Valkyrie Hunter

Walla’s living room wasn’t typically Valkyrie it appeared to be more like the ones from Earth. None of the furniture was new and seemed to be well used.

“Nice place,” I commented out of politeness.

“Well it’s hard to get what I wanted. I had to do my best with copies and castoffs. The cost of transporting stuff directly from Earth is astronomical.”

Her frankness surprised me. “You’re the first person I’ve met that is friendly to Earth especially after the last war?” She wasn’t the only one but it was the best thing to say.

“I was told that was the Rhosani. Constantina has made many concessions to the Confederacy in order to maintain the peace that her father brokered.”

Again I was surprised by her words. “But why?” I persisted.

“Because I spent many fruitful years on Earth. I fell in love with the Paris and the café scene.” She halted and turned to me. “Have you ever been to Paris?”

“No,” I answered. “Never had the time.”

“Make the time.”

I laughed harshly. “Like the Elders are ever going to let me go.” I took a risk and told her about my confronting the Elders when I presented Solstrid’s bracelet to them. “They gave me a choice either train with them or never leave Alfheimir again.”

Walla looked at me sympathy in her eyes. “That’s harsh even for them. There must have been a reason.”

Again I took a risk. “I have Martin blood from two sources.”

Walla’s lips pursed and her expression was speculative. “Interesting. There are many vaihdokas. In fact the Svertingdottir are mostly vaihdokas.”

“You have a problem with that?”

“With the Svertingdottir no. An old blood feud no longer relevant. Stupid to take things so far, we needed their help and were too stubborn to take it. Now we pay the price.” Walla regarded my face carefully. “Just looking at you I couldn’t say that there was any Valkyrie blood in you.”

“I never knew until I arrived on Alfheimir. I was only honouring a promise to Solstrid to return her bracelet to her Clan.”

“Her Clan?”

“Samdar.”

“Oh that bitch. I wouldn’t wish her as a Clan Mother for any Clan.” She gave me a look. “Did you know you were vaihdokas?”

“No because I’d never been able to take a job with Security if I’d been anything but human.”

“That’s the down side of the Empire. They won’t take the best. You have to be nearly or fully human.” She grimaced. “I suffered from that prejudice myself.”

“Somehow the Elders hid my great grandfather’s DNA and wakened it on Alfheimir.”

“You said you had Valkyrie blood from two sources. You said one was Martin the other…?”

Another risk. “Landottir,” I told her.

Walla’s eyes widened. “Oh I see. Yes that explains much.”

“And?”

“Only the biggest mystery on Alfheimir. There has been much speculation as the how and why the colony was targeted. Unfortunately the Elders closed down the investigation.”

“They stopped the investigation?” I doubted Miranda had known about that she had told how me frustrated she had been not to get a firm resolution to the attack. Telling Walla about her might be a step too far.

“Come along we’ll see what Arva left behind?” That must have been her dead niece’s name.

The living room was a rectangle the door from the kitchen was on the narrower edge. Six doors led off the living room. The one we exited from was the kitchen. Opposite across the room was what I guessed was the exit out of the apartment. Walla led me to one closest to the exit. She slid the door open to reveal a neat room behind it. The room was bigger than I first thought. It had a bed and closet but the rest of the room was dominated by an array of technical equipment that I’d be hard pressed to name.

“Sorry about the mess I’m unsure why Arva tolerated it.” Walla took a deep breath. “She would have liked you.”

“You ok about me taking her stuff?” I said feeling uncomfortable about pawing through a dead girl’s things. I assumed she was talking about someone younger than I.

“Arva wouldn’t have minded and she’s in no condition to object now?”

If anything that made me feel even worse. “Sorry,” I apologised.

Walla waved her hand. “It’s the Valkyrie way to mourn and move on.”

“The Valkyrie way yes, but what do you really feel?” I had to be straight with her.

“Angry, frustrated to see a young life cut off before she had a chance experience the galaxy.” She turned to me. “Which is why we will help you. Not for Clan, not for your blood because it is the right thing to do.” She turned abruptly and strode over to the closet.

Flinging the doors open she pulled out a short shirt and matching top, underwear and knee length stockings. From beneath the bed she pulled out several pairs of shoes ranging from ankle boots to stilettos. Although I wished for more practical clothing anything was better that the robe. Under Walla’s graze I changed. The underwear was a relief at least it fitted and that was because the bra could be adjusted and the panties tied up at the side. The only downside was the colour. It was yellow. The skirt wasn’t much better it was shimmering maroon. The top was in the same shimmering maroon and showed rather than hid the straps of the bra. I could see these were Clan colours. I pulled on the stockings at least they were black and turned my attention to the shoes. I could see all the shoes had heels. Of them all only the dark leather boots with a multitude of silver buckles were the most practical choice. I put them on surprised that most of the clothes and the boots fitted without too much alteration.

“Remarkable,” Walla commented. “Like they were made for you. Arva was always conscious about her lack of height,” Walla said sadly. “Others teased her about it. I said to her that she shouldn’t take any notice of them. But she grew a stubborn streak which ultimately got her killed.”

“I didn’t know?” I apologised. Another thing I seemed to be doing a lot of.

“That’s not you fault how could you know.” She made a gesture with her hand to her heart. “Anhild should have finished her cleaning by now. I’ll get her to fix you something to eat.”

True to her word Walla led me back to kitchen. Anhild was at the stove and cooking. She’d found a third chair from somewhere.

“I retrieved Arva’s while you were busy. I didn’t think Gwen would want to sit on your lap.” I saw her wink at Walla. “I’m too old for that these days.”

I suddenly understood the relationship between these two Valkyrie. It appeared Ljufu’s point of view was more common than I had imagined I made no comment about it, it wasn’t my place. I sat at the place Anhild indicated. She placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of me. They both sat close to each other the same food in front of them. Walla suddenly got up returning moments later with a coffeepot and three mugs.

“That’s better,” she said with a smile. She poured coffee into each mug and pushed one over to me. “I expect you to be hungry and thirsty?”

She dug into her bowl of oatmeal occasionally sipping her coffee.

With some hesitation I followed suit. I guess I was still wary about accepting food and drink after my last poisoning. The oatmeal well I had assumed it was tasted nothing like it. It was light and creamy. “This is nice,” I said surprised by the taste.

“Aravi grain,” Anhild said. “Eat up it’s the last for a while.”

I halted my spoon halfway to my lips. “Last?” I asked guiltily.

“Don’t worry about it.” Walla said. “Were not starving yet. We still have a larder full of food. “It’s the last aravi until they let the trade ships back in.”

That reminded me to ask if they had comms access. I could call up the Valorous Star and get out of here. “Do you have comms access?”

“Not since the Elders blocked all comms, why?”

“I was hoping to call up the Valorous Star and they could send a shuttle for me?”

“That would be unwise even if we could,” Walla stated with a concerned to nod to Anhild. “The Anti-ship turrets are still controlled by the Prophetess and her mob.”

“I’ll need to find a way out and contact the ship?” I mused out loud.

“We can try and help,” Anhild said. “Wait a day until it’s safe. They are still patrolling outside.”

Walla looked thoughtful. “They’ll start knocking on doors if they aren’t already. I need a way to hide you.”

Anhild suddenly smiled. “In plain sight.”

Walla stared at her friend. “Anhild?” she asked anxiously.

“Hair dye and those contact lenses you bought by accident. You know the ones you wanted hazel ones and they sent you blue ones. We put Gwen in Arva’s bed and tell them she is ill and you are monitoring her situation.” Anhild gave me a look. “You’ll have to pretend you are ill and say nothing otherwise your Terran accent would get you discovered. Then we’ll all be dead.” She added the last grim faced.

It was a plan I was uncertain if it would work. “I can’t think of anything better?”

Walla gave a sigh. “It better work. I haven’t anything better to add.”

After the meal the two Valkyrie got to work in turning me into one of them.