"Let me attend to your wounds." said Isgerd.
"Thank you Isgerd. You may use Odin's seid magic on my wound. I know about your gift. I am very difficult to keep secrets from. Don't worry I won't tell the big oaf!" said Aesa.
Isgerd sighed. "How long have you known?"
"I have suspected for several years."
"Odin has given me many gifts. They are a burden when so much mistrust surrounds any use of magic."
"Magnus is not as slow as he seems. He will find out eventually. It is best not to hide your gifts from your kin for long. I suspect our journey together is just beginning and we must learn to trust each other."
"We will perform many great deeds together."
"You have second sight don't you?"
"Yes."
"Don't tell Magnus about that. He might grumble about magic, but if he thinks you can see the future, he will constantly hound you with questions about who will win this or that bet. There will be no end to your suffering."
Isgerd laughed.
"What are you women talking about?" said Magnus.
"We are discussing how you can eat fifty raw eels and then ask why nobody wants to get near your breath." said Aesa.
"I have to keep up my strength to defend you from everyone that wants to kill you." said Magnus.
"Ah Magnus, always charming." she said.
The group made a small fire and had some fried fish before setting out. Each were ready to leave this place and get back home. The Norgardians noticed how much better they felt after a good rest.
"The gods must be pleased with us." said Olaf.
The others nodded in agreement. When the meal was finished they decided to let Aesa lead. She could use the key to Thor's tomb to see in the dark. They were out of torches so this was a great boon. Everyone tied themselves to the person in front of them so as to not get lost. Wordless they plunged back into the water, weapons drawn, using their other senses to be ready for danger. They had no more trouble with skum since the attack on the island. Perhaps those nasty creatures had tasted enough death.
The group plodded through the water for several tedious hours when Aesa came to a stop. The key to Thor's tomb provided just enough green light to help the others make out shadows.
"Wait! This area with the floral pattern must be the way out." She said.
"We passed this spot several times now. Why do you think so?" asked Sigurd.
Aesa pointed. Look through that pile of rubble. If you squint your eyes you will see the faintest sign of light. It must be daytime. We must have passed this spot when it was dark. Where there is daylight, there is a way out." she said.
Eager, the group began digging through the rubble. Magnus removed several rocks that would have kept them buried forever. It was slow going, but enough rubble was cleared to see a straight passage that inclined. The light came from small cracks in the ceiling that let in some light from outside. The passage ended at a wall.
"It would take a long time to break through to the outside from this passage. There must be another way out." said Sigurd.
Aesa concentrated on the orb. The green strobing light intensified enough to make the room visible to the naked eye.
"Stay back. If I am right and this passage connects to the pukje lair I discovered before we went through the map entrance, the way out of here could be dangerous. We don't want to alert the pukje before we are ready for them!" she said.
The others waited while Aesa searched. Aesa pulled out some special tools for breaking into places that are meant to be secure. Owning them could get her outlawed, but her kin couldn't see what she was doing. She listened to the wall, and poked several spots with her tools. With a satisfied smile she moved her tools with great skill and the passage wall slid out of the way revealing another passage lined with cells and smelling of death and excrement. Her kin started to rush forward when she motioned for them to stop.
"Wait! Let me check something first." she said.
A quick examination supported her caution. The entrance was booby trapped. She disabled the gears that would have released the floor dropping her companions into a pit or worse.
"Okay, it is safe now. Try to be quiet."
Aesa and the others enter the hall with caution. The cells are filled with prisoners. She motions for them to be silent. Aesa shrugs to her kin and begins picking the locks to the cells. The first few cells are filled with tall blond men and women with alabaster skin. They are very tall, but not very stocky. They are Permians. The Norgardian kinfolk had heard of them but had never seen one before. They live far to the north in the lands where ice and snow never melt. They are known to keep to themselves.
"You know she could be outlawed for having thieves tools." said Sigurd.
"I did not see her using any illegal equipment. The law is clear, someone must give testimony to what they saw. Did anyone see Aesa do anything illegal today?" asked Isgerd.
None of her kin said anything. "Then it is settled. There is no case for outlawing her." said Isgerd.
The Permians grab old femur bones, shivs and chamber pots for weapons.
"Fight pukje?" asked Olaf.
One Permian answered. "I am Vikar. We fight for our freedom. Here we are food for pukje. We will not forget what you have done for us. There is a woman in the next cell. I think she is a shaman. They beat her daily. They were in here beating her just now. I do not think she will live."
Aesa rushed to the next cell and picked the lock. As soon as the cell door opened Isgerd rushed in. A pale blond woman, too short to be Permian was bound and badly beaten. She was covered in a foul substance that passed for pukje cooking paste. She was breathing irregularly taking shallow gasps of air. Isgerd placed her hands on the woman and began praying to Odin. A blue aura was visible for all to see as the woman's wounds were healed. Isgerd slumped next to the woman from the effort and Aesa went over and cut the bonds as the woman regained consciousness.
Magnus watched Isgerd use magic on the woman with wide eyes. Anger burned within him. Then he recognized the woman and he shouted in anger.
"Magic! Witchcraft! Leave that woman here to die! She is Hildagunn the Witch!" roared Magnus.
"She's your kin Magnus!" said Isgerd.
"She was outlawed at the lawrock for witchcraft!" he said.
"Should I be outlawed too?" she asked.
"Perhaps!"
"Perhaps? Everything is not so simple Magnus! The gods gave us these powers. Do you question the gods? Do you?"
"Sometimes the gods are wrong. Magic is evil. People should not have that power." he said.
"People are good or evil...not magic. I've always wondered why you hate magic so much. I am sure you would use a magic sword if you had one. What is wrong with you?" she asked.
"You want to know what is wrong with me? Did you watch as a child as your mother was struck by a bolt of magic and killed before your eyes? Did you stand by and do nothing as your father raised his sword to protect you only to drop over dead from no apparent wounds? Were you struck dumb by a spell unable to reach for your dead parents until your house was looted and on fire while the wizard got away? Ask me what is wrong with me again. I know more about magic than any of you." said Magnus.
"I thought your parents were killed by trolls." said Isgerd.
"I told everyone that story because there was some honor in being killed by trolls. It was the least I could do for my parents." he said.
The passage door swung open and Magnus was struck by two bolts of magic ending the discussion. Pukje stormed into the room lead by a massive pukje with a club. The pukje were well armed but had not had time to don armor. Before anyone could react the pukje had killed three of the Permian prisoners. Magnus' eyes filled with blood. He had clawed his face as he reached a frenzy of anger. He grabbed the nearest pukje spell-caster and tore him in two. The pukje next to the sundered pujke wet his pants in fear and ran. Magnus threw his spear killing the coward. The battle was pitched in tight quarters. As pukje died, prisoners picked up weapons and fought on. Each of Magnus kin fought at least two pukje at once. Magnus ignored all attacks, shaking off magic bolts, arrows and melee attacks, heading toward the largest pukje with great focus. The large pukje had killed several Permians and had struck Sigurd hard enough with his club to buckle his armor, sending the man flying into a heap. The smaller pukje chanted the name "Slig" every time the big pukje hit something with his club. Magnus felt his axe bite into the shoulder of this "Slig" and smiled. Slig wound up the club and struck Magnus across the face and the world went black.
Kara was near and she struck Slig with her spear and Olaf hit it with arrows from his bow for little effect. Slig wound up his club but missed Kara as she did the splits to avoid having her head crushed.
Aesa hamstrung a smaller pukje and managed to get two more to follow her into a cell which she then deftly stepped out of, locking the two inside by themselves. She rushed to Magnus to try to wake him. When she reached Magnus a pukje was about to stab him. Without thinking, Aesa pointed the green orb at the creature and it and several others backed away from her. Olaf killed the pukje that had threatened Magnus with a well-placed arrow to the chest. Aesa smacked Magnus in the face until he woke up. Anger flushed his face and he rose grabbing the closest weapon and rushed Slig.
Aesa would have joined him but she heard Isgerd cry out. Six pukje had her and Hildagunn surrounded. Both women held the creatures back with spears but the pukje toyed with them, jabbing them with swords or hitting them with spells to tire them out. Aesa tossed two daggers at the pukje and rushed in to help them.
Magnus crashed through a few pukje as he charged Slig. He was somewhat aware of Kara and Sigurd joining to help. Magnus hit Slig with such force that the large pukje actually was lifted off the ground. Kara and Sigurd attacked each of Slig's exposed sides carving flesh to the bone. Slig howled out in pain. Two pukje struck Sigurd with bolts of magic sending him to one knee. Slig kicked Sigurd in the face knocking him out.
One of the daggers that Aesa threw hit its mark and the pukje died. The other turned to face her. The remaining pukje rushed Isgerd and knocked her out with a flurry of attacks. Hildagunn managed to stab one of them with a spear. Aesa concentrated on the Key to Thor's Tomb and it pulsed brightly. The wave of energy fell over the remaining pukje and they backed away from Isgerd.
Slig had managed to hit both Kara and Magnus with his club. Both kinsmen were reeling from the blow and Sigurd remained unconscious. Disoriented, Kara killed a smaller pukje thinking it was Slig. Magnus had dropped his sword and was attempting to find something to use as a weapon. Olaf struck Slig with yet another arrow in the shoulder. Angered, Slig struck Kara so hard blood was sprayed like a shower for several feet. When she landed she did not get up. Slig turned his attention to Magnus and wound up for a death blow. Crackling energy made Magnus's hair stand up. He ducked without thinking. The blinding bolt struck Slig in the chest blacking his skin and leaving a hole where his vital organs had been. Slig looked down at the wound in surprise before collapsing face-first on the floor. Magnus looked back to see where the bolt came from. He followed a line of burnt pukje bodies back to Hildagunn the Witch who stood tall with a terrible look in her eyes. The remaining pukje that had not been killed ran. The Permians followed and killed them during the rout.
In the aftermath Magnus, Olaf, Aesa and Hildagunn did their best to gather their kin and any prisoners who still breathed but were injured and tried to make them comfortable. When all were together Magnus passed out from blood loss.
"Some of your kin will not survive this battle.' said Hildagunn.
"Is there anything we can do? If we can save Isgerd, she can ask the gods for aid." said Aesa.
"Perhaps there is some seid magic that will help. Give me a moment to concentrate. Perhaps the pukje carry something we can use." said Hildagunn.
Hildagunn concentrated. She could draw power directly from the Bifrost bridge. She focused her efforts on finding and identifying any magical artefacts that might assist them within her range to see. Hildagunn's eyes became vacant for a moment and then focused on Aesa.
"You have the answer in your hidden packs." said Hildagunn.
"What do you imply?" said Aesa.
"You are concealing a half dozen magical potions in the hidden pockets of your outfit, among other things of interest. You may use them to save your kin or you may keep them for your own profit. But know, if I am to travel with you, you will no longer have secrets." said Hildagunn.
"Aesa, your desire to keep more than your share does not bring you glory!" said Olaf.
Wordless, Aesa reached for a potion and poured it down Isgerd's throat. Isgerd regained consciousness at once.
"I would focus on Kara and Sigurd. They smell of valkyries." said Hildagunn.
Indeed Kara took ragged breaths and Sigurd had many broken bones. Aesa used her potions on both of them and gave the last one to Magnus. Isgerd used her healing powers on them as well. Today several kin nearly ended their time among mortals.
When everyone had healed enough, weapons were gathered and the bodies of the slain Permians were carried to the entrance.
"Why don't you burn the bodies and send them to Valhalla?" asked Sigurd.
"Our ways are different. Our people must be returned to Permia. There they will guard our lands and give us advice if they choose. We will remember what you have done this day." said Vikar.
"Take whatever supplies you need to go home." said Sigurd.
"We will take only what is needed to survive the trek." said Vikar.
"May the gods watch over you." said Isgerd.
"May your ancestors keep you safe until we meet again." said Vikar.
The Norgardians helped the Permians load up some sleds, but the Permians insisted on handling their dead alone. When they were off, Sigurd and the others made plans.
There were seven Norgardian prisoners who would join in the journey back to Ulfgard.
A giant warehouse of stolen goods was assembled. Red gold, iron ingots for smithing, food, ale, equipment and tools were found in abundance. Everything that could be loaded was prepared under the guidance of Sigurd. Aesa, Olaf and Magnus searched the rest of the pukje cave for valuables.
Cooked human remains were found everywhere. The smell turned their stomachs and made them feel weak. In a very large room that must have belonged to Slig, Magnus found Thrain's cloak hanging on a peg. The rest of the room was filled with lice, stale ale and bones. Aesa discovered a potion hidden among the rotten furs on the bed and showed it to Olaf and Magnus with dramatic flair.
"It is probably poison. Or it will turn you into a toad. Ask the witch. I am sure she would be happy to look at it." said Magnus.
"Don't be sour Magnus. I poured one just like it down your throat less than an hour ago. You haven't even soiled yourself!" said Aesa.
"What?" he asked.
"Hildagunn said it was safe." she said.
"And you trusted her word?" he asked.
"Of course. If you want to know about magic who would know more than a witch?"
"But..."
"But what? Hildagunn is kin. I trust her like I trust you." she said.
"But she's a witch!"
"She also saved your life when Slig tried to use your head as a toy." said Aesa.
"That is why I have not killed her." said Magnus.
"See! She's already growing on you! How many times have you said the same about me?" said Aesa.
"You are different. You are just...Aesa. And you are lucky. A man would anger the Norns to turn away that much luck." he said.
"Can we agree to just let her come with us. Magnus you don't have to like her. You don't have to trust her. But Hildagunn is the answer to spell-casting pukje. We need her and I think she needs us." said Olaf.
"I am keeping my eye on her. If she gives me the evil-eye I will strike her white-haired head from her short shoulders." Magnus said.
"Agreeable as ever! Thanks big man!" said Aesa.
"We have only agreed to how I will send her to Hel." he said.
"Well that's a good start. We will need to raise testimony at the lawrock to get her outlaw status removed." she said.
"I'll do no such thing!" said Magnus.
"We have to. Now that we have the key to Thor's tomb others will try to take it from us. We need to be united in our loyalty to each other. Even when we disagree about everything else. Swear it Magnus. I need to hear you. Swear that you will defend each of us before the lawrock if necessary." said Olaf.
"I...I...swear! May the Norns strike me dead if I betray my kin." Magnus said.
"We each shall make this oath...even Hildagunn." said Olaf.
"For whatever its worth to have the oath of a witch." said Magnus.
Before the argument could continue the three discovered they had wandered into a once great hall. Marble columns had cracked and fallen. There was a broken statue of a king and walls covered with mosaics. Pukje graffiti and obscene drawings marked over the scenes. A chessboard with human skulls as pieces was marked into a once fine atrium. The smell of cooked flesh was strong in the room. Olaf gravitated to an inscription on a weathered marble statue. The head of the figure had been broken off and a human skull was resting in its place.
"The inscription is in old Thorsen runes. It read as follows, "Jarl Stoegard established the meadhall Faldur in the year 41 after the great disaster. Several dverge including Bombarr the Mason assisted with the sculpture and engineering. May our cooperation on Faldur convince the dverge to leave their great hall and join us in the fight against the pukje."
"That was over 1000 years ago. The dverge have all left this life to live among the gods." said Aesa.
"I begin to think some of this is true. We just don't understand all of the pieces." said Olaf.
"Let's get back to the others and get outside. I am tired of this stench and eager to see daylight, taste some fine mead and mutton and smell clean air." said Magnus.
"When aren't you hungry Magnus?" asked Aesa.
"When I am seated before Thor and the shield maidens are filling my horn faster than I can drain it while I gorge myself on Asgardian boar I will not be hungry. But I will still want to fight." said Magnus.
"You will still be hungry then." she said.
"Impossible! I am talking about Valhalla, the land of milk and honey!" he said.
"Yes but you will lose a wager to me and I will make you go three days without eating for losing the bet."
"They won't let you in. You are too puny!"
"Shall we wager?" she asked.