A flash of a smile. "I probably shouldn't tell you this story," Magnus says. "Because Alex is here and can tell it himself, if he wants. But she died in the politest way possible, according to the Norse. She was protecting this guy from magic murder-wolves" -- in fact, probably the same kind that killed Magnus's mom -- "and gave him a weapon to defend himself. He managed to kill one of them after she died. It went over so well in Valhalla. She was definitely the afterlife favorite for a while." He pauses. "So then maybe 'Give your brethren weapons, so that they might kill as many people on the field of battle as they can, so they can also prove their valor.'"