“That does change things,” Osvif said after the silence had gone on too long. “If Odin expects us to die, then I can see a few options for how to attack that might minimize them even though we know half of us will still probably not make it.”
The crackling of the fire was the only reply their tactician got as each Viking considered how that death might affect them.
*****
[ V.A.L.H.A.L.L.A ]
Magnus / Einar Sibbison
Age: 32/18
Strength - 26+17
Endurance - 25+14
Agility - 24+2
Perception - 20+8
Wisdom - 19+5
Mysticism - 23+8
Runes:
Gungnir’s Strength (Chest) Legendary (Hidden)
Max Training Stat for Strength, Endurance and Agility is racial limit plus 50. 2.5 x Growth Rate
25% Bonus to Perception - No Stat Limit
Max Training Stat for Wisdom and Mysticism is 50. 1.5 x Growth Rate
Rune Level Bonuses:
Lvl 1 + 10% Bonus to Strength and Endurance
Lvl 2 + 10% Bonus to Agility and Perception
Lvl 3 Divine Protection. 50% Damage Reduction for 1 Minute. Cooldown: 5 Days
Lvl 4 Healing of the Gods - 100x Healing and Wyrd Regeneration Rate for 5 minutes. Cooldown: 3 Days
Lvl 5 Thor’s Blessing - Summon one bolt of lighting to strike one target. Cooldown: 1 Day
Experience 0%
Warrior’s Defense (Back) Intermediate
10% Bonus to Endurance
Rune Level Bonuses:
Lvl 1 + 5% Bonus to Endurance
Lvl 2 + 5% Bonus to Endurance
Lvl 3 + 5% Bonus to Endurance / Resist Damage
Experience 100%
Warrior’s Blessing (Stomach) Advanced
10% Bonus to Strength and Endurance
5% Bonus to Damage
Rune Level Bonuses:
Lvl 1 + 4% Bonus to Strength and Endurance
Lvl 2 + 5% Bonus to Strength
Lvl 3 + 7% Bonus to Endurance
Lvl 4 + 5% Bonus to Damage
Experience 58%
Might of the Viking (Right Arm) Advanced
10% Bonus to Strength
10% Bonus to Damage
Rune Level Bonuses:
Lvl 1 + 10% Bonus to Strength
Lvl 2 + 7% Bonus to Strength
Lvl 3 + 5% Bonus to Perception
Lvl 4 + 5% Bonus to Strength
Experience 58%
Forked Rune of Elements (Head) Advanced
15% Bonus to Wisdom and Mysticism
Advanced Lightning Affinity
Intermediate Fire Affinity
Basic Ice Affinity
Rune Level Bonuses:
Lvl 1 + 10% Bonus to Mysticism
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Lvl 2 + 8% Bonus to Mysticism
Lvl 3 + 15% Bonus to Spell Damage
Lvl 4 + 25% Bonus to Wyrd Recovery
Experience 56%
Strength Milestone - Rank 1 - All damage done with melee weapons is increased by 25%. Muscle is denser, resulting in a 10% decrease in damage taken from all attacks.
Endurance Milestone - Rank 1 - Resists Attacks as if twice normal height and weight. Health increased by 25%. Body is naturally more resistant, resulting in a 10% decrease in damage taken from all attacks.
Boon:
Freyr’s Enduring Endurance - No physical fatigue while in Alfheim.
Time Remaining: 11 Days
*****
That death hurt in more ways than I want to imagine… A whole level of Gungnir… Even still the cost for me was far less than I know it would be for all of them.
“We didn’t come here expecting not to die,” Thorodd stated as he stood up, glancing at each man who had been sitting silent. “We bring that stone with us so that we can be brought back. We fight because Odin needs us and we answer his call. So if I must die to accomplish what is required and to follow Einar down a path to prevent Ragnarok, then so be it.”
Each Viking slapped their leg or the trunk they were sitting on, some stomping the ground with their feet as well.
“Then it is settled,” Osvif said as he moved to the sketch on the ground and started drawing lines. “Tomorrow we will attack and do as much damage as possible.”
As Einar moved to join the others, Varitan motioned to him to come close.
“My people are nervous about this plan, as I’m sure you can tell by the looks on their faces.”
He nodded, watching each elf grimace, slight wrinkles appearing as they winced at how easily Thorodd had spoken of death.
“Osvif will not put them in a position to die. Trust him. You and I have seen him take extra care to ensure your people are at as little risk as possible.”
His friend nodded and reached out a hand.
“I still owe you an apology. I…”
Varitan wiped a dry eye with a single finger and his whole body shook for a moment.
“Freyr revealed to me how I would be one of his warriors who must die. He said that my death would change many things in our people's lives and that I would be reborn in time, given something special for my service and yet… death scares me.”
As he spoke, the warrior moved away a bit from the others, talking in a quieter tone as Einar followed him.
“Only you and I know of this and I wanted to share it but I have been afraid each day of when I might die. There are so many of my people that I love and the knowledge I may not see them for so long scares me. Having lost the one whose bracelet you wear… I know it may be even longer before we meet again.”
“It’s not the death that you fear, it’s what comes after, isn’t it?”
Varitan nodded.
“All elves die at some point, even the King and Queen. Yet that time between is a mystery we can not remember. Even worse is I know Ragnarok is coming and if I die before it comes, then how will I play a role to help stop it?”
“What if what Freyr has said is the role you play?” Einar asked.
“In what way?”
“How many stories are sung about brave men or women who fought in battles they knew they wouldn’t come back from and yet they did it anyway because doing so was the only way others would be saved?”
The elf warrior’s eyes widened slightly, a light of hope appearing in them that had been absent for so long.
“Hundreds…”
“Varitan, what if your name is the spark that is required to ignite your people and cause them to come together, standing as one? What if one death is what it takes to create a wall that cannot be torn down and it is your death that causes it to be built? Would you then gladly be that death which protects all your people from the darkness that is trying to destroy all of us?”
Einar watched as his friend shifted for just a moment and then as Varitan’s chest puffed out slightly.
“I would gladly die to be that spark.”
“As would I! Now then, do not fear the death that we all know will come, but instead look forward to the day that you can die in such a way others might live!”
His Elven friend’s head started to nod slowly at first and then picked up the pace as a smile formed.
“You’re right! Freyr was right about you all this time! Thank you for helping me to see this truth!”
Grinning as his friend slapped him on the arm before turning back to talk to the other elves he had been tasked with leading.
Einar stood there by himself a moment, unable to lose the grin on his face as he saw the confused look on the elves' faces change when Varitan began talking to them.
With one problem done, he moved to join the discussion which had gotten a bit lively based on how voices had risen.
“I don’t think it’s fair that you’re putting us in groups based on who has died already,” Hogni complained. “While none of us wants to endure it, protecting us like a babe isn’t going to make any of us happy.”
“He’s not protecting you, moron,” Thorleif argued. “If this requires three or more attempts, spreading the deaths out limits the suffering each of us will endure. You should know how close our runes were to being worthless before this trip.”
“Yet, we’ve never fought this way before,” Starkard added. “Would it really be a bad thing to do so?”
“Decides who lives and dies?”
Einar tried to slip in as Hogni complained again without interrupting the discussion but failed as each of them went silent and waited to hear what he would add.
“I’m late, what’s the plan?”
Clearing his throat, the shortest Viking of them all pointed at the outline of the clearing with his stick.
“I told them that we needed to focus on trying to complete this in three pushes. With us not being able to guarantee how many undead are there or how many more might appear between each attempt, most likely we will succeed on the third or fourth assault.”
“And some people aren’t happy with how you have them placed in each fight?”
Osvif bobbed his head, eyes focused on the Viking who had died earlier today.
“It’s smart,” Einar replied without waiting. “I think even though it hasn’t been done that often, it makes sense to keep ourselves as strong as possible when we know that after completing this task we have another one that will be even harder.”
A few grunts came yet no one else chose to speak.
“Would Odin find us lacking bravery because we were smart? Did Tyr not give Osvif a boon because he used his brain since he’s so short?”
Chuckles came, cutting the tense mood in a moment.
“He is short,” Skardi teased. “But he is smarter than me and I see the wisdom in this. My father spoke of something like this a long time ago but if I’m honest, I wasn’t really paying attention.”
“When did you ever listen to him?” Osvif fired back. “Last time I saw you two together he knocked you off your feet.”
Rubbing his neck with his large hand, Skardi winced.
“I was an idiot… I paid that price. Now… I would prefer to pay it as little as possible. Unlike everyone else here who is older and used to fighting a certain way, I see how Einar leads, Thorodd directs and Osvif plans. Perhaps this is the new way Vikings should fight.”
“Bah, and not use a shield wall?”
“He’s not saying that Hogni,” Thorodd explained. “Sometimes I forget you’re an idiot.”
A few hand gestures were exchanged but everyone stayed silent as Einar moved into the circle of warriors.
“I died today because it was required. If we could have escaped and I could have avoided that death, I would have taken it but the truth was there were no other options and you all know it.”
Slowly he turned around, not wanting to make it easier by standing in one spot where they could see him. This moment was one Thorodd spoke about often and Einar was all too familiar with the chance of death every mission had.
“Just as I told Varitan a moment ago, death is a guarantee. How we face it, and when, are something we are sometimes able to decide. For now, we’ll do this the right way. Together and with common sense.”
Pointing his finger at the spot where all the elves were sitting, Einar focused his attention on Hogni.
“They cannot come back like us. So we will protect them to ensure they are able to return home as well as assist us in each fight we face. No greater honor comes than to lay down one's life for another.”
Heads bobbed at that truth.
“So if Osvif says it is your turn to be safe, protect them and help ensure we accomplish what the Gods have asked, then do not complain about it. Be grateful that you are given a chance to protect another and do as we have been asked.”
Lowering his finger and no longer focusing just on one Viking, Einar turned to their tactician.
“Is there anything else we need to go over tonight?”
“No.”
“Then we are ready to call this an evening. I know you aren’t tired because of Freyr’s boon, so find another way to keep your mind occupied while we wait till the morning sun.”
With that he left the circle, moving to the spot he had been sitting.
“I think you’re going to get this leadership thing down sooner than later,” Thorodd stated as he came and sat by Einar.
“That or I’ll kill someone.”
“Yes… but then they would only be back tomorrow…”
Both of them chuckled as they watched the warriors scatter in different directions.
“Odin, help us all,” Thorodd muttered.