I faced Euric, pointedly ignoring the fuming woman. 'We should start with the Matticati, and then Rome,' I said, then looking down. That would be a hard promise to keep, should I fail that very night with my terrible father. It was a ludicrous attempt we were involved in, but one we would try, nonetheless.
Euric nodded, but the Celt woman spoke, her voice as thick as ice. 'After, of course, you topple your father from his seat, save Ishild, find this Catualda, and achieve many other things?' Cassia said, tartly.
'Yes, because we shall have no peace to search for Wandal unless we have a home and fewer enemies. And I am not sure why you care. Are you not free to go home?' I slammed my fist on the bench, and she turned red from anger. 'I told you that you would be free to do so, after Ansbor was saved. You saved him, no?'
'I am their friend, Hraban, and no slave to you,' she told me imperiously. She was highborn, a woman used to riches and respect in the lazy Gaul, but wanted to stay?
'You don't have friends at home? You said you had a man you were to marry and lands to govern?' I insisted, but she turned her face away from me imperiously and not willing to answer, and so, I cursed.
'She is a friend, Hraban, so behave,' Euric rumbled.
I felt a moment of suspicion the old man had fallen in love with the spoiled brat, but then I felt remorse and waved my hand. 'I give you my word I shall try to find him. But, today, I need to find out where Balderich and Tear are.'
Ermendrud spat. 'Here we go.'
Ansbor nodded, uncomfortable with the tension. 'I followed some of Odo's men soon after you left for Isfried. I sent a slave to warn Tudrus the Quadi as well. '
I clasped his forearm. 'They possibly saved his life, Ansbor.'
He looked embarrassed by my words, and both women glowered at him. He looked sheepish and red-faced as he continued. Gods, the women were terrible, and I rubbed my forehead. I swore I saw Fulcher grin briefly. Ansbor spoke, his voice neutral. 'Odo's men, yes. They were buying some supplies from the market, simple foods, jugs with herbs, and strange leafs. Of course, jugs full of ale, for they were men, despite following Odo. They packed it all up and rode north.' His face went deathly white as he recalled his fateful day, and then he went on, painfully reciting his story. 'There is a rock there, some few miles away from a hidden road. A huge, flat rock. This is miles and miles east of the place Bero was captured, far from the river, far from it. There are heavy woods around this tower, and water flows on its base, swampland really. The rock is many heights of man, and as wide as a hall.' Cassia took his hand in support as he faltered, and I cursed the woman. Ansbor was likely entirely mixed up in his head for the hussies in that hall. I had to give him his freedom, I decided. He smiled at Cassia gratefully. 'Atop that rock is a tall building, made of wood. Men lived there, and I followed the fur-clad men, Odo's spawn, as they walked a path through the swamp, a path that held their weight. I saw Tear on top of the building, chanting and praying; Odo was with her. They tortured a man, I think. Held his head, and the man cried. I do not know what spells they were casting,' Ansbor said, squeezing Cassia's hand.
I placed mine on top of theirs, and Cassia recoiled. I smiled at her, and Euric snickered.
'Go on,' I mocked him, and he grunted uncomfortably, flushing. Cassia was now rubbing her hand energetically, as if I had soiled it.
Ansbor looked away from me to the dark, reminiscing. 'Anyway, I have never been so scared in my life. The men went forward, crossing a copse of rotten, smelly woods, and so I tried to see where the route went, stumbling along as quietly as I could, but I suppose not quietly enough. I saw a mad man's face appear from behind the tree. I knew I had been caught. I yelled, and I remember stumbling.' He was visibly reliving that the terrible day.
'Balderich or Bero?' I asked, and he shook his head quizzically. 'The man Tear and Odo were using for their spells,' I elaborated.
'The man was likely Bero,' Ansbor said. 'I never saw him, remember? But, he was older, and had your hair. He was likely this man. What was left of him. He looked… drained, not sane.'
I grunted. I had liked Bero until Maroboodus had duped me into thinking he was to blame for my family's deaths. Would he be there still? 'Bero? But, Balderich was there?'
Ansbor shrugged. 'Perhaps. Someone yelled something, challenging the two, Odo and Tear. Not a happy voice. Never met Balderich, not properly, so I cannot be sure of his voice, but I think they told a lord to be quiet. Next thing I remember I was running and stepping on a bird that was hurt, trying to take flight, only to fall injured to the water, a terrible omen. For some reason, I remember that. Some men in furs ran after me. There was a horn blare. An arrow flew by. But, I ran.' He licked his lips, and gave me a brief grin. 'I remember cursing you for asking me to do the deed. Oh, I wept and cursed you.'
'We all have wept and keep cursing him,' Ermendrud said sourly, and I wondered how I had ever enjoyed her company.
Wandal shook his head to stop any further argument. 'I have never been so scared. Ever. Odo was cursing me, I think, from afar. I heard him screaming. I did not want to be captured by him, by Hel.'
'Did you hear what they were doing with Bero?' I asked.
Ansbor licked his lips. 'No, not really. Of course they were summoning evil spirits, a god, calling for creatures not meant for this world, and Bero stood there, looking more dead than alive. Likely they were asking about that prophecy, and Bero was left a broken man after, I am sure of it.'
'So how fares the prophecy?' Ermendrud said sweetly. 'It's a surprise we are still alive.'
'I pissed on the prophecy, woman, now shut up,' I told her. 'Go on,' I beaconed Ansbor as Euric put a finger over Ermendrud's pouting lips, just briefly, for likely the smith feared for his precious digit.
'Not much more to say,' Ansbor said. 'I managed to climb away from the swamp, nearly losing the pursuers, but one man was coming towards the tower from the town, and seeing me, he pulled a knife. He was fast. I killed him, but not before he stabbed me.' He was rubbing his belly. I remember his terrible wound, and I flashed a grateful smile at Cassia. She blithely ignored it, her face turned away from me. She had a flushed look on her cheeks, and I noticed it was not so hot in the hall. Was she in love with Ansbor as well?
I shrugged. 'Anything else, Ansbor?'
'Odo called out for a name,' he added. 'I am loath to say it.'
'A man, a filthy beast?' Euric asked. 'You never told us this.'
'The name of a god?' I asked breathlessly. 'The one that tricked Woden? Their ancestor?'
Ansbor was nodding and shaking his head, confused. 'It was a goddess.'
We sat there quietly for a while, waiting, until Euric pushed him. 'Which goddess?' Euric asked angrily.
'Sigyn? Goddess Sigyn,' Ansbor said softly.
I nodded. It was a name we knew, and all of us blanched, save for Cassia, who looked around confused. She was a Celt, and they had their own gods, and those of the Romans, even if some of them worshipped the better known gods of the Germani as well, like all-father Woden, the boar god Freyr, and Tiw the Even-Handed.
'Tell her,' I growled, and felt pangs of malice reach across the lands, as Odo's words about their ancestry echoed in my mind. Somewhere, there was an abode called Gulldrum, where their tribe was born off the loins of the god who put a curse on Woden's first men. It was possible, I felt suddenly, but then refused to believe in it. A sane man would run far away, but I would stay, for what else could I do?
Fulcher stirred as no one spoke. 'Sigyn is not well-known, it is true. She is rumored a gentle goddess, certainly that. If this vitka and völva are raising her, then they are trying to reach her husband, really, one that is bound by the gods after Balder the Golden was killed by that god's malice. He is lounging in immobile thralldom, suffering. Yet, one day, this god will be freed, it is said, and it is also said that this god will lead the terrible Jotuns against the ill-pressed gods when the world ends.'
I nodded at Fulcher's direction. 'He has sights. Usually he knows the so
rt of information everyone already knows, but he is right in this. Odo's god finally has a name. It is no minor spirit, then.'
'The harbinger would be free, I know,' Euric said. 'Perhaps you should take Odo's prophecy seriously, after all.'
'They have been trying to either capture me or slay me for the past year for it, that is serious enough.'
Euric grinned humorlessly. 'So, let us name him. His name is Lok, the Shadow of Niflheim, Father of Night, of Woden's blood, god, and no god and so Odo is onto something, eh? If they free Lok, the end is nigh indeed. Woden's own blood, traitor Lok,' Euric spat and eyed me. 'Poor bastard.' I was not sure whom he meant with that, Woden or me.
Lok, the trickster.
Shayla had not mentioned him. It was terrible luck to do so, for the bound one might hear. I knew I saw Woden dancing by my side when I had to fight, most of the times, at least, and knew our family was related to the god. However, Lok's children were many, and Odo was amongst them. The powerful god felt suddenly very real; the vitka I had mocked a serious threat to be sure. I thought of the dark one, thinking about the many deeds he was rumored to have committed, foul trickery and cruel jokes, murder and adultery, his nature utterly chaotic. It was an evil being, they said, malicious beyond understanding, but for some reason, I felt sympathy for the creature, for was not my life chaotic and full of trickery?
I was unsure of what to think, but I saw them staring at me. 'Do you know the full lines of this prophecy now?' Ansbor asked with curiosity. 'None knew before, but have you found out the truth?'
I nodded carefully. They did not know much about the prophecy. 'Listen,' I said, 'this is what Shayla read to me.' I clapped my bag where the scroll rested.
'The Bear will roar, beware you gods, for time is come to break the bars, sunder the rules, break the words.
The road from the shadow will begin, the Raven to bleed on the evil, rocky skin.
A sister, a brother, wrongful act share, a deed so vile, two children will she bear.
The Raven will find the sister, the gods to look on as blood spills onto the Woden's Ringlet.
A raven will show the way, a bear is slain, cocks will crow, men feel pain.
Youngest sister's blood is needed, her heart rent, onto the plate of Woden, her life is ended.
Released is the herald, the gods will bow. After doom, life begins anew.
A selfless act may yet the doom postpone.'
They sat there, listening, and when I was done, they stared at each other. 'That is cryptic,' Cassia said. 'Only some of the lines make immediate sense.'
'That is true,' I said. 'But, I am to find Veleda for Odo, and he seeks the ring as well, for it is needed.' I showed the ring to them. 'And there was much more, of course. If all these things take place, Lok will build the new world with Ishild's children. Odo plans to whelp one on her, perhaps another, if mine is not … right for Lok's purposes. Woden's world will go to the abyss. I am the Raven, my father is the Bear, and the ring is Woden's Ringlet, and is to be drenched in the blood of Veleda. The two bloods of gods will mix, and that will spell doom for Woden's creation. Odo wishes me on a short leash, but not hale while he holds it. He wishes me eyeless and armless, a suffering husk for what Ishild did with me, and he still expects me to lead him to his small sister.'
By the end, they all shook their heads, Fulcher included. Cassia was fidgeting. 'You must not find this Veleda. Can't you see this is powerful and dangerous? Wulf, Bark, and Shayla all failed at killing you. Vago failed to take your head. Surely, it is not such a sturdy head to beat the malice of all these powerful men and women? Lok protects you. Even Woden would like to see you finally fall.'
I spat. 'Yes. But, Woden has helped me so far, so he has more faith in me than you lot.' They all looked down, even Fulcher, and so I groaned, biting down an angry comment. I needed no more warnings. 'If I do find her, I will protect her or die trying, but I shall not let them gain hold of Ishild. She carries my baby. Odo might kill her, the baby as well,' I stammered and continued, 'or he might keep her. So I do not give a shit about these warnings, and the way few think me worthy of such a burden. I will meet my fate head on,' I growled and looked away.
Cassia did not buy it. 'You said men in your family have faced this same curse previously. That they either died or fled? And you seek to save your baby? Is it not so you want revenge and satisfaction? You would not be content at snatching Ishild and fleeing?'
Fulcher smiled at me wistfully. I cursed him. 'No, I wish to regain my fame.'
'Yes, fame,' Ermendrud growled. 'He is selfish to the bone.'
'I have made mistakes, but I will not run away, hunted to the end of the worlds. Odo does not give up, ever, until his head is a rotten skull, buried in my shithole. It is better to be selfish here and face them, than live as a noble, hunted hermit in the mountains. Besides, what if some other man of our family is a suitable second choice? What if there are people in the north, far in the depths of snow-covered Gothonia, who carry my blood, and they will find such a man? No. I will remain, for my vengeance, for Wandal, for Ishild, and for you lot, even for Balderich, for Bero, and for my father, who deserves to be gutted. And yes, my fame, for that was robbed from me.' Ansbor slammed his hand on the table, shutting Ermendrud up before she could retort. She sat there, simmering like sodden firewood. I nodded thanks at Ansbor. 'That is all. Lok it is, our enemy, mine at least. I have a plan. One that might change everything and make us powerful.'
'Gods,' Cassia said in despair, but shut up as I fumed.
Euric grunted. 'She is a friend, Hraban. She healed Ansbor, and she healed Guthbert. Respect her, I told you already. Your father's Batavi was sick this month; fever and some strange disease wracked him. She has helped the villagers as well; they love her.' He looked strange, as he fidgeted. 'There has been strange happenings in the area. She healed a woman who had been attacked, bitten savagely. Something tried to kill her, then eat her.'
'Wolves grow bold, I guess,' I said, nodding apologetically at Cassia, who just stared at me woodenly. She was uncannily beautiful in the light of the fire, and I knew I had stared at her for too long, for Ermendrud scoffed.
'No, no wolf,' Euric said strangely. 'They say it was a human. The victim claimed it was so. Something akin to a man. Shadow, fangs, walking with two legs.'
'Human tried to eat this woman?' I wondered. 'Has there been famine here?'
'No,' Cassia said, blanching. 'There is something about at nighttime. Something that is not sane, someone. She had been gnawed on. I had to remove her leg. She says it was a huge man, singing. She kept saying it. Repeatedly. Human, not human. Singing. Evil. People fear.'
I shrugged. 'Singing cannibal. Might make a good poem. This night, we are the beast, and will feast on our enemies' unsuspecting flesh.'
'You assume they are our enemies, as well,' Ermendrud said coldly.
Ansbor grunted, and so did Euric. 'They are.'
'Listen,' I told them, and something growled outside. They all froze, thinking about the man that was no man. A door opened, revealing a shapeless mass, and another growl echoed from under a wooden crate that was covered with a thick, dirty woolen blanket. The men carrying it came in to receive payment, and I grinned at them. A beast was needed, indeed, to topple the beast of Maroboodus.
For I needed Balderich.
And Leuthard guarded him.
CHAPTER VI
Maroboodus had taken over Balderich's hall. I noticed the guards were inside drinking, so I took the chance to put my head inside the doorway. The hall was much changed from the time my old, famous grandfather had lived there. It was now a luxurious place, with the vast Matticati loot adorning the walls and tables, and it looked like some kind of a barbaric treasure hoard, with the victorious warlord uncertain what to do with all of it. Shiny gold, brilliant silver, dull gems, and glassware from Rome adorned the tables. Forgotten was Maroboodus's claim of hating anything, and everything, Roman, and I snickered. His opulence now topped that of Bero's, whom he ha
d condemned as a traitor and given to Tear.
On the walls, broken enemy shields and trampled banners hung, including Hengsti's standard of white horse hairs on a cross pole, the famous Matticati lord's loss displayed publicly. Even the lord's bloody helmet was nailed on top of the crossbeam, where all could see it. Hundred high men were feasting, celebrating the coming of the winter and the end of Autumn. The Yule feast would be held in a bit over a month. The Germani found reason to celebrate many things, for life took so many of us away, so suddenly, and we had many gods to thank for the time we still had.
All this I noticed, as I gazed inside from the doorway, cowl hiding my face. There was also the man I hated. At the table, sat my father, merrily talking with the former Vangione Vannius, Hunfrid's third brother, the boy who had betrayed Tudrus and torn the Quadi apart. There was the lithe, nearly sober, Nihta as well. He was armored, and sat uneasily with a gladius on his hip. All knew that a gladius was snake fast, and the man wielding it as merciless as a blizzard. There was also Guthbert, now apparently healthy, who was sitting at the end of the hall, sulking and silent, and scattered around were some ten of the famous men who had come with Maroboodus, apparently exiled from Roman service.
Liars, the lot of them.
I had once admired them, crashing through leaf and wood to save us, but they followed a lord whose mind was rotten. The dreaded Leuthard was not there, and that was fine. We knew he was in the woods, guarding Bero and Balderich. And Tear. I was unsure what I would do with her, should I see her. Slit her belly, likely.
Raven's Wyrd: A Novel of Germania and Rome (Hraban Chronicles Book 2) Page 8
