Hamund stood at the head of his war table staring into the projection of the galaxy. As he glared through the stars he couldn’t help but imagine what may have happened if earth never met its harsh fate. He tried to picture taking Thorkell out to the beautiful blue lakes of Reykjaa (Raykya) with the mountainous backdrop that always brought tears to his eyes. He still remembered the serene sounds of the water crashing into the rocky shores. He missed the chill in the air that blended with the scent of pine from the expansive tree lines that surrounded the capital city.

He pictured spending days in the colorful woods of their estate, hunting, tracking, and just enjoying the moments together. The picture was clear in his mind- Thorkell stood with his bow drawn, the soft twang of the bow string as it was released, and the low pitched whistle of the arrow as it swam through the chilled winds. Hamund remembered the pride he felt when he heard the echoing thud of the arrow as it made contact with the first buck of the season. The deer was a tall stag, its antlers creating an almost perfect half circle as they outlined the early morning sun. Thorkell had mastered the bow at just eleven years of age. He remembered what Val had said when they had returned with such a magnificent creature. “The boy is a prodigy in the making” echoed through his brain.

His journey through his memories was broken abruptly by the sound of Ken shouting from the other side of the war table “So, what is our plan?”

Hamund blinked and his image of Reykjaa seemed to burn up in front of him. Hamund’s attention snapped into the map as he replied “If what you say is true about Yggdrasil, then there has to be a way into its reach.”

Ken stares at Hamund from across the table, observing his rapid and chaotic movements as he stumbled through his words. Ken’s normal wicked smile now faded and was replaced by a concerned expression, his eyebrows dropped and his mouth now seemed to be a straight line across his face. His loud and commanding tone was softened.

Hamund looked into Ken’s eyes and asked “Can we be certain we will find anything along this journey?”

Ken softly said “Simple answer, no” he shifted his hands along the table expanding the map above the table to show more of the universe. “But can we really not take this risk?”

Hamund looks through the map as he runs his hand across his beard trying to hide his sluggish feeling. “We or you?” he asked as he shifted the map back to focusing on their current galaxy. Before Ken could reply Hamund continued with “Let me make a few things clear, I have no room for deceit on my ship. You are not part of my crew, should you become a risk, I will personally throw you into the depths of space.”

Hamund knew that beneath whatever mask Ken wore, he was still the snake they met in those bloody halls. He saw through his empty sense of empathy, to Hamund, Ken was just a man looking out for himself.

Ken felt the tensions between Hamund and him growing, eager to break the thick air that divided them, he stepped back from the table throwing his hands up and slouching his shoulder as he stated “Yes, sir. I meant no disrespect.”

Hamund examined the projection as he slowly expanded the map avoiding Ken's gazing eye’s. Hamund imputed details that he had remembered from Ken’s map of the universe. The Projection fades leaving the room dim and barren. Hamund’s glare didn’t waiver from Ken, he found himself straightening his posture and broadening his shoulder. Ken avoided looking directly at Hamund as he awaied the projections reappearance.

As Ken fumbled through words he could say to help break Hamunds walls he heard a horde of steps approaching from outside the war room. Ken found himself worrying about who could come through the door behind him. He had met very few members of the crew, none were as threatening to him as Hamund, but all shared a similar conviction to him.

The war room door slid open, Erp led the charge into the room, He was one of the smallest of the group. His appearance, although sturdy, drew no fear from Ken. Erp was followed by a man who Ken had yet to meet.

The man’s face was scarred from burn marks around his right eye. The man was a veteran of the crew leading back to his time on earth.

Hamund couldn’t help but smile as the man stopped beside Ken and said with a low but commanding voice “Vulcan smash little men, much like you.”

“No smashing for Vulcan!” Hamund shouted as he pointed to a seat placed closely to Ken.

Vulcan sat down next to Ken still glaring at him. Ken couldn’t tell what fueled Vulcan’s gaze, was it curiousity or just an urge to kill. Ken glanced over at Vulcan, even sitting Vulcan still was about the same height as Ken. Ken went to shift to a seat away from Vulcan but Hamund quickly responded “Take your seat where you were.”

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Ken slowly sits down into the seat next to Vulcan, creeping slowly into the seat to not draw his anger. As Ken positioned himself at the table, Vulcan could be heard sniffing as he leaned closer towards Ken.

Vulcan’s head blocks Ken's line of vision to Hamund as he exclaims “Man is fragile, where you find him?”

Ken shifted uneasily, his gaze now darting between Vulcan and Hamund. He could feel Vulcan’s eyes borrowing into him, a mix of curiosity and menace bellowed from Vulcan.

Ken raised his arm in an attempt to garner the attention of Hamund as he questioned “Is this how you treat all your guests?”

Hamund ignored Ken but a woman's voice could be heard from behind replying “Just the ones he can’t trust.”

Admadra sat down on the opposing side of Vulcan. Her stare was equally as intimidating to Ken, he remembered the vicious scene of his halls as she stood surrounded by bodies.

Ken tried to appear gleeful as he exclaimed “It's good to see you're okay!”

Admadra's face twists in confusion as she asks Ken “What do you mean?”

“You blacked out on us.” Ken says before being interrupted by Hamund shouting “Eir, welcome to the war table!”

Ken quickly turns his attention to the sturdy physique of the woman standing behind him.

As Eir walked past Ken she stepped towards Admadra and tapped her on the shoulder. Eir leaned down and softly whispered “Don’t listen to a word this man says, he has been a problem since he arrived.”

Eir takes a seat next to Hamund and begins speaking with him about the status of Thorkell “He is stable now, the transfusion seemed to be successful.”

Hamund's heart pounded as he took in Eir’s words. Thorkell was stable, which was a relief, but he thought of the implications of this news and how heavy that feeling was. The idea that Val could be Thorkell’s father left a sour taste in Hamunds mouth. He had raised Thorkell, watched him grow into the young man he was, and now, that bond was threatened by a truth that no one wished to confront.

Eir glanced at Hamund, sensing the turmoil in his silence and his wandering gaze. She continued, her voice lowered to avoid eavesdropping “This doesn’t change anything, the boy will only ever know you as his father. Val has made it clear he doesn’t want to take away from the way the boy sees his father.”

Hamund smiles and thanks Eir for the update as the rest of the room fills in with the remainder of the crew. Each body hidden in the shadows of the room, the projector reignites as the large scale map of the universe fills the darkness. Depictions of galaxies connecting to each other all branching to a large central tree-like stream of light.

Hamund studied over the map amazed at how closely it depicted the stories of the connecting tree. The intricate galaxies connecting like branches shining through the abyss of space. Each glowing cluster pulsed with energy, as though Yggdrasil itself was alive, watching them, as they observed it from the farthest reaches of space.

Hamund's eyes widened as he followed each connecting branch. The stars and galaxies seemed to brighten his eyes with each one he passed.

“It’s Incredible,” Hamund murmured, almost to himself. “I heard many stories of the connecting tree. Never did I expect something so beautiful, so large… or this real.”

Ken found himself empowered by the map, focused on the center he thought of the power he could hold should he reach the tree. His hands were shaking with excitement as he tried to hold himself back from standing up to get a closer look.

Vulcan hid under the table fearing the shimmering lights that ignited near his face like sparks from a fire. He repeated to himself “No hurt me… no hurt me.”

Admadra looked through the stars and lights and felt pride for Hamund, it was the first time she had seen hope in his eyes. She whispered, hoping that only Hamund could hear “It’s good to see that light in your eyes again.”

Hamund stood up, brightened by the lights of the projection. As he looked across the room he stated “I know things have been rough,we have had times where every possible resource has been limited.” Hamund lifted his hands pointing to each of the galaxies along their path, “With this map we can change that fate, Never again will we go without food, wine or fuel.”

Ken rockets up and shouts “Don’t forget our deal!”

Hamund gives a sinister smile and says “How could I? This man here asked me, in exchange for a new home, to help find Mirmir’s knowledge.” He pauses as the room erupts with laughter. “At first I was hesitant, an outsider! Seeking the knowledge of our gods!”

Kens squints with a scrunched face as anxiety races through him. He peers through the lights of the map. Hamund continues “But who would I be to decide the wills of fate? It was clear to me Woden himself sent this man to aid in our search for a new home.”

The crowd cheers as Hamund’s smile grows. “But let me make this clear, should this be the lies of Loki, I will personally see this man fly like an eagle covered in blood.”

The crew’s laughter echoed through the war room, Hamund knew he had won over his crew. He thought to himself that no matter what tricks ken tried, they would only hinder his position on the ship.

Ken felt his legs shake under him uncontrollably as he watched Hamund rally his crew. He knew this was another of Hamunds calculated moves to prevent Ken from winning over any of the weak minded crew members.

Ken stood frozen, his mind racing as Hamund stared through the map focused on him and him only. The crews laughter still wrung out through his ears. He pictured the Tree on all the promises it brought to him. He thought about how far he had come and rage burned through him as he forced a smile. Ken knew from the start that Hamund was going to be an obstacle in his way, but he never envisioned a man as gifted in words as he was.