Sons of Asgard: Call of the Blood: Part Two Chapter One Sample

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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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@2014 J.Junior Page.