The Accidental Archmage, Edmund Batara [read after TXT] 📗

the jotnar. Again, what the hell are they?

“My thanks, my lord. But as the All-Father said – cattle die, kindred die, we ourselves

die. Life goes on and one can only hope to be accepted in Valhalla.”

Man, this guy is hardcore. No sense of humor either, thought Tyler.

The food arrived and Tyler paid one large silver coin for the meal. The food was tasty,

Jorund was right about that. Looking at the man, he asked the warrior’s weapon

preferences. The man answered that he preferred the axe, though he was also skilled

with the sword, the spear, and the bow. He can handle a seax, the algeir, and the

throwing axe. The battleaxe he carried was a broad axe with a single crescent shaped

edge with a silver inlay. It was iron but with runic enchantments for durability,

sharpness, and accuracy. Jorund explained that this type of axe was usually wielded

with both hands. But his strength enabled him to use it one-handed in combat, freeing

his other hand for the casting of runic battle spells.

Tyler’s interest was stirred up when the warrior mentioned battle magic which led to

further questions. Jorund told him that though magical practitioners are the principal

users of magic, access to a limited range of runic magic become available to huskarls

and warriors who have sworn to an acceptable personal deity. But the range of such

magical abilities is also restricted by the magical affinity and capacity of the beneficiary.

They left the tavern after noon, by Tyler’s estimation. On the way back to the Gothi’s

house, they passed by the merchant district which now busy and full of people. The

permanent stores of merchants were organized around a large open square which

hosted carts and stalls of itinerant sellers. Tyler changed course and passed through the

middle of the square, looking at the displays of the vendors. It was a colorful and noisy

scene. Though he noted that several armed men with simple blue tabards were

watching and patrolling the area. Those must be the town guards, he concluded.

He didn’t remember Nordic warriors ever wearing tabards. Another cultural adaptation,

he surmised. Cross-cultural occurrences must be pervasive. Though the emerging trade

between civilizations could be responsible for it. Either that or some visitor came up

with the idea.

As he reached the edge of the square, he noticed a small stall selling runic amulets,

figurines, and other bric-a-brac. It looked to be this world’s equivalent of a religious

curio shop. He felt a strange urge to visit the stall. Asking Jorund to stop, he went over

to the displayed items. He idly looked over them, more out of curiosity than a desire to

buy. But he inexplicably found himself to be drawn to a 6-inch wooden figurine of a

woman holding up a vase. Examining it, the detail was exquisite. The woman was

smiling and the delicate features of her beautiful face were wonderfully done. Her gown

accentuated her voluptuous figure. The figure seemed awfully familiar.

“Interested in buying, my lord?” A woman’s voice inquired in a musical whisper, the

voice having an ethereal quality to it.

“Maybe. How much is it?” asked Tyler. He felt he was in a daze. He looked at the seller

and saw she was wearing a gray hood. She was evidently very beautiful but Tyler found

he couldn’t focus on her features except for her emerald eyes. Gorgeous and stunning

eyes which promised to draw one to a world of infinitely pleasurable surprises.

“Only one large silver, my lord.”

Tyler didn’t remember paying her. But evidently he did as he found himself walking

already on the street past the square, holding the statue, with Jorund following him.

What was that all about, he thought as he suddenly remembered what happened. He

began to be worried. Was I mesmerized? And who was that woman?

He was sorely tempted to throw away the statue but for some reason, he couldn’t do it.

When they got to the house, Jorund stayed outside. The Gothi was in the main hall,

apparently the man just arrived.

“Havard!” greeted the priest, “Seems like you went tourist shopping!”

“We just went to see the Mended Horn. Had lunch and went through the merchant

square. I got this though. Looked very well crafted.”

“Let me see,” said the Gothi, taking the small statue and examining it. Tyler found that

the compulsion to keep the figurine had disappeared.

“The Lady of Fossegrim Forest,” concluded the priest, “A bit far from here, around two

days ride. Enchanted area, especially around its lake. Few venture there. Though I

don’t think the fiddler troll lives there anymore. The Lady herself has also not been

heard from for ages. More of a legend among people from around here.”

CHAPTER LORE:

Vanir – Norse mythology. A group or tribe of gods associated with the Nordic pantheon.

Aesir – Norse mythology. Another group of gods associated with the Nordic pantheon. After a war with the Vanir, the Aesir became part of the Vanir.

Huskarl – Old Norse. A warrior in personal service to someone. Anglicized as housecarl.

Enki – Sumerian mythology. Deity of crafts, mischief, water, among others.

Enlil – Sumerian mythology. Chief deity of the Sumerian pantheon. God of wind, air, earth and storms.

Jarl – Old Norse. Norse chief or a title designating lordship over a certain territory.

Dokkalfr – Old Norse. Meaning dark elves. Dwells within the earth and mostly swarthy.

Svartalfar – Old Norse. The term has been used to refer both to dark elves and dwarfs. For this story, the term refers to dwarfs.

Jotnar – Old Norse. Plural of Jotunn. A mythological race living in Jotunheimr, one of the Nordic nine worlds. Usually enemies of both the Vanir and Aesir but instances are recorded of non-hostile interaction.

Seax – A kind of knife or short sword. Many variants. Popular in Europe up to the early Middle Ages.

Algeir – Old Norse. A special kind of deadly polearm similar to a halberd.

CHAPTER V

A Date by the Lakeshore

“You know her name?” asked Tyler, referring to the wooden statue held by the priest.

“No, sorry. An old legend of Fossegrim Forest. Only heard about it from Eric as a place

to avoid.”

At that point, Tyler was trying to decide whether to tell him about the encounter with

Loki. He decided against it. He hoped