Erik rubbed his temples, not sure exactly what was happening. “You… want to join me… so you can get laid?”
“Laid?” Ljunge furrowed his brow. “Does that mean sex?”
“Yes.”
He smiled. “Then, yes. Precisely. Sex and money. Both.”
Erik crouched in front of Ljunge, studying his empty expression. “How many times have you died?”
“In Helheim? Hundreds, at least.” He laughed. “Oh! But I should say, I’m terrible with a sword. Or dagger. Or with fighting.”
Erik’s face found his palm. “And why would that convince me to take you anywhere?”
“Ah! See, you’ve missed the crucial part. I can fail as many times as I need to.”
As stupid as Ljunge’s grin might have been, the point was a good one. “Alright, fair enough.”
“Fantastic! I’ve wanted to see Helborgen for ages.” Ljunge rolled over, starting to drag himself up on his good leg.
“Helborgen?”
“Hel’s city. I hear it’s better even than Gjallarbrú, with wonders no one could dream of. Are you not going there?”
Erik looked at Göll and she nodded. “Seems we are.”
“I’d thought so. Valhalla is there, after all.” He began walking forward, dragging the leg with the ruined ankle. “But it’ll be Helborgen for me. The women there…” Ljunge gave a low whistle. “The food as well, I’ve heard. Incomparable, they say.”
He carried on about food and women until they came to the courtyard where the custodian came and received them. There was a scar on the man’s face that Erik hadn’t noticed before. It was small, just below his chin. Erik was sure it hadn’t been there before.
“Modgudr awaits you in her hall. She will see the criminal Ljunge for herself.”
Göll put a hand on Tove’s shoulder as they started away, keeping her back. Realizing they were not following, Erik turned to see what the problem was.
“We will train,” Göll said plainly.
“Alright. I’ll come back when I’m done.”
Göll took Tove to the center of the yard, the guards turning to watch as curiosity got the better of them.
Inside Erik and Ljunge were led to Modgudr’s hall and presented to the giantess. She stood casually on a raised platform at the far end of the hall.
“Ljunge, I’m disappointed. You were caught so quickly this time.”
Ljunge smiled. “He’s not so stupid as the ones you normally send, it pains me to say. Ah!” He held a finger up. “But I’ve made a deal. I’ll go with him to Helborgen.”
Modgudr laughed. “And steal from Hel? You have a taste for pain, Ljunge. The berserker has agreed to this?”
“Berserker?” Ljunge gave Erik a look. “He is?”
Modgudr nodded.
“He has agreed, yes…” Ljunge’s eyes went back to Erik.
“I agreed.”
Modgudr seemed satisfied with that. “Then I shall return him to his bed by the morning that you may cross my bridge. Our deal is done.”
Guards came in to take Ljunge who was still looking at Erik. When their hands clasped around his arms, the man seemed to remember he was being taken away.
“In the morning, einherjar! I will meet you in the square with my things!” He was laughing, suddenly stopping and wrenching away from the guards to turn back to Erik. “Oh! And I have not asked your name!”
“Erik.”
“Then, Erik, I look forward to traveling together!”
chapter|30
A crowd had gathered to watch Göll and Tove training in the yard. There were cheers every time Tove managed to parry a blow. It seemed to make her all the more capable, which spurred Göll on. The display was impressive from both of them, though Erik could see that Göll was holding back. Strikes that would have landed fully were glancing blows, leaving nicks and cuts in Tove’s arms. Tove seemed as aware of it as Erik, pushing herself to make full contact with Göll’s spear.
The training ended abruptly when Tove shouted in frustration. Her concentration must have hit its limits and Göll planted a fist squarely in Tove’s chest, sending her tumbling backwards. The crowd sent up a disappointed moan and dispersed when Göll dissipated her weapon.
Erik met them as they walked back toward the keep. Tove looked at him, screwing up her face. She punched him in the arm.
“Why would you agree to bring that man along? He’s clearly a letch.”
“A letch? Like lecherous?”
“Exactly that.”
“Maybe I’m a letch.”
She punched him again. “Well then you’re terrible at it. And what if he means to do us harm? What if he attacks me?”
“I mean, you can fight Göll pretty okay, so you’ll probably be fine. Why, do you want me to protect you?”
She scoffed. “Shouldn’t you? You’re a man, aren’t you?”
“So you want me to then?”
She scoffed again and walked off. Erik followed her at a distance with Göll beside him.
“She’s getting better, right? I saw you putting some effort in out there.”
Göll looked at him. “At least you can see that much.”
“Hey! What is this? I had to catch that guy.”
“He caught himself as much as you did anything.”
Erik tossed his head back and forth. “Yeah, okay. But I… you know… I showed up.” He kicked at the ground absently. “That’s something.”
The doors opened and they entered, Tove happy to keep pace in front of him, still upset.
“What do you think about the guy?” Erik glanced over at Göll. “Ljunge.”
“He is pathetic.” Göll kept her eyes forward, a small crook at the side of her mouth was the only change in her expression as she cast the insult out. “But he is no more a threat than any of the guards. He is likely better with those daggers than he admits.” She paused. “Would you not protect Tove?”
He huffed a laugh, surprised at the question. “Of course I would. I’d protect you too, if I could.”
Göll stopped, staring at him. Ahead the custodian showed Tove back into the room.
“You would protect me? Why?”
Erik’s brow furrowed. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Why?”
