BTtNR - Book 3 - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

The morning after the war council, Einar woke early and made his way to Mystic Fotgror's workshop. The ancient dwarf had promised magical support for the mission, and Einar wanted to understand exactly what they'd be working with.

The workshop was located deep within Kvellholl, accessible through a series of passages that wound past the main forges. Einar could hear the constant ring of hammers on metal, the roar of furnaces, and the occasional shout of a smith calling for assistance. The smelting ceremony had energized the entire crafting district, and it showed in the increased activity.

Fotgror's door was marked with glowing runes that shifted and changed as Einar approached. The mystic must have sensed his presence because the door swung open before he could knock.

"Einar Sibbison," Fotgror said, his silver eyes gleaming in the dim light of the workshop. "Right on time. Come in, come in. We have much to discuss."

The interior of the workshop was organized chaos. Tables covered with runestones, crystals, and magical implements lined the walls. Shelves held books and scrolls in languages Einar couldn't read. And in the center of the room, a workbench held several items that glowed with magical energy.

"For your mission against the Karg-kin," Fotgror said, gesturing to the workbench. "I've prepared what I can in the time given. It's not as much as I'd like, but it should prove useful."

He picked up a pair of small stones, each carved with intricate runes. "Communication runes. Linked pairs. You keep one, give the other to whoever leads your second team. Speak into it, and they'll hear you. Range of about five miles, maybe more if the terrain cooperates."

"That's perfect for coordinating between the den assault and caravan escort," Einar said, taking the stones carefully. They were warm to the touch, thrumming with barely contained power.

"Next," Fotgror continued, moving to a cluster of larger stones. "Ward stones. Plant these around a defensive position, and they'll create a barrier that slows enemies trying to cross. It won't stop a determined Karg-kin, but it'll buy you precious seconds. I've made six, three for each team."

"How do they activate?" Einar asked.

"Press the central rune and say the word 'hold' in your language. They'll glow red when active and last for about thirty minutes before the magic depletes."

Einar examined the ward stones, already thinking about how to position them at the den entrance or around the caravan. "What else?"

The mystic's expression became more serious. "This is experimental, so I can't guarantee it will work." He held up a small vial filled with silvery liquid. "Troll's bane. It disrupts regeneration for a short time. Coat your weapons with this before engaging the Karg-kin, and their healing will be significantly reduced. Won't stop it entirely, but it levels the field."

"How much do you have?" Einar asked, hope rising.

"Enough for twenty weapons, maybe twenty-five if you're conservative with application. The effect lasts about an hour, then you'd need to reapply." Fotgror set the vial down carefully. "I'm working on making more, but the ingredients are rare. This is what I can provide before you depart."

"It's more than we had before," Einar said. "Thank you, Mystic Fotgror. This could make the difference."

The ancient dwarf waved a hand dismissively. "Thank me by succeeding. These Karg-kin threaten my people's trade routes. Remove that threat, and we're even."

Einar gathered the magical items carefully, storing them in a pack that Fotgror provided. As he turned to leave, the mystic spoke again.

"Einar. Be careful with the leader. A fifteen-foot Karg-kin that's intelligent enough to organize others... that's not natural. Something or someone made it that way. Which means it might have abilities beyond normal hybrid creatures."

"What kind of abilities?" Einar asked.

"I don't know," Fotgror admitted. "But in my experience, anything that breaks the normal rules usually has more surprises waiting. Don't assume you know all its capabilities just from observation."

Einar nodded, filing that warning away. "I'll be careful."

***

The rest of the day was spent in preparation. Einar gathered his pack leaders for a detailed review of their equipment.

Osvif had his notes spread across the table, tracking every piece of equipment they had and what they still needed. "We lost significant gear in the mines," he said. "But Bartia's been helping arrange trades. Here's what we have so far."

He ran through the list, noting weapons that had been replaced, armor that had been repaired, and supplies that had been restocked. The dwarven smiths had been generous, understanding that the Vikings were about to risk their lives for dwarven trade routes.

"What about specialized weapons for Karg-kin?" Vidar asked. "They're part troll, which means regeneration. We need something that can overcome that."

Einar pulled out the vial Fotgror had given him. "Troll's bane. Disrupts their healing for about an hour. We have enough for twenty to twenty-five weapons."

"That's perfect for the den assault team," Thorodd said. "We coat our weapons, hit them hard and fast before they can recover."

"Fire would work too," Skardi suggested. "Trolls hate fire."

"Fire in a cave is too risky," Avitue countered. "Smoke, limited air, the whole den could become a death trap for us as much as them. Only Einar and Ragna have the real ability to create flames from their wyrd. They can use that at least."

“Hey what about me?” Osvif asked. “I can summon fire as well with my wyrd.”

“But you’re not going to be at the cave,” Avitue replied. “So why would I mention you.”

"She’s right,” Einar said, stopping the teasing and joking that was about to start. “Then we stick with the troll's bane and heavy piercing weapons. Things that can punch through thick hides and reach vital organs. Axes, war hammers, short swords for close work."

The discussion shifted to team compositions. Einar would lead the den assault with twenty warriors, including Thorodd, Skardi, Avitue, and Bartia if the dwarf chose to join them. Stefi had already committed, bringing her tracking skills and knowledge of Karg-kin behavior.

Jepi would command the caravan escort with twelve warriors, supported by Vidar, Hogni, and Varanda. Their job was to move the caravan through the Shadowpath while the den assault kept the Karg-kin occupied.

"Timing is critical," Thorodd said. "If we hit the den too early, they might send runners to warn others. Too late, and the caravan might get ambushed anyway."

"We strike at dawn," Einar decided. "The caravan enters the canyon at midday. That gives us six hours to clear the den and secure the area before the caravan reaches the danger zone."

"And if we don't clear it in six hours?" Jepi asked.

"Then you turn the caravan around and we regroup," Einar replied. "I'll use the communication rune to update you on progress. If things go wrong, you'll know immediately."

Osvif was calculating supplies needed for both teams. "The caravan group will be lighter on combat power but more mobile. Den assault team will be heavier on weapons but slower."

"That's the trade-off," Einar agreed. "We need an overwhelming force for the den. The caravan just needs to survive long enough to retreat if necessary."

"What about the ward stones Fotgror mentioned?" Avitue asked.

Einar showed them the magical stones. "Three for each team. Plant them around a defensive position, and they create a barrier that slows enemies. Won't stop a Karg-kin, but it'll buy us seconds."

"Seconds matter," Thorodd said. "Especially against something that can regenerate."

The planning session continued for hours, going over every detail they could think of. Approach routes to the den. Defensive positions for the caravan. Signals for emergency retreat. Contingencies for if the Karg-kin leader proved more dangerous than anticipated.

By the time they finished, Einar's head was spinning with details, but he felt more confident. They had a solid plan, good equipment, and magical support. Now they just needed to execute.

***

The second day of preparation focused on practice. Einar gathered the den assault team in one of Kvellholl's training yards and set them to work on close-quarters combat drills.

"In the den, you won't have room to swing properly," he explained, demonstrating with one of his axes. "Everything will be shortened strikes, close work, fighting in spaces where a Karg-kin's size becomes a disadvantage rather than an advantage."

Skardi paired off with Thorodd, the two large Vikings practicing how to fight in confined spaces without hitting each other. Avitue worked with her shield maidens on formations that could be maintained even in narrow tunnels.

Bartia appeared midway through the morning, confirming that she'd join the den assault. "Stefi's coming too," the dwarf said. "We know the terrain and we know Karg-kin. You'll need that expertise."

"Glad to have you both," Einar replied.

The dwarf watched the Vikings train for a moment, then spoke quietly. "You know this is going to cost lives, right? Even with all this preparation, some of your warriors won't walk out of that den."

"I know," Einar said. "But we can bring them back. The dwarves can't. That's why we're doing this instead of your people."

"Doesn't make their deaths hurt less," Bartia replied. "Resurrection or not."

"No," Einar agreed. "It doesn't."

They trained through the afternoon, stopping only when exhaustion forced them to rest. Einar watched his warriors, seeing the determination in their faces mixing with the natural fear that came before any battle. They knew what was coming, and they were preparing as best they could.

That evening, Ragna approached with a collection of healing potions and supplies. "For both teams," she explained. "I can't go with either group, but I can make sure you have what you need to handle injuries in the field."

"You're not coming?" Einar asked, surprised.

"Someone needs to stay with Thorve and manage resurrections if things go wrong," Ragna replied. "We've discussed it. If you lose warriors in the den, you'll need immediate resurrection support to get them back in the fight. My ability to summon flames would be nice but in an enclosed environment, you’d be forced to protect me and I’d have to make sure not to damage anyone on our side."

It made tactical sense, even if Einar would have preferred having another mage in the field. "Thank you, Ragna."

"Just don't make them resurrect everyone," he said with a slight smile. "Remember that death isn’t the only solution."

***

The third morning arrived with nervous energy moving through the warband. Warriors checked their gear one final time, and practiced coating weapons so that when the time came to do it with troll's bane, it could be fast and right. They also distributed the ward stones and communication runes.

Einar stood before the assembled teams, looking at the thirty-two warriors who would split into two groups for this mission. Some faces were familiar from countless battles. Others were newer, warriors who'd joined the pack more recently. But all of them shared the same determination.

"Today we prove that Vikings can do what dwarven tactics couldn't," he said, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "We're going to clear a den of intelligent hybrid creatures and secure a trade route that's been closed for months. Some of you will fight in a cave. Others will guard a caravan. Both jobs matter equally."

He gestured to Jepi. "The caravan team's job is survival and mobility. If things go wrong, you retreat. We don’t need heroes or last stands. You live to fight another day."

Then he looked at his den assault team. "Our job is elimination. We go in hard, we go in fast, and we don't stop until every Karg-kin is dead. The troll's bane will give us an edge, but don't rely on it completely. These creatures are smart and strong. Respect that."

Thorodd stepped forward, holding up one of the communication runes. "I'll have the matching pair. If either team needs support or circumstances change, we'll be notified immediately. Trust the plan, but be ready to adapt."

"Remember," Avitue added, "we've fought giants, trolls, and goblins. We've killed hundreds and we’ve also died and been brought back. These Karg-kin are dangerous, but they're not invincible. We've faced worse."

"Have we though?" someone called out, and nervous laughter rippled through the group.

"Probably not," Skardi admitted. "But that's never stopped us before."

More laughter, and some of the tension eased. These were Vikings, after all. They thrived on impossible odds and suicidal missions. This was just another day in the nine realms.

Einar raised his voice one final time. "Den assault team, we move out in one hour. Caravan team, you depart at midday. May the gods watch over us all, and may we return with our shields or on them."

The traditional warrior's prayer was met with a chorus of affirmation. Then the groups dispersed to make their final preparations, and Einar was left standing in the courtyard with his pack leaders.

"This is it," Thorodd said quietly. "No more planning. No more preparation. Just execution."

"We're ready," Avitue replied, her hand resting on the head of her axe. "As ready as we can be."

"Then let's go show these Karg-kin what Vikings are made of," Einar said, and despite everything, he felt a smile form his lips.

They had three days to prepare, and those days were done. Now came the moment when all that preparation would be tested against the reality of combat, of blood and death and the desperate hope that they were good enough to survive.

The Shadowpath was waiting, and so were the Karg-kin who thought they owned it. By sunset, one way or another, that would change.