“Just hear her out. If you aren’t happy with what she says, I’ll trust you, and we’ll leave.”
Gus and his logic were beyond annoying, but a place to rest where I wasn’t being held like an infant didn’t sound so bad.
“Fine, but I will decide.”
I wouldn’t budge on that, or let him get caught in the snare of one who would promise riches and wonders, only to watch Gus slip into the Gap with a smile on their face.
“Agreed.” Gus stood a little taller and smiled at Mrs. Porter. “We’ll follow you.”
She nodded, but I saw her watching out of the corner of her eye as she turned to lead us up the stairs into the building behind her. I hated that I had to rely on Gus for support, and couldn’t stride up to her and let her know she couldn’t fool me.
I wasn’t sure what to expect—I’d never been in the midst of a charlatan before. My only hope was that I’d have the strength to fight, if it came down to that. It wasn’t something I wanted to deal with, especially while having to keep track of Gus while I was weak.
Things were not looking good.
The inside of Mrs. Porter’s home was decorated in a simple style. Clean, warm, and inviting. It wasn’t what I expected. There were family pictures on the walls, soft furniture in muted colors, and rune markings.
How could it be possible that the woman would know the marks for life balance and clear sight? Could she really be able to connect with Valhalla?
Mrs. Porter gestured for Gus and I to sit on the sofa, while she sat in an oversized chair and tucked her feet underneath her. Thin, blonde hair fell onto her shoulders, and inquisitive, gray eyes watched me.
“I’ve never met one, of course, but I’m guessing you’re a Valkyrie.”
I stared at her. “I don’t know how you can see me. How is that possible?”
“I’m not a psychic, but I can receive visions and impressions on occasions when Odin needs me to communicate to those in this realm. I don’t ask for it, and I never know when it will happen, it just does. I’m not going to be the one to tell Odin he’s mistaken by using me that way.”
There were seers, that was true. There were also those who could read the runes and call upon the seiðr. But how was I supposed to know if this woman was telling the truth? That she really communicated with Odin and not evil?
“Mrs. Porter, Niasa mentioned that she’s concerned you may be working with darker forces and using your gifts for deceptive purposes. Can you offer any proof that you work with Odin?” Gus was holding my hand again and squeezed it when he finished talking.
I needed to get home if for no other reason than to stop all this touching.
“Those against Odin cannot speak his name within a deception. Perhaps if you would like to ask me something that only Odin would know, I can call upon him, and you can check me,” Mrs. Porter said.
“No! I mean . . . That would not be a good idea right now.”
I didn’t mean to blurt it out, but I couldn’t risk the woman being genuine, and informing Odin where I was and what I’d done. I didn’t have the answers I needed yet.
“Answer this for me. You said you’ve never met one like me, but have you seen another Valkyrie?”
“To be honest, no. I’d always assumed that the Valkyries only went to battlefields, so unless I was living in one of the many war zones, I’d not have the opportunity. I’m more than a little curious about what brings you here.” She turned her focus away from me. “Bethany always had a crush on you, Gus, when the two of you were in grammar school. It’s not surprising that you earned a glorious death, although I’m sorry to know it was so soon in your life.”
I smirked when I saw Gus blush. But, I sobered quickly at Mrs. Porter’s sadness over Gus’s early entrance into Valhalla.
“It doesn’t matter why I’m here or what Gus did. We need to know if we can trust you, or we need to leave,” I said, bringing the conversation back to what was important.
“What can she do?” Gus turned to face me and looked genuinely concerned that I didn’t have an answer.
My weakness had him truly alarmed Though he should be, since I was sure that if I slipped into the Gap, he would too.
Though his ability to last without me when we went up against the brute was a good sign for him.
“You can answer this question for me. How do I travel here?”
Mrs. Porter stared at me so intensely that I squirmed. I should have asked a different question.
“Your kind use a diverted section of the Bifrost that allows travel between Midgard and Valhalla. But you . . . are different, somehow. Your travel isn’t a straight line—it’s confusing.” The petite woman sat straighter in her chair, and her eyes grew wide as she shook her head slightly.
“This isn’t where you’re supposed to be.” Then she gasped, covering her mouth with her fingers. “We aren’t either,” she whispered.
Gus stared at me with lines across his forehead, as though he could see all the way into my brain. I was grateful he couldn’t, but then wondered what that would be like. What if I had to look like a draugar? One of those nebulous beings, with their skin cracked and ugly? I shivered and realized I’d lost track of my thoughts.
Gus still stared at me. I needed to get out of Midgard. It was harder to focus through the pain in my head.
“It was a general question. Your answer was correct about the Bifrost, but I don’t know what you mean otherwise. It’s good enough.” I didn’t need anymore internal probing. Even if Mrs. Porter could receive visions, she’d said herself the she couldn’t communicate on her own. I didn’t know what good any of this was going to do.
“Do you think she could help get in touch with your friend that works in your harvester hall? Isn’t that what you called it?”
How had he remembered that? Had I told him that? I pressed my fingers between my brows. “I don’t know. It’s late, so she would be at the feast, or home by now. Not in the hall.”
Mrs. Porter had been silently staring at me while Gus and I debated. Finally, she put her feet onto the floor and sat up tall. “Perhaps, it’s better not to poke into some details, anyway. If you tell me who your friend is and give me a bit of information, I can try to communicate with her. I have tried on occasion to instigate contact, but I didn’t have anyone specific to speak with.”
“You’ve never known anyone who went to Valhalla?”
That didn’t make sense. How could she not know a single warrior who’d died in glory and was bound for Odin’s army? Something about that seemed wrong.
“Maybe you should describe Gertie, and let Mrs. Porter try to contact her. Even if she isn’t in the hall, she might be able to hear the message.”
I didn’t want to listen to Gus again, and I huffed. More to let him know my annoyance than anything else. If the plan worked, it would be the best option we had.
I could feel the weight of my wings on my back. They hung heavy and caused my shoulders to ache, almost as much as my head.
Finally, I relented.
“Gertie is not quite as tall as me, maybe up to my ear, and she’s muscular. She looks like a warrior, rather than a gangly yearling colt like me.”
Mrs. Porter smiled. “Your proportions are much more attractive than you give yourself credit for.”
“Anyway,” I began again, “She has brown hair, big, dark brown eyes, and a lot of freckles over her pale face. She usually wears her hair in one long plait down her back. If she’s at the feast, she could be on the dance floor. She likes that. If she’s in her room, she’ll already be asleep.”
I smiled to myself, remembering when we started training as Valkyries together. Gert and I had been partners on an overnight survival training exercise. When it was time to pack it in for the night, she’d fallen asleep instantly, but I didn’t get a single moment’s rest. I hated sleeping outside.
“Is that enough to go on?” Gus asked Mrs. Porter.
“It should be. Can you give me some details about where
the feast is held, so I can try to focus on the correct space? We’ll try there first, and if that doesn’t work, then you can tell me about her room.”
Mrs. Porter kept her focus on me, and it was a little unnerving. She’d sat up with both feet on the floor, and kept picking at her cuticles.
“The hall is large—about five hundred paces across and eight hundred in length. It’s held up by the pillars of distinction that line each side, and many fire rings throughout the space cause the golden shields on the ceiling to shimmer, casting a warm glow. It’s one of the most beautiful places in all Asgard, I’m told.”
“That matches a picture I saw in a book once. Impressive that the painter had it right. That will make a difference, I believe. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to close my eyes and concentrate.”
Gus and I nodded and said nothing. I expected her to burn some incense or light a candle or something, but she just sat there in the quiet, not moving.
Somewhere, something ticked incessantly, and a hum floated in from the kitchen. I started to flag again and slumped back into the cushions of the sofa while we waited.
Gus shook my shoulder, but I pushed him away. I just wanted to rest my eyes for a couple minutes while Mrs. Porter did whatever she was doing. He didn’t need to worry about me letting go of him . . . his fingers were so tight, I couldn’t move mine.
“Niasa, wake up,” he whispered from what sounded like too far away to be right next to me.
“I’m only resting, just give me a few minutes.”
“You’ve been asleep for an hour.”
I popped my eyes open and sprang forward from the cushions. “What?”
That couldn’t be, I’d just closed my eyes.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to hear her, but I’ve made contact with Gertie. She’s told me that she’ll make her way into the harvester hall—it will be easier to help you make the trip back to Valhalla that way.”
“We’re waiting for her to contact Mrs. Porter again, but you were so still that I wanted to wake you,” Gus said while he stared at me.
“The harvester hall had a disturbance recently, and no one is supposed to go there without permission. Gertie will have trouble getting back to you,” I said.
I decided I didn’t need to address Gus’s concerned look. I knew I probably looked horrid, I didn’t need any more of his hovering. Instead, I needed to concentrate on how Gert was going to get us back, and what to do about Gus once we got there. I didn’t want him to end up the same as Stuart, if that could be helped.
Perhaps if he was able to figure out the lay of the land better before he had to fight, he’d come up with a better plan. Maybe I could even find a way for him to train Stuart.
“When Gertie gets back to us, and we make it back, I don’t think you should go to the induction hall right away,” I said without thinking.
“Afraid you’ll miss me too much?” he smirked.
“You understand that I could kill you, right?”
“I believe you’ve already done that,” he said with a wink.
How was he flirting in a moment like this? He was so aggravating.
“I was thinking that it would give you time to learn the ways of Valhalla, and maybe even train a few of the einherjar in tactical combat before you have to go to the battlefield. Someone brought it to my attention, before I came here, that we might need a different system for integrating those who have strategic skills. And I didn’t kill you . . . You managed that on your own.”
Before Gus could come back with a witty reply, Mrs. Porter gasped and closed her eyes, drawing our attention. When she opened them again, her gray eyes had changed to a dark brown. I didn’t know how it had worked, but Gertie was staring at me out of Mrs. Porter’s eyes.
22
It had worked. Not only had Mrs. Porter been an effective helper, but my friend had managed to break into the harvester hall and use Mrs. Porter as a channel to speak to us.
“Gertie?”
I wanted to be sure I was correct.
“I don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into, but you’re lucky I was able to get back in here, Niasa. Toril has been making her case for your immediate trial, and things are really tense. I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to return yet.”
“She doesn’t have a choice,” Gus said. His commanding voice caused Mrs. Porter’s face to turn to him.
Or was it Gertie’s?
I didn’t want to think too hard about that.
“Oh, are you kidding me?” Sarcasm dripped from Gert’s voice. “Niasa, is that your assignment?”
“In a way.” I smiled at her, hoping she would be charmed into believing me. Then I laughed out loud.
I was really losing my mind if I thought I had any charm.
“He’s the one I’m bringing back, but something’s happening, Gertie—”
I had to stop and cough, the effort of talking had already worn me out and stolen my breath.
“Gertie, I’m Gus. We spoke before. Regardless of the fact that I’m not the one who’s supposed to return with Niasa, I’m the one coming. She isn’t capable of making the trip on her own, and I don’t know how or if I can get us there.”
“What’s wrong? Why can’t you fly, Niasa? Did you get injured?”
“Stop and listen. I can’t talk for long,” I coughed again. “I can’t breathe—”
It was easier to let Gus tell her. I tapped my fingers on his thigh and pointed to the Mrs. Porter communicator.
“Her breathing is labored, she’s weakened, and the last time she tried to use her wings, the landing didn’t go well. There’s no way she can make it through the Gap to get us to Valhalla.”
Gertie’s eyes stared at Gus without blinking. It was unnerving to me, but he sat as calm and composed as ever.
“I would come to you if I could, but as hard as I’ve tried to locate you, I can’t. We don’t travel through the Gap—no one does. That’s not how it works. There is a way for you to bring her, but it’s difficult, and I’ve never known anyone who’s managed it. If we fail, you’ll both be lost.”
Gus didn’t hesitate for a second before he answered.
“Tell me what to do.”
I don’t know why it surprised me, but I felt the sting of tears and had to duck my head. I needed to get home.
Gus and Gertie were still talking, and I could hear their voices, but I stopped trying to listen. It was too much effort. Whatever she explained, I hoped Gus could make it back—even if I didn’t.
I bounced sideways and realized that Gus had bumped into me to get my attention again.
“What? Stop doing that.”
“Did you hear anything she said?”
“No. You did, though. It’s up to you, cadet.” I half-heartedly saluted.
“Gus, I’ll be there, but good luck.” Mrs. Porter closed her eyes and her chin fell to her chest.
I swallowed hard and found myself squeezing Gus’s hand. “Now what?”
“We have to find our way to the Bifrost, then Gertie will be able to locate and escort us from there. Apparently, you’re off the grid. Did you know that?”
“I’m not sure what you mean. I just go where the scroll says.”
“How do you normally get here? I never thought to ask that,” Gus said.
“I . . . I don’t remember right now. I fly. How about you just lead the way, and I’ll follow. What are we supposed to do about her?” I pointed to Mrs. Porter, who slept peacefully, if the line of drool trickling out the side of her mouth was an indication.
“She’ll need to sleep for a while, I guess, but Gertie said she’ll be okay.”
That was good, she seemed nice.
“Then let’s get moving. Why aren’t you getting up?”
“Gertie said that if we waited until morning, your commander would be able to come and get us, and it would be easier. Maybe we should wait here and do that.”
“My head is pounding, and I’m feeling dizzy, but I’m sure
that’s a bad idea. I’ll be thrown into the Gap, and you’ll be killed horribly day after day on the battlefield. I just want to go home, Gus.”
“All right.” He stood and aided me to my feet.
I stumbled after him as we left Mrs. Porter sleeping in her chair, and softly closed the door behind us. I wondered if she’d even remember us or think it was all a dream. Perhaps that had happened more often than I’d realized: those who have dreams they can’t explain, that are really messages from Odin.
Maybe I’d be able to ponder that as I floated in the gray ooze of the Gap, instead of all the mistakes I’d ever made.
I was so busy contemplating the nature of other-realm communication, I hadn’t noticed that I wasn’t walking. Gus had picked me up again. I stiffened, ready to complain, but it was too comfortable, and I was too tired. Besides, I was positive my head had long ago split in two. It must have been only my hair keeping the halves together. I giggled—I was such a mess.
“What’s so funny?” The words echoed in my ear when they rumbled out of Gus’s chest.
“I am. There’s a lot of mirth in my brain, Gus.”
“You’re delirious. We need to hurry.”
“Where are we going? Ouch, slow down, my head hurts.”
Even with the cushion of curls, it still felt like my brain wanted to slide back and forth against my skull with every jogging step Gus made.
“I can’t, you’re getting worse.”
“You worry too much. We’ll be fine.” Then I thought Gus must have fallen because I felt a sensation like floating. If he tripped and let go of me, would that mean we were both in danger still? I didn’t want that to happen. Right then it was the most important thing I’d ever wanted and I willed myself to pay attention. I saw Gus in front of me, his eyes were wide and fear radiated from them. It took all of my concentration and the pain spiked to unbearable levels, but I reached out and grabbed his shirt and yanked as hard as I could.
Then next thing I knew we were both landing with a thud on the concrete.
Time Magic Page 15