Journey of an Einherji - The Sword of Summer

Consequences of My Actions

I gazed to the general direction of the campsite, ready for another trip through the same landscapes.

"Out from the ruins,
Out from the wreckgace.
Can't make the same mistake this time."

And with my sword in my hand and a back in pain, I walked back and sung.

000000000000

After a long time, I saw the rests of the firepit from the campsite.

Otis was the first to see me.

"Oh, you're not dead. I thought you were dead, because it's been a while, well I can't be sure really, I can't keep track of time during the resurrection. My therapist says that's why I usually forget what I'm doing. But, you know? I think it goes way back to when I was-"

"Shut up, Otis!" - Marvin trotted over. He turned to me - "Finally, you're here. You better bring news about the hammer, or that giantess. If you don't I will-"

"Shut up, Marvin." - I snapped.

I walked to where the god was.

Thor was pacing, huffing and putting his iron gloves on. Next to him a wooden chariot with storms and thunderbolts carved in the sides was parked (is that the proper way to say it?). The reins were on the cart, and the place where Thor would grabbed himself (take not of how much I know about chariots), looked too much like goat horns.

"Mortal!" - Thor stomped towards me - "Where is my hammer that is not officially missing? It's been a day since I sent you to look for it!"

"I didn't go to find your hammer, Thor." - I said - "That would be my friends, and I would appreciate if you could tell me if they're alive."

"Oh, yes. You're right!" - Thor scratched his head - "You must forgive me. This whole time all I could think about is Mjolnir."

"I understand." - I lied - "Could you tell me where my friends are? If they're fine?"

"Sure!" - the god exclaimed - "Well, I don't know if they're fine, but they're still at Geirrod's fortress. I was about to go there myself."

"With the chariot?" - I glanced at the wooden vehicle.

"Yes! Once the goats are strapped in, we will fly towards the giant's citadel and find my weapon!" - Thor pointed behind him.

I looked and as if on cue, the clouds parted, showing the side of a cliff, and above Geirrod's fortress. Unlike the house I had seen a two days ago, I didn't get any eerie, weird, feeling, or anything. It was just a fortress a long way from the campsite.

"You have a flying chariot?" - I asked.

"Yes!"

"And you sent my friends to a giant's fortress on foot?"

"Yes! Why do you ask?"

"Are you serious? How can you...?" - I shook my head - "You know what? It doesn't matter. I don't want to have this conversation."

The god shrugged. Then, as if struck by an idea, he clapped his hands. The iron gloves made a high-pitched sound.

"Come with me, mortal! We'll go to find my hammer and your friends if they're still alive. But, first..." - Thor grinned - "You must convince my goats to get ready to fly."

"Goats that can fly?" - I said dryly - "Why am I not surprised?"

Convincing Otis and Marvin wasn't difficult.

"Oh, yeah." - Otis bleated - "Flying. I guess you're not going to kill us-"

"Shut up!" - Marvin snarled - "Don't give the boss any ideas."