“Munnin, enough! Let the boy go. He’s not the one you seek,” A cloaked man said as he stepped in front of a shadow of a man.

“And you would know?” A dangerous glint in Munnin’s eye. A hulking man, the fury rolling off him in waves. He swirled his sword in a tight circle as he warmed up his wrist.

“I would know whoever fool enough to steal from you has not been in this realm for the age of three kings.”

“You, the great wanderer, the king beneath the waves. You would tell me this now? And NOT WHEN I BEGGED FOR YOUR MERCY? I came to you on bender knee! Me! A lord of Ravensblood and leader of men.” The old man watched on as Munnin kicked a helmet out of his path as he paced. “But now?” his breath hitched, “Why now?”

“Because the worlds are soon to come together again. I believe what you seek will be within grasp. I cannot tell you more. You know the rules of prophecy. I am bound, as you are, to follow this path.”

“Bound, ha!” The heat leaked from his words. Centuries of anguish caught the warlord as a God and friend watched on. “I wish to be free of this.”

“You wish to be free of the grey— the slow freeze across the brightness of the mind. You must discover again the joy and trials of living. Otherwise you will fade from the world. Others more powerful are now but the rustle between pages. Is that what you wish to be for the last of your house? Will the Lord of Dogs lay down to die before death has stepped forth to call him?”

“Those with a right to use that title are long dead. I will not have you mocking their honor,” he took a step towards the old man. But moved further than expected as a gust of snow and wind flashed around them. When it settled Munnin saw familiar jagged edges and worn steps.

“I’ve not come to mock you or the fallen. I’ve come instead with a gift,” he slashed at a stream beside them which showed the profile of a young man. “Another that could use reminding on how to live. He might yet have what you seek.“

“His name?”

“That will come in time. He’s another son of a fallen giant. Be gentle, he’s got promise.