Asger is flat on his back, her power leveling him. Turning his head to the side, he sees the huge wolf also on the ground, breathing shallowly. Just beyond him was Ragnhild, hands gripping her spear on her knees. He notices her head hanging limply down and she earns more of his respect, even unconscious she kept hold of her weapon. He hisses in pain as Morrigan lays her hand on him, drawing his eyes.
“We must go. Quickly!” She looks at the others and Asger sees the worry on their faces. Except Odin, where Asger sees greedy excitement. Morrigan turns to her mother for help, as blackness creeps into his vision and he is lost to it.
He wakes in bed, the softness hurting him, and refuses to open his eyes. The smell of burnt meat reaches his nose and he understands that meat is him. If he looks, the pain will multiply, so he squeezes his eyes tightly shut.
“I see you are awake,” Loki’s voice comes from the foot of the bed. Steeling his nerves, Asger slits his eyes but keeps them focused on Loki’s gray ones. “I’m glad he did not quite kill you, Guardian. I think my niece was right, you are the link to get Ylva back.”
Sweat breaks out across Asger’s trembling body. The pain, oh, the pain. Morrigan moves into his line of sight. “I’m so sorry Asger. My father…,” her voice trembles with her shame.
Raising his good hand, he lays it gently on her cheek. His voice is rough and breaks as he speaks. “None of this is your fault. If anything we all underestimated him, underestimated his greed for power.” Her tears fall on his face. “No tears, my lady.”
Loki clears his throat, drawing their gazes. “We have an idea that might save you. It might heal you but it will be excruciating.”
Asger finally eases his gazes to his ruined left side, he had been right, seeing it was worse. The color drains from his face and chest, as nausea rolls through his stomach. His hand grips the covers as he tries to catch his breath. His entire left side looks like an animal cooked on the spit. He is ruined. Swallowing hard a few times, he builds his courage, “What is this plan?”
Loki grins. “The great tree likes you. She loves Ylva, who has long cared for the land around her. But the Berserker is destroying every living thing in her path. Morrigan says the tree gave you a gift. That is an extreme honor. Even as you lay unconscious, tendrils of her magic have whispered through the room, she checks on you. The Tree of Life believes, like we do, that you are the way to bring Ylva back. We have decided your best chance is to lie within her roots, wrap you in her magic. Her roots grow from this plane to the next, and on your side, they tap into the lines of magic that crisscross your world. The ley lines join all magics from all living things. The problem is, you are so severely injured that we cannot sift you there. As you know, the journey is long. You cannot change to your dragon form either. So…,” he drifts off, turning his eyes to the window and Asger looks with him. Outside, lying down on the hillside, is a monstrous wolf, one that makes Ragnhild’s seem like a pup. “That is my son Fenrir. He has offered to carry you to the tree but it will be painful beyond what you can imagine.”
Asger flinches as the wolf howls, red eyes looking right at him. A gravelly voice enters his head, ‘I will get you there as fast as I can, Guardian. Ylva is one of very few souls I care about.’ Asger presses his lips together and gives a curt nod. His heart begins to pound as Loki moves to his side. Clenching his teeth so tight it feels as if they might break off, he still cannot keep the scream from breaking free as Loki lifts him from the bed. Danu’s cool magic eases him slightly. Bright white light dances through his vision as they reach Fenrir. Loki places him on the wolf’s back, which is larger than the bed he had been on. His hand digs in, gripping the fur, Fenrir’s red eyes lock with his as he looks back over his shoulder. Sweat drips from his body as he trembles, his muscles tighten as he nods. Afraid to speak, knowing if he opens his mouth his screams will fill the air. Fenrir begins a slow walk to the west, Loki moving at their side. It is only a short while before pain pulls Asger into darkness.
“Now, my son. Run!” Fenrir dashes away, his huge strides eating up the ground. He is panting, head hanging when he arrives at the great tree. His father is waiting having sifted there. Loki lifts Asger in his arms and turns to the tree. “We have brought him in hopes that you can help heal him.”
The Tree of Life shivers, branches dipping low, Loki looks to Fenrir nodding his head. Using his massive paws, he digs a massive hole and Loki places Asger in it. Roots begin to move, covering him, shielding the guardian. All those connected to the guardian hear the weeping. The whole planet cries at his pain. Morrigan and Danu look at each other. They are not the only ones who have fallen for the handsome warrior. Fenrir howls at the earth magic, his animal side connecting with the Mother. One last look at Asger before he turns, his father cautions, “Be very careful, son.”
Looking at his father, he nods, his is a dangerous task. They had realized that his magic is a little wild, like the dragon. They hope he can lead the Berserker on a merry chase, buying Asger some time. He senses the magic seep in him from the ground, a blessing from the tree and mother. He is instantly revived and ready to run. Yipping excitedly, he bounds away.
Loki stands for a moment, watching his son, until he shifts to the other realm. Looking back to Asger, leaning on the tree brazenly, he murmurs, “I hope you are all right and he is the way back to her. We are risking much. Hide him well, my lady. Odin searches for him and cannot find him here.” A single leaf floats to his shoulder and he smiles. Pushing off her enormous trunk, he strides away and then sifts.
Appearing in Valhalla, he strides toward the hall where he is sure his brother will be. He pauses as he sees Morrigan sitting at her father's feet.
“Surely you understand, Father. I woke the dragon, brought him from the old world. I could not then abandon him.” She waits for Odin to speak. My brother’s eye travels over her face studying her, trying to find her deceit. Looking to me because of his suspicions include me but cannot figure out exactly what we are lying about. “I only shifted enough of my magic to try to save his life,” Morrigan’s voice rang true. “If I had done any more than that, Ylva’s would have leveled us all.”
“And you, brother, what do you have to say?” Odin asks. I school my face before speaking.
“Only, that we did not know of your plan to kill the guardian. How could we have had some plan to go against you, All Father? I just wish I had thought of it. It was brilliant, if only she had not been so greedy to destroy him herself.” Morrigan’s eyes twinkled slightly as she looks at me.
One last look at them both and Odin stands, unhappy but unable to prove anything. Stomping out of the hall, he pauses, calling out, “No games, brother.”
I watch as he as he leaves. If only he understood it was all a game. Morrigan moves to my side. I draw her into my arms, pulling her close, kissing her hair and whisper words of care. Out loud I say, “Goodbye niece. If there is any change in your guardian, contact me. We must sever the link.” My eyes flick to Ragnhild, listening and watching from the shadows.
Morrigan smiles, “I love you, uncle.” She returns to the Vanishing Isle.
Drawing a breath, I turn, looking directly at the Valkyrie. Yes, it is all a game and now I must plan my next move in case the guardian dies or fails. I had told them that Odin could not be allowed to gain the power and I meant it. I always have a backup plan. I love Ylva in my own way but I will destroy her to keep Odin from gaining that weapon, even if it meant losing Morrigan and Danu. Leaving the hall, I begin to make my plan. Time to go move some pieces around the board.