Shield Maiden (The Lone Valkyrie Book 1)

by Charley Case

“Holy shit,” Mila whispered. “It’s like a camera drone.”

  Penny, perched on her shoulder, nodded in appreciation. “Chi.”

  Once the bubble drone was above the trees, it moved forward quickly. Mila watched as it made a circular route around the large green metal sawmill; it would zoom in the view at some unspoken command from Carl, inspecting potential ingress points before moving on to find more. When the entire building had been viewed from afar, Carl moved in closer, confident there were no lookouts on guard. He got in close to a few windows but found that they were all painted black from the inside.

  He spent a good ten minutes looking for any kind of opening to get a look inside but to no avail.

  “Fuck,” he grumbled, reminding Mila of Finn for a second.

  “Looks pretty sealed up,” Mila said. “Guess they don't want anyone seeing what’s going on.”

  “Shir shee shee,” Penny suggested.

  Mila nodded. “Could be. Maybe this Lord of hers is sensitive to light.”

  “Or it could just be that she doesn't want anyone seeing what’s going on. Either way, we need to get an idea of what’s going on in there.” Carl licked his lips as he stared across the clearing in consideration. He banished the bubble drone with a shake of his hand. “Nick. You’re up.”

  Mila glanced over and saw Nick give a sharp nod, his perpetual half-smile gone and replaced by a thin-lipped determination. Closing his eyes, he formed a bubble between his hands about the size of a basketball. The scent of rosemary filtered through the breeze as he brought the bubble to his face and let it cling to his skin, molding to every nook and cranny. He pulled his hands away, and the bubble continued to crawl across his face, expanding down his neck, then shoulders.

  After a few seconds, it covered him from head to toe, leaving a rainbow sheen across his skin and clothes. In less than a second, he shrank and disappeared into the underbrush. There was a popping sound, then the black head of a weasel rose above the ground cover and snapped a sharp salute before scurrying toward the large green metal building.

  “Now we wait,” Howard said in a deep rumbling bass.

  Mila settled onto her knees, trying to keep track of Nick. He was darting from cover to cover just like a real weasel would. His movements were spot on, speaking to the time he put into his particular specialty.

  Even knowing what to look for, Mila lost sight of Nick several times. She watched him dart into an outbuilding and expected him to emerge on the other side of the half-collapsed building, but he never did. She was about to mention that she had lost him when Penny pointed from her shoulder. She followed the talon and saw the small black form at the corner of the main building. He sniffed the ground for a second, then sprinted to a section of the corrugated green metal where a couple of rivets had come loose, and quick as a whip, he was through the hole.

  “I have to say, that was impressive,” Mila whispered. “He didn't give himself away in the least.”

  “He spends a lot of time in weasel form,” Howard said, pulling a toothpick from one of the pockets on his vest and gently putting it between his teeth.

  “Why?” Danica asked as she counted her remaining arrows. She frowned. “Fourteen. I should have gotten more from the house.”

  Howard reached out a large green hand. “Let me see one of those arrows if you don't mind, Dr. Meadows.”

  She slipped one out of her belt quiver and handed it over. “You can just call me Danica.”

  He took the arrow and inspected it closely. “Thank you, Danica. To answer your question, he spends so much time as a weasel because he says it saves on food costs. He’s saving to buy an airplane. I don't know why since he can teleport with a high level of accuracy.”

  “It’s because he likes planes, Howie,” Jenny said, rolling her eyes. “Just because it ain’t efficient, don't mean it ain’t fun.”

  Howard handed the arrow back to Danica. “Thank you. How many more would you like?”

  Danica’s brows went up in surprise. “Oh, uh, sixteen?”

  Howard nodded, a smile forming over the tusks jutting from his lower jaw. “An even thirty. That’s a good number. Give me a few minutes.”

  He held out his hands, pressing his thumb and forefinger together like he was pinching something, then touched the pinched fingers together and slowly pulled them apart. As his fingers drew apart, a long thin bubble formed between his fingers. When it was the length of one of Danica's arrows, he released his fingers and the bubble popped, a perfect replica of her arrow dropping into his lap. He repeated the process, producing another perfect replica.

  “Well, that’s impressive,” Mila said.

  “Tell me about it,” Danica said in awe. “Do you have any idea the level of concentration it takes to remember every detail of something as you replicate it? That’s some top-level magic right there.”

  They watched Howard creating arrows for a few minutes before Mila noticed Danica nervously picking at her artificial hand and staring off into the distance.

  She leaned over and shoulder-bumped her friend. “What’s wrong?”

  She smiled a sad smile. “Oh, nothing important. I was just thinking about Phil.”

  Mila frowned, reaching over and taking Danica's hand in hers, keeping her from picking at the diamond construct. “It seems pretty important. I mean we’re about to storm the castle and your thinking about your boyfriend. What’s up? Are you worried you’re going to get hurt again?”

  Danica shook her head emphatically. “No, it’s not that. I’ve just been thinking that I need to make a decision soon about us.”

  “Like deciding to stay together? I thought you two were getting along great. I know Finn really likes him, and he tends to be a pretty good judge of character.”

  Penny chuckled, making Mila give her side-eye. Penny looked away, obviously avoiding eye contact.

  “We are getting along great. That’s kind of the problem.” She plucked a blade of long grass out of the ground, and absent-mindedly wound it between her fingers. “I could see myself with him long-term. Like marrying him, long-term.”

  Mila grinned. “I don't see the problem. That’s great news.”

  “Yeah, except that I’m and elf and he’s a Peabrain. Not to mention that he doesn't know about any of this,” she said, holding up her magical prosthetic.

  “Oh, right. I forget he doesn't know about magic.” Mila bit her lip. “What are you thinking? Are you going to tell him or keep it a secret? It’s not like he’s going to see through your concealment spells. I mean, I lived with you for more than ten years and had no idea you were an elf.”

  “Yeah, I could do that, but eventually, he would get that something was up. If we got married, twenty years from now he’s going to be in his fifties, and I’ll still look like this. He’s not dumb, so he would figure out that something was up.”

  Mila nodded. “What other option is there?”

  “I could tell him,” Danica said, tossing the blade of grass away.

  “That might not be so bad. I took it pretty well. Who’s to say he wouldn't too?”

  “Yeah, but if he doesn't, then I would have to get Hermin to erase his memories, and that can lead to all sorts of problems. Either way, I end up losing him.”

  “Unless he just accepts it.” Mila chuckled. “He is a bit of a nerd. He would probably eat this shit up.”

  Danica laughed. “I suppose that’s true. I just don't want to lose him. The choices are, tell him now and maybe lose him, or wait and lose him after decades of marriage.”

  “Can't you just tell him, and if it doesn't work out, have Hermin erase his memories and continue on like nothing happened?”

  She shook her head. “Having me around would make the memories resurface. If he doesn't accept the magical world, we would have to erase everything with me. The brain is a really hard thing to trick for too long.”

  “It’s true,” Carl said, making Mila jump. She hadn't realized he was listening. “Same thing happened with my ex.
Told her, and she didn't know how to handle it.”

  “What happened?” Mila asked.

  He gave her a sad smile. “That’s why she’s my ex.” He looked back at the sawmill. “Nick’s out. Get ready to move.”

  Mila saw the black weasel running full out for the edge of the forest. She wasn't very familiar with weasel expressions, but the one on his face was unmistakable.

  He was freaking out.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Nick didn't even take the time to transform back into a human before he began reporting. It was odd to see a foot-long weasel speaking, especially since his normal tenor was several octaves higher due to the small size. He had climbed up onto a fallen branch to get out of the underbrush and sat on his haunches, wringing his hands in a very weasel-like way.

  “She was right, Carl. I counted thirty-two Rougarou. These bastards are fuckin huge, too. Probably twenty percent bigger than the ones we took care of in Baton Rouge, and more intelligent. Not smart, but I would call them well-trained.”

  Carl’s face was hard and thin-lipped as he listened to the report. “What about the caster?”

  Nick nodded his furry head. “She’s a witch, but she was calling up some real bad juju in there. Nothing like she should be able to do. Not particularly powerful, but it was strange and didn't taste right. Spouting off some crazy shit about the return of Azoth, and how her dreams have led them so far and blah blah. The usual word vomit from her kind.

  “She was in a back area that’s been sectioned off with big black curtains. I counted five cages with the townsfolk in em back there. The girl Heather was there too, chained up with a magic suppressing collar. She wasn't looking so good,” he said, giving Mila an apologetic look. “The room was a classic altar setup—a big fucking statue of some guy in a stone throne behind a stone slab. It was pretty obvious the altar had been used before. I’m guessing that’s where they made all the Rougarou.

  “When I approached the cages, I felt the pull of magic on me. I’m pretty sure the iron in the cages is anti-magic as well. I didn’t want to get too close in case it forced me to change back.”

  Carl was quiet for a few seconds, rubbing his chin in thought as they all waited for him to formulate a plan. He glanced at Jenny, his blue eyes cold. “Jenny, head in that direction,” he pointed to the north of the dirt road that led to the sawmill, “and start setting up the usual traps. Keep the explosives small enough that we don't start too many fires. Remember, we’ll need to clean up when we’re done.”

  Jenny nodded, hiking her heavy pack higher on her shoulders before moving out with the unnatural stealth only an elf in the woods could accomplish. The evil grin on her face was all Mila needed to see to know just how much she enjoyed her job.

  “Nick, we’re going to need to pull those Rougarou out can you rip one of the overhead doors off and bait them into chasing you?”

  Nick nodded. “Yeah, they’re trained, but they still think like a pack of wolves. I’ll give em something to chase.”

  “Good, this is going to be a classic pull and hold action. Tina, head after Jenny and set yourself up with a good vantage. I’m going to want you out of reach but still able to tangle those wolfmen up. We need to buy time for Mila and Danica to do their thing.”

  Tina nodded and stood, but Howard put a hand on her arm, forestalling her. “Carl, I believe the combo Tina and I pulled off with Wendigo last week would work well with the Rougarou’s large numbers.”

  Carl nodded. “Good call, Howard. Entangle and acid spray are a good combo for these things. Try to keep the acid off the trees; the last thing we need is the Huldus complaining to Preston. Go, and I’ll be along in a minute.”

  The huge orc and the tiny witch crouch-ran in the direction of their teammates.

  “Are you sure you can handle the witch?” Carl asked, not unsure, just giving Mila the chance to make an informed decision after Nick’s report.

  “It shouldn’t be a problem. If it gets too hairy, Danica can always teleport us out, and we can come back when we’re better prepared.”

  Carl nodded, opening a flap on his vest and pulling out a small plastic box. He popped it open to reveal four in-ear comm units. He handed two to Mila and Danica. “Sorry, Penny. I don't have any small enough for you.”

  Penny shrugged, used to the idea that most of the tech on Earth was made for Peabrains.

  When they had the comms in their ears, Carl did a quick test, and the girls gave him a thumbs-up. “Okay, if you need to contact the team, just press the button on the earpiece and talk.”

  “Got it. When do we go?” Mila asked, pulling out her Ivar.

  “As soon as Nick is ready,” he said, pointing over Mila's shoulder.

  She turned and saw that the weasel had coated himself in another bubble. This time he grew in size. Then he kept on growing. Mila had to tilt her head back to see the top of the multicolored bubble with an amorphous furry shape inside it.

  With a quiet pop, the bubble vanished, leaving the largest bear Mila had ever seen. Nick had transformed into a grizzly bear that stood nearly eighteen feet tall on his back legs. His massive head swiveled around and grinned at Mila, making the animal part of her brain scream in terror as she fought to keep from scooting back.

  Nick dropped to all fours, and Mila noted that he was still taller than her at the shoulder by at least a foot.

  “Ready,” he growled in a deep rumbling voice. “We need to get this going before she starts sacrificing people.”

  Carl put a finger to his ear, pressing the call button. “How are we on preparations?”

  Mila heard the other three report that they were ready.

  Carl gave Nick a nod. “You’re a go, Nick.”

  The great lumbering figure of Grizzly Nick stepped out into the clearing and started galloping. Watching the huge mass of the bear pick up speed was awe-inspiring. He seemed to glide over the clearing, each step eating up a dozen feet or more. Before she knew it, Nick reared up on his back legs in front of the large metal overhead door, his massive paws outstretched overhead, claws gleaming in the afternoon sun.

  A roar that shook dead branches of the surrounding trees exploded from his maw as he tore down with his paws. The thin metal of the door gave way under the sharp claws, and he used his massive weight to rip a hole in the door large enough for him to enter without a problem. He roared again, charging into the darkness.

  Mila swallowed and forced herself to breathe. She had never seen such ferocity from anyone but Finn, and Nick’s massive size added to the terror.

  Yelps and barking filtered out of the building along with more roars from Nick.

  There were a few seconds of relative silence, then the broken body of a Rougarou flew out one of the black-paned windows, shattering the glass and sending the body ten feet out into the clearing. Another dead Rougarou was flung through the opening in the door, tumbling into a bloody heap and not moving.

  A black and purple bolt of destructive energy shot out of the opening, followed by another in quick secession.

  “Get out of there, Nick. You can't stand up against that kind of magic,” Carl said calmly.

  A few seconds later, the great bear shot out of the door at a full run. Right on his heels, black-furred Rougarou began to pour out after him. Nick picked up speed, keeping the wolfmen just out of reach as he led them toward his teammates and the traps lying in wait.

  As the last Rougarou left the sawmill, a small figure with red hair in a long black coat stepped out into the light. She watched the retreating pack, then scanned the area with narrow eyes before moving back into the building.

  “That’s my cue. I’m heading over to flank the Rougarou. You three are up. Kick some ass, and don't be afraid to teleport out if it gets too hairy. We can always come back later.” He gave them a nod, then took off at a run in the direction the pack had vanished.

  “Okay, let’s do this,” Mila said, steeling herself.

  She gripped her Ivar tight and made sure t
he safety was off before jumping to her feet and taking off at a full sprint. She wanted to get to the structure as quickly as possible and find cover.

  The clearing was a good hundred yards from the woods to the building, and Mila felt like she ate up the distance quicker than she felt was possible as her adrenaline gave her an extra boost.

  She slid to a stop beside the opening in the metal door Nick had made, keeping herself from slamming into the metal and announcing their presence. She glanced back and saw that Danica was right on her heels, and Penny was hovering just behind her.

  Focusing on the opening, she leaned in and quickly peeked inside, but there was no one in the large open space. She motioned for the others to follow and quick-stepped through the opening and over to three old fifty-five-gallon drums, using them for cover. Danica and Penny were right behind her, and Danica crouched beside her.

  “What do you think?” Danica asked in a quiet voice. “Looks like all the Rougarou followed Nick.”

  Mila nodded, taking in the room.

  The machinery had been removed, leaving a large open three-story garage-like structure. Dim lighting hung from the ceiling in single bulb lamps, illuminating a set of catwalks on either side of the room and an office on the right upper floor. Everything was covered in dust grease and rust. Though the rust-colored stains on the concrete in the center of the room were more than likely blood.

  Thick black curtains hung from the ceiling, cutting the room in half and blocking all view of what was on the other side.

  “Penny, can you get in there and see if there’s a place we can sneak in? The last thing I want to do is pull back the curtain and announce our entrance.”

  Penny nodded and shot up toward the ceiling where the curtain left gaps she could get through easily. After a few seconds, she reappeared and quickly flew to them.

  “Chi! Shir shee.” She waved for them to follow and headed for the right side of the curtain.

  “Oh, fuck,” Mila said, taking off after Penny. “She already has someone on the altar. We need to hurry.”

  Penny led them to a gap in the curtains in the shadow of the catwalk, and Mila quickly stepped through. Surprisingly the area behind the curtain wasn't in complete darkness like Mila had feared but was still dimly lit, to the point that it took a few seconds for her vision to adapt.