Valkyrie In The Making - Bifurcate

"To have come hither, all alone
To this land of shadows, was sheer folly,
Over fen and fold fires are soaring,
Graves are opening:  let us go quickly.


Fear not the fire, fear not the graves:
Although the island be all aflame,
Never shall warriors while they live
Yield to terror.  Tell me the way.


The herdsman had taken to his heels already,
Fled to the wood, far from the maiden,
But the fierce heart in Hervor's breast
Swelled up at the sight of these things."

He gave a flourishing bow and the small group clapped once the poem had ended. His silver voice rang in her Briggita's mind, all she could do was stare at him as he hopped off of the stage and began to speak to his admirers.

Only Muninn's loud crows in her ear broke her reverie.

"Ouch." She said as she tried to shrug him off of her shoulder, but he dug his talons in and would not budge.

"Naw!" He yelled as he looked at her disapprovingly.

"You are hurting me." She said as he dug in deeper, drawing blood.

"Are you experiencing difficulties with this friend of yours?" A smooth, melodic voice asked from behind her.

She turned and was faced with those ice blue eyes and an amused grin.

"Naw! Naw! Naw!" Muninn yelled as he puffed himself up and flapped his huge wings, creating a barrier between Briggita and the entrancing stranger.

"It seems my presence is disturbing your friend. I will take my leave of you." He said, bowing low to her and backing away.

"No!" She blurted out. "Wait, I will calm him. Will you wait here, I'd like to speak with you about that story you just told."

"It would be my pleasure." He cooed, giving her a knee-weakening smile.

She walked to the center of the square and took Muninn off of her shoulder and lifted him up on her forearm to face her.

"I do not understand your behavior, but I do no like it. I would like to speak to him and I will, regardless of what you think." She said firmly.

He cocked his head, shot her an indignant look and flew away. She did not see to where, because she was already turned back to the man.

"I am sorry about that. Now tell me, where did you hear that story?"

As they began to talk Muninn landed on top of the Great Hall and watched patiently.

Some things must be learned through experience.