Page 2 of Wolf of the Sand

There were only the two of them. She would only need a slight distraction. Fen froze as the cold, sharp tip of a spear rested on the back of her neck.

"Don't even think about it. You already cost me sevenvikingar,and if you weren't worth the gold I need, I would gut you right here," Egil snarled softly. "Now, move."

Fen kept walking, following Brandr and trying to stay out of the way of the crowd. They headed out of town and up a grassy hill.

She wondered if she was being taken to be sacrificed, but no one would pay raiders gold for that, and no one would dare to sacrifice a seiðr.

Cages had been built at the top of the hill, but of metal, not wood. They were filled with criminals and those too dangerous to sell at a regular slave market.

Those hard-faced men all looked like they were going to piss themselves. The slave traders didn't look much happier.

Blank-faced women of all ages were crowded into another cage. Fen couldn't help but notice they were holding up better than the men.

What in Hel's name is going on here?

The caw of a raven made Fen's head snap to the side, and her stomach filled with ice. She hadn't been afraid before, but she was now.

Two stone obelisks rose out of the earth like teeth, strange runes carved into them. They were at least ten feet tall, and sitting on top of each one was a raven watching her.

A Sky Bridge.

She had never seen them but heard the stories and knew to fear them.

All-Father, what did I do to displease you?Fen begged. Surely not something terrible enough to deserve this. She had saved the other seiðr. She had always served the gods loyally. Despite her heartbreak, she would show no fear.

"Good, we made it before they got here," Egil said with a laugh at Fen.

"They are watching us," Brandr whispered, noticing the birds.

"Shut the fuck up. This will be done with soon," Egil replied. "Their gold spends as easily as any other's. The bridge only opens once a year, so any curse for taking the witch will leave when she does."

A pale light began to glow between the pillars, growing brighter as it filled the space. A bronze metal head shaped like a monstrous cat appeared through the light, followed by the rest of an armored body. Four others appeared, all bigger than ordinary men, carrying wickedly curved sickle swords at their sides and shields almost as tall as Fen was.

"You will sell me to the People of Sand and Sky? Do you really not fear the gods, Egil?" Fen demanded, a last pathetic attempt to save herself.

Egil only laughed. "Bitch, the gods won't hear you once you go through the Sky Bridge. Not even Odin himself will be able to see you or hear your prayers."

Fen straightened to her full six feet of height, making the two shorter men step backward in fear of the giantess.

"I pray to Odin that you both live long lives, and you die old men, alone by a hearth and with no honor," she cursed. "You will not see the halls of Valhalla. You will freeze in the wastes of Hel's halls, and no one will remember your name."

Brandr hit her, fear making his face white. Fen tasted iron as she smiled at him and spat on the ground, sealing her curse with blood.

"It doesn't mean shit," Egil said, joining the other traders and the strangely armored men.

"Take it back," Brandr hissed.

"Never," Fen replied, her red-stained smile widening further. Egil whistled at them, and Brandr dragged her forward and thrust her rope at the bronze soldier.

The eyes of the helm were completely black, but Fen could feel them assessing her. A gloved hand touched her long, golden braid, and the warrior nodded. Gold ingots changed hands, and Fen's rope was tied to the train of the other slaves.

The ravens hadn't moved from the top of the glowing Sky Bridge, black eyes watching every moment.

"Why?" she whispered, but no reply came to her. There was no warmth of magic in her fingers or the iron and honey taste of runes on her tongue.

The train of slaves began to move through onto the bridge. As Fen's feet stepped into the burning light, the last thing she knew of Midgard was the black eyes of the ravens and the cold certainty that Odin had abandoned her.

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