I told Jötnar about my travels into the wild to survey the animals. He seemed very interested in their welfare. In fact, he seems most interested in bringing a natural order to the Northern Realm, which I find very comforting. We took a long walk through the mountains beyond Niaafjäll. He wanted to see the animals for himself so that he too could contribute to their stewardship.

Much to my surprise, he shared several stories with me. His tales are very old, and they tell of his Giant kin. One of his stories caught my particular interest. He describes living with his brothers and sisters for many ages under terrible skies. He vaguely remembers a violent and bloody night that felt like a dream to him.

He awoke from the dream to find himself alone on a boat on strange waters. He never saw his brothers and sisters again. He says that the world had changed then, that he saw the stars for the first time and he recognized neither the ocean nor the land. If these memories are true, they are the memories of Bergelmir or perhaps one of his sons. That should not be, but if my suspicion proves correct, it is an indication that something had gone terribly awry at Ragnarök.

Still, his intentions with this world are very clear: he wishes to help bring harmony to this region, and he is quite content to do so with my guidance. For that I am grateful, and I will do everything I can to include him in my work.

While reviewing the layout of Vinterstad today, I was suddenly and unexpectedly put in mind of my old shield, its shape, its colors and adornments.  The similarity is uncanny.  That shield has not been in my mind since the day I left it behind with the children of Thor.