The Lost Sun Read Online Free PDF Page B

ear. She’s nodding frantically and keeps opening her mouth but can’t get a word in.
    Hadley taps her cane one last time, then gestures at the television, which is nearly as tall as she is. “Boys and girls, in two minutes the president will be addressing the country, and so will Gundrun Graycloak and Lawspeaker Howardson. Please be attentive. And after the address, will the following students report back to your dormitories, please. Your advisors will be waiting to help you pack a bag, as your parents have contacted the school in the last hour and will be arriving to take you home shortly.” There’s an immediate uproar, but Hadley gestures at Amanda, who hurriedly snaps closed her phone and begins calling out names over the noise.
    Amanda’s gotten through about two dozen, including Damon Alling and half his cadre of politically involved students, when the news broadcast is interrupted by a bright blue screen depicting the seal of Congress: a white eagle over a shield, gripping an ax and a spear in its claws, and above, the rune for justice. Professor Dayling turns the sound up as the seal fades and we’re presented with the president and the lawspeaker sitting side by side at a broad mahogany desk at the White Hall. Lawspeaker Howardson is a woman with solid-silver braids and a stern mouth. She holds a replica of the Poet’s Cup, symbol of her office, and as she begins to speak, she raises it slightly off the desk with both hands. The official words are in Old Scandan, but we all know them: So the law is written, so the law is spoken, I give life to the law . She passes the cup to the president of New Asgard, a middle-aged warrior I haven’t paid attention to since he was elected by Congress two springs ago. His name is Adamson and he has dark hair.There’s a small raven pin on his lapel, indicating his allegiance to Odin Alfather. A ragged scar under his jaw twists as he offers his country a somber smile. “We of the Congress ask that our people across the USA not panic, but hold steady in this time of distress. We are doing all that can be done to search out Baldur the Beautiful and discover the culprit who stole him. Please remain calm and go about your daily business as best you can. The worst thing we can do is give in to fear. We are a people of courage, no matter which god we hold dear, and I personally ask you to remember that. The sun will return to New Asgard.”
    He continues on, giving us details about how the national army is coordinating with kingstate and community militias to conduct searches. An emergency hotline number scrolls across the screen, for phoning in any tips. After a few minutes of continued assurances, the president hands us over to the press room, where the beautiful Gundrun Graycloak stands behind a podium with the Alfather’s triple-triangle valknot symbol behind her on banners. Gundrun is the chief of the Valkyrie, and she speaks on the gods’ behalf to the current mortal administration of New Asgard. Over a dark pantsuit she wears the traditional swan-feather cloak of the Valkyrie, and there is a spear in her hand. “I bring tidings of comfort to the people of New Asgard from the Alfather and all the gods under his rule: Baldur lives, though we know not where he is. The ashes spread at dawn this morning over the roots of the New World Tree did not belong to the god of light, but were the ashes of a pig.”
    From beside Astrid, Taffy yells, “What’s the difference?”only to be shushed by her friends in the Poets’ Club. A quiet snicker passes through our hall, though I frown.
    Modra Hadley glares mightily and bangs her cane against the dais.
    Gundrun Graycloak is saying, “… have questioned Loki, and Freya herself has vouched for his whereabouts. Do please alert your king’s hotline if you know anything that might possibly aid in the search. I am authorized to inform you that Odin Alfather himself will grant a boon to any citizen of New Asgard who significantly helps