Realitys plaything 2 nea.., p.60
Reality's Plaything 2: Neath Odin's Eye, page 60
The light of judgment shining down on Bannor winked out. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Millicent bowed to the advocate eternal. “Thank you, Lord Koass!”
Koass smiled and nodded. “Honor was served.”
The advocate for Odin stared at them features tight. She pointed at Millicent. “Don’t celebrate yet. It’s not over until the vote.”
She turned on her heel and stalked toward Odin’s gallery, black wings fluttering.
“Not a very graceful loser is she?” Koass observed.
“Odin has rubbed off on them,” Bannor said. He looked toward the All-father’s gallery. He could see the knot of threads that could only belong to Odin. Angry reds and violets pulsated from his aura. “I don’t think he’ll accept the judgment no matter how lenient it is.”
“I’m going to stay on hand for that eventuality,” Koass said. “I would prepare yourself for a rematch, Bannor.”
He was just starting to feel good, but Koass’ words made him freeze. “What?”
“You can feel the anger there, can’t you?” the eternal said, pointing to Odin’s gallery.
Bannor nodded.
“However wrongheaded it might be, he blames you,” Koass said in low voice. He narrowed glowing silver eyes. He raised an eyebrow. “Weed?”
He closed his eyes, feeling the skin on the back of his neck prickle. The eternal could read the threads that well? “Yes, according to him, the Ka’Amok are weeds in his garden.”
Koass made a humming sound and stroked his long braid. He looked back to Garn and Nethra. He said something in another language. The two eternals smiled. Garn laughed and made a fist and his huge knuckles made a cracking sound. The advocate eternal focused on Bannor again. “Go back to your gallery and rest a little. If you have to confront Odin, the odds will be even.”
“My thanks,” Bannor said, bowing to Koass. He clasped Millicent’s hand, then stepped off the dais. He needed Sarai’s embrace right now. As he headed back to the gallery, he glanced toward where he knew Odin was watching him and the angry radiations he detected there. Even? How could that be possible?
As he moved, he felt the attention of the whole judgment hall following him. The conversations in the public galleries were a confused din ringing in his ears. A couple of times things were shouted at him that he didn’t understand, the sources indistinct in that sea of faces and sparkling color.
Sarai, Laramis, Daena and Wren stepped down out of the gallery and walked toward him. He resisted the urge to run, knowing just how many powerful people were watching them. The last steps he took to reach his mate seemed to take forever. His hands were tingling for her touch by the time he could finally put his arms around her.
Bannor put his face into the curve of her neck a breathed her fruity scent. Her body where it pressed against his felt hot. “I missed you,” he breathed.
Sarai squeezed him. “As did I.” She pulled back and kissed him passionately, heedless of all the observers around them. “It’s almost over, my One.”
From the audience, a small cheer arose as well as some scandalous whistles. Sarai looked up, smiled and waved. Large crowds and attention didn’t seem to bother her in the slightest.
“It appears a fair bit of fortune has turned our way,” Laramis said.
“In a manner of speaking,” Bannor responded. “It just worked out that the eternals happen to have a use for some of us is all. Otherwise, I suspect they’d let us fend for ourselves.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Wren said, raising her voice to be heard over the crowd noise. “I saw Koass talking to you, did he say anything?”
“Just that they were helping us out because it served their needs.”
“Wonderful,” Daena grumbled. “What Nethra said about an inquiry didn’t leave me with exactly a warm and cozy feeling.”
“Well,” Bannor murmured. “I think serving their needs is better than being chased around by the pantheon lords for the rest of our lives. If nothing else, Koass is creature of honor, he won’t abuse us.”
“Don’t be so sure, my One,” Sarai responded. She brushed his cheek with the back of her hand, violet eyes shining. “My father is as honorable as they come. With such honorable men, if they feel the goal is important enough, our needs and wants are of no moment.” She sighed. “However, I am with you in that, I would rather serve Koass’ need, than be the target of some pantheon lord’s whim.”
Wren folded her arms. “It’s not like we’ll be getting a choice in the matter any way. They took Irodee to make sure we cooperated.”
“Took her?” Laramis frowned. “Lady Wren, I like not that implication!”
“No?” Wren narrowed her blue eyes and pushed a hand through her blonde hair. “I know it seemed all polite and civil, but that’s just in keeping with the big guy’s style.” She nodded in Koass’ direction. “He’s got an agenda, and he’ll play nice as long as we keep in step. You’ll notice Irodee is not back yet. It’s been a couple bells. They easily could be back by now. I suspect we see her and Marta when they’ve squeezed some agreement of cooperation from us.”
“I cannot believe that such a creature would commit so base an act of coercion,” Laramis said with a growl.
Wren shrugged. “It’s not coercion. It’s coincidence and persuasion. The Lord is far too polished to come out and say it. It’s implied just the same.”
“Come out and say what, Kel’Varan Liandra?” A deep masculine voice said.
The blonde savant stiffened and from the expression on her face, it looked as if she’d choked on her own tongue. She began coughing and wheezing. The woman spun and looked up at the eternal who’d simply flickered out of no-where behind her. Tears streamed down her face. “*kaff* Lord—” She drew a breath. “Koass!”
The advocate eternal grinned. He didn’t further embarrass Wren by pursuing the question. “So, you are Gaea’s new disciple and gatekeeper, yes?”
Frozen like a blackhorn caught in a hunter’s lantern, Wren turned the color of milk. Blue eyes round, she nodded.
“Excellent, you seem a well mannered girl. So, is our green lady well, and tendering the blessings of her love and warm hugs?”
Wren’s mouth fell open. “You know her?”
“I am the Advocate Eternal, and she and Alpha are the progenitors of Eternity. How could I not know her? We’ve had many a lively discussion concerning her wayward children. However, it appears that she did not anticipate this young lady’s appearance.” He bowed to Daena.
Daena looked up at him, her green eyes shining. “Well, I didn’t anticipate it either. It just kind of came and forced itself on me.”
The eternal rubbed his chin. “I see.” He looked toward the rostrum. “Well, it appears we will have to continue this discussion at a later time. Forseti is back.”
They all looked up to see the god of justice take his place on the platform. He whacked the podium. “The advocates and all those whom they defend will stand to center.”
Koass shook his head. “Now, as they say, ‘comes the fun part’.”
Bannor looked to Odin’s gallery and saw the Allfather stepping out. The lord of lightning was dressed in his armor, and held Grungir in his hands. He glanced back and saw Idun stepping from her gallery also armed and armored.
As he saw the two gods converging on the circle of judgment and a final decision, many words came to mind, but fun wasn’t one of them…
* * *
“Shaladen” was just a word to me until one was put in my hand. Even after the experience, I can’t really quantify what it means to me now. For a few long breaths I held a star in my hands and it didn’t burn…
—Bannor Nalthane Starfist
Prince Conjugal of Malan
Chapter 60
Of Verdicts and Showdowns
« ^ »
Standing beneath the light of judgment all of the players were in place, defenders, aggressors, arbiters, judge, and High Jury. The hexagonal hall with its pennons, galleries, and high walls of stone trembled with anticipation. The thousands of audience members leaned forward on their seats, gazes intent on the tableau. The energy in the air made hair stiff and skin prickle. A murmuring ebbed and surged through the hall as observers speculated on the outcome.
One-eyed Odin, gray hair slicked back, face set and spear glittering stood with his advocate and seven of his biggest Bloodguard. Opposite the Allfather, Idun waited with her chin up and fists clenched around a sheathed battle sword. Millicent stood at her shoulder, the families of Kergatha and T’Evagduran flanking. Feeling naked without a weapon, Bannor stood with Sarai, Laramis and Daena to either side.
On the dais, the four eternals stood with arms folded, looking impassive and impervious. Occasionally, Nethra would lean over to blue-skinned Garn and the two of them would smile at some silently shared jest. It was clear that those two found this whole proceeding somewhat funny. Koass in his black and silver armor and Foross in his silk tunic with dragon emblem were both poised with solemn expressions.
Now standing, the High Jury dressed in their white robes shifted from foot to foot, looking to one another. Of all the jurors, only Frigga stood proud and resolute, her gaze fixed on Odin—her husband. Even red-haired Frey and his wife Freya looked uneasy. Perhaps they like the others sensed the outcome would be unpleasant.
Forseti gripped the sides of the podium as he looked out at the audience and at the faces looking up at him. He seemed to take extra time to compose himself before he spoke. “I reviewed everything said this day and have conferred with Tyr and Vidar,” he rumbled in his penetrating voice. “I have heard little that pleases me. What I and my father experienced pleases me less. Odin’s son Bragi and his attempt to impersonate me was infuriating. I have no proof or evidence of who masterminded the acts taken against us, but there is only one person who stood to benefit from it.
“Idun is not blameless or faultless in this matter, it is fairly clear she intended to confront Odin at a time of her choosing. Minions at her direction have created a great deal of harm and havoc. In my experience, I feel certain that matters could easily have been resolved without bloodshed if cooler heads had prevailed. However, it is clear that a cool head was not prevailing in this court. Spite seems to be the single driving force motivating everything that has happened recently. With that in mind I wish to ask the High Jury to enter its opinion.” He turned and focused on Frigga. “Lady Frigga is the High Jury ready to give its vote?”
Frigga nodded. “We are, your Honor.”
“Please proceed.”
Frigga drew a breath. After being so cool in the face of this trial, her discomfiture began to show—especially with her husband glaring at her. “We of the High Jury have been conferring throughout this discourse. In truth, there is little that pleases us as well. As loyal followers of Odin, we did as bid, and executed as bid—and suffered of it. We find fault with Idun’s methods, but not her motivation. Testimony and general knowledge shows that Odin has been the aggressor throughout. Idun may have had treason or treachery in mind, but Odin never brought it to a proper inquiry. Instead, he chose to pursue events in a fashion that we all know as history now. Therefore, we find Idun innocent of treason and collusion. The matter of Tyr and Vidar’s murder has been rendered moot, so therefore we must find Idun innocent of that charge as well. On the issue of Hecate. The moon goddess was not one of our number. Though Odin charged Idun in her murder, it is obvious that it was merely a ruse to cover his real reasons. In truth, the few of us who knew Hecate liked her little and trusted her less. She broke the covenants of the pantheon lords on many occasions and flaunted that behavior. She wished no one well, mortal or immortal, and it is certain that her intent was to wreak havoc with the power of the Garmtur. It is our opinion that the universe is probably better off without her, and that the destruction brought upon her was manifold invited by her actions. In such light, we find no guilt in the slaying of Hecate.”
Bannor sighed in relief. His heart which he hadn’t realized was speeding began to slow. This wasn’t going to end up a nightmare, some sanity actually prevailed in this chaotic universe. He saw the bodies of his friends relaxing. Sarai pulled him close and kissed him. Wren and her mother and father hugged one another. Laramis thumped him on the shoulder and shook his fist. Daena grinned, nodded and patted him on the back.
Frigga’s voice picked up after a noticeable pause. She seemed to draw air and then rush into her next words as if to keep herself from stopping. “On the matter of Odin’s fitness to rule. We the High Jury have experienced first hand the weight of decisions made by one who is both malicious and uncaring. The dearth of evidence is substantial, and we know that advocate Millicent would parade a great deal more for us to hear if need be. The truth is—we of the High Jury do not need to see it—we serve Odin’s court and know it well. The time for ruling by whim is over. Lord Koass’ suggestion of censure is well merited. We feel that a formal inquiry separate from this one be convened to ascertain the appropriate action. It is our judgment that Odin is currently too biased and self-concerned to properly address the affairs of the realm or we its nobles. We find Odin guilty of abusing his power and station in the pursuit of personal agendas.” Frigga’s voice trailed off and she looked down, her expression showing that she was ashamed of the words that she had spoken which would seem traitorous in the eyes of her husband.
“The High Jury has spoken…” Forseti began.
“But I do not accept their verdict!” Odin boomed swinging his spear up. Around him the Bloodguard took fighting stances.
Idun jumped back and pulled her sword half-sheath. Valkyries of the Chosen seemed to appear from nowhere, forming a circle twenty paces across defined by flaming steel, gleaming wings and glinting eyes.
The audience came to its feet with a single gasp. Bodies leaned forward, eyes unblinking, and hands gripping seatbacks and gallery rails.
On the dais, Garn laced his fingers and cracked his knuckles, the sound loud enough to even be heard in the confusion chatter of excited voices from the audience. Nethra slammed a fist into her palm with a whack. The two leaped off the dais and into that ring of bodies.
“This is Asgard,” the Allfather continued. “It is my realm, and I will not be dictated to by cowards and weaklings. This effrontery ends now.”
Arrow fast, the two Eternals converged on Odin before the lord of lightning even appeared to notice they’d moved. Four Bloodguard met Garn and three launched themselves at Nethra. The black-winged females might as well have been made of paper because neither eternal even slowed, but plowed right through the powerful creatures as if they weren’t there. Odin chose the larger opponent and plunged his spear at Garn. The attack yielded him the same success as it had on Thor in the battlefield. The blue eternal smacked the weapon aside and drove a huge fist into the immortal’s face. The impact sounded like a butcher’s tenderizer slammed down on a block full of gristle. Odin gasped and reeled backward in splash of blood to crack hard into Nethra’s hard swung elbow which hit low on his spine with a pulverizing thud that made the Aesir lord scream in agony. His spear clanged to the ground and he dropped to his knees.
Hands clenching and loosening, faces tight, Garn and Nethra loomed over him, apparently ready to renew their attack should Odin move. The Bloodguard lay scattered across the floor like felled trees, groaning and clutching their broken bodies. Truly, the eternals were awesome opponents.
“Damn you interfering bastards!” Odin gritted through bloody lips. “This is my realm! Mine! You shouldn’t even be here!”
Koass looked up to Forseti. “Your honor, if you’ll permit, I believe I can conclude this matter.”
Forseti nodded.
Koass stepped off the dais, brushing past Idun with a courteous bow. He stopped in front of Odin. “You are right, we shouldn’t be interfering in this. I will make you a deal. We will stop interfering if you agree to meet one condition.”
Odin spat blood on the dirt, wiped his bloody mouth, and scowled. “What is this condition?”
“A final trial by combat,” Koass said in his heavy voice that carried throughout the hall. “You may chose any one of Idun’s people as your opponent, but I will select the weapons. If you lose, you must agree to abide by this court’s rulings and attempt no vengeance. The eternals, I, will take this covenant very seriously—so if you do not abide by it, then it will be my judgment you will face. I will not be so kind as your High Jury. If you win the contest, all of the eternals will leave as they came and you can create havoc as you may. How do you answer?”
“What if I don’t take you up on your offer?” Odin growled.
“Then you get to take my friend Garn on,” Koass patted the blue eternal on the shoulder. “In all honesty, I don’t like your chances.”
Garn made a growling sound, rolled his massive shoulders, and tossed his head side-to-side making the long tail of his hair sway in the still air.
Bannor didn’t like the sound of all this. Koass had already said that Odin blamed him for all that had happened. He had to know that All-father would select him. He came within hairs of dying last time they clashed. It hadn’t even been a close thing. He’d been outclassed in every way.
“Lord Koass,” Idun said, raising her sheathed sword. “You should confer with me before making such deals.”
“Do you object, Lady Idun?”
“He will most certainly pit himself against one of my mortal allies.” She said, tone rising. “That is certainly no fair match!”
