The Sword of Summer

Hearth uses magic to grow heather in the valley so the group can approach Fenris. When they get close enough, Fenris leaps at Magnus so the sword slices the rope holding his front legs. The group attacks, but they can’t hurt the wolf. Fenris’s destiny is set: “Until Ragnarok, I am un-killable” (452).

Blitz lunges with the new rope. Fenris swats it away and slices Blitz across the throat. Hearth casts a rune against Fenris, sacrificing his strength to save Blitz. The rest of the battle doesn’t go any better. Both the Valkyries and Magnus’s hallmates are either overpowered or down. Fenris falsely congratulates Magnus on a good attempt before announcing his intention to devour everyone, saying, “I love this part” (453).

Fenris lunges at Magnus, who falls aside in time for a she-lion to charge past. It’s Sam in lion form. She engages Fenris in battle, ordering Magnus to get the rope. While they fight, Blitz sits up; his bulletproof necktie saved his life. The success of his unconventional armor shows Magnus Blitz didn’t win by fighting and that there are “other ways to win a battle” (455).

Magnus wraps the new rope around Jack’s hilt and uses magic to infuse Jack with summer’s power of growth.