“Ratatoskr?” the boy called out gently as he lightly shook his tunic. The red squirrel arose and popped his head out from Hakon's sleeve.
“Is Sol upon us already?” the small rodent asked sleepily.
“For some time now.”
“I have not slept that peacefully in a very long time. I thank you.” Ratatoskr's eyes opened wide. “By the gods! It's the ninth day!”
“It is,” Hakon replied as a matter of fact.
“Then we haven't much time. You must continue reciting the runes.” Hakon stared wide eyed into the blissful horizon and smiled. The sun shone gently on his face as light peeked through soft clouds painting the sky orange in the distance.
“I know the runes, friend, and they know me.”
“They?”
“In my sleep the runes came to me. One by one, I called out their names and one by one they repeated the
