Throughout the hollow, the strange droning of insects and other animals was constant and unrelenting. There was no silence whatsoever, and at times the sounds grew so loud that the three women had to cover their ears.
"I've never heard these animals," Morrigan said. "Some of them sound like clashing steel or bells."
"I thought I saw a snake back there," Rian said. "But it was furry."
"Are you sure it wasn't a tail of some kind?" Igrid asked, amused.
"I'm sure. It had a head."
Morrigan stopped suddenly, crouching down slightly and holding her hand up. Igrid stopped, moving up directly behind her as the Highlander peered downward into the hollow.
"What is it?" Igrid asked. "Do you feel something?"
"No," Morrigan replied. "I saw movement below."
"The forest is full of animals," Igrid reminded her.
"I saw people, I thought."
Igrid looked downward, suddenly apprehensive. This was a strange place to find other people. Surely there were very few who knew of this location—other than T'kar's sorcerers, that is. This is where Igrid guessed their predecessors had been captured and slain. From what her dreams told her, they had been gathered here for some kind of ritual.
"Maybe it's just more of those ghostly Alvar you mentioned," Rian offered.
"I don't think so," Morrigan said. "It was real movement. Someone is down there."
"Alright," Igrid said, slowly drawing her sword. "Let's go on and be slow and quiet about it. Keep your eyes open. Both of you."
Rian drew her sword as well, but Morrigan simply kept her hand on hers. They crept forward quietly, stepping over several fallen benches on their path. They seemed to be travelling downward in a large spiral, and there were other paths around the perimeter they could see that were in the same formation. Strange that there were no paths that simply went straight down. The hollow was not that steep.
"Stop," Rian said.
Igrid and Morrigan froze. This time, Igrid could hear the crunching of small twigs below. The three of them crouched and peered into the mist. A shadow moved across the face of one of the standing stones. Not an actual object, but just the shadow of one. It was vaguely human in shape.
"Someone there, indeed," Igrid said. "I wonder who."
They sat still, staring intently into the mists below. Nothing moved there for what seemed like hours, until finally a tiny swirl appeared in the mist, and another shadow moved across the face of the largest standing stone. This time the shadow stopped, remaining there for a moment in a guarded stance until a shadowy arm pulled it away.
"They know we're here," Igrid said. "Did you see the other one pull the first one away?"
"I did," Rian said. Morrigan nodded.
Igrid sheathed her sword, drawing her bow and an arrow. Though she nocked it, she didn't pull back, but held the bow ready.
"Wait," Morrigan said. "We don't want to kill them until we know they're dangerous."
"I'm just being cautious," Igrid said.
“Let me get closer,” Rian suggested. “I’m probably quieter than either of you. It’s what I do, after all.”
Igrid thought for a moment. Though she didn’t really want to put Rian in danger, she realized that as a rogue, the woman was likely skilled at sneaking. However, if she were spotted, or got too close, she could be in danger. There was no way of knowing whether she was a skilled enough fighter to hold off several opponents until Igrid and Morrigan were able to get to her.
“Let her go,” Morrigan said. “She’s right. She’s probably quieter than both of us.”
“Alright,” Igrid said. “Go. Be careful.”
Rian sheathed her blade, drawing a throwing knife from her belt. She stepped over the edge of the path onto the slope, crouching down and low as she could. Below, she could hear the faint sounds of weeds rustling. Whoever was down there was making a minor effort to stay quiet, but not quiet enough.
She moved behind a clump of thick brush, looking back at Igrid. With a pounding heart, the shieldmaiden nodded, urging her on. Rian turned back to her destination, moving sideways and to the right toward a stump with a clear view of the stones below.
“Who’s there?” a woman’s voice came from below.
Rian froze, glancing back. Igrid crouched down lower, taking a few steps forward down the slope. She looked below, seeing the shadows moving across the stones again. From where she crouched, she could see the body of a large wolf lying still near one of the stones. It appeared decomposed to a certain degree, as if lying there for a long time in the humidity.
Whoever was down there hadn’t killed it.
“Look below,” she said.
Morrigan moved up beside her, looking where Igrid pointed. She gasped when she saw the wolf.
“Like the beasts of our dreams,” she said.
Igrid nodded. “Strange,” she said. “It looks like it happened fairly recently.”
She looked at Rian, who urged them to join her. They continued on, staying behind the thick brush and keeping their eyes on the structures. Igrid kept her bow ready, putting tension on the string as her nerves began to twitch.
“Who’s there?” the voice said again. “Show yourselves. We’re not afraid to fight.”
“Find your sisters,” Igrid whispered.
Morrigan cocked an eyebrow, and Rian looked back at her with a crooked grin.
“Do you think?”
It was possible, Igrid realized. Her dreams had been specific. She was to find her sisters, but there was no indication of how many she was supposed to find. Perhaps the people below were the others they were looking for. She bit her lip, struggling to decide whether to reveal herself.
“We come in the name of Gaia,” Morrigan called out.
Igrid sighed, shaking her head as she glanced at the Highlander. There was chatter below, as if a group were discussing their next move. Igrid twitched her fingers, putting more tension on the bow string.
“Tell us of the dreams,” the voice called out.
Igrid cleared her throat. “Gaia said to find our sisters,” she replied. “There was great pain and sorrow in her presence. We saw a symbol, a triquetra of spiral shapes.”
There was rustling below, and they could see a lone figure step into view. It was a woman, covered in an earth-toned cloak. Her face was covered, and her clothes were those of a hunter. She carried a bow, and a short sword was strapped to her thigh. Igrid watched her step into the clearing just as three other women, similarly-dressed, joined her.
“Come out,” the woman said quietly. “We are your sisters.”
“It is you,” the woman said to Igrid as she lowered her hood and removed her scarf. “The woman in our dreams.”
The four women stared at her in awe, as if she were some great hero or goddess.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Gaia’s anointed one,” the woman explained. “She who will lead us in our crusade.”
The four women bowed their heads as Igrid looked at her friends in confusion.
“I’m not sure that’s true,” she said. “I had the same dreams as my friends, and we all have similar blades.”
“But yours was not found or given to you,” the woman said. “You would have brought it back from your dream. It was in your hand when you awoke, was it not?”
Igrid nodded. “Yes, it was.”
She put her hand on the pommel of her sword, still curious as to how the women knew all of this.
“I am Braela,” the woman said. “This is my sister Maela, and our friends Trista and Vala.”
Igrid could see that Maela looked identical to the first woman. They were twins, evidently. They both had bright blue eyes, blonde hair that was tied back and curled. The other two woman both had brown hair, Trista’s loose and long, Vala’s tightly curled.
“I am Igrid,” she said. “This is Morrigan, and this is Rian.”
“You have come here as we have,” Braela said. “For the same reason
. What do we do next?”
Igrid shrugged. “I have no idea,” she said. “I suppose the Great Mother will tell us, or show us.”
Braela nodded. “Very well. We can make camp and wait. We have food. Come and join us.”
“I am unsure of whether I am fit to be a high priestess,” Igrid said. “I’ve always assumed that a woman of such a position should be a… well, a virgin.”
The others laughed out loud as they listened. Rian stoked the fire, taking a skewer of meat that Braela handed to her. She passed another to Morrigan, and then to Igrid, before voicing her opinion.
“A high priestess should be skilled in all areas,” the rogue said. “I would assume that includes how to deal with men, or amorous women.”
Igrid shrugged.
“You are truly a leader,” Morrigan said. Then, turning to the newcomers, “She was queen of the Northmen for a short time.”
Braela’s eyes widened, and she smiled. “How did that come to be?”
“I claimed the helm,” Igrid explained. “I was challenged. I killed the challenger.”
“Impressive,” Maela said. “Was it a man?”
Igrid nodded. “A big one,” she said. “Even bigger than I.”
“I’ve always heard that the Northmen are taller than others,” Braela said. “Even the women.”
“Not really,” Igrid said. “Some, but not all. It’s just a common rumor.”
“No doubt meant to instill fear in those who would challenge them,” Vala mused.
“It works,” Igrid said. “But some of our men are truly large.”
“Large, eh?” Braela echoed, smiling. “How large are they?”
“As large as you need them to be,” Igrid jested, drawing laughter from the others.
There was suddenly a bright glow from the center of the nearby stones that shimmered like the surface of moonlit waters. The women all quieted down, each of them looking at the others in question. Igrid stood, feeling a strange urge to do so. The others rose with her, looking to her for an explanation. All she could do was go toward the glow.
There, in the center of the ruins, stood a vine-covered statue. Its surface glowed beneath the foliage, creating the shimmering that bathed the area in its soft green glow. Igrid felt the presence of a great and powerful entity begin to grow from the statue, and as she watched, the vines began to fall away.
The statue was similar to the others they had seen in the forest. It was of a woman, great and divine, beautiful and pure. Though made of stone, Igrid could feel the life from within it. Gaia was there, she knew, or at least something as powerful as she.
My daughters.
Igrid heard the voice in her mind. She looked to the others, who seemed to have heard it as well.
You have come. I am glad that you have made it safely. This is my temple, one of many built by the Firbolga and Alvar in ages past. I welcome you all.
“We are honored to have been chosen,” Igrid said, truly meaning it.
Good. You are all my chosen ones, chosen to replace those who were slaughtered by T’kar and his minions. With my blessing, you will carry my word, my sword, and my power. This scourge must be wiped from the face of the Earth.
“T’kar is but a man,” Vala said. “He can be easily killed.”
The scourge of which I speak is the Darkness that grows in T’kar’s fortress. There, a daughter of Kingu, the Firstborn of my sister, will give birth to a new power. This descendent of Kathorgo must be destroyed, and its worship stopped before it even begins.
“Tell us what we must do,” Igrid said.
You must cleanse my temple. Then, you will enter it and procure your armor. I have already given you your weapons, all of you. They are my gifts to you, forged by the Alvar, as is the armor. You will bear the weapons, and wear the armor in my name, and your legacy will be passed down through the ages. You shall be the Sisters of Gaia forevermore, and your heirs will carry on your charge.
“I am ready,” Igrid said. The others voiced their enthusiasm as well.
Igrid, daughter of Kronos, step forward.
Igrid gulped, taking a few steps toward the statue. She felt the urge to kneel, and did so without being asked.
I shall anoint you as High Priestess of my new coven. You will lead your sisters into battle, and bear my power. I give you dominion over the elements, that you may control nature itself. You will restore that which is destroyed by battle. You will heal those who have been hurt, and you will share your healing powers with those who can bear it.
“I will wield this power with honor, Mother.”
Now rise, High Priestess of Gaia, and take your place with your sisters.
Igrid turned and joined the others. She felt a strange but not unpleasant sensation inside her body. She began to become more aware of the world around her—more attuned and at one. Even the sounds of the insects spoke to her, and the wind blowing through the trees carried their deep and ancient voices. It was the most amazing thing she had ever experienced, and it made her heart race, beating more strongly than ever before.
Morrigan, to you I give the power of speed. With this power you may slow time for yourself and strike with the speed of light. You have already been shown this power, and you will use it in my name.
Morrigan bowed her head. “Thank you, Mother.”
To Braela and Maela I give the power of multiplicity. You may bewilder your enemy by being able to appear in many places at once. Such is the nature of your life and existence thus far. You will wield this power in my name.
“We thank you, Mother,” the sisters said together.
To Vala I give mastery over beasts of the ground and the air. You may command them to fight at your side. They will give their lives to protect you, and will obey your every command. You will wield this power in my name.
“I thank you, Mother,” Vala said.
And to you, Trista, young and pure. I give you the power of light. With this power you may illuminate the darkness that lies in your path, and give this gift to those who are in darkness as well. You will wield this power in my name.
“I thank you, Mother,” Trista said.
Rian began to shift in place as it became her turn. Igrid smiled, knowing full well what power the Great Mother would give to her new friend.
And finally, the rogue Rian. I give you the power of stealth and shadow. With your power you will be able to pass unseen and unheard through any terrain. You may pass easily through stone and wood, and you will see your enemies when they cannot see you. You will wield this power in my name.
“I thank you, Mother,” Rian said.
As Rian stepped back, the statue’s glow began to fade. The vines fell away, dried and lifeless. Igrid wondered if the Great Mother was departing and leaving them to figure things out on their own. Surely she would leave them some kind of instruction or mission to perform. They had, after all, been told to cleanse the temple.
What did that mean?
The statue suddenly shuttered as if impacted by a large object. Cracks began to form across its surface, spreading like spider webs in the stone. Dust and small pieces fell to the ground as the stone began to crumble. As the dust formed into a cloud, larger pieces cracked and fell off, shattering on the stones below, until finally the entire statue crumbled into hundreds of small pieces.
“What happened?” Igrid heard Morrigan ask.
My daughters. Your predecessors were unable to complete the cleansing before they were taken and brutally murdered. You will finish their work and enter my temple.
The ground began to shake gently, causing all seven of the women to step back for fear of falling through the ground. The pile of rubble that was the statue began to fall away as a large hole appeared. The area around it began to lower, taking with it the stones and even the moss that covered them. It formed a spiral stairway that led down into the shadows below.
“I suppose this is the door,” Igrid said. “Rian, can you see anything down there?”
The rogue went to the edge of the opening, peering down for a moment. Igrid assumed she would use her new abilities to see, and could give them some idea of what was down there.
“I see nothing,” Rian said. “Only stones and shadows.”
In the inner sanctum, you will find the vile presence that has defiled my temple. Destroy it, and the temple will be cleansed. You will then be able to open the vault and receive the gifts of the Alvar.
Everyone looked to Igrid for guidance. She looked at each of them in turn, unsure of how to proceed. But, she realized, there was only one thing to do. Gritting her teeth, she drew her sword and started down the stairway. Rian followed close behind her, then Morrigan and the others.
The area below was dark, lit only by the soft glow of strange green orbs that were half embedded in the ceiling above. The stairs ended in a round chamber with four columns supporting the ceiling, and presumably the ground above. The stone was white, of better quality than the ruins outside, presumably because of lack of exposure to the elements.
The only feature other than the rounded walls, was an archway leading into a dark corridor. It was pointed at the top, with the triquetra symbol at its peak. Igrid stopped and glanced at it for a moment, then motioned for Rian to look into the corridor.
“It’s clear,” the rogue said.
Igrid kept her sword ready and continued forward. She could see the green orbs ahead, but they were curiously absent from the round-ceilinged hall. There were carvings upon the wall, she noticed, but the dim glow was not bright enough to make out any details.
“I wonder what these carvings are,” she said.
“You can’t see them?” Rian asked.
Igrid stopped and looked back at her. “No. Can you?”
“They’re glowing,” Rian replied. “They look like runes of some type. Very elegant, not like anything I’ve ever seen.”
“It’s Alvar script,” Vala said. “Likely, anyway.”
“The temple was built by the Firbolga,” Maela reminded them all. “It would be their language, whatever that was.”
Sisters of the Blade Page 22
