Hanna Halfblood: Spirit Warrior

by Robyn Wideman

  Hanna winked at Tayo. “What did you feed him this morning, he sure is riled up.”

  “Battle does that to a man,” said Koyo. “Although this wasn’t much of a battle. My plan to cover the ravine worked perfectly.”

  “Your plan?” asked Tayo. “I thought Hanna came up with that?”

  “Shush boy,” said Koyo. “Everyone knows I am her mentor. If Hanna came up with a good idea it is because of a story she heard from me.”

  “I see,” said Tayo.

  “How are you doing, Tayo?” As far as Hanna knew the morning skirmish was Tayo’s first real battle. Many men found the violent and sudden nature of battle too much to bear.

  “I’ve drawn blood in battle before. But I’ve never taken part in anything like this. I would feel guilty for all the men that I killed today, if they weren’t intent on killing me. But I felt prepared, even though I only used my bow today, I knew I was ready if they had crossed the bridge.”

  “Good,” said Hanna. “It is far better to feel prepared and not have to use those skills than it is have to go into battle not ready. There is no room for error on the battle field. Now if you don’t mind, Tayo I’m ready to get going and I wouldn’t mind having him tell me a story so I can learn my next great battle plan.”

  “He’s all yours. My ears were getting sore anyway,” said Tayo with a grin.

  Hanna and Koyo started marching towards the Ayrith valley. From Cath, they would take a main trade route that connected to the village of Elms Grove, just south of where her grandfather had died when Katla ambushed him on behalf of the witches.

  “What’s on your mind child? You didn’t ask me to walk with you to hear one of my old lies,” said Koyo.

  “No. As much as I love your tall tales I have something else on my mind,” said Hanna as they walked. She looked behind them, the rest of the crew were just starting to move. No one was within hearing range. “I had another dream last night.”

  “I see,” said Koyo. “Who visited you last night? Thorodd or Anso?”

  “Both, they said the moon affects their ability to converse with me. That the connection between our realm and the spirit realm is strongest during lunar occurrences.”

  “No surprise there. Mages and witches have always known that. But that is good. You will have plenty of opportunities to talk with Thorodd and Anso. They still have much to offer as mentors, even from the spirit world.”

  “On that I agree, that isn’t what troubles me.”

  “Then what is the problem?”

  “The problem is that they informed me that the witches were successful in bringing Quivna back to the mortal plane.”

  “This Quivna does sound like a nasty piece of work. As a general rule, I believe once a creature is sent to the beyond they should just stay there.”

  “The worst part is that they believe I can’t beat her. That to defeat Quivna and save the world from being overrun by an army of demon warriors I need to have a connection to a demon spirit.”

  “I see,” said Koyo.

  They walked a while with no one saying anything. Hanna wasn’t sure how to explain her feelings about the idea of adding a demon spirit to her connection with Thorodd and Anso. She knew she felt it was wrong, but what if Thorodd and Anso were right? What if she said no and Quivna and the witches built a demon warrior army that could destroy the world?

  “Hanna. You have a great gift. I haven’t seen a warrior like you in my life time. Your spirit connection gives you speed and power and more. You easily defeated multiple warriors today, including a chieftain of a tribe that is known for its warriors. But I’m afraid that gift is also a curse. Before you got the spirit stone you had some responsibility. You were raised to be a warrior, to lead the crew of the Lady, and to one day run the trading company. You were to be responsible for the lives of the crew and those men in Irontide. But now you face a far greater burden. You may be the only thing standing between evil and the world. Maybe there are mages powerful enough to defeat Quivna, I don’t know. However, I do know that you have the ability to do something that could save thousands. All witches aren’t bad or evil, but we know these ones. We know what they did to get power. They are dark, and they have brought a great darkness back to the mortal plane. I fear that you are tied to the witches’ destiny now. If you don’t defeat Quivna, whatever the hell that is, what happens to my family in Mykoznia? What happens to the people in Creyta? In Irontide and the Ayrith valley? Now I don’t know if Thorodd and Anso are correct about this whole needing to connect to a demon spirit thing or not, but you need to consider the possibility that you might have to. We can look for other ways, but in life it was rare for Thorodd or Anso to be wrong, I can’t see it being too different in the spirit world.”

  “What about my soul? I’m worried having a demon spirit in me would change me.”

  “Of course it would change you. I believe that is unavoidable. However, how much it would change you is the question. And I don’t have the answer to that. But what I can tell you is that you shouldn’t fear darkness. All warriors have darkness in them. Anyone who picks up a blade and kills another man has darkness in them. Each of us must look at the darkness and judge it against the light. Why do we kill? Is it for a just cause, or to protect our loved ones? If we do harm to others but it fits our moral code, then we have accepted that darkness.”

  Hanna understood what Koyo was trying to tell her, and it did ease her worry somewhat, but still the underlying fear of changing into something terrible wouldn’t leave her. “And how will I know when I have too much darkness in me?”

  “When you stop caring. When life no longer holds value. But I don’t think you will ever get there Hanna. You must remember your own spirit is strong. Thorodd’s spirit is strong, Anso’s spirit is strong. Adding a demon into the mix won’t make you evil.”

  “How can you be so sure?” asked Hanna.

  “I can’t. But I have been more places than I can count. I’ve seen strange and wonderful things and I’ve seen terrible things that haunt my dreams. In my experience, people who surround themselves by the right people make the right decisions. You worry that a demon will influence or change you. I say you are the perfect person to carry the burden of a demon’s strength because of all the influences you have on you in this realm and the one above. But in the end, you should consider this; would you sacrifice your own life for the ones you love?”

  “You know I would,” said Hanna.

  “Then you know the answer to your question,” said Koyo.

  He was right. If letting a demon into her body was the price to save her people, then that is what she would do. She wasn’t sure how to do it, but that was a problem for the future. First, she needed to get to the Ayrith valley and make sure Biran and the rest of the Nordvik’s clan were safe. She didn’t need a demon spirit to kill a demon warrior, that she knew she could do just fine with the spirits she already had at her disposal.

  8

  Nordviks under attack

  The journey to Elms Grove was uneventful, and after a brief visit to reassure the resident villagers that they had neutralized the threat from the Skagge clan, Hanna and the crew of the Lady of the Evening headed north towards the valley of Ayrith.

  A few miles down the road they stopped, not to rest but to pay their respects. This was the spot where Thorodd Stoneblood had died, and in his last moments had decided to cover one of the precious spirit stones in his own blood and request that his killer, Katla, deliver it to Hanna. That series of events had led Hanna to where she was today.

  The grave was gone. While she had been healing from her injuries sustained from the battle on that same ground, Azad had arranged for Thorodd’s body to be returned to Irontide. In place of the grave was a small rock cairn. Hanna placed a small handful of wildflowers on the cairn. She did not grieve for Thorodd. He was in the spirit world, and had died a warrior’s death. It was a suitable ending to a long and full life and one she knew he didn’t regret. Her grief was for he
r own loss. She missed her grandfather, talking to his spirit when the moons were right, and having his spirit with her when she fought wasn’t the same as having him alive.

  Climbing the mountain road that led to the high mountain valley of Ayrith, Hanna reflected on the Nordviks. A clan of quasi-nomadic people, who traveled not by choice but necessity. The Nordviks had many families with magic blood. A trait that made them undesirable to many Northern Solotine communities. The Nordviks had settled down in the Ayrith valley, and had seemed to find a spot where they would be left alone, but the need for trade and the discovery of the spirit stones was threatening their safety. They had originally traded with the Foxnoses from Grimsfell, but after a falling out had approached Thorodd Stoneblood to be their trading partner.

  As they reached the peak of the pass, Hanna noticed four men watching them approach. She recognized them from before, they were Nordvik men. Hanna waved to them. The men approached.

  “Hanna, your timing is perfect. We need reinforcements,” said one of the men.

  Hanna remembered him, but was having a hard time with his name. Was it Garth? No, it was Gareth. “Gareth, what happened? Why do you need reinforcements? Did the Foxnoses attack?”

  “No, it is something else. I will let Biran explain. I would walk you down to the village but I need to stay with the watch unit.”

  Hanna frowned. A four man watch unit, just for the southern road? It seemed strange, but strange was becoming a regular occurrence in her life so she said nothing. Biran would explain. “Thank you, Gareth. See you later.”

  The village didn’t look any different than the last time Hanna had been there. But the first time she had woken up in Esmera’s house. Esmera, the village healer had brought her back to full health after the attack from the Foxnose warriors. Hanna smiled when she spotted the old woman at the step to her house.

  “Greetings, Hanna Halfblood. Your arrival is most welcome,” said the old healer.

  “Hello, Esmera. Yes, Gareth said the same thing. What’s going on?”

  “Someone is stalking the village. A man with dark magic. He’s killed several villagers, but we can’t defeat him. He moves too fast, and by the time we organize a group he’s gone again.”

  The demon warrior, thought Hanna. “Let me guess. A foreigner with a spirit stone necklace, and his eyes are black when he fights.”

  “Yes, that is the one. What do you know of him?” asked Esmera.

  “I met his partner. He killed my mentor, Anso,” said Hanna. “Is Biran here?”

  “Biran is at the mine. Your men look exhausted, I’ll make a stew with a little something in it to perk them up. Why don’t you give me a hand? We can chat a little while we wait for Biran to return.”

  Hanna turned to Azad. “Have everyone rest and refill their canteens at the stream.” Hanna then followed Esmera into her house.

  Esmera went to the kitchen. “I already had some stew cooking, we’ll just add to it. Cut up some more vegetables.”

  From her first stay at Esmera’s house, Hanna knew where the cold room was and went in and grabbed a few handfuls of vegetables. Standing next to Esmera, Hanna started slicing.

  “I can tell much has happened to you since you left us. Your magic, it is strong now. I can sense it,” said Esmera.

  “Yes. I’ve learned to control my magic, but only when it comes to the spirit stone. I can’t do any other magic.”

  “That will come with time,” said Esmera. “The spirit connection is your strongest, it will be the easiest to develop. With time and training you can add more types of magic, but it is your connection to the spirit world that is most important right now. You speak with your grandfather?’

  “Yes, and Anso. There are two spirits connected to my spirit stone now.” Hanna explained how she’d gone to Anso to learn to use her magic, and how the demon warrior had attacked them, killing Anso, which fully triggered Hanna’s connection with Thorodd. Anso, knowing he was dying, added his blood to the spirit stone.

  “That explains why I can sense your magic so easily. What have you learned about the creature that attacked you?”

  “Demon warriors. Witches from Mykoznia, the same witches who had my grandfather attacked, created demon warriors using the spirit stones. They channel demons the same way I channel the spirits of Thorodd and Anso. The witches want power. They’ve channeled a dead witch who had been banished to the seven hells. She is very powerful and dangerous. Between her and an army of demon warriors I believe the witches intend to remake the world into one where they rule. With the help of Katla, we killed the witches and demon warriors we found outside on Yanga. However, some of the stones were still missing and one demon warrior. The one that is stalking the village.”

  Esmera added the vegetables to the stew as they spoke. “Katla?”

  “The assassin who killed grandfather,” said Hanna. “It’s complicated.”

  “Yes. I can see that. However, sometimes a common enemy can mean strange associations. At least together you struck a blow against the witches.”

  “Yes, but they are still a threat. Especially now that they’ve channeled Quivna. And if they get their hands on more spirit stones it will be even worse.”

  “We will just have to make sure that doesn’t happen. The stew can afford to sit a little while before it is served. Why don’t we walk up to the mine and speak to Biran? I don’t think that this can wait any longer.”

  “Should we tell his father first?” asked Hanna. While Biran took much responsibility for the clan, it was his father Cortan Nordvik who was the true leader of the Nordvik clan.

  Esmera shook her head. “I’m afraid Cortan passed on to the next world. He went to sleep a few weeks ago, never to wake.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” said Hanna. “Cortan had been weak and frail when she’d met him, but a kindly man.”

  “It was his time. He lived a long life, and gave us a strong and wise son to lead the clan.”

  The mine was along a narrow trail that went up one of the mountain tops that surrounded the tiny valley of Ayrith. Soon they were at the mouth. A group of five guards were standing watch.

  “Mael, go find Biran, we have visitors.”

  One of the guards quickly made his way into the mine. Minutes later, Biran came out. He was sweaty and dirty, a black smudge covered the top of his forehead and another his right cheekbone.

  Biran dusted himself off. “Hanna! How are you? What are you doing here?’

  Hanna smiled. “I am good, Biran. I am here to check on you. Or did you forget we are trading partners.”

  “I certainly didn’t forget you,” said Biran with a smile.

  Hanna blushed. Biran had an effect on her that other young men never did.

  “Hanna is here to help us with our little problem,” said Esmera.

  Biran frowned. “I wouldn’t call it a little problem and I’m not sure one person can help us. That man is supernatural.”

  “Would two dozen be more to your liking?” asked Hanna.

  “Really? You brought that many warriors?” asked Biran.

  From the way Biran perked up at the mention of her men, Hanna knew he was worried. The last time they had spoken he’d been confident in the ability of his clansmen to defend themselves. Obviously, the demon warrior had shaken that faith. Not that Hanna blamed him. The demon warrior harassing the Nordviks was as dangerous as the one who attacked her and Anso, it was a deadly foe. “Yes. A clan of warriors from the west was making its way here. We met them with the men of Irontide and my crew from the Lady of the Evening. My crew is here with me now.”

  “The Skagges? Why on earth would they be coming here?” Biran rolled his eyes and shook his head before answering his own question. “The gem stones. They were coming for the gem stones.”

  “Yes. They were. Someone offered a pile of gold if they got the spirit stones and killed me,” said Hanna.

  Biran gave Esmera a meaningful look. “I guess that decides things.”

&n
bsp; Hanna wasn’t sure what Biran meant. “Pardon me?”

  Biran smile. “Nothing important. We can talk about it later. Esmera did you make sure our guests are comfortable?”

  “I have a stew cooking right now. They will be fed shortly,” said Esmera.

  Biran nodded. “That must do for now. I would offer them a drink, but I have a favor to ask you, Hanna. Could your men stand guard tonight? We’ve been run ragged ever since the stranger arrived. We’ve had to have at least four men per patrol, any less and he attacks. Lately, he just stalks us. I think he doesn’t care as long as we don’t leave the village.”

  “The demon warrior?”

  “Yes, I suppose that is what he is,” said Biran.

  “Of course they can. I’ll have them take an afternoon nap so that they are refreshed,” said Hanna.

  “Thank you. He hasn’t attacked at night yet, but we can’t risk it. Until we figure a way to kill that demon warrior we have to keep a strong guard.”

  “We have a way,” said Hanna softly.

  “You do? A special weapon?” asked Biran.

  “She is the weapon, Biran,” said Esmera. “Hanna is going to kill the demon warrior.”

  Biran shook his head. “That is suicide. I can’t let you risk trying that. I couldn’t handle the thought of you dying.”

  Something stirred deep within Hanna, she felt warm. Did he care that much? “Let’s not worry about that right now. How about we go have some of that stew Esmera promised us?”

  “Actually, if you don’t mind, Hanna I would like to borrow you. Mother would like to see you I’m sure, and I wouldn’t mind having a few moments to hear about your adventures since we last spoke,” said Biran.

  “I’ll inform Azad of the request for a night guard,” said Esmera. “Mael, would you be a dear and walk me back to the village.” Esmera turned to Biran. “Why don’t you take Hanna and show her the northern trail back to the village.”

  Biran’s brow furrowed. “We can’t afford to separate the guards. Mael is already going with you.”