The Kingdoms of Wala: Agnar and the battle of the Firemountain (1)

by Maximilian Lukas Aichele

  A last pulsation streamed through the body of the flame devil until it suddenly grew dark. The flames were suddenly extinguished and silence returned.

  Agnar held the burned hand and trembled. He could not believe it, but it was true. He had destroyed the flaming hell-beast. With wide opend eyes the flaming devil had once again become the stone mass he had been before.

  It took a moment for Agnar to be aware of his victory and he picked up his sword again. The handle was cooled again and reflecting the light of the moon and the many sparkling stars in his face.

  A Royal Reception

  He had found the children and defeated the burning hell-beast. It took a moment until the tension had subsided back into him and Agnar slowly turned back into the tunnel.

  "What a day!" he shouted, going with his hands through his hair.

  As he marched through the tunnel, he wondered what Hjalprek and the children had done; when he suddenly heard noises. Immediately he stopped and listened to what it was. It did not sounded like the Orcs, but that did not mean that it could be no other monster.

  Carefully went Agnar further and felt the heat increased again, when suddenly a flicker could be seen on the rock wall. Almost silent, Agnar crept forward and looked around the corner, when Gymir suddenly ran into his arms.

  "Thank Heaven, you're alive!", Gymir said, grabbing him joyfully by the shoulders.

  Agnar laughed with relief and was glad to see him. Then Gymir wanted to know everything that had happened since they had seen the last time; whereupon Agnar told him everything in the smallest details. Gymir could not believe that the hell devil was really defeated, but Agnar confirmed it repeatedly.

  "Yes, really!", said Agnar. "I've smashed with my sword in a sparkling gem on his forehead, then he's went to the ground."

  Gymir looked at him like a half-god, fallen upon the earth, when Agnar told his story.

  "Incredible," said Gymir, who did not want to stop smiling at all.

  Then Agnar asked some questions, which had not knowed any of the end of the battle against the orcs, nor of the whereabouts of the children and Hjalprek. He wanted to know what had happened and where the others were.

  Gymir smiled, for him it was very important to speak of the outcome of the battle. He told Agnar that he and his men had succeeded in defeating all one-eyed ones and pushed the rest of the Orcs out of the Firemountain. Hjalprek and the children were in safe. They had been taken to Etlindal, where they were cooked and served. The other rock golems went also well.

  "We have won, but unfortunately we lost a few of our own.", said Gymir, with a gently lowered gaze. It was the first battle he had struck with his men and in spite of minor losses, it was glorious.

  Shortly after Gymir finished his report, Agnar wanted to resemble Hjalprek and the children and also to go to Etlindal (hoping for a hot meal).

  "With pleasure! Let's go!", said Gymir.

  Together they went back to the tunnel and quickly returned to the copper mine. Everywhere there were rock golems, which brought the old mine back to the old. They set aside debris, erected scaffolding and tapped the hidden rails straight again.

  Gymir and Agnar quickly passed them and followed the course of the rails. The heat increased with every step; the air remained polluting with sulfur.

  Suddenly, snapping noise and the lizard from before was back. Hissing, she ran towards the two of them and broke open her wide mouth. Agnar reckoned with an attack and was about to reach for his hammer when Gymir suddenly burst into laughter and moved toward to the lizard.

  "Biter!", Gymir said, grabbing the animal under his arms, holding it closer to his face. "Where do you come from? I missed you so much!"

  The lizard seemed to be very happy to see Gymir and wagged wildly with his tail. With her long tongue, she licked his face and continued to give this snapping sounds.

  Agnar also had to laugh at this moment and so they were now taking their way to Etlindal. It was not long before the group in front of a rock wall stopped and Gymir pushed a circular opening into the mountain.

  "Now it's a little bit tight!", said Gymir and went after Agnar and the lizard as the last one.

  It was really tight, but Agnar did not mind. The path led through a narrow tunnel, in which a cool breeze blew from time to time. The heat had suddenly disappeared and it was not long before drum sounds sounded.

  "A little further! We'll be right there.", said Gymir.

  Then it was done. Gymir again pressed a circular opening into the rock wall, and opened so the entrance to Etlindal.

  The door was barely open, as Biter suddenly ran away and happily crossed the threshold. Agnar followed slowly, as suddenly two of the children ran up to him and closed him in there arms.

  "Agnar! Agnar!" they shouted and soon the other children came running. They almost tore him to the ground and laughed joyfully to see him. After all the efforts, Agnar had no strength left and his body rebelled with exhaustion and hunger.

  Suddenly the smell of delicious food came to him and Hjalprek emerged. He laughed and handed him a plate of fried pork sausages and fried potatoes.

  Agnar ate the sausages at the same time and followed then Gymir in his tent. Inside, a large table was laid, where there was ample food and drink. Finally, Agnar was able to relax and satisfy his hunger, while Gymir praised him.

  Gymir, Hjalprek, Agnar, and the children sat all together and enjoyed the food that the rock golems served them. Throughout the meal, Agnar had to report again and again about his fight against the burning devil. It was mainly the children who were always asking questions, but Gymir was not tired of hearing the story again and again.

  Hjalprek behaved quite calmly. The battle had struck him harder than he wanted to admit.

  It was a pleasant evening, where everyone amused. Since it was late and all were tired, they decided to spend the night in Etlindal and just at the next morning to return back to Borea back.

  Gymir sent a messenger to Borea to teach the people about the happenings and to tell them, that the children were doing well.

  In Gymir's tent, there were straw mattress for everyone, with a warm blanket of wool (at the Firemountain it was quite cold at night, despite the heat of the day), and everyone was glad to could sleep.

  It was already bright when Agnar awoke in the morning. He had slept the longest of all. The breakfast was just as plentiful as the food the night before and equally amusing. All were happy and did not cease to praise Agnar for his exploits. He, in turn, tried to play down the events, but still felt very flattered.

  Finally the breakfast was over and everyone pushed their empty plates and jugs of themselves. Then it was time. Agnar, Hjalprek and the children packed their belongings and went on their way back to Borea.

  When they left Etlindal, the rock golems honored them with much cheers and applause. Her thanks were particularly due to Agnar, who was shown with respect and praise.

  Gymir led them through a narrow path between cliffs down to the valley where Agnar's horse was already waiting for him. The golems had accepted itself in its absence of the horse and supplied it with sufficient food and water.

  Suddenly, Agnar was startled. On a cart that had been clamped on his horse, lay a coffin. The sight was like a slap in his face that left him forgetting everything else.

  "Is that …", he began and did not dare to complete the question.

  "Yes!", Gymir replied, who had understood the question.

  Right next to Agnar's horse stood Hjalprek's, which had also a cart. This, however, was empty and provided for the transport of the children, by Gymir.

  While Hjalprek and the children had already taken their seats, Gymir and Agnar said goodbye.

  "Do it well!", said Gymir, giving him a friendly handshake. "My home is always open to you."

  "You too, my friend!" Agnar replied, went to his wagon and put his things on a small loader, next to the bench.

  An unusually cold feel
ing passed through his body as he climbed on his horse and brought the reins close to his hands. Somehow, everything felt as unreal as if one were trapped in a dream from which one can not wake up.

  "Let's go!", Hjalprek shouted suddenly, giving his horse the bridle. The children laughed and danced for joy.

  Meanwhile Agnar turned to the coffin and looked at him thoroughly. It was a beautiful coffin, with many ornaments and a shiny surface.

  Then he turned his eyes away and the journey began.

  It was early morning, when the two wagons set in motion and Gymir disappeared in the distance after a time and numerous farewell greetings. The sun was shining bright, it was getting warmer and warmer and it was a joyous and peaceful journey, with much laughter and singing. Especially the children were very happy to be back home soon, where they could take their parents back into their arms.

  Throughout the trip, Agnar turned often around and looked at the coffin. It was very difficult for him to get infected by the joy of the others, which was also understandable in his situation. Uller was dead, and Geirröd still disappeared without a trace. Agnar had devised many theories on how this journey could have ended; but the idea that he would bring a coffin with his dead friend inside would never have occurred to him.

  After a while, the two wagons arrived the west gate of Borea, where the adventure on the Firemountain had begun. The large iron gate was still in ruins, but they had already started with the first reperatures. The stone tower, which had been burning a short time before, had miraculously defiled the flames and stood there, as if nothing had ever happened.

  Shortly before the entrance stopped Agnar and said goodbye to Hjalprek. After all, he only wanted to go home to his friends and acquaintances.

  "Are you sure you do not want to come for a minute with us?", Hjalprek asked. "There are certainly many people in Borea who want to thank you."

  "No thanks, really not.". Agnar said, looking at the coffin. "Unfortunately I have to regulate other things."

  "I understand. Then I wish you a good journey and greet Balduin when you see him."

  "I'll do it and thank you for everything."

  "I have to thank you.", said Hjalprek with a smile. "Farewell, my friend."

  "Farewell, Hjalprek."

  Then the wagon with Hjalprek and the children started to move and soon disappeared behind a road bend. Now Agnar had lost his last companion and was again completely on his own.

  Under the blazing midday sun, he continued his way back; in the small village from which he came. The ride promised to be long and offered him enough time to arrange his thoughts. Especially the question, after the whereabouts of Geirröd occupied him. What happened to him? He can not just have disappeared from the ground. And what does this Surt have to do with all this? A desert king who attacks the people with the help of Orcs? Something does not fit there.

  "Oh, brother!", Agnar groaned, looking at a small sailing ship sailing on a river to his left.

  Because he was too little known in these countries, Agnar returned to the castle of Wala to continue his journey home from there. Certainly, there was a simpler and quicker way, but this would not have brought him much if he had dealt with his search.

  So he rode for a while and soon saw the castle in the distance, when suddenly a loud trample rolled on him. At first, Agnar thought they were the pig riders, but it was soon clear that they were soldiers of the king. A group of ten armored men, with shields and swords, rode directly towards him and came to stand just before his wagon.

  "Are you Agnar?", one of the soldiers asked.

  "Yes, I am!", said Agnar.

  "You shall come to the castle. The prince is asking for you."

  "For me?" Agnar was stunned.

  "Yes!", said another soldier. "You shall come with us at once."

  Agnar wondered why Prince Balduin wanted to see him so suddenly, but came to the request and followed the soldier to the castle.

  Instead of the east gate, from which Agnar had started his way to Borea and which was the least remote, the soldiers led him a little farther north, to a somewhat smaller and at the same time heavily guarded gate. Thick iron bars and a half army of soldiers protect it, while the group around Agnar held directly on it.

  "OPEN THE GATE!", shouted one of the horsemen, whereupon the grate was pulled up and the group could go straight to the castle without stopping. The scent of many blooming flowers lay in the air, offering a taste for what was beyond the high walls.

  Right in front of the castle was a huge garden, so large that one could not see its end. A sea of colorful rosebushes stretched over the entire surface, giving Agnar a sight he would not soon forget.

  The tower clock struck just half past eight as the riders came to the castle's whitewashed cobbled square. While Agnar and the soldiers were climbing from their horses, the servants came along and took the horses.

  "Come!", a soldier called to Agnar and hurried with him into the throne hall.

  They stopped before the last big door and Agnar had to wait while the soldier came in and announced him. In contrast to the last time, the wait was short and Agnar was able to enter the hall after only a minute.

  The only thing he saw at the time was a gathering of many well-dressed people who were staring at him in astonishment. They whispered and held their hands in amazement, while Agnar slowly passed them.

  "There he is!", someone shouted and a chorus of applause was given to Agnar. Everyone was completely beside himself and behaved as if they had just won a battle.

  Suddenly a gap opened and Prince Balduin came to the fore. He smiled and stretched his arms in the air.

  "Agnar!", he shouted, while he slowly approaching to him. "How are you?"

  "Good!", said Agnar, astonished at all the excitement.

  Then Baldwin pleaced the cheering crowd for silence and made a speech:

  "Dear friends, dear subjects! A high on Agnar. He drove the orcs out of Borea, he defeated the flame devil in the Firemountain and he brought our children back home."

  "Hurray!", cried the crowd.

  Agnar was visibly surprised by the praise, but at the same time proud of the recognition of his deeds. But it was also a superhuman achievement that he had shown. Before him there were not many who had shown such heroism.

  Then Balduin went on:

  "We have come together here today to show our gratitude to this young man. Let us celebrate! Let us lift our glasses and celebrate a feast like the world has not yet seen." The people raged for joy after this speech and did not want to slow down.

  In a row, they went to Agnar and congratulated him. He, on the other hand, showed himself cheerfully, but felt as though he had fallen. He would have liked to leave and would have gone back to his homeland. Back, to his little house, on the edge of the village. Back, to the great pasture, to the chickens and goats. Again, something normal and known around him was exactly what he wanted.

  After some time, Balduin approached him and took him aside. Then he took him to the other side of the hall, where they walked through a door and disappeared. The cheerful crowd was so much in celebration that they did not notice the absence of the two.

  The prince led Agnar to an adjoining room, where a round table, covered with fruit and other sweets.

  "I've ordered you not only to celebrate here.", Balduin said as they went. "Here is someone who would like to see you."

  Agnar was quite surprised and wondered who it was. When they were standing in front of the table, Agnar had to smile. It was not a smile, however, that should conceal his true feelings. Oh no. It was a friendly and happy smile that came directly from his heart. The reason for this was Dain, who was standing on the table between a glass of wine and a bowl of grapes. The little mouse king was eating an apple piece, which he almost swallowed when he saw Agnar.

  Agnar beamed with joy to see him again, and Dain was more than happy to have found him. In the light of the sunset, Agnar and Baldui
n sat down at the table and began a conversation:

  "Oh Dain!", Agnar groaned with relief. "You do not believe how happy I am to see a familiar face. What brings you here?"

  "What leads me here?", Dain replied, slightly annoyed by the question. "Because of you, I've come. What do you think I've been doing since Sigurd told me you were on the way to the castle?"

  Immediately Agnar got a bad conscience and tried to justify himself. "I'm sorry that I did not tell you about my trip, but for me the decision came just as quickly and surprisingly as for you. It was not my intention to offend you."

  "Offend me?", Dain said, smiling mockingly. "I was not offended, but worried. What did you think? Did you think it will it be a pleasant walk, in mild weather and sunshine? The world is dangerous. You could have been dead."

  "So calm down again, nothing happened!", Balduin interrupted suddenly.

  Agnar's bad conscience suddenly became so great that he would have preferred to hide under the table. For such a little mouse, he is very speechful. Then Dain smiled again and took a sip from the red wine glass, beside him. Agnar had already understood that he was so excited by his concern for him.

  "How did you actually learn from my actions at the Firemountain?", asked Agnar and watched to Balduin.

  "Good news travels fast.", the Prince replied.

  Of course, Balduin and Dain wanted to know everything from his adventure and so Agnar once again told his story (which he got better and more fluent in the course of time). He told it with pride and sorrow at the same time. Especially when he came to the part where he found Uller, he could not continue without a break.