Heart of lohikarra, p.1
Heart of Lohikärra, page 1
Heart of Lohikärra
L. L. Nelson
Nelding & Michcomb Publishing
Copyright © 2023 by L. L. Nelson
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1-957188-14-0
Published by Nelding & Michcomb Publishing
Cover design by MoorBooks Design
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, SCANNING, OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER. IT IS ILLEGAL TO COPY THIS BOOK, POST IT TO A WEBSITE, OR DISTRIBUTE IT BY ANY OTHER MEANS WITHOUT PERMISSION.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
To my husband - For always supporting me, even when I doubted myself. You are more amazing than you know.
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To my dad - For always believing I was an amazing writer and being my cheerleader.
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A mysterious young woman, an elven invasion, and the tokens of the High King
Haldrek Rodreksson has known his entire life where his future lies and what is expected of him. But on the eve of battle, soothsayers show him three visions of a different future: a mysterious young woman, a new invasion, and theft of the High King’s tokens. Visions which make him question his future and that of his homeland, Lohikärra.
When the capital of Lohikärra falls, Haldrek’s world is thrown into disarray and he must scramble to keep the young woman from his visions safe.
Injured, weaponless, and with little support, will Haldrek be able to save the woman and change the visions he was given? Or will he, his homeland, and his loved ones fall to their enemies?
Get a free copy of the prequel
Visions of Lohikärra here:
https://www.llnelsonauthor.com/newsletter/
Contents
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Chapter 26
27. Chapter 27
28. Chapter 28
29. Chapter 29
30. Chapter 30
31. Chapter 31
32. Chapter 32
The Lohikärran Chronicles
About the Author
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Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
I hated feeling like a beached whale. And a tired one at that. The only upside to not sleeping as much was my ability to spend a few extra moments with Haldrek in the quiet early hours of the morning. Though the past few months had been relatively peaceful, they had been busy with advisors, hersirs, and messengers alike demanding our attention. But right now? It was just Haldrek and me, nestled within our four-poster bed. He was currently curled up on his good side, hand beneath the bedsheets, applying a salve that was supposed to make childbirth less painful and strenuous. While I was skeptical of those claims, I didn’t complain when he applied it.
He seemed to enjoy it as well.
“Ina?” His voice, still husky from sleep, made me open my eyes.
“I’m awake.” A nerve in my leg began to tingle, and I shifted to remove the pressure. Haldrek took it as a sign to apply the balm more thoroughly. He moved closer to me, navigating around my enormous belly and kissing me on the forehead.
“How did you sleep last night?”
“Same as usual. A few hours of strange dreams, interrupted by the urge to pee, and then kicking at the top of my belly.”
Haldrek slipped his hand from between my legs and gently stroked the top of my belly. “Our child seems to know exactly when I’m trying to feel him or her kick. They stop moving like they’re trying to hide from me.”
I laughed as he moved his head down and started making some sounds into my belly. It tickled until the baby shifted and head-butted me in the crotch. I groaned and Haldrek pulled back in surprise.
“Did I hurt you?”
I shook my head. “You made the baby move, though. Did you feel it?”
He nodded. “A little.” As his hand drifted back down below my belly button, he asked, “Have the midwives said how much longer until…?”
“Whenever my body decides, but they think within the next week. Apparently, I’m showing signs of imminent labor. At least according to them.”
“Like what?”
I shrugged, wondering how much Haldrek wanted to know. “They didn’t tell me much, but I guess the body has ways of showing. Like supposedly there’s a line on my butt telling them I’m about to give birth.”
Haldrek started laughing loudly and pushed his head into the pillows to smother the sound. When he came up for air, I frowned at him.
“If you don’t believe me, go talk to the midwives yourself.”
Another kiss on the forehead, then he whispered, “I believe you. And the midwives. I’ve just never heard a description like that before.”
The world around us stayed quiet as his hand made its way back to my belly, a comforting pressure.
“Part of me is scared for when it happens. Like, how painful will it be? And…what happens after?” I thought back to my dragon ring pendant. Senja had promised protection to both me and my child while I was pregnant, but what happened after the child was born? Would Rorik come after both of us? What if I couldn’t stop him? And even more terrifying, how would I react to being a mother? Would I love this child or be like my own mother, who had openly talked about how she couldn’t find the desire to bond with me after I was born? I still remember hearing her talk about how she’d had my father and the nurses deal with me while she recovered from childbirth.
Haldrek’s voice was soft. “What do you mean?”
I blinked a couple of times to clear my thoughts. “I’m afraid of what Rorik might do once the baby is born. And I’m afraid… am I going to be a good mother? Or am I going to be like mine?” My throat tightened up. “She barely tolerated me after I was born. Until my father convinced her to hold me for a little while and she deemed me cute enough.” Tears poured down my cheeks, and I felt silly for my fears about motherhood. Rorik was the much bigger threat.
“I think you will be an amazing mother. You’ve already shown how much you care for children, even before you were with child. I barely met your mother, but I’m betting she wasn’t creating orphanages or aiding them? You might be her offspring, but that doesn’t mean you will be like her.”
A wet, teary laugh erupted from me. The thought of my mother doing what I’d been doing since my arrival in Lohikärra was unfathomable.
“Plus,” he tugged at the dragon ring necklace, “I spoke to both Paavo and Senja about creating a token or some kind of item to protect our child once they are born. They are already making something to keep the baby safe from Rorik after he or she is born.” He paused to kiss me again, this time more urgently on my cheek and down to my mouth. “I’ve had my own fears, not that I wish to burden you with them. The dragons have calmed most of them.”
“What…” I hesitated, wondering if Haldrek’s worries would increase mine. “What worries have you had?”
He sighed, pulling back a little. “There are some women who do not survive childbirth. Or die soon after. Like…”
I immediately knew where his fears were coming from. “Like your mother. But wasn’t that… wasn’t her death because of some kind of illness? Not childbirth?”
He nodded. “Despite all the cures my father could find, and even the dragon water from Mirratoft, the illness that ravaged her was too much. She lived only a short time after I was born, but I’ve always feared my birth brought on her death.” He shook his head. “Not that it is the same situation, but all the dragons have told me they protect female haldragas during childbirth. Senja and Paavo spoke firmly, promising you would be safe during your labor. I know better than to not trust them. I only say all of this because I want you to know you aren’t alone in your worries. Everything will be fine.” He kissed me once more on the forehead as he stroked my hair away from my face.
I smiled, knowing he was trying to be confident for my sake. Strangely enough, though I worried about how painful labor would be and how I would handle it, I had no fear of dying. Whether that was from Rhaegos’s comfort and the confirmation I would be fine, or from my connection to the Realm of Ghosts, I didn’t know.
Not knowing what to say, but wanting this moment to last as long as it could, I leaned forward, pressing my lips against his. He eagerly responded, intertwining his legs with mine and squeezing m e as close to him as possible.
After a moment, he whispered, “No matter what happens in the future, as long as you are by my side, everything will work out. I would fight the dragons themselves to keep you—and our child—safe.”
When we finally did wake up and prepare for the day, our first meeting was with a handful of hersirs and new counsellors Haldrek had hand-picked after the debacle with the imposter. Men like Thoreg and Gizur had been removed from the palace, replaced by other men and women from Drattüjert and the surrounding areas. People who were open to change and understood the dangers we faced from Rorik and others like him.
Meetings were easier now, and I attended enough for the times when Haldrek had to leave and I needed to know what was going on. That said, my back and legs already hurt as I waddled into the room, behind him. The counsellors stood around a table overflowing with parchments and maps. As soon as I spied a high stool near the table, I sat down, in time for the top of my belly to squeeze tight like the baby was pushing against it. I tried not to grimace as I looked up at the counsellors.
“High Queen,” said one of the new counsellors, a man by the name of Aleifr. “If you need to rest…” He faltered, glancing up at Haldrek. I waved off his concern.
“I’m fine. The child is active and so all is well. This has been going on for the last few days. He or she is restless, I guess.” I laughed.
Haldrek placed his hand comfortingly on my shoulder, then focused on Aleifr and the other counsellors. “If the High Queen says she is fine, I trust her. Speak. What news have you heard today?”
Another counsellor stepped forward. “More refugees arrive in the city every day. Instead of Etelaranikä, however, the majority are coming from Bragidrattür. It sounds like Rorik’s men have been causing mayhem in the border villages, knowing there is little Thegn Bragidrattür can do right now.”
Haldrek grimaced. “I asked Gunner if he needed aid. He told me he had the situation handled.” He glanced around the room, looking for Gunner’s hersir, his nephew Bjornulf. The man was scribbling away on something in the corner. After a moment or two, Haldrek cleared his throat. “Bjornulf?”
The man jumped to attention and smiled. “Yes, my king?”
“Any word from your uncle? I asked him not long ago if he needed warriors to protect Bragidrattür. Last we spoke, he said all was well. Have you heard anything from him to confirm what these refugees are saying?”
Bjornulf gaped for a moment, then nodded. “Last night. As I was composing my most recent ballad, he spoke to me using the illustrious dragon magic within these pendants we wear. He spoke of troubling news in Bragidrattür and told me to speak to you when I next sat in one of these meetings.”
Haldrek’s jaw tightened slightly. Bjornulf wasn’t a bad hersir, nothing like Kamira or Lady Drifa, but it was clear Gunner’s nephew was more interested in writing his ballads than speaking on behalf of his uncle.
“Did he say anything else? Specifics about what is going on or what aid he might need?” I spoke up, hoping to ease more information out of Bjornulf. In all my interactions with him, he seemed to enjoy playing the part of a lyrical bard. If given the right chance—
He stood up and bowed. “My fair queen, it is grim news indeed. I fear the words my uncle spoke might break your heart, knowing how tender you are toward the people of Lohikärra.” He glanced back at Haldrek. “The refugees’ pleas are truth, my king. My uncle confirms attacks along the border with Etelaranikä are increasing. At first, he thought it might be little more than skirmishes between the kin who have always squabbled there, but now he knows the seriousness of the rumors that have been brought before him. Dark rumors.”
Haldrek frowned. “Dark rumors? Explain.”
Bjornulf stiffened up. “Some of the refugees who have made their way to the thegn hall, they speak of the dead rising again and fair maidens being spirited away to the dark forests of Etelaranikä. Some of the necromancer’s men, who upon capture swore curses upon their captors, spoke firmly of a wrathful dragon demanding these women as sacrifices.”
The counsellors began to murmur, and I looked at Haldrek in surprise. His jaw clenched tighter, and I tried to sense Rhaegos in the periphery of my mind. She nudged me, but said nothing. There was no sense of calm in her presence. Something was up, even if Rhaegos wasn’t going to talk about it.
There is nothing you can feasibly do in this situation. Haldrek and Teminth are dealing with what needs to be done.
I grumbled in response. How was I supposed to be a good queen and wife if I didn’t know how to support Haldrek? As if on cue, my stomach tightened again, until I nearly gasped with pain.
Support Haldrek by taking care of yourself and the babe. Comfort him, reassure him you will be fine. Then he will focus more of his attention on the issues at hand.
“How many warriors does your uncle need, Bjornulf?” Haldrek’s voice interrupted my conversation with Rhaegos and I looked up. He was staring the hersir down and for a moment, I struggled to believe Haldrek was the younger of the two.
Bjornulf dusted off his tunic and looked nervously at Haldrek. “He requested at least two sattars of men, my king.”
Haldrek sighed. “I will send two sattars of men from Drattüjert. And I will speak to the Thegn of Heidrunefoss about sending warriors as well. Rorik’s actions will eventually affect her, if they haven’t yet.”
Bjornulf and the counsellors all nodded in agreement and one began writing down something on the parchment he had. Bjornulf cleared his throat and then asked, “My king, I will let my uncle know of our decision. Should I also… Should he also prepare a place for you at the thegn hall?”
Haldrek turned to me, concern etched across his face. I could guess what he was thinking. As High King he needed to go to Bragidrattür and show solidarity. But the last thing either of us wanted was to be separated right before I was about to give birth.
I smiled, trying to reassure myself with Rhaegos’s words. “Mattie and Llamryl will arrive in a day or so from Andrattür. You should go support Thegn Bragidrattür and his people. I’ll be fine.”
He squeezed my hand and shook his head, returning his focus to Bjornulf and the others. “Tell Thegn Bragidrattür I will come to support him, but the sattars of Drattüjert will arrive before me. While I trust my queen,” he squeezed my hand once more, “I could easily see Rorik doing something through his cursed magic before the child comes. Plus, it is tradition that the High King be witness to the birth of his aethlings. There is also the naming ceremony, which must be done before I can leave. Since Teminth tells me no living dragon has willingly allied themselves with Rorik, I will go to Bragidrattür once I have completed all that.”
I opened my mouth to rebut Haldrek as the fear of the counsellors and Bjornulf seeing him as weak for staying washed over me. Haldrek had mentioned the naming ceremony before, but I was under the assumption it was a formality. Despite getting along more amicably with the new counsellors, I still remembered how the former ones had acted. Instead, the men all nodded again, and this time Aleifr spoke up. “A wise decision, my king. It has been too long since an aethling lived within the palace walls. Ensuring the safe arrival of yours and the High Queen’s child will do much to raise morale in the upcoming months.”
I blinked for a moment, stunned by the lack of contention. Haldrek smiled, encouraged by this news, and began issuing orders to the men.
Is this the right decision, Rhaegos? I don’t want the people of Bragidrattür to think Haldrek doesn’t care about them.
The feeling of soft laughter filled my mind. Are you telling me you don’t want Haldrek by your side when you give birth?
Both Rhaegos and I knew that was a lie. But I didn’t want people to think he didn’t care. Not because of me.
Be calm, little one. Haldrek is doing well. There is no harm in him leaving for Bragidrattür a few days after the child arrives. A wave of concern washed over my mind. Teminth is correct. No living dragon allies with Rorik. Yet there is corrupted dragon magic rotting away at the heart of Etelaranikä. A magic I haven’t sensed since the time of Bjornulf and Freya. She paused once more, and I felt her presence wrap around me protectively. No. It is wise for Haldrek to wait until the babe is born. Not because any harm will come to you before that, but because both of you will need a source of joy to buoy you up in the months ahead.
