19. Maddy

Chapter 19

Maddy

S arra helps me with my hair before the feast. Braids are honor-won in Yggdrasil , but she manages to create some elaborate twists and knots that are allowed, and my long mop of silvery-blue strands actually looks half as good as my sister could have produced by the time we're both finished with it. I give my friend a hug.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," I tell her, trying to force down the pang of sadness as I think about how my sister used to make my face up before busy events to keep me calm.

"I feel the same, Maddy," Sarra says. "All the other thralls are either a lot older or already in their groups. They're not very interested in talking to me."

"Maybe that's because you're spending all your time in here with me," I say apologetically.

She punches my shoulder gently. "Don't be daft. You know we're all invited to watch the strength display tomorrow?"

"Really? It'll be nice to see your face in the crowd," I say.

"It'll be nice to get out of Odin's High Hall," she says. "No feast for us tonight, though."

"Do you want me to bring you anything back?"

"Oh yes," she says, her eyes lighting up. "Some of those pork pies, and?—"

I finish the sentence for her, laughing. "That sheep cheese that you love."

She grins at me. "Yes, please."

"Got it. Will do."

"And if you can sneak any brandy out, my store's getting low."

"That's harder, but I'll do my best," I say. My belt pouch is easy to smuggle small things in, but I can't really go to a feast wearing the full book sack that would be ideal for hiding a bottle of brandy in.

"What will you do tonight?" I ask her. She glances toward the table, and I give her a warning look. "You said you wouldn't work on Aldrich's staff without me here. Honestly, it was weird, Sarra. Please."

"All right, all right," she says. "I won't work on it without you. I'll have a look at your mirror."

"Thank you. After tomorrow is done, we can spend all of Saturday on the staff if you want?"

"After tomorrow, I think you will begin formation fighting on Saturdays," she says. I get an unpleasant knot in my stomach as I remember the other thing that's going to happen after Sigrun's visit. The Oskorela is supposed to begin. I shake my head, forcing the thought away.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what Margaery comes up with for you. You know she's handmaid to Valdis and Brynhild? She's going to have access to all the good stuff," Sarra tells me.

"Huh. It'll be nice not to stand out quite so much," I say. Never mind that they are all trained warriors who don't pass out at any given moment and I'm… well, me.

"Do you miss all your princess things?" Sarra asks me.

"No," I say. "But I do miss my sister."

She squeezes my arm. "Have fun tonight."

"I'll try."

When I get to the feast hall, the food tables have all been pushed to the side to make a huge U shape around three walls. They're absolutely loaded with pastries, cheeses, breads, and cured and dried fish and meats.

There are a few fae moving around between them with plates, but there are no tables or chairs. I look to be one of the last to arrive, and my suspicion that they would all put their finest armor on for the occasion appears to be correct. Gleaming metal breastplates, shining, buffed leather greaves and shin guards, and fur collars of rich red fox and bright white mink adorn all of the rooks. I'm wearing my least scruffy shirt, the battered leather wrap, and Sarra's boots.

"Tomorrow," I mutter to myself. With Valdis and Margaery's help, I'll look better tomorrow.

I take a plate and load it up, sneaking bits for Sarra into my belt pouches while I'm fairly sure nobody's looking.

"Is that for your human friend?"

I snap my head up and see Eldith nodding at the glazed pastry pie I've wrapped in paper.

"Yes," I say.

"You ready for tomorrow?" she asks me.

"No, my magic's still a bit erratic," I admit. "How about you?"

She nods. "I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm looking forward to seeing Sigrun again." It's true—she was absolutely awe-inspiring last time I saw her, and just being in her presence made me feel like I could take on anyone, dominate whatever I put my mind to. She oozed power, but in a way that made you feel strong too, rather than intimidated, and I craved it.

"Looks like you won't have to wait much longer." Eldith is looking over my shoulder, and I turn around, my breath catching as I see her.

The magnificent Valkyrie strides into the feasting hall, and everybody falls silent as her aura crackles around, setting the air alight with energy.

"Rooks!" she calls.

She comes to a stop, her great gold wings tucked in and her arms spread wide. She turns in a slow circle, taking us all in one at a time.

"You did well when the Frost Giants attacked, but you need to do better." Her lyrical voice carries through the room, and shame washes through me. We've disappointed her. "Two of you died, and I hear it was up to your instructors to do most of the work against our enemies."

Indignation tries to work its way through the shame. Our instructors are centuries-old, battle-tested Valkyrie. None of us even have wings, let alone experience in fighting Giants.

"I want you all to rest assured that we will find out how the Frost Giants got into Featherblade." She casts an accusatory eye around us all, and I squirm in discomfort. How could she believe one of us did it? None of us are powerful enough, surely?

She claps her hands, and I'm not the only one who startles at the unexpected noise. "I have reason to believe that something big is coming." My discomfort grows, and she shakes her head, a smile pulling slightly at the corners of her green-painted lips. "As our enemies evolve, so do we. The Giants may be coming, but something big is coming for the Valkyrie too." Her eyes find mine, and I see a flicker of wings over her shoulder that aren't her own.

My skin goes cold, goosebumps rising all over my body as her gaze bores into mine. I find myself breaking it, unable to hold the eye contact, and fates be cursed, the first thing I do is look for Kain.

I find him at the back of the room, behind everybody, leaning casually against the wall, and his eyes just as fixed on me as Sigrun's.

"I look forward to seeing what you are all capable of tomorrow," the Valkyrie leader calls, finally looking away from me and around the room. "For tonight, enjoy the food and the music afforded to you by the gods."