful time was coming. I sure hoped he was right. When he finished, the kitchen staff unveiled the massive feast and we went to town.

  After everyone ate dinner and got to enjoy some more dancing, the party died down. I think it was because they ran out of wine, but my suspicions could not be confirmed. As the guests of honor, Rumil and I stayed until the bitter end to say good bye and thanked everyone for their well wishes.

  Once everyone left, I was ready to get back to our room. “Rumil, I’m pretty sure I’m drunk. Carry me back to our bed please.”

  Oh yeah, I had way too much. I blamed dad as he kept getting us more. The tolerance of the wolf greatly outclassed the tolerance of the human.

  “You felt the need to go down this road, you can walk yourself back.” Even though she said that, she still put her arm around me and helped me. I didn’t make things easy though as I started dancing again and singing. The night staff in the stronghold was doing their best not to laugh at me, but I have a feeling Rumil was quite embarrassed.

  When we made it to our room, Ru
mil immediately went into the bathroom and closed the door. I thought maybe she was mad at my obnoxious behavior until I heard her call out my name.

  “Jack, why do you not come in here? I have a surprise for you this time.”

  I did as I was told and well, later that evening right as I fell to sleep was I should’ve gotten her that ring sooner. The little vixen really had a great way of showing her appreciation!

  I woke up a few hours later having to use the bathroom due to excessive alcohol abuse. After taking care of business, I went over to the window and looked out. It was still dark but it was peaceful. I could see the glow of the moon through the mouth of the cave entrance.

  Just as I was about to go lie back down, I saw an outline of someone moving in the shadows. Whoever that was, he (or she) was moving fast and headed deeper into the cave. There was only one thing down there – my dad.

  “Rumil, get up! We got trouble.” It took a few moments but I finally managed to get her woken up and explained what I saw.

  “We do not have time to get the guards rallied. Get ready and grab your gauntlets, we do not know what we are about to go up against.”

  Both of us got ready as quickly as we could and got our gear on. Rumil grabbed her bow and quiver full of arrows and I already had my gauntlets on. She grabbed a dagger and handed to me. I knew she had one hidden in her boot, so I slipped mine into my belt sheath. With that, we were off.

  I guess my conditioning drills were paying off as I was able to keep up pretty well with her as we made our way down the path that led to dad’s alcove. As we were getting closer, I could start to hear the signs of a struggle. It sounded like metal hitting metal.

  We picked up the pace and after a few tense minutes, we finally made it. I saw dad and he was fighting off someone. Upon further inspection, it was the assassin that’d caused us trouble the first two times.

  Dad was doing well using Hrotti to parry the attacks of the sword the assassin was using, but I could also tell he wasn’t quite up to his usual standards. He was either still drunk or getting into the hangover stage. Rumil was on it though and let an arrow loose at the assassin. He jumped out of the way and we were able to go over to dad.

  “What the hell are you two doing here?”

  “Dad, this is no time for a lecture. Besides, this is the guy that has been hounding us.”

  The assassin came closer and addressed us. “So Fenrir, the whelp is your spawn. Odin will not be happy to hear about this. I think you have broken one too many laws to be allowed to continue to walk.”

  “Who the hell are you to decide who lives and dies?” I punched my gauntlets together in frustration over this guy. “In case you can’t count, you are currently outnumbered three to one big guy.”

  Dad put a hand on my shoulder. “Stop, don’t make him even angrier.” He turned to the assassin, “Baldr, this is between you and me. Let the elf and the human go.”

  Rumil gasped in surprise and whispered to me, “This is not good, Baldr is one of the most dangerous beings in Asgard.”

  “Fenrir, do not try to pretend that the human is not your spawn. I can smell your tainted scent upon him. As for the elf, Sif sends her regards.”

  He moved so fast I barely had time to register it. I brought my gauntlets up and protected myself against his punch. I knew the spines had dug into his knuckles, but the force behind his fist sent me sprawling.

  Rumil grabbed the dagger from her boot and went on the offensive. Dad, right behind her howling in rage, joined the attack with Hrotti. Baldr seemed to have no problems avoiding their attacks and countering with his own. I knew physically I couldn’t do a whole lot, but I counted on being a whole lot smarter than he was.

  I jumped into the fight mainly to take some of the aggression off of Rumil and dad. None of my punches were even close, but the fact that he had to account for them was enough to help. Rumil sidestepped one of his attacks and was able to land an attack. Her dagger slashed opened a long gash on Baldr’s thigh. He whipped his sword around in fury and all three of us had to jump out of the way to avoid it.

  “The two of you are becoming more of a nuisance than I need. The time for games is over!”

  Baldr rushed us again and this time he aimed his attack at Rumil. She was able to roll out of the way for the most part, but he caught enough of her to knock her down. She rolled to her feet but I could see her bow and quiver had been knocked off and they slid a bit farther away.

  “Enough of this!” That was dad and I turned around to see he was glowing. Just like that, where he’d been standing, light erupted around him and when it flashed out all that was left was a very large and angry looking white wolf. “Baldr, it’s time you remember why I was called the harbinger of Ragnarok!”

  Baldr immediately had to go on the defensive. In angry wolf mode, dad was easily much faster than him. Between swipes with his massive paw or snaps with a mouth full of teeth that would make a great white shark jealous, Baldr it looked like he was finally outgunned.

  While the two of them were going at it, I made my way over to Rumil. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes I am fine. I need to get back in there to support your father. Once Baldr understands his attack pattern, without armor to protect him, your father will be in danger.” Just like that she was rushing back into the fray. Seeing her bow and arrows lying on the cave floor I went over and grabbed them on my way to rejoin the fight.

  Rumil was right; Baldr had come to understand a pattern in dad’s attack and was now fighting back hard. She got herself back in the fray and he wasn’t able to seriously hurt anyone, but this was getting out of hand.

  I was about fifteen feet away when Baldr slammed the handle of his sword into dad’s head and knocked him down. He followed up with a spin kick and took Rumil’s feet out from under her. Without thinking, I grabbed the bow and notched an arrow. I’d never shot one before and fear started to wash over me. He was going to kill her.

  “It is time for you to meet your maker elf!”

  I aimed it as best I could and just as he was about to bring his sword down on her, I let the arrow fly. Rumil had closed her eyes and was waiting for the deathblow that never came. I stood there in amazement as I looked up and saw Baldr drop his sword with a shocked look on his face. The arrow I’d shot was true and hit its mark.

  “This is not possible.”

  Those were the last words Baldr would ever say as the arrow that I had shot had gone straight through his heart.

  Chapter 41 - Arrows

  “Are you sure? Baldr is dead?” I was stunned at the news Goma passed on. I thought Baldr had his mother’s enchantment to protect him.

  “Yes Lord Azmodeous. Fenrir, his human spawn, and the Darklighter heir reported it to Hargna and our spies have relayed the story to me.”

  Goma went over every detail from the encounter for me. It appeared that the fates were not on Baldr’s side as the encounter was full of lucky breaks that went against him. From what I gathered, the human had never once shot an arrow before. These were most interesting developments.

  “Is Hargna gaining any suspicions about recent events?”

  “The spy mentioned that Hargna was suspicious that the archer that was with Baldr last time was not there at this encounter. What should we do my lord?

  There was an easy solution to all of this. “Why Goma, we give him what he wants. Make sure that we can give them the archer when he arrives later give me the account. I want to make sure his suspicion is pointed in the right direction.”

  “If I may make a suggestion Lord Azmodeous, let us wrap two gifts up in one and give everyone the killer of King Oor too.”

  “Goma that is truly a most excellent idea. I trust you can make the appropriate arrangements?”

  “Of course my lord.” He turned to leave, but then stopped. “My lord, what about Odin? I cannot imagine this will sit well with the Allfather.”

  “No I do not imagine it will. However, he still has Sif, Tyr, and Hod who are tru
ly loyal to him. With Heimdall never leaving his tower and Thor being away for so long, this was a blow to his crusade against the dark elves.”

  “Do you think he will send in another to replace Baldr?”

  “No, with Hel arriving soon I cannot imagine him wanting to take an unnecessary risk now.”

  Goma nodded and left to do the preparations as I asked. Once he was gone, I went back to studying the dagger. The unusual energy signature it produced still intrigued me. I would have to do more research later, to see just how I could use this to my advantage. For now, I placed it in the hidden alcove right behind the dark elf throne. Soon, I would be able to start the end.

  ****

  After giving Hargna the run down, I could tell we were up the creek pretty good. Baldr was not only one of Odin’s sons but was his favorite. That also meant I killed my friend’s brother. Not good at all.

  “What of the archer, was there no sign of him?” Up until Hargna mentioned him, I’d forgotten about Baldr’s arrow slinging buddy.

  “No, it was just Baldr from the time I saw him sneaking further down in the cave until his death. Whoever was with him decided not to show up this time.”

  “That seems most unusual to me. It is a shame that capturing him alive was not an option. But I must thank you again Jack for saving the life of a Darklighter clan member. First you saved mine and now my daughter. Our debt to you can never be repaid.”

  I gave him a light punch in the shoulder. Sometimes I forget how different elves are to humans are as he looked completely confused. “You already have, if you guys didn’t take me in and basically adopt me into the family; I highly doubt I’d be in as good of health as I am now.”

  Dad had been suspiciously quiet this entire time, but he did nod in agreement with my statement. Rumil had been the one to tell the tale to her dad. Since she finished she too just seemed really off in the distance.