“We are preparing to explore the ancient ruins of Makt’s Temple, and we need to know what manner of horrors we will encounter and how to gain entry. I thought summoning Ingvar, as the other patron God in Skalor, might be beneficial."
“Oh, Aurie, there is much you will see. Spiders, rats, a lot of dust.” He adds dismissively.
Ingvar leers over him, cracking his knuckles. “Why don’t you fully explain everything, Briny? I’m sure they need to knoweverythingyou have kept from your boy and Maeve’s beautiful daughter.”
Grandpapi frowns. “My hands are tied, Ingvar. What any of us can share islimited.”
“Is that what you tell Maeve?”
Briny spins around, slamming into him. “Leave her out of this!”
“You and Freyr have done a fine job of that already.”
Oh gods.How did this situation get worse?
Aura cringes at the idea of the three patron gods of Treland passing their time in bed together.
And what are the gods hiding from my family?
Briny has been an open book since her birth. He and her father even have regular conversations in the Guardian Mausoleum.
Calder whistles again. “Children!”
Ingvar stumbles away this time as Briny moves protectively closer to Aura.
“Can either of you explain what we are facing and how to enter Makt’s Temple?” Aura is losing patience.
The God of War cackles, crossing his arms. “You focus on the wrong aspects of your journey, halvgud. This mission is fraught with other dangers. The most deadly threat is closer than you realize.”
Calder growls, “Say what you mean, Ingvar.” His words soundeerily like her father’s, and times like these serve as a chilling reminder of their connection.
“We gods are not omniscient, much to your humans’ dismay. Although spending enough time in the mortal realm and visiting seers helps us develop a kind of hindsight.” He gestures to Aura. “You summoned me. I speak to you alone, halvgud.”
Briny and Calder huff, leaving her alone with the God of War.
As Calder steps back, he signals to her that he will remain close by.
“What do you know?” She asks, recognizing that this idea was poor and Calder was right.
As usual.
The God of War circles her, sniffing as he passes. “You smell so much like her–determination and fire.”
Who?
“My Maeve. I do not care what that idiot Briny thinks. She belongs to me.” He turns on the Princess as if suddenly remembering she is still in the room. “For Maeve, I shall tell you what I know.”
She could almost dance with happiness.
He tilts his head, examining her. “Makt is the God of Power and values personal involvement in all his ventures. Expect his temple to reflect this. He may even visit you. Given your traveling companion, I doubt you’ll have trouble accessing anything inside.”
“How can we kill him?”
Ingvar’s cackle is unsettling. “You are adorable, halvgud, but I will not disclose our weaknesses.”
Her shoulders fall.
“Contrary to popular opinion, I do care about my realm.” He adjusts his bearskin cloak. “I have followed your quest with great interest. Trust me when I say the worst is yet to come for you, halvgud.”
