The following morning, Blader, Wolfsted, and Sodull packed up their minimal belongings and weapons and left their tent, ready to depart for Midgard. Vandri and Skalfi met them at the mess tent, their own packs slung over their shoulders along with their sheathed swords, shields, and rifles.

The sight of Skalfi reminded Blader of her father having been a member of the original Mjolnir Squad. Does she know? he wondered. Was she ever told, or was she kept in the dark like I was?

Quietly, the five of them headed into the mess hall, grabbed plates of eggs and sausages and cups of water, and sat at their customary table. This early in the morning, the mess hall was practically empty, with only one other einherjar eating her breakfast in the corner. Sig, the Valkyrie liaison for Mjolnir, also sat by herself, working through a plate of food.

"Right," Sodull said on seeing Sig. "I forgot she's coming with us."

"She'll be working with us from here on out," Vandri said, glancing over her shoulder at the Valkyrie. "It's going to be a bit odd."

"Valkyries are good fighters," Blader said. "Brave, fearless, powerful...it'll be good to have one fighting alongside us."

"I must say, I am looking forward to returning to Midgard," Skalfi commented. "It feels like we've been stuck on Svartalfheim for too long."

"I think the natives feel that way, too," Wolfsted said with a grin. "Those dwagr were certainly not friendly yesterday."

"How would you like it if they invaded our world?" Vandri asked. "Would you be polite to them?"

Wolfsted frowned. "We're here to stop them from being invaded!"

"They're dwagr," Sodull said seriously. "They've never been on good terms with Asgard, in the days of past or now."

Blader listened to their conversation, grinning to himself. He loved hearing them discuss the most random things, sometimes just preferring to listen than to join in. But now, he felt he had something to add. "Perhaps they don't mind the invasion. They're dwagr, as Sodull said: they've never been allies of Asgard. Maybe they'd welcome Tros."

Skalfi shuddered. "Let's hope that doesn't happen."

"Let's recap," Vandri proposed, leaning forward. "After hijacking the Reenactment and proving he could infiltrate Asgard, Tros and Racarl seemed in the wind for a while. They mobilized various terror cells in Midgard and somehow got the wolves to actively attack villages and towns."

"Then the rekkr attacked," Wolfsted picked up. "Alfheim and Svartalfheim. Two lesser worlds, for some reason, an entire ocean away from Midgard and Jotunheim."

"But no one sees anything of Tros or Racarl, only their handiwork on Midgard," Sodull finished grimly. "But no rekkr armies, no pitched battles. But instead subterfuge and small, solitary attacks, under the cover of darkness."

They sat in silence for a moment, pondering the brief history of the past year. "What's his point?" Blader eventually asked, knowing it was only a rhetorical question – for now.

"Chaos, right?" Vandri replied.

"What kind of chaos?" Blader pressed. "I've been wondering this."

"And we've discussed this," Sodull added with a slight laugh. "I don't think we'll ever figure out Tros's angle until it's over. And even then, probably not. We're still not completely sure what Dyr Gunar's objective was, and that was, what, twenty years ago or so?"

"We better get going," Skalfi said. "We don't want to miss the Transriot to the docks."

The einherjar stood, gathering their empty plates and bringing them to the return shelf. Sig joined them as they headed for the exit, her auburn braid swinging as she walked briskly toward them. A pack hung over her shoulder, her sword strapped to her waist, shield resting over her back. "Ready to depart?" she asked.

"Yes," Blader answered. "Good morning, Drengr."

Sig tilted her head in acknowledgement of the title. "Commander. Skjoldr."

"So, to Midgard we go?" Sodull queried conversationally as they left the mess tent and headed for the docks.

"Actually, no," Sig said. "We head by way of Alfheim. Three of the other chosen einherjar for Mjolnir are currently with Modi's forces there; we will pick them up before heading to Midgard and docking in Drottning."

"It'll be good to see Drottning again," Sodull said, glancing at Skalfi. "Think we'll have time to drop in on our families?"

"And then on to Domstall," Blader finished, and Sig nodded.

"Yes, Domstall. The last two einherjar for the squad are already there; that's their main station. Once there, you will have a chance to review the files of the members, as well as the files pertaining to the original squad."

"Really?" Blader said, cocking his head.

"Wait, he can see our files?" Wolfsted asked, frowning.

"Well, of course," Sig returned, turning to look at him. "He's your commanding officer. It's his right and privilege to view your file."

Wolfsted didn't look like he liked that idea. "What do you have in your file you don't want anyone to see?" Vandri asked, half joking, half serious.

"It's not that," Wolfsted argued. "I just don't like the idea of anyone viewing my file. Some things are just private like that."

"I've viewed your file," Sig stated, lifting an eyebrow at him.

Wolfsted stared at her. "You have?"

"Yes," Sig said. "As your Valkyrie liaison, I not only see your military files, but your Valkyrie files as well. It's part of my job, to know everything so I can best assist and protect the squad."

Wolfsted looked disgruntled. "What's your problem?" Skalfi asked. "It's just a file. It's not like she's reading your journal."

"I resent the implications of that," Wolfsted declared.

"Why?" Sig asked. "Many Aldrians kept rough survival journals – those are the main sources we have from the beginning of the town, beside letters home to loved ones and relatives, of course."

Wolfsted stopped, a strange look replacing the annoyed expression on his face. "What are you, a historian?"

"Just knowledgeable," Sig replied with the touch of a smirk, and strode ahead of them through the camp.

The five soldiers stared after her for a moment before Sodull turned to Wolfsted. "So, do you keep a journal?"

[----]

When they reached the dock, the girl from the mess tent stood beside Sig, watching their approach. Her long, light brown hair was braided neatly, like Vandri's and Sig's, and her eyes were light blue, like the sky on a clear, cold day. She was tall and willowy, with sharp, angular features that, combined with her slenderness, gave her an elegant look. She gave them a smile. "Commander Thrym, einherjar."

"Einherjar," Blader returned, the customary greeting when one was not sure of another's rank. "You are?"

"Yngvild Svodar Koping," she introduced.

Blader tilted his head. Only einherjar who had two parents who had served took both names. "A double legacy."

Yngvild's grin widened a bit. "Yes, I am. Both my parents served, during the Vakstad tour and the Wolf Reign. And you are?" she glanced at the others.

Wolfsted, Skalfi, Sodull, and Vandri all introduced themselves. Yngvild nodded as she heard their names, looking at each einherjar in turn. "I am honored to meet you. I look forward to fighting alongside you all."

Sig glanced at the dock leading down to the carrier. "We might as well board now. Magni has already given me our orders." She looked at Blader. "I will relay them to you once on board."

Blader nodded as Sig promptly turned and marched down the dock. Yngvild, Wolfsted, Skalfi, Sodull, Vandri, and Blader headed after her, their boots echoing on the wooden planks stretching out over the water.

The carrier was a medium sized ship with three decks, the crew composed mostly of rekkr. But since this was an einherjar vessel, a core group of crew members were human, drawn from the ranks of the einherjar. Sodull had said that most Drottning kids were tapped for the naval side of warfare – if it hadn't been for Magni's insistence they serve with him, both he and Skalfi would have been channeled toward the small navy due to their childhood experience on fishing boats.

Sig led the way up the boarding ramp, across the thick metal deck, and toward the cabin on the side. Opening the door, she strode inside and down a set of steps to the second deck, opening the door into the first room on the left.

Blader stepped into a conference room and headed to the far end, as the others all took seats. Sig closed the door behind Vandri and stalked around the table to stand beside Blader.

"So you all know I'm Drengr Sig and this is Commander Thrym," she began. "And you also know this isn't the whole team. We will all be assembled for the first time in Domstall. I know most of you know each other, but use this time to strengthen your bonds. This squad relies on loyalty – you must always have your teammate's back." Sig glanced at Blader before continuing. "We will be docking in Alfheim before coming to port in Drottning, to pick up several of the selected einherjar. Use this time on the ship wisely; there's a training hall with equipment for you to train. Sparring is encouraged, as long as there is someone to referee." She glanced at Blader again. "Anything to add, Commander?"

Blader started slightly, still not used to the title. "I've served in the same army with all of you," he said, glancing at all five of the einherjar watching him. "Some, it's simply been the knowledge of shared battles." He looked at Yngvild before looking back to his friends. "The rest of you, I've known since before the Reenactment, and we fought together through the trials to become einherjar. We're all here because of our dedication to the einherjar, to the Reborn Cosmos. I look forward to serving with you on the battlefield."

"Any questions?" Sig asked brusquely, surveying the room.

"How long will the trip take?" Skalfi asked.

"A week, total," Sig answered. "Anything else?" When no one said anything, she gestured toward the door. "You're dismissed. Lunch is served in the mess at 1200."

The einherjar rose and filed out of the room, Blader's friends casting looks back at him. When the door shut behind Wolfsted, Sig turned to him briskly.

"Our orders are, once we reach Domstall, to train together as a squad until they see fit to deploy us." She handed him a thin file. "That's the official recording of our orders, as well as preliminary data on Mjolnir. Magni wished you to have that. I assume you wish to know the names of the other einherjar who will be joining Mjolnir?"

"Yes," Blader answered. "I would."

Reaching into a belt pouch, Sig pulled out a crumpled list and smoothed it. "Their files will become available to you in Domstall, as I stated earlier. The ones currently with Modi are Raena Leid, Klora Nidr, and Ohrein Akafi. The last two members are Valdar Paaviken and Endryr Tharin, currently in Domstall."

Blader nodded, reading through the names for himself. Sig glanced up at him, her eyes narrowed. "All of them are of skjoldr rank, and most are your year, with four exceptions. Valdar Paaviken, Endryr Tharin, and Raena Nidr are older; Nidr by one year, Paaviken and Tharin by two. They may resent your age and parentage, and might show disrespect to your command; be prepared for that."

Blader was silent for a moment. "They don't think Magni will have chosen the best person for the job?"

"No," Sig said. "They'll assume nepotism, due to whose legacy you are. I'm warning you ahead of time in case they act up; I have no definite proof they will. This team runs on loyalty – but you'll have to earn it."

"Thank you for the notice," Blader said. "Anything else I should know, Drengr?"

Sig thought for a moment, her green eyes growing distant. Then her gaze snapped back to the present, her eyes piercing. "Ohrein Akafi is a year younger than you, from the first class tested without the Reenactment. The squad then spans four years' worth of soldiers."

[----]

Blader headed into the training hall after leaving the conference room, deep in thought. The rest of the einherjar were already in there. Wolfsted and Skalfi were sparring with Vandri acting as referee, Yngvild doing some strengthening exercises, and Sodull practicing his hand-to-hand skills with a rekkr. He punched through the head of the rekkr, and as it disappeared with a shimmer of its central rune, he wiped the sweat from his brow and turned toward Blader.

"Hey, Commander," he greeted, walking over to him. "How's the first day?"

"Drengr Sig gave me the names of the rest of our teammates," Blader said absently.

"All that stuff you said about dedication, being the reason we're here," Sodull said, grinning. "I found that funny, since the reason we're here is because we're friends with the boss."

"You're here because you're all good einherjar," Blader snapped. "Think I would have chosen you otherwise?"

Sodull gave him a strange look, his grin slipping. "It was a joke, Thrym."

Blader sighed. "I know. I'm sorry, Sodull. The Valkyrie was just telling me that three of the Mjolnir soldiers are older than us by one or two years. She warned me they may not have respect for me as commander because...because I'm Aetlun Thrym's grandson and my father commanded the original squad."

Sodull frowned. "Well, that's not true."

"I'm not so sure," Blader confessed, lowering his voice. "We're a year out of Vigrid, Sodull. Why choose us for the most important assignment of the war? The original Mjolnir Squad killed Dyr Gunar, ended his reign of terror. We're expected to do the same thing. Why not choose more experienced einherjar for the mission?"

Sodull was quiet for a moment, as if contemplating what Blader had just said. "Magni chose you for a reason," he asserted seriously. "It's not nepotism, it's merit. You're the only reason any of us are still alive, Blader, the only reason there was an einherjar class from our year. You're the one who confronted Tros in the Reenactment. You're the one who broke his control over it and allowed the rest of the recruits to be rescued. You've been a major part of our victories on Svartalfheim. Blader, you're a natural born leader. You keep calm under pressure, you seem to always know exactly how to coordinate multiple soldiers in a battle. Magni chose you because you are an einherjar with honor. And who cares about the other three? They'll be three against five, for we all stand or fall with you."

It's the falling I'm worried about, Blader thought, but he didn't say it. Instead, he gave Sodull a slight smile. "Thanks, Sodull. That helps."

Sodull patted him on the shoulder. "Anytime, Thrym."

As Sodull headed back to where he had left his sword and shield, Blader stepped onto the mat for the hand-to-hand area. He tapped his foot on the mark on the floor and a rekkr sprang to life, a very basic model meant only for boxing and sparring. Shoving the morning's events from his mind, Blader began to punch, blocking the rekkr's attacks and sending his own jabs, working up a sweat.

But some thoughts even a workout couldn't get rid of. As he practiced, Othorjadom Vekja's name on the same list as his father's rose to Blader's mind and he thought back to when he had returned from the Reenactment and was telling his family about the friends he had made.

"...Sodull Trautt, Vandri Merki, and Skalfi Vekja."

Karl Thrym raised an eyebrow slightly. "Merki. She was an intelligence officer during the war with Gunar. Gave us a lot of good intel back in the day."

He never said another about having known Othor Vekja, never mind having worked with him. He had never even brought up the name in reference to his dishonorable discharge from the einherjar under suspicion of having worked with Dyr Gunar.

He had never said anything about the name at all.