An aging overweight man who plays too much online gaming receives a gift from Freya, the
goddess of love, lust, beauty, sorcery, fertility, gold, war and death.

Freya's Gift

Chapter 13: Katies First Challenge

While I was dealing with Cappie and the kamaras. Katie is at her first season practice on the far side of town.

Katie and the rest of the team were doing stretchs, limbering for practice. First practice is always nothing but calisthenics and running. lots and lots of running. God I hate running Katie thought to herself. At least is was only every other day. Off days was weight training, and she liked that much better. Uncle, well now aunt Freya had always pushed me hard, to be a better runner. That's why she liked it when I played soccar. But for me it was too much running. That's why I liked being a catcher, I didn't have to run that much. I even got a substitute to run for me. That was always sweet. I mean, it's not that I couldn't run fast, I just didn't like to exert myself too much.

After our stretching coach has us running laps around the field. Right away I remember how much faster I am now, and with no effort at all. I start to laugh as I run and coach yells at me to stop being a distraction to the others. When I continue joking around he yells, "Katie, you take the trail and see if you can't contain yourself by the time you get back." Some of my teammates start to make fun of me and coach asks, "Anyone want to join her?" That shuts them up.

As I leave the field area and head for the trails that surround OSU. I decide to take the scenic route to the small lake that is about five miles away. I wait till I'm out of view, then start to pour on the speed. Ever since FREYA had given me the skills from aunt Freya as a warrior, running was so effortless. In no time at all I cover the miles to the lake, up hill and down dale, through woods and glens. I even jumped accross a small stream. When I got to the water's edge at the lake I found a big rock sticking up out from the shore, just a hop, and then I sit to enjoy the sun.

Shortly I find myself nodding off, when I hear a sound. I turn to look for what has roused me. There a ways down the shore line is a group of Parthian invaders wearing rough clothing and crude armor plate. They are big men standing at 7ft tall, but almost as wide too. When one spots me, he brandishes a scimitar and grunts at me. This draws the attention of the others of the small group. I realize they are from Tera, a raiding or scout party. I should call aunt Freya, but we're not allowed to have our phones during practice.

I decide that there are only six of them and I can deal with them myself. That is why FREYA also gifted me, so I can help my aunt battle these things. I reach over my shoulders as to draw my swords, as I do so my body changes slightly taking on the characteristics of a Castani. I return the swords to their sheaths and as I bring my hands back forward, I touch the horns on my head. They feel both smooth and porous, the tip almost but not sharp. Then I reach down and feel the bone like growths on my sides and legs. They feel similar to the horns. They must act to strengthen my body.

I jump back to the shore and charge at the armed men. I run into the first with a charging slash, halting their forward progress. Next I hit them with poison blades to weaken them. They're all back on their feet trying to get at me at once, lacking any coordinated attack. I then attack with rain of blows taking out three of them. Next is a combat strike eliminating the fourth. As that one falls I strike with a traverse cut slashing down the last two. I hold my swords at the ready as I look around. I sheath the blades and check a bit further in the area. Nothing left remains as they disolve into memories. And no sign of any others.

I start back to the field when I had an idea. In the game, my character had a mount to ride, a white wolf with blue highlights. I concentrate and then in front of me appears my ride. She puts her massive head down for me to pet her, she acknowledges me as her owner / partner. I grab the reins and swing up into the saddle, "Let's ride Snow." With that were off, enjoying Snows speed in an easy lope. I know I can run now, but damn it's so much nicer to ride.

As we near the softball field and I can see that everyone's headed into the showers. I get off Snow and give her a big hug, "Thanks for the ride girl, I'll see you later." She smiles panting, I can sense she truly understands what I say. To test this out I say, "Do you really understand Snow? If you do pat my head with your right paw." With that she reaches up with her right paw and pats me on the head like I was her pet. I gave her another big hug and tell her to go till I call again. I watched her turn to go and after a few steps she vanished. Amazing. Wait till aunt Freya hears about this.

I let my armor and swords evaporate along with my horns, then run to catch up to the team as they head in for showers. As coach heads to the central offices in the sports wing that seperate the boys from the girls locker rooms. He says, "Don't forget to get your weight training schedules before you leave." Inside the locker room I reach my locker and get my phone, I head for a restroom stall to call aunt Freya, ignoring the taunts of my teammates over my 'cross country' run.

Aunt Freya picks up on the second ring, "What's up Katie? How was first day of training?"

I reply "It was fine untill on a run through the woods I came upon some raiding - scouting party of swordsmen from Tera." I went on to explain the whole incident and assuring her I suffered no harm.

She says, "Thank the goddess for that! Well if you have any other encounters call me! Promise!"

I promised, "Before I go, did you know you can summon your mount from the game too. I called mine out, she's very smart and understands what I say, I named her Snow and she seemed to like it."

Freya says "I'll have to try that when I get a chance. Although, riding a pet dragon would be very difficult to explain. Be safe, I love you! Bye."

"Love you too Auntie!" And hang up. I took my shower and dressed, my roommate / teammate Samantha is waiting impatiently. "Ok Sammy, I'm ready let's get home." On the drive to our apartment I wonder what to expect for the near future. Sammy keeps prattling on and asking questions, but I'm lost in my own thoughts.

End of Chapter 13