COF 16

 Somewhere birds were chirping, loud and insistent, their normally pleasant songs an annoying intrusion to her sleep. Lenneth frowned, keeping her eyes tightly closed. She felt so tired, deep exhaustion down to the bones, making her long to go back to the sweet oblivion of sleep. But now she was aware of things, not just the birds, but the sounds of other creatures. Somewhere far off a wolf howled, it’s bay sounding lonely, while the buzz of insects sounded near her ears. Even as she wondered why Lezard’s tower was suddenly so noisy, she noticed other things, like the bitter chill that ran through her body, and the uncomfortableness of the ground against her back.

At that thought she forced her eyes open, squinting against the light that shined down on her. Open sky greeted her eyes, the sun sparkling it’s rays directly over her, it struggling to send down it’s warmth as dark storm clouds gathered near it. Lenneth lay still, taking it all in, breathing in the fresh air of freedom, and sneezed. Pollen tickled her nose, thick and unpleasant, the girl becoming aware that she lay in an open field of flowers, twigs and rocks digging into her back.

Wincing, she slowly sat up, body protesting the action, and looked around. Past the flowers, to the East was a flat land with the occasional green hill dotting the landscape, while to the West was a dark and foreboding forest, it’s foliage thick and green, ready to block out all traces of the sun. To the North and south the flower field stretched on as far as the eye could see, beautiful and seemingly endless.

Lenneth sighed, having no idea where she was. She didn’t have to wonder why she was here, the memories were coming back to her, of sweet kisses and burning fireballs, the cruel words of a Goddess, and the teleportation spell of her unlikely champion. But where was Lezard? She went to rise up on one knee, still looking around. She didn’t seem to see any other people around, let alone one wizard. “Lezard?!” She called out, cupping her hands round her mouth. “Lezard!?” No answer came, and she was surprised to feel panic at the thought of being all alone out here.

She stood, her legs shaky but they held fast, supporting her upright. She started walking, aimlessly wandering the flower field, occasionally shouting out the necromancer’s name. She felt confident he had to be somewhere close by. After all, he had been holding onto her when they had teleported, the close contact should have dropped them off near each other. She walked for some time, growing increasingly upset as the minutes passed, until she literally tripped over him.

Lenneth fell to her hands and knees with a cry, a potent curse issuing from her lips. Her angry words died down when she saw him lying face down in the dirt, still as a corpse. “Lezard!” She crawled to his side, hands reaching to take hold of him. The memory came unbidden, of seeing Hel’s fireball slamming into his back. She pulled aside the black cloak, surprised to see it bear little evidence of damage. The back of his shirt however was browned from the flames, and her hands hovered over the crisp material, frightened that her touch would cause him pain.

Lenneth grasped him by the arm, laboring to turn him over. He let out a pain filled moan as his back touched the ground, and she hissed out an apologetic, “I’m so sorry!” She looked him over, finding his skin paler than normal, his hair disheveled, lips parted slightly as he breathed in and out slowly. His glasses hung lopsided on his face, one lens cracked but still useable. Lenneth let out a sound, it being a mixture of a sob and a laugh, as she leaned forward to adjust his glasses. The back of her hand came up to her face, brushing at her wet eyes.

She tenderly caressed his face, smoothing back his hair, using her fingers to comb it into some semblance of his normal hairstyle. It didn’t do much to rouse him from his deep sleep, but it went a long way towards making her feel better. Not knowing what else to do, she settled back to wait, hoping he would wake soon.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

The large doors of the throne room were suddenly flung open, only their great weight slowing them down to bounce against the sides of the wall, leaving slight indentations in the plaster. “Freya!” came an angry cry, the whirlwind force behind the doors hasty opening standing in the archway. It was a woman, clad in smokey black armor, long white skirt swirling around her legs. It parted, flashing her thighs, as she strode forward, angrily marching into the room.

Behind her lay the prone forms of the unconscious guards, their weapons spilled onto the floor. It was only her precise control with her weapon that kept their blood from joining the mess on the floor, the woman taking care to not injure those who sought only to do their jobs. Her sword was still clenched in her right hand, polished steel gleaming silver and deadly as she walked.

“Hrist…” Freya was floating before the throne, turning to glance over her shoulder at the intrusion. Her face was shocked, her mouth a perfect o of surprise. It was not her who had spoken the Valkyrie’s name, but the man before her. The air shimmered around Freya, the Goddess reappearing before Hrist, hands up in wary preparation to defend her Lord.

The Valkyrie paused, her blade frozen in the air, as she assessed the situation. Her dark eyes washed over the man on the throne, taking in the familiar sight of gray hair and gray eyes. “So…” Hrist said coolly, sheathing her sword. “The rumors are true. Lord Odin has returned to us.”

“That I have.” Odin bowed his head slightly, giving a lazy wave of his fingers at Freya. The Goddess nodded in acknowledgment, moving to stand next to the side of his throne. “It is good to see you again, my Executioner.”

“You’re looking well yourself…for a dead man.” She smiled grimly at Odin, the Elder God laughing at her joke. He threw back his head, laughter echoing in the room.

“Ah Hrist…to what do we owe this honor?” He asked, mirth dancing in his eyes.

“I had come to see for myself if you were really back.” She answered, turning to look at Freya. “I also could not help but wonder why Freya herself had not come to inform me of this development.”

“That is my fault.” Odin said, answering for the Fertility Goddess. “I’m afraid my return has kept her busy. I do apologize for the over sight, but you know how it is.”

“Yes.” Hrist nodded. “I too have been busy…”

“So I have heard.” Odin leaned back in his throne, his posture relaxed as his crossed one leg over the other. “War with the Vampire King, eh? A fine ambition you have.” He stroked his chin, considering his next words carefully. “But I wonder if it’s not too soon for a war…”

“My Lord?”

“We were much weakened by the events of Ragnarok. Many soldiers were lost…even a few Gods…” His eyes shown with real regret, a touch of mourning in his voice.

“Such is the casualties of war.” Hrist didn’t echo his soft sentiments, her nature was that of a warrior born and raised on the battlefield.

“I can’t help but wonder if the price is too high…” He sighed then, and Freya who had been standing at rigid attention, turned to look at him, soft surprise on her face. “Death has changed you my Lord.”

“Yes…it has…” agreed Hrist, thinking he had never before cared about the loss of life when waging one of his war battles.

“Do you really think so?” asked Odin, a strange smile on his face. The two women did not answer, merely continued to stare at him, awaiting his next words. He sighed then, a hand running through his hair. “Brahms…” He said at last. “My ancient foe. I wonder what he plots this time…?”

“He seeks to usurp your power.” Hrist said, intent on pressing the issue. “He gathers the Valkyries, hunts my sisters…you know what that means…”

“It would strip Valhalla of it’s warriors.” Freya explained. “Without the Valkyries, we cannot call new soldiers to arms.”

“While Brahms operates under no such limit.” added Hrist. “His army expands by night, all with the the simple pressing of the fangs.”

“Your words are cause for great alarm…but I know this already.” Odin said.

“Then?”

He let out a heavy sigh, seeming reluctant to speak. “Tell me Hrist, what is the state of our troops?” Odin asked. “Be they ready for such an endeavor?”

“That they are. We are a hundred thousand strong, archers, swordsmen, axe bearers…we have them all.” She replied. “I can get you precise numbers if need be.”

“There will be no need.” He steepled his fingers before his face, and at his thoughtful expression, Hrist held her breath, awaiting his next words. “Fine then…at long last you will have your reckoning with Brahms.”

A brilliant smile lit up her face, her hardness washed away in one brief moment of rare bliss. “Thank you my Lord!” She dropped down to her knees, bowing as deeply as she could.

“Stand up Hrist.” He ordered. “You have no need to bow before me. It is a great service you offer me after all.” She nodded, and turned to leave.

“May I too be excused my Lord?” asked Freya, eyes on Hrist’s back.

He gave her a sidelong glance, before nodding his head to her. Freya gave a slight bow of her head, then turned to float after the Valkyrie. Odin watched them leave, his smile turning into a slow smirk.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Lezard’s eyelids quivered, the man slow and hesitant to wake from the peace sleep offered him. A moan was on his lips, his head tossing from side to side, as he fought the scream in his lungs. Searing pain was on his back, his fingers curling into claws, tearing at the dirt beneath his hands. His brow was sweaty, he felt so hot, too hot, fevered and wet from an intense heat he imagined he could still feel eating away at him.

He tried to sit up, but hands held him down, cool and caressing, urging him onto a soft pillow of flesh. He sighed, shoulders relaxing slightly, turning his head to the side. His eyes opened, seeing the world through cracked lenses, his lips against a covered knee. He coughed and even that hurt, pollen burning in his lungs. Burning He shivered, not liking the word, it bringing up unpleasant thoughts of fire.

“Lezard?” An angel was calling his name, his angel, clad in white with her wings broken by him.

“Lenneth…” He turned his face so that he could look upwards, realizing it was her lap his head rested in. She was gazing down at him with wide blue eyes, brimming with unshed tears. “Why are you still here?” He asked, wonderment in his voice. His hand reached up to touch her bent face, and at his gentle touch the tears fell, plopping thick and wet on his face. “Tears?” He asked, his voice growing more astonished. “For me?”

“You idiot…” She whispered softly, unable to stop her crying. “I was so worried!”

He smiled at this, her concern one of the greatest gifts she could bestow on him. “Mere fire won’t be enough to kill me, Lezard Valeth.” His confident tone was cut off by another body racking cough, causing Lenneth to choke back a sob of laughter. “I’ll be fine…it’s merely a bad burn…my cloak deflected the worst of it.” He closed his eyes, thankful his garment had been spun out of cotton imbued with anti-magic properties. It kept him warm as well as ward against magic attacks. “The damage wouldn’t have even been this bad if it the attack hadn’t been divine in nature.”

“That’s my fault…” She lowered her eyes, guilt evident in them. “Hel was there because of me…” Lezard merely looked at her, not saying anything. “I don’t know how she found me though…” She frowned. “But you wouldn’t have been in danger if not for me.” She murmured heart felt apologies to him, feeling she was to blame. He kept quiet, not correcting her, allowing her to believe that last night had been the first time Hel had visited his home.

Lezard felt only a tiny smidgen of shame in the deception he played on the Valkyrie. Mostly he felt relief, almost gratitude that the Hel Goddess had not let slip the part she had played in aiding him in Lenneth’s kidnapping. But still, relief aside, he felt he should offer her some words of comfort, something to get her to stop hurting. “Lenneth…” He said, reaching to take hold of her hands. He gave them a little squeeze, thumb caressing the softness of her palm. “I knew the risk when I brought you into my home. I was prepared to face the Gods to keep you…granted…” He added as an after thought, watching her face carefully. “I wasn’t expecting to face the wrath of Nifleheim’s ruler!”

Lenneth still looked uncertain, just listening to him speak. “I will protect you.” He said, flashing her his most charming smile. “You have nothing to fear.” At least she had stopped crying he noted. With a wistful sigh, he went to sit up, loathe to leave the comfort of her lap. He winced, a hiss of pain issuing out of his lips, and she was there, hands hovering, unsure of what to do.

“Where are we?” Lezard asked, glancing around the field for the first time.

“I was hoping you would know…” Lenneth said, surprise evident in her voice. “Wasn’t this where you wanted us to end up?”

“I was aiming for Flenceburg.” He told her, a frown on his face. “I have lodgings there that few if any would know about.” He went to stand, again she was by his side, solicitously offering her arms to him, helping him up. He leaned against her body more than he had need of, liking the feel of her soft, supple form against the hardness of his.

“Hel’s magic must have distorted your spell…thrown us off track…” Lenneth realized.

“But how far…now that is the question…” He sighed, wondering if he had the strength to perform another teleportation spell. He shook off Lenneth’s supporting hands, trying to stand on his own. A wave of dizziness came over him, and he stumbled backwards into her, her arms reaching to catch him. She fell down with him, his head resting against her chest. “No…I won’t be trying that again any time soon…” He muttered.

“Lezard…” She had something on her mind, he could tell by her tone. “What are you going to do?”

“WE are going to rest here a while.” He announced. “I just…just need some sleep, and then I’ll be able to think…”

“She’s not going to stop you know…she’ll keep coming.” Lenneth told him. “She’s always been single minded in her dogged pursuit of others…”

“Hardly the comforting words I long to hear.” He sighed, and turned his head, laying his cheek on her breast. Lenneth’s breath hitched in protest, but he didn’t move, content in his perch.

“It’s not comfort I seek to give you, but practicality.” She said, a blush starting high in her cheeks. “I know her better than you. I know how Hel thinks, how she works. Now that she has found me, weakened as I am, she won’t stop until I am dead.” She hesitated, letting out a breath, knowing he wouldn’t like the next thing she had to say.

“It would be better if we were to go our separate ways now…for your sake.”

“For my sake?! Or yours?!” demanded Lezard, rising in a half turn to face her. She didn’t flinch back from the anger in his voice, keeping her expression calm. “You think me injured enough that you can leave?!” He grabbed at her wrists, holding on as tightly as he could manage to in his present state of pain. “That you can escape me?!”

“If I wanted to, I could have left at any time while you were unconscious.” She pointed out, not even trying to break free.

“Then why didn’t you?!” He gave her a little shake.

“I…” She went to turn from him, and Lezard jerked on her wrists, forcing her to stay facing him. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Why?” He asked urgently. “Why should it matter to you?”

“Because…” Lenneth pulled her wrists free, trying to scramble to her feet. She stared down at him, shocked realization in her eyes. “Because I care about what happens to you, all right?!” She screamed the last words out, angry at the wizard for making her feel something for him.

“You…care for me?” Lezard asked, feeling stunned.

“Not like that!” She was quick to add, crossing her arms over her chest. Lenneth scowled as Lezard got a silly grin on his face. “You feel something for me!” Giddiness made him stronger, the necromancer slowly rising to his feet to stand before her. If he had felt one hundred percent like his old self, he’d sweep her up into his arms, and spin around with her. Here he settled for placing his hands on her hips, leaning in close, a teasing look in his eyes. “You like me…you find me irresistible!”

“Insufferable is more like it!” Lenneth snapped, turning away. He was laughing then, a kiss gracing the back of her bare shoulder, making her squirm uncomfortably in his arms. “And don’t do that!”

“I did more than that last night without you protesting…” He said this a tad abruptly, lips still pressed against her skin.

“That was a mistake and you know it!” Lenneth said, feeling her cheeks redden further.

“It didn’t feel like a mistake to me…”

“Yes, you would think that, wouldn’t you!” She said, temper flaring. “Besides…” She added, sounding uncertain even in her anger. “It was Hel’s doing…you heard her.”

“Yes, there is that. But I also heard her say there had to be some amount of attraction for her lust spell to work.” Even without turning, she knew he was smirking, knew he had to be wearing that damnable smug expression of his. “You got quite…defensive at that point.”

“We are not talking about this!” From his vantage point he could see the side of her face, see how her jaw clenched in resolution.

“We have to talk about this sooner or later Lenneth. Why not now?”

“If you’re well enough to talk about such…trivial matters…than you’re well enough to start walking!” She retorted, desperate to change the subject.

“Matters of the heart are hardly trivial. And no matter how you try to deny it, what happened between us won’t go away.” He was turning her then, hands gently spinning her round the waist to bring her face to face with him. Her blue eyes were troubled, her face flushed with embarrassed color.

“You were drunk, and I was bewitched. I hardly think that bodes well for any…imagined relationship between us.” Lenneth said, her words terse, quick to cut him down.

“We could try again…without any…outside influences…” He went to touch her face, but she jerked away. His eyes turned regretful, seeing Lenneth was back to not wanting him to touch her.

“Don’t…” It was one word, a plea and command combined.

He let out a heavy sigh, lowering his hand to her relief. “This is not over between us.” He said at last. “I won’t let you bury this, pretend it never happened.”

“I wish you would.” She said this quietly, so soft he almost didn’t catch it. “It would be easier that way.”

“Less painful you mean? Less embarrassing for you perhaps?” He shook his head, and this time he did touch her, lifting her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. “But you shouldn’t be embarrassed by your feelings Lenneth. It would be better if you were more truthful to the desires you feel…” He couldn’t resist stroking her skin with his fingers, stretching them out to caress her bottom lip. “…towards me…”

“Damn it Lezard…” She said, her warm breath in his face. “I don’t love you. Don’t confuse concern for something else…”

“Really?” He abruptly let go of her, taking a step backwards, and her eyes flashed with disappointment. He gave her a smile then, knowing and sure of himself. “Once your eyes would have matched your words, now you simply look unsure of what you are saying.”

“You seek to confuse me.” Lenneth retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. Her hands stroked the skin of upper arms, feeling the goose pimples form as she shivered.

“I seek to do nothing but love you.” Came his answer. “If your feelings are…conflicted, it’s because you make them that way. If you would just give in…”

“That will never happen!” interrupted Lenneth.

“Never say never my dear.” He smirked then, giving a graceful shrug of his shoulders. “A great many things you thought impossible have already come to pass. Last night being one…you not fleeing upon awakening in this field, another.” She pursed her lips together, angry at him for tossing that in her face. “Deep down you know it’s true…”

She wanted to slap her hands over her ears, block out his words. Instead she settled for fixing him with her best glare. He laughed at her then, that joyful sound making her all the more angry. “You can’t even deny it…” He purred out in self satisfaction. She merely scoffed, whirling around to present him with her back. She jumped startled, when his hand touched her arm, feeling how cold her skin was. Seconds later she heard the rustle of clothing, felt him drape his cape over her shoulders. Lenneth grasped at the soft material, clutching at it’s ends to keep it closed around her.

She stood there, enveloped in the scent of him, the cloak still radiating some of his captured heat. It was always like that with him, she mused. Saying things to upset her, then doing something sweet to make up for it. It made it hard to hate him, she found herself almost liking the wizard more with each passing day. She heard movement behind her, and turned to glance at him. Lezard was settling back down on the grass, trying to get as comfortable as was possible in the dirt.

“We’ll rest an hour or so…” He told her, holding out a hand to her. Lenneth took it, and at his urging, plopped down onto the ground next to him. The Valkyrie gathered her knees to her chest, hugging her arms around them. “And then what?” She asked.

“And then…we walk.” Lezard said, smiling at the groan she let out. He leaned back, sprawling on the ground, resting his head on his arms. Lenneth almost envied the ease in which he could relax so completely, wishing she didn’t feel so jumpy out here in the open like this. The wolf howled again, nearer this time, and she absentmindedly fingered her necklace, drawing his eyes to her.

“You touched that last night…” He recalled. “When I was kissing you…”

“Yes…” And she somehow managed to avoid blushing for once. “It…well I suppose you could say it warned me. It was like it sensed something was wrong.”

“I see…” Lezard’s expression was unreadable.

“Lezard…? What will we do when we get to a town?” Lenneth asked, resting her head against her knees.

“I’ll hire us a coach to Flenceburg.” He replied, closing his eyes.

“How will you do that?” She asked, curious. “Do you have any money on you.”

“Relax…” He said, eyes still closed. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Lenneth frowned, not liking his glib answers. “How? You’re not going to bully people with your magic are you?”

“Would I do something like that?” His eyes opened, the necromancer trying for an innocent expression.

“Lezard!”

He sighed. “Don’t worry…I have money to pay for what we need.”

“Obtained through illegal means no doubt.” She muttered. He chuckled, but didn’t correct her concerns. Lenneth sat there quietly, inwardly trying to puzzle out ways the wizard earned his money. She couldn’t imagine him selling his services as a wizard for hire, nor could she see him out right robbing people. I really don’t know that much about him. She thought, surprised to know that she yearned to learn more.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

The dining hall was a buzz with chatter, rumors flying rampant, as Aeila spun her magic. All it took was whispering the news into a select few ears, and the story spread like wildfire. Over and over again, whispers of Lenneth’s true kidnapper flew among the einherjar, speculation running rampant. Badrach, ever the enterprising fool, quickly set up a betting pool, with odds on Brahms being the kidnapper going fifty to one in odds of Lezard’s twenty to one market share. It was only a matter of time before the news reached Lucian, whose ears perked up at the news.

Lezard Valeth? He frowned, nursing his drink. Who is that? And why would he take Lenneth. His blue eyes scanned the room, searching out the one woman he knew to have all the answers. He looked from person to person, until finally a flash of jade green caught his eyes. Taking one last sip of his ambrosia, he rose and stalked towards his quarry.

“Aeila.” He said, cornering the girl by the bar. “What can you tell me about this Lezard?”

She considered carefully, looking the blonde over as she thought about what to do. For a moment she toyed with the idea of withholding information, a punishment for not answering her earlier questions. But compassion won out over pettiness, and she opened her mouth to answer. “I only know what I’ve been told. That he is a mortal in love with your girl.”

“In love with Lenneth?” He bristled, eyes growing angry at the thought. “MY Lenneth?!” He shook his head, teeth clenched. “You better tell me all you know…”

“I can do better than that.” Aelia said. “I can introduce you to the ones who told me about him.” He pushed away from her, allowing her room to move past his body. She gestured for him to follow her, and he did, practically stomping his feet against the floor, his jaw set at a determined angle. She led him to a dark corner of the hall, where two figures sat eating their dinner.

“Arngrim, Mystina…” Aeila lifted her hand, waving her fingers at the pair. They glanced her way, looking curiously at the man who stood a few inches behind her. “I’d like you to meet Lucian…Lenneth’s…oh how should I put it…” She paused to think. “The Creator’s significant other.”

“You mean boyfriend, don’t you?” asked Arngrim, looking Lucian up and down. He was not impressed with what he saw. Mystina had a different reaction, practically cooing in admiration for the handsome blonde. “So this is the infamous Lucian we’ve heard so much about!” Lucian gave her a strange look, and she hastened to explain. “We were there in the weeping lilies meadow when Lenneth had her…shall we say break down…poor dear could not stop screaming out your name.”

Lucian blushed. “You have me at a disadvantage Miss…”

“Please…” She purred in interruption, batting her eyelashes at him. “Call my Mystina. Miss is just too formal.”

“Mystina…as I was saying…you have me at a disadvantage. You appear to know me, and yet I know nothing about you.”

“Well that can be easily changed.” She slid over in the booth, patting the seat next to her. “Sit! Join us! Tell us what’s on your mind.”

Lucian nodded his thanks, going to sit next to her. Aeila, eager for a new scoop, made Arngrim shift over, sitting down next to the beefy warrior. “I brought Lucian over here to hear about Lezard.” She explained. “I thought it best if he heard from you…after all, you were there…”

“You were there when Lenneth was taken?” Lucian asked, misunderstanding the Dragonian’s words.

“Oh no, we were at Alfeim when that unfortunate event happened.” Mystina sighed. “Terrible business, this kidnapping is. No…what dear Aeila is trying to say is, we were there when Lezard demonstrated his power. Arngrim was even present for Lenneth’s first meeting with the twisted little freak.”

“Yes…” Arngrim nodded his head. “It was most unsettling. He sought to make her his mortal plaything.”

“Plaything?!” repeated Lucian, alarmed.

“I do not wish to overly concern you, but you must know.” Arngrim said. “That man…has unnatural desires where your beloved is concerned. Some of what he said…what he did, still sends chills down my spine.”

“Tell me everything.” ordered Lucian. “Don’t leave anything out.”