The Ice People 47 - Is There Anybody Out There?. Margit Sandemo

were wolves now. There was no need for them anymore, so they could assume their proper forms again.

      The erstwhile angel of light waited with a cunning smile on his lips. What a creature! Tova thought, greatly impressed. Even in human form, his air of authority was crushing.

      But at the same time her heart trembled.

      She cast a very quick glance about her. Everyone was there – except for one group. The fifteen stray demons that Tengel the Evil had hurled out into empty space.

      Lucifer directed his fascinating eyes at Tova. He smiled. “We’ll be sure to get them back.”

      Help! One had better watch one’s thoughts!

      But the rest of the group of stray demons, the so-called Trond demons, sighed with relief.

      The mighty angel extended his arm towards Rune and called him to him.

      “I have always said that my men did a terrible job with you, Rune, my friend from the Garden of Eden. So now you can decide whether you want to be one thing or the other. In your case, human or root.”

      There was no doubt for Rune this time: “Human, please!”

      “And how would you like to look?”

      “I don’t want to look different from the rest. I’ve had quite enough of that.”

      “But Rune! You don’t wish to be an ordinary human, do you?”

      He thought for a moment. “No ... probably I don’t.”

      “That’s what I thought. Well, I’ll try to come up with something nice-looking based on your resources. I think the result will be quite pleasant.”

      Halkatla stood next to Rune, blushing with eagerness.

      “May ... may I say something, great Lord?”

      “Be my guest!”

      “I am happy for Rune. But I just want to say that as far as I’m concerned, I don’t care how he looks. I came to care for him just the way he was.”

      Rune couldn’t hold back a huge smile of radiant joy and surprise.

      “Your words are kind,” said Lucifer. “But I think you had better step aside, young lady, or you may risk being thrown into the bargain and turning into a root. And that would be a shame, wouldn’t it, especially now?”

      That reminded Tova of a risqué story that had always made her laugh. About the old woman who lamented her loneliness in her little house in the woods. She had only a cat and she would sigh to it, saying: “If only you had been a handsome young prince and I a beautiful young woman!” Now it just so happened that there was a fairy nearby. She felt sorry for the lonely little woman and fulfilled her wish. They were both transformed into beautiful young people, and the young lady couldn’t get enough of her prince. She fell head over heels in love with him. Whereupon he said: “Well, I guess now you’re sorry you had me spayed!”

      So Tova truly understood why Halkatla didn’t wish to become a root now!

      Tova was laughing so hard at the old joke that she had to turn away from the group. When she turned back again a handsome young man stood in Rune’s place. He still had Rune’s colouring and features, but his appearance was much improved. Everything that had been crooked and misshapen about him had been smoothed out. He was anything but ordinary in appearance! And Halkatla was wildly enthusiastic, though also a bit shy about this new transformation that had taken place. Was it possible for the brave Halkatla to become insecure? Yes, why not? After all the bullying she had endured during her short life on earth.

      Tova wished her well.

      Rune looked down at his well-shaped hands in astonishment, and Ellen gave him a small pocket mirror. He lit up like the sun when he saw how handsome he was now.

      “Thank you,” he said warmly to Lucifer. “Once I am properly acquainted with this stranger I think I’ll get on very well with him.”

      Gabriel sighed, smiling. “I guess I don’t have to fulfil my promise to you now? About fetching soil from Ceylon for you?”

      Rune thought for a moment. “No, thank you, Gabriel! That is very kind of you, but I definitely won’t be eating soil from now on.”

      Everyone laughed a little.

      Then Rune placed his hands around Halkatla’s face and looked her deeply in the eyes. She lit up at his gaze. No words needed to be said between them.

      Tova stifled a sigh. She couldn’t help feeling a little let down. Not that she was envious of Rune, far from it, but she, too, wouldn’t have minded ...

      She pulled herself together and listened to Lucifer’s words.

      “You have all helped me in my battle against my final enemy. You have eliminated Tan-ghil the Evil, who posed such a tremendous threat to my kingdom after he drank from the spring of evil and was promised eternal life and complete power over the world. That power does not belong to him.”

      Tova shuddered. She didn’t like what he was saying but she focused on concealing her thoughts.

      Meanwhile she met Nataniel’s gaze. He seemed somewhat perplexed and overwhelmed.

      Lucifer continued. “So I have decided to reward you by allowing you to choose where you would like to go after your death. Many of you already reside in the dimensions of the dead. I offer you, regardless of whether you are living or dead members of the Ice People, the opportunity to live on in the black halls forever.”

      It grew very quiet. Then Nataniel spoke in a strained tone: “We thank you, great Lord, for your generous offer. Please allow us a little time to think about it first, it is a little overwhelming for us now and we can’t quite grasp the scope of it yet.”

      “I understand. But I’m assuming that all of you who are demons led by Lilit and Typhoon will join us?”

      “Of course,” said Typhoon, and all the others agreed. “It has long been our wish and our longing.”

      “Excellent! Rune and Halkatla! You will automatically be included in my group and in my halls.”

      Both of them gasped, as though they were about to say something but didn’t dare. They looked at one another searchingly.

      It was Halkatla who was brave enough to break the silence. It was strange for Tova and the others to see the irreverent and courageous witch fall on her knees in adoration of Lucifer.

      “Honourable Lord ... please don’t misunderstand my hesitation. I remain forever your most grateful subject, but ...”

      “Yes, Halkatla!” he said, as though he found it amusing. “Speak your mind!”

      She looked up, somewhat pitiful in her uneasiness. “I would so much have liked to remain in the world of the living a little while longer. It seems so enticing with all its imperfections. That which is perfect can wait perhaps? Just a little longer?”

      Lucifer scrutinized her. “I don’t believe that you belong with down-to-earth ordinary humans in this century. But, as you wish! You will have a month. Until midsummer night. From then on I want you with me.”

      “That would be an honour for me. But ... forgive me for being so straightforward but ... may Rune also stay here for a month?”

      “That depends on whether or not he wants to.”

      Rune laughed: a friendly, open laugh that showed dazzlingly white teeth. “With my new appearance there is nothing I would like more, my Lord! I have to try it out on humans!”

      “Not on the ladies, thank you very much,” said Halkatla quickly, looping her arm under his with the smile of a tiger.

      “That’s settled, then,” said Lucifer, who seemed to be in high spirits. “As true humans – keep that in mind. After that we’ll be counting on you.”

      “Of