Shield Maiden Read online

  Chapter Fifteen - Anna uses the Horn

  “First things first,” Hild said, struggling without success to free herself. “How do we get out of these ropes?”

  “Yes,” said Lar. “I thought you dwarves were strong. Can’t you break the rope?” he asked Gurthrunn.

  The dwarf shrugged and tried, grunting with effort, but finally shaking his head. “The bonds are too tight around my wrists - I cannot move them.”

  “What about you Wilburh,” Anna asked. “Surely there is a spell to untie knots or burn rope?”

  The dark-haired boy shook his head. “I could burn the rope, certainly, but in order to focus the elements I need to move my hands in a certain way as I speak the words.”

  “So you are saying that in order to get yourself free so you can move your hands, you first must be able to move your hands?” Lar asked drily.

  Wilburh nodded.

  “Can’t you just have a go?”

  “Yes, but if I do not get it right I could burn down the hut or set someone alight.”

  “Ah,” Lar’s eyes widened. “On second thoughts, let’s not do that. Next plan anyone?”

  “Do not panic. I have everything under control,” Ellette said. “They stared at her and saw that she held out her hands in front of her, free of the rope and was wriggling her fingers at them.

  “She’s done it again!” Hild gasped. “How do you do that?”

  “There are advantages to being little you know.” Ellette looked smug as she turned away from them and climbed onto a barrel, reaching up for the large broad-bladed seax that hung from a hook on the wall and was normally used to cut meat into joints. Clambering back to the floor, the little girl crossed to Gurthrunn and used the sharp edge to release first him and then the others.

  “Look for something to use for weapons,” Anna ordered as soon as they were free. They searched the storeroom and found three knives, an axe for chopping wood, a hunting bow, several dozen arrows and a sling.

  “Lar is the best shot with the bow so let him have that. Hild can have the sling,” Ellette suggested, again looking smug. “I still have my sling. I had it hidden in my pouch and they didn’t bother to look.” She pulled the small leather weapon out and showed it to them along with a handful of pebbles.

  “Agreed,” Anna said, “and Gurthrunn would be best with the axe as he is the strongest. That is ...” she turned to the dwarf, “are you all right? Meccus gave you a fearful battering.”

  Gurthrunn nodded. “Unlike you humans, we dwarves heal very quickly.”

  “Good. Then I will take the seax. Hild, you and Ellette can have a knife each, you too Lar.”

  “So we are all armed,” Lar said, testing the bowstring and squinting down the length of the arrows before pushing them through his belt. “Well ... armed as best as we are able. What now? Do you blow the horn?”

  Anna shook her head. “Not in here. If an army arrives I don’t think many will fit in here do you? No, we break the door down and I get outside and then sound the horn and pray to the gods that help comes swiftly. Then we must reach Kendra and get that necklace off her. Without it the villagers will not follow her.”

  “There are still the svartálfar to contend with and Kendra herself. Valkyries are fearsome warriors,” Gurthrunn said. “But your plan is as good as any other I can think of. Remember, though, that once we are through the door, speed is the key. We must reach Kendra before she can recall the villagers, regardless of what help does or does not come when you sound the horn.”

  Anna nodded.

  “Ready then?” Gurthrunn asked, hefting the axe in one hand and gauging its weight.

  “Yes ... I suppose so. Break the door down,” Anna ordered.

  Gurthrunn planted himself in front of the door and balancing his weight evenly on both feet, he swung the axe back and forth a few times. Then he gave one almighty heave. The blade came down and crashed into the timber planks of the storeroom door. The blow smashed the axe head right through it, and as the dwarf pulled back on it a big chunk of wood came away.

  “Again!” Anna urged him, but Gurthrunn was already launching another attack. This one brought away a whole plank. The dwarf reached forward and heaved at the next one. After a moment’s grunting and puffing, the plank gave way with a loud crack. The hole was now wide enough for the children to squeeze through. Anna led the way, seax in one hand and horn ready in the other. Lar came next and stood beside her as he notched an arrow onto his bow. The others followed, and finally Gurthrunn burst through, sending splinters of wood flying in all directions.

  They stood for a moment, listening. It seemed impossible that no one had heard the racket as they smashed their way out, but at first it seemed so, for there was no immediate sign of life in the village.

  “That’s odd,” Lar commented.

  “I think Kendra has sent everyone after Raedann,” Anna suggested. “I hope he can run fast. I ...” but her voice trailed off because they had all heard a cackle and screech from around the front of the headman’s hall. A moment later, several more voices joined in: high-pitched, taunting voices and most definitely not human.

  “Svartálfar!” Gurthrunn exclaimed. “Get ready.”

  As best as they could, they each prepared for the onslaught. Gurthrunn had the small axe in one hand and in the other he held part of a splintered plank of wood. Used as a club it could give someone a nasty blow and might parry blades and spears, a little like a shield. Lar had an arrow aimed at the corner of the hall. Ellette was swinging a stone in her sling. Wilburh was muttering under his breath, his fingers twitching in preparation for some magical spell. Hild had her knife ready, but she and the others knew she was of little use with it. At her waist was her pouch of herbs and healing salves. Anna hoped nobody would need them, but it was good to know that Hild was there if they did. Holding up the seax in one hand, with the other Anna raised the horn to her lips.

  “Not yet,” the voice sounded in her head.

  “But they are coming!”

  “I work best when the foe is upon you.”

  Anna frowned and looked down at the horn. “You are only saying that because you like people to see how powerful you are. You are a show off!”

  “I would not have put it quite that way,” the horn said, sounding a little hurt.

  “Sorry,” Anna apologised. But the horn said no more because at that moment fifty of the svartálfar burst into view around the corner, spotted Gurthrunn and the children and screeching triumphantly, charged towards them.

  “Now!” the horn shouted.

  Anna took a deep breath, brought the horn up to her lips, waited a fraction of a second and then blew.

  Just as before, the sound began deep under their feet, rather like distant thunder at first, but then rolling closer and closer until it reached a deafening crescendo, which shook the very buildings around them and vibrated through the iron of the weapons in their hands. The svartálfar halted in the middle of their charge and cried out in terror, falling to their knees and dropping their weapons to clamp their hands tightly around their eyes and ears.

  Anna, her ears ringing, felt the horn’s regret as the sound died away and silence fell upon them all. For a moment afterwards no one moved. Then one by one the dark elves peeked out from between their fingers, took their hands away from their faces and retrieving their weapons, climbed back onto their feet. The creatures looked at each other with relief then turned to glare with murderous intent at Anna and her friends.

  “What happened?” Ellette asked. “Is it broken?”

  “Well are you?” Anna asked the horn as she took it away from her mouth and gave it a little shake.

  “Please don’t do that! I am not broken. You must have patience.” the horn answered. “Give it a short while and an answer will come.”

  In front of them the svartálfar were moving slowly forward, still cautious it seemed. Then one of the dark elves raised his knife in the air, gave out a cry and charged, quickly followed
by the others.

  “We don’t have a short while, horn!” Anna hissed, but the horn did not respond.

  “Get ready,” Gurthrunn said. “Here they come!”