“Thank you,” Sif said. She had hoped— “I am glad to see you to a place where you belong but,” Falthejn said, a smile spreading across his face, “you need not choose.” Sif blinked. “If your newfound family allows it, … Continue reading →

Alfhilde and Hrothgar caught up to Sif and Falthejn, and together, they pushed on. Falthejn told the tale of his day in full. They reached the bridge as he finished. The last few refugees were crossing under the protective eye … Continue reading →

Again, Sif looked between her new parents. Both wore thoughtful expressions, but said nothing. For another few minutes, nothing happened. Sif rolled her eyes. Looks like it came down to her, yet again. She trotted forward until she walked next … Continue reading →

She hit the ground hard, bouncing and skidding through the dirt. She hit a tree, which knocked the wind out of her, and came to a stop. Falthejn didn’t waste so much as a heartbeat. He threw his sword. Without … Continue reading →

Sif opened her eyes. Her head throbbed. Where was she? It all flooded back in an instant, and she sat up. Her heart sank. Something was wrong. Falthejn wouldn’t have dropped his sword on purpose. She struggled to her feet, … Continue reading →

Two of the beasts came at him at once. He sidestepped a swing from the first and took its hand off in reply. He drove his shoulder into the second, knocking it over, and pushed his sword through the first’s … Continue reading →

Falthejn looked around the clearing. He must have missed them by minutes. Alfhilde would have taken them toward the bridge. Falthejn turned upriver, following the bank, and begged the Twelve he wasn’t too late. Half an hour later, he thought … Continue reading →

By midday, he felt as good as he ever did—physically, at any rate. He wondered: how much of his decision to leave did the poison account for? Some, no doubt: the poison’s effect on the mind was more severe than … Continue reading →

Unsteadily, he stood, but he was feeling better by the moment, aside from a thirst and a gnawing hunger. He went over to the plants he’d fallen through. He didn’t recognize them, so he plucked a few stems, wrapped them … Continue reading →

Birdsong woke him. It was early morning. His head felt like a mass of wadded cotton, and his throat was tight and dry. He swallowed painfully and rolled over. The world swam, slowly coming into focus. He turned his head … Continue reading →