The Scholar, the Sphinx, and the Fang of Fenrir by A.R. Cook

Author:A.R. Cook
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonfire Press

David started walking towards Moffat, but Slepnir followed him, either from an instinct to protect or because the horse did not like being alone. David tried to order the horse to stay put, but not being versed in old Norse—which is what he assumed the language to be, since the Poetic Edda was taken from the Norse myths—he could not get the horse to obey.

“I don’t suppose,” David said, despite knowing the horse wouldn’t understand him, “that you have some trick to make yourself look like a normal, four-legged horse?”

Slepnir twitched his ears, and stared at David.

“I didn’t think so.” David reached up and rubbed the bridge of Slepnir’s nose. “Maybe it’s best if I send you back home. Slepnir…” It occurred to him that he couldn’t quite remember the words that Acacia had told him. “Something something Asgard…Varti…to…Asgard…you know what I mean, right? Asgard? Go to Asgard?”

The horse did not budge.

David grunted in frustration. “What am I supposed to do with an eight-legged giant horse that won’t go home? I can’t have anybody see you. I don’t need all of Moffat in a terrified frenzy.”

Then he saw a man and woman pass by on the nearby road on a pair of horses. They were looking over at him. David froze, realizing there was no way the couple could miss seeing Slepnir.

“Good day to you,” the man called. “Havin’ trouble with your nag there?”

Nag? David looked at Slepnir. The horse had not changed size or shape. How was the man confusing him for a nag? David decided it was better not to question. “No, it’s fine,” he replied. “My horse needed a short rest.”

“You’re almost to town. Might as well push the rest of the way and get ‘im some water,” the man suggested. He and the woman rode on, not giving David another glance—although their horses’ eyes lingered a while longer before turning away.

David let out the breath he had been holding. Slepnir must look different to everyone else, like a normal horse. What was it Baba had said? People who see unusual things will decide they were imagining it, because it defies what they know. Either that, or creatures might appear one way in the human world, and another way beyond the Curtain. Whatever the reason, David headed towards Moffat, his “nag” following behind him.

He headed straight to the tavern, leaving Slepnir at the trough outside. David noticed that the three other horses tied at the trough immediately perked forward their ears, staring right at the gray war horse. They bowed their heads and shied away as far as their ropes would allow, giving Slepnir sole access to the water trough.

The horses must see Slepnir for what he really is, thought David. Maybe bringing him into town wasn’t a good idea, if all the horses are going to act strange. Maybe Baba will know the special command to send him back home.

David entered the tavern, which for this time of day was not busy. There were only

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