Rune key am I,
Chaining dark evil,
Midgard snake, Fenris,
And Loki, arch-devil.
Why, I wondered, had I heard no mention of Loki? Everything else in the old Norse myths seemed to have some solid basis here, but I had heard nothing of the traitor Aesir. I decided to ask Odin about that at my first opportunity, as I tucked the gold cylinder inside my new shirt and laced up the mail brynja over it.
Hardly had I done so when the grizzled thrall again appeared at the door of my chamber.
"King Odin summons you to the feast, lord."
I quickly put on the heavy, gleaming helmet. Feeling stiff as a ham actor in the strange costume, I followed the thrall down stone stairs to the great hall. The thrall shouted a loud announcement.
"The Jarl Keith, from the outlands beyond Niffleheim!"
The voices and laughter died down, and every eye turned toward me with eager curiosity. Valhalla blazed with light from torches set in the walls and the great fire blazing high in the central hearth. The scores of tables now bore metal and earthenware dishes loaded with food. Tall flagons and drinking horns were replenished by swift serving-maidens.