Power Play: Act 1 Svartalfheim (Ragnarok on Ice)

by Jeremy Croston

  Hargna, in a very polite way, dismissed us so he could get ready for his briefing with Azmodeous over the events that happened. He advised dad to go see the shamans to make sure there were no serious injuries. I wanted to go with him, but Rumil grabbed my arm and gave me a look that said follow me. When we finally made it back to her room I could see she had something very important to say.

  “Jack, it is even more important to get you back to Midgard now. The death of Baldr is not something that we can take lightly.”

  “I’m sure Odin will be ticked off, but…”

  “No please listen to me. Baldr was supposed to be Odin’s ultimate warrior. Once, I came across Sif’s cabin and Baldr was there. I never saw him but I heard the conversation between the two of them.”

  “What did they say?”

  ****

  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 hidden 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 magical 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.

  ****

  “Did you tell anyone what you heard?”

  “I did, but King Oor, Azmodeous, and father all thought I had either misunderstood what I heard or that the Aesir knew I was there and were misleading me. But you heard Baldr when the arrow hit him; he said this was not possible.”

  “If that was the case, how did an arrow kill him? He’s right, that should’ve been impossible.”

  “Not if the arrows had all been soaked in the juice from the berries mistletoe produces.”

  I just looked at Rumil and gained a new appreciation for her attention to detail. “Even though no one believed you, you still prepared for a day where you might come into battle with him.”

  “I knew what I had heard and I was certain Odin was prepping him to go after high level targets. I was not going to be underprepared for that when the day came.”

  So now I knew why the death of Baldr was not an insignificant event. Once Odin knew that his super soldier was dead, he would be outraged. The Allfather would be out for blood. We definitely needed a plan now to get out of here. “So what is our next play? I don’t think we can sit around and hope for the best anymore.”

  “As always, I am one step ahead of you. Thank The Norns you are a wonderfully handsome and amazing man. They certainly left it up to me to be both the intelligence and strength of our pairing.” She laughed and winked at me.

  I just sighed and waved my hand for her to continue. “Hel will be expecting me when she comes so we will stay until her visit is complete. If, as I expect, she cannot lend us immediate aid to get you back to Midgard, we will depart and go see someone who can. Knowing what I know now, I think he will be most intrigued to have audience with us.”

  Who the heck was she talking about? There were only two individuals I remember her saying that could get me back. One was Odin and I am pretty sure that ship had sailed. I mean besides him, no one was crazy enough to go see – oh no. “You don’t mean?”

  “Oh I do. I am sure Loki would be most excited to finally meet his grandson.”

  “You’re just straight up nuts aren’t you? Everything I’ve heard about him leads me to believe that he is even crazier than you!”

  I guess this is the reaction she had expected and just laughed at my little rant. I continued for a few more minutes making sure to use words like absurd and even incongruous. When I ran out of things to say, it was Rumil’s turn to remind me why she was smart and I was dumb.

  “I certainly understand your arguments, but think about these facts. First, the Aesir have never cared for or trusted him. Second, your father saved him from his eternal torture. Finally, he went to Midgard and made sure Master Fenrir was back here to make sure you lived. I truly think there is more to Loki than meets the eye.”

  “What’s our plan going to be if he really is in Odin’s pocket and we walk right into a trap or something?”

  “Don’t worry about that Jack.” I turned around and saw dad in the doorway. “I happen to agree with Rumil on this and will be going with you.”

  Great, I was now outnumbered two to one in this situation. As Coach Clayton would say ‘when your outnumbered, don’t be an idiot and just let the play happen.’

  Well contrary to popular belief by certain elves in this room, I wasn’t an idiot. It was time to let this play out. “Alright then team, how are we going to do this?”

  The three of us sat down and began our preparations. Dad knew where Loki and Sigyn’s resided and could lead us there rather easily. Just as dad was getting ready to give us more insight into Loki himself, there was a knock at the door.

  “You may enter.” Rumil was just so darn formal.

  Izek walked into the room and his mood was somber. “Your father has returned from his meeting with Lord Azmodeous and the clans. He wishes you to come to the library. We now know the identity of King Oor’s assassin.”

  Chapter 42 - Smoke

  “Upon investigation by Lord Azmodeous, it was discovered Mallerk had been both the mysterious archer that guided Baldr into Svartalfheim and also the assassin of King Oor. No one was prepared for that to be the case. Most of the clans are in an uproar and almost called an emergency vote to elect a new king. They feel we need a king on the throne to strengthen our resolve.”

  “Who would they vote in?” Dad seemed to be rather curious now.

  “Lord Azmodeous has the needed support, but with Hel coming and the uncertainty that comes with that, the vote is on hold.”

  “That is a wise decision father. You never know what information Hel may have regarding the Aesir and their role.”

  After getting the latest news, Hargna and Rumil decided it was time to prepare for Hel’s coming and also go over more elf politics. Based on everything I heard, I guessed I would have a lot of free time to work with Ustin before Hel got here.

  And I was right – I had a lot of time to learn and train. The next ten days were grueling. I thought I was in good shape before, but nothing could prepare me for the tolls of training with Ustin.

  Each day was more and more intense as he critically analyzed everything from simple punches to entire combination of different strikes. By the third day I remember him t
elling me I was fighting with the wrong style. I could never match an elf for speed, an Aesir for strength, or have the force to quell a giant or a dwarf.

  “Master Jack, I have decided to teach you a style of combat that has not been seen in many cycles. Most dark elves no longer practice it as we have more practical styles that best use our physical gifts. However, long ago there was a style called that translates into Common as ‘the path of the smoke.’ You will be my first apprentice to learn such skills.”

  Ustin explained to me the theory and why it could work well in my benefit. According to him it was a martial art that relied heavily on defense and being able to anticipate your opponent’s movement. Keeping your limbs loose at all times, the idea was to be able to roll, duck, dodge, and generally be impossible to hit. Ustin said a true practitioner was so hard to hit, that it was described as fighting smoke.

  “You must learn to be able to open your mind and see before it happens. Only then will you be able to truly master what I am going to teach you.”

  So the next two days were spent with me not throwing a single punch or kick. Basically, I was turned into Ustin’s personal punching bag. Each day, after hours of exercises and sparring, he told me I was improving greatly but I didn’t see it.

  It wasn’t until the sixth day that something amazing happened. In the middle of another session of taking a beating, it all just clicked. My mind and body decided it was time to work as one and I successfully avoided a backhand that was aimed at my face, followed with a roll to the left to avoid a kick that somehow I knew was coming.

  When I came to my feet, Ustin had a smile on his face. “Now we can teach you to fight back.”

  By the end of our time training together, I was declared a practitioner of this secret kung-fu in some sort of ceremony to Hargna and Rumil the night before Hel was expected. I never really got the whole thing with elves and everything needing to be a ceremony.

  Rumil spoke up pretty quickly though. “Master Ustin, if you may, I would be most interested in hearing your final evaluation.”

  “Master Jack was a fine candidate for the old ways. With a mind that was already very flexible, we shaped his body movements to match. Now in the moment of battle, I would say none should be able to touch him.”

  Rumil had a strange look in her eyes. I wasn’t sure where this was going, but something seemed off.

  “Is that so? I would personally like to see a demonstration.” Ustin nodded and got into a ready position across from me. “But not with you Ustin.”

  Huh? What the heck was going on here? Then like a flying monk of fury, Rumil leapt from her place beside her dad and was immediately on the attack. Momentarily caught off guard, I took a solid punch to the face. That brought back a painful memory, but it also jogged my senses back and immediately let Ustin’s training take over.

  The world slowed down and I could almost script for you what she was going to do next based on subtle hints. Poor Rumil from that point on didn’t touch me. It was like Ustin had described, every blow was always so close but never made contact. It truly was like trying to hit smoke. Soon she began to get frustrated and became sloppy. Within moments I was able to slide behind her and I brought the clawed left gauntlet up to her throat.

  “I yield.”

  Hargna, Ustin, and the couple of guards posted in the hall all just stared at the situation for a moment. I wasn’t sure if I was in trouble or not, so I began to sweat a little bit.

  Hargna broke the silence. “By The Norns, I have not seen movement that precise in many cycles. I thought you were over reaching in your assessment, but before us we have a true practitioner of the lost art!”

  I lowered my hand from Rumil’s neck; obviously I never intended to hurt her. As I did, she turned around and kissed me. “Jack, that was amazing! You were almost in a trance with your movements. It was a most beautiful sight to behold!”

  “Thanks, I think? I just didn’t want to get slugged by you again.”

  Everyone laughed at my misfortune being mentioned again.

  “Master Jack, the first thing I told you was to always be vigilant. Do not let a pretty face distract you or death will be waiting to greet you.”

  “I hear you man. This pretty face is probably the most dangerous being in all the realms.” That got me a wink and a rueful smile. Not to be distracted again, I turned to Hargna. “Where’s my dad by the way? I figured he would’ve wanted to be here to witness this.”

  “Master Fenrir has gone back to his alcove in order to prepare to meet with his sister for the first time in many cycles. He did ask me to have you go meet with him when we were completed here. However there is one last thing that must be done.”

  Hargna came down from his seat and made his way to right in front of me. He removed his sword from his scabbard and held it up. He was the first elf I had seen with a long sword. I figured that most of them preferred knives or bows.

  He looked at me, man to man (err dark elf). “Please kneel before me Jack, son of Fenrir, from the clan Skelton.” Whoa, this sounded pretty serious, so I did what I was told and kept all my smartass comments to myself.

  As I felt the sword touch the top of my head, Hargna continued. “Rumil, of the clan Darklighter, please kneel beside your chosen.”

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rumil get down right beside me. The sword left my head and touched hers. “Together may The Norns bind you two together for all eternity. Let each of you be the strength to the other. Most importantly, may the love that you are fostering know no end. As my right as one trained in the shaman arts of Svartalfheim, I proclaim the union bound.”

  Both of us turned to each other with the same shocked look on our face. Everyone who was present didn’t say or do anything as Hargna sheathed his sword and walked back to his seat. He finally turned around with a very elfish grin on his face and said, “Go on and get out of here now. Celebrate your union together.”

  Chapter 43 - Bonded

  “Did you know what he was doing? I had no idea your dad was a shaman by the way! You’re holding out on me again!”

  We were walking to dad’s alcove right now and I think the meaning of the matter had overwhelmed us both. Hargna it seemed had a mischievous side. Without bothering to tell anyone, he’d completed the dark elf soul binding ceremony. I’m pretty sure I would’ve liked to have been consulted on such matters.

  “No I did not. All that I was aware of was you were being presented by Ustin as the first in many cycles to have mastered the smoke arts and father wanted to see for himself. I too was most curious and well I wanted to experience the thrill first hand.” Dark elves and their blasted libidos for fighting. “Are you upset that this has occurred?”

  Uh oh, I needed to tread carefully here. “No of course I’m not upset. I just didn’t expect it with everything going on.” Saving myself, “Maybe that’s why your dad did it you know? Something to look back on as a happy moment to be grateful for.”

  Bingo, right answer. The look of uncertainty was replaced with a big old smile. After everything the two of us have been through when I actually really thought about it, this was right. I took her hand in mine and we continued the rest of the way in peaceful silence to go see my dad.

  Once we made it there, we saw that dad was in wolf form sleeping. Not wanting to get to close in case he thought he was under attack or something, I decided to yell from a safe distance.

  “Hey dad, wake up man! You’ve missed the boat again!”

  His big wolf eye that was facing us opened up and he snorted, “Took you long enough to get here. What was the hold up?”

  That’s when the ever excitable elf beside me exploded with the news of what happened. Dad for his part didn’t move. Nothing’s quite as funny as seeing a giant, menacing wolf with a total look of bewilderment. After a few moments, he came back to his senses and shifted into his human form.

  “That crazy old elf! I knew he was up to something when he told me he was putting this all together. I jus
t thought he was being all pretentious elf on me with another formal ceremony for something so token.” He then went over to Rumil and hugged her. “Welcome to our crazy family!”

  “Hey dad, speaking of crazy family, what should we expect tomorrow with good old Aunt Hel coming to visit?”

  “I’m actually glad you both are here. Let me start by saying that Hel’s had quite a tough life. She was the least favorite of the children to our mother. Everyone says it’s because Hel was an ugly baby and to an ice giant she was. She was almost a spitting image of our father, from her red hair to her blue eyes, there was almost no hint of ice giant blood in her.”

  “Well you and my uncle Jormungandr came out as monsters, no offense, so I can’t imagine it was all biscuits and gravy for you.”

  “We were celebrated as heralds of the eventual downfall of Asgard. Hel was treated like a disease. Eventually the Aesir came in the night, killed our mother and stole us away. Jormungandr and I were both placed in prisons designed for physical torture. Hel on the other hand was given her own land, Niflheim. Odin being the conniving bastard he is, told her this was a huge honor and even renamed it Helheim. It was only after she took the oath to be queen of the land, that the trap was sprung. Frigga using her magic to expel Hel there and you can only imagine her shock to find that it was, in fact, the land of the dead.”

  The land of the dead, that didn’t sound like a pleasant place to be stuck for all time as the queen. I was starting to think dad and his brother may’ve gotten off lightly. “You said he bound her there, so how is it possible she is able to come here?”

  “As queen of the land of the dead, it is her rights to come to each realm once a cycle to make sure the fallen are treated with respect. She chose this as her visit to Svartalfheim and Odin has no power to stop her.”

  “I bet he didn’t think about that when he trapped her there did he?”

  “No, he certainly did not. Suffice to say, Odin acts first, rules be damned. However, The Norns intervened and laid the bylaws down. Even Odin himself cannot change them as he sees fit.”