Chapter 21
Into Jötunheim
It was now just before dawn. Jago has his entire arsenal laid out ready for use and after swinging his bag into place, began to work by attaching his weapons to himself. Into the pouch on his belt, he slotted his Damascus steel folding knife, with his mora going on his opposite side. Behind that went his khukuri, the blade now filed to a razor's edge. Across of his back, his huge shield covered his rucksack; his new eversharp claymore lying alongside while crossing underneath was one of his Homeland 37 shotguns. His maul was securely tucked under his left arm while from his right shoulder, he slung an eight-bore elephant gun. Tucked in a shoulder holster was his trusty .45 revolver while crossing his body were enough spare shells for multiple reloads for each weapon. Into the pockets of his thick leather jacket went his brass-knuckles while down one leg went his tactical boot knife, covered by his sock. Finally he lifted his hat, feeling the sharpened pennies that filled the brim and then flipped it, inserting a coil of cheese wire into the inside of the encircling the leather band that made up the base of the peak. Finally he stood and turned to Lind.
"Ready?" he asked. Lind nodded.
"Aren't all those weapons a bit excessive?" she asked but Jago shook his head.
"Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them".
"If you say so" she said with a shrug, stowing her seax under her uniform's wings, slipped her black leather jacket over the top of her suit and swung her halberd over her shoulder. "Let's go; they'll be waiting for us".
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The streets were lined with goddess who let out a cheer as Jago and Lind arrived at the central plaza, just outside the palace. The others were already there and Eir and Saga bowed a greeting as the pair approached.
"We're glad you made it" beamed Eir.
"You girls ready?" Jago asked and they both nodded.
"Of course we're ready!" said Saga.
"Did you really have to bring them along?" Lind asked.
"Well I couldn't exactly say no now could I? Besides they had an unfair advantage".
"And what was that exactly?"
"My mother". Lind snorted as they made their way towards Troubadour and Irpa, both looking very dour. However, Jago pulled up sharp when he saw what lay beyond their little band. Stood in perfect array on the other side of the plaza was a full Praetorian cohort. As they greeted the others, the commander of the Praetorians began to stride over to them, with Jago giving a groan as he recognised her as the one he had been forced to fight on the day that he had met Deaderuss. She stopped just before them and bowed stiffly.
"Lord Paladin" she said and then turned her gave upon Lind. "Captain" she said tersely. "We have been awaiting your arrival.
"Well I'm honoured that you would give me a guard of honour" said Jago, "but isn't a full cohort a little extreme?" The Lady chuckled.
"An honour guard? You misunderstand our purpose" she said. "My forces are part of Heaven's contribution to the combined military force that is meant to invade Jötunheim as and when you fail to defeat Gandamak. It just so happens that we'll be traveling on the same road as far as the staging post. From there, my forces will wait until you have either defeated the dragon or died in the attempt". Jago paused at this and nodded.
"Alright, that sounds agreeable" he said to which the Praetorian smiled.
"Good. In that case, are we ready for the off?"
"Not just yet" Jago said. "There's still one more person who we're still waiting for".
"Who?" asked Lind.
"You'll see" said Jago. "That is, if she ever turns up". The Praetorian glanced around, not seeing any evidence of another party member.
"How long do you expect us to wait for Paladin?" she asked testily. Jago pulled out his phone to consult the clock.
"Half an hour?" he said hopefully. The Praetorian raised an eyebrow. "Ok, fifteen minutes" The Praetorian nodded.
"Good. If she's not here by then though, we're leaving without you". With that, the Praetorian turned and strode back to her unit, leaving Jago and Lind standing.
"So do you really think this mystery person will actually show up?" Lind asked. Jago shrugged.
"She should do… unless I missed my guess".
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The fifteen minutes came and went and there was still no sign of the final member of the team. At last, Jago agreed that it was time to move out.
"Saga?" he asked. "Send word to the Praetorians; tell them we're ready to leave". He stood and shouldered his bag, as the young goddess scampered off, a frown on his face. "I was sure that she would show" he said to himself. "I must be losing my touch". Just then, they heard a voice cry out behind them.
"WAIT! STOP! I'M COMING!" They all turned to see Weth come haring down the road towards them, a bag slung over her shoulder and her hair in disarray. She reached them and then stopped, doubling over to pant. Jago grinned.
"Weth, I was getting worried" he said. "For a while there, I wasn't sure that you would come".
"I didn't come… for you" she said between breaths. "If I… kill… the dragon… then maybe my Lord Deaderuss will accept me… as his apprentice… once more".
"Well whatever your reasons, your with us now!" as he turned to join the now advancing column. Within seconds, Lind had fallen into step beside him.
"That's who you were waiting for? But isn't she-"
"Deaderuss's apprentice? Yes" said Jago. "I thought that I would make it up to her for having her lose her position in the Praetorians".
"By taking her on a suicide mission?"
"Yep. Pretty much!"
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With a great cheer, the column set off, the tramp of a thousand feet echoing through the wide boulevards. The both sides of the street were lined with goddesses of every rank and licence, all come to the brave warriors on their march to war. Jago's party took up a position just to the rear of the column; he and Lind leading while behind them came the twins, with Captain Irpa and Troubadour bringing up the rear. However, it wasn't long before they crowds fell away and soon they were tramping through the shade of a wood that marked the edge of Heimdall's realm. And there he was; the Guardian of the Gate, his golden eyes gleaming in the sun as he leaned silently against his sword. Beside him stood Lord Jeiko, his face grave.
"Greetings Heimdall" said the Praetorian after calling a halt to the march. "We have come to-"
"So that you may march on the Earth spirit kingdom, where the allied forces are preparing for their assault on Jötunheim" said Heimdall. "Yes, I know. Lord Sukaru has been ordered to accompany you to the camp, even though both he and I agree that it would be foolish to march on the Jötunn's at this time". The Praetorian snorted.
"With all due respect Lord Heimdall, it has been a long time since you have led a campaign of any sort. And while Lord Sukaru may now in command of Lord Buddha's Earth spirit forces, he has yet to lead a force of his own, am I right?" Jeiko gritted his teeth at the insult but nodded. "Well in that case, I will stick to Lord Deaderuss's plans and we will continue with our build-up". Heimdall simply nodded and then turned his head slightly so that he was looking at Jago's party.
"Lind, it is good to see you again" he said to which Lind bowed her head.
"And you Master" she said.
"And I see that you have brought the Paladin with you" said the Guardian, turning his gaze upon Jago who shuddered at the stare. Heimdall's golden eyes seemed to stare right through him, unable to truly focus on anything. "He is as I foresaw he would be" said the Guardian with the briefest of smiles. "And I see that you carry his child. This is good; too long were you without someone to care for".
"Look, this is all very fascinating" said the Praetorian commander, "but we are on a tight schedule. Now, if you would be so kind as to open the Gate Lord Heimdall, so that we may precede". Heimdall turned his golden gaze upon the Praetorian, making her involuntarily shrink back in fear.
"The Gate is already unlocking as we speak. However, as the Bifrost Gate has been kidnapped, we have to wait until some code can be rewritten so that our auxiliary Gate be used to get you there. So have patience". The Praetorian gulped and nodded, her bravado gone.
"How long?" she asked tentatively.
"Within the hour" Heimdall said and then turned away from her and turning to face to Jago. "Paladin, come" he said, gesturing with his hand. "I wish to speak with you in private". Jago glanced at Lind who nodded.
"Heimdall was my mentor" she said. "If he chooses to impart knowledge with you, it is best that you listen". Jago nodded and followed Heimdall away from the group, until they came to a clearing in the woods, with two stumps situated in the centre. Heimdall took a seat on one of them and gestured for Jago to do the same on the other.
"So Paladin" said Heimdall, "I understand that you are to try and kill Gandamak?" Jago nodded.
"That's the general idea. He attacked Heaven and so it's only right that we retaliate" he said. Heimdall raised a hand and waved a finger.
"Don't be so hasty to condemn the dragon" said the Guardian. "For all his power, Gandamak is just another pawn in this game". Jago paused and nodded.
"Would this be the same game that brought lamb and I together?" Heimdall nodded.
"Yes" he said. "The dragon was meant to kill you and the Archs in order to extinguish what she knows".
"And now we're walking right into the lion's den… or should I say the dragon's den?" Heimdall nodded.
"Aye". The Guardian paused and stared hard at Jago's face, considering something. "I sense that you have the power to deal with the dragon if you must though".
"What about my team?" Jago asked.
"Your team?" Heimdall said. "Well let me see… Troubadour is a capable fighter, even if his magic is limited to summoning insects to eat people from the inside-out. As to the twins… they are eager and while I have never seen them in action myself, they are said to be strong girls. If a little head-strong and wilful. Irpa is solid if unimaginative, even if she holds a grudge with Lind for taking her place as the commander of the first cohort".
"And Lind herself?"
"Lind? You should know" said Heimdall with a grin. "She is and always has been my greatest student and the greatest fighter there has ever been. A fact that she knows well enough, especially after you got her pregnant, which has effectively tripled her powers".
"Yes but how strong?" said Jago. "I need to know exactly how much I can rely on her without endangering both her and our son". Heimdall shrugged.
"She has always been powerful; at least on a par with Lord Tyr or Lady Hild. Now though…"
"She's three times as strong as the Almighty?"
"Roughly" admitted Heimdall. "However" he said, with a note of warning, "she will still need you protection. For all her power and her experience, she is inexperienced in matters of the heart and she is likely to risk her own life if she thinks that she can save you… And she won't appreciate it if you risk yourself saving her. Jeiko made that mistake once".
"He saved her? From what?"
"It's a long tale; too long to tell now. Just suffice to say this; shortly after I took Lind on as my apprentice, I was asked by Lord Buddha, the leader of the Earth spirits, to tutor a child of his tribe".
"Jeiko right?" Jago asked to which Heimdall nodded.
"Yes. Anyway, he was never on a par with Lind but as they trained together, she grew fond of him, as an older sister might. However, shortly before she was accepted into the ranks of the Valkyries, Lind descended to Earth in order to prove her strength against a terrible foe".
"Let me guess… Jeiko followed her, she was nearly killed, he saved her and now she hates him for it, either for making her feel inadequate or for risking his own life".
"For risking his life, yes". Heimdall sighed. "Although it was probably just as well that he did follow her; if he hadn't I would never have found that dragon…"
"A dragon?"
"Aye. Tobruk was his name. The mighty dragon of Libya and brother of Gandamak. When I arrived, he had defeated both of my apprentices and so I slew him on the spot. That of course attracted his brother's attention and it was only with the assistance of your devil's mistress that we were able to seal him in Ginnungagap. God bless that Nightmare".
"And so now, if I try to save Lind at the risk of my own life, she will probably end up hating me for it?"
"I see you understand the trappings of the female mind" said Heimdall. "Still, I have faith in you Paladin. The very fact that you were able to defeat Lind in single combat is all the proof I need that you should be able to keep her safe. Just don't fuck it up". Heimdall paused and seemed to stare into space for a minute, as if looking at some distant clock. "Time to let them through" he said and stood. "Come Paladin, you have a mission to complete".
"Wait a minute!" said Jago. There are two things that I need to know. Firstly, can I trust Weth? I know that I was the one who asked her to come but I need to know. Secondly; do you have any advice on how to defeat Gandamak?" Heimdall stopped and sat back down considering Jago's words.
"Hmm" he said. "To answer your second question; there is no advice I can give…. Except…. Maybe trying to talk to Gandamak."
"Talk to him?" said Jago, looking confused.
"Remember; Gandamak is just another pawn. If you talk to him and he decides to speak then I suggest that you listen. Now as to Weth, I shall answer you with a question of my own; do YOU think you can trust her?"
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"What took you so long?" the Praetorian demanded as Heimdall and Jago appeared from between the trees.
"You should not be so quick to go to war" said Heimdall. "There will be plenty of time for fighting later". He strode forward, positioning himself ahead of the group as the Praetorians reformed their marching column. Jago meanwhile re-joined his little group as Heimdall summoned a ring of magic around himself.
"What happened?" Lind asked. "What did Heimdall tell you?"
"Nothing important" Jago said. Lind frowned but let it slide and turned her attention back to Heimdall as a glowing light surged up from the circle surrounding the gold-eyed guardian. And then, descending from a pillar of light above him, came a tiny figure in red and purple robes, white hair running down to her shoulders, and a long, heavily decorated staff across her back.
"I hope that you have a very good reason for summoning me and changing my programing, Guardian" she said, looking furious. She girl lacked arms so instead, folded the pair of wing-like robe pieces that she used as appendages across her chest.
"Who's that?" Jago whispered to Lind.
"One of the Gates" Lind replied. "I couldn't tell you which though as they all look identical".
"Well this is new" Jago said. "I knew the Gates were sentient beings but I didn't realise that they were actually people".
"Well what were you expecting?" Heimdall in the meantime had dropped to one knee before the wrath of the Gate.
"Forgive me Lady Gate" the said, bowing his head and thumping his right hand against his left shoulder. "I was under orders to have you temporarily reassigned. Once you have allowed them through, you shall be returned to you usual state". He gestured towards the massed ranks of the Praetorians and then at Jago's group, indicating the "them". The Gate nodded but scowled.
"Very well" she said. "However, remember this Guardian; I am not like my sister, the Bifrost Gate. I will not be summoned at will and if you ever forget that, there will be Hell to pay!" Heimdall bowed his head respectfully.
"I understand Lady Gate". The Gate nodded and withdrew the staff from her back, revealing it to be an extremely large key which she handed to the Guardian.
"Here. Now unlock me and let's get this over with". Heimdall nodded, spinning the key in his hands and pushed it into the keyhole it the Gate's chest. With a moan that would have made the most perverted Hentai blush red, the gate expanded outward into a glowing blue portal which hung in the air, just above the ground. "Right, I'm open now" said the Gate. "now hurry up and get through me before I change my mind. And if anyone should dare to traipse mud through me, you'll be in a world of hurt! My Mistress is going to be mad enough that I'm missing as it is!" Heimdall nodded and turned towards the assembled troops.
"You heard the Lady" he said. With a silent nod, the Praetorian commander turned and waved to her forces forward. The Praetorians started forward, the relentless tramp of their feet kicking up a great cloud of dust as they passed through the Gate.
"Great…" the Gate said. "Dust all up in my circuits! Just what I wanted". Jeiko led the way, alongside the commander, touching his brow in salute as he passed Heimdall.
"Well, shall we go then?" Irpa said, pulling herself to attention. Jago nodded and they attached themselves to the tail end of the column. Just as they reached the portal however, Heimdall called out to them.
"Good luck" he said. "Oh and Paladin".
"Yes?" Jago said, pausing to turn on the edge of the Gate.
"Bring them all back alive".
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Jago and Lind were the last two through the portal, stepping out into the blinding sunlight of the Earth spirit kingdom. Jago shielded his eyes as he looked out across this new world; a land of rolling plains and low hills, dotted with the occasional tree.
"Well this is bleak" said Jago. "No decent mountains, hot as Hell and no rain like as not".
"Is that necessarily bad?" Lind asked as they attached themselves to the rear of the column.
"Well yeah" said Jago. "This place is more depressing than Germany!" The march continued onwards, mile after mile of road, in a cloud of deep red dust that stained the cloths of the marchers and burned their throats and eyes. This had put the Praetorian commander in a foul mood and she decided that she would make Jago's party suffer for it. She called to Jeiko who reluctantly trotted up beside her.
"Yes my Lady?"
"Lord Sukaru Tell the Paladin that he's not do dawdle at the rear! If he's to march with us, he's to pick up the pace!" Jeiko reluctantly nodded and peeled off to the rear of the column.
"Alright Jeiko?" Jago asked, coughing up a cloud of dust.
"Sorry Jago but Her Ladyship", he spat, "says that you're to pick up the pace. No dawdling at the rear". Jago nodded and then paused.
"To get to this camp, we just follow this road right?" Jeiko nodded.
"Yeah, about ten miles". Jago grinned.
"Well in that case, instead of dawdling at the rear, how about we dawdle at the front?" With that, he set off at an unusual pace; running for paces and then walking four, then running another four, then walking four.
"What are you doing?" Lind asked as she pulled level with him once more.
""I'm quicktimeing" said Jago, tipping his hat to the commander was they passed her. Jeiko fell back into place beside her as she blustered at Jago's impudence.
"What the Hell is he doing?"
"He said he only knows two kinds of march" he said with a grin. "Quicktime and dawdle".
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With Jago's rapid, if somewhat disjointed march, they reached the encampment that marked the staging ground for the assault on Jötunheim. And what a sight it was; thousands of tents, spread from horizon to horizon, with fluttering banners marking the edges of each zone. Troubadour whistled through his teeth.
"How many are there?" he asked, unable to mask his awe at the size of the vast hoard arrayed before them.
"Roughly?" Lind said. "At least fifty-thousand fighters plus support forces and camp followers".
"That's… amazing" said Saga, gasping for breath.
"But… did we really… have to quicktime all the way here…" said Eir.
"Stop moaning" said Irpa. "It was only ten miles for Heaven's sake!"
"But we're not… like you" said Eir.
"We're trainee wish-granters… not Valkyries!" said Saga.
"Well anyway" said Jago, "someone probably needs to report our arrival to whoever is in charge while the rest of us set up camp. Weth, can I trust you to sign us in?" Weth nodded indignantly.
"Yes boss" she said with a drawl and disappeared of into the encampment.
"I get the feeling she doesn't like me" said Jago and then shrugged. "Right then, no point standing around; might as well set up camp. Eir, Saga! Quit lying around panting; you can rest when you're dead!"
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Weth strode purposefully through the camp, towards the great tent that marked the command centre for the entire host. Posted outside were a pair of Praetorian Guards, who blocked her path with their weapons, demanding to know her business.
"I'm here to inform Lord Deaderuss that the Paladin's group has arrived and to carry any orders or information from his Lordship to Paladin Jago himself". The Praetorians nodded and parted, allowing Weth to enter the tent. The interior of the tent was nearly fifty feet across, and dominated by a great table, piled high with maps, charts and troop rosters. Currently, Deaderuss was stood alongside Angrboða and a handful of other generals from other races, pouring over a set of plans relating to the upcoming invasion. She cleared her throat, catching their attention and Deaderuss smiled.
"Ah Weth, it's good to see you" he said and dismissed the other generals, leaving just them and Angrboða alone in the tent. "How goes it then?" Deaderuss asked. "Have you anything to report?" Weth nodded.
"Yes. The Paladin and his team of fools have arrived and are setting up camp on the edge of our forces". Deaderuss frowned.
"They're early".
"He was told that he wasn't to dawdle at the rear of the column so he quicktimed them here ahead of the main force". Deaderuss nodded impassively and then shrugged.
"No matter. So, have you learnt anything yet my apprentice?" Weth shook her head.
"Not much" she said. "Some bad feeling between Lind and Irpa but everyone knows that. Oh and Troubadour seems none too happy about being part of their little excursion but I suppose that should be expected". Deaderuss nodded and smiled.
"You have done well my apprentice" he said. "Now listen closely; I have withdrawn the Praetorians who were posted to defend the skies over Jötunheim so as to remove the risk of our plans being detected by the Paladin's party. On top of that, I have given King Surtr warning of the intended raid so that he may prepare a little… welcoming comity for when you arrive". Weth paled for a second.
"Is that wise my Lord? To involve the giant king in these matters?" Deaderuss glared at Weth with a look of fury.
"Do not question me" he said. "You may be my apprentice but that doesn't exclude you from our laws". Weth bowed her head in submission.
"My apologies my Lord, it was not my place to question you". Deaderuss nodded and his face then softened.
"You learn fast my girl. Now, if by chance YOU are captured by the Jötunns, simply pass on this phrase; Atlas. It doesn't matter who you say it too or how you pass it on, it WILL reach King Surtr and he will ensure that no harm comes to you". Weth nodded and bowed.
"Thank you my Lord. And if the giants fail to capture them?"
"If that is the case you are to continue with the plan" said Angrboða.
"Attempt to seduce Jago away from Lind and kill him?"
"Exactly". Weth nodded.
"As you wish" she said.
"Good. Now you are free to go" said Deaderuss. Weth bowed and backed out of the tent, pulling the flaps closed behind her.
"Can we trust her?" asked Angrboða. "I know that she is willing to follow your every order but your apprentice is… inexperienced". Deaderuss shrugged.
"It matters not whether she succeeds or fails; either way, Twoarchs will not be returning from this mission. Not if he must face that dragon".
"But what if the dragon talks? He may reveal-"
"That fool of a lizard will reveal nothing! Believe me my Lady, this time, Lamb will be silenced for sure and with her, any chance of preventing Kronos's resurrection".
"If you say so my Lord" said Angrboða. "Kronos must rise". Deaderuss nodded.
"Aye and he shall".
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"Stop pulling it that way!" Saga said, tugging at the canvas sheet as she and Eir struggled to set up their tent.
"I can't help it, the stupid pole won't go in!" Eir snapped back.
"Those two!" said Jago, feeding twigs into the cooking fire. "Perfectly in sync right up until you ask them put up a tent and then- poof! They go to pot!"
"Even twins struggle sometimes" said Lind, casually sitting opposite him. "So what's the plan for dinner?"
"Well I thought the four basic food groups; beans, bacon, whisky and lard".
"That sounds foul!" Irpa, grimacing as Jago pulled a large pan and bottle of oil from deep inside his bergan.
"When then you're either a fool or a vegi-terrorist" said Jago. "Either way, it's traditional the day before a hard fight to have a good feed… as it may well be your last". Presently, the smell of a full fry-up began to waft across the small camp as Jago set to cooking. Eir and Saga eventually abandoned the tent and joined them around the fire, using their short cutlasses to help toast bread, while Jago went diving back into his bag, bringing out a large bottle of his deadly Suicider and taking a swig.
"Anyone else partake?" he asked, offering around the bottle.
"None for me" said Lind. "You know how that stuff affects me".
"Fair enough" said Jago. "How about you Irpa? Want a nip?"
"Not a chance" said the violet haired Captain. "Abstinence prior to battle is essential. In all forms…" She glanced across at Lind who scowled.
"I'll give it a go" said Saga, reaching for the bottle.
"Are you sure?" Jago asked. "This shit is REALLY strong, about sixty per-cent alcohol. Just a nip too much and it'll knock you flat on your arse". Saga nodded and reached for the bottle again.
"Go on, what harm could it do?" Jago set down the pan and reluctantly handed over the bottle, from which Saga took a long swig. "I don't see what all the fuss was about" she said, wiping her lips. "It doesn't-" and she keeled over backwards. Jago leaned forward and caught the bottle and the toast before she could drop them and sighed.
"I warned her" he said. "Looks like no dinner for her then".
"Will she be alright?" Eir asked, gently poking her unconscious sister.
"Yeah, she'll be fine. She just needs to sleep it off". They turned to see Jeiko making his way over to them, his robes still stained red from the dust of the road.
"Ah, you made it!" Jago said. "I gotta say; you look absolutely shattered". Jeiko nodded, taking a seat beside the fire.
"Like you have no idea" he said.
"Well it's alright; your just in time for dinner. We got sausage, eggs and nice, crispy bacon". Jeiko grimaced at the thought.
"Got any vegetables?" he asked.
"We got beans" said Jago. "And… I suppose…" He set down hi frying pan and reached into his bag, revealing a small black and yellow jar.
"And what exactly is that?" Jeiko asked.
"Well this my friend is Marmite" said Jago. "Now, I don't know what you'll think of it but love it or hate it, everyone should try it at least once". He spread a little on toast and passed it to Jeiko who bit into it. Here was a few seconds of silence. And then he yelped.
"AWW! WHAT IS THIS!" he shouted, tossing the toast away as if it were something poisonous.
"Marmite; the love it or hate it spread. Basically its boiled down beer with vegetable extract added". Jeiko spat.
"It tastes more like cyanide and slug pellets!" He snatched Jago's bottle and took a deep slug, hoping to wash away some of the taste. "Whoever invented hat stuff needs to be shot!" he said.
"Philistine" Jago said, spreading a thick wave of the stuff on his own toast. "Anyone else want some?" he asked to whish Lind raised her hand.
"No toast thanks, just a spoonful". Jago nodded and passed the spoon but before Lind could even taste it, she yelped and dropped the spoon. "That stuff isn't right!" she said. "I could feel it BURNING me without ever having touched it!" Jago cocked his head.
"Well that's going a bit far" he said but as Irpa reached to pick up the spoon, she too gave a yelp.
"That stuff is unholy!" she said holding up her hand so that her fingers were visible and in the light of the fire, they actually looked slightly burnt. Jago snorted and picked up the spoon, setting it in his pile of dishes.
"Well that's a new one; Marmite physically burns goddesses. I gonna have to keep this stuff under wraps".
"And put a biohazard warning on it!" said Lind.
"Well maybe Troubadour would-" Jago said but then realised something; their minstrel was missing. "Oh bloody Hell, where'd the fool go?"
"He went off to find Weth" said Eir, "and said he would be back later". Jago nodded and sighed, calling out Lamb and Damascus.
"Could you find our missing friends?" he asked to which the pair nodded and drifted away between the tents. "I don't know" he muttered to himself. "People always disappear just as you think you have them pinned down; especially at meal times!"
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Weth moved silently among the tents, pondering her Master's orders. So she was to seduce the Paladin… but how? She was young and inexperienced, having never had someone that she would call a friend, never mind a lover. But she would do her best. And probably the best way to do that was to first try and get friendly with his Archs.
"Ah! Weth, there you are!" She turned suddenly as Astrakhan Lamb came drifting from between two of the tents towards her.
"Oh well, here goes" she muttered. "Greetings Lady Lamb" she said, bowing low. Lamb snorted.
"No Lady, just Lamb" she said. "My master sent me to look for you; he said that dinner was ready and he thought you'd want to join us". Weth cocked her head.
"Why?"
"Well, we thought that you would want a good meal before we head out tomorrow". Weth paused and shook her head.
"No thank you" she said. "You're kind but-"
"Oh come on!" said Lamb. "We don't bite. And besides, my Master is a pretty good cook". Weth cocked her head.
"Why are you trying to be nice to be Lamb?" asked Weth. "I blame your Master me losing my apprenticeship to Lord Deaderuss and hate him for it so why should his angel try to be kind to me?"
"Because my Master likes you" said Lamb.
"Then why would he interfere when Lord Deaderuss-"
"Because Deaderuss was wrong to beat you simply for losing to us" said Lamb. "I may not remember much about my life as a Praetorian but I do remember just how unnecessarily brutal it was and having lived with my Master for a while now, I have learnt that there was more to life than simply living to have the crap beaten out of me". She sighed, as it was clear from the look that Weth was giving her that she didn't really understand. "Ok let me see if I can put it another way… My Master saw what was happening and he thought that it wasn't right. He has a somewhat… old-fashioned sense of honour. Anyway, he was only trying to help you, never meaning to cause you any harm. Now that is the best explanation I can give, so please Weth, would you come and eat with us?" Weth stared at the angel cautiously and then nodded.
"Alright" she said. "But I do this for myself, not for anyone else".
"That's fair enough" said Lamb with a smile. Together, they started back towards Jago's camp, quietly walking together until curiosity got the better of Weth.
"Why exactly did Jago call you Astrakhan Lamb?" she asked. "It's not exactly a common name". Lamb nodded and ran a hand through her tightly curled ringlets.
"It was my hair" she said. "An astrakhan lamb is the word given to a new born Persian lamb with very soft, tightly curled, black wool and he said that I reminded him of just such a lamb". Weth nodded but then thought of something else.
"What about before you were with Twoar- Jago? What was your name back then?" Lamb gave her a stern look.
"You know my name. Or at least, you know of it. I was Striking Twilight-"
"You were the angel of Lady Serenity?" said Weth with a look of awe. "But-"
"I'm not that person anymore" said Lamb, sternly. "Now drop it; I don't want to talk about it. I am no longer a killer". Weth went to continue but Lamb's eyes flashed from their usual turquoise to deep amber so she wisely stayed silent. They continued in silence for several minutes until Lamb decided to make amends. "I'm… sorry. I didn't mean to snap". Weth bowed her head.
"That's alright my Ladysh- Lamb" said Weth. "I should never have pushed you". Lamb nodded and then cocked her head.
"If I may ask, what is the name of YOUR angel?" Weth looked confused but after a second, answered:
"She's called Solar Radiance" said Weth, "but I would rather not bring her out if it's all the same to you". Lamb nodded.
"I understand" she said. "I was just curious". At this point they were also at the camp and Lamb chuckled as they heard Jago scolding Damascus.
"Now look; what have I told you about drawing on Saga in permanent marker? She's going to so pissed off when she wakes up!" Damascus laughed.
"That's the general idea. Now give me back my pen! I haven't finished yet; I still need to draw a willy on her forehead". There was a gulp and Damascus snorted. "Did you seriously just swallow my pen?"
"Yep" said Jago and at that moment, Lamb and Weth emerged from between the tents to a fairly comic sight. Lind and Jeiko sat on one side of the fire, glaring daggers at Irpa and Troubadour who were positioned on the other side. Except in Troubadour's case, every few seconds he would go cross-eyed as he sucked down another spoonful of Marmite. Jago was still holding the frying pan, preparing another round of food, keeping an eye on Damascus who in turn, was cackling at her own mischief beside the prone Saga. Saga herself was still sleeping, snoring quietly but it was clear that she would be blind-furious when she woke up as Damascus had given her a rather fetching goatee and glasses, the effect of which had since been spoiled by the addition of several scrawled penises and squiggly lines. Eir clearly though that his was all hilarious and was all but rolling around with laughter. It was then that Jago spotted the new arrivals.
"Ah there you are!" he said. "You're just in time for dinner!"
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They were up early the next morning. Mist had spread across the plain, dampening the grass and deadening sound as Jago's little party moved silently across the grass. They were hoping to be gone before anyone noticed but it was not to be, for as they approached the area that marked the portal into Jötunheim, they realised that there was a crowd waiting for them. And not just any crowd. Standing silently in the early morning light, was the entire allied host, all waiting for the paladin to make the first move that could well spark one of the greatest wars of all time.
"Well this is awkward" Eir whispered but Jago shushed her as they strode across the open field, towards the portal, which opened as they approached. Then pausing before it, Jago paused and turned to face the silent crowd. He removed his Stetson, saluted them and then flicked it back onto his head before turning to face the portal. It was a simple gesture but it had the desired effect; the crowd burst into a spontaneous cheer and with that, they stepped through into the snows of Jötunheim. From the other side of the portal, an Earth spirit leaned across to Jeiko.
"Five bucks says they don't come back my Lord". Jeiko snorted.
"Fifty says they do" was his reply.
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"Whoa… It's nippy out here" said Jago. And it was. Jötunheim was a bleak landscape of mountains, howling blizzards and dead forests of pines. The sky was black with storm clouds as the snow howled by with a biting cold that cut through the small group like a knife. Jago shivered and pulled his thick jacket tight around himself as Lind stepped forward, taking her place beside him.
"Cold?" she asked. Jago shrugged.
"A little" he said. "But not much more than Bulgaria in winter". He looked up at the sky and snorted and then glanced down to where the snow had started to drift around his boots. "You see, it's not the heat so much as the humidity that will kill you". He glanced at Lind's skin tight leather uniform, under her heavy jacket. "What about you? Aren't you cold?" Lind snorted.
"As a goddess, I'm extremely resilient to cold. Not only that but my uniform is temperature controlled as well as being extremely resilient to damage". Jago snorted in admiration.
"Remind me to ask for one of those for Christmas" he said and then turned back to the rest of the group. "Everyone ready?" he asked and they nodded. "Right then Troubadour, you're the guide so I suggest that you show us the way to the lair of Gandamak". Troubadour nodded and stepped forward.
"Give me a second Paladin; I need to get my bearings and work out the best route to his likely lair".
"Perhaps I can help" said Irpa. "I can tell you where we'd most likely meet Jötunn patrols and whether we'd need to make any diversions". The pair walked a little ahead of the group and paused to check out their surroundings. They were currently situated on the windward side of a mountain, with a high scree above them and a steppe slope bellow, although with a wide, open space surrounding them, like a miniature plain cut into the side of the mountain. A few minutes later, the pair returned.
"Alright" said Troubadour. "I know where we are; about three day's march from where the dragon would make his lair". Jago nodded.
"Sounds fair. Which way?" Troubadour pursed his lips and grunted to himself.
"Now that's a problem". He pointed off in one direction. "As the crow flies, that way would be the shortest route but…"
"But?" said Lind.
"That would take us perilously close to a minor Jötunn fortress and they're bound to have forces on patrol in that area" said Irpa as Troubadour pointed off in another direction.
"I would suggest that we take that route" he said. "It's further to travel but it should take us well away from the likely route of any Jötunn patrols". Jago nodded and considered for a minute.
"Irpa, you're the deep strike specialist, what would you-"
"Get down!" the Valkyrie said before Jago could finish talking to her and they all dropped to the snow.
"What is it?" hissed Weth, wriggling her way forward and Irpa pointed across the flat plain.
"Jötunn patrol". It was a large group, at least thirty giants, making their steady way across the snow.
"Ah" said Jago. "Now this is a predicament. Lind, do you think we can take them?"
"Of course we can!" said Saga, half-rising and preparing to let fly with a spell until Lind pulled her down.
"FOOL!" she hissed. "NO magic! The dragon would pick up it for sure and we'd be as good as dead!" Saga spat out a mouthful of snow and growled.
"Then what about a straight fight?"
"Well they outnumber us" said Irpa, "and using angles to even the odds would be just as dangerous as using spells. Plus, while we could probably take the on, the Jötunn fort would notice their disappearance for sure and soon, the whole region would be swarming with giants!"
"So what's the plan?" asked Jago. "Do we fight or run?"
"We can't run" said Lind. "We can't outrun Jötunns over soft snow; they'll be on us in seconds!" Jago nodded then glanced towards the edge of the slope. As the others continued their whispered argument, he peered over the edge. It was steep; near vertical in places but the bottom was covered in deep drifts and there were plenty of trees below which could provide cover. He sidled back to the group and hissed his plan;
"I have a way out" he said. "If we take that slope" gesturing in the direction of the edge, "we should be able to make it down without being spotted we can probably outrun anything that comes after us".
"Weren't you listening?" hissed Lind. "We can't outrun those things on foot!"
"We don't need our feet!" said Jago and without another word, he set off for the slope at a run, leapt into the air and then disappeared over the edge.
"JAGO!" Lind shouted and came haring over, just in time to see him land and go sliding away down the slope on his back. "Idiot!" she hissed but then she realised her mistake; she had given away their position. She turned rapidly to see the Jötunns heading towards them at some speed and she gritted her teeth. "Fuck it!" she swore. "Everyone follow Jago!" With that, she took a few steps back to get a run-up and then she too leapt over the edge and went sliding down the mountain.
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With a grunt, Jago landed in a deep drift and was instantly buried up to his neck in snow. He pulled himself up and grunted.
"Well that could have been worse". Then, at least for him, it did get worse as his team landed on him, one after the other. "Oh, you've got to be joking!"
"Well I think we made it" said Lind, pulling herself up. "Is everyone ok?"
"I got snow up my skirt!" said Eir, trying to disentangle herself from Irpa.
"Oh stop moaning!" said Saga.
"I think we all made it in one piece" said Weth but then looked around. "Where's the Paladin?" She heard grumbling from beneath her and moved aside to reveal the group's leader. "Sorry what did you say?"
"I said; get your fat arse of my head" said Jago. He heaved himself up and out of the snow, brushing himself off as he went. "Did you all really have to land on me?" he asked indignantly.
"Well it's your own fault for going off without telling us what you were doing". Jago grinned sheepishly and turned to Troubadour.
"Right, we're all here so which way do we go?" Troubadour paused and then then pointed off through the trees.
"That way" he said. "We're going to have to take the short route close to the fortress I'm afraid because your detour means we can't reach the high road".
"And we'd better get moving" said Irpa. "Those giants know we're here now and it won't be long until they find us if we don't move".
"Right then" said Jago, hefting his pack. "Troubadour, you're on point. Everyone else, follow the tree spirit".
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From above the Jötunns watched as the small group slowly started melting away into the forest. The leader; a strapping brute of nearly fifteen feet in height, leered down as his quarry escaped.
"The cowards saw us coming and have fled" he muttered. He turned to his second in command, a heavily scared fourteen footer with just a single glowing eye, the other covered by a patch. "Which way would they head?" the leader growled. The second thought for a second.
"They'll head for the pass to the South-East of the fortress and then cut North towards the High Peaks. That is where the dragon hides and that is surely where they must head for". The leader nodded and turned to face the distant peaks. He growled himself and ground his tombstone like teeth.
"We shall head for frozen meadow, just above the pass and ambush them there. They are bound to use it as an encampment and are likely to let their guard down if they think we have lost their trail". The smaller giant growled in dissatisfaction.
"Are you sure? That is Frost-fiend territory". The leader turned to his smaller companion and growled.
"You dare challenge my authority?" The smaller giant baulked and back off a little.
"No sir, it's just-"
"You should be careful when you question your superiors" he said, running his hand along the hilt of his great knife, its blade a single piece of polished bone. "If you were to continue to be so brazen then you may well lose you remaining eye". The smaller giant nodded and bowed his head.
"My apologies sir. I will have the troops move out immediately". He turned towards the assembled troops and let out a great roar. "RIGHT THEN! WE TAKE THAT ROAD!"
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Jago crouched silently in the snow, looking out between the trees, his heavy elephant gun in his hands. Weth crouched silently beside him, looking out towards their target.
"How far by your reckoning?" Jago asked her, raising his rifle and taking aim as Saga dropped down beside them.
"About five-hundred yards" she Weth said. "Are you really going to shoot them?" Jago glanced across at her.
"What do you think?" he said. "Saga, I'd say wind at ten knots on the cheek. Is that about right?" Saga paused and tested the wind herself.
"I'd say closer to twelve knots, intermittent" Jago nodded and twitched his rifle a fraction to the left.
"When I fire, be ready to run. You two gotta be right on them as soon as I fire". The pair nodded and each prepared for a fight; Saga pulling her cutlass free while Weth drew her knife. "Ready?" Jago asked and they nodded. He took and deep breath and lined up on his target, before gently squeezing the trigger. The rifle kicked back with the force of an angry mule and the massive eight-bore shell spat forth and there was a flurry in the snow as a jet of red stained the ground. Instantly Weth and Saga burst forth from their hiding place and disappeared into the snow. Jago sat quietly as the smoke from his weapon cleared and then stood, peering out across the small meadow. "Did I get him?" he called out.
"You got him" Saga called out. "I still think it's cheating; I mean, hunting deer with an elephant gun!" Jago crossed the snowy meadow and paused beside the animal, lowering himself to his knees.
"Well what do you suggest? Oh I suppose you'd want me to chase it down with my bare hands?" he drew his khukuri and gestured for the pair to look away. Both Weth and Saga turned and faced away from him as he used his heavy knife to gut the animal. "Ah… never pleasant" he muttered, wiping the blade on the creature's fur.
"How can killing something come so easily to you?" Weth asked with a note of disgust as she turned back around to face him. Jago wiped his hands in clean on the snow and coughed.
"It doesn't" he said. "You think I don't feel it? Killing something is always horrible, unless you're some kind of psycho. It's just that I choose to ignore it as and when I need to". Weth paused and nodded as Jago handed his rifle to Saga and lifted the small deer onto his shoulders. "At least we'll have fresh meat" he said as they started to make their way back towards the camp. "I thought tonight perhaps a stew, with the venison as a base with maybe some spuddies and other goodies for flavour with maybe-" But he stopped as a strange noise started to echo through the mountains. A weird, rumbling drone that seemed to grow and fade in waves. "Oh shit" said Jago and without any explanation, he threw down the deer carcass and snatched his rifle from Saga before starting off at a dead run back towards the camp. It took a few seconds for the girls to catch up with him, as her hurdled a half buried log and rolled to absorb the impact.
"What is it Jago?" Saga gasped as she tried to keep up with the big man who ploughed on, relentless as a steam train.
"What's that noise?" Weth asked, catching up to the pair.
"That sound? It's a bullroarer. And it means that our mates have got themselves into a total clusterfuck".
"A what?"
"It means that we're all goanna die!"
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They had followed an old goat track up into the mountains, to a frozen meadow that Troubadour knew of. Twice they had been forced to stop and hide because of because Jötunn patrols but overall, they had made good time and by evening, they had reached their intended camp site. They had set under an overhang of the cliff face so that they were sheltered from the worst of the weather. Tents were pitched and a fire was made, with Irpa electing to take the first watch. Jago however, was uneasy. There was something amiss but he couldn't put his finger on it. As such, there was only one thing to do;
"Right, I'm going out to catch some fresh meat" he said, stowing his pack and most of his gear in his and Lind's shared tent, leaving his with just his rifle, his khukuri and a single knife.
"Is that wise?" Troubadour asked. "We shouldn't get separated; it invites ambush. And while you are probably the best fighter amongst us, there are predators out there that strike with speed and surprise". Jago nodded and went back to his bag, pulling out a pair of elongated wooden ovals, each with a cord attached to one end.
"Here you go" he said, tossing one to Troubadour. "It's a bullroarer; swing it above your head as fast as you can and it'll make a noise that'll carry for miles. And if I hear it, I'll come back a-shootin!" he tucked his own bullroarer under his belt and made for the edge of the camp.
"I'm coming too" said Lind but Jago frowned.
"That may not be such a good idea" he said. "To have the two best fighters away from the camp at the same time would…" He didn't bother to finish but Lind nodded.
"At least take someone with you" she said so Jago nodded and turned to the younger group members.
"Weth, Saga, you tow are coming with me" the pair nodded and after saying their goodbyes, the small party disappeared into the woods.
"It's quiet without them" said Eir, sitting down beside Lind and drawing up knees to her chest. The Valkyrie nodded silently, making Eir sigh. "Well, at least we've made good time today-"
"Why did you come girl?" Lind asked, not taking her eyes of the fire. "You and your sister are too young to be in a place like this. What Jago was thinking asking you two to come?" This last bit she said to herself but Eir looked guilty none the less.
"Actually… we asked him". Lind turned to look at the younger goddess, confused.
"You volunteered?" Eir nodded.
"That's right. You see, Saga and I wanted to prove that we are capable of so that we would be accepted into the Goddess Relief Office. Possibly not the smartest plan but…" Lind snorted.
"That would be an understatement. I hope that you and your sister realise that Jago will be relying on the pair of you when push comes to shove and I should also point out that at that point, there is a very real chance of one or both of you being killed". Eir nodded and they both returned to silence, the crackle of the fire and the sound of the wind the only sounds that could be heard.
"If you don't mind me asking Captain but where did you get the jacket from? I've never known a Valkyrie to wear anything other than her uniform". Lind looked down at the thick, black leather and let a brief smile play across her lips.
"It was a present from Jago, on the first night that we were together. He thought it suited me". Eir nodded and smiled.
"You're lucky. Jago's a good man, if a little odd". Lind nodded.
"Aye, that he is". They lapsed back into silence, with just the crackle of the flames and the howl for the wind as company. Presently, Troubadour appeared and sat down by the fire, opposite the pair but didn't say anything, just rubbed his ears in order to help maintain the blood flow to the delicate tips. Shortly however, they heard a brief scrabble and Irpa appeared under the ledge, gasping.
"I saw something. Up above us. Looked like giants". Lind nodded and motioned for the other two to remain seated while she and Irpa checked it out. They pushed their way through the falling snow until they reached Irpa's lookout; a large rock, half buried in a snow drift from where Irpa pointed upwards, towards an overhead mound. "There" she pointed. "There was movement among those rocks. Look like at least one, possibly more". Lind peered out from the rock, looking up towards the lip of the ridge. She couldn't see much as she stared upwards, until she spotted what she thought was movement. And then a flash of red. She pulled back.
"I see them. At least one, possibly more". Irpa nodded and wordlessly drew her broadsword.
"I'll keep watch" she hissed. "Get the others ready for a fight. If we can kill these scouts before they can escape then-" but she stropped, realising something horrible. "Oh no" she whispered.
"What is it?" Lind asked.
"Those aren't snow drifts" said Irpa, pointing out across the hillside to the seemingly random piles of snow that were scattered across the slope. And it was at this point, the snow exploded.
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Troubadour and Eir heard an enormous roar from outside the camp and were on their feet in an instant. Eir had her cutlass and troubadour his rapier as they charged out, only to be met by a pair of howling frost giants. They were horrifying brutes; seven foot tall, with deep blue skin, thick, matted black hair and eyes glowing like red coals, each clutching a bone bladed knife in their thick hands. They charged forwards and Eir dodged back, ducking under the scything blade. With a shout, she kicked hard up and her foot connected sharply with the giant's crotch. The bellowing beast went cross-eyed and collapsed, right onto Eir's sword which ran the giant through as it fell. She grunted with effort, heaving the dead giant off of herself and turned to see Troubadour who had already dispatched his first giant and was currently duelling with another pair. Eir darted forward but before she could reach them, Troubadour had dispatched his two foes.
"Are you alright girl?" he asked and Eir nodded.
"I'm fine" and together, they went out into the storm, weapons at the ready. As they emerged, they saw just how dire the situation was; Lind and Irpa were stood back-to-back, holding back a hoard of giants, but had now become encircled, leaving them trapped. Meanwhile, a seconds group of giants were descending the slope towards them, clearing intending to overrun their camp, Troubadour turned to Saga and thrust something into her hands; the long wooden oval of the bullroarer.
"Quickly girl! Take this! We need the Paladin but I don't have time to use this!" He turned away, racing towards the new group of giants, brandishing his rapier.
"But how do I use this?" Eir called desperately after him.
"Spin it above your head!" And so she did. After just a few seconds, the device began to drone; a whirring, tone that seemed to rise and fall of its own accord. It was a sound that would carry for miles, even through the falling snow and howling wind. She kept it up as long as she dared, hoping against hope that she would spot Jago's approach; a black Stetson against the snow. But it was not to be as she suddenly felt something thump heavily into the bullroarer and tear it from her hands. She looked across to where it landed and saw, to her horror, a quarrel buried deep in the wooden oval. She looked up in dread and their they were; half a dozen of the smaller giants. With crossbows!
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Saga and Weth were struggling to keep up with Jago as he charged forward, through the snow. He may be heavier that they were but crucially, he was much taller and so it was easier for him to pull himself free whenever he sank. It wasn't until they were almost at the camp that he eventually slowed that they were able to catch up to him. He preceded at a walk, taking time to eject the spent cartridge from his rifle and slotted another into the empty barrel.
"So what's the plan?" Saga gasped as they rounded the final corner, bringing the camp into sight. Jago dropped to his knees as he peered out across the snow, chewing his lip. From what he could make out, it wasn't looking good. The other four members of their group were huddled together, completely surrounded by giants although they appeared to be keeping their distance for the moment, probably because several of their number were lying dead around the group. However, it didn't appear to be going all in their favour as Irpa appeared to be moving awkwardly, as if injured plus, every few seconds, they would duck as something came whizzing down from the hills towards them. Crossbows.
"Right… here's the plan; I need you two to charge towards that hill top" Jago said, pointing to the slope above the camp. "I'll cover you".
"WHAT!" Weth shouted. "No way am I doing that! Those crossbows-"
"There are half a dozen of them scatter among rocks above the camp, judging from direction of the shots and the rate of fire. Now, I can pick them off from here but I need you two to draw fire so that I tell exactly where they are. Not only that but it might keep the others alive longer if they don't have arrows flying past their heads every few seconds". Saga nodded and charged forwards, swinging her cutlass. Weth however refused to move.
"There's no way I'm going out there!" she shouted. "What if you miss and-"Jago didn't answer, just lifted his rifle and fired. There was a squeal from the rocks and he fired again to the same result.
"I don't miss" he said. "Even at nine-hundred yards". He leapt up, charging forwards to a new position from which he could fire on the crossbow troopers. Weth had followed him but stopped when he did, crouching low in the snow.
"But-"
"I don't have time for buts" said Jago. He sighted on a crossbowman but his target ducked back behind a rock so he rapidly switched one of the giants surrounding the group, swinging the barrel of his big gun around and he fired again, watching as one of them dropped. "Now if you don't have anything useful to contribute, then I suggest that you either stay here or piss off!" Jago leapt up and raced forward, leaving her alone in the snow, unsure as to what to do now.
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Irpa grunted in pain as she yanked the crossbow quarrel from her thigh and slapped her hand to the wound, the other still clutching her sword.
"We appear to be at a disadvantage" she said, aiming a swing as one of the giants stepped to close. In the meantime, Lind ducked as another quarrel whizzed past her head, purring like a maddened cat.
"You could say that" she admitted, swinging her halberd at an especially large giant that leapt back yelping, grasping its severed thumb.
"Where the hell is the Paladin?" Troubadour asked. "We used the device but he hasn't come!" Lind gritted her teeth.
"Patience! He will come!" As if on cue, they heard a deep bang, followed quickly by another, both accompanied by the squeal of giants in pain. "Ah! Speak of the devil!" she said with a smile. They could now make out the shape of a lone figure dressed in purple coming bounding down the slopes towards them, brandishing a weapon in her hand.
"It's Saga!" Eir called out excitedly but then paused as her sister started performing series of jumps and summersaults about halfway down the hill. "What's she doing?" There was another bang and one of the closer giants dropped to the ground writhing, at which point they saw the crossbows turn towards the acrobatic little figure only for one of them to go down to another shot.
"She's drawing fir so Jago can take out the crossbows!" Lind said. "Now's our chance! VALKYRIES!" she bellowed and charged forwards, hacking a path through Jötunns as she went. The others followed her charge, each shouting their own war cries as they went and for a few seconds, there was a furious melee as they fought to break through the giants and reach the others. Then they were clear, with nothing but a few hundred yards of snowy slope between them and Jago. They heard another cry from further ahead and for the first time, they could see Jago, engaged in a knife fight with a trio of giants, his khukuri in hand;
"AYO GORKHALI!" he bellowed and they watched as he sliced hard across his body, decapitating one of the giants with a single blow. He spun to face another opponent as the third attempted to sneak in behind him but before it could strike, it let out a roar of pain, stumbling forward with a Weth's thrown knife buried deep in its back. And then… there came a rumble.
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The Jötunn leader snarled as he ducked for cover behind one of the huge boulders as another of his crossbowmen went down in a spray of blood.
"They have a sniper!" his Lieutenant snarled, peeking out from around the rock to see a tiny figure performing some sort of acrobatics show just within range of the crossbows, effortlessly dodging the incoming shots. In reply, the sniper fired of another shot, killing one of the soldiers down in the valley and then picking off another crossbowman. The leader ground his teeth and turned towards the Lieutenant.
"Take a half-dozen men and kill that sniper!" he growled. "Without him, the crossbows can go back to work. The Lieutenant nodded and with a growl, he led six of the giants forward, using the deep snow drifts and the large boulders as cover as they made their way towards the figure of the sniper. He watched as the sniper changed his aim and four of the advancing giants went down but the remaining pair plus the Lieutenant charged forwards, brandishing their knives as they charged. The sniper tossed aside his rifle and drew a strange, leaf-bladed knife before charging forwards to meet the oncoming giants. He was smaller than Jötunns but he attacked with an unexpected ferocity and then there was a shout as the trapped group managed to break through the encircling ring of giants, charging towards the melee. The acrobat had by now turned and was heading back towards the sniper, brandishing a short cutlass in her hand. The leader watched as the sniper killed one opponents with a single blow and quickly turned towards the Lieutenant while the third giant looped around behind him, preparing to strike, only to go down following the appearance of a third assailant. The leader ground his teeth and snarled. And then the rumbling started. He turned to look up at the mountain that stretched up above him. And there, riding down on wings of destruction, came a horrifying beast of nightmare; an avalanche giant. A Frost-fiend.
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Jago tossed aside his rifle as the remaining three giants came barrelling down the slopes towards him, long knives in hand. He drew his khukuri and grinned.
"So you wanna paly rough do you?" he shouted and he charged forwards, catching the movement as Saga turned to run back and join him. The giants were all taller than him, two seven footers and a huge fourteen footer. He must be the leader Jago decided and so, he should be the one to die. He suddenly dropped to his knees as he reached the giants and sliding under a low swung blade. He back swung his khukuri, slicing through the calf of one of the smaller giants, hamstringing it and forcing it to its knees. "AYO GORKHALI!" he bellowed and brought a two-handed chop down on the neck of the giant, slicing its head clean off. Foul, black ichor soaked his hands as he kicked the headless corpse aside and spun around to face the largest giant. There was shout behind him and he saw the third giant go down with a knife in his back, as Weth charged forward, shrieking with rage. "Finally grew a backbone did you?" Jago shouted and then turned his attention back to the remaining giant. And then the rumbling started. They all turned to see a wall of snow that was sweeping down towards them at the speed of sound. "Oh crap" said Jago, grabbing his hat and holding on tight as the avalanche swept over the top of him and his little rescue party.
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The Frost-fiend had been dozing high up on the slopes of the mountain, sleeping through the, what was for Jötunheim, mild weather, waiting for a blizzard so that it could descend into the valleys to hunt. However, a sound had disturbed it and it poked its vulture like head clear of the snow bank to investigate. The sound had been a bang. A gunshot. And the avalanche giant glared down at the valley bellow as the fight unfolded; the frost giant's ambush, their surrounding of the smaller group, the arrival of Jago's rescue team and the Jötunns failed counterattack. And it hissed to itself. These trespassers were in its territory and so, it responded in the only way it knew how. Spreading its great wings, the beast began to swipe at the slopes, freeing the snow around it until, with a rumble, the whole slope had begun to slide. It would sweep these pests away and then, it would feed. Feed on them, that is.
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There was no time for Lind to do anything. She and her group were too far away to help as the mighty Frost-fiend came screaming down the slopes, surfing the waves of its avalanche as it came steamrollering down towards Jago's rescue party and before her eyes, she watched as Jago, Weth, Saga and the last of the giants attacking them were swept away by the onrushing wall of destruction. And over the edge of a cliff. The slope was steep until it reached their little meadow but the meadow itself terminated on one side in a vertical drop into a deeper valley. A drop of five thousand feet. She briefly saw Jago's head erupt from the wall of snow, holding someone's head above the snow; it looked like Saga's.
"JAGO!" Lind screamed and then they were gone, swept over the edge of the cliff and out into oblivion. "NOOOOO!" Lind shrieked and she fell to her knees. There was nothing else she could do. She sank to her knees, sure in the knowledge that her lover was dead for no being; deity of human could survive a fall like that. She heard voices shouting around her as she wept openly, hot tears running down her face, only to freeze on her cheeks. She felt hands grasping at her, trying to lift her, to drag her but she was completely unresponsive. There was another shout and the hands disappeared as the sound of fighting echoed around her until this finally faded once more into silence. And then there was a blade under her chin, lifting her tear stained face to peer at her.
"Well, well, well" said the Jötunn leader. "Would you look at who we have here".
Authors Note: Pc still out of action but weathe rhas been so nasty that I've spent a lot of time in the libary and because of this, I managed to get this knocked out a little faster thn I thought I would. Hope you enjoy it.