Dumbfounded, I searched my surroundings. I no longer sat on the giant rock, but in the middle of a field that butted up to the massive tree.
More than anything, I wanted to fall onto my back and looked up at the huge branches that spread overhead, nearly blocking out the sun that filtered through the leaves in shining beams of light.
Joy and a little bit of fear filled my chest.
Then my gaze landed on a small building at the base of the tree. A wooden longhouse, with a turf roof and wooden beams for sides.
I blinked.
Was the house tiny, or normal sized? The tree threw everything out of scale.
Three women walked out of the house, each wearing a dress of green mist that flowed around them. Their golden hair glinted in the streams of sunlight. Then it turned black, then red.
Something tugged me toward them. I followed, struggling to my feet and hurrying forward.
As I neared, I realized that they weren’t as young as I’d thought. Nor as old.
In fact, it was nearly impossible to tell their age. Images flashed in their eyes—tiny scenes of life. People and places and animals. Wars and parties and people alone in their houses and so much more. I could stare into them forever.
I sucked in a ragged breath and averted my gaze toward their chins.
Safer that way. I didn’t want to spend eternity watching their eyes like they were TVs.
The women were the same size as me, which meant the house wasn’t tiny and the tree really was as insanely big as I’d thought. It’d probably take my whole life to walk around it.
I stopped in front of the three women.
The one on the left spoke. “Welcome, Bree Blackwood.”
“We are the Norns,” said the one in the center.
The Norns. Viking goddesses of fate. Ever since Arach had told me two days ago that I was the Valkyrie DragonGod, magical beneficiary of the Viking god’s magic, I’d done some research.
Some of that included the Norns. And the tree.
My gaze rose to the tree. “Is this Yggdrasil?”
“It is the world tree, yes.”
“And I’m really here?”
The Norn on the right shrugged. “That is up for interpretation. But for now, you are here with us. I am Urer.”
At first, the word was gibberish. But then it sorted itself out in my mind, a strange magic I’d never felt before. Urer was Old Norse for “that which became or happened.”
Apparently I could speak Old Norse now. “You represent the past?”
“Yes.” She smiled.
The Norn in the center said, “I am Vereandi.”
It took a moment, but my mind sorted that one out as well. “You’re the present.”
“Well done.”
“And I am Skuld,” said the final Norn.
My mind translated. “That which should become, or that needs to occur.”
“Precisely. You truly are the Valkyrie.” Skuld smiled.
“Yes.” Though I really didn’t feel like it. “I might be inheriting the powers of the Viking gods, but I’m not doing a very good job of holding on to them.”
Urer nodded. “That is normal. I suppose you would like our help determining your fate and how you should go about fixing your power?”
“Yes, please. Because I have no idea what to do.”
“It won’t be easy,” Skuld said.
“I’m not afraid of hard work.”
“Good.” Vereandi nodded. “Now come.”
They turned and walked toward the tree, leading me toward a well that I hadn’t noticed before. It was small compared to Yggdrasil that I’d never have seen it. Hell, it was a miracle I’d noticed their house. I probably wouldn’t have seen an elephant running at me until I’d felt the ground shake.
“Do you always appear to people who come to the Cave of Seers?” I asked.
“We appear to you because you are of the Vikings,” Vereandi said.
Fair enough.
We stopped by the well, and Skuld began to turn a crank that lowered a bucket down the shaft. I wasn’t sure what they were doing, but I thought I recalled a vague mention of them using a well to help their magic.
Far below the earth, the bucket plopped into the water with a small splash. Then Skuld turned the crank the other way.
Once the bucket was back at the surface, Vereandi pulled it off the hook and placed it on the ground. The three Norns gathered around it and dipped their hands into the water. They murmured to each other, too low for me to hear.
I leaned closer, my heart pounding.
What would they find?
Skuld looked up at me. “You must go to the realm of the Valkyrie and seek your answers.”
“The realm of the Valkyrie?” My stomach jumped. “How am I going to get to the land of the gods?”
Vereandi looked at me. “We will provide you with directions. And the tools you need to get there.”
“But you must go quickly,” Urer said. “Terrible things happen to those who cannot find an anchor for their magic.”
“I know all about that.” My magic dying on me today had been miserable. I didn’t want any repeats.
“You don’t know,” Urer said. “Not really. Show her, Skuld.”
Skuld reached for me, her pale, slender hand gleaming with magic.
She touched my arm. Immediately, a sense of emptiness filled me. Death. My soul leaching out of my body. I gasped and doubled over, misery like I’d never known filling every inch of me. I went to my knees, unable to stand.
“This is your future.” Skuld’s voice resonated with darkness. “If you cannot anchor your magic—control your magic—you will lose it forever.”
“It feels like my soul is gone.” I gasped.
“Exactly.” Skuld removed her hand.
I collapsed to my hands and knees. Feeling returned and the emptiness faded, but the memory was so strong that it made bile rise in my throat.
“You didn’t lose your magic before,” Urer said. “You have lost your sonic boom, but your healing power and gift over water are still there. In the battle today, they only faltered, growing weak and useless. When you truly lose your magic—lose all of it—you will feel like this. Forever.”
“Likely worse,” Vereandi said. “When magic goes out of control and your gifts devour each other like snakes in a pit, you will feel worse.”
“Worse?” The blood rushed from my head. My life would be over. I’d rather be dead than lose my magic.
Skuld nodded. “So you see why you must go to the realm of the Valkyrie. You will find answers there. The winged warriors will give you the tools to anchor your magic inside you. Then you will be at peace again.”
“Though it may take great sacrifice,” Urer said. “It often does.”
“Of course.” Good things don’t come easy. “Can you tell me anything about the Rebel Gods?”
I might as well get as much info as I could out of this visit. And anything to distract me from my future would be super great right now.
“You will find answers about them with the Valkyrie. Clues to lead you on your way,” Vereandi said. “You are linked with the Rebel Gods, but you must discover how.”
“And defeat them,” Skuld said. “Your life depends on it. Your sister’s life.”
I nodded. “I will.”
“We shall see,” Skuld said.
Vereandi punched her lightly on the shoulder. “Have faith, sister.”
“She is the Valkyrie DragonGod,” Urer said. “The champion of the Vikings, returned.”
Yeah, no pressure.