INTRO   Welcome to CHAPTER 11 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.   In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every five chapters, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way. I usually ask toward the end of the episode—and I’ll do so then, too—but please, leave a review on whichever platform you listen on. That’s one of the key ways to raise the show’s visibility and letting me know what all you listeners, from all over the world, think of the podcast & book … at least so far We’re still in the exposition stage of the book — roughly the first 10 percent where you’re meeting the point of view characters, learning who they are and what their world is like before things go sideways Here’s a summary of what we know so far about the plot: Frigg, the Almother, has two sons, one of whom, Baldr, suffers from debilitating dreams. She’d rushed to his side in Chapter 1 and we saw him recover. We also learned that she summoned her husband, Odin, the Alfather, back from his wanderings in the west. Frigg also experienced a disturbing vision of what she fears may lie ahead in Baldr’s yet-to-come. A town named Hals has been sacked. Vidar Odinsson is on-scene and has learned what happened—the Jotunn, old enemies with the Aesir attacked, violating a longstanding peace Odin, the Alfather, has returned to Gladsheim just after his son Baldr’s latest dreaming sickness and after the attack on Hals. When we left him, he’d sent his wolves out to clear the western road so that he could ride to Vidar’s aid. Blind Hodr Odinsson lives in a town named Ifington. He ate one of Yggdrasil’s fruits which restored his youthfulness but did nothing to heal his sight Loki Laufeyson enjoys a meal with his wife, Sigyn, and his two sons, Vali and Narfi. He appears to be plotting something — and is then surprised when a messenger arrives saying that Odin, the Alfather, has returned. In this episode we return to Loki who’s having a quiet riverside moment by himself. Let’s do this. Chapter Eleven Loki Loki flung a small stone into the onrushing Franangr. And will my plan still work now that Ygg is back? Why wouldn’t it? the river seemed to reply. Perhaps it will even work better. Less delay. He frowned at that, stooping to snatch up another small wet stone. The water’s voice was a rumbling counterpoint to his thoughts that swam like salmon through all the possibilities that might befall him, his sons, and his wife, because of the path he walked. He broke his oath and cast your children out. Why would he free them now? I’ve never asked. Perhaps he’s learned mercy these past hundred winters. The falling water seemed to laugh at him. Ygg? Mercy? He whipped the second stone into the Franangr. Its splash disappeared into the river’s spray as the water plunged into the lake below. You gave in when you heard the Norns’ prophecy, thinking that if you remained free, you might win their freedom. That’s what I told myself. Angrboda never believed me. She fought him—fought the doom he’d set. I should have, too. What kind of father am I? The kind that still lives. As do cowards. He hurled a third stone into the river. You’re no coward, Loki. You do what must be done. You always have. Think of all the times you saved the Aesir by doing what they would not do. That was different. Was it? He wiped the spray from his face and pulled his cloak more tightly around him. Absolutely. I lost my wife and my children because I chose not to oppose my brother. Former brother. He broke his oath to you. There is no bond between you anymore. What if he was right to listen to the Norns? Perhaps you are a coward after all. Loki clenched his jaw at that idea, flung back at him; a spear caught and returned. He wasn’t a coward. Strength against strength was foolish. But his strength against another’s weakness? That was how he won, though sometimes doing that meant taking the long view. Now that he’s back, all these years of planning and preparation are wasted. Why are they wasted? Ygg is too confident in his strength. And why shouldn’t he be? The Jotunn are dying even as the Aesir prosper. But you know what the Jotunn truly plan—while he’s made himself blind. Easier to kill a plague than Ygg. That’s why your plan is perfect. But he’s back now. I’m not certain it will still work. How can it not? And even if it doesn’t, how would you want your name to be remembered? As someone who realized just vengeance? Or as a weakling who instead cowered and shivered by a river? Loki felt a gentle hand on his arm. Startled, he looked up to see Sigyn peering from beneath a cloak glistening from the river’s spray. “Come inside,” she said, her voice nearly drowned beneath the Franangr’s. He was trembling with cold. His teeth were chattering. How long had he been here? He embraced her, savoring her warmth, and whispered, “Why are you doing this? Why help me? You know what might happen—what he’ll do to all of us if we’re caught.” Sigyn’s arms tightened around him. She kissed his cheek, then pulled back and reached up to rest chill fingers against his brow. They sheltered his eyes from the stinging spray. A bead of water formed on her nose, freckles dusted her cheeks, and those familiar, lovely crinkles formed around her eyes as she smiled, lines that even the fruit Idunn tended hadn’t smoothed away. She peered straight into the depths of his spirit. “Because I love you.” OUTRO Well, folks, that was CHAPTER 11 of Kinsmen Die. I hope you enjoyed it. Loki conversed with himself beside the Franangr. He’s up to something with Ygg’s return — Odin’s return — has potentially disrupted. We also learn that he was married before, to a woman named Angrboda, with whom he had children who are now all “lost.” Next episode, we’re back with Hodr. I’m looking forward to it & I hope you all are, as well.   If you’re interested in supporting the podcast, I have several requests: 1)   Please leave a review on whatever podcast app / platform you use. They really help. 2)   Please share the podcast. That also helps a ton. 3)   And finally, please consider supporting my work by buying my books or in some other way – likes, follows, Patreon, Locals, etc.   I’d also enjoy hearing from you. You can email me at mattbishopwrites@gmail.com    And with that, I will leave you with this thought from the sayings of the High One, Odin himself:   This is the Bellows translation, available on Sacred Texts https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe04.htm   Verse 11   A better burden | may no man bear For wanderings wide than wisdom; Worse food for the journey | he brings not afield Than an over-drinking of ale.