Chapter 33

The blinding silver-blue light gave me hope that we had made it to the bifrost. The numbness of my limbs prevented me from determining if the swipe I'd seen coming had landed.

I let myself float in the nothingness, trying to come to terms with my own death. Monster from Jötunheimr or poison shutting down my organs while I lay helpless in the hospital. Neither choice was on my list of top ten ways to kick the bucket.

The jerk pulling me out of my passive state wasn't welcome, but it wasn't unwelcome either. I stumbled over my feet and fell to my knees. Looking up, I found Mercy leaning over me, concern written on her face.

"If you do that long enough, your face will freeze like that," I muttered.

The Valkyrie frowned. "You must be okay. You are being snarky."

I shrugged, scrambling to my feet. "I'll be snarky until I'm in the grave," I warned. "It isn't a good indicator of my well-being."

She rolled her eyes.

I looked around, recognizing the area. "Hey! We're back at Valhalla. Yay. Full circle."

Mercy nodded. "I figured this was as good a place as any to regroup. Better than most, in fact."

I nodded, suddenly feeling the strain of our grand tour. I hobbled a few feet, exaggerating my exhaustion. "Race ya."

Mercy shook her head. "You would lose."

I nodded. "Yup, but you'd feel better."

She put her arm through mine, and we climbed the hill to the hall of Odin. She pushed me through the doorway without preamble.

"You rest," she said. "Then we continue."

I nodded, making my way through the tables to the room I'd rested in before. It looked the same, and I suddenly felt comfortable.

When I was rested and refreshed, I made my way out to the table where I'd spoken to Mercy and Rade... Had it only been a few days ago?

I shook my head. Time was so fluid and subjective here, I wasn't sure.

Rade was nowhere to be found, and Mercy had already set up a platter of meats, cheeses, fruits and flatbread. As I plopped down beside her, she pushed the food toward me and filled a pair of cups with a fruit infused water.

I ate, knowing it was more about feeding my spirit than anything else. The familiar act of eating, though, gave me a sense of calm and rightness in the world. Mercy simply watched and waited.

I took another swig from the cup and smiled at her.

"Better?" she asked.

"Much. It's amazing how one can need a snack even without a body." I grinned.

Her laugh was more relaxed than I'd heard from her in a while.

"So what was that thing?" I asked. "The naked cat creature?"

The Valkyrie shook her head. "I've never seen that one before. I don't know. It seemed... wrong." She frowned. "I've encountered many jötun, many monsters, all around the world. That one was... odd."

I frowned, but Mercy had already changed the subject.

"You said you needed to do something?" she asked. "Or you had an idea?"

I nodded. "I have some knowledge in my mind, but not easily accessed." I caught her curious look. "Skald and the Well of Urdr... You know, that kind of thing. I need to try to access that knowledge, I think. But I'll need quiet time to do so."

"Okay," the Valkryie said. "Just use the room and wherever else you would be comfortable doing that. Let me know when you are done. I'll spread the word that you aren't to be disturbed during that time."

I nodded. "It might take a while," I warned.

Mercy smiled wryly. "Remembering can be like that."