608 DCVIII. The Culpri (1/2)

”However, the magician is striving to help me, telling me the truth about the ancient manuscript that speaks of the most important of prophecies, while you... you can't mask your true nature, can't you, Fenrir's disciple?” Odin continued, while his rabid blue eye stopped at Thyrius, whose legs and arms began to tremble compulsively.

”No, no, my lord! I humbly apologize, I didn't want to be insolent! Mine was a simple question, I didn't want to take anyone's place! Just... why to believe the words of this old wizard? They could be mere lies!” Bloodfang replied, who tirelessly was again trying to deceive the Alfather.

”You're just making your situation worse, I suggest you be silent. My patience is not unlimited, I too am old. I'm sure that's the truth because the Shieldmaiden and the archer didn't say a word during Kranus' speech. I saw how they ran to check on their partner's health, this is the greatest proof of loyalty to me. I trust their judgment” Odin replied, justifying his point of view to Bloodfang, who ran out of tricks to persuade him.

Thyrius remained silent, merely looking down and waiting for the God to deliver his verdict.

”Alfather!” the only female voice among them exclaimed.

Odin turned his gaze towards Freydis, noting that the young Shieldmaiden had just caught his eye with tears in her eyes.

”What's going to happen to Dag now?” she asked, hoping Odin's response wouldn't hurt her feelings too much.

”As I told you, now the Frostsinners have too much information about him. I will take Dag with me, away from this kingdom” Odin replied, who despite realizing that the girl who was talking to him was the woman of the subject in question, was willing to proceed with his plan, which included Dag.

Those words were so heavy that they triggered a sudden silence among the four warriors around him, who looked at each other, unable to believe what they had just heard.

As if he didn't want to waste any more time, Odin stepped forward towards Dag, approaching his body slowly.

Freydis, caught in a sudden whirlwind of conflicting emotions, knelt at her God's feet, stretching her arms to the ground and showing him her submission.

”Alfather, please, listen to my prayer... I have worshipped you all my life long and I will continue to do so as long as my heart will continue to beat. I understand that your decision has already been made and cannot be changed, but... tell me, will I see Dag again?” Freydis asked desperately, raising her eyes filled with sorrowful tears at Odin, whose divine heart was saddened by that moving scene.

Dodging Freydis and continuing to walk forward, Odin arrived at the foot of Dag's body, on which his most loyal ally, Reidar, was kneeling, hoping that he would wake up from sleep.

Odin raised his Gungnir spear and placed it behind his back: straps of his armor wrapped the divine weapon, which as if by magic was locked in its position.

Immediately after that gesture, he too lowered himself towards Dag and, with very slow and delicate movements, placed a hand under his neck and one under his legs, lifting him off the ground.

Kranus and Bloodfang stepped back and continued to look at the scene in silence, as did the warriors who were admiring the Alfather's magnificence from afar.

”I... I don't want to lose him again... please, Odin...” Freydis whispered, while her voice was stuck in her throat because of the pain that trapped her soul at the thought of never being able to see her man again, who after a thousand adventures had managed to find her.

Reidar approached the Shieldmaiden and helped her get up, clutching her in a fraternal embrace and making her realize that Odin's decision, however poignant to them, was immutable.

Without adding any words of comfort or encouragement, the Alfather turned the other way and looked up at the sky, at exactly the same spot from which the luminous portal had allowed him to travel into space until he arrived on Skjold.

Some crows popped out of nowhere, began one at a time to twirling around him, and at the same time, clouds began to melt and rotate in the lower layers of the atmosphere.