Worthy
Hundreds of Valkyries flew around the room, distributing food and drink. Whenever a Valkyrie's pitcher was empty, she would swoop over the golden vat now bubbling over a large fire, fill her pitcher with yummy goat's-milk mead and continue serving. The main course came from a roasting pit at the other end of the room. Rotating on a hundred-foot-long spit was the carcass of an animal. I wasn't sure what it had been when it was alive, but it was easily the size of a blue whale. A Valkyrie flew past, depositing a platter of food and a goblet in front of me. I couldn't tell what the slices of meat were, but they smelled great, drizzled in gravy with potatoes on the side. I started to eat. It was really good.
At the high table, the thanes began banging their cups on the table in unison. All around the hall, the einherjar joined in until the Hall of the Slain thundered with a metal heartbeat. Helgi stood and raised his goblet. The noise died down. "Warriors!" The manager's voice filled the hall. He looked so regal it was hard to believe he was the same guy who a few hours ago had offered me a suite upgrade and a minibar key. "One new fallen has joined us today! let the presentation of the dead commence!" Helgi bellowed. Ten thousand warriors turned and looked expectantly in my direction. "Ruby May! Rise and impress us with your courage!"
My heart raced as I stood up. I took a shaky breathe before speaking. "I was studying in my school's library with some of my friends when I heard gunfire coming from the corridor. The part of the library we were in was an open area so I told the others to go to a more secluded spot whilst I held off the shooter. I managed to take away one of his guns, but I had not seen his other gun. He used it to shoot me in the abdomen twice and then once in the forehead."
"And what were you doing when he shot you?" One of the thanes asked. Gunilla had told me that his name was Leif Erikson.
"I was trying to stop him from getting the gun back."
The thanes debated among themselves. The thanes took a vote among themselves. They agreed unanimously on something. I didn't know what it was. "We find Ruby May worthy of Valhalla!"