Sif swallowed. “A price?”
“You.”
“Me!” replied Sif in disbelief. “What do you mean, me?”
“You want my sword? I want you.”
“I don’t even know what that means!”
“I will fight on your behalf. And in exchange, you will be my woman. You will share my bed. I will follow your wishes, but you will obey my commands,” replied Hakon.
“Hakon, don’t be ridiculous,” said Sif, her anger clearly rising. “I’ve sworn an oath to the Ironwood, to become a spellsinger. I cannot belong to both you and the Ironwood.”
“We’ll find a way,” said Hakon confidently.
“Your price is too high.” replied Sif, frowning.
“You won’t find a better one, nor a sharper sword. Go ahead and see for yourself. But be warned, Sif. Refuse me now, and there will be consequences when you come back and ask again.”
“I’ll see you in Hell first,” snarled Sif, and stalked away.
A moment later, Gunnar emerged from the house to stand near Hakon. He clapped his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You play a risky game, Brother mine,” he said cheerfully.
“For the highest stakes, Gunnar,” replied Hakon. “I know her mind. She yearns for me, just as I ache for her. But she thinks her fate must carry her away from me. It’s my duty to make her realize it does not.”
“My poor brother, and his high and lonely duty,” chuckled Gunnar.
“Gods, I long for the day a woman catches your heart and hooks you,” growled Hakon.
Gunnar touched the hammer pendant hanging on his chest. “Thor protect me!”
***
“Father!” protested Sif. “The dream is real! Freyja needs our help!”
“I do not doubt the dream, my daughter,” said Huw, “nor do I doubt the need. I listened carefully to everything you said. You asked Freyja where you would find swords. What did she reply?”
“She said, ‘I think you know the answer,’” muttered Sif, her eyes downcast.
“And was I the first name that came to your mind?” asked Huw.
Sif hesitated.
“Answer your father, dear,” said Astrid gently.
“No,” Sif finally said.
“What name did come to your mind?” pressed Huw.
Sif sighed. “Hakon,” she admitted.
Huw leaned back in his chair. “There you have it,” he said. “Daughter mine, I’d carve through a horde of Skraelings to save you, but I’d be a fool to stand in the way of your destiny.” He folded his arms in the waythat Sif knew from long experience meant that he had made his final decision.
Still, Sif was not willing to give up. “Mother,” she began, in a pleading tone.
Astrid shook her head. “If your father and I had denied our fates, you would not even be here, my dear,” she said firmly. “You must have the courage to walk your road.”
“It’s not a lack of courage that’s the problem,” said Sif fiercely, pushing away from the table and stalking out of her parents’ house.
