The First Spell Weaver of Airendell: Book Two of the Airendell Chronicles (9 page)

“Did you expect streets of gold, Stone Breaker?”  Valliant laughs, and continues.  “The so called Norse gods live just as we taught our descendants, the Vikings, to live.  Your so called astral gods live in pueblos much like the one Maria grew up in in Colorado.”

“Actually, I am pleasantly surprised,” admits George.

“Well, wait until we get to Odin’s hall‘s.  We are going to Valhalla, it is the place where he receives his guests, holds banquets and the like.”  Booms Valliant proudly.  “We can put on the shine when the situation calls for it.  Valhalla is known as the Hall of the Slain.  The roof is constructed from golden shields, and walls are formed from golden spears.  The hall has over 500 doors, every single one of them are reported to have been large enough for 800 men to walk through at once.  According to legend, the humans chosen by the Valkyries who fall in battle on earth supposedly get to dwell in Valhalla where they spend their time doing battle during the day and drinking, feasting and copulating at night.”  Valliant chuckles.  “Of course, that’s not exactly right.  We aren’t actually gods.  Just very powerful Immortals.  In ancient times mortals thought us gods.”

Finally the group arrives at an immense Greathouse.  The doors open with a flourish and Valliant leads them down a long, long majestic corridor.  When they finally arrive at the throne room the scene inside makes the newcomers feel out of place and underdressed.  Odin, who is ruler of all the Norse ‘gods’, the warrior gods called Aesir, the rulers, judges, and protectors of the humans, and the so called Vanir gods, the ones known as the fertility gods, who are known for their magical powers and creating witchcraft and magic among humans, stands at the fore of the assembled gods.  Standing beside Odin on his right is his one true mate, Frigg.  On his left are his son, Thor, and his mate, Sif. 

Odin towers over the newcomers at nearly seven feet tall.  His long blond hair and beard are braided with gold ropes.  His robes are luxurious furs, fastened at neck with a giant jeweled pendant.  Perched on each shoulder is a giant raven, named Thought and Memory.  Odin’s remaining brilliant sapphire blue eye is watchful and wise as he evaluates his guests.  He steps forward and greets his grandson, Valliant, with a warm embrace.

“Welcome grandson, I see you brought your daughter to visit us again.” Odin booms cheerfully.

“I have indeed great Odin.  We have also brought her mate, adopted son, sister, and brother in arms.  May I present Lucian Michaels, Damian Summers, Breena Glynn, and George Welborn?”  At Odin’s nod of assent, Valliant continues, “Brothers and Sisters, make my guests welcome.”  At these words, Luca, Damian, Breena, and George look up to see the ‘gods’.

Valliant continues, “Behold Odin, the first ‘god’ of Norse legend, King of ‘gods’ and humans alike.  Guardian of knowledge, poetry, and wisdom, god of battle and the dead.”  The newcomers bow their heads acknowledge Odin.

“Welcome.” says Odin grandly.

“Behold Frigg, Queen of the ‘gods’ of Norse legend and humans alike.  Mother to all mankind, and protector of women and children.”  Frigg is a little taller than Morna, and more slender.  Her face is truly lovely to behold, shapely pink lips are stretched in a welcoming smile.  Her bright amber eyes shine with kindness.  Her lovely chestnut hair hangs to her knees in a riot of loose curls, and the top of her head is adorned with a simple gold circlet.  She is dressed in a gleaming golden gown with jewels adorning the neckline, cuffs and hem.  The newcomers bow their heads to acknowledge Frigg.

“Welcome.” says Frigg kindly.

“Behold Thor, the Thunder god of Norse legend, and god of law and order among the gods and all of mankind, the Defender of Asgard.”  Thor is taller than Odin and more powerfully built.  His handsome face clearly reveals his zest for life.  His brilliant sapphire eyes are open and honest.  His riotous red hair and beard are unadorned.  He is clad in his legendary armor and belt of strength.  His steel gauntlets and hammer are tucked into the belt.  The newcomers bow their heads to acknowledge Thor.

“Welcome!” booms Thor.

“Behold Sif, goddess of fruitfulness and plenty of Norse legend.  Mate to Thor and protector of the home and hearth.”  Sif is not as tall as Morna, and she is buxom and supple looking.  Her long and incredibly shiny golden hair nearly reaches the floor.  Her soft brown eyes and comely features warm the hearts of her guests.  She is dressed in a forest green linen gown with gold thread embroidered at the neckline, cuffs and hem.  The newcomers bow their heads to acknowledge Sif.

“Welcome,” trills Sif sweetly.  “Morna, come give us a hug darling, Baby Girl!”  Morna rushes up to embrace Sif and Frigg.  And then she turns to embrace Odin, who holds her at arm’s length and then leans down to touch his forehead to hers before embracing her warmly. 

Thor laughs thunderously and lightly slaps Morna on the back.  “Welcome back, Baby Girl!  I must say I really like the new you.  I think you are more beautiful than ever.  You put me in mind of your great-grandmother, Rind the giantess.  Now you have the body to match your warrior‘s heart.”  Thor adds with wink.

Luca watches his mate with these ‘gods’ and realizes she looks like she belongs with them.  She is truly magnificent and radiant.  She happily turns to Luca and motions him forward.  “Here’s my Luca.  I am so glad you finally get a chance to meet him face to face.” Morna gushes happily.

“And what a beautiful face it is,” chuckles Frigg.  “Nice to meet you Lucian.  I know your mother, she’s a fine being.  I know she is proud of you.”

“That is kind of you to say, Ma’am,” says Luca quietly as Morna wraps her arm around his waist possessively.  Luca notices that Odin has engaged Damian and George in quiet conversation, and that Thor has taken Valliant off to the side for a private word.

At that moment, Almeda arrives at Valhalla and goes straight to Valliant.  “Valliant, please believe me, I don’t think it is Ari doing these things.  He would never harm your granddaughter!  I think someone is acting through him.  Someone has bewitched him in some way.  It’s like someone has taken control of his body, if not his mind.  Whoever is doing it must be a very powerful being to be able to overcome Ari‘s natural goodness and defensive magic.  But I am certain that is what has happened.”

Morna walks over to Almeda, “Almeda I am glad that you live, but you must explain exactly what happened.  Are you sure Ari isn’t seeking revenge against Luca and I for killing Dortain?”

“I am positive Morna.  Ari wouldn’t do that.  We both know you had no choice in doing that.  Ari is truly pure and good.  You know he must be to have ascended so young.” says Almeda impassionedly.  “I believe that someone very powerful like a Vanir witch or a Blood Shade is behind all of these troubles.”  Frigg and Sif gasp at Almeda’s assertion, but she continues.  “I have long suspected that Dortain was bewitched when he tried to destroy the barriers between middle world and upper world.  Despite his heritage as a Dark Elf, he was truly a good being.  I am certain of that.  He was my mate, I knew his heart.  It was pure.”

Suddenly all of the Norsemen, Morna and George turn their heads as though hearing a trumpet.  “Heimdall summons!

Everyone present except for Luca, Breena and Damian seems to have heard the summons.  “Wow!” Says Damian, “That was spooky!  Did you see all of them turn at once?  It was like dogs responding to one of those whistles.”

“No shit!” says George uncertainly.  He feels self-conscious about swearing in front of the ladies, “Beggin’ your pardon ladies.  But how the hell did I hear that?”

Thor slaps him on the back and says jovially, “It’s all in the blood little brother!”

Morna’s group turns to go when Odin stops George from following and says, “Please give my regards to Maria.  She’s such a lovely girl, er, woman.  Such a fiery, passionate little thing.  Don’t doubt your abilities George in the struggle that’s ahead of you.  You have much more magic in you than you realize, and not just from the Anasazi.  Let’s just say that you and Morna share a common ancestor.”  Odin winks at George conspiratorially and slaps him on the back. 

George can only nod mutely before he hurries to catch up with Thor, Morna, Luca, Damian and Valliant.  Morna takes George’s hand and gives it a little squeeze and then turns to follow her father out of Valhalla.  

George looks at Thor and asks, “Was your Father saying what I think he was saying?”

“Indeed.  You are his grandson.”

“You sure take your father’s long lost progeny well.”

“We are genetically programmed to go forth and multiply.  If Morna had not been tortured by the curse she would have borne progeny across a couple of continents during her different life times.  I would rip Kyera apart with my own hands just for taking that away from our Baby Girl!  Morna and Luca were destined to have many, many fine babies together.” says Thor passionately.  “Prophesy clearly says she was to be a mother sixteen times over.”  Thor shakes his head, his sadness is evident.

The group had been making their way towards the door when Thor’s words tear at Morna’s heart like a ravenous beast.  She gasps and nearly stumbles because of the pain this innocent remark causes her.  Luca catches her in his arms and growls at Thor, “Enough Thunder god!  Give my wife a little peace, please.”

Thor takes Morna’s face in his hands, “Forgive me, Baby Girl!  I am a thoughtless oaf at times, Sif always tells me to think before I speak, but I often forget her wise advice.”

Morna struggles to stand alone and says, “No harm done Thor.  Let’s go, Heimdall has Aideen!”

Luca, Breena and Damian exchange looks, wondering what is going on.  “All of Norse descent can hear when Heimdall summons them.  It’s a genetic quirk,” says Morna absently as she turns and runs towards the door.

Almeda trails after them to ask to able to join them.  Morna and Luca exchange looks with Thor and Odin, who had decided to accompany them to Heimdall‘s gate.  Thor nods and says, “I will take responsibility for her while she is in Asgard, Father.” 

When the group arrives at Heimdall’s gate he informs them that he has located Ari and Aideen just outside of the realm of Alfheim.  “Ari is acting very erratic.  He’s talking to himself.  It appears as though he was trying to return to his home realm, but something is preventing it.  His behavior is most bizarre.”

“Heimdall, please transport us there immediately.”  Morna begs.  Heimdall complies and the group steps off the Bi-frost to see Ari struggling with a shadow image of a tall and beautiful blonde woman and a dark shade figure behind her.  Morna has never seen the woman before in her life, but she seems familiar. Valliant gasps at the image and calls out something that Morna doesn’t catch. 

The shadow image sees them arrive and opens her mouth to scream, although no sound comes out of her mouth.  The dark shade pushes the blond woman to strike Ari down and they both disappear.  Morna and Luca run to Aideen while Almeda and Thor go to Ari’s prostrate form.  Both are still alive, but barely.

Thor summons the Bi-frost and the injured persons are transported back to Asgard.  Heimdall has Asgardian healers waiting to meet them.  The healers quickly assess the injured and their leader says, “They have both been cursed.  Send for a Vanir healer.”

“Heimdall, Ari was being attacked by a shadow image of Val.  Send for her mother,” Thor growls angrily.  “By all the gods I will know the meaning of this.” 

Heimdall complies and watches in silence as the healers take the victims away and Morna and her group follow close behind. 

Thor looks to Heimdall and says, “Have you seen Val?  Did you know she was still alive?”

Heimdall shakes his head.  “I haven’t been able to locate of trace of Valgullveig in over six hundred years.  I assumed she was dead.”

“Well she isn’t.  I saw her,” Thor booms in rage.  “Can she be the one behind all the attacks on Baby Girl?”

“She is strong enough, but I can’t imagine what reason she would have for doing so, I don’t know that the girls ever even met.”  Heimdall says thoughtfully.

“If Gullveig knew about this she has much to answer for,” Thor growls ferociously.

“What do I have to answer for, Thunder god?” A musical voice asks for from behind the Norsemen.

Heimdall succinctly explains the day’s events.  Gullveig doesn’t comment on the possibility of Valgullveig being alive but goes to help revive the injured.  Thor follows to keep an eye on her.

Gullveig works quickly in conjunction with the healers.  After about an hour she turns to Morna, Luca and Almeda and says, “I have removed the curses.  But they are both very, very weak.  Ari especially, he has reverted to his natural form and his body is rather frail.  Mordir, the chief Asgardian healer has placed them both in stasis.  I suspect it will be a day or two before we can speak to them.  I will remain here to help the healer’s monitor them both.”

“Will my daughter be alright?” Morna asks.

“Baby Girl, I think her body will be fine.  Her mind, however, will be a more difficult matter.  But I suspect that she is strong like her parents.  I am hopeful that she will make a full recovery.”

Morna looks at the chief healer for confirmation.  When he nods in agreement, Morna sits down heavily in a chair near Aideen and is stroking her daughter‘s face.  She bows her head in prayer for her child’s recovery and sits quietly for about a half an hour.  She is suddenly very, very tired and somewhat nauseated. 

Luca goes to his wife and asks, “Morna are you well?  You are suddenly very pale.”

“I am just a little tired and have a queasy stomach.  I am fine love.”  Morna assures her mate.

Gullveig smiles at Morna, “Yes, she will fine Lucian Invictus, but she needs rest.”

Lucian looks at the Vanir and says, “You know me Madam?  You seem quite familiar with my mate as well.”

“Not really.  But I am friends with your mother.  I haven’t seen her in almost six hundred and fifty years, but I know that she is very proud of you.  You are her only child, her joy.  I met Valliant‘s pride and joy when she was thirteen.  I guess she just doesn‘t remember me,” Gullveig says softly.  “I will go ask Heimdall to have a chamber prepared for your mate.  She needs to sleep.”  

When Morna starts to protest, Gullveig says, “Darling girl, there is nothing that you can do for your child until she comes out of stasis.  And I am certain that won’t happen for at least twenty four hours.  Go rest.  You will need it.  The healers will summon you immediately if anything changes in Aideen’s condition.  And I will remain here to help monitor their progress.  I am a Vanir witch and healer.  I can protect them both from further curses.”  Gullveig looks at Almeda and says, “Old friend, you must rest as well.”

Almeda nods and says, “Yes, I am not as strong as I was a few thousand years ago.” 

Gullveig laughs, “None of us are, my old friend.  But you have had a very traumatic couple of days.  You need rest.” 

Gullveig goes to see to chambers for Morna and Almeda.  Morna looks at her Father and asks, “Valliant, who is that woman?”

Valliant chuckles and says, “My mate.”

“I didn’t know you had a mate, Father.  When did this happen? “

“About eleven hundred years ago.” Valliant laughs.

“She must not care for me much, nor most of my siblings I would imagine.  How can you go about Midgard and other realms fathering children with other women when you have a mate?” Morna asks without any judgment, only curiosity.

“Most of the ancient magical beings are not as constant and steadfast as you and Lucian are.  Many of us are fickle, arrogant and hardheaded.  We tend to fall in love, and fall hard, yet we often rove.  We still have our seasons.  I would stay with always, but she’s hardheaded and we tend to fight when not making love.”  Morna chuckles.  “Gullveig is a fine woman, and truly, the only woman for me.  Perhaps someday we will grow up enough to actually live together,” Valliant says with a truly smitten look on his face.

“She looks a lot like the shadow image that attacked Ari and Aideen.  But she is much smaller, the shadow image was almost as tall as Luca.” Morna says suspiciously.

“Baby Girl.  Go rest and when you feel better I will tell of the things that you need to know.  But now you should sleep.” Valliant says quietly, but firmly.  Morna nods, she recognizes the tone of voice and knows that she will not get anything more out of her Father until he is ready to tell her.  This is one of those moments when Morna knows she must pick the battles she can win.  While she desperately wants to know who that blond woman was, she knows she need to wait for answers.

At that moment a small man comes in and smiles at Morna.  “Lady Morna, if you will follow me, I have a chamber and a meal prepared for you.  Lord Heimdall is most insistent that you be well cared for.”

“Thank you Brynhold, but I need answers more than I need rest and food.”  Morna says pointedly, looking at her Father.

“Baby Girl, get your butt in bed!  You are exhausted and must take care of yourself!” Heimdall roars in Morna’s head.  Morna starts to argue but he continues.  “You need to rest and clear head to face what I fear is ahead.  Sleep now, while you have a chance.  Go before I come paddle your butt and put you to bed myself.”

Morna chuckles and looks to her mate.  “My godfather and Father have ordered me to bed.  I can only assume that you concur, my love?”  When Luca smiles lovingly and nods, Morna throws her hands up and mutters something about bossy, dominating and overbearing men, but gets up slowly to follow Brynhold out of the chamber after she kisses Aideen‘s forehead.  She looks back at her mate and says, “You will remain with Aideen?”  When he nods she smiles and says, “Thank you, Darling.”  Breena gets up to follow her sister out of the chamber.

Another servant takes Almeda to her chamber and Brynhold leads them to Morna’s.  He turns to Breena and says, “Mistress, do you wish to go to your chamber now or remain with your sister?”

“I will stay with Morna.” Breena says.  Brynhold assures the women that Heimdall has recently updated his home and they will find all the modern conveniences.  Morna chuckles at that goes into the suite.  Breena gasps, “Man, this place is fit for a queen.”

“Heimdall doesn’t do anything halfway.”  Morna says with a shrug.  “I am going to go take a bath.”  She quickly finds the bathroom and bathes.  She finds all the toiletry items she needs and a robe to put on after the shower.  When she rejoins her sister in the sitting room a tall blonde woman is there talking to Breena and there is a small table set up with a meal.

“Lady Morna, did you find everything that you needed?” the woman asks solicitously.

“I did.  Can someone launder the clothes I was wearing?  I am not too thrilled wearing them, but I don’t have anything else with me.” Morna says with chuckle.

“Lady Morna, I took the liberty of bringing some of my clothes for you to use.  We are much the same size.  There is a nightgown, jeans and tee shirt on the dresser in your bedchamber.  I thought you might like something comfortable to wear.  Lord Heimdall will no doubt send someone to get you more clothes if it looks like you will be here for more than a short while.”

“Thank you … I am sorry, I don’t believe I know your name.”  Morna says absently.

“I’m Ingrid, Lady Morna.”  The lovely blonde smiles.  “We met once a long time ago when you were but a child.”

“Thank you so much Ingrid.  And please just call me Morna.  I am no lady.”  Morna says with a snort.

Breena rolls her eyes at that.  And Ingrid smiles.  “Just pull the rope over there if you need anything else.”  And then she slips out quietly.

The sisters eat in relative silence.  Both had chuckled over being served icy cokes in Asgard.  “Heimdall thinks of everything,” Morna says.  Breena smiles because there is no mistaking the fondness in her sister’s voice when she speaks of Heimdall.