There is an underlying tension, quiet, burning, building. Injustice, extreme poverty, hopelessness are some of the symptoms. When that anger finds fuel, reason erupts into violence. The media will point to race. Pundits will add conspiracies. The rich through their politicians will protect their own interests. Oligarchy is a disease. A free people can cure that disease. Therein lies the problem.
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"The little sniveler did this! You can't trust a sembling!" said Magnus. "Poksok did nothing of the sort, he was with me the entire time," said Isgerd. "Is this one of your stupid pranks Aesa?" asked Magnus. "Blaming others will not bring our boats back," said Hildagunn. "Magnus is right. We need to find out who did this and sacrifice them to the gods," said Kara. "Now you are an expert on the gods Kara?" asked Isgerd. Kara pushed Isgerd hard enough to trip her, sending Isgerd onto her back. "Kara, Do not behave like most Skraekoom," said Doskev. "Skraekoom! Is that the kind of word you want Reikov to learn?" asked Kara. "Reikov will need to learn the truth sooner or later," said Doskev. Kara punched Doskev in the jaw. Doskev spit blood in Kara's face. "I killed your husband for less offense," shouted Magnus. "You will find I am much more difficult to kill than a mere male," said Doskev. Isgerd listened to the rhetoric build. She shouted for reason but was ignored. Magnus had earlier retrieved Frosik and was testing its balance. Kara pushed Magnus aside, unwilling to let her kin be first in glory. Isgerd thrust her staff into the ground and shouted in a voice that no mortal has equaled to this day, "Somnolence torpidity!" The earth shook. A wave of power rushed over the island. When it had passed, Isgerd, Hildagunn and Poksok were the only people not sleeping. Isgerd looked at Hildagunn in despair, "It had to be done," she said. "If you didn't do it, I would have," said Hildagunn. "When did you notice your powers had grown?" asked Isgerd. "I wasn't certain until I unleashed a blast of energy inside the temple that almost killed us all...I have been having strange dreams," she said. "Of home?" asked Isgerd. "Yes, and more," said Hildagunn. "Lightning?" asked Isgerd. "Yes, A sign from Thor?" asked Hildagunn. "I don't know. The gods are speaking, but all at once. The others can hear it, but the confusion is pushing them to seek Valhalla," said Isgerd. "What does it all mean?" asked Hildagunn. "It ma-ma-means...it means the ga-gods are close," said Poksok. "Thor's tomb?" asked Hildagunn. "Maybe. Do not speak of this until we know more. I sense that Kara and Aesa are both balancing on the unraveling thread of the Norns," said Isgerd. "Magnus is the dangerous one," said Hildagunn. "No he is not. We are. Speak no further about this. We need to be ready to leave the island when they wake up," said Isgerd. "I will speak inside your mind from now on," said Hildagunn. Isgerd smiled. "If I let you," she said. "What about Poksok?" asked Hildagunn. "Poksok is special, he is under my protection. Don't worry about him," said Isgerd. "Why isn't he asleep?" asked Hildagunn. "I'm...here...you...know," said Poksok. "Yes you are. You are much more than you appear," said Isgerd. Poksok smiled for the first time. He wandered off with quick steps. He soon came back with a small disk of broken mushroom he found lodged in the mouth of the statue of Poseidon and the torches from the temple that never burn out. "Well done! This is what we need," said Isgerd. "Fine blades sliced this piece of raft, not the sort we or the trolls use to kill each other," said Hildagunn. Isgerd carried the mushroom to the shore and tapped it with her finger several times. The fungi grew and transformed into a large boat with paddles. Poksok grabbed a rope and secured the boat to shore. Hildagunn pointed at the boat and it became invisible. "How are they going to find it? It will be visible to them when they are seated inside," said Hildagunn. "Magnus isn't going to like this," said Isgerd. "I'm going to put them in the boat now. When they wake up the argument will already be too late," said Hildagunn. "You best sit far from Magnus," said Isgerd. Hildagunn laughed. I always do. He sometimes forgets to wash." Hildagunn's eyes glowed bright for a moment and the sleeping adventurers were teleported into the boat. Poksok sprinted into the bow. He set the ever-burning torches into some natural sconces that Isgerd had shaped into the bow. Isgerd sat near Magnus in case he had to be restrained. Hildagunn took the rudder, willing the craft from shore, then allowed the current to carry them away from the cursed island. They followed the current in sullen silence. Magnus scowled often, slapping his paddle into the water increased his frustration since Hildagunn made the paddles hit the water without sound. Aesa practiced her sign language with glowing hands, delighting in a series of obscene gestures intended for Magnus to see. Doskev and Reikov sat on opposite ends of the boat, refusing to look at each other. Sigurd sat with Vikar who seemed better company than most of his kin. Since the incident at the pool, Kara ignored everyone, looking to some distant place beyond their ken. The craft came around a wide turn in the river revealing and island. The Chosen Ones looked at each other, remembering the last island but with the nod of heads agreed to paddle to the new land. Poksok raised one of the torches for a better look. Bright colored tents covered the island. Well worn paths carried the eye from tent to tent. Food booths with breads, pies and other bakery goods were lined with wood benches. Coins and baubles littered the paths. Poksok jumped out, but there was no place to secure the rope. He walked up to a tent to secure the line. The bright colors faded as his light source neared. When he touched the tent pole to secure his line it crumbled to dust. "Arrrrrrrrrrrrgghhh!," yelled Poksok. Magnus and Aesa jumped out. Aesa touched a pie and it too turned to dust. Magnus grabbed a drinking mug and in crumbled. All of the colored tents faded and crumbled as they approached. They poked around a bit more then headed back to the boat. "I do not understand this place. Where is Thor's cairn?" asked Magnus. "We are lost," said Aesa. "Then we will make our own way," said Magnus. The river carried them near a series of islands. Some they stopped at, others were so small they could explore without leaving the boat. They passed a slave market. Most of the buildings were burned. The smell of smoke was still thick in the air. Graffiti on an old marble wall was written in an elegant script. Aesa hopped out to get a closer look. Like the other islands, any objects she touched that were not made of rock or metal turned to dust. The writing was in Alfar. She could make out a few words. "Freedom is life. Life is Freedom...Elves of Saratel..., she read aloud to the others. She took her chalk and wrote, Aesa was here. The others pulled away from shore. Since the boat was invisible, Aesa had to run, then guess where it was. Aesa somersaulted in before she had to swim for the boat. "Maybe I will get a response in a few thousand years," she said. "You will be dead," said Magnus. "You think I will forget how to read when I go to Asgard?" she asked. Magnus laughed. "Glad you are regaining your sense of humor Magnus," she said. "Imagining your surprise when you wake up next to Hel instead of Odin is amusing," he said. Aesa was silent for a moment. "You'd miss me too much. The Valkyries would bring me to Valhalla just to keep you happy," she said. An arrow whistled past Magnus's ear, grazing the tip. It had just missed his jugular. They all hunched low. There was an island ahead. Hildagunn said a few words while steering the rudder in that direction. Several arrows splatted on the invisible barrier she had constructed with seid magic. "Whoever struck at Magnus can see invisible objects," said Hildagunn. When they got to the island they ran to the cover of a large building with massive pillars. The design reminded Aesa of the temple of Canarach in Oikos but the religious symbols had all been removed. A massive pillar of wood and vines thrust through the center of the marble structure. Beautiful, unfinished sculptures of trees and nature scenes cover over older motifs. They entered the building. Poksok held up one of the torches to illuminate some writing on the wall. The carving looked recent, but none of them could read it. Aesa guessed it was Alfar script. Hildagunn waved her hands over it. The words glowed bright and they could read it. Aesa read the words to the group, "The Knights of the Saratel cared for the humans and now they are all dead. We who followed Wenlas now suffer in his name. We remember what it means to be elves, for this we are trapped in darkness, punished for believing humans were people". "What does it mean?" asked Sigurd. "Many wars are fought because one side believes the other side are not people. How much suffering comes from demonizing people who are different. Are we any different? Am I?" asked Doskev. "Someone wants us dead. I do not know if they are elves, demons or pukje, but we must keep our wits, " said Sigurd. The group left the old building. Tree, long dead, lined the street. They discovered a wharf district. Net weights, ship rams, anchors, ship catapults, and broken masts were strewn about. The ancient objects crumbled when touched. Several mushroom boats were tied to rotten docks. They reached an end to the cavern. There was an opening in the wall with worn stairs cut into the rock going up. Doskev took the lead. They climbed the stairs entering an ancient stronghold. The keep was damaged. Many pews of fine marble seats were carved in a semi-circle. A raised area with elaborate sculpture of woodland scenes, and mythological creatures graced the main hall. In gold leaf above the high dais were words in the elegant Alfar script. Hildagunn read them, "Courthouse of the people of the Saratel." "This Saratel sounds important," said Isgerd. The courthouse ended abruptly at a cavern wall as if a mountain had come down at this exact spot. There was a tunnel that continued into the darkness. The group used the torches they had found and Dokflam as they proceeded with caution through the tunnel. The tunnel ended, revealing a vast plain. Large warcraft with long dark legs breached the surface like spiders pulverized under some god's heel. Natural columns pock the surface of the field, failing to reach the ceiling vault. The skeletal remains of an enormous winged battle craft lie torn and defeated nearby, huge gouges in the earth indicated where the vessel had plowed into the ground, finding its final resting place. They proceeded into the battlefield with caution, the crunch of untold numbers of bones and weapons announcing their presence. Some skeletal remains of men, dverge or smaller humanoids showed signs of having been turned inside out. Figures stood upon the plain, held in contorted poses, agony on their petrified faces. Clouds of gold turned a sick green and then blood red. Lightning discharged around the field coming very close to them several times. The boom from the thunder sounded like men dying. Poksok shook so bad his teeth could be heard over the din of thunder. Isgerd spoke. Her voice was a harmony of her own and that of many others, "We must reach the next tunnel before we are destroyed. Something immortal lost its life here. Run! Flee for the tunnel or die now!" Lightning struck in front of Isgerd as if to make her point. She was lost behind its deep blue power for a moment. When she was visible again she floated above the battlefield, her hair was alive and her eyes shone with the power of the lightning. Whether in awe of the storm, her words, or her power infused visage, they ran as fast as possible to the next tunnel. Poksok was first to run to the safety of the tunnel. Hildagunn and Isgerd were there waiting. Soon the others made it, all trying to catch their breath. The tunnel was very wide, leading to a large palace. The palace was decorated with fine tapestries, artwork and gold sculpture. A road lead beyond it to a lesser palace. The lesser palace was marked with words about elves and the Saratel. Skeletons filled thrones, benches and chairs. Signs of battle marred the old mansion. The Chosen Ones followed the road for a while, aware that they had no cover if the snipers from earlier decided to attack. Ahead they could see three white temples in the style that Welkins preferred for their gods. The first temple was painted with gold leaf and faience. The walls were pure white marble. The pediment was filled with Welkin gods giving homage to a central goddess wearing a crown inscribed in gold with the word Faltor. "I'll check it for traps," said Aesa. "Hold on. This could be dangerous. I will go with you." said Isgerd. "I will go. There could be pujke or other creatures," said Sigurd. The rest of the group waited outside, vigilant for attackers. Aesa rushed up to inspect a fifteen foot tall marble statue sitting in a throne with a crown in the shape of a city. Inscribed in gold at the base of the throne were the words in ancient Welkin, Tyche, Luck is my domain, your servitude determines yours. After reading this, Aesa snorted, then continued on to explore the rest of the temple. This place was loaded with large vases. She poked at a metal grate in the floor to see if it was trapped. It just provided drainage in case the floor was wet. Isgerd bent to her knees and began to offer a fine gemstone to the goddess. "Is that wise? Will our gods be angry if you sacrifice to Welkin gods?" asked Sigurd. "Is it wise to anger any god?" asked Isgerd. "I could use the luck," said Sigurd. He fell to his knees and offered a fine chalice to the goddess of luck. Aesa couldn't believe her luck. This place was a gold-mine! Fools had dumped enough treasure on this fake god to make the Jarls of Uppsala jealous. She pocketed a few expensive pieces of jewelry before noticing a priceless ring. It had to be magical. Perhaps it was a ring of power. Aesa could rule her own kingdom with it. She put it in her pocket. She resisted the urge to write her name on the wall and headed back to where Isgerd and Sigurd were just rising. "What were you doing?" asked Isgerd. "I was making sure this place was free of booby-traps," said Aesa. "You didn't write your name on the walls?" asked Isgerd. "Of course not!" said Aesa. "Then let's be on our way," said Sigurd. Aesa rushed out. She did not notice a small pot on the floor and tripped. She tried to right herself, but grabbed onto a large vase. It tipped spilling oil on the floor. She crashed face-first into a pillar before hitting the floor. When she got up she spit out one of her front teeth. "You took something!" said Sigurd. "Nothing valuable, just some junk nobody wanted," said Aesa. "Put it back," said Isgerd. Aesa reached into her pocket and tossed the valuable jewelry onto the floor. "Is that it?" asked Isgerd. "Yes. I don't know why you are concerned by some fake Welkin goddess. Our destinies are determined by the Norns," Aesa said. Aesa slid in the oil. Her pouch split and a red hot ring fell out. There was a rumble and the pillar she was standing next to cracked and tumbled just as the oil caught fire. Aesa leaped out of the way but her ankle got caught in an iron grate in the floor and she hit the ground hard and was knocked unconscious. The flames erupted around her. Sigurd released her from the grate and pulled her free just before the pillar toppled on her. Aesa woke up and tried to stand but could not. She had broken her leg. Sigurd carried her from the temple. Isgerd concentrated on the fire and it extinguished. With a wave of her hand the smoke dissipated. The group rushed outside. Magnus laughed when he saw Aesa. "What are you laughing at beserker?" asked Aesa. "Loki played one too many tricks in Asgard. Like Loki, Isgerd can change herself into a salmon to hide, but you cannot," said Magnus. Isgerd silenced them before the words turned into a brawl. She tried to heal Aesa's leg but the energy would not flow through her. Aesa was in trouble. She had angered the gods. "Aesa, the gods are angry with you. You must atone. If you do not, the Norns may cut our string while aiming for yours," she said. Aesa slumped her shoulders. She could not look Isgerd in the eye. Wordless she hopped up the step to the temple of Tyche and fell. She opened a hidden pouch in her shirt and emptied it onto the steps. It was filled with precious gold and fine jewels. "I am sorry if I have offended you. I did not believe the Welkin gods were real," she said. Magnus walked over to Aesa and picked her up. "You will get us all killed some day," he said. "I was trying to help. That treasure was imbued with power. We could have done much good with it," said Aesa. "Do good with the skills you have. Gold is a curse. We are better off without it," he said. "You wouldn't understand," said Aesa. "Why? You think I am a stupid savage and don't care about wealth. Wealth is a distraction. You should focus on having just enough to help your kin enjoy festivals in honor of the gods. The rest you should give to your spear-brothers as gifts," said Magnus. Aesa chose to remain quiet and allow Magnus to carry her for now. What did he know? It was easy for Magnus to be a hero. Aesa could not use her strength to pummel a dragon senseless. They walked in silence to the next temple. This temple was similar to the Welkin temple to Tyche only the central figure in the pediment was a warrior woman wielding a lightning bolt. The temple had massive bronze doors decorated with lightly clad Welkins weaving and making pottery. "Magnus, you can leave me out here," said Aesa. "We need you to check for traps," he said. "Poksok can do it," she said. "Ha! Poksok is afraid of his own shadow. We need a brave Norgardian to check for traps. I will go with you. I wouldn't want you to pick up something you might regret later," he said. "You want revenge because I marked your cup," she said. Magnus pushed the big bronze doors open with ease and stepped into the temple, still carrying Aesa. "You marked my cup? I thought Aesa was here was the name of some smithy from a far away land," he said. Aesa used a term that suggested Magnus was intimate with pukje witch doctors. He smiled and set her down on the temple floor. Sigurd and Isgerd had also joined them. In the center of the temple was a large statue of the goddess they had seen when they first entered Thor's tomb. She was surrounded by two beautiful marble fountains. The water dancing off the fountains chimed soft tones, before filling a shallow pool. The central statue was inscribed in Welkin with the words Pallas Athene, Goddess of craftsmen, artisans, strategic war and the creator of law, daughter of Zeus All-Father. "All-Father? Zeus is Odin?" asked Aesa. "Athena offered aid when we first entered Thor's Tomb," said Sigurd. "Maybe she will help Aesa," said Isgerd. Magnus pulled Aesa to her feet before she could scoot away. He carried her over to the statue next to the fountains. She hung over his back like a sack of flour and wriggled like a flea infested rat. "If Athena is a daughter of the All-Father maybe she is a Valkyrie. You should make a sacrifice to her," said Magnus. Aesa punched Magnus in the nose. He dropped her. She fell with a splash into the pool. When she surfaced she was able to walk again. "Magnus, I am impressed by your wisdom," said Aesa. Magnus grinned. "I do not believe you," he said. "I thank you Magnus. I had nothing of enough value to offer for atonement," she said. "Why are you thanking me then?" he asked. "Because I offered your drinking cup to the Goddess. It was the only thing that had my name on it," she said. "Your generosity amazes even the daughter of the All-Father!" said Magnus. "We should leave before testing that idea," said Sigurd. "I agree," said Isgerd. Aesa ran out the door, skipping down the steps. "Someday she will get us all killed," said Magnus. "She has more luck than the rest of us. You can not change her," said Sigurd. "You may want to wash your shirt Magnus," said Isgerd. "Why? We all smell bad," said Magnus. "Because someone has written Magnus smells like Pukje on the back of it," she said. Magnus pulled off his jerkin and tossed it on the ground as they all left the temple of Athena. When they reached the next temple they noticed it was different. This temple had no roof. The pediment focused on a man with winged sandals and carrying a pot of gold being chased by angry Alfar with little blades. A monolithic stone turned on its side was engraved with the Welkin words, "Hermes God of thieves, liars, arbitrators, messengers, kings and politicians." In smaller words below this message it said, "I am sorry Lord Zeus, this is the best I could do." Aesa tried to touch the stone but Hildagunn stopped her. "Look! There are many runes all over this stone. They were once infused with magic. You should not touch them," said Hildagunn. Aesa walked around to the back of the stone. "This held something at one time. The block was carved to hold a large box. The inside of this stone has more of those broken runes," said Aesa. "This place housed a god," said Kara. They had almost forgotten about Kara. She had said little since the incident at the temple of Poseidon. "Kara, what do you sense?" asked Isgerd. Kara had walked over to the inner courtyard where a statue of a young man in winged sandals and an older man with a long beard who wielded a lightning bolt had been toppled. "These statues have been used for target practice," said Kara. "Our snipers could be close!" said Sigurd. The others took defensive positions around the temple. Kara walked back to the monolithic stone. She caressed the air, then she touched the inside of the stone, where it had been carved out. "What is it Kara?" asked Isgerd. "A god. Can't you feel it? We need to go to him," said Kara. "Go where?" asked Sigurd. "Beyond this temple is a staircase. We must follow it. There will be a door covered in filth. Beyond is death and rebirth," said Kara. "You sure you are alright Kara? You haven't been the same since we left the Temple of Poseidon," said Sigurd. "None of us are the same. Don't you see that?" asked Kara. She did not wait for an answer. Kara was walking at a brisk pace away from the temple of Hermes. The Chosen Ones did their best to keep up with Kara. Kara made no attempt to protect herself from archers. The others could only hope Kara was not targeted. Kara led them to a narrow stone stairway pocked with cracks and damage. It could break at any moment, sending anyone on the stairs into a deep chasm. They followed Kara as she climbed the stairs. When they arrived at the end in front of a massive bronze door they were all winded. The bronze door may have been elegant once, but Alfar writing was scratched into its surface like wounds. Somehow the flowery letters writhed like snakes on the portal. What few words they could translate were obscene; filled with anger. "This is the place," said Kara. She pushed the door open. The room was square with doors on each side. It was designed like the other Welkin temples and had more artwork associated with the god Hermes. All of the artwork was smashed or had been used for target practice. The room was lined with fluted columns. Kara was struck in the arm three times as soon as the door opened. She dropped her heavy sword and her arm hung useless. Three arrows struck Sigurd's shield, a moment later they would have struck Kara's head instead. Isgerd glimpsed one of the archers hiding behind a column. He was so beautiful. He reminded her of the Shining One. She knew he had to be alfar, but a set of horns protruded from his pale forehead. There were legends in Norgard of Alfar who had rebelled from their kin and were cursed to live in caves. "Dok-Alfar! Take cover!" shouted Isgerd. Kara was struck twice more in her arm before she heard Isgerd shout. She pulled her longsword from its sheath with her good arm and charged her assailants. She could sense Magnus and Sigurd were to each side of her but focused the archers who continued to pelt her arm with arrows. She reached the column where the Dok-Alfar had been but he was gone. Sigurd blocked more arrows with his shield. The Dok-Alfar worked in pairs. Sigurd caught glimpses of three pairs of the archers, moving fast and repositioning before anyone could attack them in melee. Doskev and Reikov rushed to attack a pair of Dok-Alfar. Before they got close Doskev was struck with an arrow. The arrow grew into a vine that wrapped around her legs. She could not move. Reikov did his best to chop at the vine but it would not break. "Get behind me son. Take the trollspear. Use me as a shield. When they get close strike them," said Doskev. "You will be killed!" said Reikov. "We will all die if we can't outsmart them," she said. Reikov did what he was told. Doskev was pelted with arrows. She refused to cry out. Hildagunn had communicated with Isgerd telepathically. Both of them had protected themselves with magic and were now invisible. Hildagunn held Isgerd's hand and drew seid magic within her. They were pulled to the bifrost bridge and transported behind the a pair of Dok-Alfar who were peppering Doskev with arrows. As soon as they were oriented Hildagunn unleashed a powerful burst of electrical energy. It surged from her body and struck both Dok-Alfar. It should have killed them. Instead they turned, hair standing on end and hissed at Hildagunn. They bore sharp fangs in their mouth, but their bows were far deadlier. The Dok-Alfar released a wave of arrows. They struck Hildagunn and Isgerd but fell harmless to the floor, both women were protected by powerful magic. Reikov used the distraction to charge. The male Dok-Alfar turned as the trollspear pierced his leg. The Dok-Alfar was fast. The spear grazed his leg, leaving a thin scratch of red blood. The Dok-Alfar was shocked a moment later when his body hardened and he had turned to stone. The female Dok-Alfar unsheathed her thin bladed swords. They whirred in a pattern of death. The sound they made was beautiful. Reikov was struck a dozen times before he could recover his spear from the male. Even with his trollspear, Reikov could defended one of six blows and was losing blood fast. Isgerd realized the Dok-Alfar were resistant to the power of the Bi-Frost bridge and instead focused on the floor. She said some words and made some semantic gestures. The floor turned to mud under the female Dok-Alfar. The woman leaped straight up, nearly avoiding the pool of soft mud but Reikov was able to swat her with the trollspear. The Dok-Alfar petrified in mid-flight and sank like a brick to the bottom of the pool of mud. Isgerd reversed her spell and the mud became stone again, sealing the bodies of both Dok-Alfar forever entombed in rock. Reikov passed out from blood loss. Vikar charged the pair of Dok-Alfar. His hide was filled with dozens of arrows. The blood enraged him. When the Dok-Alfar realized the polar bear would reach them before dying they dropped their bows and unsheathed their graceful swords. Soon the bear would become a welcome meal, roasted and stuffed with mushrooms they thought. There was a nervous squeal behind them. One of the Dok-Alfar spun to find Poksok standing less than three feet behind him. He marveled that he had not heard the sembling approach. Poksok was so startled to see the Dok-Alfar's blades spinning so near to him that he launched projectile vomit all over the man. Poksok was not like other men. His vomit contained a contact poison that semblings were immune to. The Dok-Alfar dropped his blade and convulsed. Aesa dropped from the ceiling where she had been waiting on top of the convulsing figure and stabbed him until he stopped moving. Vikar launched himself at the remaining Dok-Alfar. Her spinning blades inflicted terrible damage on the bear. Vikar tore out the woman's throat and then stared at her steaming corpse. He pulled off her bracers and held them in his maul. He did his best to indicate to Aesa what he wanted. "You want the bracers on your legs?" asked Aesa. Vikar swayed his head back and forth. She reached out gingerly, hoping Vikar did not bite her. Vikar released the bracers and sat down so she could put them on his front paws. As Aesa laced them on, they magically adjusted to fit his huge legs. "Maybe I should have kept these," Aesa said. Vikar growled. "I am sure I will find something better suited for me," said Aesa. Vikar grabbed the Dok-Alfar bow and some arrows and began firing at the remaining pair of Dok-Alfar. Aesa patted Poksok and indicated they should help the others. The ran over to help Magnus, Sigurd and Kara. Sigurd's shield had so many arrows in it he had to drop it. The weight was making it difficult for him to attack with his sword. The Dok-Alfar were quick to notice this. The female grabbed a green arrow and launched it at his legs. Sigurd became entwined in a thick vine and could not stand. The Dok-Alfar kicked him hard in the head and he blacked out. Kara was still fighting, but she heard the Valkyries calling her. She thrust her sword at them more often than at the Dok-Alfar who tormented her with dozens of razor-slices to her arms and torso. Magnus had not been spared. The Dok-Alfar toyed with Kara, but struck Magnus three blows for every one he made with Frosik. He felt the ax get heavier with every additional blow he took. Enraged Magnus hit the male Dok-Alfar so hard his arm hurt from the blow. The Dok-Alfar's armor was harder than rock, but Magnus noticed the Alfar grimaced from the attack. The pair of Dok-Alfar fought with such synchronicity it was difficult for the Norgardians to find an opening in their defenses. The arrows Vikar fired hit the Dok-Alfar but shattered on their armor doing no damage. Magnus and Kara both tried to take advantage of the distraction to get an attack in. The Dok-Alfar were too quick and deflected the blows with their swords. Hildagunn fired a volley of energy bolts at the Dok-Alfar from across the room. When the bolts struck, most of them faded without effect, but one stung the male Dok-Alfar. He said something to the woman and they both, dodged Kara and Magnus, taking a stand near the fallen Sigurd and fired green arrows at Hildagunn. The arrows hit her and she was bound in vines, no longer a threat. The male Dok-Alfar howled. Sigurd had struck him in the foot so hard with a dagger that the Alfar was pinned to the floor. The female Dok-Alfar ran Sigurd through with her swords. At that moment Magnus and Kara both wild-eyed, struck the two distracted Dok-Alfar with heavy blows. Frosik cleaved the man's head from his shoulders. Kara was able to stun the Dok-Alfar woman. The Alfar staggered back and fired a green arrow at Aesa. Aesa deflected the arrow with her sword. The remaining Dok-Alfar tripped over Sigurd who still had enough wits to raise his weapon. When the woman caught her balance she was standing next to Poksok whom she had not noticed before. Poksok spewed a vile substance from his throat. It covered the Dok-Alfar. A moment later she fell to the floor in convulsions. Aesa stabbed her for good measure. They looked around in silence for a moment searching for more Dok-Alfar. Magnus and Kara had grievous wounds. Poksok looked ill. Isgerd had run over to tend to Doskev and Reikov who might be dead. Vikar was lying in a pool of his own blood, licking his wounds. Sigurd was dying. Aesa had escaped injury so she rushed to help Sigurd. She bound his wounds. She was able to stop the bleeding, but without help from Isgerd Sigurd would not survive long. Isgerd had enough healing power to keep everyone alive. She was weak and needed to find a place to rest. The enchantment from the arrows of entanglement wore off after and hour. When Doskev and Hildagunn were free the vines morphed back into the shape of an arrow but were no longer green. There power was lost. The Dok-Alfar armor was light as cloth, flexible and hard as rock. Aesa and Poksok were the only people in the group small enough to wear the armor. When Reikev and Sigurd were conscious, the group ambled over to the doors in this old temple. The first door was open. They peered inside. The ceiling was painted with an incredible star filled night sky. The detail was so accurate they thought they were outside. "The sky is not right, " said Isgerd. "What do you mean, it is beautiful," said Kara. "The constellations are in the wrong place. See that cluster of stars?" asked Isgerd. "You are right, those stars should be shaped like Thor's hammer, but they are shaped like a thunder bolt," said Sigurd. "The painting represents a sky from a thousand years ago," said Hildagunn. It was difficult not to admire the sky painting but Aesa inspected the room for valuables. The chairs were shaped like squirrels and the bed was in the shape of a mighty unicorn. Magnus was drawn to a pot of mushroom stew, still hot. Magnus doled out the stew to the others. It was expertly seasoned. They wolfed it down. Aesa found some valuable coins and a holy symbol for the god Canarach in the room. She crushed the holy symbol under her boot in disgust. They inspecting the next room. The furniture in this room had also been crafted into the likeness of forest animals. Aesa found another symbol of Canarach in this room. She destroyed it too. The room featured a huge mirror. Someone had blackened out two spots. Aesa stood close to the mirror. The spots would give her horns. "The Dok-Alfar was trying to conceal its horns when it looked in the mirror," said Aesa. They took the valuables they found and continued to the next Dok-Alfar room. It had similar furniture, a holy symbol of Canarach and an old statue of Athena. The statue was covered in Alfar profanity and had a target painted on it. The effigy had been stuck many times. This room was laced with profanity and obscene artwork. The artist seemed to be obsessed with a silver haired Alfar wearing an ornate crown. "There is so much hatred in these rooms. It is sad. How could someone make such beautiful furniture and seethe with anger?" asked Kara. "The need to be right obscures moral values. Blindness is not a malady of the eyes," said Doskev. "I hope we remember this lesson," said Isgerd. "You won't. I should say, you might. Your kin might. But people seem fated to live small lives, drawn to pettiness and the more aggressive emotions that lead to betrayal of the soul," said Doskev. "We can be better than that. We don't have to end up like the Dok-Alfar," said Isgerd. "You can. What about Aesa?" Doskev asked. "What do you mean?" asked Isgerd. "Look! Aesa grew bored with this place and has already rushed off the inspect the last room by herself. Is that heroism or greed?" asked Doskev. "Aesa wait!" shouted Isgerd. Aesa wanted to show the others she was not selfish or impetuous like Magnus and some of her other kin suggested. She noticed a mushroom farm on her way to the last door but ignored it. She knew something important had to be here. If she were first to discover it and make sure the room was safe for the others, they would understand that she was equal to Magnus. She came to the bronze doors. She had never seen so many arcane symbols. Many of them looked like warnings and protective glyphs. Aesa could tell the wards were all compromised. The norns do not punish the bold. Aesa tapped at the door with a device from her bag. Nothing happened. She pushed the doors open and looked inside just as she heard Isgerd shout to stop. The room was much larger than Aesa had expected. To her eyes it had been the treasury for Hermes. Since he was god of thieves, it did not surprise her that the room was empty. Mirrors lined the walls to reflect the treasure hoard like an endless river. Magic torches lit the room. Aesa imagined what gold would look like reflected hundreds of times. The floor and ceiling of this chamber was also covered in broken glyphs. In the center of the room was an enormous statue of a bearded man holding a thunderbolt. Next to him was a crystal coffin case, twice the length of a man. It lit the room with random bright blue-white light that charged the room with static electricity. Aesa walked over to inspect the sarcophagus. The crystal case rested on a marble base with an ancient Welkin inscription. Aesa read it. "Here lies the earthly remains of my Lord Zeus, destroyed in the year 1076 at the battle of Faltor. He sacrificed himself to shield us from the doom that faces us all. Zeus was brought here by his last follower, not even a priest, just a pius wizard and Pallas Athena, best of the gods remaining who carried his arm here herself, sealing the crypt with her tears. If the arm accepts you, then you will wield great power. If not, you will be destroyed. Aesa grinned. She skipped over to the case. A well muscled arm the size of a giant lay inside. It twitched and electricity raised her hair. She inspected the coffin looking for magical wards or mechanical traps. Aesa was confident she could activate the arm. She would lead the charges into battle henceforth. She gently lifted the arm from the crystal resting place and turned toward the door. Her kin had just arrived and were all shouting at her. The hand on the arm of Zeus squeezed her bicep so hard she winced in pain. Startled she pushed back. The Arm of Zeus fired a massive bolt of energy right at her kin. Aesa was launched into the marble base where the coffin lay and saw stars. The crystal coffin fell to the floor, shattering. The last thing Aesa saw before blacking out was the room filling with thick smoke. |
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