RAGNAROK IS COMING

— First Impressions —

"Avrid, I need a favour."

He turned up his mouth, shaking his head. "Can I say no?"

Ruinte drew out a long breath and pointed to the chair and Avrid sat. The sun had begun to set past Yggdrasil's trunk, casting the table of freshly baked goods in such an aesthetic, Avrid couldn't help but pluck a pastry. Tuie slapped his hand, giving him a fierce warning before continuing to frost them delicately.

"These are for the Gathering so I need every one I can make." She elbowed Avrid's shoulder. "There aren't any spares."

Avrid sighed and watched her work, she was a magnificent archer and an even better baker. There were sugared cakes and fruity pastries, chocolate and vanilla and raspberry and all sorts that sent Avrid's mouth watering.

"There are a few initiates I want you to have a look at."

Tuie chuckled. "He says no every time, I don't know why you bother."

"She's right." Avrid shrugged.

"Well one at least." Ruinte slapped a file on the only spare inch of table and flipped it open. "She's top of her class, excelling in combat and expertise and she's not bonded to a dragon yet."

"And every year there is one exactly like it, I don't have time to Cache anyone." Avrid said and smirked when Tuie handed him a square slice of sponge. "And Urfan is still on my ass about picking candidates for this year's entry tests."

Ruinte tapped the folder and the name there. "She's a candidate for your Court, I heard there was a position available?"

"Rinka's running her mouth again then." Avrid looked at the name. "This means nothing and Initiates don't get invites to Courts, you know that." He finished and threw the cake in his mouth.

Tuie eyed the folder. "I've had a look, she's good you know. Siren's are fierce creatures and loyal; she'd make for a good first apprentice."

Avrid narrowed his eyes at her but pulled the file into his hand.

"At least have a think on it. I don't need your decision until the Gathering's over." Ruinte remarked and tapped a stack of files beside him. "I have a few others here that are Graduates if it makes you feel better, but I've picked Hild for a reason."

…oOo…

Avrid sighed and read from the file. "Princess Liogoo Forgenni Huil Hild."

"What a name." Rinka crooned.

"Well her history doesn't inspire very much trust. Abandoned her kingdom as the first heir, washed up on the Elven borders and spent a year in their prisons. Her mother sent countless mercenaries and even the Watery Royal Guard after her." Avrid read. "Didn't cause much of a fuss in the prison and reported to be 'easily malleable', not indicators of a strong character."

Rinka pulled her end of the saddle. "And who picked her as a candidate?"

"You did."

Rinka whirled, her beaded hair swinging. "I did not. I remember all of my candidates."

"From twenty-eight years ago. You picked her from the slave trade in lower Alfheim; she must have made quite the decent." Avrid flattened the bridle to the horse's neck, untwisting the straps.

Rinka's face lit up. "Oh yes, I remember now. She was- I think it was her foul mouth that actually drew me to her."

Avrid rolled his eyes and continued to read. Ruinte had a keen eye, Liogoo Hild was a strong fighter and quick learner. But as the daughter of the Watery Kingdom it wasn't surprising, Queen Leal left little mistakes pardonable, Liogoo would have had to be a quick learner to survive without her mother eating her. Sirens were loyal, yes, but to who was the question. She wouldn't have made it past Yggdrasil's gates if she was under her mother's thumb but to spend the years training the princess and then to see her crawl back to her throne would be a waste of time.

I say do it.

Avrid glanced at a slumbering Toothless, baking under the sun. 'Would you now?'

You have to Cache at least one before you take the Elder test. It may as well be someone like her.

"And what is special about Liogoo?"

Toothless opened an eye. She seems strong, strong will.

'You've seen her?' Avrid closed the folder and frowned at the dragon.

I've seen her training at the mountains every morning before the Academy is even awake. He took a grumbling breath. Reminds me of someone.

Avrid watched Rinka jump onto the horse's saddle, settling in before she gripped the reins and pointed to Toothless. "Whatever he said, I agree with him."

"You think I should Cache her?"

Rinka shrugged. "I think she was still able to beat the shit out of her captors when I freed her. That she had something keen in her eyes when I offered her the spot. I think she reminded me of you."

And then she kicked the horse into a gallop and sped down the mountains, off to whatever mission she was set on finishing before the Gathering started.

Avrid looked to Toothless. "Where is she now?"

…oOo…

"Liogoo! That is disgusting, put that away!" Idin screeched and Liogoo threw her head back in a hearty laugh. She placed the skull back in its case and read the inscription.

Kinnta Volsung Einherjar: DIB

Idin frowned at it. "Master Ruinte wants us to memorise them Liogoo, not touch them."

Liogoo rolled her eyes and chalked the name in her book. She turned to the next one and read the name, doing the same.

"The Volsungs. Quite a family of warriors."

Liogoo looked up at the owner of the accented voice and her heart stopped dead. Standing before her, hands in his pockets and dressed in a simple tunic and riding pants, was the Elder Avrid Gúigráìn. His bright eyes scanned the metal stab on the case and then looked at the book in her hands. Liogoo didn't have the head to put the book away.

Avrid frowned. "You aren't supposed to be writing down the names Liogoo, your supposed to be learning them."

She was in trouble. This was it, they had sent Gúigráìn to erase her memories of Yggdrasil and Radox and send her back to Alfheim. When she breathed again and composed her jaw in its normal position, Liogoo went to come up with some excuse.

"Liogoo." Avrid warned and she had never shut up so fast, he snatched the book from her hands. "Memorise the names."

And then he turned, looking at the exhibits as he walked out of the museum without another word.