"Huginn?"
The bird's caw sounded somehow angry, and Henry found himself backing away until he bumped into something. He turned around and saw a second bird, just as big as the other. It cocked its head.
"Are you sure these are the right humans, Huginn?" the first one asked. "This one doesn't even know the difference between you and me."
"They're only humans, Muninn," Huginn said. "You can't expect too much of them. You have to admit that was a clever way to cross the river."
"I don't see how drowning is clever," Muninn said.
"That part wasn't deliberate," Henry said.
"Yes well, it never is. Still the idea was clever. It almost worked. Where did you get an ice blade anyway?"
"Where do you think he got it from, Huginn?" Muninn asked. "They did just come over from Jotunheim. I swear you're as bad as humans sometimes."
Muninn squawked, but Huginn chirped in a way that sounded almost like a laugh. Henry got up and walked to Andromeda. She was unconscious again. Grimly, he wondered how many times he had saved her life. He shook her gently, and she opened her eyes and smiled.
"I guess we made it."
Henry smirked and offered her a hand up. "It was close there for a second. Are you alright?"
"I think so."
"Good," he said as they turned away from the river and looked into the home of the gods.
CHAPTER 35
Asgard was beautiful: a verdant garden that looked like it had never known a rough hand or harsh weather. Flowers of every size shape and color were arranged in neat rows according to their type, and they filled the air with mix of smells that made him feel-light headed. Butterflies as big as hawks floated from flower to flower. Nearby stood a tree with golden leaves that glimmered in the sun. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves giving the impression of music. Behind the tree stood a massive castle of yellow stone. One great tower rose on the side nearest the river, and a wall that had to be a hundred feet tall surrounded the castle. A gate of black iron stood open and a stone path wound from it, leading deeper into Asgard. Henry took one step toward the castle, but one of the birds landed in front of him.
"I would not go in there if I were you, Mortal," Huginn said. "Once one crosses the threshold of Valhalla, he may not leave save at Odin's call."
Henry's jaw dropped. "That's Valhalla?"
The raven nodded, which was a peculiar gesture for a bird. "Where fallen heroes do battle against each other until the day Odin summons them to war. It's empty now, in any case."
"They're still at the battle against the kings," Henry said.
Once again the bird nodded. "No one expected them to last this long. Your allies are to be commended. I take it you want to go see the gods."
"If that's where Idun is," Henry said.
They passed a few other castles, which the ravens identified as halls belonging to various gods, but Asgard itself seemed empty save for the occasional bird and butterfly. The wind carried a gentle heat. As they walked through the garden, it was difficult to believe so much hatred and suffering had come from such a serene place.
"It reminds me of Zuab's garden," Andromeda said.
"It makes sense," Henry said. "The ones who came to help Zuab probably came from here. If we looked around, I'd guess we'd find the way to Argath, probably under Idun's apple tree."
"What makes you say that?"
Henry shrugged. "It's obvious. The Moirai told me Hera's apples of immortality had been corrupted, and that they could as easily kill as grant life. Zuab had a tree of apples that were practically death given form, and your past memories said the Brothers Grimm had given Idun a ring that corrupted her apples. My guess is they were all the same tree."
"You see, Muninn," Huginn squawked. "He does have a thought in his head."
"Maybe, but it's just the one."
Henry turned to Andromeda. "I think what the crows are trying to say is that I'm right."
"Ravens!" they squawked in unison.
Henry shrugged. "What's the difference?"
Andromeda quirked an eyebrow. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes why?"
"You've been...unkind recently."
Henry huffed. "I'm just tired. Can you blame me?" He looked up at the birds without waiting for her to respond. "I am right though, aren't I?"
Muninn bobbed his head. "The apple is a thing of power in many stories. You need it, or something like it, to cross into as many worlds as Idun intends to conquer."
"Maybe we should just chop it down," Andromeda suggested.
"I'm not sure that would do it. Maybe Idun could just grow another one. If she couldn't though, it would lead to the death of all the gods here, and I'm not sure that's something we want to do."
"After all the death they've caused, how can you be so squeamish about bringing about theirs?"
"Because I'm not sure the stories will survive the gods' death," Henry said. "The Oracle of the Present said there are few things that are not in my power to destroy. If I understand Kurnugi correctly, even if something is killed here, it still exists in other stories, but I got the feeling the Oracle was talking about something more permanent than that. If I destroy the gods, it's entirely possible they won't exist in any story."
"They wouldn't be missed," Andromeda said.
"Are you sure? Would this world even exist without Odin? Would King Budli or the rest of people of Gothia?"
Andromeda grumbled but didn't say anything more. They continued following the birds. A gentle quiet had fallen over Asgard. Even the birdsong sounded muted. The smell of flowers faded, and the vibrant colors seemed to dull. They passed near a vast hall that, according to the ravens, was Odin's home. Though they said it was made of silver, the metal was dull as if it had sat out in the elements untended for a long time; given how mild the elements were in Asgard, Henry thought that unlikely. As soon as they passed the hall, the wind stopped. A thin cloud floated in front of the sun, and all the butterflies and other insects landed on flowers and didn't rise again. It was as if all of Asgard was holding its breath, waiting for something. Henry had the uncomfortable sensation that it was waiting for him.
He saw the rainbow first, its top appearing just over the horizon. Henry found his pace quickening. They crested a gentle hill. Beyond, perhaps a hundred yards away, the ground ended in a cliff. Past that, an army spread out across a valley that terminated at a mountain range. Lightning flashed in the distance followed by a surge of orange light, and he froze in his tracks. He looked at the birds.
"Thor and Hephaestus? Are they still fighting?"
"Did you think a battle between gods was a simple matter?" Huginn asked. "Such things can last for weeks or months. Even years. I suspect they'll be fighting long after all the mortals beneath them have grown old and died. Legends are born of such things."
"We're almost there, aren't we?" he asked.
"Very close, young human. The end of Bifrost lies at the edge of that cliff, and the gods await nearby."
Henry nodded. With every step a dozen fears ran through his mind. For all his bravado, he wasn't really sure what he was supposed to do, especially not if he had to deal with all the gods to get to Idun. One had been more than he could handle, and he wasn't even sure how many gods there were. He didn't think he could count on Odin's help either, regardless of what he'd said.
When they approached Bifrost, his blood went cold, and he drew his sword. Heimdall stood on the rainbow bridge only a few feet from Asgard. His armor shone with ever changing light, and he carried his sword in his right hand. When he saw Henry, he inclined his head and motioned at a path that went down the cliff.
"Your adversary waits just over there."
"You're not going to try to stop me?" Henry asked.
Heimdall grinned. "I am charged to guard this bridge. I would be a poor guardian if I left my charge to go indulge myself in a battle, wouldn't you say?"
Henry nodded slowly. He looked to Andromeda. She had gone a little pale
but smiled when she met his gaze.
"I guess it's time," she said.
CHAPTER 36
Henry and Andromeda walked down the path. Sheer walls rose up on either side of them. Through the opening ahead of them, he could see the peak where Bifrost ended, where Thor and Hephaestus fought. Fire and lightning flashed atop it. Henry and Andromeda came out on a large ledge overlooking the valley between worlds. Wingless dragons moved through the sea of men toward the mountain. If Henry squinted, he thought he could see a couple dead on the field. Dozens of men and women stood on the ledge looking out over the battlefield. They were talking softly, and none noticed the two intruders. Henry tried to move quietly, but kicked a loose pebble. It skidded across the ground and clanked into the armored leg of a one handed god. Instantly, conversation ceased. As one, the Norse gods turned to look at him. Henry's hand fell to his hilt, but he let it fall away a second later. There was no way he'd be able to fight all of them. There was the sound of rasping steel as the gods drew their weapons. Henry took a step back. The crowd stirred and parted. Odin stood in the center. He carried a long spear in one hand. Flowing robes covered his body, and he wore a hood that didn't quite hide is one-eyed face.
"It seems we have guests, my friends."
"Impossible!" someone cried out.
"They couldn't have defeated Heimdall!"
Other gods shouted, and their voices blended together into a thundering roar. His head felt like it was going to explode. Dimly, he realized his hand had closed around his hilt. Odin banged the butt of his spear into the stone. Though it was only a gentle tap, the whole mountain shook at the impact. Most kept their balance, but a few fell. When those had gotten up, the gods went silent and looked at their king.
"They did not defeat Heimdall. The boy is hidden from my sight, but the girl is another matter. I see her being thrown off Bifrost. Judging by the tattered condition of the boy's clothes, he was with her. They survived Jotunheim itself to reach us."
A gasp rippled through the gods. A woman who was little more than a girl stepped out next to Odin. Unlike the others, she bore no armor or weapon. She wore a pure white dress that shimmered as she moved. Patterns of woven gold ran across her bodice, and her golden hair was tied in twin braids. Her alabaster skin looked like it had never seen a day of sun, but her face was red with anger. Henry had seen her before, when he'd asked the magic mirror who was responsible for the war. Idun, the holder of the golden apples.
"Allies of the giant king," she shrieked.
"No, Idun," Odin said. "Enemies of yours do not mean allies of Thrym."
"Have you gone senile, old man?" she asked. "He bears a frozen blade. How else would he get one if not from the giant king?"
"The boy's recent past is obscured, but what transpired before he crossed into this realm is not. He once turned an army to stone with the head of a vanquished foe. Given what else I see of him, I could well imagine that sword as a prize won from an enemy rather than a boon from an ally."
"Foolishness," she said. "I can see the past as well as you and-"
"Then you know the path he's walked is hidden from us."
"His past is but Thrym's is not. I see that beast of a king bestowing a blade and testing its bearer to make sure he was capable of killing us. I see the girl there too. Who could it have been but this boy?"
The gods grumbled. A woman with snow white skin and icy hair raised a bow. A faint blue tinge colored the arrowhead and several of the gods backed away, but Odin raised his hand.
"Lower your weapon, Skadi. I can see that as well, but this would not be the first time a hero obtains spoils from an enemy with trickery."
Skadi looked from Odin to Idun. For a moment, Henry thought she wouldn't listen, but Odin cleared his throat. Skadi released the tension on her bow and lowered her arrow. Idun grew even redder. She stamped her foot, but it seemed a pitiful thing after what Odin had done.
"Enough of this," Idun said. "These are the ones I've been looking for since the beginning. I preserved the girl for her knowledge once, but not again. Kill them, old man."
Odin's expression never wavered. "No."
Idun's jaw dropped. It took several seconds before she could find her voice. "What?"
"I said no, Idun. I'll not fight your battles for you."
"I'll forbid you the apples," she said. "You'll grow old and die."
"We'll see."
Idun gaped at Odin as if unable to accept his defiance. Odin just started at her, his face devoid of any emotion. Eventually, she looked away, as if unable to bear the weight of that one-eyed gaze. It took her a second to recover, and she turned to the other gods.
"Kill the mortals!"
Two gods leapt forward, one was the one handed man Henry had seen earlier, looking no less fierce for his handicap, and the other, a man in chain shirt and iron helm. Both carried long swords. Henry lifted his weapon, but he knew he couldn't stand against two of them. For a second, however, he didn't care. The sight of them filled him with a cold rage. Before he could do anything, Odin's voice rang through the air.
"Tyr, Hermod, hold!"
The command in those words was absolute. Even though it hadn't been directed at him, Henry found himself lowering his weapon. The pair of gods paused for a second, but took another step forward, though it obviously required great effort. Odin banged his spear against the ground again, and the armored gods struggled to maintain their balance as the ground shook. When it calmed, the pair glanced at Idun. Rage had twisted her expression so much Henry could hardly recognize her.
"What are you waiting for?" Her screech made her sound more like a little girl than a goddess. "I said kill them."
Odin stepped between the gods and Henry. He threw back his hood and shifted his shoulders. His robes fell to the ground. The figure beneath them was anything but an old man. His arms were thickly muscled, and he wore armor of interlocking scales. It glowed a faint orange. Long white hair had been tied in a single braid. He set his legs wide, and his knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip on his spear. The tip of the weapon gave off an angry red light. The mask of the wise old man vanished, and all signs of frailty melted away. This was no longer Odin the Wanderer who Henry had met on Hind Mountain. This was Odin, warrior king of a race of warrior gods, and as his gaze fell on the assembled deities, each one shrank back. Finally, he turned to Idun.
"No, Idun. They will not touch these mortals."
"You would dare?" She turned back to the gods. "Any who does not attack will never taste another apple. Die with the Allfather!"
The crowd took a hesitant step forward, but Odin simply shook his head and moved his spear point from god to god. They stopped and looked at each other.
"If they disobey you, they will die eventually. If they disobey me, they will die today."
"You can't fight them all," she said, no longer sounding sure of herself.
Odin smiled. "Are you so sure? Well, you may be right at that, but I wonder how many I could kill. It could be any one of them, and they know it. These are not your pet mortals, Idun. We have all lived for ages and still have an eternity before us. It is not so easy to risk that for the sake of one girl's tantrum."
"Tantrum?"
"Well, what else would you call it? You are one of us, Idun, and we do not shrink from combat. This is your battle. Face it yourself."
Idun glared at the gods. Most avoided meeting her gaze. A few glanced at Odin before shaking their heads. Idun was breathing heavily, but Henry felt himself calm down. Idun shrieked again and grabbed an ivory hilt at her belt that Henry hadn't noticed was there. She drew a long, thin blade and held it steadily before her. The silvery metal hummed as she moved it back and forth through the air.
Henry's mouth went dry. He'd always assumed that if it came down to a fight, he'd be able to beat Idun, but he'd underestimated her. She was still a Norse goddess, and the gods of Vikings were warriors all. Henry's sword hissed as he tightened his grip on the hilt. Steam swirled around the blad
e. Without needing to be told, the rest of the gods formed a wide circle around them. Odin took Andromeda's hand and led her to the circle where he stood next to her. A tall, blond woman stood at her other side. The one-eyed god nodded to him, and Henry set his feet and prepared to fight a goddess.
CHAPTER 37
Idun darted at him. Henry raised his sword, but she struck low, cutting a shallow gash across his leg. He tried to strike back, but she'd already danced out of the way. She gave him an evil grin and he took a step back. In the same instant, she lunged. Henry swung his sword in a desperate arc, knocking her sword away an instant before it skewered him. He slashed, but Idun slammed her blade down on his. The tip touched the ground, and she brought her foot down on it. He felt the sword slipping from his grasp, but she hissed and drew back. He withdrew his sword. A circle of ice had formed on the ground and a layer of frost had crawled up Idun's leg. She looked down at it, and Henry lunged, but Idun moved like a snake. She twisted out of the way and tried to strike, but her frozen leg threw her off balance. Henry lashed out at her left side, and she batted the attack aside. Their swords rang against each other, the anger inside Henry growing with every blow. Idun made it through his defenses several times and delivered a number of shallow cuts. Henry's sword only made it past her parries once, but even then, his sword bounced off armor that had been hidden by her dress.
He couldn't keep it up. The wounds Idun gave him piled up on top of the injuries he'd taken in Jotunheim. He felt himself slowing down. He had to do something risky and hope it ended better than his fight with Heimdall. Idun thrust and Henry pushed forward. Her blade pierced his shoulder, but his sank into her arm. Ice spread from her wound until her hand froze, and frost crept up her blade. Henry pulled back and slashed at her weapon. It shattered under his blow, and Idun fell back. Henry stood over her and held his sword at her neck.
Mimir's Well (The Oracles of Kurnugi Book 3) Page 15