Hallik

Hallik, Elowyn, and Bjorn stood at the side of the forest looking out towards Dalstava. Bjorn had frozen in place as soon as the city came into view.

Hallik could only wonder what was going through the man’s head, since he wouldn’t say anything at all. “Come on, Bjorn. Please. We’ve been standing here for a while now.”

Elowyn shook her head at Hallik, but he ignored her.

“Can you at least say something? We need to get to the city to let them know about the portal.”

“Maybe you should go on,” Elowyn said in a quiet voice, touching Hallik’s arm. “I can stay here with Bjorn.”

Hallik kicked the dirt and placed his hands on his hips. He didn’t want to leave Bjorn here. In truth, he wanted Bjorn to be able to share his part of the story so that Hallik didn’t sound like he was making it up. And, though he wasn’t sure if he wanted to admit it, he was a little worried about whatever Bjorn was thinking. He didn’t feel inclined to leave the fully armed man with Elowyn.

“I,” Bjorn said before his voice disappeared.

Hallik nodded to Bjorn, hoping he’d continue.

“I never imagined I’d see a city like this,” Bjorn finally got out. “I always imagined that your kind had been eradicated. That seemed like the only viable explanation.”

Hallik glanced at Elowyn, but her eyes remained fixed on Bjorn. Hallik found Bjorn a curiosity. How had he been surviving outside of Avskild? His whole idea regarding the world outside was that it was ravaged by monsters, and yet there were still people living out there.

“Tell us, then,” Elowyn said. “Tell us what happened from your perspective.”

Bjorn shook his head. “As history goes, the magi, or Grimnir as you say, were the last line of defense humanity had against the dark, but they were ultimately defeated, leaving the rest of humanity to fend for themselves.”

“Defeated?” Elowyn said, head rearing back as though she had been personally offended. “Most certainly not.”

“I can see that,” Bjorn said, eyes narrowing. “So instead, you abandoned the rest of the world so you could hide behind your own shield.”

Elowyn shook her head. “We would never do such a thing,” she said, her words biting. “We’ve been sending Voyagers all along to help maintain peace in the world, but they’ve all disappeared, probably killed by monsters or uninformed dunces.”

Uncomfortable with the obvious tension, Hallik stepped between them. “I hate to be the voice of reason here, but these events happened what, 205 years ago? Isn’t it possible that there’s some lack of detail after all this time?”

Elowyn and Bjorn didn’t take their eyes off each other, both squinted in equal distaste.

“I know all the songs,” Elowyn said.

“And what do your songs tell you about your abandonment?” Bjorn’s expression was murderous, but his hands made no movement for his weapons.

Elowyn opened her mouth, but no words came out. Instead, her eyes dropped, and she turned away, eyebrows furling in a frown.

Even Hallik knew what the songs said. He’d heard them all from Selke’s own lips, and he trusted her songs over any record kept in the libraries of Dalstava. “There were no other people,” Hallik said. “We thought the world was lost. That’s why the portal shield was created. But I don’t recall any mention of survivors outside of Avskild, but Elowyn is right. The Voyagers were meant to travel the portals, ensure their security, and make contact with any remaining people.”

Bjorn grunted. He looked back toward the city and took a deep breath. “Quite possibly a lie.” He shrugged. “No matter. If you had stayed to fight, you probably would have all died sooner anyway. Sealing yourselves off and leaving the rest of us to die may have been the right choice.”

“That’s a rather grim outlook,” Elowyn said.

“Fitting, then,” Bjorn said. “Now tell me about your city. I want to know what I’m in for before we enter.”

“Right,” Hallik said, urging Elowyn on with him. He pointed at Tower of Tarn. “That tall black thing is called Tower of Tarn. It functions as the headquarters for the Grimnir Guard and also the throne of King Knos, the king of Avskild. Castle Vrodr, just through these gates, is the training grounds for students who want to become Grimnirs.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Become?” Bjorn asked from behind as Hallik started walking toward the gates of Castle Vrodr.

Hallik smiled. “Yes, becoming a Grimnir requires surviving Vanalf, a cave network connected to the other realms.”

“I don’t understand,” Bjorn said. “Where does the magic come from? Is there an elf or a godkin that gifts it? Just entering a cave seems to simple.”

Hallik laughed. “There’s more to it than that, though the details we’re able to get from our instructors or other Grimnirs are always somewhat vague, like they don’t remember all the details. All we know is that you have to go in one way and come out another, and when you emerge, you have one of four powers.”

“And annoyingly, you don’t get to choose which power you get,” Elowyn said.

“Interesting. And suspicious,” Bjorn said. “I’ve never heard of a distinction between different types of magi. You mentioned Voyagers earlier, is that one of them?”

Hallik smiled again. This was the most Bjorn had talked since they’d met. He gave Bjorn a brief explanation of each Grimnir class, but mostly he couldn’t stop thinking about what life must have been like for the monster hunter. How many monsters had he killed? How did his family survive? “I have a question for you now, monster hunter,” Hallik said. “You were surprised by Dalstava. Are there not cities like this in Lufar?”

Bjorn gave his signature grunt. “I don’t believe there are cities like this anywhere, unless they’re being run by vampires or something.”

They neared the gate and saw Latshal beckoning them to the castle with her arms, eyes wide as she scanned the forest behind them. “Elowyn, Hallik. Get inside!”

Hallik reactively started jogging. He’s never seen Latshal behave in such a way, and it reminded him all the more about the news he had to share. He still wasn’t sure who exactly he was supposed to share it with, but he was sure it wouldn’t take long to figure out. Questions about Bjorn would point him in the right direction in no time.

“What is it?” Hallik asked as they drew up beside her.

“We’ll talk more when you get inside,” Latshal said, then she dropped her spear, holding it out before Bjorn. “Hold it!”

To his credit, Bjorn simply halted and stared down the haft of the spear at Latshal. He’d expected the monster hunter to draw a weapon or at least say something, but he did no such thing.

“This is our frien—uh… our friendly acquaintance,” Hallik said. “We have some important news to report.”

“That is well,” Latshal said, spear unmoving, “but your friend here—”

“I’m not—” Bjorn protested.

“Will remain outside,” Latshal continued as though Bjorn hadn’t said anything. “Now is not the time to accept strangers into Vrodr. Especially not someone who is armed like a trained assassin.”

“If I wanted to assassinate somebody, I would certainly do it without the aid of these children,” Bjorn said. “Besides, I don’t kill people.”

Latshal tilted her head at Bjorn. “Your companion could learn some manners.” She sniffed at him then squinted quizzically before sniffing at Hallik. “You smell like beast. Both of you. Were you hunting?”

“That’s what we came to report,” Hallik said, distinctly aware of Latshal’s magically enhanced senses.

Latshal’s lips curled. “A monster.” It wasn’t a question.

Hallik nodded. “I found a dead Watcher at the base of a portal not far from Elowyn’s home. He was… killed by a monster called a liowolf.” He pointed at Bjorn. “Bjorn helped me kill the monster.”

“I recall being the one who saved your life and killed the beast,” Bjorn said.

Hallik shrugged to Latshal. “He killed it.”

Latshal growled. “What were you even doing at a portal?”

“The liowolf lured him there,” Elowyn said. “It’s a common tactic of theirs to confuse the senses, even from great distance.”

Latshal let out a long breath through her teeth. “Alright,” she said with annoyance. She withdrew her spear from pointing at Bjorn and used it to gesture to the castle. “Get inside. I need to get word to Captain Vigsen before anybody else hears of it. Hurry.” She kept her eyes on the forest as Hallik and the others walked past her.

She seemed like she had more to say, but instead, she held her ground before the gate as the three of them entered Castle Vrodr. Hallik paused to look back at her. “Latshal?”

“Something approaches,” Latshal said. She gestured at the gate again. “Get inside.”

Hallik stopped just behind the gate, but watched the forest line, hoping to catch sight of whatever Latshal was sensing. He knew it was futile. Her senses would be able to detect things for a full mile after all. But he didn’t have to wait long.

Galloping up to the castle came Lind. He kept the horse at full speed, one hand waving at them madly.

“Didn’t Lind go to check on Vanalf?” Hallik asked.

“He did,” Elowyn said in a grave tone.

Hallik could only wonder what would make Lind of all people come riding up to the castle like a madman. His imagination didn’t need too much creativity. He’d seen two different monsters in two days. It wasn’t hard to put the pieces together. The shields were weak. Avskild was no longer safe. Nature’s rays. What he wouldn’t give to be a Grimnir already.

Lind galloped straight past Latshal. “Close the gates,” he said to her in passing.

She rushed in after them all.

Lind dismounted and patted his horse. By the way he was panting, one may have thought Lind was doing the running. A few other people came near at the excitement.

“What is it?” Hallik asked at the same time as three others said the same thing.

Lind shook his head. “Secure the castle. Prepare yourselves.” His eyes settled on each of the students in turn. “We will soon be at war.”