The wait for the streetcar was a short one, but there were others with them. It arrived, half full, and Erik’s paltry warband entered the front of the car, standing near exits and windows on Erik’s suggestion so that they could see themselves clear if a fight came for them.
There were not stops, as such. The car simply slowed near the exits and people left or entered. There was a constant flow of people, something which troubled Erik. There were many valkyries, he knew that much, but he did not know their faces. The others were on edge as well, Ljunge with his hands at a new pair of daggers he’d bought and Tove ready to pull her sword.
Erik only stood, staring blankly out the windows, watching every face he could manage and thinking of what he should do. They had crossed half the city by streetcar when Vár called to Erik from the back of the car. He had not seen her enter and she was walking toward him. Göll turned, readying herself for a fight.
“How did you like it, Haki Erik Styrsson? The cruelty of the valkyries is worthy of legend, is it not?” She smiled at him in anticipation of his answer but did not wait for one. “Göll has taken her part in such cruelty, of course.” Vár feigned a frown. “Though it seems she lost a taste for it.”
“What do you want, Vár?”
“I’ve only come to watch you cross the city. Hel is pleased with the simple conditions of your agreement to see her aid you.” Vár looked at Göll and tilted her head to the side. “Should you need it, of course. I’d hate to offend.”
Ljunge looked Vár over. “She works for Hel? I like her spunk.” He extended an arm in greeting.
Vár slapped him across the face. “Like it at a distance.” She turned her eyes back to Erik. “Hel recommends that you should see her rather than make this voyage to Valhalla.”
Göll snapped at that. “She would! Stop muddling his mind with your tricks!”
Vár ignored the shout, keeping her eyes locked to Erik. “Well?”
His voice was still raspy and speaking still hurt, but he managed to say it. “I’ll go see Valhalla. Be a real waste of a trip if I didn’t at least take a look.”
A disappointed frown came at his response. “You are free to choose what you wish.” She stepped to the edge of the car. “Good luck.” With that she stepped off.
Erik had forced it down, but the churn in his stomach was getting worse the closer they came to the eastern edge of the city. The track circled at the end of the line and Erik’s group took their leave when it did.
Erik shook his head. “I think I’m hungry or something. I… let’s eat some food, okay? Valhalla will still be there.” He forced a grating laugh, coughing halfway through it. “Besides,” he croaked, “Ljunge still owes me a meal.”
Ljunge laughed. “Have a girl slap me and then have me pay for a meal. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve misjudged you Erik.”
Erik smiled at the thought. “Hey, if people know your intentions, or whatever.”
Ljunge shrugged and headed off toward the side of the road. The eastern part of the city was much the same as the other end, though there seemed to be more in the way of residential shops in the section they’d ended up. Tove kept close to Erik, as did Göll. They watched the world around him closely. Erik had given up on it, the odd feeling in his stomach turning to something approaching a burning. It was neither debilitating nor painful, but it distracted him. He only thought of it and scanned the buildings across from them. He left it to Ljunge to pick the place and they ended up in a quiet little restaurant that had simple tables and chairs. It was run by a husband and wife who welcomed them enthusiastically. They saw Göll and offered to give things for free, Ljunge immediately turning them down, cheerily saying that he was paying for the meal and that he would not allow them to keep him from repaying his debt. That was enough for the couple and Ljunge took his seat with them at the table.
“You were better at that than me.”
Ljunge smiled. “A man’s honor is not something to be refused.”
Food was ordered and Erik, hoping to distract himself, turned his thoughts to Ljunge.
“What did you used to be? Before landing in Gjallarbrú, I mean.” He’d never been offered many discussions about people’s lives before Helheim and it seemed to him that it may have been something they wanted to avoid.
“Ah, yes.” Ljunge leaned back in his chair, thinking over the question. “Many things. A man can be what he wishes in Helheim, at least to a point. I led something of a boring life once and decided I’d rather not. There’s a risk in this place of becoming quite insane if you keep your mind in your head.” He took a hesitant breath. “For a time, I played the bandit. Robbing travelers and small villages if I could manage it. I met men who made it their purpose in life to do such things and no longer found fun in it after seeing
