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Kal gasped, his eyes wide with realization. "The woman I met in Innangard said she was being held prisoner in the red marshes! Her name was Skadi."
"Skadi?" I repeated, shock coursing through me at the mention of my older sister's name. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Kal confirmed, racking his brain for more information. "She said she was being held in a fortress west of Belgir, in the red marshes. Is that where our boys are?"
"Most likely," I answered. "I want to borrow Huginn and Muninn to scout the area."
"Of course," Kal agreed, calling to the ravens. They swooped down from the rafters before flying out the window. "They understand what to do," he assured me.
"Thank you, Kal," I said, my voice soft yet resolute. "We'll find our sons and bring them home. I swear it."
I stood up, feeling the weight of the world on my broad shoulders. I sensed Kal had more to say, but I couldn't bear it. The embarrassment of failing in my vow to protect my familygnawed at me. I made my way to the door, pausing before I left our chambers.
"Kal," I said, my voice thick with emotion, "I promise I will do everything in my power to bring our boys home safe. And if they don’t return... you won't see my face darken your door again."
I left before he could reply, shutting the door behind me. The cold hallway wrapped its icy embrace around me as I headed towards my office. Upon reaching the room filled with maps and scrolls, I called a servant over.
"Fetch Váli," I ordered, my voice firm, "and tell him to bring any military officer he trusts with his life."
The servant nodded and scurried away to complete my command. I unrolled a map of the region, scanning the parchment as I traced the red marshes area. When Váli arrived with a handful of officers, I pointed to the marked marshes.
"King Falka has a secret fortress in these red marshes," I told them, watching their reactions carefully.
Váli raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "How is that possible? It’s hard to build anything out there. If a sinkhole doesn’t swallow you up, the Draugr will eat you alive."
"Can't say I have that answer," I replied, frustration seeping into my voice. "But nonetheless, this is where those nobles are escaping to with my sons, and on a surprising note. It’s also where Falka is holding Skadi.”
“Skadi?!”
I nodded.
"Are you sure of this?" Váli questioned, sounding almost hopeful.
"Skadi met Kal while he was in Innangard and told him her location," I explained, pointing to the west of Belgir on the map. "It's in this region."
"Finally, a breakthrough," Váli murmured. "If Skadi still has control of her mercenaries, this could turn the tide in our favor."
KAL
Hours passed and I paced the room restlessly, waiting for Huginn and Muninn to return. The moment they finally swooped in through the window, I sighed with relief. They perched on my shoulders, and I closed my eyes to see through theirs.
The sky above the red marshes was a fiery blaze, casting an eerie blood-red hue on the wetlands below. The marshes stretched out as far as my raven-eyes could see, tangled with thick, twistedvines that seemed to writhe like serpents. Pools of murky water bubbled and belched foul-smelling gas, while shadowy figures lurked in the depths - Draugrs stalking their next meal.
As one of the ravens soared closer to the ground, I spotted old crumbling half-sunken ruins amid the treacherous terrain. I couldn't be sure if it was the fortress we sought, but then, something caught my eye. My heart skipped a beat as I saw Thor among the soldiers at the ruins, laughing and seemingly having a good time. Relief washed over me, but worry still gnawed at my gut – where was Loki?
I wasted no time rushing to Thorsten's office, desperation driving me forward. Soldiers filled the room, monitoring scouts and communicating via radio, creating an atmosphere of chaos and urgency. Spotting Thorsten, I made my way to him, breathless.
"Kal, have you heard word back from your ravens?" he asked, his silver eyes searching mine for answers.
"I saw Thor!" I blurted out, unable to contain my excitement. Thorsten quickly pulled me aside into a private room, concern etched on his face.
"Tell me everything," he urged.
I recounted what I saw: the half-sunken ruins, Thor among a group of soldiers, looking unharmed. Thorsten questioned if they were Undvik soldiers, but I couldn't say. They wore different types of clothing and armor, nothing that clearly identified them. Thorsten pulled out a map, asking me topinpoint the location. With my raven-enhanced memory, I pointed it out. Relief washed over his face.
"Scouts reported tracks in that same area," he said. "It could be Skadi's merc band."
I felt relieved, but worry still gnawed at me. I admitted I hadn't seen Loki, but perhaps he was inside the ruins. Thorsten reassured me to embrace the good news and promised to make contact personally. I demanded to go too, but Thorsten refused, unwilling to risk my life. Though I didn't like it, I didn't argue.
