Power Play: Act 1 Svartalfheim (Ragnarok on Ice) (6 page)

It took a few days, but Jemma delivered the mistletoe berries as I requested.  Where she had found so many I did not ask; the only thing that mattered was I had them in my possession.  After obtaining a juicer from the kitchen, I went to work.  It was a tedious job, but the juice from each berry was needed.  It took the better part of a day and a half to go through the entire bushel and I knew father was starting to get worried.  That did not bother me, for one day they would realize just how right I was.

With all the juice now in a small barrel, the next phase of my plan was ready.  I had asked Algrim for another new order of arrows and they were ready.  Instead of having him deliver them, I decided to walk down to his shop myself.  The fresh air might do me well.

The atmosphere as I made my way down into the valley was tense.  Murmurs amongst the other clans were that there had been more disappearances.  Whether it had been a hunting party or a scouting team, it seemed members were being abducted without a trace.  I feared this was Sif and Baldr’s doing.

When I arrived at the blacksmith shop, I saw four elves leaving.  It was Mallerk and his band of miscreants.  I slipped into the shadows before they could notice me.

“That damn blacksmith!  Who does he think he is telling us that we need to pay for equipment?  We will tell Lord Azmodeous of this slight and have him deal with it!”

The other three blindly agreed with their loud mouthed leader.  I could not hear what else they were saying as they were heading the other way.  As soon as the coast was clear, I left my hiding spot and entered the shop.

“Damnit Mallerk!  If you came back in to raise anymore of a fuss… oh hello Rumil.  Sorry about that.”

I laughed, “Do not worry about it.  I heard Mallerk complaining as he left.  Be warned you may receive a visit from Azmodeous.”

“Oh I highly doubt that.  He might send a goon or two to tell me to give my wares away, but Azmodeous himself never ventures down here amongst the commoners.”

“Oh Algrim, you are far from a commoner, but your point is valid.”

He started rubbing the ash off his face.  “I imagine you are here for the arrows I forged?”

“Yes sir, they are some of the finest arrows I have had the privilege to shoot.”

Even though the ash, I could see his blue face starting to blush.  “I am glad my work is appreciated.”

“There is one question I do have for you.  If I decided to soak the arrows in a toxic substance, would the metal arrowheads absorb it?”

He picked up an arrow from the display and seemed to ponder the question.  “The steel alloy used is a bit porous.  If given enough time, I would think the properties of the substance would be engrained in the arrows.  I must say it has been many cycles since someone has brought up the issue of coating arrowheads.  With as good as your aim is, I cannot imagine you would need it.”

“Let us just say in these times, it never hurts to have a precaution.”

“After hearing of your adventures, I would be a fool if I did not agree.”  I frowned, I hoped he was not about to give me a speech.  “Now do not look at me like that.  It is your life and an old codger like me is not going to try and tell you how to live it.  All I ask if you be true to yourself and honor your father.”

“I will do my best.”  I did not offer anymore, I knew it would just make him worry.  With a resigned huff, Algrim went into the back to get my arrows.  A moment later, he returned with quite a few arrows.

“Goodness Algrim, how many arrows did you make?”

“I crafted twenty-five of the steel arrows and fifty with the wooden shafts.  The arrowheads are all the same, so whatever it is you are up to, you can use either style.”

I handed him payment for the arrows.  “You certainly have outdone yourself this time.  Thank you Algrim, for everything.”

With a hug, I left his shop and made my way back home.  I had work to finish.

Many days had passed and I had not touched a single arrow that I put in the barrel of mistletoe berry juice.  I had to move the barrel outside, as the smell was starting to get to me.  Ustin said it was because the berry juice was fermenting.

“So you will not tell me what you are attempting to do?”

I hated not telling him, but based on Azmodeous’s reaction, I wanted to keep this information close to the heart.  “I told you, I am just experimenting with some different techniques.  As an archer, you can never have enough of an advantage.”

He gave me an odd look.  “Mistletoe berry juice though?  If your attempts are to give your opponent fits of nausea and upset stomachs on the field of battle, then your efforts should work.”

I could not tell if he was mocking me or not, but I also did not care.  It was finally time to see if the arrows had been properly saturated.  Walking over, I pulled one out and inspected it.  The steel had turned a slight reddish color.  Ustin was looking them over as well.  “Well my lady, it seems you have succeeded.  The discoloring and smell tells me that the steel took the juice in.”

This was just the news I was looking for.  With these arrows, I could now do what I set out to do from the start.  I gathered up all the rest of the arrows and when Ustin asked if I needed assistance, I politely declined.  I hurried to my room with my new treasure; a plan was ready to be put into place.

While I had been waiting for my arrows to take hold, I had investigated the disappearances that had happened.  I had found an old map of the Great Forest in father’s library, so with the information I received I marked the location on the map.  I was hoping to see a pattern so I could predict there next movement.  Unfortunately nothing really struck me.  Everything seemed to be random, perhaps just by chance encounters.

The only idea that hit me was to get back into the forest and start my own investigation.  I knew this would not sit well with father, but my mind was made up.  With Sif out there hunting my people, it felt as if destiny was calling me to find her.  Yes, it was fate pulling me and I would not refuse the call.

Gathering my courage, I went to father’s library to find him behind his desk as always.  Without even looking up he motioned me in.

“Father we need to talk.”

“Let me guess, you are ready to go back into the Great Forest in search of your revenge.”

I stopped, not even having time to sit down.  “How did you know?”

He continued to write, “I know my own daughter well enough to know when she is up to something.  The arrows soaked in the juice of a mistletoe berry were a dead giveaway as well.”

I took a seat and leaned in.  “You are not going to stop me or try to talk me out of this?”

He sat his quill down and met my eyes.  “Would it do any good?”

“No father, my mind is made up.  In my heart, I know it has to be me that confronts her and brings her to justice.  It was my party that was taken from me.  I am sorry if this causes you any pain.”

“I would not say pain, but it does give me reason to worry.  Going after an Aesir alone is a tantamount task.  Do you even have any idea what you will do when you confront her?”

I could not lie to him.  “No, I do not.  All I know is that I feel it is in my best interest to pursue this matter.  I do not expect anyone to understand or even accept this.”

We sat there in silence, looking at each other.  I could tell he was thinking, but would it be anything I would want to hear.  “You are right daughter; I do not understand or accept the task you wish to pursue.” 

I tried to say something, but he immediately stopped me.  “Let me finish.  Though I may not agree, I will give you the one thing that I hope brings you home safely.  I give you my blessing.”

I did not expect that.  “Are you sure?”  He smiled at me.  “Thank you father!”

“Before you leave, we need to take a day or two and make sure you are properly prepared for the journey ahead.  I might be crazy in letting you do this, but I am not crazy enough to let you take on this fool’s errand without everything I can give you.”

The day before I was to leave, the news had spread across the valley.  Fenrir, the Great Wolf of Asgard had returned to his cave.  His howls could be heard throughout the valley, echoing as if the wolf was in great pain.  We had sent two delegations to meet with the wolf, but each time they came back and said the cavern was empty.

I had considered going into the cave myself to get to the bottom of this, but I had more important issues at hand.  Father seemed to take the news of the wolf not being seen in stride.  As always, I figured he knew something the rest of us did not, but was also reluctant to share.

Night had fallen over the valley and the howls of the wolf were as loud as ever.  The eerie scene that it produced kept Svartalfheim almost desolate at night.  Some of the clans were saying that this was to be the start of Ragnarok.

Father and I had decided that leaving under the cover of darkness would minimize how many people would see me leaving.  The sentries in the cave passage would obviously know, but the fewer the better was the thinking.  We did tell King Oor that I was leaving; that father commissioned me to do an independent investigation.  Azmodeous did not seem fond of the idea, but Oor reluctantly agreed.

Only a few stray elves saw me as I made my way from the Darklighter cave to the exit tunnel.  The journey was a quiet one, only stopping to tell the sentries who I was and what my plans were.

“When should we expect you back my lady?”

“I do not know for sure Fergal, as I have some business to look into.  Be well and may The Norns watch over you.”

Fergal, the sentry bowed his head a little, “And may they be with you.”

I pulled my hood up and continued making my way out.  The moon was high and bright when I exited the tunnel.  With a cold wind blowing, I hurried onto the trail and made my way down the mountain.  About half way down the trail, I started to feel as if I was being watched.  I stopped and checked each direction, but saw nothing.  Maybe it was being out in the open alone that made me paranoid, but it was a feeling I could not shake.

Then it happened.  I heard the whoosh of an arrow pass by my head.  It was either a poor shot or a warning, as any sort of marksman should have been able to hit me.  I dropped down as fast as I could and put my bow into position.  Off the trail, high up on the side of the mountain I spotted three figures, clad in black.  I felt so foolish to miss them against the white snow.

I could see them moving towards me and were closing fast.  Since they were uphill and had the advantage, I was trying my best not to waste arrows that I knew would not come close.  Still I was lining my first shot up and just when they were about to enter my comfort zone, disaster struck.

“Who dares to enter the domain of the ice giants?”

The three figures stopped the descent.  I followed the voice up to see a massive giant standing on the side of the mountain.  He was partially hidden in the shadows, but I wagered he was twenty feet tall and holding a club that could have doubled for a large tree.

As the three figures in black fled the scene, the giant started laughing.  “You can run little insects, but you are mine now!”

I watched in awe as he lifted his hand up and then thrust it down.  The snow in front of him rose like a wave and then started falling down the mountain.  My time to hide was at an end; the giant had started an avalanche.

I was running down the trail as fast as I could, but it was hard due to the amount of ice that had built up since my last time here.  I do not know if this was caused by the ice giant or not, but his loud laughing told me he probably knew I was here and was watching.

I was so close to the end of the trail when I hit another patch of ice and slipped.  The mountain was shaking, as the huge wave of snow picked up steam and was now only moments from engulfing me.  I got back to my feet and looked over the side of the trail. 

It was about twenty feet to the forest floor below and I jumped.  I landed into a roll and not even turning around to see how close the snow was, I scrambled up a tree.  I did not quite make it, as the snow crashed into my back and sent me sprawling.  The loud laughter of the giant was the last thing I remembered.

I felt warmth around me, like a nice fire to keep you warm on a winter’s night.  It was so pleasant and peaceful that I did not want to wake up.  I curled up into my sleeping roll so more and figured I could take a little bit longer.

Wait a minute, I should not be warm; I should be under snow.  I opened my eyes and I was in a camp site.  There was no trace of the avalanche, except for the damage to the trees around me.  Limbs laid scattered everywhere and the forest floor was ripped apart from where the snow had moved so harshly through, but there was no snow.

I got out of my sleeping roll and saw that there really was a fire going, with two rabbits cooking over the flame.  Curiosity set in and I walked back over to the mountain trail.  Again, you could see where the avalanche had come through, but the trail was clear.

Despite this surreal scene, I was hungry and walked back over to the cooking rabbits.  I removed them from the spit over the fire and started to eat.  As I sat there, I saw a roll of parchment on the ground by the fire.  Maybe this was from my rescuer.  I opened it and began to read:

‘Your destiny is close at hand.  Follow the path back to Sif’s cabin and all will be revealed.  I must caution you against lethal force; if you decide to kill, your happiness will be forever gone.’

I sat there stunned.  Only a few elves knew of my intention to leave and this handwriting did not much any of them.  I looked at the bottom of the message and saw there was a small rune attached.  I pulled the rune off the paper and there was a small note folded up on the back:

‘This is a onetime use.  I would use it to save your life.’

After reading the note, I studied the rune some more.  It looked like it might be a teleportation rune, but those were very rare and took a high level of skill to create.  This certainly added a level of mystery to the situation.  Part of me thought I should go back home and show father what has happened, but another part of me took this note as a sign to continue on.

I finished both rabbits and put the rune in my pocket.  With my mind made up, I continued on into the forest.  It was obvious to me; my destiny was at that cabin.

Having already been there once made the trip a lot easier for me.  When I came to the spot where Ryle had been killed, I stopped.   I had no plans on stopping through the night, but I paid my respects to the memory of my fallen friend.

I heard the howl of a wolf in the distance and decided it was time to move on.  Saying a quick prayer to The Norns in his honor then left the area.  Being alone, I had no intentions of dealing with whatever wolf pack had taken over this area.

The rest of the trip went smoothly and it was mid afternoon of the following day in which I made it to my destination.  I knew I was taking a risk not waiting until nightfall, but I quickly made it to the tree that I had used to spy on Sif before.  As I made my way up, I heard voices, but not Baldr’s from what I could tell.

“Well then, let us beat this popsicle stand and go see the big man shall we?”  The voice was happy and cheerful.  I did not know what a popsicle stand was, but it sounded as if whoever was speaking was getting ready for combat.

“What is a popsicle stand and why does it need beaten?  Should I take an extra sword or axe along on this trip in case one of them came through behind you two from Midgard?”  That was Sif and my hunch was right.  Whatever they were hunting sounded dangerous.  And whatever it was appeared to have come from Midgard.  Just what was going on in that cabin?

I heard laughter follow Sif’s declaration to bring more weaponry.  It was two men, the voice that had a cheerful tone to it and another deeper sounding voice.  I dared not risk trying to get a look, as I did not want my cover blown.

With it sounding like they were getting ready to leave, I hopped down out of the tree and went to a spot where I could see the entrance much clearer.  I would need to gauge my opponents clearly before I made my move.  I was expecting at least one other person with her, but not two.  I cursed myself for my bad luck.

After what seemed like an eternity, I saw the three of them come out of the cabin.  Sif and one of the men, both of whom were dressed strangely, went around the side of the cabin.  Barking soon ensued, she must have had a sled dog team ready.  It did not take long for them to get loaded and leave.

Following them in the trees proved to be tricky, but I managed to keep up by guessing which way they would go.  I was tiring out though from my lack of rest, so I knew if I were to do anything I would have to pick my spot soon.

I picked out a tall tree and made two jumps to get into position.  The limbs obscured my view some, but I knocked an arrow and let it fly.  I heard the clang of the arrowhead bouncing off a sword.  I was quickly reloading and making my way to a better position when the man with blonde hair came charging into my area.  He was carrying a massive war hammer, could this be Thor?

He was moving quickly and I began to shoot arrows at him.  His movements were rigid, but fluid enough to avoid getting hit.  My fatigue was starting to get to me, so my shots were not as precise as I needed either.  After a few more near hits, the man stopped moving and I took the opportunity to rest in an oak tree.  I was curious to see what his next move would be.

He raised the war hammer into the air.  I felt the presence of static electricity building.  Oh no, this was not a good sign!  I grabbed the rune out of my pocket and gripped it.  I saw a patch of grass behind Sif and closed my eyes.  Gripping the rune as tight as I could, I visualized the spot I wanted to go and hoped it worked.  I felt the strange sensation of magic grip me and pull.  I closed my eyes, panic starting to ensue.

I opened my eyes and I looked up to see the tree I had been standing in had been destroyed.  The blonde man collapsed in exhaustion and Sif had no idea I was behind her!  I knocked another arrow and was getting ready to shoot when the words from the note hit me; do not use lethal force.  I changed my target from her heart to her shoulder at the last minute and my aim was true.  She turned just in time to be hit.

With the arrow sticking out of her, she dropped her sword and I ran over as quickly as I could and punched her in the face.  She dropped, out cold, and I was getting ready to pick her up when I got my first look at the other man they were traveling with.

His brown eyes met mine and my heart tugged at me.  His rough features and shocked face could not hide how handsome he was.  I hesitated as he was staring at me and the wind blew my hood off.  His face changed when he saw my face, but I had no time to ask questions.

Not knowing what to do, I went over to him and punched him too.  He did not even try to defend himself and also was knocked out.  I quickly grabbed him and ran off back into the forest.  As I left the scene, I heard the other man yell out one word.

“Jack!”