THE APPLE(RUIN)

18 TYR “T here, in the ruins,” Loki said, pointing toward the hilltop. The foreigner crouched on a rock, out of sight of the creatures. Tyr knelt a short distance behind the foreigner, beside Odin. His fingers tingled, crisp like a winter storm. Always like that before violence. Battle had an energy that drew Tyr the way sex drew most Men. When you were born to hold a blade, you felt it. Deep in the gut. The crumbling wall might once have housed a stone fortress. Not all vaettir were hostile to Mankind. Just most. Enough to make a man avoid such places. More often than not, you found vaettir of one kind or another haunting the fallen places once meant to guard against them. Sometimes, varulfur in the wilds let the animal take over. They grew full savage, leaving behind their humanity. So easy for that to happen. In desperation, Men turned quickly from civilization. Chaos was the natural state, and to chaos all things returned. Unless a strong hand held it at bay. A strong hand and a heavy shield … and honor. If Tyr hadn’t known better, he’d have thought this such a camp. A pack turned feral. But the Godwulfs were expanding their reach in all directions. Annar and that traitor both agreed on that. Vili would have wanted to attack at night, when he could shapeshift. Still had his strength in daylight, but not his full power. But if he could, so could their prey. So they’d need to strike soon. Odin had asked Idunn to take charge of Eskgard in his absence. Idunn, not Ve. Strange, that. Stranger still he’d left one of his brothers behind at all. “We have only a few hours of daylight left,” Loki said. “If you want to do this, now is the time.” “Can we not wait?” Vili asked. “The entities within them, and you, are Moon spirits. The animals are simply varying tribes of Moon spirit, manifesting in our Realm through possession. There are more of them, so waiting favors the varulfur.” Hel’s frozen tits. Loki spoke like a vӧlva. Surely it was unmanly to speak with such authority on the Otherworld. Tyr spat, and a pair of shieldmaidens murmured concern at the exchange, but Odin silenced them with a glare. “We should put out the fires,” Tyr said. Hunting varulfur worked better without flame. That he could now say for certain. “No!” snapped Odin. “Torches up.” He looked to Tyr. “Take a small party around the back. Catch them off guard. But do not douse the torches.” Tyr grunted his assent. Odin made this harder. Tyr wouldn’t have taken the man for being so superstitious, especially in daylight. Well, naught for it now. The battle beckoned. The tingling had grown to a throbbing in his veins. He motioned the two shieldmaidens and a pair of other warriors to follow him. They wound their way around back. No sentries. Arrogant. Varulfur thought Men couldn’t track them, or wouldn’t with the snowstorms. That arrogance would be the death of them. He was first through the breach in the wall. Odin’s warriors would follow any moment. He was counting on Tyr to make sure none of these varulfur slipped away into the wilds. If that happened, they could wait for nightfall. Pick off the Wodan men one by one— A low snarl sounded from just behind him. Tyr turned as a naked man collided shoulder first with his shield. The wood cracked under the varulf’s strength, and Tyr’s feet skidded backward, stopped only by the ruined wall. The varulf growled and punched before Tyr could get his sword up. The blow landed on his shield, splitting it in half. The varulf wrung his hand for an instant as Tyr tossed his now useless protection aside. The wolf surged forward, intent to throttle him. Tyr rolled to the side and swung his sword. Blood sputtered from the varulf’s side as the sword embedded just above his hip. Hot fluid sprayed over Tyr while the varulf screamed in pain. The creature caught him by his mail and flung him against the wall. Tyr collided with the next man trying to enter the breach, and the two of them tumbled, one atop another. A shieldmaiden leapt over them, rushing the varulf spear first. The creature ripped Tyr’s sword from his side. It stepped around her spear and planted that sword so deep in her skull the blade punched out the back of it. Roaring himself, Tyr staggered to his feet. He dropped to one side and grabbed the fallen woman’s spear. Thrust it up in a single motion. As expected, the varulf lunged at him, impaling itself on the shaft. The varulf flailed there a moment. Grimacing, Tyr rose and hefted it upward. Then he drove the creature down to the ground and pinned it there. The varulf wiggled, spittle and blood dribbling from its mouth along with incomprehensible curses. So they did have a sentry. Tyr spat on the dying varulf. Shouts rang out from the other side of the ruin. Odin had joined the battle. “There!” Tyr shouted, pointing some of his men in one direction. “Guard that breach. The rest of you, hold this one.” He spared a glance at the dead shieldmaiden. She had given her life to protect him. He didn’t deserve it. And now, freeing his sword from her skull would mean dishonoring her corpse. That he couldn’t do. Instead, he pulled a dagger. “My lord?” a warrior asked. “Stay here.” They could handle this. Odin might need him. 19 ODIN T here could be no survivors from this. Vengeance demanded blood. And Gungnir would provide. It always provided. These wolves would know the price of threatening the Wodanar. Odin paused, giving Tyr time to get into position, then pulled his golden hair back into a ponytail, keeping it from his eyes. Other warriors flexed their muscles, or twitched weapons. “They’ll smell us,” Loki whispered. “But with luck, they sleep and may not notice until we’ve descended upon them.” With a start, Odin realized Loki carried no weapon. “Where’s your sword?” “That wasn’t mine.” All right … “And now?” “The varulfur will have weapons. If need be, I shall borrow one.” Odin snorted. His new brother was as mentally deprived as his others. Loki would fit right in. “It’s time.” As one, his warriors rose and charged up the hill, not letting out their typical war cries until they’d passed through a breach in the wall. Then shouts rang through the chambers, scattering an unkindness of ravens that had perched atop the ruins. A pile of sleeping men and women leapt to their feet. They’d all been naked, sleeping on and under furs, one atop another. Like wolves. Odin slashed open one varulf’s throat, then impaled another. A lop of Vili’s axe beheaded a woman who went for a sword. Odin’s warriors fell upon the unarmed wolf pack with ferocity. Well-deserved vengeance for last night’s raid. More shouts and war cries sounded from across the ruins. Tyr’s forces must have found another congregation of the pack. Odin stalked through the snow-misted halls, cutting down stragglers. A large man—well over six feet tall— charged at him, snarling like a beast. Odin set Gungnir for the charge and thrust it up at the last moment. The spear shot clean through the varulf’s chest. The varulf looked down at the shaft, as if stunned. Odin kicked him and withdrew the spear, then continued on. A tunnel had been carved into the hillside, creating a cellar. After pausing to light a torch, he continued forward. A body slammed into him from the side. Gungnir skittered away as Odin fell. The impact knocked all wind from his lungs. His vision blurred for one instant, then a man sat straddling him, hand on his throat. He grasped at the man’s arm, but the werewolf’s strength was Otherworldly. Odin couldn’t breathe. Lungs were burning. He flailed weakly, trying to dislodge his assailant. The beast snarled, saliva dripping onto Odin’s face. The foul spittle stung his eyes. Someone slammed into Odin’s assailant, knocking him aside. Tyr tackled the wolf, and the pair tumbled several times. Odin gasped, trying to get air through his bruised throat. When at last he rolled onto his side, he saw Tyr now atop the werewolf, raining blows down on the man with a dagger. As Odin rose, the werewolf got a grip on Tyr’s wrists and flung him aside. The varulf turned over, growled, and leapt for Tyr. Odin stumbled toward Gungnir. The instant his fingers closed around the shaft, he felt strength return to his limbs. The dragon’s power filled him, and his breath came easier. A simple slash of the blade opened the varulf’s back. The creature wailed, and Tyr kicked it off him. The warrior rose, then stomped his foot down on the werewolf’s skull. “How fare you?” His voice sounded raspy in his own ears. It would probably take days for the damage to his throat to heal. Maybe Heidr could have given him a draught to help—if his pride hadn’t killed her. “Damned sight better than you,” Tyr said. Odin grunted. A child’s wail caught his ear from the next room. Odin exchanged glances with Tyr, then they made for the back room of the underground chamber. The place stank of uncooked meat and spoilt milk. Animal skins were spread over the floor in a kind of primitive rug. In the shadows of the room, a naked woman twisted, blocking his view of something. She snarled at him but made no move to charge. She was one of them. One of the animals that had slaughtered his people, killed Heidr. A bitch for the slaughter. Was it the dragon’s rage or his own? It did not matter. Blood for blood, and he’d made an oath. He stalked closer, ready for her to move. She growled at him. Then he charged forward and thrust Gungnir through her chest. “Your menfolk await you in the Realm of Hel.” As she fell, he spied a straw-filled cart beyond. Inside lay two babes, probably twins. One male and one female. Odin hesitated. Varulf children. His oath … Odin never broke an oath. These were werewolf children. He raised Gungnir. Tyr’s hand on his shoulder yanked him away. “My lord!” Odin jerked. He damned himself for letting Tyr creep up on him. “They are monsters!” Odin shouted. These were varulfur. They were of the same tribe he’d sworn vengeance against for Heidr. If he failed to uphold his vow to its fullest extent, her spirit might well crawl out of Niflheim to haunt him for it. And yet, these children had done naught. They would have, of course. They would have grown up to be savage animals who raided the Ás tribes. Even then, that was not so different from what the Aesir did to each other, or to any foreign peoples they came across. The gods respected only strength. And some varulfur did serve in tribes, as berserkir did. “They are infants,” Tyr said. Yes. The adults in the tribe had raided his village or condoned the raid. But the babes were innocent. Yet to spare them was to break his vow to Heidr. Odin’s mind swirled at the sight of the two werewolves. His throat had grown so dry. He had no desire to murder these babes. And it would be murder. He could not condemn them for what theywould have done, had they grown up savage. “I would not expect … sympathy from you.” Tyr folded his arms. “Because I was raised savage? I have more sympathy. Men can change. Your father gave me that chance.” His father. Yes, gods. Father had always tried to see the best in people. He had believed Mankind was slowly dying out. That chaos was engulfing Midgard, and only if humanity banded together could they forestall the end. “Father trusted you.” Odin let Gungnir fall from his grasp. The moment it left his hand, weariness wrapped its claws around his chest. His muscles ached from the battle, a fatigue he’d not even been aware of finally taking hold, even as the anger clutching his heart began to abate.The spear is the strength of the tribe, his father had once said. But it is anger—a power to be unleashed or held in check, as the need arises. Tyr nodded, face solemn, slight hint of approval in his eyes. The thegn had gone on about the Athra and the Godwulfs just last night. The Godwulfs—a tribe ruled by varulfur. Did that prompt Tyr’s request to spare these babes? Either way, the thegn had the right of it. Father would want him to check his anger. Odin reached into the cart. “Forgive me.” Heidr forgive him. He would not become a murderer of children. He handed one babe to Tyr and cradled the other in his own arms. “We’ll take them with us.” The Wodanar had a few berserkir, but no living varulfur. Maybe these twins would change that in future generations. Right now, he had to find a way to save his brother. But still, he had sworn an oath to Idunn, an oath spoken on Gungnir and Father’s name alike, and one he could never break. An oath to become king of the Aesir. “Tyr … You served as champion to my father.” Odin pulled off his arm ring—coiling dragons wrought in a twisting of silver and iron. He stared at it a moment before offering it to Tyr. “Serve as my champion now.” The thegn shifted the babe in his arm before taking the arm ring with reverence. He placed it on his wrist where Father’s ring had once sat, and nodded solemnly. Odin clapped him on the shoulder. “Good. I ask you not to judge me harshly. I do what I can be worthy of Father’s legacy, but I am bound by more than one oath now, torn in many directions. I have sworn to Idunn to become king, but first I must tend to another oath.” “What could be more important than the urd of all the Ás tribes?” The urd of his family, of course. Odin shook his head. “Work with Idunn and do as you think best to draw the other tribes to our side. With word or blade, prepare the way and hold together what Father tried to build.” With a sigh, Tyr nodded. “If we are to return to the town before nightfall, we must leave now.” Indeed. Odin had someone he needed to see. 20 TYR T he sun had nearly set when they returned to the town, the werewolf girl cradled in his arms. She’d wailed all day with a hunger Tyr had no way to sate. Here, at least, he could find a wet nurse to care for the babes. Though it was early for the night meal, Odin ordered the tables set in his feast hall. Much like his father, he kept his intentions guarded closely—too closely for Tyr’s liking. Odin had asked for his trust, yes. And Tyr wanted to give it to him. He so wanted Odin to be worthy of it. But the man had refused to explain himself. Or explain what he intended, while asking Tyr to make him a king. Worse still was that Odin didn’t seem to want the fucking throne. He wanted something from Idunn, but Tyr couldn’t say what. That didn’t sit well. Tyr headed for the feast as soon as he found someone to take in the varulfur twins. Odin arrived after him, though. Up to something once again. “Tyr,” Idunn called from behind him. In her arms she carried one of the varulfur twins. Took her away from the midwife already? “Lady Idunn, welcome. Do you realize the child is a werewolf?” “Of course she is, Tyr. Isn’t that amazing?” She pinched the varulf’s cheek. “It was so magnanimous of you to spare these two. It makes me proud to be your friend. And we will be friends, I promise.” She spoke rapidly. Tyr’s head spun untangling her words. Hadn’t even started on the mead. “I welcome your friendship, my lady. And I hope showing the wolves mercy proves a wise decision.” “Mercy is always wise,” she said, continuing forward until she stood right at his side. “And what are we going to call these hungry little puppies?” Puppies? “Odin said he’d call them Geri and Freki. He plans to raise them as his own.” Idunn clicked her tongue and rubbed Geri’s chin. “Little Geri werewolf! I bet you’ll have the most beautiful fur when you learn to shapeshift!” “No doubt,” Tyr said dryly. “And now, darling Vili,” she said and kissed the top of the berserk’s head, “would you mind terribly looking after poor Geri a while? I need to steal your friend away for a private conversation.” Several of the men and no few of the shieldmaidens whooped and beat on the table. Idunn smiled. “Seems they like the idea.” Tyr wouldn’t mind some alone time in his house with the beautiful goddess. Did she know what those warriors thought? Was she truly oblivious, or just coy? Either way, ripping off her silky red dress was all he could think of. After bloodletting, sex was all most men thought of. Shieldmaidens, too. Killing made you remember living. He offered her his arm, and she took it, walking out with him. Outside, the afternoon was setting. The mist had begun to thicken. Numerous fires around the town kept it away, as they kept away the worst of the cold. Kept it at bay for now. But all fires dwindled in time. Hymir was fond of saying so, and the jotunn did not lie. Not about that. Idunn led him around the town a bit, chattering about the goings-on while he’d been away. How a shieldmaiden was now with child. How a hunter had found a bride in town. About the dwindling food stores and how lean the winter would grow. Tyr grunted at each story, never certain what to say. At least not until she led him into her house and beckoned him sit before the fire pit. A pot hung over it, boiling some odd-smelling brew. “What is that?” “Hmm? Tea. Would you like some?” She scooped out a mugfull. He took a large swig of it. Scorched his mouth, tongue, throat. Left him gasping. “Bitter as a troll’s arse! Some vӧlva medicine? I am not ill, goddess.” She giggled, then gingerly sipped from a mug herself. “To your continued good health then. So tell me, champion of the Wodanar, how did you fare in the Athra lands?” “Uh. Godwulfs are pressing out all their borders. Athra are falling one by one.” He recounted his tale while she listened, only occasionally asking questions. “So,” she said when he had finished. “This Hallr Stonecrusher would be the new jarl. And would he fare better than Alci?” “Alci’s ambitious, but Stonecrusher is a fucking traitor. Less honor than a troll.” “Hmmm. Interesting thing about honor, viewed from the long perspective. It can be everything, and it can be naught at all. The Vanir made many choices for the sake of expediency. Wrong choices perhaps, but only history can judge, if even then. Men look at the World from but a single vantage point.” Tyr cracked his neck. “I know naught about such things. I know Borr taught me honor is the one thing no one can take from you.” She raised a finger, sipped her tea, then nodded. “Perhaps. But then, if you hold to it so stubbornly that your world freezes around you, and your people falter and die, that honor will not warm you in the lingering cold. Then, perhaps, your persistence in taking the high road becomes a matter more of pride, and from there but a short stop to reach hubris.” “Huh. So … Placing my honor above the needs of the people is … arrogant?” She shrugged. “I don’t know, Tyr. But if you refuse to stop Alci on grounds of your honor, you must live with the ghosts of his victims. Offer them what explanation you will; tell them how they had to die so that you might remain clean.” Tyr scratched his head. Something about all that sounded off, but then, Idunn was a goddess. She ought to know best. He had to put his trust in someone, after all. “So you would have me send Hallr back to his people to kill Alci?” “For now, I think, you may be better using him as a spy. Learn what you can until the time is right.” He groaned. Intrigue. Lies. Treachery. “Tastes foul.” Idunn nodded. “Then I have something sweeter to offer. Odin asked you to be his champion, and thus, asked me to give you this.” From her dress, she drew forth a golden apple. From the World Tree. Immortality. His breath had quickened. He didn’t remember reaching for it, but he held it now. Warm in his palm. Pulsing like his own pounding heart. “If I …” “You can live forever,” she said. What a thought. He bit down. Tastes exploded in his mouth. His throat. His eyes swam. Whole fucking house spun. More. More! Juice dribbled over his face. He was lying on his back. How had he gotten here? Another bite. Another. Fire and ice and life surging through his veins. His heart ready to explode. Every muscle tingling. Alive. So alive. The core fell from his half-numb fingers. He rolled to his knees. Room whirling. Round and round, up and down, like a ball. Idunn sitting there, half a smile on her face, watching. Her pulse beating fast, in time with his own. Showing through her skin. Through that thin dress. He crawled to her. “Are you well, Tyr? It can be … overwhelming.” Frey’s flaming sword! Whole body was going to fly apart. So alive. And he needed more and more life. He launched himself atop her and tore at her dress, hiking it up over her hips. She laughed. Made no attempt to stop him. Stroked his cheek as he fumbled with his trousers. “I know. It happens to everyone. But if you choose me you’ll face consequences. Maybe see things you didn’t—ugh.” She grunted as he pushed inside her. He pounded again and again, choking in fervor. Not able to find release. Frey! He just needed to let go. To be with someone again after so long. To hold her. “Zisa,” he mumbled. “No.” Idunn shoved him backward, then straddled him. “I am not her.” She grunted, panted. And then screamed, laughed. Waves of it hit him. Made him spasm. Time stopped. Idunn sat in the shadow of a tree that touched the heavens. Sat with an old woman, deep tan skin, short hair. Talking, arguing. And somehow setting the course of the future. And the old woman died. Idunn carried her ashes across the World, beyond the Midgard Wall—where it should have been—and vanished into the snowstorms. The chaos Realm. She had walked into Utgard. “I’ve eaten some bad mushrooms …” Idunn leaned her face, glowing face, radiant, close to his. He lay on his back. “I warned you.” 21 ODIN I dunn emerged from Tyr’s house, flushed, her dress torn. Odin watched her, arms folded over his chest. She jumped just a little when she saw him, then flashed her wicked half smile. “When I asked you to give him an apple, I did not expect you to give him so much more.” She shrugged. “We all have needs. The apples are so imbued with the energy of life they tend to bring those needs to the forefront.” Odin quirked a smile. “You weren’t concerned about my needs when I ate my apple.” Idunn grinned. “You didn’t ask.” She winked and returned to the dance. Son of a bitch. Did she mean she would have …? Now there was a missed opportunity he’d regret for eternity. He shook his head. “Walk with me, Idunn.” She smoothed her dress and fell in beside him, apparently trying to ignore the rip running up the red silk. Odin stifled a chuckle. In his fervent l**t, Tyr had ruined fabric no doubt worth more gold than the thegn had ever seen. When they had passed away from the other houses, he turned on her. “I have agreed to your terms, Vanr. I must soon choose the rest of my companions. Give me the last three apples.” Idunn quirked a smile. “Have someone in mind?” She drew the apples from her dress, and he dropped them in his satchel. “I might. But before I can become king, I have something more I need.” Idunn sighed. “By the Tree, Odin, I beseech you for the good of all, let this thing go.” He scowled. Already knew what he’d ask then. Ve was blood. And for him, Odin would never let go. “Where do I find these Niflungar?” “Such ancient peoples are best left forgotten. They serve as a distraction from your true goal.” He clenched his fist at his side. His true goal was saving his brother, and if the ghost could do that, he’d take any action on her account. “I have an oath to uphold, one made before my oath to you. Help me fulfill that oath, then I will tend to yours.” “These people worship Hel, Odin. They draw strength from the Otherworld, and it changes them, turns them into something you cannot imagine. They were driven from these lands long ago, and even if I knew were they now hid, I would not tell you. Do not disturb their rest. Better for you, for us all, if they are left to slumber.” Odin slapped his fist against a tree trunk. “Enough! If you won’t help me I will find someone who will.” “Odin!” she shouted after him. He did not stop, did not turn back to face her. The goddess was quick to offer assistance—when it suited her—and withhold it when it did not. And that refusal reeked of betrayal. Or his own delusion in allowing himself to believe she cared aught for the anguish suffered by Odin or his kin. Leaving her behind, he trod to where his new blood brother took shelter. The man sat awake, staring into the flames of his fire pit almost as though he expected company. “Do you know where the Niflungar lurk now?” Loki motioned for Odin to sit across the flame. “Welcome, brother. Still you seek this amulet, and it so vexes you, but at last you begin to realize the questions you ought to have asked before embarking on this undertaking.” Odin groaned but did take the seat. “Damn it, Loki. Can I not have a straight answer?” “Would you know one if you stumbled upon it?” “What the fuck does that mean?” Loki dug a finger into the ash around the fire pit, drawing a line. “The simplest way to reach from one place to another is a straight line.” He dropped a stone in the middle of that line. “Unless of course a mountain blocks your path. Then you must assess whether to go around, under, or over—all to reach a destination you cannot actually see.” “I’m not looking for a metaphor.” “Perhaps that’s the problem. You assume that, despite the mountain in your path, the simplest road must still be a straight one.” Odin snatched the rock and flung it out into the snow. “Who are the Niflungar? Where do they dwell?” Loki sighed. “What do you know of the Old Kingdoms?” Odin groaned. Now more lessons. “They dominated the North Realms for a long time. You said they all fell apart some eight hundred years ago, left a bunch of ruins. Oh, the Odlingar were one of them.”