Empty Altars

by Judith Post

  "Isn't it a little early for that?" Freya asked.

  "I don't care."

  "Do you dread teaching me that much?" Inga demanded.

  "I didn't, but you're all wound up. This isn't a test. I mean to help, so that I can lead you through your first reading."

  "I'm nervous." Inga pressed a hand to her breast and burped. She blushed fiery red. "My stomach's churning."

  "The runes won't attack you. They're a gift, not a curse."

  "I know. I know." She put her hand over her mouth and rushed out the door. Soon they heard the sound of retching.

  "The silly girl's made herself sick with nerves," Freya said. "Can she do a reading when she's that afraid of failing?"

  "She has to start somewhere." Diana looked at Freya. "You should read your runes too. You've listened to each of our lessons. You should give it a try."

  Inga returned, looking pale. "Freya can go first."

  "With what? I don't have any runes." Freya spread her hands. "We didn't make two sets, and we used all of the rowan wood we brought back from Asgaard."

  "With these." Diana went to the wooden shelves, opened a clay jar, and brought out a soft, leather pouch on a cord. She handed it to Freya.

  The goddess took it warily. "Where did you get this? Gudrun's runes burned to ashes."

  Diana motioned for Freya to open the pouch. "At Ragnarok, you're going to fight monsters and giants, right? So what better runes than those made from a giant's ribs?"

  Freya studied the bones and grimaced. "They're black and jagged."

  "Charred when the giant's flesh burned—the giant you helped defeat. I asked the dwarf, Olaf, to roughly shape two ribs for me. Then I carved your alphabet on each one with magic. I cast a spell. They're petrified. I wanted to surprise you."

  "Burnt bones." Inga's hand went over her mouth again, and she hurried away. Freya wrinkled her nose.

  "You're not squeamish, are you? You hover over dead bodies after battle."

  "But I don't have to touch them."

  "These have been cleansed by fire and hardened with chants. Olaf's magic is combined with mine. You'll find no better runes."

  Freya reached out a finger to touch one. "It feels like a stone worn smooth by running water."

  "Hold them in your hands."

  Freya scooped up a few. She shivered. "It's almost as though they're alive. There's energy in them."

  "Magic," Diana repeated. "You said you wanted to read runes for the rebuilding time after Ragnarok. If these don't help you, no runes will."

  Freya leveled a look at Diana. "You must have worked most of the night on these. I've never seen anything like them."

  "They're a gift." Diana looked away, embarrassed. "They're not as strong as mine. Mine are impossible to reproduce, but yours are unique to you."

  Inga wandered back into the kitchen, a hand pressed to her stomach.

  Freya's gaze didn't waver. "I doubt even Woden's runes are as special as these. You've done much for Inga and me. Thank you, friend."

  Diana felt heat burn her cheeks. Was she blushing? She'd never blushed before she came here. She was a goddess, for Zeus' sake! What were the Norse doing to her? She cleared her throat. "You and Inga are both prepared now. Let's try them out."

  To her horror, Freya flew around the table and kissed her on the cheek. At Diana's strangled gasp, Freya laughed. "Do you think you'll survive friendship?"

  Diana sputtered. "We're wasting time. Let's get on with it!"

  Inga hurried to hug her. "I hope I prove worthy of you."

  "It's Gudrun…." Diana looked at them both and gave up. They were grinning like idiots—hopeless. "Let's just do this."

  Noir finally stirred himself. He padded from the bedroom, jumped on the table, and began licking his paws, staring at Inga with unblinking eyes. Freya's cat jumped onto a wooden bench and glared a challenge.

  "Enough you two!" Freya scooped up the gray cat and stroked his head. He leaned into her and purred. Diana reached for Noir, but he hissed. Freya smiled. "There's no mistaking he's your cat." She turned to Inga. "Okay, girl, do it."

  "Me first?" Inga's hands trembled.

  "Concentrate on your training. Ask your question," Diana said.

  The room grew solemn. Inga slid her fingers into the fabric pouch that held her runes. She closed her eyes and focused. Then she spilled the rectangles of rowan into her hands and tossed them. "Is there anything else we can do to win this battle?"

  A good question. Well chosen. Eighteen runes fell, face down. It only took six to give an answer. Diana narrowed her eyes and listened to their music. What she heard and saw disturbed her. She saw Inga's eyes widen in surprise too.

  "This can't be right," Inga said. "I must have done something wrong."

  "It's right," Diana told her.

  "It can't be… What difference would…" Inga stuttered to a stop.

  Freya's grin spread from ear to ear. "If I'm right, the runes are telling us that Inga will sleep with Jorunda."

  "But how could that help us win a battle?" Inga complained.

  Freya snorted. "Do you want to sleep with your warrior or not?"

  Inga's face turned bright crimson.

  "So where's the hardship?"

  "I'm still shunned. Griswold's never…."

  Freya cut her off. "Didn't Diana's runes say that if Jorunda died, so did you?"

  "Yes."

  "So if he survives, and you're with child, would he abandon you?"

  "Never."

  "So seduce the man and have your way with him." Freya waved a hand. "You're a woman. Men think with their claim to fame. Get it up and at 'em."

  "Freya!" Diana didn't think a goddess of love and beauty should be so vulgar. "I thought you were about romance, courtship, flowers and wooing."

  "Give it a break! I'm a fertility goddess. Who do you think mortals call on for their spring rites around the May pole? Those two have been itching to be in each others' pants for years now."

  "What?" Inga looked aghast.

  "A modern saying." Freya shrugged. "Shag the man." She turned her attention to Diana. "You should have some fun too. You're a maiden goddess. How you stand it, I don't know."

  "Three of us made a pact."

  "Three of you swore off men?" Freya couldn't hide her incredulity.

  "Athena, Vesta, and me."

  "But that was how many centuries ago? None of you have met any men since then that excited you? Are the three of you gay?"

  "What if we are?"

  "No biggie, but you'd think you'd meet some hot woman who'd excite you by now, that you'd get your jollies somewhere."

  Diana sighed. "You really can't live without sex, can you?"

  "Sex is natural. How do you think I got this necklace?"

  Diana didn't follow her reasoning. She frowned. "What has your necklace got to do with it?"

  "It was forged by dwarves. I had to sleep with all four of them before they'd give it to me."

  Diana didn't know what to say. She shook her head, trying to clear it. "But you're married."

  "Odur understood. He has my heart. If four dwarves use my body, so what?"

  Diana began to pace. "Sex is a bond. You're sharing your body…."

  Freya interrupted her. "Your maidenhood won't seem nearly as important to you once you give it away. Sex dims with time. It's wonderful, don't mistake me. But love and commitment are far stronger."

  Diana stared.

  "You didn't answer me," Freya persisted. "What of your two friends? Are they still maidens?"

  Diana shook her head.

  "There you go then. You, of all people, should understand sex. What if every lion decided to be chaste? Reproduction is part of survival. So…how do you feel about Tyr?"

  Diana tried to find the right words, but settled on, "I've never met anyone like him."

  Freya smiled—it was kind. "My friend, Tyr has saved himself too. He's felt burdened by his responsibilities, just as you have. You're a perfect fit."
>
  Diana took a deep breath. "I happen to be busy with a war."

  "Foolish, foolish girl." Freya looked every bit the goddess of love and beauty. "Love can move mountains. It's not just some song lyrics."

  Freya's music acumen was behind the times, but Diana let it slide. She stalked to the door and looked out at the day. Sunshine. Bird song. She turned back to her friend. "You’re being bothersome."

  "No, it's simple. Bed the man! He needs it. So do you."

  Diana crossed her arms over her breasts. "It's your turn. Throw your runes."

  Freya frowned, but didn't push it. "What should I ask?"

  "They're your bones, your question."

  "All righty then." Freya held her pouch in her hand and closed her eyes. She took a minute to focus, then said, "Tell me about Heid's shape shifters." She tossed the black, jagged pieces across the table.

  The bones fell in an odd jumble, most of them face up. Their music started, and Diana could tell by Freya's expression that she heard and understood. The Norse goddess bit her bottom lip and tears misted her eyes. A hand went to Inga's throat. She understood too. The scene before them was heartbreaking…

  Peta, in dragon form, struggled against the chains that bound him, but the cave walls held—slick and hard. Heid slowly walked to a huge nest made of large, dead tree branches. They'd been gathered and arranged with care. Five, small dragons huddled in its center. Egg shells littered the edges of the nest. The dragons must be newly hatched. She reached in, grabbed one, and lifted it.

  "Your father failed you," she intoned. "Perhaps he'll try harder next time."

  Energy poured from her, and the tiny dragon spasmed in pain. A muffled roar of despair came from the back of the cave. The runes refocused, and a female dragon clawed at the chains around her neck, snout, and back legs.

  Heid dropped the small body and turned to Peta. "Too bad you have so much power and so little skill. How often will you disappoint your mate? Next time, you lose a child."

  Laughter sounded from the far side of the cavern, and the runes refocused again. A dozen witches sat around a fire with a huge cauldron balanced on a circle of rocks. Behind them, silver bars stretched from the rock floor to the cave's rock ceiling. Inside their cage, young wolves paced nervously.

  One of the witches pointed in their direction. "They’re of no use to us now. Their father died a stupid death. We’ll get no more notes from the village."

  Heid shrugged. "He was a shape changer with rare talents. His children might possess them too."

  The largest witch—a giantess—rose and walked to the cage. Eyes narrowed, she studied the young wolves. They cringed against the rock wall, trying to make themselves small. Her eyes settled on a pure-white female. “You, lovely one? Can you shift?”

  A fellow witch laughed. "Like she’d let you know.”

  The giantess aimed a finger at one of the wolf’s siblings. The black male cowered, tail between his legs. "If she cares for her brother, she’ll change.”

  Straining, the young female trembled. Her forelegs grew, and her snout shortened. Exhausted, she sagged onto the cave floor, her face half-human, two arms where her forelegs had been.

  Heid gave a derisive snort. “She’s too new, of no use to us in this battle. Let her be. We have more important things to consider now.”

  …The image faded. Diana's throat closed. She was too furious to speak. Freya shook her head, distraught. Inga whispered, "Can we help them?"

  Diana reached for her bow. "I'm going after them."

  "How?" Freya stared.

  Diana's fingers stretched toward a rune.

  "No. They're my runes. My question. You're taking me with you."

  "Me too." Inga came to join them.

  "Not you. It's too dangerous." Diana took a deep breath. "Freya and I shouldn't go either. We might not make it back. And then…."

  "I don't care." Freya draped the belt with her short sword around her shoulder. "Heid will not harm one more shape-shifter."

  Diana knew that Freya wasn't being totally honest. The goddess would have been just as upset if she'd seen mortals treated so badly. Not that it didn't happen. But when mortals mistreated one another, it was their business and gods stayed out of the way. "We can follow your runes back to their magical source," Diana said. "There's a trail, but it's short lived. If we go, we have to go now."

  Freya pulled her sword. "If we get there, can you free them?"

  "I'll try." Diana turned to Inga. "We'll return for you, if we can. If we don't, find Tyr. Tell him what happened. We'll need help."

  Inga reached for the hem of her dress sleeve and fretted the cloth again. Before long, she'd have nothing but fringe there. "Come back," she told them. "I don't want to be here alone."

  With a nod, Diana took Freya's hand. "Be ready. We'll be there in a second. The only thing we’ll have in our favor is the element of surprise. I’ll try to zap Heid before we do anything else."

  Freya scooped the giant's bones up to put in her pouch. Wind stirred. Everything blurred, and the goddesses landed in the center of the cave with a thud.

  Heid whirled. Her coven jumped to their feet. Heid slashed energy at Diana, and she ducked out of its away. So much for surprise. White, hot balls ricocheted all over the cave. Heid’s witches scattered this way and that to dart away from Heid’s power.

  Diana turned to Freya, but found herself staring at the giantess witch. "What in Hades?"

  She jumped back, pulling her knives. The coven charged, and the same witch yanked away from her to rush toward the baby dragons. "Freya?" The goddess gave a wink and kept going. Seidr magic. Her friend's eyes were the same sky blue they'd always been. Good enough. Diana knew which witch to kill.

  Heid spat a chant, but Diana's spell was faster. It sewed Heid's lips shut before she could say the final word. Heid raised her arms and forks of power spewed around the room. Diana threw protective bubbles over the baby dragons and young wolves. A grim smile curved Heid’s lips and she aimed at Freya. Diana blocked her. Their magic met, jammed, then exploded into streaks and sparks. A shard hit Peta, and the dragon roared. Heid jumped, and Diana used the distraction to slam the dark witch against the wall. Her head hit rock, and she crumpled to the floor, unconscious. A lucky break.

  Diana ran forward, gushing power at the coven. It knocked them off their feet. Two tried to rise as she passed them. Quick slashes of her blades finished them off. Another raised her hands to zap Freya, and Diana bound them to her sides. She rushed to the mother dragon's chains. With a slice of her knives—made by Vulcan so that nothing could withstand them—the heavy metal fell. She ran to the silver bars that held the wolves and slashed those too. They clattered to the cavern's floor.

  When Diana turned, she saw that Freya had gathered the baby dragons and freed Peta. Diana led the young wolves to them. The mother dragon followed. One of the coven lunged to her feet—the giantess who'd menaced the female wolf cub. Peta's wife scorched her with fire. Heid regained consciousness, and three of her coven ran to her. "Get us out of here!" Diana hissed at Freya.

  The goddess touched her runes. "Take us home!"

  With a whoosh of air, all of them—Freya, Diana, the dragons and wolves, followed the magic back to their clearing in the woods. A few trees crashed on their impact, but other than that, everyone seemed safe.

  Diana immediately turned and began a long, elaborate chant. “By land, sky, and sea—fire, water, earth, and air—seal our path and provide us care.” The spell took a minute, and when she finished, she let out a satisfied sigh.

  Freya frowned. "What was that?"

  "It sealed our passage. No one can follow us."

  "You can do that?"

  "I am the mistress of magic."

  Freya had no time to answer. Inga raced from the house and threw herself on them. Eyes red and puffy, throat hoarse, the girl had worked herself into a frenzy.

  Diana frowned. "If you're going to be the village seer, you have to stay calm in times of tr
ouble."

  She clung to Diana, her body shaking. "I didn't think you'd come back. There were only two of you and thirteen of them!"

  "Ten now," Diana said. "Heid no longer has a coven." A good thing. Heid was stronger than Diana anticipated.

  "Three people died!" Inga’s fingers clenched and unclenched. "That could have been you and Freya."

  Diana felt the girl's terror. "But we're here, and we saved the shape shifters Heid was tormenting."

  Inga finally raised her head, wiped her eyes, and turned to look at the dragons and wolves.

  Peta shifted to mortal shape and bowed his head. "We have no words to thank you. My wife and children can't shift." He took a deep breath. "Before, when I met you on the trail, I had to obey Heid or…." He couldn't force himself to say it.

  "We saw," Freya said. "The runes showed us."

  He stared. "You're a goddess. What do you care of our fates?"

  "We felt your pain. It touched us."

  His lips curled in irony. "The Norse fret over us now? Why? Might we sway the balance of your battle with Heid?"

  Inga stepped forward, hands on hips. "You insolent beast! The goddesses saw you bound to the cave! They could have left you there. Your magic can't harm them."

  Peta hung his head. "I'm sorry. Heid used us, so I thought…."

  "That we'd use you too." Diana nodded. "A reasonable assumption. But what did she hope to accomplish by sending you here? Heid knows the prophesies. Tyr and Freya don’t die by your hand."

  “I was told to take out the Norse warrior and the girl with the blue tattoo.”

  “Jorunda? And me?” Inga’s complexion went pale.

  Freya glanced at Diana, frowning. “A smart move, Jorunda’s Griswold’s best warrior, and Heid had to know that Gudrun protected Inga.”

  Diana nodded. “She might not know why, but she’ll know there was a reason, an important one. Heid’s kept a close eye on the village through her spies.”