Howling Thunder 2.6

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The older version of Freki draws a claw down her armrest and grins up at me, “That being your first question only proves I was right to make you my champion...not that it matters anymore.”

It seems she can’t even finish a cheerful thought without sinking back in her mood.

Another sigh as she gazes out into her forest of repairing trees, “The pups are in capable hands. The All Father… took them into consideration when he made his deals with Olympus.”

In other words they were offered up like a pile of precious metals.

She continues, “The goddess whom you’re named after will be responsible for watching over my line, and all of Terra should the Olympians win. However, I wouldn’t relax just yet. Remember Nyx crafted that awful axe and is mother to Nemesis, goddess of justice. Nyx will find quality souls however beyond that, she is unlikely to interfere with the weave of fate. Your descendants will be left to fend for themselves.”

That actually sounds preferable, I don’t think I’d like someone as willful as Freki being involved with my pups.

Freki leans forwards once more and stares me down, “You Will, immediately return to Yoden once you’ve met the fallen one. Personally, I’d rather you turn around and head to the den instead. But meeting him is no doubt important and the den should be fine under Maug’s watch.”

Well this isn’t going to be pleasant, “No.”

Her brows raise, the sound of wood cracking echoes out behind me once more.

“You are my servant, a simple mortal. Even now you stand in my hallow. My command is law as far as you’re concerned, so be a good dog and obey!”

Standing up she walks towards me. With each step the fallen pine needles and exposed roots nearby shatter into dust. Large canines protrude from her upper lips.

As she lifts her arm, dozens of thorned roots raise from the ground and tie me down before I can even begin to struggle.

Hundreds of the black roots rise all around me to the sound of thunderous breaking trees.

They form up behind her in the form of a truly giant, snarling black worg.

Leaning down in front of me, Freki lifts my chin with a black clawed finger, “I realize I’ve been very sweet with you my pet.”

Her voice slips back to the youthful sweetness for only a second before it drops into a growl.

She viciously grabs me by my hair and pulls me up to face her, “You will return to Yoden and act like a fine stallion, sticking your dick in your females and kicking at anyone who comes near your pups.”

Her vibrant green eyes shift with yellows and seem to bore deep into me, like a creeping cold coming from my very bones.

Is this fear? It can’t be, fear makes people run…

Surging heat from within myself spreads through my body. Red arcs flash out from my tail, shredding along the binding roots and crawling their way up the legs of the monstrous thorn wolf.

I break out in laughter, “I’m sorry Miss Doggie Goddess, but I kind of made my own plans already.”

The words came out without thinking and before I catch myself, I pull Freki’s head towards mine and I kiss her ruffly while her menacing creation comes crashing down behind her.

Once more her brows lift, her hand releasing my hair. Everything is in her eyes, surprise, confusion, anger.

Her fangs bite down on my lip, her voice cracking with fury, “Damn your soul pup...Fine, you betray and abandon me as well. Go on, leave!”

One more chuckle, “No.”

“Ha!” she yells and turns back, marching towards her throne, she waves a hand. The clutter of wood in her way turns to dust.

Sitting down she rests her head in her hand, “Make up your mind pup, clearly something within you is beyond my control. I failed...the All Father, this realm, my pups.”

She leans back and lowers her body, eyes closed, “They ask too much from a lesser god, damn Loki for abandoning his responsibilities as usual.”

Brushing the charred splinters from my sleeves, “You know, I don’t know what you're going on about, but I’ve no intention of abandoning anyone. I’ll always be here should you wish for me in my dreams.”

Beauty is mysterious, even while she clutched me in the air I couldn’t get past the charm of her eyes. Should I abandon such fantasies and run for my life? Probably, but this is her realm, there is nowhere to escape, run, hide, cower like a whipped and broken slave.

That's not who I am.

Her eyes roll but there's a small grin, “Okay teen drama star, that nonsense made me want to kill you more than the kiss. Just get your tail back to Yoden quickly, a few weeks won't actually make a difference, hopefully.”

Sitting up she looks at me seriously, “The leaders of the pantheons have made an agreement to wait 200 years before breaking into all out war for the realm. This gives their representatives two centuries to position their pieces, this includes you and your pups. Also, it grants certain rogue deities….”

Stopping mid sentence she waves a hand, a swirl of grey fog forms into a ring in the air. Figures take shape in the center and move but I can't make out what they are from this angle.

Looking back at me, “You need to wake up.”

How am I supposed…

Freki picks up a small black pinecone and chucks it at my head so fast I can’t react. The world goes dark.

My hammock throws me out for a violent wake up.

I can hear faint screams from above deck.

Pulling out Rost from my tail I cut the rope for Mora’s hammock, “Time to get up Mora, trouble up top.”

She tumbles in a tangle of blankets and wings, “What was that for!”

Pointing to the ceiling, “Take a listen.”

After a moment, “I don’t hear anything, you have better ears, and why is your lip bleeding?”

Touching my bottom lip I see a decent amount of blood on my fingers, thanks Freki.

“I had it coming.”

The boat rocks sharply to one side. “Come on, let's go.”

Running down the hall and up the stairs to the main deck the sound of yelling sailors becomes clear.

In particular the captain, “Tie ye selves off boys, keep ye wits about ya!”

Opening the hatch I find a dozen of the crew holding on for life to the masts as waves crash over the side of the ship.

Near the railing one one side are seven beautiful women, their clothes leaving little to imagination. A few look drenched, two look as if the wind is trying to steal their remaining clothes, the last have skin blue from cold.

In the center of them stand three more in silk gowns with pure white hair, slightly older in appearance but still breathtakingly beautiful. Each one showing a calm and composed appearance.

Captain Camp yells out again, “Don’t go near em, throw nets, drag them off my boat!”

Moonlight shines down on the women creating an alluring effect so captivating it causes most the men to become lost mentally.

A few manage to resist and run out with fishing nets and swords.

Mora seems unsure to engage or not, “They are sirens, nymphs like my mother was.”

As soon as the men approach with the nets another wave slams against the side and rocks the boat violently, the men fall and slide away.

Hmm, as far as I can tell they’re not actively attacking.

The hatch behind me bangs open.

Walther stumbles out, “Enough!”

He is half dressed in only pants and looks extremely pale. I can’t imagine his bucket survived the rocking boat. The water on the deck all around him is visibly freezing. Looks like he’s lost his temper a bit.

The seven women bow while the center three step forward past them and make a slight bow before Walt.

A bell like voice from the middle one, “We are servants of Vilia from before she ascended, we greet you Lord Walther Winter. The Goddess has sent word by oracle that we are to aid you in the trial you face. Afterword we shall establish her temple in your city of water so that mortal women may find sanctuary from the hash world and serve the glory of Valhalla.”

This, seems a tad contradicting to what Freki told me.

Walt glances over to me but I only shrug, your on your own here brother. I wouldn’t say no to ten lovely women who would otherwise be tearing feasting the flesh of the crew. In more ways than one.

He rubs his forehead, “Sure, I’ll accept your help, you can start with holding this damn ship steady.”

With that he turns and walks back below.

The seven look to each other in confusion while the elder three smirk. One waves her hand and the river water turns calm as glass. The night sky reflecting on the surface.

They bow and follow Walther while the seven dive back over the side or float into the air to laze on the ship masts.

Camp warily looks about, “Stand down men, get back to work.”

Not that any of them were actually standing at the moment.

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