Hey everyone, sorry it's been a minute since my last update. I've been working out some of the details in the story and where I see it going. It's coming along. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this chapter. And as usual I love feedback.
Tamsin sits with her legs crossed in the middle of a forest clearing. Her eyes are closed as she listens to the breeze rustling through the trees. It's dark but not from a night sky. Black smoke blocks the sunlight that occasionally peeks through and everything, including her, is covered in some kind of ash. Tamsin's ears perk up at a distant sound which breaks through the otherwise placid landscape. She can tell they are footsteps and their destination is her location. The Valkyrie jumps up and grabs the first item she sees, a large piece of wood, and takes a fighting stance. Her resolve crumbles as soon as the man reaches her. He is extremely large, at least over 7 feet tall and every part of him is made up of hard muscle. He is dressed in an all white shirt and pants made of linen. Despite his size Tamsin can see he's quite handsome, his features chiseled to the point of perfection. He stops when he sees her and smirks when he gets a look at her posture.
"Ready to fight I see? Even someone as large as myself? You've got heart just like he said. But I ain't here to hurt you girl, your dad wants to see you," the man says with a slight Irish brogue.
"Danielus is no more my dad than this piece of wood," Tamsin replies throwing down the stick. "But I will go seeing as I have no choice"
The giant chuckles and indicates for Tamsin to follow him. She studies him as they walk, trying not to stare too hard at his muscled back.
"How can you possibly have on clean white clothes when the air is full of ash?"
The giant chuckles, "Magic."
He stops and turns to Tamsin, waving his hand in front of her. Within seconds she looks down and sees her clothes and body are completely devoid of any soot.
"Seems more like sorcery than magic," Tamsin says squinting her eyes.
"Hmm, call it what you will. But your father has taught me many things while I've been here," the giant says as he turns back around to walk. "And by the way my name is Alexi."
Tamsin chuckles to herself, "And my name is Tamsin but I bet you know that already Alexi. It's nice to meet you anyway, I apologize for my rudeness."
"No need, your father already spoke to me about your brusqueness and the recent revelation of your relationship. I understand the...attitude. I tell you what, ask me anything. And if it is something I can respond to I will give you my most honest answer."
"Okay," Tamsin says running to catch up to Alexi. "Why are you here?"
"Daneilus saved me from something very bad once upon a time and I am forever in his debt. I am an apprentice of sorts I suppose. Whatever he needs I do and in exchange he teaches me what he has learned. He is a very powerful man."
"Yes, I'm aware of that. My presence here speaks to just how powerful," Tamsin says trying to keep up. "What does he want with me?"
"Not my place to say."
"Okay, what is he trying to accomplish in Asgard?"
"Not my place to say.."
"So what can you say? What does he want with Bo, why is he back with Odin, where the hell are we?"
Alexi stops walking and turns to Tamsin, his face no longer amused.
"You are home in Vanaheim. The birthplace of some of the most powerful gods to ever exist. Your father is king here and you are the heir to his throne. Perhaps that answers some of your questions."
Alexi begins walking again and Tamsin scrambles to catch up as her mind tries to process what he has said. As she prepares to ask another question the forest clears again and a large estate appears in front of them. The sky is no longer black and the sun is shining almost as bright as in Asgard. They walk across a path surrounded by manicured grass and hedges. When they reach the door Alexi stops.
"I must leave you here, I have other tasks to complete. You will find your father in the great room to the right. Take care," Alexi bows as he turns to walk away.
"Wait. I have one more question for you and remember you said you would answer honestly."
"Of course my lady. What do you wish to know?"
"Are his intentions towards me pure?"
Alexis seems to hesitate before answering. "They are pure but the motivation behind it, I cannot say."
"Thank you," Tamsin says grabbing his hand.
A look of surprise overtakes his face but Alexi recovers and lifts Tamsin's hand to kiss it. "Welcome home princess," he says as he takes his leave.
Tamsin turns toward the large white door and exhales as she pushes it open.
"This should be interesting," she mumbles as she enters the house.
Tamsin attempts to take in everything as she walks inside. Nothing seems real and the marble surfaces appear to shine with an incandescent light.
"It's real, all of it. Just as it would have been at home."
Tamsin looks up to see Danielus standing in front of a grand staircase near the entrance.
"So this isn't Vanaheim?"
"No, but it is a very good rendition of it. Of course you wouldn't know that having never been there. "
Danielus walks towards Tamsin and reaches out his hand . Her instinct is to smack it away, instead she takes it. He grabs onto her and pulls her into him hard, embracing her with his free arm. The hug is brief but when he pulls away Tamsin is shocked to realize she wishes he hadn't.
"Come, I want to show you something," Danielus says turning to walk up the steps.
Tamsin follows him as she gazes around the house. Everything is pristine, as if it has never been touched. She wonders if this is all for her benefit.
"It is, to an extent. I want you to see what life was like before. So you can understand what I am fighting for."
"So you can read minds?"
"Here, yes."
"And where is "here"?," Tamsin says trying not to get distracted by the many rooms they pass on the second floor.
They stop at the end of the hallway and walk out onto a large terrace. Everything can be seen from it and as Tamsin gazes over the horizon the dark part of the woods she was in appears to be coming closer.
"We are in a world which I created with magic. It only exists when one is unconscious or in your case asleep. I can bring others here mentally with me if I choose. It is my escape, usually when I'm meditating. Alexi comes sometimes to keep me company but mostly I come here alone."
"What am I doing here Danielus? You want some kind of father daughter reunion? "
"What I want is for you to stop behaving like a petulant child and listen to what I have to say," Danielus says raising his voice. Tamsin stops talking. "And you are here because you are my blood and I have chosen to share this with you," he says as he reaches out to caress her hair.
"I don't want any part of what you are and what you plan to do," Tamsin says moving out of his grasp.
A flicker of sadness crosses his face but it is quickly replaced by anger.
"You think you know what any of this is? Do you see that dark cloud that hovers in the distance, where you were, that is what has become of Vanaheim. It was once like this, vibrant, bright and full of life. Now it is nothing but darkness and fire. When I met your mother I was running from the pain of seeing my world end."
"Is this the part where I'm supposed to feel for you?"
Ignoring her comment he continues, " She helped me figure out what to do. I would build up my people again in another world. Bring all those scattered about in the different realms to one place we could once again call home. And it began to look like Asgard would be that place, after all you were there my child. He was jealous, they all were. My people were great, better than the others. We were capable of anything, the possibilities of our powers knew no bounds. So they conspired."
"Who is they?" Tamsin asks, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Odin and the Gods in the other realms. They sent demons, dragons, any type of mythological creature you can imagine that would cause destruction. And we burned. Our magic was powerful but we could not withstand the onslaught. This went on for centuries, until there was nothing left here. Life couldn't be sustained. I went to Odin pretending to grovel so he would give me shelter. It worked better than I could have ever believed. This time I was the one conspiring."
A look of realization appears across the Valkyrie's face, "You were never really banished by him were you?"
"No. We agreed to make it look like I was so that I could go out on my own. There was information the great Odin needed and he did not want it to be known that someone from his kingdom was seeking it out. If he is anything he is vain and wants to protect his fatherly image, but trust me there is a darkness in him you have yet to see Tamsin."
"Why are there goblins trying to kill me?" Tamsin says. Out of the corner of her eye she notices that the smoke and fire has gotten closer.
A look of surprise passes over Danileus's face. "I don't know, but I will find out. Whether you like it or not you are my daughter, my only child. I want to see you rule with me, I would never hurt you."
"Rule with you? Why would I ever choose to do that?"
"When did I ever say that it was a choice?"
Before Tamsin can respond she feels heat creeping up her left side. When she turns the fire that was originally far away is close, flames charring the beautiful grounds she passed earlier.
"What's happening?" She says attempting to protect her face from the heat with her arm.
"What always happens. My mind can only sustain the world as it was for short periods of time. In the end it always burns."
Tamsin turns to leave the terrace but Danielus grabs onto her and pulls her into him.
"What are you doing? We have to leave."
"Someday soon, you will come to trust me."
Tamsin tries to pull away but his grip is too strong. Panic sets in as she watches the fire get closer.
"Danielus...Father please."
Tamsin began to scream as the heat became unbearable, then everything goes black.
Tamsin's screams echoed across the hotel room. She threw off the blanket covering her and tried to catch her breath. Her skin was hot and sweaty, she could still feel the flames licking her body. She jumped when the door of the room burst open. Bo and Kenzi came in and ran over to her.
"Tamsin, are you ok?" Kenzi said running over to hug her. "Holy crap, you're hotter than I was when I had that crazy fever."
"No, I'm not okay. Danielus contacted me while I was asleep," Tamsin said reaching for the almost empty vodka bottle. She swigged some of it and focused on the burning in her chest to calm herself down.
"Ever the drinker, huh?" Bo said with a smirk. "So, he contacted you in your dreams the way I used to? Interesting, gotta love those father daughter reunions. What did he want?"
Tamsin hesitated, she wasn't sure how much she should tell Bo. While she didn't trust Danielus she trusted Odin even less and it was possible that Bo out of loyalty would let him know that he was being played.
"Not sure,he allowed me to see a realm he had created in his mind of his home world. Seems he is determined to somehow recreate it. Wants me to be a part of it or something."
"Ha, fat chance of that happening. I mean am I right?" Kenzi said lifting her hand for a high five.
Tamsin laughed and slapped her hand. "Kenzi, would you mind getting me a glass of water."
"No problemo. Be right back."
Tamsin waited for Kenzi to leave. When she was out the door she gestured to Bo to come closer.
"He said he wasn't the one to send the assassins," Tamsin said as Bo sat down.
"Really? Do you think it was Odin?"
"I'm not sure anymore. I mean of course he could be lying but for some reason I believe him."
"Well, I think we need to go visit a certain Orc king if we're going to find out anything about the attempt on your life. He lives in Louisiana, Bayou country. Might be a fun little trip," Bo said leaning in towards Tamsin. "Aren't we quite the globe trotting pair," she said as she brought their faces together and kissed the Valkyrie softly.
"Hmm hmm," Kenzi appeared clearing her throat. "I'm happy to not see my two besties fighting anymore but for reals, PDA not necessary."
"Where is Stanley?" Tamsin said with a laugh.
"Out getting breakfast. Said we need to be fed extra good and hotel food wouldn't cut it. Should be back any minute," Kenzi said handing her the water.
"Ok , well I'm gonna hit the showers. That dream had me sweating like I was running track. I feel so gross," Tamsin said guzzling the water and putting the glass down.
"Well you don't look gross," Bo said with a smile and a wink.
"Eww, I mean really. I feel like I'm watching my parents flirt," Kenzi said with a shudder as she walked out of the room.
Bo raised an eyebrow, "Meet you in the shower in five?"
Tamsin nodded as she watched Bo get up and walk out of the room. After the Succubus left she went to her suitcase and pulled out a change of clothes. For a moment she felt light headed so she dropped to her knees and tried to center herself by breathing slowly. It was a technique that normally helped but it required her to close her eyes and she couldn't because the moment she did all she saw were flames.