Warning

I must warn you. English is not my native language, so from time to time you will find some peculiar (as in outrageous) uses of the English language. Please, be tolerant and let me now to fix them. Then, try to enjoy the Story.

The Order of the Mortal Knights
by Elnauhual

Fan fiction, based on the characters and universe of "Oh my goddess" by Kōsuke Fujishima.

Chapter III
Ghosts from the past

It was the year of our Lord 807, somewhere in the Scandinavian Peninsula in the northern lands of Europe. It was almost dawn; the chill of the morning announced the winter proximity. Here was path where the forest meets the rugged mountains. Nature had provided with a small shelter which was used by a lonely couple to protect from the wind, it was not really cave, but it was adequate.

The girl, who looked as if she barely had left the teen, woke up. Her beautiful face had a haunting copper tone and showed certain seriousness that did not seem to correspond to her age. In that moment, she wished to enjoy a little solitude. Although she felt fascination for humans, there were days she would have preferred to have no contact with them; sometimes they exasperated her, even Fafnir.

Slowly she moved away the man´s hand that still rested on her breast, and move aside the heavy fur that covered them. Urth left the warm skin and felt the cold of the morning against her body. The chill wind felt stimulating. The cold would have been intolerable for a mortal, but she was not. She looked at her companion whose body she had exposed, the man involuntarily shivered with cold and she smiled before covering him.

He was a fine specimen of man. He was not chunky but his muscles were firm. His blond hair hung down in strands over his face, framing his almost perfect features: a slightly aquiline nose and strong chin gave an air of determination and tenacity. Indeed, he was a man of these lands but there was something different about him. He did not have the hard features of the peasants, but an air of a nobleman, remarked by his well-cared hands.

She left some of the makeshift camp, looked at the horizon and saw the first rays of dawn then took a deep breath and felt the scents from the forest nearby. The strong fumes of pine oils, the shy scents of wild flowers, and the moisture of the earth, all mingled with the stench of burnt wood from the camp fire. She increased her concentration and started to distinguish each aroma. There were also tars, phenols and other scents. Those were the aromatic over notes, but there were other volatile compounds, weak but still detectable.

She started a soft and monotone song to have better concentration she began to recognize the scents of some small plants that were hidden by those strong odors and felt that something was calling her. She decided to go after this call. She walked into the forest. Her bare feet barely left footprints; it seemed as if she were floating.

She got into the woods and come to a big tree, nearby there were some small purple florets. Yes, that was it! She cupped her hands around the flowers to empathize with the plant. That was the small plant that had called her. She focused her senses and slowly began to feel their chemical compounds and finally saw something. There was a funny little chain of aromatic molecules, to her it seemed beautiful. She changed her tune and now could see on her mind, like an advanced simulation, the effects of the compound on a human body. Yes that was what she wanted.

Suddenly she heard footsteps behind. It was Fafnir; he talked to her with some resignation.

- Again looking for plants?

Without even turning to see him, she asked

- Did you bring my notebook?

-Yes, here I have it here. Also I have your clothes. You should not go like that in this cold; other men could see you...

- There are no other men nearby. Is it my body that is bothering you?

The girl stood her long hair of a pure white, was wrapped around her and contrasted to her copper skin, but this magnificent white coat did nothing to cover her beauty, instead framed it and increased her sensuality. The man could not resist and dropped his eyes as he felt his heart was racing. He cursed himself. She was not his first woman, yet still she did make him blush like a teenager.

Urth smiled, she was fascinated by having such power over men. They have been living together for six months and still her body did not fail to impress him. Slowly she approached Fafnir and took her clothes. She laughed a laugh as fresh as the morning and started to dress in no hurry. Finally she said to him in a flirty tone:

- You can see now.

She could not help playing with Fafnir, his white face easily betrayed when it came to blush and she like it.

She took the book, carefully removed the plant from the ground and started taking notes. Her writing was clear and precise, but she did not use the Latin alphabet or any other used by men. She used runes, magical letters with various levels of meanings. It was the writing Yggdrasil.

The finished notes contained: the components of the plant, its therapeutic properties, their magical properties and a lot of information, encoded with precision in those symbols. There, collected, were her notes of the last ten years. Not everything was about healing plants. She had written preparations to become strong or to have an inhuman speed; there was a material she called oxigum allowing underwater breathing, potions to be brave, or to make forget. There were plenty of mixtures, ointments, potions, poultices, perfumes and even simple notes about nature. She had not made them for some specific purpose, but only because they had seemed fun to make.

The isolation, the contact with nature, the freedom from Heaven´s supervision and from her strict teachers had resulted in an explosion of creativity. She knew there was hazardous material and at first she had hidden from everyone, including Fafnir, before she discovered he was a superb draftsman.

- It's your turn- said to Fafnir, passing the notebook and smiling to him in a provocative way.

Not without protests, Fafnir took the notebook, looked for his case where he kept his drawing materials and skillfully began to make a beautiful and faithful picture of the plant. This would delay their departure and he did not understand why, but to such smile he could not deny anything.

- Yet Another medicinal plant! Why would we need it? - As he looked with some scorn the humble flowers.

Urth showed exasperation. How many times the already had discussed the issue.

-What do you want instead? Something to give you immortality? Strength? Courage? Or other things useful to warrior?

The world needs great warriors, to defend ourselves...

- From other warriors? Do not we need also farmers, artisans, merchants? Finally, they are the ones that give food to the warriors.

- Warriors express the top qualities of the human spirit - Suddenly Urth put her hand on his shoulder. Fafnir turned to see her staring at her trying to impose his will upon her. But she was not like any woman he knew. On the contrary, she looked straight into his eyes, in challenging attitude.

- Why do men only think about war?

Fafnir was not used to have a woman questioning him, so he hesitated before answering.

- We cannot avoid war. - The Franks, under Charlemagne are conquering town after town. Widukind and his people had to flee and take refuge in this land.

For some reason to mention Widukind caused excitement in the man, Urth had wondered about that, but he had never explained it.

-The refugees brought many horror do not know what will happen when all these people got under the yoke of the empire!

- I'm not sure you're interested in those people. Haven´t you said you have dreamed of being king of these lands? What for?

-Would not you like to be queen? Having everything you want: to have servants, to have power...

Urth smiled, how could she tell him the title of queen was so childish to a goddess? Her years of being on earth had taught her things that seemed more valuable.

-Having the stars for a roof, the universe as a home, the perfume of the forest in my body, and... And handsome man who adores me, standing by my side. That's what I want!

Fafnir could not understand. Long he had suspected Urth had great powers, could not understand why she did not want to use it to get what he considered the greatest dreams of a human being.

- Come on, forget it. It's late and we have a woman life to save.

- Yes, another peasant woman who...

Urth's eyes narrowed in anger, one could almost feel the electricity around her. Fafnir decided to shut up and just put a face of resignation. He knew that if he did not press her more, she quickly would calm down.

Fafnir finally finished his drawing and went for breakfast. Fafnir as always, ate in abundance, Urth as usual, proved only a few bites but interspersed with abundant beer. To Fafnir seemed she only need beer to live. He would have been very surprised to know how right he was.

Fafnir finally picked up the camp and went to Urth with a ceremonious air and a cavalier bow.

- Milady Urth, we are ready to go.

Urth sighed; she had to accept she liked the flattering compliments of Fafnir. For the moment that vanished any disagreements. When they were not debating, this man made her feel good. Then she looked into his deep blue eyes, that give him a dreamy air, and his elegant movements and attitudes were very different from the simple peasants who lived there. His robe and clothes were worn from use, but still seemed more appropriate for a royal court. Yes, I she had to admit he was beautiful. She knew that despite everything, this man loved and followed her, whether he understood her or whether she was a living legend.

Indeed, nothing less than a living legend. I was too late to change how things became. In those ten years of living on earth she had create and woven myths and legends that show her in a remote and sometimes terrible way... So some of them respected and some feared her. To the world she was: Urth the Darraðarljóð, the sorceress who traveled the roads, teaching, especially women, to make better use of their old knowledge. To them their old remedies, now it seemed magical.

As they walked the path, she meditated on what had lived. Here on earth, she felt so free. In Heaven she had always felt watched, as if everyone suddenly feared that would become a demon.

She suspected it was because that fear that she was allowed left heavens to go to the earth alone, despite being a goddess so young and who had not fully mastered her magic. Probably it was due to her choice of seeking magical and medicinal plants, this was an activity they found so childish, and they thought she would not require a supervisor.

Now she felt free, without ties or responsibilities or almost. She had begun to love those silly mortals and somehow she wanted to help them. Also she had to admit that the feeling of being adored was fascinating. However she did not forget some basic lessons. Some gods had been lost in this fascination and had to be removed from the earth by force when they tried to intervene in human affairs.

So constantly she had to remember it was forbidden to intervene, but her rebellious nature pushed her over and over to probe the limits of what could be done.

For more than ten years, she had traveled along these lands, and in the course of those trips she had met with Fafnir. He said to born in these lands, but had lived and educated in the decadent Rome. He was beautiful, educated, intelligent, yet he did not like to speak about his past. She was not sure to feel something deeper for him, yet she liked his company.

But today, Fafnir was uneasy. He was thinking about the news he had received in the last village they had visited. Every day more refugees arrived to these lands. Driven from their homes by "civilizing" forces of Charlemagne´s Empire. Those people had lost their homes, their wealth, and did not want to lose their old beliefs, and their freedom.

Fafnir knew well the power of the empire. Neither these peasants, nor their small kings could stop them. They should be organizing a professional army. For a moment he imagined he could lead that army using some of the knowledge from Urth´s notebook to defeat the enemy. He dreamed he could stop the empire, even defeat it. Instead, they went to save the life of a peasant.

Hours later they arrived to the village. It was just a collection of huts, but for those people, it was their home. They saw a woman approaching them. She went directly to meet them. She wore a medallion carved with an elaborate design. I must have taken weeks of work of a craftsman. She lift it with her arms so Urth could see it, it was her way of identification.

- Welcome to this town, we knew of your arrival, the midwifes are coming, as requested, we also collected the herbs you asked.

-Guinda! Since when so serious, are not we old friends?

-My lady still remembers me? It has been almost ten years. You have not changed, you still have the same teenager´s face. Your magic is powerful.

Fafnir was surprised, did Urth really knew this woman ten years ago? Would this be another evidence of her power?

-And you, you have become a wise woman. You were such a rascal - Urth took her hands, she wanted to hug her. I am happy that you followed my instructions, but I'm also happy to see you. - The woman looked into her eyes, but could not face her directly. She had no doubt that Urth had magic that would keep her young forever. She was not like her. So she bowed her head in an attitude of respect and continued her formal speech, which make Urth a little sad. It appeared she could not have permanent bonds with mortals.

- We respect your, but I must warn you. This woman you are going to treat is not one that deserves your attention. No one knows who is the father and she did not want to say. Nobody would care for her, nor will protect the child. She has no hope.

A flash of anger appeared on Urth´s face, and the woman shuddered. Then Urth calmed down and she wondered how much she would need to change ways formed centuries ago. So no only she need to save the woman's live, but she would need to look for her future.

-I want you to remember these words: "All life deserves respect", we should take care of her. And I want you to learn and share that knowledge with other women from the sisterhood.

Then she took from her bag the humble plant she had collected earlier and handed to the woman.

-I want you to become familiar with this plant, separate the flowers and prepare an infusion. I will give you the order when you should give to her. Also get ready the other preparations.

Intrigued, she examined the plant. It was a humble wildflower that she already knew, but did not know it had any medicinal properties. But the Darraðarljóð in person had given to her. She could not doubt her word.

They were taken to the community house where the woman was. Just a quick glance was necessary to get a diagnosis. Like so many births, the infant's head was very large, and this was her first pregnancy, her hips had not yet open enough. Urth made a gesture of displeasure, she was not a woman, but almost a child, had she grown a few years, childbirth would had not meant any danger. Then she remembered the doctors of the empire would have done a Cesarean section. The child could be saved but women always died because bleeding. For a moment she wondered what was more barbaric.

He sat at the feet of the girl and began to give instructions. She would not intervene and would not violate her word. Sill she was determined to save the life of this young girl.

Urth explained the use of the herbs to relax muscles, some singing to reassure the mother and how to manipulate of the pelvis bone to allow it to open a bit. To these women, the whole procedure seemed like magic. Finally a sharp cry was heard. Urth had the baby in her arms, it was a little life, fragile in a terrible world and yet represented a hope, a promise that life would continue.

Finally, she left the room. In an opposite end of the village was Fafnir, probably arguing with those men on the news and rumors of impending war. Fafnir saw her and signaled. It seemed he wanted to say something. Urth was convinced there would be more news of the invasion, so she chose to ignore him and went to the center of the village.

There she met a burly man, his pompous attitude and his step firm suggested he was the village chief. He gave her a strange look. Urth approached him and said:

- It's a boy, your village grows.

But the man's response took her by surprise.

It's a bastard, why you saved his life? And she too, deserved to die.

Anger flared again in the Urth´s eyes.

-They are human lives. They are people from your village and they are your responsibility - Urth searched the man's eyes and guessed the did not need any magic to it

-Even, I dare to think that is your son. I know that this girl was taken by force but she fears to talk. You must be the father and you must answer for it.

The man straightened. He tensed his powerful muscles to show his physical strength and the put his hand on the short but sharp sword that hung from his belt. Then spoke with threatening air:

-Darraðarljóð, You will not insult me. I command you to go away from here - then smiled as he set his eyes on Urth´s body with a rough lust and approached her - Or you could stay with me, I am sure your refined friend cannot satisfy you as I could.

The man attempted to take her around the waist, but she simply took him by the wrist and with surprising strength, threw him back.

Fafnir in the distance saw the altercation. He knew Urth could not hold her anger and he had already seen the results. So he ran to try to intervene. But it was too late.

Urth clenched her fists in anger. It was not the lust of man the reason of her anger, she was used to that. The reason was his rejection of the little life that she had just brought to the world.

The surprised man recovered his balance, he felt humiliated and that increased his fury. He drew his sword, menacing Urth, but she completely ignored the threat:

-What kind of leader are you? If violence is your language, violence is what you will get!

She muttered an inaudible spell, stretched her arms forward and a glow appeared in her hands. There was a flash of light and the man was thrown against a nearby wall with a thunderous crash. The man lay there still.

The people gathered around the man and began to whisper pointing to him, but no one accused Urth, on the contrary, they seemed very satisfied. Apparently he was not very popular leader.

The man slowly began to move, he stood up and looked at Urth, but this time his face was full of terror. Seeing her coming, he ran to kneel before her and began and abject apology. He had heard many stories about her. And now he was convinced they were true.

Urth´s beautiful face was full of divine wrath. She seized him by the jaw and with surprising strength, forced him to see her face to face and meet her angry eyes. Then she said:

-Stop it, this will not solve anything. You must take care after the people of your town. You're a strong man; use your strength for them, not against them.

The man shuddered! This powerful witch was giving him a chance. Years later, he would tell many stories about his transformation

But meanwhile, Urth realized she had done it again. Soon a new warning would arrive. She had barely though about it when a blinding ray of light emanating from the sky hit her. She felt a shock, it was not the first time, but now she put all her will to prevent to be knocked down, and barely did it.

Moments later, she saw some symbols on the ground carved by the light. She read them, but already knew its contents. It was the last warning, if she use again her magic without authorization, especially against a human being, her license would be suspended immediately and she would have to return.

The impact left her stunned and she was about to fall when suddenly she felt the support of Fafnir´s arms. She made a great effort to recover. She clenched her fists in frustration, she did not wanted to leave earth, but she knew she would hardly hold back if something like this impetuosity was part of her and could not control it.

Suddenly, a small boy had approached; his eyes did not express fear but wonder.

-You got a message from heaven! - He Exclaimed. - Will the gods punish Gundir?

Urth felt still confused, but Fafnir came to her no one could read what the warning said. Fafnir bellowed with a surprisingly strong voice, making sure that all the people hear him:

-Gundir, you've seen it! A signal has been sent! - He pointed to the man and then to the symbols on the floor - Now go take care of the child: is your child; protect that woman, she is the mother of your child.

The man shook like a leaf before a gale and ran into the common room in full panic.

Urth took Fafnir hand and pressed it gently, as she smiled faintly to express her gratitude. Then she asked him to help her to kneel beside the child. Urth put her hands on the shoulders of small boy and said:

- You are very brave and I'll concede you a little wish. Tell me what you want? A toy? a spell?, a story?

The boy smiled in wonder and answered:

- A story, I want a story.

Yes, a story would be a wish easily granted, and then she said to other children so the gathered around them.

- Come, let me tell you a story.

She gathered not only children, but all the people of the village. They were amazed: first the Gundir had been punished and now they would listen to a wonderful story from the lips of the Darraðarljóð.

Urth was now smiling with some malice, her body still ached, but she was already planning a little revenge, she remembered the Valkyries, one of them she held responsible of punishing her. She knew they were proud.

-Let me tell you a story about beautiful women who live in heavens, and are responsible to reward brave are called!

When Urth finished his story, everyone was enthralled; she knew this story would travel soon around these lands. Already imagined what they would say in heaven: "Collect the souls of warriors killed in combat. Be servants of men!" How ridiculous!

At the end of her story, she turned to look at Fafnir, and told him:

- It's your turn.

That night Urth was pleased to hear the beautiful voice of Fafnir, singing a song she had created, about she and her sisters. She found amusing to include them in their stories. The song talked about how they would see for the widows and orphans, and how they would monitor people to see if they had fulfilled their obligations ... So Fafnir sang:

Segi mjök Sundrbornar Norns ek vera,
Thaer ætt Eiguer saman-t; add áskunngar eru,
alfkunngar add, add dætr Dvalins.
Thad koma Meyjes vitandi marg
Theimer RÓ þrjár sae, und er þolli stendr;
Urth Hétu eina, Adra Verdandi
Skuld ina þriðju;
Thaer lög lögðu Thaer kuru lif
alda Bornum, ørlög seggja

Of many births the Norns must be,
nor one in race they were;
Some to gods, others to elves are kin,
And Dvalin's daughters some.
Thence come the maiden's mighty in wisdom,
three from the dwelling down 'neath the tree;
Urth is one named,
Verthandi the next,
- On the wood they scored, -
and Skuld the third.
Laws they made there,
and life allotted and set their fates...

Fafnir's beautiful voice and presence of Urth, the "Darraðarljóð" herself, who had seen connected with the power of the heavens, would touch them so deeply the song would go from village to village and from generation to generation. Saving lives!

Again Urth and Fafnir were on the road. More than a year had passed since the episode of the Village. Thanks to Fafnir, who had learned to intervene in case of conflicts, Urth so far had managed to contain her anger. Fafnir had presence and a certain quality of leadership. Slowly he had begun to respect these people and received respect in return. He no longer refer them as "those peasants", now they were "our people".

Urth also hard learned that anger was not the only solution and there were ways to avoid it.

But the situation was deteriorating. Refugees had begun to arrive escaping from the empire, Widukind, the Saxon leader and his people had been the first, but after him many more were mere pawns in politics, as Charlemagne began annexing more kingdoms.

The last one to fall was the neighbor kingdom of Nordalbingia, now the Empire was across their borders. The Normand King Godfred had begun the construction of the Danevirke, a large number of walls and fortresses and was organizing a great army; they feared Charlemagne soon would invade, without giving them time to complete the treat had come too quickly.

For its part, Fafnir had begun to understood Urth´s runes and was becoming more aware of the power they day, he insisted they should use it to gain power to defeat the empire.

Urth refused, she liked a good fight for fun. But war! That was too much. Yet she agreed to approach the border, where the armies of the empire began to accumulate. Fafnir convinced there would be diseases and wounded, people would need help.

Finally they came to a camp where the people recruited by King Godfred were being reunited. They had a core of experienced warriors and mercenaries, men hard and determined. But most of them were peasants and refugees. Urth and Fafnir knew that individual bravery could not be match to a disciplined army. King Godfred was trying to transform this crowd into an army, but time was short

When they reached the camp a cry was heard.

-The Darraðarljóð ... the Norn comes ...Urth comes.

Those men felt hope with her mere presence, they went to paid tribute to her. It seemed they expected she would throw divine rays to kill the enemy.

Fafnir told Urth:

-Listen, those people respect you, if you guide them, if you give them your knowledge, they will fight and you do not intervene, a lot of them will die.

-Death! Destruction! Why mortals seem obsessed with It.? I want no part in all this!

- You have taught me to respect the value of life. You have to act!

- I cannot do it, I should not...

- Do you want to have your hands soaked with blood?

Urth felt cornered. Help them? She have already received warnings by just hurting a bit like some humans. What would be if she intervenes in war? And do it without magic, there was not much time, she could taught them to fight, or have strategy. It was madness!

Madness? She stopped to think, she glimpsed a solution. MADNESS! yes, maybe that was the solution. She recalled one of her potions. She had not created it to fight, but it could be changed. She would give them neither weapons nor powers, yet something more powerful and frightening. I you induce fright into your enemies, victory comes easily. Then she went to think how she could modify her potion, what ingredients need to be tweaked, what need to be added, she was so engrossed trying to solve the problem, she forgot the possible consequences. Fafnir stood quiet, he knew better than interrupt, finally Urth spoke:

-We'll do something.

Fafnir felt his heart racing, had he finally convinced her? At this point he knew that she had powers she did not want to use, she had connection to heaven and that many of her potions had wonderful powers.

- Will you give us a weapon? Something powerful to defeat them, and then invade?

-No... Not really a weapon, it will be the madness. Maybe some will die, but I can prevent our defeat.

-What will you do? I do not understand!

-Something terrible and wonderful, I told you: I will give the madness. I will not say more.

Fafnir was confused, but said nothing, he trusted her. Urth looked around. She had remembered that around her there were human lives. The thought that they depend on her overwhelmed her. She also resented being pushed by Fafnir. So she decided not to tell him was she was going to do.

She knew the Fafnir´s feelings about her, but now she was not sure about hers. She liked Fafnir; he made her feel good and had spent so much she did not share his ideas and aspirations. She did not want to hear more about wars, invasions and revenges. That was not a path she would not follow.

During the following days she had so much to do. She tried not to think on the consequences. She felt strangely cold and distant from everything. She called the sisterhood and instructed them to bring plants and teach them how to proceed to prepare the potion.

Now she had to talk to the generals of King Godfred. That turned out easier than expected. Rumors had spread about and special magic to win and the generals had no other options available. Even if some of them did not think it would work, their men had so much faith on her that it was difficult to avoid it.

She met secretly with the generals. She explained them what she was going to do. They were incredulous, the plan was madness, but it seemed their last hope and agreed. If it failed only a small part of their army would perish, if it worked, it could mean victory. So they proceeded to prepare some kind of elite force. They asked for volunteers, but the requirements seemed strange, and only a few knew the reason: Only single men were to be accepted.

Fafnir immediately volunteered. He met the requirements and was sure he could be a good leader. It could even be an opportunity to excel and advance in the way of having his own kingdom. But to his surprise he was rejected. He was told that Urth had forbidden it.

Furious, Fafnir went to look for Urth. He believed it was because she resented being pushed and it was a kind of revenge. But she would not talk to him. She was resentful, but the reality is she did not want to risk his life.

A week had passed, women from the sisterhood had brought large amounts of plants and had prepared large quantities of a strange brew and Urth had forbidden tasting it. Her threats were so terrible that no one dared to do it.

Finally, the empire's army reached the borders. Soon there would be emissaries, demanding the surrender and submission of all the kingdoms of the peninsula of Jutland. They would promise respect but the refugees had brought another kind of story.

Urth the leaders to meet her again. For a moment she doubted her plan, but now could not turn back.

Fafnir meanwhile ran around the camp like a caged animal. He had finally convinced Urth to act. Not only she would not let him participate but also refused to explain. Fafnir had no doubt about Urth´s powers. He was already convinced of the coming victory and wanted to be part of it.

Now it was time to act. The enemy army was now only a day away. Urth meet with the generals.

Urth was preparing herself when her old friend Guinda arrived. She looked at her in awe and then told her the generals were ready and waiting for her. She thanked Guinda. She had instructed other women to put their best clothes and some kind of honor guard around her. She now needed to make a strong impression. When she left her tent, she could hear awed exclamations. The meeting was in a tent lavishly prepared. In the center were the generals of the army. It was a strange spectacle. They were tough men, hardened by war, but the now did not hesitate to follow the orders of this young woman, who almost a teenager.

This young woman of extraordinary beauty was her only hope and everyone had heard of her legend. And there was Urth, she had changed her road clothes for a more military looking attire, it was adorned not with jewelry but by the symbols the war. For the men she seemed like a beautiful warrior queen.

Urth that morning had come into trance in order to perceive the surroundings of the enemy army. So when she began to explain to the generals the enemy forces, it seemed like magic to them. Their spies had given some indications, and all match what she was saying. Now all these men, accustomed to war, had no doubt about her words.

There was only one final thing to do. She called her old friend:

-Guinda. Please bring the potion.

-Yes ma'am. - Guinda disappeared and shortly after several women brought several goatskins that were placed on the table, Guinda spoke - Here is everything. I thank you for what you are going do. My brother is among those elected and he thanks you for the honor

Urth turned pale on hearing the latter, but she could not backtrack. However, she felt her heart shrank, yet she need to address the generals:

-Here is the morning, just before sunrise the army must leave to find the enemy. Just before meeting the enemy, the chosen should take a sip, only one, of this preparation, and all the beer they can. The rest of the army, should attack the flanks of the enemy as a distraction, but once the chosen attack, the must step aside. When the sun reaches the zenith, they will join them and victory will be yours.

There was a murmur of astonishment. That was it? No battle plan drawn up, no grand strategy that all?

-Urth my lady, Is that all? - The men hesitated for a moment, but she only hardened her she said with hollow voice.

-Yes, that's will be yours tomorrow. Guinda, make sure the skin goats are distributed among men and that they know what they will do. Now leave me alone.

The men slowly walked away. Her confidence left them with no doubts. She had spoken, and they would do what she said.

Just when everyone had left and Fafnir entered. He had seen the preparations and was furious not to be part of them.

-Urth, what is all this? Why do not you let me join them? This is my chance to excel; I can show you I can be a leader and a warrior.

-I do not want to hear anything more about the war. I do not want to hear anything more about power struggles, empires or kingdoms. Tomorrow people are going to die. Whatever I do, some will die, if I do not helped some will die, if I help them some will die. This is not what I wanted. Can you understand?

-If you say we will win, I know we will, I have seen your power. We will get the victory with the knowledge on your book.

-My book, my book! I'm going to destroy it! Understand this, people will die tomorrow and I do not want to know more.

Urth then took a jar of beer from the table and began to drink. She just wanted to forget. Fafnir attempt to embrace her, but she refused.

Fafnir was confused, he could not understand her, and then there was the threat to destroy the notebook. He tried to reason with Urth. But it was useless and finally he left.

Urth continued drinking, jar after jar, until she fell unconscious.

The next day, Urth woke up. She was in the tent that had been provided for her and Fafnir, and it was past noon. He looked around, but Fafnir was not there. Then she noticed that his notebook was missing, and filled with rage. She began to scream for Fafnir.

Guinda appeared and was scared.

- Where is Fafnir! - demanded Urth

- He went out this morning... with the soldiers.

- What? But I forbade it!

- The generals decided that because he is your man, he deserved the honor of being chosen. They were sure it would be an honor for you. He left with my brother. He said he was confident in your power and asked you to forgive him, but he could not afford you to destroy your work, He also said he would return to show you're wrong.

Urth cried and felt to faint. Suddenly they heard a cry - The warriors are returning"-. Her hearth trembled and ran out to meet them.

There was an outcry, people shouted victory, the warriors returned with a strange look, the seemed like they had just wake from a dream. Many of them were missing. Only half of those elected had returned but still the people rejoiced. After expecting a total loss without Urth´s magic, to return half seemed a miracle that was attributed to the witch.

All around her were shouting victory, victory. But she heard nothing. She just saw for those who had not returned. Strangely the returning men had few injuries and only she knew the reason.

One of the warriors, whose face seemed familiar, approached her. He was Guinda´s brother. She had known him as a little boy, now he was a powerful man much taller than her, yet he approached her in awe. His hands were tainted with blood, his clothes were torn, he seemed tired, yet he was happy.

-Hail Darraðarljóð! We owe you the victory. We did not know how it happened; I only remember how the enemy fled in fear. There were much more men than we. I remember nothing. We drank your potion and felt better than ever, and then when I saw they were fleeing. Many of our men were killed, but most of those killed were the enemy. Your magic is powerful.

Urth shuddered to hear about the dead. That stupid man did not understand anything; she took him by the shoulders. She waved him and shouted.

- But Fafnir, where is Fafnir?

The man's face brightened with a smile, as if remembering something, then said:

- Darraðarljóð, please Take this. Fafnir ask me to give it to you - He gave her Fafnir´s cape, covered in blood and along it, was his drawing case, pierced by a sword. He fought with us, but was ill hurt. He also gave me a scroll with scribbles, but I lost it. Now we must celebrate our victory, he already must be celebrating with the Valkyries.

Urth picked up the box and shuddered at the sight of the blood, and could not repress a cry. She closed his eyes, she tried to remember his beautiful face, but only saw the blood soaked box. He had died, and just because her brilliant idea.

She felt to her knees, and began to sob. Why she had gotten into this? Why she had to fall in love with this man? Finally she had to accept it. She had loved him, but now it did not matter. He was dead.

Meanwhile, the soldiers began to surround her. They did not understand her pain. They owed her the victory and she should be happy, so they wanted to help her.

Urth rose slowly, a faint light of hope shined in her mind. Maybe he was not dead; Guinda´s brother only had seem him wounded. She saw the men around her and I asked them:

- Take me to the battlefield. There may be survivors!

The man refused, they were still confused by what had happened. They had simply left all the bodies and casualties back. To help the wounded and recognize the dead was a woman task.

Urth had a hope. She asked a horse and soon they brought her the fastest,

Urth rode the animal making it run at the fullest. The battle had occurred at a couple of hours marching so she arrived soon. The animal, at the smell of blood, stopped short at the edge of the battlefield. Urth was horrified. She had seen men killed by fighting and dueling, but she was not prepared for the gruesome reality of a battlefield.

Blood, mangled bodies, severed limbs, eyes staring at the sky, skulls burst its contents exposed, and above it all, the smell of blood. Urth's senses were simply overwhelmed by the terrible stench of coagulated blood. She tried to felt Fafnir´s aura, but the terrible smell alone overwhelmed her perception. She entered the battlefield and began to walk among the desolation. Indeed, there were many more dead from the enemy, but here and there, she saw familiar faces. The face of people who have been alive a few hours earlier and had drunk in her honor.

She could not stand anymore, and covered her eyes with her hands. She fell to the floor sobbing uncontrollably in the midst of such destruction. But then, her senses felt something. She could hear weak moans, coming from several places. She began to concentrate and felt faint signs of life, scattered across the battlefield. They were dying, but maybe she could do something for them, but there was little time and there were so many... One of them might be Fafnir!

Only magic, powerful and forbidden magic could save them. She knew the spells, but never had done them, nor knew if she would be able to do them, but it was her only hope.

Finally she got up, and stood resolutely. She started a very complex song, and slowly the elemental forces around her became crazy. The wind was blowing, the sky darkened, and she felt a rush of power flowing around her; it was an elemental vital force running through her. She did not know how she had done it, but was it working. She attracted more and more vital energy, and began to send it wherever she felt the slightest sign of life. No matter who was there, she would save anyone she could. She felt like burning inside, but did not stop. A bright cloud of electricity was around her. It grew until everything exploded. She could no longer handle that powerful magic.

She was breathless, exhausted and knew soon she would be punished, but could not help smiling at this, her latest act of defiance, as her mind became clouded. After that she knew nothing more.

Vaguely she remembered some Valkyries had appeared looking for her. After a brief but spectacular fight, because there was no way that a young and exhausted goddess could face them, she was taken to heaven.

Justice was swift.

Urd, Goddess second class, limited license as an observer would be suspended for 200 years. It would not be the last time.

(End of Chapter III rev 04)

Notes:

1) King Godfred. For dramatic reasons, I had omitted that it was him who first raided into the Frankish territory, provoking the ire of the empire. On the other hand, he prevented the Franks invasion thanks to a series of fortresses he built and not really because Urth.

2) Norse. Nothing is known of the people in the Nordic region before the eighth century. So to suggest that all that mythology was born in 800 is not so crazy.

3) Widukind the Saxon. He was the main leader who opposed the conquest of Charlemagne. I mentioned him briefly, but later he will be important.

4) Oxigum. This is a little trivia. In the manga this material is found in Urd´s potion cabinet. Those old enough to remember the Anime "marine boy", would remember this chewing gum that allow underwater breathing.