Chapter 1: Arrival
Once upon a time, there was a dragon god, the dragon of all dragons – Ragnahadr.
Once upon a time there was a man, a wandering soul. His name was Saana-Aleksi.
Cursed to walk the earth forever.
The dragon god he slayed and became Adrijan Ragnahadr Saana-Aleksi.
Cursed to walk the earth forever.
/excerpt from the Nordlingen legend of the God Slayer
Krista Gwendolyn peered in the distance at Lohikaarme, the small town deep into the snow-capped mountains, buried by snow all year round. The blizzard wasn’t obstructing her view from the window of the rocking fishing boat that was transporting three more families with her in suit to the island. That was the only boat she could find on the harbor a hundred and something kilometers away from the nearest big town in the middle of nowhere and the only acting airport in kilometers away, Kuningas.
Krista wrapped herself better in her jacket and scarf. Normally, the seventeen-year-old girl wouldn’t travel to the end of the world on a sightseeing adventure, especially in the practically-nowhere-town of Lohikaarme unless she didn’t have a choice. Unless she was in a dire need to visit it and particularly, she was looking for a particular individual that could help her.
Her golden hair in curly locks waved by the sudden wind that came from the opened door of the boat as one of the guys she remembered at the docks came in. He had gathered the tax money from the rest of the travelers, carefully counting the bills before letting them on the boat. A shabby-looking second-in-command guy with no distinctive features besides the beard, the jacket, the cap and the terrible breath from too much smoking.
The town was in sight and the fishing boat wobbled as it approached the docks. The motor died down as the captain put it on stop in the cabin above the transportation area. The guy opened the small door and shouted something. In a Northern accent. And apparently the families understood him and shuffled feet out with their children and luggage. Krista got up to leave, only carrying her small backpack over her shoulder. But the guy stopped her at the door.
’Maksaa,’ he said in a thick Northern accent that got even thicker because of the beard obstructing his mouth.
‘What?’ Krista said.
He opened palm up, waving hand and repeated ’maksaa enemman.’
Krista understood the smelly guy wanted a bonus. She couldn’t spend any more money here. She still hasn’t reached her destination.
‘No,’ she shook head.
The guy clicked tongue, stood silent for a while and removed hand from the door. Krista walked out when suddenly the guy grabbed her by the shoulders and started pushing her off the boat, trying to drive her into the water. She screamed.
‘No! What are you doing! Stop! —’
’Pois veneestani!’
Get off the boat!
′Hei!’
The voice in the wind drew both of their attentions. On the docks was a young woman, carrying a box in hands. Most of her face was hidden by her jacket, the wool hat and the scarf but she was definitely talking to them. She left the box and got down to the docks. Krista’s boots were almost at the end of the starboard. The guy was still clutching her shoulders.’Mita sina teet? Anna hanen menna!’ The woman said, shouting through the wind but Krista felt her voice being angry.
What are you doing? Let go of her.
’Ei maksa ratsastuksesta,’ the guy replied.
She ain’t paying.
The woman looked at Krista and then she rolled her amber-colored eyes back at the guy. She pointed down at the docks with finger and said between teeth ’anna hanen menna. Han maksoi sinnulle enemman kuin tarpeeksi! Tai... Kerron hänelle, että kiristät taas.’
Let her go. She’s paid you more than enough! Or...I’ll tell him you’re extorting again.
The guy’s face paled even though it couldn’t have become paler because of the weather in the Northern provinces. He dragged Krista back on the boat and left her there and stepped aside. The woman waved hand to Krista to get down. She did, happily, and found herself on safe ground. The guy spat into the sea and started prepping the boat for the way back. The captain gave him a hard slap on the head with his hat and waved hand at the woman. She waved back. Then she turned at Krista. Her finger removed half of the scarf and she smiled.
’T-Thank you,’ Krista said.
’Very much welcome,’ the woman replied in a less noticeable accent. ’But note to self from now on, little one, don’t take the boat anymore.’
’That was the only transportation I could find in this weather, not to mention to take me to this town.’
’What are doing out here, sweetie?’
The woman walked back to the box, which was already being looked at by some curious shabby-looking men from the nearby fish bazaar. She cursed something Northern-sounding at them and they left, muttering something under their noses. Krista followed her, clutching her backpack.
’I’m looking for someone.’
’In Lohikaarme, if you’re looking for someone, you’re either hiring or accepting. Which one are you, sweetie? You don’t look like the second, though.’
Because Krista kept silent, the woman shrugged and put hands around the box and lifted it up with ease.
’Well, come along then.’
’Where?’ Krista got animated.
’Safety first. And if you’re looking for someone, my place is where you might find him.’
’I think it’s your first time here?’
’Huh? Yes,’ Krista said, looking distractedly at some random shop with strange symbols on the door and the even stranger customers going in and out.
The town was overwhelmed by snow but its people were lively, the streets were lively and every shop was opened, despite the minus zero degrees and the cold wind blowing in their faces.
’I gather. Name’s Natasha by the way.’
’Krista...My name is Krista.’
She was happy to find one common language-speaking individual in this non-common language-speaking place. She had a really hard time explaining, mostly with waving hands where she had wanted to go some hours ago.
Natasha smiled, asking ’and who told you about this town, Krista?’
’I really...can’t tell you that.’
’Certainly not for sightseeing.’
’I....’
’And you took a boat to it,’ Natasha giggled.
Krista felt embarrassed just by the mention of the situation she found herself into moments ago.
’I get it. A nasty bearded guy nearly threw me off the boat for not paying extra.’
’A while ago he was in prison off to the mainland for extortion. After getting out he got a job but hasn’t gotten rid of his bad habit of asking for more. Vitun idiootti. Ah, here we are.’
It was a small building at the corner of a street, with a wooden door with small glass windows and a wooden sign with the carved in letters Nukkuva metsa painted in white above. Natasha pushed the door, which wasn’t locked and went in with her back forward while carrying the box, followed by Krista. It was a pub, or a café or both and looked very vintage, almost old-age but cozy with the booming fire in the fireplace. There were three customers, sitting on bar stools and drinking, each occupied with his own.
’Sit, sit, I’ll be right with you,’ Natasha told Krista and went in the back, carrying the box.
Krista took a chair away from the three and started reading the labels on the drinks behind the counter. She couldn’t read the language but it was better than getting looked at by three impolite men that were literally staring into her from her right.’How about a nice hot chocolate?’ Natasha asked, coming from the back room. Her amber-colored eyes glared at the guys on the counter. ’Mita sina katsot?’
What are you looking at?
They immediately turned around. Natasha muttered something and went behind the counter, putting some milk on the stove. Krista took a better look at the peculiar pub. There was another door, farther in and a staircase that led up.
’Is this a hotel?’’Not really. My uncle used to rent rooms. How long you plan on staying? I might give you one.’
Natasha put a mug of steaming hot chocolate with cream on top and a straw in front of Krista.
’I honestly was thinking of not staying at all but...’
Natasha bent over the counter and lowered voice ’who are you looking for? It’s easier if the information goes through me first. I can find him for you.’
Krista hesitated for a bit but then unzipped her backpack and took out her purse and pulled out a crumpled and old piece of paper with a single name on it.
’I’m looking for this man, Grendel Nord.’
Natasha stared long and hard at the piece of paper as if there was something more written on it than just a name. She looked at Krista and back at the paper and at Krista again.
’You’re looking for Grendel Nord.’Certainly not a question but more like a confirmation. A nod.
’You’re looking for the Grendel Nord.’
Krista rolled eyes around questionably and nodded again.
Natasha sighed. ’These days who is not?’
Krista’s face brightened. ’Do you know him?’
’Do I know him? He comes here every day to drink and doesn’t pay his rent. He lives above the pub.’
