Hardship.
Fate.
An ominous sign under the best of circumstances, but at this time and place, under the mighty roots of Yggdrasil, on the night of a blessing ritual, it felt loaded with destiny. Touched by theNornir.
The rune felt heavy in his hand. Was this a sign meant for him, or did it concern Odin’s little spawn? Just his luck to stumble across this symbol of misfortune. Odin wouldn’t be happy about a bad omen for his firstborn on this fateful night, and Njord was tempted to present him with the ill-boding rune for exactly that reason. He cared not for Odin’s touchiness, but Frigga needn’t be troubled with distress when her child was to be blessed. The Queen of Asgard was one of the fewÆsirNjord was able to tolerate, after all. He slipped the rune into his pouch, deciding to keep the secret for now. Its true meaning was anyone’s guess either way.
It didn’t take long before the sacred place was swarming with Odin’s guests. The feast in Asgard’s Great Hall had been going on since the forenoon, and by now many a god and giant were drunk on mead.
Njord side-stepped a staggering frost giant, his mood darkening further. What a waste of time.
He spotted Ahti, weaving through the ever-growing crowd, a smug smile on her lips. She had donned her most impressive leather armor and a coat made from the pelt of a white bear she had hunted and killed herself, contrasting beautifully with her flowing brown hair. Impressive as it was, the whole get-up seemed a little warm for a balmy summer evening. But the sweat on her brow didn’t seem to dim Ahti’s high spirits.
“Where have you been lurking the whole time? Vellamo finally noticed me, and I could have used your assistance.”
“You don’t need my assistance,” Njord said dryly.
He spotted Queen Vellamo at some distance, noticing with amusement how her sharp gaze followed his sister.
“She winked at me! She’s so cute, and beautiful, and also powerful, and clever,” Ahti babbled.
“Great.”
“But Bergelmir was slithering after her like the pathetic worm he is and made it impossible to talk to her in private.”
“I have an inkling that you will soon have the opportunity to talk to her.”
“Huh?”
Behind his sister’s back, Vellamo caught Njord’s gaze. When she was sure he saw her, she gave a small nod before slipping away between Yggdrasil’s low-hanging branches.
“You’re awaited.”
Njord motioned with his head where Vellamo had vanished, and Ahti’s eyes lit up.
“Vellamo?” Her tone was breathless.
“Who else?”
“ByHel’stits!” Ahti was already moving. “See you, brother. And with that, she disappeared into the crowd.
Njord sighed. Young love. He was happy for his sister, but he would’ve liked to talk to her about the strange omen. Ahti was a powerfulvalaand could be a masterful seeress if she put hermind to it. But this particular topic would have to wait. Maybe it was for the best anyway. Odin had his eyes and ears everywhere, and Njord was determined to keep this secret from him. He just had to be ready for a long, tedious night.
Shaking his head in annoyance, he watched someJotunnchieftains already quarreling with a bunch of Asgardian warriors. Odin’s highborn guests were trampling all over this sacred place.
The night could have been perfect for the ritual, silent and sacred, but Odin had to ruin everything by making it a public spectacle just to flaunt his status. Njord stayed in the background. He wouldn’t want to spoil his sister’s evening by picking a fight, and the rune in his pouch felt like the weight of an anchor dragging him down.
“You don’t seem to enjoy yourself, Shipbreaker.”
He didn’t flinch, but it was a close thing.
Frigga had snuck up on him, which should have been impossible given the fact that she carried a wailing infant in her arms.
“Too many people. And inviting nobles from all over the Nine Worlds might be asking for trouble.”
His grumbled words made the golden Queen of Asgard laugh.
“The occasion calls for a magnificent feast, don’t you think?”
