The Blood Eagle in the Big Easy (18 page)

Wrestling myself from my reverie I grabbed a pair of pants and a shirt on the way out of the room, tugging them on as I went. Stopping in the kitchen I grabbed a drink before heading to the far end of the apartment to my sanctuary. It was a museum and library all rolled into one large room which occupied a full third of my sixth floor apartment. Books lined the shelved walls throughout the room. The shelves were intermittently separated by archaic weapons or armor, jeweled boxes or some other item I had admired over the years and added to my collection. The center of the room contained a large fire pit that burned twenty four/seven thanks to the modern wonders of natural gas. Around the pit were several overstuffed wing chairs with side tables. There were other chairs and tables strategically placed throughout the room when I wanted to work and not get lost in memories.

Passing through the maze of shelving I stopped when I found the book ‘The Lost Chronicles’ which I promptly opened. It was no longer just a book, but now had a tablet hidden inside of a book that I hadn’t really cared for. Unlocking the screen and entering the access code I waited for the marker to show me the way to the safe hidden in the room. The safe was on a hiddenconveyer belt which looped through all the shelves in the room constantly moving, only stopping when the proper code was entered. It would then be shunted to the nearest access point. I knew that it was a particularly useless security feature when I designed it but it amused me.

While waiting for the metal safe to appear I picked up an old battle axe that had seen better days. The aged wood handle was cracked, the once sharp edge was nicked and chipped from use in battle. Holding it tightly, I felt the wood shaft creak as it objected to being called into service again. Smiling I placed it reverently back on the shelf letting it rejoice in its well deserved retirement. Turning my attention to the safe I entered the digital combination and waited as the door slowly opened. Pushing a few leather bound tomes aside I pulled a black velvet bag from the safe’s dark recesses. After closing the safe door it soon vanished from view to continue its never ending journey.

The bag was warm to the touch as I made my way through the room to the fire pit. I sat down and leaned back in the overstuffed leather wing chair taking solace from the glowing flames before I opened pandora’s box. Pulling the side table around in front of me I carefully coaxed the contents out of the bag and onto the wooden surface before me. It appeared to be a beautifully cut teardrop twenty four carat diamond that was utterly flawless, gently rocking back and forth on the hard surface of the table for a few moments before coming to rest on one of the thousands of facets.

Tilting my head slightly I admired its beauty as it glowed a deep cobalt blue. Today not only was it glowing but strange symbols seemed to boil to the surface as if trying to escape. Over the years I had spent untold hours gazing at its normally transparent glittering surface, only to change about a year ago just before the MRI. The only way to describe the symbols were to compare them to the runes J.R.R. Tolkien made famous on the covers of his books, except these were more pronounced and lavish than anything I’d seen.

Try as I might I couldn’t resist the urge to hold it in my hands. Stretching my hand out I slowly wrapped my fingers around its smooth warm surface. Warmth flooded my body as I pressed it hard against my palm. Involuntarily closing my eyes I slipped back in my chair as a sense of comfort and well being overwhelm my senses. Something on the outer edges of what I knew to be reality tugged at my consciousness. Suddenly causing me to panic, I tried to release my grip on the stone. It was then I realized that my body had betrayed me, as it refused to obey even the simplest of commands! I was paralyzed, sitting upright and blind and thoroughly helpless.

A voice boomed beside me. “I can’t have you releasing the stone just yet.” Pain wracked my mind. I desperately wanted to clap my hands over my ears to block out the booming voice, barely understanding the words that seemed several decibels too loud. “My apologies, I have slept for far too long.” Came the deep baritone voice at a more reasonable level.

After a few seconds of uselessly scanning the room hoping for some sign of my new visitor I gave myself over to the universe and accepted whatever fate was about to be dealt. As the words formed in my mind I could hear them spoken aloud. “I suppose good morning is in order?” I sounded calmer than I thought I would. “It would seem I am at a disadvantage as I don’t know who you are.”

“Ah yes where are my manners?” The voice cleared his throat dramatically. “I’m Mir, humble servant of the Allfather and you would be...” He hummed as he seemed to be lost in thought.

“My name is Viktor...” I responded.

“No, no that’s not it...” Mir replied. “Don’t worry dear boy I’ll remember your name sooner or later.”

“I don’t mean to sound rude but who are you and what are you doing in my house?” I tried to keep the anger out of my thoughts. Nothing like being in the dark and paralyzed to bring out the more polite and well mannered me.

“Oh my...” Mir started as he sounded nervous. “It would seem that we’re off on the wrong foot already.”

“Not at all.” Try as I might I was unable to release my grip on the stone and free myself from my paralytic prison of flesh.

Surprisingly the darkness that surrounded me started to fading as my body seemed to respond to my commands once more. After blinking my eyes several times the world around me came sharply back into focus. The only hitch was that I was no longer sitting in the study at home. Instead I found myself standing in the midst of a well traveled dirt path somewhere deep in a dimly lit forest. The overgrown evergreens created a heavy canopy, allowing only the occasional shaft of sunlight to break through unimpeded. Snow and ice blanketed everything around me except for the trail. I felt I should recognize this place yet I just couldn’t place it.

The wind howled through the trees that sang as the icy branches brushed against one another. Pulling my old overcoat I’d woke up with all those years ago tight to keep the chill out, I felt at home for the first time. I knew this to be an illusion, or perhaps a dream, but it seemed much too vivid. The details were too precise making it hard to distinguish this from reality which just set me on edge. Delusions this vivid meant I’d either finally cracked or perhaps something bigger was at work here. I had little choice at this point but to cooperate with this ‘Mir’. Deciding to play along. As I took my first tentative step, I could feel the frozen earth crunch with each step. Like I said every last detail was precise. Mir was certainly pulling out all the stops for whatever game he was playing.

Shoving my hands back in my pockets to keep them out of the elements I trudged onward. Eventually I caught sight of a very large being which I’d like to say was a man, but was much too large, walking towards me. He was perhaps three hundred yards away, partially hidden by the long shadows cast by the evergreens surrounding us. He wore some type of black body armor akin to medieval knights yet it glowed and pulsated with a life all its own. My mind screamed at me that this being was dangerous beyond measure so the closer he came the slower I walked. Everything about the man said to proceed with the utmost caution. His every move denoted a predator who was long accustomed to violence. I looked around vain in hopes of finding something that would at least improve my odds of survival. Finding nothing I firmly planted my feet and waited.

He stopped a few yards away pulling off the visor, and giving me a big smile. Something about him spoke a familiarity yet try as I might I couldn’t place him. His features resembled rough cut granite, giving him a look akin to an ancient masterpiece that was yet unfinished and somehow still handsome. His face bespoke of something ancient yet unchanged by the ravages of time, from what little I could see of his flesh he was heavily scarred from untold battles. His most imposing feature was his right eye which glowed. It took me a few seconds to realize it was the same gemstone I’d held onto all these years.

His long gray hair hung well past his broad shoulders, and the matching well kept beard only accentuated his rough features.  “It is good to properly meet you....” He bowed with a flourish. “I’m Mir, humble servant of the Allfather.”

Keeping a close eye on the man I gave him a slight bow. “Good to meet you Mir.” Glancing around I tried to find a way out of this nightmare. “Like I said earlier, the name’s Viktor.”

Tilting his head to the side as he chewed on his lower lip he tried to place me. “I believe you’re mistaken...” Mir shrugged his massive shoulders as he stepped forward.  “You need a name I suppose, and Viktor is as good as any...” Mir looked confused. “Since I cannot recall your proper name, I guess Viktor will just have to do... for now.”

That old hunger to know who I was overrode my trepidation and good sense. “You seem to think that we know each other.” Stepping around Mir, who stood probably twice my height, I eyed him carefully. “I would think I would remember someone as...”

“Handsome as me?” Mir joked.

Yeah, like I’m going to piss off the giant in the room. “Sure, let’s go with that.” Thinking that it was better to placate him than be squashed like an ant underfoot. He was simply too powerful for me to even consider trying to fight. If that’s what it came down too I planned to run like hell. It isn’t cowardice if there isn’t a reason to fight. Besides I couldn’t see gaining anything from something that foolish.

“So how is it we know each other?” I waved at the forest around us. “And where the hell are we?” Holding up my hand quickly I stopped the snarky remark I was sure he was about to make. “Other than in my apartment! I’m fairly sure this is all taking place somewhere within the confines of my own mind.”

Mir seemed at once disappointed. He was unable to make a smartass remark, yet pleased that I’d guessed the truth of the situation. “This forest is in your homeland as it was long ago before it was ravaged by progress.” Mir paced around me slowly stroking his chin as if trying to decide where to start. “Has something happened that has damaged us?”

Confused by the question and the inclusion of ‘us’, I stammered. “There’s a lot I don’t remember.” Waving my right hand in his general direction. “You are just one of many things I can’t explain.”

Mir stopped moving and I felt the raw power of his gaze as it fell upon me. That eye glowed with an intensity as it mutated and changed colors from the brilliant blue to a sickly yellow. Tension built throughout my body and I fell to my knees in pain. “That is unfortunate.”

Gasping for air, I tried to crawl away. “Please stop...”

The pain faded quickly and his eye returned to what I could assume was its natural shade of cobalt blue. “You were somehow damaged.” His voice was full of concern as he gave me a helping hand as I struggled to my feet. “Your injuries seem quite extensive...”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean.” Rubbing my forehead trying to clear away the pain. “How? I suppose would be the best question.”

He nodded at me as he continued to appraise my situation. “Head trauma of some sort just behind your left ear.” He gently poked the spot. “It would seem that the nanites have been working to repair the damaged regions for a very long time.”

“Nanites?” I sank to the ground finding comfort in the solid earth below me. “I’m lost.” I confessed. “Could you please help me find my way?”

Mir looked at me with such tenderness in his eyes, taking a seat beside me and draping a giant hand over my shoulders. “I’ll do what I can.” He hung his head in desperation. “I may not be able to recall your name just now but there are other things I do know about you.”

I was so tired and weary from the experience all I could do was shrug at him in response.

“To understand your nature is paramount in your recovery.” Mir stood and walked around me in a large circle. “You were found by the Allfather in the heart of a dying star.” Images swam before me of a sleeping infant being scooped up by oversized hands as they rescued it from some long forgotten star. “You were raised by the Allfather’s son who had no children of his own.” Another vision of an exaggerated version of a large handsome Viking sprang to life in my minds eye. “You were the balance between might and wrath, wisdom and intellect...” Another vision of me sitting atop a throne shocked me as it rocked me back on my feet. “Something has happened?”

“I hate to be rude but the history lesson will have to wait till another time.” I told Mir. I stood slowly as my body ached. “I have to deal with the problems in the present.” Sadness and greed nearly overtook me because I wanted to know more.

“What could be so important?” Mir asked indignantly.

“A creature known as Gullveig...” The words caused Mir tremendous agitation as he started to pace.

“The witch lives?” Anger poured off him in waves as he stormed towards me. “She is yet alive? What have you done?”

I shrank back from the angry giant. “I don’t know?” My emotions ran away with me as I felt ashamed. “I only remember glimpses! She was to go to ‘The Pit’ but something went wrong.”

Mir shook with anger. “She was to die with the others!” He seethed. “You tried to rescue her?”

“I don’t remember!” I growled and to my surprise Mir jumped back. “I only remember little pieces of what happened.” As I paced I realized that I was glowing ever so slightly. “She was to be punished!”

“We agree on that point at least.” He growled looking at me with a mixture of anger and worry which stormed across his ancient face. “You will need to tend to the witch while I work on re programming the nanites and repairing whatever damage was inflicted upon you.” He stomped through the frozen earth as he paced. “I will stay in touch.”