They all appeared on the beach, exhausted. A murmur of excitement rose up among the gods of Asgard that quickly turned to loud cheers and shouts. Everyone celebrated on the beach for a while, laughing and crying. But the energy they’d spent soon took its toll. They all fell into a more subdued atmosphere of good cheer.
Kento slapped Zane on the back. “Well, smart guy. Now what? Where are you going to put everybody?”
Zane and Zoe both looked up the hill at the same time. “Will one beach-front, mansion-sized house with guest and servant cottages on spacious grounds do for a group of about forty? I’m sure they won’t mind sharing space and we certainly don’t have any use for it. Besides, this town needs a little shaking up.”
Zoe elbowed him in the side. “You’re terrible! I love it! Wait ‘til the small-minded citizens of Dag gets a load of these guys.”
They started laughing and couldn’t seem to stop. Then they noticed Balder and Skadi, their faces pale and drawn. The laughter quickly faded. The three of them hung their heads and led everyone up to the house. Zane unlocked the door. “It hasn’t been lived in for a long time, but it’s sturdy. You can stay here as long as you like. There’s one thing I want to make clear, though. No worshippers. Ever. I’m serious. You guys are going to have to live like regular people. If any of you start making humans serve you, you’ll have me and all my friends to deal with. Got it?” He glared at Odin. Odin smiled slightly, nodding in agreement.
Kento looked at the clock/calendar to see that they’d only been gone a few hours instead of almost two days. He ran up to Zoe and spun her around exuberantly. “Oh, yeah! I thought it was too late, but I’ll be able to make it in time for my next show tomorrow.” The others looked at him strangely. He blushed slightly. “Umm. My…uh…favorite TV show! Yeah! I didn’t want to miss it.”
Zoe whispered in his ear. “Kento. When are you going to tell them about your sculptures?”
“Not yet. I’m just not ready.”
Zane walked over to Astarte. “So you and Loki..?”
“I was young and headstrong and wild. I liked adventure and new experiences. Loki was all those things. His antics amused me. But the longer we were together, the more he made my skin crawl. I think I grated on his nerves as well because he realized I was not like the docile women he had known. I could be just as overbearing and demanding as he. Then his boyish pranks turned into cruel, deadly vendettas. I could not stay with someone so vile. I left him and returned to the Mediterranean.” She took Zane’s chin in her hand in an uncharacteristically gentle and friendly gesture. “When we first met, I said that you reminded me of Loki. (*author’s note—see The Sentinel Warriors) I was wrong. You are nothing like him.” She smiled. “You are much better looking.”
Zane laughed. This was the first time he’d ever felt at ease in her company. “Don’t let Gilgamesh hear you say that.”
Gilgamesh walked up behind him. “Too late.” Gilgamesh grimaced at him darkly. Zane quickly made excuses and went back to the others.
Astarte shook her head. “You shouldn’t frown so, it makes you look menacing.”
He smiled slightly, arching an eyebrow. “Ah, then I was successful.”
Astarte smirked and took his arm. The two of them joined the others.
Zoe looked around, an uneasy feeling gnawing at her. The house was too clean. “Zane. Someone’s been here recently.”
They walked into the kitchen to find two familiar faces hard at work making dinner. “Children, this young lady has been telling Aunt Neita all about your adventures. You have been very busy, yes? But I am not sure I believe everything she tells me.”
“GUDRUN!” They ran to hug her. “How..?”
“It seems the Norns have hearts after all. They exiled me to earth.” She turned to Neita. “I have a few other people to surprise, Grandmother. I will be back shortly.”
“Take your time, dear.”
Zane and Zoe stared at each other and then back at Neita. They almost hadn’t recognized her--she looked so much younger than when they’d last seen her. Wait a..! Grandmother? Frigg?
She put a finger to her lips and winked at them. “I’ve been saving up a few surprises of my own. Don’t tell that old bear, Odin, just yet, will you?” She gestured at her still wrinkled face. “I still have a few changes to make before I’m back to my old self. In the meantime, Aunt Neita must have her fun, yes?” She went back to stirring her stew and whistling.
Zane and Zoe left the room. They could hear Balder and Skadi’s shouts of joy in the other room. Zane smiled broadly. “So is this a happy ending?”
“No way! It’s just the beginning.”