Long had the men labored in the forest clearing the land for farming in the Spring. In the center of the clearing, an ancient pine tree stump stood defiant while its infant fellow trees lay fallen around it. So massive was the stump, twenty men with outstretched arms and holding hands could not encircle it. So old was the long dead tree, the remnants of its once easily dozens of feet high trunk had disappeared while the stump and protruding roots had turned to stone!
The Stump was sitting midway across the natural drainage channel for the land which made it perfect for farming. But since the stump was dead, it no longer functioned to siphon the mountain runoff and would cause flooding now that the other trees had been felled. While the rest of the settlement’s men were heading for home as the sun began to set, two men remained contemplating the best way to remove the stump.
Handirson and Engemir were fast friends these past five years. Engemir was one of the ten original Vanir who agreed to come and live here in the settlement as part of the wager lost by Ragmar ‘Oathbreaker’. Both were farmers and had growing young families. Handirson married one of the Vanir women while Engemir married an Aesir. As they stood before the stump, their discussion of how to remove it broke the quiet calm of the clearing.
“I don’t know Engemir, we’ve been hackin’ at this damned thing for five days now and barely broken off a few chunks!”
The Vanir farmer brushed sweaty blonde locks from his face and leaned on a bent and dulled axe then remarked, “Well, we’re not going to get that thing out of the ground using bronze axes that’s for sure!”
Handirson squatted down and looked at his bent axe and replied, “Damn! We’ll lose a whole day for clearing having to spend it down at the forge getting all the tools back into shape.”
Both men grunted in agreement and after a long moment Handirson inquired, “Hey, your people are forging Iron now. You think we can trade for some iron axe heads?”
Engemir blew hard through his bushy moustache in frustration and said, “Yeah, we could try. But Iron’s ten times more expensive than Bronze. Harvest isn’t until next month, ‘lambing season’ and sheep sheering season isn’t until a month after Winter breaks.”
Spitting a large gob towards the stump in frustration, Handirson acknowledged their predicament. “Shit. We already did the last trade before the Harvest Feast at the start of Summer. Best we could do is send word to Vanirland for them to bring the axe heads when they come for the Harvest Feast.”
Poking at the dirt Engermir wondered, “So what do we do in the meantime? We leave this stump here, come spring this good farmland will be a lake!”
Handirson gave another grunt in agreement and then said, “You got that Iron Knife on you?”
His Vanir cohort patted the valuable blade in his belt and said, “Right here. Why?”
Standing up the Aesir farmer replied, “I’ve got an idea. Let me see it a moment.”
Not sure what the man had in mind, Engermir trusted his friend and handed him the blade. Wiping the sweat from his freckled brow, the Aesir then placed a hand on the stoney cracked surface of the Stump resembling bark. Following the cracks, Handirson found what he was looking for.
“See? Right here, this crack runs up and down the stump! We get a wedge in it and hammer away until the whole thing splits down the middle.”
To emphasize his point, Handirson jammed the Iron Blade deep into the heart of the heart of the crack. Smiling, he pulled the blade free and turned to Engemir only to see his friend filled with terror!
“What?”
Turning back to where his friend frantically pointed, Handirson got his answer. A thick, dark red liquid began to pour from the place where the blade struck the Stump. Both men backed away aghast as the fluid looked an awful lot like...dead blood!
The fluid suddenly spewed forth from the crack similarly as blood from a beheaded ox. Drenched, the pair’s horror grew as a golden glow overtook the Stump and grew stronger as twilight claimed the setting sun. Fearstruck, the farmers turned tail and ran towards the path leading back to the settlement.
From deep underground burst tree roots blocking the way. Engemir leaped forward as a root tried to trip him and though he got clear, a smaller whip-like root struck his arm shattering the bone! As he screamed and stumbled, the Vanir looked back to see a screaming Handirson caught up in the stone-hard roots being dragged towards the Stump now aflame with golden light. Dragging himself to his feet and cradling his ruined arm, Engemir desperately ran to the settlement to get help.
****
Chunks of petrified wood fell from the crack in the stump and the liquid stopped flowing. From within the golden glow emanating from the much larger hole a shapely golden foot emerged. Gingerly, the foot reached toward the ground and an equally shapely leg was attached. Upon gaining firm purchase, the owner of the leg and foot emerged. A golden skinned, golden-haired female stood unsteady for a moment as her black opalescent eyes took in the surroundings. Looking at the ground a sudden bright smile flashed across her youthful looking visage. Turning towards the night sky, the being continued to smile at the wondrous sight until something disturbed her. Sharply turning back towards the Stump, the smile faded to a look of anguish!
With wobbly steps, the being moved forward to place a golden hand upon the now darkened stump. Looking at the long shattered and petrified tree, an immense wail of anguish exploded from the stricken female.
Falling to her knees the female cried, “So... long. Stars... changed. Life-Tree... dead. Everything... everyone... gone....”
It was the whimpering of the creature caught within the petrified tree roots which caught the luminescent being’s attention.
Rising, the being padded naked feet through dark broken soil to stand before what looked to be a potentially intelligent creature. Seeing it held secure by the roots, the being reached out to examine the strange and now obviously fearful beast. Unusual textures covered the creature. Upon closer inspection she recognized its form was similar to hers, but she soon realized it wore layers of animal and natural fibers as protection. Atop the head and covering the face was ‘hair’, though far darker and more coarse than that which crowned hers.
Yet, it was the creature’s... no, ‘being’s’ eyes which suggested there was intelligence behind them. Reaching out, the being placed her hand upon the head of the being and ‘gently’ probed it’s thoughts. However, the creature began to scream and writhe in distress at the barest of her efforts. Red fluid not unlike the sap which once flowed through the living Life-Tree began to ooze from its eye sockets, openings on the sides of the head and out of the mouth.
The being’s thoughts were chaotic and initially made little sense to her. Yet, as she pushed deeper into its mind the frenzied jumble of thoughts began to line up. Just as she reached the deepest portion of its memories, the fragile being expired. Unsure of what to make of the strange occurrence, the being nudged the creature several times but there was no response.
Unbelievably, all the life energy had faded and the surprisingly intelligent creature now drenched in the red fluid hung limp within the roots. Looking about, the being gathered the fading tendrils of sparkling life energy around it. The life energy coalesced and sat upon her hand as a glowing multifaceted crystal. The being then held the creature’s head up and as its lower jaw fell open, the being blew on the small crystal whereby it flew inside the creature.
Abruptly, the creature she now recognized from the withdrawn memories as a ‘Man’ snapped back to existence though not as energetically as before. The Being waved her hand and the roots gently placed the man on the ground and released him from their stony grasp. Using her voice again after so long was difficult but the Being queried, “Ha-han, dri-son... w-where a-are th-the o-oth, ers?”
The now barely animate man dully replied, “There are no others....”
Sorting through the man’s memories, the Being realized he knew nothing of her kind and the other creatures like him had no recollection of beings like her either. However, there were memories of one individual amongst his kind that may have the answers she was looking for.
Now more confident with using her voice the Being said, “Han-dri-son... take me... to M-mjar-ga.”
****
Little Fish eyed the bowl of Lamb Stew cautiously. There were no sheep in the Valley Realm and though the animals resembled a goat, this would be the first time he’d ever eaten the flesh of one. Also, the Aesir did not use the same herbs to flavor their food, nor did they use salt. So yet another potentially bland meal sat before him but that wasn’t his main concern. Everyone in the large wood and sod house watched expectantly as he held the bowl just below his chin. He looked to Mjarga’s adopted mother but saw no sign of whether she or the pain-in-the-ass ‘Fire-Haired’ girl cooked the evening meal.
He looked into the bowl once more and saw chunks of boiled lamb meat, white starchy vegetables called, ‘potatoes’ and the familiar yellow-orange carrot slices floating in a brownish liquid. A pungent odor came from the mixture from chopped green onions, but overall it smelled good to the young man. His empty stomach was rapidly winning the argument between caution and satisfaction.
Little Fish cut his eyes towards Mjarga and viewed her suspiciously as she said, “You better hurry up and eat. Company’s coming.”
Not sure as to what she meant Little Fish did know that just like him, Mjarga could see into the future. However, her divinations were far more precise and she had the annoying ability to comprehend that which had not yet come to pass. Without further prompting, Little Fish gave into to his stomach’s urging and drank from the bowl. All eyes inside the house and those outside looking in through every available opening followed the bowl’s trajectory to his mouth and back below chin. A hush fell over the house as the young man swallowed and sat in silence.
Little Fish was in a quandary. If it was Mjarga’s mother who cooked, then he had to acknowledge her efforts. If it was the pain-in-the-ass who cooked, then she would already know what he would say before he said it! Little Fish dared not pay Mjarga a compliment especially in front of the entire village. He couldn’t openly insult her in front of everyone either out of respect for her parents. With all that in mind, the young man went with a ‘third’ option.
“Hmm, that’s interesting.”
The assembled settlers all broke into speculative murmuring at Little Fish’s cryptic response. Right on cue, he saw Mjarga’s mother slyly grin and ‘Fire-Hair’s’ eyes narrow to slits. Before the young woman could say anything, Little Fish’s sharp ears heard the sound of someone running into the settlement with the ragged breathing of deathly fright! Quickly, he set down the bowl and went to see what the matter was.
Mjarga was right behind him snapping at his heels saying, “Don’t think you’ve won Demon! You will yet pay my cooking proper compliment!”
The young man knew she was probably right. But, any time he could thwart or out maneuver Mjarga was worth the effort! Despite her constant niggling, Little Fish noticed he ran at simple mortal speeds. Through the power of the Fishscale, he could have been on the other side of the massive peninsula containing the fjords in an instant. The young man found it curious he’d slowed down so Mjarga could keep up.
A ragged breathing and stumbling Engemir called out to the pair as he overtopped the path leading from the forest to the settlement.
“Mjarga! Little Fish! Anyone, help!”
Fish stepped forward to catch the man as he fell forward. The young man recoiled as he realized the Vanir was spattered in what looked to be blood. As Mjarga stepped forward Engemir snatched the young woman’s dress hem with frantic strength.
“The Stone Tree! It bled when Handrisson stuck in his blade... then it came to life!”
By now Utsgald ran up to them with many of the settlers following behind him. The Headman snapped, “The Stone Tree came to life you say? Has clearing the forest all day made you mad?” It was then Utsgald noticed the man’s clothes.
“Engemir, you’re covered in blood! Did you kill Handrisson?”
Before the frightened man could answer and suspicion of their Vanir neighbors could take hold, Mjarga gently grasped the man’s wrist and looked to her father. “He did not kill Handrisson Father. It is the blood of the Stone Tree upon him.”
Little Fish initially wanted to disbelieve, but he’d seen far too many otherworldly creatures and events for such a thing to cloud his mind. He looked upon Mjarga with sudden respect as her father and the settlers present had their suspicions removed. She then turned to him and those hazel eyes focused on his.
“Now you will see why I summoned you. You will not be able to leave until you help me... us!”
The young witch’s cryptic words did not have time to ignite Fish’s anger at the knowledge he’d been ‘summoned’. He saw the pale faces of settlers glow with golden light as if from the morning sun. Their eyes and mouths grew wide and he whipped his head around to see a blaze of golden light streaming through the nighttime forest.
Through the power of the Fishscale Necklace, Little Fish could feel an immensely powerful being drawing near! Quietly he said, “Mjarga, get everyone back.”
Looking to see the fire-haired girl was enraptured as her fellow settlers by the light Little Fish smacked her on the thigh and yelled, “Mjarga! Get them back!”
The sudden and heavy blow upon her leg snapped Mjarga out of her trance. She had seen this moment in her visions, but to see it for real.... Turning, she shoved her adopted father back towards the path breaking the light’s mesmerizing grip on him. As the light drew nearer, she and her father were able to get the now screaming settlers to flee back towards the settlement. As Utsgald started to run, he looked back to see Mjarga turning back towards Little Fish.
Seizing her roughly by the arm Utsgald yelled, “Are you mad? Leave the Demon to his work!”
With surprising strength, Mjarga wrenched her arm from Utsgald’s grasp and said, “I’m staying. He will need my help father. You go! It is not safe for you here."
The unflinching gaze of his daughter spoke volumes to Utsgald and he relented. “You be careful my daughter!”
Giving a rare smile, Mjarga nodded and ran back towards Little Fish. While wheeling about to make a mad dash back to the settlement Utsgald prayed, “God’s, give the Demon my daughter summoned the strength to protect us!”
To be continued....
© 2014 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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