UNHOLY BARGAIN

Freda sank dumbly to her knees. For a moment, in the blurry, wavering moonlight, she saw past drifting snow to the hill up which Skaflok fled. Weaponless he was, spent and reeling. The hounds were on his heels.

The vision faded. She looked to the night shape that stood over her. "You are Odin," she whispered," and it is not for me to have dealings with you."

"Nonetheless I can save your lover-and I alone would, for he is heathen." The god's one eye held her as if she were speared. "Will you pay my price?"

"What do you want?" she gasped. "I will give it to you..:'

And the irrevocable, foredoomed pact was made!