by S. W. Gunn
He swung his blade violently and beheaded Skyansam in one swing. Astir felt no joy as the man died at her feet. Astir turned and then strolled to her carriage. Her baby was moving again within her. She gently rubbed her belly to try and sooth her child.
Looking back at Viga she commanded, “I want the entire city searched. Leave no stone unturned. Find my husband’s body and bring it to me.”
She entered her carriage and closed the door. It rocked as it began to head out of the city. The ride was painfully short before she knew it she found herself again in the small makeshift tent that was designed for her. She had found the emotional wound of her husband’s death again ripped open violently. She wept uncontrollably at the pain of her loss.
Her family must have known as they did not disturb her for some time. Once Astir had recovered enough she left the building and found the chair that she was sitting in before. Her pillow was still in place. She wrapped the blanket around herself and sat back down. She decided to wait there until she could receive a report about the findings of the search that she had just ordered. She hoped to at least be able to bury her husband with the other Kings of Heima, as he deserved. Eventually her brother rode up. She could see that he did not look very pleased. He dismounted and walked up to her. Once he was standing beside her, he knelt to the ground and took her hand. She knew that the news was bad.
Solemnly he said in a quiet voice, “Astir we could not find any sign of him. We did find where we think he was held. It appeared to be a metal building with a cage that was designed to be hung suspended above the Myrr. It was located outside of the city but within the walls that extended to a newly built area. The area below the cage was simply the Myrr. We found signs of bones that seemed to have been torn asunder by those same beasts that had attacked me so long ago. The bones appeared to be either kyr or hafr however. No other indications were found anywhere within Kunnadi.”
So her husband would not even receive a proper burial. It was heartbreaking to her.
“I wish to see this cage.” She told him.
He stood and told her, “I do not think that is wise, it would serve no purpose.”
She shook her head as she firmly commanded, “Take me to it.”
She could see by the look his face that he was very unhappy about taking her, but he finally relented.
“As you wish your Majesty.” He said to her.
He offered his hand to help her from her chair.
As she rose from her chair she told a nearby servant, “Ensure this chair makes its way back to my quarters in Bygod.”
The man bowed and replied, “Yes your Majesty.”
Viga guided her to her nearby carriage. They both entered the carriage. It rocked as it began moving.
Chapter 40
The next cycle crawled along as Daell worked hard to rebuild his body. At first it was slow going, but since he felt Heima’s touch he was able to eat much more completely, which allowed his body to recover quicker than anyone had expected. He suspected that he had cut a cycle or two off of his recovery. Daell could walk weakly on his own feet now, although he needed a walking stick to balance himself. He knew that he would need to leave soon.. Once Daell began to walk a little on his own, he explored the small village and talked to each citizen. He felt deeply indebted to everyone within the village so he worked hard to learn about them, he now knew them as well as any man. The village was built some time ago by Jordlings and Fylgja’s words were true, no other being knew of the village. Just as Anddyri, these villagers lived a meager life of their own means. A regular turn for them consisted of casting nets into the nearby ocean and using their small boats to pull any fish they could manage to catch. They used the wood from the twisted trees to attempt to make anything that they would need. He found they had limited vegetables, but did manage to use the plants from the ocean as part of their sustenance. Daell had offered to open the royal coffers to the village but his offer was declined by Fylgja, as he knew it would be.
Daell decided that he would leave tomorrow. He knew his body was not fully recovered, but his heart longed for his wife. He could no longer live without her, even if he had to find his way home slowly. His abilities with earthcrafting had not returned to him in strength. He would not be able to simply carry himself off in a cloud of dust for some time so he would need to find his way back to Bygod the old fashioned way.
As he sat in one of the chairs at Fylgja’s table, he decided to tell her, “Fylgja I must talk to you about something.”
“You wish to return home.”
“Yes.”
“I’d hoped to have you recover for another dozen turns, but I’d never stop you from leaving. However, be warned, the Myrr can be dangerous. You must travel away from Kunnadi. No one has left this village since your arrival, and we’ll only leave once you’ve left us.”
“I understand. Would it be possible for me to get a small boat? I will gladly reimburse you for it.”
She laughed at him before saying, “Daell we can make plenty boats, however I’m going to have both of my boys bring you to the edge of the Myrr. I don’t believe it’d be fair of us to just send our ruler out into the Myrr by himself. Even still it’s a dangerous trek; there are many beasts that attack men on sight.”
Daell was relieved that her sons would be accompanying him. It would do him little good to leave Heill only to find himself attacked by a beast of some kind, especially in his current condition.
“Thank you Fylgja, I know you do not wish to be rewarded for your generous assistance so instead of offering any reward, I wish to let you know that your people have earned a special place within my heart. I swear here, before you that I will keep the knowledge of your village to myself. No man shall know its existence or location from me.”
She winked and said, “Well I fully expect you might have some explaining to do to your wife. You can, of course, tell her anything you must, if we cannot trust the Queen of Heima with our safety, who can we trust?”
“Indeed Fylgja, my wife is a wonderful woman; I will however tell her little as I can. If she knows the depth of what you and your family have done for me, she might overturn my desire to keep your village as it is. She has a generous heart and cares deeply for her people.”
Fylgja smiled at his words. Daell spent the remainder of the turn resting. Fylgja had him not walk too much in order to build his strength for tomorrow. Daell rested his head on his bed and quickly slipped off to sleep.
* * * * *
Daell awoke to the sun peeking through the small window of the bedroom he was in. He slowly lifted himself off of the bed and stood. Grabbing the walking stick that he had been using to help aid him in standing, he walked out of the room and into the small dining hall of Fylgja’s home. She had both of her sons sitting at the table, with the morning meal already served.
She glanced up at him as he entered and said, “Come eat, my sons have agreed to take you to the edge of the Myrr. It should take a little over half a turn to get you there. From there you’ll have to find your way. We don’t have any hestir, so I’m afraid you’ll have to walk.”
She pointed to a bag that was resting against a nearby wall before asking, “We have packed some supplies for you. Can you bear its weight?”
He did not care if he could, he just would so he answered, “Yes.”
“Very well, eat and regain your strength. We’ve provided you with several turns worth of food, two changes of clothing and a blanket to sleep with. We wish we could offer you more, but we only had so much to give. Members of our humble village all volunteered some of their own food to provide for you.”
“Before I leave I would love to personally thank each person here. They brought light to my heart throughout my recovery.”
“Of course.”
Daell ate his meal quickly. As he rose, Fylgja approached him.
She wrapped him in a big hug and said, with her voice cracking, “Travel safely Daell, I’ll miss you.”
He f
ought back tears and said, “As will I Fylgja.”
Before she could see his tears he stepped away from her and exited the building. Her sons followed closely behind. Daell embraced every person in the village before he finally climbed into the small boat that Skyld and Veifa had already boarded. Veifa took the guiding pole and Skyld the oars. The boat rocked slightly as it began to move. Fylgja waved as they slowly moved away.
Once they had moved some distance away Veifa spoke, “So who are you Daell? It’s clear that you’re important in some way, but mother wouldn’t say. She made the whole village promise to stay there until you had left.”
Daell could see that he had been unhappy about the situation. Skyld turned to watch the conversation.
“Veifa, my name is Daell Skiedsson. I am married to the Queen of Heima.”
They both looked stunned from his words.
Skyld finally spoke, “You’re the King of Heima?”
Daell nodded and said, “I am, I was waylaid by the people of Kunnadi and held prisoner until you two saved me. I wish I could reward you for your actions, but your mother has said that the only reward she wished for her people was continued secrecy of your village.”
Both men shook their heads.
Veifa spoke, “We do not wish any rewards, and we only did what was right. No Jordling should be treated as they treated you.”
Daell smiled at both of them. This time tears began to form within his eyes and Daell did not try to stop them.
His voice trembled as he spoke, “I owe you both everything for I would have died within that cage if not for you.”
He could see that his emotions affected both men. They both fought to avoid the same tears that now rolled down Daell’s face. Daell turned away to allow them their pride. They continued to travel along the Myrr slowly. The mid-turn meal approached so they stopped and pulled out some food, which they shared with Daell. He noticed that they brought extra for him. It was an attempt to help build his strength. They ate the meal in silence before continuing onward.
Well after the mid-turn meal Veifa called out, “Stop.”
Skyld responded immediately to his command and stopped.
He knelt down next to his brother and asked, “What is it brother?”
Veifa pointed off in the distance and said, “I see several beasts in the distance. I cannot tell what type of beast they are, but they move quickly.”
Daell shifted his weight and turned to the direction. He could see the beasts and he immediately recognized them. It was the Hyggja! His heart rejoiced.
He announced to Veifa and Skyld, “I know them, they are my friends.”
Both men looked quite surprised by his words.
Daell instructed them, “Take us to them.”
They looked very unhappy about his command.
Daell smiled at them and said, “Please.”
Grimly Veifa nodded and began rowing again. Skyld stood and slowly worked to guide the boat. Daell had shifted himself so he could look forward as they moved closer to the Hyggja. The Hyggja were distracted by something, which Daell could see was a fight between them and one of the large beasts that was like the ones that were below his cage while he was imprisoned. The Hyggja seemed to winning the fight handily. Daell could see that they now wielded swords of Jordling steel instead of clubs.
As the Hyggja finished the fight Daell yelled loudly, “Friends!”
They turned towards his voice. He immediately recognized one of the Hyggja. It was Viamo, the mate of Johtaja! She had not seen him initially, but once the boat was closer to them, her reaction was immediate.
In a loud, clear voice she screamed out, “THE HYVANTEKIJA LIVES!”
Daell could see the reaction of the others was instant on hearing her words. They swarmed to the sides of the boat, each them floating on the Myrr around the boat. Their joy towards his arrival was palpable. Daell reached his arm out to Viamo to greet her. She pulled him close to the edge of the boat and embraced him in a hug. He had not seen the Hyggja cry before, but he could see that she had tears in her eyes. It only caused Daell to cry with her. His heart was pounding in excitement.
After a long embrace she released him and said, “Hyvantekija, you seem weakened. Are you well?”
“No Viamo, I had been gravely injured and am still trying to recover.”
“You must come to our Kyla here in the Myrr. We have found all of our kind; some live here within the Myrr.”
Daell shook his head and said, “I am too ill to travel without aid. I cannot summon Heima’s aid properly.”
Viamo began speaking to her fellow Hyggja in their language.
She announced, “We shall bear you. You must come as Johtaja must see you with his own eyes.”
Daell decided to accept her offer. He would feel bad to be carried, but the Hyggja would likely be able to aid him in returning home.
“Very well Viamo, I shall go with you however once I see Johtaja, I need to be assisted in returning home to my own Kyla in Bygod.”
Daell turned to Veifa and Skyld, who both looked very concerned about the recent change of plans.
He told them, “Friends I will be safe for Viamo is a deeply trusted friend. I wish to express my deepest thanks to each of you. I shall remember you both fondly until I am in my grave.”
Each man began to shift and attempt to look away, as though they were ashamed of their emotions.
“Embrace me friends, I wish our final moment together be a fond one.” Daell told them as he struggled to his feet while balancing on the boat.
It rocked slightly as he stood. Each brother carefully moved to him and he hugged each man as firmly as his weakened arms would allow. After saying good bye to them, they lifted the bag given to him and placed it on his shoulders. It was much heavier than Daell had expected it to be. They helped to lift him up and then lowered him down into the waiting arms of the Hyggja. Daell felt what had to be about thirty clawed hands holding him above the surface of the Myrr. He was impressed by their strength. Daell turned one last time to the brothers and waved at them. The Hyggja began to slowly swim while holding Daell above the surface. It was slow going and he could see that the sun was beginning to settle on the horizon. Finally he was able to spot a small island that had a massive pile of logs resting in the center of the island. It reminded him of the stone Kyla from back in the Parrmarch. Once they hit the dry ground of the island, the Hyggja lifted Daell so he could stand. Daell struggled initially with the weight of the bag, but he quickly regained his balance. He leaned heavily on his walking stick. Viamo moved from standing next beside him to the entrance of the wooden Kyla.
She said, “Hyvantekija wait here, I shall go collect Johtaja.”
Daell nodded at her and she then quickly entered the Kyla. Daell did not have to wait long, the sounds of hurried running echoed from the entrance of the Kyla. Soon afterwards, several hundred Hyggja exited the Kyla and began to surround Daell. While he never was able to catch all of the emotions on the faces of the Hyggja, he could read Johtaja’s expression. It was joy.
“Hyvantekija! You live!” He said excitedly.
“I do Johtaja, although I almost did not.”
Johtaja stepped up to Daell and embraced him a hug.
He said with joy in his voice, “All of the Lisko are relieved to see you live, we mourned greatly at the news of your death. My heart bore the news of your demise greatly.”
“Thank you Johtaja. It brings my heart great joy to see you as well.”
“You do not look well Hyvantekija, what happened?” He asked Daell.
“I was held prisoner by my enemies in a city called Kunnadi. If not for my newest and best friends, I would have perished within a cage. They aided me in escaping and then hide me away until I recovered as you see me now.”
Johtaja looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, “How long ago was your escape?”
Daell was curious about his line of questioning but he answered, “It was several cycles ago.”
“Interesting Hyvantekija, it would seem that your friends aided you in escaping just before the city of Kunnadi fell to the Ashteer.”
Daell’s heart rose in happiness greatly so he excitedly asked, “My wife defeated the men within Kunnadi?”
“Indeed, the Lisko aided in the battle, although it would seem that as soon as we attacked, the city surrendered without a fight. I was told there was a revolt by the citizens. The leadership of the city was removed from their position.”
Daell had to ask, “What of the leader?”
“The Ashteer had him executed that night.”
Daell’s joy continued to grow.
“How did my wife appear?” He asked.
“She grows heavy with child and she bears the burden of your death greatly.”
Daell frowned. His wife had suffered as much from his absence as he had.
“Johtaja I must ask of you, one more favor.”
“Anything you wish Hyvantekija.”
“I wish to go home, I miss her dearly.”
“Very well. It is late now so you must rest in the Kyla. Tomorrow we shall escort you to Kunnadi since they are on our side again.
Chapter 41
The last few cycles had gone smoothly for Astir. However she was desperately ready to have her child. Her back hurt constantly as the weight of her belly had become a heavy burden on her small frame. She knew that she would be giving birth any turn as the contractions had begun in earnest. Last evening she had her third false labor. Her mother had reassured her that she would be giving birth at any point. That was another concern for her, actually giving birth she was led to believe would be painful, intensely painful. She also did not like the amount of weight she had gained. During the whole time that she had been with child, she had eaten like a wild hestir. She would not look into any mirror for fear of seeing herself. The few accidental glances had shown her fears were true, she was huge. Her guess was that she had gained at least three and a half stones in weight. On top of the weight gain, the constant back pain, and having to waddle about the palace, she found herself missing her husband intensely. He should have been here, but he was stolen by an evil man. She felt no joy in the man’s death, even though she had thought she would. Instead just sadness filled her.
