The goddess greeted them under the godpole, the moonlight slanting into the unlit temple, casting an otherworldly light. The presence of the deity, shimmering in an ethereal glow, emitted the love, peace, and harmony that Jake had carried in his heart from their last encounter. Absorbing the divine power, they felt like giants in a world of dwarfs.
Content at setting her followers at ease, Freya opened her arms, which became wings. She diminished before their eyes, transforming into a falcon and uttering a piercing cry, then flew out of the temple.
“Come on!” Jake said, and they raced outdoors to scan the spangled firmament—a hopeless task of locating a lone hawk.
Overcome by the beauty of the moon, Jake quoted an Old English riddle, “A wondrous creature I saw carrying its prey between
