The newcomer sighs dramatically. “We agreed the blood in our son would be mixed between us, meaning we share the grandchildren as well. You were always such a sore loser, Briny.”
Are we still discussing Aura?
Briny slams the half-full mead horn onto the table, spilling its contents onto the floor. “You played dirty that night on the beach, and you know it!”
Why do I sense this bickering is about Frida, Sigvid’s Mother?
Calder pounds the butt of his great axe into the floor. “If either of you cares for Aura, you will show me to the fucking Abyss!”
Briny offers a quick nod and a wave of his hand. “Go along, Thord, ever the bloody hero.”
Calder glances between the two men, uncertain where the animosity is brewing, choosing to ignore it and focus on entering the Abyss.
“Lead the way.” Calder intentionally walks between Avard and Thord, aware that animosity toward the King also extends to his father, who never stopped blaming him for Lavinia's impact on his life.
“Is there more for me to know?”
They exit the longhouse and enter an open field surrounded by thick blackwood trees. Other souls meander about, talking and laughing,but Calder catches many of them eying their progress straight ahead toward a vast lake.
“Nothing you cannot handle.” Avard pats his back, shooting a death glare at Thord, who seems unaffected by the bitterness of his once-friend and warrior.
They continue, and Calder notes a warm glow that wraps the land in natural light, even without a sun burning overhead.
“You’ve certainly become quite the Drengr.” Thord regards him with a broad smile. “I’m glad to hear my son has had some sense knocked into him.” He shakes his head as if Sigvid were a young boy learning to play well with others.
“Your boy is a menace who put my son in a terrible situation by forcing him back to Skalor.” Avard interrupts.
“Sigvid bears both god and berserker blood in his veins,” Thord announces proudly, not addressing Avard, who mumbles bitterly to himself.
They turn away from the lake and its sparkling water to stroll along the shore until they arrive at a crumbling dock stretching over the light current.
Thord and Avard halt just before they reach the planks.
“Once you enter, yourseidrwill vanish. Briny cannot come near the gate or risk losing his powers and becoming trapped in the Abyss.” Thord explains.
Then it is true that Makt and the others are locked inside.
Avard steps forward. “No soul or mortal has ever entered the underworld and returned. I have no knowledge to impart to you, my son.”
Wonderful.
“You might be able to convince the King of the Dead to release you since you are still a mortal man in our realm. However, releasing Aura’s soul will require some persuasion.” Thord adds.
Avard mutters something about ‘Draemonium.’
“Before you go, Calder,” Thord hesitates, “please tell Sigvid and Avina that they are the King and Queen I always prayed they would become. And,” Thord looks a bit sheepish, “he can access the Depthswith the Treland Sacred Stone anytime. Tell him I look forward to sharing mead with him, should he wish to make amends after all these winters.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Calder inclines his head to Thord, who yields to Avard.
“I long to meet this extraordinary girl whose life is worth risking two afterlives.”
Calder embraces his father, trying to focus on a positive future.
“Try not to strangle Thord in the meantime.” Calder lowers his voice.
“I can take him.” He grunts. “One more thing.” He pulls Calder closer. “Those in the Abyss will know you're coming if Makt has your girl. You might also run into more than just Makt in the Abyss.”
“I will be careful.” He offers the promise he knows he cannot deliver.
