Loki Passage 1

The Beginning

1.

The Ifing River, a grand river with a width of more than a hundred men’s width, and the depth of fifty more, with its gushing water separates the two lands between towering Giants with the Aesir. The Giants lived in the land named Jotunheim; of rocks, and dense forest covered with snow year round. Its frosty weather does not permit any farming for the fertile lands were taken by the towering trees which reached to the skies for its nutrients. Its harsh conditions could not sustained many inhabitants except for the large and towering Frost Giants whose numbers are smaller but with their large frames, they carved their own land there.

It was a tough life as a Giant, with the larger appetite, and fierce tempers, they ventured many a time across the river. Despite its surging currents, the Giants would soon land on the other side, in which they pillage and plunder the rich farming lands for food and also for taste of the wild creatures. It was on one such occasion, that Farbauti the Striker as he was nicknamed took to venture across the river for food. He was with his own son, Helbindi and Blyestir, both of sturdy built with some added passing seasons to their frame. They had harassed the older Giant, to take them across the river where they were told that the food was aplenty and the raids could yield greater rewards. The older Giant after much persuasion agreed to take them there, but he gave them a list of instruction on how to conduct themselves.

“Bind yourself well, my sons.” Farbauti advised his young sons while he tightens up the armor on his chest. “Be firm with your weapons. The Aesir may be smaller than you, but they are a formidable foe on any day.”

“Aye, Father.” Blyestir lauded out. “I hold on me, the battle axe that would remove their head with ease.”

The older Giant looked to his younger son, who had just survived over the last season after a bout of fever and coughs. The young Giant resembled him when he was that young; brazen and foolish. He had given the young lad, his old armor which consisted of the leather chest plate, and the greaves for the limbs. The young lad carried the battle axe that was once his mother’s who was unwell with her third child then.

“Father, Blyestir know nothing about fighting.” That was Helbindi, the eldest son of the Frost Giant. “He had been living at mother’s side for too long.”

Farbauti laughed out loud at his eldest son words. He liked the young lad; he looked like his mother, and inherits the bad characteristics of the mother. Chiding the younger one was one of hers’. Helbindi was dressed like his brother, but he carried the broadsword as his weapon. Farbauti had adjusted his leather chest plate, and then moved to the wrist greaves. He knew from his battle experiences that a good armor could make a difference in the fight. He was to put on his waist belt, which held his mallet when he saw another Frost Giant approaching. It was his friend, Saulek; the one who was his partner for many of his hunts. He saw the other although dressed in the hunting garbs but he was decorated with the battle colors on his face.

“Saulek, what’s with the war colors? Are we in any fight at the borders?” Farbauti asked. The Giants have been fighting the Aesir for generations, despite the on an off attempts to end the battles.

“”Farbauti, it’s the Aesir. They have crossed the river once more.” Saulek spoke out in between breaths of air. “They are assembling at the Helmings Valley. They would fight the Aesir there.”

“Helmings Valley? Why are they here first?” Farbauti asked. He had been the named the Striker for his prowess in battle, and when he struck, it was with the ferocity of the Giant’s reputed bravery.

“I heard tales that Tierad had crossed over on his hunting trip. While there, he was involved in a fight with the Aesir. He had fatally wound one of them. Odin had led the revenging pack that we are to meet at Helmings Valley.” Saulek explained. “There is one other thing. Ling Thyrm would not commit the realm to fight Odin. He cites that this is not war, but a reckless pursuit of a mad Aesir.”

At that mention of the reluctance of the King to defend his own realm, Farbauti roared in anger. He had a long bitter relationship with Odin who was then the young Warrior of Asgard. They had fought a few times, with the other winning most of the battles. He wanted to fight the young Warrior again, and that moment was then.

“Saulek, call on the others. Ask them to join us there. I would lead the fight this time.” Farbauti told the other while he picked up his mallet. It was a gift from the Vanir; an unusual gesture from there who were fabled to foresee the future and work on magical things. They told him, the mallet was made in Misgard by craftsmen, and blessed by the Alfheim masters. He remembered that they said the mallet may protect him. Farbauti weighed the mallet in his hands and smiled. 

He looked at the young lads.

“Helbindi, go back to your mother.” Farbauti instructed his younger son. “Bring your brother.”

Both the lads stood there and then the elder one spoke up.

“Father, we would go with you. We can fight.” Blyestir spoke to his Father. Farbauti looked at the lads and smiled. He would sort it out with their mother later. The older Giant smiled; he did remember his first battle with his father. They lost the battle but their relationship bonded well after that. Saulek had then left them to round up the others, while the family trio took to the valley.

********

Helmings Valley was not really a valley but more of a canyon which was a shorter ride to the Jotunheim inner lands. It was cut in the middle; a low river that flowed there despite the cold weather. The river bank was covered by low shrubs and then the sparse tall trees. The Giants set their traps there for the creatures that go there for a drink, while fishing was not one as the river was too shallow for fishes.

When Farbauti arrived there, he saw the small group that had congregate there. There was the familiar troublesome Neilson’ siblings; never shying from any fight, although they hardly win with their foolish moves. He also seen the older Giant, Gollen; a veteran among them, but he was patriotic to the realm. He fought in most of their battles, and escaped the fatal wounds from the enemies so far.

“Farbauti, I am glad to see you.” Gollen greeted the giant. He then looked to the two young lads who stood up right next to their father.

“I see you brought in new blood.” Gollen smiled, showing his missing teeth. His own four sons are who had died in previous battles, while the older giant had not shed his tear. He felt his sons died for a good cause.

“They wanted to come, but I am more concerned on their mother when she knew later. She would throw me out for sure.” Farbauti replied. That caused the group there to laugh while many of them remembered their first fight. They had lost friends, but despite that they still went for the new battles. Their laughter was short lived when Saulek arrived with two others and more bad news.

“These are the only two I could round up.” Saulek said. “I had seen the tracks. Odin is near.”

“Odin is here.” Gollen shouted out. He was pointing to the end of the canyon. The Asgardian was a bigger group on mounts. They are smaller than the Giants, but on the mounts, they reached the chest high on the Giants. The Asgardian was riding hard on seeing the Giants. They were not there to parlay, but to fight.

“Be on guard, Giants.” Farbauti gave the command. He pulled his two sons to the rear of him. He then stepped up to front of the group to face the charging Asgardian. He was baffled as in their previous battles they would faced off each other before fighting. Most battles were brief, but they do not resort to killing unless necessary. It was not a fight of killing but of pride. Farbauti gripped the handle on his mallet; he knew that this one was going to be bloody. He looked back at his sons. Then he looked at Gollen.

“Take care of them, Gollen.” Farbauti told his old friend. He then looked back at the advancing Asgardian. He decided to approach them and perhaps held them back. The Asgardian was not stopping despite his waving at them. They came close and Farbauti knew that the battle was to start.

A battle where some lives may end up with more than just a bloody nose.