Bragi: Clan Brácaros, #2

By Luthien Numenesse

He is a warrior of noble feelings. 

She is a human who wields a great power. 

A love from the past.

An inexplicable feeling.

An inevitable ending. 

Bragi, member of clan Brácaros, has refused to fight using force for centuries. That’s why, he’s been considered as the weakest and feeblest. Now that he’s found his minnaar, he will have to leave it all on the battlefield if he wants to keep her with him. The War of the Gods has started and the curse that fell on them emerges again. It’s time for him to decide if he will follow his fate or will rebel against the Gods. 

Arieen’s life has been in standby for years, and she is desperate for taking it back, leaving that little town to know the world, and devoting herself to what she really likes. However, her way is blocked again when she meets a young prince who, for a strange reason, seems to know her already. 

The time to prove their worth has come for both of them since, in the middle of a ferocious battle, they have found that for which risking everything is worthwhile: True love. Could this feeling be enough to overcome the adversity that awaits them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luthien Numenesse
• Release date: Sep 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667413068

Book preview

Author's note

Dear readers and lovers of history and universal mythology:

When I finished writing Tyr, the first book, I couldn't see myself creating anything else beyond the end that Lenna and he had. I was really thrilled with the story and satisfied with the outcome. As always, there were some loose ends, but you know me already. I love leaving loose ends, letting you build your own theories and give the story an end. But, it happened that, the more I was asked for a sequel, the faster a new perspective emerged in my mind.

I have already envisaged how the clan Brácaros will end, in other words there is written, somewhere, the definitive ending of this series. In this book, Bragi had many affairs to work on, the main one: he needed to show his worth to his leader and his new koningin, but, most importantly, to himself. Maybe you will feel that the story unfolds very slowly, but each of these pauses are necessary for him to find his own path.

On the other hand, we will begin to dive deeper into the Nordic pantheon. Now, if you are knowledgeable on Nordic culture and mythology, you get my permission to yell at me, because I’ll be mixing all poems and bringing out my own version of Nordic mythology. Even so, I hope you all find these mix-up coherent and enjoy the story of this Gods' warrior.

xxoo

Lú~

Proloog

Late February.

Feeling trapped in confined spaces has never been of my liking. As a matter of fact is the only thing that drives me crazy a bit. That sensation of not being able to go anywhere because there is nowhere to go is exasperating, suffocating, maddening... but if we add the fear factor it becomes unbearable. And I, Bragi, a Gods' warrior, only fear one thing in life: to lose my broers, my family, my clan.

The wind told me that loud and clear; After Lenna's arrival things would change dramatically in our little home. She was suitable for Tyr, my leader. She kept him calm, focused, in peace with himself despite his mind having turned into chaos since she broke into our life. But that was just what he needed, not controlling everything. He needed to live because the last centuries he had been looking after us and our well-being. He has struggled with all his strength to bring us up, for the Gods, for our people, for respect, for a position. It was high time for him to take care of himself. And I'm sure that she is the right one... despite the Gods furiously saying the contrary.

But Lenna isn't the only change that we have had to face or the only new character in our lives. If it is chance or fate, coming back to the Highlands has introduced a new enemy, the mountain redhaired, as we call him since we don't know his name. His intentions are unknown to us, but we know they are no good at all. How could he? Since every time that we bump into him, a horde of dakloos attack us. Or like now, that he locks us in a labyrinthine palace with no way out.

"So, who is your peetvader? I'd love to send him a thank you letter for giving us such a pain in the ass." I’m not sure if I should laugh at Vidar’s joke or worry about it.

"Broer, I believe that you should be more concerned about..." The redhead says.

Don't call me brother. Vidar spits the words out at him, and a vein on his neck is pulsing, seemingly about to burst.

...About my name. Our enemy goes on tuning him out.

Who the hell are you? Freyja, like a true Goddess would do, tries to keep calm while attempting to sound pretentious.

Maybe if you ask it nicely...

Geez! The suspense is killing us.

Oh my God! Vali... We all turn toward Lenna, what has she said?

Immediately, I search for Vidar's eyes. He's looking at me bewildered. Astonished at the news, we don't pay attention to what's going on around us. A huge mistake! A moment later we are absorbed by the darkness. With my head spinning, it takes me one minute more than usual to regain focus. I hear someone groaning followed by some insults and oaths that could make a sailor's hair stand on end.

Freyja? Are you hurt?

I think I broke my arm after falling. I can't move it. I'm content to be the only one with whom Freyja doesn't use her usual sarcasm shield. This is saving us valuable minutes arguing.

Where are you? I see nothing here.

I... a sigh of frustration. I don’t have a fucking clue of where I am. I think I'm locked inside something.

I walk toward where the voice is coming with my arms stretched in front of me groping for anything. After some steps, I trip over something soft. Touching it, I realize it is not something, but someone.

I think I hit Sweyn. He's fainted. I inform Freyja, who, in turn, starts to mutter oaths again. Sweyn, Sweyn!

I try to wake him up, but I can't. Given the darkness that engulfs us, I cannot know if he is injured. I am about to stand up and take him in my arms, but he bites my hand with his wolfish jaw. I haven't even noticed when he transformed.

You idiot! It's me, Bragi.

Very carefully and slowly, he releases my hand. Sniffing the air, he urges me to stand up.

«Where are the others?»

He mentally contact me.

I don't know. I just hear Freyja. I can't see anything here, and you?

«Of course I can see. It is daytime, you moron.»

"There is no need for insults. I see nothing at all. It's like being in the Lifestream without the feeling of peace.

«I can feel Freyja's essence coming from that box.»

Freyja, have you transformed?

If I'm talking to you is because I obviously haven't. I could swear that behind those words there is an you idiot hidden somewhere behind those words.

Sweyn says that you are inside a box.

That explains many things. Hurry and help me get out of here.

I trip again and fall over what I imagine is the box they are talking about. It is hard, heavy, and I don't see a way to open it. After struggling in the middle of that total darkness and being threatened with castration multiple times by Freyja, Sweyn gets out of control and throws it with its hindquarters. The concrete block slides swiftly, and, a moment later, we hear a thud. Kleine zusje comes out muttering oaths so violently that for a second I wonder if it wouldn't have been better to leave her inside there.

We wander at random for a long while looking for the others. I try as much as I can to make contact Vidar, but it's as if he were out of coverage. That has never happened. I feel strange, unprotected, incomplete. None of us can contact Tyr using our psyche. And to tell the truth, my head is starting to ache from trying so much.

Suddenly, the ground begins to tremble, and the ceiling starts to fall on us. We run trying to find a safe place. I can still see nothing. I trip over all that comes in front of me until a light is born inside me. It is Lenna.

«Bragi! You are alive.»

«Lenna, where are you? Tyr and Vidar...?»

«They're with me. We're alright. We must leave. This building is about to fall at any moment.»

«I don't know where we are. I can't see a thing. Freyja is injured, and it seems that Sweyn can't turn into human.»

«I will lead you to the exit. Just trust me.»

«I will. I have done that since the beginning.»

I feel warmth surrounding me, and, suddenly, I can see the way in my mind. I'm able to sense the obstacles, which helps me foresee what would happen and go faster. I glimpse the exit well short of our position. I hurry up, but I halt to hear another oath from Freyja. I turn to see what is going on, but I realize that I'm only capable of seeing the way out.

What's wrong?

I've slipped into a hole. My foot is stuck. You must go on. I'll join you later.

WATCH OUT! I shout when I see that a huge rock is about to fall on us. I can't say how far they are from me, but I tell them to slide to their left. A second later, the wolf howls in pain resounding on the walls.

You idiot! Freyja shouts painfully.

What's happened? Not seeing gets on my nerves.

Sweyn has helped me get out, but the rock has fallen on him. He's human again. Help me take him from here. Follow my voice. I reach her as soon as I can. Now, when I say three pull with all your might.

We manage to set him free with a bit of difficulty.

How bad is he?

Let's get out now. You can see him later. You're a moron. Although Freyja scolds him. She couldn't help sobbing and says weakly. You didn't have to do that.

Of course, I did, Sweyn pants heavily "you're my kleine zusje."

Despite his sounding faint, Sweyn's voice seems satisfied.

A new tremor provokes more rubble to fall around us. We are very close to the exit, but far at the same time. Freyja is carrying one of Sweyn's weighty arms over her shoulder while I carry the other. This makes it impossible to leave running.

We must be quick. The exit is about to get blocked. I inform them seeing how a huge column starts wobbling nearby.

My heart to the clan...

Bewildered, I turn my head toward Sweyn unconsciously. Before making out the meaning of those words, Freyja and I are flung forward by an incredible force.

NO!

SWEYN!

The first thing I can see is how the building where we have been finally crumbles with Sweyn inside. Freyja hurries toward it, intending to look for him. I seize her arm to prevent her from being crushed by the ruins.

Let's find Tyr. Despite knowing it will be of no use. Deep inside I can sense Sweyn’s energy getting weaker. Bit by bit the binding that joins us loses strength.

Sweyn has fallen. My broer has died.

Een

Bragi

A few months later.

"Tweeling... tweeling..."

I turn my face to the left. Finding Vidar's worried look puzzles me a bit. I smile at him slightly making his brow to wrinkle even more.

I was distracted. I apologize by shrugging.

Yes, I've noticed that.

What were you saying?

"Why don't you share with me what caused you to be lost in thought.

It was nothing... And I fix my gaze on the horizon again, trying to get rid of these thoughts, trying to recall new ones, or, at least, to make them stop hurting me so much.

You're forgetting something. Vidar mutters pushing me slightly with his shoulder and reaching my side.

I remain silent.

There are moments, very few of them, in which I'd like not to be bonded with him, or with anybody else. I'd like to keep my thoughts to myself and to know that they will be safe inside my mind. But it doesn't matter where I go or how separate we are from one another, Vidar will always know what is in my mind as much as I know everything about him.

I'd have liked to do something else as well, but I would never ask to change places with him. Vidar's confession triggers a new wave of sadness that pervades my heart. I want to reply to his comment, but each to their own... although it hurts. Because... he goes on, and a new touch of suffering stains his words, if I'd died instead of Sweyn, you would have too. And for me, you are the most important person in the world.

I turn to him, but he has a blank stare. Vidar doesn't usually say that sort of things. I'm sure it's because of the connection we share, but it's completely different to hear them out loud. I nod solemnly although he isn't looking at me. Sweyn's death is heavy on our heart as much as when our parents died. Or maybe more since at that moment we were too young to understand how complex that sensation is. But now it's as though each particle of our body were dying over and over again remembering the loss we've suffered.

The sky is changing color, it goes from blue to black. I didn't notice the time going by. I realized that Vidar goes away because I sense rage and despair nearby. I shake my head feeling impotent. There's nothing I can say or do for these feelings to vanish.

«Bragi.»

I blink a couple of times after a new interference in my mind. That hoarse and sweet voice makes my inner pain dwindle. Lenna, being a Goddess, is capable of contacting mentally any of us at any moment, regardless of distance or time.

«Is everything alright? We have been waiting for your return for days.»

I notice some concern in her voice, but she tries to hide it with reproach. During the months of our absence, she, as well as Tyr and Freyja, have respected our decision to be away for a time on the pretext of going to Corner Valley to get some things we forgot. So, we left the clan for the first time. What happened in the Highlands... is difficult to describe. It made us get together and fragmented us at the same time. Now that we are four, we don't know how to move. It is as though an elephant were missing a leg.

«Everything's going well, we've had a little more fun than we expected. We'll be there soon.»

I wait some seconds in case something has happened with us away, but it seems that Lenna broke the connection. I heave a long sigh and rest my head on my hands again.

«Okay, I'll buy the lie. Please come back to us as soon as you can, it's hard to stay fragmented.»

I nod despite knowing that she can't see me. Or maybe she can. It's still a mystery how the Gods' omniscience works. It may be that Lenna is not actually inside my head by around me in a spectral form or something similar. Thinking about it makes me forget, for a moment, this unbearable daily pain.

I hear an object flying through the sky behind me. I turn to catch, in mid-air, a canned drink Vidar has thrown to me.

Lenna asked us to return. He says opening his own drink not making eye contact.

I know. She talked to me too.

"Will you tell me why we have come back to Corner Valley?"

Unconsciously, I take my hand to my right pants pocket and clench my hand around a small object I've been hiding. The reason of my return.

I needed some time to cope with the mourning.

That is just a half-truth.

I take a long gulp of the energy drink thinking what to say. I realize that it's no use to lie to Vidar. So, I remain silent. He's still standing in the same place, not moving, with his hair swinging because of the freezing wind engulfing us. Some days have elapsed since the last time he or I slept o connected to the Lifestream. My mental exhaustion is enormous, but I don't want to shut my eyes and recall the moment. Although I know that it'll always be there, lurking like a spectral shadow wanting to drag me to the deep of the void.

The night arrives, and the wind produces a slight snowfall that starts covering every surface, including Vidar's chest. The man rests lying on the bow of the ship with a leg hanging over the edge. He's humming an old Nordic lullaby while his hand strokes lovingly the rifle he usually carries wherever he goes. A peculiar story. For a second, thinking about it distracts me. Distractions. I need distractions.

I'll go inside. I need a bit of warmth.

Vidar chuckles.

Your warm heart needs heating.

Intending to smile at him, I just grimace in a sad attempt. He nods understandingly and cast a look to the black sky over us. I enter one of the rooms and sit down in a rickety chair that I place behind the door just in case my tweeling has followed me. I take out the small object I have kept in my pants pocket and, with my thumb, try to clean it a bit more. It's been buried underground for centuries. The passing years have almost destroyed it completely. But its essence lingered. I cover it with my fingers clasping it tightly.

Why? Why have you come back?

Twee

Bragi

"Welcome home, broer." Tyr greets me giving me a strong brotherly hug.

It's good to be back.

Where is Lenna? Vidar asks after being showered with intense fraternal love.

She's upstairs, in bed. She's not been feeling good for some days, but she's waiting for you two.

No sooner does he conclude than Vidar sets off running through the corridor toward the main rooms. Tyr is our broer and is also the current koning of our clan. He rules along with Lenna, our koningin. Now we must draw a dim line which we should never trespass. Even in these modern days, it is necessary to know which are our places in the family, to respect our leaders and our kings.

A Goddess who gets the flu? I ask sarcastically. It is well known that sometimes my broer can be overprotective.

That's precisely what worries me. Supposedly, Lenna can't catch human illnesses any more, but some days she looks pale, weak, and feels dizzy.

And by the look on your face I can guess she didn’t let you heal her with your gift.

I see how his shoulders fall in frustration.

She's stubborn. That hasn't changed.

I turn around looking in all directions searching for kleine zusje.

"There's no need to ask where Freyja is, right?

Tyr turns away his look and remains quiet."

No, there is no need. She still goes to where the accident happened to look for Sweyn's body despite the fact that we all know it is not there anymore. Not even the rubble of the building that once rose impressively in the middle of the forest months ago. We all kept going daily until one day we found out it had turned into a flat terrain. The next morning, Lenna appeared in the middle of the hall, and our broer's essence disappeared completely as if he had been disconnected from the Lifestream that joins us. It was then that Vidar and I decided to go away. We were gone for almost two months, but it all feels as if it had happened yesterday.

I sense Tyr's heavy hand on my shoulder.

Don't forget to say hello to Lenna. She is waiting for you.

I nod and see him leaving through the corridor toward the kitchen. I mustn't ask how it feels since I perceive his emotions as my own both for the bonding we have and for my empathizing ability that I sometimes find to be a real nuisance. Pain, impotence, fear, despair, rage, worry, failure are some of the many emotions that rush around Tyr. But it is not that I can do something for him for these are my own feelings. I feel sorry that his happiness for finally having his minnaar is overshadowed by such tragedy.

I want to take a shower before going to say hello to Lenna, but knowing her I'm sure she'll get upset. So, I decide to leave it for later. I knock twice at the door of her bedroom. A hoarse and soft come in welcomes me. I carefully enter the room and found her lying on bed stroking Vidar, who has taken a feline form. A weak purr followed by a hiss tells me that he's soundly asleep. She turns her face, and an enormous smile brightens up her face. She stretches her arm toward me. I take it at once getting near. Her touch is warm and soothing. I squat next to her. The peace, despite ephemeral, she emanates makes me want to take delight in it.

Welcome home. Every time she speaks, I notice waves of warmth running through me. I kiss the back of her hand, and she strokes my face.

Tyr has told me that you're not feeling well. Can I help?

It's a brief inconvenience... you know Tyr. He forces me to rest just because I lose a hair. You look unwell. Her tone, almost motherly, makes my defenses lower a bit.

I'm alright.

For now, I'll let you keep lying to me.

I glance down trying to keep my thoughts protected. Before we left, Lenna wasn't able to control her Godly powers yet. When we least expected it, she would intrude in our minds stealing our memories. Not that it was her intention, but she could slip through small cracks. Now I force myself to keep all my barriers in place so that my interior is not seen. The one that once was dark, and now has become grim.

"The Norns visited me. I get uptight after hearing that. They want to help me."

What for?

To use my gifts. That really surprised me.

Does Tyr know about it?

He was present when they appeared.

That surprises me even more.

Did they allow a warrior stand in their presence?

The offer's for him, too.

What do you mean by that?

Tyr has decided to ascend a God.

I'm speechless. How much has happened in our absence? I enclose all the emotions brought about by the news so that Lenna isn't able to read. I try to distract her attention telling her about the journey, the city, and anything that comes to my mind. Seeing she was somewhat drowsy, I let her rest slipping away from there without disturbing her or Vidar, who is still purring louder each time. I just hope he doesn't wake her up.

I get to my room, and, after opening the door, the smell of rain strikes me heavily. I throw myself on the bed not being able to delay it any longer. I must enter the Lifestream for the Norns' visit makes me think it's just the beginning of something we won't be able to contain. I close my eyes, and, immediately, the darkness engulfs me. Hundreds of pictures flash behind my eyelids at full speed as though someone were rewinding a videotape. I fight that as much as I can, but they are everywhere.

«Peetzoon.»

A deep and hoarse voice, similar to that of elderly humans after having smoked for years, resounds in every place as much as from nowhere. I keep quiet respectfully.

«It is time to let him go.»

«I can't.»

Silence.

There's a long silence while Sweyn's death is reproduced perfectly clear as if it were on a HD screen. Even more realistic that the first time.

«You're a Gods' warrior. You must do it.»

«He was my broer...»

«You said it yourself... was.»

After my peetvader vanishes, I'm thrown out from the Lifestream violently, as if I had been pulled from the legs to send me back. My heart races and I feel a little confused. I observe intently the room not recognizing it at first glance. I find myself on the ground fully drenched, the window is opened, and the sun shines weakly on the other side. It seems that it's been raining last night causing a small flood in my room. When I stand up to start cleaning the mess, I notice the small object among the sheets. I stare fixedly at it as if it were the first time. I bend to pick it up and hide it again in my pants pocket. It's then that a sharp pain pierces my head almost splitting it in two.

I rest my hands on my bed to stop me. The sensation makes me pant and shake a little. At the beginning, I don't understand what is going on, but after breathing deeply I can think more clearly. I leave in a rush toward Tyr's room. Not stopping to check the time, I enter abruptly without knocking.

As I expected, my broer wakes up with a start. Immediately, he holds his sword pointing it toward me while a perplexed Lenna turns to avoid any possible attack. Vidar, still in his feline form in the middle of the couple, has fallen to ground in confusion. I ignore Tyr's questions and, moving Tyrfing gently, lean forward next to my koningin. I take her hand and kiss its back.

"My koningin..."

Bragi?

The heir is coming.

Lenna looks at Tyr who, in turn, looks at me. I hear Vidar swearing under his breath, but no one pays attention to him.

Are you sure? Tyr demands mystified.

I am.

Why are you soaked? Vidar asks behind me.

"My peetvader contacted me while I was in the Lifestream. It was revealed to me when I woke up."

Lenna, who now hugs her belly protecting it, says nothing. She just gazes at me with those huge gray eyes with which I imagine she's trying to see inside me. I lower every defense so that she can feel as I do and see the truth in my words.

"Did your peetvader say something? About this, I mean."

No. He just talked about...

Letting Sweyn's soul go away. Lenna finishes the sentence for me in a sigh. I close my eyes trying to mitigate the pain and just give a slight nod. She puts a hand under my chin and turns my face up so that I can look at her. He was right. You must leave him rest... She embraces her belly again and smiles with sorrow. "Maybe he will come back to be his... or her peetvader."

Both of us know that it doesn't work that way, but I understand what it means. It's just that I find it hard to accept it. And it's there that the dike collapses. All the pain I have kept inside me comes out uncontrollably. My eyes overflow with tears which I didn't intend to shed. I hear Vidar's footsteps leaving the room followed by Tyr's. Lenna places her left hand on my head since the other is between mine. Stroking my hair as if I were a small boy, she tries to comfort me, making it less painful.

I am not a Gods' warrior. I am not a member of clan Brácaros. I'm just a pathetic weak being. I have only brought dishonor and shame to my clan.

Arieen

Whoever said that life is simple is because they have never had a child. Dealing with all the crap of the world and pretending that you are living in paradise so that your little child can still believe in fairy tales is like juggling with bowling balls in fire, blindfold. I breathe in deeply while I rest my back against the bathroom door. I need some minutes of peace. Just a moment for me.

And that's it. Somebody starts knocking on the door a moment later.

Ari. Are you alright, honey?

I'll be right out... I try to modulate my voice to be as nice as possible despite wanting to tell her to fuck off and leave me alone for a minute. Am I asking too much? I just need a minute to breathe.

Alright, honey. But hurry up, please.

I clench my fist wanting to spit all my