Dead Chaos by T. G. Ayer Read Free Book Online Page A

strength when we need it."
    "But you are gods." I was tempted to scoff but controlled the urge.
    "The gods are losing power. Over the ages, we have been steadily losing strength. Modernity changes belief systems. The realms have always been interconnected, but now that our power fades, the balance within the realms will fade as well. Already we can see how easy it has been for the Jotunn to infiltrate Midgard. It is a frightening thought that soon Midgard may be under Loki's control. When everything is out of balance, nature is affected. Balance is very important."
    "How will nature be affected?" Thor’s words confused me, but they worried me more.
    "Yggdrasil is the tree of life," said Thor.
    "Yes," I answered carefully, well aware I didn’t have a very rounded knowledge of the realms.
    "Yggdrasil is the very foundation of all the nine realms. The tree keeps everything together. Anything that happens to the tree affects all the realms in different ways."
    "Oh? Like how?"
    "The rivers of the world rise from the roots of the Yggdrasil. So should the tree be damaged or dying in any way, water will be affected within all nine realms."
    "That’s not good." I frowned. "Has Midgard been affected by the tree yet?"
    "Yes, I’m afraid it has. Many of your droughts are caused by the tree of life. Sometimes it is a balance that is needed, but over the ages, belief has waned and shaken the tree to its core."
    I wasn’t sure what I should say to that and decided not to say anything at all.
     
    ***
     

Chapter 7
     
    As I walked back toward the Valkyries’ quarters, I thought about Frigga's insistence that I speak to Odin about whatever this mysterious prophecy was. I didn't want to wait to hear what I was beginning to think would be a watered-down version from Odin. Seemed like they wanted to protect me from something. And I didn't intend on letting them. I 'd speak to Mimir myself.
    And for that I'd need Sigrun's help.
    In the time I'd spent in Asgard over the last few months, I'd heard Mimir's name mentioned only a few times and I'd never had the privilege of meeting Odin's talking, fortune-telling head. Only one person was likely to help me in my quest.
    But first, I needed to get back to New York and Aidan. I felt a stab of sadness when I thought of Aidan. I already missed him in the strangest way. As if he were drifting away and I couldn’t hold on to him any longer.
    He’d hurt me deeply with his lack of consideration and his arrogance, but perhaps they were parts of Aidan I needed to see for myself. And maybe he had his reasons for his odd behavior. I resolved to speak to him about it when I met with him. There were things I needed to say and hear.
    I let out a tense breath as I strode right past my room and knocked lightly on my Valkyrie friend 's door, hoping she was in. There were too many places she could be and I was in no mood to go searching. Moments later, the door sighed open and Sigrun's grin greeted me.
    "Bryn, how are you feeling?"
    "I am much better. The Goddess Eir performed her magic and I feel much better." I smiled at Sigrun’s worried face.
    "What did they do?" Sigrun guided me inside and led me to the bed to sit.
    The questions fell one after another from Sigrun's lips and I laughed, throwing my hands up to ward them off. "Stop with the twenty questions."
    Sigrun quieted, frowning. "But I did not ask you twenty questions. I am certain there were not twenty."
    I laughed even harder. "I'm sorry. It's a Midgard term. It just means lots of questions." Sigrun sat beside me and I squeezed her into a half hug. "And, I'm feeling much better. The lady Eir removed all the shattered bone, made it all neat and nice, and applied a good salve. I’m in no pain anymore."
    Sigrun's face fell and I knew exactly what she was thinking. She was wondering how Eir had removed the remaining bone from my back. But I decided to distract my friend a little.
    "Sigrun, I need your help with something."
    "Of course. What do you