Helwalker
Perthro: The Rune of Mystery Part 2 | Choice 2 - Unlikely odds of success
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The Chosen Path — “Change into the guards uniform”
Perthro: The Rune of Mystery
Part 2.2: Helwalker
“You look ridiculous,” Einar ridiculed. “No way this is going to work.”
Frode paid him no mind; they had no other options – it had to work. He continued to dress in the recently demised guard’s uniform, before realizing there was a problem that was not easily remedied by a change in clothes.
“Forget about me, worry about yourself,” Frode reminded him. “We must think of a way to smuggle you out in your state.”
Once he finished dressing, Frode headed over to the wall near their exit to grab a helmet that hung on the wall. He carefully tucked his hair underneath so that his locks would not give him away instantly in the event of a face to face with the enemy.
“Okay, now that you’ve covered up your unsightly mug, you look the part – more or less.” Einar limped over to Frode and grabbed the shackles off his newly adorned belt. “This is how we get my crispy arse out.”
Frode knew he was right. There was no extra uniform, and even if there was Einar could not wear it without being in more pain. Even so, he was limping and would immediately draw attention to them.
“Yes, I believe you are right.” Frode quickly placed the shackles around his wrists and closed them. “You follow my lead, no matter what happens. Once again, we risk it all, Helwalker. For Halfdan, for our people and for our Gods.”
“Let them try and stop us,” Einar declared with an unwavering confidence.
Frode grabbed the chain lead of the shackles and led his companion to the doorway of the dungeon. He looked at Einar one last time and they exchanged a nod before he opened the door into the unknown, revealing a steep stairwell into the light above.
Einar sighed heavily, “Of course.”
Frode started up the stairs, leading Einar behind him. He could hear Einar wince with every step. It was hard for Frode to imagine how much pain he was having to endure right now, but he had no time to think about such things. He had to remain focused on the task ahead.
After a few moments they neared the top and Frode peered out into a well-lit, empty room. Tapestries hung adorned with a beast the likes of which Frode had never seen. The head of a lizard, giant wings, ferocious claws and a spiked tail hung upon the crimson red fabric. It reminded him of the stories that he was told about Fafnir when he was younger.
Cautiously, they left the stairwell behind and headed for the wooden door at the far side of the room. Frode pushed Einar against the wall next to the door as he went to creak the door open. He peeped around the corner of the doorway and saw the older guard from earlier sitting at a table facing away from them. He seemed to be enjoying his supper, but wouldn’t be for long.
Frode closed the door and looked to Einar, “The one that ordered your death sits alone before us, I leave the decision up to you Helwalker.”
Einar felt his rage, his excitement and his adrenaline start spiking. Suddenly, the pain seemed to go dull as he considered his next move. His eyes drifted towards the torch next to them, and a smile grew on his face. He yanked the chain lead out of Frode’s hands, “You open the door, summon him and I will do the rest.”
Frode nodded as he watched Einar lift his shackles up and heat the chain until it was nearly red hot in the middle. He held them there for a moment longer before looking at Frode.
“Now.”
Frode swung the door open; it creaked and cracked from rusted hinges and old wood. The guard swung around with cheeks stuffed of chicken, slightly shocked, but quickly replaced with anger when he noticed Frode was in a guards uniform. Reacting immediately, the guard lurched out of his chair and rushed towards Frode with his sword drawn.
He ran through the doorway, swinging his sword at a nimble Frode that was able to easily step out of the way. When the guard recovered from his heavy swing, he turned to see a half-burnt Helwalker staggering quickly towards him. He had such little time to react before burning chains were wrapped around his neck, that when he fell dead chicken still hung from his mouth.
“Remind me to never take my eyes off you while I’m supping.” Frode muttered, gazing upon the melted remnants of flesh on the chains. He went over to the table and picked up the cup that the guard was drinking from. He doused the chains in an effort to cool them before heading to a window at the front of the room. As he peered out, he was surprised to find out that they were still at the island where they fought. The soldiers must have dragged them up to the castle at the top of the hill after they beat him unconscious and found Einar washed up.
“So now what?” Einar sat in the deceased guards chair, let out a great sigh of relief, and helped himself to the rest of the meat on the plate.
“From what I can see, there are a few of our boats remaining half-beached on the island,” Frode started. “There seems to be quite a few guards patrolling near the ships, so we may not be able to sail out of here.”
“Ah, yes, so I will just swim all the way back to Avaldsnes.” Einar grumbled while chewing on a chicken bone.
Frode glared at him, “Keep it up and you just might.”
“Well, I see no way out of this without a boat.”
“That’s because there isn’t.”
“Well then, Frode, how do you suppose we get out of here then?”
“We need a distraction.”
For all my subscribers that were wondering what happened with the regularly scheduled story post last Thursday, I apologize. I was under the weather and needed some time to step away. However, to make up for it this week I will be posting 1 part of each story before returning back to our normal posting schedule next week. So look out for Trapped Within Darkness on Wednesday (9/6) and Expedition Epsilon on Thursday (9/7).
So far so good, Frode and Einar seemed to be making all the right decisions and may end up actually escaping their predicament. However, this next decision may be what leads to salvation or death. Choose Wisely.
This would not be possible if not for your choices made, so thank you for helping me create this epic Viking story! Keep on choosing and see where this story goes! Perthro: The Rune of Mystery will return after the next issues of Trapped Within Darkness and Expedition Epsilon. You could earn a free premium membership if your refer 3 people, and you will have access to the character sheets! I hope you have a great week, and as always — Choose Fiction!
Nice. I'm looking forward to this Sci-Friday!