Valkyrie rubbed her hands in anticipation. Skulduggery better be grateful. She flew in the rain for him. Clearly that must have counted for something... right?

It had been two weeks since she was last sited near the Sanctuary. Tracking down Skulduggery's mortal friend was a piece of cake. All she had to do was fly pass her favourite book store and voilà! Turns out the famous Gordon Edgley was a mortal author who discreetly wrote about the magic world... was he allowed to even do that? She didn't want to make an appearance at Cemetry Road... yet. She just wasn't ready to face her former friend. It would be a long time until he forgave her for... She shook her head of her thoughts, there wasn't any purpose to dwell upon that now.

She rang the doorbell at the Edgley estate and prayed the mortal was home, she was getting drenched in the rain. When she heard someone work through the locks on the other side, she froze. Until this moment she hadn't realized that she was going to be acquianted with a person. Not a mage or magical creature, a mear mortal. What was she going to do? How was she supposed to act?!

When the door finally opened Valkyrie got a quick look at a middle aged man before her vision was blurred and the darkness enveloped her.

~#~

Gordon had absaloutley no idea what to do. This girl was practically royalty... and looked practically dead... again! With all the strength he could muster he managed to carry her inside to the living room couch. How did he ever get into these situations? Wait, why did the girl come here? Of all places... She probably saw him with Skuldugery and came to him for help. Oh no! How is Skulduggery going to react to this. His thoughts were interrupted by his awaking guest.

When her eyes fluttered open and she remembered where she was, she bolted into a sitting position. Gordon stuck his hand out.

"Hello my name is Gordon Edgley, I'm the owner of this establishment." Gordon inwardly cursed himself for sounding so formal.

"Valkyrie Cain." she replied shyly.

An awkward silence soon followed.

"... So.. er.. Would you care for some tea?" he offered and got up

"Nothankyou." she said quickly

Gordon sat back down and regarded her clothing.

"I... don't have a change of clothes that would fit you. Come sit closer to the fire." he gestured to the fire place

"I know what you're doing." she said with her eyes down. He looked at her with a curious expression. " And I think it's really sweet, but please, no... formalities. Can i just get to the point of why I'm here?"

"Sure, but wouldn't you get comfortable first. I already have an idea as to why you're here. You on the other hand look completely lost."

She considered it. He did have a point, and she really didn't like soaking his furniture. But how could she impose on him unannounced like this?

"Would you like a tour?" the words came out of his mouth before he thought it through. Damn! Why would she want a tour Gordon!

Valkyrie looked up in confusion, then she realized that he was trying to be hospitable. "Sure."

He gave her a warm smile and gestured to the stair case. While they walked up Valkyrie decided to get to know him better. "I'm really sorry about dropping by like this, but you're the only person that i know that can help me."

"Think nothing of it, I do tend to get rather lonesome."

"I love your books. Are all your tales inspired by your adventures with Skulduggery?"

Gordon chuckled. "Some of them are inspired by stories he told me."

She looked down and became aware of the state she was in. "Can I used the bathroom?"

"Three doors down, to your left."

"Thanks. "

"I'll be over here, when you're done." he said and pointed to the entrance to his study.

"Okay."