Time is marching on, except for a certain girl on a boat. The dolrums get to her. All she sees is ocean on the port (left) side of the ship, and the coast of Muspell on the starboard (right) side of the ship. Most of the coast is sand. She knew that Muspell is desert, but she had no idea it was this much. She had thought the lands of Myrkvellir, Svarta and Jotunher were in fact very close to Muspell; she now knows she is very mistaken. She doesn’t know how to get through the next two weeks. Most of her time is spent moping around with nothing to do. When she gets bored enough she finally caves and takes to the training that Strife gives her. Different forms of cuts with a sword. Strife at points even participates. However, othertimes Strife pushes for the girl to take to reading, which she eventually obliges. Strife lends her different books and the two swap them when Sweiza is finished. Just how many books does Strife have anyway? Strife won’t tell her.

Sweiza begins to wonder about how many secrets does Strife have. Perhaps if she can’t find out now, two hundred years in the future, a much older Strife would part with some of them. But then again, Strife might hold many more that she is unwilling to share.

Sweiza finally does pipe up, but she does it a bit different.

“Uh, Alice?”

A surprised Strife looks up from her book. She isn’t ready to be called that name.

“That name is a bit to formal for our relations. Please call me Alyssa. That is what friends call me.”

Strife folds the book and otherwise remains stiff. Sweiza doesn’t see the point in this. She’ll try the name later. However, there is something else she is curious about.

“Lady Strife, was there any particular reason you might consider a different weapon than a sword?”

Strife looks up at her. “Swords are very good all purpose weapons. However, I feel they are also a beginner weapon. Even though it is a sword, I’ve been considering using a rapier. They are quite fast. But under normal circumstances they are limited against armored foes. I’ve considered acquiring an enchanted one that might be able to do just that.”

Sweiza twitches her right cheek at the words. “No, what I meant was, in the future you use a lance.”

Strife is standing now. “Remind me to ask you about what other things you remember about me. But for now, yes, I have considered using a spear or a lance as a backup weapon. They have a great range, but are rather unwieldly unless in the proper trained hands.”

Strife half circles the girl once, “Vorkera, why are you asking me about my weapon preference?”

Busted. Sweiza freezes and then spits it out. Rather she produces the sword she has been using and gives it to Strife. Strife seems hesitant to hold it. However, when she does, she flip it over and eyes one of the crossguards once.

“You’re telling the truth.”

Sweiza stares absentmindedly at the woman.

Strife turns the sword around and shows the crossguards to her. She points to several notches in it.

“Each notch represents fifty years.”

Sweiza blinks and tilts her head.

Strife stares up in disbelief and hands the sword back to Sweiza. Strife pulls out the same sword. Wait, the same sword? Sweiza does a double take. Strife is most certainly holding the same sword.

Strife turns it around and shows Sweiza the crossguard. It is missing the notches.

“This was Sigurd’s sword. Perhaps I knew you were my daughter in the future.”

Oh. That. Is all that Sweiza thinks. She simply nods at Strife. She bows, clicks her heels together and walks off. She feels stupid for having asked.

—

On the eighth day of their journey, it is in the evening, shortly after dinner, that Sweiza has volunteered to serve as a lookout. Granted there will not be much to see, but using Strife’s spyglass, she should be able to find something interesting. In fact, she is…

“Starla, prepare yourself!”

Sweiza turns around. An ominous sight. Strife swings her spyglass around the girl’s legs in the area behind her knees. She is tumbled backwards. This is not what she is expecting.

Sweiza is left to look up at Strife staring down at her, spyglass in hand. She hands it down to the girl.

Sweiza stands up and dusts herself off. The deck of this ship isn’t exactly the cleanest thing in the world. She’ll need to make a note to clean it later. However, there is the matter of Strife.

“Strife, that wasn’t called for!”

“Vera, we are entering into unfamiliar territory. Being on guard for the worst is -always- called for.”

Sweiza’s eyes wince up and she chews the involuntary words with gritted teeth. She says nothing as her eyes narrow at the woman.

“If that is your answer Vera…” Strife clicks her heels together, about faces and turns around. She doesn’t get very far.

“Valkyrie Strife!”

Strife immediately stiffens, but is definitely perked with interest; Sweiza cannot see the latter.

“Prepare yourself!”

Sweiza charges her with nothing but the spyglass. She swings it hard. It will hit her in the arm.

Strife hear’s the direction of her footsteps. She is half turned. The spyglass is close to connecting. Strife’s gauntlet appears on her left arm to deflect the blow. Strife’s other gauntlet appears with a short sword in hand. It is pointed at Sweiza’s face.

This stance is held for some seconds - spyglass to gauntlet, gauntlet and knife to face. This time feels like an eternity to Sweiza, especially from the expressionless face on Strife. Sweiza finally does the unthinkable. There is a puddle running down her leg to the deck below. Strife looks from Sweiza’s face to the ground below.

“We’ll need to condition and harden you for the better.”

Sweiza sees an opportunity and knees Strife in the leg. Strife promptly drops the knife. Sweiza isn’t much worse for wear as she feels pain in her knee from the maneuver. Strife is crouched down massaging her knee, Sweiza takes a step back and promptly drops. Sweiza’s eyes fill with alarm as Strife reaches for the knife again. She expects another maneuver, but the knife disappears with Strife’s gauntlets. Still cradling her knee, Sweiza watches as Strife stands back up and takes a slight bow at her.

“I look forward to more of these exercises.”

Strife turns around and walks off; but she pauses momentarily.

“I hope we will -both- benefit from them in the future. Good day young lady.”

Strife gives a slight over her shoulder look at the girl and walks off. Sweiza simply sticks her tongue out at her.

Most of the pain gone in her knee now, she grabs the spyglass from the deck. If she knows Strife as well as she does from the future, her younger counterpart will have a thing or to to say if Sweiza does -not- do a duty she volunteered for.

At least today was interesting…

—

Dinner on the ninth night turns up an interesting conversation. It is during these moments that Sprite is finally granted access to sugar. Lukas remarks that the poor boy seems to have quite the appetite. Sweiza assures him the boy is a bottomless pit of the worst type. Word gets around between the four of them about marriage. Strife is a widow, Lukas has a family, Sprite is considered exiled and excommunicated, Sweiza has Lester.

Sprite doesn’t waste a beat.

“Those two were always edging each other into trouble!”

“Sprite!”

Sweiza drops her fork and points an accusing finger at him. She doesn’t waste any time drinking what is powdered milk mixed with water. She promptly slaps the mug down quicker than Lukas would like. His poor dishes!

Sweiza stands up and glares down at him, wiping what liquid is left on her face.

“You lil’ shit! You keep your mouth shut if you know what is good for you!”

Sprite flies up from the table.

“This is why you were never allowed to sit at the table with Mama and Papa!”

Sprite bobs up and down and then sticks his tongue out at her.

Lukas grins at the display, but it is Strife giggling that gets everyone’s attention. She is leaning with her elbows on the table, and her hands clasped together supporting her chin. The act is quite deliberate.

“Perchance Vera would entertain the prospect of a Guardian in her life instead.”

Sweiza’s head cocks at Strife hard; her eyes shoot daggers into the woman.

“A Guardian. You know, a Sentinel.”

“One of those monstrosities?”

“Oh, they aren’t always like that my dear.” Strife waves a hand at the girl before clasping it hand to hand and under her chin again. Strife’s head shifts to the side and the teasing continues, “They do start out as men. Male Valkyrie, you know, Valken.”

Sweiza’s arms cross and her head cocks in the other direction.

“They’re just so long lived Vera. They would be a good match for you. A troublemaker with a well behaved Guardian. Hand in hand, dagger in despair.”

Sweiza turns around at the woman. She isn’t sure to be upset, continue glaring at her, or to rebuke the woman. Sweiza is clearly wide eyed and nerved. However, she does something unexpected and chooses to diminish her anger and sit herself down gracefully at the table.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Lukas, could you pass the fish?”

A big smirk crosses Strife’s face. Lukas delighted, raises a plate of fish to her. The plate is promptly jerked away as Sprite tries to dive bomb it. He tries a second time and Sweiza catches him with her hand. She sets him down on the table, but doesn’t release her grip; the plate tilts sideways as the remaining fish slice drops to her own plate. One of her eyes closes and she cocks the other open at Strife.

Strife merely lets out a giggle at her.

Lukas is clearly amused at this. The banter of two maidens is all the company he needs for this voyage.

—

The tenth day finally turns up something interesting. An excited Sweiza runs to the ‘shack’ and interrupts Strife and Lukas.

“Vera, whatever is the matter?” Asks a concerned Strife.

“A volcano! It’s much bigger than Mount Surt!” She quickly points towards the starboard (right) of the ship. Lukas looks up and simply shakes his head. Sweiza grabs onto Strife and starts attempting to pull her out to the deck of the ship. Strife reluctantly looks at Lukas and finally follows the girl outside.

Sure enough, there is a big volcano. Strife herself is both bemused and impressed by it. Sweiza simply gawks at it, then to Strife for her reaction.

“Yes, it is a rather large volcano. Supposedly the slumber of Surt is here as long as it is dormant.”

Now it is Sweiza’s turn to be confused. “The giant that causes Ragnarok? I thought Surt was the name of the dragon at Mount Surt in Dawez near Maria.”

“Who do you think they are named after?” Strife says it amused. Sweiza is not impressed.

“What is the volcano’s name?”

“Mount Surt of course.” Strife says it, expectations high in her reaction from Sweiza. It doesn’t fail to disappoint. Sweiza just stares at her and the volcano.

“Why?!”

“There is more than one Mount Surt, there are at least four I believe, one in Midgard, Muspell, another in Niffleheim and then another in Vanir. This one, however, is of special interest to us.”

Sweiza nods enthusiastically.

Strife continues, “If the legends be true, Surt is a massive giant with a large flaming sword that rains destruction from above. He will most surely bring about Ragnarok at some point.”

Sweiza shudders at the word. Her people, and most people throughout the land know what the fabled ‘Ragnarok’ is.

Sweiza is clutching onto Strife’s arm at this point. Strife looks down at her bewildered and disapproving. She shakes the girl loose.

“Really young lady. You need to behave your enthusiasm and stay your boisterousness. Do you really want to wake Surt with your rambunctious and impulsive attitude?”

Sweiza quickly shakes her head.

“Good. Now if we…” Strife stops the minute Lukas is out on deck. He has overheard part of the conversation. He gives it no attention, remembering full well Strife’s warning from before.

“As it is, this is our first point of interest. We travel southwest to reach Jotunheim.” Lukas’s arms are crossed. This journey is almost half over. He’d have to wait while the maiden’s did their thing, then he would head back to Muspell Harbor to collect his bounty and reason why he agreed to this frivalous journey. He merely doesn’t tell them that. Valhallan Brandy is rather hard to come by in the western regions.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with this region; I’ve only seen it on maps. Have we crossed the point of Svarta?” Strife says it, her arms and eyes closed in thought.

“Indeed Madam Valkyrie.”

Sweiza just blinks. She’s heard of the area, but has never been this far. She had always thought Jotunher, Svarta and Myrkvellir were bordering Muspell. She’ll have to check the map in the ‘shack’ later.

Lukas’s affirmation is clear, “In about four or five days we should reach Jotunher. However, there are no known ports. We’ll have to anchor close to shore and take a dingy.”

Sweiza is about to open her mouth, but she feels a nudge from behind her. Strife is slightly hunged over at eye level. Her eyes are peaking behind Sweiza’s shoulder. Is this the same woman? Sweiza looks over at the direction of Strife’s finger. It is pointing to a small boat on the starboard side. Strife is picking up on Sweiza’s mannerisms and her bewildered questions it seems. Sweiza looks up in disbelief. She looks back to Strife. The woman has composed herself again.

“And Lady Vorkera, do be wise when we enter Jotunher. It is largely untammed country with all manner of beasts.” Strife says it with her arms crossed and eyes closed. That part doesn’t bother Sweiza, it is that the woman is nodding matter of factually. Sweiza is about to stick her tongue out, but Lukas pipes up.

“Master Loki’s influence can be felt throughout the three southern continents, but will become especially noticeable as we approach the giant’s kingdom. Be sharp and weary for anything and especially in your dreams. As Odin is to Midgard, Loki is to Jotunher and her kin.” Lukas says it sharply to the Valkyrie, but especially eyes Sweiza. Sweiza simply nods.

—-

On day eleven, the most unfortunate of occurances has befallen Sweiza. She now must act as Valkyrie Angst, or as Strife calls her “Valkyrie Vorkera”. A full training regiment, different cuts, thrusts, blocks, guards, using her body as a weapon. This is tiring, and she must do it for as long as she…

“Strife, I can’t handle this anymore!” Sweiza drops her sword down. Her hands are sweaty inside her gauntlet. She swears she smells. In fact, she hasn’t had a good bath for awhile. She’ll need to remember to go for a swim once they hit land.

“Oh? I thought there were certain Valkyrie that wanted a mentor.” Strife says it, serious, but her eyebrows perk up with the slightest playfulness. “…and it will do you well to respect your… assets, or rather, mine in the future. Whatever.” Strife seems stuck on what to say on the matter. What was her future counterpart thinking anyway? That sword is an heirloom. But perhaps that is the reason. Whatever.

“Strife. I stink! This workout is making me hot and sweaty! I really need to go for a swim if I’m to continue!”

Strife lets out a devilish laugh; the back of her right hand covering her mouth. Sweiza feels a chill run down her spine, she doesn’t like where this is going.

Some moments later, Sweiza is in the ocean, or rather as Lukas has recently corrected her, “Muspeller Sea”. An amused Strife looks down at the girl who is quit drenched.

“It’s not funny pushing me overboard Strife!”

Strife gives it no attention. Her idea was to put a rope around the main mast and tie one end to Sweiza’s foot. While temping to keelhaul her for all of the trouble that she causes her, Strife thought better of it. Instead she simply said she agrees the girl needs a bath… then pushed her overboard.

For once, Sweiza gets some ‘playtime’ in. Sprite is quick to join her. The two most certainly take their time. Strife gives it no attention. Something else requires her attention and direction.

—-

Paddling around the boat, Sweiza is interrupted by Sprite. He wears a big smile on his face and motions towards the deck. There is a rope ladder, but he blocks her path. Instead, he smiles again. He motions for her to go around to the otherside of the boat towards the front. She does as directed and follows him. He motions for her to stay out of sight. He then points to his ears and the deck above. She looks up. Strife is talking with someone.

“Yes, but you do understand. I can’t call a Sentinel out this far. I mean, it is feasible and they would most likely grant the request, but Odin will have questions. I don’t think the Asgard would likely appreciate the request either.”

There is a muffled voice. It sounds like a low growl.

“Yes, but dragon fire is easier to dispense in your case. You also have some of the items that…”

Strife stops. The muffled voice gets louder, it is quite upset. To Sweiza, it sounds like sand scraping. She remembers it from somewhere. She finally hears it.

“…this nonsense will be the end of you...”

It sounds like Surt the dragon. She remembers her last encounter. Quite embarassing.

“She’s my daughter! What would you do?” Strife says it quite distressed.

The voice of the dragon is again muffled.

“Would you turn your back on family? We had a deal!”

Sweiza hears the voice again, it is rather disgruntled but agreeable, “Fine. Sway time. It will take time to get there.”

Strife says something indistinguishable. The dragon voice says it loud and in defiance, “That mess to the south is a human problem.”

Sweiza hears Strife’s heels click together and then her voice, “I am in your debt. I won’t forget this Surt.”

There is more rustling of the sand voice.

Sweiza looks from the direction of the voice on the deck and then to Sprite. Sweiza motions with her head to move. They move to the other side of the boat.

“I think she was using that Scriving thing again.”

Sprite perks up at “Scriving”. “You mean ‘Scriving Mirror’? Those are expensive. If you can get one, it will let you communicate all over Midgard.”

Sweiza also perks at the thought. She nods. She will have to get one. One of those ‘Penchants’ would also be nice. She’ll need to ask, no ‘pester’ Strife to give up the secrets of one. Perhaps it can be made…

—

The next four days pass by without incident. Sweiza has taken to her training regiment on the grounds she can get a saltwater bath - without Strife’s meddling of course. Sweiza did hope to eavesdrop on Stife, but she has largely kept to herself and her reading. She does perk up if it means bossing Sweiza around concerning her studies of dragons and ‘Futhark’. Sweiza finally drops ‘Futhark’ as a curse, Strife is not impressed. That indent gets her thrown into the drink again with a laughing Strife. At least the woman’s spirit isn’t deterred. Lukas on the other hand, has kept to himself in the ‘shack’. He rarely comes out unless it is for fishing, something he has largely left to Sweiza at this point. The few times he did come out, he merely scans around the ship. When asked he merely commented about maintenance on his ship needing to be checked on. Sweiza simply nods. Is he concerned about Loki?

On the final day, they see leaves in the wind. A wind? A rather chilly one. Jotunher is supposed to be cold, but it also looks like a storm might be brewing. When she is allowed to look through Strife’s spyglass, she confirms what Strife has conferred with her. Land. Jotunheim is just off the bow of the ship.

“Finally!” Sweiza says it with some enthusiasm. Strife simply shakes her head at the girl. Sweiza cannot figure out the problem. It is only Lukas that confirms what Strife already knew. They will not be landing that night. It would be dangerous to do so. They will instead anchor for the night. Even then, the next morning Strife and Sweiza would be on their own and would take a dinghy to shore; Lukas would stay on the ship for the duration of their land travels. His ship, his rules, but more importantly it is a matter of safety. Traveling by foot to get back to the southeastern most harbor in Midgard would require traversing land across four continents, one of which includes Niffleheim. It is simply out of the question.

Sweiza finds the anchor mechanism weird. A spinning mechanism via wood around the mast. It would explain what the spokes sticking out of the wheel were. The rope could be slowly wound up or released depending on the direction the spokes were turned. Sweiza volunteered. Turns out the rope ran under the floorboards through the ceiling of the lower deck and then joined to an anchor on the side of the ship - or so Lukas says. Sweiza still doesn’t believe it, but it is a clever way of an anchor mechanism. Then again, she has no idea how sailor’s do things, she only knows what she has learned.

When the three of them return to the upper deck’s cabin, they are surprised to see a familiar red haired woman wearing red glasses; her red, white and pink uniform is unmistakable. Sweiza and Strife recognize her as Salmira; Lukas has heard of her, but he says nothing.

“You humans and this need to make merriment while you eat. Perhaps it is for the better. I’m here to warn you about Loki.” Salmira pushes up her glasses for effect. “He is not what you think, but then he is as your thoughts believe; he is what you know and then some. Your thoughts will deceive you, as will he. Don’t be surprised if he uses them against you.”

Salmira is standing from her chair at this point. She continues to look at one of the shelves without directly looking at them. This is more for effect; she doesn’t need to see them as much as she can feel and sense their presence.

“Why warn us about what we already know?” Lukas is the first to speak up. He isn’t going to be trifled with on his own boat; legendary goddesses be damned.

“As much as they should be concerned about you, puppet of Loki.” Salmira faces the group. Her eyes are a distinct blue, but they flash red when she says puppet of Loki.

Lukas takes several steps back behind Sweiza and then Strife. The Valkyrie might be able to protect him. Maybe.

Strife isn’t phased. “Your aurora has followed us here and there since the harbor. State your business and begone.”

Salmira’s right cheek comes up, “Loki is a super computer like Odin. He is, ‘Logical, Omnidirectional, Kinetic, Intelligence’ personified.”

Sweiza catches the acronym, “His name is an acronym like Odin?”

Salmira taps her glasses, “Very good. If Odin is to intelligence, wisdom and predicting events of the future, then Loki serves his own interests of being able to guide direction, shapeshift and set future events into motion.”

Sweiza again catches something, “Isn’t Thor also the other god in our culture?”

Salmira nods once.

“Is Thor one of those kom…pyuu…ters?”

Salmira again nods. “You guessed it kid. However, Thor’s being was sacrified because of the likes of Loki. That essence has been spread out throughout what you call Sentinels. It is why that country is called the Kingdom of Thor.”

“And what of his hammer?” Strife says it more to the point.

“The art of creation of his hammer is lost on me. I only appear in times of need or in reference to things important. However, Loki is the one that gave him said hammer. It’s material was melted down into a carrier for that iron race. However, another one can easily be forged.”

“Lady Salmira, how do we get to Loki’s final resting place in that ‘torture chamber’?”

Salmira shakes her head at the word ‘torture chamber’,

“It is in the furthest crest southeast from Midgard, but on the northwest tip of Jotunheim. You will have to travel into woodland several days journey. I can point you in the direction. He knows of your presence here, yet he doesn’t know why. Use that penchant device of yours to follow his black heart to his ‘torture chamber’ as you call it. That will be all.”

All three of them see their surroundings flash into a white light and then fade back to their normal colors. Salmira is gone just the same. All three of them look at each other, they have their work cut out for them.

For now, their priority is getting a meal into their guts, setting up anchor and getting a good night’s sleep for the day ahead of them. Strife keeps a close eye on Lukas. She already had her suspicions about him, but Salmira calling him a puppet also has her doubly concerned. However, she reminds herself that the two of them will need him to get back home safely. Hopefully she will not need for that backup insurance the requested from Surt. Time will tell.