Day seven of their journey and Sweiza pesters Strife about the different books in her study. Strife finally relents.

Ever since that day that her parent’s house was slated, no commandeered and slated for demolition for Odin’s canals, Strife vowed to get even. One of her ways of doing so is to study all manner of illegal enchantments no longer allowed in Valhalla. Odin himself maintains several double standards, including knowledge of the mystic ruins known as “Futhark”. Sweiza doesn’t get much time to respond when Strife produces a book on the matter. She gives it to Sweiza and tells her to keep it to study, but to return when she has memorized it.

“Why, what is so great about the ruins?” Sweiza is bewildered at the idea. Why should she learn something so… superstitious?

“They are not superstition Vera. When transcribed in the right way, they serve as an enchantment. Odin himself uses them. He traded his eye to learn about them, or so the rumor goes.”

“What other rumors do you know?” Sweiza sits down crosslegged next to Strife.

“I know that certain nosey Valkyrie might be interested in learning about the occult, mysticism, pagan rituals, enchantments, arcana and other enchantments in the same fashion as her mentor.” Strife says it with some amusement.

“I highly doubt that. I like to do what is practical for my uses and experience.” Sweiza says it, quite arrogant as she closes her eyes and whips around.

“Even if it involves such things as to where we might be going?” Strife again says it with some amusement.

Sweiza halts in her tracks and literally walks fast at pace backwards as she is side by side with Strife. “Do tell.”

Strife whips her hand out and produces a book. She hands it to Sweiza. “Dragon Taxonomy - Spirit of the Dracokin”.

Sweiza takes the book, then looks from it to Strife. “What is this?”

“A book. Something to teach you about dragons. Take this one also.” Another one appears in Strife’s hand. Sweiza with some curiosity takes it with her other hand. She looks at the cover. It says, “Jotunher - The Land of the Giants.”

Sweiza looks at the book and reluctantly takes it. She wills the other book in her other hand into her being. She is getting better at it, but it still takes a few tries to absorb it into herself. Her curiosity is on the book about Jotunher, that will be the location they go to. She closes her eyes, whips open the book faster than Strife’s liking, and then she points at a random entry. She opens her eyes and looks at the entry.

“Lokisenna, the Verbal Duel of Loki.” Sweiza says it out loud. She looks up at Strife, “Isn’t he Odin’s blood brother? I heard he was banished and not allowed to set foot in Midgard.”

“There are many rumors surrounding the shapeshifter known as Loki. I doubt it is a coincidence that entry came up considering that red aurora…” Strife points her finger up at the sky without looking away from Sweiza, “…has been in the sky since it appeared.”

Sweiza nods blankly. “Will we run into him?”

“If it is not a random act, and it be an act of Salmira, count on it. Loki supposedly knows how Thor’s Hammer is forged. We should find him closer to the realm of Jotunher. I’m not sure of his exact location, but supposedly some of the inhabitants of Jotunher might be of some help. I’ve also heard they might know how the hammer is forged, so perhaps we won’t need his help. I don’t know yet.”

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Lukas is out by this point. “Pardon my interruption, but were you talking about Master Loki?”

Strife’s eyebrows perk, Sweiza looks around. Sweiza is the first to speak, “I heard he is a no good rabblerouser that causes trouble wherever he goes.”

“He is a legend in these parts, but perhaps that is because I’m as far travelled as Jotunheim. I hear different things about him versus what you Midgardians might know.”

“Enchanting. Do tell.” Strife says it, curious.

“He has helped the gods many times. But he has also caused them just as much trouble. It is why he was banished. He is responsible for the death of one of Freya’s sons.”

Sweiza looks to Strife then back to Lukas. Lukas continues. “Supposedly for what he did to Freya’s son, Odin personally had him shackled as far from Midgard as he could; Jotunheim is considered the area by legend. He is shackled in a cave somewhere. A snake lies over his head that drips venom. He shapeshifts to avoid it most of the time, but the shackles hold him in check. When his powers as a god tire, his wife Sigyn holds a bowl to catch the venom. However, when it becomes full and while the god is still tired, the venom finally hits him. His trembling is what causes the earthquakes in Jotun, or so I gather.”

“Just how powerful is Loki?” Sweiza is intrigued by the shapeshifting.

“Not very dear. He is more of a trickster and tempter that runs amok or verbally insults people if he thinks he can get away with it.” Strife is quick to make that point before Lukas can speak.

“As a man of Midgard myself, I can agree with that statement. But I myself as a traveler of Jotun and Svarta, believe that the legends and hearsay of Loki’s atonement are also at play. I’m sure Master Loki wishes to atone for what he did to Baldr.”

Strife is now standing. “I doubt very much that Lord Odin would ever allow his bloodbrother back into Valhalla.”

Now it is Lukas’s eyebrows that shoot up. “Perhaps. But Master Loki is well known for appearing to travelers to guide them on their way. I expect to meet him someday also. Perhaps I will make that fortune.” Lukas muses about it.

Strife’s arms cross. She looks at Lukas, and then to Sweiza, “It will do you well not to concern yourself with such folly. From what I’ve heard Loki is also known to guide people, rather I should say ‘trick’ them, on a path that might lead them to Niffleheim, or worse, Hel itself. There were rumors about this during the most recent war. I can only hope none of my friends were sent off to their fate by him.”

Lukas visibly flinches. Sweiza tries to break the tension but Strife interrupts her. Strife eyes Lukas up once, “It may be your ship, but she is my apprentice. I would prefer it if you did not discuss such fanciful nonsense as Loki and warp her mind. She is still young and foolish and has much to learn.”

Lukas is about to say something, but Strife clicks her heals together. “Do not stir the wrath of Valhalla.”

Lukas nods and quickly bows. “It was not my intent to discrupt a Valkyrie’s business. My apologies. If you’ll excuse me I must retreat to the helm and plot our course.”

It is clearly a lie. Strife eyes him once. Sweiza quickly turns from the ‘small shack’ and back to Strife. Sweiza quickly changes the subject.

“So there are dragons in Jotunheim also?

“Vera, there are dragons on extreme ends of Midgard; those from Muspell and Jotunher, as well as those from Vanir and Alfgard.”

Sweiza blinks several times. “I thought I’d heard that dragons were also out at sea.”

“You are thinking of Leviathans. They are wingless dragons, but part of the same family of creature.”

“Oh.” Sweiza blinks once, but then enthusiastically pipes up, “Dont dragons bring good luck?”

“Only those in the east. They are also a type of wingless dragon that can fly. I have not seen one personally.”

Sweiza smiles, “What about the dragons from ‘our’ area?”

“Unfortunately, the legends about them being an ill omen are true, especially matters concerning the recent war.”

“Hmm.” Sweiza muses about it.

“Young apprentices should probably read books on the matter, rather than muse to their mentor. A better productive use of time I think. I would appreciate it if you would leave this one.” Strife sits back down on the chair at the bow of the ship. Sweiza mentions something about Loki. Strife sets her book down. One of her eyebrows cocks up at Sweiza. Sweiza gets the point, quickly bows and excuses herself to the lower deck.

On her way there, she sighs. They have two more weeks of this to deal with. Hopefully she can avoid upsetting her mentor. For that matter, hopefully Lukas and Strife can keep the peace with each other.