#rivervale_lodge

--------------

For Dagmar, the night was easy going that carnival, and the cool thing about children being around is you have an excuse to listen to their stories too, but don't have to admit you were listening. Tales she might not have had a chance to hear abound that night, the Chinese Brothers from a folk lore tale that could be about superheroes, The tales of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves, Rikki TIkki Tavi was requestion… and yes, norse and celtic tales too

And many of these she hasn't heard - not that she'd admit.

"Well, yeah, those would be cool boots.."

"Seven whole leagues" A nod //"I thought she meant the boots the Cat wore?" The children get into a debate about which story Dagmar meant when they could solve it by, you know, asking her.

A grunt. She's not helping!

"But Pus in Boots is the better story" "Like FUN it is!"

Torin coughs "It's okay to have different favorite stories. Now, do you want to argue.. .or.." He looks about, "Do you want to hear the story of Peter and the Wolf?" He plucks a lively tune

Dag raises a hand. "New story!"

"Well, in that case.." He pulls out a flute and plays a tune, then says "This story is often told to music... that music in fact, and if you listen to the pitch, you can hear the sounds of Peter, a bird... and yes- The Wolf!"

The kids eyes go wide. Some get ready for this challenge , they're sure they can tell which is which.

And the musical story goes on

Eventually, the childlings begin to pass out, one by one... though Kourtney twitches fitfully as if a nightmare might beset her. She's had a lot of those.

But Dagmar stands guard. Woe betide any who would dare bring harm to her watch.

And indeed, when Torin tucks them in, he says "You can sleep now if you want to, Dagmar. Dogs have rested and should wake us if there's trouble. " It's an offer, not an order.

"Nah, I'm good."

"All right." he says "I appreciate your help tonight"

"Glad to do it. And, y'know, Jaymes and Tove needed a break too..."

"I think they appreciated that, yes" He smiles "The Hearth too. Hope you enjoyed the stories?"

"I did. So that's who Gerd is always going on about..."

"Oh, Kipling had some good ones. Ever watch a Jungle Book movie ? That's based on his stuff. "

"Um, yeah. With the singing bear?"

"Baloo...the book is a bit more violent than most versions you see on the movies, riveting work. If you want, I can tell you that one? More bloodshed though, so not for the kids"

"Well, I could see that - wolves and bears and snakes..."

"Interested? Or maybe you'd like to have what Vali left for you instead"

"Vali? What did he leave?"

"Something..ah here it is" He reaches into the desk and hands it over. "It's a short story?"

"Hey, I have an axe!" She takes it, eagerly diving in to read.

And so the story unfolds, Thrud, who must deal with the slightly chauvinistic attitudes of her brother, Magni and Modi and their assurances that they, the boys, will be the ones to take out the Linnorm Wyrm with Dad and mother away! Magni has the muscle! But thinks his bare hands will be enough.

Modi, lord of beserker rages, thinks weapons and blind rage will get it done!

Hmph, Dagmar sneers! Boys!

Both nearly get killed, indeed, Thrud ends up tending to both

And she hears other gods worry that the blood of thor has gotten weak, that his sons would fail so.

Hmph! Boys!

And surely, well, if THEY failed, no point in turning to Thrud

This gets Thrud's dander up! For she has pride, and does not wish her father maligned even indirectly. But she is also daughter of Sif, and has some enough wisdom of her own to seek out great wisdom still. She goes to Odin, her grand father, and asks his advice in what weapon might best slay a Linnorm wyrm.

"Big damn axe." She mutters. Obviously.

AH, but not just any big damn axe! A Magic Big Damn Axe!

Well sure!

That turns into a quest itself! An underground maze! Traps! Riddles!

Uhg, riddles..

The riddles aren't too boring at least, lots of blood and guts in the answers.

And a reference to a tree

And then a test of might! Yes!

Woo, might!

ANd she manages to gain the Magic Big Damn Axe! Which can change to any time of axe... from a hatchet to a Halberd

"Aw, baller.." Yes, she does comment aloud while reading.

Baller indeed! Thrud picks the ground to meet the great Linnorm on. Remembering her battle in the maze, she picks a narrow spot to lure it in...using it big when on the field, then shrinking the weapon to a battle axe to hit it up and down in the face when it gets hampered by the pass! She goes for the eyes!

A harrumph of approval. Good tactics.