Nine: Affirmation of the Apprentice“The Norns lunged forward sure to kill their prey when suddenly the pierced boy and the ancient red squirrel vanished into thin air. The Norns sat upright on the ground and looked about in astonishment and anger.
“Where did they go? Where the hell did they go?” Verthandi shouted in anger.
Darkness encircled Hakon and Ratatoskr as they floated in the middle place. Hakon's blood, his very life force, was leaving him quickly. With spear in one hand and Ratatoskr in the other, the void filled with floating drops of blood until the boy could hold out no more, his head falling forward, his grip of spear and furry friend diminishing with each passing moment.
“Hakon, don't go.” Ratatoskr pleaded. “Hakon stay with me. Hakon? Hakon!”
* * *
“What are you boy?”
