Naruto: Valkyrie
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Norse Mythology
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This is the first all new chapter of Naruto: Valkyrie Remaster. It went rather slow but I'm getting back into the swing of things. Thanks everyone for their support so far. Here is chapter 6. Enjoy!
…
Last Time:
"What is her name?" asked the blonde.
"Her name is Audhild and she says her son deserves the ring."
"Audhild of Bamble?" asked Naruto. Seeing the man didn't have a clue the blonde said to Hinata, "Audhild of the Bamble Village is supposed to be some kind of sorceress and a low Noble. Seems like the type to go after my old man." Naruto then asked Arvid, "Was Audhild a looker?" Hinata's eyes kind of widened at such an off the wall question.
Arvid nodded. "She is really pretty even though she's gray. She has a great rack. It wouldn't surprise me if she wasn't a real hottie back in the day." he giggled perversely.
Hinata was wondering whether she should smack Arvid around for being a lecher or Naruto for bringing up the subject of Audhild's looks to begin with….
Naruto nodded to himself. "Sounds about right for Lord Minato given his track record. What's her son's name?"
Arvid answered "Audhild said not to repeat it but I think she said it was Menma." Suddenly Arvid made a choking sound and his eyes widened. He mouthed out 'Help Me' and then his neck snapped as if he'd been hung.
Hinata sensed an enchantment and quickly pulled Naruto back and away from Arvid. Sensing the enchantment was gone she rolled Arvid's body over where she could view his neck. He had rope burns there that made it appear he was the victim of a hanging. "That's an interesting curse." said Hinata. "I don't think I've heard of that one. I'll take him to Niflheim and ask someone about it there." She turned into a phantasm and vanished with Arvid's soul.
Naruto just sweat dropped at the Valkyrie being complete unfazed by a man's death…
…
Chapter 6
The trail to Styrifell
After gathering anything of use and putting the bodies on a pyre; Naruto and Hinata set out again towards the town of Styrifell. They decided to shelve the subject of Menma and Audhild of Bamble for the time being. As they crested a large hill, the pair saw a deep fog filled valley that they would have to cross to get to Styrifell. The blonde frowned and said, "This isn't on the map! This area is supposed to be small hills with the village of Reimt along the path. This chasm is so deep that the clouds are below us." He looked east and west and saw the gorge seemed endless. "There is no sign of a town or village either. There isn't even a bridge. I don't like this at all Hinata."
Hinata was looking into the fog with her Moonlight eyes and said, "There is a keep down there. The area is filled with magics. I don't see any people there either, just animals."
Naruto sighed. "If it isn't one thing it is another. Can you see anything else?"
"Only a gentle snowfall near the ground." replied the Valkyrie. "It looks quite peaceful."
"We should backtrack to the last town." he said. "I smell a trap."
"I agree." said Hinata with a nod. "I'm surprised you're being so cautious though. I mean, -EEEHHH?"
Naruto's eyes nearly bugged out. "What is it Hinata?"
The Valkyrie pointed behind them and said, "Evidently it is a trap."
As the blonde pivoted around he saw that there was now a wide valley behind them that was also filled with fog. He took a deep breath and said "I guess we have little choice then. Someone wants us to visit them in that keep."
…
The two companions made their way down a snowy path towards the keep and saw it was well fortified even though it wasn't particularly large. There were no signs of life but the torches were lit. The wind and snow were very light as they descended though it was howling up above. The further they descended the more the wind lessened. Oddly, the trees and animals there seemed much larger than usual and none of the creatures seemed afraid of Naruto or Hinata… It was as if humans hadn't ever set foot there before. Hinata was looking around for any signs of people and Naruto was eyeing the wildlife thinking how delicious they looked. He saw a particularly big elk that would have made a meal fit for a king and the blonde's mouth began to water… He turned to the Valkyrie and said, "Let's eat that one Hinata. I have a longbow from our spoils."
Hinata seemed a bit torn on the subject and said, "These animals aren't natural Naruto."
The blonde was silently stalking the massive beast and drew his bow. The elk was unmoving and the wind was deathly still. The young Lord was about to take the shot when he suddenly stopped himself. "What is it Naruto?" whispered the Valkyrie.
The warrior lowered his bow and said, "We're being watched. I can feel it." He looked over at the silent keep and frowned. "Somebody is in there…somebody who owns this forest. I have a feeling that if I kill an animal or eat fruit off these trees there will be dire consequences. I've heard rumors of places like this. What do you th-" He turned to his beautiful indigo haired companion only to find…She was gone!
…A raspy male voice hissed, "It was difficult to banish her; that one. It isn't like you can just kill one of Lord Odin's Choosers of the Slain." The voice cackled in a way that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. "I had to exchange her place with something in Niflheim. Come forth my pet…" Naruto's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when a red coated wolf the size of a horse came forward. It seemed to drool fresh blood and its teeth and claws were made of cold, hard steel. Steam rolled out of its mouth as it breathed in the cool, still air. It seemed to have several broken shackles and chains around its ankles and collar as if they'd been destroyed many times and replaced. A single small chain welded to its collar seemed to hold the beast in check. Far behind the massive wolf stood a strange mystic in ragged black clothing holding the end of the chain.
"Behold Garmr*① Lord of Vestmar!" exclaimed the man. "As you ended the people of Vestmar so I shall end you."
Naruto felt a white hot pain on his left shoulder flare up. It was a Sigel branded onto his shoulder when he was just a child. The blonde couldn't read but knew the Sigel meant "Garmr." Something told Naruto that fighting the massive wolf was all but impossible but the sorcerer on the end of the chain wasn't. The blonde set his sights on the mystic. Naruto said to the person. "Neither man nor god can control Lord Garmr. You are a fool to try."
The strange mystic cackled again. "We shall see Lord of Vestmar. Come at me!"
Garmr shot at Naruto so quickly that he barely had the time to avoid the wolf's crashing jaws. The Lord of Vestmar's eyes locked eyes with Garmr's for a split second. Naruto's blue eyes flashed and he leaped up as Garmr snapped at him viciously. The blonde stepped on the wolf's nose and leapt on the wolf's back as if he was trying to ride a horse bareback…And the man controlling Garmr laughed uproariously at the ensuing rodeo show. Garmr was doing everything it could to buck the blonde loose but Naruto hung on tenaciously knowing that he would be dead if he let go. "What are you going to do now Lord of Vestmar? I for one am amused at how pathetic you are."
The young Lord of Vestmar certainly wasn't amused. The blonde warrior tried desperately to cut or shatter the chain holding the enraged wolf to the strange old man but it was too strong to break…Naruto was looking for other options when he spotted a small lock holding the chain to the wolf's collar. The blonde grinned savagely and slipped a hand down to a pouch on his hip where he kept his lock pick…
'SPANG!' When the lock popped loose it flew with such velocity that the still bucking Garmr tumbled one way and the exhausted Naruto went the other flying end over end. Naruto rolled to a halt and weakly got up to his knees only to see Garmr also shaking itself to clear its head as it stood up again. Garmr glared balefully at Naruto before turning and growling at the man that had been controlling him.
The mystic was beside himself. "B-but that chain was unbreakable to a mortal man! I-it was enchanted! HOW?!" The man started backing up before he made an all out run back towards the keep to escape.
Naruto said nothing as Garmr pounced on the fleeing sorcerer and bit him in half with a bone crushing sound. The man's upper torso flew through the air and landed at Naruto's feet and the blonde warrior realized the mystic was undead… It was a Lich. Garmr had already crushed the lower body of the Lich into dust when the wolf came padding over to where Naruto was standing. The young Lord said to the Lich; "Who were you and why did you attack me?"
The Lich feebly rolled its head over to one side so its remaining dead eye could stare lidless at Naruto. He said "I was the first Lord of Vestmar. I had to test you. Take the crown upon my head and place it upon your own. You are truly worthy of the title of Lord."
The blonde scrutinized the ringlet type crown and felt magics –evil magics. Naruto's eyes widened slightly and he said, "That crown is accursed! Take it back to Lady Hela with you and give her my regards."
"Damn you boy! Damn y-" screeched the Lich as Garmr's massive paw crushed it into dust.
Naruto sighed and looked at the massive wolf tiredly while Garmr eyed him with curiosity. Naruto didn't run or attempt anything. He just watched the beast warily. After a short stare off Garmr said, "YOU DO NOT FEAR ME BOY?" It was as much a statement as a question.
The blonde kneeled and said, "If you wished to kill me you would have. I've done you no disservice and committed no trespass Lord Garmr."
"…THAT IS THE CORRECT ANSWER BOY." replied Garmr. "YOU HAVE DONE ME A FAVOR WHICH IS SOMETHING FEW MORTALS DO. I SHALL REPAY YOU IN KIND BEFORE I RETURN TO MY POST IN NIFLHEIM. WHAT IS IT YOU WISH? A SWORD? A SHIELD? WEALTH? ASK AND IT SHALL BE GRANTED."
Naruto thought a moment and asked; "Can you teach me the runes great Lord? I cannot read and the runes can open doors where others cannot."
Garmr sat back on his haunches and let out something between a laugh and a bark. "YOU ARE CANNY BOY; I LIKE THAT. YOUR WISH IS GRANTED." Garmr held up a massive paw and Naruto saw the symbols spinning around his head before they entered his mouth and Naruto understood them all.
The blonde was a bit dizzy from the influx of information but lowered his head again and said, "Thank you my Lord." Then Naruto felt the ground shift and looked up. The wolf was gone. In Garmr's place Naruto saw his beautiful companion Hinata smiling at him bright as the sun. He asked "Hinata…?"
She embraced him and said, "Thank the Gods you are safe!"
He hugged Hinata and spun the indigo haired beauty around once as they both laughed. He felt her warmth and softness and wanted to kiss her so badly…Naruto ended up just holding her close as the sun rose. The deep valley they were in was gone and they were back on the hill they'd started on. The forest, the large animals and even the keep were gone as if they never existed…
"What happened while I was gone?" asked Hinata. "I was terribly frightened for you."
Naruto explained the situation to Hinata in detail as they ate breakfast. "It was quite a little adventure in that gorge." said Naruto. "As scary as it was I was more worried about you and where you'd been spirited away to."
The Valkyrie smiled again. "You were very brave to have taken on a Lich of that magnitude and Lord Garmr. I was stuck in Niflheim waiting for Lord Garmr to return."
"I wonder what that Lich had against me to begin with." pondered Naruto aloud.
Hinata raised a delicate eyebrow and said, "That was Einar the Undying; the first Lord of Vestmar and your ancestor many times removed. Lady Hela said he blamed you for the fall of Vestmar though it wasn't your fault. He was called the undying because his cursed crown kept him alive far beyond his years. Had you put it on you never would have been able to remove it." She smiled and said "I'm very proud of you."
Naruto blushed slightly at her smile and grinned…
…
Niflheim
The Goddess Hela saw her faithful guard Garmr return to his post making sure that the Gates of Hel remained secure. "I see you have arrived Garmr." said the Goddess. "I would ask your opinion of young Lord Naruto of Vestmar. I didn't expect Einer to put him to the test. For Einer the Undying to escape us he must have had help. Someone is meddling in my realm."
Garmr nodded. "Aye my Lady; I did not at all like being held upon that chain." Growling; he added, "I wonder who would be stupid enough to interfere with the way things work here? One of the Gods perhaps?"
Hela rubbed her chin in thought. "I will look into this…What of Lord Naruto? You fought him did you not?"
The wolf gave a bloodthirsty grin. "He has garnered my favor; that is rare indeed. He was branded with my Sigel as a child but now the Symbol is active. He will come to know the wolves."
"So you made him a friend of the wolves? Excellent! He needs allies." said the Goddess.
"It is up to him to befriend the wolves." replied Garmr. "It will be more fun that way." he added.
The Queen of Niflheim laughed. "Indeed. So that was you gift for freeing you?"
Garmr shook his head. "Nay my Lady; I asked him what he wanted and rather than asking for some weapon like everyone else; he asked to read the runes."
She blinked. "That is unusual. So he wants to be a scholar?"
"Naruto told me that runes can open doors where others cannot." replied the wolf. "He is a cunning one and would make a good wolf himself. In battle he is mean and vicious, fast and clever. I like the boy. Few mortals have such qualities."
"We shall continue to watch him with interest then." said Hela. "He has the three Norns in a tizzy. I'm sure he will have an interesting fate…"
….
Styrifell
It wasn't long before Hinata and Naruto were at the town of Styrifell and found it was being fortified. They were stopped at the entrance by two guards with heavy shields. One was bearded and the other had long hair. The one that was bearded said, "Halt travelers! State your business."
Hinata stated crossly, "My companion and I have come from Dvergr-Heima at the behest of the Master Smith Dvalin to see his good friend Alfrigg. We have an item for Alfrigg to examine. Why are you barring our path?"
The guard grinned and said, "I don't answer to you or your vagabond friend wench."
The blonde wanted to groan at the vagabond comment. He'd been called much worse in the past but Hinata was seriously steamed. "Little soldier, you don't know what you are dealing with. Step aside before you incur my wrath." she hissed.
Naruto smiled weakly before swaggering up to the bearded guard and saying, "You should address a Lady of nobility as My Lady; not wench."
The Valkyrie thought to herself, 'What are you playing at Naruto?'
The guard chuckled and said in a falsetto voice, "My Lady huh? And I suppose you are a Lord then?"
Naruto was inches from the guard by now. "I am just a humble soldier in need of new armor…Speaking of which, your armor looks rather uncared for and rusted." The blonde scrutinized the guard's appearance carefully and asked, "They don't pay you very well do they?"
The bearded guard frowned and said, "What makes you say that?"
The blonde replied, "Well, your armor is mismatched hand-me-downs and you don't even have a belt to keep your trousers up."
"What do you mean?" asked the bearded guard in confusion.
"Your long haired friend over there is obviously paid much better." said Naruto. "He has two belts and two money pouches."
The long haired guard looked down in shock and saw that he indeed had two belts. He was dumfounded.
The bearded guard spun to face his friend and growled, "Brant, what are you doing with MY money?"
The bewildered guard said, "Calder, I don't know, I-"
The bearded Calder advanced on his friend only to have his pants fall down around his ankles causing him to head butt Brant hard and knock him down.
Brant gripped his bleeding forehead and screeched, "Calder, you bastard! You'll pay for that!"
It quickly exploded into a brawl as the two guards went after each other…
"…Thieving dumbass! I never liked you anyway!" spat Calder.
"…Bottom feeding buffoon! Eat my fist!" roared Brant.
Naruto bowed to Hinata and delicately led her by the hand around the tussling guards and into town. As they moved away from the yelling and screaming guards Naruto whispered, "Lover's quarrel."
Hinata clamped her hand over her mouth to hide her fit of giggles…
…
The Styrifell Inn
The pair soon found their way to the local inn and struck up a conversation with its owner. The innkeeper said, "Times have been tough since those marauders started raiding us. Now the guards often harass honest folk who come into town. It's killing my business. The only places still thriving are the tavern and the brothel for obvious reasons."
Naruto was leaning on the counter. "Haven't you asked the local Lord for support against the marauders?"
The innkeeper shook his head. "Lord Danzo is a good man but he is poor as we all are these days. His keep was wrecked by the marauders first. There really isn't a standing army to speak of now. We've tried to hire mercenaries but Dvergr-Heima is the only trading post with money in the area. We'd have to take a loan out from them. It's a real mess."
After paying for a room Naruto and Hinata found themselves in an awkward situation. The rooms at the inn were all double beds instead of a set of twin beds…
Hinata was smiling in a way that seemed to scream 'FAKE' after she confirmed there were no other room options and Naruto was looking nervously at his female companion. The blonde said in a reasonable tone as he looked at Hinata, "Well, I'll take the floor and you can have the bed Hinata. That way we'll both be comfortable."
The indigo haired beauty replied; "That isn't fair to you Naruto. You should take the bed. You still have yet to recover from fighting Lord Garmr. Besides; we both need baths still. We'll decide afterwards."
…
Hinata had a nice soak in the tub and heard the sounds of Naruto scrubbing himself thoroughly clean in the men's bath. 'That's one really nice thing about Naruto. He likes to stay sanitary.' she thought with a smile. Hinata heard Naruto get out and head to their room before climbing out of the tub and drying herself. After getting her warm nightshirt on, Hinata came into the room and found Naruto asleep in the floor. She sighed. 'I feel bad having Naruto on the cold, hard floor.'
The Valkyrie kneeled down and gently shook Naruto awake. Seeing the blonde's eyes flutter open; she smiled gently and said, "Come warrior; let us share the bed. There is plenty of room. I'll take my half and you take yours. There is no need for you to be cold on the floor." Naruto groggily slipped into the big bed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow. Smiling at how boyish and innocent Naruto looked while he slept, Hinata tucked him in with the covers and fell asleep on her side of the bed…
…
Dream…
Naruto found himself in a vise like grip. A massive serpent was wrapped around him as he struggled to break free. His right arm was loose but it just flailed around weakly. 'I think my ribs are going to break!' he thought in a panic. The serpent kept relentlessly tightening its grip as he struggled…That was when Naruto blacked out from the pressure and he woke up…
Dream End…
…
Naruto awoke finding himself in a vise like grip. Hinata had rolled over in her sleep and was cuddling him like a body pillow with her enormous strength. She sighed in her sleep and smiled happily. Obviously she was having a nice dream. The Lord of Vestmar sweat dropped. 'Good grief…here I thought I was having a prophetic dream about the Midgard Serpent Jormungandr*② when in fact it is my sweet Vakyrie squeezing me with her enormous strength…' He blushed. 'My sweet Valkyrie? Have I lost my mind? If we wake up in this position she will be riled. What am I to do?' Naruto considered struggling but eventually her grip lessened and he fell asleep again in her warm, soft embrace…
Hinata awoke about an hour later feeling cozy and secure. She inhaled Naruto's scent and nuzzled him contentedly before she became fully awake and realized she'd migrated across the bed to cuddle with the blonde. His right arm was gently wrapped around her narrow waist and held her protectively in place. The indigo haired beauty brushed a few of his spiky locks aside and admired his features before snuggling a little closer and falling back into the land of dreams…
Hours later; the young couple awoke in each other's embrace virtually nose to nose and quickly separated in embarrassment though they both were secretly smiling inside…
…
Destin's Tavern
After heading out that morning and exploring the town for Alfrigg's smithy they found that the dwarf wasn't there. He'd been summoned to Lord Danzo's keep Blar Kastali to help with repairs. Alfrigg had been gone two days…
By early evening, Hinata and Naruto were done exploring and were sitting in the local tavern. They were drinking ale and eating while trying to figure out what to do next. Destin's Tavern was bustling with business but the pair managed to secure themselves a corner table that was away from the others where they could talk.
"They way I see it we could do three things." said Hinata. "We could go to Blar Kastili and try to find Alfrigg; we could wait here in Styrifell for Alfrigg to return or we could backtrack to Dvergr-Heima."
"Or we could scout out these marauders." said Naruto.
The Valkyrie cocked an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't like fighting bandits."
Naruto replied, "In my opinion marauders and bandits are two different things. Bandits steal to stay alive day by day. Marauders…they rape, pillage and burn because they can; not because they have a need. I fought Marauders on border patrol. They are vicious men with evil in their hearts."
"But both types are outside of the law." replied Hinata with a smirk.
Naruto groused, "I concede that point but-"
About that time a very pretty dancer came up to Naruto and said with a smile, "Hello handsome; you're new here! How about a song and dance for a silver piece?" 'He's really cute!'
Hinata put a gold piece on the table and said, "How about you take that gold piece and leave us alone for the rest of the night girl? We have business to discuss." 'Naruto is mine hussy; get lost!'
The girl looked nervously at the gold piece and then at Hinata's Moonlight eyes… She felt like a Chihuahua having a stare down with a lioness. The girl curtsied and picked up the gold piece before saying; "Your wish is my command my Lady."
"Bimbo…" growled Hinata under her breath.
Naruto just hid his smile behind his tankard of ale…
…
Naruto and Hinata were still undecided when they got up to leave Destin's Tavern and head back toward the inn. About that time the town of Styrifell broke out into a loud cacophony and they heard outside: "The Marauders have returned! Arm yourselves! Those that are able bodied defend the front gates!"
"Looks like the Three Norns have made the decision for us Naruto." said Hinata with a vicious smile. "Come; there is glory in the slaughter."
The blonde shook his head at Hinata's bloodthirstiness. 'Then again; she is a Valkyrie.' he thought to himself. Naruto arrived at the front gates and drew his sword. He saw the marauders were mainly cavalry and the town was all infantry. 'I need a spear…' thought the young Lord. He saw the marauders race by on horseback and spotted a particularly handsome spear that he liked in the hands of one of the riders. 'I'll take that one.' he thought. The rider with the spear he liked stopped to corral his troops and locked eyes with Naruto. The Lord of Vestmar's blue eyes flashed in the darkness and the two men had a stare off that seemed to last an eternity…
The rider had a massive helm with elk horns and heavy armor. He motioned to Naruto and then to his Lieutenants as he barked out orders without ever breaking his stare on the blonde. The Lieutenants went left and right. The elk horned leader pointed at Naruto as if to say, "IT'S JUST YOU AND ME NOW. YOU ARE MINE." Naruto's eyes seemed to burn as he accepted the challenge. Lightning flashed in the distance as if Thor himself signaled the two men to charge. The horseman raised his spear above his head and twirled it once before leveling it at Naruto's chest level and kicking his horse to charge. The massive steed thundered forward in a cloud of mud, sod and dust.
Naruto knew if he jumped left or right he'd be run threw by his elk horned foe. As the spear raced towards him at impossible speeds; the blond stomped the tip of the spear into the mud, gripped the spear's shaft and pulled hard. The elk horned marauder was too shocked to react as he held onto his spear for dear life and was lifted off his horse and into the air by the momentum in a pole vaulting motion. Naruto spun around the spear and pushed the weapon on over with all his might. The armored knight hit the ground head first and the impact was like the mother of all suplexes. Dirt was thrown several yards in the air as were two elk horns…
Naruto snatched up the spear and got ready to finish the job…
…
Hinata was sword dancing through marauders with deadly grace and precision. The Valkyrie knocked most of them out rather than killing them. She sensed it wasn't their time yet though there were a quite few that she cut down mercilessly. They were different than the others –they were using dark magics… Then everyone heard a loud horn blowing and the Marauders fell back to a safe distance. Hinata saw Naruto towering over the flattened leader of the marauders with his spear at the man's throat. The horn had been blown by the leader's squire apparently. "Parley!" coughed out the leader. "We can't fight Lord Minato's son! He is our true liege!"
The marauders quickly sheathed their weapons and dismounted before kneeling reverently.
Naruto stood there for a moment before he asked, "WHHAAATTT?!"
…
When morning came; things were starting to get sorted. The marauders were revealed to be none other the last horsemen of the Army of Vestmar. Their colors were blacked out for raiding. The group was led by Asuma; a noted Captain in the Vestmar Army. They were thrilled to find Naruto but he didn't know what to think of them…
Asuma was smashed up badly from his encounter with Lord Naruto but nevertheless seemed very enthusiastic about the situation. The big, goateed man said, "After you took me down; I saw the ring shining on your finger and your face that is the spitting image of Lord Minato's. General Choza described you in detail to me Lord Naruto. As soon as I am out of these bandages I will be at your beck and call my Lord. I felt deep in my heart that Lord Menma was a fraud but I had no proof."
'Menma of Bamble…' thought Naruto. The blonde pondered a moment and said, "I was at the final battle of Vestmar. No one else survived it. How is it your troops are alive?"
The injured Asuma said, "The old Lord gave us orders the go up to see our red eyed allies at Grenland before Harald Fairhair's Army arrived. When we got there they were fighting each other like men possessed. We were cut off and I lost many of my men in the process of withdrawing. By the time we made it back to Vestmar the battle was over and all we found was desolation. General Choza of Harald Farhair's Army explained the horrors of what happened to me and that Lord Menma of Bamble was the only heir left and is the Lord of Vestmar. He serves Harald Fairhair now."
Then the goateed Captain related, "Lord Menma assigned advisors to us and ordered us to paint our armor black to raid Lord Danzo's Territory. It was all in order to retrieve the Ring of Vestmar from Lord Danzo who was hoarding it. Lord Menma needed it to prove his rule was legitimate. We were all confused about the situation but obeyed. It was as if our minds were clouded. It seemed like a fool's errand looking back. I wonder how I was so easily deceived." Then Asuma pondered a moment and said; "Strangely; Lord Menma's advisors all died last night at the hands of the battle maiden that fought at your side. It is an odd coincidence."
Hinata replied, "Menma's advisors were sorcerers making sure you obeyed his orders. That's why your thoughts were muddled. I slew them to free your minds."
The Cavalry Captain looked surprised. "You were able to detect them my Lady? You have my deepest thanks."
"More than likely they were acolytes of Audhild of Bamble." said Naruto.
The goateed man gasped, "You also know of Audhild? She is a secretive old sorceress and is the Court Magician for Lord Menma. There are not many men who know her name."
Naruto shook his head. "She's not that old. Audhild is Menma's Mother by Lord Minato."
Asuma looked embarrassed. "To think I thought she was an ancient crone."
"It was probably glamour magics Captain Asuma." said Hinata. "I see no reason why a sorceress of her power couldn't disguise herself."
'It makes me wonder who is really pulling the strings in Menma's court.' pondered Naruto…
…
The Land of Vestmar
All was not well in Vestmar…
The Court Magician Audhild of Bamble was speaking to her liege. "Foolish boy! Captain Asuma and his troops were wiped out by Lord Danzo's forces! They were useful to our cause! To think I raised an idiot!"
Menma looked at his Mother. He was a handsome young man that bore a resemblance to his Father Minato but had Audhild's black hair and upturned ruby eyes. He replied, "Oh, be quiet Mother! Just because your mages were wiped out doesn't mean Captain Asuma and his men are dead."
"Yes it does!" growled Audhild. "Do you think all twelve of my magicians were cut down without the men around them being slain? Ugh! Captain Asuma was a superb tactician! Now he is history and we still don't have the Ring of Vestmar!"
The young Lord ground his teeth. "Your incessant chattering is going to kill me before we find that ring! You told me that it was in Lord Danzo's hands so I sent Asuma to get it by force! What could be simpler than that?"
Audhild hissed, "If Lord Naruto is alive then-"
"By the Gods!" yelled Menma. "Even if this Naruto were alive; which he is not; then what could a lone man do?"
"His blood is powerful. He is Minato's son…" she started.
"So am I!" said Menma. "Why is it you constantly forget this?! If this Naruto miraculously returns from the dead I will cut him down. End of discussion!"
…
General Choza's Tent
The big General was writing his liege, Harald Fairhair:
My Liege,
The Land of Vestmar is under our control for now. The necromancer is gone as far as we can tell. The heir to the Lordship of Vestmar is Menma of Bamble village. He has sworn loyalty to your cause but I do not trust him. He is more a sorcerer than a General. His men likewise seem to be magicians. The only level headed military men left in Vestmar were Captain Asuma and his cavalry. They were on a mission to Grenland when the great battle that cost us so much took place. I had hoped to induct them into my own army to cover some of our losses but Lord Menma sent them away on a "very important mission" so I have no idea where they went. I sense something foul is afoot so we will remain on alert.
Your loyal servant,
-Choza
As Choza sealed his letter with wax; his son Choji came in with a rolled up parchment. The General smiled and asked, "Something from our messengers my son?"
"I wish it was." replied Choji. "I found this wanted poster while I was patrolling in Bamble. The Court Magician Audhild has a large bounty out on Lord Naruto's head."
Choza raised his eyebrows as he unrolled the parchment:
Wanted: 500 Gold Pieces for Death
Naruto the Trickster, Pretender to the Throne
Bring the Ring on his finger as proof of death
Report Directly to Audhild of Bamble
A drawing of Naruto was below the writing.
"By the Gods; that's a fortune!" exclaimed the General.
Choji nodded. "It also means that Lord Naruto is alive and has the ring of Vestmar… or at least Audhild thinks so."
Choza sighed. "No doubt that's where Captain Asuma and his men were sent."
"What should we do Father?" asked Choji.
"We sent out the scouts." replied his Father. "If Lord Naruto is alive we need to save him at all costs."
…
POSTSCRIPT:
*①: Garmr is a wolf or dog associated with both Hel and Ragnarok; and is described as the blood-stained guardian of Hel's gate.
*②: Jormungandr, also called the 'Midgard Serpent,' is a snake or dragon who lives in the ocean that surrounds Midgard; the visible world. So enormous is he that his body forms a circle around the entirety of Midgard. He's one of the three children of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, along with Hel and Fenrir.
This chapter is somewhat transitional because I need to decide whether to make this story short (20-25 chapters) or long (50-75 chapters). Most of my stories end up long because I didn't make a decision early on. If anyone has a preference let me know. See you next time. Blue Out. 11/7/20
