I grinned. ‘Here comes the cavalry. I think, when you have a look at all this, you’ll find that Otter has been suitably ransomed.’

Now Hreidmar untied the prisoners, as his sons counted the gold. They stuffed the otter’s skin with it, then heaped it over the bursting remains like a barrow of strawberry gold. Odin watched them in silence, rubbing his sore wrists. I guessed he was as angry as I was at having been caught and humiliated – but he said nothing, just watched them silently through his one eye.

At last, the skin was packed full and covered nose to tail with gold. Only a whisker protruded –

‘There’s no more gold,’ said Odin.

‘Then I’ll make up the rest in blood,’ said Hreidmar, once more drawing his dagger.

‘Wait, there’s this.’ I pulled off the ring I’d taken from Andvari. I’d hoped to slip it to Odin, of course, but needs must, when Wildfire drives.

‘Will this cover it, do you think?’ I bent down and covered the whisker with the ring of blood-red gold.

‘Close,’ said Odin.

I smiled at him. ‘Did you doubt me?’

‘No. Not even for a second.’

And so our very reluctant host was obliged to let the three of us go. As I crossed the threshold, I looked back over my shoulder at him.

‘By the way, Andvari’s curse lies on the ring I took from him. I hope you enjoy it. Serves you right for holding my brother to ransom.’

Odin gave me a sideways look. ‘You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?’ he said.

I shrugged. ‘Just remember I saved your life. You know you can rely on me.’

He smiled. ‘I know I can,’ he said.

And just for a moment, I almost believed that neither of us was lying.

Funny, how the things we say come back to bite us, like rabid dogs we once made the mistake of feeding. Although we didn’t know it then, our summertime was running out. The seasons had begun to turn, the shadows to lengthen, the sun to set. That rosy light is deceptive; it shines on the faces of those around you and makes them look like friends. They’re not. In ten minutes’ time, the sun will have set, and it will be merciless . . .

Book 3 Sunset

Lesson 1 Death

LESSON 1

Death

The dead know everything, but don’t give a damn.

Lokabrenna

AND JUST LIKE THAT, it was over. A golden age of godhood, gone, like apple blossom on the wind. I don’t pretend to know much about love, but that’s how great loves come to an end, not in the flames of passion, but in the silence of regret. And that’s how my brother Odin and I reached the end of our fellowship; not in the heat of battle (though that would come round soon enough), but in lies, and polite smiles, and protestations of loyalty.