When Oikos came into view, Magnus and the others readied for battle. A few fishing vessels fled at the approach of Thor's Fury. The harbor had no waiting warships. A few merchant ships were docked and anchored. Thor's Fury and the two knarr ships took the time to set anchors and tie lines to the wharf. Sigurd signaled the crew to go to shore. A few men stayed behind to guard the ships. Storage buildings lined the shore. They were open-aired buildings with tall fluted columns and tiled roofs. Sigurd pointed and the crew followed his instructions, inspecting the wares in each building and hauling food, silk, and spices back to the knarr ships.
Olaf's bow was notched. His eyes darted from street to street. Magnus gripped his ax ready to strike down many foes.
"I don't like this. Where are the guards?" asked Olaf.
"They must be afraid of us." said Magnus.
"Why should they be afraid of us! We are just humble merchants looking to trade." said Aesa.
"Speak for yourself Aesa, I am here to plunder." said Sigurd.
They could see a large number of dirty shacks and poorly constructed homes just west of the docks along the shoreline. A few peasants in dirty linen tunics and short chitons strode away from the northmen, half-glancing their way as if hoping that if they did not look directly at the raiders Sigurd's crew would leave them alone.
"This is boring. I'm going shopping!" said Aesa.
"What?" asked Sigurd.
Aesa pointed to a group of colorful tents and small buildings. "That area. I am going shopping over at those tents. I will take Magnus and Olaf to assist me. I've heard Welkins have invented many strange devices. I need them to explain these devices and sell them to me." she said.
"Why not just take what you want and demand they teach the devices to you or you will make them your thrall or teach them the troll language? That should be enough to make any Welkin do what you ask." said Magnus.
"Magnus, that is not being helpful. Now be a good kinsman and come with me." she said.
Magnus had seen Aesa like this many times and he did not relish being her pack animal.
Aesa gave Magnus that look. It always worked. Sometimes it felt like the pleading look of an innocent child begging not to be disappointed. Sometimes it looked like a challenge to his manhood. Sometimes it was something else that Magnus couldn't explain. Magnus knew better than to argue. Besides, that look always meant trouble was coming, and where there was trouble Magnus happily followed. He grabbed Olaf and roughly positioned him to watch their back as they padded away from the rest of the group.
"What now?" asked Sigurd.
"There! I saw it again!" said Isgerd.
"What?" asked Sigurd.
"Something. A flash of light. Something shiny." she said.
Isgerd walked erratically, following her own norns away from Sigurd and toward a secluded glen at the edge of the town.
"Has everyone lost their minds? Loki must be near. Kara and Hildagunn, be on guard. We will follow Isgerd, but I have a feeling that luck may have turned against us." said Sigurd.
Aesa skipped all the way to the open-air market. Magnus and Olaf did their best to follow, being certain not to skip and alert for trouble. Many of the Welkin merchants fled their booths as the group approached. Aesa pranced over to one of the men who stayed. He looked nervous but hopeful. Aesa began fondling the many wares on the table. She looked in fascination at a fancy hand mirror. In broken Welkin language, Aesa asked, "How much for this shiny thing?" Magnus loomed behind her like a bipedal bear, his ax gripped like a thing too small for such a big man. The Welkin merchant looked at Aesa, then looked up at Magnus before speaking.
"Four...um...th-three welkin pieces for the mirror." he said.
"I don't have any local coins. What will this diamond buy?" asked Aesa.
The merchant pulled a small magnifying device from his pocket. He looked carefully at the gem with the lens, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
"T-take whatever you want. The diamond is worth more than all my wares." he said.
Aesa grinned like a child in a candy store. "Praise the troll gods!" she said.
Aesa handled a collapsible bronze device. "What is it?" she asked.
"This is a captain's telescope for sea travel. Look through the short end, expand the device and you will see a long distance away."
Aesa look up Magnus nose with the telescope and gasped. "This should come with a warning label!" she said.
I'll take this televiewer. I will take your gem lens. Throw in some sulfur sticks, some silk rope and a merchant scale and we will leave you in peace."
The merchant was very pleased. Other merchants returned to their tents as they realized that the northmen were not going to kill them.
"Is this Oikos?" asked Olaf. Olaf was proficient in the Welkin language. Most skalds learned it as part of their training. Olaf translated for Aesa when necessary.
"Yes, this is Oikos." said the man.
"Do the Welkins rule themselves or do Lokispawn run Oikos?" asked Olaf.
"Lokispawn?"
"Hideous monsters."
"Oh, Fragwarmog runs this town. He is hideous and cruel. There is no freedom here. We give most of what we earn to him. If we don't he makes us his personal slaves. Fragwarmog's personal slaves do not live more than a few months. If they are lucky they die sooner."
"Frogwarmog sounds like a powerful monster."
"Frogmwarmog could not rule without his companion. His beast goes with him wherever he travels. The creature is ten foot tall and has the brawn to rip a man in two, but can use magic to force a man to do his bidding."
"You have been helpful sir. What is your name?" asked Olaf.
"I am Codros." he said.
"Well Codros, I have decided we are going to kill Frogwarmog and his beast for you. You are no fun to raid, if you don't have anything to take. I bet Frogwarmog has many riches." said Aesa
"Do not! Frogwarmog is a fool, but he is powerful in magic. You will become his slaves and he will enact his revenge on the citizens of Oikos for daring to resist him." said Codros.
"Fragwarmog has never met Magnus." said Aesa pointing up to Magnus.
Magnus grinned broadly. This day was starting to improve. He did not know much of what was said. They were speaking to fast. But he understood that his ax would not be left with nothing to do.
"Where does this Frog guy live?" asked Aesa.
"He lives in the dark tower near the center of town, but I beg you, leave him be. Take what you want from us, we are used to going without. If you anger Frogwarmog, all will die. Even if you do manage to kill him, reinforcements will come from Pnulake within a week." said Codros.
Aesa put the telescope to her eye. She looked in the direction Codros had pointed until she saw the dark tower. She was looking for concealed exits and to see if there were any hidden enemy forces or siege weapons. Satisfied, she collapsed the device with authority and motioned for Magnus to pack her purchases in his bag.
Magnus stuffed the items in his bag and stuffed his face with honey cakes that were set aside for Codros. Then they began marching toward the dark tower.
"I have a plan." said Aesa.
"Does it involve killing?" asked Magnus?
"Yes!" said Aesa.
"We could just gather up a few Welkin wenches and get drunk." said Olaf.
"Don't be dull Olaf. This will be fun!" said Aesa.
"Must be something Codros said. I feel this is ill-fated." said Olaf.
"Nonsense! The gods love us. How can killing Lokispawn be bad?" asked Aesa.
"You make a good point. You can't outrun the Norns, and not too many people can outrun you Aesa, so let us win glory today." said Olaf.
Magnus grunted approval.
Sigurd called a halt. They had been chasing Isgerd all around Oikos. Isgerd had been chasing a thrush just as far. The thrush seemed to be happily unaware of all the attention, landing wherever a quick meal could be found.
"Isgerd we need to focus on raiding. If you want to chase birds, why don't you just turn into one and you can go mate with him." said Sigurd
"Tush! That is rude, even for you! He's so shiny! Can't you see him? He's trying to tell me something. So if you will be so kind as to stop talking, I can find out what he has to tell us." said Isgerd.
Sigurd, Kara and Hildagunn formed a protective circle around Isgerd and the bird in case enemies approached.
"Why do they think you are a bird?" asked Isgerd.
"How can you see me?" asked the thrush.
"You stick out like a sword in a fresh corpse!" said Isgerd.
"Ah, barbarians. I forget how much you love violence." said the thrush.
"We do not love violence. We seek glory to honor the gods so that we will be remembered. How do you know the Thorsen language? You are not a northman. What exactly are you?" she asked.
"I know all the languages of men." said the bird.
"You are so beautiful! So shiny! What may I call you shining one?" she asked.
"That will do for now. Call me the shining one." he said.
"I sense you have been with us for a while. Are you following us?" asked Isgerd.
"I believe you are important. You have something that has remained hidden for a very long time." he said.
"I do not know what you speak of, but if you are a threat to my kin, I will do whatever it takes to stop you." said Isgerd.
"You do know what I mean. I am just observing. I am very tired. I have been waiting a long time for you." he said.
"Well if you are not going to help, you can stand in Hel's way while we mortals dance on threads for you." said Isgerd.
"I will aid you if I must. I am no Norn. I feel it is wise to remain unseen until I can see the true path." said the shining one.
"How will you aid us? she asked.
"I must go for now. Forces are gathering. You must find your kinsman before it is too late. I fear I have distracted you long enough. Please leave at once!"
The shining one moved so fast that even Isgerd was unable to track him. When she looked away, she noticed the sun had moved in the sky.
**********
"How long was I talking to the thrush?" Isgerd asked.
"We have been standing here long enough for a skald to sing a saga." said Sigurd.
"We need to run. Run!" said Isgerd.
"Where?" asked Kara.
Isgerd thought hard. She had seen a dark tower in her mind while following the thrush around.
"We need to get to the dark tower at the center of Oikos as fast as we can. Our kin are in great danger!" she said.
Isgerd, Sigurd, Hildagunn and Kara ran as fast as they could. They had seen no signs of resistance in this town, but trouble follows Magnus and Aesa like bears follow a honey comb.
**********
Aesa motioned her kin to stop. The dark tower loomed like a fire giant leg far above them. There was no cover. The tower was constructed to survey everything.
"What do you suggest...We use Magnus for a battering ram?" asked Olaf.
"Not a bad idea. I'm thinking about scaling those walls, getting inside and opening the gate from inside." Aesa said.
"That is the plan?" Olaf asked.
"More like the goal. Plans are fluid. I like to work on them as problems arise." said Aesa.
"Wonderful. Just exceptional really. I could be relaxing with a dozen of the prettiest wenches in town but instead I am standing before a dark tower with a spell casting Lokispawn inside and no plan. Who did I piss off? Odin, I am sorry. I swear to you I will make it up to you. Next time we are in civilization again I make an oath to sacrifice a goat in your honor, if you will only provide me with a nice trollop to sing your praises to and a plan so we can afford to buy you a sacrifice." said Olaf.
Magnus rushed past Olaf just then. He was building momentum as he ran. His ax clanged against his shield in time to his footsteps. He gave a mighty roar and hit the portal to the dark tower with a powerful blow from his ax. The door splintered. Magnus' ax was buried deep into the chest of a massive pukje. Magnus jerked his ax back and the pukje fell at his feet. A second enormous pukje walked over his dead companion to get at Magnus. Without hesitation, Magnus vaulted at this creature, ax raised above his head. The blow struck the pukje in the skull before it could react. The pukje fell in a heap. Magnus cleaned his enemy's brains off of his forehead and readied to take on the next opponent. Three more huge pukje rushed out from the opening and charged Magnus. Magnus smiled. Today would be a good day after all. Five more of the monsters charged out the door. They got past Magnus, giving Olaf and Aesa something to do. Magnus was not a greedy man. His heart was filled with joy, knowing that his kin would get to taste enemy blood today.
Sigurd and the others stopped running long before they reached the tower. Sigurd had never seen anything like it. It was shaped like a man, but was bloated to twenty times the size of one, a trail of slime showed its path from the sea to where it now walked. Four of Thor's Fury's crew had confronted it. They now lie dead in the trail of slime. Something about it seemed familiar. Sigurd stopped pondering this and readied a spear. Kara and Sigurd launched their spears in unison. The spears struck the thing in its massive gullet. Sea water gushed from the wounds. Hildagunn drew on the power of the rainbow bridge and a bolt of lightning burst from her fingers, striking the creature in the side. Now the smell of rotten flesh was overwhelming. The Norgardians resisted the urge to vomit. Isgerd prayed to Odin and used magic to softened the ground beneath the creature. This slowed it down. Sigurd charged with his sword drawn. The creature grabbed him and tried to stuff Sigurd into its belly.
Sigurd resisted but could not breath as seawater enveloped his lungs. The creature was clearly dead, yet it moved. It was then that Sigurd, weak from struggling, recognized this was the corpse of Jarl Soti from Whiting. Kara hit the arm of Jarl Soti with a solid blow from her sword. The arm was cleaved off and Kara was able to pull Sigurd clear from the Jarl's gullet. Sigurd slumped to the ground and did not move. The Jarl fell on top of Sigurd, ignoring Kara, Isgerd and Hildagunn. Kara used a glima wrestling move to push the corpse off of Sigurd again. Hildagunn and Isgerd stabbed the corpse violently with spears. Seawater shot up in all directions, drenching them all. When Kara had Sigurd safely away from Jarl Soti, she joined the other women and continued to attack with her own spear. Gushers of seawater poured out of the Jarl. It got into their noses until everyone was coughing water. Their eyes burned from the saltwater. The Jarl got smaller, but still it tried to get to Sigurd. Finally Soti ceased moving. Isgerd ran over to Sigurd and pressed on his stomach. Sigurd coughed out water and with a deep gasp began breathing again. When his color returned he got up. Hildagunn and Kara had chopped the Jarl into pieces. When they had regained their senses, they heard the sound of battle near the dark tower.
"The battle at the tower has begun while we were distracted. We need to come to the aid of our kin!" said Sigurd.
With no more delay, they began running again toward the dark tower.
**********
Olaf launched another arrow at a massive pukje that was chasing Aesa around a tree. The arrow struck the creature in the leg, slowing his gait. Aesa climbed up the tree while the creature grimaced and kicked him in the face. The pukje grabbed its injured nose with his left hand but thrust a spear at Aesa with the other. Aesa slid down the spear and clubbed him in the jaw with her cudgel. Teeth flew. Olaf fired another arrow at the pukje but was off target. Two men tackled Olaf to the ground.
There were still four pukje in the fight, but twenty men were also in the battle along with one stocky, short man with a beard and ax, and both Lokispawn. The Welkins and the odd short man wore collars around their necks. The Vislakopper who must be Frogwarmog, was covered in greasy fur. Its lower body was not athletic. Its neck and head were eel-like and its mouth was filled with rows of sharp teeth, dripping with a viscous green drool. Frogwarmog was decked in gold necklaces, arm bracelets and earrings. He wielded a whip that was charged with electricity. He wore a belt with several wands strapped to it on his waist. His bodyguard, a mighty Byornskordur was intimidating. He stood over ten foot tall, had a bug-like carapace and a chest wider than a bear.
Magnus fought his way to Olaf. The men held Olaf down while a pukje kicked him in the ribs. Magnus threw his ax at the monster. It struck the pukje in the back of the neck. The creature turned to face Magnus, the ax blade visible through its throat. A stream of blood flew from the wound, the pukje gurgled and then fell dead. Magnus gave a blood curdling yell and rushed the men that had Olaf pinned. The men fled, but then stopped as the collars around their necks charged with energy. The men screamed and fell the their knees.
"Get back into the fight slaves! I want these new slaves collared and obedient before dinner. I have guests arriving and do not want them to see all this blood when they are not hear to enjoy the suffering." said Frogwarmog.
The men renewed their attacks on Magnus and Olaf. The short man was wearing solid metal armor. He charged Aesa. Aesa had never seen anything so well crafted. The two exchanged blows. Aesa could not penetrate his armor with her weapons. The short man was too slow to cleave Aesa with his ax.
"Finally an opponent I can attack at eye level! Are you a pukje?" asked Aesa.
"Are your brains filled with thrim lass? You'd be wise not to piss on my boots. Someday I am going to be free of this collar and ole Frogwarmog will find out what I mean by that." said the short man. The man spoke to her in Thorsen with a strange accent.
"If you want to kill that Lokispawn, just do it!" said Aesa.
"I can't do it lass while I'm wearing this fredgin shock collar! I've tried." He swung wildly at where Aesa had been. Aesa slipped between his legs and stabbed him in the groin. Her dagger bent with an audible clink.
"You got stones lass trying to take mine. Last girl who got a look at my loins walked like a penguin for a month." he said.
"What's a penguin?" she asked as she kicked him in the back of the knee.
"FREDGE! I'm goin easy on you lass. Give an old dwarf a break before I break you in two!" he said.
"If I get you out of that collar will you kill Fartwarthog? What? You are a Dverge?" Aesa asked.
"Dverge? Son of a Duergar! You really are trying to piss on my boots aren't you lass? I'm a dwarf just like my daddy and his daddy." he said.
"Really? What was your momma?" asked Aesa.
The dwarf's face turned red...really red. Vessels in his forehead bulged uncomfortably and froth oozed out of the corner of his mouth mixing with blood as he bit his tongue.
"Son of a DUERGAR! I'll kill you!" he said.
Aesa ran hard, dwarf in fast pursuit. She ran as fast as she could right at the
Byornskordur. At the last moment she stopped, shifted left and ducked. The dwarf barreled into the Byornskordur at full speed. They both went down in a heap. The livid dwarf got to his feet first but fell to his knee grimacing in pain. Frogwarmog had activated the dwarf's shock collar and a pulse of energy forced the dwarf to the ground as he heaved his meager breakfast.
Magnus and Olaf continued to fight furiously. Both of them had taken many blows. Olaf looked paler than usual and was heavily favoring his right leg but he continued to fight hard.
"What do you call a Lokispawn in a meadhall? asked Olaf.
Magnus looked over at Olaf quizzically while punching a man so hard his eyes bled.
"A fat fucker, because it is stuffed and mounted on the wall." said Olaf.
Magnus chuckled. His chuckle grew. Soon he was laughing so hard his sides hurt. He looked over to Olaf as Olaf was struck with a ball of green energy. Olaf screamed in pain. The ball of energy came from Frogwarmog. He directed it with his eyes and struck Olaf again. Olaf stopped screaming and his face turned pale. He turned his eyes toward Magnus, smiled and whispered.
"Tonight I bed a Valkyrie!"
Olaf's body shuddered and his eyes closed. The green ball of energy flew back to Frogwarmog's palm. He gave a toothy grin. "You should surrender yourselves before I have to kill more of you with the pain ball!"
Sigurd, Hildagunn, Kara and Isgerd arrived just as Olaf collapsed. Angered Kara rushed Frogwarmog. Isgerd and Hildagunn began casting spells. Sigurd stood in shock for a moment at what had just happened. Magnus was badly outnumbered. So many bodies had fallen around him that he was having trouble keeping his footing. Aesa ran away from short man with an ax who aimed to kill her until Aesa side-stepped and the man ran into a Byornskordur, felling them both. Aesa looked tired but exhilarated at the same time.
Before Kara could chop the Vislakopper in half, Frogwarmog turned toward her and pointed his wand in her direction. A beam of energy left the wand and struck Kara. Kara was fully aware, but she could not move. She couldn't even drop her weapon. She tried to will her finger to move but nothing happened. Resigned to her fate, she waited for the death blow to come.
The Byornskordur was back on its feet. It seemed to be aware of where everyone was no matter how the northmen tried to sneak behind it. The creature swung it's arm with great force. It struck Sigurd so hard that he was thrown off his feet and landed ten feet away.
Hildagunn finished her spell and struck Frogwarmog with a series of violet bursts of energy. Foagwarmog hissed in anguish and turned to face her. "Dwarf obedient to Frogwarmog, attack that witch and kill her!" Frogwarmog said. The dwarf pulled his attention away from Aesa and turned to face Hildagunn.
"Disable the dverge's shock collar Hildagunn!" said Aesa.
Isgerd concentrated on the gods. Power flowed through her. She pointed at the men. Three of them froze in place, much like Kara had done.
Magnus was angry. This was not his day to go to Valhalla, he was certain of this. Therefore he would not get to enjoy the company of Olaf this evening. Magnus struck the pukje in front of him with his ax so hard that it cleave the pukje and got stuck in the stonework road. Magnus loosed the trollspear from his pack. There were more foes. Time to find out if the trollspear was worthy of glory.
The Byornskordur ambled haughtily toward Kara. She would make a fine slave for his master Frogwarmog. Perhaps when Frogwarmog tired of her, he would give her to him. He clicked his mandible in anticipation of that day. He pulled out a rope from his sachel to secure her when a northman blocked his path, sword in hand. Sigurd struck the Byornskordur so hard he pierced its natural armor. Sigurd twisted his blade to do more damage. When Sigurd removed his blade a steady stream of black ichor poured out of the wound. The Byornskordur swung at Sigurd. It struck his shield hard enough to sunder it. Sigurd's shield came from the ancient ruins of the Fluesom dungeon. It was not damaged by the blow, although Sigurd's arm went numb from the force.
Isgerd cast another spell. Three more men were immobilized. She would be pleased, but five men were still charging her. She had to give up on praying for spells in order to defend herself from the attacks.
Hildagunn directed her powers on the dverge's shock collar. She focused her thoughts on canceling its magic power. The shock collar glowed brilliant white then faded dull. It fell at the dverge's feet.
"Holy Thrim I'm free!" The dwarf channeled his new found freedom into thoughts of who took it from him to begin with. His eyes looked devilish as he rushed Frogwarmog, ax raised. Frogwarmog directed his painball and struck the dwarf before he could get to the Lokispawn.
"Fredge that tickles! You...will...pay...!" said the dwarf. Shaking with pain, the dwarf managed to get off of his knees and staggered toward Frogwarmog. The painball circled the dwarf stinging him again and again. With crazed eyes, the dwarf was now in a full charge. He struck the Vislakopper hard enough with his ax to sever his hand. Frogwarmog was wielding a wand but it fell to the ground. The Lokispawn bit the dwarf in the shoulder. Green venom ran down the dwarf's armor. The dwarf's neck turned an angry red color from the wound.
"It is time for you to die! Dwarves are lousy slaves anyway." said Frogwarmog.
"You ain't got the stones to kill me." said the dwarf.
A dagger forced its way through Frogwarmog's chest. It looked back at Aesa, began shaking like a leaf in the wind and fell dead.
"What did you do lass?" asked the dwarf.
"I guess he was carrying a poisoned dagger. He shouldn't have left it on his belt where I could find it." said Aesa.
"You got big stones girl. I forgive you for talking about my mother. I'm Ignatius Blastfurnace. Friends call my Iggy. Let's go kill a big bug."
Aesa nodded and the two of them joined Sigurd who had taken several more blows from the Byornskordur. The creature seemed to feel them coming and swung at them. Ignatius and Aesa were short enough that they easily ducked the blow. Ignatius left his feet and tacked the creature by the leg, while Aesa threw daggers at it. Hildagunn hit the creature with a series of energy blasts. Sigurd struck it again with his sword. The Byornskordur kicked Ignatius hard. The dwarf was tossed against a column and went down with a thud. Sigurd felt confused. He wasn't sure why he was here. He remembered insulting King Sigurd. Why did he do that? He needed to be somewhere. But where? He wandered away from this strange group of people shaking his head and trying to clear the cobwebs. The Byornskordur had used this power many times to put slaves in a stupor. This slave was no different. Now to subdue the dwarf and the little girl and attend to his master.
Aesa focused. The Byornskordur was tough and alien. This was not some pukje that would be easily fooled. Sigurd had succumbed to its magic. The creature had beaten the dwarf. His master had immobilized Kara. Now it would kill Hildagunn and Isgerd who were no match for it's strength. She thought about the painball. How did Frogwarmog control it? Aesa had some practice with magic. She understood the basics of how to get magical devices to work. She imagined in her mind that the painball was active. It started to glow green. She tried to lift it with her mind. The painball lifted and then pinged back to the ground before rolling to a stop. Aesa became more determined. "Damn it, strike the Byornskordur!" she thought. The painball rose from the ground and moved with great velocity toward the lokispawn. It struck him again and again and again. The Byornskordur roared, but the painball kept hitting it. Hildagunn cast another volley of energy bolts at it. Ignatius shook off the trauma he had suffered and charged the monster. He struck it behind the knee with his axe. Magnus had run out of opponents. He noticed what was happening and tossed his trollspear with all his might. It pierced the Lokispawn in the shoulder and stuck there. The creature struck Ignatius again with such force the dwarf fell down and did not move. Again Aesa struck it with the painball. The creature turned toward Aesa. It's multi-eyed face swirled in a mesmerizing pattern.
"Not on me you don't!" said Aesa. The painball struck the creature one more time. It fell with a thud and did not move. When the Byornskordur fell, Sigurd shook himself free of the confusion he had felt and noticed the battle was almost won. He had lost several minutes of time.
The Norgardians looked around just as Isgerd killed the last of Frogwarmog's men. The battle was over. Olaf lay among the fallen. There was nothing Isgerd could do for the man. The Valkyries had already taken his spirit to Valhalla.
Aesa ran over and pushed Isgerd out of the way. "No, no, no, no, no!" Aesa said.
She kicked Olaf. "You selfish bastard!" Then, she fell over Olaf's body protectively and sobbed.
Magnus felt shame. It was his fault Olaf was dead. He let his guard down when Olaf told his joke and did not do enough to protect his kin. Olaf was kin but he could not let Aesa crumble in a foreign town.
"Aesa, Olaf was our kin. We all feel sorrow. It am to blame. I did not protect him. Direct your anger at me." said Magnus.
"Your kin? Your kin!? He was my BROTHER! How could you be so STUPID!" she said.
"Aesa, none of us knew Olaf was your brother. Why did you hide this?" asked Isgerd.
"Because! Because if anyone knew we were siblings they would have kidnapped or killed Olaf in retribution. I have enemies. Only Olaf knew we were siblings. Now I am alone." said Aesa.
"This is my fault. I insulted King Sigurd. He cursed us. We faced Jarl Soti on our way here. That is why we were late." said Sigurd.
"None of you are to blame. The Norns cut his cord. He fought gloriously and helped to kill many foes. Let's find out what he died for. The dark tower is ours. After we have looted the tower we can return his body to Thor's Fury." said Hildagunn.
Magnus and Sigurd looked at Aesa for approval as they reached for Olaf. Aesa nodded. They lifted Olaf up and carried him to the tower. Isgerd tended the wounded.
Hildagunn freed Kara of the charm she was under; and along with Aesa looted the bodies. They came upon Ignatius the dverge in his plated armor.
"What do we do about this one?" asked Kara.
"Make sure he's dead?" asked Hildagunn.
"No don't kill him. He's tough. I don't think he really wanted to fight us." Drag him to Isgerd and see if she can revive him...but let me check him first...he might have valuables we want for ourselves." said Aesa.
Hildagunn shook her head in dismay over Aesa. Aesa rifled through the dverge's packs. When she was satisfied she nodded. It took all three of them to drag Ignatius to the tower.
"Damn he's heavy!" said Aesa.
"Well if you would help, he'd be a little lighter!" said Kara.
Ignatius not only proved to be heavy but tougher than Magnus's twice hard-broiled steak. Isgerd saved his life and was surprised that the gods helped her heal the dverge.
"Fredge that was fun! Let's do it again! I ain't beat a bug like that in fifty years!" said Ignatius.
"You are not bound to us dverge. If you want to go your own way we won't stop you!" said Aesa.
"Pttft! BOUND TO YOU! What kind of thrim is bubbling up from your ass into your brain girl? I am Ignatius Granitehand Blastfurance the Fourth! You ain't got the stones to bind me to nothin and you sure as thrim couldn't stop me if I wanted to do something." said Ignatius.
"Does that mean you are leaving?" asked Aesa.
"No it does NOT mean I am leaving. It means I will go where I want and right now I am going with you. If you have a problem with that let me know and I can send you to an early grave after my next convenient break for beer." said Ignatius.
"You are making my ears bleed with all that shouting and your spittle is kind of nasty. Maybe you could tone it down a bit. We can hear you, even if you are short." said Aesa.
Ignatius's face turned beet red. Then it turned purple. Steam came out of his mouth. Just as fast his color returned to normal. "You're trying to get my beard in a twist. It won't work lass. A dwarf only kills when he has to, and I plan on being the better person, even though you have wounded me hard with your words." said Ignatius.
"You won't be the first to try to kill her dverge. She has a talent for finding enemies." said Magnus.
"Sigurd, can you take Olaf back to the ship. Bring back anybody who is available. If Fragwarmog has any surprises for us, we will need every Norgardian on hand to help." said Isgerd.
"I was hoping to get a look inside that tower...but, I have not listened to wise council too often of late. I will do as you ask, Isgerd." said Sigurd.
"Thank you Sigurd." said Isgerd.
Sigurd lifted Olaf onto his shoulder and headed back to the docks. The others headed inside the dark tower. Aesa was in the lead with Magnus and Kara very close behind her. The lower levels smelled of human excrement and death. The lower portion of the tower was used as a dungeon and torture chamber. Many humans were chained in cells, some were still alive. All had been tortured. Screams rang out randomly. There appeared to be no enemies for the Norgardians to fight, yet these unfortunate people were still being tormented by unseen demons. Aesa unlocked the cages and took the time to release anyone who could still move. Some attacked her and Magnus killed them on the spot. Others wandered aimless. A few held onto a shred of sanity and ran for the exit.
Aesa found the tower staircase. She moved slow; checking diligently for traps. The others looked for signs of tower guards. At the top of the staircase they came to a door with no lock. Aesa tried her tools but could not find a way in.
"Let me try." said Hildagunn.
The others stepped aside. Hildagunn concentrated for a moment and then thought about the door. She could see the magical lock that Frogwarmog left in place. It was elaborate. It was set by someone who liked inflicting pain, but Hildagunn could see its weak point...vanity. There was an audible click and the door swung open.
Beyond, the room was furnished with silk drapes, ornate furniture and expensive crystal. There were paintings with scenes of unknown places. A canopy bed with curtains and elaborate posts centered the room. The bed was covered with expensive velvet pillows. Isgerd did not want to know what took place there.
Aesa focused on a large chest near a fancy mahogany writing desk. The chest was the sort that you carried on a sea ship if you wanted to keep everyone else out of your belongings. Aesa felt she was up to the challenge and motioned everyone away.
Her kin stood back. The lock was not that complex. It must be trapped. Ah, Aesa could see the trap. She removed it with ease and unlocked the padlock. When the padlock opened, Aesa was struck with a needle. "Poison!" she said as she passed out.
Isgerd rushed to help Aesa. She spoke with the gods and touched Aesa. A warm, tingling sensation informed Isgerd that Aesa would be alright. The poison was meant to knock out the recipient, no doubt so Frogwarmog could torment the transgressor later.
"Aesa will be fine. She should wake up soon." said Isgerd.
"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" asked Hildagunn.
"Yes." said Isgerd.
Isgerd started to open one of Aesa's packs.
"I agree that Aesa takes things without asking, but her packs are private. If she has taken things it will be a blow to her honor if you discover this before she has returned them on her own." said Magnus.
"I'm curious too!" said Kara.
"I'm just here to help, but there is a dwarven saying that goes, if you find the source of your missing gold, you should make that source corpse cold." said Ignatius.
"Thanks for the advice dverge, but Aesa is our kin. She's not a thief, she's just a little Loki-mad sometimes. It usually works to our advantage, but sometimes there are side-effects like unequal distribution of wealth." said Isgerd.
"Okay lass, no need to get angry. I didn't come up with the saying! Just open the satchel. The suspense is killing me!" said Ignatius.
Isgerd placed Aesa's bag on the mahogany desk and opened it. The satchel was lined with pockets, pockets within pockets, and concealed pockets. Isgerd found bags of troll-eyed diamonds, ancient gold coins, paint brushes, Magnus's whale bone beard comb, mirrors, rope, strange devices, seven healing potions, three wands, a dozen silver bracelets, a gold ring, several bottles marked poison, several bottles marked antidote, Frogwarmog's bullwhip, chalk, the painball, the key to Thor's tomb, a shock collar, a chunk of cheese wrapped in oil paper, several maps and parchments, and many tools among other items of questionable worth.
"Are you looking through my things?" asked Aesa. Aesa was still lying on the floor where they left her.
Isgerd and the others looked at Aesa, like the children who were just caught taking extra candy from the confectionery's shop. Aesa got up off the ground and swiftly grabbed her bag.
"You want my stuff, keep it!" said Aesa.
"Aesa, we are sorry. You have to admit that if those wands have magic power it would be wise to identify them so we can use them with proper care." said Hildagunn.
"I wasn't going to keep those wands. I saw them and thought I could learn how they worked on my own. I know a lot about magic. We shouldn't tax your strength on trivial things." said Aesa.
"What if one of those wands held evocation power? You could have been killed by some demon...or you might have killed someone else. Magic is a power that the gods spilled on Midgard by accident. It is unpredictable and dangerous, even when all it does is pull a rabbit out of a hat." said Hildagunn.
"Why would somebody make a magic item to do that?" asked Aesa.
"Maybe we should focus on what is in the chest." said Ignatius.
"Can I have my beard comb back? It belonged to my uncle." asked Magnus.
"Sure Magnus. I was wondering when you were going to notice it was missing." said Aesa.
Magnus grabbed his comb. Aesa scooped everything else back into her bag except the wands and approached the chest like a fawn that smells wolves.
Ignatius reached for the lid of the chest and Aesa slapped his hand.
"I didn't say all the traps were removed!" said Aesa.
Ignatius and the others stood back. Aesa examined the hinges on the chest. She fumbled with her bag, eventually finding the correct size pliers. When she found them she gave her kin a look to show why it was important not to mess with her bag. Like a surgeon, she teased the almost invisible wires free of the hinges. When they were free, she lifted the lid. The others rushed forward to look, but she motioned for them to stop. Aesa fumbled in her bag and pulled out an iron helmet, padded with some odd material. She placed it on her head and donned some thick gloves. Then she reached into the chest, grabbed a small box from within and ran with it to the tower window. She hurtled the box out the window. A few seconds later the tower shook from the power of an explosive blast. When she returned she took off the heavy protection and carefully placed it back in her bag.
"Fragwart was a pukje's ass dimple." said Aesa.
"Thanks for slapping me back lass, that blast would have blown my arms off." said Ignatius.
"Trust is important to any successful adventure." said Aesa.
The others waited for Aesa to inspect the chest. Aesa set the items on the desk for all to see. There were five bottles of expensive Welkin wine. There were some elaborate jeweled necklaces made of gold and sapphires, a hoard of Welkin currency (silver), a hoard of Uppsala pieces (gold), a bag filled with black pearls, a ring, two pairs of boots, a fine cloak, and another wand, as well as two maps and some handwritten notes.
Hildagunn cast a spell over the items on the table. All of the wands were magical, including the wands Aesa had secreted away in her bag. The ring, boots and cloak were also magic. These items were useful, but were made by men. Their powers were limited. Hildagunn, Isgerd and Aesa each picked a wand. Hildagunn's wand could strike a person for damage which could disrupt spell casters. Isgerd's wand could provide additional healing. Aesa's wand could hold a person in place; unable to move. Kara took a pair of boots that would help her run faster and be more nimble. Aesa took cloak and boots that would help her blend in when outdoors. Hildagunn took a ring that would make her harder to strike with melee weapons. The treasure was divided. The kin decided to include Ignatius in the division of goods. They also saved a share for Sigurd.
One map was in the design of a crab shaped building with many legs. It was labeled Temple of Canarach. It gave a list of names with the formulaic titles human sub-priest obedient to Canarach god of the people of the stars. Canarach was the god of the
Vislakoppers. The purpose of the god seemed to be to enslave all non-Vislakoppers. More important than the theology lesson, there was a list of treasure kept in the divine vaults.
"Thirty priests? Sounds like an invitation to raid!" said Magnus.
The second map was the plans for a citadel. The citadel was labeled Temple of Ares. Ares was a Welkin deity, not well-liked even by the Welkins.
"Notes indicate that the priests of Ares are working with the priests of Canarach to build an army." said Aesa.
"An army of Welkins couldn't fight their way out of a meadhall on Thorsday." said Magnus.
"Let's take everything of value out of this tower, find Sigurd and cleanse those temples of filth." said Isgerd.
Northmen were very good at raiding. Within a few minutes, everything of value except the large furniture had been organized, packed and carried down to the ships. Frogwarmog's killers were surprised when they arrived at the docks. The men from Whiting had been freed from the holds and were armed and listening to Sigurd. Four other ships were docked; the drakkar and three more knarr ships from Norgard. They were not lost at sea, victims of Thor's anger.
Sigurd briefed Isgerd and the others one what had occurred after he left, and Isgerd informed him of the temples.
"I decided to free the men from Whiting. Too many have died. King Sigurd had three more sons on that sinking ship. They have agreed to help us raid in exchange for a share of the loot and passage home." said Sigurd.
"This is a wise course." said Isgerd.
"The men from the drakkar were pushed a great distance off course. They suspected we would raid Oikos so came here to see if we had survived. They are eager to raid." said Sigurd.
"Lead them all to the temple of Frogwarmog." said Magnus.
"The temple of what?" asked Sigurd.
"Follow me. There are riches guarded by worms." said Magnus.
Word had already spread in Oikos that Frogwarmog was dead. His body and that of his large bodyguard were being paraded through the town. People were throwing garbage and chamber pots at the bodies. The Welkins who carried the bodies were pelted as often as the Lokispawn but did not complain. The citizens of Oikos now ignored what the northmen were doing. They assumed the northmen were liberators, but were not going to get close enough to make sure their assumptions were correct.
When the Norgardians arrived at the temple of Canarach they considered ramming the door and attacking the priests. As they got closer to the temple, Isgerd couldn't shake the feeling this place was an abomination. Isgerd was not a fan of dogma. The gods decide what is fated. Still, this place made her angry. She felt it was her responsibility to raze this temple. She looked at her kin and the other northmen and could see they were also repulsed by the place.
Magnus took his ax and cut some boards into wedges. He passed them down the line and men hammered them under the doors and widow sills. Someone lit a torch. Soon, dozens of torches were lit. Men threw them on the thatched roof. Others lit the walls, which were constructed of strong timbers. Some poured thick pitch on the walls to speed the process. Soon the temple was an inferno. The flames danced crimson, gold and blue circles as they lifted to the sky. When the screams faded and the temple was destroyed, the men formed a brigade, bringing buckets of water from the wells, fountains and shoreline to cool the hot mass. There was little left. The precious metal was gathered after it cooled. Gems and jewelry were bagged. Even the charred skeletal remains of the priest were inspected and looted if any hard booty remained in their possession.
Sigurd wondered why the priest of Ares did not come to the aid of the priests of Canarach. The temples were line of sight from each other. The priests of Ares had to be aware that this temple had burned. Some men were sent back to the ships with the booty, the rest followed Sigurd and the others to the temple of Ares.
The temple was really a fort. It had archers' towers, gates, and solid stone walls. This place would not burn to the ground with the aid of a few torches. Still, none of the northmen felt the same disgust for this place that they felt when approaching the temple of Canarach.
"This place will not be easy to take. We may need to construct battering rams, and catapults." said Sigurd.
"They are coming to us." said Hildagunn.
Sigurd and the others looked to wear Hildagunn had gestured.
An army of men in armor were approaching and the main gate opened. These men were armed with several weapons each.
As they approached Kara noticed something odd. The front line troops were not armored or armed at all. The armor and weapons were grafted into their stretched skin. She also noticed their dead eyes, or in some cases no eyes at all.
"They are dead! All but the priests and a few soldiers in the back are dead!" Kara exclaimed.
Some of the northmen started to fall back. When the dead were angry enough to fight it was always a sign that the gods were involved.
"Hold your ground!" said Isgerd.
"Whether they are zombies or ghasts, they are slow. Lead them to the center of our group and we will flank them!" shouted Sigurd.
The men waited. These zombies of Ares were not acting as Sigurd predicted. They were fast. They lowered their weapons in a charge and silent as the wind rushed into the mass of northmen. The priests of Ares chanted spells to further strengthen the power of the undead soldiers.
Magnus struck the first Ares zombie with great force. His ax passed through the shoulder and rib cage of the warrior, but it continued to fight. Magnus bashed it with his shield over and over. The force of his shield attack knocked the head and neck from the zombie's body. It finally crumpled, no longer moving. This battle would be difficult.
Hildagunn cast a flame spell. Fire jetted from her hand striking three Ares zombies. She expected them to burst into flames, but the fire soon extinguished, leaving the smell of smoking rotted flesh and red hot metal.
Kara and Sigurd noticed the problems that Magnus had with his ax and stitched to using their spears as bashing weapons. They focused on breaking legs and disabling weapons arms.
Ignatius was wearing heavy armor. He had experienced Ares Zombies many years ago and did not like the memory. He lowered his helmet and used his armor to bash his way through the throng. There was not much that could harm a well armored dwarf, or at least that was his theory. If he could get to the priests behind these things, he could do great deeds!
Isgerd had read that some priests had the power to destroy necromantic constructs. Her powers came from Odin, Frey and Frigga. The dead in her culture were teaching tools, meant to remind the living the importance of honoring fallen warriors. These warriors, while fallen had been constructed without honor. Isgerd looked around. She noticed there were shrubs and small trees growing through the pavement near the battle. That was all she needed.
Aesa pulled the painball out of her bag and hurled it at the nearest zombie. It ignored the painball and struck her with a spear in the foot. The pain reminded her that while the living could still feel, the dead did not.
The battle continued with great intensity. The sight of the zombies with skin stretched tight over weapons and armor was repulsive. The silence of their attacks and their final destruction was contrasted with the battle roar of the northmen and their anguished deaths. Still, the northmen were gaining momentum.
Isgerd used magic to get the vegetation to grow rapidly. The vegetation tangled around the zombies. The vines and branches entwined around legs, through mouths and around arms.
Ignatius got behind the lines of Ares zombies and began hacking at the priests. Several casts spells on him, hoping to stop the dwarf, but Ignatius shook them off and continued to hack with his ax. The soldiers assigned to protect the priests were not used to fighting such a short opponent. They attacked too high again and again or glanced blows off of his helmet. Ignatius hamstrung opponent after opponent.
Aesa knew she was not much good against the zombies so she slipped through their ranks and aided Ignatius. She pulled out Frogwarmog's whip and began swinging it around. It cracked with Thor's power. Lightning cracked and she struck two priests with it causing them to drop in pain. The sound from the whip rendered the priests deaf. Aesa rolled the painball through the crowd. One man reached over to pick it up. Aesa mentally commanded the painball and it struck him between the eyes. He fell to ground in pain and did not get up.
The chaos Aesa and Ignatius caused allowed the mass of northmen to hack the Ares zombies to pieces. Soon only a few priest remained. When the last of Ares followers had perished, the northman entered the citadel. There were enough arrows, spears, swords and shields to supply a large army. Magnus destroyed a room that was devoted to the creation of Ares zombies. The raiders found a large hoard of silver Welkin coins and a smaller hoard of gold. Aesa found more notes indicating that the Ares zombies were being mass produced for an invasion of the north lands. The Lokispawn would lead, the Ares zombies would destroy, and the priests would enslave the northern lands.
The raiders stayed in Oikos for another week. The ships were as full as the captains dared make them and still be seaworthy. The Norgardians confiscated six Welkin cargo ships while staying in Oikos. Two they gave to King Sigurd's sons. The people of Whiting loaded up their vessels and returned home.
The people of Oikos, while not ready to consider the raiders heroes, were content to pillage whatever goods the northman could not carry. These Welkins had suffered much under the rule of Frogwarmog. Conquest by another band of humans seemed kind in comparison. Too, the citizens knew the raiders would go home soon.
When Sigurd and the others were ready to leave, a small group of Welkins arrived at the dock. They were led by the merchant Codros.
"I have been elected leader of Oikos for one year. I want you to know it was wrong for me to try to discourage you from killing Frogwarmog. Death is better than slavery...always. I know your people worship death. I have brought you a token. It is tradition among Welkins to give the ferryman a gold coin to carry across the river Styx when one dies. I have a coin for each of you. Please take it as my gift." said Codros.
Sigurd took the offer as Thor's Fury left shore.
"We are honored by your gesture Codros. May your people prosper...so that next time we come, there is something worth taking!" said Sigurd.
"Ah! Hahaha! You joke! You do joke?" asked Codros.
Sigurd did not respond but he did wave goodbye. Magnus smiled cheerfully. Aesa pointed for Codros to look down. Codros looked down at the dock boards where he was standing around a series of huge letters written in chalk. It said in Welkin. "Aesa was here!"
It would take the rest of the summer to return home to Norgard. The gods preserved Olaf's body for the journey. It looked like he was asleep. The dwarf spent a lot of time fishing and swearing. Swearing seemed to be how "Iggy" as he liked to be called thought fish were lured in. Sigurd decided to take up the trade of Skald. He wasn't very good, but he decided it would be his life goal to learn what Olaf knew as a skald. From time to time, Isgerd thought she caught a glimpse of something very shiny in the distance, like a mirror or a boat made of silver. Whenever she glanced in the same place again it was gone. They were being watched. Isgerd pondered about this often.