Valkyrie (3 page)

‘How can you be sure?’ He fought to get each word out. ‘Does being the Angel of Death give you insight into the living?’

‘I’m not an Angel of Death,’ Freya said. ‘I’m a Valkyrie, chooser of the slain. I am here to take you to Valhalla. You have earned your place among the valiant dead.’

His eyes were fading with each passing moment. ‘It’s not valiant to die in a landmine explosion,’ he coughed.

‘But your heart is valiant, I can see that. You must be rewarded.’

‘I don’t need rewards,’ he struggled. ‘I need to protect my family. Please—’ He began coughing again and fought to catch his breath. Death was very near.

From the back of the truck came Maya’s urgent voice. ‘Freya, hurry! You must take him. Mother is waiting. Just touch him with your bare skin and bring him home.’

Freya looked back at the soldier. ‘I am sorry. I cannot leave you here. It is your time. Odin commands me to bring you.’

Tyrone coughed harder and blood pooled at the corners of his mouth.

‘You are suffering,’ she continued. ‘Let me end it for you.’

As Freya reached to touch the soldier’s cheek, his gloved hands caught hold of hers. He placed his phone in her hand and closed her fingers around it. ‘Take this . . . They are in danger . . . I can’t die until they are safe . . .’

He started to choke, but then stopped abruptly and his eyes closed. Whether she reaped him or not would not change the final outcome.

‘Do it now,’
Orus said softly.
‘You must take him.’

Still clutching his phone, Freya did as she was born to do. She reached out her hand and gently stroked his warm cheek. ‘Come with me, Tyrone. Let me free you from your suffering . . .’

CHAPTER THREE

T
yrone Johnson was the first soldier to be reaped by Freya the Valkyrie. With his body left behind in the burning truck, he took Freya’s hand and followed her to Sylt. He paused briefly to gaze back at the friends he was leaving behind. But then he did as Freya instructed and climbed up on to the Reaping Mare to start the journey to Valhalla.

When they reached Asgard, Freya spent several days with him, showing him all the things he could be part of. From the daily battles at Valhalla to the feasting, drinking, singing and dancing with the Valkyries late into the night.

But as the time passed, the soldier wanted none of it. He begged her to take him back to his family, insisting they needed him. He showed her how to use his phone to look at photographs. He told her of his life in Chicago and the pride he felt in serving his country to protect his family.

Tyrone could find no peace in Asgard. Fighting all day and drinking all night was not what he wanted. He never gloried in battle and didn’t want to kill. To stay would be torture, not paradise.

Knowing he was unhappy, Freya finally escorted him to the Gates of Ascension. Through these, soldiers could leave Asgard to go to the afterlife where those who hadn’t died valiantly in battle were taken by the Angels of Death.

Standing before the gates, he turned towards her one last time. ‘Forgive me for not staying,’ he said softly. ‘But this place isn’t for me. I must find a way back to my family. I need to know what’s happening.’

‘When you pass through those gates, you will not be allowed back to the World of Man. Your time there is done.’

‘But my family is in danger!’

Freya dropped her head. ‘I’m sorry, but you cannot help them now.’

‘If I can’t go back, will you?’ he asked desperately. ‘Go to Chicago. Find my family. Protect them, somehow. Do whatever you must, but get them away from the danger.’

‘I can’t,’ Freya insisted. ‘My duties are here.’

‘Please, just think about it,’ Tyrone pressed. ‘How can I ever find peace if I don’t know what is happening with them? All I know is that there is trouble.’

Seeing the desperation in his eyes, Freya didn’t have the heart to say no. ‘I will try. I promise I’ll do all I can to protect your family.’ Freya regretted the words the moment they left her mouth. Had she really just made a promise she knew she couldn’t possibly keep?

‘What?’
Orus cried hysterically.
‘Tell me you didn’t just say that!’

Tears of relief filled Tyrone’s eyes. ‘How can I ever thank you?’

‘There is no need,’ Freya said guiltily. ‘Just find your peace.’

Freya had never been through the Gates of Ascension. As a Valkyrie, she was not allowed. But watching Tyrone Johnson’s radiant face as he passed through the gates and saw what lay on the other side, suddenly she envied him.

She also realized she would miss him. He was the first human she’d ever spent time with and she’d discovered he was nothing like she’d imagined. He was gentle and caring. Freya never knew her father, but the more time she spent with Tyrone Johnson, the more she wished he could have been hers.

‘I told you so,’ Maya said softly, coming up to her at the gates right after Tyrone ascended. ‘The soldiers of today are nothing like the warriors of old. Most of them don’t want to stay. We aren’t needed like we used to be. There are actually too many Valkyries now, even though wars on Earth continue.’

Freya sighed. ‘I feel so bad for his family. They’ll never know how much he loved them.’ She pulled the phone from her pocket. ‘Here, look at his children.’

‘Freya, no!’ Maya cried in alarm. ‘You can’t have that here!’

‘It’s all right. Tyrone gave it to me.’

Fear was in Maya’s eyes. ‘Get rid of it right now. Throw it off Bifröst. You know it’s forbidden. If Odin finds that you’ve brought something back from a reap, he’ll have your wings!’

But Tyrone gave this to me. I didn’t steal it.’

‘It doesn’t matter how you acquired it. We can’t have anything from Earth here.’

‘Why?’ Freya asked.

Maya shook her head. ‘I don’t know. All I do know is that as long as it’s here, you are in grave danger. Please, let’s fly to Bifröst right now and throw it off together.’

Freya hid the phone in her pocket and shook her head. ‘No, Tyrone gave it to me. It’s all I have left from him. I’m keeping it.’

‘Orus, talk to her,’ Maya said to the raven. ‘Tell her what will happen if she’s caught with it.’

‘I’ve tried,’
Orus said.
‘But she won’t listen to me.’

‘It was a gift,’ Freya insisted. ‘I am not throwing it away.’

Maya threw up her arms in frustration and her wings fluttered in annoyance. ‘You are going to be the death of me!’ As she stormed off, she turned back to Freya. ‘Just keep it hidden.’

Freya watched her sister go. Once again, she was overcome with emptiness. While Tyrone was with her, the feeling had stopped. Now it was back – even stronger.

‘What’s wrong with me, Orus? Why am I so unhappy? Why can’t I be satisfied like everyone else is here?’

The raven pressed closer to Freya’s neck.
‘You are lonely. You’ve never had friends your own age. You are the youngest in all Asgard. Even Maya is much older than you.’

‘Then I am doomed,’ Freya said. ‘There will be no more Valkyries after me. I am cursed to be alone forever.’

‘That’s not true. You have me.’

Freya smiled sadly at the raven. ‘You know what I mean. There will never be anyone here my age.’

‘You could give a soldier your name before he dies. Then when you reap him he will have to stay with you forever.’

Freya shook her head. She knew the rules. If she had told Tyrone Johnson her name before he died, he would have belonged to her and would not have been allowed to ascend. He would have become her prisoner. Just like her father was to her mother and all the fathers to all the Valkyrie. This wasn’t the way she wanted to find friendship.

‘I’ll never give my name away. It’s not fair. Especially if soldiers wish to ascend. It would be too cruel. I will only give my name away to someone who really wants to stay with me. But that will never happen . . .’

She pulled the phone from her pocket and stared wistfully at the photograph of Tyrone’s daughters. ‘Do you think Tamika is like her father? Would we be friends if we met?’

‘What are you saying?’
Orus said cautiously.
‘Your voice sounds strange. You’re not
really
considering going to help Tyrone’s family, are you?’

‘She is saying exactly that. She wants to go to Chicago to meet her soldier’s daughter.’

Freya jumped at the voice behind her. She turned and saw a beaming face. It was Loki – Odin’s trickster blood-brother. ‘I don’t blame you. The World of Man can be a very exciting place. There is always a lot to see and do and there are millions of girls your own age. Boys too. Having human friends could be just the thing to ease your restlessness.’

Orus fluttered his black wings.
‘Go away, Loki. This is a private conversation.’

‘Is it?’ Loki said, concentrating on Freya. ‘I’m sorry if I’m intruding, but I just wanted to let you know some of the wonders I have seen on Earth.’

The raven cawed a warning.
‘Move away from him, Freya. He’s just telling you this to cause mischief. He wants to see you get into trouble with Odin.’

Loki placed his hand on his chest and his face was all innocence. ‘You wound me! All I want is to help Freya end her loneliness.’ He focused on Freya. ‘I saw how troubled you looked at the First Day Ceremony and how you grieve over your soldier’s ascension. I know you can find happiness on Earth.’

Orus cawed again.
‘You know Earth is forbidden to the Valkyries except on reaping missions.’
The raven nipped Freya’s ear.
‘Don’t listen to him. He’s trying to get you in trouble. Loki is jealous that your mother is in Odin’s favour. He will do anything to discredit her. Her youngest daughter disobeying the rules would do just that!’

‘Such lies.’ Loki’s dark eyes sparkled. ‘I want only the best for young Freya and a trip to Earth could be just what she needs.’

Freya looked from Orus back to Loki. ‘What is Earth like? I mean, the parts of Earth that aren’t battlefields. Is it beautiful like Asgard?’

‘More!’ Loki said excitedly. ‘I have seen things there you wouldn’t believe. Animals beyond description and so many different people. It is a wonderland.’

‘Loki isn’t your friend,’
Orus warned.
‘He won’t help you. He’ll just lead you into trouble.’

‘Are you going to listen to a dumb bird?’ Loki said teasingly. ‘Or do you want my help? I can get you past Heimdall and across Bifröst. You can visit Earth for yourself and see that I am not lying. Then you can return without anyone knowing you were ever gone.’

Freya looked away from Loki’s inviting eyes. He was a troublemaker, plain and simple. But what if he really did want to help? She had promised Tyrone she would protect his family. It would mean breaking her oath and sneaking across Bifröst. If she were to try, Loki might be the only one who could help.

‘Freya, no!’
Orus shouted in her ear
.
‘He is trying to lead you astray. Don’t listen – fly away!’

Finally Freya shook her head. ‘Thank you for the offer, Loki, but I can’t. I took the oath. I am sworn to my duty here.’

Loki bowed. ‘Of course. But do find me if you ever change your mind. I would hate to see you remain here so sad and lonely. I want only to help you.’

‘Thank Odin!’
the raven cawed loudly as they watched Loki walking away.
‘You must stay away from him, Freya. He would lead you into harm and smile as he does it.’

It was several days before there was another reaping. With so many Valkyries available to go, they took it in turns to reap. Freya remained in Asgard to groom the Reaping Mares and work in the stables. By the time she’d finished, her own mare, Sylt, had a gleaming coat and her wings were perfectly preened.

When the Valkyries returned, for the first time ever Freya took an interest in the warriors they brought back. She counted the soldiers who arrived and was surprised to see several women among the men. She tracked their movements throughout Asgard and watched all but one pass through the Gates of Ascension. The single remaining warrior joyously joined the others to fight and drink at Valhalla.

Maya had been right. The soldiers of this age had a different attitude to the warriors of the past. Seeing this difference only added to her sense of confusion. There was only one way to figure it out. Freya had to go to Earth.

CHAPTER FOUR

‘
N
o!’
Orus screamed in her ear.
‘You can’t go.’

‘I must,’ Freya said. ‘It’s all I’ve thought about since Tyrone ascended. His family is in danger. He begged me to help them. How can I refuse?’

‘Because if Odin finds out, he’ll tear off our wings, rip out your eyes and we’ll be banished!’

‘You don’t have to come with me,’ Freya said as she packed up a small bag to take with her. ‘I won’t be gone long. Just enough time to find out how his family are in danger, then I’ll be back. No one will even notice I’ve gone.’

‘Freya, listen to me,’
Orus begged.
‘That troublemaker Loki has fed you lies about Earth. It is filled with death, war and hatred. You have seen the battlefields for yourself. They are truly ugly. Stay here. Asgard is beautiful.’

‘Yes, it is,’ Freya agreed as she pulled on her new breastplate, drew the straps under her wings and secured the buckles at her side. Then she attached the jewelled dagger at her waist and put her sword in its scabbard. This she clipped to her hip guard. ‘But I need to see Earth for myself. The
real
Earth, not just the battlefields.’

‘That is all Earth is,’
Orus cried.
‘One big battlefield.’

‘Then I will know, and won’t want to return there,’ she said as she placed the gauntlets on her arms.

The raven shook his head.
‘Remember the story of Frigha. We will be banished.’

‘I told you, you don’t have to come,’ Freya said as she reached for her winged helmet.

‘I’m not leaving you, Freya. We have been together for too long. Even if it means I will be blinded, de-winged and banished with you.’

Freya smiled at her raven. ‘Oh, Orus, it won’t be that bad. You’ll see. We’ll be back before we’re missed.’

They waited until darkness had fallen. Freya glided silently over the small stand of trees and bushes where she had arranged to meet Loki, checking to see if it was some kind of trick. She wasn’t completely fooled by his smooth charms.

Not far ahead stood Bifröst. The bridge shimmered and glowed in all the glorious colours of the rainbow. Bifröst always looked more magnificent at night as its brilliance reached high into the dark sky. Her mother once told her that on Earth, the glow of the bridge could sometimes be seen at night and was called the Northern Lights.

When Freya first went to Loki to ask for help getting past Heimdall and across Bifröst, he told her to travel in her helmet and full battle armour. She thought she stood a better chance of getting across the bridge dressed normally or even in a dark cloak, but he insisted that she would need the invisibility her helmet offered and the protection of her armour. Freya began to believe Earth really was one big battlefield if she needed the protection of her armour.

‘Can you see anything?’ Freya called to Orus.

‘YES!’
the raven cawed.
‘I can see this is a terrible idea. Let’s go back now before it’s too late.’

‘You can go home if you want to, Orus, but I’m going to do this. I need to see what Earth is really like and I promised Tyrone. I won’t break my promise.’

‘Foolish child,’
Orus said.
‘If you insist on this insane course, I am coming with you. You need me to keep you safe.’

Freya smiled over at her raven. Despite what her sisters and mother said, Orus was the best companion she could ask for.

After circling the area, they landed several metres from the place they were to meet Loki. As Orus settled on her shoulder, Freya started to look around. Every nerve in her body was alive, every sound of the night added to the sense of mystery and adventure.

‘Loki?’ Freya called softly.

‘Hush . . .’ a voice from the bushes scolded. ‘Do you want everyone in Asgard to hear you?’

Freya thought she had powerful senses. But she and Orus had walked right past Loki’s hiding place with no idea he was there. It was said that stealth was one of his many special talents and it was true. ‘Are you ready to go?’ he asked as he stepped free of the bushes and approached her.

Freya nodded.

‘Your mother and sisters?’

‘They’re dancing at Valhalla with the warriors. They won’t be home until late.’

‘Good. Now, I have a powerful sleeping powder that will stun Heimdall for no more than a moment. You must use that time to fly past him. Don’t look back and don’t hesitate. Just fly as fast as you can across the bridge.’

‘You won’t hurt him?’

Loki looked shocked. ‘Are you mad? Thor couldn’t hurt that thick-skulled rock with his hammer! Trust me, I have used this powder many times on him to get across Bifröst. He won’t feel a thing and will have no memory of anything. But you must be quick. The effects don’t last long.’

‘What do I do?’ Freya asked.

Orus whispered in her ear,
‘Forget this crazy idea and go home!’

Swatting the raven, Freya concentrated on Loki. ‘How will I know when to fly?’

‘Get into the air, and soar above us. With those black wings of yours, it’s next to impossible to see you in the sky. Watch for my signal. The moment I drop my arm, you soar past Heimdall and straight on to the bridge. Is that clear?’

Freya nodded as knots tied her stomach. ‘How can I ever thank you?’

‘You don’t have to,’ Loki said. ‘Just go and find happiness. That’s all that matters.’

On her shoulder, Orus made a gagging sound.
‘Oh, I think I’m going to be sick!’

‘Orus, stop!’ Freya said. She looked sheepishly at Loki. ‘I’m sorry. He thinks this is some kind of trick so you can discredit my mother.’

Loki looked innocently at the bird. ‘Once again, you wound me. I want only the best for young Freya.’

Orus cawed in anger.
‘What you want is a higher ranking with Odin by removing her mother from his favour. Freya may be blind to your tricks, Loki, but I am not. You will not succeed. I will protect her.’

Loki threw up his arms and turned to leave. ‘Fine. Let’s forget it. Go back to Valhalla and watch the warriors get drunk. I don’t care.’

‘Loki, no, please don’t go!’ Freya ran to catch up with him. ‘Orus doesn’t trust you, but I do. Please, help me get across Bifröst. My soldier’s family is in danger. I must help them.’

Loki paused and turned. ‘I do this for you, Freya, not Orus. If you still wish to go to Earth, I will help you.’ He gave a threatening glare at Orus.

‘Yes,’ Freya said. ‘I want to go.’

‘All right, I can be generous. Take to the sky and keep your eyes on me. The moment I raise and drop my arm, you fly at Bifröst as fast as your wings will carry you.’

Freya nodded. Before Orus could say more to endanger her mission, she opened her wings and jumped up into the sky. Gaining height, she soared in a tight circle, never taking her eyes off Loki.

On the ground, Loki trotted over to the Rainbow Bridge. Heimdall was at his usual position as guard. Freya often wondered what kind of life it was for the poor, lonely Watchman. He rarely slept and never left his post. But, like the others of Asgard, he served only Odin.

Heimdall’s posture changed when Loki approached. No one in Asgard trusted him and always raised their guard when he was near. In fact, very few people even liked Loki. It was only Odin’s generosity that allowed him to remain.

From her position in the sky, Freya could see that one of Loki’s hands was behind his back.

As the Watchman stood before him, Loki brought his hand forward and blew a powder up into his face. Heimdall staggered back and collapsed to the ground. Loki dropped his arm, giving Freya the signal to move.

‘This is it, Orus!’ Freya called as she tilted her wings, changed direction and flew with all her might towards the entrance of Bifröst. Freya clutched the raven in her hands as she gained more speed.

In a flash she was passing over Heimdall and flying into the bright colours of the Rainbow Bridge. She did not slow as she reached the halfway point. Nor did she look back to see if Heimdall had noticed and was chasing after her. All she wanted, all she needed, was to get to Earth.