The Accidental Archmage - Book Five Edmund Batara (classic children's novels .TXT) 📖

“That you do, unlike me. Let my misjudgments lie in the past; they exact their toll on me and mine already. And will continue to do so, unless the kindness of Fate intervenes.”

“Back then to Hedmark, what exactly do you expect me to do? Assist in its defense again?” asked Tyler, now stoically resigned to the new burden.

“I want you to lead the defense of the town. Asgard’s resources cannot attend to this new development; its defenses, thin as they already are, would be weakened further. Such a solution is not acceptable. Besides, a First Mage should never be subject to a mere jarl, or even a High King,” clarified the deity.

“That’s a tall order. I don’t have Jorund with me anymore. What do I know of defending a fortress against a siege? Though it could be possible they’d just flow around the obstacle. That’s what I’d do in their place. It’s not like Scarburg here. There’s no narrow gap,” he protested.

“This is a war of magic, Havard. Not a battle among the living. Have no doubt about their desire to take Hedmark. Our adversaries might retain their abilities and some of their memories—those who have been mortal men—but they’re driven by an insane hunger to kill and destroy all their enemies. Hedmark is a place of particular fascination for the leaders of that undead horde.”

“I’d bypass the fortress, if I were in their place,” came the doubting reply from Tyler again.

“Have you heard of a locust swarm? Its ravenous appetite? Uncounted multitudes of destructive insects?”

The mage nodded.

“They’re like that. The profane magical spell which animated them also provided the dominating control governing their actions. Any mage or deity of ability knows that when casting an enchantment of that magnitude, spanning various kinds of former living creatures, it would be best to keep the driving command simple,” explained Odin.

The deity noticed Tyler’s skeptical face. The lack of response from the mage was likewise telling. Odin merely sighed, shaking his head at the mortal’s reaction.

“A mage of little faith, not to mention his appalling lack of knowledge. I am the god of magic in the Nordic pantheon, Havard, aside from being its primary deity. I have sought to unravel the spell that roused the dead. The magical energy is of this world, of that, I have no doubt. But a strange and powerful barrier defied my efforts at rendering it ineffective.”

The guides were right. But I can’t tell this deity that bit of information.

“What barrier?” feigned the mage.

“A thin veneer of unfamiliar energy. I could see what’s beyond it, but it prevents me from untangling the threads of the spell.”

“Now that’s what I would call suspiciously bizarre. But consider me convinced, though you still haven’t answered my question about my obvious lack of experience in the nuances of warfare.”

“You’ve got the exile. He’s more experienced than Jorund ever was, and by way of answer to your next obvious query – no, I can’t tell you why. Or who he is. I feel the nuanced traces of another hand, more powerful than mine, in how you met. A wise deity knows when to keep his mouth shut, and let Fate weave the provident strands of the future,” grinned Odin.

“You haven’t changed,” the mage accused him.

“Thank me for that! Though I could say the years have mellowed my impetuous and selfish disposition,” said the deity with a serious expression and then burst into laughter.

“How many would we be facing this time?” asked Tyler, ignoring the deity’s laughter.

“That, my young mage, is something I can’t answer, even if I wanted to – too many mortals, fell beasts and other creatures have died in this region throughout the millennia. I even fought here once when Thor was beset by an incursion of incredible magnitude. Though at that time, I believe many were from Hellas, driven northward by a particularly successful campaign by the Greeks.”

“That many? More than Scarburg?”

“Unfortunately. Far, far more. Undead into the bargain too, though easier to kill with the head being the vulnerable part. But you’ll find a way, First Mage. Especially with what’s at stake now,” said Odin, who started to stand up.

“Don’t worry about the jarl. A Valkyrie told him to expect the four of you. He’ll turn over the defense to you. Herja told me she had never seen such a relieved face on a mortal.”

“Anyway, you could get us there faster? With what you just told me, there are preparations to make – it’s a town, after all,” said Tyler as he stood beside the deity.

“I was getting into that part. This way is the old road, only hunters and the occasional brave trader venture here. Most of this region’s settlements are served by a newer one on the far side of the plain, though both ways are protected by stone bastions guarding the approaches to Hedmark. I can’t bring you directly near Hedmark. There’s a particularly strong field covering the town and its surroundings which render magical passage impossible. But I can bring you to within a few hours walk of the redoubt.”

“That’s excellent. I have to admit I am still not used to walking far distances. This journey had been unbelievably taxing,” replied the mage.

“Do this for me, Havard, and I will find the means to bring you quickly to Fossegrim and Kemet. And then wherever you want to go,” offered Odin, looking directly at the mage.

“I would appreciate that very much, Gangari. You have changed. Usually, it’s the bait first, then the task,” observed Tyler.

***

The four appeared in a large wooded area bisected by the stone road. Only Tyndur was not affected by Odin’s sudden presence—or at least, he appeared to disregard the deity. There were no questions about the abrupt change of scenery. With the deity’s presence, everyone knew who made the transition possible. As the party looked around, they found they were the only ones on the road.

Tyler expected to see caravans of evacuating settlers and asked Habrok