by T. G. Ayer
I reached the stone dais and stared up at Odin, who shimmered in an invisible breeze. A twelve-foot-tall giant of a god didn't look very imposing when the image of him wavered as if about to disappear into nothing. It made him seem far too fragile for my liking. Today, he was dressed in his fighting best, gold armor and flaming helmet. He beckoned for me to come forward, and I climbed up the dais, moving as close as possible without showing disrespect.
I stood there for a moment, just staring at him, gaping like a fool. "I'm glad you came," I blurted out before the silence threatened to become uncomfortable. What did a girl say to a man who had just claimed her as his child? And what did a girl say to a god who did the same thing? I was in over my head and I knew it.
He gave me an indulgent smile, reminding me he'd always had a soft spot for me and had never bothered to hide it. "I came to see that you are well. I have little strength left so it will be a while before I'm strong enough to return." His voice wavered too, sounding tinny, as if coming through on a bad telephone line.
My heart sank at the words. "Then you shouldn't have risked it. Not when you are so weak," I admonished him, as if he was a mere man instead of the All-Father.
He merely chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "But my child, the other gods need guidance, my followers need encouragement. That I cannot do when I am of no substance." When he stopped speaking, I wasn't sure what to say. Then he said, "And of course you, Brynhildr. You more than most need me now, at a time when I am unable to be of much comfort to you."
I shook my head. "I don't--I mean, I do need you, but I don't need you to kill yourself in the process." I almost folded my arms in annoyance but just managed to stop myself in time.
"So melodramatic, my child," said Odin with a bark of laughter. "I know you struggle with the responsibility and I thought you might need to talk about it."
I frowned, then stepped closer to the god. This was my chance. "Take it away. I don't want it. Surely there's someone else more worthy to take up the task?" I asked, facing his kind eyes down with my own stony emerald ones.
"But, my dear Brynhildr. You must know you are the only choice that makes sense. You are the only one who will truly have the interests of Odin and of Asgard itself at heart. Too many people can be swayed by their own personal desires, but you, my dear, have proven that nothing can make you change your mind once you have it set."
I merely nodded. He was right. I was as stubborn as it gets.
"This is the reason I chose you. Not because you are my child, but because of your strength and your tenacity. You will not let anything change your course. So set your sights on saving the nine realms and we will all rest easy knowing you have it under control."
I shook my head, the fingers of both my hands curling into fists. "But can't you see I don't have it under control? Nothing makes much sense at the moment." I sighed softly and looked away from Odin's penetrating gaze. Even with one eye, a mere look could reduce a giant to a sniveling fool.
But he wasn't listening to my doubt. He shook his head and said, "It will make sense in time. All you need is patience and smarts. And you have much of both." He gave a loud laugh that reverberated around the hall.
I sighed, figuring I had to accept his words or continue this argument until, in the end, I would have to give in anyway. "I wish you would just tell us where you are so we can find a way to come and get you," I snapped, suddenly impatient with godly games and manipulations.
He tilted his head and looked at me sadly. "Perhaps I would if I knew you would still concentrate on the war at hand. But I know you too well, Brynhildr. You are much like Thor and Vidarr, and even Loki in some ways."
I shuddered at that thought. Vidarr I suppose I could handle, but not Loki. I never wanted to be in any way like Loki. But I hid my feelings, not wanting to upset Odin when I knew how much energy he must be using just to project himself here.
Odin chuckled. "Ah, see. No answer to that, eh, girl?" He laughed and his familiarity with me made me want to cry.
It also made me all the more impatient to find a way to get him home safely. "So when will you tell us where you are?" I asked, my gaze narrowing on him.
"I won't." He spoke the words so softly and so matter-of-fact that I almost didn't register them.
I stiffened when his meaning sank in. "What do you mean?" I asked, my tone a little too high to be respectful, but I couldn't help it. When I blinked at the sudden heat in my eyes, I saw he'd reduced to human size.
He sighed. "Don't worry about me, Brynhildr. I am trying to regenerate my energy so I can get myself out of this chasm in time. There isn't anything you can do to find me or save me. I will arrive at the Vigrid plains when the time is right. Remember, I still have my eyes and ears that bring me information on what is happening across all the realms."
I couldn't even nod. I barely heard anything else after he said he wouldn't call us for help.
"You and Fen and Thor and the rest of the armies must concentrate on Loki and his mischief in Midgard. We have information that has told us the little trickster has been at work among the people of Midgard, busy manipulating and scheming his way into a position of power."
"Where did we get that information?" I asked because it hadn't yet come across my desk. I wasn't sure if I should be affronted or not.
Odin grunted, then wheezed softly. "My strength is waning, my dear. Speak to Thor. The latest scout team has returned with important information." And with those words, the image of the All-Father simply evaporated.
For a moment, I just stared at the empty throne, my mouth hanging open, partly annoyed and partly disappointed. But I didn't have time to wallow in disappointment. Or in any other emotion for that matter. The sound of footsteps drew my attention to the expanse of the hall behind me, and I turned to see Thor and Joshua hurry inside the room.
"Where is the All-Father," asked Thor, his eyes going straight to the empty throne, disappointment and confusion warring in his expression.
Yup, join the club, brother.
"He just couldn't manage. He wasn't strong enough to hold on any longer," I said sadly, glancing back at the throne, a tiny part of me hoping he'd reappear, the common sense part of me telling me to get a hold of myself.
Thor sighed and it was unsettling seeing such a great god look so helpless.
"Do you have information from the mission?" I asked wearily. "Odin said there was new intel to work with." Even the sight of Joshua couldn't lift my spirits enough.
Both Thor and Joshua were nodding and it seemed they had already forgotten Odin's absence.
"A number of the scout teams returned with similar information," said Joshua. "New men in positions of power. Or old men with new attitudes and directions. This is something that had been reported across the country and across organizations, whether they are corporate or government."
It was slowly sinking in as to what Joshua was getting at. "And Loki is behind this inside takeover attempt?"
"It certainly looks like it. Seems he's been taking the slow road, moving his pieces over time, decades even."
"Do we know how far up it goes? Has his influence reached the White House and the president?" I asked, even though I was afraid of what the answer would be.
Thor responded, "At this time, we have little idea as to whether your president is affected. My only hope is the man has more integrity than some of these other executive heads."
I shook my head and gave a laugh. "Every man has a price," I said, my voice emotionless.
Thor stared at me, frowning. "Surely integrity would put a stop to any of this underhandedness?" he asked.
"Integrity is nothing in the face of vulnerability, and every man is vulnerable. Every man has a weak spot. Spouses? Children? Money? Power?" I said, ticking them each off a finger.
Thor sighed. "And just when I was beginning to admire you Midgardians."
I laughed and raised a hand to place it on Thor's forearm. I heard Joshua chime in. "It's not that the entire race ha
s no hope. It's just that even the strongest man can be brought to his knees if the other side decides to fight dirty."
Thor looked at me sadly and patted my arm. "And we all know..."
We spoke in unison, "Loki fights dirty."
CHAPTER FOUR
The three of us returned to the war room to go over what the teams had discovered. Joshua withdrew a thick file from his satchel and dropped it onto the table. More paperwork to add to my growing pile. I stifled a sigh.
"From Erik, I presume?" I asked with a small smile. The einherjar in charge of the New York HQ was a pretty pedantic man, and I liked him for it. His dark eyes were always forthright, his chin always at a confident angle. I'd liked him on sight when we'd first met and I was looking forward to working with him again soon.
Joshua drew a chair close to me, sat down, and began rifling through the stacks of folders. He spread them out on top of all the other files that already occupied the table, but it didn't bother me. What lay below was old news. I was far more interested in the latest information.
Thor stood on my other side and grabbed a couple files to begin with. Slowly, we went through the stack, identifying commonalities and making note of them. The governmental organizations involved were CIA, FBI, NSA, the army, navy, and the Marine Corps. As yet, we were unable to identify if anyone within the cabinet had been approached or were suspected of being infiltrated.
I took a breath. "How is it exactly that we are assuming these positions were taken over?" I asked as I frowned at a list that included key positions within the CIA and FBI. That was a major worry.
"We suspect some have been replaced with Jotunns, while others were merely convinced." I had a fair idea how they were being convinced.
"Do you think it's possible we could isolate some of these people and try to remove the threats being held over them?" I asked, still turning the idea over in my head.
"Sure," said Joshua, his forehead wrinkling as he considered the suggestion. "Investigate each of them further, find out where their families are, identify what Loki is holding over them, then move families to safety or remove the person from the position entirely. That could work," he said, nodding. His expression seemed light, as if the mere suggestion of an option to consider eased his mind.
Thor grunted. "It seems to be our only course right now." He straightened and glared at the piles of files. "I hate to leave you with all the work, but the is much that I have to do." He threw me a bright grin, which I returned. Then I watched him disappear. The curve to his shoulders told me he too carried more than his fair share of worries.
"You're staring at him pretty hard. You don't want to burn a hole through him, you know," Joshua commented, but when I looked at him, his eyes were trained on the file in his hands.
I snorted. "Don't tell me you're jealous of me looking at my brother?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. I couldn't help the amusement that curved my lips either.
Joshua's head shot up and he flushed as he met my gaze. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that for a moment."
"Feel better now?" I teased.
"A little," he replied, then raked his eyes across my body. He ended his study on my lips, and I cleared my throat.
My skin flushed with heat and I had to force myself to concentrate on the files. "Behave. We're supposed to be working. Besides, anyone could walk in any minute," I admonished him.
But all he did was lift his shoulders and shrug with an innocent look on his face. "What?" he asked. "All I did was look."
"Yeah, I know what happens when you get that particular look in your eye." I snorted, still not looking at him.
"Then maybe it's time you took a break and got out of this place for a rest. You look like you're about to fall apart."
"You sure have a way with words, O'Connell. Must have the girls falling at your feet."
He smirked and winked. "All the time, baby. All the time. It's part of the O'Connell Irish charm." I just raised an eyebrow and then ended up grinning at him anyway. "Come. Let's get out of here for a while."
I looked at the desk, then at the open doorway and felt the need to relax even if it meant just for a while. So I gave in and held out my hand, allowing Joshua to take it and rise, to lead me to the door. He grabbed my cloak and threw it around my shoulders, tying the leather thongs at my neck before leading me out of the war room and away from work.
"So where are you taking me?" I asked as I curled my hand around his arm.
"A lovely place that's a little secluded. It should suit our needs for now."
"Mmh. Sounds mysterious," I said softly, more than a little intrigued.
"But, before we go, I have to make a quick stop."
"Okay," I said, frowning a little. He was up to something. Nothing in his voice made me think he was planning anything. It was all in his eyes. Just something that flickered in those deep green depths that made gave me a thrill of expectation.
We strolled along the hallways, and I knew soon enough what he was after.
Food.
We rounded the corner that led to the kitchens, and I held back as he went to the first Huldra he saw. They spoke for a while. Then she left and returned within a few minutes with a basket covered tightly with a thick white cloth.
This was certainly getting interesting.
As he returned, my stomach obliged and grumbled loudly.
"Gee. You're a demanding woman," he said with a straight face. "We aren't even there yet and you already want to eat."
I shrugged and could do nothing to hide my mirth. "Can a girl help it if she's starving?"
"When was the last time you ate?" His expression was now serious, and I suspected I'd have to lie to get out of this without receiving a scolding. But I knew I couldn't lie to Joshua and get away with it, so I went with the truth.
"Last night. I think," I said, giving a light shrug as if it weren't important. It wasn't, but I knew Joshua when it came to me taking care of myself. He could behave like an old fishwife sometimes and nag me until I finally gave in.
"Last night?" he repeated, his voice rising a little to reveal his concern. And his annoyance with me. "What's the matter with you? I thought you promised me you'd take care of yourself?"
I had. Before he left, he'd made me swear I'd eat regularly and not get lost in time. "I can't help it if I forgot," I mumbled, keeping my eyes averted and knowing it wouldn't be good enough anyway.
He gave an exaggerated sigh, then entwined his fingers with mine and began to walk down the hallway. "Sometimes I think there is no hope for you." He sounded dead serious.
And of course I had to giggle.
"What's funny?"
"You." I managed to get out the one word amidst choked laughter.
"Mmh," was all he said.
Once we left the palace entrance, Joshua led me along the path that dissected the training fields. I remained silent and walked with him, my eyes traveling along grounds that were now filled with bodies and noise. I noticed the Sleipnir were absent and the Valkyries that were here were busy sparring with Ulfr and warriors alike. There were too many unfamiliar faces. A few glanced at us as we walked by, but nobody paid us more than a second's notice.
Beyond the training fields, on the opposite side of the valley, we came to a halt slowly. The steep mountainside curved around and away from view of the fields. It led gently to the left, guiding us in the direction of the shimmering lake. We walked along the shore for a while, the wave slapping mere feet from my ankles. At last, Joshua stopped and made a sharp right, then pulled me into a small clearing.
I was so surprised by the beautiful sight that I gasped out loud and almost squealed in delight.
We stood beneath the widespread branches of a tree bedecked with little white flowers. "It's so beautiful." I breathed out the words, a part of me afraid that even the slightest sound would disturb the gorgeous white blossoms that covered the tree.
"It's a crabapple tree. We used to have one in our backyard in Craven." Joshua dusted out th
e white cloth as he spoke, then lay it on the ground and began to unpack the basket.
Bread, cheese, fruit, and pastries as well as a golden liquid that I hoped was Mead. I stared at the feast, and as Joshua straightened and dusted his hands, I threw my arms around his neck and smacked a kiss on his lips. He laughed and held on to my waist. "What is that for?"
"What's it for? It's for this." I waved a hand at the tree and the food. "This is amazing. How did you even find this place?"
Joshua gave me a small smile. Then he looked behind us at the surface of the lake shining like a silver pond. "It was Sigrun's idea actually. She said she and Fen used to take long walks to be together alone and talk. They found this place a long time ago. She told me about it and instructed me to bring you here whenever I could."
I sucked in a long breath, unsure of how I was feeling. I'd expected to burst into tears, but all I did was feel a sense of freedom. As if I'd been carrying a heavy weight and it had disappeared in the breath of an instant. I stared at the lake, then back at the tree, and happiness curved my lips, tears glistening in my eyes.
Joshua came toward me, cupping my cheek with his hand. "Are you okay? Was this a bad idea?" His face was filled with concern and a hint of fear.
But I shook my head and just stared into his eyes. "It's absolutely perfect." I laughed softly through my tears. How lucky was that I'd found such an amazing guy? So kind and so thoughtful, so perfect in every way. I threw my arms around his waist and sank against his warmth.
He'd just succeeded in giving me a slice of peace in the middle of the turmoil that was my life.
CHAPTER FIVE
Our interlude had to end at some point, and we were soon reluctantly heading back to the palace, passing the training fields on our way. The sun was high above us, noon. I would have worked through until the evening without even registering the sunlight if Joshua hadn't brought me out of the palace.