Chapter 12

Saturday morning I wake early, eat a very quick breakfast and take a quick shower. I put on a pair of black pants, then put on a thin light blue shirt from my original clothes, then put on a darker blue short sleeve shirt lined with white embroidery from the basket. Knowing I can't wear the slippers I had been using for work, I pull out a pair of plain black leather boots that reach about mid-shin level. Looking in the mirror, I sigh when I find my hair has grown down to my chest. Quickly I put it into two braids down the sides of my head, then I tie my pouch onto my hip. Grabbing my satchel out of my suitcase, I put my work clothes and shoes in, then go back to my bed.

When I arrive in the library, I check for a new book, which I find and stuff into my bag, then I hurry off to see what had become of the ring.

Reaching in, I pull out a small, slightly heavy pouch with a note tied to it. As I walk, I open the pouch and find it contains multiple sizes of coins. I slip the pouch into my bag and slip through a servant's hall. When I exit the castle, I read the note.

Thank you for returning this, the damage will be easy to repair. As promised, you are rewarded. Spend wisely.

I slip the note into my bag, too, and hurry towards the castle steps where Sigrid had arranged we meet. I begin to worry I'll be standing there forever, or perhaps I was early, or late, or that she had pranked me, or-

"Asta! I am happy to see you here."I turn to see her striding towards me, and I smile, relieved.

"I'm glad to see you here, too, Sigrid."She grabs my shoulder and squeezes it.

"Come. The children are anxious to meet you." We walk through the streets of Asgard, and I see that the daytime is so different from the nightlife. Shops and markets are packed with people, people shout in greeting to one another, and people congregate in the middle of the road. The many vivid colors of Asgardkeep my eyes busy, and Sigrid has to catch my elbow as I drift from our path.

The longer we walk, the calmer and less crowded the streets are. Eventually, we walk a worn path through a field of grass, then into a forest. The greens of the leaves filter the sunlight beautifully, and I find myself just staring up into them. Beautiful birdsong reaches my ears, and I have a sudden urge to sing along, but I quickly remember I'm not alone, and I can't sing.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" She says, once again catching me from wandering into the forest.

"Yes, 'tis the most beautiful thing I've seen in a while," I say quietly, completely in awe.

"Tell me, child, where are you from?"She asks, looking at me. "The truth, please."

"I'm uh, I'm..." I hesitate, and her kind expression gives me the courage to talk to her. "I'm from Midgard, but not this Midgard. I'm from an alternate Midgard, one where all this is fantasy." I speak quickly, still nervous about what she would say.

"I could sense as much. You do not seem to be someone from here, though you hide it well."

"Thanks, I think. I really needed a job, something to keep me busy, so I figured, well, gotta start somewhere." I laugh, and she smiles.

"Despite what you may believe, I do not mind you are from another place. We shouldn't judge people upon where they are from, only what actions they chose to execute."

We walk in silence for a minute, then we reach a clearing, and across from us is a half-moon of cabins. Children play in the clearing, and a small band plays from a wooden stage built between two very large trees. As we emerge from the forest, three little children run up to us.

"Mother, is this the girl you spoke of?"One says, a little boy looking to be about ten with his hair braided and woven with flowers.

"Yes, Brant, this is Asta. Asta, this is my oldest son, Brant. And these silly children are Frena," She pats a small girl about the age of six on the head, her hair wild and messy, "And this is Nyra." She picks up a small toddler and they press foreheads, the little girl giggling as she does.

"I am very glad to see you all!" I say, and they run off. Nyra insists she is let down and allowed to chase after her siblings.

"Come, lunch is about to be served." Sigrid grabs my hand and pulls me towards a long row of tables filled with food, with people crowded all around the tables. We sit next to Brant, who had very politely saved us seats. The musicians begin playing a happy tune, and people begin eating. I help myself to berries and a leg of meat, eating until I think I'll pop. After lunch, people laze around. Walking over to where a few children play, I sit, joining in on making flower crowns. After I had made a dozen crowns and received a few from the kids, I walk back to the table where Sigrid sits, drinking and laughing with a few people. When she sees me coming, she smiles.

"There she is! The newest employee of the palace!" She says and hands me a drink. I sit next to her and take a sip. The alcohol is strong and makes me feel a bit dizzy, so I set it next to me.

"So, your name is Asta, eh?" Says a little old man, dressed in large robes.

"Yeah, my parents liked less common names, and decided on that."

"Well, I believe it was the right choice. Now, I'm off to go join the musicians." He sways off towards the stage, probably just to fall right off of it.