Page 32 of Into the Isle

“Drengr Eirik Halldan has returned with his company of initiates,” my brother shouted up at them, “and requests entry into the academy, so they may learn.”

Seconds later, after stern nods from the guards, the wrought-iron gate began to creak open.

Eirik turned to our company. His face was severe. “Now then. Let us forge you cadets in the fires of Vikingrune Academy.”

Chapter 10

Ravinica

EIRIK LED ME THROUGH the academy swiftly—too fast for me to get a close look at everything. My vision tunneled, which didn’t help, as I felt like a child being led to her father for a scolding.

At one point, Eirik grabbed my elbow because I started to drift away. I had to shrug him off me.

From what I could tell, Vikingrune Academy was split into sectors. The entire place was surrounded by a fence-wall with angled stakes to fend off besiegers, though I couldn’t see where the fence ended.

The plateau up on this hillside was much larger than I’d thought. We passed some multi-tiered buildings of brick and stone, blocking much of my view. There were meadows and walkways between some of the smaller longhouses that were congregated near the middle of the academy Eirik led me through.

In true Viking fashion, this was not an ostentatious place. I respected the academy taking itself seriously, opting for function over opulence. It could be seen as a place of learning and training rather than a university for parties and ribaldry.

Everything looked utilitarian—from the squat, bland nature of the structures, to the freshly cut grass of the meadows. I noticed no statues to the gods or goddesses at first glance. No banners or tapestries signifying places of importance.

The two exceptions were buildings in the back, the north side. The first and most noticeable looked like a gothic cathedral: black, gaudy, with twisting spires to make up separate wings. Its towers reached high into the sky from the highest point of the hillside. A large banner of Vikingrune Academy—white dragonhead on black shield—was draped across the front of it so everyone entering could see.

That was the castle I’d been drawn toward before Eirik gripped my arm and dragged me along behind him.

“Fort Woden,” Eirik grunted, noticing I was gazing at it in awe. “Primary fortress and home of the Gothi and Hersirs.”

Named after the All-Father himself. Fitting. I knew “Gothi” to mean “chieftain,” so I assumed that was the headmaster. “Hersir” was a commander, so I figured they were either military leaders like this Ingvus person Eirik was leading me to, or professors.

I thrust my chin toward the other tall building I could see, tucked near the back behind some longhouses, opposite Fort Woden to the north. This one was white, with grand pillars keeping it upright. It looked at least four stories tall, which was why it stood out and how I could see it over the roofs of the closer structures.

“And that?” I asked.

“Mimir Tomes. The academy library. You’ll become more acquainted with that than you will Fort Woden.”

I raised a brow at my brother. Yes, I will. I looked forward to combing through the stacks of Mimir Tomes, named after the wisest god of the Aesir. Of course, Eirik didn’t know I had an ulterior motive for wanting to peruse the library. Libraries also hold records. Records I might need to suit my purposes here.

I stuffed that tidbit down as we weaved past some longhouses, marched over a hilly meadow, and came to a smaller building close to Fort Woden. It took nearly half an hour to get there, showing me the breadth and size of the academy.

I’ll definitely get lost here if I don’t learn my way around fast. And for someone like me, that could spell danger.

To make things more difficult, the sectors or districts appeared to be split by wooded areas. It was nearly impossible to see from one quadrant into another.

Currently, we were at the northwestern quadrant, if my navigation was correct. Close to Fort Woden. The Tomes was over in the northeast, and I couldn’t see the southwest or southeast quadrants from here between the thick rows of hedges, trees, and undergrowth.

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