Free Fragments of your Soul (The Mirror Worlds Book 1) by E. S. Erbsland

cities and people, without any opportunity to visit him?
    “Do you think I’ll be able to study there?” said Arvid. “Learning to read and having access to books?”
    “I don’t know,” Thoke said without looking at her.
    “What if I refuse?” said Arvid, because right now she had a great desire to do just that. A secluded farmhouse wasn’t the kind of place she belonged. She was still determined to find a way home, and she wouldn’t allow anyone to thwart this plan, not even Asgard. If she had poleax someone to reach this goal, then she would do so without hesitation.
    “Impossible,” Falla said firmly. “You can’t defy Asgard’s instructions. The gods send you to Horalf for a reason. They believe it is the best for you. You would do well to trust them.”
    “Why should I?” asked Arvid. “They don’t know me; how would they know what’s best for me?”
    “Falla’s right,” Thoke said. “Opposing Asgard’s wishes wouldn’t be very wise. One should not anger the gods. And where would you go? You can’t stay with us forever.”
    “Thoke, I want to return to my world,” said Arvid urgently. “Do you think I’ll ever get any closer to my goal if I stay somewhere on a farm milking cows?”
    Thoke sighed. “Everyone has to work to live, even if we have other plans and desires.”
    “I’m not saying I don’t want to work. But there must be another way, so I can learn to read at the same time, maybe get access to a library or can talk to… scholars! How else should I ever find out more about the world transitions?”
    “You have to do what the gods tell you to,” Falla said sternly. “I was happy to have you here as long as it was necessary, but you can’t stay. The gods have assigned you a new place.”
    Arvid felt anger flaring up. She liked and respected Falla and she was grateful that she was allowed to live with her, but her unconditional devotion to the gods made her angry. She didn’t seem to think about whether this decision was good or useful for her, but accepted it as a commandment, no ifs or buts.
    “I won’t let the gods push me around,” said Arvid with barely restrained rage. “They were the ones who created these transitions in the first place. It’s their fault that I ended up here, and obviously they even think they can just do whatever they please with my life!”
    “But Arvid,” Thoke said, “that’s precisely why they want to…”
    “I don’t care what they want!” Arvid interrupted him. “It’s their fault! I’ve been waiting for this letter because I thought the gods would give me answers. My mother might be sick with sorrow, and if I waste years on a farm, harvesting beets, one day all I will be able to return to is a grave!”
    “Arvid, please. The gods are only trying to help you!” Thoke said almost pleadingly.
    “By sending me to nowhere instead of helping me to find a way back? Your imbecilic gods are responsible for the loss of my family, my home… my whole culture! I never wanted to come here, it was not my fault—it was their fault!” The last two words she had almost screamed!
    Thoke seemed perplexed, but Falla rose with a strength and agility Arvid would hardly have expected from her.
    “Enough!” she exclaimed with an angry grimace. “I have taken you in my house, granted you protection, shared my food with you. Is that your way of showing gratitude, by insulting my gods?”
    Arvid had never seen Falla so upset, but her own anger was hard to tame. She didn’t want to argue with Falla, not after all that she had done for her, but she also felt like she was losing control. Arvid knew herself well enough to know that there was only one thing she could do in such a situation.
    With a jerk, she got up, stormed outside and slammed the door so violently behind her that the star lamps on the beams above it rattled loudly. Fists clenched, she ran out onto the street and shouted her despair into the night. Two startled women at a corner