Prologue: the Sword of Frey, which makes its wielder unconquerable, was stolen from its master centuries ago….
At Nornkeep, Balder the Brave is the guest of Karnilla the Norn Queen where he charms the birds that have long avoided her realm. Karnilla is informed that a messenger from Asgard is coming to summon Balder to battle (THOR #360); she has Agnar captured, casts a spell that turns all his words to gibberish and locks him in a dungeon while the memory of his mission slowly fades from his mind. Some days later, a bat trained by Agnar seeks out Balder, who follows it down to the dungeon and frees his friend. Balder then confronts Karnilla in her throne room; the Queen removes the spells from Agnar and Balder now learns that Odin has fallen (THOR #353) and that he has been summoned to join Thor on a quest to Hel. Balder accepts and spends the next several weeks training with Agnar for the mission. When the day of his departure arrives, he and Karnilla bicker and one of her guards (Rattusk) tries to chastise the hero for his disrespect but Balder easily sidesteps then intercedes for the well-meaning demon. Balder leaves and then Karnilla blasts the guard, while quietly wishing for her lover’s safe return.