Who are you? What do you want with me? Why was there a baby in the woods? Where’s my mom? Why hasn't my aunt found me yet? Why is this happening to me? I want to see my mom. These are what was going through my mind as I was dragged further and further into the woods. Fading in and out of consciousness as I bled from my wounds the pain washed over me with each inch of rough ground. I couldn't think i couldnt breath, I couldn’t even see my assailant, just a rough shadow of them from behind. The back of the golden chest plate, with a silvery outline along the edges with many cuts and dents showing this person has been in MANY more fights than i even seen, yet still reflecting light from an unknown source.
“Who are you?” I said weakly, tired and drained, “where is my mom?”
They just ignored me and continued dragging me further along. Earlier I could tell they were a woman from the way she spoke. I just couldn't tell how old or young. Just that this is the person who hurt me and was after the baby.
‘The baby huh?’ was all I could think. Hoping the infant was ok. I could feel the tears fall from my face as I watched from the ground the treetops passed me by. Not knowing if anyone was ok, Jack and my mom are missing and my aunt hasn't come for me yet. Eventually, as she kept walking, a slight hum filled the air, like torture was just a normal day to her and not the worst day of my life thus far.
“What's your name child?” they spoke, breaking the humming for a moment. A hint of distaste with the word ‘child’
“A-Aiden, where are we?” I croaked, my voice breaking near the end.
“The woods clearly. Tell me Aiden, Why did you hurt that infant?” it said inquisitively. I was
shocked, me? Hurt the baby? The little girl I found hurt on the first floor? What did she think I did?
“What do you mean? I found—--”
Before I could finish my sentence, the woman stopped, quickly turning, piercing me with those bright almost glowing white eyes. I could finally see her face a warm color not quite brown, not mostly white but a shade between a tannish red pink, with raven hair and an angry expression on her face. She lifted her hand and stabbed the ground at my feet causing me to pee. I was scared and wanted to run. I wanted to cry out for help but knowing if i did i would never see my mother again nor my aunt. I’d never get to thank Jack,Most of all I would never know if the baby was ok.
“DO NOT LIE TO ME CHILD OF MADNESS!” she shouted at me with real anger and frustration. I couldn't speak and I couldn't think. This was bullshit. I didn't hurt the baby. If anything she tried hurting us, why is this happening? What did I do? What does this woman think I did?!
“Why? What did I do ? Who are you?" I cried, scared for my life, almost forgetting my soiled pants. This person I didn't know hurt me and is now accusing me?!
‘Why why why?’ Was the only thing roaming my restless mind.
“You’ll know nothing if you don't tell me the truth, I can run you through right now and sleep knowing I stopped someone like you from growing into a nightmare for me and my kin.” She Tugged the wounded leg a bit harder as she started dragging me again.
Eventually I was in known territory. I could feel the familiar rocks cut my back as I was dragged over them. The woods had grown quiet. The birds no longer ruffled the trees, the coyotes no longer howling. I couldn't even hear the river running. Nor the cicada’s, or crickets the air had grown stale. The smell of the woods once sweet now turned bitter.
She hoisted me up by the leg and threw me into the creek, with a thud I felt the cold water wash over me. She stood there in silence as I sat myself wincing in pain at the gash in my ankle and the shin still burning. She never stopped glaring with anger. But now in the clarity of the river I could see the light source reflecting from her armor. It wasn't the moon, it wasn't a street lamp (hell there wasn't even any around) it was her. SHE glowed with a silver light, reflecting from the inside out of her armors openings.
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“Since you feign ignorance, and refuse to do nothing but cry.” she spoke, sending more pain through my body. “I will test you and it will tell me everything I need to know about you boy.”
I was only 10. How did she expect a 5’4” kid like me to stand a chance against her towering 6’2” frame? This was just bullying and torture. There was no way I stood a chance at this ‘test’.
(yeah, im talking shit brune, fuck you this hurt)
“What do you mean test? I'm only 10?!” She slapped me down after speaking without a question being asked. My cheek on top of my leg now hurts ‘Great i'm going to die,’ I thought. She waved her hand once more but instead of pulling me this time, a few coyotes appeared from behind the trees. Snarling and ready to tear me apart their ribs clearly visible in her light. Ravenous from hunger, the only thing stopping them from pouncing was the woman, not yet giving the order. This is how I perceived them at the time. With another wave she healed my wounds as if they never happened in the first place.
“ I do this not for you, But for the Oath you are about to make.” she stated leaving no room for argument .
“Are you going to kill me?” I asked shakily, amazed that she healed me and scared of what she had planned that required doing so. I stood to my feet after asking that and I locked onto her eyes still full of anger and clear resentment, but now her face had a tint of sympathy and uncertainty as if she too wasn't sure what was happening.
“Ignore the thought, Come here now.” I didn't have the guts to say no. I always do what I'm told. Always have, but this felt different. It was more like a choice hanging in the air, then a command. So I stepped forward, out of the creek, and made my way towards her. This close she looked even taller. My head was just barely meeting her stomach. She smelt of freshly baked bread, the kind one would smell if they walked into a store first thing in the morning. Then she leaned down to one knee to meet my gaze, grabbing my face making me look her in the eyes.
“Aiden Lee Woodred, Do you swear on the God of justice Tyr? To uphold your truth and let it be shown to me? Less these dogs tear you to shreds.”
Who was Tyr? I stood there alone with a person who tried to kill me and is now making me swear to a person I'd never heard of? This was crazy, this was scary. I just wanted to go home. I'm sure I could find food in the dumpster down the road, I was hungry, cold, wet, and alone. So just to live a little longer.
“I swear on tear.”
“It's Tyr, Not tear.” she responded with a little smile crack on her face.
“Tyr” I corrected myself, almost as soon as I corrected myself the coyotes went quiet and stood still behind me, as if snapping to stone on command. With a sense of relief it felt like I could finally breathe. She then stood and finally introduced herself.
“I am Brunhildr, Daughter of the All Father. General of his valkyrie. I swear on Tyr, God of justice and battle.” She said each line with commitment and pride. If i wasn't so scared i would be in awe. But this isn't that time, this is the woman who would be my executioner if i wasn't 100% truthful.
“I swear to Tyr, God of justice and battle to be honest with myself and you.”
With that i felt hot, hotter than I'd ever been in my life as if being branded like cattle.Brunhildr looked the same as if being hit with the sun, she was sweating from the face. The pain traveled through my body to my hand where it focused and multiplied.
“What now?” I asked , gritting through the hurt like I've always done. Brunhildr had to collect herself before answering me. I could see her shaking as if the sudden heat hit her harder than me.
“If you tell even one lie, knowing or not. Those dogs will tear you to bits and I will let it happen.” I nodded, even more ready than before knowing myself and that I would never hurt a baby. I finally felt like I could rest at ease. This whole thing would be cleared up and that Brunhildr would help me find my mom, Jack and my aunt. She on the other hand looked at me grimly. The anger had finally left her face, replaced with a look of worry and dread. She coughed loudly, clearing her throat.
“Very well, Just know I would have been merciful.” she said plainly as if meaning it one thousand percent. “Why have you been out here Aiden?”
“I like the woods and playing with rocks and sticks.” She looked pleased with the answer as if a child had something sinister to hide. Nothing happened so I assume that I passed one question.
“Why did I find you with the injured child I was sent to collect?” ‘Collect? What the hell’ I thought. What could she mean by collect? Someone sent her and that baby out here? Why? That seems so cruel.
“I was playing in this creek and I heard a baby cry so I ran to help.” Yet again nothing happened. Brunhildr finally looked like she was starting to soften her thoughts.
“Who are you? What is your name?” Brunhildr asked like i didn't just tell her, this had to be a trick question i thought. Had to be, I swore with my name didn’t I?
“My name is Aiden Le-” that's when it happened her face turned to a frown and a loud crack of something shattering came from behind me.