Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(25)
I whacked his arm, still embarrassed that he’d tied himself to my legs just to make sure Morlet didn’t lure me away. Wanting to change the subject, I asked, “Are you going to make me run home?”
“No.” He nodded to the large bags swung over his shoulder. “We’re going to go and visit someone before we walk home.”
We went to the outskirts of the village where a small hut stood at the edge of the woods, separated from the rest of the town by a large clearing. Smoke rose from the chimney. Vidar dropped the sacks to the ground and knocked on the door. I put my new clothes on top of the bags. The door creaked open, and a hunched-over woman with white hair sticking up in all directions answered.
“Ah, I was wondering when you’d show up,” she said, ushering us inside.
The only light came from the orange glow of the fireplace illuminating a bed situated in one area, a small chair before the fire, and an old table placed in the center of the hut.
“Grei Heks, I’d like for you to meet Kaia.” Vidar put his hand on my lower back and pushed me toward her.
She was a witch endowed with immense powers? I’d never seen a Heks before. Grei Heks were ancient beings who used their magic for good. The kingdom of Nelebek was rumored to have only one. My father spoke of her with great reverence since she created the Order of the Krigers and bestowed on us the power to destroy Morlet.
The old woman smiled, revealing several missing teeth. “I’ve been waiting for you,” she said by way of greeting, taking a seat on the chair near the fireplace. Vidar and I each sat at the table. The small room smelled of lavender and rosemary. “I felt your presence and knew your power came early.” She glanced at Vidar. “What have you told Kaia?”
“Nothing. She only arrived yesterday.”
“Ah, child,” she mumbled, facing me. “You come from a line of very strong Krigers.”
“It has never had anything to do with family lines,” Vidar said. “It has always been random. When one Kriger dies, another is born. Power is dormant until the age of eighteen.”
Grei Heks leaned back against her chair. “True,” she nodded, “for the other eleven Krigers. The twelfth is different—that’s why you’ve never found her. It has always been a female from Kaia’s family.”
Confusion overwhelmed me. My father never mentioned anything about the women in our family being Krigers. No one else in my family was even alive. If my own mother had been a Kriger, certainly Papa would have known and told me. Our last conversation replayed in my mind. He’d wanted to tell me something important. My heart sped up as the pieces started fitting together. Is that why he’d spent so much time training me to fight?
“Did your mother die in childbirth?” Grei Heks asked, reclaiming my attention.
“Yes,” I replied. “But Papa never told me anything about her.”
“She was a Kriger,” the old woman said.
The word Kriger echoed in my head, like a bird singing, and I felt the truth of her words deep inside my bones.
“When she died, her power shifted to you.”
Vidar leaned forward, placing his arms on his legs. “Why is the twelfth Kriger a woman from Kaia’s family?” He spoke to Grei Heks with a warm familiarity, hinting that they were well acquainted.
She smiled kindly at him. “I’m surprised you don’t know, Vidar.” What was their connection to one another?
“I have a few theories,” he mumbled. “Nothing definitive.”
Grei Heks twitched. “We don’t have much time,” she said, jumping to her feet. “Morlet is searching for her—I can feel it. As her power grows, so will his. Keep her hidden until the time is right. Once you’ve managed to free the other Krigers, we can meet again. Until then, it’s too dangerous.”
Vidar stood. “I understand. Thank you for speaking with us.” He went over to the old woman and kissed her cheek. He whispered something in her ear, and she smiled, patting Vidar’s shoulder.
“Come, Kaia,” he said. “We must be going.” He took hold of my hand and pulled me from the hut.
I picked up my clothes, and Vidar heaved the sacks over his shoulder. “Do you know the word Kriger means warrior?”
“No.” My father had often spoken of the Krigers and their fighting abilities, but he’d never mentioned what the word meant. In hindsight, my father knew more about Krigers than the average citizen did. All the training, all the fighting; I thought he wanted to empower me against the soldats—not prepare me to fight the king. It all seemed so obvious now.
“It’s going to take twelve warriors to destroy one man.”
“Are you certain Morlet isn’t a Heks?” No one but Heks could wield magic.
“He is a man tarnished and changed by dark magic.” We walked in silence for several moments. Just when I thought he wouldn’t elaborate, he said, “Years ago, Morlet sought out Skog Heks. They made a bargain that resulted in him being able to use her magic. That’s how he managed to kill the king and queen.” The corners of Vidar’s lips pulled down.
I had so many questions but decided to keep my mouth shut. We walked in silence, my mind reeling over everything that had just been revealed.
***
Sitting on the chair before the hearth in the main room, I peeled open The Order of the Krigers and started reading the section on how to defeat Morlet. It explained that the twelve warriors had to link their powers together using their weapons, which contained magical properties bestowed by Grei Heks.