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“Sweet mother of all that’s holy.” Sam coughed violently into the bucket positioned in front of her. “Please tell me we’re here. My body can’t take much more of this.” She lifted her head, dragging the back of her sleeve over her mouth, wheezing. “I’m pretty sure my tank is finally dry, but bile is a tricky thing, as my body is making more of the hot, searing liquid as we speak.” Tyr stood next to her holding a clean pail, his face a mask of concern.
“Aye, we’re here,” Tyr answered solemnly, bending down to place the new container in front of Sam, who was promptly in need of it.
We all stood on the deck of Ringhorn, my half brother Baldur’s boat, which had been gifted to Tyr upon Baldur’s untimely death. We’d arrived in Asgard less than five minutes prior, so I could face the Council and Frigg, Baldur’s powerful goddess mother, to receive punishment for freeing her beloved son.
I’d broken Baldur out of a dark elf prison—the very place his mother had placed him for protection—only to watch him die a short time later at Verdandi’s hand.
It had been awful and heartbreaking.
The boat had just taken us through an insane vortex. One that had hauled us up in the air at breakneck speed, only to drop us the next instant. I’d lost count of how many times my stomach had hit my knees.
But I’d fared better than poor Sam, who was now huddled on the deck spilling her guts.
“Are we really here? In Asgard?” I asked, squinting into the darkness, trying to discern a single shape on the horizon, but coming up empty. The boat had lurched to a full stop in what looked to be a solid void. “I was expecting it to be a little more…vibrant?”
“We’ve landed in a holding bay,” Fen answered, his frame tense beside mine, his arm tight around my waist. This was the first time he’d been back to his home in many years, and he was poised for any threat that might come our way, his nostrils flaring, his sword at the ready.
My mother came up beside us. “There are various ways in but, if you take magical transportation, like Ringhorn, you must wait to be inspected before accessing the city.”
“Yep,” Ingrid added, moving toward a gated opening that would lead us off the boat. “Lots of nooks and crannies on a big boat like this. We might be harboring unknown aliens. We’ll have to wait for the inspectors to clear us.”
“Why is it so dark?” I asked. The only illumination we had came from the boat itself.
Before anyone could answer, a loud grating noise filled the air. All at once, the scene before us began to change as bright light pierced the space like a dazzling spotlight.
We were in a large cylinder of some kind.
As light penetrated the tunnel, my eyes adjusted, and I began to get my first glimpses of Asgard beyond the tunnel. I noticed blue sky right away. It was cobalt, a deep, resplendent tone that seemed impossibly rich for a sky.
“Brace yourself, kiddo,” Ingrid said as she removed her spear from her waistband. “Along with the inspectors, there will be guards.”
“Why are you drawing your weapon?” I asked, alarmed. “Isn’t this your home?”
“Because I’m getting ready to argue, and I do it best with Betsy at the ready.” She shook her trusty spear, and it seamlessly morphed into an eight-foot killer with a razor-sharp edge.
“Betsy?” Ingrid had never shared her weapon’s pet name before. “You named your spear Betsy?”
“Yep, she was christened my ‘Best Bet’ when I first got her. Found her in a pile of discarded old weapons and never looked back. If these guards try to separate us, Betsy will have her say. And I can guaran-damn-tee”—she waved her spear in the air—“there is no argument we can’t win.”
Beside me, my mother casually drew her bow.
Fighting the guards right out of the gates wasn’t what I’d envisioned for our arrival here, but I was down. I stepped forward and reached around for Gundren, the double swords I wore on my back, only to be stayed midgrab by Ingrid.
“You can’t do that, Phoebe,” she told me in a hushed whisper, her fingers wrapped tightly around my forearm. “In fact, I hate to say this, but you’re going to have to give Tyr your weapon for a bit until things are handled here.”
“I’m sorry, I thought you just said I was going to have to give my swords up.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Valkyries didn’t give up their weapon to anyone.
Before I could protest further, she said, “Kiddo, you’re carrying Odin’s personal swords, and it just so happens to be one of only a few weapons that can harm any god or goddess in Asgard. They won’t be amused when they see it in your possession. Give it to Tyr for now, and he’ll give you something in return.” She grinned. “I’m assuming you can still blow a hole in someone with a sword of any flavor. Am I wrong?” She elbowed me in the side. “Or am I right?”
She wasn’t wrong. I could wield any blade and harness my energy better than any Valkyrie. But that didn’t mean I wanted to give up my weapon.
It was the principle of the thing.
Tyr moved in front of us. “Ingrid is correct,” he said, his Asgardian accent even thicker now that he was home. “You must give me Gundren, or they will try to divest you of it. It is far better for me to keep it. But know I will find a way to give it back to you before…”
“I’m exiled from Asgard,” I finished for him.
“Yes.” He bowed his head. “Phoebe, you have my word that I will do whatever it takes to save you from that fate, but it might be beyond my abilities. You will have your weapon back before you leave. I will see to it.”
Reluctantly, I slid the worn leather scabbard off my back. It pained me physically to part with it. I handed it to Tyr, every fiber of my being aching with loss.
In return, he handed me a short sword.
I swung it a few times. It felt clunky and out of place in my hand, but it would do.
Tyr appraised Fen. My brother didn’t have to say the words. Fen lifted his broadsword and handed it to Tyr, a look of resignation on his face. Tyr nodded. “It is for the best. They come now. If you are armed, it would make things more difficult.”
The noise of running feet got my attention.
As the enclosure opened to its full diameter, a massive guard unit marched in. “There has to be at least a hundred of them,” I whispered to Ingrid. “Why so many when we come in peace? We’re just answering the summons. They ordered us here.”
“They aren’t taking any chances with Fen,” she said. “He has escaped more times than the gods are comfortable with. They view him as a high-priority threat.”
The leader of the guards separated from the group and came forward.
He wore a short togalike uniform, white with red accents, and carried a large, curved sword. His helmet was steel with red bristles running down the middle like a mohawk. It reminded me of gladiator times.
He strode down the dock next to Ringhorn, followed closely by about thirty men, all dressed the same, complete with metal helmets with bristly red tops. They all carried different weapons, like the Valkyries. “Fenrir the Wolf, we are here to escort you to the Cells.” His tone was full of authority. “If you come willingly, there will be no trouble.”
There was a short pause before anyone answered.
“That’s it?” Rae challenged. “No hello for us? No warm welcome to Asgard? That’s not like you, Reggie. Honestly, I expected more.” The Valkyries’ battle captain’s words had been issued in a conversational tone, but her katana, poised in front of her, had stated otherwise.
Reggie appeared slightly ruffled. “My orders come from Odin himself. I take that very seriously. As I said, if the wolf comes willingly, there will be no need to raise arms.”
Rae countered, “The wolf just accompanied us to free our sister in Svartalfheim. He fought alongside us and has saved the life of another Valkyrie on multiple occasions. He is under our protection. We vouch for him, and we will escort him to the Cells ourselves.”
Ingrid elbowed me, leaning in to whisper, “A vouch can go a long way. It means if he does something wrong, we’re responsible for it. Valkyries, as far as I know, have never vouched for anyone other than our sisters. Rae is giving Reggie something to chew on, but I’m betting Reggie won’t budge.”
I had no idea Fen would be separated from us so quickly. I settled a hand on his chest. He stood rigid, but as my hand caressed the front of his tunic, I felt him loosen. Neither of us wanted this.
“My orders are to take the wolf in,” Reggie said. “Ragnhild, we want no trouble with you or your Valkyries. I’m just doing my job.”
“How’s Marta?” Rae asked. “Is my aunt well?”
“My mother is fine,” Reggie answered stiffly. “She’s aging, but fares well.”
Reggie and Rae were related? Interesting.
“Once again, we will escort Fenrir to the Cells,” Rae said. “Don’t argue with me, Reggie. I’m certain all of Asgard has turned out for this. There will be chaos in the streets. You and your guards can either lead the way or bring up the rear. I care not, but we will provide a circle of protection around the wolf.”
Reggie eyed his cousin’s katana and her firm resolve, appearing unsure.
Ingrid murmured, “By doing this, Rae is cementing our support for Fenrir right from the get-go. She’s smart. If I were Reggie, I wouldn’t go toe-to-toe with her. That’s why she’s our battle captain. He’d be foolish to continue, but not everybody has the smarts up here.” She tapped her temple.
Before Reggie could decide one way or another, Tyr came forward. “I will accompany Fenrir along with the Valkyries. Surely my presence is enough for you and my father.” As Tyr spoke, he unsheathed a broadsword that was easily two blades thick. It was massive. My brother was the god of war. No one had access to as many weapons as he did.
Reggie cleared his throat nervously. “God of War, it is unexpected to see you here. Yes, if you accompany Fenrir, along with the Valkyries, it will be enough. We will lead you out.”
“Good thinking, Reg,” Rae called as she slid her katana back into the sheath on her back. “Tell Marta I said hello.”
The guards, along with the esteemed Reggie, headed back the way they’d come. Ingrid shook her spear and tucked it into her waistband. “I didn’t even need to threaten them with Betsy. Nice going, Rae. Your cousin hasn’t changed one bit. Still following orders to the letter.”
“He takes after his father’s side,” she replied with a grin. “His mother is my mother’s sister. She never became a Valkyrie, but she had the heart for it.” Rae paced to the edge of the boat where the gate was. “Twenty ahead and twenty behind,” she ordered the Valkyries accompanying us. “This is going to be an initiation to Asgard by fire. We will make sure the crowd doesn’t get rowdy, but be on alert for any threats.” She nodded at Fen. “No harm will come to her on our watch.”
Fen moved forward, taking my hand. “It’s not the people of Asgard who worry me. Once I’m gone, make sure they don’t detain her before it’s time for her to answer to the Council. Frigg is known for playing dirty. She may have something in store for before then.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Leela interjected. “I’ve arranged to have Phoebe, Sam, Ingrid, and I stay with my mother. It’s been agreed upon already. She is expecting us.”
Fen nodded.
I was going to meet my grandmother for the first time. Her name was Grete, and she was a distinguished Valkyrie with an impressive fighting record, so I’d been told. I was nervous about meeting her, but more so about meeting my father.
“Will Odin be out there?” I asked as we began to exit the ship.
“No,” Tyr answered, helping Sam, who looked much better. She’d ceased vomiting, so that was a huge win. “He and the other gods and goddesses will not be in attendance. It is the people of Asgard who assemble in the streets. Your and Fenrir’s tale has been told widely, and they will be curious to set eyes on you for themselves.” He gave me a half smile. “To make sure you exist and are not a myth.”
“Some will be kind, and some will be hostile,” Ingrid said, falling in behind us. “Just as you’re used to on Midgard. Pay no mind to the haters. They can stick it where the sun don’t shine.”
“No one will dare make a move against us,” Rae said confidently. “None would risk the ire of the Valkyries. Come, let’s disembark.”
Fen and I stepped off Ringhorn together. He squeezed my hand and gave me a small kiss. “All will be fine, Valkyrie. No need to worry.”
“How can I not worry?” I asked as we made our way out of the cylinder. “This is all so much bigger than I am. I used to work in a shoe store, and even though I’ve mastered fighting and harnessing my energy, I have no grounding for this kind of thing.”
“You and me both, sister,” Sam said, coming up beside me, linking her arm through mine. “But we’re going to do fine. Why? Because we kick ass. We’re not going to let a few Asgardians get us down.”
I chuckled. “Whatever you say, Sam.”