The Lost Runes Saga [Epic Fantasy]

Halmstadt's lower city showed signs of the dragon assault. This time, however, it was not the poorest districts struggling with the most damage. The keep of Halmstadt was all but a ruin, with the top floors crushed under the weight of one massive dragon. Much of Nordstan, the wealthiest part of Vidar's home, had suffered under the flames.

"The large algiz-styrka rune combinations seem to have worked even better than we hoped," Alvarn said, gesturing toward one such rune formation. Men and women sat around it, panting and ashen-faced.

"Aye, they worked," Vidar agreed. "But their reach is lacking, and we didn't have time to craft enough of them." They walked past a smoldering building, proving his point.

"Better than nothing," Alvarn argued. "And many left for your underground shelter."

"Don't forget to descend and close the gate to the dragon skeleton," Vidar said. "Can't have people rummaging around down there, and we don't want the steward's men finding it either, or Rend will never forgive me."

"Haven't forgotten," Alvarn said, removing his glasses as they walked to give them a much needed polishing. "Just wish you'd come with me down there. Your explanation of the gate leaves much to be desired."

Vidar shrugged. "Didn't have time to give it a thorough examination. You're better at figuring out that sort of thing, anyway."

"Must you leave?" Alvarn asked, stopping and turning to face Vidar.

"Come on now," Vidar said, refusing to stop. They walked in silence for a moment before Vidar spoke again. "If we don't broker some sort of peace with the dragons, they'll destroy us. The styrka-bolts from the ballistae didn't do a thing against that massive bastard. Rend threw down that map for a reason. He wants me to follow. Or do you have a better idea?"

"No," Alvarn grumbled.

Vidar grinned. He knew he'd make his friend see reason. "There you have it!"

"Don't know how I'm supposed to keep all of Halmstadt safe," Alvarn said.

"You have connections in the rune scribes' guild. I'm sure they'll give you a hand."

"They tortured me, Vidar."

"Fair enough," Vidar said, wincing. "But now you can heal! Your heartwell is brimming with dragon's essence."

The mention of Alvarn's heartwell made the rune scribe's eyes glitter with excitement as he touched a hand to his chest. "It's beautiful."

As they approached the building, Fjodor, the leader of the now combined thief guild factions, designated as their headquarters, Alvarn broke the comfortable silence they'd been walking in. "When do you leave?"

"First thing tomorrow," Vidar said, feeling around his satchel. It needed a restocking of runes after the events of the last few days. "Preparations today, journey tomorrow."

They continued past several thieves slumped around a sizeable algiz rune. It covered most of the ground in front of the buildings. Styrka runes surrounded it. On those runic symbols, each of those men contributed their essence. The triggered styrka rune pulled essence from whatever living thing touched its circle. Joining lines between styrka and algiz then funneled that essence to create a barrier that anyone could power. From the smoldering, broken houses surrounding the building, they'd found use of the styrka-algiz runic construct during the dragon attack.

"Good thing they placed one right here," Alvarn said as they stepped into the headquarters.

The stench of burning wood filled Vidar's nose, but it was another smell beneath, one that sent his stomach churning with nausea. That of meat cooking over a flame. Telling himself it was an animal made it a little easier to keep what little food he'd eaten from coming back up.

Fjodor and his few gathered men inside the building looked ragged. Some wore signs of the fires, singed clothes and hair, and even burns. All sat with slumped shoulders, sharing the quiet.

"We live to see another day!" Vidar boomed, cutting through the suffocating silence. He looked around and frowned. "Where's Ida?"

"Ida and I had a little talk," Fjodor grunted.

Vidar stopped and swallowed hard, a chill running through him. "How did it go?"

"It did not go as I had hoped, I'm afraid."

"Where is she?" Vidar asked, steel in his voice.

"In a building near your house, Vidar. She withdrew her girls after we spoke. Fearing repercussions, I'd wager. We followed them but have held back on account of you."

"Me?"

Fjodor stood and coughed into his hand. Flecks of ash broke free from his hair and floated to the floor. "You are her friend. Make her see reason. Ida's youth makes her impulsive and headstrong. Poor qualities in a guild leader. They cannot operate within Halmstadt. Not anymore. Talk her into joining my guild as a lieutenant before she forces my hand."

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"I will talk with her, but she is not liable to listen to me, either."

"Make her listen," Fjodor said, eyeing his lieutenants, who still sat around. "My hands are tied in this matter."

"What of the rune scribes?" Alvarn asked, speaking for the first time since they entered the house.

Fjodor's gaze shifted, and he gave Alvarn a considering look. "What about them?"

"Have you released them?"

"No," Fjodor said. "There is still much work to be done. The dragons will return. Barriers must be erected and improved if we are going to stand a chance."

One lieutenant chuckled and looked up. "Did ye see the keep?" He slapped his hands together. "Like that! Boom! Crushed!"

Another one barked, "Bet the steward shit himself!"

"You can't keep a rune scribe against his will for long," Vidar said.

Fjodor gave him a warning look. "I know all about their capabilities and have taken the necessary precautions. I can hold any rune scribe for as long as I please."

Vidar glanced at Alvarn and saw his friend fuming. He grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room and through the front door.

"This will not stand," Alvarn said in a hushed whisper as they left the courtyard.

"It won't," Vidar promised.

"How are we going to free them?" Alvarn asked.

Vidar set them on the path back to Runes Aplenty, their rune shop, and shook his head, looking at the ground. "The students will be with Ida and Siv, I'm sure. Together with them, you'll find a way through this."

He clenched his jaw tight, struggling not to offer to stay. His friends needed him in Halmstadt, and it was where he belonged. But this was bigger than them, bigger than himself. His task stood clear before him. Vidar had to reach the dragons and broker a peace. A series of unfortunate events and a serious lack of skill on Rend's part made for a misunderstanding for the ages. That's all this was. A misunderstanding.

In the legends, humans and angels banded together to banish the dragons. Now, they'd need those same dragons to understand how humans meant them no harm. If they wanted to fight the shadows, Vidar wouldn't stand in their way. A dark threat loomed beyond the destructive force of the dragons. Shadows. With the angels long gone, fallen out of this realm, humanity would stand alone if Vidar failed in his mission.

"You can't stay," Alvarn said. Vidar looked up and saw his friend's kind eyes turned on him. "You must go."

"I wish I could stay," Vidar said. "But there's no one else who can do this. No one else I would trust."

Alvarn put a large hand on Vidar's shoulder, the lines of the styrka rune he'd burned into the back of his hand, red and angry. "I will keep Halmstadt standing until your return."

"I know you will," Vidar replied. "You need to keep an eye on the priests as well."

"The church of the fallen angels?" Alvarn asked.

Vidar nodded. "I found myself inside the belly of the church a while back, before all this began. They were using runic symbols in patterns of blood. I didn't understand what I was seeing back then, but now I'm sure of it. They are drawing essence from the poor souls inside, using it in their dark rituals. I don't know how or why, but they are connected to these shadows. I can feel it in my gut."

"That doesn't sound right to me, but I will keep my eye on them." Alvarn held up his hand, raising a finger to count each task. "Dragons. Shadows. Thieves. Rune scribes. Priests. That all? Or do you have more impossible tasks for me to handle?"

Vidar chuckled. "Don't forget the stone gate."

"Of course," Alvarn said. "The stone gate. Easy enough. Should give me plenty of time to work on my stakra rune experiments."

"I wouldn't mind another one of those soaring carts for my journey," Vidar said. "I don't think I'd enjoy walking all that way."

Alvarn guffawed. "Build another cart before you leave in the morning, of course. No worries. You showed me those stakra runes on the soles of your feet, remember? You madman, can't you just use them to launch yourself into the air like a bolt from a ballista?"

Vidar scratched his chin and pursed his lips, looking up into the sky and narrowing his eyes.

"I was kidding," Alvarn said. "Don't go getting yourself killed before you return."

"Alvarn—" Vidar began as he rounded a street corner, then he stopped and groaned at seeing what awaited them.

"Vidar! There you are! I was afraid we'd lost you in the attack!" Fredrik shouted, waving his hand over his head.

"Is that the?" Alvarn asked.

"Yes," Vidar grunted. "The rune scribes from Stalheim."

"Why did they bring so many guards?" Alvarn asked.

Soldiers and guardsmen filled most of the street. Guard Captain Andersen was there, and Vidar's eyes widened. "Jarl, as well. This won't end well," he muttered.

As they approached the front of their shop, looking around, he saw no signs of Ida, Siv, Erik, or any of the thieves or student scribes. Other onlookers emerged from buildings and shelters, though, and quite a few were shouting for food, asking what they were going to do about the dragons in the sky, or for kin that'd disappeared in the chaos.

"Let me do the talking," Vidar said.

Fredrik and Freja stood flanked by Jarl and Guard Captain Andersen.

"To what do I owe this marvelous pleasure?" Vidar asked. "Looking for a place to rent now that the keep is all but demolished?"

"What happened to the downed dragon?" Jarl asked, without preamble, ignoring Vidar's jab.

"What makes you think I'd know that?"

"Vidar," Jarl said, warning in his voice.

"Fine," Vidar said. "Didn't you see that gray, enormous dragon carrying the smaller one away in its claws?"

"Damn it," Jarl muttered. "We used too many styrka bolts in the ballistae, and we have been unable to retrieve them so far."

"Offer a bounty," Alvarn suggested, standing tall next to Vidar.

"A gold coin per bolt should do it," Vidar added.

Jarl frowned, put his chin in his hand, and nodded. "That might be a feasible solution. A silver coin per bolt."

He was about to speak again, but Fredrik spoke over him. "You should go in and pack your belongings, Vidar. We are leaving at first light."

Vidar blinked, his mouth hanging open. "What?"

"You gave us your word, remember? When we leave for Stalheim, you come with us. It was part of our agreement, was it not?"

"Yes," Vidar spluttered, "but—"

"I am not spending another moment in this forsaken city, if I can help it," Fredrik said. "The splendor and safety of Stalheim is where proper rune scribes belong." He turned his gaze on Alvarn. "You are welcome to join us as well, of course."

Alvarn and Vidar exchanged a glance, and Alvarn shook his head. "I will stay here."

Stalheim was far to the north. On the eastern shore, yes. But Sveland was long and narrow. Following the road toward Stalheim was Vidar's plan all along. Vidar nodded. "I'll come."

"See?" Fredrik said, turning to Jarl. "I told you he would see reason."

Fredrik gave Vidar a look that spoke volumes of just how reasonable he thought Vidar was. "I'm sure." He gestured toward Guard Captain Anderson, who called out an order to his guardsmen, and they withdrew, marching in three tight lines.

Freja clapped her hands and beamed. "Hooray! We are going to have so much fun!" She quieted and frowned, biting her lower lip. "Unless monsters eat us on the way."