The Tome had rated the gem on the necklace as rank 4. Haldryn was surprised—he might even have gotten a bargain—but at the very least he had not overpaid.
Elle stared at the glittering necklace in open delight, then seemed to catch herself. "Wait. Where did you get the money?"
"Remember when I told you I'd thought of a new formula?"
She shook her head.
"The one that used Greenchou Grass. It was a hair-growth tonic. I made some money selling it."
He had considered telling her from the beginning, but the risk of Uncle Peter finding out and creating unnecessary trouble had kept him silent until now.
Elle stared, astonishment spreading across her face. "The tonic everyone's been talking about—that was yours?"
"Of course."
She was quiet for a long moment, still looking as though she only half believed him.
"The formula is tucked inside the Greenhild Pharmacopoeia. I have to go, Elle." He pulled her into a brief hug.
Her eyes reddened. She bit her lip.
Haldryn smiled. "It's not as if I'm never coming back. I'm not even crying, and you're over a thousand years old."
Women were always sensitive about age. A thousand years was still youth for an Asgardian, yet every previous time he had teased her about the number she had looked displeased. This time she only steadied her breathing.
"Take care of yourself."
"I will."
"I'll walk you to the Rainbow Bridge."
"It's only Vanaheim. No need for ceremony. I can go alone." He refused quickly. On the way he still had to collect the hammer from Skurge; she could not be allowed to see it.
"I really have to leave. Lord Ullr won't wait for me." He turned, waved once more, and set off.
At a crossroads Skurge was already waiting, Verigan's Fist in hand.
"What took you so long?" He held out the hammer.
"I have a sister." Leaving Asgard for the first time left Haldryn in high spirits. He settled the warhammer across his shoulders in the classic penitent's carry and the two of them headed for the Bridge.
"What's it like to ride the Rainbow Bridge?" he asked.
"Randolph told me that once it opens you enter a rainbow tunnel and reach the destination almost at once."
"Your brother's still with the Berserkers, right?"
Skurge nodded. "Yeah. I even held his berserk staff once."
"How was it?"
Skurge thought back. "Power everywhere… but I couldn't control myself. My head wasn't clear. All I wanted was to smash something.
"That's how my father's month of stone carving got destroyed, apparently."
"Apparently?"
"Randolph told me after I woke up. I'm not completely sure."
To step onto the Rainbow Bridge one first had to pass a great gate; no one without authorization could cross it. A squad of roughly a dozen soldiers already waited there. The leader, a stern-faced black-haired youth, approached Haldryn.
"Medic Haldryn Garrison?"
"Yes."
"I am Kor, captain of this squad. You'll travel with us to the Third Camp on Vanaheim."
"Understood."
They waited together until one final latecomer arrived and the full complement was present. The gates opened. A long bridge of shifting crystal light—literally a rainbow—stretched before them.
The Rainbow Bridge was both magnificent and vast. It spanned the main body of Asgard's waters, the Sea of Marmora, and ran from the gate all the way to the realm's edge.
At its far end lay the open starfield of the cosmos, brilliant and endless.
Haldryn's eyes widened. He could not help a quiet breath of awe.
"Move out!" Kor called.
Haldryn clapped Skurge on the shoulder. "I'm going."
The squad walked the length of the bridge and soon reached the transfer hall at its northern terminus—the northernmost structure in Asgard, the realm's true frontier.
The hall was resplendent, its walls covered in carved runes. At the center stood a giant of a man in white beast-hide and a horned helm, sword in hand. His skin was dark, his presence as solid and immovable as an ancient mountain.
This was Ullr, God of Winter and the Hunt, one of Asgard's most powerful deities and the gatekeeper who had stood watch since the days of Bor, father of Cul and Odin.
"Lord Ullr." Kor stepped forward and bowed. "We are ordered to the Third Camp on Vanaheim."
Ullr gave a casual nod, beard shifting. "Prepare yourselves. I will open the Bridge. Those who have never ridden it before should hold onto a companion. Gatekeeper's advice."
Everyone except Haldryn seemed experienced; their faces remained impassive. He hesitated, then turned to the tall youth beside him.
"Would you mind?"
"Of course." The youth extended a hand. Haldryn took it.
Ullr drove the guardian sword into the central slot. Lightning leapt. The entire hall flooded with blinding light.
When Haldryn's vision cleared he stood inside a multicolored tunnel. Nothing else existed around him; beyond the walls the stars wheeled in open space.
Looking down and seeing empty void beneath his feet, he staggered. The tall youth yanked him upright again.
The journey lasted only a few seconds. The rainbow tunnel vanished and was replaced by dense forest—lush greenery and occasional towering trees, the typical landscape of Vanaheim.
A clearing among the trees held the Third Camp; patrols were already on duty.
"Welcome to Vanaheim," The tall youth said. "Next time just stand still and pretend nothing is happening."
Haldryn exhaled and released the hand. "Thank you. I'm Haldryn."
"Ander. You're the medic, right?"
"Yes."
Ander smiled. "Then I'll be counting on you."
^^^
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