Back in Valhalla...

Now that didn't go well. Ard was fuming. What an old fool his father was, what an utter waste of immortal DNA. He punched about a dozen statues on his way out and kicked a pillar so hard that little cracks appeared in the ceiling. Why did he think he could have a fruitful conversation with him? Perhaps he was the fool for believing that there was an ounce of decency in his father.

Wodran was the chosen king. When the highest power descended in the flesh it had given his father another part of the divine so that he could rule wisely for all eternity. Every god was made with a spark of the source but Wodran was given two, how comes he was now nothing more than a moping bundle of self-pity? He wasn't a worthy ruler. He didn't rule. The Elders were now in charge with Asereth as their leader.

The Elders. Ard wouldn't waste anymore time trying to make his father see the light, he would have to speak to Asereth. They might have had a disagreement, but Ard still hoped that maybe, only maybe, the Norn was right and making the effort to properly listen to Asereth might clear things up.

He made his way to the council hall. Empty. None of the Elders were present. Ard cursed but then saw Lugh heading towards him.

"I'm always amazed by your extensive vocabulary of foul words."

"I went to see my father and it took less than 5 minutes for the violent fantasies to take over my mind."

"I take that it went badly?"

"He's got those servants and I don't trust them. He wasn't himself. I mean, we know he's in a bad state but something was off."

"Do you think he's going insane?"

"I'm not sure, but I will find out. There was a metallic scent in his room and his eyes looked...empty."

Lugh understood. He and Ard had this understanding that often didn't require words. Ard suspected something was happening and whatever it was, they would have to find out.

"I've spoken to your brother."

"Yes? What did he say?"

"Well, he appeared quite happy and spoke very highly of Asereth. Apparently he's done a lot of great things for the winged legion recently. He also mentioned that Galath came to speak to him and that a meeting was imminent. A meeting for the highest ranks within the army. He said that they'd send word soon."

"Now that's interesting" Ard said scratching his head, walking up and down the little side corridor they were now in, tugged away from nosy eyes and ears.

"Interesting indeed, especially because Galath went to see Arl straight after you got kicked out of the council hall."

"A mysterious meeting..."

"I think he is expecting some good news, perhaps an honour for your services..."

Ard laughed a sarcastic laugh.

"Surely not. An honour perhaps for him because he's Asereth's little puppy and does as he's told but they wouldn't honour me in a million years."

In recent years Ard and Asereth had increasing arguments about who should be allowed to join the army. Asereth believed that the forces of Asgaard should exclusively consist of pure gods, of original gods. Ard would regularly go against Asereth's wishes and recruit half gods and goddesses. Under Ards command, ranks would go to those who deserved it and have proven worthy, not only to those who were created by the source itself. To him, authority wasn't a birth right. He would allow females to become Valkyries whatever their background and elevate servants to soldier status if they had what it takes. Ard believed that everyone should be allowed the honour of serving if only they had a true warrior's heart. He despised the arrogance that most of the original gods harboured. They all came from the source because everything comes from the source. They were all equal.

In the evening...

The soldiers had gathered in the feasting hall for the evening appeal. Ard addressed them in a well thought through speech, explaining his absence without raising suspicions. Even though he was the leader of the cavalry and as the highest rank didn't owe anything to anyone, he apologised to his soldiers for the missed companion's night. Most soldiers were understanding but Murtagh, a harsh faced, dark haired god with impressive muscles that rivalled Ards' spoke up.

"As long as your generals have their fun all is good, isn't it? Especially that fragile little excuse of a Valkyrie..."

A snide comment.

"What are you talking about?" Ard demanded with a flicker of anger.

"You know, that little ginger thing that you made your second in command. I wonder if she's serving you in other ways, just as she did for that young Elder last night?"

Some soldiers laughed.

Ard had already jumped over the top table, about to attack Murtagh and teach him a lesson as Hera burst through the gates and swaggered down the isle.

"Don't worry Ard, it's just a case of a scorned men's pride" she said, grinning at Murtagh who now looked clearly uncomfortable in his own skin.

"I met him last night outside my chamber and he was a bit, how can I say it...overly keen. Isn't that right, Murtagh?" She held his stare. "Do you wanna tell your friends how I kicked your arse or shall I?"

"Just tell your leader that you went out whoring!" Murtagh said with a bitter voice.

Ard looked at her. Lugh also watched on, still sitting at the top table with crossed arms and stern look on his face.

"Call it a mission, Ard." She winked at him. Then she turned towards Murtagh.

"Call me a whore again or attempt to touch me and I'll show you what that little ginger thing can do to your manhood. And if I see you sneaking around my room one more time you'll lose both legs, to avoid such run ins in the future."

Murtagh huffed, then there was silence.

"Good" said Hera. "I'm glad we understand each other."

She hopped over the top table and took her place next to Lugh, Ard joining her. Now sitting between the two gods she ruffled Lugh's blonde hair and smiled widely.

On Ard's hand signal the servants started to pour out more mead and the crowd resumed their feasting and drinking.

"Don't look so miserable!" Hera took a big bite of a deliciously roasted chicken leg.

"I'm not miserable" Lugh replied.

Ard looked over to his friend. He looked glum and miserable indeed. He threw a piece of roast potatoe on his head.

"Cheer up!" Ard laughed but Lugh only reacted with an annoyed glance at Murtagh.

"I hate this low life. What a prick!"

"I was about to punch him but she had to come and make a big entrance" Ard pointed at Hera with a half eaten chicken leg.

"Where did you go? Did you really meet one of the Elders?" Lugh asked.

Hera grinned like a cat who got the cream. Before she had a chance to answer Lugh, Ard spoke.

"Tell me about the Valkyries."

"The Valkyries...oh yes...the Valkyries are as moody and unpleasant as ever. Must be the lack of men up there in the mountain camps" she said, still grinning. "Nothing out of the ordinary as it seems. Nice catching up though."

After another little giggle she continued with quietened voice that only the two gods could hear "...but I've heard from Turid that Asereth, Hector and Aras left for the chamber of the grail last night and came back without Aras."

Now that was alarming and they knew it.

"I need to get hold of Asereth. But what have you got to do with Turid?"

"What can I say, he's handsome and gifted in many ways."

Ard playfully elbowed her.

Ignoring Hera's words, Lugh mused "something is happening under our noses. They must have had an important reason to visit the chamber of the grail...and to come back without Aras."

They agreed that this needed investigating. Another thing on an increasingly long list of strange happenings.

"Turid doesn't trust Asereth."

"I think Turid is a good male, if he doesn't trust him then we have good reason to believe that he's not trustworthy."

Hera nodded.

"Hold on...I carried you to bed last night and this morning you went to the mountains to see your lovely sisters?! When did you...?"

"Well, I sober up really quickly...and it was supposed to be companion's night. The companion couldn't enter the north wing...but I was able to leave the north wing, thanks to my status." A smug grin on her face.

Lugh shook his head and rolled his eyes but Ard looked clearly amused. "Tell me more."

"That's it, pretty much. He saw them returning to the East Wing when he snuck out to meet me in the woods."

"In the woods? You guys must have been desperate" Ard raised his right eyebrow, much higher than eyebrows should be able to raise.

Lugh got up and mumbled something about Hera abusing her power and with that he left.

Hera's eyes followed him as he exited the feasting hall.

Ard emptied his goblet of mead in one large swig.

"Tomorrow I will speak to Asereth, not matter what."

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Thank you so very much for reading up to this point. This was only a short chapter but from now on the action will start. I'm so excited for you to read the next chapters!