First, I got out of the shower and found that I'd grown... by like... a foot. I'm as tall as Claire. This means that the pull of Utgard-Loki is getting stronger. It has me pretty frightened. But, we have no time to devote to curing me.
Claire gave me some spare clothes I could fit into, then we had a sit-down with Odin and Manannan. Some bombshells were dropped; Ragnarok, the Norse End-of-the-World is on the horizon. This coming winter will be Fimbulvinter, the "Final Winter". He says Jotunheim will taint the world. I'm afraid that's when Utgard-Loki will try to claim me as a servant.
That wasn't the end of the bad news. Andrew, who'd been brought back to us, revealed why he'd run off. He was trying to get back to MIST because he knew his dad, the God Thoth, was in trouble. All the things were laid out: The Yazata claimed MIST and Thoth in order to make sure Ragnarok happens, despite Odin's efforts. Odin assured us that he had a way around Ragnarok, but needed more time.
That gave us two options: Assault MIST to free Thoth because he could help give us that time, or, more directly, travel to a mountain where the Yazata held a relic that let them control the Titan of Time. I brought it to a vote. We unanimously decided to go after Thoth.
Manannan offered some help. We headed into a rainbow portal and into a bubble of air deep beneath the ocean. I started getting pretty giddy. Daughter of an Ocean God and whatnot. The beauty of the deep sea is indescribable. In this pocket of air was was a wrecked ship. More bombshells: This was the ship that was lost while carrying King Arthur's (a Scion) remains to Avalon. Avalon being the island were MIST was set up. Because the ship is destined to carry Arthur to Avalon, we can use it to get back to the island without drawing attention to ourselves.
I feel pretty profoundly affected by this. I mean... carrying the remains of King Arthur back to Avalon, completing a voyage that began well over a thousand years ago. It's amazing. Though it's not as simple as that, the ship sank for a reason. Manannan transported us and the boat to a drydock and we have to repair the ship. Good thing mom taught me about building canoes and maintaining boats, I can really be a great help here.
Then Manannan left us with one last comment, that we need to make peace with our mortal lives. We're going to battle and we may not come back. I've had several brushes with death already, but those hit me by surprise. It's different going into a situation where even a God warns you that you will likely die. Hal and I have a lot of durability, but I worry for Lexi and Andrew. No one is going to get killed while I still breathe.
I have some things to do and I need to get them done fast. We only have a few days before Altair is able to track us again and I intend to be on the way to Avalon before then. I have to call my mothers and talk to them. No doubt Kyria will wish me a glorious battle. I don't know how Indigo will react, she's been around a long time, but I've still been like a real daughter to her.
Then there's Bryn. I'm going to write a letter and ask Odin to deliver it for me. I don't have any time, Odin will be leaving soon and I'm not sure what to say. I may never know her reaction to the ring I made her, I may never see her again.... I'll think of something.
And Claire... she's been there for me in a lot of ways. She'll tell me we'll be fine. We'll kick a lot of ass and be home in time for lunch. I don't want to sound like I'm being fatalistic, but I can't take the risk of leaving things unsaid....
I think I know how King Leonidas felt, marching to battle against the Persians.
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