When roads meet (closed)

[TertiusHuman]

That Angela's company was good, would have been an understatement. She kept talking about everything, in a way, Thorvald found that even though she was dead, she clearly still loved life much more than most people did. She shared his bed every evening and even that went beyond the realm of what he had thought could be possible as she did and showed him things that he have never thought nor heard of. She had this thing she did with her teeth sharp canines...

As they were nearing their destination, Angela suddenly blurted out that the man they had stopped on the river crossing had worn the same cross as the priests. Thorvald shrugged at her question. "It is gold. Vail Mortem was a bandit. He wore it as it looked pretty. I have worn crosses like that in the past and it did not affect me. Easier to melt down and made into a proper bracelet."

He noticed the worried look on her face and that made him think, why would she seem so worried the closer she got to getting paid?

"Angela, something is bothering you isn't it?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

“Nothing, never mind” Angela replied to Thorvald's question. She did not know it, but those would be words she would regret saying for the rest of her undead life.

The overcast skies were starting to darken as they reached the top of a small hill. They could clearly see the Ossida temple nestled against the massive rough mountain behind it. The large temple had been remodeled by the Chosen Ones of Purity, and in Angela’s mind they had done an excellent job. The temple stood over 90 feet tall from its base to the top of its sky chamber mediation room. The walls were made of massive blocks of white marble. Where marble could be found in this region predates the history of the temple. From their view point, Angela and Thorvald could see the Temple’s crystalline skylight. It glowed a sinister color of red.

“Interesting color. Red… like blood!” Angela stated to Thorvald.

“Does everything remind you of food?” He joked back.

“Not everything.” She answered him with a smile as she pointed to one of the many giant statues of the dead gods and creatures surrounding the temple. The one she pointed too was naked, had muscles everywhere and a large penis.

“He kind of looks like you… only with a smaller cock” She said with a giggle and smirk.

They rode their horses to the main entrance to the temple, where they were directed to dismount. The horses were taken away as the two entered the temple. They found a helpful monk and inquired about Honorary Prelate Deacon Bhak Watty.

“Can you find him and let him know Angela Bloodgem is here. He can find me in that garden atrium over there. Thanks.” Angela told the Monk.

About ten minutes later, Bhak Watty, with his white hair and dark eyes came into the atrium with another man. Both wore yellow robes, but with purple sashes to denote their higher status in the order of the Chosen Ones of Purity. Angela studied the second man more closely. He was slightly overweight and going bald. His hair (what’s left of it) had gone salt and pepper. He was however meticulous in his grooming. He was also meticulous about his clothing as they approached. He was fussing with his robe so it would lie just so.

“Ah Angela, you return.” Bhak Watty said in fake warmth. “Let me introduce Deacon Batsel Hoon, his duties involve uncovering threats to the faith.” Bhak Watty explained “I thought it would be good if you reported your finding directly to him as well as to me. But not here. I would prefer a more private setting.”

“Please to meet you Deacon Hoon” Angela said as she offered her hand to him. The man looked at Angela with her long silky black hair, her sexy, sultry, face, her voluptuous figure, her exposed waist, and her bare and smooth legs ending in black boots. His eyes seemed to get stuck on her two swords hanging from her belt. He never shook Angela's hand, but he did say “welcome”.

Angela knew the man was most likely disturbed by her undead nature, so she moved on, withdrawing her hand and gesturing to Thorvald.

“Deacon Watty and Hoon, my traveling companion Thorvald Grelson.” Angela announced. “He was there when I found your threat. Can he join us for this private meeting?”

“Why yes” Deacon Watty replied as he glanced toward Deacon Hoon. “Please to meet you, Thorvald” Watty said as stuck out his hand to shake Thorvald’s

 

[TertiusHuman]

Thorvald looked at the pampered hand which was stuck out at him. He wanted to slap it aside, spit in the pampered face, crush the man and take the gold of the temple. Instead he grinned at the two men, "You greet like Ingrish."

A warhorn sounded, followed by the rumbling of thunder. Thorvald turned away, "If you will excuse me, I have my own appointment."

He walked off towards where the sound of the horn have originated, leaving Angela with the two men. Priests scattered before him when he bore down on them, his rather impressive figure seemingly ready to crush them.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela watched Thorvald walk off. Her eyes tried to bore holes in his back. “That little fucker” She thought to herself. He was going off to meet a god, and she was stuck with these two creepy religious people. But there was no way she could get out of this situation and join him. So she turned back to the two Deacons.

She noticed that both of them seemed relieved that Thorvald was not joining them for the private meeting. Angela figured the two were up to something and she needed to use caution. She placed her hands on her two sword hilts and smiled at the two men.

“Please, lead the way” She asked them.

Deacon Watty nodded and took them out of the garden area. He headed up a flight of stairs and then down a long hallway, finally arriving at a large corner room. Angela entered the room and it had big windows and great views.

“Please have a seat.” Deacon Watty said and gestured to a chair. Angela sat down as the other two also took different chairs. “Tell us what happened” Deacon Watty asked.

Angela smiled “Sure, not much to tell. Nicklas Linge was waiting for me. He had blessed weapons made with silver. Someone had tipped him off. Thorvald was able to distract him and I finished him off.”

“He is dead, you are sure?” Deacon Watt asked.

“Did he say anything before he died?” Deacon Hoon asked.

“Yes he is dead and yes Nicklas did say something before he died.” Angela said smiling but not telling them anymore.

“What did he say?” Deacon Hoon asked fear in his voice.

“Something about the dragon asking to be killed.” Angela replied as she watched both men’s eyes.

Deacon Watty thought for a second and stated “That seems odd, never heard of a dragon committing suicide. Well, Nicklas was mad, perhaps raving of a madman”

“I don’t care what fucked up shit, you two are involved in. I just want the rest of my money” Angela replied.

Deacon Watty looked over to Deacon Hoon and they shared a silent nod. Both of them stood up, Angela followed and stood up as well.

“Well, I’m glad you are not letting your curiosity get you into trouble.” Deacon Watty replied as a warning to Angela. “I think I selected just the right person for this job.” He bragged to Deacon Hoon as he pulled out a bag of gold from his robes.

“Thank you for your service to The Chosen Ones of Purity.” Deacon Watty said handing her the bag of gold. “I have included a tip for you, so your tongue remains still on this assignment”

Angela moved very close to Deacon Watty’s face. The deacon tried to back away but she grabbed his arm preventing it. “Of course, I will stay quiet. You don’t see me telling everyone about the fact your order wears the same odd cross as the scarred cockroach, Vail Mortem.” Angela whispered to Watty face. The deacon had small drops of sweat dripping down his face as she stared coldly into his eyes. “You said when you hired me, I was strangely honorable. I will not talk. You can count on that.” Angela told the frightened man.

“I think you should go now” Deacon Watty replied in defense.

“I think you are right.” Angela replied and she released Deacon Watty’s arm. She looked over to Deacon Hoon. “Sure wish I could have tasted your blood” She said teasing the frighten man. Then suddenly Angela was gone as she shifted into her gaseous form and floated out the window.

Deacon Watty remained still for a full minute then approached the window and looked out. He did not see any sign of Angela. He turned to Deacon Hoon and ordered. “Kill her once she leaves the temple!” He was certain Angela was gone. Too bad he did not know Angela could turn into a normal bat as well as a dire bat. She was hanging upside down under the window sill and heard his order.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Now normally Thorvald sent most people scurrying out of his way. He knew that with the beard, the bear and wolf pelts, the weapons and of course his towering physique, there weren't many men who wanted to stand up against him. And even less men who wanted to stand in his way.

A grove of mighty trees which stood not far from the courtyard caught his eye and he made his way to it, monks and servants rushing to get out of his way. He still wondered what had made him carry not only all his weapons, but his shield as well. At least the Thunderer wasn't one of those pansy gods who wanted only worship and nice smells. He was a true god.

And there the god stood under a tree, arms crossed, his blue eyes crackling as his mane of blonde hair lay wild and loose against his back. "Thorvald. You have succeeded."

It was a statement and not a question, Thorvald nodded as the words seemed to boom from the mighty chest.

"I have succeeded yes. The Stones of Kelt."

He rested his axe head-first on the ground and drew the leather bag inscribed with runes from under his belt.

"Good. I have chosen well."

Thorvald held out the pouch to the offered palm and placed it in the hand of the god. In a flash of light the Thudergod vanished and in his place stood the Trickster. He laughed maniacally and it was at that time that the hidden men attacked. Thorvald barely had time to ready his shield and parry the first blow.

"LOKI!!"

The god laughed at him as the warriors attacked Thorvald, but since he was fully armed and lacked the skill and strength of Thorvald, they died much faster than was clearly anticipated.

Thorvald fought like a man possessed, of course it was anger which fueled him, which brought out the berserker in him. As he split the last shield and laid the man's throat open with his blade, he barely had time to meet the sword. The enchanted blade slid straight through his blade and bit deep into his chest. Though not a killing blow, it did hurt enough for the berserker rage to lift slightly.

"Hehe this will be too easy."

Thorvald swung his axe and the sword withdrew swiftly and parried the blow, Thorvald grinned, feeling blood flowing freely down his chest.

"Let it be known then that I died fighting."

With a roar he attacked.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela flew back down into the temple garden area. There she changed back into her human form and took off with a purposeful walk toward the sacred groves. This would be the areas the monks would keep dragons. She needed to see the dragons for herself, make sure they were all right.

As she walked she thought about Thorvald. “I’ll bet he is with his god right now. Lucky bastard. He is probably getting a special bless thrust upon him. Atonement stabbed in his heart for his faithful serve! The Divine providing deliverance unto Thorvald’s soul!” Angela said in a mocking way. “It is enough to make you BARF!” Angela grumbled in jealousy. But as she rounded a corner, she saw Loki and Thorvald fighting. She was in shock and just stood there for a second.

“Thorvald, what the hell did you do to get a god pissed off at you?” Angela wondered until she recognized the god was Loki.

“Thorvald has been tricked!” Angela gasped and pulled out both her swords. She took off running toward Loki. It looked like her super human speed and strength were going to catch Loki unaware, but at the last second Loki turned and parried her attacks. His parries sent her stumbling backwards.

“HA, HA… you’ll need to do better than THAT!” Loki bragged until he screamed in pain as rats and bats attacked him from all direction. Angela sword attack had only been designed to distract the god as the real attacks would be from “the children of the night”

“No, I think I did fine for my first attack!” Angela replied regaining her balance. “Thorvald are you ok?” She asked her best friend and lover.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Thorvald was hard pressed, his battleaxe lay in pieces, his war axe was nicked and clearly not going to last long, his shield held holes where Loki's blade had pierced it. His grin at Angela was grim and blood dripped from his lips, "Well I have been better."

The first stab to his chest had nicked a lung, Thorvald was in fact bleeding to death and fighting with one good lung. But he was not a man to give up, even if it was a god he fought. As Loki was distracted by the rats, Thorvald threw his axe and drew his sword, the sword he had procured from the bandits. The axe were deflected at the last moment as the rats lay dead at the feet of the trickster god.

"Not bad, you have more skill than my dear half-brother told me."

Loki came at Thorvald, who barely managed to deflect the attack, just as Angela attacked the god. Loki met her attack, but Thorvald could not capitulate on the distraction. The toll was just too heavy on his body and he sank to one knee, unable to help Angela at that moment.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela

The second attack on Loki was not as successful, The god easily matched her in strength and skil and Thorvald aid was waning. In fact, Thorvald fell to one knee afterward the exchange. Angela was worried. She knew he must be badly hurt for him to collapse like that.

“Thorvald, you promised to show me your home and to drink some Odinson Mead!! Don’t you die on me now.” Angela challenged Thorvald. He replied by coughing up some blood and sputtered definantly “I’m not done yet, just need a little rest.”

“Oh this is even better than I thought.” Loki laughed. “You” He pointed to Thorvald “are in love with a vampire.” Then his face took on a puzzled look “And you are in love with him?” He said to Angela.

“YESSSSSSSSSSSS” Angela screamed and she attacked the god with all the anger and rage of a woman deeply in love. A woman, who was about to lose her lover. She used every trick she knew, turning gasous when Loki’s blades came too close, trying to stab him in the back when she reappeared. It was all for naught, as the god countered all her attacked.

“As you battle me, his time grows shorter and shorter.” Loki taunted Angela “What are you going to do?”

“KILL YOU!!” Angela screamed in frustration, but she had no idea how.

Deacon Watty and Deacon Hoon

Deacon Watty and Deacon Hoon came running into the sacred grove with fear written on their faces. They had heard the battle sounds and knew that Thorvald and Angela had somehow messed up all their plans.

“Don’t let her free the dragons… ALL WILL BE LOST” Deacon Watty yelled in a panic to Deacon Hoon. Each monk took off running to protect the dragon holding stones set upon small mounds of dirt next to might forest trees.

Angela

Angela smiled at Loki. “Time to cause a little CHAOS!!” In a blink of an eye, she called forth two bats which grabbed the stones and flew off into the forest canopy with them. Deacon Watty and Hoon both screamed “NOOOOO” as the mighty trees next to the stones exploded in splitters as two massive red dragons appeared, both of them with RAGE in their eyes.

There was no threats from the dragons, no talking, no roaring. The two majestic and magical beasts just blasted out columns of fire right at Loki. The god tried to jump up and out of the way of the flames, but dragons were magical and even a god must respect their powers. Flames scorched Loki’s feet and legs.

“Take that fuck face” Angela said. With Loki busy battling two dragons, Angela raced over to Thorvald side.

“My love” She said with tears in her eyes. She could see his sucking chest wound, see his blood lose, and knew he would not survive. She got on her knees and held his face, looking directly intohis eyes. “I can’t lose you… You have to live” She declared… she saw no way to save him, except for one. A way she had never before want to do to any mortal. But that was before she had discovered her new purpose in life. A purpose Thorvald had suggested to her.

As Dragon roars filled the air, Angela asked Thorvald the question she thought she would never ask of any human.

“Thorvald, you are going to die. But I can save you. I can turn you into a vampire. But it must be your choice. You will become undead like me. Shall I do it?” Angela asked

 

[TertiusHuman]

He looked up at her, if only her hair were a brilliant blonde she would have looked like a Valkyrie. He gave her a grin, "Spurned by the gods, having to stay out of the sunlight and drink blood to survive? But then again, there would be great sex until Ragnarok."

He chuckled and that led to a cough, "Hold that thought."

He reached under his armor and withdrew a pouch with runes on it, opening it, he dumped the contents into his hand. Four oval shaped stones fell into his hand, they were a pale blue color and the moment they came in touch with the blood on his palm, they flared to life with a blue light which enveloped his fist.

Loki was busy using his magic to bind the dragons to the ground, trapping them once more. He turned just in time and stabbed his sword through Thorvalds chest, but the action came too late as the force of the punch ripped through his armor and into his body, pulverising his lung.

"Got you."

Angela appeared behind the god and while the magic of the stones kept him immobile, she ripped off his head. Thorvald fell to the ground, his wounds finally overpowering his will. Angela knelt next to him and it became obvious that Thorvald was beyond being able to answer her question and she had to make the decision for him in those last few moments before death claimed him.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Tears poured down Angela’s face. “Thorvald…” She gasped at this touching and loving moment. She paused. Formed her thoughts and continued. “Thorvald, you are a fucking asshole!” Angela stated with all the love and affection in her heart. She leaned over and sank her teeth into his neck. She did not drain his blood, she turned him into a vampire.

She loved him so much she did the one thing she had told herself she would never do. Put another person into the living hell she was in. But Thorvald had suggested a new purpose for her life and she needed a partner to help her achieve it. Thorvald was that partner. She was not happy he had passed out before he had made the choice for himself. She hoped he would not hate her for the decision she had made on his behalf.

Her musing about what she had done was interrupted by a silver dagger being plunged into her back. Silver weapons don't kill vampires unless they are used to remove a vampire’s head. However, wounds caused by silver weapons heal much more slowly than regular weapons and weaken a vampire. Vampire held by silver cannot escape.

“YOU HAVE RUINED EVERYTHING YOU STUPID DRAUGR!!” Deacon Watty screamed as he pulled another silver dagger out of his robes. “WE HAD ALMOST DRAINED THE DRAGONS OF ALL THEIR MAGIC!!! LOKI WITH THAT MAGIC AND THE STONES KELT COULD HAVE DEFEATED ODIN!!!”

Deacon Hoon interrupted screaming “CUT HER HEAD OFF… QUICKLY!!”

Angela was able to roll off of Thorvald, and was trying to get up when Decon Watty grabbed her foot stopping her. Her vampire magic would not work while the silver dagger was in her back. “NOT SO FAST SLUT… TIME FOR YOU TO DIE!!” Decon Watty grabbed her hair and pulled her head back getting ready to cut her head off.

 

[TertiusHuman]

The silver blade actually cut into Angela's flesh, her own blood staining the silver surface when the blade suddenly halted.

"What are you doing?! KILL HER!!"

It was only then that Deacon Hoon saw that Thorvald had sat up, his huge hand wrapped around Watty's forearm, his teeth sank into Warry's neck, those blood red eyes staring directly at Hoon.

"Oh shit."

He pulled away from Angela and rose, drawing a silver sword from under his robes. He swung it at Thorvald's head, but Thorvald drew away and Hoon actually decapitated Watty. He swung back wildly, but Thorvald wasn't there. Too late he felt the hand like iron on his shoulders, he screamed in pain as those fingers dug in and ripped his shoulders apart, the sword dropping from his hands.

Thorvald shoved Hoon from him, then drew the dagger from Angela's back. He looked at the corpse of Watty, he had bled out from his head being cut off, then he looked at Hoon and grinned, the blood dripping from his beard.

"So hungry."

Hoon had no time to scream or whimper any further as Thorvald feasted on him. When Thorvald finally rose, he was far from satiated. Though the dragons looked like enough blood, he had better things to do. Since he had no idea about his powers, but had seen what Angela had done, he walked over to the stone idols which seemed to hold the dragons captive and with a yank, pulled them free and tossed them away, freeing the dragons.

Just like the first two dragons, all of these dragons were pissed off and since neither Thorvald nor Angela wore the hated medalions nor the yellow robes, they rose to the air and short moments later judgement rained down from the air. Thorvald walked back to stand next to Angela, he didn't bother to wipe the blood from his face as he stared at the dragons as they rained fire down onto the temple.

"Well we have the stones of Kelt, which we will have to return of course and we have to find some bandits or somebody who doesn't need their blood. I am thirsty as hell and then we will need a lot of ale and a place to talk."

 

[milkmaiden38]

To our readers,
TertiusHuman and I will be ending this story at this point. We hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it. We might bring these two back for further adventures, but that depends on you. Send PM to TertiusHuman or myself with your wishes. Thanks