Dead Chaos (A Valkyrie Novel - Book 3)(48)

A traditional Warrior’s funeral.



We dismounted, leaving the Sleipnir up on the hill and gathered at the shoreline as the pallbearers laid the boat down on the sandy beach. Above us it seemed the aurora borealis hung lower than ever. The horns had ceased blowing and silence and the slap of waves mixed in a strained partnership.

Movement around me announced my team’s arrival. I glanced at Joshua and Aimee as they flanked me. I’d hoped they’d be remembered as Sigrun’s friends and when I looked up I knew they would never have been forgotten.

Fenrir had arrived.

The General of the Ulfr Army had arrived in full regalia, including his helmet that hid most of his face. I looked up the hill behind me to find lines of Ulfr coming up between the lines of einherjar and Valkyries.

My throat spasmed on a sob. What a beautiful tribute. I didn't know if it was standard procedure for funerals, but it was a beautiful sight to behold. All three armies standing side by side, merged in their honoring of a fellow Warrior’s passing.

At last, silence fell upon the great gathering as Freya took her place beside the boat.

"We are here today to honor a Warrior. One who will be sorely missed. One who was a treasure to both Asgard’s and Hel’s Valkyrie contingents. Valkyrie Sigrun." A line of Valkyries walked into the clearing beside the boat, each bearing bundles of wood and rushes. They set about placing their bundles in the boat while the armies watched in silence. Another step closer to the end.

When the Valkyries had completed their task, they filed back up the hill and Freya turned to the boat. The pallbearers seemed to take her movement as their cue. They drew the vessel up off the ground in one smooth movement and walked straight into the water.

I clenched my fists, hating the finality of it. And then I remembered the leaf as its edges cut into the skin of my palm.

I moved without thinking. Leaving Aimee and Joshua, I hurried to the boat and stepped into the waves, uncaring that water would soon soak into my leather sandals. I paused beside the boat and my eyes took in Sigrun’s face. Her hands were folded onto her chest, and within her fingers, she held the hilt of her sword.

At a loss as to where to place the leaf, I hesitated, then placed it at the base of her throat. Had she worn it as a necklace, that’s where it would sit right now. Perfect.

I took one last look at my dearest friend and waded out of the water back to my team. The pallbearers followed me and took positions at the edge of the waterline. A rush of boot steps interrupted us as a small group of black-garbed einherjar arrived, pulling a cart bearing bows and arrows.

They drew closer to us and handed a bow and arrow each to Fen and me. The arrows were tipped with thickly wound rushes similar to a torch.

"Follow my lead," Fen said as he came up beside me. I watched him, grasped the arrow as he did, and followed him to the cart, which held a barrel filled with black liquid, oil. Fen dipped the rushes into the oil and waited for me to do the same. Done, I stood beside him as a Warrior lit a torch. Behind me, I heard the rush of air as many more torches were lit.

A glance behind us confirmed the hillside was filled with brightly lit torches. Another beautiful tribute.

I turned my attention to the Warrior who approached and touched his torch to the rushes on our arrows. Both flamed in an angry burst. Fen held the burning arrow and walked to the edge of the water. While we’d been busy with the arrows, the boat containing Sigrun had ridden the waves farther into the lake.

I drew up beside him and placed the arrow in the bow, ready to shoot it with Fen.

Fen’s face remained hidden, his emotions safely tucked away behind his helmet. I supposed the same applied to me, but I wanted to comfort him in some way.

When he lifted his bow, he brought me back to the present. I raised my bow in time with Fen.

"Ready?" He glanced over at me and I met his gaze, giving him the tiniest nod.

He turned back to the lake and settled into a concentrated state. He breathed, drew back and let go. And I let him be the one to light the fire first.

I only shot my arrow after the first flames began to burn on the boat in the middle of the lake.

I shot the arrow and whispered good-bye to the best friend I’d ever had.









Chapter 44




Aimee, Joshua and I walked away from the lake, and I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do rather than go back to my room and curl up on my bed. But my need to mope was curtailed by a Huldra who hurried toward our silent group as we approached the palace doors. She smiled, although her grin didn't display the usual Huldra cheer.

"Valkyrie Brynhildr, you are requested in Odin's hall. It is a matter of utmost urgency." I nodded my thanks.

We hurried to Odin's hall in silence, my thoughts focused more on everything that had happened the last few weeks. We’d identified Loki as a threat, one who now seemed very threatened by me, very angered by my choices. I didn't really care though. But we couldn't deny that Loki was still a danger.

At least Heimdall and Gjallerhorn were both home and the gods could be summoned as soon as Ragnarok threatened our peace.

As we drew closer, Joshua's fingers squeezed mine and I realized we'd been holding hands the entire time. Joshua had been giving me silent strength all along. He’d been relentless in his friendship with me. Always honest, always open. He’d been my protector and my savior so many times. And to know he would be there for me in the future made my heart swell to almost painful. "Do you want us with you? The summons had been only for you."

"Yes, you guys come with me. I'm alone enough as it is."

"You'll never be alone, Bryn." Aimee's voice was firm as she squeezed my arm. She let go as we entered the open doors to the hall of the All-Father.

I hadn't expected so many people.

Heimdall and Tyra, Frigga and Eir. Even Thor and his brother Vidarr all gathered at the dais before one of the thrones. My heart lurched when I thought perhaps Odin had returned. But he was still stuck in the in-between place which made him neither alive nor dead.

As we approached, the group drew apart to welcome us. None seemed annoyed that I'd brought reinforcements.

Frigga reached a hand out to me. "Brynhildr, there is someone here to see you." She took my hand and guided me to the dais and I gasped in surprise and joy to see Odin seated on his throne. I climbed the dais to stand beside him, uncaring if it seemed rude to pounce upon the god now that he had finally returned to us.

"My lord, you are really here." My eyes ran over him, taking the slight fuzziness to his body. "But what's wrong? You're not solid."

"I am here, Bryn, but I still remain intangible, non-corporeal. I haven't yet found a way to return fully from my mercurial prison."

My gaze flitted to Hugin and Munin sitting on the armrests on either side of Odin. And Geri and Freki, who lay at Odin's feet. I smirked. His pets knew where they belonged. When I realized Odin held Gungnir in his shadowy fist, I frowned. I'd lost track of the spear, having been unconscious for a while. The last I recalled seeing it was on the Bifrost with Tyra returning from Jotunnheim.

I said nothing though. The spear hadn't been mine to begin with. Neither were the wolves or the birds.

"My lord, what can I do for you? Tell me what I need to do to save you." I almost begged him. I’d just lost my dearest friend. I didn’t think I could bear to lose Odin.

Odin shook his head. "Breaking Loki’s magic is not for you to concern yourself with, my dear. Quite honestly, this is between Loki and myself. But, I am able to return home now, if only for a short amount of time."

I smiled. A short time is so much better than none at all.

Odin leaned forward and tilted the spear to me. "Take it, it is yours henceforth."

"But —"

"Brynhildr it is time you knew who you really are." Odin rose and stood before me, placing one hand on my shoulder. It felt strange to have his almost-solid hand on my body. Sort of warm, sort of weightless. "You have the genes of Brunhilde in your veins. To us in the nine realms, this means you are one and the same. And because of this, the truth must be revealed." Odin paused, turning to the gods and Warriors gathered. "Behold, people of Asgard, Brynhildr, Valkyrie and daughter of Odin."

Someone gasped. It could have been me but I had no idea.

Daughter of Odin. It made no sense.

And yet it made perfect sense.

Everything made sense: the way Odin had acted from the beginning, personally sending Sigrun to bring me to Asgard, watching over me, even taking me to Hel to deliver the elixir to save Aidan. How he’d entrusted me with Hugin, and then his wolves and spear.

Everything fell into place.

My heart swelled with emotion, to have this god who'd been my constant protector reveal himself as my father, however convoluted that connection happened to be, had enough of an emotional kick to stun me into silence.

"Does Loki know?" I whispered the words, somehow still afraid to speak them aloud. I didn’t dare look around to see what Aimee and Joshua were thinking.

"Everyone knew Brunhilde was my child, but as to how much of Bryn is Brunhilde? That is an open-ended question. Until I accepted you as my child, Loki would have remained unsure."

"So now he will know." Odin nodded, the image of him fading and then strengthening. "So when he made me choose between my wings and the start of Ragnarok, he was playing a hunch?"