CHAPTER XII
Para Bellum
Tyler was alarmed. Of all the people or deities he knew, Loki was the last person he expected to see in Scarburg. Loki rose and walked to greet him as he stood at the inn’s entrance.
“Come, Havard! You look as if you’ve seen Ymir himself,” joked Loki.
Loki took him by his arm and steered him towards a table at the side of the inn’s main area. Except the three of them, innkeeper excluded, the inn still remained empty. Jorund followed after giving Loki a nod. By the time, they were seated, Tyler had regained enough of his composure.
“I thought you were already back at Metwold.”
“Had to resolve some trade issues for the guild here. War and all that. I was the nearest representative so……. Here I am!” Loki said with his arms spread wide.
“Let’s get some ale first,” Tyler replied. He needed the alcohol.
“Would you mind if we have time to ourselves?” the god requested, pointing with a slight nod at Jorund’s presence.
“No problem.”
With that, he asked Jorund to move to another table with instructions to order ale for himself. The man moved to the other end of the hall but still sat facing them, with battleaxe at his side.
“Sorry, been busy. I haven’t been able to bring you the gift I promised,” apologized Loki.
What gift? Tyler’s mind went back to their last conversation. Ah, the gift he mentioned for taking my time!
“But let’s speak in English. Nobody here understands it anyway. Let’s just say it’s a form of secret trader-speak. But use the name Farman,” giggled the god.
He looked like a kid on a pranking mission. Hope I am not the one being pranked.
“Seriously, you’re here on a trade mission?” inquired the disbelieving Tyler.
“Yes, of course. I take my day job in earnest. This jotnar war is actually good for business. Provided the other side don’t win. But the guild did have to take measures for its interests in Scarburg.”
“Isn’t this just a fortress-town? I can understand the selling side but buying products from Scarburg?”
“Ah, you do need to brush up on your trade knowledge, my apprentice friend.”
“There are two gold mines and several iron mines in this area. Near the mountains. Fur, cured meat, and some lumber too. Seidr potions and runes. A brisk trade in weapons and armor. Especially dokkalfr and nicer jotunn ones from skirmishes. Did you know Scarburg-forged weapons and armor are in great demand? The supply side is also excellent trade, selling necessities to a fortress-town is always good business.”
Tyler was flabbergasted. Loki as a trader? The idea boggles the mind!
“Anyway, I was going to give you your gift back in Maljen but you were nowhere to be found. Then I had to take a brief and needed excursion to Cahokia, drop by Enki again, and now I’m back! Though I do have to leave again to meet my friend Anansi. Busy, busy!”
“How did you find me?” inquired the mystified Tyler. The name Enki was familiar, being the subject of a story Loki regaled him with. But the terms Cahokia and Anansi were unknown to him.
“Heh. If not for the surge in energy near Scarburg, I wouldn’t have found you. I am quite acquainted with the aura of my father’s magic. And putting two and two together… I come up with three! You and those two guards of yours! Sensing my father’s magic, it was a simple matter to manifest here and look around.”
“You can transport yourself like how your father did?”
“Of course. But here’s the trick. Two tricks, actually. One, you need a point of reference. You can’t travel like that to a place you haven’t visited before. Second, the amount of energy needed. The energy does leave residues which can be noticed, not mention the surge of energy is like a bonfire at night. Attracts attention. But me, poor mad and crazy Loki? Everybody knows I am the leading tourist in Adar! Been here, been there, been almost everywhere! Nobody takes notice of my traveling anymore.”
For some reason, Tyler was disturbed by Loki’s statement. He couldn’t put finger on it but he felt there was something in the innocuous statement. Then Loki noticed Tyler’s ring.
“Aha! I knew there was a reason why I couldn’t find you.” Loki started to laugh. Not an evil, nutty laugh but an amused one. Like one does when hearing a really good joke.
“Ptah’s ring of concealment! A useful gift! You know, when I saw Ptah forging it, he told me it was for a friend. I didn’t expect it to be my father. Small world, isn’t it! Anyhow, here’s my gift. I know it will also be useful. No, it’s not another ring. I can make it out to be a pair of earrings if you want. No? You would have made a fashion statement in this corner of Adar. Some warriors do wear earrings if you don’t know.”
The god brought out a small bracelet-like object, made of silver. Tyler took and looked at it. Then quickly placed it in his pocket.
“A Celtic torc. Something different, of course. I make my own fashion path. Wear it on your upper arm. Don’t worry about standing out. Warriors here also wear armbands. Of gold sometimes. No nose rings for you. I hate those things. Makes you look like a cannibal. This torc enables you to disguise yourself as another mortal. Just look at somebody you would like to copy, concentrate and you got yourself a new you! You can copy the attire only or the entire person. You still remain you, of course. But runes and those with an excellent sense of smell can pierce the disguise.”
“Thanks! Forgive me for asking but no strings? No hidden things to mark or track me?
“I am insulted, Tyler,” Loki said with a pout. But as Tyler was going to apologize further, Loki gave a small guffaw.
“Good! You have learned, my friend. A gift from the Trickster God? Of course, you should be suspicious! But no, no strings or anything like that. Upon the name of my dear wife, I give you my word. You’re doing fine by yourself anyway. But I do think you will need that trinket. Not only in Skaney.”
“I am sorry for asking anyway. At least you do know I have my reasons.”
“Don’t worry about it. Now, I have to go. Just dropped by as I said. But the torc has a limitation. You can’t copy the appearance of a divine being or even a lesser spirit. One Loki is enough for this world. I can’t have you going around and doing good deeds in my name. Scandalous ones will be fine but I doubt you would be that cooperative. For the other beings, put it this way, right now I don’t need more of them mad at me.”
“Would you mind one more question, Farman?”
“Of course, I mind! But go ahead.”
Talking to Loki is really bewildering, Tyler noted. He says one thing but it could mean two or three totally different topics.
“Aren’t you involved with… You know, this war.”
“That logically-challenged giant? Noooooooo. Why would I? Ragnarok, as I said, is finito. What would I get if they win with my help? A freezing kingdom together with those half-blind dark elves? Nope. Never happen. There’s so much to see in this world. So much variety and cultures to feed one’s mind. Loved to hang out with my friends in warmer climes. Warmer not hot. As in Sutr-hot. He’s not interested in Ymir’s gambit anyhow. Yet. I may be mad but I am not crazy. Got to go, mage-man.”
Loki stood up and Tyler walked him to the door. As they reached the door, Loki whispered something interesting.
“Oh, by the way, this may be Ymir’s gambit but he’s not going to show up front. Hope that helps.”
With that, Loki walked out. Tyler watched him until he turned the street corner.
He does have something going on. Besides, Loki’s command of English raises some questions. His slang and the way he talks is too modern for an archaic being. There’s no way he could talk like that unless he had access to at least a viewing portal. But that’s something which even Loki will hide well and keep to himself. The consequences of discovery are too grave for any chance of being found out. But if anybody is mad enough and had the balls to do such a dangerous act, it would be him.
Tyler went back to
the table to finish his ale and thought about his latest meeting with the trickster.
I absolutely have the feeling something bigger is going on. If someone is being played, that would be me. But I have no idea of what the game is with Loki and Odin. Eira turned out to be the least complicated player among them. Those Greek gods too. Now they are aware of me, one with a grudge to boot. Will they make further inquiries? Or I get to be raped by Athena? I wish? Will Eira poison me if I give Athena some loving attention? Athena does have that reputation. Or will it turn into an all-out brawl between the two, with me as collateral damage? Assuming, of course, that Eira really is interested in me.”
Shaking his head, he shelved all such thoughts for now. Turning to Jorund, he gestured for the man to come over.
“Jorund, is it still possible to sell jewels in Scarburg?”
“Yes, my lord. Some merchants are still around though I suspect all those who don’t want to get caught in the fighting will leave upon news of the enemy entering the Gap. When that happens, it will take the enemy around two days at the fastest to reach Scarburg.”
“Please sell this for our needs.” Tyler took out more than half of the contents of the pouch Eira gave him. Jorund’s eyes widened.
“Get a good price for the lot. We’ll need the money for the inn and other necessities. Buy detection runes immediately, at least three. Plus, a small covered wagon with two horses, provisions for at least four days and any utility runes you think we will need. Please make sure we get two woodcutter’s axes and other equipment for field work. With what’s left over, we’ll go look for better armor and weapons. Will that be enough or you need more?”
“I think this would be more than enough. Selling more will lower the prices of these jewels.”
“Oh, while going about the errands, please try to see if there’s a location outside the walls, in the Gap, which would give us a good vantage point over the area. It should be difficult to see from below but past the area of the outside defenses. The mountains on the left and right sides will be your best bet. Try to make your inquiry as inconspicuous as possible.”
“Yes, my lord. Will you be fine here by yourself?”
“I can manage. I still have the staff. As long as I don’t walk around the town too much. Anyway, I intend to catch up on the rest I missed in the past few days. But first, let’s have the day-meal.”
Will be sleeping with the shield on, anyway, Tyler thought, this also gives me the opportunity to determine the duration of the light and barrier spells. The watch I left in Maljen could have given me the exact duration period but I guess I have to wing it with the estimation.
Getting to his room, Tyler created a small square-shaped lamp, infused it with light and left it on his table. He then created a three-sided shield and went to bed. But first, he marked the time of the day. He assessed it at around one o’clock in the afternoon. With any luck, he can make sense of the morning’s event after the nap.
Evening found the three of them in the inn’s dining area. Habrok reported that the hermit has not been seen in town and people speculated he stayed in his cave. Though the ranger couldn’t get an exact location of Starkad’s cave, he now had an idea of the general area. But going to search for the hermit was a dicey proposition with the dokkalfr scouring the nearby mountains for humans. Even the mines have been abandoned for the time being.
Jorund was successful on his errands. Though as he said, the remaining available weapons and armor were indeed expensive. It would be better if the three of them check the items out personally before buying anything. But Tyler’s armor and sword have already been fixed and returned to him. The idea was to sell them if better replacements were found.
On the vantage point above the Gap, Jorund heard about an old hunter’s niche on the left side of the Gap and got the proper directions. He even had a roughly drawn map. Some hunter or hunters thought it a good idea to do their stalking there considering the locale was full of large game. But the venture didn’t last long. The jotnar didn’t take kindly to competition for food. The bodies of the hunters were never found.
As they were going back to their rooms for a good night’s rest, Jorund distributed alarm runes. Once activated, they were to be placed at the door and the windows. The runes provide a small field which will resist the first few attempts to force the openings and will also sound the appropriate alarm. Tyler thought it a good idea. The detection runes, which Tyler requested due to his alarm at shapeshifters, human-looking jotunn, and magically disguised dokkalfr, were also distributed among the companions. With that, everybody turned in. Tyler did observe that the lamp and his shield were still going strong.
The following morning found them at the best blacksmith’s shop in Scarburg. The shop opened early for them, Jorund having made the appropriate arrangements. The blacksmith led them to a secret room, hidden behind a movable cabinet. Inside were various armor and weapons, both ordinary and magical. But the non-magical ones were of exceptional make. The blacksmith said that many of those on display were not his work but rather collected by or traded to him. As Jorund warned, they were expensive.
Finally, they settled on leather armor for Tyler, enhanced with defense, strength and durability runes. It should enable him to move faster even when burdened. As a replacement for his short sword, he settled for a steel version, made by the svartalfar. Only very few human blacksmiths knew how to forge steel or had the equipment to do it, requiring as it does very high temperatures. Tyler eschewed magical swords. He knew squat about the art of sword fighting. His short staff was his primary weapon anyway.
For Habrok, nothing was found better than his black leather armor which was already magically enhanced. He settled for a runic bow and two quivers worth of arrows. His long sword and seax he deemed good enough. Jorund selected an iron cuirass-type armor reinforced with steel, at Tyler’s insistence, with accompanying arm and leg armor. Lightness, durability and defense runes protected it. Tyler also insisted on an extra weapon for him. A long sword made of crucible steel, provenance unknown but the blacksmith said it probably was made by Volundr. Must be a sales pitch to explain the price, mused Tyler.
For their helms, they replaced what they had with better-made leather helms, with steel bands, protected by runes of defense and deflection. Jorund was the exception. Again at Tyler’s insistence, Jorund got an ordinary steel helm. The magically protected version was too costly for them. Their shopping spree left Tyler with around a hundred gold coins and change. The pouch of jewels was emptied. Jorund’s estimate apparently didn’t take into consideration the quality of the items finally purchased.
“Now where, my lord,” asked Jorund as they walked back to the inn.
“Now would be a good time to go to the Gap while the jotnar are still outside of it,” answered Tyler. The truth was Tyler wanted the time and space to practice some more with his abilities, particularly the new one he got.
Habrok only nodded. His two companions never questioned his plans or motives for his decisions. A good thing, he thought, I myself am not sure of what I am doing. We all may end up with our heads on jotnar pikes.
They made arrangements with the inn to reserve the rooms at half price for a week. The innkeeper was only too happy to do so, the extra income was welcome in an empty inn. The three changed into their new armor and weapons. Then they got the wagon and started moving towards the gate house. As they approached the gate house, Tyler observed a group of rowdy men, some practicing and some seated on benches around the practice area.
“Men from the Champions of the Oak, my lord,” Jorund told him.
“What is that?”
“They fancy themselves to be Thor’s champions, the oak being Thor's sacred tree. But only Helgi there is a true champion of the god. He has a blessed war hammer which sends a small lightning bolt upon contact with an enemy. Haughty, as one would expect. Though a good fighter and conducts nice marriage ceremonies.”
The Accidental Archmage: Book One - Ragnarok Rising (MOBI EDITION) Page 26
