The horses hooves pounding forward over the ancient path by the riverbed was a welcomed change for the Aesir Chief. Svengald son of Sljandir answered to that title and everyone in the Valley region knew him as such. However, there were only three of his people here and they were now the Mountain’s Guardians. When he and his men found their way from the sea to the Valley, the Chief never would have believed he would spend the past five years in the land where gods and men walked together! Beside the Chief rode his comrade in arms, the Valley Knight.
The Knight was the one real friend if not brother, Svengald had in this strange land. Together they went on adventures in which sagas were sung. It still amazed the Chief that with the Knight’s help, he'd become the founder of his people’s country generations before he was born! On that adventure, Svengald made a deal with the godly powers to save his men who got waylaid by slavers on their epic journey home. The price of seeing them safely back to the fjords of his homeland was; he could not set foot upon the land of his birth be it wet or dry and that he made no contact whatsoever with his beloved wife.
It was a terrible price to pay, but with the Priestess’ offer to those of his people who wanted to come to the Valley, there was a possibility one day he would see Dragon Ships on the horizon. In spite of occasional bouts of homesickness, the Chief had made a good life as the Elder Guardian. The Guardians had grown from a mere four souls who’d been condemned to guard the Mountain’s slumber, to more than twenty having dedicated their lives to the task. Surprisingly, there was always work to be done on the Great Mountain. Everything from loggers and miners to animal poachers were a constant threat towards awakening the Mountain God.
The Chief had his own longhouse just outside the main village and after a God challenged the people of the Valley to a night of drinking and storytelling, his longhouse had become the place where the people gathered to enjoy evenings telling stories and the news of the day. Even the people of the Surround would venture to his home to trade food, drink and stories. In many ways Svengald was more important now, than when he led his people.
Yet, without the love of his wife Ghilda it all seemed hollow. The last time he saw her, she sailed towards his beleaguered longship. To even wave to her would have broken the pact he’d accepted. Instead, he turned from her and dove into the sea ultimately returning to the Valley. Svengald wondered how his wife had taken him turning his back to her and their people. Unable to give any explanation, she couldn't have taken it well.
There was nothing the Chief could do about his wife or his people being so far away. In the meantime, he rode hard towards the Delta Boundary at the Priestess’ command. The reason why still puzzled him. Yelling to the Knight the Chief inquired for the uncounted time, “So the Priestess said she found me a ‘Water Spirit’?” Still facing ahead as his horse galloped headlong the Knight replied, “No... she said, ‘she may have found you one.’”
Svengald’s imagination ran faster than the horse beneath him over the prospect of a beautiful water spirit at his beck and call. He enjoyed the affections of a few women of the Valley over the years. But between duties on the Mountain and the prospect his wife may accompany the men on their return, the Chief could not engage in any permanent affairs. There was one thing that always bothered him. He simply could not stand by and let his comrade the Knight be the only man in the Valley to have bedded a Goddess!
In this land where the gods and other great powers often roamed, surely a man such as he could also woo so mighty a prize? Years ago, he fought such an entity disguised as one of Odin’s Shield Maidens. Unfortunately, that entity was revealed to be Death! Unknowing of his opponent’s true nature, he fully intended on taking the beautiful warrioress upon her defeat. Luckily, the Priestess intervened in what turned out to be a battle for both his life and afterlife! In passing as consolation, the Priestess offered him the possibility of an Earth or Water Spirit as potential paramour. It wouldn’t be a goddess, but to Svengald’s thinking that was close enough!
Pushing the horses as they were, it would be another full day and one half before they reached the Delta. Having gone by boat, the Priestess and his adopted nephew Little Fish would reach the Boundary half a day before they did. Until then, all the Chief could do was speculate. A sudden awful thought came to mind which distracted the Chief enough to unhorse him as the beast stumbled through a soft sandy section of the path. Recovering quickly Svengald heard the Knight yell, “You all right?” A curt nod seemed to set his comrade at ease as the Chief cursed himself for such inattention.
That awful thought wasn’t going away though. ‘It couldn’t be,’ thought the Chief. He was starting to get a bad feeling. Years ago on the quest with the Knight and Little Fish to find his lost men, Svengald encountered... her. He violently shook his head to clear away the thought of the two strange encounters with that watery entity. Aloud he denied the possibility of that creature finding him in this far-flung place. “No! It couldn’t possibly be... her....” As the Chief focused his concentration back on keeping pace with the Knight, he did his best to quell the growing feeling of dread.
****
The Delta Boundary sprawled around Little Fish in all directions. The massive wetland region truly was the boundary between the Valley lands and immense Sea. Here Land, River and Sea mingled in what was effectively ‘neutral territory’. When he was a boy, the Priestess brought him here many times to learn the proper use of the Fishscale Necklace. Here on the Delta was where his God Mother said ‘paths overlapped’. He always wondered what she meant by that.
Having left the boat behind for the Knight and Chief who were on the way, Little Fish followed his God Mother out over the mixed mud and sand marshland. Though the fishing and hunting was excellent here, only a few brave souls dared harvest the Delta’s riches. Herds of marsh antelope, black buffalo, lions and crocodiles were abundant here along with a variety of fresh and saltwater creatures. Like the Priestess, there was little here to give concern to Little Fish despite numerous dangerous creatures. The young man did keep a sharp eye out for though he need not fear the jaws, horns or claws of animals, there were plenty of dangers about.
For hours he followed behind his God Mother as they stalked through the thick elephant grass. In hand was her mighty weapon, the Great War Spear. Seeing the golden weapon brought a twinge of irritation to Little Fish. After an uncountable number of tries, he failed miserably just to lift the damn thing! Yet, his Blood Father the Valley Knight could not only lift it, but use the weapon effectively in battle! The only consolation to Little Fish’s ego was the Knight could not call upon the Spear’s unearthly powers.
The Priestess suddenly squat down amidst a patch of reeds at the water’s edge. Following her example, Little Fish got low and moved beside her to peer through the cover of reeds. Just beyond them lay a sandy expanse at low tide. At the far side of the expanse, the Sea rolled and crashed. Whispering the Priestess asked, “Notice anything odd?” Nodding Little Fish softly replied, “Absolutely. Why is the Sea so restless at low tide?” Without turning to him the Priestess said, “To divine the answer, you must look with more than mortal eyes.”
In the past to call upon the power of the Fishscale, Little Fish had to touch the necklace he wore. Now, the power was no different than any other part of his body or spirit. Merely thinking about it, the Fishscale flashed white for a moment and the young man’s eyes burned with white fire. Looking out over an area he’d seen many times, for the first time Little Fish saw the meaning of the Priestess’ description of the Delta Boundary. Where the Sea’s beginning lay an instant ago, now stood the rippling waves of what looked to be many places!
Stars wheeled above and between the crisscrossing waves, visions of shifting landscapes came into view then faded away. One vision did not fade and in the midst of it stood what looked to be a woman! Around her, ocean waves crashed against some unseen barrier with no apparent effect. Looking to his God Mother who’s eyes were also alight a surprised Little Fish asked, “Who the hell is that?” “Language,” snapped the Priestess to her adopted son. “Remember, here at the Delta all paths cross. The careless use of such a dangerous word in this place is folly.”
Sufficiently warned Little Fish asked, “Is she like you Priestess?” Focused on the being the Priestess replied, “No. She is something different.” His brows knitting, Little Fish then inquired, “Why can’t she pass through the barrier?” A long moment passed and the Priestess answered, “I won’t let her.” That didn’t surprise Little Fish. The Valley Region was under his God Mother’s protection and though there were numerous entities present, there were numerous more barred entry. For a time, even Death was kept away. On the other side of the Boundary, the woman was still but he could see her bringing significant power to bear.
“Does she know we are here?” The Priestess shook her head ‘no’ in answer to her son. Little Fish was curious as to why they still crouched behind the reeds, but continued to follow the Priestess’ example. “Is she dangerous?” The stern look on his God Mother’s face did not waiver as she replied, “No more or less than I am.” Somehow, that answer did not comfort the young man.
Once, the Knight scolded him after he’d spoken out of turn to his God Mother. His words of warning were, “Just because your God Mother loves you will not wash away the oceans of blood on her hands....” The Knight though mortal could be truly terrifying on his own. But the way he said those words cut through to bone! On the few occasions when he saw that stern look directed at him or others, a chill would roll up his spine. That chill was present now.
Now Little Fish was confused. “So, why did you bring me here and why are the Knight and Chief on their way?” Behind him, Little Fish heard the reeds move. It was the Valley Knight with the Aesir Chief in tow. The young man had to force down a wave of aggravation for even with the power of the Fishscale Necklace augmenting his senses, he still let the Knight sneak up on him! Looking over at his God Mother, Little Fish saw the stern look break as a grin crawled across her face. It was the same grin she always wore each time he’d lost the ‘Touch Game’ against the Valley Knight. Little Fish gave a long sigh and endeavored to not dwell on his unbroken number of defeats.
“Greetings Husband. Greetings Chief.” The whisper from the Priestess’ true voice was more like the warning touch of danger on the two men’s hackles. The Chief never could get used to seeing the goddess peering out from within the Priestess’ mortal form. He had only seen her godly form unfettered once when she stood firm against the wrath of the Mountain God and that was enough! How the Knight could not only bear up against such power, but sometimes command it escaped the Chief.
It was by the Priestess’ command he now crouched behind a stand of reeds here amidst the humid and sweltering Delta Boundary. Beyond the reeds far across the damp sandflats at low tide, the Chief watched ocean waves uncharacteristically batter the shore. “By the Mountain, what is that?” Quietly, his comrade the Valley Knight replied, “It damn sure is not waves at low tide.” The Chief had to agree, because the waves were beginning to take shape. Looking to the Priestess whose eyes glowed bright like the setting sun Chief Svengald asked in dismay, “Is that what I think it is?”
The Priestess stood with her head barely clearing the reeds. Looking down upon the Chief and her two mortal loves she replied, “Come Chief. You as well ‘Fish’.” The Knight started to rise but was gently stilled by his wife’s hand. “No Husband. You cannot assist me in this. It is too dangerous for you to go beyond this point.” The Knight trusting his wife’s wisdom on godly matters, knelt back down in the reeds to remain hidden.
Svengald rose to his feet but was visibly concerned. If where he was about to go was too dangerous for the Valley Knight.... The warm glow from the Priestess’ eyes fell upon him as she said, “Do not worry friend Svengald. You will be under the protection of young Fish.” Both the Chief and Little Fish’s eyes went wide at the Priestess’ declaration. Though his eyes burned white with the power of the Fishscale, the young man quickly voiced his concerns. “Me? How am I supposed to protect the Chief from whatever’s out there?”
Suddenly, Little Fish found himself doing his best not to wither beneath the stern stare of the Priestess. “You would travel the Dark Road without my protection or guidance. You will now learn to defend yourself and another in your charge from that which you will encounter on such journeys.” That was the difficult part about having a God Mother. When she commanded, there was nothing to do but obey. Little Fish looked to the Chief who he now could physically see eye to eye. Surprisingly, the Chief bowed his head slightly and said, “I am in your care.”
The Valley Knight watched as the Priestess held the Great War Spear as an elder would a walking staff. It then burst into blue-white light from the giant azure gem set into the long bladed spearhead. The spearhead was changed from gold in color to silver-white from the power emanating from the Jewel. Only once had the Knight seen his wife ignite the Spear and that was thousands of years ago when she turned the weapon on Qatula for killing him. Whoever or whatever lay beyond the Boundary was of sufficient power to have warranted his wife’s full attention. He only hoped Qatula fomented no great mischief by having his God Wife come to meet this entity.
To be continued....
© 2012 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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