OSVP 03

It would take nearly two days before the falling of the storm the clouds had threatened the land with. And with it, the waters fell, a torrential down pour that soaked everything. Even the dress she wore under her armor, the water seeping in through the opening about her neck and her shoulders. Lenneth was thoroughly soaked, cold and miserable though the rain could not sour her mood any further. Not when she knew her sister Silmeria was lost to her, lost to them all.

It was almost enough to make Lenneth weep, tears born of the rage and the helplessness she felt, the fear she harbored for her sister’s soul. Sometimes Lenneth wondered if she wasn’t already crying, her cheeks wet not just from the rain but her sad tears. But she never made a move to wipe her face dry, always sitting rigid in the saddle of her horse, staring straight ahead.

It was difficult to drive her horse forward, to near the end of her travels home when every fiber of her being urged her to turn back. To go in hot pursuit of the vampires and the sister they had stolen from her. But Lenneth wasn’t so far gone to grief to not realize that would be a futile move. She knew she had to get reinforcements, dozens upon dozens of Valkyrie maidens and a legion of einherjar. Maybe then they’d be able to hold off the vampires long enough for Lenneth to retrieve her sister.

She tried not to think on what she would have to do once Silmeria was under her care, Lenneth feeling a shiver go through her. Silmeria was no doubt transformed after tasting Brahm’s blood, the girl neither a Valkyrie Goddess nor mortal woman. She’d be Brahms undead bride, and there was only a limited window of ooportunity to save her soul before she killed and drank another creature’s blood. Silmeria would be damned for sure if she did that, and Lenneth wasn’t sure how long her sister could hold out against the unnatural thirst that all vampire’s harbored within them.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, to know she had to hurry to save her sister from eternal damnation through the act of ending her life. Lenneth would take no joy in killing Silmeria, though she would find solace if the act prevented her sister from being forced to spend an eternity killing the inhabitants of the nine realms, and drinking blood to survive. An even worse form of eternity was the fact that Silmeria would do it at Brahm’s side.

She hoped Silmeria would be able to fight him, to resist the temptations Brahms and that of the blood that called to her now. Lenneth did not let out her sigh, merely tightening her hands on the borrowed horse’s reins. The mare was nothing like the stallion she was used to riding, a dappled gray and brown mare that lacked the sturdy strength of the war horses the Valkyries normally rode. But of the fifteen horses that had been brought as part of Silmeria’s escort, none had survived. Not the four stallions of the Valkyries, not the two mares that had dragged Silmeria’s carriage. And certainly not the mix breeds the einherjar had rode upon.

It had been a brutal slaughter, a calculated carnage that left no one from Asgard alive, not even their animals. No one that is, save for Lenneth herself, a fact that astounded the Goddess. She still didn’t understand why Brahms would have spared her life, couldn’t believe he cared so much about Silmeria to show a kindness to Lenneth. A kindness that was neither wanted nor asked for, Lenneth fighting not to growl under her breath.

She could remember waking up, a half a day later. The sky had darkened even further, night having come. Besides her knelt a woman. She was identified as an elf by the green hair and pointed ears of her kind. The elf whose name was Rosselier, had crouched down besides Lenneth, turning her onto her back to check her over for wounds. That Lenneth had none astounded everyone, especially given the defiled states of the two other Valkyries left on the floor of the forest.

Lenneth wished she could have remained for a proper burial for the Valkyries Gwendolyn and Jacquelyn, but there had been no time. She had had to entrust their bodies to the elves, gaining their promise to not only bury the Valkyries, but to find and do the same to the remains of her destroyed entourage. Not all the elves remained behind to tend to the task she had asked of them. A small number of them had insisted on accompanying Lenneth, and try as she might, the Valkyrie could not think of a reason to refuse them this.

Not when it was their horse she borrowed, as well as fresh supplies, and the new sword sheathed in her side scabbard. Rosselier was among the elves that traveled with Lenneth, though she was no warrior but a healer. It was Rosselier’s healing powers that had tended to Lenneth, helping the Valkyrie Goddess to regain consciousness. It was because of Rosselier’s magic that she wasn’t in any physical pain, though nothing could lessen the pain of her heart.

There was ten other elves in addition to the healer, a mix of male and female warriors. Many were equipped with large bows strapped to their back, the arrows the chosen weapon of their kind. But there was at least one elf with a broadsword, the blade almost as large as his body. He was well muscled, body an impressive size that matched the large blade. He rode a large stallion, the only kind of horse that would have been able to bear the weight of such a giant of an elf.

He had been the second elf for Lenneth to notice after awakening to the worried face of Rosselier. He hadn’t been anywhere as concerned as the female elf, more annoyed than anything over the situation Lenneth had survived. That annoyance had turned to outrage when Lenneth had confirmed the fate that had befallen Silmeria. The elves quickly moved into action, having come prepared for the worse. When Silmeria and her escort had not arrived at the Elven village, a good twenty-five elves had been dispatched. The hope had been that the reason behind the delay was simply the party had gotten lost. But that hope had been dashed when they came upon the downed valkyries, Gwendolyn and Jacquelyn’s bodies bearing multiple bite marks and savage tears. The vampires had feasted on them, draining them dry of every drop of blood. Though Lenneth had remained untouched, save for the bruise on her face from Brahm’s fist.

The elves were naturally horrified by the massacre, and the news that the bride for their Lord had been stolen out from under them. They were eager to report to Odin what had happened, though there was an undercurrent of worry over the fact the alliance might fall apart with Silmeria stolen. Privately, Lenneth thought Odin would merely choose to replace Silmeria with some other fallen Valkyrie, though she could understand the fears of the elves. The massacre had occurred in their forest, right under their noses. Odin might choose to be insulted by that fact, though there was really little the elves could have done against such an overwhelming force of vampires.

If anything, such an act should bind the elves and the Asgardians together all the more, uniting them against a common foe. This violent act of the vampires might prove more binding than even Silmeria and Rufus’ marriage could have done. Especially with the elves ready to lend aid against the vampires to right the wrong done to all involved.

Even with the elves by her side, Lenneth wasn’t looking forward to her return to Valhalla. And all because of the colossal shame that would be attached to her. Bad enough to be defeated by the undead King, to be spared death at his hands, but to lose one of her own kind to his vampires? To return with the news that Silmeria wasn’t killed, but made into the very fiend they fought against for all these centuries? It was unthinkable, and Lenneth couldn’t begin to imagine the sort of punishment Odin would give her.

Yet Lenneth refused to cower in her seat, refused to delay the journey from fear of what Odin would say and do. Silmeria needed to be recovered and quickly, the Valkyries and einherjar of Asgard needed to be made ready for that battle. It would surely be a fight unlike any other they had ever fought, a Valkyrie’s soul on the line. It was these thoughts that drove Lenneth to ride her steed faster, a quick gallop that had her pull ahead of the elves.

Surprised shouts followed her, the elves scrambling to keep up with her as they made their way across the rickety bridge that covered the gap between canyons. Somewhere ahead of the canyons was a path which led down into the plains of Idavoll. It was there that much of the fighting took place, extending for miles in every direction, including the stretch of land that led to Odin’s castle.

It would take at least another thirty minutes to reach the edge of the plains, and that was with working the horses hard. The poor beasts were unused to such a fast pace, breathing heavily by the time Lenneth began steering her mare off the path. The elves were not far behind her, though they had ceased their shouts. They knew better than to call attention to themselves with unneeded noise, and even their horses seemed to cease their protesting whinnies as the sound of the battles grew in volume.

The muscled elf drew up besides Lenneth’s horse, the man already reaching for the sword strapped to his back. He seemed to be the one in charge of this group of elves, flashing hand signals that had the other elves drawing their bows. Rosselier was lost amidst the group, two elves sticking near to protect the healer from danger. The others were already notching arrows against their bow’s strings, preparing to unleash them at the first sign of the enemy.

“We move quickly but carefully.” Lenneth announced, gaining a nod from the elf besides her. “There is still some time before dawn breaks.”

“Our chances for success will be better if we wait until after the sun rises.” Noted the closest female elf to her. “We won’t have to contend with the vampires, just the creatures that are theirs to command.”

“It’s your decision to make, Lady Valkyrie.” Noted the sword carrying elf besides her. “We will follow whatever you decide.”

There was no hesitation in Lenneth, she knew Odin had to be informed at once what had gone down in the forest of spirits. But more than that, Silmeria’s soul was depending on her. To wait was to risk eternal damnation for her sister’s soul. “To battle we go!” To their credit, not one of the elves grumbled a complaint, following after Lenneth and her horse. She already had her sword drawn when she burst past the canyon’s wall and into the grassy plains of Idavoll.

The grass was tall stacks of gold that brushed the sides of the horse’s barrel shaped body. Perfect cover for the ghouls that lay in wait for any who ventured this far out of the main fighting. With hellish screams, they shambled forward, trying to scratch their poison tip claws on her horse’s skin. This mare wasn’t shielded like her stallion, lacking a war horse’s body armor. It left Lenneth swinging her sword in defense of her steed, lopping off fingers and hands that came too close to her and the mare.

From behind her whizzed the arrows of the elves, the archers staying well away from the ghouls. The arrows quickly impaled the ghouls in the eyes and into their open mouths, leaving them distracted enough for Lenneth to behead them. The elf with the sword was making similar work of the ghouls on his side, heads falling to be lost in the grass and trampled on by both horse and ghoul’s feet.

Rosselier’s healing magics came in handy when they came across a group of zombies. Those rotten, shambling corpses were no match for a bit of cure magic heaped on them, the creatures dying with pained shrieks. Those shrieks drew attention from other undead, the monsters hurrying towards the group of twelve. Lenneth’s sword was already covered in blood which was mixed with gore and black ichor. Even poison from the ghouls coated her blade, though it had no effect on the undead she was currently battling.

The rain continued to fall, pelting them all mercilessly. It was turning the dirt the grass grew in to mud, making the horses’ footing unstable. The mud didn’t seem to affect the ghouls, they continued to charge them, and only beheadings could stop the creatures from their assaults. A scream from behind let Lenneth know that one of the elves had been pulled off his horse. The poor soul had wandered to close to a group of ghouls, and had not had the chance to fire his arrows before the monsters caught him.

Lenneth forced herself not to feel pity for the dead elf, knowing any such emotion could cause her to be distracted and suffer a similar fate. Her sword arm continued to move, and it was the blessing of her divine state that she didn’t grow tired from the constant action. Heads continued to fly about, Lenneth and the Elven swordsman dispatching all ghouls that came within reach.

In the near distance she could see the light of torches, Asgardians using the flames to better see that which they fought. The undead had no need of the light, their vision such that they could see near perfectly in the dark. But the torches gave her hope, Lenneth knowing their condition would improve if they could reach the other combatants before the undead overwhelmed them here.

“Head towards the light!” shouted Lenneth, slicing off the wing of small bat like creature. It’s saliva was like acid, quick to burn through anything be it living or dead. It was the only reason Lenneth even bothered with such an annoying but otherwise harmless creature.

Voices rose up behind her, the elves calling out confirmation. Arrows continued to whiz past her, slamming into the ghouls long enough to stun and delay them. She quickly finished off the ghouls with her sword, letting her horse trample on the bodies. Rosselier was chanting a healing spell, refreshing the horses’ stamina to allow them the extra push needed to go on.

A horse ran past Lenneth, the stallion whinnying in fear now that it’s rider had been knocked off it’s back. Some of the ghouls would converge on the poor beast, and the sounds of flesh being torn could be heard, the monsters eating the horse alive. Arrows would fly in the horse’s direction, one of the elves attempting to put the stallion out of it’s misery.

The fight continued, much of the same actions repeating. There was hardly anytime to pause, the elves having sheathes of extra arrows fastened to every available inch of their horse’s saddle. It almost seemed like they could go on indefinitely, but Lenneth knew that sooner or later they would run out of arrows. But the lights of the torches were getting closer, enough that Lenneth could make out the battling figures.

“We’re almost there!” A female elf cried out, sounding relieved.

“Somajdra, don’t celebrate just yet!” admonished another elf.

“He’s right, anything could still happen.” The sword carrying elf grunted as his swing took off the heads of two ghouls simultaneously. Fortunately for her side, nothing befell Lenneth or any of the remaining elves, the group charging into torch lit area of the battlefield. Some of the ghouls gave chase, but the zombies shied away from the light. They quickly disappeared back into the grass, waiting to ambush any one foolish enough to stray away from the lights.

There was a Valkyrie fighting with a group of einherjar. Her long blonde hair held streaks of blood from her enemies in it. She turned just enough for Lenneth to catch sight of her face, and then was gasping out her name. “Alicia!”

The Valkyrie Alicia impaled a vampire on her sword’s thrust, then did her own gasp of surprise. “Lenneth?” She seemed to blink in disbelief, even as she let her sword clang with another vampire’s blade. “Why are you here!? Where is…” She trailed off, not wanting to alert the vampires to what Lenneth’s true mission had been.

“He’s taken her!” Lenneth said, dispatching a vampire with her own sword. The Elven archers were firing one arrow after another, though the vampires teleported too fast to be pierced by them. “Brahms has Silmeria!”

“No!” That wasn’t only Alicia, but the einherjar who cried out in protest. They began to fight even more viciously, as though taking out their anger on the fiends before them.

“I must speak with Odin at once.” Lenneth was drawing closer to Alicia, who nodded.

“Of course.” She continued to fight, but her voice was shouting out an order. “Clear a path for the Valkyrie Lenneth and her escort! Let everyone know of her need, and the reason behind it!”

Already voices were echoing the orders, along with the news that Silmeria had been taken by Brahms. The word would travel all along the battlefield, both the Asgardians and the Undead learning of the vampire’s victory. The news would even reach the ears of Lenneth’s older sister Hrist, the black haired Valkyrie begginning her own fight to reach Odin’s castle.

Little by little, the einherjar and Valkyries opened a path for Lenneth and the elves to travel. By the time they reached Odin’s castle, the sun was cresting over the canyons. The vampires quickly teleported to their hidey holes, leaving only the ghouls and other sun tolerant undead behind to do battle. Without the vampires to help them, the remaining undead was easy work for a determined Valkyrie and her companions.

But there was little time for Lenneth to rest, the Valkyrie dismounting from her exhausted horse. A Valkyrie was there to greet the elves, her einherjar quick to tend to the thirsty and tired horses they had rode on. The elves would be offered rooms and refreshments, along with new quivers of arrows to replace the ones they had spent on the battle field.

Lenneth rushed up the cliff side’s path, running as though she was part of the wind itself. Odin’s castle, Valhalla, was in sight, armor suited einherjar already pulling open the great doors long before she reached them. She didn’t even stop, save to nod her thanks to the einerhjar, rushing past them and startled Asgardians who had not yet gotten word of her return.

As she neared the great throne room, Lenneth slowed to a more respectable walk. She caught sight of herself in the reflective bronze of the walls, seeing how covered in blood and gore she was. She hardly had time to clean up and make herself presentable before speaking with Odin, not caring what he would have to say about her getting blood on his expensive carpets.

There were more guards on the doors that led into the throne room. These hesitated upon seeing Lenneth’s disheveled state. But she fixed them with her best glare, a commanding voice ordering them to admit her into the throne room. The guards would exchange doubtful glances, before squaring their shoulders and opening the doors. Lenneth swept by them, head held high as she prepared to meet with Odin.

Freya was present, the green clad Goddess standing on the throne’s dais with Lord Odin. It was the Goddess who first acknowledge Lenneth, eyes going wide as she watched her approach the throne. “Lenneth! What has happened? Why are you here?!”

Lenneth reached the foot of the dais’ steps, and dropped to one knee. Head bowed in respect, she kept her eyes lowered as she talked. “There are many regretful things I must tell you, my Lord and Lady.”

“What is it Lenneth?” Odin asked, leaning forward in his seat. “Why are you here and not with Silmeria?”

Lenneth exhaled slowly, that deep breath buying her a few precious seconds of delay. “I won’t beat around the bush. I’ll tell you straight out. Silmeria has been taken. Lord Brahms knew of our plans, and laid in wait for my sister.” Freya gasped out a horrified no, and something like a growl escaped Odin. “The entire escort party was slaughtered, including the Valkyries that accompanied me and my sister.”

Odin gave no reply, nor a word to let Lenneth know she could stand. She continued to stay in that respectful kneel, eyes lowered to the floor until she received permission to do otherwise. “There’s more…”

“More?!” exclaimed Freya. “I shudder to think what else there could be!!”

“Brahms…he…he’s fed on Silmeria.” Lenneth fought not to grimace at the memory those words conjured. “But what’s worse, he forced her to drink of him. He’s made her into one of them…said she was to be his bride…”

Silence at those words, lasting long enough that Lenneth almost risked looking upwards. She tried not to fidget in place, waiting for something, anyone to break the silence.

“Lenneth….this is terrible news you bring me.” Odin said at last. She nodded in response. “I don’t know yet what will be the repercussions of Brahms’ act. Never has a Valkyrie been turned into a vampire before. I know not what chaos this will cause, only that this is an unforgivable act.”

“Yes.” Agreed Lenneth. “We have to work fast, my Lord. We have to move to retrieve Silmeria, to save her soul before she feeds for the first time. I am prepared to go and lead the einherjar to the vampire’s castle…just give my your permission and I will do this at once.”

More silence, Odin letting out a heavy breath. “I don’t think this is a task that is suitable for you.”

“My Lord?”

“Tell me, my Valkryie. What happened? Why did the vampire lord allow you to survive what was other wise a massacre?” Odin question.

Lenneth felt humiliation burn in her cheeks, the Valkyrie glad her head was lowered. “He let me go.”

“Let you go?” Freya sounded disbelieving of this.

“It was a favor to my sister Silmeria.” Lenneth quickly explained. “He said it would upset her if he allowed me to be killed.”

“Really now…how…odd.” She heard the rustle of fabric, Odin rising from his seat. “And you what? Just turned tail and ran?”

Lenneth gasped at that, so upset she looked up at the approaching God. “I would never abandon my sister to the likes of him!” She hissed, not caring if her tone was disrespectful. “I fought Brahms. Fought him in an attempt to gain back my sister, even knowing the only comfort I could give her was to end her life! It was not through any act of mine that prevented me from following after the vampire lord and his undead minions.”

“Are you saying he rendered you incapable of following him?” demanded Odin.

“Yes.” Lenneth nodded. “He knocked me out with a mighty blow. I might still be unconscious if not for the elf, Rosselier’s healing magics.” She fixed Odin with an earnest look. “I wanted to go after him, but knew I was ill equipped on my own. I need reinforcements…need warriors and supplies to make the long journey to the vampire’s castle. I am here to ask you for those things.”

“You expect me to entrust more Valkyries and warriors to you?” She nodded again at that. “After you allowed the last group under your guidance to be so ruthlessly slaughtered?!” Lenneth paled at Odin’s words, her mouth dropping open.

“I…I did not…”

“How many of my Valkyrie did you take with you?” He demanded. “How many died, dined upon by the vampires? Vampires who even now must be flush with their divine blood, and fight on the battlefield, taking more lives?!”

“It was three….Lenneth was accompanied by three Valkyrie.” Freya murmured, and Odin’s glare became more pronounced.

“Three!? Three Valkyries lost to us on what was to be a relatively easy transport mission.”

“With all due respect my Lord, it was never considered an easy mission. My sister Hrist put much on the line to distract the undead from Silmeria’s escort.” Lenneth retorted. “If not for Brahms’ spy network, we might never have gotten into an ambush…”

“I do not want your excuses, nor your what ifs….” Odin grumbled. “You come before me with facts, and the fact is your entourage was lost, Silmeria taken and turned into one of those abominations! Valkyrie blood was spilled, those monsters fed upon them! This incident was an unmitigated disaster of the worst kind, and you were unable to do anything to stop it!”

“Lord Odin, might you be being too rough on Lenneth?” Freya asked. “I’m sure she did all she could do given the situation…”

“And her best was not enough!” roared Odin. Lenneth and Freya both seemed to flinch from his shout, Odin staring down at the Valkyrie. “I can forgive the loss of the einherjar, but what happened to the other Valkyries and Silmeria is unforgivable!”

“My Lord…I will accept whatever punishment you deem fitting for one such as me.” Lenneth told him, allowing her face to be blank of all emotions.

“And punish you I shall.” Odin told her, then turned to Freya. “Go. Fetch me my potions.”

“Potions?!” Freya gasped, and shook her head. “Isn’t that too extreme a punishment for this?”

“Lenneth failed me.” Odin hissed. “But not just me, but her sister and the Valkyries under her lead.” Lenneth flinched at his words, but knew them to be true. “An example must be made of her. To show what will happen to any other Valkyries who fail me in such a manner. Now go Freya, do what I command of you.”

“Yes Lord Odin.” Freya’s shoulders sagged, and she gave Lenneth an apologetic look before leaving the room.

“My Lord…if i may…” Lenneth risked speaking to him once more. “What exactly is my punishment to be?”

A grim smile was given her, Lenneth feeling chilled to see it. “What is the fate of all Valkyries who must be retired from the battlefield?” Her eyes widened, Lenneth gasping out a no. She almost rose off her feet in protest, and only Odin’s hand suddenly on her shoulder kept her kneeling. “Yes, Lenneth, you will be Valkyrie no more. You will undergo the customary ritual…”

“N….no….” The floor felt like it had dropped out from beneath her, Lenneth shaking her head no.

“Yes. You will enter the enchanted sleep.” Odin continued, his hand still pressing down on her shoulder. “You’ll be doomed to sleep until kissed awake. And when you awaken, your heart will belong to a stranger.”

“I can still fight…” Lenneth began. “If you just give me one more chance….”

“I do not tolerate failure more than once in my Valkyries.” Odin said coldly, not looking up as Freya reentered the room. Lenneth didn’t turn to watch her approach with the vial of glowing pink potion, instead staring dully up at Odin. “You will devote your life to this stranger you love. You will bear his children and grow old with him.”

“You can force this sleep on me, but you cannot force me to love him.” Warned Lenneth.

“You are strong willed.” Noted Odin. “Maybe even strong enough to fight the effects of the potion. It will be interesting either way.”

“My Lord…” Freya stepped into Lenneth’s view, the hated pink potion in her hand.

“Drink this…” Odin took the potion from Freya’s hand, and brought it before Lenneth’s lips. She could smell it’s sickly sweet scent, and it made her want to gag. “Do not defy me on this Lenneth…”

“I do not seek to defy you, but the potions effects!” Lenneth retorted to Odin’s amusement. “Just…just promise me one thing!” Odin was already trying to tilt the potion into her mouth, Lenneth sputtering as she spoke. “Save my sister. Rescue her from the fate Brahms cast into her.” She choked on the liquid, the potion fast acting. Lenneth’s eyes were already drooping close, and she swore she heard a voice call out behind her. It sounded like her sister Hrist’s, but she lacked the strength to turn and see for sure.

She went out with not a scream but a whimper, collapsing to the floor still clad in her blood splattered armor. All Lenneth could think as she struggled to remain conscious was that the task of rescuing Silmeria would have to fall on some other Valkyrie’s shoulders.