Under A Winter Sun by Johan Dahlgren (ink ebook reader txt) 📕

Perez, we even got to avenge him in a way by blowing up that construct, and for that we are grateful. You can expect a handsome bonus when we get back.”

“Well, I like bonuses and all, but I don't think you realise what you've done.”

“We've averted a potential threat to this system.”

“On a macro scale, that is what you've done, yes.”

“And on a micro scale?”

“On a micro scale, you've pissed Wagner off.”

I step away as Wagner grabs Jagr around the chest in a bear hug.

“You killed my father. Now you die.”

Soledad grabs Wagner's massive forearms and tries to pry them off Jagr. Pushing Nifelheim from its orbit by stamping on it would be more likely to succeed. There's a sickening crunch from Jagr's ribs.

“Oh, my God,” the priest gasps.

“Perez,” Jagr wheezes.

Braden gives me a worried look. “Perez, stop him.”

I wait a little, then clap a hand on Wagner's shoulder. “Let it go, big guy. She didn't kill your father.”

Hildr drops a hand on Finn's other shoulder. “He's right. It was that prick Eirik who killed your father. It's Eirik you must slay.”

Wagner thinks about it while Jagr's face goes more and more purple as the breath is crushed from her. Then he lets her go, and Jagr crashes to the floor where she lies panting. Soledad rushes to her side.

Finn sighs and stares into the distance. “Yes. Such is the law.”

He runs a rough hand over his face and blood-soaked beard. When he turns to face me, there's a look of regret on his ugly face.

“Thorfinn, son of Ragnwald, must kill Eirik, son of Ragnwald.”

Jagr has recovered her breath and gets to her feet, assisted by Soledad and the priest. Soledad shoots deadly glances at Wagner.

“You've got a serious grip there, Goliath.” She winces as she touches her ribs.

Finn balls his fists and flexes his powerful arms like he savours the memory of crushing her body. Knowing Wagner, he's got a hard-on.

Jagr goes on in a hoarse croak. “If you want to go after that handsome fucker, I won't stand in your way, Wagner. He's all yours.”

Finn nods. “And you will help me, Perez.”

“Yes, I promised that, didn't I?”

I turn to Jagr. “Could you contact the Shiloh to find out where Eirik's ship went?”

“Before you cash in your bonus? That's your funeral, Perez. Yes, I'll talk to them. We might even drop you off somewhere on our way home. Are you going to be all right?”

“No.”

She blinks.

I shrug. “No one is, in the end.”

“You are such a ray of sunshine.” A smile flickers at the corner of her mouth.

“I try my best.” I smile at her, but it falters halfway between tired and creepy.

There's a chime from Jagr's wrist console, and she glances at it.

“Gotta take this.” She punches me on the shoulder. “Get some rest, Perez. You've earned it. Braden. You and Soledad give the Sunny a little love. We have a long way home.”

Jagr pushes off toward the cockpit and Braden and Soledad head for the cargo bay.

When they're gone, I turn to Finn. “So, how do you plan to do this?”

Finn blinks. “Plan?”

Oh, dear.

“I suppose we can't just find him and kill him. I bet there are rigorous protocols for doing things like this. Blood feuds and such.”

“Yes, there are,” Hildr confirms. “Thorfinn has the right to challenge Eirik to holmgång.”

“To what?”

“Holmgång. It's our traditional trial by combat. All Finn has to do is publicly challenge his brother to a duel. Eirik will have to accept the challenge and meet him at the crossing of three roads within a week or forever forfeit his claim to the throne.”

“What happens if Finn wins?”

“Eirik dies.”

“And everyone is all right with that?”

“No. Finn would have to pay half a weregeld to Eirik's family.”

Something glides in front of her eyes like a cloud before a full moon. “I guess that's me now.”

“Why only half a wurgl?”

“Weregeld. Blood money. Since it's not murder.”

“Right. You people have rules for how much money you pay for killing a man?”

“Of course we do. We're not savages.”

“And you think Eirik will accept this challenge?”

“He must. It's our custom.”

“So, he will give up whatever plans he has with Geirmund The Cunning to come and fight Finn instead?”

“Yes. If he doesn't, he will be declared nidingr.”

I sigh. “Meaning?”

“He will be stripped of all honour and everyone will be obliged to kill him on sight.”

“You people are crazy.”

“It's honour,” Finn says.

The priest raises a hand. “What if you just talk to him, Thorfinn? Maybe he regrets what he's done, and there need be no more death.”

Finn gives the priest a look that says exactly what he thinks the little man should do with his suggestion. Rivera looks away and sits down. His hands shake in his lap.

Jagr comes back from the cockpit. The look on her face is unreadable.

“I have splendid news and awful news.”

I should have guessed.

“Give us the splendid news first.”

“We found out where Eirik went.”

“Where?”

“To the moon Muspelheim.”

“Muspelheim is a scorching methane wasteland. There's nothing there.”

“Apparently, there is.”

“OK, that is splendid news.”

Muspelheim is Nifelheim's neighbour moon, and practically next door on a galactic scale.

“That's where you can drop us off then.”

“You got it.”

“Thanks. What's the awful news?”

“Remember that data spike on the Galahad? Turns out it was a tight-beam transmission sent to a precise location in this system.”

I wince. “Same place?”

“Yes. Command wants to know what the signal means, and we are the closest asset they have to Muspelheim.”

“So, you mean …”

“Yes, we're coming with you.”

“Sorry. Our deal is done. We do this on our own. I don't work with the military unless I have to.”

Jagr looks hurt. “Why do you dislike us so much, Perez? Join up. You'd be good at it.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. When I kill someone, I want it to be personal, not a job. Look. I did what you wanted and talked to Finn for you. I even avenged your agent. We're done. Now we've got work to do.”

“Space is free. We're coming, whether you like it or not. Besides, you need