Lady of Lohikärra Read online

  Lady of Lohikärra

  L. L. Nelson

  Copyright © 2022 by L. L. Nelson

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-957188-10-2

  Published by Nelding & Michcomb Publishing

  Cover design by MoorBooks Design

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, SCANNING, OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER. IT IS ILLEGAL TO COPY THIS BOOK, POST IT TO A WEBSITE, OR DISTRIBUTE IT BY ANY OTHER MEANS WITHOUT PERMISSION.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  To my husband - For always supporting me, even when I doubted myself. You are more amazing than you know.

  To my kids - For inspiring me to be a better mom and showing me what it looks like to have limitless confidence in yourself.

  To my dad - For always believing I was an amazing writer and being my cheerleader.

  To my sisters - For inspiring me and just being plain awesome.

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  A mysterious young woman, an elven invasion, and the tokens of the High King

  Haldrek Rodreksson has known his entire life where his future lies and what is expected of him. But on the eve of battle, soothsayers show him three visions of a different future: a mysterious young woman, a new invasion, and theft of the High King’s tokens. Visions which make him question his future and that of his homeland, Lohikärra.

  When the capital of Lohikärra falls, Haldrek’s world is thrown into disarray and he must scramble to keep the young woman from his visions safe.

  Injured, weaponless, and with little support, will Haldrek be able to save the woman and change the visions he was given? Or will he, his homeland, and his loved ones fall to their enemies?

  Get a free copy of the prequel

  Visions of Lohikärra here:

  https://www.llnelsonauthor.com/newsletter/

  Contents

  1. Chapter 1

  2. Chapter 2

  3. Chapter 3

  4. Chapter 4

  5. Chapter 5

  6. Chapter 6

  7. Chapter 7

  8. Chapter 8

  9. Chapter 9

  10. Chapter 10

  11. Chapter 11

  12. Chapter 12

  13. Chapter 13

  14. Chapter 14

  15. Chapter 15

  16. Chapter 16

  17. Chapter 17

  18. Chapter 18

  19. Chapter 19

  20. Chapter 20

  21. Chapter 21

  22. Chapter 22

  23. Chapter 23

  24. Chapter 24

  25. Chapter 25

  26. Chapter 26

  27. Chapter 27

  28. Chapter 28

  29. Chapter 29

  30. Chapter 30

  31. Chapter 31

  32. Chapter 32

  The Lohikärran Chronicles

  About the Author

  Follow me!

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  The bowstring cutting into my fingertips distracted me from my pain. I focused on the center of the target and relaxed my shoulders, loosing the arrow. It hit with a solid thud and I smiled for a brief moment. At least I could control this part of my life.

  I pulled another arrow from the sheath and glanced out of the corner of my eye at the maidservant whose job it was to keep me company. A so-called perk of being the High Queen. I was never, ever, alone. Whether I wanted to be alone was another story. I didn’t begrudge the girl—she was doing her job—but it didn’t mean I enjoyed having an audience for nearly every moment of my life either.

  The arrow flew as I released it and I took a deep breath. Grabbing another one, my hand brushed against someone else’s right behind me. Spinning around, I pulled out my last arrow and handled it more like a dagger, pointing it at the person in defense.

  Haldrek put his hands up and smiled as I relaxed, sheathing the arrow. That’s why my maidservant had been silent. Haldrek had picked up a habit of sneaking up behind me and loving on me since we’d gotten married. I loved it—most days.

  The servants knew better than to interrupt.

  But today had turned out to be a lousy, horrible day and it was still early morning. The sun had only just risen over the mountains in the east. I sank my head into Haldrek’s chest and let the tears I’d been holding back flow. His gambeson could take the wetness.

  “I was looking for you,” he whispered, his face burrowing into my hair. “If you’re here…” He hesitated. “Did it come again?”

  “Yes.” I laughed bitterly. “My period started again this morning.”

  “I’m sorry. We’ll keep trying. My men are still searching for Rorik. He will pay for what he’s done. I promise.”

  I hated that I was crying right now. But my emotions kept crashing around inside of me like waves on the coast. My gift of shifting between the Realm of the Living and the Realm of Ghosts had turned into a curse. Nightmares plagued me nearly every night, leaving me exhausted. Now that my father was in Mirroth, there wasn’t anyone within the Realm of Ghosts to aid me when Rorik would inevitably drag me there. Being a necromancer meant he had powers like mine. Only more sinister. His skills had been honed through practice, while mine were still instinctual. And he used his ability to shift between realms to torment me on a regular basis.

  “I’m afraid, Haldrek. Part of me wants to get pregnant again. But if I do…” My throat squeezed tight at the thought. I didn’t think I could handle what I’d gone through again. Even when Rorik wasn’t tormenting me in the Realm of Ghosts, I still had nightmares about what had happened months ago. I felt guilty, wondering if my fears were preventing me from getting pregnant again. As illogical as it seemed, it could be possible. There were a lot of illogical things that were normal here.

  “You’re afraid that Rorik will take away any other children you may carry?” His voice was quiet enough that only he and I could hear his words.

  I nodded. The memory of the dream where I had fought Rorik and lost, only to wake up to agonizing pain and more blood than I could imagine, still seared itself into my mind on a regular basis. I couldn’t tell anyone, except Haldrek, about my fears and the emotions I was feeling. There was no one I truly trusted here in Drattüjert. Haldrek had mentioned talking to Mattie, but I was reluctant even with her. Not that she wouldn’t be sympathetic, but she had her hands full with being the Thegn of Andrattür and her own newborn child. So I struggled, alone. As much as Haldrek tried to comfort me, there was little he could do to fight off the terror that Rorik sent my way.

  “I’m also afraid.” I hesitated. “What if I can’t have any more kids? What if Rorik’s magic did something to me—” There had been rumors spreading across the palace. Questions about whether or not Haldrek and I could have children. I let out a sob that shook me. Haldrek’s hug grew tighter.

  “I don’t think he did. The healers and Rhaegos both said—“

  “I know what they said. They said I would be fine. That my body would heal, but it would take time. But I also hear rumors. From the other women at court here.” I pulled away and looked up at Haldrek. “They all think I’m barren and that Lohikärra is going to be plunged to chaos as soon as something happens to either of us. And of course Kamira is using that as a reason to say that I shouldn’t be High Queen. That I am an infertile half-breed.”

  Haldrek sighed, irritation evident in his body language. This wasn’t the first time
I’d mentioned his cousin’s antics. While it was normal for thegns to send family members to court on their behalf, neither Haldrek nor I knew why Raynord had sent his granddaughter to Drattüjert on his behalf. Not when there were other family members of his who could speak for him.

  “I can talk to Kamira and Raynord once more. Reprimand her again and remind her of her place. Tell him she is being disruptive. But there isn’t much more that I can do beyond that. Raynord chose her and even as the High King, I can’t force him to choose another. For now, at the very least, ignore her. She’s an immature girl who knows less about court manners than she thinks.”

  “I know. But it still hurts.” My abdomen tightened again with more cramps and I leaned into Haldrek, trying to ignore the aches.

  “I have some good news. While my men haven’t found Rorik yet, they know roughly where he is. I received word yesterday he was seen holed up in the mountains of Etelaranikä. It’s a remote part of Lohikärra, but that means he’s cornered. Physically, at least.”

  “It’s also in his backyard.” I pulled myself closer to Haldrek, using the pressure of his body against mine to soothe me. The scent of honey and woodsmoke clung to him and calmed my mind as my body relaxed.

  “It is. But my spies also tell me the people of Etelaranikä are suffering. I’ve sent gifts to aid them. Food, drink, cloth. All to help them while their thegn-heir has abandoned them. And I’ve made sure they know who those gifts are from.”

  I smiled. That had the potential for good. Maybe even make the Etelaranikäns rise up against Rorik. Not that I blamed them if they were still terrified of him. “Any other good news?” I asked, my cramps lessening for a moment.

  “Bjorn’s son Kotkel has said that his father is open to pledging his fealty to me. As has Drifa Kiimaami with her husband.”

  The idea of thegns who had sided with Gustav having people at Drattüjert still irritated and confused me. I didn’t trust the four hersirs who spoke for those thegns, but Haldrek said it was wise. Something about keeping your friends close and enemies closer.

  “Do you trust them? Or their words?”

  “About as far as I can throw them.” Haldrek laughed, his chest rumbling. It felt good in his embrace. “But I am open to the idea of them seeing the errors of their ways. All four hersirs know that they walk a fine line. Well, most of them do. But I don’t think Sibila is a threat.”

  I nodded. Another strange choice for a hersir. I got the impression that Sibila was sent to Drattüjert less to advise and more for her safety, or to keep her out of the way. Her mother—Rorik’s stepmother—sat in the thegn’s chair in Etelaranikä and while her feelings toward Haldrek and I were unknown, she had disavowed Rorik as soon as Haldrek and I became High King and High Queen. She was an unknown factor, so I was leery of both her and her daughter.

  Haldrek squeezed me once more, bringing my mind back to the present. “Don’t worry. At least not for today. We will have children in the future, regardless of what any fools here say. Once Rorik is dead or has submitted to me, we’ll be safe. I promise.”

  Despite my misery and my desire to hide from the world that day, I made my way to a common room on the third floor of the palace. It was a space that had once held living quarters centuries ago when the palace was much smaller, but now had turned into public spaces. They were still lavishly decorated, so they weren’t exactly what I’d consider common, but they were set aside for mingling and socializing among those of abthanry and city folk. Either way, the meeting I hurried to was supposed to be informal and spontaneous, but as the High Queen, my attendance was required.

  As soon as I entered the room, the half dozen or so women already there all stood up, bowing or curtsying to me. I did a weird little curtsy bow in return. It still felt strange to have people stop what they were doing and acknowledge me, even after all these months. Even after my time in Svangendom. The idea that I was someone of importance was still foreign and uncomfortable.

  Surveying the room, I mentally noted the different thegn lands represented. On one side of the center table, Aallotar had sent Vilde’s sister Ragnhild—and one of her top diplomats—to represent Heidrunefoss; Hrimfax had sent his mother, Lady Taimi, to represent Svarhestån; and her sister Lady Salla had come from Nerthusån on behalf of her son, Sigurd. On the other side of the table sat Sibila, representing Etelaranikä in name only; Lady Drifa from Itaranikä; and Kamira, last of all, from Drattrede. Only six thegn lands represented, not including myself, and plenty of gossip to go around.

  I sat down at the head of the table, trying not to step on the long hem of my dress, and the women took their seats again. Taimi and Salla began whispering and giggling as they whipped stitches along the fabric in their hands. Much of Drattüjert had lost material goods or been reduced to rags in the past few years. After arriving back in the city, I had insisted we help the populace recover. The war had taken its toll on everyone, and I knew there were certain things that could help morale. There had been unanimous consensus on that part. But how to help the people of Drattüjert and the surrounding areas was still a subject of debate. Buildings were being rebuilt, but it was the little things—clothing, furniture, daily items—that we had bickered on.

  In the end, it had been decided that we’d make clothing for those still suffering in Drattüjert. Nothing extravagant, but the shifts and smocks, in all sizes, that nearly everyone wore. Not a bad idea, but also something in which I had no prior experience. No one had ever taught me how to sew and so I fumbled with it. Every. Single. Day.

  “That’s not how you do it.” Kamira sighed in exasperation, staring at the cloth I was working with. “It’s not like this is hard.” She grabbed at the cloth I was working with and I pulled away.

  “Did I ask for your help?” I snapped. Irritation and humiliation bubbled up inside of me. Kamira, for all that she was supposed to be supporting Haldrek and me in her grandfather’s stead, did nothing but complain and criticize my actions. It didn’t help that she reminded me of a persistent childhood bully growing up. I had tried to ignore that thought, but her actions continued to reinforce the comparison.

  “No, Lady I-na.” She smirked as she mispronounced my name, emphasizing the ‘I’ sound. “But don’t you want to give the people good quality clothing? So they know their queen cares about more than just herself?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to get sucked into her game. Before I could say anything, Ragnhild cleared her throat. “Queen Ina’s sewing skills may be rudimentary, but your social skills are worse. She has already mentioned that this,” Ragnhild gestured at the garments we were sewing, “is not something she was trained in during her youth. You, however, were taught how to speak to your superiors from a young age.”

  Kamira’s cheeks reddened and I was grateful for Ragnhild in that moment. Ragnhild and I didn’t often agree on things, but I respected her for the most part.

  “When I have a chance to speak to my superiors, I’ll be sure to address them correctly. Lady I-na is a thegn, so I am correct to address her by that title. Who knows how long she’ll be queen if no aethlings come along soon.”

  The room went silent as I tried to stay composed. That hit like a punch to the stomach, and I blinked in vain as I did my best not to tear up. It wasn’t my fault that… I pushed away the thoughts of everything that had happened. I’d insisted on waiting for an official announcement of my first pregnancy, but now that was biting me in the back.

  “Ow!”

  I looked up to see Lady Drifa staring daggers at Kamira. Kamira stared back as she rubbed her ribcage. Though Lady Drifa was no fan of mine, depending on the day, she seemed to resent Kamira even more.

  “Your behavior is unbecoming of one raised at court. Before you seek to chasten others, you should look to your own failings.”

  Kamira gaped and a peal of laughter came from behind Lady Drifa.

  “Tesroan is amused, isn’t she? Though Naragos is probably not happy with her haldraga right now.”


  All eyes turned to Sibila. She was focused on her project, oblivious to the rest of the room. Given previous interactions, I assumed Tesroan was the dragon she was bound to. The thought occurred to me that she may have not been aware of what was going on when she became a haldraga. Or had her dragon taken that into account when binding with her? I shook my head as she continued.

  “Yes, Naragos is probably not happy with Kamira right now. She hasn’t been listening to her, has she?”

  Kamira dropped her project and stood up, glaring at Sibila. “At least my family aren’t full of traitors. Watch your tongue or you’ll end up like your father.”

  Sibila turned to Kamira as if she’d just heard her, and my stomach clenched at the tension. Kamira was a hot-headed brat, and while Sibila was a fairly docile person, given her brother and father’s traits, I wondered if there could be malice bubbling up within.

  “Huh?” Sibila frowned and cocked her head. Her expression turned from confusion to fear as she leaned away from Kamira. My heart twinged and went out to her as compassion erased my suspicions in the moment, and I cleared my throat. For all I hated confrontation on my own behalf, I wasn’t about to let Kamira bully Sibila.