Free Dead Embers by T. G. Ayer

black raven on his shoulder. Hugin or Munin; I
had no idea. Both identical birds represented thought and memory, bringing the
knowledge of the world to Odin himself, as he watched over the realms from
Asgard. What news had the bird brought today to cause that worried furrow in
Odin's brow?
    "What's going on?" I whispered to Sigrun, who wore
an equally urgent scowl on her face.
    "We have just returned with the most recent locations.
And as Fen is still in Midgard, the All-Father will give us our individual
Retrievals."
    "What? Why didn't Fen come back?" It didn't make
sense at all.
    "I do not know. Perhaps the All-Father will
explain." Sigrun gave my arm a reassuring squeeze before she turned to the
dais and waited patiently for Odin to speak.
    I nodded to myself and joined the rest of the Valkyries and
Warriors and Ulfr before the dais. Even after months in Asgard, I still never
failed to scan this room with reverent awe. Everywhere the eye met wood, all
carved in the intricate, snaking patterns of the old Norse tradition. High,
carved ceilings crested above countless fat pillars, but the most remarkable
sight decorated the far end of the hall: two enormous thrones topping the
raised wooden dais, where Odin now waited.
    "Sigrun, my dear, please hand these out." Odin
gave her a stack of papers. She glanced down at them and looked startled and a
little confused, and for a brief instant met my eye. Then she began to move
around the room passing out papers to the gathered teams.
    She stopped next to me and handed me the last paper.
    "Bryn, on this mission Fenrir will be your
partner," said Sigrun, her smooth forehead marred by a frown. I swallowed
a groan, not looking forward to the prospect of spending time with Fen; he was
my least favorite person in the world right now.
    "Oh? Not Mika? And didn't you just say Fen is still in
Midgard?"
    Sigrun nodded. "It does seem strange, does it
not?" After a short pause she shrugged, "We will find out soon
enough."
    "So where are we off to this time?" I steered the conversation
away from the topic of Fen, not wanting to remind her of my anger with the love
of her life. She always felt the need to be helpful, and I preferred she stay
out of my fight. I intended to deal with Fen all by myself.
    Still, it was strange that Fen had summoned me and not
Joshua.
    Sigrun's cheery smile returned. "Your location is on
the paper, and Fenrir will meet you there."
    I scanned the letters on the page. In black, bold type were
four words: Orange County, Los Angeles.
    Guess I was going to LA.
    ***
    "If you are ready just close your eyes."
    I rolled my eyes instead. "Come on, Sigrun, it's the
Bifrost. I've done this before."
    Been there, done that, put out the fire.
    "This time is different. Because we do not have Fen's
specific location, only Fen can direct your journey on the Bifrost."
    "What? So you mean I just close my eyes and he pulls me
through?" My voice raised just the tiniest bit at on the last word.
    Sigrun nodded.
    I shook my head vigorously. "Nuh uh. No way." Such
a scenario put me at Fen's mercy, zipping through the Bifrost, totally blind to
where I would end up.
    "Stop being a big baby and close your eyes. But if you
want Fenrir to chew your hair off then that is fine with me."
    I snorted.
    "What is wrong?" Sigrun's eyes darkened, annoyed at
my amusement at her expense.
    "It's bite my head off not chew my hair off ,"
I said, grinning, yet also pleased that my friend was trying to learn my native
slang. It meant I could help her get rid of her overly formal way of speaking.
Then maybe I could kid around and tease her without being afraid I'd offend
her. Besides, being more Midgard-savvy would help her now that she'd be
travelling to my world more often.
    "Are you ready?" she asked, trying very hard to
look stern and hide the gleam in her own eyes. At least she had a sense of
humor.
    My nerves were a tangled web of worry vines as I prepared
for my first time going to Midgard as a full-fledged