Realms Gate

by Juliet Anderson

  Everyone was waiting for the new Priestess to take up her role, but he set very little faith in a soft, inexperienced First Realm child. She would certainly be no match for Heinrekh.

  Heinrekh all but bounded across the courtyard to the north tower where his long term guest resided. He was thrilled with the news that had been relayed. He took the stairs to the first floor and stopped before the restraining shield.

  “Wonderful news, my dear.” He pulled up a stool and sat before his captive guest.

  “You’re dying?” was the caustic reply.

  He gave a wicked smile. “Only in your dreams perhaps. It seems Erin is about to turn the prophecy into reality.”

  “How so?”

  “She has Loxhadrin.”

  “Before her eighteenth birthday?”

  “Yes,” Heinrekh could not control his grin. “According to the ancients, she is the one who will inherit all her powers before her age of majority. On her eighteenth birthday itself, she will be a true powerhouse.”

  “And you are not worried?”

  “On the contrary, I am delighted. She will join with me and together we will take back Lokranor.”

  “Firstly, Erin is no sorceress so will not be able to conjure magic. Secondly, she will not side with you. You killed her father.”

  “Technically it was a Holskund who killed her father. I have the magic, she has the energy, and between us we may even be able to heal the rift.”

  “You have obviously been stuck out here in Vasmaar too long. Your sense of logic is fried.”

  “Not for much longer.”

  “Erin is heavily protected by her guardians. You will not get close. You never have.”

  Heinrekh allowed himself a smug grin. “I have devised a way to draw her here. She will be under my control before the new moon.”

  His captive laughed. “You should not underestimate a McLomard. Look what happened the last time you did.”

  “This is a child. She has no idea what she is actually capable of.”

  “Why don’t you lower the force field and I’ll show you what I’m capable of?”

  “I think I’ll delay that challenge for another day.” Heinrekh stood up and turned to leave. “I’ll keep you posted.”

  “I’m sure you will,” came the dry response.

  Heinrekh had not felt this elated for many a year. Decades in truth. Everything he had so patiently waited for was about to come into reach. The world’s most powerful partnership would shortly occur. He headed back to his study to consult the ancient tomes. Erin might be a child still, but he was not about to underestimate her. The McLomards were a tricky bunch and he was not going to be caught unaware.

  The thought of tutoring Erin himself truly excited him. He would show her what her powers could really do and how to conjure them. The fools that guarded her had no idea of her true potential.

  Life was shortly going to get a whole lot more interesting.

  CHAPTER 16

  Sasha had only been waiting a few minutes when Erin showed up on Athena.

  “Sorry, I got caught up with Birdie,” Erin sounded a little out of breath, as though she had been riding at full pace.

  “No worries, I haven’t been here long.”

  “Where did you want to ride?”

  “How about around Muirhead and back?”

  “Sure.” Erin nudged Athena into a walk.

  “Are you fully over the pneumonia?”

  “Yeah, I think so. Birdie keeps fussing, making sure I’m wrapped up well. That’s what happens when you put a soft Southerner into the wilds of the Highlands. So come on,” Erin probed. “What’s the gossip with Tobias?”

  “We’ve had a couple of dates.”

  “My matchmaking skills are legendary,” Erin sighed dramatically. “He was certainly a fast mover.”

  “I’m glad he was. And I’m also grateful to you for highlighting what a tosser Robert was.”

  “Let me guess, since you’ve been seeing Tobias, Robert has got back in touch?”

  Sasha nodded. “Yes. He might be one of my brother’s friends, but I still told him what I thought of him.”

  “Good girl.” Erin was impressed.

  “Talking of my brother, I understand you two had a bit of a set to.”

  Erin winced. “We exchanged a few words at the fair.”

  “You were bawling at each other like a couple of old fishwives,” Sasha laughed. “It was wonderful to see my pompous brother brought down a level or two. And it’s supplied the village with enough gossip to last them a whole week.”

  “I’m glad to entertain,” Erin responded drily. “I hope you don’t feel conflicted, meeting with me.”

  “Hey, I’m allowed to choose my own friends. The fact that you and are my brother are at each other’s throats is no real concern. And just because he’s my brother, doesn’t mean he can’t behave like a total ass. ” Which he’d been doing a lot of recently, Sasha added to herself.

  “I was just checking.”

  “So what were you arguing about?” Sasha was keen to find out what had caused Angus to lose his cool in front of the whole village; he was normally so guarded.

  “Angus was dissing Magnus, and as he and I are close, I wasn’t having it.”

  “You said Magnus was more like brother material?”

  “Yeah. He looks out for me.”

  Sasha fell silent for a moment. There was a question she was wanted to ask Erin. “The other evening, I heard my brother in his study talking to someone about Lokmuir. Your name also came up. Are you connected with the Circle?”

  “Sort of, involuntarily. What do you know about the Circle?” Erin was cautious not to say too much.

  “Not a great deal. I know there’s lots of not-so-secret meetings. All the major families in the area are connected to it. There’s whispers behind closed doors and bizarre sightings. I think they’re trying to hide or protect something from ancient history.”

  “You’re not far wrong. They believe I was put on this planet to fulfil a specific role, but I’m contesting that right now. Who was Angus talking to?”

  “I’m not sure, I never saw him come or go. He had an unusual accent, a bit like Magnus, but obviously it wasn’t him.”

  “Where’s Tobias taking you next?” Erin changed the conversation quickly, a fact that didn’t escape Sasha’s notice.

  “He wants to teach me to climb, so has booked a session at a climbing wall in Wick.” She liked Tobias and wanted to take an interest in his hobbies, but wasn’t really that keen on the whole climbing thing. Nevertheless she would give it a go.

  “That should be fun. At least it will give you guys some time away from here.”

  “You’re right. At the moment, everybody seems really tense, as though they’re waiting for something to happen.” Sasha glanced briefly across at Erin, her face gave nothing away.

  “Must be summer fever,” Erin responded. “Or the lack of it. Does it ever get truly hot up here?”

  Sasha shook her head. Erin was obviously going to remain evasive about what was going on, other than the fact she wanted no part in whatever it was. She was concerned for Angus though, he had been even more irritable than usual. At first she had put it down to the fact that he was jealous of Magnus’ relationship with Erin, but now she suspected there was something more. Something she didn’t really want to know about.

  The two friends picked up the pace and cantered back from the village. It was good to blow a few cobwebs away.

  “Are you up for another ride tomorrow?” Sasha asked as they came to the point where they would go their separate ways.

  “Always.”

  Erin was headed down the hill in a comfortable trot after her ride with Sasha. She was glad that despite her falling out with Angus, she and Sasha could still be friends.

  She saw the glow as she neared the house but it took a few seconds before she realised what she was looking at. There were actually Vasmaarian creatures out in daylight, which w
as almost unheard of. The Holskund seemed to be carrying something and as Erin pushed the horse into a canter, she caught a glimpse of what it was. Or rather who it was. Birdie. Out of the front door burst Mrs McDowell, comically chasing a Midgard with a rolling pin.

  Mrs McDowell looked relieved when Erin came into sight. “Lassie, they’ve taken Birdie,” she shrieked.

  “I know.” Erin held out her hand and called her Talmar. The sword appeared a split second later.

  She kicked the horse into gallop and went at full pelt after the creatures. She was gaining on them as they approached a rock front.

  Don’t even think about it, Erin, a voice rang in her head.

  Wouldn’t dream of it, she responded and shut Magnus out. She was learning how to control the telepathic link.

  Ahead of her she saw the creatures disappear into the rock. It must be a gateway, logic told her. If not, she and the Athena would decorate the rock face nicely. She headed into the dark crevice and a split second later appeared in bright sunlight, feeling a little disorientated. A fresh blanket of snow lay on the ground and the temperature had dropped considerably. The clearing was surrounded by spruce trees, but she had no time to think or admire her surroundings. The Holskund was just in front of her. She crouched up on the saddle and leapt from the horse onto the back of the creature. It reared up and tried to twist its head around, its fangs gnashing wildly. One swish of the Talmar and the creature disintegrated. Before she could see to Birdie, she dispatched a Midgard that came at her.

  She rushed to Birdie’s side. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, but what the hell were you thinking of crossing over?” Birdie barked at her.

  “No-one tries to take my aunt and live,” Erin responded. “And the word I think you are looking for is thanks.”

  Birdie sighed and let Erin help her to her feet. “Did you not consider for one moment that this might be a trap?”

  “I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t.” Erin cast a glance around her. She could see three creatures moving in on her and two Vasmaarians. “Actually you might want to stay down, this could get messy.”

  She thrust her sword into the ground and opened up her palms. “Loxhadrin,” she said softly. Blue balls of energy appeared in her hands, her aim was good and she got both Vasmaarians. The creatures attacked. The Skodrin charged at her, its teeth barred, its yellow eyes fixated on her. It wasn’t as agile as she was, she sliced it across its left front leg. The creature reared up in pain, exposing its chest so Erin drove her sword threw its heart. The two Midgards came at her together, they really weren’t too bright and other than a lot of hissing and spitting, they didn’t put up much of a fight. It has almost been too easy. If this was the best that Heinrekh had, he really should be scared.

  Erin swung around as she heard a faint noise behind her. Three men on horseback emerged from the woods behind them. Erin went to raise her hand but Birdie stopped her. “That is King Olav’s son.”

  As he drew his horse up by her, Erin found herself looking into the softest pair of brown eyes she had ever seen. They were beautiful. Actually the complete package wasn’t bad. He had long light brown hair and a pretty good physique. He looked at Birdie and nodded.

  “Erin, this is Wilhelm, son of King Olav,” Birdie introduced her.

  “Hi,” she smiled up at him. Before she could say anything else, a familiar voice echoed through the crisp air.

  “You are without doubt the most pig-headed, idiotic woman I have ever met. Do you have a death wish?” Magnus thundered.

  “Oh, bite me.” Erin turned around to see Magnus riding towards her.

  “Heinrekh obviously wanted to lure you here and you fell for it. I thought you had more brains than that.”

  “I’m not about to risk Birdie’s life. Not for you and not for some evil sorcerer I’ve never met. If the guy wants a fight, bring it on.” She stood her ground.

  Magnus let out a frustrated howl. “How I regret not leaving you to die of hyperthermia in Bath.”

  “Then who would you have to be sour to?” she grinned. “Now stop giving me earache and help me up.”

  Magnus leapt from the horse and gave her a bunk up. “Birdie can ride with me,” he grunted.

  Erin leant down and whispered to Magnus. “Is Wilhelm mute?”

  Magnus laughed. “Sadly not. Why?”

  “The guy hasn’t said a word.”

  “You probably haven’t given him a chance to get a word in.” Magnus headed over to Wilhelm who was still staring at Erin. “I need to get Erin and Birdie back to Muirhead before Heinrekh knows she is here.”

  “I imagine Heinrekh already knows it.” Wilhelm found his voice. “Birdie and the girl will join us at Lokranor Castle. “

  Magnus might not be able to refuse a royal summons, but Erin could. How dare anyone refer to her as ‘the girl’.

  “Sorry, I’m not dressed for hacking through the frozen wastelands of this place. I’m headed home.” She shot a hard look at Wilhelm.

  “It is not a request we can turn down.” Magnus shifted uncomfortably.

  “You can’t,” Erin grunted. “But this is not my Realm and King Olav is not my sovereign. I’m going back to the warmth of Muirhead.” She didn’t think she would ever get to say that!

  “Magnus is right. It would be rude not to stay at least a short spell. King Olav will want to meet you.” Birdie joined in the debate.

  “Why?” Erin shot back. “You know I have no plans to take up this damn priestess role for many years yet, so I can’t see why there is any great need to meet him.”

  “For diplomacy purposes, Erin.” Birdie responded firmly. “As a McLomard you have certain obligations to the family name.”

  “But I’m bloody freezing already,” Erin shivered. “And I’ll miss X-Factor.”

  “Serves you right for being so impetuous,” Magnus muttered.

  Wilhelm drew his horse level with hers and wrapped his cloak around her. “Does that solve the argument?”

  The corners of Erin’s mouth twitched slightly, he did have a very alluring accent. “Perhaps.” She ran her hand over the fur trimmed cloak, it was toasty warm.

  Erin rode next to Magnus as he gave her a running commentary on the changing landscape. It seemed to consist of large expanses of white, dotted with vast woods.

  “How far is it to Lokranor castle?” she asked.

  “About an hour’s ride. Are you in a hurry to get there?”

  “Yes, I need to pee,” she hissed at him. “How about we pick up the pace? Or does Wilhelm only know how to trot?”

  Magnus leant over to say something to Wilhelm she couldn’t hear. Those wonderful brown eyes rested on her for a moment before he took off into a gallop. Erin responded and they were soon riding side by side. Magnus, with the extra weight of Birdie, was a little way behind.

  Erin was in seventh heaven, galloping through the snow drenched landscape. It was just how she imagined Norway looked a few hundred years ago. They passed by several small villages, the houses made from wood and stone, fires burning in every house.

  Eventually the castle came into view. It was stunning, its stone spires rising high on the horizon. They slowed as they neared the gates. The guards stepped aside and let them pass. Erin’s eyes could barely take it all in, it looked like she had arrived on a film set. The cobbled streets were small and winding, the houses very close to each other. Everyone jumped out the way as Wilhelm rode past. They stopped at the stables and dismounted

  Wilhelm indicated for her to follow him. “Magnus and Birdie are not yet here,” she responded.

  “I thought you had an urgent need?”

  “You’re right. Let’s go” she grimaced. Her bladder was at bursting point.

  CHAPTER 17

  Magnus and Birdie caught up with them in the Great Hall. It was a spectacular room, cast in stone with a very high vaulted ceiling. Ancient tapestries, swords and shields decorated the walls. At far end, on a raised stone platform sat three elab
orately carved seats. Erin was feeling decidedly unnerved by the amount of attention she was attracting. The place was crammed with Viking looking people, jostling for position, all starring at her like she was an alien. She was used to blending into the background. Her eyes were everywhere, trying to take in the amazing room, figuring out who was friend or foe, and just generally feeling like she was about to have a meltdown.