At least I knew Bjorn had escaped. They still had my sword, and I wasn’t about to fight the entire cop shop.

 

Even if this place did look like Tombstone in the off season. Except for being more stone than wood.

 

Tombstone in the off season. Where, I thought, was the OK Corral?

 

They didn’t bind me. Maybe they thought that I was coming with them because I wanted to.

 

Or more likely the horse they put me on was so slow that if I tried to get away all he would do would be stop and eat grass. That was certainly the impression I got.

 

That was fine. I didn’t plan on trying to get away on this horse. It was a broken down old nag, probably kept around to teach kids to ride or something. Of course, it was also huge.

 

How did I get off this horse and onto a decent one? How did I retrieve my sword? Three fire giants, me, heading off down the road.

 

“If you try to escape…”

 

I smiled. “If you hurt me…”

 

“…you know I can’t hurt you permanently. So does Surtur. You are not tied to this realm.”

 

Which if they didn’t have my sword did show one way out. “Why don’t I just leave then?”

 

He grinned. “Because I have your sword. Don’t worry. I’m not foolish enough to draw it.”

 

He knew I wouldn’t willingly abandon the weapon. “Good point. And I really would not recommend you did that.”

 

“I don’t mess with dwarven swords.”

 

Their own blades were, I sensed, part of the problem. “That just means you don’t have dwarves on your side. Get on their good side…”

 

“And how are we supposed to do that?”

 

I thought of the twins. “Apparently, kill bears for them.”

 

He laughed, and it occurred to me I might have a way out of this that wasn’t fighting my way out. “Bears?”

 

“Dwarves don’t climb very well,” was all I said. “And that was a very large bear.”

 

“You…you’re speaking literally. Who are you?”

 

“I told you who I am.”

 

“And why do you care…”

 

“Well, my grandfather was a fire giant. Do I need more reason than that?”

 

“I don’t see your father coming here…”

 

“Yet.” I smiled a little bit.

 

“He wouldn’t help us.”

 

“You might be surprised there. But I don’t think you’ll like my solution. Nor will Surtur.”

 

“He wants in your pants, doesn’t he.”

 

I smiled at that and fell silent. Letting him think on that last word for a while. I wanted him a little bit afraid of me.

 

Just a little bit. Just enough not to mess with me.

 

I still hoped for backup.