Ragnar awoke to the stinging night wind upon his face. As he groaned he leaned to one side and realized that he was not on the ground!
His arms grabbed for the closest thing he could find and to his surprise it was a woman's waist. He held tightly to the young maiden as he quickly gained his bearings.
He was on a horse behind a woman, but they were not on the ground. To his left and right he could see other women, mounted on horses, each carrying a man clinging to them as they soared through the air.

"Where am I? What happened to me?" he stuttered.

"Patience warrior, we shall be home soon, your reward awaits you." the young maiden asked.

"The last thing I remember was laying on the battlefield, and there was this wolf." he continued

"Yes, you were dying, but the fates have spared thee from hel." she answered. "Hang on"

As she finished the command, the horse banked sharply to the right and Ragnar got the feeling he was falling from the horse. He quickly gripped they young maid's waist even tighter and prayed to the gods for a quick end to the trip.

Down they descended through the clouds until they could see a green colored landscape beneath them. In the center of the great meadow was an enourmous hall. The hall was larger than any he had ever seen, and it's windows twinkled with the light of a million fires.

"Where are we?" he managed to ask.

"Valhalla." was her only reply. She remained silent for the rest of the journey.

The posse of horses and riders came to a gentle landing near the stables of the great hall. From hear the maidens unceremoniously pushed their riders from the saddle and dismounted. They paid little attention to the warriors as they gently caressed their mounts and led them into the stables. The band of confused warriors were greeted by a large, swarthy man who mutters something to them as he makes sure all of them are back on their feet.

"Follow me" he gruffly says to them as he motions them towards the entrance of the large hall.The group is silent as they follow the man, not knowing what to expect next in this fanciful night of the imagination. As they slowly walk up the front steps of the hall they soon become aware of the great size of the building and how small they really are compared to it.
Once they reach the top step, the gruffy old warrior tells them to stop. Above their heads in bold runes is engraved one word, "Valgrind".

The doors open to reveal the center of the huge feasting hall. As the warriors walk in the see row after row of tables and chairs, filled with warriors feasting and enjoying themselves. As they enter the hall falls quiet as each of the warriors at the tables realize they have company.

The men are joined by the maidens, still dressed in their bright armor and wearing helms. There is one more majestic and graceful than the others and she moves to the front of the group and escorts both maidens and warriors to the head of the hall where in are two large throne like chairs.

Ragnar follows the group, unsure of what to do next. As they approach the two large thrones the lead maiden raises her hands in signal to stop. She drops to one knee in front of the thrones and remains still as if she were waiting for something.

After what seemed like an eternitya solitary figure presents himself at the throne.

"Val-father" the lead maiden says. "Your shield maidens have returned from their hunt."

"Has the hunt been successful?" the lone figure asks.

"It has my lord and I present to you the finest of the slain." she says.

"Then Vanadis my love, collect your fee."

"With your blessing." the lead maiden says.

She stands again on her feet and turning to the group, she takes off her helm, revealing gold spun hair that drops to mid level behind her back. Sparkling blue eyes set within pale skin that resembles fresh snow. Ragnar has seen this face before. He has imagined it many times as the story tellers wove their tales of the goddess whose bed was desired more than any other thing in the world. It was Freyja.