Ehren watched Akira fling herself into the arms of her father. He smiled to himself. She deserved this gift. While she conversed with her family, he went over to where Freyja stood. He placed his hand over his heart and bowed to her. She cocked her head at his gesture but said nothing.

“My lady, I know it is not my place to speak with you, having not grown up in the faith which Akira holds so dear, but I wanted to thank you,” he said not rising from his bow. “Over this last year, I have learned much about you and your people from the stories Akira has told me. I have a humble request of you, my lady, if you will but permit me to ask it of you.”

For a long moment, Freyja said nothing. Ehren knew her eyes were on Akira, though just how he knew he couldn’t say.

“Rise Prince Ehren, I will hear your request,” she said at length.

Ehren straightened but did not look directly in her eyes.

“I ask for your blessing before I follow my heart and accept the faith which I have found myself drawn to ever since I was a child,” he told her quietly. “I know my father and mother and my brother do not approve of this faith. They call it pagan and look down on those who practise it, including my uncle. I have never understood their staunch belief in a god who keeps himself so removed from his people, yet claims to be the beginning and the end of all things.” He paused to collect his thoughts. “I realise that I will need to choose a god or goddess to serve and it may not be you specifically but I would like your blessing nonetheless.”

Freyja placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I am surprised that you would ask for my blessing, Prince,” she smiled. “Of course I will give you my blessing. Kneel and open your heart and your mind.”

Ehren did as she asked.

“Close your eyes, Prince Ehren,” she whispered.

Ehren complied.

“Jeg Freyja gudinne av kjærlighet gir denne mannen min velsignelse og aksepterer ham som en av min egne. Må gudene vite at du er min til å beskytte nå til Hel kommer å bringe deg til fest I hallen min.”

As she spoke Ehren could feel her power lovingly embrace him. Startled, he opened his eyes when she finished speaking. She extended her delicate looking hand to him. He took it, still shocked. She pulled him to his feet and into a bone crushing hug.

“I will always look out for you, Prince Ehren,” she whispered. “That is my promise to you in hopes that one day, people like you and Akira and your uncle do not have to hide their beliefs in their homes or tolerate scorn and outright hate. Go, get Askel. He needs to see them too.”

Ehren nodded, still confused, and made his way to the Eames’ home. He ended up landing just ouside of Askel’s door. He knocked and went inside. Askel was lying on his side on his bed and he was fast asleep. He made his way to the sleeping boy and shook him awake, gently.

“Huh?” Askel muttered without waking.

Ehren sighed and yanked the blankets off of him. He then grabbed one of the spare pillows and proceeded to hit him with it.

“Get.” Thwack “Up.” Thwack “You.” Thwack “Lazy.” Thwack “Bones.” Thwack “We’ve.” Thwack “Got.” Thwack “Places.” Thwack “To.” Thwack “Go.” Thwack “People.” Thwack “To.” Thwack “See.” Thwack “So.” Thwack “Get.” Thwack “Up.” Thwack “Already!” Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack.

Askel groaned, “Ok, ok. I’m up. Just stop beating me with the pillow.”

Despite being awake, Askel still moved slowly. Every movement of his body and limbs seemed to pain him. His normally caramel skin was now pale and sallow. His tiger-brown eyes were glassy and far away more often these days. His lean frame had become thinner of late but Ehren guessed it was more a loss of muscle mass than anything.

“Where are we going?” Askel asked.

“Back to the museum,” Ehren replied absently.

“You woke me up for that?” Askel growled.

Ehren shrugged in response. He didn’t want to spoil the surprise.

“I’m going back to bed,” Askel huffed.

“Oh no you’re not,” Ehren said latching onto his thin wrist.

“Ehren!” Askel whined.

“We won’t only be going to the museum,” Ehren told him.

Askel furrowed his brow in confusion but stopped trying to pull out of his grip.

“We’re going off to Norway, your father’s ancesteral home,” he answered Askel’s unasked question.

Askel’s eyes became brighter at the mention of Norway. Ehren chuckled to himself and shook his head.

“Nyneve, come along we don’t have all night,” Askel scolded his wolf-dog half-heartedly.

The animal remained resolutely where she was.

“Is this about Teylie?”

Ehren had completely forgotten about the fourth wolf-dog. In fact in the year since Loxley’s death, he’d barely seen her. Perhaps that was why he’d forgotten about her.

“Nyneve, go get Teylie and bring her here.”

The wolf-dog silently obeyed her master. Ehren shook his head. They were wasting what precious little time Freyja had granted them. Teylie returned with Nyneve and another. Ehren stared in shock. He glanced at Askel, who knelt down in front of the three wolf-dogs.

“Teylie, it’s time,” Askel told her.

Teylie gave a small whine.

“I know it’s hard but there is someone who needs her.”

Teylie pushed the pup forward. Askel gave her an affectionate scratch behind the ears before scooping the pup into his arms.

“Are we ready to head back to the museum?” Ehren asked.

Askel nodded as Nyneve and Teylie flanked them.

“Stay close,” Ehren ordered the wolf-dogs.

They were gone in a swirl of dust and air.