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you going to listen to a dumb bird?’ Loki said teasingly. ‘Or do you want my help? I can get you past Heimdall and across Bifröst. You can visit Earth for yourself and see that I am not lying. Then you can return without anyone knowing you were ever gone.’
    Freya looked away from Loki’s inviting eyes. He was a troublemaker, plain and simple. But what if he really did want to help? She had promised Tyrone she would protect his family. It would mean breaking her oath and sneaking across Bifröst. If she were to try, Loki might be the only one who could help.
    ‘Freya, no!’ Orus shouted in her ear . ‘He is trying to lead you astray. Don’t listen – fly away!’
    Finally Freya shook her head. ‘Thank you for the offer, Loki, but I can’t. I took the oath. I am sworn to my duty here.’
    Loki bowed. ‘Of course. But do find me if you ever change your mind. I would hate to see you remain here so sad and lonely. I want only to help you.’
    ‘Thank Odin!’ the raven cawed loudly as they watched Loki walking away. ‘You must stay away from him, Freya. He would lead you into harm and smile as he does it.’
    It was several days before there was another reaping. With so many Valkyries available to go, they took it in turns to reap. Freya remained in Asgard to groom the Reaping Mares and work in the stables. By the time she’d finished, her own mare, Sylt, had a gleaming coat and her wings were perfectly preened.
    When the Valkyries returned, for the first time ever Freya took an interest in the warriors they brought back. She counted the soldiers who arrived and was surprised to see several women among the men. She tracked their movements throughout Asgard and watched all but one pass through the Gates of Ascension. The single remaining warrior joyously joined the others to fight and drink at Valhalla.
    Maya had been right. The soldiers of this age had a different attitude to the warriors of the past. Seeing this difference only added to her sense of confusion. There was only one way to figure it out. Freya had to go to Earth.

CHAPTER FOUR
    ‘ N o!’ Orus screamed in her ear. ‘You can’t go.’
    ‘I must,’ Freya said. ‘It’s all I’ve thought about since Tyrone ascended. His family is in danger. He begged me to help them. How can I refuse?’
    ‘Because if Odin finds out, he’ll tear off our wings, rip out your eyes and we’ll be banished!’
    ‘You don’t have to come with me,’ Freya said as she packed up a small bag to take with her. ‘I won’t be gone long. Just enough time to find out how his family are in danger, then I’ll be back. No one will even notice I’ve gone.’
    ‘Freya, listen to me,’ Orus begged. ‘That troublemaker Loki has fed you lies about Earth. It is filled with death, war and hatred. You have seen the battlefields for yourself. They are truly ugly. Stay here. Asgard is beautiful.’
    ‘Yes, it is,’ Freya agreed as she pulled on her new breastplate, drew the straps under her wings and secured the buckles at her side. Then she attached the jewelled dagger at her waist and put her sword in its scabbard. This she clipped to her hip guard. ‘But I need to see Earth for myself. The real Earth, not just the battlefields.’
    ‘That is all Earth is,’ Orus cried. ‘One big battlefield.’
    ‘Then I will know, and won’t want to return there,’ she said as she placed the gauntlets on her arms.
    The raven shook his head. ‘Remember the story of Frigha. We will be banished.’
    ‘I told you, you don’t have to come,’ Freya said as she reached for her winged helmet.
    ‘I’m not leaving you, Freya. We have been together for too long. Even if it means I will be blinded, de-winged and banished with you.’
    Freya smiled at her raven. ‘Oh, Orus, it won’t be that bad. You’ll see. We’ll be back before we’re missed.’
    They waited until darkness had fallen. Freya glided silently over the small stand of trees and bushes where she had arranged to meet