Battle Through the Nine Realms - Epilogue (Patreon)

Nine men stood before him.  

Einar couldn’t help but smile as he watched them all standing there, looking more excited than he was.

Next to him, Bior held an axe and gave it to the newest pack leader.

“Osvif, come claim your axe.”

His lifelong friend moved to stand before him, and the boy he had known had changed and transformed into a warrior. His muscles and body looked like what Einar had envisioned a Viking should.  They smiled, and he gave his friend the axe, clasping his arms and then letting him return to his position.

One last axe remained, and Einar accepted it from Thorodd.

“Skardi, come claim your axe.”

The new giant of the group moved forward, now as tall as his father at seven feet and soon to probably be taller.  His chin had enough brown hair on it to be called a beard by all, not wanting to have to fight for calling it anything less.  

“You’ve been working out with the program I sent you,” Einar said with a smile. “I’m not certain I could beat you now.”

Skardi laughed, his massive frame that had to be at least 350 pounds of muscle moving with the force of it.

“You lie, and we both know it.  You’re twice the warrior I am, but soon, I hope to be close enough to glimpse Odin when you stand next to him.”

Extending his arm, they clasped hands, and he gave the boy who had definitely become a man his axe back.

Once he was in line, Einar motioned to Thorodd.

“Men, we are the pack that shall be feared in all the realms.  Tonight, we don’t celebrate as most might, because tomorrow, we ride for the elven realm! So go to bed early and be ready!”

Cheers came as each man raised their axe in the air.

“Einar! Einar! Einar!”

The chant went on for a moment, and finally, Thorodd raised his hand, and they settled.

As one, the pack turned and moved toward the building they would be sleeping in tonight.

Bior chuckled and put a hand on Einar’s shoulder. 

“You realize if I’m not here when you get back, it is because of what we have done?”

“If you’re not here when I return, do not fear. I will find you and bring you back.”

Snorting, Bior gave a squeeze and turned. 

“I have things to do, Pack Leader Einar Sibbison.  Bring me back treasure so that the kingdom may learn of your exploits and your renown may grow.”

“As you command, Jarl Bior,” Einar replied, even though the man was already departing.

Thorodd snorted and pointed in the direction of where the shieldmaidens were waiting a bit away.

“You have one last thing to do before we go.”

“Six months, Thorodd. I plan on having a second pack in six months.”

“Then we better not lose,” the large man replied, giving a slight nod of his head and turning.

“And don’t stay up late tonight.  Leader or not, it looks bad if you fall asleep in the saddle.”

Chuckling, Einar knew the man was right and went ahead, moving to where Avitue waited.

***

“I see now why I must wait six months.  You’re certain you shall be ready by then?”

“If I’m not back by then, something must have gone wrong, but do not fear. I will send for you the moment I get back.”

She nodded and smiled at the bag he had given her.

“They will appreciate their axes back even if not in the way they hoped.”

Laughing, Einar couldn’t help but imagine how bad having five shieldmaidens with eleven men at this stage might be.  Lots of rules and things needed to be in place, but soon it would happen.  

“You know I care about you,” Einar said as he reached out and stroked her cheek.”

“I think Jodis said you used those exact words the day you left the baths.”

His face went red, and Einar knew he lost that moment, so he couldn’t help but laugh.

“The lies you tell are obvious by how your lips curl.  Perhaps I will teach you how to lie better in the coming months.”

“I’m certain my father will look forward to me learning that skill.  Now kiss me so you can go, and they will be envious of what I have, and they do not.”

Winking, he did just that, drawing her close and letting their lips touch once more before half a year would pass.

“It’s a good thing you didn’t know how to kiss like that when we were young,” she said as they separated.

“Oh, I did, but I knew if I used it back then, I would never have been able to survive what your father would do.”

Avitue laughed and punched him before turning, taking the bag he had given her.

***

The sun was rising, and a slight breeze blew as the pack moved from the city, heading northeast toward where he knew a portal was that would take them to the realm of Alfheim.

“Are you ready for this?” Thorodd asked, glancing back at the carts and others who were coming on this trip.

“I’ve been preparing for this moment since the day I turned thirteen.”