One by one all the men died and Haldora became the highest priestess of the rituals. She would pick the herbs and prepare the remedies, copy the parchments and keep them safe. At times of festivals she would prepare the food and the instruments, she would run the ritual when she was alone and when more of her companions in religion appeared she would take a second position. All of the followers agreed that Haldora had been a great pupil and that her strength was ever growing. Most importantly she would train herself to be centered as her mentor had told her. Alone in this place she would meditate and tried to see the world with her third eye. She could now control the voices around her hearing only when she wanted. She was learning to control things like fire and water and fog, how to raise them and lower them. She was close to achieving what her mentor had done to her. She was close to see all of a person’s life. She could see much but not entirely.
Many decades passed and Haldora understood her appearance would not change and that that was starting to draw too much attention. She began to plan her disappearance. She took part of the celebration of the New Year in the Samahain. The next day she would soon start a new life. The night was brightened by the light of the full moon. Haldora said the rites and asked for better crops, peace and serenity for her land. She offered herbs as sacrifice and stayed at her post praying till the moon went to bed and brought the sun. She welcomed the beams of the dawn and at that time ended her ritual. Her companions had all gone, when she head back home. She would only get some more food and be on her way. Half way through Haldora saw smoke coming from her house, she ran and hiding behind a rock she saw men burning down her house. Some men were wearing robes with crosses drawn on them. She understood the warning Anna had given her. These men spoke a new language. Haldora concentrated on that language to try to understand, but most words were unfamiliar. The men rode away and Haldora remained sitting behind that rock. She prayed that this was not the end of her teachings.
After a while, she raised form her hiding place and began her trip to anywhere. She walked without a route. She had no plan. She would go where her legs would take her. She was happy to find dense woods. The sight of the man that burned her house down was still fresh in her mind and she feared they knew who she was, what she was. In a sense she was as much running from them as from anyone, she needed to be near people that had never seen her before, so as not to suspect she could not age nor die. During her journey she carved a cross like what she had seen on the men’s robes, out of wood and threaded a string around it, hanging it around her neck. She thought this would make her less suspicious to all. The significance of this new symbol, still escaped her, but she was trying harder to survive than to understand.
One rainy night, Haldora searched for a cave to stay the night when she tripped on something laying on the ground. She turned to see what it was and found a man lying on the ground shivering. His helmet was still on, but Haldora was more interested on a great wound he had on his shoulder. She ripped his iron coat as if it were paper and took a better look. She then laid him on her shoulder and with some hardship brought him into a small tight cave. She laid him down and immediately searched for wooden sticks to light a fire. It took her a while to start one because the wood was wet, but as soon as she had a spark, she made the fire grow and grow, though she had little wood. The man immediately searched the warmth of the fire. Haldora removed from her basket her sheep-skin coat, she then set about removing the wet armor from the man. When she did she came across the most familiar face she had ever seen. Her warrior was lying in front of her. She removed his clothes with heist and covered him with her coat. She examined his shoulder to find an arrow’s head stuck in it. Carefully she took it out with her knife. She turned to her basket again and removed some herbs. She heated rain water and some herbs and carefully poured it inside the wound. The warrior screamed in pain and Haldora tried to hold him down. He was half conscious and stared at her, though his eyes were as blank as dead. There was nothing less to do but wait for him to get warmer and recover.
As the night progressed the shivering slowed down and the warrior was now fast a sleep. The rain had stopped and the fire was lowered. Haldora waited till she was sure he really slept. She uncovered his body and inspected it for new wounds. She slid her hand down his torso and down to his legs, breathing deeply as she did so. She took his face between her hands and leaned down, her breath was on his face and soon her lips were on his lips. Half asleep he responded to the kiss with another. He embraced her and held her close. She allowed her body to cover his. In this embrace, Haldora could feel her body regain much of the warmth she had not felt for a long time. He did not seem to notice her natural coldness. He stroked her hair and kissed her neck. She returned the caresses. His hands soon slid down her dress and lifted her skirts, caressing her legs. Haldora breathed faster, while kissing his torso. He pushed her to glue her body to his.
- My warrior… - Haldora whispered.
- My Isabeaux… - he answered.
Haldora pressed his wound, which made him shout, he was taken by pain and laid on his side contorting. She covered him again and prepared food and water.
Crying… Disappointed… She left.
Monday, January 8, 2007
CHAPTER VII
Haldora took a long journey with the old man by her side. They rode each on their horse to the north, through the inside of the land. Passing through war zones, where bodies hid the land and redness ruled. Passing through empty, burned down villages. Passing through people that ran from the fighting zones, with what little tings they were able to collect. Passing through man that were drafted to the army and were to fight next to the king in one last decisive battle. To all this the Old man seemed indifferent. They would camp for the night and he would not worry about wild animals or men. In the morning they would leave and he would still look serene. As they approached their destination, the voices went silent.
The trees were gone and all they saw were open spaces and some rocks here and there. At a distance there were some houses with freckled lights within them.
- We are in the town of Salisbury and here we will remain until you are ready. – the old man explained.
- I understand.
- Can you read?
- No.
- Then that is where we’ll start.
They came to one of these houses. Stopped, got off from their horses and the old man knocked on the door. Another old man opened the door and welcomed them in. Food and beverage were laid on the table, though Haldora ate nothing. The men in the house all wore the same clothes, a brown gown. They all looked alike. The walls of the house were filled with shelves containing parchment papers rolled up and stacked on one another. On one wall there were small wooden boards also stacked on one another. Below it there sat a man copying this wooden boards carvings to parchment. The men did not look at Haldora, they continued on with their work as if she was not there. Some labored around a caldron, others, around bottles and others cutting fresh herbs. She soon came to a conclusion.
- There are no women here. – She whispered to the old man.
- You are right. It’s been a long time since we’ve taught a woman.
Haldora asked herself what this teaching would bring her. She was only happy she heard nothing but silence.
The days passed swiftly. Haldora learned to read the old tongues and the new languages. She could speak them as a native. She learned at a rapid pace. Soon she would copy the parchments herself and commit many of them to memory. When her learning of the written formulas was complete, she move on to the understanding of nature. She would take long strolls with the old men and learned the herbs. She would identify them and soon use them in potions and remedies. The sun light became more of a friend, but the darkness still kept little secrets from her eyes and little by little it appeared Haldora was becoming more of a mortal.
The voices still bothered her when she left this sacred place, but soon that would also be dealt with. The hardest thing to learn was to use her own inner strength. She would have to learn to control herself and everything around her. Meditation was in order, but she could not do so on account of the voices. Long years were passed before she could bring herself to take this last step.
The old man was now too old and dying, Haldora could feel his soul slipping away. Other men had already gone and she and very few others remained. Her heart ached for the loss of this her friend.
A very aged Anna arrived before his death and sat with him till his eyes were closed for good.
Haldora carried his dead body outside as if it were a child and laid him on a stone. She joined the others on a ritual to command his soul. In deep prayer, she felt tears run down her face, as she opened her eyes she could see winged spirits take his soul to the skies. These were new gods, her new gods.
The men kept themselves inside talking about their faith, now that the eldest of them all had died. Haldora kept herself outside trying to complete the training he had started her on.
- The years have not been cruel to you. – stated Anna when she found Haldora sitting outside with her eyes closed.
- They have been more cruel then you’d know. – Haldora opened her eyes.
- Soon I will join him. – Anna announced as she sat down with great hardship.
- I know. And I will be alone, with no one to guide me. I don’t want to be away from you, my best friend.
- Trust your instincts. They will find me. I came to warn you of things to come. The Danes are at peace with this land but more will come. You must keep what you learn here a secret and you must be careful. If you do not bow to their god, Christ, you will suffer.
- Suffering does not scare me. Not anymore.
Anna took her knife from her belt and grabbed Haldora’s hand, she make a cut through the palm and then did the same to her palm. Haldora’s near black blood oozed out of the wound and contrasted with the bright red liquid coming from Anna. They joined hands.
- You will always find me and I will always remember you. Blood sisters for eternity.
Haldora smiled to her old friend but believe she would never see this woman again. Anna went inside to rest. Haldora walked most of the night to the most sacred site of the land. Her sadness and sense of loss were great. She lay down in the centre of the gigantic circle of stones, a place where the old man had taken her many times to celebrate the seasons and the life of nature. Within those high stones she felt as safe as ever and she could feel the pounding of the earth’s heart and the flowing of her blood. The ancients said there was a dragon living at the core of the land. Haldora thought it would be Otr and she spoke to it, lamenting herself. Today she cried the loss of her mentor as she had cried for the loss of her warrior.
Haldora sat down and wiped the tears from her face and took a deep breath. She could not let her mentor down by weeping his death as a child. She would finish her training as he had instructed her. She would continue his legacy. She concentrated in her own mediation, forgetting everything around her. Immediately she was brought to a new place. In this place it was morning and men were working in the fields and tending to animals as farmers do. She stood in the middle of this little village, wearing her white tunic from the Underworld; no one seemed to be able to see her. She searched to recognize anyone but no one seemed familiar, it wasn’t her old village. Soon she saw the boy she had seen before on her away to the old man’s house. She came near him, and he still could not see her. She followed him to his house and inside she found his mother expecting a new child. The woman tried to cook, while rubbing her back in pain. The boy sat down at the table, waiting to get his food. Haldora turned to leave this house, when in front of her stood her warrior, in the farmer’s life he had chosen before. He walked through her as if she were air and sat down to eat. Haldora no longer saw the family life, she tried every way to try to touch her warrior or at least get him to hear her. Every attempt failed. Strong sounds came from the outside. Haldora left the house and her warrior followed. Men on horses galloped into the village from both sides. They came for war. On one side men wearing animal heads on their own, throwing fire to the roofs and killing every man and woman that stood in their path. On the other an army of knights, wearing iron helmets and colorful clothes. Haldora’s warrior turned to run home, but as he did a spear pierced his unprotected body…
Startled… Pain on her chest…
The trees were gone and all they saw were open spaces and some rocks here and there. At a distance there were some houses with freckled lights within them.
- We are in the town of Salisbury and here we will remain until you are ready. – the old man explained.
- I understand.
- Can you read?
- No.
- Then that is where we’ll start.
They came to one of these houses. Stopped, got off from their horses and the old man knocked on the door. Another old man opened the door and welcomed them in. Food and beverage were laid on the table, though Haldora ate nothing. The men in the house all wore the same clothes, a brown gown. They all looked alike. The walls of the house were filled with shelves containing parchment papers rolled up and stacked on one another. On one wall there were small wooden boards also stacked on one another. Below it there sat a man copying this wooden boards carvings to parchment. The men did not look at Haldora, they continued on with their work as if she was not there. Some labored around a caldron, others, around bottles and others cutting fresh herbs. She soon came to a conclusion.
- There are no women here. – She whispered to the old man.
- You are right. It’s been a long time since we’ve taught a woman.
Haldora asked herself what this teaching would bring her. She was only happy she heard nothing but silence.
The days passed swiftly. Haldora learned to read the old tongues and the new languages. She could speak them as a native. She learned at a rapid pace. Soon she would copy the parchments herself and commit many of them to memory. When her learning of the written formulas was complete, she move on to the understanding of nature. She would take long strolls with the old men and learned the herbs. She would identify them and soon use them in potions and remedies. The sun light became more of a friend, but the darkness still kept little secrets from her eyes and little by little it appeared Haldora was becoming more of a mortal.
The voices still bothered her when she left this sacred place, but soon that would also be dealt with. The hardest thing to learn was to use her own inner strength. She would have to learn to control herself and everything around her. Meditation was in order, but she could not do so on account of the voices. Long years were passed before she could bring herself to take this last step.
The old man was now too old and dying, Haldora could feel his soul slipping away. Other men had already gone and she and very few others remained. Her heart ached for the loss of this her friend.
A very aged Anna arrived before his death and sat with him till his eyes were closed for good.
Haldora carried his dead body outside as if it were a child and laid him on a stone. She joined the others on a ritual to command his soul. In deep prayer, she felt tears run down her face, as she opened her eyes she could see winged spirits take his soul to the skies. These were new gods, her new gods.
The men kept themselves inside talking about their faith, now that the eldest of them all had died. Haldora kept herself outside trying to complete the training he had started her on.
- The years have not been cruel to you. – stated Anna when she found Haldora sitting outside with her eyes closed.
- They have been more cruel then you’d know. – Haldora opened her eyes.
- Soon I will join him. – Anna announced as she sat down with great hardship.
- I know. And I will be alone, with no one to guide me. I don’t want to be away from you, my best friend.
- Trust your instincts. They will find me. I came to warn you of things to come. The Danes are at peace with this land but more will come. You must keep what you learn here a secret and you must be careful. If you do not bow to their god, Christ, you will suffer.
- Suffering does not scare me. Not anymore.
Anna took her knife from her belt and grabbed Haldora’s hand, she make a cut through the palm and then did the same to her palm. Haldora’s near black blood oozed out of the wound and contrasted with the bright red liquid coming from Anna. They joined hands.
- You will always find me and I will always remember you. Blood sisters for eternity.
Haldora smiled to her old friend but believe she would never see this woman again. Anna went inside to rest. Haldora walked most of the night to the most sacred site of the land. Her sadness and sense of loss were great. She lay down in the centre of the gigantic circle of stones, a place where the old man had taken her many times to celebrate the seasons and the life of nature. Within those high stones she felt as safe as ever and she could feel the pounding of the earth’s heart and the flowing of her blood. The ancients said there was a dragon living at the core of the land. Haldora thought it would be Otr and she spoke to it, lamenting herself. Today she cried the loss of her mentor as she had cried for the loss of her warrior.
Haldora sat down and wiped the tears from her face and took a deep breath. She could not let her mentor down by weeping his death as a child. She would finish her training as he had instructed her. She would continue his legacy. She concentrated in her own mediation, forgetting everything around her. Immediately she was brought to a new place. In this place it was morning and men were working in the fields and tending to animals as farmers do. She stood in the middle of this little village, wearing her white tunic from the Underworld; no one seemed to be able to see her. She searched to recognize anyone but no one seemed familiar, it wasn’t her old village. Soon she saw the boy she had seen before on her away to the old man’s house. She came near him, and he still could not see her. She followed him to his house and inside she found his mother expecting a new child. The woman tried to cook, while rubbing her back in pain. The boy sat down at the table, waiting to get his food. Haldora turned to leave this house, when in front of her stood her warrior, in the farmer’s life he had chosen before. He walked through her as if she were air and sat down to eat. Haldora no longer saw the family life, she tried every way to try to touch her warrior or at least get him to hear her. Every attempt failed. Strong sounds came from the outside. Haldora left the house and her warrior followed. Men on horses galloped into the village from both sides. They came for war. On one side men wearing animal heads on their own, throwing fire to the roofs and killing every man and woman that stood in their path. On the other an army of knights, wearing iron helmets and colorful clothes. Haldora’s warrior turned to run home, but as he did a spear pierced his unprotected body…
Startled… Pain on her chest…
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Chapter VI
CHAPTER VI
Arms raised, salt on the ground, stillness…
Haldora looked around to find Anna with her arms raised high to the sky, her expression of tiredness and cool. She dropped her arms to her side and took Haldora by the hand. They took a fast pace back to the hut, Haldora was still amazed as to how Hella disappeared. She was still at odds with what happened. Suddenly pain, unbearable, excruciating pain. Haldora fell to the ground twisting and squirming and yelling. She could feel her bosom parting in two and could feel her own blood flowing out of her body. Her hands took to her scar and were covered in redness. Her breaths were hard to take. Anna observed the air instead of her friend, there was a strange fog around. The smell of mould still lingered. Anna raised her hands again and uttered some strange words and as suddenly as the pain appeared it disappeared. Haldora lay on the ground gasping for air. Anna bent down above her and tried to calm her down. Haldora took her hand to her dress and felt nothing but dryness. Anna helped her up and took her back to the hut. The animal skins were soon around her and Haldora fell in a deep sleep caused by the tiredness. Anna sat down eating her dinner and wondering about this woman and the weirdness surrounding her.
The Sun had not yet showed his face already Haldora worked at her spindle. She tried to work her worries away, her future was uncertain and her present confusing. Anna awoke, Haldora quickly started to prepare a meal for her hostess. Anna stretched still lying on the ground and observed her friend.
- Have you eaten? – Anna asked.
- I’m not hungry.
- You never seem to be hungry. You’ve only had one meal since you’ve been here. – Anna alerted.
- I already ate, that’s why I am not hungry. – Haldora corrected.
- Oh, I see.
Haldora gave her a bowl with oatmeal. Anna began to eat it as soon as she sat down.
- I guess you are still a bit ill, you should have not gone out, you are still very weak. – Anna explained.
- You’re right. I thought I was better.
- Your chest couldn’t take the moist of the air. You must be more careful.
Haldora seized this opportunity to commit to staying indoors. As she thought it would be safer for her. She went back to her spindle and Anna kept on eating.
- I should take you to do my visits. I think you could use the exercise, to open your chest.
Haldora shook at her suggestion.
- I thought I would stay in for a while, before I’d leave. I don’t want to get worse.
- The sun will do you good. And besides, I can introduce you so you can start working. Get your life together.
Haldora could not argue with her hostess and so prepared to leave at her request. She was worried that the sun would hurt her eyes just as much as of Hella appearing again. Time and time again she looked out the door to the woods with some fear. Anna seemed serene yet aware of Haldora’s behavior.
The two women left the hut carrying baskets on their backs and walked through the woods to the population. During the long walk Haldora always walked a few steps in front of Anna and she seemed tireless, her basket was quite full and still she walked as if it were empty. Anna was forced to nearly run to keep up with her friend. But Anna was right, the walk and the sun, though hard on her eyes, did do Haldora good, she enjoyed seeing new people who were not lost in their own emptiness. She was still haunted by voices she could not place. During the many visits, where she was introduced to the occupants of the houses as a good seamstress, she spent most of her time looking around her to place what she could hear but could not see. The people in the village were friendly and all seemed to accept her as their own. Many women said they would go to see her soon, for new clothes. Haldora was feeling useful again, but she could not understand what it was that Anna did. She went from house to house and sold her bottles and sachets, on the way she took many plants and stored them in her basket. All Haldora understood was that Anna was loved by many and detested by others. The later ones looked upon her with disgust and others looked away in fear. Anna seemed oblivious to all of this.
The last house they would visit was farther from the village, the walk was still long and the sun was setting, making it easier for Haldora to see. She still was not tired and now carried both baskets, for Anna was exhausted. They came to a house and Anna clapped her hands. Almost instantly an old man came out. He looked severe and rude. He looked at Haldora with an inquisitive expression, and then smiled at Anna. She stretched her hands to him and he took them. Haldora’s eyes would not stop moving because of the constant noise around her. It seemed to have gotten more intense as they had drawn near the house. The old man noticed this behavior and with a glance at Anna obtained confirmation.
- She can hear them.
Haldora froze in fear. The man smiled at her and with a gesture invited them in. The two women walked in. At the centre of the house was a table, at which they sat, after setting their baskets down. The old man closed the heavy wooden door and stood in front of the table. At the end of the table their stood a caldron over a fire. He stood in front of it, closed his eyes and the fire under the caldron grew. He raised his hands up and seemed the command the smoke coming from the liquid in the caldron. The smoke flew up and seemed to draw up in the air shapes and forms. Soon Haldora was amazed to see her own story appearing in the mist. Her death, her afterlife and her new life were all there. She looked at Anna, she too could see it. Haldora rose from her chair and stood back glued to the wall in fear.
- Are you Gods??
- No, we are not Gods. – The old man assured as he brought the mist down with his arms. - We possess knowledge.
Haldora’s breaths grow faster. She panted.
- Hal, don’t be afraid. – Anna comforted her. – We won’t hurt you. We are trying to help you.
- There was a time… - The old man began to explain, as she drew near her. – Before time was time when men and gods were the same. Knowledge was shared. – He took her hand and led her back to her seat. – Men and their flaws made us loose this relationship. – He sat down next to her. – Some of us mortals still possess this knowledge. We can see and hear things most people cannot. We can control things most mortals could not. But we are not gods.
- You can hear them, can’t you? – Anna inquired.
Haldora nodded her head.
- The voices you hear are spirits that for some reason or another have not crossed to their world. They come to you because you can hear them.
- They come to you because partly you are like them.
- Like them? – Haldora asked.
- Yes. – The man answered. – When came to this world, you were already a spirit. Your soul was rotting in the Underworld, paying the price for your sin. A sin you committed long ago in your own time. Eras ago. You died on that field with that man. You died many, many years ago. This time is not your time. You have a body, but in essence you are only a spirit, a very old spirit. Your body is empty.
- You don’t eat. You don’t drink. You don’t get tired. You don’t feel much pain, expect for the pain your god inflicted in you. – Anna pointed out.
- I’m dead…
- Yes. Your strength is remarkable. You crossed. Half spirited and all, you crossed to this world. You are not supposed to be here.
Haldora propped her head between her hands and began to cry.
- My world is dead. My world is death. – She cried.
The old man looked at Anna in sadness, she in her turn padded Haldora’s head.
- She’ll come for me. She’ll take me and she’ll haunt me forever. I can’t go back. – Haldora cried.
The voices that bothered her were growing more and more intense. They seemed now as a swarm of bees in her head, all with individual voices and many things to say. She grew more and more impatient. She set her hands on the table and in a flash jumped up from her chair.
- SHUT UP! – She screamed and almost immediately the clay pots and glass bottles broke.
The voices were silenced and the noise heard was Haldora’s heavy breaths.
-My child, you need to learn patience. – The old man cleared. – I will teach you this.
- Teach? – She asked.
- You have more knowledge than you know. If someone does not teach you, you will grow insane. I will teach you to block the voices, to centre your strength. I will teach you to deflect the spirits and the gods.
Haldora sat back down, still with tears running down her cheeks.
- Thank you. I just get her away from me.
- I will and soon so will you. Tomorrow you and I will take a trip and we will go to a forgotten place, there you will learn. From there you will leave as a new person… to live … forever.
The old man looked at Anna and she was in accordance. Haldora felt safer than she ever had.
Anna and Haldora went back home to prepare for the trip. As they walked night crept up behind them. Haldora felt both worried and safe.
- You came for him. – Anna spoke, half way through the road.
- I don’t know. All I wanted to do was hear him say a word at me. I can’t forget him. I know he is here in this land. I think I saw him, as a child, earlier today. I couldn’t get near him, I felt as if I were being burned. She said I would never see him again.
- I know you’ll find him. I know you will.
- And then do what? I cannot die, he will. He cannot know me, the true me.
- Your life will be meaningless if you don’t. – Anna stated.
- I will forget him.
They reached a river and stopped to get a drink of the fresh water. Anna drank and Haldora did not. They continued their walk; they crossed a few farmers coming back from their lands, pushing their wagons. Haldora passed by one of the group and was immediately drawn to a young boy. She stared at him, the boy was not aware. She was close to touching him, when she felt a burn like sensation on her hand. She redrew her hand and the group went on, it seemed they had not seen her.
She was as invisible…
Arms raised, salt on the ground, stillness…
Haldora looked around to find Anna with her arms raised high to the sky, her expression of tiredness and cool. She dropped her arms to her side and took Haldora by the hand. They took a fast pace back to the hut, Haldora was still amazed as to how Hella disappeared. She was still at odds with what happened. Suddenly pain, unbearable, excruciating pain. Haldora fell to the ground twisting and squirming and yelling. She could feel her bosom parting in two and could feel her own blood flowing out of her body. Her hands took to her scar and were covered in redness. Her breaths were hard to take. Anna observed the air instead of her friend, there was a strange fog around. The smell of mould still lingered. Anna raised her hands again and uttered some strange words and as suddenly as the pain appeared it disappeared. Haldora lay on the ground gasping for air. Anna bent down above her and tried to calm her down. Haldora took her hand to her dress and felt nothing but dryness. Anna helped her up and took her back to the hut. The animal skins were soon around her and Haldora fell in a deep sleep caused by the tiredness. Anna sat down eating her dinner and wondering about this woman and the weirdness surrounding her.
The Sun had not yet showed his face already Haldora worked at her spindle. She tried to work her worries away, her future was uncertain and her present confusing. Anna awoke, Haldora quickly started to prepare a meal for her hostess. Anna stretched still lying on the ground and observed her friend.
- Have you eaten? – Anna asked.
- I’m not hungry.
- You never seem to be hungry. You’ve only had one meal since you’ve been here. – Anna alerted.
- I already ate, that’s why I am not hungry. – Haldora corrected.
- Oh, I see.
Haldora gave her a bowl with oatmeal. Anna began to eat it as soon as she sat down.
- I guess you are still a bit ill, you should have not gone out, you are still very weak. – Anna explained.
- You’re right. I thought I was better.
- Your chest couldn’t take the moist of the air. You must be more careful.
Haldora seized this opportunity to commit to staying indoors. As she thought it would be safer for her. She went back to her spindle and Anna kept on eating.
- I should take you to do my visits. I think you could use the exercise, to open your chest.
Haldora shook at her suggestion.
- I thought I would stay in for a while, before I’d leave. I don’t want to get worse.
- The sun will do you good. And besides, I can introduce you so you can start working. Get your life together.
Haldora could not argue with her hostess and so prepared to leave at her request. She was worried that the sun would hurt her eyes just as much as of Hella appearing again. Time and time again she looked out the door to the woods with some fear. Anna seemed serene yet aware of Haldora’s behavior.
The two women left the hut carrying baskets on their backs and walked through the woods to the population. During the long walk Haldora always walked a few steps in front of Anna and she seemed tireless, her basket was quite full and still she walked as if it were empty. Anna was forced to nearly run to keep up with her friend. But Anna was right, the walk and the sun, though hard on her eyes, did do Haldora good, she enjoyed seeing new people who were not lost in their own emptiness. She was still haunted by voices she could not place. During the many visits, where she was introduced to the occupants of the houses as a good seamstress, she spent most of her time looking around her to place what she could hear but could not see. The people in the village were friendly and all seemed to accept her as their own. Many women said they would go to see her soon, for new clothes. Haldora was feeling useful again, but she could not understand what it was that Anna did. She went from house to house and sold her bottles and sachets, on the way she took many plants and stored them in her basket. All Haldora understood was that Anna was loved by many and detested by others. The later ones looked upon her with disgust and others looked away in fear. Anna seemed oblivious to all of this.
The last house they would visit was farther from the village, the walk was still long and the sun was setting, making it easier for Haldora to see. She still was not tired and now carried both baskets, for Anna was exhausted. They came to a house and Anna clapped her hands. Almost instantly an old man came out. He looked severe and rude. He looked at Haldora with an inquisitive expression, and then smiled at Anna. She stretched her hands to him and he took them. Haldora’s eyes would not stop moving because of the constant noise around her. It seemed to have gotten more intense as they had drawn near the house. The old man noticed this behavior and with a glance at Anna obtained confirmation.
- She can hear them.
Haldora froze in fear. The man smiled at her and with a gesture invited them in. The two women walked in. At the centre of the house was a table, at which they sat, after setting their baskets down. The old man closed the heavy wooden door and stood in front of the table. At the end of the table their stood a caldron over a fire. He stood in front of it, closed his eyes and the fire under the caldron grew. He raised his hands up and seemed the command the smoke coming from the liquid in the caldron. The smoke flew up and seemed to draw up in the air shapes and forms. Soon Haldora was amazed to see her own story appearing in the mist. Her death, her afterlife and her new life were all there. She looked at Anna, she too could see it. Haldora rose from her chair and stood back glued to the wall in fear.
- Are you Gods??
- No, we are not Gods. – The old man assured as he brought the mist down with his arms. - We possess knowledge.
Haldora’s breaths grow faster. She panted.
- Hal, don’t be afraid. – Anna comforted her. – We won’t hurt you. We are trying to help you.
- There was a time… - The old man began to explain, as she drew near her. – Before time was time when men and gods were the same. Knowledge was shared. – He took her hand and led her back to her seat. – Men and their flaws made us loose this relationship. – He sat down next to her. – Some of us mortals still possess this knowledge. We can see and hear things most people cannot. We can control things most mortals could not. But we are not gods.
- You can hear them, can’t you? – Anna inquired.
Haldora nodded her head.
- The voices you hear are spirits that for some reason or another have not crossed to their world. They come to you because you can hear them.
- They come to you because partly you are like them.
- Like them? – Haldora asked.
- Yes. – The man answered. – When came to this world, you were already a spirit. Your soul was rotting in the Underworld, paying the price for your sin. A sin you committed long ago in your own time. Eras ago. You died on that field with that man. You died many, many years ago. This time is not your time. You have a body, but in essence you are only a spirit, a very old spirit. Your body is empty.
- You don’t eat. You don’t drink. You don’t get tired. You don’t feel much pain, expect for the pain your god inflicted in you. – Anna pointed out.
- I’m dead…
- Yes. Your strength is remarkable. You crossed. Half spirited and all, you crossed to this world. You are not supposed to be here.
Haldora propped her head between her hands and began to cry.
- My world is dead. My world is death. – She cried.
The old man looked at Anna in sadness, she in her turn padded Haldora’s head.
- She’ll come for me. She’ll take me and she’ll haunt me forever. I can’t go back. – Haldora cried.
The voices that bothered her were growing more and more intense. They seemed now as a swarm of bees in her head, all with individual voices and many things to say. She grew more and more impatient. She set her hands on the table and in a flash jumped up from her chair.
- SHUT UP! – She screamed and almost immediately the clay pots and glass bottles broke.
The voices were silenced and the noise heard was Haldora’s heavy breaths.
-My child, you need to learn patience. – The old man cleared. – I will teach you this.
- Teach? – She asked.
- You have more knowledge than you know. If someone does not teach you, you will grow insane. I will teach you to block the voices, to centre your strength. I will teach you to deflect the spirits and the gods.
Haldora sat back down, still with tears running down her cheeks.
- Thank you. I just get her away from me.
- I will and soon so will you. Tomorrow you and I will take a trip and we will go to a forgotten place, there you will learn. From there you will leave as a new person… to live … forever.
The old man looked at Anna and she was in accordance. Haldora felt safer than she ever had.
Anna and Haldora went back home to prepare for the trip. As they walked night crept up behind them. Haldora felt both worried and safe.
- You came for him. – Anna spoke, half way through the road.
- I don’t know. All I wanted to do was hear him say a word at me. I can’t forget him. I know he is here in this land. I think I saw him, as a child, earlier today. I couldn’t get near him, I felt as if I were being burned. She said I would never see him again.
- I know you’ll find him. I know you will.
- And then do what? I cannot die, he will. He cannot know me, the true me.
- Your life will be meaningless if you don’t. – Anna stated.
- I will forget him.
They reached a river and stopped to get a drink of the fresh water. Anna drank and Haldora did not. They continued their walk; they crossed a few farmers coming back from their lands, pushing their wagons. Haldora passed by one of the group and was immediately drawn to a young boy. She stared at him, the boy was not aware. She was close to touching him, when she felt a burn like sensation on her hand. She redrew her hand and the group went on, it seemed they had not seen her.
She was as invisible…
Chapter V
The mud was soft and soon she began to sink in. The loss of breath awoke her. Haldora was in the middle of a dense wood under heavy rain. She got up and tried to walk, but she would only slip in the mud. She then crawled towards a cave, where she sat shivering waiting for the rain to end. Haldora was no longer happy to have her senses back, she could not remember the last time she had felt this cold or hungry. The rain was heavy and long lasting and soon Haldora fainted of cold and hunger.
The crackling sound of a wood burning fire woke Haldora up and she opened her eyes as if to find out if it was a dream. She was in hut, a fire was burning beside her and she was covered with animal skins. The hut seemed much empty, till an older woman entered, letting the light of the sun in. Haldora’s eyes where hurt by this light, she turned her head. The woman closed the cloth in front of the door and set her baskets down.
- You’re awake. I thought you would never wake.
Haldora looked around in a panic.
- Don’t worry, you’re safe. I brought you here from the cave you were in. You were delirious with fever. I kept you warm, gave you some food. You seem to be all right now. How do you feel?
Haldora still looked reluctant to speak, she could understand most of what was said, but could not make out much of it.
- Don’t be afraid, really. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m Anna. This is my house. - She reached for the fire and took a leftover chicken, she handed it to Haldora. Haldora took it and ate it franticly. Anna smiled. - Let us see if we can find something for you to wash that down with. - She looked around and found a bottle, popped the cork and gave it to Haldora, who drank it. - That should get some color back on that face of yours.
A noise was heard outside. Anna made a gesture for Haldora to calm down. She got up and looked out the door, then picked up a small sachet and left. Haldora went on eating and drinking. Anna came back inside.
- Sorry love, just a bit of business. So, are you ready to talk now? What’s your name?
- Haldora. - She answered with a trembling voice.
- That is a very odd name. It sounds ancient.
Haldora nodded her head. Anna looked at her and thought for a second.
- Haldora is of the old realm.
Haldora was amazed at this information.
- Yes. I remember my grandmother saying that a long time ago, before time was time, in the old kingdoms of the North, there were people with an odd sounding tongue and they worshiped the Haldora’s. The half spirited ones.
Haldora was now very scared. Her eyes were wide open at the thought of some one knowing the secret of her origins.
- Your people must still be descendants of those others and I bet you speak the old tongue. Good for you I can understand it. - Explained Anna.
Haldora still said nothing.
- Shall we just call you…Hal, to make it easier? - Anna smiled kindly and Haldora knew she was safe, she nodded.
- Good. So, where are you from, Hal?
Haldora thought how to answer this question, but she had no way of doing so, she looked so troubled, that Anna jumped to her own conclusions.
- You don’t remember, do you?
Haldora shook her head.
- It’s all right, Hal. You are here now and I will take care of you.
Haldora smiled.
- Where is here?
- Wessex! You’re in the kingdom of Wessex.
Haldora’s shined upon hearing this word. Anna was not indifferent to this, but remained quiet.
- Now, let’s see if we can find you some clothes that fit.
Anna gave her some clothes of her own, but they all seemed to be very big on Haldora. Anna did not seem to mind that, it was in fact rather funny. Haldora was happy to hear again the laughter of another mortal for the longest of time all she could hear were the screams from across the walls.
Haldora left the hut, to soak herself in the sun, but soon found its light to be too bright for her. Her eyes could not stay open and were teary. She came back inside and sat at the darkest corner of the hut, where she felt safe. Anna noticed this but again remained quiet. She brought Haldora a drop spindle and before she could explain how the mechanism worked, Haldora was using it properly, not that she had ever used it before, but her understanding, seemed to be a step farther then Anna’s. Again was silent at the strangeness of this woman. Haldora spindled at a fast pace and soon she had enough thread to fix Anna’s old clothes and turn them into dresses that fit perfectly, as done especially for her.
- I believe we’ve found you a job. - Anna announced.
Haldora was proud of herself. She drew near Anna to help her with the preparation of the food. When she stretched her hands Anna noticed they were bleeding and burnt from the thread running fast through her fingers, Haldora did not seemed to notice and show no indication of pain. Anna grabs her hand and poured a liquid on her hands, she squirmed in pain, but not with the reaction that Anna was expecting. Haldora was again fearful but Anna never showed herself too concerned. The dinner arrangements kept both of the women busy and when the sun was setting Haldora tried again to leave the hut. This time, she could move freely, eyes open and no tears. She could see all around her, even in dark corners. But she could not feel the softness of the leaves in her hands, nor could she really say if flowers had the right smell. She heard noises around her that did not seem to be natural; she could never locate them, nor see where they were. Anna watched from a distance, while Haldora roamed the woods as an animal let loose after a long stay indoors. Anna studied all of Haldora’s attempts to be as she once had been. Now in the twilight Anna could finally notice that the pale white skin was not of illness but natural. By the dark she looked almost dead, though her features were alive. Anna knew something was very mysterious about this woman, but still she was not about to deny her anything, it had been a long time since she had had company.
Haldora did not wonder very far, but at a clearance where the evening star was now starting to twinkle, she stopped and laid on the ground to look at it. She heard a familiar voice and soon smelled a familiar smell, cold surrounded her and fear invaded her. She got up and there she stood hovering, Hella. She stretched her hands towards Haldora as if to grab her and Haldora was frozen in her piercing eyes.
A new familiar voice, a scream and at once the smell was gone, the cold had pass, confusion still stayed.
The crackling sound of a wood burning fire woke Haldora up and she opened her eyes as if to find out if it was a dream. She was in hut, a fire was burning beside her and she was covered with animal skins. The hut seemed much empty, till an older woman entered, letting the light of the sun in. Haldora’s eyes where hurt by this light, she turned her head. The woman closed the cloth in front of the door and set her baskets down.
- You’re awake. I thought you would never wake.
Haldora looked around in a panic.
- Don’t worry, you’re safe. I brought you here from the cave you were in. You were delirious with fever. I kept you warm, gave you some food. You seem to be all right now. How do you feel?
Haldora still looked reluctant to speak, she could understand most of what was said, but could not make out much of it.
- Don’t be afraid, really. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m Anna. This is my house. - She reached for the fire and took a leftover chicken, she handed it to Haldora. Haldora took it and ate it franticly. Anna smiled. - Let us see if we can find something for you to wash that down with. - She looked around and found a bottle, popped the cork and gave it to Haldora, who drank it. - That should get some color back on that face of yours.
A noise was heard outside. Anna made a gesture for Haldora to calm down. She got up and looked out the door, then picked up a small sachet and left. Haldora went on eating and drinking. Anna came back inside.
- Sorry love, just a bit of business. So, are you ready to talk now? What’s your name?
- Haldora. - She answered with a trembling voice.
- That is a very odd name. It sounds ancient.
Haldora nodded her head. Anna looked at her and thought for a second.
- Haldora is of the old realm.
Haldora was amazed at this information.
- Yes. I remember my grandmother saying that a long time ago, before time was time, in the old kingdoms of the North, there were people with an odd sounding tongue and they worshiped the Haldora’s. The half spirited ones.
Haldora was now very scared. Her eyes were wide open at the thought of some one knowing the secret of her origins.
- Your people must still be descendants of those others and I bet you speak the old tongue. Good for you I can understand it. - Explained Anna.
Haldora still said nothing.
- Shall we just call you…Hal, to make it easier? - Anna smiled kindly and Haldora knew she was safe, she nodded.
- Good. So, where are you from, Hal?
Haldora thought how to answer this question, but she had no way of doing so, she looked so troubled, that Anna jumped to her own conclusions.
- You don’t remember, do you?
Haldora shook her head.
- It’s all right, Hal. You are here now and I will take care of you.
Haldora smiled.
- Where is here?
- Wessex! You’re in the kingdom of Wessex.
Haldora’s shined upon hearing this word. Anna was not indifferent to this, but remained quiet.
- Now, let’s see if we can find you some clothes that fit.
Anna gave her some clothes of her own, but they all seemed to be very big on Haldora. Anna did not seem to mind that, it was in fact rather funny. Haldora was happy to hear again the laughter of another mortal for the longest of time all she could hear were the screams from across the walls.
Haldora left the hut, to soak herself in the sun, but soon found its light to be too bright for her. Her eyes could not stay open and were teary. She came back inside and sat at the darkest corner of the hut, where she felt safe. Anna noticed this but again remained quiet. She brought Haldora a drop spindle and before she could explain how the mechanism worked, Haldora was using it properly, not that she had ever used it before, but her understanding, seemed to be a step farther then Anna’s. Again was silent at the strangeness of this woman. Haldora spindled at a fast pace and soon she had enough thread to fix Anna’s old clothes and turn them into dresses that fit perfectly, as done especially for her.
- I believe we’ve found you a job. - Anna announced.
Haldora was proud of herself. She drew near Anna to help her with the preparation of the food. When she stretched her hands Anna noticed they were bleeding and burnt from the thread running fast through her fingers, Haldora did not seemed to notice and show no indication of pain. Anna grabs her hand and poured a liquid on her hands, she squirmed in pain, but not with the reaction that Anna was expecting. Haldora was again fearful but Anna never showed herself too concerned. The dinner arrangements kept both of the women busy and when the sun was setting Haldora tried again to leave the hut. This time, she could move freely, eyes open and no tears. She could see all around her, even in dark corners. But she could not feel the softness of the leaves in her hands, nor could she really say if flowers had the right smell. She heard noises around her that did not seem to be natural; she could never locate them, nor see where they were. Anna watched from a distance, while Haldora roamed the woods as an animal let loose after a long stay indoors. Anna studied all of Haldora’s attempts to be as she once had been. Now in the twilight Anna could finally notice that the pale white skin was not of illness but natural. By the dark she looked almost dead, though her features were alive. Anna knew something was very mysterious about this woman, but still she was not about to deny her anything, it had been a long time since she had had company.
Haldora did not wonder very far, but at a clearance where the evening star was now starting to twinkle, she stopped and laid on the ground to look at it. She heard a familiar voice and soon smelled a familiar smell, cold surrounded her and fear invaded her. She got up and there she stood hovering, Hella. She stretched her hands towards Haldora as if to grab her and Haldora was frozen in her piercing eyes.
A new familiar voice, a scream and at once the smell was gone, the cold had pass, confusion still stayed.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Chapter IV
A loud shriek was heard through out the halls of the grand palace, waking Haldora, who had not for a long time heard anything which troubled her. She jumped from her bed and walked through the halls following the loud shriek. She seemed to be the only on to do so. No other person seemed to be able to hear the sound. She came to a new chamber; she had not been in before. It was a high ceiling chamber, with a strange grey light, though no windows or any source of light were seen. This light hurt Haldora’s eyes and she had to cover them with her hand, in order to see. She walked in and looked around, the chamber was empty, a apart from a large poll and a gigantic chain. The chain stretched till the darkest part of the chamber and Haldora followed it. As she was about to enter complete darkness again Hella abruptly appeared before her. Haldora screamed.
- I was not sure you could hear it. – Said Hella, pushing Haldora back to the light.
- Could hear what?
- Our ride.
Upon saying these words, movement was noticeable in the darkest part of the chamber. Something massive was approaching and Haldora was frightened for the first time in a long time. First she saw the paw, a long grey scaled paw, with tree great white claws, then the other paw and after the light invaded slowly all of its body, she saw that it was a dragon. His head was massive, with two large white horns and a long mouth, which shot a long red snake-like tongue. Around its neck, was a collar and attached to it was the gigantic chain. Haldora admired this giant being in awe, whereas Hella was only interested in taunting it. She would grab the chain and rattle it, making the collar move and annoying the dragon, who would shriek. Hella would laugh.
- My father gave me this dragon, after he slain him. He is the Underworld dragon. Otr.
- He is quite the beast.
- And he is our ride. Come.
The two women climbed on the dragon’s back and sat on a saddle. Hella broke off the chain as if it were a twig and used it for reins. Haldora held Hella by the waist as tightly as she could. The dragon took off. At first it seemed they would hit the ceiling as they were flying. Haldora closed her eyes dreading the impact, but nothing occurred. She opened them again and saw nothing but clouds, white clouds and light. Light so bright it stung her eyes and she almost could not see where they were going. She was however happy, she could feel warmth again, after she could not feel a thing in the Underworld. She could hear the wind breeze by her hears. She could even smell the clouds, though she did know whether clouds had smell, she could swear she sensed them.
- I must tell you that there are rules to our visit. You must never leave my side. You must never speak to no one, mortal or immortal. You must never touch anything. Do you understand? If you break these rules I will haunt you forever. Do not make me regret this.
Haldora nodded her head in understanding.
Hella pushed Otr’s chain and the dragon set down on a white corridor. Hella and Haldora climbed down and as Haldora touched the ground she knew she was again different. Her senses were with her once more. Hella removed a shroud from the saddle and wrapped Haldora in it.
- Never take this off.
- What is it?
- It’s an invisibility shroud.
The two ladies walked through the long corridor of light and came to a grand door. Hella opened it with no effort and inside Haldora could again smell food and drink and crave for it. She could hear the laughter of the great warriors, as if it were the day of a great victory in her village. Many of the Gods sitting at the table turned their heads as soon as Hella came in, her moldy stench filled the room, and Haldora was nauseated by it as well. The warriors were mostly too drunk to notice. Hella lead Haldora through the room, and Haldora could not understand, whether the Gods could in fact see her or whether they were just amazed to see Hella around. Haldora looked for her warrior but could not find him. The party was cheery and the warriors were waited on by the ever dedicated Valkyrie. Hella sat down on a chair far away from the group and made Haldora sit on the floor by her side.
- Let us wait. He will show sooner or later.
As they waited a man sat down on a chair next to Hella.
- It has been a long time since you came up here, my dear. - He said, giving her a drink.
- Well, it’s been a long time since they allow you back in, father.
The man smiled. Hella took a sip from her drink.
- I have fallen on Odin’s good graces again.
- And how long till I see you downstairs again? - Hella smiled.
- As much as I love to be around my dear daughter, I fear it will be a while this time.
Haldora looked at this couple and grew impatient. She could see a door, from where she sat and was extremely curious to know what was beyond it. Maybe there she could see her warrior, seeing he was shy from the party. The conversation between Hella and her father continued and Haldora slowly got up and moved towards the door. As she talked, Hella searched with her hand to find Haldora’s presence, she almost felt her absence, were it not for her father grabbing both her hands to tell her how he longed to visit her in the Underworld.
Haldora got through the door undetected and was amazed at what she saw. It was the grand Hall of Life. There, hanging on the wall, where the lives to be chosen by the warriors, after their service to Odin was done. Three Valkyrie chose the course, length and success of each of them. Already a few warriors stood in line to get a new life among the living. Haldora came close to see the process. The warrior would grab a thread and it would speak out its life. He would take it from the wall and wrap it around his neck. Then the golden women would take their souls and breathe them into an unborn baby. The births of these babies were witnessed from above, as their reflection appeared in a lake of dark water. Haldora was in awe as she watched the process unravel before her eyes. She got as close as she could to the hedge of the balcony where she stood. When looking down, she saw there was no passage to the Hall of Live from where she was, instead just a long drop to emptiness.
She was so distracted that she did not see Hella’s father come close to her.
- Inspiring! - He said frightening her. - There’s no need to be afraid. I am Loki and I mean you no harm. I will not tell a soul of you’re being here.
Haldora remained quiet and still.
- Speaking of souls. Here comes the next batch.
A group of warriors came through the same door as Haldora and Loki had come in. Instantly a bridge appeared before their feet to the Hall of Life. They passed one by one. Close to the end of the group, Haldora stirred. Her warrior was there.
- Is he who you are looking for? I guess his time as come. Shall we wait and see what life he chooses?
Haldora could not look away and saw him choose a farmer’s life in a new land called Wessex. He was swept by a golden woman and breathe into an unborn child and soon the image of his mother giving birth to him was reflected on the lake. His first cry was heard and the image disappeared.
- Another success. - The soft voice of the golden woman announced.
Haldora broke her silence and cried a muffled cry. Loki looked at her and smiled as if mocking her sadness. Hella storm through the door and before she could she Haldora, Loki pushed her off the balcony straight to the emptiness. Haldora cried but she could not hear her own voice, she saw nothing but white and blue, she heard nothing by quiet…
- I was not sure you could hear it. – Said Hella, pushing Haldora back to the light.
- Could hear what?
- Our ride.
Upon saying these words, movement was noticeable in the darkest part of the chamber. Something massive was approaching and Haldora was frightened for the first time in a long time. First she saw the paw, a long grey scaled paw, with tree great white claws, then the other paw and after the light invaded slowly all of its body, she saw that it was a dragon. His head was massive, with two large white horns and a long mouth, which shot a long red snake-like tongue. Around its neck, was a collar and attached to it was the gigantic chain. Haldora admired this giant being in awe, whereas Hella was only interested in taunting it. She would grab the chain and rattle it, making the collar move and annoying the dragon, who would shriek. Hella would laugh.
- My father gave me this dragon, after he slain him. He is the Underworld dragon. Otr.
- He is quite the beast.
- And he is our ride. Come.
The two women climbed on the dragon’s back and sat on a saddle. Hella broke off the chain as if it were a twig and used it for reins. Haldora held Hella by the waist as tightly as she could. The dragon took off. At first it seemed they would hit the ceiling as they were flying. Haldora closed her eyes dreading the impact, but nothing occurred. She opened them again and saw nothing but clouds, white clouds and light. Light so bright it stung her eyes and she almost could not see where they were going. She was however happy, she could feel warmth again, after she could not feel a thing in the Underworld. She could hear the wind breeze by her hears. She could even smell the clouds, though she did know whether clouds had smell, she could swear she sensed them.
- I must tell you that there are rules to our visit. You must never leave my side. You must never speak to no one, mortal or immortal. You must never touch anything. Do you understand? If you break these rules I will haunt you forever. Do not make me regret this.
Haldora nodded her head in understanding.
Hella pushed Otr’s chain and the dragon set down on a white corridor. Hella and Haldora climbed down and as Haldora touched the ground she knew she was again different. Her senses were with her once more. Hella removed a shroud from the saddle and wrapped Haldora in it.
- Never take this off.
- What is it?
- It’s an invisibility shroud.
The two ladies walked through the long corridor of light and came to a grand door. Hella opened it with no effort and inside Haldora could again smell food and drink and crave for it. She could hear the laughter of the great warriors, as if it were the day of a great victory in her village. Many of the Gods sitting at the table turned their heads as soon as Hella came in, her moldy stench filled the room, and Haldora was nauseated by it as well. The warriors were mostly too drunk to notice. Hella lead Haldora through the room, and Haldora could not understand, whether the Gods could in fact see her or whether they were just amazed to see Hella around. Haldora looked for her warrior but could not find him. The party was cheery and the warriors were waited on by the ever dedicated Valkyrie. Hella sat down on a chair far away from the group and made Haldora sit on the floor by her side.
- Let us wait. He will show sooner or later.
As they waited a man sat down on a chair next to Hella.
- It has been a long time since you came up here, my dear. - He said, giving her a drink.
- Well, it’s been a long time since they allow you back in, father.
The man smiled. Hella took a sip from her drink.
- I have fallen on Odin’s good graces again.
- And how long till I see you downstairs again? - Hella smiled.
- As much as I love to be around my dear daughter, I fear it will be a while this time.
Haldora looked at this couple and grew impatient. She could see a door, from where she sat and was extremely curious to know what was beyond it. Maybe there she could see her warrior, seeing he was shy from the party. The conversation between Hella and her father continued and Haldora slowly got up and moved towards the door. As she talked, Hella searched with her hand to find Haldora’s presence, she almost felt her absence, were it not for her father grabbing both her hands to tell her how he longed to visit her in the Underworld.
Haldora got through the door undetected and was amazed at what she saw. It was the grand Hall of Life. There, hanging on the wall, where the lives to be chosen by the warriors, after their service to Odin was done. Three Valkyrie chose the course, length and success of each of them. Already a few warriors stood in line to get a new life among the living. Haldora came close to see the process. The warrior would grab a thread and it would speak out its life. He would take it from the wall and wrap it around his neck. Then the golden women would take their souls and breathe them into an unborn baby. The births of these babies were witnessed from above, as their reflection appeared in a lake of dark water. Haldora was in awe as she watched the process unravel before her eyes. She got as close as she could to the hedge of the balcony where she stood. When looking down, she saw there was no passage to the Hall of Live from where she was, instead just a long drop to emptiness.
She was so distracted that she did not see Hella’s father come close to her.
- Inspiring! - He said frightening her. - There’s no need to be afraid. I am Loki and I mean you no harm. I will not tell a soul of you’re being here.
Haldora remained quiet and still.
- Speaking of souls. Here comes the next batch.
A group of warriors came through the same door as Haldora and Loki had come in. Instantly a bridge appeared before their feet to the Hall of Life. They passed one by one. Close to the end of the group, Haldora stirred. Her warrior was there.
- Is he who you are looking for? I guess his time as come. Shall we wait and see what life he chooses?
Haldora could not look away and saw him choose a farmer’s life in a new land called Wessex. He was swept by a golden woman and breathe into an unborn child and soon the image of his mother giving birth to him was reflected on the lake. His first cry was heard and the image disappeared.
- Another success. - The soft voice of the golden woman announced.
Haldora broke her silence and cried a muffled cry. Loki looked at her and smiled as if mocking her sadness. Hella storm through the door and before she could she Haldora, Loki pushed her off the balcony straight to the emptiness. Haldora cried but she could not hear her own voice, she saw nothing but white and blue, she heard nothing by quiet…
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Chapter III
The darkness seemed to be the longest prisoner of this place, all around she stood and strangely Haldora’s eyes were getting accustomed to this darkness, though, she never let got of the ever lit candle holder, she took from her room, whenever she was investigating her surroundings. The screams were still heard, but always at a distance, they seem to come from the other side of the walls, though no door or passage were ever to be found. Haldora found other people roaming the halls of what seemed to be a grand palace, they were mindless faces, walking from side to side, saying nothing, and staring at nothing. The world of the living was no longer in their heads and she found it increasingly hard to recognize them as people or spirits, everything seemed to be nothing, to her eyes although she knew what everything was. Soon she knew she sensed nothing, no smell, no touch, no aroma, nothing. She did not starve for food or thirst for water. She did not even breathe as much as she should. Her nails and hair stopped growing after a time and the only change in her was the slowly healing scar on her chest.
- I should have told you this is a timeless place. – Said Hella, appearing from thin air, no longer did her moldy smell troubled Haldora. – I have seen you wandering around all this time and you seem not to understand how this place works.
Haldora rose from the floor and stood in front of Hella
- When you said start again… What did you mean?
Hella grinned.
– What did you think I meant? - She asked, lying on the bed.
– To go back… to the living. - Haldora explained.
– Is that what you want?
– Yes. - Hella looked her straight in the eyes, hers were piercing colorless eyes. - Then I am curious as to why you took your own life?
Haldora could not answer this. She sat on the throne-like chair and stared at the ground.
– Come on, Haldora! Tell me your story. - She requested, as she cuddled on the bed.
– I thought the gods knew all. - Haldora stated, raising her head in defiance.
Hella smiled.
– Insolence, I like that. News does not travel fast to this part of the territory.
– So you are as rejected as all of us.
Hella’s expression changed to serious.
– Insolence is entertaining, have a care it does not turn annoying. Haldora remained defiant.
- Don’t you want to tell me your story? - Hella asked nicely.
– I though I was meant to forget.
– But before you do. Entertain me.
A silence was followed. Hella smiled to Haldora, and she confessed nothing through neither words nor gestures.
– All right, I will tell you what I know. When I found you, you were dead next to the body of a man, who I believe is the ‘he’ you mentioned earlier. I noticed he was wearing a different sort of armor. He was not an enemy, otherwise Freya would not have taken him, so… who was he then?
– An ally. - Haldora answered, looking to the ground.
– And I assumed it was his axe you took to your bosom.
Haldora nodded
- The question remains who was he?
Haldora lifted her head slowly.
– He was a brave warrior from the south, who died defending our banner.
– Your banner fell.
– Yes and he died trying to rescue it.
Silence was again instilled, Hella got up from the bed.
– You must tell me everything. You will never see him again and soon you will not remember him at all. You must let me carry your story. Maybe one day it will be told among the living.
- I will tell you the story, if you show me where he is.
Hella laughed, her laughter echoed through out the halls and sounded like the walls were crumbling down. Haldora was unaffected by this noise.
- Why would I do that?
- Because you want to know my story and my condition for telling it is that.
- That is blackmail. I like that, but not enough to grant you your request. Besides I do not trust you.
- Why? You are a Goddess, you are powerful and he is in a place of Gods. What could I a mere mortal do? What’s there not to trust? I can do nothing.
- You have courage, challenging me like that. I can arrange it. Tell me your story first. - Hella lay back on the bed, getting ready to hear the story.
- He came from the south, and I never knew his name. He has fought many battles. He is considered one of the richest men in all of the land. I watched him train for the battle every day. He has a different sort of sword, it broke the night before the battle, and he said it was a bad omen. He fights with his right hand but does everything else with his left; his right shoulder does not seem to work well. I left medicine for him at his door. I sewed his clothes in the dark and kept his fire burning each night. I always watched him from a far and I promised I would tell him… before the battle… I would… I would tell him.
- Tell him how you watched him? Tell him why you watched him?
- I was just going to try and talk to him.
- And then he died and you never got the chance to tell him anything. And he never knew you were there. – Hella seemed to mock Haldora’s story.
- No.
- Did he never suspect anyone?
Silence. Long heavy breaths.
- Yes, he did.
- Just not of you.
Haldora nodded in sadness.
- You prepared his body and called the Valkyrie. Then you attempted death so they would take you?
Haldora took a deep breath, as Hella tried to understand Haldora’s actions.
- I thought they would take pity on me.
Hella sat on the bed, she smiled as a mother smiles to her child.
- It’s not how this goes. You committed a terrible sin. You took the only gift the gods ever give you and you threw it away. Life is only yours to live, not to take. No god will take pity on you. And you will never leave this place.
- Will he leave Valhalla? - Haldora shyly asked.
- Yes. When Odin no longer needs him, his soul will go back to the living, and he will live there until his soul is full, then he will return to Valhalla where he will live forever.
- He will be happy, then. - Haldora concluded.
- That is really up to him. But you need not concern yourself with that. - Hella got up and walked to the door, as she passed Haldora, she touched her shoulder. - Tomorrow I will grant your wish. - Hella whispered and then walked away.
Haldora looked up with victorious eyes. She smiled.
- I should have told you this is a timeless place. – Said Hella, appearing from thin air, no longer did her moldy smell troubled Haldora. – I have seen you wandering around all this time and you seem not to understand how this place works.
Haldora rose from the floor and stood in front of Hella
- When you said start again… What did you mean?
Hella grinned.
– What did you think I meant? - She asked, lying on the bed.
– To go back… to the living. - Haldora explained.
– Is that what you want?
– Yes. - Hella looked her straight in the eyes, hers were piercing colorless eyes. - Then I am curious as to why you took your own life?
Haldora could not answer this. She sat on the throne-like chair and stared at the ground.
– Come on, Haldora! Tell me your story. - She requested, as she cuddled on the bed.
– I thought the gods knew all. - Haldora stated, raising her head in defiance.
Hella smiled.
– Insolence, I like that. News does not travel fast to this part of the territory.
– So you are as rejected as all of us.
Hella’s expression changed to serious.
– Insolence is entertaining, have a care it does not turn annoying. Haldora remained defiant.
- Don’t you want to tell me your story? - Hella asked nicely.
– I though I was meant to forget.
– But before you do. Entertain me.
A silence was followed. Hella smiled to Haldora, and she confessed nothing through neither words nor gestures.
– All right, I will tell you what I know. When I found you, you were dead next to the body of a man, who I believe is the ‘he’ you mentioned earlier. I noticed he was wearing a different sort of armor. He was not an enemy, otherwise Freya would not have taken him, so… who was he then?
– An ally. - Haldora answered, looking to the ground.
– And I assumed it was his axe you took to your bosom.
Haldora nodded
- The question remains who was he?
Haldora lifted her head slowly.
– He was a brave warrior from the south, who died defending our banner.
– Your banner fell.
– Yes and he died trying to rescue it.
Silence was again instilled, Hella got up from the bed.
– You must tell me everything. You will never see him again and soon you will not remember him at all. You must let me carry your story. Maybe one day it will be told among the living.
- I will tell you the story, if you show me where he is.
Hella laughed, her laughter echoed through out the halls and sounded like the walls were crumbling down. Haldora was unaffected by this noise.
- Why would I do that?
- Because you want to know my story and my condition for telling it is that.
- That is blackmail. I like that, but not enough to grant you your request. Besides I do not trust you.
- Why? You are a Goddess, you are powerful and he is in a place of Gods. What could I a mere mortal do? What’s there not to trust? I can do nothing.
- You have courage, challenging me like that. I can arrange it. Tell me your story first. - Hella lay back on the bed, getting ready to hear the story.
- He came from the south, and I never knew his name. He has fought many battles. He is considered one of the richest men in all of the land. I watched him train for the battle every day. He has a different sort of sword, it broke the night before the battle, and he said it was a bad omen. He fights with his right hand but does everything else with his left; his right shoulder does not seem to work well. I left medicine for him at his door. I sewed his clothes in the dark and kept his fire burning each night. I always watched him from a far and I promised I would tell him… before the battle… I would… I would tell him.
- Tell him how you watched him? Tell him why you watched him?
- I was just going to try and talk to him.
- And then he died and you never got the chance to tell him anything. And he never knew you were there. – Hella seemed to mock Haldora’s story.
- No.
- Did he never suspect anyone?
Silence. Long heavy breaths.
- Yes, he did.
- Just not of you.
Haldora nodded in sadness.
- You prepared his body and called the Valkyrie. Then you attempted death so they would take you?
Haldora took a deep breath, as Hella tried to understand Haldora’s actions.
- I thought they would take pity on me.
Hella sat on the bed, she smiled as a mother smiles to her child.
- It’s not how this goes. You committed a terrible sin. You took the only gift the gods ever give you and you threw it away. Life is only yours to live, not to take. No god will take pity on you. And you will never leave this place.
- Will he leave Valhalla? - Haldora shyly asked.
- Yes. When Odin no longer needs him, his soul will go back to the living, and he will live there until his soul is full, then he will return to Valhalla where he will live forever.
- He will be happy, then. - Haldora concluded.
- That is really up to him. But you need not concern yourself with that. - Hella got up and walked to the door, as she passed Haldora, she touched her shoulder. - Tomorrow I will grant your wish. - Hella whispered and then walked away.
Haldora looked up with victorious eyes. She smiled.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Chapter II
Brown eyes awoke in the dark, searching for some focus, information. White soft skin felt the sheets beneath it and caressed them. Nostrils flared with the sense of mould. Hears detected screaming from afar.
Movement is felt… The moldy smell intensified… Light is seen…
A woman with a candle holder walks in slow steps to the bed. She sets the candle holder on the table and it surprisingly lights the entire chamber. She sits on a throne-like chair, crosses her legs and stares at the bed, smiling mischievously. The uncomfortable moments of stillness were passed with the studying of the sheet’s movements. Soon, the woman propped her chin, on the fist.
- How long will you pretend to be a sleep when you are awake?
No answer was received.
- It is not at all without irony, that during the long sleep, you’d pretend to be sleeping.
This sentence caused an abrupt movement. The sheet flew and the occupant of the bed sat and saw the hostess for the first time.
This woman was the source of the moldy smell that invaded all of the room. Her legs were decomposing, as a corpse that has not buried, but her upper body and face were that of a beautiful lady. She wore a green gown; open almost down to her navel, exposing almost the entirety of her corpse-like skinned breasts; her legs were revealed by the opening of her dress, which seemed to be as a robe, rather then an actual dress. Behind her neck, the dress extended a long self-standing collar, which stood higher than the woman’s head. He black hair cascaded to her shoulders.
- I can safely say that sleeping as done you good, my dear girl.
– Am I dead? - The woman on the bed fearfully asked.
– Wasn’t that what you wanted? - That was her answer.
The woman looked at herself, and found herself wearing a white tunic; she looked around the room, and recognized nothing. Nor the bed, nor the table, nor the chairs, nothing looked recognizable, even though they were all usual objects, all seemed different. She rose from the bed and the touch of the ground also felt different to her feet, she walked to the end of the room, where a mirror was propped against the wall, and as she looked at the mirror hopping to finally recognize something, she was devastated to see she could not recognize herself. On the mirror stood the image of her death, her blue red-stained gown and the axe, her companion in death, were her only recollections. She turned to the woman in green for answers she needed not phrase.
– I am Hella, and this is the Underworld. - The woman stated as she rose from her throne-like chair. - You are dead. You’ve taken your own life. - She approached her in soft steps. - That was your death, Haldora. - She said pointing to the mirror. - And this is who you will be from now on!
Haldora opened her tunic and saw her scar; the line ran from her chest to her stomach and seemed to pull her skin into it like into an abyss.
– When that scar is healed, the world of the living will no longer be in your head and you will be ready to start again.
– Where is he? - Haldora shyly asked.
– There is no he! - Replied Hella, hinting her rage at the question, and then living as softly as she had arrived.
Haldora caressed her own scar, as if it were a baby… Her expression, as sad as a childless mother.
Movement is felt… The moldy smell intensified… Light is seen…
A woman with a candle holder walks in slow steps to the bed. She sets the candle holder on the table and it surprisingly lights the entire chamber. She sits on a throne-like chair, crosses her legs and stares at the bed, smiling mischievously. The uncomfortable moments of stillness were passed with the studying of the sheet’s movements. Soon, the woman propped her chin, on the fist.
- How long will you pretend to be a sleep when you are awake?
No answer was received.
- It is not at all without irony, that during the long sleep, you’d pretend to be sleeping.
This sentence caused an abrupt movement. The sheet flew and the occupant of the bed sat and saw the hostess for the first time.
This woman was the source of the moldy smell that invaded all of the room. Her legs were decomposing, as a corpse that has not buried, but her upper body and face were that of a beautiful lady. She wore a green gown; open almost down to her navel, exposing almost the entirety of her corpse-like skinned breasts; her legs were revealed by the opening of her dress, which seemed to be as a robe, rather then an actual dress. Behind her neck, the dress extended a long self-standing collar, which stood higher than the woman’s head. He black hair cascaded to her shoulders.
- I can safely say that sleeping as done you good, my dear girl.
– Am I dead? - The woman on the bed fearfully asked.
– Wasn’t that what you wanted? - That was her answer.
The woman looked at herself, and found herself wearing a white tunic; she looked around the room, and recognized nothing. Nor the bed, nor the table, nor the chairs, nothing looked recognizable, even though they were all usual objects, all seemed different. She rose from the bed and the touch of the ground also felt different to her feet, she walked to the end of the room, where a mirror was propped against the wall, and as she looked at the mirror hopping to finally recognize something, she was devastated to see she could not recognize herself. On the mirror stood the image of her death, her blue red-stained gown and the axe, her companion in death, were her only recollections. She turned to the woman in green for answers she needed not phrase.
– I am Hella, and this is the Underworld. - The woman stated as she rose from her throne-like chair. - You are dead. You’ve taken your own life. - She approached her in soft steps. - That was your death, Haldora. - She said pointing to the mirror. - And this is who you will be from now on!
Haldora opened her tunic and saw her scar; the line ran from her chest to her stomach and seemed to pull her skin into it like into an abyss.
– When that scar is healed, the world of the living will no longer be in your head and you will be ready to start again.
– Where is he? - Haldora shyly asked.
– There is no he! - Replied Hella, hinting her rage at the question, and then living as softly as she had arrived.
Haldora caressed her own scar, as if it were a baby… Her expression, as sad as a childless mother.
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