Part 1 - Flight of the Valkyrie

Dagfari was making camp after somewhat of a successful hunt for food. Poking the fire to make sure it continued to burn, he was discussing his destination with Thor.

"Dagfari, I have a request,"
"What is it?"
"I need you to pay a visit to someone who can help you on your travels,"
"By doing what?"
"You don't need to worry, just follow the path and keep heading north. They shall reveal themselves when the time is right,"

Dagfari stared to the stars, wondering if he made the right choice in leaving, hoping to find the guidance he needed. He doubted that the stars would say yes, so he was shocked when the word 'Yes' flashed in the sky for a second. He fell off of the log he was sitting on and was knocked out cold.

When he woke up, he saw that it was day and decided to set off north as suggested. "Man, this is boring," he said to himself. Starting to remember the numerous battles that he had had since he had become Thor's pupil, he smiled and almost missed a sign, pointing to a small town a few miles away. Looking in the distance, he could just make it out in the distance. "I hope they have some beer...." he said and ran towards the town.

Reaching the gates of the town, he was breathing heavily, "Never...run...AGAIN..." he panted, before realising he had made it. The town looked like your average town. Rows of homes, random shops and a pub/inn. The only unusual thing, Dagfari noticed, was a large mansion on top of a hill. He decided that a good drink was what he needed so he set off, unaware of the whispers of people he passed. When he entered the pub, everyone stopped and stared. Dagfari then realised that he was still in an area where he was known via his reputation.

"Regretting going for a beer?"
"Nah, who could do that?"

But before he could order, a woman wearing a black robe and hood had approached him. "Excuse me, Master Dagfari, but Master Thialfi requests you come to his home right away,"
Dagfari was expecting this but was not dreading it. It was a new place but that didn't mean new types of people. "Lead on, then." was really one of the few things he could say.

The main hall was decorated with elaborate Celtic designs and marble, lots of marble. Dagfari felt like something was wrong. There were a few more women in black standing along the walls and the woman who had led him was now standing alongside a small fat man in, what could only be described as royal, attire.
"Welcome, welcome Dagfari! I am Thialfi, master of this glorious mansion! Tales of your deeds have reached us and we hoped that we would be graced by a visit from you!" exclaimed Thialfi. Dagfari was unsure of what to say. The unmoving women were offputting to say the least. Thialfi seemed to notice. "Do not worry about them, my fine friend! Standing seems to be one of the few things they do right!" he said, with a hint of malice in his words

"Dagfari! They are not normal women!"
"You're telling me, the fact that they just stand there and..."
"No! They're Valkyries! I never thought I'd sense one again!"
"Since when can you 'sense' people?"
"I'll tell you later! Just find out what's going on!"

"Is there something wrong, Dagfari?" asked Thialfi.
"Yeah, there is. Are these women Valkyries?"
The whole room was silent, not even a breath could be heard from anyone. Thialfi's smile vanished as he turned around to the woman who borught Dagfari to this place. "YOU TOLD HIM!" he yelled at her, slapping her to the ground. It was at this moment that Dagfari saw a chain connecting her to the chair. He looked round and half of the others revealed chains as well. Thialfi realised that Dagfari knew. He immediately shouted "GUARDS! KILL THAT MAN!" thinking that with no visible weapons, he would be down in a second. Dagfari, however, was not worried. Ten guards charged at him but were not ready for a possible counter attack. Dagfari swung his arms and in a split-second, brought out his hammer, and caught 9 of them in one swing. The other one stopped dead, frozen with fear at the 8 foot warrior with a hammer approaching him. Dagfari chuckled to himself and yelled "BOO!" and laughed as the guard ran away, screaming. Thialfi charged at the warrior, brandishing a dagger but tripped over a guard's body and was sent skidding to Dagfari's feet. Picking him up, he said to him "You are a gutless man who should be slain on the spot. However, I'm going to have fun with you" before hitting him on the head, knocking him out.

Using his axe, he set about freeing the Valkyries from their chains. The urge to kill Thialfi was rising as he saw that their wings had been chained and he heard stories of what he had done. He gave them all instructions on how to get to his old village, telling them to head straight there. "Now, for you, Thialfi..." he said but before he did anything he noticed that there was still a Valkyrie with him. "Excuse me, Mas....em, I mean, Dagfari, I was wondering if you could allow me in helping you exact revenge on him." she said, with a slight glint in her eye. She was still wearing the robe but had made holes for her wings. The hood revealed her long, black hair and green eyes. There was still a slight mark from when Thialfi slapped her. "Why not?" and they set to work.

They decided to flee from the village as it became apparent that she was a fire mage who wasn't still in full control of her powers. Needless to say that the building and Thialfi did not last long.

"Tell me, er....what's your name again?" asked Dagfari.
"Hale,"
"Could you tell me, why you didn't use your powers before?"
"That's a story for another time. For now, could I get some rest?"
"Fair enough..."

End of Chapter 1