3
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There was an abundance of guards inside the large fortress. They were all dressed the same, in togalike uniforms and helmets with short red bristles. It looked as though they’d called in every available body in Asgard.
“Looks like you’re considered a pretty big threat around here,” I said to Fen.
He gazed at me, winking. “I guess no one wants to lose a hand.”
I wasn’t ready to be separated from him yet. My body filled with trepidation. He’d been my first ally in this strange place, someone I had come to trust with my life. It was going to be hard to face Odin and Frigg without him.
I didn’t need to speak. Fen gave me a tender kiss. “It’s going to be okay, shieldmaiden.” His was voice low, his breath tickling my lips. “You will do fine, and we will be reunited shortly. There is no way your father will allow you to be exiled to Helheim without me. I’m certain of it. If I thought otherwise, we wouldn’t have come here.”
I fastened my eyes on the ground, fearful that tears would begin to prick at the corners. This was not the time to show weakness. From all the stories Ingrid had shared with me, I knew gossip in this realm traveled fast. “I know,” I said. “But that doesn’t make it any better. Do you think they’ll let you attend my hearing?”
“Nothing is guaranteed,” Fen said. “There is a great unease in Asgard. I felt it the moment we stepped off of Ringhorn. It weighs heavy here. And even though things appear the same, nothing is the same.”
“I will consult with our father about Fenrir being present,” Tyr said. “There’s a possibility he could grant your request. Especially if the wolf cooperates.” He arched an eyebrow at Fen.
“You have my word I will behave,” Fen retorted defensively. “I will not risk Phoebe’s well-being for anything.”
Guards surrounded us, closing in gradually, waiting to take Fen. The area we stood in was open and large, but I knew Fen’s cell would be sparse and small. I wanted to scream, take out my weapon, and fight the injustice, but I knew it would be futile.
This wasn’t my world, and for now, I had to accept my fate.
Our fate.
“Take him,” one of the guards announced. Three came forward tentatively.
“The prisoner goes willingly,” Tyr announced. “There is no need to use force.”
An imposing guard, almost as tall as Tyr and Fen, stepped forward. “He will be treated fairly, thus instructed by Odin,” the guard assured. “Odin will cast his sentence upon the wolf tomorrow at dawn.”
“So soon?” I sputtered. It came tumbling out before I had a chance to get my thoughts in order. I’d figured we’d have a few days at least.
“Be well, Valkyrie,” Fen said, giving me one last bittersweet kiss.
I held on to his face, leaning into him, not wanting to let go. “Stay strong,” I murmured.
“Always.”
As they led Fen away, Tyr placed his hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “All will work out,” Tyr said. “After we leave this place, I am scheduled to meet with our father. We will have a long talk. I plan to stand up for Fen tomorrow as well.”
We turned to leave. Some of the guards peered at us curiously as we walked out. I gave them an unaffected smile to show I was fine with the events. “I’m assuming Ingrid and Leela know where Fen’s sentencing will be held tomorrow?”
“Yes, there is only one main courtroom,” Tyr said. “Between now and then, try not to worry overmuch. Our father has your best interests at heart, I guarantee it.” I’d never met my father before, so I had no idea whose interests were in the forefront of his mind. I simply nodded. As we made our way back down the long drive, my brother leaned over and whispered, “I will keep Gundren safe. You will have it in time for your next journey.”
“I appreciate that.” I grinned as I lifted up the short sword. “This is an extremely poor substitution.”
He chuckled. “Almost anything would be after wielding swords crafted for a god.” He inclined his head. Without another word, he made his way toward the High House.
Sam rushed over. “How’d it go in there? Tyr looks like he’s on a mission. Where’s he headed?”
“To meet with our father,” I answered. The thought of meeting Odin made me quake a little on the inside. I was glad it wouldn’t be today.
“Alrighty then,” Ingrid announced to the group. “Phoebe, Sam, Leela, and I are heading to my mother’s house. The rest of the Valkyries will make their way to our compound here in Asgard.”
I’d heard a little about the Valkyrie Stronghold here. It was vastly superior to the one in New Mexico. I was eager to see it, but knew I wasn’t going to get to spend much quality time there.
“Yes,” Leela said, smiling. “Your grandmother is desperate to meet you. We must head there at once.”
“We will accompany you to her door,” Rae declared. “People linger in the streets, and we can’t take a chance with Phoebe’s life. I will also leave two to guard the door while you meet inside.”
“Grete would love to see you,” Ingrid said, clapping Rae on the back. “As one battle captain to another, I’m sure you’d have some serious stories to exchange. It’s been too many years between visits.”
That was the first I’d heard that my grandmother had been a battle captain.
We headed back the way we’d come. People had thinned out, but curious onlookers remained. In fewer numbers, they were decidedly less emboldened when facing a passel of Valkyries with raised weapons. We didn’t have to go far before we veered off the main thoroughfare, heading down a little avenue dotted with perfectly straight trees with emerald green leaves.
The homes, for the most part, were tall and skinny, appearing to be clad with a smooth stucco, no seams to be found. They all had high-arched windows and roofs made from a material I couldn’t name, resembling colored glass. Most of them were painted light colors, but occasionally, there was a standout red or blue.
Sam held on to my arm. She almost skipped along as we walked. “It’s like a magical fairy-tale land. Exactly how I’d imagined it would be, and nothing at all like I envisioned.” She sighed. “It’s a beautiful oxymoron. A mixture of new and old, fantastical and archaic. My kind of place.”
“It is,” I agreed. “It’s almost like a made-for-TV movie about how people in Midgard would perceive people in Asgard. Nothing outstandingly different, the houses are still houses, but they’re brighter and taller and—”
“Gravity defying,” Sam finished. “I still can’t get over that physical forces can be manipulated here. Isn’t that the coolest thing you’ve ever heard?” She shook my arm. “This place is awe-inspiring.”
I chuckled. “Yes, it’s very impressive.”
“So what do you think your grandmother’s going to be like?” she asked. “Do you think she’s going to be fierce? Or laid-back and cool?”
“I have no idea. Honestly, I just hope she likes me.” There hadn’t been much time to discuss my grandmother on the journey here. “Ingrid just mentioned she used to be a battle captain, so I’m sure she’s imposing.” It felt totally weird that I was going to be meeting my real grandmother. Asgard was going to be a place of many firsts. But as I looked around, I realized I felt comfortable here. Things were different, but not in a bad way. It was how I imagined I would feel after being away from my hometown in Wisconsin for ten years and finally returning. I’d see things in a new light, but they would feel familiar.
“You know,” Sam pondered, “things should seem more foreign to us than they do. I wonder if that is because of our Asgardian blood. This place calls to me. It’s like a sweet song singing in my head.”
“Yes,” I said. “It feels familiar, in a long-lost-relative kind of way.”
“We’re here,” Ingrid announced.
We’d stopped in front of a neatly trimmed lawn, with several trees dotting the yard. A long walkway led up to the house, which was set back from the street. This home had more of a cottage feel to it. It wasn’t tall and thin, like the others around it. It was a story and a half at the most, with a big, wraparound porch. It was painted a crisp white, and everything seemed to be in perfect order, including the pink and purple flowers planted in window boxes on the second floor and several orderly bushes situated out in front.
Ingrid opened the gate, which was also white, matching the house, and started up the walk. I followed her. A few paces in, I realized my mother wasn’t behind me. I glanced over my shoulder.
Leela stood on the other side of the fence, her face serene. She seemed deep in thought. I hurried back to her, laying a tentative hand on her arm. “This is a big day for you,” I said. “You haven’t been back here in over twenty years. How does it feel?”
She smiled, her eyes brightening. “It feels wonderful.” She took my hand. “I have dreamt of this moment over and over again, wondering if it would ever come to pass. The day I would finally arrive home and be able to introduce my beautiful daughter to her grandmother. There are no words, only joy.”
I bowed my head. “I hope she likes me.”
Leela laughed, settling her arm around my shoulders. “She will do better than like you. She will love you, just as I do.” We walked through the gate together. “But you mustn’t be put off by her stoicism. She’s like Ingrid, but without much of the humor. She was a fierce Valkyrie in her day, much revered. It was hard for her to say goodbye to that life. But Valkyries always do what’s in the best interest of their sisters, and after a certain age, as their vitality wanes, they retire to a quieter life and start a family.”
“Valkyries are forced to retire?” That was the first I’d heard of that. “It must be hard to swallow going from battle captain to homemaker. I can’t imagine.”
“It is,” Leela agreed. “But had she not, we wouldn’t be here.”
“That’s not how we do things in Midgard,” I said. “It’s harder for women to have children when they’re older. Too many complications.”
“Yes, women here in Asgard do not have the same reproductive issues that women on Midgard have. It’s a shame they age so quickly there.”
“It is,” I said. “But you didn’t wait until you retired to have me. Why is that?” It was a little weird to talk about my mother having an affair with Odin, but those were the facts.
“Because I fell in love.” Leela shrugged. “What I did was taboo for a Valkyrie. I chose my own needs over my dedication to my sisters. It’s not expressly forbidden, but it’s not commonly done. If a Valkyrie gets pregnant, or chooses to live with the man, she must leave the sisterhood. But I have you”—she hugged me closer—“so I can’t be too disappointed with how it all worked out.”
“Me neither.” I smiled.
We were almost to the door when it swung open.
A beautiful stoic figure with long, flowing gray hair stepped out onto the porch. She was dressed in full Valkyrie regalia.
My grandmother.