Not that I was convinced.

 

A metaphor.

 

I was a metaphor for what? The fire of war. The end. If I was nothing but a metaphor, then they were right to fear me. I couldn’t stand the thought of going back on the road. Instead, we found a small park, and I stood, alone, watching some kids play while Kanesha did research on her phone.

 

I should get her a cellular capable tablet, I thought, so she’d have the larger screen. For right now, though…I had decided that for a trickster’s daughter I was pretty bad at riddles.

 

Why was it an apple tree?

 

A threat specifically to the gods. Surtur starting a war.

 

Wait.

 

“Kanesha? What else do apples represent.”

 

She frowned. “Temptation, sin, knowledge, immortality.”

 

“From Eden. I get that. What else?”

 

“Hrm. Love. Apples are also symbols of love, so…”

 

“A not quite dead apple tree could indicate an apparently dead relationship that needs rekindling.”

 

“Yeah, it could. But what relevance does that have, and who has a dead relationship that needs saving?”

 

“Nobody we know. Wait.” I had a thought. “One of the feats of Loki is rescuing Idunn, without whom the apples die.”

 

“Right, when she was abducted by a giant. And Idunn is married to…” Tap tap tap. “Bragi. The one Aesir who does not look young. By choice.”

 

“I think we’re heading off down a research siding,” I mused. “Although I’ve never, to remember, spoken to Idunn.”

 

“But her absence results in dead trees in the lore, right?”

 

“Right. But there’s somebody else with an apple association.” Kanesha looks up at me. “Your sister.”

 

“Huh.” A pause. “I still think it’s some kind of generic immortality association. I need to talk to somebody who knows what’s going on in Asgard.”

 

“That doesn’t mean me,” came a familiar voice. “Haven’t actually been there in months.”

 

I rolled my eyes. “Hello, father.”

 

“So formal.”

 

“Given I’m supposed to be solving a metaphor involving dead apple trees, stars, and fire bringing life.”

 

He snorted. “Celts. They do love their riddles.”

 

“What are apples in Celtic lore?”

 

“Same thing. Food of the gods. Or possibly the dead,” Kanesha supplied.

 

“Well, last I saw her, Idunn was in her garden and…well, actually, she was throwing apple cores at me, so not exactly happy.”

 

I rolled my eyes. “You probably deserved it.”

 

“I only complimented her hair!”

 

“You deserved it.” A pause. “Are you going to help me with the riddle or are you just here to be annoying.”

 

“You were going off on a very entertaining sideline. I’m tempted to say carry on.”

 

I scowled at him and put my hands on my hips. “I know you can’t solve it for me, but if you aren’t going to be useful, why don’t you go shapeshift into an eagle and chase rabbits or something.”

 

“You’re growing up.”

 

Kanesha pretended to hit him. He laughed and pretended to dodge.

 

Even if he didn’t help, he’d at least cheered me up.