by T. G. Ayer
Joshua nodded, understanding it clearly for the first time. But he was curious about one thing. “Why did someone not come to tell us what was going on the moment we woke up? Or at least the moment we got our memories back? It seems strange that you left us there to stew in our juices. I’d have liked to know what was going on sooner rather than later.”
Fenrir waved a hand at him, the action placating, as if he understood Joshua’s frustration and wanted to assure him of that. “We have very good reason. Each new wave of recruits come in from a specific time period in Midgard’s history. It makes for a good breeding-ground for a team.
“We allowed the new recruits to recover together which enables us to identify those who would work best as a team. It is easy enough to find the weaker ones, those who doubt their ability or question why they are here. But we also want to identify the stronger ones, the warriors who would be leaders, those who would be strong enough to support entire teams. We often find that we are able to identify whole teams from specific waves of retrievals. The group from Craven would have been my choice for a scout unit. And I am still willing to see where that goes.”
“A scout unit?”
Fenrir nodded and drew a map toward him. “This is a map of your world. The larger pins indicate headquarters.”
He waved a hand, and the map lit up with dozens and dozens of green lights. Joshua blinked but accepted that it was some sort of magical effect.
Fenrir continued. “The next indicates where we currently have active scout teams.” The map lit up again, this time hundreds of blue lights flickered to life.
“We no longer sit back and wait for Ragnarok. Those days are long gone. An occasional check with Mimir to see if he can give us a time-frame, and the rest was just…how do you modern people say? Hurry up and wait?” Fenrir nodded to himself, then said, “Recently we decided that it was time we took matters into our own hands. Hence the focused preparation, people on the ground.”
Joshua studied the map in silence.
Asgard had secret agents on the ground in Midgard?
As Aimee would have said, how motherfluffin’ cool was that?
Chapter 15
Joshua shook his head. “I have to admit I can’t quite believe it. You mean, I lived all my life and never knew that Asgard operatives were on the ground all over our world?”
Fenrir smiled. “How could you have known? We operate in total secrecy. The only problem we have had is the elements within Asgard who seek to sow dissent and upheaval for their own purpose.”
“You mean like Loki?” Joshua winced the moment he uttered the name, remembering too late that he was speaking to Loki’s son.
But Fenrir merely laughed. “You need not be concerned. I will not ‘rip your head off’ at the mention of the man who fathered me. I acknowledge my progenitor, but that is where my allegiance stops. I am loyal to Odin and to Odin alone.”
Joshua cleared his throat and Fenrir continued, “And to answer your question, yes, the Trickster is still active. But his actions are more out of boredom and the need to create mischief than out of malice. We have other elements working within Midgard already, laying their own seeds before Ragnarok arrives.”
Fenrir pulled another map over and laid it on top of the world map. “This is a map of the Nine Realms. It is an overview to make it easy to see the gates better. But what you have here is the access points that move from realm to realm.”
“Is that the Bifrost?” asked Joshua, as he tried to keep his heart from racing with excitement. He was staring at every single place in the Nine Realms where the Bifrost touched ground.
He glanced up at Fenrir who nodded, appearing to not have noticed Joshua’s fascination. “Yes. There are hundreds of arrival and departure points around the planet. And within each of the other eight realms.”
“So, guarding all access points makes sense,” Joshua murmured.
“I sense a but...”
“Yeah. We want to guard the access points to the bridge, but I thought Heimdall guards the Bifrost and allows people to enter and exit.”
“The truth is not like the comics, unfortunately. The Bifrost is much like a realm on its own. It is a network of passages, like your human highway systems, and then you add eight other dimensions, and you get what is almost a tenth realm.”
Joshua grinned. “That is very cool. I never thought of the Bifrost in that way before.”
“This is one of the main reasons why we have teams on the ground in Midgard. We have them alternating all the time, mainly because the warriors and the valkyries need time to recuperate. The longer an einherjar stays on Midgard, the weaker he gets.”
Joshua considered Fen’s words and then asked, “The valkyries are also part of the scout teams and the teams on the ground?”
“Yes. Each team has a valkyrie paired with one or two warriors. They each function as an independent unit that works in tandem with the rest of the units within the team.”
“So that in case something happens and they have to split up, you have a cohesive functional unit who are already a team.”
“I believe you have the makings of a master strategist, einherjar Joshua,” Fenrir remarked as he sat back again. “I have a feeling that you will progress fast through the training programs. Now, you have not yet told me what you recall of your past life.”
Joshua frowned. “I thought I did.”
“What you did tell me was only related to events of the past and the lives of other people who were important to you. What I want to know is your emotional frame of mind. How do you feel about being here in Asgard? How are you absorbing the new reality, and how do you feel about having left behind those you care most about?”
Joshua sat back. He had a feeling this was some sort of a test and he considered the possible ways of cheating. What would Fenrir want to know that would ensure he didn’t kick Joshua off the warriors’ list?
Then he gave a sigh. “I never imagined this would all be real. But I’m not having trouble accepting that it is. A few things catch me by surprise now and again. A huldra’s tail, Glasir. And Fenrir.” Joshua smiled sheepishly. “I guess I’m looking ahead. I miss my parents, of course. I’m worried about how they will deal with the vacuum I would have left behind. They will be alone now.”
Fenrir cleared his throat. “It is normal to miss your family. And some warriors do find they are given the privilege of returning home to visit. Some are encouraged by seeing their family moving on with their lives. Although, I have to warn you that some find they cannot reconcile the idea that the people they loved the most have moved on. Which is why requests for personal visits are not always approved.”
Joshua nodded. “Makes sense. So where do I fit in? Will I be on a scout team? Or sent to Midgard to the HQs?”
Fenrir lifted a shoulder and grinned. “That is entirely up to you. The strongest and smartest usually find themselves deployed on scout missions. Teams at HQs are usually computer analysts and researchers in engineering, biology, and chemistry.”
Joshua’s jaw dropped. “Why would we need them?”
“We liaise with governmental organizations, and we do need to look like we know what we are talking about. We are always on the lookout for global catastrophic events and for those who engage in research that is meant to end humanity. Many of the companies in Midgard function under false leadership. Often the CEOs or owners of the corporations are not even human, and if they are, they are mere puppets whose strings were being pulled by our enemies.”
“And who are they? Are the Eddas right in pointing a finger at the frost giants?”
“Yes. The Jotunn are one of the more dangerous elements sowing upheaval. We have the dark elves too, as well as a small contingent of Swartelves. And then the dragons—but that is a very small nest that we think we have under control.”
Joshua sat there, a little unsure of what he was going to say, the crackling of the fire sounding loud in his ears. Fenrir had just debriefed him with information
that he should technically not have had access to.
But he wasn’t about to complain. “I’ll do my best to be the einherjar that you need. I’d like to be involved in the effort to safeguard Midgard and Asgard. If I deserve to be, that is.”
“I have no doubt that you will.” Fenrir nodded and began to roll up the maps.
Joshua considered his next words carefully, then threw caution to the wind anyway. “May I make a request?” When Fenrir looked up and gave him a questioning look, Joshua elaborated, “Or rather a request for information?”
Fenrir smiled, then and tapped the rolled-up maps in his palm. He looked decidedly wolfish for the briefest moment as his teeth glinted in the firelight. “You want to know if Bryn and Aidan are safe?”
Joshua nodded. He’d been tempted to tell Fenrir that he couldn’t care less about Aidan, but he didn’t interrupt as the warrior let out a long breath and got to his feet.
“Bryn is well, but she has left for Midgard.”
Chapter 16
Joshua stiffened. He recalled Aimee’s revelation of Bryn having to look for the pieces of Freya’s necklace, but he needed to know more. He took a deep breath and asked, “Why?”
“Freya sent her on a quest to Midgard to find the rest of Brisingamen. I swear the woman’s impulsiveness is going to get us all in trouble one day.”
Joshua stared at the warrior. “Is Bryn going to be safe?”
“I cannot say that I can know that. I have no idea what she is going to do or how she will track the missing pieces down.” Fenrir’s expression revealed a dark frustration that Joshua found surprising.
“I know what she will do,” offered Joshua.
Fenrir lifted his eyebrows in question.
“She’ll look for Loki. If he was the one who stole the necklace in the first place, she’d look for him.” Joshua turned worried eyes to Fenrir. “Will that be dangerous for her? Will Loki hurt her?”
“I do not think he will. Bryn is special to Odin—for reasons I cannot divulge at this point—and Loki would not want to cross that line with the All-Father.”
Joshua let out sigh, something part relief and part fear. “Could we not have sent a warrior with her?”
Fenrir grunted. “I did advocate for them to be accompanied by an experienced einherjar or valkyrie, but I do not believe it will do them any good.” Before Joshua could ask what he meant, Fenrir continued, “Freya sent Aidan with Bryn. She claimed he would be able to help her locate the pieces of Brisingamen. But there is something Bryn has to deal with in addition to her search.”
“What?” Joshua leaned forward, ignoring the bite of the table’s edge into his ribs. Aimee had mentioned hearing about Freya’s terrible curses.
“The depths Freya would go to, how devious she is.” Fenrir let out a frustrated sigh. “Freya cursed Aidan. If they do not come back within seven days, she will not be able to reverse the curse and he will die, and there will not be anything Bryn can do about it.”
“Now that wasn’t what I’d expected to hear.” It was worse than Joshua had expected.
Joshua wasn’t sure how he felt about Bryn returning to earth with Aidan. He got the feeling that Bryn thought she was in love with Aidan. Joshua shook his head, the tiniest movement that was more mental than physical.
That was unfair. Perhaps she really was in love with him. But Aidan had done something to hurt her. Something bad enough that Bryn would still be angry with him—well passed his apparent death.
Joshua had seen it in her eyes, in the way her spine had stiffened when she’d turned to look at Aidan. Joshua could see that she was very conflicted, and he hoped that when she did finally work through her feelings, that Aidan would not be included in that occasion.
Wishful thinking perhaps, but Joshua knew that Aidan wasn’t good for Bryn. He’d witnessed the way the guy had lied to her, how well he’d acted the part of confused and hurt. Joshua wouldn’t put it past Aidan to have deceived Bryn all along.
“What is it?” asked Fenrir.
Joshua shrugged. “I don’t trust Aidan.” Joshua started at the sound of the words. He’d not meant to speak them aloud, but Fenrir seemed to have some sort of hold on him, forcing him to be completely honest during their entire conversation.
“That is a fair reaction. It is clear you care for Bryn, so that is no surprise.”
Joshua shook his head. “It’s not that. I’d be unhappy if Aidan was with any other warrior or valkyrie—or any human for that matter. I believe he’s using her, manipulating her. He lies to her all the time, and for some reason, she cannot see it.”
Fenrir nodded sadly. “It is easy to care for someone even while they manipulate your every word and action. Give Bryn some credit though. I think she is strong enough to see the truth behind Aidan for herself.”
Joshua sighed. As if he had a choice. He was stuck here while Bryn was who-knew-where in Midgard looking for a Freya’s lost necklace.
“I know you are worried about her.” Fenrir’s low baritone was calm and comforting. “I will keep you informed if I hear anything.”
Joshua moved to his feet, feeling somewhat relieved to have gotten that all off his chest. “Thank you for...for listening to me.”
Fenrir chuckled. “It is my job, warrior. All I want is to help hone you into being the best warrior you can be.” As he spoke, Fenrir walked over to Joshua and patted him on the shoulder. The warrior was still intimidating, but slightly less terrifying now that Joshua had seen the caring side of him.
Joshua didn’t doubt though, that on the field, Fenrir would give no quarter. And Joshua was determined to do his best to earn his mettle in the eyes of this powerful warrior.
Another einherjar waited at the threshold, and led Joshua to a second room a jumble of corridors away. Joshua had no hope in hell of finding this place if he ever wanted to come back, and he kept a close eye on his escort while he joined the short line to receive his armor. He’d thought that the light chainmail he’d been given for the ceremony had been what he’d wear while training and fighting, but he’d been mistaken.
Or rather, he hadn’t had the full picture.
A warrior—expression bored and movements wooden—sat at the table and took down names. A second warrior pointed to the back of the room where dozens of trunks were lined up beside each other.
Joshua received a ticket, and then a finger pointed in the direction of the trunks. He hurried over, his gaze flitting over to his escort who hovered near the door. Joshua was shown to the trunk, but he frowned as the list he’d been given could not have possibly fit inside the trunk.
But he didn’t ask questions. He bent to grab a hold of the handle then tugged to lift the trunk when a bark of laughter rang out around the room.
“You are too weak, boy. A nix will take it for you. You need to place your seal first, before the box binds itself to you.”
Joshua frowned, aware the warrior had said a nix—the legendary water sprite. He supposed the existence of a nix wasn’t any more unusual than that of a huldra, or valkyries for that matter.
He refocused and looked at the box again. Then he glanced at the paper and noticed a ringed portion of instructions which said he needed to open the box. Joshua swallowed a self-deprecating laugh. Bryn would be bent over laughing at him right now, accusing him of being a typical male who never looked at instructions because it would damage his precious ego.
He shook his head and unsnapped the large locks on the box before gripping the handle and lifting. A sharp stab of pain stung his palm, the sting of a bee or a wasp. Joshua flinched, but he didn’t drop the lid and squeal with pain.
Instead, he lowered it back to shut it and retrieved his damaged hand as calmly as possible. He didn’t look at his injury either, just nodded to the warrior who’d been hovering close to him then turned on his heel to his escort who stood smirking near the door. The power of his amusement though, had decreased somewhat, and Joshua suspected it had everything to do with him not yelling out in p
ain when he’d been stabbed.
Joshua hid his own smirk and headed to the doorway, aware again that this man too, had not introduced himself. Seemed einherjar had a habit of wanting to remain anonymous.
The warrior escorted Joshua back along the corridors and then led him through an intersection that met in a small hall with a high domed ceiling. Everything was stone, marble to granite to rock, all natural elements surrounded him. At the intersecting hall, the warrior pointed at a narrow corridor.
“That is you. You will find your name on your room door. The trunk will be there. Change and come down to the fields immediately. You will join the group for basic sword techniques first. Your superior will decide from there where you go next.”
With that the man turned and disappeared down the hall, leaving Joshua standing there wondering how the hell he was meant to find his way out of the maze of hallways and corridors.
He gave a resigned sighed and headed down the corridor in search of his room.
Hopefully, he wouldn’t get lost within the halls and die there somewhere in the darkest shadows.
That would be a sure-fire way to miss Ragnarok.
Chapter 17
Joshua had managed to find his room after all.
It had been an odd experience, the entire time feeling as though he were being pulled along by some strange magnetic force, until at last, he stood before a door with his name burned into the wooden doorframe.
He’d tried the door and been grateful that it had opened at his touch, especially since he hadn’t been provided with a key. But as the door swung open he found the room to be occupied. Hesitating he almost stepped back out into the corridor when the young blond man hovering near the fire turned to smile at him, the small fiddle strapped to his back appearing totally incongruous.