“And you, Sasha. Could you not control your snapping for five minutes?”
“No. The guy is not my child’s father, so he can huff and puff all he wants. He will have no influence on the decisions I and Heinrekh make.”
Erin looked over to Lars. “I’m sorry, this must all be very uncomfortable for you.”
“A little. My loyalty is to Sasha and her child at the moment. I cannot serve her and Valkarin at the same time.”
“But Isafor would like you to.”
“My great uncle and I do not have any particular bond.”
“That is good. But you will have to be prepared, Valkarin will try and have Sasha taken to Isleberg before he invades Lokranor.”
“Then Valkarin is in for a surprise,” Sasha grunted. “He’s not met twenty-first century teenagers before. We rarely do what we’re told.”
“Agreed,” Magnus snorted, before being swatted by Erin. He was just relieved that they had somehow made it through without any major fights. He didn’t hold out much hope for a second meeting.
Valkarin remained silent all the way back to Isleberg. He was seething. How dare this precocious brat insult and taunt him. She would pay dearly for her insolence. And as for Sasha, she was too opinionated for her own good. Was this really what the modern girl had come to?
“Fetch me Heinrekh of Vasmaar,” Valkarin ordered as he stormed into Isleberg Castle. Heinrekh needed better control of his woman if she was going to live permanently in the Second Realm.
“Anything else you require?” Isafor asked.
“Yes. I want to be ready to invade Lokranor within the week.”
“So soon? You have not long regenerated.”
“Do you not think me capable of taking it?” Valkarin fumed.
“You are more than capable, my Lord. But do not rush into it because of Erin McLomard.”
“That girl does not control what I do,” Valkarin thundered, his whole body was starting to turn blue as it filled with Loxhadrin. He headed out onto the balcony of the living room and channelled his anger out to sea, whipping up an almighty storm. “Once I have the Second Realm under my control, I will look to destroy part of the First Realm as pay back for that girl’s disrespect.”
“You will find the women from the First Realm are very different creatures from the subservient ones you were used to. They have the same rights and powers as men and the majority bite back when pushed.”
“And you tell me this now?” Valkarin hissed.
“Something else you might find useful to know. Sasha’s brother Angus works for Heinrekh. He is quite high up in the Circle of Lokmuir and frequently passes on information. Sasha is of course quite unaware of her brother’s betrayal of the First Realm.”
“The McBrides always were in collusion with Vasmaar. And where is this brother of hers currently?”
“I’m not sure. But I can have Lars track his whereabouts.”
“Do that. I want a meeting with this turncoat brother. Another spy is always useful, especially as I do not trust Heinrekh.”
“A wise move as Heinrekh has always been after Lokranor himself.”
Valkarin retreated to his chambers. He was still so riled up from this diminutive girl. Had she really openly challenged him? She was young and completely inexperienced with her powers. Did she think she could actually beat a sorcerer? That she could go up against the dark arts? If she did, she was truly deluded.
Sasha had him quite perplexed though. She was no warrior or priestess so he wondered how on earth she had started an affair with Heinrekh. It was an unlikely pairing indeed. Yes, she had a captivating beauty about her, a freshness that lightened the soul, but there was real backbone too. He was quite sure that should they try and bully her, she would take off with his heir. That of course he could not let happen.
Maybe he should tread a little more gently with Sasha. She said she only disliked the Second Realm, so perhaps he could persuade her to spend some time at Isleberg Castle and from there, slowly turn her around. He snorted loudly, his regeneration was turning him soft. Never before would he have to persuade someone to do his bidding so why start now? She would have to bend to his will, not the other way around.
CHAPTER 7
“You want to go in two days’ time?” Birdie was astounded. “What’s the rush?”
“Valkarin wants to invade Lokranor sooner rather than later. I want to get to Iceland and back before someone spills the beans that I have Aria’s bracelet.”
“What makes you think he is going to act so fast?”
“I saw it in his eyes before he left. He is used to being hailed the all-powerful one, but after two thousand years, his notoriety has faded. He will want to remind the Realms what he is capable of.”
“I guess two days is more warning than last time,” her aunt sighed. “Is it just the three of us?”
“I want Wilhelm along too.”
“Any particular reason? Other than the obvious,” Birdie smirked.
“He’s Viking and we’re looking for Viking artefacts,” Erin shrugged.
“It might have escaped your notice, but Magnus is also Viking.”
“Obviously, but Wilhelm will be useful, I believe. Also, with Valkarin on the brink of invading Lokranor, I think it would be good to get Wilhelm away.”
“If Valkarin invades, wont Wilhelm be needed?”
“Valkarin does not fight with traditional weapons, remember? He’ll use sorcery. If both Olav and Wilhelm are killed, then we have lost.”
“Good point. The heir needs to be protected. Did you want Jasper along?”
“The more the merrier,” Erin grinned. “Actually having Jasper’s brains could be beneficial.”
“Beneficial for what?” Jasper walked into the room with his nose in a book.
“On our field trip to Iceland,” Erin responded.
Jasper dropped his book down. “Iceland?”
“Yes. With a short stopover in Greenland afterwards.”
“For what, dare I ask?”
“We’re retrieving a couple of artefacts.”
“Since when did you become an archaeologist?” Jasper eyed her suspiciously.
“It’s a side line I’m taking,” Erin grinned.
“And that’s all I should probably know,” Jasper winced. “Are you flying us over, Birdie?”
“Of course. Magnus and Wilhelm don’t have passports. I would prefer if our flight plan remained private.” Birdie gave him a knowing look.
“Understood. Do I need to do any research beforehand?”
“No. We might need your wisdom if things don’t go according to plan whilst there.”
“When are we leaving?”
“The day after tomorrow,” Birdie responded.
“In that case we need to work extra hard on your blue energy and symbology, Erin. I understand you’ve got your control back.”
“Yes,” Erin flushed a little pink as she recalled her meeting with Wilhelm. She really wanted to spend time away from Lokranor and Muirhead with him, for it just to be about them, where they could be themselves and relax. However with Valkarin breathing down their necks that seemed nothing but a pipedream for now.
“Good. Practice some symbology with Magnus and I’ll be with you later to work on blue energy commands. I need to speak with Birdie first.”
Erin picked up the looks between Jasper and her aunt. There was definitely something going on there, she just knew it. In fact Birdie had positively been glowing of late. Erin tracked Magnus down in the living room with Ingrid.
“Ooh, cute wedding dress,” Erin sighed dreamily glancing over Ingrid’s shoulder.
“Yes. It’s by someone called Vera Wang. I’d love that or something like it for our wedding,” Ingrid pored over the page.
Erin laughed at the colour Magnus had gone. “Do you mind if I steal the fearless Viking? I have to do some practice.”
“No. He only hisses every time I pick out something I like,” Ingrid grunted.
“It’s the amount of zeros I’m not liking,” Magnus moaned slipping out the room before Ingrid pinned him down on anything.
“If things don’t go well, you’re going to have to bite the bullet and have a Scottish wedding.” Erin looked pointedly at his legs. “The question is, do you have the legs to pull off a kilt?”
“I’m a Viking, we don’t get married in skirts,” he complained.
“My, aren’t we a beacon of happiness this afternoon.”
“Sorry, I’m a little pre-occupied with affairs in Lokranor. I might not live there, but it is still my home.”
“And it could be again. We will deal with Valkarin. The tools are all there to vanquish him, we just have to find them. After that Olav will have no choice but to overturn your exile.”
“These artefacts have been hidden for millennia. What chance do you think we have of finding them?”
“They’ve not had someone with my powers looking for them. We’ve also got an additional item to try and locate now too.”
“Which is?”
“Aria’s tomb. Her bones are toxic to Valkarin.”
“Perhaps marriage is not for me after all,” Magnus shivered.
“So brave,” Erin rolled her eyes.
“What did you want to work on?”
“Symbology. Valkarin is obviously rather good at it, so I need to add many more commands to my small repertoire.”
“You should also work hard on your mind shield. He will of course try to dig around inside your head.”
“What are the chances of me getting inside his head?” Erin thought it was worth checking.
Magnus laughed. “He’d detect you within twenty feet. What’s worse, he could trap you in a place you really don’t want to be. So don’t even think about it.”
“Would he be able to detect me snooping around inside Isafor’s head? I would imagine Isafor is pretty clued upon Valkarin’s plans.”
“The only way Valkarin would know is if he also went through Isafor’s mind.”
“I imagine Heinrekh would detect me also?”
“Most probably. Besides, Heinrekh is kind of out the equation at the moment. The battle has moved from him to Valkarin.”
“But he is not out for the count yet. Heinrekh has a habit of bouncing back. And you’re forgetting that he has a child to protect too, which makes him a little more dangerous than usual. The only saving grace is that his eye will be firmly on what Valkarin is doing and not us.” At least she hoped that was the case.
Another interesting thought bounced into Erin’s mind. “I use the Baldoren crystal to reach dad, but can I use it to travel ethereally, like Heinrekh does?”
“Dare I ask why you would want to project yourself?”
“Valkarin baiting of course. If I can master that skill as well, then he will feel a lot more under threat.”
Magnus shook his head. “I think you should take a step back. If you make Valkarin feel the slightest bit threatened, he will come at you with everything he has. And you are not yet ready to defend yourself against him.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” Erin sighed. “But I still want to learn how to do that so I can use it later.”
“You need to concentrate most on your shielding skills, they will keep you safe.”
“Fine. I do as my master commands,” Erin bowed.
“I’m still waiting for that day,” Magnus grunted.
“You’re leaving?” Gudrun sounded positively distraught as she spied her son’s bag.
“Just for a few day, mother,” he kissed her cheek fondly. “Erin has need of me.”
“Is it wise to be going at such a volatile time?”
“If we succeed in our mission, then yes it was the opportune time to go.”
“What if Valkarin were to invade when you are gone?”
“To be honest, it would make no difference if I were here or not as we have no way of stopping him. He does not fight conventionally. Erin has not seen what he is capable of, but not even she believes she can defeat him by herself.”
“Is that what you are going for? Reinforcements.”
“Of sorts,” he smiled. “If you are worried about staying, Erin would be more than happy to have you at Muirhead.”
Gudrun reached up and touched her son’s handsome face. “Do you think I could desert the people at such a time? And your father? He might bluster, but I am still his queen and I will stay if Valkarin invades.” Gudrun was actually quite pleased Wilhelm would be out of Lokranor for a while. She knew his fate only too well if Valkarin took over; Wilhelm was the legitimate heir to the throne and Valkarin would not allow him to live. “Take care my son.”
She watched him leave with a small lump in her throat. If things went badly, that would be the last time she saw him. But she would at least die happy in the knowledge he was safe. Safe with the young woman he loved. It was such a shame that Olav was being so pig-headed; right now he could really do with having the support and wisdom of his son. But Vikings were not known for their level-headedness.
Angus really disliked being summoned like an errand boy, although he did not object to the sea plane Isafor had sent to collect him at Thurso. He was more than a little nervous at meeting Valkarin; it was quite a jump up from Heinrekh.
Isleberg Castle was fairly foreboding, mainly down to the vast number of figures in black skulking about in the shadows. He was met at the dock and taken up to the Castle. He had a fair idea what this meeting was about. Heinrekh had failed to get Sasha to move to the Second Realm and now Valkarin was going to add pressure as well. He actually agreed with his sister for once; the child should be brought up with the benefits of modern technology.
He was shown into a large, sumptuous living room where Valkarin was waiting for him. Heinrekh cut an imposing figure, but not even he could hold a candle to Valkarin. The guy was nothing short of intimidating, which was surprising considering he’d been slumbering for the last two thousand years.
“You are Angus McBride?” His black eyes terrified Angus.
“Yes. You must be Valkarin.”
“I am. I apologise for dragging you all the way here, but I need to discuss your sister.” His voice was soft, the accent slightly clipped.
“My sister is over the age of majority. I cannot influence her decisions.” Angus thought it best to be up front from the start.
“Oh, I’m sure you can, given the right inducement,” Valkarin flapped his hand dismissively. “Sasha is very stubborn for one so young.”
“She is strong willed.”
“I admire a woman of backbone, but not when she goes against my wishes.”
“And what is it you require?”
“Your sister carries my heir. I would therefore like her to live in Lokranor when I take it back. In the meantime, she can reside at Isleberg. She will be safe here.”
“She is safe in Muirhead. Besides, is not her place with the father of her child?”
“I cannot protect her in Vasmaar,” Valkarin grunted.
“But Heinrekh can. And she is more likely to agree to be with Heinrekh than a stranger.”
“Her wishes are irrelevant.”
Angus resisted the urge to laugh; this guy really did belong in another time zone. “You have met my sister. I cannot force her to do something she does not want to.”
“I understand you are Heinrekh’s spy in the First Realm. I take it that is not common knowledge in the Circle?”
“Heinrekh has more than me on his pay list.” Angus shrugged as nonchalantly as he could. “Besides, Sasha and Erin both know I work for Heinrekh from time to time.”
“Whatever he pays you, I will double it if you can get Sasha to change her mind.”
“I don’t wish to offend you, but I don’t want her to. She should stay in Muirhead.”
“I don’t give a damn what you want,” Valkarin’s implacable façade started to slip ever so slightly. “My wish is to have her here.”
“I will try, but do not hope
for too much,” Angus sighed. The guy would not listen to reason.
“I also want you to report on anything Erin McLomard is up to.”
“That is a slightly easier task. I know she is off to Iceland tomorrow.” Angus decided to keep quiet on the reason behind it. He did not like Valkarin one little bit, in fact he made Heinrekh look like a saint. And if Erin could find what she needed to vanquish Valkarin, all the better.
The Realms Unite (Realms Gate) Page 5
