Even with carrying Kirav and Taelord, Utgar\u2019s wings made short work of the distance. Spurred to speed by his desire to see Runa safe, they had barely been aloft for more than an hour before Taelord pointed below through the gathering dusk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere!\u201d he called. \u201cLight! Ahnvad is below us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar turned, and they dove low. He recognized the dunes they were passing over now. This was where his home had been. And there, that was the canyon he had entered, looking for the soldiers. If only he had known then that they had been behind him, approaching his home, and Runa within\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light flickered from within the canyon. Someone was inside one of the caves lining the canyon walls, with a lantern. Noiselessly, Utgar landed in the canyon. Taelord slid off and crept forwards, peering into the cave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in there,\u201d he said, coming back. \u201cAhnvad and five soldiers. They\u2019re searching the caves. Now\u2019s our chance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Runa?\u201d Utgar asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe\u2019s with him,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cShe\u2019s still unconscious, but he\u2019s keeping her close.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar leaned against the canyon wall, thinking. \u201cKirav,\u201d he said, \u201cwe\u2019ll follow your plan. You go in, and distract Ahnvad as long as you can. These caves are full of boulders and shadows which should serve to hide me and Taelord. We\u2019ll try to sneak around Ahnvad, and grab Runa before he sees us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou,\u201d he turned to Taelord, \u201cwill need to keep her safe. Once Ahnvad sees us, he\u2019ll be focusing on me. Keep Runa behind me. Get her out if you can. And Taelord,\u201d Utgar added \u2013 Taelord looked up \u2013 \u201cI\u2019m trusting you because I have no choice. Not because I want to. Do not<\/em> let me down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cI want Runa safe as much as you do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar seriously doubted that, but he said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019d better be fast, Utgar,\u201d Kirav said. \u201cYou might think I\u2019m a \u2013 how did you put it? A warrior to be reckoned with? But that\u2019s Ahnvad in there. We tried to take him together once, and didn\u2019t fair too well. I don\u2019t fancy my chances against him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Utgar said. \u201cI\u2019ll distract him if I have to. You won\u2019t face him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, the three of them crept towards the cave entrance. They could hear movement within. And then Ahnvad\u2019s voice range out: \u201cHurry! It must be here somewhere!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar looked at Kirav. \u201cYou first,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kirav grimaced, and stepped into the cave, Utgar and Taelord following at a crouch. The cave was, as Utgar had suspected, lined with boulders and jagged rocks. They made the perfect cover. He and Taelord edged in among them, slowly making their way into the cave, keeping to the shadows. Kirav walked slowly forwards, letting them pull ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then he walked into the lantern-light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAhnvad!\u201d Kirav cried, in what Utgar thought was a reasonable impersonation of someone in complete control, given the circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone spun around. Ahnvad was in the middle of the cave, with Runa slumped on the floor beside him. Two soldiers were behind him, three in front. They all stopped, staring at Kirav. Utgar and Taelord crept around the edge of the cave, getting steadily closer to where Runa lay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know you,\u201d Ahnvad said slowly, looking Kirav up and down. \u201cYou\u2019re one of Vraen\u2019s men.\u201d He paused. \u201cKill him,\u201d he said, turning away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou don\u2019t want to do that, Ahnvad,\u201d Kirav said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slowly, Ahnvad turned back. \u201cI really rather think I do,\u201d he said placidly. Behind him, Utgar and Taelord crept closer to where Runa lay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know the true location of the Wellspring,\u201d Kirav said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndeed?\u201d Ahnvad sounded quite calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He doesn\u2019t believe him, <\/em>Utgar realized. He knows Kirav is playing for time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow do you think I got here?\u201d Kirav said. \u201cThis place is a day\u2019s travel on foot from Vraen. I flew. No Volcarren can fly, unless they\u2019ve drunk of a Wellspring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He knows something,<\/em> Utgar thought frantically. But there was no way to warn Kirav.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cReally?\u201d Ahnvad said. \u201cBut perhaps you were already here, or nearby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPerhaps,\u201d Kirav said, \u201cbut what does it matter?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad\u2019s smile widened. \u201cIt matters because then you needn\u2019t have flown, and thus your \u2018proof\u2019 that you are Valkyrie is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kirav flung his arms wide. \u201cBy all means,\u201d he cried, \u201csend your men to kill me. Find out for yourself if I am Valkyrie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad looked at Kirav with only the mildest of interest. \u201cYou are not Valkyrie,\u201d he said. \u201cYou are a diversion. Who else is here with you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI assure you that I am a Valkyrie,\u201d Kirav said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad\u2019s smile faded. \u201cYou cannot be Valkyrie,\u201d he said sharply, \u201cbecause you cannot have drunk from the Wellspring. The Wellspring is sealed. I sealed it the moment I had Runa in my possession. I used her connection to the Wellspring, and some of the ancient archkyrie magic, and sealed the Wellspring so that, wherever it might be, none but I could unseal it. Its waters cannot be touched as long as I draw breath. Therefore you are lying. You are not a real Valkyrie, and unless you kill me, you never will be. Now,\u201d he turned to his soldiers. \u201cKill him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The three soldiers between Kirav and Ahnvad began moving towards him, drawing their swords. Kirav stood his ground, but he glanced towards where Utgar and Taelord were hidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar knew their time was up. \u201cGo,\u201d he said to Taelord. \u201cGet my daughter, and get her out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord nodded, and slithered away between the rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar crept forwards. One of Ahnvad\u2019s soldiers was near him. If he could kill him without being seen\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, all three soldiers had engaged Kirav. He might have been able to handle two at once, but three was too much. It was immediately obvious that he was no Valkyrie, as he began backing away under their assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar unsheathed his sword, got to one knee carefully, and without warning plunged it straight through the soldier\u2019s back. The soldier let out a strangled cry, and fell forwards, Utgar pulling out his sword as he did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Taelord had reached Runa. Creeping out from behind the rocks, he was just able to reach her, and drag her back into the shadows. She didn\u2019t stir. Propping her up against one of the rocks, he gave her a swift shake, placing a hand over her mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She woke with a start, but stilled when she saw him. He removed his hand carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTaelord?\u201d she whispered. \u201cWhat\u2019s happened? Vraen\u2026 Nearv\u2026 is my father all right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d Taelord whispered back. \u201cHe\u2019s here with me. But I\u2019ve got to get you out. He said to get you to safety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But at that moment, Utgar stabbed the soldier in the back, he let out a cry, and Ahnvad turned. First he saw Utgar. Then he saw Taelord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He stared at Taelord and Runa for a full second. Taelord stared back, knowing what was coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou!\u201d Ahnvad cried. \u201cYou would betray me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord stood. \u201cYes,\u201d he said, returning Ahnvad\u2019s glare. \u201cI would.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar saw Ahnvad start towards Taelord and Runa. At the other end of the cave, Kirav was still dueling the three soldiers. Their time was up. Utgar stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAhnvad!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad turned towards him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Utgar said. \u201cKirav isn\u2019t a Valkyrie. But I am.\u201d And he raised his palm to point at Ahnvad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cSTOP!\u201d he bellowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar paused, purely because he had never seen panic in Ahnvad before, and was surprised by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you destroy me now,\u201d Ahnvad said, \u201cyou\u2019ll destroy yourself. Wellspring magic can\u2019t be controlled in an enclosed space, not if you summon more than a small flame. You\u2019ll kill us all if you unleash it here. Me, you, and your daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar glanced at Runa, who he saw was awake. She nodded. What Ahnvad had said was true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ahnvad breathed, watching Utgar, \u201cyou are Valkyrie. You were prepared to use your power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He and Utgar stood still, watching each other. The old calmness washed over Utgar, clearing his mind. Dared he attack? Could he possibly defeat Ahnvad without the Wellspring?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet the girl,\u201d Ahnvad said to the nearest soldier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The soldier glanced warily at Utgar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGo!\u201d Ahnvad cried. \u201cHe is powerless in this cave!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a moment of hesitation, the soldier moved towards Runa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kirav was still engaged with three soldiers. Runa was awake, but Ahnvad was between her and Utgar. Utgar didn\u2019t have a choice. He would have to engage Ahnvad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRuna!\u201d he cried. \u201cRun!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStop her!\u201d Ahnvad cried. \u201cCatch her!\u201d It was clear he knew he could control Utgar if he had her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the soldiers dueling Kirav looked around at Ahnvad\u2019s cry. Kirav promptly slew him for his lapse in concentration, but he received a wound in the side as he lunged forwards. He staggered back, bleeding freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar launched himself at Ahnvad, the familiar cold calm hardening within him. Ahnvad was ready. He planted his feet, and gripped his battleaxe. He swung as Utgar came close. Utgar, his mind empty of everything but the battle, ducked under the blow, and tried to strike Ahnvad with his sword, but he wasn\u2019t fast enough. Ahnvad blocked his blow with the haft of his axe, and then swung the axe down, slamming the upper haft onto Utgar\u2019s shoulder and back. Utgar was flung into the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Taelord dove at the soldier advancing on Runa. He grabbed the soldier\u2019s legs, tripping him. \u201cRuna!\u201d he shouted over his shoulder. \u201cGo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But she couldn\u2019t. She couldn\u2019t leave Taelord, unarmed, or her father, dueling Ahnvad. She had to do something. Unfortunately, without the Wellspring, there was very little she could do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kirav dropped to the floor, a gash in his head. His weapon fell from his hand. He was still alive, but the two soldiers who had been dueling him, recognizing that he was no longer a threat, rushed to aid Ahnvad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar saw them coming, and disengaged from Ahnvad. He had fought five soldiers at once; two should be easy. But not with Ahnvad in the fray. He focused on keeping the soldiers between himself and Ahnvad, which unfortunately meant he had to circle away from Runa. As this occurred to him, he glanced in her direction, and felt the calm of battle begin to slip from his mind. He turned back to the soldiers. He had to stay focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, unarmed, Taelord was trying to wrestle his soldier. He was failing. The soldier picked him up and bodily threw him against the cave wall. Taelord hit it hard, and fell to the floor, where he did not move. The soldier advanced on Runa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar, focusing on the two soldiers in front of him, feinted right. The soldiers moved their swords to the right. He feinted left. They moved their swords to the left. Feeling a grim sense of satisfaction, he feinted right again, changed direction, came at them from the left, and\u2026 narrowly avoided being sliced by their swords. He backpedaled quickly. These were well-trained soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar didn\u2019t feel calm anymore. Runa was in danger, and he was distracted as a result. But he couldn\u2019t afford to be distracted, not now. In the past, before Runa, he had always relied on his focus in combat. It had kept him steady, kept him aware of everything around him. But now it was slipping, being replaced with fear and panic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The soldiers, following up on his mistake, advanced. Utgar didn\u2019t have a choice. He could no longer rely on the focus which had carried him through battle before. He could rely on the only thing he had left: his fear of losing Runa. He couldn\u2019t afford to be cautious. He had to win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As the soldiers advanced, Utgar lunged straight forwards without warning, striking at the first soldier\u2019s head. The soldier\u2019s blade went up to block the blow, but Utgar pulled the blade back at the last moment, and instead slammed his fist into the soldier\u2019s diaphragm. It didn\u2019t matter that the soldier was wearing armor. He doubled up, completely winded, and Utgar easily brought his sword down on his exposed neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second soldier rushed Utgar as his companion fell. Utgar didn\u2019t care. He could feel his anger and panic mingling, giving him the reckless confidence he needed to get to Runa. As the soldier rushed him, Utgar brought his foot up and kicked the soldier squarely in the chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The soldier staggered backwards, conveniently colliding with Ahnvad, who had been drawing closer. Ahnvad pushed him away, towards Utgar, and Utgar leapt forwards, forcing his blade under the soldier\u2019s breastplate, and into his heart. The soldier toppled, sliding off of Utgar\u2019s sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That left only Ahnvad. Utgar was ready. He was ready to take on Ahnvad, and to use all of his panic and anger to destroy him. Unfortunately, the last remaining soldier got to Runa first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She cried out as he grabbed her, and Utgar, distracted, looked in her direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instantly, the haft of Ahnvad\u2019s axe slammed into the side of his head, sending him staggering backwards. By the time Utgar regained his senses, he saw that the soldier had his sword to Runa\u2019s neck. Utgar got up slowly, only the faintest thread of logic keeping him still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is over, Utgar!\u201d Ahnvad cried. He stood in the middle of the cave, his axe in both hands, Kirav at his feet, unmoving. \u201cI have your daughter. Move against me, and she suffers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood was pounding in Utgar\u2019s ears, but Ahnvad was right. It was over. He couldn\u2019t put Runa at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLower your weapon,\u201d Ahnvad commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar had no choice but to lower it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad took a breath. \u201cGood,\u201d he said. \u201cNow, you may be a Valkyrie, Utgar, but I carry with me a toxin which will remedy that. Once drugged, your powers will be gone. Then you will lead me to the Wellspring. If you do, I may let you and your daughter live. If not, well\u2026\u201d He let the sentence hang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa whimpered as the soldier holding her tightened his grip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMake your decision now, Utgar,\u201d Ahnvad said. \u201cCome with me willingly or let your daughter taste the blade.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar looked hopelessly to the floor where Taelord had fallen. He was not stirring. Neither was Kirav.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad advanced on Utgar slowly. \u201cWith or without you,\u201d he said, \u201cthe Wellspring will be mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utgar glared at him defiantly, but there was nothing else he could do. \u201cIt will never be yours,\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd why is that?\u201d Ahnvad said. They were face to face now, only half an arm\u2019s length apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause you don\u2019t know what it is,\u201d Utgar said. \u201cYou don\u2019t know what it means.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is power,\u201d Ahnvad said calmly. \u201cAnd it means that whoever controls it, controls Valhalla.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Utgar suddenly saw something behind Ahnvad. He smiled. He saw a shadow of doubt cross Ahnvad\u2019s face. \u201cNo,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And then Kirav, pale, bleeding, but still somehow conscious, stood up behind Ahnvad, took his sword, and stabbed him cleanly through the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad let out a scream of pain and fell to his knees, pulling the sword and Kirav with him. Kirav fell back to the floor where he sprawled, breathing heavily. Ahnvad fell forwards, trying to reach the blade embedded in his back. And Utgar, opening his wings, flew straight at the stunned soldier holding Runa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa slipped out of the soldier\u2019s slackened grip a moment before Utgar collided with him, sending him into the rock wall. Utgar wrested the soldier\u2019s sword from his grasp as the wall neared, planted the tip against the soldier\u2019s chest, and then felt it driven into him by the force of the impact. The soldier dropped to the floor, dead, and Utgar turned once more to Ahnvad, as Runa hurried towards Taelord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad had succeeded somehow in pulling the sword out. He had rolled onto his back, and was coughing and breathing heavily, his own blood rapidly pooling beneath him. Utgar knew he didn\u2019t have long to live. He advanced on Ahnvad, and stopped at his side, standing over him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a moment, the two looked at each other. Then Ahnvad spoke, gasping for breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2026 You are Volcarrens,\u201d he said, as if the very laws of the universe prevented Volcarrens from winning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d Utgar said. \u201cWe are. But we\u2019re leaving the Volcarren.\u201d He stooped, and picked up Ahnvad\u2019s battleaxe. \u201cYou can\u2019t stop us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, without any more hesitation, he swung the axe up above his head, and brought it down on Ahnvad\u2019s chest. The black armor buckled. Ahnvad screamed. Flames burst into existence all along his body as the axe bit deep, and the black armor turned white hot where it had cut through. In another second, Ahnvad\u2019s entire body turned to flame, the orange-red tongues quickly consuming him. He cried out in agony, writhing and twisting beneath the axe of fire, and then, quite suddenly, he was still. The fire smoldered and went out, leaving only charred remains, a smoking armored husk over a burnt skeleton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad, commander of the Imperial army in the Volcarren, was dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaving the axe embedded in Ahnvad\u2019s corpse, Utgar turned to find Kirav sitting up, weak and white, but smiling. Beyond him, Runa was helping Taelord to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All three looked at Utgar expectantly, and he looked back at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Wellspring is ours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No one moved. Everything was still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShall we use it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kirav and Taelord nodded. But Utgar looked to Runa. She looked back at him, her face conflicted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor freedom?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He saw, in Runa\u2019s face, her doubts still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor freedom,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Even with carrying Kirav and Taelord, Utgar\u2019s wings made short work of the distance. Spurred to speed by his desire to see Runa safe, they had barely been aloft for more than an hour before Taelord pointed below through the gathering dusk. \u201cThere!\u201d he called. \u201cLight! Ahnvad is below us.\u201d Utgar turned, and they dove … Continue reading Chapter Sixteen<\/span>
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