“Please, no need for ceremony.” Edmund waves off the formal Gothi title. “The temple is likely located near the Forest of Fear. I will need time to confirm with the texts in the Kaldrgataness Gothi Temple. Without a doubt, heavyseidrwill protect it.”
“I will call upon Clementia’s Hold for assistance, and we will need the Drengr in case Lavinia and Makt summon the drauger army.” Calder inclines his head to Thora, who nods in understanding.
“I will hold the fort down here. I assume all of you will venture out?” Gunni only has eyes for Thora.
“I am always pleased to see you go above and beyond the call of duty, Gunni.” Calder jests at his old friend for his willingness to remain behind.
“You know me.”
“In the morning, Edmund will gather any tomes from the temple and bring them here for everyone to comb through. Tonight, eat, drink, and throw axes. We have an Abyss-sized task ahead of us.” Calder holds up his horn.
Search for a mystery weapon that may or may not exist?
Use it to kill an ancient god that no one has been able to vanquish?
Fulfill a cryptic prophecy to save Skalor?
What can go wrong?
21
AVINA
September 11th, Year 21, 10th Era
Blackwood Estate, Treland
“Your Majesty, I understand that the Lady Commander has not returned from visiting the Dowager Queen in Sjoby. I only require the crown’s permission to intake new Drengr.” Thora’s twitchy Second can hardly stop fidgeting.
Avina cannot cease twirling the loose curl resting on her temple. An anxious habit she has never been able to quit. “I trust your guidance, Varmar. You worked with the Lord Commander for years before Princess Thora.”
Her eldest daughter’s true desire was to steal Calder’s Second, Gunni Olafsson.
When Sigvid refused to return to Skalor after the ordeal with Lavinia, he instructed a young Thora to check in with the Jarl of Kaldrgataness. Against all odds, their hardened daughter developed soft feelings for Gunni.
Yet another situation in which her dear husband’s diverted focus inadvertently helped to stoke romantic interests in her children.
Varmar shakes his head, waving his arms about in apparent distress. “Queen Avina, the Drengr do not act without explicitinstruction from the Lord or Lady Commanders.” The fear in his voice is tangible.
A knock comes from the front doors of Blackwood.
No! Is the next meeting here already?
“Listen, Varmar,” she strangles the franticness in her tone, “as your Queen and fellow Drengr, I require you to make these difficult choices. If the Commanders are dissatisfied,Iwill take full responsibility.”
He slams a fist against his chest. “Y-y-yes, my Queen.” His breathing wavers as he exits.
With trembling hands, Avina pours herself a glass of sweet Timber wine. Typically, Sigvid insisted they hold public meetings in the longhouse, but circumstances keep her from leaving Blackwood.
Since recovering from the carriage accident, Sigvid has awoken with a vengeance every few hours, his crimson gaze threatening his berserker side.
What began as a way to protect herself, Bjorn, and the continent from his fury evolved into a six-day-long sedation regimen of dosing her husband with Azure every time he awakened.
I am doing this for the greater good.Avina tells herself.
Thora, Edmund, and Calder need enough time to rescue Aura without Sigvid’s meddling.
And he would indeed interfere!
