The Accidental Archmage - Book Five, Edmund Batara [best way to read ebooks txt] 📗

“I appreciate the thanks, but there’s a lot of dead bodies out there. They all need to be buried before sickness takes hold of the fortress and the lands around it. They were once warriors who served Hedmark and their kingdoms faithfully. I guess now’s the time to give them the death rites they deserve,” Tyler suggested and then looked at the two princelings. “Some of them could be dwarves.”

The pair nodded solemnly. Yet the idea of hills of rotting and desiccated dead bones and skeletons stretching for miles was a horrible exercise in imagination, as he was finding out.

“You’re right, though it also presents Hedmark the opportunity to record and close its book on many lost expeditions and armies. As onerous as the job might be, it must be done. Hedmark has to honor the names of its dead,” replied the jarl.

“I leave matters to your hands, jarl. I believe I need to rest. But the plague has been broken, not only in Hedmark, but also in Skaney. It appears the corruption that seized control of your brother’s body was connected to the blight as a whole.”

“That’s wonderful news, High Mage!” exclaimed the jarl. “Men… and dwarves can again walk their lands without fear!”

“Our losses, jarl?”

“Not that heavy, but not light either. We lost a lot of defenders when the attackers changed tack and turned to grabbing men and dwarves off the wall. We lost a lot when that started. Just fewer than 2,000 dead, all told, men and dwarves. I still don’t have the figures for the wounded, but was informed our healers were overwhelmed. I pray the Allfather grants us his grace and no men or dwarves die from wounds suffered.”

Tyler nodded and started walking down the stairs, the companions following him. He didn’t hear the numerous thanks and other expressions of gratitude. All he could think about was the casualty figure. 2,000 dead, out of a force of around 14,000 to 15,000 defenders. And that’s just in the first wave of the assault. If that was not heavy for the jarl, he must have expected a higher cost.

We wouldn’t have survived a second wave, he concluded. Chances were, at the moment of my death, the dark whirlwind would have been set free. And that would make Ragnarok look like child’s play. I don’t even know if it would dissipate after destroying everything, considering it gains strength the more destruction it causes, and I guess, the higher its exposure to magic.

The party plodded a tired way back to the keep. The companions did acknowledge the gratitude showered upon them with a raised hand or a brief smile. Only Tyler remained quiet. He was exhausted, but with the immediate danger over, other concerns previously shelved at the back of his mind started to creep back. He was desperately trying to keep the thoughts at bay, at least for the night. But it was like plugging a leaking hole with a sieve.

***

Tyler finally reached his room, followed by his ever-present shadow, the exile Kobu. His concerns were now each demanding attention, and the mage’s head felt like it was being buzzed by an entire beehive. Even his worry about the effect of Bjarte’s sinister energy on the staff was a matter his exhausted mind didn’t want to think about yet. Mechanically, he removed his armor, took a quick wash, changed into fresh clothes, and went to the waiting bed, only to halt at his bedside. A small box waited, with a small white stone on top.

Another surprise, the mage wearily thought as he cast a scrying spell on the item. What is it now?

The examination revealed nothing dark or dangerous. The aura of the objects even felt refreshingly clean. He took hold of the stone. It was soft and clearly meant to be crushed. He squeezed it tightly. As the crumbly pieces slipped through his fingers, he heard Odin’s familiar voice.

“Hail, and congratulations, First Mage. A victory worthy of a saga.! You defeated the undead threat to Hedmark, saved Skaney, and resolved the puzzle of the undead scourge! All in one battle! Impressive, to say the least. My confidence in you was well-placed. I do apologize for not being in person, but the threat to Asgard had grown. I trust Thor performed to your expectations. If not, there’s a quest for him in the future. Such ventures would make him a better warrior and heir. But with the threat to the mortal lands gone, Asgard’s forces are now being recalled. Ymir’s forces, strengthened by creatures from the southern lands, have been joined by some of Sutr’s minions. They are still attacks of exploration, but I fear the worst. You still have a leeway of several days before Freyr’s quest. We have been able to create some dissension among their forces on their borders. Knowing those jotunn lords, they will not act until they are satisfied they have enough strength to wage war on each other if needed. A war between them in the future, there shall be. In the box is my promise to you, more than enough to get you and your men to Kemet and the southern lands and then back. But be sparing with them. It will be some time before some more could be made. Oh, and do visit the Gothi. You’ll find it rewarding.”

The voice faded in his mind. Tyler opened the box. In it was a pouch filled with a quantity of small white stones, each with Odin’s rune.

Thanks, old man.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Loki's Gambit

Loki spake:

64. “‘1 have said to the gods | and the sons of the god,

The things that whetted my thoughts;

But before thee alone | do I now go forth,

For thou fightest well, I ween.

65. “Ale hast thou brewed, | but, Ægir, now

Such feasts shalt thou make no more;

O’er all that thou hast | which is here within

Shall play the flickering flames,

(And thy back shall be