Helwalker

Perthro: The Rune of Mystery Part 2 | Choice 1 - The beginning of a legend

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The Chosen Path — “Frode attempts to save Einar.”

Perthro: The Rune of Mystery

Part 2.1: Helwalker

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Adrenaline coursed through Frode. His heart beat as a war drum, fueling a fire within him. His muscles and brain engorged with copious amounts of blood, strengthening and focusing him beyond measure. A focused rage crept up through his heart and into his throat, begging to be unleashed – all directed at the unsuspecting, fledgling soldier. He knew what he had to do.

The guard inched closer to Einar who lay on the moldy, hay-filled sacks whispering old prayers, presumably to the Gods.

His eyes shot open to the sound of clanging metal and primal screaming. Another noise rang out in the chaotic air, hardly audible above the noise Frode was making in his cell. Einar’s eye drifted to the keys that had just hit the floor below the startled guard that stood between him and the cell door. Frozen in a panicked state at the unexpected noise, the guard hadn’t noticed them leave his hip. An idea arose.

Shaken, but now filled with adrenaline himself, the guard turned and stomped out of Einar’s cell and approached Frode’s, barking unknown words like a mad drunk. The young soldier’s appearance altered from a seemingly innocent and naïve kid to an intensely spiteful, anger-ridden young man. Frode could see it in his eyes, as if he had proven what a beast his kind were to the man.

It was then that Frode realized that the soldier had most likely been hesitant to kill a severely wounded man, but held no reservations against others. He prepared himself for a fight that was not in his favor, staring at his opponent – eyes gleaming of ferocious malice. Frode spat at the guard, an attempt at luring him into the cell so he may enact his plan to save Einar and escape. It worked.

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Reaching down to his belt, the guard felt for the keys which hung on his side that unlocked the cell doors. Feeling around, confusion crept over and replaced the contempt on his face when nothing was felt. His gaze left Frode and looked to the ground for answers.

Frode watched a shadow move behind the young man.

Looking around the cobblestone floor for the keys, in the corner of his eyes, the soldier caught the glimpse of a toe. He looked up slowly with apprehension, a pitch black eye stared into his soul before he fell to the ground with a cracked skull and shallow breaths. Einar emerged from the shadows holding a metal bucket in his good hand, struggling to stand.

Frode looked at the weary Viking with a mix of shock, relief and pride. Einar propped himself against the cell bars, breathing heavily, and presented Frode with the keys.

“I see that I am of some use after all.” A draugr’s voice forced its way out of Einar’s parched throat. 

“The Gods have further plans for us yet,” Frode replied. “Let us flee our deaths this day, Helwalker.”

“Helwalker?” Einar looked at Frode puzzled as the keys were taken from his hands. 

“My friend, Hel has burned you with her fire and tried to take you by sword,” Frode began as he unlocked the cell door. “As far as I am concerned you have been to Hel’s gate, Nagrindr, and back to arise again with a vengeance. From this day on, you will be known as Einar Helwalker, a harbinger of death.”

Einar smirked at his newly bestowed name. ”So what now?”

“We escape.”

As I am sure you have noticed, this post was significantly shorter than my prior releases. It will remain this way going forward. This is for three reasons:

• The time I have to write has been severely cut down by life’s responsibilities.

• Splitting the chapters will allow for many more choices, allowing you to be in even more control of the stories!

• I’m experimenting to see if I get more engagement (votes) by having a shorter post length.

The duo seemed to have been given a second chance, but could that all be screwed up just by simply choosing to dawn the enemies uniform, or not? Make your choice and find out next time!

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 in 3 weeks after the next issues of Trapped Within Darkness and Expedition Epsilon. Look out for the World Explorer post on Lindisfarne, coming out on Tuesday for paid subscribers! 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!