I pause, evaluating. If this is some kind of palace or stronghold, the central areas should have more foot traffic. More potential for information. I listen carefully for voices, any sign of where people might gather.
If Fen brought me here, someone must know him. Someone must know where he is.
Voices echo from one corridor. I slip behind a column as two women in flowing robes pass.
"—the council is completely fractured," one says.
"Odin never liked it anyway," the other replies.
They pass without noticing me.
Odin. The name hits like one of those eighth grade red dodge balls to the gut. Odin is the King of the gods in Norse mythology. Asgard or Valhalla or something like that. Fen said he was from another planet, which I weirdly assumed meant he was from Mars or something. I’m not sure why I didn’t think that through a little more.
I continue my sweep, sticking to shadows, avoiding the few people I see. The place is architecturally impressive—high ceilings, intricate stonework, precious metals used as casually as steel would be on Earth.
From a hidden alcove, I watch what looks like a training yard where men and women spar. Their movements are faster than human, metal striking metal with explosive force.
I'm so focused on the fighters that I miss the footsteps behind me.
"It is good to see you finally up and about."
I spin, dropping into a fighting stance despite having no weapon. The woman standing there doesn't seem concerned. Golden hair frames a timeless face with dark blue eyes that make me feel like I'm being x-rayed. She wears a gown of the same blue with silver accents that match my borrowed robe.
"I thought you might be hungry," she says. "Come."
I stay tense, keeping my guard up. "Who are you? Where am I? Where is Fen?"
"I am Frigga," she says simply. "And you are in Asgard. Come, we shall talk of Fen." She walks along the corridor, clearly expecting me to follow.
I hesitate, weighing options. I could turn back, try the other direction. Could make a break for it through one of those side passages. But to what end? I don't know where I am, don't know the terrain, don't have any weapons. And this woman—Frigga—might lead me to Fen. She at least indicated she has information about him.
Besides, my stomach twists with a hunger so intense it's almost painful. So it won’t hurt to follow for now. Gather intel. Find Fen. Then decide next steps.
She leads me to a small balcony overlooking the city. A small round table holds fruits, bread, and what smells like sweet alcohol in crystal goblets. The setup looks like something from a luxury hotel, except for the alien cityscape beyond.
"Eat," she says. "Your body needs it."
I stay standing. Old GUIDE training kicks in… never accept food or drink in an unknown situation. But my stomach growls loudly, betraying me.
"It's not poisoned," Frigga says with a hint of amusement. "If we wanted you dead, my husband wouldn't have gone to the trouble of bringing you back to life."
That’s fair…
But I still stay standing. "Where's Fen?"
A shadow crosses her face. "My grandson has not been seen since he brought you here."
"Your grandson?" The pieces click together. "You're Fen's grandmother?" She definitely doesn’t look old enough to be a grandmother, but she also introduced herself as Frigga, which if my mythology lessons serve me makes her the Queen of the Norse Pantheon. But all of this is a bit far-fetched. And mythology is just that… myth, right?
She raises an eyebrow. "Yes, I am. And you are Astrid, though that’s all I know about you."
I finally sit. "I died, didn't I?"
"Yes." She sits across from me. "For several minutes your heart stopped. Eir neutralized the chimera venom, but Odin himself retrieved your spirit."
I take a piece of bread. It's warm and has a hint of honey. Better than anything I've had in years. "Why would the king of the Norse gods bother saving me?"
"Because my grandson loves you," she says simply. "And because you carry something that belongs to Fen."
