Two Ravens and One Crow (Novella)

apples! Your honor is the honor of a thief.«
    »A thief who keeps his word. You tried to kill me for it shortly thereafter. I could have taken your life. Instead—with great reluctance, I might add—I took Sleipnir’s.«
    »There was no honor in that decision. It was strategically the best course of action, because it occupied the attention of the Valkyries as well. Had you slain me outright, they would have pursued you to avenge me.«
    »Even so, my point remains: I responded with violence only when it was first offered to me.«
    »Ha! What violence from Thor prompted you to bring a party of men and giants to Asgard to slay him?«
    »That is a separate matter. But, again, I was keeping my word.«
    »You promised to kill Thor?«
    »No, I promised to provide transportation to Asgard.«
    »So in your mind you have done us no wrong?«
    »I did not say that, Odin.«
    We paused as the waiter brought out the first course. The crayfish was there, but so was a small trout roulade. I sampled it and discovered that the chef knew what he was doing. If this was to be my last meal, I couldn’t ask for a finer one. None of the gods touched their food. They watched me eat and waited for me to continue.
    »On the contrary,« I continued, »I believe I acted shamefully during that second trip, and I deeply regret what happened. I apologize to you both, though I know the words are inadequate.«
    Odin snorted. »They’re worse than useless. It’s insulting that you would even try to pay for what you did with a meaningless phrase.«
    »How would you suggest that I pay? Paying with my life is not an option.«
    I expected an argument here, but Odin surprised me by agreeing. »No, it’s not,« he said. »There’s not enough of you to pay the blood price.«
    »Blood price?«
    »It’s a common enough concept.«
    The waiter swooped in and cleared the first course away before depositing the second in front of us, a seafood soup garnished with avocado and other goodies. Once he left, Odin changed the subject.
    »We will speak of blood later. What I would like to know is why you’re alive.«
    »Why didn’t I die before the Common Era, you mean? How did I manage to live long enough to vex you?«
    »Precisely.«
    »I occasionally drink an herbal tea that renews my cells and reverses the aging process.«
    »Interesting.« Odin looked down at his soup and, deciding it looked good enough to eat, picked up a spoon. Frigg, the Morrigan, and I did the same, and we slurped up a spoonful or two before Odin asked another question. »And this tea you drink—is it readily available in these modern supermarkets? Or is it something you invented?«
    »No. I got the recipe from Airmid, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She’s long dead now, however. Tragic circumstances.«
    »A tragedy! Forgive me for noticing, but they seem to follow in your wake.«
    »You’re forgiven. May I ask you something?«
    »Of course.« His spoon hovered over his bowl as he waited for my question.
    »How did you find out where I was?« My cold iron amulet normally shielded me from divination; not even the Norns had seen me coming.
    »Hugin and Munin found you a couple of months ago, working out in the desert with that apprentice of yours.«
    Mentioning Granuaile wasn’t an accident. It was a subtle threat, but I pretended not to notice. »Oh. About the ravens. Which one …?«
    »Did you kill? Hugin. I languished in dreams of the past for years, attended by Frigg and unable to function in the present. But eventually Munin remembered Hugin and laid an egg. The new raven, when he reached maturity, became Hugin again. I awoke, sent the ravens abroad in search of you, and, once you were found, I watched from Hlidskjálf.«
    »I see. And how many of the Norse know I’m still alive?«
    »Only Frigg and myself.«
    »Why didn’t you tell them all?«
    »That is related to the blood price of which we will speak further. If you would not mind, I would like to know precisely how you learned the recipe for this brew of eternal youth.«
    I shrugged. »I already told you. Airmid taught me.«
    »Yes, but why? Why you and no one else?«
    I put down my spoon and exchanged glances with the Morrigan. She knew the answer, but no one else did. »Oh. That is quite a story.«
    Odin gestured at the table. »We have four more courses.«
    »It is not that long, but it is a story I have never shared before and I am reluctant to share it. It has a certain value.«
    Odin’s eye bored into mine.