Welcome to CHAPTER 80 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.

This week we’re back with blind Hodr Odinsson for a very short chapter. We last saw Hodr in Ch 70 as he traveled back to Gladsheim in the company of the smith, Lopt. The smith had given Hodr a magic spear which unexpectedly restored Hodr’s sight…at least to an extent. Lopt is the one whose horse trampled Hodr — and would’ve killed him had Hodr not eaten Yggdrasil’s fruit.

Hodr has returned to Gladsheim to patch things up with his father. Hodr also wants to marry a woman named Alara. Alara d ...