“Why? Where do you go?”
“Nidhogg will be waiting for me. He will want word from above as to why the tree trembles. Should I linger for too long he will become suspicious of my absence.” The red squirrel began to run up the rope and away from the boy.
“But I have not learned all the runes yet?”
“Tomorrow is the eighth day,” Ratatoskr shouted as he scurried down the trunk. “There is still time!” The red squirrel ran down and down and down until his figure faded in the darkness and Hakon was once again left alone. However, a new companion had joined his call for aid. Not that of Ratatoskr or even the gods, but that of his own hope. Hope kept him warm that night like a mother's love in firm embrace. Hakon, despite his current circumstance, felt free.
* * *
The eighth day approached and Ha
