Valkyrie: Darkness Rising Valkyrie Darkness Book 2

Valkyrie

Darkness Rising

A novel by

Mark McQuillen

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Cover Deign by Author S.I.Hayes www.sihayes.com

Valkyrie

Darkness Rising

Copyright ©2015 McQuillen

ISBN: 151777084X 

ISBN-13: 978-1517770846

All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Impersonation and Inventory

Chapter 2: Masquerade

Chapter 3 Celebration

Chapter 4: Days of old.

Chapter 5: Of the light and the dark.

Chapter 6: Shadow

Chapter 7: Leave Taking.

Chapter 8. Roadshow

Chapter 9 Misthaven

Chapter 10. In The Tower of The White Lady

Chapter 11 Encounter

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book is dedicated to all those who helped with its creation. All of the dear Facebook friends who believed in this project. Also the men and women of the US Armed Forces who make sacrifices for our freedom.

My wife Alecia who put up with all of the grumbling.

Last but certainly not least to my father and to Brian Price who got the dream started.

Thanks Everyone.

Mark

Chapter 1 Impersonation and Inventory

Gil woke up in the morning entangled in the sheets. They stayed awake until dawn celebrating his ascent to the ranks of the Valkyries. Mist and Sif then decided to see if they along with Alara could test his stamina.

He extracted himself from the mass of blankets and limbs, dressed and made his way to the courtyard for his daily practice with Tomoe. As always she sat in the Lotus position in the middle of the courtyard with her eyes closed, mind elsewhere or so he thought.

‘Good morning brother, how does it feel to be a Valkyrie?’

‘Decidedly odd, because of Mist's influence I wondered often what it would be like to be one. To become one is beyond my wildest dreams. Then my real mother was revealed to be one. Completely stunned doesn't begin to cover it.’

Tomoe nodded as her eyes opened she looked at him with a smile. Mine was done at breakfast one morning. Freya and Sif ambushed me in the dining hall surrounded by the rest of the Eihnerjar. All of them grinning like fools as they carried me off. I was the first one to ever say nay the first time, in the history of a ceremony that's centuries old. Senna talked me into it two days later, she was convinced that I could contribute more as a Valkyrie. I said Yay the second time.

You never lose the wonder of that moment, do you? Gil asked.

No you don't, mine happened over seven centuries ago. Since your one of us now your training is complete. You might even get to sleep in every once and awhile.

I think not Tomoe sensei, I've always been an early riser. Besides I have a war to win.

Not even to stay with Mist and Sif?

Gil just planted his face in the palm of his hand, shaking head. Does everyone know?

There is no such thing as a secret amongst the Valkyrie where all knowledge is shared. Even before you ascended, all of us knew and approved. You’re as good for both of them as they have been for you. Look at you. You were according to both Mist and your mother a quiet, almost timid child. You became one of the elite warriors of Midgard, and now one of the Valkyrie. You did this in less than one human lifetime, it took me over a century. You’re passing it on as you should to young Robin. Do you know I found him sitting beside me yesterday morning? When I asked him why, he said he wanted to be like you. That statement you made to him gave him a purpose beyond himself. You set the example, I expect Robin to become ascended one day himself.

I never knew that men could become Valkyries, I tried to discourage him. His mother disapproves of him being a warrior.

So you did, but if he truly wants it in his heart who are we to deny him? Robin will find his own way, look how you turned out.

Yeah but in my journey there were some things that I would have at times wanted to miss. All of the pain, the blood… The abject misery.

"That is life, yet you didn't give up, in the end you achieved things beyond your wildest dreams. It's not the journey that's important, it's the rewards at the end. It's not over yet, think of it, you have inspired people. Robin, his mother, the Elves. Do you know that Hilda and Kat have a full class of students that meets in the library everyday led by Robin, that are learning to read and write? There are nobles who can't do that much. You set that in motion. They want to be like you, more importantly they want to be you. Standing where you did, you’re fighting for their future. Remember that when things get rough."

Gil smiled sheepishly as Robin followed by over forty other children, both girls and boys streamed out of the Fortress. All between eight and thirteen, they stopped dead in their tracks when they saw him dressed in his Valkyrie regalia, wings and all.

See I told you, a man can become a Valkyrie now, Ord doesn't know what he's talking about.

Who's Ord, Robin?

Him, he said I was a liar. As the boy pointed out his accuser. Ord looked daggers at Robin for tattling on him.

Gil slowly glided toward the boy in question, he looked down, and his eyes changed to a bright blue. You could hear a pin drop. The newest of Valkyries walked around the boy as he had seen Tomoe do when she inspected the comscripts.

Did he now? Well here I am Ord, what do you have to say to Robin?

When the children realized what was happening they scattered. Ord found himself alone, face to face with a Valkyrie asking him a question. His mouth worked but nothing came out.

How about I'm sorry Robin. He suggested.

I'm sorry Robin. Ord said finally, clearly awed by Gil's presence.

Tell everyone what I told you to remember last night Robin.

Be careful of what you say and do in life, you never know who's watching.

"Exactly right, and because I remembered that I became one of the Valkyries, and one day all of you, if you want it bad enough may have that chance.

It was told to me by Mist when I was your age. It's not a bad way to live your life. You never know, I may be watching you all one day."

Gil bowed to Tomoe, then with all the children looking at him he turned a precise about face heading for the Fortress. In the doorway stood Mist, Sif, Alara, Alura, Brunhilde, and two dozen of his sister Valkyries. Who were all applauding.

Gil, you were magnificent. Both women said as they kissed him. Then they turned him around just in time to see all the children bow.

Gil drew his sword in the Valkyrie salute as his entire body flashed over in a violet sheen. They all stood transfixed for a moment until Tomoe clapped her hands twice.

Troublemaker. Brunhilde grinned in his ear as she hugged him.

They will remember this day all of their lives. You have given them a dream to aspire to Gil. Sif watched them start their exercises.

Let's make sure they have that future. It's time to search the Hall and find out what Loki was looking for. He turned his attention to the Elven beauties beside them.

"Alara, Alura you would care to help? The sooner this is done, the sooner I can deal with Loki as distasteful as that sounds."

They nodded to each other.

Now remember you two, don't touch anything. You don't have the Valkyrie ability to ascertain what a weapon does by touch. The weapons are unloaded at least the guns are, but there may be explosive devices in there, all of them are live, ready to blow up in your face. If you don't recognize a thing call me, especially if it's a modern weapon. Above all be careful, don't move anything, there may be a booby trap. I don't want anyone of you to get hurt, or worse killed. I haven't chosen anyone yet and the last person I want to start with is one of you.

What's a booby trap Gil? Alura asked. He had almost forgotten explosives hadn't been invented here.

It's like a trap only they’re set to explode rather than just catch you. Just don't touch anything okay. Gil explained as he led them through the doors.

***

They searched throughout the morning on the upper gallery. There were enough modern weapons to equip a battalion and then some. They didn't have the time to train any of the Elves, but the Eihnerjar were going to be armed to the teeth.

Gil found the ammunition for the Mg-42. Setting it and the gun by the door to give to Rob. He had a birthday coming up in three days, it was time for him to get a surprise.

Breaking his thoughts a voice called from the back. It was Alura. Gil come up here! There are some strange backpacks...

When he walked upstairs he saw Mist and Alura standing next to a blanket, under the edges of it was what looked like mid-sixties era American camouflage.

He didn't have to touch them to know what they were. He'd seen pictures of them in a declassified file after the weapons according to the Army had been destroyed. He had been right again, his clairvoyance was spot on.

You have got to be kidding me, Mist get everybody out of this room now! Gil’s mouth went dry as he thought about Malice with a tactical nuke.

She was more than crazy enough to waltz into Rihmsjalier with clothes piled on top of it in a clothing chest. As soon as they got inside whoever Malice sent would command detonate the nuke.

When that happened the Fortress and everyone would be part of a rapidly expanding vapor cloud, the size of the state of Nebraska.

All of the Valkyries and the Elves were moving already, both Mist and Sif stood by to help. He carefully turned the backpacks around, laying them on their backs. Rob burst through the doors at a dead run, he was by Gil's side in seconds.

How did you..?

Know you needed me. You're a Valkyrie Gil, they know what you know, you summoned me through the bond with Senna and Kara, you scared Kara so bad she fainted.

Sorry Rob, I'll apologize to both of them later if we live through this. Let's hope they’re not booby trapped or armed.

***

Both of them worked on the backpacks carefully cutting away the canvas sides. Then they checked to see if they were wired. As one they revealed that the cases on the top of each were clearly marked in block letters: MK-54 S.A.D.M.

A suitcase nuclear weapon damn, Malice must be desperate. She'd never survive the fallout depending on the wind. Morant dead panned.

Rob Morant was his weapons expert, not only could he shoot a weapon. He could tell you how it was made, the country it came from, and the caliber etcetera.

Before we panic let’s check something first turn them around let's see if their sealed and locked.

Both men gave a sigh of relief that was echoed by the Valkyries, the locks had plastic seals that where connected to the case both of them were intact, the cases were locked tight. Where the keys were was anyone's guess.

Mist you take Sif, strip search Loki, delve him make sure that son of a bitch didn't swallow the god damn keys. If he refuses to cooperate cut him open.

His partner was looking at him as if he hadn't seen him before, his words came snarling out. They looked at each other the only word he caught was something like, ‘Goodie’

As they both ran off Senna and a recuperated Kara entered the room. Before Gil could say anything they embraced him.

We felt your fear, are they safe? They asked together voices laced in concern.

They are now. Take these to the strong room in the treasury. Lock them in. Bring me the keys. I want no one to have access to it until we get rid of those suit case nukes. On second thought let's both take one. I don't want to take any chances.

***

As they made their way to the strong room Gil paused by the door and gave Rob the Mg-42. "Happy Birthday, I know it's a little early but since you’re not a Valkyrie yet I thought a little extra firepower might