A clanging like the din of doom beat from the gates before us as the Jotun horde upon the bridge sought to batter them down. We worked at Thor's orders, hastily piling blocks of stone to hold the sagging gates. Then into our midst a wild-faced Aesir warrior came running. He shouted over the clangor and the terrifying roll of loud thunder.
"Loki's forces come upon us in their ships!" he yelled. "They seek to land in our harbor!"
Thor uttered a fierce cry as he stared down at the stormy sea. The Jotun fleet was moving along the coast, the ships jammed with men, heading for the unprotected fiord in the eastern cliffs of Asgard.
"They try to force entrance to Asgard from the harbor — and we have but few guards there!" Thor roared.
"Vidar, hold these gates! Half of you come with me to hold the harbor!"
The bearded giant ran with mighty strides toward the eastern edge of Asgard island. Half of us followed him. The storm was now buffeting Asgard with full force. Lightning burned in sheets and stabs across the night-black sky. Torchlight was flaring from the dark, mountainous mass of Valhalla, whence came through the tempest the dim wailing of women's voices as Odin's body was borne home.
Out of the storm-seared dusk, a slim, mail-clad figure darted to my side as I hastened with Thor and our scant force of warriors toward the eastern cliff. It was Freya, wearing her mail and helmet, holding a shield and light bow in her hand.
"Jarl Keith!" she cried. "I feared you slain in yon terrible battle! I leave you no more!"
"You can't stay with me!" I protested. "We go to hold the harbor against Loki's new assault."
"Then I fight with you!" she said fiercely. "If doom comes now upon Asgard, I meet it at your side."