A Call to Fate

Chapter 7 - Another Message

Some time later, they were finally ready to get up again. Creaking and complaining, but a bit more refreshed, they shook out some of the remaining soreness, stretched what they could, and gathered around again. Gialli had spent the time running his hands over the damaged form of Mersingmergr, the dents and scrapes magically disappearing beneath his touch.

"So that was challenge number one," said Teclis. "what else is there?"
"I'd guess whatever's behind those doors" replied Gialli. This felt like an obvious statement, but someone had to say it, if only to get the ball rolling.
"Should we take another look at that altar as well?" asked Reg. They all turned to look at it. Nobody wanted a repeat of what had happened last time they poked it. Alf sighed dejectedly.
"I suppose we better had" he said. He lumbered over towards it reluctantly, and the others followed. There was an air of apprehension now.
"In the darkest places, you must find a beacon's light to guide you" Reg recited. "What the hell does that mean?"
"I'd say it means we need to find some beacons" said Tove.
"Do you take anything seriously ever?" asked Reg.
"Not when I can help it" she replied.

Sarcasm aside, they all crowded around the altar once more. Studying the writing again, Gialli concluded that as far as he could tell it said something along what the lines of the figure had said, but it was too faded to make out properly. That didn't stop everyone else from trying to take a look though. They now started looking at the top of the altar as well, which was a bit of a struggle for the more vertically-challenged of them.

On the 'plinth' of the altar were four bowl-shaped depressions. Each one of these was stylised with different carvings, which appeared to depict figures in a very abstract way. Even though they were faded though, they were recognisable figures, made so by their fame. They were gods one and all. From left to right were Hel, Odin, Freya, and Baldr. All were shown with some attribute of ostentation and embellishment, most of which had faded over time though. Only flecks of gold leaf and hints of paint remained now.

"Did Odin really send us to stare at an altar of himself?" asked Reg.
"It's not just to him though" responded Teclis.
"You know what I mean."
"I think" interjected Gialli "that we should perhaps be showing a touch more respect here."
"I'm too tired for respect" grumbled Reg. "You'd think he'd have explained a bit more to us before we came all the way out here."
"He did tell us it was a test" Gialli argued "so it stands to reason that we wouldn't be told everything going in to it."
"It would have been nice to know if we were going to maybe get killed by a horde of skeletons who probably all died trying and failing to pass this bloody test." Reg was in full flow now. "I still don't even really know what we're meant to be getting out of this!" Tove tried to interrupt him, but he held a hand up to silence her.
"I know he made promises of rewards, but like always that was just bloody vague. Something actually tangible would be nice, maybe a downpayment for the new robes I'm going to need at the end of this all. We're paying our own way, risking our lives, and for what? The chance to "grasp our destiny" or some shit like that. More words to make it sound like we're special when really it's just another attractive chance to commit suicide."

His tirade over, he stopped for a moment, looking at each of them in turn. Nobody said anything.
"Well then I guess we'd better get on with it" he said with an air of finality. He stalked over to the nearest door to where he was stood, and yanked it open, as if impatience was the key to finishing the tests. What greeted him was a small, dark chamber. It was entirely empty, with the exception of a freestanding, unlit brazier and a plaque on the wall. He walked in and the rest followed. They brought a light up, and Reg read aloud: "Those that in this place bring war, may not light the flame of peace."

"So we have to light some flames?" asked Alf.
"I guess these are the beacons we're aiming for" replied Teclis. "My guess is there's one in each room."
"Are we waiting for something then?" asked Talani. Ever pragmatic, he was already withdrawing a flint and steel from his pack. He looked around, but there were no complaints forthcoming even though some people looked like they wanted to make one. He strode over to the brazier, which was remarkably well stocked with wood and tinder. Placing the flint to straw, he ran the shard of steel down it. There was a horrible scraping noise and a shower of sparks, but no fire larger than that. He tried again. And again. And again. Each time, nothing caught.