Ravengard | Chapter 3

On The Hunt

RECAP: After an attack from the giants, Jarl Erik of clan Ravengard travels with his brother Trond and Ragnvald the godi. Together, they search for the dwarfs so that they might have a weapon worthy of withstanding the rage of the giants. But with their money stolen, there’s no way for the trio to leave Midgard, let alone reach Nidavellir, and every passing day risks the destruction of Ravengard.

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By the time we came down from our room, the woman was already sitting at a table waiting for us. She wore no cloak this time, but had the same scarred yet clean armor from the night before. It was silver plated with golden highlights, the crest of feathered wings across the chest. Something about the armor felt familiar, but I could not place it. She wore no helm, and let her black hair fall over her shoulders. Her eyes were hard, and her mouth seemed to be in a permanent scowl.

Trond huffed as we approached. “Does anyone in this city smile? At least the innkeeper tries to act happy.”

“Just let me do the talking,” I said.

We stood in front of the mercenary’s table. I crossed my arms and looked down at her. “We’re here.”

“I am not blind.” She took a drink from the mug in her hand.

“We must go to the thieves. We planned to leave Midgard with the money they stole from us. Without it, there is little hope for our clan. The sooner we get it, the better.”

“The sooner you get it, the more time you’ll have to lose it again before you leave. You think we can simply march into the thieves’ lair and take the gul back? We need to find them first.”

“You don’t know where they are?”

“No.”

“You told me you were tracking them.”

Trond put his hands on his hips. “Are you sure you’re not blind?”

“I have been tracking them,” the mercenary said, “but only for a day. It takes longer than that to find a thief group if they know what they’re doing, and these guys do.”

I sat in the seat across from her and leaned forward. “Tell me everything you know.”

“The group is called Prosperity. They use the corresponding rune as their mark. They believe that, as thieves, they can find better success together than individually, but make no mistake: they will cut each other’s throats if it gives them even a penny more. They are a collective, not a team.”

“I understand.”

“They implement hit-and-run tactics,” the mercenary said. “They’re small, so they can’t hold out for long if combat is involved. Given your concealed weapons, I trust at least the two of you know something about combat?”

I glared at her. “How did you know?”

“I trained myself to do that.”

“And being able to read runes?”

“It’s not an uncommon thing.”

“It is in some parts.”

“Maybe in the savage regions of Midgard where you’re from,” the mercenary said, “but not in most places.”

She continued. “The bonds of these thieves are easily broken. But when a heist is planned, no man is to be left behind. The thieves might steal from one another, but they will never betray each other to the city guard. If the guard finds their hideout, it’s all over. They’ve sworn a pact never to betray the location of their hideout to the guard.”

“Promises aren’t everything. One of them will betray Prosperity eventually.”

“I believe so, too, which is why I suspect they move their hideout regularly. Once a week, maybe.”

“Then how are we supposed to find them?”

“I followed that girl around all day yesterday,” the mercenary said. “The one who stole your money. I know her regular hangout spots, where she picks her scores, and where she hides after a hit. She didn’t work with a team, but it was only a day. It’s possible she works with larger groups, too. But yesterday looked too practiced and regular for her. That’s her daily routine.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“And we can track her to Prosperity’s current hideout?”

“It’s worth a shot.”

I nodded and stood from the table. “Then let’s find her.”

“It’s not that simple. I need to know I can trust you enough to turn my back to you.”

I paused for a moment. How could I prove to her I wouldn’t betray her? I’m sure betrayals like that were common in her line of work. Was there something I could give her that might earn her trust?

I extended my hand. “My name is Erik. I’m the Jarl of clan Ravengard, which lies a day’s drive West of here.”

The mercenary grasped my hand in a firm shake. “Hilda.”

“Do I not have the honor to know where you’re from?”

“I’m from everywhere. The branches of Yggdrasil are my home. I don’t claim to belong to any one place.”

“Everyone is from somewhere.”

“Then I am from Midgard.”

“Midgard’s a big place.”

“Indeed it is. Shall we go?”

“Of course.”

Hilda led the way out of the inn.

Trond came close to me and spoke low so Hilda could not hear. “I don’t know about her, Erik. She seems… strange.”

“She’s hiding something to be sure,” I said. “But it may be of no consequence.”

“Yet it might also be of dire consequence. I don’t like this.”

“Just keep your eye on her as you said.”

Ragvald looked over his shoulder. “I agree with Trond. She is not to be trusted. I sense a darkness within her.”

“Your friends are right, Jarl Erik,” Hilda said without turning around. “Trusting me is foolish.”

Her hearing our conversation surprised me at first, but then again, she was a mercenary. “What choice do I have?”

“You could find a way to earn back the gul you lost. Sell some of your equipment, or maybe offer a service.”

“The gul we lost is too significant to be made up by those means. We intend to leave Midgard. We need money for transport.”

“I remember. How much do you need to make up for your losses?”

Ragnvald cleared his throat. “After subtracting the cost of the inn for every night until an… appointment that we have, we’ll need at least 500 gul.”

Hilda blinked. “You’re right. That is significant. You didn’t think to bring backup funds, did you?”

“We have no backup funds,” I said. “Our village has little. We brought with us the majority of our treasury.”

“That’s it?”

“We’re one of the clans of Midgard. We don’t seek profit. We seek survival.”

Hilda shrugged. “I guess that sounds peaceful enough. Until you get attacked by something, of course.”

“Which is why we’ve come.”

“Is it? Looking for help? I could protect you. For a fee, of course.”

“I think we need a little more than what you can give.”

“Fine. But if you change your mind, I’ll likely still be here.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

We wandered the streets of Soemd. The sun rose in the sky, though the only evidence of this was the dim light shining through the dark gray clouds hiding the heavens above us. The streets were as crowded as before. Neither the oncoming rain nor the early hours of the morning deterred any of them. They had business, and they intended to see it through.

Hilda led us down an alley and quickened her pace. Ragnvald struggled to keep up.

I placed a hand on the old man’s shoulder. “You can turn back if you wish. I realize it’s likely a struggle for you to keep up with us.”

Ragnvald shook his head. “I’m fine. Go on ahead. Stay with the warrior. I’ll catch up when I can.”

“You sure you won’t get lost?”

“The gods will guide me.”

“If you say so.”

Ragnvald was a lune. I respected the gods, but he was disillusioned by them. They were masters of Yggdrasil and deserved worship, but they were not perfect. I wondered sometimes if Ragnvald’s “visions” were dreams or simply logical predictions. Whatever the case, he seemed to get by just fine. Almost 90 years, and he was still on his feet.

We emerged from the alley, but something seemed amiss. I glanced around. The people on the street paused and looked up at the sky, squinting through the dim light filtered through the storm clouds. Something rumbled, but it was not thunder.

A ship flew overhead, its hull plated with gold and silver, polished and reflective. It was trailed by two escort fighters as it slowly passed by.

The people on the streets grinned. Some cheered. Some dropped to their knees and prayed. Others scowled and turned away.

Hilda paid the ship no mind.

“Who is that?” I asked her.

Trond spun me around. His grin was wider than normal. “Have you not pieced it together? That’s one of the gods!”

“Tyr,” Hilda said. “That’s Tyr’s ship.”

“Tyr? The swordsman?” said Trond. “This can’t be real. He’s a legend!”

Hilda sighed. “Yes, his skills are legendary, especially his drinking. The gods don’t stop here for any reason other than to suit their own pleasures, you know. They’re not here to help us mortals. If that were the case, we’d all have eaten of the secret Fruit of Life.”

“Are you always so pessimistic? We’re in the same city as a god. Of course, he’s not perfect. But his heroic feats are legendary. I’ve heard his blade is still inside Fenrir’s jaw.”

Hilda ignored him. “Keep up. We need to move quickly if we are to find the girl.”

We walked further. As we strode down the road, I glanced over my shoulder and found the hunched-over form of Ragnvald far behind, hobbling through the crowd. A part of me pitied him then, and I considered going back to help him. But the other part of me was glad to finally be rid of his nay-saying and his prophecies of doom and destruction. As he said, he’d find his way, whether he was guided by the gods or asked the local guard for directions.

We turned a corner and found ourselves in a bustling marketplace. Vendors set up along both sides of the street. The crowds were much thicker here. Land speeders and other vehicles struggled to get through. They beeped at the market goers, but it was no use.

Hilda stopped and glanced around the marketplace. “This is one of her streets. This is a perfect opportunity for her. Loud, chaotic, and plenty of pockets and satchels to snatch from. She’s here.”

“How can you see her in a crowd this thick?” Trond asked. “The people won’t stop moving.”

“I don’t see her, but I know she wouldn’t pass this up.”

She glanced around a little longer. I followed her example and looked into the crowd, trying to shut out the distractions around me: shouting vendors, the savory aroma of roasted meat, the buzz of conversation, the warm air thick with humidity. But my senses were too used to the quiet village of Ravengard. Everything was new. My mind couldn’t stop focusing on the wrong things. I breathed in the pleasant smell of roasted meat, I found the colors exciting, and the conversations pulled at my ears.

“We should split up,” Hilda said over the noise. “If you see anyone wearing the Prosperity rune, stay on them and don’t be noticed. Follow them discreetly, and don’t try to find me or one another. Leave a trail if you can.”

“Best of luck,” I said.

Hilda nodded. “And you.”

Trond groaned and said something about no one having a sense of humor, but he was cut off by the buzz of the crowd as I strode away and began my search.

It was difficult to move without running into anyone. I’d never been in a place so packed with others. I hoped I wouldn’t lose the thief if I spotted her, but it wouldn’t be easy. She’d know what she was doing. I wouldn’t. I was sure I’d be spotted, but that wouldn’t stop me from trying. I could only hope Hilda found her instead.

But if Hilda found the thief, how could I know she’d make good on her word and return the gul stolen from me? I only had faith that she would, but she was a mercenary. Faith and trust didn’t go far with her. I’d have to find the thief first, or Trond. That was our best hope.

It was fortunate that I towered over most of the crowd. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have spotted the small thief weaving through the people like it was an art. She had ditched the cloak in favor of street clothes that blended in with the crowd. She wore a sleeveless, hooded tunic, and an armband with the Prosperity rune. Anyone who didn’t know to look for the rune would have mistaken her for just another market attendee.

She glanced in my direction, and I averted my gaze. I didn’t see her face well, which would likely make things difficult. But the armband was enough to go on for now. I moved toward where I’d last seen her in the crowd. Some of the people cleared and revealed where she’d been, but she wasn’t there anymore. I furrowed my brow and found a vendor nearby selling seeds of some kind. They weren’t too expensive. I bought a small pouch and began sprinkling them on the ground as I went, one little pinch at a time. It wasn’t much, but the seeds were dark against the light ground. I hoped it’d be enough for Hilda to pick up. Trond, I had no doubt, would miss it.

There she was again, moving further away from me. She slipped through the crowd with ease, walking at a normal pace. I struggled to get through. My large form was not built for navigating packed areas. But I needed to move faster. If I kept this pace up, I’d lose her before long.

I pushed through the crowd as best I could, apologizing as I went. I guessed I was close to the thief’s pace, but probably didn’t match it yet. I moved even faster, then looked up, hoping to Asgard I hadn’t lost her.

The thief had escaped the marketplace and was running through the street.

“By the blood of…”

I was more aggressive now in pushing through the crowd. I had stopped apologizing as I moved as fast as I could. I bumped into an unhappy, shorter man, and the pouch of seeds were knocked clean out of my hand. There went my trail. I ignored the man’s curses and moved further down the street.

Finally clear of the crowd, I sprinted forward to where I’d last seen the thief. There, she slipped into an alleyway. No time to find Hilda and Trond to make sure they followed me. We had no communication devices. We hadn’t need of them in clan Ravengard, and we hadn’t thought of needing them for our journey, as I assumed we’d be together at all times. I finally understood the usefulness of personal communication devices at that moment.

I dived into the alley as the thief dashed around a corner to the left. I followed, but the thief was far faster than I. The distance between us grew. I pressed on, though I found it hard to breathe. The air was thick and seemed to get stuck in my throat. It smelled strongly of rain. Something rumbled above, and it was not starship engines this time.

I turned another corner, and the thief was gone. I punched the nearest steel wall. My knuckles throbbed, but I payed them no mind. I’d lost our target, and now, it would take that much longer to find our gul. By the time we collected our money, it could be too late. The giants might lay waste to Ravengard, and Trond and I wouldn’t be there to protect them. What a Jarl I’d become.

I returned to the marketplace, and Trond raced out of the crowd to meet me. “Brother! Hilda picked up your trail, but it went cold. Where is she? Where’s the thief?”

“Gone.”

“Gone? What do you mean?”

Hilda appeared behind Trond. “He means he lost her. She was too fast. Or maybe he was just too slow.”

“I am strong, not swift. She was small. She slipped through the crowd with no trouble.”

Trond lightly hit my belly. “What’ve I told you about your appetite?”

“They’ll move their hideout immediately,” Hilda said. “There’s no chance of finding them at their current location now. We’ll have to wait until we have a new lead.”

“I’m sorry. I tried.”

“I don’t know why I trusted you. You have no experience in this field. This was going to be an open and shut job. But I can’t get paid until I’ve caught the leader of Prosperity, and you’ve gone and delayed that.”

I tightened my fists. “It was not my intent. I lost, too. I don’t know if we’ll be able to leave Midgard now.”

Hilda huffed. “I’ll keep looking for Prosperity, and if I find them, then I might still need you. The more warriors to take on a thieves’ guild, the better, even if you lack urban experience. But you are not to help me look for the guild, understood?”

“You cannot tell me what I can and cannot do,” I said. “I’m a jarl.”

“Not here. In one of the kingdoms, you’re just another nobody. Get used to it.”

I bit back another reply. She wasn’t worth the effort. “We’ll be at the inn.”

“I’ll come find you if I need you.”

Hilda strode past Trond and I, and we marched forward.

“Don’t let her get to you,” Trond said. “I know you tried.”

“Tried or not, I failed.”

“Even so, you’re not a nobody.”

“I am here.”

Trond wisely decided to drop the matter. “What’s our next move? We’re not seriously just going to wait for Hilda to summon us, are we?”

“Of course not,” I said. “She’s a bounty hunter. She’s only in it for the money, even if that means our money. We can’t take her at her word. We know who has our gul, and we know how to find them. We’ll restart our search for Prosperity tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? But they’re going to move now. Why not look for them while they’re vulnerable?”

“I want them to get comfortable again. Once they’re settled in their new location, they’ll think themselves safe, and that will be their downfall. We’ll have to track another of their guild, though. The girl knows my face. She’ll be looking out for us.”

Trond nodded. “I see. Tomorrow it is, then.”

“Yes.”

As we made our way back to the inn, we ran into Ragnvald, who made his way up the street to catch up with us. He leaned on his staff as we approached. “What have I missed?”

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