I forgot I’d taken my hood down and he could see me. “I can assure you, I’m much fiercer than I look.” I turned the dial to the final symbol, a noose with the awful rendering of a dead creature hanging from it. “I’m on the last symbol. Get ready.”
A low snarl came from behind me, and I almost dropped my hand.
Junnal was already in motion. One of the trolls had woken up from his trouncing in the guard room. “Get away from that door!” The green troll limped toward me as it shouted. It was covered in blood, multiple contusions leaking the chocolaty-looking stuff down the side of its face. “Do not interfere with our prisoner. The sentence for that is death—”
The troll was silenced by Junnal with a club to the head.
It collapsed, out cold, with a thundering sound, right as the door unlocked with a pop.
With relief, I sprang up, yanking on the handle to hoist it open. A very handsome face wearing a wide grin met mine. The god was very tall, had tousled blond hair, and was built like a train. His eyes were an impossibly bright shade of blue, more so than I’d noticed through the grate.
He moved back a few paces so I could get by. “You must untie me.” He lifted his wrists to show they were tethered by a long cable.
“Are you always in a good mood?” I asked. The cord binding him was glittery, made of some material I’d never seen before, and was attached to the stone wall. Baldur was dressed in something that resembled a prison uniform. It was a one-piece black suit, faded with age. He was grimy dirty and in need of a good scrubbing, but that didn’t seem to diminish his joy at all.
He was positively glowing with it.
“Being gracious and cheerful is my bane to bear,” he told me as I inspected his bindings. “But on most days I think I wear the mantle well.”
“You do,” I agreed. His charm was infectious. I dropped my cloak to the ground and unsheathed my swords with their telltale whoosh . “I’ll look forward to learning more about you later.”
Baldur’s eyebrows rose. “You carry Gundren?” His gaze locked on mine for a full second. I couldn’t read his expression.
“Yes,” was all I offered.
He recovered in the next instant. “I wasn’t expecting something so…regal. But that will surely do.” He smiled.
“Are the elves going to know when I cut this?” I asked, positioning myself next to the wall where the chain was hooked.
“Possibly,” he said. “But it can’t be avoided. After you free me, we will vacate this area immediately.”
“Where exactly are we headed?” I asked, raising my right arm.
“There are several compartments the elves don’t check. We can hide there if we must.”
I swung my arm down, severing the cable with little effort. It recoiled with a pinging sound as alarm bells began to ring.
11
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T he red alert sounded like high-pitched foghorns. I sheathed my swords and picked up my cloak as Baldur freed himself from the rest of the cable, the mass falling to the ground around his dirty feet.
I donned the fabric as Baldur poked his head out the door. “Your bodyguard is very efficient.”
Junnal’s footsteps stopped outside the door.
“Yes, he is,” I agreed.
Baldur ducked out into the hallway, and I followed. There was a clamor of footsteps and garbled noises on the stairs.
To my surprise, Baldur turned toward the troll room.
I followed, motioning to Junnal. “Secure the door after us,” I told him. “Try to keep the elves out to buy us some time.” To Baldur, I said, “I hope you know where you’re going.”
“There’s a tunnel entrance here. It’s a way for the trolls to get around without using the main stairwell. They aren’t supposed to take prisoners this way, but they’re lazy.” Baldur made a beeline to the back of the room.
I didn’t see any door.
Baldur went to the wall and grabbed a lit torch off its mounting. Then he took the iron bracket in his hand and yanked it down. There was a noise to my right as bricks suddenly began to move, and a secret passage opened up.
I was fairly impressed. “I guess freeing you was the right thing to do, though, if I hadn’t, there would be no alarm bells ringing.” Behind us, Junnal had slammed the door on the dark elves, pulling a big lever in place to keep them out.
“You will pay for this!” an elf hollered on the other side of the door.
Small fists pounded on the wood. “This will not keep us out for long!”
“Release the god!”
They were beyond angry, security being their main business, and we’d just mucked it up.
I hurried after Baldur, who had taken the torch into the passageway. It was a bigger space than I’d thought. I guess it had to be if trolls used it. Junnal came after, ducking to get through, but once in he could stand upright.
“Secure the door the best you can, troll,” Baldur ordered. “They will get through the other once the spells arrive. There are several places we can go from here, but the one I’m thinking of gives us a chance to stay hidden longer.”
There was no locking mechanism on the passageway door, so instead, Junnal ripped a torch holder off the wall and jammed it into the handle, going through the wood and into the rock.
He shrugged as I looked on.
Hey, whatever worked, right?
“Good job,” I told the big guy. Picking up the pace after Baldur, I said, “I’m up for anything that will keep us free and safe.”
“Dark elves are extremely superstitious,” Baldur explained as we rushed through the tunnel. “There’s a floor they haven’t entered in years that they believe is cursed. The white elves spelled it when they freed one of their own. It’s said that any dark elf who enters will die a horrible death.”
“Is it true? Did they curse it?” I asked.
Baldur chuckled. “I have no idea, but it will keep them out while we hatch a solid plan to free the shieldmaiden you seek.” We rounded a corner and ran right into a staircase. This one was smaller than the main stairs and closed off by stone walls on either side. They reminded me of something you’d see in a medieval castle. Baldur went up without hesitation, taking two at a time. I kept up, but just barely. “When they figure out we entered the secret level,” Baldur called over his shoulder, “they will enlist help, but that will take time. I just hope we can find it before they find us.”
I tried not to be alarmed. “What do you mean find it ? I thought you knew where we were going.”
“Don’t worry, young Valkyrie. I will know it the instant I see it, as they have the entrance boarded up. It’s been a while since I’ve been back here.”
We raced up two more flights.
Commotion in the form of running feet came from somewhere above us. “They know we’re here,” I said caustically. “We need to find this mystery level quick.”
“The fates have our favor. Look.” He gestured in front of him.
Where the other passageways we’d passed looked normal, leading off to who knew where, this one was more than covered—it looked as though someone had nailed everything they could think of, including the kitchen sink, in front of it.
Not only was there wood crisscrossing the entire expanse, but there were several weapons, some metal bars, something that looked like a frying pan, and surprisingly, some clothing.
“What’s with the pants and shirt?” I asked as we both moved back so Junnal could come forward.
“Like I said, they’re superstitious,” Baldur replied. “Who knows? Maybe they thought it would ward off the white magic? It’s tough to know with these guys. They’re odd creatures, and their behaviors even stranger. Why my mother thought to entrust my care to them is beyond me.”
“Your care?” I snorted. “Not sure your well-being was on the list. Did she think she was paying them to keep you in a nice apartment?”
“Well, I did start off in nicer accom
modations,” Baldur admitted, somewhat sheepishly. “But when I became less than a willing guest, they had no choice but to move me. The end result was where you found me. My mother only visits once every few years. When the time arrives for her to check in, they usually transport me to something nicer.”
I was stunned. “Why don’t you tell her the truth when she’s here?” I sputtered. “If she knew where you were really kept, would she continue to insist you stay here?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Because she chooses to believe it’s a better sentence than death.”
It was hard to argue with death. It was pretty final.
“Well, quality of life is pretty important, too,” I argued. “Or why live at all?”
“My feelings precisely,” Baldur agreed as Junnal began to rip apart the barricade.
The patter of feet came from below us. The elves were converging from both sides.
“Hurry, Junnal,” I urged. “They’re coming!”
“We know where you are!” a dark elf shrieked. “You will not evade us!”
Junnal was making headway, but there were a lot of layers to get through. Baldur and I both turned to face the threat. I began to untie my cloak so I could fight.
“No,” Baldur ordered, taking my arm. “Put your hood up and stay cloaked. Right now they think the giant set me free. I have very powerful friends, so they will believe he was sent by one of them. If I’m caught, they will simply take me to another cell and bind me again. I need you on the outside if that happens.” He propelled me up a few steps, placing me firmly next to the wall. I pulled my hood down around my face. “Don’t make a sound.” The man still sounded cheerful. “I should be able to talk to them for a while, to buy us some time until your giant can get us through.”
The chorus of voices grew. They were going to descend on us any second now. Junnal grunted as he pulled apart more stuff blocking the passageway. He tossed it down the stairs as he went. Hopefully, that would keep them back long enough for us to get through.
No such luck.
A pack of elves turned the corner, racing upward, narrowly avoiding some flying timber. I glanced at Junnal, anxious to see the progress. Still more to go. They really, really didn’t like this floor.
“You will not get to the cursed level, god,” one of the elves cackled. “We are here to take you back.”
“Hold on there, boys,” Baldur replied good-naturedly. “There’s no rush. We’ve all been through this before.” More debris was hurtled down the steps. Several of the elves had to duck. Some were hit squarely and tumbled backward. “I’m just having a little fun. Have to stretch my legs here and there. You know how it goes.”
All these elves were dressed in outfits with silver bars, and most carried weapons that resembled stun guns. “Tell your henchman to stop his assault on the door this instant!”
“That level cannot be breached!” another shouted.
More flying items, including a pair of pants and what was possibly a nightshirt. Junnal was down to the last bits, his powerful fist ramrodding through them like a sledgehammer.
“You were aided by another,” a dark elf accused. “The troll is not your only accomplice.”
“That’s not so,” Baldur replied confidently. “I used my wits and the strength of this giant and nothing more.”
“That’s not what Tallester told us,” another one said.
“That old, wizened man?” Baldur scoffed. “He talks to imaginary beings all the time.” They must have been talking about the scary prisoner I encountered briefly. “He can’t be trusted.”
“He is a dwarf seer,” an elf from behind piped in. “And he said you were aided by a Valkyrie !” Valkyrie was clearly a dirty word around here.
“And not just any Valkyrie , mind you,” another one added. “Odin’s own spawn! The one who is being sought by the Norns. She is highly dangerous and has committed a great crime by coming into our realm without permission. She will pay dearly!”
I watched Baldur’s face through the sheerness of the cloak as he took in the information that I was Odin’s daughter. I could see only his profile, but I couldn’t detect any surprise. In fact, he showed no emotion at all. Instead, he spread his hands out to the sides. “Well, if I had this expert help you speak of, where is this mysterious Valkyrie?”
They seemed puzzled as they glanced around the small space. I stayed perfectly still, the hood low over my face, my hands folded into the sleeves.
Junnal tore the last of the barricade down, tossing it behind him without a care, a long board hitting an elf smack in the chest, sending him flying back into the crowd of elves behind him.
One of the minions in front shook its Taser at Baldur. “It matters not that we can’t see her. We know she’s here!”
Another elf stuck its nose in the air and took a long sniff.
Oh, no.
It screeched, “I scent white magic! The Valkyrie is hidden!”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Baldur said, crossing his arms like he didn’t have a care in the world and there wasn’t an army of dark elves waiting to take him back to a cell and tie him up. “What you smell is the forbidden level.” He cocked his head toward Junnal.
A large man-sized hole gaped in the barrier.
All of the dark elves took in a collective breath. “You cannot go in there!” a dark elf shouted, aghast at the prospect.
“No,” Baldur corrected, “you can’t go in there. Me?” He gestured at his chest with a thumb. “I can go in there all day.”
A bunch of garbled voices erupted at once, most of them frantic.
Junnal nodded his head ever so faintly and stepped aside, and I hurried up, slipping through the opening, not making a sound.
Behind me, an elf threatened Baldur. “We will stun you now and be done with this nonsense.”
I stopped and turned, thinking I might have to double back and aid Baldur, when Junnal bellowed. The Jotun leaped down the stairs, effectively sending the elves scattering like bowling pins, as Baldur slipped behind the giant before the elves knew what happened.
I moved back to make room for Baldur, when a stun gun went off with a loud clap, much louder than I’d imagined the small thing could make. I reached for my weapons instinctively, brushing back my cloak. I needed to protect my friend and bodyguard who had just risked his life for ours.
Baldur stilled me, his hand on my shoulder. “They will not harm the giant with those guns,” he assured me. “He will be here momentarily. Until then, let’s find a safe place away from the stairway.”
Reluctantly, I let the god lead me away. Junnal’s bellows trailed after us, but they didn’t sound pained. He sounded pissed off.
Baldur had brought the torch, which was lucky since this level was pitch black. We entered a hallway, just like the one where I’d freed Baldur, cell doors lining both sides. Some of the doors were wide open, others shut.
A squeaking noise shrilled as we passed a cell, and I jumped, clutching my heart.
Baldur found my actions hilarious and tossed his head back as he laughed heartily, his belly shaking. “Is the valiant Valkyrie afraid of a little Muroidea?” He had actual tears in his eyes. “Only the smallest of children of Asgard fear them.”
I blamed my human side for startling at the noise, which had most certainly been of the rodent variety. That part of me would likely be forever ingrained to jump where spiders, snakes, and rats were concerned. “If I knew what a Muroidea was, I could tell you definitively if I’m afraid or not. But that sounded like a squeak from a rodent . I’m not scared of rats, per se, but I don’t hold any love for them either.” It was good I hadn’t unsheathed Gundren, which had been my first instinct. That would’ve resulted in over-the-top hilarity that I’d never live down.
“A Muroidea is indeed from the rat family. The ones that live here are just bigger and more ghoulish than the ones on Midgard. When you evolve in a place like this”—he spread his arms wide—“there’s no other choice but to adap
t. Count yourself lucky you’ve never seen one.”
“I will.” I gave an inward shiver. Gross. Bigger, badder rats. And I thought New York City was bad. “As long as the Muroidea stay away from me, they will have nothing to fear.”
Baldur guffawed. “They are harmless. Unless they scent blood.”
“Great,” I mumbled as we continued down the dark, dusty hallway. “I’ll be sure not to bleed.”
“They are malnourished on this realm, with little to eat. They will attack en masse if they scent blood.”
Behind us, Junnal’s heavy footsteps finally echoed into the passageway. I was relieved he was back. Baldur and I made it to the end where a big wooden door stood in front of us.
“This should be the guard’s room,” Baldur said as he palmed the knob.
It opened with no hesitation, and we stepped in.
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T he room was stagnant and musty. It hadn’t been used in a very long time. There was one lone table, battered with age, shoved in a corner, and several overturned chairs scattered about the floor. Cobwebs as big as tractor tires hung from rafters just about everywhere. I tried not to envision spiders as large and grotesque as the Muroidea Baldur had described, but something told me they were.
I grabbed a chair with one hand, while the other untied the cloak at my neck. I shrugged out of my best defense and draped it over the newly set up seat before I perched on the edge, making sure my weapons had enough room, because there was no way I was taking them off. I addressed Baldur, who had righted his own chair. “So now what?” I asked. “Where do you think they’re keeping Leela? And how are we going to get there?” I was anxious to find my mother.
Junnal stood by the door, his massive arms crossed, his club holstered in a giant belt he wore around his waist. He looked fine, the scrapes from his encounter with the other trolls already healing.
“My best guess is she’s being kept on level five.” Baldur fit the torch into a holder on the wall, and a low, flickering light bounced around the room as he sat at the table. “That’s where they keep their most-coveted prisoners. It’s also the level most heavily guarded and spelled.”
Freed: (Phoebe Meadows Book 2) Page 9
