Finding Brísingamen

“Really James?!” Athena chirped from the bird and groaning James shrugged reading the document, “What?! They didn’t stand up for me when I needed them and now they suddenly want to speak to me?” “They miss you!” “And I miss you! We don’t get want we want so they don’t get what they want!” “*Sigh* I just don’t want to miss out because or what Zeus and we Isu have done to you” “Are you done or do I have to listen to more generic rubbish that translates as I wish I could help you but I can’t be bothered” there was silence and looking down in her holographic form she replied, “You’re right. Must sounds like I am offering my condolences to a dead relative. Sounds good but it means shit!” James looked down and studying the document asked, “It’s in near an unofficial named place sanctuary grove. Any news?” “Nope apart for it’s got predators and protection runes around it. Barriers to keep Norse people out, your armour is built to resist this” “So it should be easy to find when I start. Can’t be many places to live out there!” “You are right but it’s just getting to the… wait what is that?!” James froze before looking over the side paused when he felt another vibration from below, “It’s down there!” Athena stopped and gasping watched James’ smile as the head of an giant snake appear from the water, “Wow!” “Stay back!” Athena cried out but smiling James simply waved as the creature stared at him, “I apologise if we have disturbed you. My name is James… that’s… never mind” the serpent nodded and speaking Athena muttered, “Must be Old Norse. I don’t recognise most of the words. My team are working on a translation as we speak” James shrugged before leaning over and closer to the creature asked, “Any idea where the deep woods if that’s what you call it is?” the creature looked past the statue and pointing in the direction the snake was working James saw it nod as he said, “Thanks, I will try and find something big enough for you to eat as a thank you” the snake nodded and giving the boat a light nudge James gripped tightly as the boat shot forward, “Only you would not panic” “I’ve dealt with family… they are an bigger snake then he will have be” Athena laughed and writing down his thoughts in his journal Athena tried to look over to see his notes but failing in this said, “I can’t wait to see what you talk to next? Hræsvelgr The giant raven.” “There’s a giant raven? Where?!” “Slow down James… it’s in Helheim. Let’s focus on the necklace!” “Isn’t there a giant wolf there to?” “James!” and sighing James focused back on the documents in his hands, “So doesn’t need to be contained, however is fragile. I wonder if you just want to wear it yourself” “I don’t need or want it!” “No argument from me!” and considering it he asked, “I just hope a god isn’t wearing it” “If they are and won’t corporate then don’t force it. We have other items you could hunt” “Where there's a will there's a way! For now we wait!”

“I’ll scout on ahead!” Athena chirped flying off and taking out his bow, he heard a familiar voice of Ares barking, “Sword not bow. What type of person uses a bow?!” “A Hunter who doesn’t want to be detected” Artemis interrupted and interrupting them both Aphrodite moaned, “You do it in anyway you seek. Just look good for the camera” “Do you have nothing else better to do?” “Not really! Zeus is ordering another celebration” “What on Earth for now?” “Your great discovery” Persephone interrupted which by the sound of it involved her pushing people out of the way, “A celebration about my success without me… okay who is he trying to bed now?” “By the look of it Cersei!” “Really?! Her!” “Yes, look you can stop it… he owes you for your discovery. Maybe a word in by you and…” “Waste a favour? Sorry but you make your own beds apparently and opposing Zeus is a big no!” Persephone and trying to reply James said, “I’m tired of this conversation. Switch to Channel Code: Hammer-Gold-six six two. Whilst you are at it let Athena know” the device clicked and hearing the heavy breathing James called out, “Can you hear me mate?” “‘Ay? What? Oh James it’s you! I didn’t expect you to call me. No one ever does!” “Because they are asses. Everyone has flooded the other channel with their trivial crap. So… why don’t you tell me more about the upgrades and I can answer any questions that you have” “Sure. Your gauntlet has a built in sling type device, depending on the bombs attached depends on the result. There’s poison, fire, explosive, smoke and sticky. The blade also extends and will turn into a shield if you need it. The bow has ability’s and will help scale walls and pull weaker structures down. They can also have a detonation charge attached to help break through thicker walls. Apart for that nothing else was really needed. However do look in the bag. I know the mask looks terrible but it will help you see in the dark” “I don’t care how items look, as long as they work!” Hephaestus cheered as he replied, “Finally someone understands” James carried on and seeing a group of ice type warriors James muttered, “What the fuck are they?” “They call them Hel-walkers. Weak to…” “Fire. They are ice so fire melts them…” James mocked rolling his eyes, “Also say hello to Hephaestus. Be polite” “*Sigh* hello Hephaestus, how are things in the forge?” “You don’t have to be pretend. I know James makes people do it. If you must know; better. James gets an open coin pouch for his gear and makes sure I get payed more then an item is worth” “It’s the least I can do for a mate and patron. That reminds me I will see if the dwarves want to exchange smithing knowledge with you!” James remembered “Thanks but first tell me about this giant snake” “Only after I’ve killed these Freaks!”

“Not bad!” Ares barked finding the right channel and groaning Ares reassured, “Don’t worry no one knows” “I…I’ll let you go!” Hephaestus muttered but stopping him James said, “No you won’t. Ares will remain civil or I will just letting Aphrodite know that I’m interested in breeding her!” Ares huffed and stopping when James struggled to lift the log blocking his path, “Just hack away at the top branches and climb over!” Ares barked, “No tie a rope around the trunk, walk it around the standing tree and pull it away, you will have enough leverage for it to work!” Hephaestus explained, “Well it would be quicker” James muttered grabbing the rope, “Smart Hephaestus” “Yes I might not be as smart as you but when it comes to smithing, machines and physics I can be at help” “I didn’t mean to cause offence. Let’s just move on… any idea where to look, it’s a big place?” “Yes. If this place is protected by runes then… none of these creatures will be around it. Look for any anomalies in the area or areas where they ignore it. I’m going to keep moving forward” “I’ll help!” Ares cheered seeing his sister be outsmarted, “Fine, look around whilst I study the maps and keep an eye of the tracker. James go slightly more east then north.”

“Nothing… just an empty cave…” James muttered, “There’s a weird shape in the centre, looks like a weird looking tree from here. It’s big… maybe it’s a treehouse!” Hephaestus suggested, “There’s actually a larger cave to the north of you… more likely the location” Athena responded shooting down Hephaestus’ idea “My location is closer to the tracker before it messed up. Should have let me look at it first!” Hephaestus “Hammers don’t fix everything!” Athena responded and heading towards Hephaestus’ suggestion James responded with, “I have listened to you and Ares all day and haven’t even gotten close to it. Hephaestus it’s your shot! South East from here?” “More South than South East!” James nodded and hearing Athena’s protests of being ignored James said, “You know what!” “What?!” Athena whined. James grabbed the bird and slinging it into the nearest tree and the headset into the woods snapped, “Don’t fucking need any of you!” “James!” Athena cried but walking off James muttered, “Right. South!”

James crept passed patrols and making a note on the number of patrols; it made James ponder what had caused this reaction and from who? James slid under a log and seeing the structure Hephaestus had said muttered, “It’s a tortoise. A massive one! Wait is that an house under him? I must sneak past it. Don’t want to give my position away… at least until I know who I’m dealing with” “Good plan then kill then all!” he mocked in his best Ares voice, “No diplomacy they must be out here for a reason” he mocked Athena’s but sighing James moved forward muttering, “Just stay low James.” James kept low until reaching beneath the head of the tortoise knowing it was a blind spot but as he stood up he continued to creep around the house not finding anyone inside. “Better check the back” he muttered to himself but as he drew closer he froze when he could hear humming, a feminine sound, “I assume she has it and being calm, let’s not try and upset her. Let’s hope my chat up lines don’t fail me now. Even though I never had many good ones!”

James took cover from around the corner and seeing his target gasped to see the woman standing there washing under a makeshift shower; her body dripped with beads of water, her body toned equally as Athena; so you just knew she could fight. Her hair had feathers in and body covered in markings similar to his but more profound and glowing a dark blue. By the look she was Athena’s age but looked so much more intense and probably by his guess more determined. “There it is… around her neck… I wonder if that’s why she is soo beautiful or if she is really chiselled like that” “I will kill him! I will kill them all. Odin, Kratos! Even Atreus if it means bringing me Kratos. After what they did!” James tried to sneak closer but freezing when the Tortoise made a sound Freya nodded as she replied, “I know there is. Meaning it’s either Kratos or Atr…” she stopped and leaping out of the pond James froze as wings formed helping her glide as she took him down and pinning him between her legs and sword help to his thought she growled, “Curious. You are neither of them! So who are you!” James looked over and seeing her dripping naked body on his almost moaned to himself feeling her legs crush his waist, “Don’t embarrass me now!” James thought aiming it directly at his penis who straining James was distracted when she repeated, “Well who are you?” “James!” “James who? Where are you from and why are you here?!” James smiled warmly looking into her rage filled eyes and ignoring the sword aimed at his throat she snapped, “You are enjoying this? Well maybe I should force my sword through your throat and be done with it?!” “At least being killed by someone like you… it has its merits!” “Merits? What merits?” “I get to die seeing a beautiful woman one last time!” she growled and forcing the tip lightly into the skin she snapped, “Skin is tougher than a human and by the look of the coloured markings… giant?” “Completely wrong. Here in my jacket pocket, second translation down it be in Norse!” she reached in and raising an eyebrow asked… why aren’t you getting it?” James looked to her waist and glaring at his hands he snapped to her disgust, “I’m supporting your position. Can’t have you falling off!” “Disgusting. You must be from the South. All your kind think about is Sex” “Love not war?” James muttered holding her on his waist, “Let go!” “And take my word for it? It’s wise for you to check my paperwork before letting me go!” she groaned and reading over it gasped reading the contents, “I am sooo sorry. I didn’t know you were from them. I thought the initiative had failed and it was an waste of resources. I… I will get up immediately, just don’t inform the other realms, Odin would sacrifice me to them as long as he got access to the knowledge you find. I will get off you!” “Really? Shame… I was rather enjoying it!” Freya studied his crotch and nodding said, “I can see… how old are you exactly? Must be young too be that horny that I turn you on!” “Twenty” “That explains it… let me just get some clothes on.”

James nodded and turning around said, “Of course” “Really?” she chuckled, “What?” “You had me naked mounted on top of you and only now when I want to change you turn around. Is there much point?” “I respect anyone’s privacy when it can be helped!” she nodded before calling, “Well thank you young Kit! I’m Freyja” James smiled and turning around as she did her robe up replied, “Well if I am kitten you have to be a vixen” once again she chuckled and nodding as a sign that he had one upped her said, “Touché. So why were you spying on me apart for getting a look at me vulnerable?” “Business. Athena… it’s easier if we sit down and I will explain it all. Do you…” “No of course. Do you want anything to eat?” “Thank you. I have Egyptian beer if you want some?” “Why not… it will be nice to have something other than ale.”

“Weak!” Freyja muttered taking a mouthful, “That’s the Egyptian beer. If you notice it tastes like Sand!” “Now that you mention it!” Freyja replied handing him some of the Elk she had hunted, “Thank you” Freyja stopped taken back by the Southerner’s manners and nodding replied, “You’re welcome… James. So why don’t you tell me why you are here?” James nodded and pouring himself a drink she joked, “One of those stories is it?” he nodded before going back began his tale.

“I’m a hybrid, father Thanatos the Southern Isu of death. My mother is a descendant of Aphrodite and Ares. So my blood concentration is pretty high but still being an Hybrid I am not entitled to majority of the privileges that Isu’s are. Anyway, my father was tried for gods know however long and I had to take over as death, I did a pretty good job until I made one mistake!” “Which was?” Freyja asked she watched he took a mouthful from his cup and in emotion that could only be described as raw James said, “I fell in love with a Isu. Someone who should never love or have love. A “virgin goddess who must remain” but I foolishly fell in love. She returned the love but Zeus… Zeus was having none of it. So when I went to talk to him about it and providing a replacement he denied it. I foolishly continued to argue with him about it and from there he threw out and tried to embarrass me in front of the others who of course laughed. I didn’t care because I was in love. My father came back and took his role back but again I didn’t care; it was when Athena turned me down. I know what she was doing but it doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. What hurt me the most was my family not even trying to stand up for me. Then the next day they act like everything is fine and it’s all a dream. Tell me to get over it and do something; tell me to not care and marry someone that gives me an “easy life.” It was then when I decided that I had enough of everyone and the South itself” “Family didn’t even say anything to support you?” “No. So I saw this job and took it. I could be near Athena who herself didn’t want it to be over herself. This way we were allowed to be together without being together. I left hoping to find something to make me stronger than the rest to take them down but one trip on the road and I know all I want to do is enjoy life exploring and then settle down… who with or where I don’t know. I just know the South doesn’t feel home anymore.”

Freyja nodded and pointing to Brísingamen James said, “I was sent to retrieve that, apparently it’s of interest to Athena and her researchers” “Oh” James shrugged before studying it himself asked, “I thought it was a joke when they told me, it’s meant to make the wearer more beautiful” “Does it?” James shrugged studying her, “I don’t believe it would make a difference if you took it off” “Only one way to find out” Freyja muttered undoing it said, “Any different?” James leaned in snd shrugging said, “A few minor scars, nothing really else” “Managed to control yourself this time?” she challenged and laughing James said, “You have me at a disadvantage.” “How so?” Freyja queried to which James said, “Athena is just like you. Beautiful, mature, smart, strong and capable; the only difference is I can see the determination in your eyes where she was too happy to let everything happen. You would fight where she would try diplomacy even if it meant a lot of people dying for it” “Really? I have… had a son older than you” James nodded acknowledging the change of tone in her voice to a tone less warmly and comforting to a tone that was filled with bitter and anger. “I’m sorry for your loss!” “How do you know?” “The anger in your voice when you mentioned him, the names of Odin, Kratos and Atreus had to mean something for you to kill them” “Baldur, my son. He was sent by his father, Odin to track them down; my life with Odin was like a prison that always had visitors to mock me; I tried my best to look after the only thing I had in my life; Baldur and with that came my biggest mistake. I made him almost immortal but in doing so he felt nothing at all; this was his source of anger towards me. Baldur came wanting answers from Kratos who Kratos refused to give him any all because he didn’t trust gods in our realm. So he hounded them and hounded them until being effected by his only weakness Mistletoe. I pleaded with them to spare my son; he was insane I know but he was still my son. Baldur started strangling me but Atreus; Kratos’ son pleaded for him to stop Baldur. He killed my son believing it was better that I lived!” James looked down and glaring at him she asked, “What?” “Kratos… was an experiment by some of the older Isu, a test to see how a top human soldier would cope becoming a god, he took down an entire synthetic world of beings with the same power as the real Isu. He broke loose and none of them could be bothered to look for him…” “Why? Why would they do that?” “Because they don’t care about anyone else but themselves that’s why!” “My son died because of a test subject being let go! I hate them!” “Don’t look at me I hate them too” “All because a woman refused you. I lost MY SON!” James nodded before saying, “Since you are angry anyway, let me tell you this. Good he is dead, I don’t know him but if he was insane then him being dead is the better option, he can’t hurt himself or anyone else, he is as peace” “Don’t you dare finish what you are going to say” “No I will. You lost your son who tried to kill you, who refused to move on. Thank fuck he is dead because at least now you can mourn and move on, remember but not forget. You are worth more than you think and no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise it was the right decision.”

She got up and throwing her knife into James shoulder heard the man cry as the knife was wedge firmly in the shoulder, “Shit!” James cried and panicking when she realised what had happened she cried, “Shit… shit… I’m sorry I…” “Just get the fucking knife out please!” James gritted and pulling it she rushed for a compress!” “I… I will… let me just get some of this and this and I can get close the wound” Freyja turned around and seeing how the wound closed James muttered examining it, “Athena’s insurance policy… was that the drink in the prophecy” but looked back over to Freyja; he saw how she was sat there by the fire nursing herself, “I…I’m sorry James!” she muttered throwing Brísingamen to the ground but looking back to tell him it was his looked down to see he was already gone.

Half hour later and returning to see Freyja sat in front of the fire threw the excess logs in the corner whilst putting the remainder in the fire place; just to ensure she kept warm, James looked back and seeing her pale skin James nodded taking his cloak off to wrap around her and searched in his emergency stash for the sweetest thing he had, “Nope. That’s salty not sweet…. Here we go, honey” James looked for a spoon and finally finding one small enough said handing her the jar, “Here eat this!” she looked over and noticing he had returned cried, “You’re back!” “You needed logs, I cut them whilst you calmed down. I saw you were shivering and pale. So I assumed it was shock. Now eat this!” “What is it?” she grimaced forcing a spoonful down, “Honey… bees make it. Super sweet so it should help with the sugar levels!” “Thank…thank you!” she stuttered out gagging after the next mouthful, “Stay there whilst I clean up” “I will” “No you will sit down and focus on warming up!” “But…” “No, that’s an order! I don’t understand why a warrior like you would go into shock wounding someone but here we are!” James fired back, washing the dishes from the earlier meal. There was silence as he cleared up the table and put the chairs back in, “It’s because you are innocent” she randomly explained so leaning against the table he replied, “Depends on how someone defines innocence. I have killed animals, Hel-Walkers I think they are called, green ravens that kept squawking at me and bandits along the way here. Am I innocent because they were bad or bad because I took lives?” “Innocent because you are still here and listened to me talk; disagreed but respected my view and… came back when I thought you wouldn’t” Freyja muttered standing up to face him, “To be fair I never actually left. I just got wood” “I stabbed you and you came back. Most people wouldn’t!” James shrugged before replying, “Because you are my friend or only person who has been nice to me. I take that as a sign apart for Jormungandr not eating me“ she took Brísingamen off and placing it in his hand replied, “My gift FRIEND!” she spoke expecting this was the reason but staring at it said, “It’s not why I stayed. I probably already fired from the job anyway” “What do you mean?” she asked and sitting back down with her he said, “Ares, Athena and Hephaestus were arguing about what way I should go and all that. I had enough and threw the earpiece into the woods. That’s going against orders, surely a sackable offence” she laughed and holding her hair up when she felt him return it around her neck giggled when he said, “Plus what am I going to do with it? Can’t give it to Athena; that’s just asking for trouble. I will write notes on it in case I still have a job but I don’t really care at the moment!” ”I’m sorry once again”

James laughed changing the tone of the conversation with his poor charm, “It’s something I can brag about to Ares and Aphrodite. A sexy woman stabbed me in rage and I didn’t know whether to cry out in pain or be turned on because of the person who did it” Freyja eyes widened and slapping him softer than he expected asked, “Are all Southerners the same. Look at you. Always horny and lusting over women!” James laughed before explaining, “It’s all true buts that’s mainly because most people are married for position not love. So when festivals and gatherings happen it’s purely an excuse for people to actually spend time with people they love; I of course wouldn’t have that luxury. With me however, not so much… what you hear from me is my really bad chat-up and compliment lines. Bludgeon you with sweet cringy things and hope it works.”

She laughed and kissing his cheek said, “Well thank you, it’s actually nice that someone genuinely took an interest in me” “More like a desire for you!” “Desire?” she teased and nodding she joked, “I didn’t even know I had this effect on people” he smirked winking to her but trying to change the subject Freyja state, “When you go out tomorrow be careful, Odin will without a doubt will know you are on his land and will want to meet you. Anything to do with knowledge or wisdom and he’ll be all over you. Just… be careful with him and anyone Aesir, they will betray you as soon as you aren’t of any use to them!” “Thankfully I don’t trust the heads of clans for anything especially after Zeus” “I suppose that does work in your favour” “I am more interested in the way you said “tomorrow” instead of today or later on today” she rolled her eyes knowing at what he was trying to get at but pointing to the herbs on her counter said, “It’s too late to leave now. Especially since you don’t have anywhere to stay. I also want to make you an ingredient pack with a few potions to help you be more prepared in the field; as a thank you for listening to me” he smirked and winking to her sarcastically she in a fluster snapped, “If I wanted you here for that then I wouldn’t hesitate to pin you back to the bed and wrestle with you in the sheets” “Well we were only missing the sheets earlier…” James teased back but throwing him some pillows and a blanket she said, “Go ahead and bed down by the fire. I’ll prepare some breakfast in the morning; you’re going to need your strength for dealing with Aesir” James sighed and nodding said in defeat, “Your bed is big enough for two… never mind, but I suppose being a guest I’ll take the floor. Goodnight Freyja” “You to James!”

James’ eyes shot open grabbing for his knife took an breath of relief seeing the crying was from nothing more than a nightmare from Freyja who reliving Baldur’s final moments over and over again; James now realised why she thought slaying Kratos was the answer. Something one of his few friends, Oizys had said never worked. “Could wake her up but that won’t calm her down too much!” James remarked. So examining the situation James repeated a lesson from Oizys, “Best way to calm someone down is to change the dream or memory to something more happy or pleasurable. Except I can’t do anything to cheer her up from out here” James pondered it one more time and shrugging muttered, “This is either going to work or get another stab wound; I just hope it’s nowhere serious” he took his shirt off and climbing under her cover muttered lifting her bed clothing, “Here goes nothing!”

James’ lips lowered to her unshaven lips and starting to gently kiss it almost teasing listened for Freyja’s cries in hope he wouldn’t have to go too far. James continued to lightly tease her, “Come on Freyja” James muttered so taking it a step further began to enter his tongue in feeling her dampness leak on his tongue and finally hearing the cries turn to moans as her body began to get into the actions. He continued feeling her hands fall onto his hair and resting James grinned smelling the wetness that oozed from her, “There we go!” James muttered until feeling her hands grab his hair and pull his head up he froze looking into her cold eyes glaring at him, “You! Why would you even think you could do this!” “You were having a nightmare!” “So?!” James struggled to move but getting up on his knees explained, “Oziys said changing the experience for the better will ease the person calm down quicker than simply waking the person up. I couldn’t make you happy because I don’t have the means to go into your dreams but I could help you physically!” she laughed not believing him and grabbing his throat snapped, “Try again!” James shrugged, “You are a goddess that needs to be worshipped in every aspect” she looked at him and lip curling in a snarl snapped, “Fine!” she tore his trousers down and throwing him down snapped standing on his hardening penis, “You think that’s gonna wash with me?” James tried to protest but groaning when he felt her foot apply pressure she smirked seeing him wither under her in pleasure. She lightly teased him, her foot rubbing into him but and be taken back by his pure elation to see her remove her clothing gasped when he pushed her foot off and pulling her down began to lightly kiss her breasts, “Enjoying it are you?” she questioned and lustfully sucking the tips of her nipples he muttered, “Milf!” “A what?” “In a south we have it as a saying. It means “Mother I love to fuck” but you are soo much more than that!” she giggled massaging his cock with her hand and breaking away from his chest to kiss her lips passionately the goddess pushed him away and sitting back on her knees said, “Come here!”

James stood up and feeling her open her mouth wide moaned as she casually took his cock in her mouth, “Tight fit!” James muttered and winking she replied in between gags, “Biggest one I’ve had” James smirked watching her take more into her mouth and smirking she grinned knowing he was getting into it more than she would have expected before eyes widening felt his hands pull her further down on his cock she struggled initially but adapting quite easily she retracted her mouth from his cock and smirking asked, “I hope you are ready for me!”

“For you definitely” she nodded finding a pillow to put behind her back to pop her up and spreading her legs said, “Well?” James leaned forward and capturing her lips with his once again he said, “I just wanted to kiss your beautiful lips” she smiled so returning his kiss nibbled on his lip lightly as her hand guided his member into her; being met with resistance but after some pressure her body opened up to him, “Just go slowly. It’s been years!” James nodded hiding her legs up and lightly thrust a bit more in waited a few moments before pushing further in once again, being met by the resistance of her body’s tightness but taking a breath Freyja muttered hoping he wouldn’t be too rough on her, “Okay you can go a bit faster” he nodded smiling lovingly as she looked into his eyes waiting for him to thrust his way back into her. She moaned when he thrusted quicker but this turned to giggles when she felt his tongue brush against the sole of her feet. She sat up to watch and seeing how he was now sucking on her toes smirked as she muttered to herself, “Must be a Southerner fetish or tradition” she used her other leg to wrap around his back to pull him in and feeling more confidence in each other they sped up once again with Freyja’s body now thrusting back at his.

Ten minutes later and becoming memorised by her bouncing breasts grunted when he felt himself cum inside her oozing body and clamping down on his cock she moments later came her body jerking as she rode her orgasm out. “Again?” James eagerly asked and nodding Freyja pushed him to the covers and mounting him; replicating their first meeting said, “Yes, my turn though!” he nodded knowing he was barely able to make a sound never mind a response and sliding it back in she muttered, “You are going have to learn some self control for future references. You can’t just go and cum inside everyone woman you have; a child makes everything a lot more complicated unless you are ready to commit” James nodded but cupping her cheek said, “It’s why I don’t sleep with anyone I don’t see me potentially settling down with; if something did happen I would support you and the children like I would off any of my lovers” she smirked and nodding said, “One day you will make a great father” “As long as I am better than my own one then I would be an success” she nodded and smirking asked as she lifted an candle, “Want to spice it up?” “Bring it on!” She smiled and dripping the burning wax over his chest smirked to see him grimace slightly initially but getting into it muttered, “This is only going to get better!”

“Happy now?!” she yawned laying down on her side facing away from him but joining her he replied, “Will be when I get comfortable” she looked back to see him adjust the pillow and feeling him pull her towards him, felt his arm wrap around her side to keep her next to him. An uncomfortable position for Freyja who now adjusting it by laying her head on his chest, now felt what he was aiming to do beforehand; his arm now wrapped around her body and looking down at her he said, “Now I’m happy” she nodded offering out her right hand to hold onto his left and feeling the light squeeze from him she yarned, “Better for us both!”

When morning came Freyja’ eyes shot open, “It was just a dream. Just a pleasura…” she looked down at the hand holding her arm and looking back her eyes widened as she pulled herself away from him, “It wasn’t a dream… we… actually” James laughed sitting up and putting his arm on her bare shoulder whispered into her ear, “Calm down Freyja. We don’t want all our work to relieve your stress to build back up. Do we?” she nodded getting up and preparing her contraceptive mixture stopped in a panic to hurriedly make some breakfast for the pair, “Where’s my manners!” James laughed fumbling for his clothes and walking to the bucket of water said, “So you have nightmares?” she nodded before explaining, “They haunt me, I can’t shake them and they feel soo real. Everyone reminds me of how I failed him” “You never did Freyja. I won’t ruin the moment we had last night but you won’t convince me otherwise that it wasn’t: Kratos defending a friend, Baldur being insane and all of this being down to Odin using and manipulating Baldur; nothing you could have done to stop that” she looked down and shrugging asked, “Then what are these nightmares if not my conscious reminding me of how I failed” “It was an traumatic event, the mind often distorts and edits memories or parts of memories to help realign with the person emotional state and thoughts. That’s what Athena told me. She tried to get me to remember what happened differently but it’s hard to forcefully do.” “That’s your experience in the matter?” Freyja scoffed but wiping his hands on cloth James shook his head as he pulled some powder into his glass of milk and began to stir it, causing it to turn to a thick yellow and bubbly liquid, “No, do you remember when I told you about filling the hole that my dad left; before he came back and returned to work she nodded, “You were in charge of the dead?” James nodded as he pulled a pink powder into her milk and began to stir it, “What is it?” “Trust me… it gives the milk a flavouring. The pink is a type of fruit; a strawberry alas I never actually tasted one; it comes from Morrigan’s clan. I just know it’s apparently tasty and rich in vitamins and other minerals. The yellow is from a banana which Sekhmets group traded from another clan further South West. Banana’s are tasty” she took an sip from it and pausing took another as she said, “Not bad and no side effects yet. Your story…” James nodded remembering where they were as he said, “Yeah… so anyway one of my roles was to maintain and run Tartarus, your version of Helheim; just with an more exclusive club of the most violent criminals, traitors and guilty. So not just a murderer but a murderer who cooked and ate his victims skin type of monster” she nodded handing him a bowl of soup that she had prepped and lightly cooked over night, “One of the things about Tartarus is… it doesn’t exclude anyone down there expect the person connected fully to the prison structure. I wasn’t because it’s only a one at a time type system. I didn’t have it too rough and after seeing and hearing what people had done; I grew an immunity to most things. However the one thing I did have was violent nightmares of the criminals and their victims; either I was doing it or I was the victim; I would wake up with strangle marks around my neck or scratches the size of an knife wound. Either way I felt powerless to stop it. Some of the marks still linger. Eventually it was allowed that I could return to the surface every time I felt tired; so once every three days or I will send a violent shock to my body after every two hours of sleep to ensure I didn’t hurt myself too much. My experience is that. I was remembering them as if I had done it or was there as an spectator but I never did, majority of them happened way before my father was even born and that’s over 1000 winters ago” Freyja nodded taking his hand as she offered comfort, “A lot to go through for such a young person” “True but it had its perks” “How so?” he shrugged before saying, “Gave me a good excuse to be short with people plus it led to this. Freedom to explore, see new sights, make new friends and…” “Be careful on how you describe your next word mister!” James contemplated it before saying, “Meet new Isu. Although in this case I prefer the term Goddess.”

She laughed and admitting he made a nice recovery she said, “Smooth, real smooth!” he laughed before going to reply were interrupted by an boar walking him and passing what seemed to be a message to her Freyja jumped up and said, “That close. Shit, I’m sorry I have to leave you but Kratos and Atreus were spotted. I need to get ready. Let me just get your herb pouch ready!” James sighed and nodding admitted defeat as he said, “I wish you would mourn and move on not demand vengeance” “Of course you do. You fail to see…” “No. I do I just want you to come back home alive not find your body in a heap somewhere. I can’t even help you because look at me I am hybrid with no skills or abilities” she looked down understanding now that his teasing was more serious than that; he held his heart on his sleeve and this crush or whatever it was to him met more to him than it should have done. “I’m not aiming to die either but I must get justice!” James nodded doing her breast plate up tighter and smiling said, “Then if I can’t persuade you to not become the person he was; by leaving a young boy parentless then go get him. I will be gone by time you return” “I will walk you out!” Freyja smiled watching the man’s shoulders slump, “Okay. Let me just her changed; hand me my journal would you?” she nodded searching for it and seeing how his last entry was now dry saw it was about her and their meeting, so seeing he was looking for armour she hurriedly and nosily read:

“Today I found the Brísingamen necklace today, the owner… the goddess Freyja herself, the original owner of the necklace. Our first interaction… well that went better than I hoped; she didn’t kill me but had her sword to my throat. Reminded me slightly of the South; “naked? Who cares I have my sword to your throat” type attitude. She is divinity personified with the body I yearned to touch and kiss. She is a complete package with the: body, personality and the hair to match. The water trickled from her body like a piece of art illuminating every part of her body and made mine uncontrollable react which in turn made her smirk. She is strong willed, independent but isn’t without scars, much like me her past is a tattered mess but her age has meant she has been exposed to a lot more than I have. She is haunted by her son’s death but is it Kratos’ fault? Sure he killed him but Baldur was a sick dog that needed to be put down. Odin polluted his mind and he probably only accepted the job to prove himself to his father. Would I have made the same decision as Kratos? Yes! Freyja is clearly the better person to keep alive. Her house is under a GIANT TORTOISE. It’s soo cool. Is… is she the witch from the prophecy? If so then I have been blessed to know someone so beautiful. Emotionally she hasn’t recovered from the loss of her son; she stabbed me and then broke down. I lied saying it didn’t hurt because I didn’t want to worry her about it, then later came her nightmares. A risky move but hopefully a pleasurable solution for us both; either way I hope that I see her again and secondly she can move on from her past. Side note- I wonder if I could find her some rare flowers whilst on my travels or something.”

Her smile once again returned but quickly closing the book the major piece of information that she had stumbled upon was the word prophecy and was she actually part of it. However, distracted by the fact he wanted to get her flowers as a token of his affection towards her, she couldn’t help but laugh at this attempt to “woo” her. “Thanks” James stated taking the book and the herb pouch she had prepared for him, “What will you do now?” she asked sheathing her sword and shrugging said, “Hang around the North for a bit. I expect Athena will find a way to get in contact with me just to “check up on me” so until then I am free to explore” “Just be cautious please” “I would say the same to you but given your task it’s irrelevant” she nodded closing the door and kissing his cheek she replied, “Thank you for you concern; if this is the last time I see you enjoy your life” James nodded but smirking replied, “Oh our paths will definitely cross paths again see you Freyja.”