Chapter 1: Orders from above
Sara Irine woke in a cold sweat. She hadn't thought of that horrible escape from Fayon in a while; she'd been too busy helping Freya bring Ragnarok again. Where had the dream come from? Her eyes narrowed at the thought of her father. Oh, yes. She would visit him soon, and then he would know who it was who had taken his spell and thrown his own magic back at him - the magic that had seared that scar onto his eye. She had heard about the scarred lord of Fayon, and how he was powerful, but not for long. Oh, no… not for long. Sara's eyes narrowed at the thought of facing her father again. Her hand involuntarily raised, and a ball of magical fire settled in her palm as her thoughts grew violent and the cold sweat that had clung to her skin immediately evaporated with the heat. But she felt none of it with the rage and hatred that was burning inside of her and every day threatened to be unleashed. So she had practiced long and hard for her father; twelve long years for this next meeting family. Her eyes spat fire as she thought the word. Family. Hah! What does he know of the word after he makes love to my mother, and then kills her when she becomes inconvenient? But Freya had helped her, and Sara was grateful every day to her. Freya had kept the promise that her mother's spirit had made to her.
She rubbed her eyes, and looked about her room blearily. I'm awake and plotting revenge, and yet I'm still half-asleep. How does that work? As she thought this, she noticed that her hand was wet. Tears? Where did they come from? There haven't been tears in twelve years. If only you could see me now, Mama. Would you be proud of me? I think you would. I will keep my promise, Mama. No matter what. No, no… I mustn't get emotional. Emotions just get in the way and bring problems. Oh, well… time to get moving.
"Sara? Are you up yet? I have a task for you… if you're up to it." Sara stood up straight, ignoring the fact that she wasn't fully dressed and gave her full attention to the sparkle of power in her room. Freya called, and when Freya called, one didn't take one's time in answering.
"Yes, Mistress. I'm here. I've just awakened. What is it that you need me to do?" And can I do it on my way to visit my father? Sara laughed silently to herself sadistically, both knowing that Freya would hear that particular thought, and that she would also feel her willingness to go do this task for her. And just maybe, Freya would approve of her thought and allow her a side stop along the way.
"What is it that the High Goddess Freya seeks?"
"I need you to go and observe someone for me. And if necessary, stop them from retrieving something dangerous to us." Sara's curiosity rose. Who and what were so important that Freya would need her to observe for the moment? And then possibly fight? Freya was not usually so secretive in her conversations with her. It's best to let her finish. She'll tell me soon where she needs me to go, and what she wants me to do.
"Yes, Goddess. When and where am I going?" Sara's eyes took on an almost wild gleam at the prospect of fights and battles. Much as she didn't look it, she was a warrior of the first class, and lived for the thrill of combat. She was after all, a Valkyrie, but more than that, her spirit was one of those that yearned and ached for battles. This trait had earned her the nickname Vættfang Child (A/N: Vættfang means 'battlefield' in Old Norse). Even though she was the youngest Valkyrie, the majority of the older ones respected her power and skills. Twelve years was a long time, but not in the honing of magical skills. And to come as far as she had… well…
Freya's voice snapped Sara's thoughts back to the present situation abruptly, and Sara berated herself mentally. Stupid idiot! You should be listening to Freya! After all that she's done for you, and you're daydreaming when she's giving you the honors of a special assignment!
"I want you to observe Fenris Fenrir for the moment, Sara. The Wolf Goddess has been reincarnated, and at present is searching for Balder's sword, Sentinel Breeze. She cannot be allowed to find the sword. That sword would allow her to find Balder, and as you know, we cannot have that. That insulent brat challenged me last time Ragnarok came around, and I won't have him doing it again. Not if the Wolf Goddess is there to help him. As long as she does not find it, you are not to reveal that you are watching her. If she does happen to find the sword, you must not let her take it and escape. That sword is the key to finding Balder, and we cannot have him turning up again. He almost ruined things last time. Now go. Report to me as often as there is anything to report." Sara turned to dress.
"Oh, and Sara..." Sara turned back towards the spark of power, ignoring her clothes. May as well start on my hair though. She began to braid her hair as she answered her Queen.
"Yes, my Queen?" The braid reached nearly to the floor. Twelve years' growth... twelve years' reminder of the sins of her hometown; sins to be repaid.
"Let none of the other Valkyries interfere, especially Deliyyja. I do not want them getting involved with this; they'll only make the situation more complicated than it needs to be. Deliyyja is too power-hungry right now. When this is over, I will see to Deliyyja. Make sure it is understood, Sara Irine, before you take this mission. No other Valkyrie is to be involved with the finding of Fenris Fenrir and Sentinel Breeze, or with any encounter with her that might be necessary. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my Queen. It shall be done as you say. Fenris Fenrir will have no warnings that I am watching unless I need to act, and the other Valkyries will not be informed of my mission. I will head immediately to Jotunheim to gather the frost giants that I will need for this, if it pleases you."
"Excellent. I wish you well then, Sara, and look forward to your reports on the matter. Now go and ready yourself. I am giving you the frost giants for this mission. They should be of great use to you in this. They will do whatever it is that you need of them. Good luck, Vættfang child."
The sparkle of power disappeared, and this time Sara truly did turn to dress (if you could call wearing a bikini with a type of overcoat dressing). She dressed with purpose, putting on clothes first, and then armor. Her clothes were very simple - bikini bottoms with a lacy black bra and boots that were little more than cloth with hard soles with straps that held them to her feet. Her armor wasn't really armor at all, but more of a half-overcoat that had wide striped sleeves and hung down in the back. Her pouch of rune cards hung at her right hip, within easy reach. Last came the two swords from her dream. One was longer than her arm with the end of the blade looking like a wolf with his jaws open and was called Haeryongdo; the other was small and called Shinryongdo and stayed tied at her side and to the back slightly.
Grimly she twisted the wolf-sword in the light. It's blade was diamond-sharp, and she was extremely skilled with it. No bloodstains marred it now, though, unlike during the dream. My first kill came with this sword escaping from my father. My father will be the next I kill with this, I swear it. But before I do, I will make him watch his family and Fayon burn and die. And he will know who it is who has done this to him, his family, and his city before he takes his last breath.