Midgar and the Temple of Tyr 2.274

Viggo and Rosewisse seated Brunilda against the base of one of the sculptures guarding the bridge of the temple of Tyr. The miasma was everywhere and so was that smell of corpse. Brunilda was unconscious, Viggo carries Brunilda's great sword, she was one of those occupied by the travelers. Unlike Rosewisse who had a wand as a family heirloom, Brunilda had nothing.

Rosewisse looked closely at Brunilda's face, she had bruises on her cheekbone and a small trace of blood at the corner of her lip —you could have been softer— she protested.

—What can I tell you?— asked Viggo, he left the great sword next to Brunilda and walked away from her —Brunilda was strong, one of the strongest-willed people I've ever been able to find, like you. They refuse to fall, they refuse to give up, they tie themselves to a belief, a lie that forces them to perform an annoying task. I wish you and she were less stubborn, but they're Valkyries, right?

—You don't know anything about her— Rosewisse said quietly —she, unlike me, was the poor queen. No one gave anything for her because from the beginning she lived alone in Vanaheim. It is a miracle that today she knows how to speak and dress on her own. I met her when I was eight years old. She was like a little animal, wild, instinctive, stealing to eat, barely able to articulate a word. I tried to help her, but it was difficult. My mother interceded to help her, but that raised questions and upon learning of her lineage, an elder of the council adopted Brunilda. I kept seeing her, but she changed the dirt stains for bruises. I don't know what training she underwent, but she was always hurt. I kept trying to help her until I broke the barrier that separated us. Thanks to that, her days became softer. However, when you grow up you realize the ideological differences and that the council that should protect the Vanir, is just a group of greedy people fighting for influence. In that place you can die in two ways, fighting for influence or crushed by others for not wanting such influence, like my mother. Brunilda and I drifted apart, we could have become good friends, but there had to be a damn queen of the Valkyries—

Rosewisse remained silent, but Viggo from his position could see how Rosewisse was running a tear down her cheek.

Viggo asked —Why don't you give her some estus?—

—It's valuable, are you sure?—

—Rosewisse, you know you want to do this—

—Yes— Rosewisse whispered as she pressed her lips together in a line. She ran her hands over her eyes to wipe away her tears and brought her hand to the leather bag. She took out the emerald bottle, uncapped it and brought it to Brunilda's mouth, but Brunilda woke up and when she noticed Rosewisse and the bottle, she turned around, fell to the ground, and crawled away. She staggered up, stood up and into a fighting position.

—No one is going to fight you, Valkyrie— said Viggo, walking, passing by Rosewisse and taking the bottle in Rosewisse's hands. Viggo gave it a small sip to show that there was nothing wrong with the bottle and then continued advancing until he stopped two meters from Brunhilda who was still in combat position —take, drink, you lost to me. The vanquished obeys the victor Isn't that the mentality of a warrior? Sure, unless you want to die—

Viggo could see Brunilda pursing her lips and forming a line in an expression of sadness. She was strong, but not an experienced warrior. They forced her to be strong, but not to have a strong mentality.

—Don't worry— said Viggo, he kept moving forward until the distance between the two was minimal. He brought the bottle to her, took her right hand and made her take the bottle. Then he took her other hand and made her take the bottle with both hands —if I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. Now I need you to do something for me, so drink, recover from your wounds and bring a message from me to the AllFather—

Brunilda looked at the emerald bottle in her hands, then raised her eyes and saw Viggo. He didn't look at her with pity or condescension. He looked at her from one warrior to another, unpretentious and hatred. Brunilda looked at the bottle, approached it in fear and put it on her lips. Then she steeped the bottle, and the liquid went down her throat. As she tasted the estus she opened her wide eyes in an expression of amazement. She took a long sip and when she felt that she was going to take it all, she stopped, looked at Viggo as if expecting him to scold her, but Viggo just continued there, not judging her, or hoping that she would be wrong to punish her.

—Drink it, I have more, no problem. I must have more— Viggo said with a small smile —a certain person drinks it like water—

—That was unnecessary— Rosewisse said from behind Viggo. The latter only laughed showing a small smile on his lips.

Brunilda nodded and continued drinking the estus until it ran out. She stepped forward and held out the bottle. Viggo received it and she took a step back.

Brunilda bowed her head and asked —What do you want me to communicate to the AllFather?—

—Tell AllFather that I offer him my services as a seer— said Viggo.

—Viggo!— shouted Rosewisse, horrified.

Viggo looked at her sideways, brought his right index finger to his lips and gestured for her to be silent. Rosewisse looked at him with a frown, but Viggo didn't keep looking at her and turned to look at Brunilda.

—Tell the AllFather, that I offer him my services as a seer— Viggo repeated —of course, there is a price that we will agree on in due course. Of course, I must also be able to preserve my life and every part of my body—

—Is that all?— asked Brunilda, ignorant of what it meant to be a seer.

—Yes, he's gotten smarter over the years. He'll think about it—

—I understand— replied Brunilda, she looked Viggo in the eye like a child who fears being scolded —if you could, my sword—

Viggo looked to the right and then to the ground. The great sword was a little behind him and covered by the fog of Niflheim. He bent down, took it, turned it over and held it out by the handle. Brunilda received it and looked at Viggo as if expecting him to be lying or deceiving her and then scolding her.

—Don't worry, don't throw anything against you— replied Viggo —take your sword, just remember to deliver my message to the AllFather—

—I understand— Brunilda replied and took the ultra sword with both hands.

—Brunilda— said Rosewisse, advancing and placing himself at Viggo's side. Brunilda shook her and looked at her in fear —don't keep working for the AllFather. Nothing good will come of it. If you want to fight for the Vanir, for our people, come with me and help me—

—Is that why you came to Niflheim?—

—Yes, so if after doing whatever you have to do you decide to come with me, don't hesitate. It will always be better than partnering with an Aesir—

—But he's a god— Brunilda said, looking at Viggo.

—A demi-god— Viggo corrected with a smile.

Brunilda looked at him, blushed and lowered her gaze nodding.

Rosewisse looked at Viggo and gave him a powerful nudge that left him breathless. He turned around and walked away as he played. At the same time, Brunilda looked at Viggo in pain and looked at Rosewisse with a frown.

—Don't believe shit on him— said Rosewisse —he's like that with everyone, besides, he's my husband and I could hit him all I wants—

Viggo turned around and stared at her because at no time did, he agree to such a thing when they decided to be husband and wife.

—I understand— Brunilda said with a frown —I will give the message to the AllFather, but do not expect I to return with you, Rosewisse, the vulture, we can never be partners in anything. We are two worlds apart; you have always had everything, and I have never had anything. You don't understand me, and I don't understand you—

—I— said Rosewisse with sorrow —I hope you're wrong—

Brunilda frowned, walked away from her a couple of meters, and brought her left hand to the thick belt around her waist. She searched through the spaces and found a metal plate. She takes it out, channel mana and instantly activate a portal behind it. She backed away without turning her back on Rosewisse and disappeared into the portal that within a few seconds shrank until it disappeared completely.

—She'll be back— Viggo said, approaching Rosewisse.

—Why do you say it? Because of your incredible charm?— Rosewisse asked, turned around and folded her arms as she looked at Viggo with a clear expression of jealousy.

—My incredible charm is one thing, but she will come back to give me the message of the AllFather— replied Viggo —besides, I don't think I'll come back in good shape—

—What do you mean?—

—A dog that doesn't know how to do good tricks gets a punishment, what kind of punishment could a Valkyrie receive that could become a threat to the Aesir?—

—Viggo, you damned wretch, don't tell me you did it on purpose— said Rosewisse —that's why you offered your services as a seer to Odin?—

Viggo raised his arms in surrender and innocence —you Valkyries are too stubborn. She might be dying, but she still wouldn't look for you. However, if it is to do her duty, she will look for you, even if she does not want to see you—

—If something happens to her— Rosewisse said angrily, pointing her index finger at him.

—Rosewisse, your bad mood is getting worse— said Viggo —I remind you that I am your husband, not the errand boy. Otherwise, let me know if our condition changes—

—Are you threatening me?—

—No, I'm reminding you that we are husband and wife. I respect you and you respect me Do you remember?—

—I...—

—It's nothing— said Viggo —I have my moments too, just remind me of things with words, as I tell you instead of elbowing me every time you don't like something—

—I understand—

—Well, with regard to Brunilda, I get the impression that she was sent to kill us, but also to have an excuse to punish her. The Valkyries must comply with the will of the AllFather. So, whatever mission the father of everything had given her, it would have ended badly, and she would have been punished anyway. You know, to eliminate possible future annoyances—

—Is she going to be, okay?—

—Good enough to catch us, but not in good condition—

Rosewisse took a deep breath, looked up at the sky, and then looked at Viggo —when you kill the AllFather, make him suffer, make it as painful as possible—

—I'll do my best. I know, I'll ask my father. Surely the old man knows something scary, hahahahaha—

Rosewisse looked at Viggo and could see in his eyes that he was enjoying this. The exposure to Odin's mind was not good, Rosewisse thought.