Valhalla Unleashed

Two: A Debt to be Repaid-1

Two: A Debt to be Repaid“Are you surprised to see me, Audan? I was hoping I could have a moment to speak with you.” The All Father himself had once again descended from glorious Valhalla to pay me a most unexpected but welcome visit. I quickly dropped to one knee out of respect but Odin grasped me by the shoulder gripping my tunic and lifted me upwards. “A Viking never drops to his knees, not for any man, not even for a god. To your feet my son, and stand proudly as a warrior should.” I stood quickly and was met by the steely blue eye of the All Father.

“Why are you here All Father? Is it the Draugr? Are they returning?” I was anxious for answers. His appearance could not be by mere chance. Odin motioned with his hands towards the cold rocky ground beneath our feet,

“Sit, sit. We have much to discuss since we last saw one another. A great many things have occurred.” I sat quickly crossing my legs and adjusting my sword sheath so not to jab me in the flank. “Now, tell me my son, what know you of the Ragnarok?” Odin's question struck at me deeply; what did he know? I felt compelled out of respect to keep my answers short and to the point.

“That it is the end of everything,” I said with a look of disdain.

“Everything you say? Perhaps you can be more forthcoming. Tell me exactly what the Ragnarok is? Hmmmm?” Odin stared at me deeply stroking his long gray beard that reached all the way to his lap. I paused and thought for a moment on the many retellings of the story I had heard around camp fires as a child.

“It is foretold that men and gods alike will do battle; many will perish in the coming struggles. The world will end in fire and smoke consuming all within it.” Odin released his beard resting his arms on his crossed legs.

“And this tale of old, do you believe it to be true?” His question perplexed me but I still maintained my earlier doubts of men tales of the Gods.

“I don't know what to believe anymore since visiting the sacred doorsteps of your home. Much of the world has transformed for me and changed for all time. Things are much more, complicated than they were before I knew you.” Odin nodded several times; his dark brimmed hat nearly touching my forehead and smiled widely. Out the corner of my eye I caught a crow flying through the mist that circled above and then quickly landed on the shoulder of Odin. He did not turn to look at the crow but merely leaned his ear into the bird's beak. I could hear the crow squawking quietly as Odin grinned and laughed deeply under his breath.

“Where are my manners? Huginn, this is Audan, son of Rurik of Bjorgvin. Audan, this is Huginn; say hello, Audan.” The raven c****d his head towards me and let out a squawk.

“Hello Huginn.” The raven leapt from Odin's shoulder to mine and stood perfectly still.

“Don't mind him. He helps me keep my thoughts in order.” The crow squawked once more and began picking at his feathers. Odin seemed to drift off for a moment in his thoughts and stared blankly ahead.

“You had something to say about the Ragnarok Odin?” I asked.

“Yes, turned you upside down as it were. Audan, the Ragnarok is not a guarantee but a warning of what may or can happen. As mortals you live such a short time but in that time you have the freedom to change what may be.” I leaned forward and gestured with my hand for Odin to continue.

“So how do we stop it?” I asked sincerely.

“That still remains to be seen. Freya works in the dark now, her intentions clouded from me. I have sent many scouts to learn her whereabouts. Alas, none have returned. Not even my ravens can find her after searching all nine realms.” Odin lowered his head looking at the ground. With his staff he quickly drew runes in the dirt. “She was not always this way you know. Something has changed her, drawn her ever closer to the darkness. With Surt still encased in his stone prison there must be another who is at play here.” Odin's runes began to glow and hum in the early mornings light.

“Then it is time to find answers at the tip of a sword point,” I suggested boldly.

“Audan, do you know how I came to lose my eye?” said Odin as he lifted his eye patch once again revealing the breathtaking views of all the stars in the sky.

“It is said that you gave your eye as a sacrifice to Mimir's well to trade it for knowledge.” Odin smiled and looked at me warmly as a grandfather might.

“And do you know what knowledge is? What is its essence?” I thought it a strange question for Odin to ask, never the less I answered.

“Knowledge is the difference between walking into a hovel at night with or without a torch. It reveals to us the things that are and that may be.” Odin slapped his knee and pointed at me with an open hand.

“Exactly! Yes, exactly it, Audan. My how you have grown through your trials. You see, I gave my eye not just for some knowledge but all the knowledge in all the realms. I can see the past, I can see the present and most of the time I can foretell what may be. Knowledge is everything and you should be willing to sacrifice for it.”

“So then you agree we should go to war with Freya and her monsters? To sacrifice everything for the truth behind this darkness?”

“There will be time for blood my son but I'm not here to lecture you any longer. You must go and without delay. Take your mother to Jerrik at the Isle of Edni. Every moment you stay here you are placing your people in great peril.” Odin ceased writing in the dirt wiping away his runes and stood quickly without warning.

“Danger? From what Odin?”

“Shadows in the dark; hunters of men's souls with fang and claw. I cannot see them clearly yet but they are coming. Assemble your bravest warriors and get on the ship. There is no time to explain.” Odin suddenly seemed nervous, even frightened. What was it that vexed him so?

“No, I must stay and fight them off. The people need me. I cannot leave them without a protector. We have already lost too much.” I protested.

“You don't understand, Audan. They are not coming for your people. They are coming for you. Your army is too small to fight them off. If you remain in Bjorgvin all you know and love will be destroyed. Get to the ships, make peace with Kenna's father and bring back reinforcements. You will need warriors in great numbers for the battles to come.” Odin stood placing the hooded cloak over his head once more. He stepped away quickly taking long strides with his staff in tow.

“Where are you going?” Odin turned his back to me looking side to side in his dark cloak. He then turned his eye skyward lifting his staff for a moment and dropping the bottom end violently to the ground sending an echo against the fjords that cracked in the air. He turned back towards me with a burning look.

“Back to Valhalla, my sanctuary. I must find answers to this darkness if we are to save the Norse world form this destruction.” I became angered that my friend was once again departing so soon.

“So you're going to leave us to the wolves once more?” Odin closed the gap between us quickly placing his hand behind my neck and pulling my face next to his.

“I'm not abandoning you, Audan; not now, not ever. Your path has been made clear. You can choose to follow it or stray. My work here is complete. You have been warned, I must go now. You will see me once more before the next full moon. Be strong Audan; your people depend upon it. All of the world depends on it.” As Odin walked away his cloaked figure slowly disappeared in a fog until he could be seen no more. Like a specter he vanished into thin air leaving no trace. How could he do this again? How could he just up and leave in our time of need. I think for a man who had actually met the gods I still perhaps knew the least about them.

“Audan.” Startled, I turned quickly gripping my sword. Jareth stood behind me with his open hands facing towards me. “Calm down, brother. It's just me. Were you expecting trouble?” he asked.

“Don't f*****g sneak up on me like that; I could have killed you. You could make some noise you know.” I released my deathly grip upon the sword as Jareth walked towards me.

“Who were you talking to brother?” Jareth asked suspiciously as he looked about the foggy plain.

“Talking?” I immediately sensed that my attempt at playing coy would not get me far with my clever brother. Jareth pointed over my shoulder,

“Yes, there just now; I saw a cloaked figure walk off hurriedly in the distance. Who were you speaking with, brother?”

“Just searching for some wisdom from the gods.” Jareth let out a quiet chuckle placing his hands on his hips.

“Oh. I thought you might be going mad. That's all.” Jareth looked down at my waist. “Are you going to let loose your grip of that sword or should I be worried?” Gazing downward I noticed my hand still gripping the sword handle and I quickly relinquished my grasp. I felt nervous after meeting with Odin.

“Apologies, brother. It's quickly becoming a difficult day.” I rubbed my eyes and let my hands fall to my sides. “We sail to see Jerrik by tomorrow morning. Rouse the men and begin packing the ship.” Jareth crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows, reluctant to take orders from me.

“And while I'm doing your bidding where will you be brother? I have errands to attend to as well.” Lowering my head in frustration I ran my fingers through my long hair to calm my nerves.

“I will be with you and the men momentarily brother. I need to speak with our dear mother about pressing matters.” Jareth had a slight look of concern on his brow but quickly turned away to do as I asked. “Thank you brother!” I said as he walked away. Jareth lifted one arm in the air acknowledging my thanks but clearly frustrated with the task I had given. I walked back up the path towards the Great Hall once more. As I pushed on the large wooden door it swung open loudly and made a crashing sound when I closed it. Walking through the main drinking chamber I once again arrived at the door of my parents chambers. Tibor was still standing guard as he always does with a look of surprise on his face.

“Audan, back so soon?” For a young guard Tibor asked too many questions.

“Just open the door Tibor.” Tibor quickly stepped in front of me with his serpent painted shield.

“Your father ordered me to let no one pass. Your mother is gathering her things for the upcoming voyage. If I let you in your father will have me beaten for disobeying him.” I stepped forward into Tibor's shield. The top end pressed into my neck; the boy would not be easily removed from his post.

“Move, Tibor, or I will move you,” I said, gritting my teeth.

“On one condition.” A smile cracked across Tibor's face. I became frustrated,

“Are you being smart with me, Tibor?” I sharply replied. “You're one more breath away from a beating you shall not forget. My father will be the least of your woes should you continue to stand in my way.” Tibor smiled and shook his head from side to side.

“Take me with you, Audan.” Caught off guard I took a step back from Tibor's shield.

“What?”

“Take me with you,” Tibor pleaded.

“On the voyage to see Jerrik, what use would you be to me? I'm only supposed to bring my best men. You have yet to be in battle. You're still a child and would likely die on the crossing.” Tibor lowered his guard and placed his shield to the ground gently.

“That's why I want to go— to prove myself and stand by your side as a fellow warrior. You are a hero, Audan. Everyone in the village says so. I want to fight aside the man who has slayed serpents and been in the presence of the gods themselves. I am ready to take my place amongst our people.” My blood began to cool as Tibor's enthusiasm flattered me.

“Tibor, it's not that kind of voyage. The last thing I want is to make more enemies. As it is we don't have any allies at our side. We need to avoid battle at all costs until we can replenish our ranks.” Tibor stepped forward and pressed his case.