“And finally, the Grand Square. Home to the Grand Keep and all the various festivals that Modgudr provides that the people might know their blessings.”
Across the square was a set of stone doors that could have easily fit ten men through abreast. It was guarded by dozens of armed guards. They were arrayed around the square and the custodian was walking toward them.
“And those giant doors?”
The question was again ignored and they walked between the first row of guards, into the center of the square. Erik would have been pensive, but for the smiles and nods from the men he passed by. The custodian took a sharp left turn, heading to the western edge of the courtyard. A pair of guards pulled open the doors as they approached.
They followed the custodian inside to a hall with polished wood floors, wainscoting and painted walls. Tove was unable to stifle a noise of amazement at the refinement of it. The ceilings were high and chandeliers lit it all fairly well.
“This way,” the custodian said after a moment’s silence. He’d been allowing them to take in the surroundings and be awed by them, at least that was Erik’s assessment of the watchful pause inside the door.
The keep was a winding place of unfailingly beautiful decor. They passed dozens of rooms before being led into and across a grand hall lined with armor, all of it dented and pieced and torn from battle. Wide doors were pushed open and inside sat an enormous woman, muscled with a large axe leaned against the chair she sat in. She was easily seven feet tall. Erik could tell even with the woman in her seat as she was.
“Erik the Chosen, his valkyrie, Göll, and his assembled warband are hereby presented to her glory Modgudr, Keeper of Gjallarbrú.”
Modgudr waved the man away. “Sit, eat.”
The table was full of food, more than any person could hope to eat in a year’s time. Tove did not wait to be invited a second time, rushing to a seat. Servants appeared and prepared a heaping plate for her. While they did their work, Erik moved to the seat at the far end of the table, looking down at Modgudr with Göll at his side.
“Come, Erik, let’s not have looks on our faces. You’ve brought a new face before me, one I did not expect to see. And she eats from my plates and I have sworn your protection, haven’t I? Or… I ought to have. Wilhelm saw to it, did he not?”
“He did. You can understand my hesitance.”
She laughed. “I can. For rumors to have flown to me, is no small thing, berserker. But still, the way must not have been so simple.” She ripped the meat from the leg of a turkey and chewed it smiling. “After Lofgrund, there are few who don’t know your name. Ásví has made many wary of anyone who lives in a stone home. The woman is obsessed with elfhood, you understand. But she will not ascend to dine with the Alfr. She has a sickness in her mind.” Modgudr tossed the bone away.
“You won’t hear an argument from me.”
One of the servants laid a plate of food in front of Erik and he looked down at it. It was simpler fare than he expected, arranged neatly, though, in spite of the amount. He ate, keeping his eyes on Modgudr. The giantess turned her attention to Göll.
“It is your first time in my hall, is it not Göll?”
Göll did not offer an answer. The words felt almost like a provocation, even to Erik.
“I am glad to see you here, in spite of your silence. Hearing that you felled both Hrist and Mist, putting a castle atop Ásví. We’ve spoken of it for weeks.” Modgudr leaned forward. “But I’ve heard a rumor about that as well. Erik the Chosen…” She wore a sly smile, her eyes looking him over. “Most have dismissed the idea as madness, but it is said you snapped the bone of one of Odin’s pets. Mist, if I recall. And now you sit at my table with the work of Völundr strapped to your arms. Is all of it true?”
Erik looked up from his plate, mouth half full of food. “Sure, sounds right to me.”
She frowned for just a moment. “I’d expected something different, but I do not dislike what you are. I will say it plain. I control those who pass across the Great Bridge Gjallarbrú. I require payment before I will allow you to cross.”
Erik let his fork fall to the table. “That’s about par for the course. What do you want from me?”
She held up a hand. “There is equitable trade. You help me uphold justice in my city and perhaps turn Odin’s eye toward you as you near his hall. I have a chance to deal with a man who has worn my patience thin.”
“So, you want me to catch some guy and bring him here?”
“I do,” Modgudr took another turkey leg and bit into it. “A man called Ljunge. He’s stolen from me, a piece of armor taken as a prize from one of the many who have tested me. The armor means little to me, but Ljunge has been a problem for quite some time. He knows this, yet he persists. I will pull off his skin for the trouble.” Her voice was entirely casual, considering her promise to flay the man. She looked at the leg with a bored expression and tossed it away. “He stays at the Calf’s Head Inn. It is in the entertainment district. Your custodian likely showed you the place.”
“He did. But if you know where this guy is, why don’t you just have your men go get him?”
Modgudr shrugged, leaning back and pushing on the handle of her axe. “I have decided that you will do it, and I need no more
