The Unleashing
Page 89

The crow, however, could see her. Not just her body but her spirit. It was looking right at her. Those in her village considered crows the harbingers of death and despair. Perhaps, but this one was just here to feast on the bodies of the dead. Looking for an opportunity like every other creature in the world.
She couldnt allow that.
The crow squawked at her, telling her to go. Telling her to leave this body to its hunger.
Frustrated, she screamed back, her rage and disgust at her helplessness coming to the fore.
How many more indignities would she have to endure?
Her scream echoed out and the crow backed up a bit. Even more interesting, the enemy men looked up from their raiding of the corpses, looked around, trying to find out where that scream came from.
Thats when the Skuld woman walked over to her. She studied her for a moment, black eyes blinking down at her. Kind of the way the crow blinked and studied her.
What is your name? Skuld asked.
I no longer have a name for I am Slave.
Skuld crouched beside her, pushing black hair from her face with pale white hands. Unlike her own slave hands, which were brown like her peoples. Just as all of her was brown, making escape and hiding impossible in this cold, white land. Although she always dreamed of escape. She always dreamed at night when she was lucky enough to be alone.
Would you like revenge, She of No Name?
Revenge? Against what? The ones who did this to me, sold me? Then I was sold again. Then I was lost in a game of chance. For true revenge, Id have to kill everyone. Absolutely everyone.
Perhaps, then, revenge is the wrong offer. What about power? A chance to live the life you deserve.
You can give me back to my people? You can restore what I had?
No. But I can give you a new life. And I can give you power. The power to fight. The power to rule your own fate. If youre brave enough.
Skuld, the Valkyrie demanded, what in the name of Odin are you doing?
Getting back whats mine. Your father has you. Ran has her
Daughters. We fight for our father. Rans daughters fight for their mother.
Already you grow bored with your tasks. Soon, Odin and Ran will be forced to choose from humans, too. I see it. You know I do. Im the one you cannot lie to. Skuld stroked her hair. So this one will be mine.
She is not of our people. She does not have our blood running through her veins.
I know. Thats what I like about her. Give me your loyalty, child, Skuld said to her, and I will give you a second life on this plane. One in which you control your destiny.
What will I have to do?
Take back whatsmine. Skuld looked at the warriors pillaging the dead. Starting here. She pointed at a tall man, watching his warriors as they stole and cut and finished off. Starting with him.
Will I be immortal?
Skuld!
Skuld sighed at the Valkyrie before replying, No. You will not be immortal. That I cannot give you. But . . . I can give you a second chance at life. At having children. At growing old. And power. I can give you power.
Enough power to fight all these men? Theyll try to stop me.
I would not make you live this life alone. I have two sisters. They irritate me, but they are mine. When I need help, they are always there. You shall have sisters as well. And strength. And skills.
Have you lost your mind? the Valkyrie demanded. My father
Does not rule me. No one rules the Norns. We keep the balance and I have decided that this will keep the balance. Skuld focused on She Who Had No Name. Promise your loyalty to me, child. Swear it.
Was this just another form of slavery? Perhaps. But it had to be better than what her life had become before her death. She might die again, but shed already died once. So what was one more time?
I swear it.
Lifting her veil, Skuld leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. By the time she pulled away, the veil was back in place and She of No Name still had no idea what Skuld truly looked like.
Skuld stood and moved to the other girls. The other slaves who had lived this hell with her. She spoke to them for a bit and then they, too, swore their loyalty. In the end, there were five of them. None of them from the same place. None of them friends or tied by blood. But now sisters under Skulds banner.
She felt strange, her ethereal form suddenly shivering, then moving. She blinked and thats when she realized she was in her body again. She lifted her head and the crow jumped off her back.
She pulled herself from the mud and grime and blood and stared down at her hands. She flexed her fingers, moved her shoulders. Life coursed through her. She felt strong. Not just from being alive again, but as if shed had full meals these last few months. As if she hadnt been beaten, tormented, abused. As if she hadnt been violated.
That pain was gone, replaced by strength. But her thirst for vengeance still roared through her and, for the first time since her entire village had been wiped out, she held her head high.
Look at this, a male voice said. Thought you said this one was dead.
She was. Trust me . . . I checked.
You were wrong. He grabbed hold of her hand. Lets put her with the others and sell her off to