“…word in Valhalla is that Odin has a ring that can duplicate itself every so many days. I would wager this is where he has acquired his fortune to build up Valhalla. I wish I had something like that!…”

“…I broke up with my boyfriend Leif. That adulterous twat!…”

“…my friend Urd has confessed to Magnus. The school is all ears.”

“…market today. My parents say money isn’t everything, nor is having top tier food. I agree. It leaves money towards other things. It doesn’t stop us from checking out the higher end stalls and brown nosing with the higher vassals and nobles of Valhalla…”

“…Urd and Magnus are now an item…”

“…music lessons today. The teachers do not like my choice in the harmonica. If they didn’t sound so much like a trumpet, perhaps they would understand why I like the flute so much…”

“…school is boring. My teacher ‘Ms. Ingrid’ is insufferable. She chooses to punish those of us that have a hope of decency and a life ahead of us. I can see why no men fancy that old crone…”

“…today I come of age. I am free to make my own decisions as per Valhalla Law. I have chosen to find my way as a lawyer. I will bring honor to this family as a vassal of Valhalla and an arbitrator. The studies will be rigorous, but I am prepared to take this journey. I will bring honor to Valhalla as I continue my way as Serif nobility…”

“…am seeking a man to continue the lineage. I want to be a caregiver. Father has warned me against seeing a man too early…”

“…there are rumors stirring about dragon migration patterns changing. There are disputes arising between the merchant kingdom and Midgard. Father says this will affect his business…”

“…Ms. Ingrid has actually gotten married finally. I have been invited to the wedding reception…”

“…Urd and Magnus have broken up. Magnus is as bad as Leif…”

“…Ms. Ingrid is now Mrs. Skanninge. Her personality is quite different when not at shool, but around her husband she is quite full of merry mirth. She has wished me the best in my studies. I was surprised. I can only wish the best for her…”

“…I have opted to remain with mother and father while I continue my studies. I am their only child. They confirm they appreciate the company after paperwork and visits all day…”

“…father says trade with Muspell has been hard due to the disputes. The market is still active, but certain stalls do not have as much food and merchandise…”

“…today at the docks, there was an unusually large entourage of ships. Father says that they are delivering some kind of secret cargo to the center of Valhalla…”

“…news is that Lord Odin intends to build some kind of tower that can transport people around Midgard…”

“…studying is hard. I wish I had a boyfriend to make these doldrums go away…”

“…my friend Skuld stopped by. She has decided to join the Valhalla Milita. She has given me her ‘scriving mirror’ as a parting gift. I wish her the best…”

“…ships from Muspell are starting to dwindle. There was only three in the harbor today. The market stalls are fairing no better…

“…I received a letter from Skuld, she says she wishes to become a Valkyrie. It is a hard course to become one.

“…we saw a dragon flying overhead today. It left many people bewildered…”

“…there have been a number of dragons flying overhead. Lord Odin has assured us that these are part of the Valhalla Military…”

“…I have passed my first bench test to become a lawyer. I still have a number of years to go…”

“…Muspell ships have been barred from trade with Valhalla. Word is that it will soon spread throughout Midgard. No idea if the rest of the countries will follow or not…”

“…Muspell harbor has been empty for the last month. The stalls that were full in the market place have started to dwindle. Trade has affected other countries as well…”

“…supposedly a dragon attacked Muspell Harbor. The Merchant Guild has blamed Valhalla’s new ‘dragons’ for the matter…”

“…Valhalla Dragons are actually a type of Valken, but they can fly. They are called Sentinels. I wonder what it would be like to marry one…”

“…there is growing tension between Muspell and Valhalla…”

“…Skuld has sent me a letter. It concerns the ‘frontline’. I don’t know what she means. Supposedly there are some dark dealings between the Muspell and Midgard borders…”

“…dragons have continued to shift their migration patterns inwardly towards Midgard…”

“…I didn’t count all of them, but it was over twenty dragons that flew over Valhalla today…”

“…my parents have decided to vacation in Maria Village. I have opted not to go with them, I have studies. Father encouraged me to come, I declined…”

“…I have received a present from Skuld, it is an enchanted item from Muspell. It is an odd type of pendant that will change color depending on how a person feels about me. Sorcery at its finest…”

“…magic and sorcery have just been barred from Valhalla by Lord Odin…”

“…any type of talisman or enchanted items have just been made illegal by Lord Odin. What luck. I will not give up what is rightfully mine from my friends…”

“…my parents have returned from Maria Village with grim news. Emissaries dispatched from Valhalla have failed to reach an agreement with Muspell…”

“…I have completed my first credential to be an arbitrator…”

“…Lord Odin has barred any enchanted creatures from entering Valhalla…”

“…all forms of magic have been banned from Valhalla. Supposedly it will spread throughout Midgard. I’m not sure…”

“…I was expecting another letter from Skuld, she is late…”

“…My friend Urd and I went down to the corner coffee shop to talk about this and that. She thinks anyone wanting to make a fortune should keep an eye on Muspell-Valhalla relations. Anyone wanting to sneak in items from Muspell would strike it rich. Then the topic of smuggling in contraband came in. Such a scandalous girl…”

“…I am following in my parents footsteps as a noble. Today I have to go to a meeting with my parents to a lodge, it concerns land ownership…”

“…my second credential as a lawyer. I am studying for my second credential as an arbitrator…”

“…father says I might want to consider learning to negotiate trade. He says there is a killing to be made due to shortages of supplies that normally pass through Muspell. It is necessary to find otherways to redirect trade. I don’t know about his recommendation…”

“…Skuld has not sent a letter for awhile now…”

“…Urd and I have agreed to exchange news and tidings on a regular basis at the corner cafe…”

“…by decree of Odin, Valhalla is to be built up on a series of canals. Resources will be diverted to move houses. That is laughable!…”

“…it has been confirmed that Valhalla will be built up on a series of canals. This is a zoning nightmare according to mother…”

“…Skuld returned today. We discussed this and that with Urd. The outlook between Muspell and Valhalla is not good…”

“…there was a dragon attack on the city today. The word is that they are defending their new territory…”

“…it was a matter of days before another dragon attack happened. This time Sentinels were dispatched to drive them away from Valhalla…”

“…work has started on the supposed canals. I don’t know what Lord Odin is thinking…”

“…Sentinels patrol over the city daily. I can only assume it is to prevent being attacked again by dragons…”

“…Skuld has been dispatched towards the Muspell-Valhalla border. She wouldn’t say why…”

“…Urd heard a rumor that Sentinels have been dispatched to the Muspell-Valhalla border…”

“…word from a vassal by way of Muspell is that dragons have been attacking ships…”

“…Urd has confirmed that Sentinels have been driving the dragons back towards Muspell…”

“…several Sentinels attacked Muspell ships. It isn’t know why. Does it have to do with the dragons?…”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“…the rumor is war with Muspell…”

“…the Sentinels have started driving the dragons further into Muspell…”

“…Muspell has declared war. It was two days and Valhalla declared war in kind…”

“…work on Lord Odin’s tower has begun. It has been christened “Tower Gungir” after his spear. The reason is such that it will light the world the same as Odin’s spear does…”

“…my family could not go out to vacation to Maria due to the war…”

“…I have gotten a letter from Skuld. It only talks about the war. It seems to be the only thing people talk about these days…”

“…Urd is thinking of joining the Valhall Militia. I hope the best for her whatever the outcome…”

“…I have my fourth credential. Two more and I can arrange to sell property and collect taxes…”

“…my lack of entries. I have been studying. There isn’t much new to report except for the war…”

“…it has been six months since the war started…”

“…I have my seventh credential. I can now follow in my mother and father’s footsteps. They are pleased. I am ecstatic…”

“…Urd has decided to join the Valhall Militia…”

“…there was an odd light over the city today. It looked like a red aurora…”

“…a high emissary of Lord Odin knocked at the door tonight. There was shouting, I don’t know about what. Mother was crying and father was angry. They wouldn’t tell me what…”

“…mother and father have informed me they have been drafted into the Valhalla Military. I don’t know what to think. I thought it was considered a high honor?…”

“…Urd and I talked about this and that at the cafe. This will be the last time before she deploys. I wish her the best. Maybe she will meet up with Skuld?…”

“…mother and father have found out the reason they have been drafted. They are familiar with Maria Village which is considered a key trade route as well as key waypoint for the war effort. Their knowledge of trade as well as the area is why. This is so stupid…”

“…it has been one week since they were drafted. They have been deployed. Father and mother have said I will remain here and complete my studies…”

“…mother and father said they will keep in touch…”

“…it has been four months, no letters…”

“…I have gotten a letter from Skuld. She and Urd may not be in the same platoon, but they are working closely together in the same area. What luck! They sent a picture. They seem happy! Skuld is working towards becoming a Valkyrie! I’m so lucky to have such great friends!…”

“…there was supposedly a multi-ship battle between Valhalla and Muspell at the border…”

“…Valhalla has ratified that enemy cargo ships can be captured…”

“…it has been six months, no letters from mother and father…”

“…I have received my eight credential…”

“…I received a letter from Skuld. Urd was on a ship that was attacked. No survivors. This can’t be happening…”

“…it has been eight months, still no letters from mother and father. I am beginning to get worried…”

“…I don’t have time for entries the way I used to. I am busy studying for my ninth and tenth credentials…”

“…it has been over a year since the war started. Mother and father have not sent any letters. Skuld is late in sending one also…”

“…I have received my twelve credential. I can now function as a lawyer and arbitrator in full capacity. Father and mother will be pleased. However, in order to be fully ratified and function at full capacity to any length of degree, I will need to speak with the local magistrate…”

“…today at the local cafe a man named Magnus made himself known to me. He is charming and quite the looker…”

“…I will be taking up tutelage under one of Valhalla’s vassals to get my proper license to function to any degree as a Valhalla arbitrator…”

“…why haven’t mother and father sent any letters?…”

“…Magnus has been drafted into the Valhall Militia. So much for having a boyfriend…”

“…the market place is not what it used to be. There is a distinct lack of men in this area of Valhalla. There aren’t as many people period. Even women are joining the war effort. I refuse. I will be a vassal of Valhalla and manage things on the home front.”

“…Lord Odin has now been dubbed ‘Warlord Odin’ by those that disagree with the war…”

“…red aurora last night must have been an ill omen of things to come. Today there was a knock at the door. An emissary of Lord Odin delivered a scroll. I will leave it at that…”

“…mother and father perished in the war. Screw this war!”

“…prospectors and surveyor’s were here today. This house will be removed as my parents are no longer alive and I do not hold rights to this property. This is to make way for a canal. Of all the damn things…

“…another emissary arrived with a scroll. Property is to be transferred to my name. However, the house has already been slated towards demolition. I have no place to go, only with credentials to my name…”

“…Magnus have left for the front line…”

“…I’m using the authority of my late parents to have their things transferred to Maria Village. This will take some time…

“…whatever little was transferred was spared being seized. The house’s demolition has been sped up…”

“…I have opted to stay with the local vassal I will be training under. He seems kind enough…”

“…it has been several days since I fled Valhalla. That vassal was screwy from the get go. I should have known. I would not sleep with him and he hit me. I’m lucky I left when I did. I had heard from one of the servants that he chained up the last woman…”

“…I renounce being a lawyer and arbitrator. Screw this war!…”

“…screw Valhalla!…”

“…screw Odin!…”

“…it has taken several weeks to get to Maria. My parent’s vacation house still stands…”

“…I have taken a tally of their things. Mother and father would probably approve if they were still with me…”

“…I am trying to make do with life…”

“…I like the fountain in the central plaza. There market place is small but also enjoyable…”

“…I have opted to act as a negotiator…”

“…I am getting better at negotiating…”

“…a soldier came in today from the frontline. His name is Sigurd. It turns out he is from Muspell. As I have learned, there are many innocent actors in this war that mush function through proxy for more corrupted individuals…”

“…Sigurd has the most interesting stories to tell. Enchanting is a better word. He has seen most of the world. I would like to do the same…”

“…as it turns out Sigurd has an injury. He came to Maria Village due to it being nuetral territory…”

“…It is hard to keep my composure around someone so well informed and travelled as he…”

“…I think I have a crush on Sigurd…”

“…I think I’m in love with this man…”

“…Sigurd has healed…”

“…Sigurd will be leaving within a few days time…”

“…I confessed my love for Sigurd…”

“…Sigurd is a very gentle man…”

“…supposedly troops are coming to Maria. This village is neutral territory…”

“…Sigurd will be leaving later today. He has stated he has reservations about reporting back to his commander…”

“…got to talking. We’ve both decided to flee this war effort. Let politicians decide it. I renounce my former life in Valhalla…”

“…Sigurd and I have decided to elope…”

“…six days now in Muspell…”

“…three months in Muspell…”

“…Sigurd and I have agreed to get married…”

“…Sigurd has been tracked down by an officer in the war effort…”

“…Sigurd and I have opted to flee further into Muspell. It is mostly desert beyond the mountains…”

“…we had to run from the inn tonight. Sigurd has been branded a traitor…”

“…we’ve been on the run for about a month now. Sigurd has come down with something…”

“…Sigurd’s health has gotten steadily worse throughout the day. It looks like the work of poison…”

“…Sigurd doesn’t look long for this world. His health has left him. I no longer see his attractive tan, it is a ghostly white…”

“…Sigurd can barely speak. We are out in the middle of the desert. The heat isn’t good…”

“…it is night. The last of our water has been used…”

“…in my arms.”

“…Sigurd has passed to a better place than this wretched existence.”

“…I am alive an well. I am lucky we were near a local trade route. Rather he gave me one last parting gift to send me on my way to a direction of a local caravan…”

“…there is nothing for me in Muspell…”

“…it has been two months since Sigurd has passed. I do not know what to do with my life. I have made my way in Maria Village as a negotiator…”

“…by legal decree I am to appear before ‘Warlord Odin’ for consorting with the enemy…”

“…Odin was lenient in my punishment. I was thrown into jail for one week and whipped. This was not before he personaly took -his-spear-of-all-things- to cut off the tip of my left ear. It still hurts…”

“…for the second time I was detained and had to appear before Odin’s court. I have been stripped of anything reminiscent of nobility and privilege. So be it, it is of no use to me anymore…”

“…the canals have been underway…”

“…I tried the corner coffee shop today. I find myself longing for those days with Urd…”

“…perhaps I can find myself in good company if I can track down Skuld…”

“…I have been detained and again am forced to appear in an audience with Odin. As for the rest of my punishment, it seems I am not off the hook. I can either assist the war effort or I will be executed…”

“…Valhalla Militia is not my cup of tea. I, have however, become acquainted with something called ‘Valhallan Tea’. It is rather bitter, but that is the way it is normally taken…”

“…through the grapevine I have learned that Skuld suffered a fate similar to Sigurd…”

“…through the grapevine Leif and Magnus have perished in the war…”

“…this stupid war…”

“…curse this war…”

“…screw Odin!…”

“…I have decided to make a difference. I will become a chooser of the slain. I am one person, but perhaps I can change the tide of the war…”

“…I have not had time for my normal tea at the cafe, nor for entries. I have been training for Valkyriekin…”

“…I am now a Valkyrie…”

“…my role as a Valkyrie is not unlike acting as a lawyer or an arbitrator…”

“…I have been assigned Star Sentinel as Valkyrie…”

“…I have found out I am pregnant. Perhaps I can regain favor with some of the nobles and my child can live the life I deserved…”

“…lucky I didn’t talk about it with anyone. Through the grapevine and other Valkyrie I have learned that Valkyrie and Valken are not allowed to have children…”

“…I have requested transfer from Valhalla to Maria Village to act as an emissary on the front line…”

“…my transfer has been granted by an emissary of Odin. I was told not to consort with the enemy this time, or there would be consequences…”

“…I wish I could hide…”

“…it has been several months since I’ve arrived at Maria Village. Life is boring. I function as a negotiator for supplies. It seems I cannot escape fate…”

“…my daughter was born last night…”

“…I can only take my daughter out at night. Should word get to the high lord, we will both likely be executed…”

“…looking up from that tree in this village towards the night skies, I can only pray to the stars for a better future. The stars are always beautiful and leading us in the world of dreams. I have opted to name my daughter ‘Starla’…”

“…Odin’s ravens Huginn and Muninn saw me with my daughter today. No doubt he will find out and I will be…”

“…I can only hope for a good fate…”

“…am I powerless to control my fate?…”

“…why is fate like this?…”

“…there was a red aurora above Maria Village. It was beautiful, but with the war, I take it as an ill omen…”

“…her name is Salmira. I have heard of her as a forsaken Valkyrie that fled Valhalla. Supposedly she trifles with Odin religiously. She presented herself to me with a plan to save my daughter. She would hide her from me, but it would be some years before I would see her again. I can only agree, I have no choice. If I am to be executed, than at least she may life on…”

“…Salmira has informed me she is known as ‘The Witch of Time’. I didn’t have long to put two and two together. It was made known to me my daughter has been flung through time to live a good life. I will get to see her, but it will be some years of service under Salmira before I will get to do so. My life seems to be always on the line…”

“…I have learned through the grapevine there was a plan to release a delayed poison into multiple troops of Muspell. This was authorized by Odin himself… supposedly…”

“…I am sick of the war and don’t know what to do next…”

“…it has been one year since I have written in this thing…”

“…I hate writing about personal, only as a free spirited teenager was it ever good. I have opted to keep my writing skills towards scholarly works or when I negotiate legal contracts. As such, this will be my last entry. I can only hope for a good future.

So says I,

Alice Verdandi”

The diary’s entries end about three-quarters of the way through the book. The final quarter of the book is blank pages.