Chapter 9

Three days later:

Heegan led John, Sygraid and Halphis out the north-facing gate on the opposite side of town from the gate they’d been using to go to the funeral stone. Rorik had offered to accompany them, but Sygraid argued that he was the best suited remaining villager to organize a defense if something more dangerous attacked the End. With Heegan gone, his deputy Cayne would partner with the experienced hunter for assistance. Three others, all members of the Watch escorted them. One kept rear guard, in case anything slipped by the village to overtake them.

The other two rode in a sleigh weighted down with supplies, just in front. One to control the team and one to scout for problems. A team of domesticated pack predators that John would’ve called wolves if they didn’t have a giant lizard- or velociraptor-like snout, and thick, rat-like tail, pulled the load. Heegan called them worgh, admitting the varg were undead perversions of them. The former soldier could see why the varg had no skin on their skulls. The worghs’ jaw hinges bulged with muscle mass. They each looked like a good-ole-boy with a massive chew in both cheeks. Over that stretched a pale layer of thick, scaly hide, starting at the base of the skull and bristling with inch-long, razor-sharp spines all along the lines of their faces. From the curve over their nostrils, to the brow ridge and down along their jaw line bristled a nightmarish row of spikes. The worgh paws were even wider than the varg’s., though perhaps their toenails were less prominent. The group ran atop the snow easily on those snowshoe-like pads. Many Nords and human hunters in the north tamed them both for tracking and transport.

No way is that a naturally occurring animal! John decided.

Probably not. Mason agreed. Though the peanut gallery is reminding me of the duck-billed platypus, so who knows?

They look like somebody put a call in to central casting: Hell-hound, domesticated, male, adult, 1 each.

Yeah, they do, don’t they? Mason agreed.

They marched in a column up the valley, which turned into a draw, then a canyon. They camped out overnight in a shallow cave along the canyon wall. The hole bored into the cave roof and permanent fire ring below it were evidence that the villagers used it for shelter often. They ate all together around the fire, the last fresh meat the three Challengers would have on the trip.

“Heegan, you would wait until the last possible moment before telling us where you are going?” Halphis asked, for the hundredth time that day. John had no idea how often the Infernal had bugged the man over the past few days, since the Watch Councilor’s duties and John’s training with Sygraid and Rorik kept them in different parts of the village. But Heegan just shook his head silently now. He’d long since tired of verbal replies.

“My good and capable man, if we do not know,” Halphis wheedled, “what are we to do if—y”

“Halphis.” John interrupted. “Halphis.”

“Yes, John of the Morgans?” The man looked at him.

“Enough.” He said flatly. “Leave him alone. He will tell us when he wants to, and not a moment sooner. Rorik and Sygraid claim good reason, and I’ll not gainsay them.”

“But, how can you tolerate not knowing?” Halphis wondered. “We agreed that you would lead the expedition, since the Shield-maiden would not accept my being in charge. The leader should know where he leads.”

The Infernal was a lot less charming since John made him remove all disguise magic. His scarred, washed-out visage was tough on the stomach when he wasn’t talking. When he was, they all wanted to strangle him.

John stared back at him silently for a minute.

“Heegan has fought at my side. So has Sygraid. And Rorik. And Fadey over there. We share that kinship. You do not. I’ve led men in war before. I’ve also followed others as they led me. I am perfectly happy doing either, but will not accept someone who has done nothing to prove themselves worthy of that role. Sygraid and you both agreed before we left that I am our leader until we stand in the dragon’s lair for our Challenge. My decision, as our leader is this: two men and one woman I have shared combat with tell me they have valid reasons for keeping us in the dark. I trust them, so I will be patient.” He pointed a finger at the Cambion. “You will follow my lead, and stop antagonizing the man we agreed would show us the way to our starting point. If you cannot, I’ll happily send you back to the End to find your own way without our help. Can you shut your mouth about this?”

Halphis opened his mouth, and John dropped a hand to his shorter knife. The Cambion’s teeth clicked closed.

“Now,” John looked around, “who has first watch?”

“I will take it.” Fadey said from his seat by the cave entrance.

“Do you see something?” Heegan stood.

“Twice, I thought I saw someone following. But each time when I hid to let them pass, there was nothing.” Fadey shrugged.

“Hm,” Heegan tapped his chin. “Double your distance behind us. Do not come all the way to our destination until I signal you tomorrow.”

Fadey nodded, grunting.

“Get some sleep!” John ordered Halphis, when that one stood at the door beside Fadey for too long after they ate.

They were moving again, the following morning at first light. Heegan covered the fire with a flat stone. Halphis’s question died on his lips when John caught his eye with a head shake.

“I did not know you were like this.” He muttered as they walked out of the cave.

“Because you have no idea what teamwork means.” John shot back.

“Team. Work?” The man looked confused.

“You don’t use that word?” John asked Sygraid.

“We do, though we say ‘many fingers, only one hand.’ Perhaps the Infernal has simply never seen it before. They are known for being difficult to get along with, even for each other.”

“Got it.”

The canyon steadily narrowed as they walked, until it forced them to be single file. Heegan stayed in the lead as the chasm wound deeper into the crease between the Ice Crag and the rest of the mountain wall. The walls above their heads slanted inward until all they could see of the sky was a thin line no wider than Halphis’s saber. The sleigh dropped back behind them, creeping forward at walking pace. There were occasional wider spots, but not very many. Then the walls met above them, and they were in a tunnel. The walls bore marks that it was carved, and they walked through an S-curve before coming into a cave. The men unhooked the sleigh and staked the worgh team in place.

A tiny hole was bored into this cave’s ceiling as well, allowing the burning fire’s smoke to exit. On the wall opposite their tunnel entry was a large iron door. It was only wide enough for one person to walk through, but tall enough for Sygraid with room to spare. It had no hinges, resting in two metal-lined channels. A chain was hooked to the top of it, leading over a pulley and down to a crank beside the opening they’d just entered through. The door was a solid piece of iron, without even a window to see beyond. A winged sword, pointing up was engraved in the center. John looked back after they walked in, and found another one to match, sitting above that opening. A wooden dowel held the thick metal in place, one for each track.

Three men John didn’t recognize were camped in the cave. Chairs and a table were carved from the slick stone walls, with smooth rocks as stools around the fire. All of the inhabitants were armed with swords, and shields and spears were hung from hooks near the opening. One of them looked up when Heegan led them inside.

“Heegan! How do you fare?” He called. “You come to check on us? Or ... we have two more days. And who are these?”

Each man stepped quickly to a paired shield and spear.

“We are hale and whole. We keep the hearth warm for you.” Heegan called. “How do you fare?”

The three relaxed, nodding back.

“We keep the Watch. No activity during our time.” The first replied as they returned to their seats.

“Arm yourselves.” Heegan said, reversing their movement again. Once all three held shield and spear, he silently directed the two nearest the tunnel opening to take a position blocking it. The one who’d spoken he pointed at the crank. That one shot Heegan a surprised look, but moved to the wheel.

Halphis walked around and stood before the door. “What is this?”

“The reason our village exists.” Heegan replied. “The Door at the End of the World.”

“Where does it go? Why is it here? Why are you here?” Halphis babbled.

Heegan held up a hand. “We wait. They should be here soon.”

“Who?” Halphis looked scared.

“Valkyrie.” Sygraid breathed, going to a knee and bowing her head.

“The Valkyries, yes.” Heegan confirmed.

“Heegan, they’re here.” John pointed.

“We come to inspect the Watch.” A husky female voice said.

The two men standing at the opening both stepped forward and to each side, away from each other simultaneously. Three stunningly beautiful women, perfectly proportioned with waist-length blond hair walked into the cave. All wore steel curiasses, knee-length, metal-lined, skirt-like leg armor, and greaves. Hawk-like wings sprouted from their steel helmets, white for the leader, gray for the other two. They carried spears, just like the villagers, with curved swords sheathed at their waists. Their shields bore an eight-legged horse device. The third tapped her spear on the floor as she passed the men. They resumed their positions behind her.

The leader walked up to Heegan and stopped. He bowed from the waist, but remained standing. Her attendants flanked her, spear butts grounded by their feet.

“I greet you, Flight Leader.” Heegan said. “The Watch, and their relief are assembled and await your attention.”

John turned, and found Fadey and the two others standing against the wall. They held their own shields and spears in a position he would’ve called parade rest had he been watching U.S. soldiers. He stepped out of the way, flanking Sygraid patiently.

“We greet you in peace, Watch Commander. We shall inspect, then you will tell us why we are here.” The leader affirmed.

“At your pleasure, Flight Leader.” Heegan bowed again. He moved over to Halphis and whispered for the Cambion to be quiet and just watch.

Working their way around the room, the trio looked over each Watch member. They examined weapons and armor for disrepair and neglect. They asked questions about duties and combat. They even had a couple of the men show them bare feet and hands. After finishing with the man at the crank wheel, the Flight Leader turned to Sygraid.

“Daughter, Warden, how do you fare? Please stand; you know we do not kneel.” She asked.

“I kneel to beg you a boon.” Sygraid said, lifting her head.

“Then stand, and ask. I will listen.” The Flight Leader put her hands on Sygraid’s chest armor and pulled her to her feet.

“I know that you claim all Nords as your daughters,” she looked at John, “or sons. But do you know who birthed me? Can you tell me of her? Or the hero she lay with?”

The Flight Leader seemed to notice John for the first time. Her head turned this way and that as she studied him. A finger moved to his jawline, but withdrew at his raised eyebrow.

“Who ... are you?” The Flight Leader breathed.

“This is Jyon.” Sygraid said. “My lord.”

“Jyon?” She asked. “A Nord? From the End?”

“Yes ... and no.” John said. “The explanation is complicated, but I am from another world. There I am without legs, and an arm. I traveled here by some means I can’t tell you. The trip gave me a Nord body while I am here.”

“How ... did you do this?” The Flight Leader was shocked.

“A very advanced ... um, I don’t know the word for it.” John said. “Let’s call it a different magic than you have here. It comes from knowledge of the world around us, not from individuals, like the dragons.”

“And, can you return to your home, or have they banished you?” She asked.

“I can return, but only from what you call funeral stones.” He explained.

“He feels like, we should know him.” One of the other Valkyries said.

“Yes,” the third agreed. “But in a different place.”

“A Visitor? You have knowledge of the portals? You must hide this from any of the dragon’s minions, or they will stop at nothing to destroy you.” The Flight Leader stated.

“That may be difficult. But I will do what I can.” John agreed.

“How have you come to hold our daughter’s allegiance?” The Flight Leader looked at Sygraid.

“He fought and killed a varg, then defended my son from a draugyr. He and my husband killed the undead warrior when it invaded our village.” Sygraid said proudly.

“A draugyr invaded the End?” The Flight Leader looked dismayed.

The looks on the Watch warriors’ faces said they were horrified and furious in equal measure at the news.

“Our guess is that the dragon can sense whenever I use the funeral stone. It also sent some trolls to attack us.” John replied.

“To attack you.” Sygraid clarified.

“Probably.” John conceded.

“This is disconcerting. We will convene a council to decide if we should act. Though the End is within the dragon’s home, she has traditionally left the village alone.” The Flight Leader mused.

There was an awkward silence, until one of the other Valkyries tapped her leader with her shield.

“What? Oh!” She turned to Sygraid. “I never answered your request. Does your family not treat you as their own?”

“They do, Flight Leader, but with my first husband dead, and possibly myself soon as well ... I wished my son to have some knowledge of his blood.” Sygraid explained.

“We cannot tell you of the hero.” The Flight Leader admitted. “Our arrangement with them insures you find your own way, untainted by the hero’s own history and whatever actions prompted us to choose them for the Hall.”

“A clean slate.” John remarked.

“A clean soul.” The Flight Leader retorted.

“Of your mother, I can say that she is much admired for her daring and the quality of her offspring.” The Flight Leader smiled, eyes distant. “She seeks those who chafe most under the dragon’s authority. Her attention provides comfort, and keeps them from dissolution, or madness. Her forays into the Halls of Valor last for weeks. She tells the heroes of her children, and offers solace to those who need it. Though she cannot be mother to them, she is proud of each child. She chooses which family to gift with her babes very carefully.”