“In Norse belief, Tiwaz is a sign that someone has chosen war and has no intention of returning. That means, if you want to find Valkyrie, you must follow that symbol. It is possible that she will send the next symbol as another clue,” Jonas explained calmly.“What kind of nonsense is that?” Heinrich shook his head briefly, then crumpled the paper into a wrinkled roll.“I am not asking you to believe it. I come from this land and I have studied Viking culture. To outsiders, it may sound like nonsense. That is fine.” Jonas walked away, heading toward the car, which was unlocked.Heinrich stood still for a moment before following him inside, still holding the rolled paper. The morning air was biting enough to make him hurry. He needed to change. Heinrich took his bag from the trunk, then pulled out a thick shirt and a jacket.After getting dressed, Heinrich got in and sat behind the wheel. The bearded man fell silent, thinking. A few seconds later, he unfolded the paper again and studie

Heinrich folded the paper covered in symbols he did not understand, then stepped toward the building across the road. He stood there for a moment before glancing back at the boy, who had already run off to who knew where.Heinrich drew a deep breath and moved closer to the door. He did not expect any surprises, not when his body was still far from fully recovered.The door opened slowly. Heinrich stepped inside. The small building lacked proper lighting, leaving the interior dim, even though it was already past midday.He advanced carefully. Not only his eyes and ears were alert, but his instincts as well. In a situation like this, he could not afford to let his guard down for even a second.His steps stopped in the middle of the room, where a small wooden table stood. On top of it sat a calling radio, the same kind he had found in the pine forest cabin.“All right. What do you want now?” Heinrich muttered, his gaze fixed on the radio as

Heinrich stared at the light brown–haired boy. He stepped closer, then lowered himself in front of him. Moments later, Heinrich’s gaze shifted to the slip of paper the boy was holding.“What is that?” Heinrich asked.The boy did not answer. He only looked at Heinrich with a strange expression.“Did someone tell you to—” Heinrich had not finished his sentence when Solveig arrived, still grumbling as she walked.The boy quickly folded the paper, slipped it into the pocket of his trousers, then ran toward the main room. He did not seem frightened by the sight of Hagen’s blood-soaked corpse. Instead, the boy stood still, staring at the body of the middle-aged man. His eyes observed it closely, as if searching for something interesting.Several men came in with Solveig. One of them was Jonas, who appeared with a questioning look in his eyes.“Get the body out of my house at once. Not because I don’t respect the dead, but because I don

Heinrich lowered himself and checked the boy’s pulse. From that, he confirmed that there was no life left in the child.“Rest in peace, kid,” Heinrich said softly and deeply, brushing the boy’s face until his eyes closed.For a brief moment, Heinrich’s gaze fell on the boy’s shirt pocket. A corner of paper was sticking out. Curious, he took the paper, but did not open it right away because he did not want to spend too much time there.“Forgive me, kid. I have to go.” Heinrich stood up and turned away from the place. Big trouble would follow if the villagers caught him there. Especially since just that afternoon they had lost Hagen, who was killed by a mysterious shooter.Heinrich hurried out of the church. He walked fast, but still perfectly measured. There was no hesitation, even though his emotions were in turmoil.The village road was empty. Silent.As he kept walking toward the inn, Heinrich thought hard. “Why was that child

Heinrich did not answer. He stared at the crowd gathered at the village hall. His gaze was intense, moving from one face to another.A moment later, several adult men lifted a simple wooden stretcher. The poor boy’s body lay stiff beneath a dull white cloth.“They’re going to place the child’s body where they did yesterday,” Jonas said.Heinrich turned. “You’re not going?”“Don’t be crazy,” Jonas replied with a shudder, recalling the disgusting sight when he helped lay Hagen’s body down.“I’m not sure you’re that cowardly,” Heinrich muttered as he returned to checking the car engine.“That’s just a human reaction,” Jonas replied without turning.Heinrich said nothing more and focused on the engine. He tightened the hood bolts with quick, precise movements. His hands worked, but his thoughts wandered.Many things crossed Heinrich’s mind, one of them everything that had happened in the village. The atmosphere, the villagers’ stares, the consecutive deaths.“No serious damage,” Jonas sai