Dead Chaos (A Valkyrie Novel - Book 3) (The Valkyrie Series)

by Ayer, T. G.

  Not yet. And certainly not while Fen stood by and watched.

  And then she walked.

  And she didn't throw me.

  And I was overjoyed. So much so that I kept walking Ara around the field and only stopped when Fen called out that I'd soon walk the poor horse into the ground.

  I left the field sore all over but a very happy girl.

  ***

  Chapter 15

  I met up with Aimee and Joshua on the way to the dining hall and brought them up to speed on everything including Aidan's sister and Mimir's prophecy.

  "We'll come with you, Bryn," Joshua said and rested his hand on my arm. My body still throbbed with pain after my rodeo riding with Ara, but I didn't miss the sudden tingling where his fingers met my skin. I would have ignored it if he hadn't looked at me at the same time. For a moment, everything and everyone around us disappeared and the tingling began to spread.

  The sound of Aimee's voice shattered my trance. I swallowed hard and turned to her. "Sorry. What were you saying?" Thankfully, it seemed that Aimee had missed our exchange. What had that been anyway? A surge of heat that didn't really belong in our friendship. It must have been my imagination.

  "I said I'd get the food and Joshua can fetch the drinks. You can find us a place to sit. You looked pooped." Aimee grinned and walked off in the direction of the huge fire-pits over which great spit-roasts turned continuously. The aromas wafting around the hall only made me hungrier. Hopefully my tummy wouldn’t growl too loudly and embarrass me.

  I walked the aisles, exchanged innumerable greetings and at last found a spot. Just in time it seemed as Aimee and Joshua both plonked themselves one on either side of me, bearing food and drinks. While we ate, I fielded their questions about my day. They both assured me they were ready to come with me to Jotunnheim at a moment's notice.

  I traced a finger along the scrape on my cheek. The bleeding had stopped and I was sure it looked quite horrific.

  "Where did you get that?" asked Aimee, her face pale.

  I related the whole episode, from Loki hijacking my ride on the Bifrost to his interesting hostage exchange offer. Neither of them could think of anything to say to that. I let them simmer on it.

  Aimee was silent for a few seconds before she looked at me and said, "I have to ask you something."

  "Sure."

  "I've been thinking a lot about home lately. How do you cope?" Aimee said, a sad, strained look on her face. "I mean, how do you cope knowing that you’re really alive when the people you love most in the world think you’re dead?"

  I understood what she meant. It was one of the main reasons I’d gone back to see Ms. Custer the first time. I needed to let my foster mother know I was okay. "You miss them a lot." Aimee nodded although I hadn’t meant it as a question. It was the way it was. And we couldn’t change it. I glanced at Joshua, who’d remained silent, then tucked my hand into the crook of Aimee’s arm and squeezed. "I know how you feel. Sometimes I wish I could go and bring them all to Asgard, but they have their own lives. And they have to move on."

  "Yeah. I know. I just hope they’re coping." A shadow flitted across Aimee’s face and I knew there was really nothing I could do for her except be there for her. Her family had gone through the unique hell that cancer brings and Aimee had to work through her own mourning for her parents.

  Over Aimee’s head Joshua threw me a sad smile, a similar shadow darkening his face.

  It was the craziest situation to be in—knowing the people you loved thought you were dead.

  ***

  We headed off to see Odin, walking through the halls of a silent, somber Asgard.

  The few Warriors, Valkyrie or Ulfr who passed us, gave us sad glances and walked off quietly.

  "This is weird," Joshua said while Aimee and I nodded and frowned in agreement.

  "Maybe we should ask someone what’s going on?" Aimee suggested. "I don’t like all these long faces I’m seeing."

  I shook my head and kept moving. "We’re nearly there. Odin can tell us what's going on."

  We hurried to Odin's hall, down passages in which the torches seemed to burn lower, lending more shadows and darkness to our journey. The closer we got the more worried I got. The hall was silent, like a mausoleum. Nothing stirred and the silence seemed to echo from marbled floors to the high ceiling beams.

  And although Frigga occupied her throne, slumped on the armrest, a hand over her face, she made no sound nor did she give any indication that she'd even heard us enter.

  We walked to the dais and waited until the goddess finally moved her hand from her face. She rubbed tears from her red-rimmed eyes and wiped the moisture off on the fabric of her white dress.

  Frigga offered us a weak smile. "What can I help you with, Bryn?" she asked softly, her voice a little broken.

  "I'm sorry, my lady, we just want to know what's going on. Everyone seems upset about something," I asked, a twinge of worry working its way up my spine as Frigga's face darkened with sorrow.

  "Oh, my dear child. It is Odin," she said and paused as her voice broke. She waited a moment then cleared her throat. "The All-Father has disappeared from Asgard. He is nowhere to be found. We are searching all the Realms, we are certain he is not here in Asgard." We stood in shocked silence as Frigga continued. "He was here a few hours ago but was gone when I came to fetch him for his dinner. It is not like Odin to leave without telling me where he is travelling to and why."

  "Do you think someone has taken him? Or that he may be in some kind of danger?" asked Joshua. My heart thumped and tears filled my eyes, threatening to overflow. My throat was so tight and sore with emotion I could barely string two words together. Odin was the All-Father. The greatest being in all the nine realms. How could he be taken from right under everyone's noses?

  "We have no proof he was taken. There is no proof of him being abducted except that he took nothing with him."

  "Not even Hugin and Munin?" I asked as my gaze alighted on the pair of birds sitting on the backrest of the empty throne. I had to look up at the ravens on the back of Odin's throne which rose at high into the air. Odin never went on a trip without them. The whole thing sounded off.

  Abducting the All-Father wouldn’t be an easy thing to do. It had to be someone who had access to the Asgard realm. Someone who could come and go as they pleased, especially now that Heimdall no longer guarded the entrance to Asgard.

  Heimdall was taken. Ragnarok draws near. The Jotunns were getting stronger. Loki is slowly making headway with his plans. And now Odin was gone. The whole thing stank of Loki's treachery.

  "No, which is surprising. Thor and the rest of the gods are searching the other realms as well. Let us hope they uncover something soon." Frigga sighed and sat back, all her energy spent on bringing us up to speed. The goddess smiled then her expression changed a bit. "Odin told me of your plans to go to see the Norns."

  "Yes, I'm sorry, my lady. I know you said I should speak to Odin about the prophecy first, but I spoke to Mimir myself and I’m going at his suggestion." I bowed my head.

  "There is no need to apologize, Bryn. Oftentimes we are forced to break the rules, to disobey, in order to achieve what is closest to our hearts." Frigga rose and paced the length of the dais. "In this case, the prophecy entwines you with the life and death of Odin, and thus to Loki, too. I can understand why you would be compelled to change your fate. But be aware, Bryn. Sometimes, even when the opportunity comes to divert your fate from the path foretold, you may choose to make the decision yourself to let it be. Or there may be times when no matter how hard you try to redirect your fate, the path reverts to the one foretold."

  I understood exactly what Frigga meant, and I was prepared.

  Or so I told myself.

  "I understand, my lady," I said.

  "I knew you would." She stopped pacing and faced us. "Joshua and Aimee, Warriors of Valhalla, you will accompany the Valkyrie Brynhildr in her journey to the Norns?"

  "Yes, my lady," they a
nswered in unison.

  "And, Brynhildr, Sigrun will come with you, and I will send instructions for Fenrir to send two of his best Ulfr." Before I could protest, Frigga said, "Sigrun will tell you what you need for the trip, and be sure to stay warm."

  But I decided to stand my ground. "My lady, I do not require the Ulfr. My team is sufficient and even Odin was confident we wouldn’t run into any Jotunn on our trip."

  Frigga stared at me for a moment. "Very well, Brynhildr. As you wish." She inclined her head with a small smile that sent a spike of relief through my chest. At least I hadn’t offended her.

  "Thank you, my lady," I said, then hesitated.

  "What is it?"

  "I . . . I almost feel like going is the wrong thing now that Odin is gone." I glanced at Joshua and Aimee and saw my own doubts reflected in their eyes. "Maybe we should wait. Maybe we should help search for Odin first before we go traipsing off on some journey."

  "No." Frigga stepped off the dais and came to me, placing a hand on my arm. "You must follow your own path. There is nothing you can do for Odin that has not already been done. You should go. And something tells me that Odin would agree."

  "If you think so . . . " My heart thudded. I was still incredibly unsure.

  "I do. Now stop with the doubts and get yourself ready to make this journey." Frigga squeezed my arm, and when she let go, I turned to leave. Her voiced stopped me before I took more than two steps. "Oh, and do not forget to see Eir before you leave."

  "Oh, yes. I won't forget."

  "Be safe, Brynhildr," Frigga said, giving us a small saw wave before disappearing in a swirl of white, puffy clouds.

  As we walked to the door, the flapping of wings drew our gazes upward. A large, black raven was flying straight at me. I almost flinched the way I'd done when Loki had flown at me.

  The raven circled me and landed on my outstretched arm. Hugin tipped his head to the side and said, "Brynhildr, I shall accompany you. Perhaps you may need my help."

  I wanted to laugh. And wasn’t entirely sure that Hugin would be of good use. On previous occasions, Hugin had withheld information that would’ve helped me. But, despite his reticence, I'd managed to grow fond of Odin's raven. At this point I couldn’t think of any reason to decline his offer. I guess I could use whatever services the enigmatic bird offered.

  "Fine, Blackbird, you can come. But whatever you do, remember you are with us to help. No keeping important information to yourself this time, you hear?" I spoke the words but somehow knew it was a losing battle. The damned bird would do as he pleased no matter what I said.

  ***

  Chapter 16

  With bows, arrows, swords and provisions secured and readied, we turned in for a good rest. Aidan had surprised us by turning up at the transport room to store his weapons for our departure the next morning. At least that confirmed he was coming, although I was slowly becoming convinced we'd be better off leaving him behind. Who knew what kind of tension his presence would cause.

  I sighed as I entered my room. A rustle of movement brought me to a sudden stop, but it was just Turi fiddling with the armor. Armor that now shone so brilliantly it reflected the torchlight from the walls and actually hurt my eyes.

  "Wow, Turi. Talk about shine." I shaded my eyes and the Huldra giggled and turned back to her task, her tail swishing as she laid the armor and garments out as perfectly as she could. Turi was a stickler for perfection, and she was bossy too. I adored her.

  "Thank you, Brynhildr. I wish you to look your best for your journey," she said as she snuck me a quick glance of concern. I frowned and she looked away quickly. Did Turi know where we were going? Had our mission become common knowledge so quickly? But, then again, did it really matter at all who knew?

  I sighed again. "Turi, what’s the matter? Is something bothering you?"

  Turi turned, her rounded cheeks pink as she stared at me. "I am only concerned about you, Brynhildr. I may only be your serving girl, but I am very fond of you and the last thing I would want would be for any harm to come to you. As it is . . . " Turi's voice faded away before she uttered any further words.

  "You mean my wings, don't you?" I asked her softly.

  "I'm sorry. I should not have brought it up." Turi's face grew redder and she stared at the floor.

  "It's really okay to talk about it, you know. I won't be mad."

  "I'm not worried about making you mad. I just don't want to make you sad," Turi said.

  "I'm not sad," I assured her, and I was sure that I’d dealt with my loss. "Well, maybe not as sad as I was. I’m fine with it now." I smiled at her.

  I didn't say much else. Just changed out of my clothing. As I readied myself for bed, I watched Turi place my helmet beside the rest of my armor. The helmet of a Valkyrie was a beautiful thing. Although I wasn’t so sure I'd be needing it. This journey had little to do with my Valkyrie identity and more to do with me as a person and what my path in life had to do with Odin's.

  Soon, Turi was done and after tending the fire, gave me her customary wave as she left, shutting the door softly behind her. I studied the wooden panels and the high-beamed ceiling. My quarters in Asgard could not be considered grand in any way, but it was cozy, warm and comfortable.

  I fell asleep with the crackling fire warming my face, fox-tailed Huldras and magic spells flitting thought my sleepy thoughts.

  ***

  I gasped, my ears filled with a cacophony of sound. Men screamed in fury and agony, the sounds chilling me to the bone. I stood facing a battlefield filled with Warriors, a battlefield filled with clashing swords and blood and blood-curdling screams.

  A moan squeezed past my lips, but nobody would have heard me. In the distance, Odin brought his sword down on the shoulder of a fire giant who fell heavily to his knees and disappeared among the feet of those still fighting. The All-Father immediately spun about, deflecting an attack from another fire giant.

  My heart clenched.

  Why were the fire giants fighting Odin? To my left, Fen fought off a frost giant, slicing his blade across the Jotunns throat, only to turn and come face-to-face with Loki. I wanted to scream at Fen to run. To tell him Loki was an impossible opponent.

  The need to go to him was uncontrollable and my legs moved forward of their own accord. But my feet stuck in the muddy, wet ground and I looked down in disgust, expecting to see the black wetness coating my feet. Instead, my shoes were red. My legs were red, my armor coated in the blood of the Warriors before me.

  My heard thudded so hard it hurt. I walked in a river of blood so deep it seemed the very earth was wounded and bleeding. I sobbed, trying to take another step, trying to get to Fen and Odin. I wanted to warn them. But it was too late.

  And the next morning, I woke to the sound of Loki's treacherous, cackling laughter echoing in my ears.

  ***

  Chapter 17

  Icy wind blasted us as the Bifrost deposited us in Jotunnheim. We'd laughed at the fur coats we'd been given to wear, but now, I was thankful Sigrun had insisted. And despite the warm furs, icy fingers of cold still managed to steal through the warm coverings. Hugin immediately launched himself off my shoulder and rose higher than the driving wind to circle above us. Sure, he’s going to be a lot of use so far away. I huffed in disgust.

  "Come, we should get out of the wind," said Sigrun as she led us away. We'd landed right on the top of a cliff, facing the brunt of a howling wind head-on. We followed in silence, each probably trying to convince ourselves we'd made the right decision to come.

  Sigrun led us down the rocky mountainside, pointing out handholds as she went. It didn't prevent us from slipping and sliding our way down when we got the chance. When we finally reached solid ground, we stood huffing and struggling for breath and picking tiny pieces of shattered stone from our palms. Aidan didn't look too pleased, but the rest of the team seemed to be dealing with the harsh terrain well enough.

  Above, the dark sky told us in no uncertain terms that we were unwelcome
. Heavy, black clouds gathered and forks of lightning appeared as they roiled and bumped against each other. I frowned at the angry sky. Something felt strange and I couldn’t put a finger on it.

  Lightning struck high above, followed closely by the gurgle of thunder. The sky was high. Too high. Higher than our sky back in Midgard and definitely higher than the Asgard sky. It only added to the feeling of being alone and being small and insignificant.

  Sigrun came to stand beside me, shifting the weight of her satchel on her shoulder. "Ready?" she asked, her gray eyes concerned.

  "As I'll ever be," I answered. "Don't worry. We'll be fine."

  "It is not me I am worried about, Bryn," Sigrun said as we led the group but walked a little ahead of the team for privacy.

  "I know. I'm guessing you don't approve of my trip."

  "Whether I do or do not makes no real difference. This is your decision alone to make."

  "Not really, since you're coming with me." I raised an eyebrow.

  "Perhaps you are right in a way. But my choice was in accompanying you. Not in the making of your decision."

  "Sigrun, you're giving me a headache." I laughed, patting her hand. Then I sobered up. The fact that my friends had chosen, or insisted, on coming with me was not lost on me. I appreciated that more than I'd expressed to them. "Thank you, Sigrun. I know I haven't said this before, but thank you. For coming with me and for always sticking by me."

  "I thought that is what a friend would do. Why do you thank me?" Sigrun's brow twisted in confusion.

  "Because I want you to know that I love you for it. You're the best friend a girl could have," I said, emotion welling up in my throat as I realized how much I really cared for this Valkyrie who'd stolen me from my home in Craven, who'd helped me through my transformation into a winged Warrior, and who'd been my steadfast friend ever since.