Valkyrie Read Free Page A

in the reaping. This is a sombre occasion indeed, filled with reverence for a time-honoured tradition assigned only to the Valkyries. It falls upon you to bring only the best of the slain to me, here at Valhalla. They have earned their place among the glorious dead and share in the celebration of battle . . .’
    Freya stood before Odin, trying her best to stay focused and listen to every word of his long speech, but as the moments passed it was becoming harder and harder.
    To her, there was no glory in being a warrior killed in battle. It was wasteful. Where were art, music and all the other parts that made up a life? Maya kept insisting there was more to the World of Man than just fighting. But if that was so, why did Odin revere it as he did?
    As her eyes drifted around the Great Hall, she saw how everyone hung on Odin’s every word. How they murmured in agreement as he spoke of the glorious dead and of battles fought and won. Looking at the masses of people surrounding her, Freya had never felt more alone.
    Why was she so different?
    Why couldn’t she feel the same way everyone else did?
    A sharp nip at her ear brought her out of her reverie. She stole a quick look at Orus on her shoulder. ‘Freya, stop daydreaming!’ he warned softly. ‘Prepare to swear your oath.’
    With a quick nod, Freya turned her attention back to Odin. She hadn’t been aware of his speech and suddenly realized he was now deep into telling the story of Frigha, the runaway Valkyrie.
    ‘It gave me no joy to blind and de-wing her,’ he was saying. ‘Finally she was banished from her home in Asgard. To this day, she wanders the Earth alone, lost in her shame and betrayal . . .’
    On and on Odin droned, giving warning to all Valkyries that once they swear the oath, they are bound to their duties. Freya wondered if he ever stopped talking long enough to actually breathe.
    Finally he offered her his large hand. ‘Come forward, Freya,’ he commanded.
    ‘Go on,’ Orus ordered into her ear. ‘This is it!’
    Freya nervously took hold of Odin’s outstretched hand and stepped up on to the dais. ‘Kneel, child.’
    Freya opened her wings wide enough to allow her to kneel before the leader of Asgard as Odin placed a hand on the top of her head. ‘Freya, do you swear to carry out your duties to the best of your abilities?’
    ‘Say “I swear”,’ Orus whispered softly in her ear.
    ‘I swear,’ Freya repeated sombrely.
    ‘Do you swear allegiance to the sisterhood of the Valkyries and promise to fulfill your obligations as one of the favoured?’
    ‘I swear.’
    ‘Do you swear your allegiance to me to do my bidding according to the laws of the Valkyries – bringing only the best of the best warriors to my Great Heavenly Hall, Valhalla, and leaving the others to Azrael and his Angels of Death?’
    Freya hesitated. This was the one order she knew was going to be hardest to follow. Who were they to decide who was worthy or not? How could she be expected to judge someone? It was all so unfair.
    ‘Say “I swear”!’ Orus whispered. ‘Freya, swear it!’
    Freya could hear the sharp intake of breath from the others behind her as she hesitated.
    ‘Answer me,’ Odin commanded. ‘Do you swear?’
    It went against everything Freya believed, but with the pressure of her mother beside her and all of Asgard gathered behind her, Freya finally nodded. ‘I swear.’
    She could hear her mother release her held breath.
    Odin inhaled deeply before continuing. ‘Do you understand your position as Valkyrie? That you possess the power to keep the Angels of Death at bay and with a word can command them away from the battlefield. They resent this ranking, but accept it. Do you?’
    ‘I understand and accept,’ Freya said.
    ‘Then it is by my order that I command you to arise, Valkyrie. Rise and receive your armour and sword.’
    Freya climbed to her feet as Odin took her hand. He drew her back to his wife, Frigg.
    Frigg raised the new silver