Underworlds #4: The Ice Dragon (8 page)

Odin nodded slowly. “An instrument of great magic,” he said. “And perhaps, having it back again, Orpheus, you can do something to stop the Fires of Midgard?”

“My pleasure,” said Orpheus, looking up at the great god. “But maybe we can do this … together?”

So together, Orpheus and Odin wafted the last clouds of battle away, and we could see all the way beyond the Sea of Asgard to our own world, where snow was falling heavily.

“Snow!” said Odin, happier than we’d seen him yet.

“Snow on snow on snow will drown the Midgard fires!” added Orpheus.

After saying our good-byes, Kingu, Ullikummi, and his armies left as they had come. Anubis and his canine warriors departed after a long, low bow. So did Hades and his heroes, who turned toward the distant hills and marched away. Orpheus waved once to us, then marched along with his countrymen, playing triumphant songs.

“Midgard will rebuild,” said Thor, beaming down at
us. “We shall watch you. Your services will never be forgotten.”

Odin thanked us last of all. “You children — you
heroes
— have staved off our final day, now that he is vanquished.” He gestured to Valhalla, where Loki lay imprisoned in his poisonous cell. “Tomorrow will come, after all. Thank you … forever!”

The journey home was the same as the journey to Asgard, on the Valkyries’ flying horses, and it was just as fast. The snowflakes fell like gentle rain until the fires in Pinewood Bluffs finally went out. The destruction was shocking, but not as bad as I had feared.

Pinewood Bluffs was calm when the Valkyries landed on the front lawn of the Runsons’ house.

“So, will you still be our lunch ladies?” Sydney asked.

“Oh, yes,” said Miss Lillian. “The pay is good, we get free meals, and Odin wants us to stay near. Your school being so close to the Underworlds has its advantages. You never know. Anything could happen.”

“And probably will,” said Miss Marge flatly.

I didn’t know whether to feel good about that, or terrified. It was like wondering what Monday’s chef’s surprise would be.

Once inside, Dr. and Mrs. Runson called our parents and learned that they were driving back, after having evacuated from town. They were overjoyed to hear that we were all safe. The Runsons invited us to stay at their house until our parents returned.

It was all over. The world didn’t end, and that was pretty much the best thing ever.

Really, it was.

But standing there, looking over the town, thinking back over the whole thing, I felt a little … empty. Maybe it was the letdown at the end of the adventure. An adventure that, as dangerous and unbelievable as it had been, was pretty thrilling.

After everything, I was just Owen Brown again.

Student at Pinewood Bluffs Elementary.

Friend of Jon, Sydney, and Dana.

Brother of Mags.

We got the furnace going, and Mrs. Runson set up a fire in the fireplace. It would be hours before our folks were back, so Mrs. and Dr. Runson went into the kitchen to rustle up something for dinner.

Dana, Jon, Sydney, and I sat on the couch, watching the snow pile up outside the windows. It was a little early in the season for snow, but because it helped put out the fires, no one was complaining. Also, Orpheus and Odin’s snow must have had a magical element of forgetfulness, because nobody was yelling about monsters or men in silver armor. They’d probably just chalked the fires up to a dry spell and wind. That was fine with me. No one needed to know that the world had nearly ended.

Life was mostly normal again. Or as normal as it would ever be, with an entrance to the Underworlds under our school.

“Do you think we’ll have classes tomorrow?” I asked, peering out at the snow.

“I hope so,” said Sydney. “After the last few days, I wouldn’t mind a nice, boring quiz or two. Besides,
remember what Odin said? Tomorrow will come, after all.”

Jon nodded. “Hey, tomorrow is Monday. I wonder what the lunch ladies have planned for the chef’s surprise!”

That’s when we pummeled Jon with pillows.