*Soleil* We walk in the opposite direction from when Siri had taken me to the stone circle. In this direction, the forest quickly becomes dense and the air is damp. There is a smell of still water, and the underground starts to get swampy and slick, the farther we get away from the cabin.  "Stop here". Gudrun puts a hand on my arm, when we can't walk any further on the soft ground. "From here you have to walk in my footsteps. There are some very deep swamp holes, if you step into one of them, it can become very dangerous".  I nod feeling nervous. We keep walking for another couple of metres, before the mud turns into a dark murky lake. Gudrun stops taking off her cape and sitting down on it. I sit down next to her.  "Why are you wearing those old-fashioned capes and carrying the sticks". I ask.  "It's t

 *Soleil* When they are both gone, Siri goes to one of the small stones in the circle, putting her hands on it. "Stone in circle, shield to vǫlur. I loosen the ring the earth is protecting". She pushes the stone away, making a hole in the circle and coming back to me. "We have to hurry. The others are unprotected while we are gone". She takes out the little jar of ointment. "This is a flying ointment. There are a lot of versions out there, but only a true vǫlur can use it". She explains. "To meet with a Jötnar we need to let go of our inhibitions. Even I who have seen most are still bound by what I believe to be reality and superstition in our world. "The ointment is a potent mix of plants that makes you hallucinate, so you might feel a bit… drunk before we fly. Do you understand so far ?"  I nod, watching curiously as Siri opens the jar.  "We rub ourselves with

 *Davina* Lefu had called me already this Saturday morning, asking me out for dinner. And now I am hurrying down the stairs to meet him. When I spot him I stop in my track, staring at him in surprise. As he stands there in jeans and a loose, button up shirt, his hair styled fashionably instead of slicked back like I am used to, he looks even more handsome. If it hadn't been for those hypnotic blue eyes I would hardly have recognised him.  Luckily I had decided at the last minute to wear the blue dress I made for Soleil's birthday and we are matching nicely..  We drive to a restaurant much closer to London. When I ask why we are driving so far, he shrugs. "I want to eat in peace. Here are less chances of meeting any of my friends or the clientele from the Grotto''.  Even if it isn't one of the VIP places in London, It is still a much nicer

 *Soleil* "There are two kinds of hamram. The small ones, like the one you just saw, look like a normal wolf. They are much stronger and faster though, and besides being bloodthirsty they are basically like a normal wolf. Which means no human intellect, they can't predict our moves, but only react in the moment". Marta explains after we come inside. "The one we saw when we looked for them was a High one. They are faster than the small ones and much stronger. They are smart, almost human-like intelligence. Their big downfall is their aggressive nature, if we provoke them they lose control and attack blindly and we can use that".  "Our technique of fighting the small ones is a little different. They rather flee than fight. We have to lure them out and keep their focus, until we can kill them". Gudrun ads. "This method is not usable against the high ones. It is too dangerous getting that close to them".&n

 *Davina* Dinner at the fancy restaurant really is transboundary to me, but as long as I stay focussed on Lefu and our own table, I manage to abstract from everything else.  "Are you okay?" He asks. "You are paler than usual".  "I am okay thanks". I mumble. As long as I don't drop anything or start coughing water all over the table.  "You better get used to it if you are to create clothes to the high and mighty ladies, like the ones here tonight". He makes a motion with his head.  I gasp as I look around, recognising several very famous people, all wearing very expensive designer clothes. I bite my lip to relax myself.  Lefu must have seen my growing panic, because he instantly turned the conversation to another subject and I let out a grateful sigh. I couldn't help wa