Below is a free sample chapter of
The Sons of Asgard: Call of the Blood:Part Two by J.Junior Page.
Chapter One: Ring of the Worthy
The nefarious keeper of the honoured dead
sat on her throne of sculptured rock, the throne was adorned with gems and
polished bone; she half-heartedly surveyed her court with the ill-hidden
boredom of an over-indulged child. Here sat one of the most powerful gods of
the pagan world and her macabre majesty was encased forever in the tomb like
palace of Helheim. For all her attempts of regal splendor, her unique beauty
was lost in the eerie crypt like atmosphere of her subject's prison. Before she
was tasked with the stewardship of the dead, this child of Loki was blessed
with a beauty that mortals and female members of the Aesir would envy.
The Fate's had given her great power when
the Allfather Odin ordained her the guardian of these departed soul's, a side
effect of her high station was the decay her form had to endure forever. Hella
was extremely envious of her fellow god's in Asgard; she believed she should
belong there instead of reigning in the pale moonlight of the tedious and needy
dead. She often wondered if her former beauty was a curse that consigned her to
this realm, or was it the fact that her father was the infamous Trickster Loki.
No child of Loki, except for the
Allfather's eight legged steed Sleipnir, held any respect or station with Lord
Odin's court. Hella consoled herself that one day she would get the status she
deserved, maybe that day was closer than many previously thought. How she
longed to be triumphant over her supposed betters, Freya, Sif and Idunna would
soon recognise the dark goddess as the ultimate in grace and beauty. She
dreamed that one of her bitter rivals could be sent in her place, to be
guardian of the many walking corpses.
Hel's Arena was a mixture of shaded grey
sand with gargoyles spaced along the viewing podiums at every thirteen strides.
The goddess of Helheim continued to sit on her throne, with a face of icy
resolve. She made no effort to court the spectators as she knew their fear was
superior to any love towards her. With a dismissive wave of her left hand the
master of the games came forward to announce the first combatants. With a
deafening cheer the first fighter came out to the Arena, he was a long dead
Light Elf who was known to the Dark Queen's entire realm as a noble yet vicious
warrior.
How a Light Elf ended up in Hel's realm was
a frequent topic of conversation, the facts were trivial and often exaggerated
by the crowd. His downfall was down to one act of extreme arrogance and
selfishness towards the goddess Hel. While she was in disguise he insulted her
and that started a complicated series of events which brought him into the
realm of Helheim for eternity. The reason he continued to fight in Hel's games
was to earn a magical talisman, he believed that it would allow him to walk
into his old realm and return to rest with the bones of his ancestors.
The Elf was to face a brutish Germanic
warrior called Heydred; he had passed over at the time of Rome's conflict with
the Germanic tribe's along the river Rhine some five hundred years previous. He
was said to be one of his warlord's finest house warriors but whilst drunkenly
chasing a maiden to occupy his bed, was unaware of his own people's hidden trap
and was skewered like a pathetic baby wild boar.
Heydred wanted the prize so he could walk
back with honour to join his fallen kindred in the hereafter. The Elf looked at
the imposing brute and his fighting style was crude and fierce. As both
contestants squared up to each other they took the measure of each other, the
crowd sensed they would soon see an epic contest. Raif looked on from the
combatants warm up area, knowing that he could potentially fight one of these
gladiators in the next bout.
Raif had a suspicion that his main rival
Reinhardt was going to be fighting last; he also had a feeling that his
opponent’s passage to the latter rounds would be less exhaustive. Looking at
the imposing figure of Reinhardt he continued to forget the man he used to call
his friend was dead and it was merely his murderer wearing his skin. Drax could
feel Raif's intense gaze and waved back sarcastically, Drax cared little about
the threat of Raif. He was after all only Human; little more than fodder to be
slaughtered by stronger races.
In Drax's opinion the realm of man had
never produced a warrior who could match the skills of the lowest in the Jotun
military ranks. He could feel the hatred emanating from Raif; it was intense
and was beginning to make Drax feel uncomfortable. The Jotun responded to
Raif's hatred by making a signal of his throat been slit wide open, Drax then
laughed and walked his large frame into the assembled crowd. Raif heard the
crowd start to cheer on the fighters and decided he did not need to witness the
battle, his friends would fill him in on the details of the bout when it was
over.
*
The Elven warrior raised his right arm in
triumph as he pierced the Ox-like heart of the Human combatant. With a thud the
barbarian fell to his knees and then on to his face with a sickening crunch.
The crowd favoured the Elf and his victory was rewarded with scenes of emphatic
jubilation. The regular bouts of honour were the only form of entertainment for
the countless inhabitants of the realm. The crowd watched and jeered as the
defeated warrior was carried from the Arena to the private ante-chamber. His
body would be laid without ceremony on the cold slab of the recovery room; the
Dark Queen's magic would then restore his ethereal form to full health.
While the defeated licked their wounds, the
victor would watch as his or her name was moved on to the card for the next
fight. Only the winner would receive their hearts desire, in Helheim there are
no rewards for those who do not achieve greatness. This was a requirement that
matched the mind-set of the cobwebbed guardian of the realm.
In her royal box the goddess Hel rose from
her vantage point and slowly applauded the battle she had just witnessed, keen
not to seem too pleased she gestured to her entourage and left the platform to
head back to her private chambers between contests. Hel loved the displays of skill
and strength; it was when she looked on at those fighters she thought what a
disappointment her father was in that department. Maybe her love of the
violence, bloodshed and cruelty came in part to the blood that ran through her
rotted veins. Maybe that same blood had the essence of the Allfather Odin, and
in that she appreciated the nobility and strategy of their personal duels.
Hel summoned one of her attendants to
enquire if the God of Light had any intention of joining her in the viewing of
the contest. The dark goddess knew the answer but knew she must continue to
grind down the son of Odin's resistance to her charms.
"Where is Sedric? Go send him to
summon Lord Baldur to my games, his refusal to honour my games is both rude and
ill advised!"
The attendant moved at speed to send her
royal messenger to Baldur's domain within Helheim's more picturesque quarters.
Lord Baldur resided in a pretty cage but it was still a location far removed
from his friends and loved ones.
*
Sedric arrived at the entrance to Lord
Baldur's glittering prison and marveled at its construction. The polished
marble emitted a warm glow that reminded Sedric of warm summers from his mortal
past. Although it looked the most lavish and ornate building within the realm,
it was still a prison to house Hel's favourite toy.
The guards at the front of Lord Baldur's
residence were known to Sedric, they merely waved him through as it was obvious
he was on official business. Sedric often wondered why Baldur had guards on his
residence, he was one of the Aesir's most loved gods and there were very few
individuals within Helheim who could hope to harm either Baldur or his wife
lady Nanna.
The messenger walked through the
beautifully carved gateway and admired the many statues depicting Baldur's
family members in their moments of glory. Sedric was always drawn to the
massive statue of the god Thor wrestling with an unnamed giant serpent,
although Sedric had massive respect for Lord Baldur, his family were devoted to
the guardian of humanity. Sedric stood in awe of the artist's skill of
capturing Thor's essence, the messenger failed to noticed Baldur and Nanna
walking hand in hand through their shimmering gardens.
The God of Light had noticed Hel's
messenger and rolled his eyes theatrically for the benefit of his wife. He
lovingly dismissed his wife with a tender kiss and joined Sedric by his
brother's statue.
"The Artist has tried but ultimately
failed to capture the true glory of my good brother! I doubt there would be
enough stone in Helheim to cast his full form!"
Sedric smiled and bowed at the God of
Light's contagious humour. "Greetings my lord, forgive my marvelling at
the craftsmanship within your walls."
The god grinned at Sedric. "It is good
to see you still appreciate things with artistic worth Sedric, hanging around
with that wretched hag would dampen many a mortal's appreciation of
beauty!"
Sedric was unsure if there was humour in
Lord Baldur's words or it was a comment on his own taste. Choosing diplomacy
over looking stupid he decided to ask. "Does your older brother not
resemble this form, my lord?"
Baldur laughed. "Thor likes to be seen
in this form, he spends almost all of his time in the form that you Humans
instantly recognise. He is champion to you all so to appear as anything
different would be pointless. Have you ever met my dear brother?"
The messenger shook his head in response.
"I have not had that honour but I am most proud to have met his
brother!"
"Excellent!" boomed Baldur,
delighted at Sedric's response. "The wretched monarch must be most upset
that a member of her staff still has decency, honour and humour!"
The messenger started to defend his role
within Hel's realm but was stopped by Lord Baldur's signal to stop.
"Apologies Sedric, I know your story and the choices you have made in life
and death. I meant no disrespect in my joviality my friend, you have always
been honest and straight forward; I have always respected you for that."
"No apology is needed from you, my
lord" replied Sedric, embarrassed that a god of the Aesir had felt the
need to apologize to one as lowly as himself.
The Lord of Light sought to end Sedric's
unease and asked of the reason for his visit to his shimmering hall. Keen to
move on from the moment, Sedric questioned the second born son of the
Allfather.
"The Queen of our realm would like you to
attend her celebratory games with her?"
The God of Light's mood deflated at the
Messengers request. "Does that rotten hag never learn? What is she
celebrating this time, has she discovered a new form of grey to decorate this
embattled realm in?"
Sedric knew better than to reply directly
to Baldur's poor humour. "I believe that the Dark Queen is rewarding her
subjects in some way!"
Baldur dismissed that suggestion out of
hand. "Come now Sedric, the dark goddess is been altruistic?"
Sedric chose not to be drawn further into
Lord Baldur's rant and changed tact. "There is an interesting competitor
entered from the lands of man! His name is Raif and he is from Madeby, quite
close to my ancestral lands."
Lord Baldur seemed uninterested as he
looked on at the statue of his son Forseti, the statue depicted him settling a
dispute between warring mortal king's upon the shores of old Frisia. The
glittering lord stirred himself from his thoughts and replied. "A corpse
from Midgard will do terrible in these bouts; it will be some Jotun brute or
Elven assassin who will be victorious!"
"Maybe so, my lord." agreed
Sedric. "Although this Human is not dead, he enters the games as a
mortal!"
The god looked at Sedric confused by his
information. "A mortal fighter from Midgard, has entered the games?"
Sedric confirmed with a smile, it was an
intriguing turn of events. "Yes, my lord!"
"This is a rarity; I shall have to see
this for myself!" Baldur was stroking his jaw line wondering about the
possible fallout from such an event. "Is there anything else I should
know?" asked a concerned god of the Aesir.
"That is all the information I
currently have!" replied Sedric, disappointed he had no other gossip or
fact to share with the great and good god.
Lord Baldur nodded his approval. "Very
well, please inform the cobwebbed goddess that I shall be in attendance. You
may leave now, my good friend!"
Sedric acknowledged the god's command and
passed the goddess Nanna as he made for the compounds exit.
The wife of Lord Baldur smiled at her
husband warmly. "What news of Hel's wretched court, my love?"
"Another of her Arena festivals are
upon us!" replied a distracted Baldur.
Nanna shrugged. "Already? That woman
loves pain and violence far too much. I suppose that the old hag wishes for
your attendance?"
"Indeed my love, I believe on this
occasion I shall attend. I will do so alone my dear!" Baldur was intrigued
by the news Sedric had delivered and wondered if prophecy or fate was active in
this strange occurrence.
Nanna knew her lovers face of
concentration. "Is there something or someone, which may have wetted your
interest?"
"Yes my dearest Nanna, there is indeed
a fighter I feel destiny wishes for me to meet!"
Nanna held her husband's elbow and urged
her love to continue on the route of their former walk. "Please my love,
speak more on what you have learned from the Dark Queen's messenger."
The God of Light locked his arm in his
wife's and they walked around the gardens, so they could discuss the
information that Hel's messenger had just provided them with.
*
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Raif limbered up for his first opponent in
the Arena, the battle was to be a bout with the quarterstaff. He felt lucky
that his Christian friend Theodore had given him many lessons in how best to
use the deceptively lethal weapon. Many a brutal enemy had underestimated the
Monks weapon and had been punished with broken bones and pained flesh. Raif
examined the shaft of his wooden weapon for marks and stress fractures, the last
thing he needed was his Ash staff to break into kindling on his first attack.
Satisfied with the staff's integrity he felt a bit happier with his upcoming
battle.
Magnus offered words of encouragement to
his brother. "Have no fear; we do this stuff every single day! Would you
rather I fought in your place?"
Raif smiled and stopped him from continuing
his offer. Although Magnus was obviously the stronger and more accomplished
fighter, it would be Raif and his determination that would serve the cause
better. Also both men feared what magic's the dark goddess may put into the
Arena, and Raif was without doubt a greater tactician than Magnus.
Before the audience rose to acknowledge the
presence of the dark goddess Hella, Ulyria whispered in Raif's ear.
"The crowd will expect you to fail
miserably as a mortal, and the organisers have deliberately drawn you against a
veteran Ice Jotun; he is known to many as Koal. He is sluggish but brutal, the
Order knows that he hates those he deems inferior and loves to play to an
audience. Raif turned to face the pretty operative and smiled. "How did
you come across this information Ulyria?"
Ulyria smiled sweetly back. "Raif, it
is what I am trained for."
Raif mocked her good naturally."Have
you anymore advice, from your little clubs handbook?"
Ulyria scowled then blew him a sarcastic
kiss. "Yes I have my hero, try not to get hit!"
As Magnus walked into his brother's corner,
he smiled at Raif.
"You know that last bit of advice; it
was a good bit of advice. Your opponent walked by a minute ago and made me look
a Dwarf; he is a big brute Raif!"
"What do you reckon I should do
tactically, Magnus?" asked Raif, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.
Magnus rolled his eyes to the ceiling, this
was a question deserving of an insightful answer.
"Besides you forfeiting the match?"
Magnus offered gallows humour instead of his considerable expertise.
Raif calmly smiled back and agreed.
"Yes, options please! After all you are my trainer!"
Magnus thought for a few moments.
"I think that I would use my greater
speed to block and counter my opponent. I would guess his stamina is quite poor
and will tire very quickly. Although he does have you beat for power, range and
size."
"Fortunately Hel's magic restores all
injuries lethal or not, and this bout is on impartial judges scores."
Raif grumbled to his brother. "Forget
scores, I just hope any injuries do not leave any lasting pain!"
As the trumpets from the Arena sounded the
entrance of Hella, her chief ringmaster asked all to stand in the presence of
the dark goddess.
"Your beloved ruler is pleased to
announce the God of Light; Lord Baldur will be in attendance with her. Please
show your appreciation by applauding the most revered god's in all the nine
realms!"
Those in attendance whooped and cheered for
their favourite god, he was a deity who much like them had been consigned to
the dank bleakness of the realm.
The goddess stood up and offered the god
Baldur the honour of starting the fight, in his two large hands rested the two
Ash quarterstaffs. The crowd acknowledged the weapons selected and were visibly
happy to see that the God of Light had finally attended one of the gladiatorial
contests.
Lord Baldur then dropped both instruments
of pain towards the Jotun and the Human gladiators.
"On the third bell, the match shall
begin. Good luck to both noble fighters, may you both fight well and with
honour!"
As Raif went to pick up his staff he heard
the massive Ice Jotun Koal sneer. "You seriously believe you can beat a
Giant? You are just an insignificant maggot? I shall crush you before my
audience and sell your entrails as cheap trinkets!"
Raif locked his eyes on Koal and gave him a
look of amusement before mocking the giant.
"You will do for a warm up Koal, I
hope you have not wagered on yourself as I'd hate to see you both bruised and
out of pocket!"
Koal grunted and swung the staff around his
near ten foot high frame, one powerful hit from Koal could knock down a wall
with ease.
Raif walked with his weapon back to the
corner where Ulyria and Magnus were waiting. They had prepared bandages and
clean water for Raif, just in case he had need of them.
Ulyria smiled and asked. "You making
friends with the snow brained Jotun over there?"
"Not really!" replied Raif.
"I don't think he likes me, he seemed a bit cold and distant!"
Magnus was not willing to entertain any
weak humour and offered more advice. "Listen well Raif, get close enough
to hug him, you need to get up close and personal. Remember every time there is
a valid hit the bell will be rung and you must return to your corner. A red
flag will fly if you score a point and a blue flag will fly if that cold
hearted barn door scores a hit!"
Ulyria added. "Remember, first to
three wins or until one of you yields"
Raif smiled back at Ulyria. "I have no
intention of yielding, this should be fun."
His brother in arms smiled awkwardly with a
mix of fear and dread. "Good luck and cut that tree down to size."
"Good luck Raif, try not to get
hurt" offered Ulyria, trying hard not to show the anxiety she felt for
Raif's upcoming bout.
Raif turned and walked to acknowledge the
vast crowd of Hel's Arena. All gathered pegged him as the underdog, so when he
raised his weapon the crowd cheered him enthusiastically.
The crowd fell silent at the first gong of
the bell; as both fighters faced off against each other. As they waited on the
second gong, the Jotun Koal whispers. "I shall enjoy crushing you; no
fucking insect has ever beaten me!"
Before the bell rang again Raif turned his
back on the Jotun much to everyone's shock. Koal heaved the staff up as a
brutal club to smash into Raif's exposed skull. The last bell chimed and Raif
reacted with practiced quickness, spinning his staff a half revolution he
smashed the thick Ash staff into Koal's exposed left knee. The Staff shattered
on impact but also causes the lumbering Jotun to crash to the floor in agony.
The Ice Giant had all his weight waiting to strike down on Raif, but his knee
had buckled under the momentum of the savage blow.
Koal shrieked in agony as his knee pops out
of its rightful resting place, unable to manage the pain the Jotun raises his
hand and surrenders the point to Raif. Raif returned to his corner with a stone
faced demeanour and is congratulated by Ulyria and Magnus. His elder brother
chuckled at Raif's audacity and ambition. "I forgot to suggest that to
you, what kind of coach am I?"
Ulyria was equally impressed. "Now
that was something, I would like to see again!"
As Koal was restored by Hella's magic, he
grimaced as he returned to his two massive feet. Ulyria handed Raif a fresh
quarterstaff, and gave him a look of concern which Raif acknowledged with a
nod.
"Raif, be careful please!" Ulyria
silently mouthed.
As the bell rang to call the combatants to
their position, the crowd surged with renewed energy. Koal met his attacker
with an icy stare of contempt "You shall pay for that injury, and it will
not be pretty!"
As the second bell sounded Raif turned his
back again on his opponent. He stood with staff pointing upward in front of
him, and Koal assumed the position for another killer blow, this time Koal had
his weapon in less of a high arc of attack, which would stop Raif employing the
same tactic and prevent damage to his knee again.
On the third bell Koal charged down the
space between him and his opponent and let a massive swing at Raif's body.
Reacting instinctively Raif had already swung on his staff like a pole in the
ground and had sent both feet into the Jotuns body before skilfully jumping off
his staff. The two feet crashing into Koal's exposed belly, knocked the giant
to the ground. The mighty warrior Koal laid pained and stunned by the stealthy
attack, Raif was able to use the butt of the quarterstaff to knock the Jotun
out by thrusting the timber into Koal's exposed temple.
The crowd watched fascinated by the Jotun's
lack of finesse and impressed by the shrewd tactics of the Human warrior. The
goddess Hel was also impressed and awarded the point to Raif as Koal was
unconscious and unable to continue the fight. Raif returned to his corner and
accepted the crowd's wild plaudits.
As he sat down he turned to Magnus with a
look of grave concern. "I am running out of tricks, and he is going to be
madder than ever!"
Magnus offered Raif some water which he
refused immediately. "Why don't you use the Toe-Stub trick?"
Ulyria crept into their conversation.
"A toe-stub on a veteran Jotun warrior, are you completely insane?"
Raif on hearing the first gong replied.
"I am not, but if I succeed Koal will be!"
The two fighters faced each other and Koal
just snarled at the fighter in front of him, Raif could not resist baiting the
Jotun further. "You seem awfully quiet Koal, I have some herbs to help
with your headache if you have need of them afterwards...."
The third bell sounded and Raif was still
facing his opponent, Koal charged on Raif's position and was stunned to see
Raif seem inactive.
Koal had aimed a shot from his right
shoulder to hit the centre of Raif but with his slight pause, he had again left
himself open. Raif side stepped the ill executed jab and smashed the base of
the staff into Koal's toe, which caused the Jotun to cry out in agony. Raif did
not stop there and struck the Jotun on his exposed back, which smashed the
injured warrior to his knees.
Without mercy he spun the shaft of the
staff in his hands and generated a powerful overhand smash into the neck of
Koal. With a sickening crunch the mighty Jotun had his massive like neck
smashed into shards, The Jotun's eyes gave a clear message of pain that even
Raif felt empathy for. The red flag was raised for the final time and the Jotun
was defeated by three flags to nil.
Magnus was first to encounter his brother
and he searched his brother checking that he had received no injury. "So
you didn't even get a scratch? Not even a splinter?"
"I'm afraid not Magnus, I knew your
healing knowledge was poor so I avoided any chance of injury. I am sure your
bedside manner is excellent though!"
Magnus laughed and notices Ulyria approach.
"What about her bedside manner dear brother!"
Raif ignored Magnus comments and greeted
Ulyria warmly.
"Hello fair Ulyria, how did you enjoy
the fight?"
Ulyria smiled. "You are very
unorthodox Raif, but entertaining. I am going to watch our future enemy battle,
will you be coming also?"
"I will give it a miss; maybe
discretion is a good idea after my showboating earlier."
Magnus chipped in. "It was essential
to rile the great oaf into acting the way we wanted Raif, do you want me to
join Ulyria in scouting Reinhardt?"
Ulyria realised that Raif needed some quiet
reflective time and answered for him. "It will be an honour for you to be
my escort Magnus, thank you."
The Elf grabbed Magnus and moved him in the
direction of the Arena, she believed that if she could keep the huge Human by
her side; she could keep Magnus out of further trouble in the realm of the
dead.
Raif cleaned off the dried blood of his
frosty opponent and dirt with fresh water, one of the Dark Queen's servants
came over to pass on the Queen of the Dead's personal invite for a royal audience.
Hel's messenger was a pale grey skinned
Human who looked to have passed close to his fortieth season; he showed no
signs of battle but was dressed similar to how he remembered his father
dressing.
The man's face gave little emotion away
until he spoke to Raif. "Raif, son of the esteemed and noble trader Lars
Hanson, You have gained a great victory in the hall of our gracious and
beautiful Queen Hella, I as her humble messenger pass on her congratulations on
overcoming such a superior fighter."
Raif smirked at the messenger's words and
knew he was only repeating word for word the wicked monarch's message.
Raif continued to clean away the smells and
sights of battle with the now red tinged water, Raif turned to the messenger
and with great diplomatic grace replied. "I thank you for your praise
noble Messenger, may I enquire as to her gracious messengers name?"
The messenger's eyes gave away the normal
passiveness and good humour sprang from the messenger.
"I give thanks to you noble warrior,
it has been many, many years since anyone has cared to ask or respond to me
with that level of respect and honour. I was known in your realm as Sedric
third son of Harold the Grey, Jarl of Trondheim. I left my mortal body over
four hundred years ago, and I died while my sons and I hunted on a semi frozen
lake. My lack of care and desire to hunt my quarry sent myself and four of my
sons to this realm until the final showdown of the gods at Ragnorak."
Raif saw the inner torture of this former
warrior and could not hope to understand the guilt of Sedric, these five noble
warriors who were destined to fight with the Allfather come Ragnorak; where now
doomed to rise with the rest of Hella's army of the dead. Raif offered a simple
gesture of support.
"The Fates can be cruel and kind; all
we mortals can do is live according to our beliefs until destiny removes
freewill from our hands!" Sedric put out his arm to greet him as a warrior
equal and they embraced as brothers in arms had done for countless generations.
Sedric then stepped forward and spoke in
his native tongue. "Raif, I also serve the splendid god Baldur who as you
know resides here in this wretched realm. He wishes for me to encourage you in
your quest and battles as it serves the Humans trapped here well. Your
victories over impossible odds ensure that the flame of hope will continue to
burn in the gloom of Helheim."
Raif nodded his understanding of Lord
Baldur's message. "My actions bring hope to those in Hel's care?"
"Indeed they do, Helheim is growing a
colder and selfish place. Our guardian has shown she cares very little about
the ones she should be guarding. There are also dark rumours that are uttered
by her scared people!" Sedric checked himself from talking further as he
did not believe the mortal needed to know everything.
"Please continue Sedric, maybe the
reason I have travelled here is linked to the suffering of the honoured
dead!" Raif encouraged Sedric to continue, he could see the messenger had
much that worried him.
"Very well Raif, there are rumours of
souls disappearing from this realm. They disappear in a swirl of colour and are
never seen again. They are always maiden's who passed into this realm before
motherhood and we are missing dozens of them."
Raif thought on this and replied.
"Does the God of Light Baldur know of this?"
"He does, but he cannot act at this
time. He has asked Forseti to address the issue with Lord Odin and Queen Hella;
things are in a state of flux at this time so we expect little action!"
Sedric hid his anger but Raif can see the messenger's frustration etched on his
weathered face.
"So the turmoil is not just a Midgard
issue?" asked Raif.
Sedric laughed. "Midgard as important
as it is will only ever reflect the turmoil of the other eight realms!"
*
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