by M. H. Bonham
My thoughts spun as Tyr and Elryn talked about Thor, but I didn’t really hear them. My father was in Asgard? Why didn’t Elryn tell me this? I had grown up without a dad since he died ending the Drow invasion but somehow lost his life closing the last portal. Could I have a chance to meet him?
Tyr smiled kindly. “Yes, I know Evrardin. He sacrificed his life so that you would have a world in without fear of the Drow that you could grow up. Freyja was quick to grab him before the other pantheons had a chance to take him.”
I blinked. “Other pantheons?”
“Well, the angels tried to snag him, as well as Hades and the Morrigan, but the Valkyries pretty much have the run of the battlefields. So, they grabbed him before anyone else.” He shrugged. “Had I known you were here, I would’ve brought him to Valhalla.”
“He doesn’t come by here much?”
“Not really. He tends to visit our libraries, keep his magic current, and train for Ragnarok.”
“Wait, you have libraries?” I did a doubt take. “I thought the Norse Vikings didn’t even have books.”
Tyr laughed. “Dude, this is the 21st century. We have the Net and the Enchanted Forest, you know.”
I blinked. The Enchanted Forest was the Virtual Reality Net-within-a-Net. Most Normals needed augmentation hardware to access it, but Supernaturals, including many wizards, could tap into the network with their magic because the network ran close to the same brain waves as biological beings. Werewolves discovered it first and since that time other Supes had claims on part of it. Apparently the Norse pantheon had made the leap into the 21st century big time. “Wow, I had no idea.”
“Times change.” Tyr shrugged. A Valkyrie walked by us, carrying a tray of mugs. Tyr reached out with his right arm, only to realize he was missing his hand. “Damn, you know I’m still not used to the handicap.” He glared at the stump and a silver hand and wrist appeared where a normal hand should have been. “You know, everyone expects me to keep the handicap like this is a badge of honor, but quite honestly, I prefer having full mobility.” He grasped a mug and nodded for me to take another mead. Rather than offend the god, I did. “I got the idea from Nuada Airgetlám. When he lost his arm, Dian Cecht gave him a new one out of silver. Mine works much better, though.” He took a swig of mead.
I took a sip and enjoyed the burn of the honey-sweet liquid going down my throat. “Your stories are similar in some ways.”
“Yeah, but he didn’t take an oath that cost him his hand.” Tyr shook his head. “I betrayed a friend for the good of the Universes. Even though he had done no wrong to me.” His gray eyes looked downcast as he studied the mead. “I’d make it up to him if I could.”
I knew the story. After Loki brought his son Fenrir, a young wolf, to Asgard, a seeress foretold that Fenrir would kill Odin in Ragnarok, the final battle at the end of the Universes. Tyr had been Fenrir’s caretaker. In order to chain Fenrir with a magical chain called Gleipnir, Tyr had agreed to put his hand in the wolf’s mouth to assure Fenrir that they would remove the chain. The Asgardians didn’t and Tyr lost his hand. Apparently, the wound cut deep into the god and not just physically.
Elryn nudged me, nearly causing me to commit alcohol abuse and spill my mead. “Hey! Thor and Jörmungandr are here!”
We all turned to watch the fight of all time.
Thanks for reading Wolfsbane. Get Your Own Copy HERE.
Other Books by MH BONHAM
The Ironspell Chronicles Series
That Dragon was in No Way my Fault
A Date with a Werewolf
Alchemist Rules
Elfshot
Wolfsbane
The Swords of Destiny Series
Prophecy of Swords
Runestone of Teiwas
Lachlei
Daemons and Shadows
Serpent Singer and Other Stories
The King’s Champion
Other Books
Howling Dead
Samurai Son