Page 83 of Alien Viking's Plunder

“When Gornt started creating skrymtir,” the prince replied tightly, “he started a war against all of Gardr. Say what you will about vettir and dfergir and even that horrific menace in your eastern mountains — they are not unholy skrymtir. Our battle is just and right. Let’s fight and die together, Bragr. We will meet in Valhalla!”

The new, big skrymt came closer, oozing its way across the stone floor. The three others pulled back to give it room. It was like a spiked, armored wall reaching out with long, slender tentacles. They were tipped with long, pointy stingers dripping clear liquid.

“Josie!” Bragr called. “Run away! Up the stairs, to the shortship! Get to the jarlagard and tell them you need a longship to take you back to Earth! Earl Bragr has ordered it as his final command!”

His voice echoed from the whole stairwell and the oracle room. There was no reply, and the monster skrymt came ever closer. Soon it would have them isolated in the corner.

“It’s been an honor fighting along with you, Your Highness,” he said, sick with worry about Josie. “But we will enjoy Valhalla—”

There was a furious scream from somewhere in the oracle room. It didn’t sound like Josie.

“Get the hell away from my love!”a thin voice yelled. Andthatsounded like her.

Suddenly the tip of a spear appeared in the middle of the monster, having gone through if from the other side. Again and again the flint spearhead appeared, green with the skrymt’s internal fluids. First it was slow, but then the skrymt was pierced faster than the eye could follow.

The undead monster pulled back, then started to turn.

Bragr saw the strangest thing he’d ever witnessed.

“It’s a whirlwind!” the prince exclaimed. “A red whirlwind with a blade! Another skrymt?”

“No, Your Highness,” Bragr said, his chest swelling with pride. “What we’re seeing is the Meistr fulfilling the Prophecy.”

She moved too fast for him to discern her features her, but it was clearly Josie and Tornado, the weapon fully deserving its name. Before he knew it, she had cut off half the tentacles on the monster’s body.

“Let’s assist!” Prince Craxon said and drew his sword back.

Bragr put his hand on the prince’s shoulder. “It’s not necessary, Your Highness. This is all her victory.”

Leaking green fluid from at least ten score places, the skrymt slowly sagged to the ground and went limp.

Immediately Josie turned her attention to the three smaller skrymtir. They were already badly hurt, and it only took a few searingly fast thrusts with her spear to destroy them all.

Only then did she slow down and stand still, Tornado held ready.

“Holy Zhor! She must be the deadliest fighter on Gardr,” Prince Crayon exclaimed. “Truly a Meistr!”

Bragr ran over and looked her up and down. “Are you all right, my love?”

“I’m fine,” Josie said, breathing hard, “just getting hungry again.”

An alien woman came out of the oracle room, hands behind her back.

“Greetings,” she said with a strong accent. “Gornt run. Up.” She nodded towards the stairs.

Prince Craxon walked over to her. “Aretha, I presume?” He cut the ropes that held her hands.

“Aretha,” the woman confirmed, then said something in Josie’s language.

“Gornt killed the seeress when she wouldn’t look in the crystal,” Josie translated.

Bragr embraced Josie quickly, pulling her into him. “I’ll go get Gornt.”

“We’ll both go,” Josie said. “There’s nothing for us here, right?”

“Just one thing,” Bragr said and walked into the oracle room where the fire along the walls was burning calmly. He adjusted the position of the dead seeress so that she was on her back with her hands folded across her chest, blind eyes closed. “We shall avenge you, then come back for you, Seeress Hjordis. You have served your earldom well, and you shall have the pyre of a hero.”

Then he grabbed Josie’s hand and they ran up the stairs, closely followed by Prince Craxon and Aretha.

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