Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Fenris
Fenris
Fenris
Ebook206 pages2 hours

Fenris

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

()

Read preview

About this ebook

An intriguing tale intertwining Jarran, the half-elf, prince of the Old Ones, adventures with Fenris, the great wolf of Norse Mythology, through the events leading up to and including Ragnarök, ending dominion of the Norse gods over the nine worlds.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherGG Koe
Release dateDec 20, 2015
ISBN9781311025883
Fenris
Author

GG Koe

GG Koe was born in Edmonton, AB and raised in Nelson, BC. This is where he came to love the outdoors and dreamt of adventuring. He has pursued an avid life of exploration and travel, and loves the wilds of British Columbia. He has an interest in folk lore, also reflected in his writings.His first novel, The Ring of Light, was published in 2014, and he is currently working on other books in this series. He has written numerous professional articles.Since his retirement, he currently lives with his wife in Mission, BC, where he pursues his passion in writing.

Read more from Gg Koe

Related to Fenris

Related ebooks

Fantasy For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for Fenris

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings

0 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    Fenris - GG Koe

    Prologue

    Jarran, Prince of the Old Ones, slept a restless sleep following the great battle at Landsend Keep, waking during the night and reflecting on the events that had led him to this point. Abandoned as a small baby he’d been raised by the people of the Vale. As he grew older, he recognized that his fine elfin features: white hair, purple eyes, pointed ears, and slender build conflicted with the appearance of the stalwart folk of the Vale. While they called him half-elf, he always wondered about his origins.

    Morae, the goddess of fate, was kind to him that day when Natal found him and took him home so many years ago. Years later, when hunting deep in the forest east of the Vale, Jarran was attacked by troggs, saurian denizens of the great swamp of Azwyr. He escaped by climbing a fissurein the escarpment, where he found a cat’s head ring buried in the sand. When he put the ring on his finger, the ring began to drain his life force.

    Jarran learned that the ring belonged to the Old Ones, a race of high elves who had once ruled the land. Gilanthora, the ancient seer of the Vale, told him he must learn to control the ring before it took his life. She prophesized, ‘to heal the land, two must journey and one return.’

    With this prophecy still ringing in his ears, he set out to find the Old Ones and obtain their help in learning how to control the ring. His adopted brother, Altor accompanied him. On this journey he many adventures unifying the land and defeating the evil wizard, Malador and his minions in the final battle at Landsend Keep..

    Prior to defeating Malador, Jarran encountered Fenris, the fabled wolf of Norse mythology, chained on an island near Jotunheim. Fenris was prophesized to be set free following the final battle and ravage the realm of man.

    Jarran was still lost in his thoughts, when he wandered out of his room into the now deserted streets, revelers safely nestled in the arms of the dream maker.

    Chapter 1

    The night was warm, and Jarran left his armor in his room, taking only his black robe as he wandered the empty streets. The warm touch of his robe, made him think of his mentor, Mythalor incinerated by Malador in the valley of the sandwellers. As he thought of Mythalor, he felt his hand clench, as though holding on to the memory of his dear friend, as he walked.

    The city lay asleep in the wake of the defeat of the Army of the Dark and silence hung like a cloak, muffling memories of the battle. For the first time since undertaking this quest to free the land, Jarran felt the heavy weight of responsibility lifted from his shoulders. He was no longer accountable for the lives of so many others.

    As he enjoyed the silence, lost in his thoughts, an orc, who’d been hiding in the rubble, crept forth and leapt on him with a ferocious scream.

    Die, you stinking elf, he shouted striking at Jarran.

    Jarran glanced up to see the contorted savage grimace on the orc’s face and the descending scimitar flash in the moonlight. It was only his elfin reflexes that saved him. As he sidestepped, he grabbed his small knife from beneath his robe and confronted the fel beast. The orc swung at him again, as he faced the creature. Jarran dodged the blow, his tiny knife ineffective in countering the powerful swing of the sword. His elfin reflexes responded to this dance of death as the orc swung time and time again, while he deftly dodged each blow. Many times the orc’s sword nearly skewered him. Then, as the sword whistled past his shoulder, he closed and plunged his blade deep into the creature’s neck. The orc stood momentarily trying to comprehend what had just happened, then toppled forward, pinning Jarran beneath its great weight.

    As he wiggled out from beneath the dead orc he noticed a pendant dangled from the creature’s neck. He held it up to the light carefully examining it. The design on the pendant was one he had previously seen on a rune stone in Jotunheim. It depicted Fenris, the great wolf. Jarran carefully tucked the pendant away in his pocket.

    The presence of this pendant suggested that Malador must have had some plan for Fenris in the final battle. It was at this point that Jarran suddenly realized he hadn’t dealt with Fenris. So, in the early hours of the dawn, he headed for the library in Oceanwatch, to search for information regarding the prophecy.

    The sun was barely rising over the city when his sister, Tyera woke to the sound of hammering on her door.

    Who’s there? she inquired, waking Altor, Jarran’s foster brother whom she had married at Thorshold.

    It’s me, Jarran, he answered.

    Just a minute. I’ll be right there, she sighed as her husband drifted off to sleep once again.

    Tyera rose, dressed and opened the door to greet her brother.

    What’s wrong? she queried, noting Jarran’s agitation.

    Would you mind if I borrowed your Gwyn? There’s something I must do.

    What do you need my bird for? she inquired.

    I need to fly to Jotunheim, he declared.

    But, why now? We’ll be celebrating all day long. People will want to see you.

    I know my presence will be missed, but there’s something I must do. Your bird will make the trip faster.

    Well, it’s all right with me, as long as my Gwyn agrees, she replied, wondering why Jarran so urgently needed to go to Jotunheim.

    She took Jarran to Toryn’s perch, where she instructed the bird, Protect my brother and obey him as you would me.

    I’ll return him as soon as possible, promised Jarran.

    This was a promise he could only hope to fulfill, knowing he would be using the bird to rendezvous with the great wolf.

    I’m sure he’ll take you wherever you want to go, she replied. Tyera was still half asleep and didn’t think to question Jarran further about why he was leaving the celebrations and heading to Jotunheim. She turned back to her warm bed and waiting husband.

    As Jarran prepared to mount, Ironhand, the swarthy little King of the Dwarves, intercepted him.

    I heard a commotion. Are you all right? You look preoccupied, my friend. What’s bothering you?

    I need to find Fenris, replied Jarran. The battle’s over and he’ll be released.

    His chain was crafted by Dvalin, the greatest of our blacksmiths. It can only be broken by magic.

    What magic is that?

    I have no idea, noted Ironhand. Perhaps Acasta Gneiss can help you. He’s the eldest living dwarf and knows much of the history of my people.

    I’ll stop at Thorshold to talk with him, responded Jarran.

    Facing Fenris is a fool’s mission! exclaimed Ironhand. He’s a god. You have no chance against him.

    That may be true. But I am responsible for whatever he does, Jarran replied.

    Take this with you. offered Ironhand. It’s the Spear of Victory, a magical spear, made centuries ago by Dvalin. It’s imbued with the magic of the elder gods and capable of dealing with Fenris.

    Thank you, my friend. Should I survive, I’ll return the spear to you. Please tell my father where Ive gone.

    Jarran climbed on Toryn’s back, and strapped himself into the saddle as Toryn circled high above Oceanwatch and caught a northwesterly breeze, while Ironhand turned to go find Jarran’s father.

    Where’s Jarran going? inquired Aubry, the recently crowned King of the Old Ones, with a worried tone, noticing his son high on the back of the giant bird..

    He’s on his way to meet Fenris, replied Ironhand.

    But why’s he leaving so suddenly? inquired Aubry. He can’t stop Fenris. Even the gods feared him.

    It’s prophesized that Fenris will be released following the final battle and unless Jarran comes to stand in his stead, he’ll ravage the realm of men.

    But, what makes him think this was the final battle and that he’s the prophesized prince? inquired Aubry.

    Whether he is or not, he had to go, replied Ironhand. Otherwise, he would feel responsible for whatever Fenris does. He would not be able to live with that on his conscience.

    But, he should have taken the army with him, observed Aubry. He can’t stand against Fenris alone."

    All that the prophecy says is ‘…a kingly prince must come to stand in his stead.’

    You mean to tell me that after all these years of not having my son, I’ve lost him again? inquired Aubry.

    I hope not, replied Ironhand. He’s my friend too. I wish I could have gone with him, but he said he must go alone.

    Chapter 2

    Beneath him the Army of Light was just rising to celebrate their victory over Malador and his minions. Jarran would have liked to remain in Oceanwatch to share their celebration; he already missed his many friends who had accompanied him on his quest to free Azwyr from the evil influence of Malador.

    He desired more than ever, to spend time with his father, Aubry, and his mother, Myrani. But, his rendezvous with Fenris, the mythical beast of slaughter, took precedence. Fenris had been chained by the Aesir on an island near Jotunheim, the land of the giants, far to the north. The prophecy decreed, he would be released following the final battle and would bring great trouble to the land.

    Jarran would have liked to talk to Kelys before leaving. The Cat Sidhe had risked her life protecting him, defended him from almost certain death in the final confrontation with Malador. But, he knew that if he told her of his quest, she would either try to dissuade him or insist on accompanying him. The Prophecy he would have to stand in stead of the great wolf and one rune stone suggested he might even have to kill Fenris. Either way, it seemed unlikely he would return. He just wished he had been able to let her know how he felt about her and thank her properly..

    Jarran pulled the tattered tome he had found on a dust-covered shelf in the library at Oceanwatch from his pocket and cracked it open. The dust on the cover suggested that no one had read it in years. It was entitled The Heimskringla Saga and inside contained the poem Hákonarmál:

    "Unfettered will fare the Fenris Wolf

    And ravage the realm of men,

    Ere there cometh a kingly prince

    As good, to stand in his stead."

    The poem seemed to imply that dire consequences awaited the fate of men following the final battle, if Jarran didn’t take Fenris’ place. As he pondered the poem, the image on the runestone on the shore near Jotunheim came to mind, depicting a man standing tall over a slain wolf, a bloody spear in his hand and a bird perched on his shoulder, the triumph of good over evil. Perhaps, if he killed the great wolf, the realm of men might be spared.

    Inside the book was a scroll; he untied the silken string binding it and read:

    "Then is fulfilled Hlín's

    second sorrow,

    when Óðinn goes

    to fight with the wolf,

    and Beli's slayer,

    bright, against Surtr.

    Then shall Frigg's

    sweet friend fall."

    It suggested that Fenris would fight and kill Odin during Ragnarök. Jarran wondered how he could possibly kill the god wolf when Fenris was destined to kill the Aesir god, Odin. He carefully returned the book with its scroll to his pocket.

    As the wind caught his hair, he unconsciously caressed the Spear of Victory with his hand and found himself drawn to its runes, the sharpness of its point, the heft and balance of the weapon. Ironhand had told him that the spear was said to be made from the world tree, Yggdrasils’ sacred ash, and was called Gungnir, the swaying one. A sharp pain emanated from his finger and a drop of blood fell on his winged companion as he touched the point. Magical runes, carved on the tip by Odin himself, prevented this spear from ever missing its target, regardless of the ability of the thrower, but Jarran couldn’t help but wonder if that would be enough.

    Ironhand claimed the sons of Ivaldi had awarded the spear to Loki for helping the famed blacksmith, Dvalin. Apparently, Odin’s son, Thor, had seduced one of Davlin’s daughters. Davlin knew he had no chance against Thor. So, Dvalin approached his friend, Loki, and asked him to repay Thor in kind.

    Being a shapeshifter, Loki transformed himself to make himself look like Thor, and seduced Thor’s wife, Sif, cutting her golden hair as proof of the deed. Thor asked Sif about her hair and when she told him he cut it, he realized that a shapeshifter had been with his wife. Thor raged with fury over this affront to his honor. However, he could hardly fault Sif, as he thought she was with him, and he couldn’t tell Odin, without losing face.

    Thor realized that the shapeshifter was likely Loki. However, dealing with the trickster proved to be more challenging than anticipated. When Thor confronted Loki, he found himself confronting himself and realized he could never stand against anyone so magnificent. So Thor made Loki promise he would never reveal what he had done and Loki offered to replace Sif’s hair with a headpiece of gold for reparation, which the sons of Ivaldi gleefully provided.

    Dvalin appreciated Loki’s prank so much, he also gave Loki, Gungnir (the Spear of Victory) as an additional gift. Loki never expected payment for the deed and had no need for the spear, so he gave it to Odin, who subsequently traded the spear back to Dvalin for some golden armor.

    Jarran knew his chances would have been better if his companions had accompanied him on this quest, but this was not their quest, and he was not prepared to risk their lives. Toryn flew high above the troll cave, where Altor had bested the mountain troll that took him and his sister

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1