That was simple,Freja says.What were the others complaining about?
“I chose you,” I whisper.“That’s what made it simple.”
You chose me?Freja laughs then, and it’s a fine sound.Well, that’s a first, isn’t it?I hope we’ll get along well together, then, little one.
Getting along with a vanir would be a first, from what I hear.The vanir and their earth childrenneverget along.As the bond settles into place, I feel just what they described to me.It’s like a net has been thrown over my mind, and I allow it to settle, keeping the one tidy packet of knowledge hidden in a far corner, well behind the net.
I can’t help my smile, as I contemplate the next few months.
The trickiest part of our plan actually worked.Gorm and I are here, bonded to the most powerful of the vanir, and now we just have to bide our time.
Come along, Freja says.We have a lot to do today, so I’ll just get you settled in my cavern.You can clean it while I’m gone.
Clean it?Fabulous.At least cleaning’s honest work.
She crouches down, and I’m not sure why until I realize she thinks I’m going to climb on her back.At first, I resist.The vanir don’t usually allow their ensnared to ride them.They’re forced to trot along below, catching up if or when they ever can.Freja has been known to take her more capable ensnared along in times of war, however.And that might make my ultimate goal much easier.
Our plan was to somehow coordinate when and how I should kill myself so that I can do it while she’s at war—but if I’m with her, that’s much simpler to time.
She uses the bond to push me into climbing on her back right as I decide to do it.Almost the second I’ve sat down, reaching my hands to gasp her shoulder joints, she leaps into the air, her wings pumping wildly.My right hand slips, and I slide down her back, almost plummeting to my death.Just before I’ve fallen, I manage to catch one of her back ridges, and I hold onto it with all my might.
As she banks and then drops without warning, sailing through the opening of a large cavern, I sense that she’s amused.Not bad for a newly-ensnared.You’ll improve.When she lands, I slide off her back and realize she has two dozen other earth children there already, waiting.I should’ve assumed.It’s what the vanir do.
This is your initial team.You may be assigned others, but for now, gain control over them and set them to work.They can clean your chamber as well, which is near the end, by the entrance.It hasn’t been cleaned in many days, since the death of my last bright, so it might be in bad shape.
I don’t say anything in response.She doesn’t appear to be looking for one.
I’m surprised when she crouches beside me.If one of the gods offered you a gift, would you prefer the strength to endure or the power to dominate your enemies?
“Do you jest?”I look around.“As an earth child, I’m not likely to gain the power to dominate over you, am I?”
No, I suppose not.She laughs.You’re entertaining.
“I’d choose the strength to endure,” I say.“It’s the most realistic gift for me.”
I suppose that’s what I should expect from a slave.She eyes me for a moment, and then she turns to leave.Just before she launches from the edge, she turns back.I’ve lost quite a few ensnared earth children in the past few months.I’d like to keep up with you longer.It’s quite tiring, always suffering their loss and then training a new one.What do you say to receiving some education in physical combat to make you less vulnerable?
Combat?Why would she want to train me in combat?
You couldn’t use it on me, of course.She narrows her eyes, and I feel her push the command as she says the words,You will never use a blade or any other weapon against me or harm me in any way.You will not use poison, and you will not conspire with others to poison or cut or harm me in any way.
I bow my head.
No.She snorts.Don’t bow or scrape.I don’t like it.
I meet her eye.“I would be willing to train, if it would please you.”
You know, little one, I think it would.
“Gyda,” I say.“My name’s Gyda.”
I’ll be back soon, Gyda.Be ready to learn.
15
Axel
The moment I come for Liz this time, she’s ready.
