《Goblet of the Gods》 Chapter 1 Boston, Massachusetts March 18th, 1990 12:30 a.m. The footsteps of the young security guard echoed off the walls in the darkness as he directed the beam of his flashlight around the room, illuminating the artwork hanging in their ornate frames. Everything appeared to be as it should be, as it was any other night he walked his beat through the large brown brick building constructed almost a century ago in the style of a 15th century Venetian palace to display the collection of art amassed by the eccentric Isabella Stewart Gardner. However, the young guard could not help but feel off kilter that evening, as if he were being watched. He attempted to shake off the peculiar sensation. The guard startled as the fire alarm suddenly broke the eerie silence, though there were no flames or the faintest scent of smoke. Rushing from the room he quickly checked the others finding nothing amiss. As the alarms continued to blare he swiftly made his way to the security office. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± an equally young second security guard standing behind a desk asked his colleague in a loud voice in order to be heard over the alarm as he entered the office, a magazine featuring photographs of scantily clad women laying open on the desk. ¡°Hell if I know. There''s no fire,¡± the first guard said as he walked over to the control panel, examining it and disengaging the alarm, "That''s strange. It didn''t send out an alert to the fire department. Must be on the fritz, a short or something." ¡°Maybe the place is haunted." ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you believe in that shit. It¡¯s an old building. Old buildings make noises. Can¡¯t have you getting spooked at every sound,¡± the first guard scolded. ¡°Has that ever happened before?¡± the second guard inquired. ¡°First time since I¡¯ve been here.¡± ¡°My luck, something weird happens on my first night,¡± the second guard commented, seating himself at the desk and picking up the magazine. ¡°It¡¯s usually pretty quiet. Every so often a drunk climbs over the wall. That¡¯s about it.¡± ¡°What do I do if that happens?¡± the second guard asked looking up from the magazine. ¡°Hit the call button under the desk for the police. They¡¯ll come toss ¡¯em in the drunk tank. I¡¯m headed back out,¡± the first guard said, exiting the security office. As the guard reached the side door of the museum he stopped, pushing it open, staring out into the chill dark night as he observed a group of drunken St. Patrick¡¯s Day revelers stumbling down the sidewalk, wishing he was one of them, before closing the door and continuing his rounds. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The dark green hatchback sat parked along the curb down the street from the imposing brick building, two mustached men sporting police uniforms inside. The taller of the two sat in the driver¡¯s seat staring out of the windshield at the side door of the museum the guard had just closed. ¡°You¡¯re listening to Sensational Sounds of the 70¡äs on Boston¡¯s home of the best classic rock!¡± an exuberant voice announced through the car¡¯s radio before Elton John¡¯s ¡®Rocket Man¡¯ began to play. ¡°How much longer?¡± the passenger asked the driver. ¡°Not long now.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe I let you talk me into this. When are you going to learn not to make ridiculous wagers with your brother?¡± ¡°You''ve always said you¡¯d like to visit Midgard. What do you think of it?¡± ¡°Very little. It¡¯s loud...crowded...chaotic¡­everything Asgard is not.¡± ¡°Precisely,¡± the man in the driver¡¯s seat said with a satisfied smirk. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re so enamored with it...actually I do. That¡¯s why you do it.¡± ¡°What in the realms are you babbling about, Arvid?¡± ¡°Why you keep making bets that you know you¡¯ll lose.¡± ¡°I¡¯m enjoying myself more than my brother, I assure you. Who would you say is the loser?¡± ¡°Myself, as usual,¡± Arvid replied. ¡°There are others I could have asked to accompany me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m well aware,¡± Arvid said glumly, looking down at his feet, silence falling between the two men. ¡°And I think it¡¯s gonna be a long, long time till touchdown brings me round again to find I¡¯m not the man they think I am at home¡­¡± Elton John¡¯s voice sang through the speakers as the man in the driver¡¯s seat returned to staring out of the windshield. ¡°I thought we¡¯d come to an understanding,¡± the driver said after a moment. ¡°Rocket Man burning out his fuse up here alone¡­¡± Elton John continued singing over the radio, the man in the driver¡¯s seat looking over at the dials before reaching out and turning it off. ¡°No one will be harmed?¡± asked Arvid. ¡°I give you my word.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure that means much.¡± ¡°If you truly think so little of me, why are you here?¡± asked the driver, annoyed. ¡°Despite all that¡¯s passed between us I care for you. I know that matters little to you.¡± ¡°It does matter,¡± the man in the driver¡¯s seat replied in a quiet voice. ¡°Then why do you behave as if it doesn¡¯t?¡± ¡°This is a discussion for another day.¡± ¡°A century from now?¡± Arvid asked, exasperated. ¡°Do you remember what you¡¯re to do?¡± the driver asked, ignoring Arvid¡¯s question. ¡°I believe so,¡± Arvid said, a touch of nervousness in his voice, the man in the driver¡¯s seat taking note of it. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to fear. They¡¯re only mortals,¡± the driver said, turning the key in the ignition, starting the car¡¯s engine. ¡°Loki...¡± ¡°What?¡± Loki said, turning his head as the other man reached out, taking Loki''s head between his hands and pressing his lips to the God of Mischief¡¯s own. Ending the kiss, Arvid stared into Loki¡¯s eyes, his one feature he hadn¡¯t altered. ¡°May fortune favor us,¡± said Arvid. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "Midgardians simply say, ''good luck,''" Loki told him before putting the car in drive and pulling away from the curb. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The two guards had traded positions, the first guard now seated at the desk as the second walked through the rooms of the museum. The first guard, flipping through the pages of the same magazine the second guard had been perusing earlier, sat it aside as a buzzer rang. Looking over at the screen of the closed circuit television system he saw two men in police uniforms standing outside the door. Reaching over, he hit the button of the intercom. ¡°Can I help you?¡± ¡°Police. We¡¯re investigating a report of a disturbance,¡± Loki said authoritatively, altering his voice to speak with an American Bostonian accent. ¡°No one here called you. Everything¡¯s quiet...other than the fire alarms acting wonky earlier,¡± the guard responded through the intercom. ¡°We¡¯ll need to have a look around, just to be certain,¡± Loki said. ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± the guard acquiesced, remotely disengaging the lock of the door, Loki and Arvid in their guises entering and approaching the security desk as the guard stood from his chair. ¡°Are you the only one here?¡± Loki asked. ¡°There¡¯s two of us on duty on the night shift. One of us mans the desk while the other does rounds.¡± ¡°Would you ask him to join us?¡± Loki asked, the guard picking up a walkie talkie from the desk ¡°Hey, Randy...I need you to come back to the office.¡± ¡°What now?¡± the second guard¡¯s voice asked through the walkie. ¡°Not sure. The police are here. Someone called about a disturbance.¡± ¡°Wasn''t me. I¡¯ll be there in a minute.¡± The first guard sat the walkie down, noticing the shorter of the two officers eyeing him suspiciously. ¡°You look familiar. I think we have a warrant for your arrest,¡± Arvid said to the guard, altering his voice as well. ¡°That¡¯s crazy. I''ve never even gotten a speeding ticket. You have me confused with someone else,¡± the guard responded incredulously. ¡°We¡¯ll need to see some ID,¡± Loki told him. ¡°Alright¡­¡± the guard said, reaching for his wallet. ¡°If you could step out from behind the desk¡­¡± Loki said, the guard complying. Before the guard realized what was happening, Arvid swiftly grabbed him, pushing him face first against the wall, wrenching his arms behind his back and cuffing him. Loki moved to stand along the wall beside the door that led into the museum. After a moment it opened, the second guard entering, Loki grabbing him and quickly subduing him in the same manner before magically producing a roll of duct tape in his hand. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The two guards sat handcuffed in the basement of the museum, one to a steam pipe, the other to a workbench, duct tape wrapped around their heads covering their mouths and eyes. Loki held their wallets in his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t try anything funny and no harm will come to you. We know where you live. If you keep your mouths shut you¡¯ll receive a reward in a year,¡± Loki said, tossing the wallets onto the floor in front of each of their owners before turning and ascending the stairs, Arvid following. ¡°Reward? What reward? You didn¡¯t say anything about-¡± Arvid asked. ¡°Shut up!¡± hissed Loki. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki and Arvid entered a room of the museum holding the flashlights they¡¯d taken from the guards, shining them around, examining the contents. ¡°What now?¡± Arvid asked. Loki conjured a dagger in his free hand, holding it out to the other Asgardian who took it from him. ¡°Choose a few, whatever strikes your fancy,¡± Loki instructed him. Loki, moving the flashlight to his other hand, produced another dagger before exiting the room. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Arvid waited outside the security office door, rolled canvases in his arms, as Loki approached him, canvases in his own. ¡°I told you it would be all too easy,¡± said Loki. ¡°What about them?¡± Arvid asked, referring to the guards subdued in the basement, ¡°You said no one would be harmed. I want to be sure they¡¯re alright before we go,¡± said Arvid, Loki sighing as he rolled his eyes. ¡°If you insist. Wait for me in there,¡± Loki replied transferring the canvases in his arms into Arvid¡¯s. As Loki made his way past a room neither Asgardian had entered, he stopped, turning and shining his flashlight around, resting the beam on one particular painting of a mustached man in a black Victorian era suit and top hat seated at a table, a glass of beer in front of him. Loki extended his free hand, the framed painting flying across the room into his grip. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki entered the security office where his companion awaited him, holding up the framed painting. ¡°Who does this remind you of?¡± Loki asked with a grin. ¡°Fandral?¡± ¡°I believe I¡¯ll gift it to him, not that he deserves it. What he deserves is a flogging for his insolence,¡± Loki said, proceeding to cut the painting from its frame. As Loki laid the painting on the desk to roll it up he caught sight of the open magazine with its photographs of women in lingerie in suggestive poses. Picking it up he turned to Arvid. ¡°Ah, now this is art,¡± Loki said with a grin, holding it up as Arvid rolled his eyes, ¡°You don¡¯t agree?¡± ¡°You know I don¡¯t,¡± Arvid replied cantankerously. ¡°As I always say, variety is the spice of life,¡± Loki replied, rolling the magazine up with the painting, adding it to the collection gathered in Arvid¡¯s arms. ¡°How are they?¡± the other Asgardian asked, gesturing with his head towards the door into the museum. ¡°Our friends are quite comfortable, they assured me. They¡¯ll be discovered and released come morning. I believe we¡¯re finished here,¡± Loki said, making his way to the door, Arvid following, arms full of rolled canvas. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki pulled the car off to the side of the road, forest on either side, shutting off the engine and headlights, looking around for a sign of mortals¡¯ presence. Seeing none, he opened the driver¡¯s side door, Arvid exiting from the passenger side. A green glow enveloped both men, the police officer guises replaced with their actual forms, Arvid revealed to be a younger man with a lean physique sporting a head of wavy auburn hair. Loki walked a few yards down the road away from the car, Arvid following still carrying the canvases in his arms. ¡°You may summon Heimdall to send the Bifrost from here,¡± Loki said. ¡°You¡¯re not returning?¡± ¡°I have other business to attend to.¡± ¡°What do I do with these?¡± ¡°Present them to my brother as proof I fulfilled my end of the bargain. The one that resembles Fandral you can leave in my chambers. Do what you wish with the others. Hang them as souvenirs of your great adventure to Midgard.¡± ¡°I took something...for you,¡± Loki¡¯s companion said, setting the canvases down on the road and reaching into his tunic pocket, removing an eagle shaped finial, approaching Loki and holding it out to him, ¡°It was attached to a flag that belonged to Napoleon¡¯s army. I remembered you mentioned him once in one of your stories.¡± ¡°He was one of the few interesting and intelligent mortals I¡¯ve met during my sojourns,¡± Loki said, taking the finial and examining it, ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°I thought maybe...maybe we could meet... for a drink when you return...to celebrate our success.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Loki said absently, still focused on the finial. Loki¡¯s companion gathered the canvases in his arms once again, walking a few yards further down the road before turning to face Loki. ¡°Until then¡­¡± ¡°Until then,¡± Loki repeated, the finial disappearing from his hand as he looked up at the departing Asgardian. ¡°Heimdall, bring me home!¡± Arvid called out, a moment later the bright light of the Bifrost descending over him and just as swiftly ascending, leaving Loki standing alone on the road in the darkness. Loki turned, walking back to the car, starting the engine, driving over the markings the Bifrost had left in the road. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki, having disguised his Asgardian clothing to appear as a black button down shirt and slacks, approached the door to the tavern, the neon lights in the window off though he could still see light within and hear the muffled sound of music. After using his magic to disengage the lock, he stepped inside. The interior of the tavern was decorated for St. Patrick¡¯s day with green shamrocks, crepe paper, and banners. A woman with honey blond hair braided down her back sat on a stool behind the bar, an almost empty drink in a tumbler in front of her. She looked up as Loki entered, the door closing behind him, the lock reengaging, the Pretenders song ¡®Brass In Pocket¡¯ playing through the speakers on the wall. ¡°How did it go? I was starting to worry.¡± ¡°Everything went precisely as planned,¡± Loki replied. ¡°Would you like a drink?¡± asked the woman. ¡°I would, actually.¡± The woman poured beer into a mug from the tap and sat it on the bar as Loki seated himself on a stool across from her. ¡°Thank you,¡± Loki said, taking a drink, a silence falling over the two. ¡°Cause I¡¯m gonna make you see, there¡¯s nobody else here, no one like me. I¡¯m special, so special. I gotta have some of your attention, give it to me¡­¡± Chrissie Hynde¡¯s voice sang confidently. ¡°I¡¯ve heard this one before,¡± said Loki, breaking the silence. ¡°It¡¯s a favorite of mine. It reminds me of someone,¡± the woman replied. ¡°Who would that be?¡± asked Loki, though from his tone it was clear he already knew the answer. ¡°Someone I knew a long time ago. I thought I knew him,¡± the woman said before finishing her drink, setting the empty glass on the bar. ¡°I never intended-¡± Loki began. ¡°No, you never do, do you?¡± ¡°Boda-¡± ¡°That isn¡¯t my name, not anymore.¡± ¡°Anne¡­¡± Loki said, taking another drink from his mug, now almost empty. ¡°Can I get you another? I thought I¡¯d ask before you smash it, seeing as I already cleaned up for the night.¡± ¡°If you wouldn¡¯t mind.¡± The woman took Loki¡¯s mug, refilling it and setting it in front of him. ¡°You have it?¡± Boda asked. Loki took a drink from his freshly filled mug before setting it down and holding out his hand, a brass Gu, an ancient drinking vessel somewhat similar to a martini glass, appearing in his grip before he sat it on the bar. ¡°I suppose you¡¯ll be returning home. Can I give you a ride somewhere?¡± asked Boda. ¡°Are you in a rush to be rid of me?¡± Loki replied. ¡°No, but I should be.¡± Chapter 2 Loki and Boda stepped out of the tavern, Boda with a canvas tote slung over her shoulder, locking the door behind them. She turned from the door to join Loki who had stepped to the curb, the green hatchback parked across the street. ¡°As promised, not a scratch,¡± Loki said before extending his hand, a key appearing in his palm, as Boda searched with her eyes up and down the street. ¡°Where is it?¡± Boda asked. ¡°Where¡¯s what?¡± Loki responded, confused. ¡°My car.¡± ¡°It¡¯s right there,¡± Loki said, pointing across the street at the vehicle. ¡°That¡¯s not my car.¡± ¡°Oh...¡± Loki said, glancing around for signs of anyone in the vicinity before the green car¡¯s paint job transformed to a dull red, the letters and numbers of the license plate altering as well. Boda took the key from Loki, crossing the street to the vehicle. ¡°I would advise having it properly aligned, it drifts somewhat to the right. I found the brakes to be a bit soft as well,¡± Loki informed her as he walked briskly to catch up with her, passing her as he reached the driver¡¯s side door. ¡°Since when did you become a mechanic? I¡¯m lucky to be able to put fuel in the tank. I¡¯m barely keeping my head above water keeping this place going,¡± Boda replied as Loki opened the car door for her, closing it as she sat in the driver¡¯s seat, he walking around the front of the vehicle to the passenger side and entering. ¡°Is that the reason¡­?¡± Loki said, pointing at the tote that sat in Boda¡¯s lap into which she had placed the gu, ¡°You plan to sell it? You have a buyer?¡± ¡°In a manner of speaking.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re in need of funds-¡± ¡°You gave me the money for this place. You must have robbed a bank,¡± Boda said, fastening her seatbelt, Loki following suit, before putting her key into the ignition and starting the car, pulling away from the curb. ¡°Actually, a very nice mortal woman gave it to me some time ago.¡± ¡°Gave it to you? You mean you scammed an old lady out of her money?¡± Boda asked, incredulous. ¡°She was a rather young woman, at the time anyway, a stewardess by profession. It was given to her and she gave it to me,¡± Loki replied. ¡°So you bilked some na?ve girl out of her inheritance, money that you didn¡¯t need, so that she¡¯d be stuck doling out peanuts and drinks for the rest of her days?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was hers, only that she gave it to me.¡± ¡°You lost me. Never mind. I don¡¯t want to know,¡± Boda responded to Loki¡¯s attempt at clarification that served only to further muddy the waters. ¡°There¡¯s plenty more where that came from.¡± ¡°No, thank you. I¡¯ll fend for myself,¡± Boda responded to Loki''s offer. ¡°As you wish, though It would be far simpler to accept it from me than to attempt to sell stolen goods.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not selling it. I¡¯m...exchanging it for something,¡± explained Boda. ¡°For what?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Boda replied, going silent. Loki turned his head to observe the tenseness in her arms as she gripped the steering wheel, staring intently through the windshield at the road. ¡°Are you in some sort of trouble?¡± Loki asked. ¡°No,¡± Boda replied tersely, Loki tentatively reaching out his left hand, placing it on her thigh. ¡°You can tell me,¡± Loki attempted to assure her, Boda reaching down with one hand, keeping the other on the wheel, moving Loki¡¯s hand from her leg, placing it on his own. ¡°No, I can¡¯t. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°You should thank me.¡± ¡°Thank you? For what exactly?¡± Boda asked incredulously. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for my intercession, my father would have rendered you mortal as well. I would now be speaking to a woman on the cusp of old age.¡± ¡°Maybe that would have been better. I could have lived a normal life...at least normal for a mortal.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve done all I could to make things easier for you,¡± said Loki. ¡°You still don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± ¡°Get what?¡± ¡°Why I did it. Do you remember...the day I came upon you in your chambers...you had forgotten you¡¯d invited me...I knew there were others, I always knew, you made no secret of it.¡± ¡°No promises were made or broken. You were free to do the same. I would have thought no less of you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the point. I had no interest in others. I believed if I guaranteed you your throne neither would you,¡± Boda explained. ¡°You expect me to believe with The Eye in your possession that you wouldn¡¯t have used it to ensure the same?¡± Loki asked skeptically. ¡°I would have known it wasn¡¯t your will. It would have meant nothing, I never understood why you would betray me when it was you who would have benefited most. Now I know. You didn¡¯t trust me. You were afraid I would enslave you. Forget it, believe what you wish. It doesn¡¯t matter now anyway,¡± Boda said in an irritated tone. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°I betrayed you to save your life!¡± Loki exclaimed in anger and frustration, Boda wincing, as silence descended over the two for a moment before Loki continued in a far calmer voice, ¡°My father hasn¡¯t executed anyone since before my birth. A few have committed even more serious crimes so I was certain you would be either sentenced to life in the dungeon or exiled. Either way you would be alive. My father has a mechanism in addition to the einherjar guarding the vault. The moment my father sensed the presence of an intruder he would have commanded it to destroy you. Only a few have knowledge of it. We are under oath not to divulge its existence to anyone. Were I to have broken that oath to warn you and my father had learned of it there would be no chance I¡¯d ever sit on Asgard¡¯s throne. Why do you think I¡¯ve never attempted such a scheme? You honestly believe I¡¯m incapable of slipping past a few dimwitted einherjar?¡± Boda was shocked into silence by Loki¡¯s confession. Pulling the car off the road into a parking lot, turning into the first open spot she came upon and shutting off the engine, burying her face in her hands as she began to sob. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m so sorry. It must have been horrible for you. Why didn¡¯t you tell me before?¡± ¡°I thought it would be better, easier for you, if you blamed me. Everyone blames me for everything anyway, what would it matter?¡± Loki replied. Loki turned his head to gaze at Boda, reaching out and placing a hand on her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Loki said, attempting to comfort the distressed Asgardian woman. ¡°It¡¯s not alright! Nothing will ever be alright!¡± Boda exclaimed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry...I¡¯m not...I¡¯ve never been very good at-¡± Loki stammered. ¡°No, you never were¡­¡± Boda said through her tears before unfastening her seatbelt and tossing the tote into the back seat, throwing herself at Loki, burying her face in his shoulder, weeping, ¡°Your friend¡­¡± Boda said as her sobbing subsided. ¡°Arvid?¡± ¡°He''s in love with you. It was obvious. If he¡¯s unable to accept that you wish to be with others you must break with him or he¡¯ll destroy himself as I did. Tell him the truth about me, what you can tell him, what really happened. It may be easier for him.¡± ¡°Do you feel better now?¡± Loki asked as Boda¡¯s sobs calmed to sniffles. ¡°Yes...no...somewhat,¡± Boda said indecisively, her head resting on Loki¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Perhaps I should drive,¡± Loki offered. ¡°Maybe you should,¡± Boda said, lifting her head from Loki¡¯s shoulder and wiping her eyes with her hand. ¡°Boda...Anne¡­¡± ¡°Boda...that¡¯s my name¡­¡± ¡°Boda...look at me,¡± Loki said, taking Boda¡¯s head between his hands, Boda gazing with shame filled eyes into his. Loki battled within himself before finally giving in, unable to resist moving his lips to hers, kissing her. ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange how we always end up this way?¡± Boda asked softly. ¡°Strange? I would say it¡¯s rather familiar, actually,¡± Loki responded. ¡°I suppose we should switch.¡± ¡°Switch?¡± said Loki, perplexed. ¡°Seats. I thought you were going to drive.¡± ¡°Oh...yes,¡± Loki replied, turning and reaching for the door handle. Loki exited the passenger side of the car, Boda the driver¡¯s side, the two passing each other as they walked to the opposite side of the car, getting in and closing the doors. Loki turned the key in the ignition, restarting the engine, preparing to put the car into reverse to back out of the parking spot. ¡°It just occurred to me, I have no idea where I¡¯m going,¡± Loki confessed. ¡°When have you ever?¡± Boda said with a teasing grin. ¡°The last time I visited, you were living in the room above the tavern,¡± Loki said. ¡°That was six years ago. It felt like I never left work. I needed more room. Make a left out of the lot¡­three blocks up make a right¡­¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX It was almost noon by the time Loki awoke, disoriented for a moment as he found himself in a strange bed in a small bedroom of what was obviously a run down apartment, water stains on the ceiling tiles, a few missing, a woman¡¯s arms wrapped around him, his around her, both sans clothing of any sort. Carefully extracting himself from Boda¡¯s embrace, he rose from the bed, retrieving his clothing from the floor beside it and dressing, quietly crossing the few feet to the door and opening it, slipping out. Loki entered the small outdated kitchen, glancing around and opening the cupboards to find little in them. Finally opening the one nearest the fridge he discovered a few boxes of cereal, choosing one before searching in more cabinets for bowls. Locating them, he removed one and proceeded to open drawers looking for a spoon, finally finding one of those most useful of utensils as well. Placing the bowl on the counter and filling it almost full of the brightly colored cereal rings, Loki ate a spoonful, realizing something was missing. ¡°Oh! Right,¡± Loki said to himself, turning to the small refrigerator. Secured to it with a magnet was a piece of white paper, a child¡¯s stick figure drawing of a yellow haired woman standing under a rainbow, a smiling sun in the upper right corner. Loki examined it curiously for a moment before opening the door, perusing the contents and removing a carton of milk. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda exited the bedroom after donning a robe, having awakened at the muffled sound of the television through the door. Entering the sitting room from the short hallway, she found Loki sitting on the couch, a bowl of cereal in his lap, watching television, chuckling childlike at the antics of the cartoon cat and mouse on the screen. Turning, Boda entered the kitchen that opened into the sitting room, taking a bowl from the cabinet and placing it on the counter, lifting the box of cereal Loki had left setting there to find it empty. Spying the milk carton next to it, she lifted it to find it empty as well. Sighing, she tossed them both into the trash can and exited into the sitting room to stand beside the couch. ¡°You¡¯re not watching the news channel? I''m sure your big heist is the talk of the town, probably the country.¡± ¡°I was there,¡± Loki replied, taking another bite of cereal. ¡°You¡¯ve always enjoyed watching everyone run around like chickens with their heads cut off, especially when you¡¯re the reason for it.¡± ¡°I suppose it may have some entertainment value to hear what asinine theories they¡¯ve concocted,¡± Loki acquiesced, reaching beside him for the remote. Not finding it where he¡¯d left it, he turned his attention from the television to look for it, reaching in between the cushions. Grasping something small and metallic he found himself gripping a miniature toy vehicle. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Loki asked. ¡°Oh,¡± Boda said, reaching over Loki, taking it from him, ¡°I was babysitting for a neighbor last week. Anything to make a few extra bucks. He must have left it here.¡± ¡°Was he the artist as well?¡± Loki inquired. ¡°Artist?¡± ¡°The masterpiece adorning your refrigerator. Is it meant to be a representation of yourself? He omitted a pair of rather important attributes,¡± Loki commented with a smirk. ¡°He¡¯s five,¡± Boda responded, ¡°You need to return home, don¡¯t you? Your father will be asking after you, your mother. Where did you take your friend? Franklin Park?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been away for days at a time in Midgard. No one¡¯s fretted over my absence. Of course, if you find my presence tedious¡­¡± ¡°No...I have some business to attend to later this afternoon. I didn¡¯t want to be rude leaving you here alone and bored.¡± ¡°Me? Bored in Midgard? Speaking of business, this exchange you spoke of... ¡± Loki asked, finishing the last of the cereal in his bowl, raising it to his lips and drinking the milk. ¡°Actually, that¡¯s the business I was referring to.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll accompany you. In my experience, such dealings can be precarious.¡± ¡°I can take care of myself. I was told to come alone.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re quite capable. However, seeing as I was the one that procured the object being exchanged, I intend to insure the deal is completed to the satisfaction of all parties involved. They¡¯ll never even know I¡¯m there...unless I¡¯m given a reason to make my presence known,¡± said Loki, lifting the bowl to his lips and drinking the remaining milk as Boda stood contemplating for a moment before responding. ¡°Maybe you should...I¡¯ll take that,¡± Boda said, stepping over and taking the empty bowl and spoon from Loki, ¡°I¡¯m going to take a shower.¡± ¡°What time is this exchange set to take place?¡± Loki asked. ¡°Three this afternoon.¡± ¡°What time is it now?¡± inquired Loki, Boda glancing at the clock behind her on the kitchen wall. ¡°Just past noon.¡± ¡°I need to tidy up myself,¡± Loki said, standing from the couch to stand before Boda, ¡°Perhaps in the interest of time¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s only across town. It shouldn¡¯t take more than thirty minutes to get there.¡± ¡°Is it not true that water must be paid for in Midgard?¡± Loki asked, a glimmer in his eye that Boda recognized. ¡°Yes¡­¡± ¡°And that you are not, as mortals say, ¡®made of money¡¯?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m certainly not.¡± ¡°Then perhaps it would be wise to conserve it.¡± Chapter 3 Boda stood wrapped in a towel, her hair damp, before the fogged mirror on the wall over the vanity with a chip in its worn formica top in the slightly larger than closet sized bathroom. Plugging in the hair dryer that sat upon it, she reached out to wipe the mirror with her hand, drawing it back as a green glow quickly progressed from the top to the bottom of the mirror, clearing it. ¡°Thanks-¡± Boda said, turning her head to witness the same green glow descend over Loki who stood to her right, a towel around his waist, rendering his hair and body completely dry. ¡°I could do the same for you,¡± Loki offered. ¡°I¡¯ll do it the old fashioned way. I¡¯m used to it now,¡± Boda replied. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Loki responded, shuffling in the tight space to stand half behind Boda, appearing over her right shoulder in the mirror, smoothing his hair behind his ears, ¡°I¡¯ve been considering growing it out a bit further. What do you think?¡± ¡°I think it would look nice. I always wondered how you ended up with dark hair when your mother¡¯s and father¡¯s is fair.¡± ¡°I broached that subject with my mother as a child. She said her grandfather had dark hair as well.¡± ¡°I always wished I had dark hair. It¡¯s fairly unique in Asgard. I just blended into the crowd. I never understood what you saw in me.¡± ¡°Many things¡­¡± said Loki, placing a hand on Boda¡¯s shoulder as she stared at her reflection. ¡°However many they weren¡¯t enough,¡± Boda said, picking up a paddle brush from the vanity and running it through her wet locks. Loki took the brush from Boda¡¯s hand, returning it to the vanity before gripping her shoulders, turning her to face him. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a matter of finding you lacking.¡± ¡°Then what was it?¡± asked Boda. ¡°I¡¯m never satisfied...with anything. It¡¯s who I am,¡± Loki explained. ¡°Why then do you believe you would find satisfaction in a throne?¡± ¡°I was born to be a king. Once I¡¯ve fulfilled that destiny, perhaps I¡¯ll find it simpler to find satisfaction in other things.¡± ¡°If you become king--¡± Boda began. ¡°When,¡± Loki interjected. ¡°When...will you bring me home? I don¡¯t care about getting my magic back. I¡¯ve survived just fine without it. I¡¯ll...I¡¯ll build a little cottage somewhere away from everyone, I¡¯ll become a hermit, I practically am anyway...I won¡¯t trouble you, I swear it...I just want to see it again. I...I don¡¯t want to die here,¡± Boda said, her voice breaking. ¡°I give you my word,¡± Loki replied reassuringly, ¡°After all, half of being a king is looking the part. I¡¯ll need someone to polish my helmet.¡± Boda stared at Loki for a moment before bursting into a fit of giggles. ¡°What¡¯s so funny? The armourers are useless. I used to bring it to you. You always did a fine job,¡± said Loki, seemingly oblivious to the double entendre. ¡°I need to get ready. So do you. Get dressed. Out! Out!¡± Boda said, laughing, reaching around him in the small space and opening the door, placing both hands on his chest and pushing him through it into the hallway and closing it. Loki stood with the towel around his waist in front of the door, staring at it in silence for a moment before a wide grin spread over his face. As he heard the whine of the hair dryer commence, he turned and took a step across the hallway to Boda¡¯s bedroom, opening the door and entering. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki exited the bedroom fully dressed, the bathroom door still shut, the sound of the hair dryer continuing. A few feet farther down the hallway he spied another door of which he had previously taken no notice. He stepped over to it, gripping the doorknob, beginning to turn it. The sound of the hairdryer ceased, the bathroom door opening, Boda exiting into the hallway wrapped in the towel, her long, straight honey hued hair dry, light from the fixture above glinting off the clean strands. ¡°What are you doing?¡± asked Boda as she noticed Loki. ¡°What¡¯s in here?¡± Loki asked. ¡°It¡¯s just a guest room.¡± ¡°Do you often have guests?¡± ¡°No...I use it for storage and to paint...though I haven¡¯t had much time to do that. There¡¯s nothing to see--¡± Boda explained as Loki turned the knob, opening it. Inside the room was a small twin bed, the mattress stripped of bedding, a lamp setting on a nightstand. An old, clearly second hand dresser was placed against the far wall. Boxes were stacked along the opposite wall. A few canvases with painted scenes, obviously of Asgard, leaned against another wall. An easel and stool sat in the middle of the room, a painter¡¯s palette and a caddy of paints and brushes setting on a small table beside it. On the easel was a painted portrait in profile of a man Loki easily recognized, himself, sporting the helmet he had previously mentioned. Loki entered the room, crossing to the easel, standing before it, examining the artwork. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°As I told you,¡± Boda said, pausing for a moment, ¡°What did you think you were going to find?¡± Boda asked. ¡°The rotting corpses of your enemies perhaps,¡± Loki quipped. ¡°I rent a storage shed for those,¡± Boda retorted. ¡°You painted this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not finished yet.¡± ¡°You never painted in Asgard.¡± ¡°They were offering free classes at the community center a few years ago. I needed a hobby. Something to occupy my time. I should have chosen a cheaper one. The paints are expensive.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a true likeness. Well done,¡± Loki complimented Boda. ¡°Thank you.¡± Loki¡¯s expression changed from astonishment to a grin as he turned from the portrait to face Boda. ¡°Perhaps you could do another in the future...for my coronation.¡± ¡°There are far better artists in Asgard. I need to get dressed,¡± Boda said, backing out of the room, Loki turning back to the portrait as he heard the door to her bedroom close. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed something grey and furry sticking out from under the bed. Crossing to the bed he retrieved a small stuffed wolf. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda, dressed in a long sleeved blouse and jeans, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, drove down the street, Loki in the passenger seat appearing to be deep in thought. As she prepared to turn onto the ramp en route to their destination, she reached over, turning on the radio. ¡°Somebody, ooh somebody, can anybody find me somebody to love?¡± Freddie Mercury crooned. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Loki asked. ¡°I thought we could listen to some music,¡± Boda said, glancing over at Loki, ¡°You don''t seem to be in the mood to talk. Is something wrong?¡± ¡°Not at all, other than the fact you¡¯re to meet up with a criminal in the business of trafficking stolen goods.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a criminal too...in case you¡¯ve forgotten,¡± Boda replied. ¡°What do you know of this person? Who is he...or she as the case may be?¡± ¡°His name¡¯s Dario Agger. He¡¯s originally from Greece. He¡¯s a businessman, a very rich businessman, the CEO of Roxxon Energy.¡± ¡°How did you make the acquaintance of someone of his stature?¡± Loki inquired. ¡°He was at a conference. He decided to go for a drink afterwards and stumbled upon my place.¡± ¡°Someone of his status stopped for a drink at your tavern?¡± ¡°My booze is just as good as anyone else¡¯s. Actually he said he prefers to search out smaller bars, out of the way places when he visits a city instead of the swanky high class joints. He said he feels more comfortable, like just an everyday normal guy. He¡¯s not the first I¡¯ve heard that from. I¡¯ve had a few other upper class customers tell me similar things. They like to get a feel for what the city and the people are really like, not the image in the tourist brochures.¡± ¡°Sensible. So what is it he¡¯s offered you in exchange?¡± ¡°Something I once thought there was no chance I¡¯d ever have.¡± ¡°Can anybody find me somebody to love?¡± Mercury pleaded once again through the stereo. Loki reached over, turning off the music, Boda glancing at him before returning her attention to the road. ¡°Why did you do that?¡± ¡°Do they play anything other than morons mewling about being alone? It¡¯s pathetic.¡± ¡°I like that song.¡± ¡°Does it remind you of someone as well?¡± Loki asked in a disgruntled tone. ¡°It does, actually...a moron I know who used to mewl about being alone, who likely still does, which I could never understand because he wasn¡¯t,¡± Boda said, Loki rolling his eyes with a vocalization of exasperation in response. ¡°Enough. Spare me. As I said I''m-¡± ¡°Not a man who''s easily satisfied. I¡¯d heard that little speech before. I don¡¯t doubt that¡¯s true, but that isn¡¯t the whole story.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not ready to settle into my dotage.¡± ¡°You equate love with being old?¡± ¡°I consider it a life sentence in a cell in the dungeon. It may be a very nice cell, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact it¡¯s a cell,¡± Loki responded. ¡°And what will you do when you wake up one day and realize you¡¯re ready but you really are alone because you¡¯ve pushed everyone away?¡± ¡°If I had been anyone else...a fisherman, a mason...can you honestly say you would have had the slightest interest?¡± ¡°It would have been easier. Do you have any idea what it was like for me to feel as if I had to meet this impossible standard to be worthy of you, a prince of Asgard? I spent nearly every waking moment trying to think of new ways to impress you, hoping against hope each time that maybe this time it would be enough.¡± Loki was silent for a moment before slowly moving his hand to rest on Boda¡¯s thigh, Boda taking no action to remove it. ¡°I do...I understand quite well, actually.¡± Boda, processing Loki¡¯s words, was silent for a moment. ¡°I suppose you do.¡± ¡°Well... this has been quite a rousing discussion, but perhaps it¡¯s time to begin paying attention to the black Cadillac that¡¯s been tailing us since shortly after we left your little hovel.¡± ¡°What?¡± Boda asked in shock, turning her head to look over her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t look! That¡¯s what you have a mirror for!¡± Loki hissed. ¡°They¡¯ll know I¡¯m not alone!¡± ¡°If he wants what you have badly enough it won¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand! This deal has to happen! It has to!¡± ¡°Take the next exit,¡± Loki instructed Boda. Boda changed lanes and complied, the black car following suit. ¡°They¡¯re definitely following us,¡± Boda said. ¡°That hotel...¡± Loki said, pointing ahead. "I''m sure they would wait longer than two minutes," Boda teased, glancing over at Loki with a smirk. "The water was quite chilly by the time we vacated the shower," Loki retorted. "My water heater''s the size of a milk carton," Boda replied. "Odin''s beard," Loki said under his breath as he rolled his eyes, exasperated. Upon reaching the drive, Boda pulled in, slowing and stopping in front of the entrance. Loki waited for a moment until the man wheeling a suitcase by the car had entered. The black Cadillac pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant across the street, parking in an empty space facing the hotel. The two men in dark suits within watched as a dark haired man in a black button down shirt and trousers exited the red car they were observing and walked to the rear of the vehicle, opening the hatch and retrieving a suitcase. Closing the hatch he wheeled the suitcase to the door of the hotel, entering. The red car drove around to the exit, pulling back out onto the busy street. Boda looked over at the seemingly empty passenger seat. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m talking to myself.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk. Drive. Turn on your music. I suppose I can stomach listening to the wailing of simpering fools for a short while.¡± Boda reached over, turning the radio on once again, a chorus of voices filling the car. ¡°If you¡¯re all alone when the pretty birds have flown, honey I¡¯m still free, take a chance on me, gonna do my very best and it ain¡¯t no lie, if you put me to the test, if you let me try...¡± ¡°How¡¯s this?¡± Boda asked. ¡°Pitifully entreating but I¡¯ll survive." Chapter 4 ¡°Park near the elevator,¡± Boda heard Loki advise as she pulled her vehicle into the parking garage of a high rise office building, driving up a couple of levels before locating an empty spot near the garage¡¯s elevator, ¡°You¡¯re wearing it?¡± he asked as she parked. Boda moved the sleeve of her blouse up a few inches to reveal a bracelet on her wrist made from what looked like rose quartz stones which Loki had placed a spell on and smuggled to her during her stint in the dungeon before her exile to allow communication between them. ¡°I doubt there will be any trouble,¡± said Boda, ¡°It¡¯s a simple trade.¡± ¡°Do you remember nothing I taught you?¡± Loki scolded, ¡°Always expect the unexpected. I¡¯ve been reminded of that myself recently¡­what¡¯s his name?¡± ¡°I told you...Dario-¡± ¡°I see no point in continuing this pantomime. If all goes as planned I¡¯ll be meeting him soon enough...the child.¡± Loki told her, Boda staring silently at the steering wheel before answering. ¡°Vanargand, after my father¨C¡± ¡°Is this Dario his father?¡± Loki interrupted. ¡°No¡­you didn¡¯t let me finish. Vanar for short. Vanar Lokison.¡± ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡± Loki asked after another moment of silence. ¡°Of course I¡¯m certain! I gave birth to him in the room above the tavern.¡± ¡°Alone?¡± Loki asked in disbelief. ¡°Animals give birth to their young unattended.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not an animal.¡± ¡°Your father treated me like one. What choice did I have? I couldn¡¯t go to a mortal hospital. When it comes to childbirth, mortal and Asgardian physiology is the same, we just recover far quicker, have fewer complications. I checked out books from the library.¡± ¡°You¡¯re attempting to raise an Asgardian child here? In Midgard? It¡¯s madness!¡± ¡°You showed up out of the blue after four years. I wasn¡¯t even thinking about it. It''s not as if I''d had a reason to. Why did you decide to visit that night? Were you that desperate?¡± ¡°I¡¯m never desperate. I was here on other business. It was a spur of the moment decision.¡± ¡°You decided to mix business with pleasure,¡± Verda said bitterly. ¡°It had been some time since you¡¯d last contacted me. What passed between us was not unwelcome but it wasn¡¯t the impetus for my visit...I wanted to know you were ok,¡± Loki explained. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I never know what to think when it comes to you.¡± ¡°I suppose that¡¯s part of my charm,¡± replied Loki. ¡°I suspect it¡¯s a tactic designed to keep everyone off balance. What kind of a trickster would you be if everyone knew what to expect from you? Unfortunately, it doesn¡¯t work very well when it comes to relationships.¡± ¡°Does he know what he is?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t told him about Asgard yet. He knows he¡¯s different. He can¡¯t play with other children, he¡¯s too strong, he could hurt them by accident. I can¡¯t hire anyone to watch him, even if I had the money. I made the room above the tavern into a space for him while I''m working.¡± ¡°Surely he¡¯s asked about his father. What did you tell him about me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s funny, he noticed the same thing you did, that his hair is dark while mine¡¯s fair. I told him I loved you very much but you weren¡¯t able to return that love, that you live somewhere far away and you went home,¡± Boda explained. ¡°So my son believes I¡¯m a lout that abandoned him. Lovely.¡± ¡°What did I tell him that isn¡¯t true?¡± ¡°You didn''t think I deserved to know I have a son? Did you not think he deserved to know his father?!¡± Loki railed. ¡°If he were to know his father, he would lose his mother. I knew if you or your father learned of him he would be taken from me. As I hoped, it seems your spell to obfuscate me from Heimdall has done the same for him by extension. I was a wreck those first weeks, expecting someone to come and take him at any moment. I was upset that you left without saying goodbye but that wasn¡¯t why I told you I didn¡¯t want to see you again. When I woke today to find you gone, for a moment I thought you¡¯d done the same¡­It would have been better if you had,¡± Boda ended dolefully. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°How did he end up in the custody of this Dario?¡± Loki asked. ¡°After his first visit he returned to the tavern a few more times over the next couple of months. A week ago when we returned home he was waiting was waiting for us in my apartment. He knows what we are, about Asgard, I don¡¯t mean the silly mortal stories.¡± ¡°How?¡± asked Loki in astonishment. ¡°I have no idea. He took him. He said he would return him in exchange for the gu.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a mortal. You couldn¡¯t stop him?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what he is.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± asked Loki, puzzled. ¡°He appears mortal, he said he was born in Greece¡­¡± ¡°And Vanar, a prince of Asgard, was born in Boston¡­in a tavern,¡± Loki interjected. ¡°He has the ability to alter his form. It¡¯s not an illusion. I tried to stop him but he changed into a monster....like a bull. He was too strong. Without my magic I wasn¡¯t sure I could obtain what he wanted. I wouldn¡¯t have asked for your help but I didn¡¯t have a choice¡­as I have no choice but to lose Vanar again when you return with him to Asgard,¡± Boda said, hanging her head, her shoulders slumping, fighting back tears. Boda felt Loki¡¯s hand come to rest on her leg. ¡°As I promised you, when I become king-¡± ¡°If...It¡¯s time. We should go.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Two men in black suits approached as Boda, the canvas tote over her shoulder, stepped out of the elevator into the sprawling lobby of the office building. Without exchanging a word with her they moved to either side of her, each taking hold of one of her arms, leading her across the lobby to another elevator. One of the men released Boda, moving to stand before a panel to the side of the elevator, placing his hand on it. The door of the elevator opened, both men taking hold of an arm again, leading her inside, the doors closing behind them. ¡°That was a rather rude greeting from the goon squad,¡± Boda heard Loki¡¯s voice say within her mind. ¡°I think they¡¯re the strong, silent type,¡± Boda replied with her own thoughts. ¡°I¡¯m the strong, silent type.¡± ¡°You¡­the silent type? Since when?¡± Boda chuckled in her head, ¡°You even talk in your sleep...I never would have guessed you had such a soft spot for Fandral.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be absurd. The very thought...¡± Loki said in disgust. The doors of the elevator slid open once again, the ¡®goons¡¯ as Loki had labeled them, once again leading Boda out of the elevator and down a carpeted hallway lit with art deco style wall sconces. Stopping at a door, one of the suited men rang a buzzer. ¡°Enter,¡± a man¡¯s voice responded. The suited men released their grip on Boda, the man to Boda¡¯s right opening the door, gesturing for her to enter. The two followed as she stepped inside to view a well groomed man with short cropped dark hair in a steel grey designer suit and tie, the tie accented with a gold tie pin in the shape of a bull, standing at a marble topped minibar pouring a glass of wine. ¡°Your presence is not necessary. Leave us,¡± Dario commanded the ¡®goons.¡¯ Turning, they exited the room, closing the door behind them. ¡°Anne! Welcome. Would you care for a glass of wine?¡± Dario said with a touch of a lingering Greek accent. ¡°No, thank you. ¡± ¡°I insist. It¡¯s a new vintage. As a connoisseur of spirits, I¡¯d be interested to know what you think of it,¡± Dario said in an overly ingratiating tone. ¡°I own a tavern. It¡¯s not the bar at the Ritz Carlton,¡± Boda replied. Dario poured the blood red wine from the bottle into a second glass that sat beside his own, crossing the room with it, offering it to Boda. Reluctantly she took a drink. ¡°A bit too sweet for my taste.¡± ¡°Just a moment,¡± Dario said, returning to the bar and opening a small gold box, taking a pinch of whatever it contained before replacing the top, returning to stand before Boda, sprinkling what appeared to be salt into her glass, ¡°Try it now.¡± Boda swirled the wine in the glass for a moment before taking a second sip. ¡°Better.¡± ¡°Salt smooths out and balances the flavor,¡± Dario explained. ¡°I¡¯ll have to remember that.¡± ¡°Please, sit,¡± Dario gestured towards a plush sofa. ¡°I¡¯m not here for a wine tasting.¡± ¡°It would be a shame to let good wine go to waste,¡± Dario said, Boda lifting the glass once again, finishing the remainder in one gulp, handing him the empty glass, Dario taking it from her before walking back to the bar and setting it down, turning to face her with a teasing grin, ¡°Show me yours and I¡¯ll show you mine.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t a game, Dario. Where is he?¡± ¡°You first." Boda removed a shoebox from the canvas tote, opening it to reveal the gu within resting on a bed of tissue paper. Dario walked over to his desk, pressing a button, as Boda replaced the top on the box. ¡°Bring him in.¡± A door on the opposite side of the room from the desk opened, a small dark haired boy, Vanar, stepping through hand in hand with a severe looking middle aged woman in a grey skirt suit, his expression unsure until his eyes fell upon Boda. ¡°Mommy!¡± Vanar cried out joyfully. ¡°Take it,¡± Boda ordered Dario, thrusting the box in his direction, Dario taking it, nodding at the woman holding Vanar''s hand. Releasing Vanar she turned, exiting through the door from which she entered, ¡°Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!¡± Vanar called out ecstatically, sprinting excitedly across the room to Boda as she knelt, her arms open wide, a bright smile lighting up her face, the boy diving into them. Boda closed her arms around Vanar tightly, lifting him off the floor, tears streaming from her eyes. ¡°My baby¡­I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re alright. I missed you so much!¡± Boda said, her voice quavering, before turning to Dario, ¡°Whatever it is you are, if I ever see you again, I¡¯ll kill you,¡± Boda told him before turning, carrying Vanar, clinging to her, to the door. ¡°It was nice doing business with you!¡± Dario, grinning ear to ear, called happily after her. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Boda exclaimed before striding out, Vanar in her arms. Boda marched past the two suited men waiting in the hallway who stepped toward her. ¡°I can find my own way,¡± she barked, continuing down the hall to the elevator, the button already lit, the doors sliding open as she reached them, closing behind her as she entered, the button for the lobby on the interior panel lighting up. ¡°Are we going home? I want Wolfie,¡± said Vanar. ¡°Yes¡­you¡¯re going home,¡± Boda said, only half successfully holding back a sob as she squeezed his small body even tighter than before. ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re hurting me,¡± Vanar cried. ¡°Sorry¡­I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Boda apologized. ¡°Can we get ice cream?¡± Vanar asked brightly, evoking a half sob, half laugh from Boda. ¡°Yes, baby, anything you want.¡± Chapter 5 Dario carried the shoebox over to his desk with the countenance of a child preparing to open his gifts on Christmas morning. Setting the box down on the deep brownish-red mahogany desktop he removed the top, setting it aside, grinning as he gazed down at the gu. ¡°Finally¡­¡± Dario reached into the box, gripping the gu, startled as the vessel began to glow an electric green. As it faded he found himself holding the eagle finial. ¡°What the hell?! That bitch!¡± Dario exclaimed, his face reddening in anger, his expression murderous. Gripping his tie and ripping it from around his neck, flinging it away, Dario emitting a deafening roar as his body began to morph and grow larger, muscular, his suit jacket and dress shirt beneath tearing under the strain, the remnants falling to the floor. Thick, coarse brown fur sprouted over the skin of his torso and arms. The structure of his face altered to resemble a bull, coal black horns extended from both sides of his head, the pupils of his eyes glowing a fierce red. Closing his hand around the finial that now appeared far smaller in his enlarged palm, he crushed and bent the metal into an unrecognizable ball. Snorting before roaring once again, he hurled it across the room at the opposite wall, knocking a vase off a pedestal to shatter on the marble floor. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Two suited men armed with semi-automatic rifles stood at the ready outside the elevator in the parking garage as the doors slid apart revealing it to be empty. Stymied, one of the two leaned into the elevator, his body suddenly rocketing backward as if hurled by an invisible force to sprawl on his back over the windshield and hood of a luxury car as the alarm began to shriek, echoing through the garage. The second armed man soon found himself flying into a concrete pillar, his body limply sliding down it into a heap at its base. Loki and Boda, Vanar in her arms, appeared from out of thin air as they reached Boda¡¯s vehicle, Boda running around to the passenger side, throwing open the door, entering the car as Loki opened the driver¡¯s door, jumping in and magically producing the key in his hand, inserting it into the ignition. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Vanar asked, his eyes squeezed tightly shut, hearing the blare of the car alarm, ¡°Can I open my eyes now?¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± Boda answered as Loki threw the car into reverse, backing out of the parking space and accelerating away. ¡°I should have stolen a better car,¡± said Loki as he pushed the gas pedal to the floor, two more armed men rushing out of a stairway door, spraying bullets at the passenger side of the vehicle as it sped past down the ramp. ¡°It¡¯s ten years old. It¡¯s the best I could afford. I wasn¡¯t expecting to be using it for Bonnie and Clyde shit,¡± Boda informed Loki. ¡°Mommy! You said a bad word!¡± Vanar scolded disapprovingly, ¡°Naughty Mommy. I think she deserves a spanking,¡± Loki said with a sly grin. Loki circled the last level of the garage, racing to the exit, the arm of the barricade across it, four additional armed men standing in front of it. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing Arvid didn¡¯t join us,¡± Loki said, recalling Arvid''s concern for the welfare of the museum''s inept security guards, as he barrelled full speed at the men as they raised their rifles. The men began to fire at the vehicle, leaving bullet holes in the windshield as Boda lowered herself and Vanar below the level of the dashboard, Loki pushing the hatchback¡¯s engine to its limit, the four men diving out of the way, narrowly escaping being run over as the car tore through the flimsy barricade almost sideswiping another car, its driver laying on the horn as Loki turned the wheel hard to the right, tires squealing. ¡°Can I open them now?¡± Vanar asked. ¡°Go ahead,¡± Boda said, Vanar raising his head from her shoulder, opening his eyes and blinking as they adjusted to the light, peering over at Loki in wonder and recognition. ¡°It¡¯s you! Gold Helmet Man!¡± Vanar exclaimed, ¡°Where¡¯s your helmet?¡± ¡°It wouldn¡¯t fit in the car,¡± Loki answered, ¡°Gold Helmet Man?¡± Loki glanced at Boda. ¡°My painting,¡± Boda explained. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. ¡°You could have told him my name at least.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better than what he called you first. I made him change it.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Horny Guy,¡± Boda said with a smirk. ¡°He¡¯s not wrong,¡± Loki replied with a smirk of his own. ¡°No, he certainly¨C¡± Boda began before drawing in a sharp breath, in pain, ¡°Vanar, baby, climb into the back,¡± Boda said, Vanar scrambling between the driver and passenger seats to sit in the middle of the back seat. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Loki asked, looking over at Boda with concern, noticing a red stain on Boda¡¯s blouse near her right side above her hip. Boda moved her fingers under the right side of her blouse, removing them and holding them up, red with blood. Though bullets could harm Asgardians and their impact was painful, most types rarely caused more than a minor flesh wound to Asgardian tissue. ¡°I''m fine,¡± Boda reassured Loki, ¡°Watch where you¡¯re going,¡± Boda said, Loki turning his attention back to the road. ¡°Mommy¡­seatbelt,¡± Vanar said, fastening his. ¡°I forgot. Thank you, baby,¡± Boda said, fastening her own, grimacing as she did so, the act causing her obvious discomfort. ¡°You too, Gold Helmet Man!¡± Loki kept one hand on the wheel as he fastened his own seatbelt. ¡°I¡¯ve never taken orders from a child,¡± said Loki. ¡°Get used to it,¡± Boda responded before grimacing once more, holding back a groan, her body tensing. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡± ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know¡­just drive.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Driving along the same wooded road as Loki had driven the night before to the location where he had seen Arvid off, Loki parked the car in the same spot, the burn marks on the road from the Bifrost visible. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me what you were planning instead of springing it on me on the way out? He knows where I live! I can¡¯t go back!¡± Boda asked. ¡°It¡¯s a big realm. I¡¯ll help you start again elsewhere,¡± Loki replied. ¡°It¡¯s just an old cup,¡± Boda said, wincing. ¡°They said on television it¡¯s likely worth less than thirty thousand dollars.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a lot of money for an old cup. It would buy me a new car,¡± Boda replied in a pained voice, looking at the bullet holes in the windshield. ¡°On the television they said one of the paintings Arvid and I took is worth five hundred thousand. Why would he want something worth a fraction of that?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Wolfie?¡± Vanar asked. ¡°He¡¯s at home. We can¡¯t go back for him right now. I¡¯m sorry,¡± Boda told him. Loki held out his hand, the small stuffed wolf materializing in it. He turned to Vanar in the backseat, handing it to the boy. ¡°Are you a magician?¡± Vanar asked in awe. ¡°Something of the sort,¡± Loki answered. ¡°Can you teach me a trick? I want to pull a rabbit out of a hat.¡± ¡°Any fool can do that,¡± Loki scoffed, ¡°I can teach you far better and more useful tricks.¡± ¡°As if I didn¡¯t already have my hands full,¡± Boda commented. Loki opened the car door, exiting the car and walking around to the passenger side, opening the door and kneeling down, raising Boda¡¯s blouse a few inches to reveal a bullet wound in her side. ¡°This should be healing,¡± Loki said as a thought struck him, ¡°The wine¡­¡± ¡°He poured it from the same bottle he poured his own...the salt! What could it have been?¡± ¡°I¡¯m neither an apothecary or a healer. However, there are both in Asgard,¡± Loki stated. ¡°You can¡¯t take me back! Your father will never pass the throne to you!¡± ¡°When he learns of my relations with you since your exile the outcome will likely be the same.¡± ¡°But...you were going to take him back with you anyway?¡± ¡°He can¡¯t remain here...You know as well as I my father has always favored my brother,¡± Loki told her. Both Asgardians simultaneously turned their heads at the sound of a vehicle approaching from behind them, spotting a black Cadillac. ¡°How did he find us?¡± Boda asked in disbelief. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We have to go. Now!¡± Loki said with urgency. Loki assisted Boda to stand. As she leaned against the car, he stuck his head in, looking into the back seat at Vanar who sat playing with Wolfie. ¡°Vanar¡­come with me¡­quickly!¡± Loki commanded, Vanar unbuckling his seatbelt, climbing up between the seats clutching Wolfie, Loki taking his hand helping him out of the car, ¡°Hold onto my hand. Don¡¯t let go.¡± Loki put a supportive arm around Boda, leading her and Vanar away from the car. As they neared the burn marks in the road from the night before, the black Cadillac came to an abrupt stop near Boda¡¯s vehicle, the doors flying open, armed men jumping out of the driver and passenger seat, Dario wearing only a button down shirt, sans suit jacket climbed out of the back. ¡°Anne, let¡¯s talk...¡± said Dario. ¡°Heimdall! Bring us back!¡± Loki called out, a moment later the Bifrost descending, its energy knocking the gunmen and Dario back, leaving a second burn mark slightly overlapping the first. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Heidall appeared curious yet maintaining his customary stoicism as the three entered Himinbjorg from out of the blinding light of the Bifrost, Loki gripping Vanar¡¯s hand, his other arm securely hooked around Boda¡¯s waist. ¡°Welcome home,¡± Heimdall greeted Loki. Heimdall observed the look of both fright and amazement plastered over Vanar¡¯s face, the boy¡¯s mouth gaping open. Heimdall approached Vanar, lowering himself on one knee in front of him. ¡°Welcome to Asgard. My name is Heimdall. What¡¯s yours?¡± Heimdall asked. ¡°Vanar.¡± ¡°A warrior¡¯s name. Who is your friend?¡± Heimdall said, indicating the stuffed wolf Vanar clutched in his hand, his other hand still gripping Loki¡¯s. ¡°Wolfie.¡± ¡°A fine companion. I¡¯m pleased to meet you, Vanar.¡± ¡°You have a gold helmet too,¡± Vanar commented. ¡°I do. Would you like to try it on?¡± Heimdall asked, removing his helmet and placing it on Vanar¡¯s small head, holding it to support its weight, ¡°Somewhat large but you¡¯ll grow into it.¡± Heimdall removed his helmet from Vanar¡¯s head, replacing it on his own and standing, for the first time noticing the blood staining Boda¡¯s blouse and her condition as she slumped, unable to remain on her feet. Relieving Loki, Heimdall lifted her in his arms. ¡°She needs a healer,¡± Loki said. ¡°She shall have one,¡± Heimdall replied, swiftly moving to the exit of Himinbjorg, Loki leading Vanar by the hand to follow them onto the Rainbow Bridge. Chapter 6 Vanar slowed as he and Loki traversed the bridge, the boy with his short legs unable to keep pace with Heimdall¡¯s strides. Recalling how long a trek it had been for himself when he was a boy of such tender years, Loki scooped Vanar up in one arm for the remainder of the journey to the palace. ¡°We¡¯re in mommy¡¯s paintings,¡± Vanar commented, finally finding his voice after spending most of the walk across the bridge taking in the scene in awe. ¡°This is where your mother grew up.¡± ¡°Does everyone have gold helmets?¡± Vanar asked as they exited the Rainbow Bridge, passing a pair of Einherjar guards. ¡°Not everyone.¡± ¡°Your name¡¯s not Gold Helmet Man. I made that up. Who are you?¡± ¡°My name is Loki. In Asgard people¡¯s surnames¡­second names¡­come from their father. Son is added for boys and dottir for girls. My father¡¯s name is Odin, hence my full name is Loki Odinson. Do you know your second name?¡± ¡°I have a second name?¡± ¡°You do. Your second name is Lokison.¡± Vanar was silent for a moment, processing the information Loki had just passed on to him in his young brain. ¡°You¡¯re my father?¡± ¡°I am.¡± ¡°I told Mommy you¡¯d come back. We forgot to get ice cream. Is there ice cream here?¡± Vanar asked, Loki bemused at Vanar¡¯s swift change of subject. ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± Loki answered. ¡°What about pizza?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Soda?¡± ¡°We have water, juices, cider¡­other things, but it will be some time before you¡¯re old enough to enjoy those yet.¡± ¡°Candy?¡± ¡°Grapes...berries¡­nuts¡­¡± ¡°Those aren¡¯t candy,¡± Vanar responded. ¡°Maybe not, but they¡¯re far better for you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like things that are good for me,¡± Vanar said as Loki grinned. ¡°I tend to avoid what I¡¯m told is good for me as well.¡± ¡°Is Mommy going to be ok?¡± Vanar asked, veering to another subject once again. ¡°The healer will help her. A healer is like a doctor, though I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯ve ever been to see a doctor.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen them on TV. Do you have TV?¡± ¡°No. We have theater¡­books...¡± Loki explained. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m going to like it here.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°Erebus¡­I have failed you. Forgive me.¡± Dario in his minotaur form knelt before a black obsidian altar that held an idol carved from the same black stone in what appeared to be a cave lit by a flaming cauldron. A shadow in the shape of a man began to coalesce on the wall in the flickering firelight. The shadow solidified, stepping out from the rock wall. ¡°Where isssss it?¡± the shadow asked in a hoarse, hissing voice. ¡°She sought the assistance of another of her kind. She replaced it with a fake. She returned with it to Asgard.¡± ¡°You will go to Asssssgard and retrieve it, ¡± Erebus commanded. ¡°How?¡± ¡°The realmsssss are connected. Their Bifrost issss not the only meansssss to travel between them. I sssssaved your life. If you fail me again I can just assss easssssily take it.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°Her wound has healed with the treatment, she is producing blood to replace that which was lost. She should wake soon,¡± the middle aged female healer informed Loki as he stood on the opposite side of the soul forge from her, Boda lying upon it unconscious and pale, a golden representation of her form projected above her. The healer held out her hand, a spent bullet between her fingers. Loki extended his palm, the healer dropping the bullet into it. ¡°As they say in Midgard, ¡®that one had her name on it,¡¯¡± said the healer, ¡°As for the toxin, the forge is unable to identify it but I know of only one substance that is said to have such an effect on Asgardians.¡± ¡°What would that be?¡± asked Loki, Vanar standing beside him, continuing to grip his hand. ¡°Eitr,¡± the healer replied. ¡°That¡¯s only a legend.¡± ¡°Perhaps, perhaps not. It¡¯s difficult to untangle legend from fact when it comes to the old stories.¡± This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°If it is eitr?¡± Loki asked apprehensively. ¡°She will grow weaker, more susceptible to injury and illness. She will begin to lose herself to episodes of extreme anger and madness. Eventually her body will shut down under the strain.¡± ¡°Is there anything that can be done?¡± ¡°I may be able to slow its progression but I know of no antidote. I¡¯ll continue to attempt to isolate it and produce a remedy.¡± ¡°Loki¡­¡± Loki heard Frigga¡¯s voice say, turning his head to see her standing near the entrance to the healing room. ¡°Stay with her,¡± Loki directed Vanar, releasing his hand and approaching Frigga, ¡°Mother¡­¡± ¡°Why have you returned her here? What were you thinking?¡± ¡°She was injured. She¡¯s ill. She¡¯s been given a poison of some sort,¡± Loki explained. ¡°The boy¡­¡± Frigga said, Loki turning his head to glance at Vanar. ¡°His name is Vanar in honor of her father.¡± ¡°And you are his,¡± said Frigga, ¡°It¡¯s as if I¡¯ve stepped back in time. How long did you believe you could keep him a secret? How could you believe she could raise an Asgardian child in Midgard?¡± ¡°I only just learned of his existence myself. She feared he would be taken from her. As a mother I¡¯m sure you can understand,¡± Loki explained before turning back to Vanar, holding out his hand and calling to the boy, ¡°Vanar, there¡¯s someone I¡¯d like you to meet,¡± Vanar left his mother¡¯s side to stand beside Loki, reaching out and taking his hand, looking up at Frigga, ¡°This is my mother, your grandmother.¡± ¡°Hello,¡± Vanar said, holding up Wolfie, ¡°This is Wolfie.¡± ¡°Hello Vanar¡­and hello to you, Wolfie,¡± Frigga said with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re pretty. Are you a princess?¡± asked Vanar. ¡°A queen, actually,¡± Frigga replied, ¡°It appears he¡¯s inherited your silver tongue,¡± Frigga said to Loki with a smirk. Boda, waking, sat up groggily from the soul forge, the healer assisting her. ¡°I would venture to guess if word of our arrival has reached you that father will be joining us soon as well,¡± Loki said, obviously not looking forward to facing his father. ¡°Why has this criminal returned to darken the realm with her presence?¡± Odin boomed testily as he entered the healing room, two einherjar trailing behind him. ¡°Right on cue,¡± said Loki. ¡°Vanar, come here,¡± Boda called to her son, Vanar turning and walking back to the soul forge as Boda stood from it, placing her hands protectively on his shoulders. ¡°This is your doing?¡± Odin asked Loki gruffly. ¡°I had no choice¨C¡± Loki began. ¡°There is always a choice! You could have chosen to honor our agreement but then how many times have you proven you have no honor? I was a fool to even entertain your petition on behalf of that treacherous trollop! Guards! Take this scheming strumpet and her accursed offspring to the dungeon!¡± Odin commanded, the two einherjar stepping forward. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious! You would lock a child away in the dungeon?¡± Loki exclaimed. ¡°Consider yourself fortunate that you¡¯re not joining them. That could change depending on the next words that come out of your mouth,¡± Odin said threateningly as one einherjar guard shackled Boda, the other gripping Vanar¡¯s wrist. ¡°He¡¯s my son!¡± Loki blurted out, Odin struck dumb, staring at Vanar. ¡°Your grandson,¡± Frigga said to Odin, placing a hand on his arm. ¡°Another scheme. The trickster doesn¡¯t know enough to recognize when he himself is being tricked,¡± Odin said, Loki scoffing with an expression of frustration. ¡°My king...you know it to be true,¡± said Frigga, Odin examining Vanar with his lone remaining eye in silence for a few moments. ¡°Take her. Leave the boy,¡± Odin ordered the guards. ¡°She should remain here. She¡¯s not well, ¡± Loki said to his father. ¡°She appears well enough,¡± Odin responded before addressing the healer, ¡°What is her prognosis? Is death imminent?¡± ¡°Not imminent, no. Her wound is healed. She has been exposed to a toxin, possibly eitr.¡± ¡°Then the dungeon is the safest place for her and for the rest of us.¡± ¡°She did it for me! Her scheme was for my benefit. She was going to use The Eye to insure I would be the heir. She had no other designs for it. She planned to return it to its place in the vault. She did it because she believed she had to prove herself worthy¡­I know a little something about that...because she...she loved me,¡± Loki explained, ¡°Or do you not believe that possible?¡± ¡°Loki...it¡¯s ok. I did it. It doesn¡¯t matter why I did it. Vanar¡¯s safe. I don¡¯t care what happens to me,¡± Boda said as the einherjar guards led her from the soul forge past Loki, Frigga and Odin. ¡°Mommy!¡± Vanar called out, sobbing as he ran after her, Loki grabbing him. ¡°It¡¯s ok, baby. Stay with your father. I love you!¡± Boda called out to Vanar as she was escorted by the einherjar from the healing room. ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to leave her to die alone in Midgard! Lock me up as well if it will make you feel better! Leave me to rot! You¡¯ll no longer have to trouble yourself with me! While you¡¯re at it, enchant all of Asgard to forget I exist!¡± Loki ranted. ¡°Don¡¯t be a fool. You have a son to look after,¡± Frigga admonished. ¡°Before you have me hauled away like so much rubbish, would you happen to know what this is?¡± Loki asked, holding out his free hand, Vanar clutching the other, the gu appearing in his grip. Odin stared at the relic for a moment before reaching out, taking it from Loki. ¡°My study. Leave the boy with your mother,¡± Odin said to Loki in a low voice devoid of its previous animosity, turning and exiting the healing room with the gu. Loki knelt in front of Vanar, tears streaking the child¡¯s face, taking him gently by the shoulders. ¡°Everything will be alright. I need to speak with my father. Your grandmother will take care of you. When I return we¡¯ll visit your mother.¡± ¡°Ok,¡± Vanar replied as Loki rose, addressing Frigga. ¡°Take him to the gardens to play with other children. He¡¯s never been able to do that...and to the kitchens for rommegrot. He¡¯s been asking for ice cream. It¡¯s the closest substitute I can think of.¡± ¡°I would enjoy that myself,¡± Frigga said with a smile. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki entered Odin¡¯s study to find his father standing behind a desk where he had sat the gu, staring down at it. ¡°How did you come to possess this?¡± Odin asked. ¡°I took it from a museum in Midgard at Boda¡¯s request. There¡¯s a man, or something resembling one, Boda said he has the ability to change form. He abducted Vanar and demanded it in exchange for his return. You know what it is?¡± ¡°It has many names, as many as the number who drank from it. My father called it The Goblet of the Gods. It was placed into the tomb of he who created it when he chose to end his existence on this plane. During the reign of your grandfather, Bor, as different tribes and cultures of Midgard came in contact with each other, conflicts began to break out among them. The beings that had guided and protected them, some from other realms such as Asgard, some from other dimensions existing within this one, also began to quarrel. Some believed it best for each people to have their own guides and guardians, or gods as the mortals began to call us, until they advanced past the need for us. A few felt it would be better if there was but one pantheon lording over all of them. Eventually the disagreement descended into a war. At the same time, perhaps as a result, a primordial being, an ancient entity from a dimension of darkness crossed into this one. Our only hope to defeat him was to put aside our differences and come together as allies. A representative of each pantheon met. My father represented Asgard. The mediator was the eldest of all, a being that was the first to act as a guide to the mortals when they emerged in Midgard in a land that came to be known as China, Yu Huang, the mortals bestowing on him the title Jade Emperor. He created this vessel and each participant added their blood to the wine and drank from it, sealing the peace. The vessel was thus imbued with their power. That power would pass to anyone who would drink from it.¡± ¡°It goes without saying I would never consider such a thing-¡± Loki began. ¡°There is a price...Due to the power it holds Yu Huang placed a curse upon it. Anyone who would drink from it, those they care for, anyone who cares for them would die. They would be condemned to remain alone in the universe, incapable of love or being loved, only feared. For some, however, that is enough.¡± Chapter 7 After the shadow had merged back into the wall, Dario rose from the rocky floor of the cavern, returning to his human form, now standing shirtless in the flickering firelight. Approaching the obsidian altar, he placed a case upon it, opening it and removing a folded silk shirt and tie. Donning them, he removed the obsidian idol from the altar, placing it in the padded case, closing it before spinning the numbers of the combination lock. Turning from the altar, he made his way to the elevator. Exiting the elevator and proceeding down the hall he entered his office, setting the case flat on the desktop. Walking to the bar, he placed a tumbler on it, pulling the stopper from a bottle and pouring the amber liquor from it into the glass. After taking a drink he stared contemplatively into it for a moment. Returning to the desk, he pressed a button. ¡°Ready my plane.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Agger. What is your destination?¡± a female voice asked through the speaker. ¡°Norway.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°Thank you for the history lesson. Interesting that little episode was left out of the standard Asgardian history curriculum. I wonder what else we¡¯re all being kept ignorant of,¡± Loki said to his father. ¡°I apologize,¡± Odin began, Loki looking at his father in disbelief. ¡°I beg your pardon? Is the sun shining in Jotunheim?¡± ¡°I regret my words in the presence of the child,¡± said Odin. ¡°He has a name.¡± ¡°Your sojourns to Midgard are at an end. As you had never caused any true harm, I turned a blind eye to them in the past,¡± Odin continued. ¡°That¡¯s rather easy for you to do, I would imagine,¡± Loki quipped. ¡°You are forbidden to return to Midgard unless I grant you leave to do so.¡± ¡°I was growing bored in any case.¡± ¡°You have a son to tend to. The time for childish games has passed,¡± said Odin. ¡°I think it¡¯s just beginning, actually.¡± ¡°Raising a child is a serious matter. It will be quite an adjustment for both of you, maybe more so for yourself. I had hoped when this day arrived it would have found you settled. It¡¯s easier when the burden is shared by two.¡± ¡°Burden¡­¡± Loki said, pursing his lips and nodding once, ¡°Interesting choice of words.¡± ¡°It may be difficult for you to believe, but I was once a young man as well. I too was guilty of youthful indiscretions. It¡¯s not about you any longer. Whatever grievances you have with me, the time has come to relinquish them. I admit I have been far from a perfect father to either you or your brother. Now that you have a child of your own perhaps you will come to understand.¡± ¡°What of Boda? If the healer is able to produce a remedy? She can¡¯t return to Midgard,¡± asked Loki. ¡°If she survives, she will remain where she is. Whatever her motivation, her scheme was treason against the throne. I will allow her visits with her son.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll go mad as her mother did! She¡¯s dying! Surely you can dredge up a morsel of mercy from the depths! If not for her sake, for Vanar. He shouldn¡¯t see his mother die in a prison cell!¡± Loki exclaimed. ¡°You would have me set free in Asgard a criminal who is destined to go mad?¡± Odin asked. ¡°There has to be something¨C¡± Loki began before falling silent, a thought occurring to him, rather a recent memory, Boda¡¯s words replaying in his head. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°You are certainly full of surprises brother,¡± Thor said from behind Loki as he spied his sibling making his way down a corridor of the palace, catching up to walk beside him, Loki glancing over at Thor before turning his attention before him once again. ¡°Trust me, no one was more surprised than myself. You¡¯ve met him?¡± ¡°I visited the kitchens for a little something to tide me over until dinner. I¡¯ve had quite a busy day¨C¡± ¡°You¡¯ve had a busy day?¡± Loki replied, ¡°I asked mother to take him for rommegrot. Was he enjoying it?¡± ¡°I would say so. He asked for more,¡± Thor answered. ¡°And mother allowed it.¡± ¡°Of course, that¡¯s what grandmothers do,¡± Thor replied with a grin. ¡°Heaven help me, he¡¯ll be spoiled rotten within a week,¡± Loki responded. ¡°Uncles have a part to play in that as well." ¡°I suppose he deserves it after having lived his entire life a pauper hidden away in Midgard.¡± ¡°Mother said Boda returned with you.¡± ¡°She was dying¡­she is dying. Father being father, he sent her to the dungeon anyway.¡± ¡°She kept him hidden all this time?¡± ¡°When she learned of him she told me she didn¡¯t wish to see me again. I accepted it with little difficulty,¡± Loki explained, Thor resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. ¡°I knew you cared for her, that her exile was difficult for you.¡± ¡°I cared for her no more than others.¡± ¡°Why do you insist on telling falsehoods? If you hadn¡¯t placed her above others you wouldn¡¯t have risked father¡¯s wrath by defying him.¡± ¡°Defying father¡¯s ridiculous edicts at every possible opportunity is a favorite pastime of mine. I¡¯ve made a career of it. It wouldn¡¯t have mattered who she was,¡± Loki said, Thor appearing skeptical, ¡°Where are they now?¡± ¡°They were on their way to the gardens,¡± Thor informed Loki. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Frigga sat on a stone bench near the children¡¯s play area of the gardens, smiling as she observed Vanar, now dressed in Asgardian clothing, Wolfie stuffed in his tunic pocket, the head and front paws poking out, as he interacted with the other children, climbing on the large stone sculptures shaped like various animals. Parents of other children sat on benches or stood on the periphery of the playground keeping watch over their children. Loki approached from behind the bench, walking around it and seating himself next to her. ¡°Where is he?¡± Loki asked, searching the playground. ¡°The frog,¡± Frigga said, pointing him out. ¡°He¡¯s had a change of wardrobe I see.¡± ¡°We visited the clothier. There¡¯s more being delivered to your chambers. I thought it best if he didn¡¯t stand out from the other children,¡± Frigga told Loki. ¡°I¡¯ll need to move to larger chambers.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen to that as well. They¡¯re being prepared. Tomorrow I will arrange for him to begin his schooling.¡± ¡°Obviously you know more about all of this. I have no idea what I¡¯m doing,¡± Loki admitted. ¡°No one does in the beginning. You are no different than any of the others here.¡± ¡°They at least had time to grow accustomed to the idea, to prepare themselves somewhat.¡± ¡°I had begun to feel as if I had some idea, Thor had only just grown more assured on his feet and was beginning to run instead of toddle when you were placed in my arms. You were so different from your brother it was as if I was learning to be a mother all over again,¡± said Frigga with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m pleased that you are taking it so seriously. You¡¯re still young. I know you had far different plans for yourself.¡± ¡°The moment I first saw him¡­something changed.¡± ¡°I recall you confiding in me not all that long ago that you felt as if you lacked purpose. Perhaps it was discovering you now have one.¡± ¡°How is he doing with the other children? I¡¯m not sure he¡¯s ever been in the same room¡­¡± ¡°He was tentative at first, as would be expected. He seems to be well adjusted considering the circumstances,¡± Frigga said. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Boda deserves the credit. What if she¡¯s lost to him?¡± ¡°He would not be the only nor the last Asgardian child to lose a parent though it''s uncommon to lose both as did his mother. Boda¡¯s mother¡¯s illness is rare. It was unfortunate which is why I offered to take her as a pupil though she was older than most when they begin. I had offered to instruct her when she was the same age as you when I began your instruction, having sensed her innate potential, but though considered a great honor her mother was against it. It was likely an early symptom of her illness but went unrecognized at the time,¡± Frigga explained. As Vanar climbed up to the top of another stone sculpture, Wolfie fell from his pocket. Another boy swiftly picked up the stuffed animal and ran away with it clutched in his hand, laughing. ¡°Hey! That¡¯s mine!¡± Vanar cried, shimmying down from the sculpture and taking off after the boy, reaching him as the boy began to climb another sculpture, ¡°Give him back!¡± A low growl rose from Vanar¡¯s chest. Snarling, Vanar raised his right arm, bending his fingers like a claw, swiping his hand across the calf of the boy¡¯s leg, ripping his leggings, blood flowing from long gashes in his flesh. Losing his grip on the sculpture, the boy fell from it into the grass. Vanar picked up Wolfie where the boy had dropped him as the boy¡¯s mother, Frigga, and Loki rushed over, Loki taking Vanar by the arm as Frigga and the boy¡¯s mother tended to the injured and sobbing child. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it¡¯s serious,¡± Frigga said to the boy¡¯s mother as they watched the gashes already beginning to mend, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Fritjof was in the wrong as well. Boys will be boys.¡± ¡°They certainly will,¡± Frigga agreed. ¡°It¡¯s time we were leaving anyway,¡± Fritjof¡¯s mother replied, she and Frigga assisting the boy to his feet. ¡°Vanar, apologize to Fritjof,¡± Frigga directed Vanar as he clutched Wolfie close to his chest. ¡°But I¡¯m not sorry. He took Wolfie.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to keep him. I was going to give him back,¡± sniffled Fritjof. ¡°Vanar¡­¡± Loki said reproachfully. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Vanar said reluctantly, Fritjof, at his mother¡¯s insistence, apologizing as well before she led him away. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki entered the dungeon, a small green glass bottle in his hand, an Einherjar following behind him. As he made his way past empty and occupied cells, he heard the sound of singing, growing more distinct as he neared his destination. Boda, now dressed in a simple grey Asgardian gown, her hair cascading over her shoulders, sat on the bunk within the cell facing the one solid white wall, her back to the containment field as Loki stood before it, nodding at the einherjar who stepped over to the panel. ¡°There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando. They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Fernando. Though we never thought that we could lose, there¡¯s no regrets. If I had to do the same again, I would my friend, Fernando¡­¡± Boda sang. ¡°If I had to do the same again, I would my friend, Fernando,¡± both Boda and Loki sang, finishing the chorus. Boda turned in surprise at the unexpected voice joining hers as the containment field was discharged, Loki stepping into the cell, the einherjar reengaging it and turning his back, standing before the panel. ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t like Midgard¡¯s music. You didn¡¯t tell me you were coming back. Where¡¯s Vanar?¡± Boda stood from the bunk and walked around it. ¡°Vanar is getting acquainted with his Uncle Thor who is continuing where my mother left off spoiling him.¡± ¡°His head must be spinning¡­playing with other children, learning he has a family, everything is so different here than in Midgard.¡± ¡°Considering the average lifespan of an Asgardian is five thousand years, the five he spent in Midgard will eventually seem like a dream. He¡¯ll likely forget most of it. Drink this. It will slow the progression,¡± Loki said, handing Boda the small bottle. Boda removed the cork from the bottle, lifting it to her lips, making a face as she drank the contents. ¡°That was awful,¡± she said, recorking the bottle and handing it back to Loki who magically stowed it away. ¡°I was warned it would be unpleasant. Perhaps this will help,¡± Loki said, magically producing a wine bottle in one hand, two goblets in the other. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I should. Wine always seems to get me in trouble.¡± "You''re in the dungeon. What trouble could you possibly get into?" Loki asked as he moved to the small table in the cell, setting the goblets on it before grasping the neck of the bottle of wine, it glowing green as the cork popped out, Loki deftly catching it with his free hand, ¡°How many bottles did we drink that night?¡± he asked as he filled the goblets. ¡°I don''t remember. Enough that I couldn¡¯t believe you sobered up that quickly in order to skip out on me. You didn''t even leave a note. When I woke I thought maybe it had all been a dream,¡± Boda paused, ¡°If my patrons knew what took place on that bar¡­¡± Boda chuckled. ¡°The pool table as well if memory serves,¡± Loki added with a smirk. ¡°That was before we even made it upstairs. I¡¯m surprised we made it up the stairs.¡± ¡°It was quite a night,¡± said Loki. ¡°It certainly turned out to be one for the books,¡± Boda said wistfully. Loki picked up a goblet of wine, offering it to Boda. Stepping over to the table, she took it, seating herself in one of the two utilitarian chairs, Loki lowering himself into the other across from her as Boda drank. ¡°How long will the elixir last?¡± asked Boda. ¡°A few days. The relic¡­my father told me what it is. I won¡¯t go into the details of its history. Anyone who would drink from it would become one of the most powerful beings in the universe,¡± Loki explained. ¡°If you had left as you¡¯d done before, if you hadn¡¯t decided to stay¡­¡± said Boda, contemplative for a moment before continuing, ¡°Do you remember what everyone called me as a child?¡± ¡°Angry Boda,¡± Loki recalled. ¡°I was always angry after my mother died, at everyone, everything. It felt so unfair. A parent lost in battle died a noble death, they were celebrated, revered. My mother just wasted away. She didn¡¯t even remember me. When you began calling on me after you had come to tell me of my father''s fate, I thought for the first time in a long time that maybe I could be happy. I didn¡¯t want to lose that, I couldn¡¯t lose that. I forced myself to accept that I wasn¡¯t the only one...but then that day, when I saw you with another, I realized why I wasn¡¯t enough, why you wanted to be king. You were searching for what your father and others had given your brother but not you. If I could give you that by winning you the throne, maybe then I¡¯d be enough.¡± ¡°Instead of buying a tavern perhaps you should have used the money to obtain a degree in psychology. Mortals pay well to listen to people babble such nonsense,¡± Loki said, his voice hard, discomfited by Boda¡¯s words. ¡°What do you think bartenders do? I¡¯ve now realized something else. It wasn¡¯t that you didn¡¯t think I was good enough, that no else was good enough. As much as you want others to love you, you don¡¯t feel that you¡¯re good enough, that you¡¯re worthy of it. If your own father, the King of Asgard, has judged you unworthy of love, how could you be? You believe if anyone claims to love you they must be lying, they must have an ulterior motive and so you leave them or give them a reason to leave, you betray them before they betray you. You¡¯re certain they will eventually because they couldn¡¯t actually love you. You don''t believe it could ever be real.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re finished with your analysis, I returned for another reason besides delivering the elixir. My father has agreed to release you,¡± Loki said, placing his empty goblet on the table, ¡°What?¡± Boda asked in disbelief. ¡°From the dungeon. You will not be free to roam about Asgard. You will still be in custody but elsewhere.¡± ¡°Where? What do you mean?¡± ¡°My grandparents, my mother¡¯s parents, had a cottage near the sea. It¡¯s been vacant for some time now though it¡¯s been kept in good repair. My mother makes use of it on occasion when she needs time to herself. My father will create a containment field around the grounds. You will have some freedom of movement but you will not be able to pass beyond its boundaries.¡± ¡°This was your idea?¡± ¡°Yours, actually.¡± Loki replied before standing, ¡°I should be going. Vanar is in need of a bath after his time in the gardens and to retire for the night. Enjoy what remains of the wine.¡± Loki began to walk around the table, Boda rising and stepping in front of him. ¡°You have always claimed to want honesty yet are so quick to flee when one dares speak it...there¡¯s something I must tell you.¡± ¡°Not more of that bunkum.¡± ¡°No, something that happened before your last visit. I¡¯m not only a criminal here, but in Midgard as well.¡± Loki, curious, returned to his chair, seating himself. ¡°So what is this dark secret?¡± asked Loki, pouring more wine into his goblet. ¡°There was a mortal. His name was William¡­he went by Will. He was my age¡­not my age, I mean, we looked around the same age. He used to visit the tavern. He was kind, he would bring me little gifts occasionally...sweets, a flower, a small trinket. I got to know him. He was the closest thing I had to a friend. He was like you, his attraction and affection for others not exclusive, but in Midgard there are those who refuse to accept that, to accept others for who they are,¡± Boda paused. ¡°Go on,¡± Loki said. ¡°One night he left the tavern. Two others followed him out. It was almost closing time. I didn¡¯t think anything of it,¡± Boda paused, taking a long drink of wine, almost emptying her goblet, sitting it down and filling it again, ¡°After everyone had left he returned...I don¡¯t know how he made it back. They¡¯d beaten him. He collapsed the moment he was through the door. I called for help but he died as I held him before they arrived. He was able to tell me who had beaten him but I didn''t tell the police...I had other plans for them. When they returned I spent the evening flirting with them, plying them with free drinks. Before closing I asked them if they¡¯d like to stay. I took them upstairs...I snapped their necks as easily as a mortal breaks a twig.¡± ¡°I doubt I would have been so merciful,¡± said Loki darkly. ¡°I disposed of their bodies where they wouldn¡¯t be found. A detective asked me about them. I told him they¡¯d come in, had a couple beers and left and I hadn¡¯t seen them since. No one ever asked about them again.¡± ¡°You meted out the justice due them. Why trouble yourself over rubbish?¡± Loki asked. ¡°I knew what I was doing then. If there¡¯s no cure, eventually I won¡¯t. I might do it to you, to Vanar. My mother almost killed me. I don¡¯t want Vanar¡¯s last memories of me to be as a madwoman. If they can¡¯t find a remedy, before it goes that far, put an end to me. Swear to me.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t come to that,¡± Loki assured her. ¡°You don¡¯t know that. If you ever loved me, if you only just cared for me, promise me.¡± ¡°I swear to you,¡± Loki said, finishing his wine, the empty goblet disappearing from his hand before he stood. Boda rose as well, walking around the table to Loki, embracing him. ¡°Thank you.¡± After Boda ended her embrace, Loki crossed the cell to the containment field, the einherjar stationed outside it turning at a word from him and disengaging the forcefield, reengaging it after Loki had stepped out, following him as he walked away from the cell out of Boda¡¯s sight. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°It¡¯s time for us to take our rest. You don¡¯t need anything to drink? You don¡¯t need to use the toilet?¡± Loki, dressed in silk pajamas, asked Vanar who clutched Wolfie, dressed in Asgardian child¡¯s pajamas beside Loki¡¯s large carved and gilded bed. ¡°No,¡± Vanar said, shaking his head. ¡°Tomorrow night you¡¯ll have your own bed,¡± Loki said, turning down the covers. Loki boosted Vanar up into the large bed, pulling the covers up over him before walking around to the other side and slipping in, covering himself. ¡°Goodnight,¡± Loki said, turning his head on the pillow to look over at Vanar. Vanar laid stiffly in the bed, clutching Wolfie tightly against his chest, staring with a frightened expression at the shadows cast by the dancing flames of the cauldron on the far wall of Loki¡¯s bedchambers, his body trembling. ¡°What is it?¡± Loki asked, Vanar raising one arm, continuing to grip Wolfie with his other hand, as he pointed at the wall. ¡°Is he here?¡± asked Vanar in an anxious voice. ¡°Is who here?¡± asked Loki, puzzled. ¡°The Shadow Man.¡± ¡°Shadow Man?¡± Loki repeated, at first believing Vanar was speaking of a boogeyman as many children, including himself as a child, concocted in their young, fertile imaginations. ¡°He comes out of the wall. The Bull Man took me to see him. He was scary.¡± Loki¡¯s expression became sympathetic as he realized that Vanar was speaking of an actual recent traumatic experience. Loki was aware of the existence of the ¡®Bull Man,¡¯ though he himself had yet to witness Dario in his minotaur form, but now Vanar had revealed the nefarious existence of another. ¡°Come here,¡± Loki said, reaching out his arms, Vanar sliding over in the bed into them, ¡°We¡¯re far away from Midgard¡­Earth. All those you¡¯ve seen with gold helmets, they guard the palace day and night. No one can get in that shouldn¡¯t be here. Heimdall keeps watch as well. You¡¯re safe here.¡± Chapter 8 Dario stared blankly through the window from the leather upholstered back seat of the luxury car in which he was being chauffeured to his destination, having exchanged his designer suit for clothing more suited to cool weather hiking. However, it wasn¡¯t the vast valley¡¯s breathtaking scenery that his eyes saw passing by but events he had witnessed just over a decade previously, the sound of gunfire echoing in his head. ¡°Are you sure this is the place?¡± The dark suited driver asked in English with a Norwegian accent as the car slowed to a stop near a large ancient stone sticking out of the earth a few yards from the road carved with a crude depiction of a man battling a giant serpent. ¡°What?¡± Dario said, the driver¡¯s voice jolting him back to the present moment, his eyes now spying the stone, ¡°Oh¡­yes.¡± Dario took hold of the case resting on the seat beside him, reaching for the door handle. ¡°What time should I return for you?¡± the driver asked, perplexed as to why his passenger would be taking a briefcase on a hike. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯ve made other arrangements,¡± Dario answered, opening the car door and stepping out, closing it behind him, looking over the landscape before walking away from the vehicle in the direction of the stone, passing it by. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki awoke, the last vestiges of a dream fading, unable to remember the details, only recalling that he had been bitterly cold. Staring at the ceiling of his chambers for a few moments as his groggy mind came to full consciousness, he turned his head on the pillow to note that he was alone in the bed, wondering why that set alarm bells ringing in his brain before he realized. Throwing off the covers and rising quickly, he exited his bedchambers. Vanar sat on a chaise in the center of the great room of Loki¡¯s chambers, Wolfie next to him, morning light streaming into the room from the balcony, the magazine Loki had purloined from the museum held open in his small hands. Loki strode swiftly into the room, spying Vanar on the chaise, the tension in his shoulders relaxing as he exhaled in relief. ¡°Vanar-¡± Loki said as he rounded the chaise before realizing what Vanar was studying so intently, quickly reaching out and snatching the magazine away, ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re not quite ready for that yet,¡± said Loki, carrying the magazine to a bookcase and slipping it in between two books on the top shelf, ¡°Note to self, obtain age appropriate reading material.¡± Loki returned to the chaise, sitting beside Vanar who now held Wolfie in his lap. ¡°You don¡¯t have a TV. There¡¯s no toys. I¡¯m hungry,¡± Vanar complained. ¡°We¡¯ll join your grandparents and your Uncle Thor for the morning meal soon.¡± ¡°Is there cereal?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Pop tarts?¡± ¡°Do they feed children nothing but sugar in Midgard? It¡¯s little wonder mortals are so dull,¡± Loki commented, pausing before changing the subject, ¡°The shadow man you spoke of last night¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about him,¡± Vanar said, clutching Wolfie tight. ¡°I know. I don¡¯t enjoy talking about things that frighten me either.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re a grown up,¡± Vanar said, perplexed. ¡°Grown ups get scared too sometimes,¡± Loki replied. ¡°What are you scared of?¡± Vanar asked. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand...¡± Loki said, ¡°or maybe you would. I¡¯ll make a bargain with you. If you answer my questions about the Shadow Man, I¡¯ll tell you. Do we have a deal?¡± ¡°Ok,¡± Vanar agreed, though with trepidation. ¡°You said that Dario¡­the Bull Man¡­took you to see him. Where did he take you? Do you know?¡± ¡°In the elevator to a cave.¡± ¡°Under the building where you were being held? What did he do? Did he say anything?¡± ¡°He came out of the wall. I was wearing my wolf shirt. He asked if I liked wolves. He asked me other things but I don¡¯t remember. When he touched me I went to sleep. When I woke up I was in the elevator with the Bull Man, except he was a man-man again...so what are you scared of?¡± ¡°When I was your age it was Jotuns¡­frost giants¡­but then most everyone, children and adults alike, fear them. Once every few years a delegation arrives in Asgard from Jotunheim to meet with my father to renew the treaty. The first time I remember them coming here I locked myself in my room and hid under my bed until my mother told me they had gone. Each time they came after that I was always afraid one of them had stayed behind and was hiding in the palace, waiting until we were asleep--¡­ anyway, unlike my brother, I wasn¡¯t particularly fond of serpents either, which of course he took full advantage of. I repaid him for that, however,¡± Loki said with a sly grin. ¡°What about now?¡± asked Vanar, dashing Loki¡¯s hopes of distracting Vanar into forgetting that the deal he¡¯d made involved confessing his current fears. ¡°We had a bargain, didn¡¯t we?¡± Loki said, pausing a moment before continuing, ¡°I fear not having a purpose¡­but more than that, I fear being alone.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s lots of people here,¡± Vanar commented, confused. ¡°I have learned that one can feel alone even in a palace full of people.¡± ¡°Mommy wouldn¡¯t let you feel alone. Why did you leave?¡± Vanar asked. ¡°I didn¡¯t leave you. Your mother didn¡¯t tell me about you. A few years before you were born, when she lived here in Asgard, she broke a rule. My father is the king and he doesn¡¯t like it when people break rules. He sent her to live in Midgard as punishment. She knew if my father or I learned about you, we would bring you here so you could be with other Asgardians. She was afraid of being alone as well. When people are afraid, sometimes they make the wrong choices. Sometimes they do bad things but that doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re bad.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Maybe the Bull Man is afraid too. He told me that bad people killed his family. They tried to kill him too but the Shadow Man saved him. Now he has to do what he says,¡± Vanar explained. ¡°Would you tell my father about him?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to him. He¡¯s mean. He put mommy in jail.¡± ¡°I broke rules too when I visited your mother and brought her here. That¡¯s why he was angry. I¡¯ll be with you,¡± Loki said reassuringly. ¡°Can Amma be there too?¡± asked Vanar. ¡°I¡¯m certain that can be arranged. Did you know she taught me how to do magic? I¡¯ll show you the first trick she taught me. Hold out your hand.¡± Vanar sat Wolfie in his lap, doing as Loki instructed. Loki took hold of Vanar¡¯s other hand. ¡°Now, close it. I want you to think of something small, something that will fit in your hand,¡± Loki directed Vanar, a green glow travelling from Vanar¡¯s hand that Loki gripped up his arm and across his shoulders and down his other arm to his closed fist, ¡°Open it.¡± Vanar slowly opened his hand to reveal a small toad sitting in his palm, looking back at him. ¡°Did I do that?¡± Vanar asked in awe. ¡°With a little help,¡± Loki said with a grin, ¡°Someday you¡¯ll be able to do it all on your own.¡± The toad sprang from Vanar¡¯s hand onto the stone floor, Vanar giggling as it began to hop away before disappearing in a small green flash of light. ¡°We should dress. We have a full day ahead of us,¡± Loki said, still gripping Vanar¡¯s hand as he rose, Vanar grabbing Wolfie from his lap with his other hand and rising with him, ¡°Why don¡¯t we leave Wolfie here?¡± Loki asked, Vanar appearing uncertain for a moment before leaving Wolfie on the chaise. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki stood at the entrance of the small stone cottage set back from the sea, the mountains of Asgard towering in the distance behind it as the skiff piloted by an einherjar, another seated beside a shackled Boda, lowered slowly from the sky, coming to rest in the water near the shore. Boda and the einherjar beside her rose, the einherjar exiting the skiff, lifting Boda from it and depositing her on the sand as Loki approached. ¡°Remove those,¡± Loki said, indicating the shackles, the einherjar following Loki¡¯s directive. ¡°Thank you,¡± Boda said quietly to the einherjar as he turned and entered the skiff, the pilot lifting off from the shore as Loki led Boda to the cottage, ¡°Vanar isn¡¯t with you?¡± she asked. ¡°My mother¡¯s taken him to spend some time getting acquainted with his classmates.¡± ¡°His first day of school¡­¡± Boda said, her voice tinged with sadness. ¡°He won¡¯t officially begin his lessons for a few days yet.¡± Loki opened the door to the cottage, stepping aside, allowing Boda to enter. Boda examined the front room, furnished with a chaise and matching chairs along with a small table arranged in front of a wall of bookshelves. ¡°There¡¯s a dining area off the kitchen in the back...bedchambers of course,¡± Loki informed her. Boda entered the bedroom that held a simple double bed, a chest of drawers and a standing wardrobe. Crossing to the wardrobe, Boda opened it to see multiple identical simple grey gowns like the one she was currently wearing hanging within. ¡°They¡¯re all the same¡­¡± Boda observed. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I didn¡¯t choose the wardrobe,¡± Loki said, turning and exiting the room, Boda following. After showing Boda the bath, Loki led her through the small dining room into the equally small but functional kitchen area. Cooking vessels hung from the ceiling, others tucked away in cabinets. A stove somewhat resembling an old iron wood burning stove and oven of earth sat along the wall. Boda opened a drawer to find utensils within, including a large knife along with smaller blades. Boda lifted the larger knife from the drawer, staring at it. ¡°There should be enough food for some time¨C¡± Loki said, opening then closing a cabinet before turning and breaking off as he observed Boda, she returning the knife to the drawer and closing it, ¡°There¡¯s more¡­¡± Loki said, exiting the kitchen, leading Boda back through the dining room to the last room of the cottage, ¡°After you,¡± Loki said as he stepped aside, gesturing for Boda to open the door. Stepping inside, Boda noticed a small bed against the wall in the corner along with a chest of drawers. In the middle of the room sat an easel, upon which rested a blank canvas, and a stool. A palette, brushes, and jars of paints sat on a small table beside it. A few more blank canvases leaned against the wall. Boda stood speechless, her back to Loki who stood grinning, before turning to face him. ¡°I thought you might like something other than books to occupy your time. I¡¯m commissioning a portrait,¡± Loki said. ¡°I can try to recreate the one I¨C¡± Boda began as Loki approached her, placing his hands on her shoulders as he interrupted her. ¡°Of our son¡­as an infant. My mother commissioned portraits of my brother and myself. If you have a photograph in Midgard, I can attempt to retrieve it,¡± Loki offered. ¡°He likely still has people watching in the event we were to return. I wouldn¡¯t want you to risk it. I don¡¯t need one.¡± ¡°I doubted you did.¡± ¡°I knew you would bring him here but that wasn¡¯t the only reason I kept him from you. I thought you would have little interest, you¡¯d see him as a hindrance. You wouldn¡¯t want to be tied down. He¡¯d be raised by nannies, your mother¡­¡± ¡°He has spent more time with her than myself thus far. She¡¯s serving as a navigator of sorts as I¡¯m flying blind,¡± Loki admitted. ¡°My father tried but he never expected to be raising a child alone. Perhaps it would have been easier for him had I been a boy. After his death...I was old enough to care for myself, but I had no one.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± Loki responded. ¡°I never knew from one day to the next¡­you would act as if I was the love of your life one day and then I wouldn''t see or hear from you for days...weeks...you were like trying to hold onto a fish¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been compared to many things but I don''t believe a fish is among them. The closest may be a slime eel. They¡¯ve been mentioned more than once,¡± Loki said with a slight grin. ¡°It¡¯s not theater¡­for show?¡± Verda asked. ¡°Perhaps a king is not the most important thing a man can be. I¡¯ll return this evening with Vanar.¡± ¡°For dinner?¡± asked Boda hopefully. ¡°If you¡¯d like, though if it¡¯s not ice cream, pizza, or cereal Vanar may not be pleased." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Dario crawled on his belly, squeezing himself out of the small opening of the cave at the foot of the mountains of Asgard as if it were giving birth to him, the ties of a drawstring canvas bag clutched in one hand. Rising to his feet, he brushed the dirt from the front of his clothing before looking out over Asgard¡¯s blue sea, the palace and the buildings it dwarfed in the distance. Spying a trail, Dario headed in its direction. Dario reached an open field, small white and yellow flowers sprinkling the green landscape with dots of color. He spied an older man, his hair just beginning to become streaked with gray, wearing Asgardian clothing standing with his back to him, herding a flock of what appeared to be sheep, or an animal very similar, across the valley. After quickly scanning the valley for any additional Asgardians, Dario followed. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX As Loki crossed the plaza in front of the palace as other Asgardians milled about he caught sight of a familiar figure striding towards him. Loki slowed his pace, coming to a halt as Arvid did the same, standing in front of Loki, blocking his path. ¡°Arvid, it¡¯s good to¨C¡± Loki began before Arvid closed his fist, swinging his arm, punching Loki in the jaw, ¡°...see you. I was just thinking we should arrange a time for that drink,¡± Loki finished. ¡°You sent me back to spend the night with her, that criminal, that traitor!¡± Arvid exclaimed angrily, ¡°And that¡¯s not all! Of course it¡¯s not all¨C¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know. I hadn¡¯t spoken to her for six years when she asked for my help. It¡¯s a rather long story. Perhaps the sort that should be told over a few tankards of ale,¡± said Loki. ¡°When? A year from now?¡± asked Arvid sarcastically. ¡°I was thinking this evening, actually. Should I invite a healer to accompany me?¡± Loki asked. ¡°I suppose that depends on the story¡­and how much ale I¡¯m able to drink before you reach the end of it,¡± Arvid replied before walking past Loki, Loki turning his head to watch him go before heaving a sigh, starting towards the palace again. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki entered his new chambers, the great room nearly identical to his previous abode, to find Frigga seated on the chaise, holding Wolfie in her lap, looking down at Vanar¡¯s favorite toy. ¡°Where¡¯s Vanar?¡± Loki asked, puzzled, Frigga looking up from the stuffed wolf with a grave expression. ¡°In his bedchamber. I sent him there to await your return,¡± Frigga replied. ¡°Did he get himself into mischief on his first day? I suppose the apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree,¡± Loki said with an air of pride. ¡°Sit. We must speak.¡± Chapter 9 ¡°He and another boy were building with prism blocks. The boy knocked over a section of the wall by accident...Vanar attacked him,¡± Frigga explained as Loki sat beside her on the chaise. ¡°He¡¯s been isolated from other children¨C¡± Loki said, Frigga interrupting him before he could finish. ¡°He changed...into a wolf...a creature resembling one,¡± said Frigga, her horror at what she had witnessed evident in her expression and voice as she placed her hand on Wolfie lying in her lap. ¡°How? Before yesterday he was ignorant of Asgard. He believed magic was pulling rabbits out of hats. This morning I showed him the first trick¡­¡± Loki trailed off as a revelation struck him, ¡°He spoke last night of a Shadow Man. He said Dario took him to see this Shadow Man, that he asked him if he liked wolves. When the Shadow Man touched him, he lost consciousness. He could remember nothing more.¡± ¡°And you made no mention of this to your father?¡± Frigga asked in disbelief as Loki rose from the chaise, pacing. ¡°I planned to have him speak to father after you returned with him. I wanted him to enjoy his time at school without it weighing on his mind. I thought it could wait. They have no means to travel here, no ships, nothing akin to the Bifrost.¡± ¡°You know as well as I there are other means to travel between the realms.¡± ¡°Few Asgardians possess that knowledge, certainly no one in Midgard. The boy...how is he?¡± Loki asked as he ceased pacing. ¡°His injuries were serious but the healer was able to treat them. He will recover physically...mentally may take more time, not only him but the other children who bore witness. Your father has ordered that Vanar join his mother.¡± ¡°He¡¯s taking my son from me?¡± Loki replied. ¡°What other choice does he have? Would you rather he sent him to the dungeon?¡± ¡°What of Boda if he were to have another episode? She would allow him to tear her apart before she would harm him even to defend herself.¡± ¡°I¡¯m certain your father would have no objection to assigning einherjar to the cottage to see to her safety,¡± Frigga answered. ¡°She would never allow them to harm him either. Did he know what he was doing? Does he remember?¡± Loki asked. ¡°He claims to have no recollection. Based on his reaction to what he had done after he became himself again, I believe he speaks the truth," Frigga replied as Loki seated himself next to her and took Wolfie from her lap, looking down at the stuffed animal that had been the final clue to Vanar¡¯s existence. ¡°I know little of curses. Is it possible father could remove it?¡± ¡°Without knowing who and what this Shadow Man is¡­even with that knowledge, removing another¡¯s curse is dangerous,¡± Frigga answered, ¡°Your father is no longer young. He grows weary more easily. Thor--nor yourself are ready...¡± ¡°You no longer need trouble yourself in the interest of sparing my feelings. We both know father intends to chose Thor as his heir.¡± ¡°Your father carries more burdens than the throne,¡± Frigga continued. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Loki asked, puzzled. ¡°I go now to speak to your father. Remain here with Vanar until he summons you,¡± Frigga said, rising, Loki standing from the chaise as well, Frigga embracing him before crossing the room to the tall, gilded double doors, exiting Loki¡¯s chambers. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki entered Vanar¡¯s bedchambers, far larger than his bedroom in Boda¡¯s apartment, to find him playing with a set of small, square blocks that appeared to be made of the same material as the Rainbow Bridge. Vanar continued to build with the blocks, not acknowledging Loki as Loki sat down across from him and the structure he was creating. Wordlessly, Loki picked up a block from the pile on the floor beside Vanar and went to place it next to the one Vanar had just added. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡°No!¡± Vanar exclaimed, Loki withdrawing his hand holding the block. ¡°I¡¯ll be careful,¡± said Loki, placing the block atop another, ¡°I spent many hours with these when I was a child as well. I once built the palace along with the Rainbow Bridge and Himinbjorg. It took days. Once I¡¯d completed them¡­ I destroyed them.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Vanar asked, perplexed. ¡°I was angry with my father,¡± Loki answered as he picked up another block and placed it beside the other. ¡°But your father didn¡¯t build them, you did,¡± Vanar said, confused. ¡°They reminded me of him,¡± Loki said, adding another block as Vanar watched him. ¡°I hurt someone. I broke a rule. I didn¡¯t mean to. Is he going to send me back?¡± ¡°No. You¡¯re going to stay with your mother.¡± ¡°He knocked the wall down. I was angry¡­I¡¯m sorry,¡± Vanar said sadly, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry this time. I¡¯m not lying.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault,¡± Loki said, continuing to add more blocks. ¡°Everyone will be afraid of me now. They won¡¯t be my friends. I don¡¯t want to hurt anyone,¡± Vanar said before throwing himself at Loki as he began to cry, knocking down part of what he had been building in the process, wrapping his arms around Loki as Loki held him, stroking the boy¡¯s dark hair that was so much like his own. ¡°We¡¯ll speak with my father soon. After we¡¯ll pack up whatever we wish to bring with us and join your mother.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to stay with us?¡± ¡°I am.¡± ¡°Oops," Vanar said as he turned to see the pile of blocks. ¡°Let¡¯s finish the job,¡± Loki said, both alternating between laughter and monstrous growls as they reduced the remaining walls of the structure to rubble. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki and Vanar neared the entrance to the throne room, Vanar nervously gripping Loki¡¯s hand. ¡°Brother!¡± Loki and Vanar heard Thor¡¯s voice call out from behind them, turning as Thor caught up with them, ¡°Mother asked me to join you. Up you go,¡± Thor said as he lifted Vanar onto his shoulders, the trio continuing to the throne room. ¡°You¡¯re not scared of me? I¡¯m a monster,¡± Vanar told Thor. ¡°You¡¯re not a monster,¡± said Loki. ¡°I¡¯ve fought monsters ten times your size, I¡¯ve fought monsters ten times my size,¡± Thor told Vanar before addressing Loki, ¡°If there¡¯s anything I can do¡­¡± ¡°Aside from finding a remedy for eitr poisoning or lifting curses, I can think of nothing¨C¡­actually there is something. When we¡¯re finished here we could use some assistance transferring our things to the cottage,¡± Loki replied. ¡°You¡¯re staying there as well?¡± Thor asked. ¡°Of course. Would you not do the same? You think me such a churl?¡± ¡°Yes¡­No..." Thor answered, flustered, "Yes, I would do the same...no, I do not." ¡°Also, I have a bit of unfinished business to attend to this evening. I¡¯d rather someone remain with them considering the circumstances. I shouldn¡¯t be long. If you have no plans¡­¡± ¡°No plans that cannot be altered,¡± Thor responded. Loki, Thor, and Vanar riding on his uncle¡¯s shoulders, approached the throne to see Odin standing before it, Frigga at his side as Heimdall faced the King and Queen of Asgard. Heimdall placed his arm across his chest, bowing his head before turning and walking past the three. ¡°Has something happened...other than the reason we¡¯re here,¡± Loki asked, aware that Heimdall would not leave his watch in Himinbjorg except in the case of an emergency or a summons from his father and also noticing the troubled expressions on his parents¡¯ faces. ¡°There has been a murder,¡± Odin said gravely. ¡°Who?¡± Thor asked, shocked as murder was an exceedingly rare occurrence in Asgard. ¡°Stian Halvorson, the shepherd. The perpetrator is not yet known,¡± Odin replied. ¡°Stian? I¡¯ve shared a drink with him in the tavern many times. I¡¯ve never known him to quarrel with anyone,¡± Thor replied. ¡°We will speak in my study,¡± Odin said. Odin and Frigga stepped down from the dais, Frigga looking to Loki with trepidation, locking eyes with him, before following Odin towards the entrance to the King¡¯s study, Loki, Thor and Vanar trailing behind. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Arvid entered his abode, slamming the door closed behind him and crossing the room, sinking into an armchair. ¡°You know what¡¯s going to happen, what always happens. You¡¯ll have a few too many drinks, he¡¯ll charm you with that silver tongue, round and round we¡¯ll go again, just like always,¡± Arvid said gruffly aloud to himself, ¡°I must be the biggest fool in Asgard.¡± Arvid turned his head as he heard the bell ring at his door. Rising from the chair, he approached the door, opening it. ¡°Stian?¡± Arvid said in surprise at the identity of his visitor. Though Arvid knew the shepherd, as did everyone in Asgard, the two were not close. He couldn¡¯t recall being visited by him in the past. ¡°May I come in?¡± Stian asked. ¡°Yes, of course,¡± Arvid said, stepping aside, Stian entering, Arvid closing the door behind him, ¡°Is there something I can do for you?¡± ¡°You assault a prince and are allowed to walk away?¡± Stian asked. ¡°I think it happens often enough the einherjar no longer bother. It would have been worth the time in the dungeon,¡± Arvid replied. ¡°You know him well?¡± ¡°Too well,¡± Arvid answered, pausing a moment, a thought dawning on him, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me...as he always says, variety is the spice of life...¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but overhear your conversation. You¡¯re meeting with him this evening?¡± ¡°If he keeps his word, which I wouldn¡¯t place any bets on,¡± Arvid answered. ¡°He¡¯s taken something of mine. I would like it back. I thought you could be of assistance,¡± Stian said, taking note of a painting tacked to the wall, stepping past Arvid to the wall to stand in front of it. ¡°If he has something of yours, you must know him as well as I. Why would you need my help?¡± ¡°You were with him...at the museum?¡± Stian asked, studying the painting. ¡°How did you know about that?¡± Chapter 10 ¡°Did this Shadow Man tell you his name?¡± Odin asked Vanar sitting in Loki¡¯s lap, Thor seated to their right, resting a comforting hand on the boy¡¯s leg as Frigga seated on the other side of them held Vanar''s hand. ¡°I don¡¯t want to say it. I don¡¯t want him to come here. When the Bull Man said it he came out of the wall.¡± ¡°You say this being is a shadow. Shadows are destroyed by light. If he were to appear I would blast him with the brightest bolt of lightning in the history of lightning,¡± said Thor, raising his hammer from the floor beside his chair. ¡°Airbus¡­like an airplane and a bus mixed together,¡± Vanar answered after a moment of hesitation. ¡°Erebus¡­¡± Odin said, correcting Vanar¡¯s slight mistake in pronunciation, ¡°the entity of whom I spoke yesterday.¡± ¡°You said he had been defeated,¡± said Loki. ¡°Defeated does not mean destroyed. Laufey, other enemies of Asgard and the realms have been defeated yet they live,¡± Odin replied, ¡°He cannot be destroyed, only contained. He was imprisoned within an idol in the safekeeping of those who guided the civilization mortals now refer to as Ancient Greece.¡± ¡°Obviously they were sleeping on the job,¡± Loki quipped, ¡°What can one expect of lesser gods?¡± ¡°If he is in need of another to do his bidding he must remain at least partially attached to the idol,¡± said Odin. ¡°Vanar said Erebus saved Dario¡¯s life and in return he must do as he commands. Clearly he placed a similar curse on Dario, though Dario is able to control his transformation, or learned to do so over time. Erebus may have offered to lift the curse and free him from servitude in exchange for the goblet,¡± reasoned Loki, ¡°but why poison Boda? He was getting what he wanted, at least he thought he was.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not certain,¡± Odin answered. ¡°It must be another warm day in Jotunheim. The great Allfather has admitted there¡¯s something he doesn¡¯t know,¡± said Loki sarcastically. ¡°Loki¡­not now,¡± Frigga said admonishingly. ¡°Mommy says no one knows everything,¡± Vanar chimed in. ¡°She¡¯s quite right,¡± Frigga agreed. ¡°Could there be a connection between Erebus and this Dario and Stian¡¯s murder?¡± Thor asked. ¡°The timing is unlikely to be coincidence,¡± Odin replied. ¡°What reason would he have to take the life of a simple shepherd tending his flock?¡± inquired Loki. "Erebus is able to mimic others by draining their life force. He is also capable of possessing another thus bestowing upon them that ability as well.¡± ¡°Then no one is safe,¡± said Thor. ¡°That is why I have ordered everyone to remain in their homes until the guilty party is apprehended. Anyone who must venture out is not to do so alone. That includes all of you as well,¡± said Odin before addressing Loki, ¡°If ever you were to obey one of my ¡®ridiculous¡¯ edicts, let it be this one.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Thor, Loki, Vanar and Boda sat around the table in the dining room of the cottage, Thor and Loki having finished their meal, Vanar picking at the last bit of food on his plate, Boda barely having touched the meal on her own. ¡°Vanar, finish your dinner,¡± said Boda as the boy sat his fork down. ¡°I¡¯m full,¡± Vanar replied, ¡°You didn¡¯t eat yours.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Boda responded. Thor stood from the table, resting a hand on Vanar¡¯s shoulder. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡°I enjoy a bit of exercise after a good meal. Would you care to join me?¡± Thor asked the boy. ¡°Can I?¡± Vanar asked Boda. ¡°May I,¡± Boda corrected, ¡°Yes, you may.¡± ¡°An excellent meal. Thank you,¡± said Thor, Vanar taking his hand as Thor turned, leading him out of the room, leaving Boda and Loki alone. ¡°I should clean up,¡± Boda said, beginning to rise, Loki reaching out and grasping her arm. ¡°Leave it to me,¡± Loki said as Boda sat back down. ¡°I doubt you¡¯ve washed a dish in your life,¡± Boda replied. ¡°When we were children, my mother insisted that my brother and I assist in the kitchen. I¡¯ve washed more than one dish in my time,¡± said Loki, beginning to gather up the plates and utensils, leaving Boda¡¯s in front of her. ¡°You can take mine too,¡± Boda said. ¡°You should try to eat something. You need to keep your strength up. It may prolong the elixir¡¯s effects.¡± ¡°I should have ended us both before I let him take him,¡± Boda said, Loki returning to his seat beside Boda, reaching over and taking Boda¡¯s hand, ¡°This was what I always wanted¡­you and I¡­children...a simple cottage by the sea...¡± Boda said morosely. ¡°I must be on my way soon. I agreed to meet Arvid at the tavern this evening for a drink but seeing as the tavern is closed, I¡¯ll bring the drink to him,¡± Loki informed her. ¡°The more things change, the more they stay the same,¡± Boda replied bitterly. ¡°I plan to do as you advised.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to break with him? How do you think he¡¯ll take it?¡± ¡°Likely the same as he¡¯s taken it the other times...badly.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Thor and Vanar strolled along the sandy shore of the sea. Thor stopped, turning his head, looking out over the water. ¡°I feel like going for a swim. How about you?¡± Thor announced. ¡°You¡¯re not supposed to swim right after you eat.¡± ¡°Nonsense. Who told you that?¡± asked Thor. ¡°I heard someone say it on TV.¡± ¡°TV? Oh¡­the picture boxes in Midgard. Your father¡¯s told me of them among other things. I haven¡¯t visited Midgard in some time.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never been swimming. I don¡¯t know how,¡± Vanar said. ¡°It¡¯s simple. I¡¯ll teach you,¡± Thor offered. ¡°We don¡¯t have swim trunks.¡± ¡°Why would one need a trunk to swim?¡± ¡°You wear them.¡± ¡°How does one wear a trunk? Midgard is a strange realm,¡± Thor said as he began to undress. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki sat alone at the table as Boda entered the dining room from the kitchen, a wooden tray in her hands which she sat on the table in front of Loki. Upon it rested the large knife and the smaller knives she had discovered earlier in the drawer. ¡°Take these with you,¡± Boda said. ¡°Won¡¯t we need them?¡± asked Loki. ¡°We¡¯ll make do...it¡¯s better to be safe than sorry.¡± ¡°Oh¡­I¡¯d forgotten. I brought something¡­¡± said Loki. ¡°You brought many things. You weren¡¯t kidding about him being spoiled.¡± Loki rose and offered his hand, Boda taking it. Loki led Boda from the dining room through the sitting room into the bedroom to stand before the wardrobe. ¡°Open it.¡± Boda opened the wardrobe to reveal additional gowns of various colors hanging among the identical drab grey dresses. Removing a powder blue gown, she examined it. ¡°Thank you. Dungeon chic isn¡¯t my style. Clearly your father didn¡¯t want me to forget I¡¯m still a prisoner.¡± Loki and Boda heard the front door open, Vanar racing into the cottage. ¡°Mommy?¡± Vanar called out. ¡°In here!¡± Boda replied, Vanar appearing in the doorway in a pair of wet undershorts, his hair dripping water onto the floor. ¡°We need towels.¡± ¡°Obviously. In the washroom, in the cabinet,¡± Boda said, Vanar zooming off to the washroom, Loki and Boda hearing the sound of a cabinet door open and close then the sound of Vanar¡¯s wet, bare feet running across the stone floor, followed by the front door slamming. ¡°What are they doing?¡± Boda asked, replacing the dress in the wardrobe and walking past Loki, leaving the bedroom and following Vanar¡¯s wet footprints to the front door. Opening it, she stepped out, looking in the direction from where she heard Vanar and Thor¡¯s voices as Loki made his way to the door. Just as Loki reached it, Boda stepped back through into the cottage walking backwards, bumping into him, Loki stepping aside as Boda closed the door. ¡°Is there any wine left? I need a drink,¡± Boda said, turning as she walked away from Loki, exiting through the doorway into the dining room. Loki opened the front door, stepping outside. Thor, standing on the beach wearing only a towel around his waist, watched as Vanar ran past him into the water. Catching sight of Loki as he exited the cottage, Thor grinned, raising his arm in a wave. ¡°I¡¯m teaching him to swim! He¡¯s doing quite well! Are you certain he wasn¡¯t cursed to be a fish?¡± Thor called out. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful¡­lovely¡­¡± Loki called back in reply before turning and rolling his eyes up into his head, entering the cottage and closing the door. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Frigga descended the stairway into the vault, two einherjar trailing behind her. They joined the other two already standing at the foot of the steps as Frigga continued on to find Odin standing before the pedestal upon which the gu had been placed, staring down thoughtfully at the vessel with his remaining eye. ¡°I thought I would find you here,¡± said Frigga, Odin turning his head to glance at her before returning his attention to the gu, Frigga stepping up next to him, looking down at it as well, ¡°So much trouble brought about by something so small.¡± ¡°There are far more diminutive objects in the universe that would bring about worse were they to fall into the wrong hands,¡± Odin stated. ¡°It is not of relics I¡¯ve come to speak but prophecies.¡± ¡°My father¡¯s last words are only one of many. What is destined to be will be. Even I lack the ability to alter fate.¡± ¡°You have decided her fate is to die?¡± Frigga asked. Chapter 11 ¡°As I cannot alter it, I also do not determine it,¡± Odin said, turning from Frigga and stepping away from the pedestal, starting in the direction of the stairway. ¡°You decided her fate years ago,¡± Frigga said, Odin coming to a halt, his back to his Queen. ¡°She chose her own fate.¡± ¡°Circumstances she did not choose led her to make that choice,¡± Frigga replied. ¡°We have had this conversation. I see no point in revisiting it. She betrayed you as well.¡± ¡°I am able to forgive much when one¡¯s motivation was not malice but love. In many ways Loki is more like yourself than Thor. The day will come when he will learn the truth. What will happen when he also learns you could have saved her life, she who he placed above others, the mother of his son? Prophecies can be misunderstood, misinterpreted,¡± Frigga said, Odin turning to face her. ¡°¡®When one of your house yet not of your blood leads her who will give life to the wolf home, darkness and death will she bring with her to prepare the way.¡¯ There has been one death thus far. It is likely there will be more despite my edict,¡± Odin said. ¡°But if you truly believe that you cannot alter fate¡­¡± ¡°I do not stand in the way of those who search for a remedy. If fate dictates she live they will succeed in their quest.¡± ¡°She is innocent of Stian¡¯s murder. Regardless of what she did in the past, she is Asgardian and having returned to Asgard she is under your protection. She is the mother of your grandson. Can you live with her blood on your hands?¡± Frigga asked. ¡°It would be indistinguishable from that which is already there. I have lived these many millennia under the burden of darker deeds,¡± Odin said in a weary voice as Frigga took both of his hands in hers. ¡°As your Queen, as a mother, for our son and our grandson, for your own sake, I beg you to reconsider.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX After Loki had taken his leave and Thor and Vanar had settled in the front room sitting on the floor on either side of the small table playing an Asgardian version of a board game with round stone pieces, Boda excused herself to the second bedroom. Closing the door behind her she seated herself on the stool in front of the easel, applying fresh paint from a few of the jars to the pallet and picking up a brush. Studying what she had accomplished thus far, she moved the brush from the palette to the canvas. After a few minutes of painting, hearing the muffled voices of Thor and Vanar through the closed door, Boda ceased painting, setting the brush and pallet down and staring at her work in silence, a dark expression falling over her features. Standing from the stool, Boda balled her hand into a tight fist, every muscle in her body growing so taut she trembled. With a shriek of rage she suddenly thrust her fist through the canvas before hurling it across the room. Breathing heavily, with another angry cry she picked up a jar of paint, throwing it against the far wall where it shattered, paint running down the white plaster. In the front room, Thor was in the process of moving a game piece as Vanar looked on when Boda¡¯s shrieks reached them, followed by the unmistakable sound of breaking glass. Thor dropped the carved stone in his hand onto the table as he swiftly rose to his feet. ¡°Stay here,¡± Thor directed Vanar. Thor rushed to the door of the bedroom, throwing it open to see Boda standing, her back to him, with the stool raised, preparing to toss it as well. ¡°Boda?¡± Thor called, entering the room, striding to her as she turned to face him, throwing the stool in his direction, Thor batting it aside. Boda balled both hands into fists, her eyes burning with anger. As Thor reached her, she brought her fists down on Thor¡¯s torso, Thor grabbing hold of her wrists. ¡°Let me go!¡± Boda growled angrily, ¡°He left me as he did before! He left me to be with him! He¡¯s not coming back!¡± ¡°He¡¯ll return, I give you my word.¡± ¡°He¡¯s lying! It¡¯s just another game! He never cared for me! He¡¯s never cared for anyone! He can''t wait for me to die and be rid of me!¡± Boda cried. ¡°The eitr has put these thoughts into your head,¡± Thor said as Boda continued to struggle to free herself from his grasp, "Loki masks his feelings well but you have long held a special place in his heart." ¡°He actually has one? That would be news to most," Boda laughed cynically ¡°It is far larger than most realize. That is the reason he so carefully guards it.¡± ¡°You were always kind to me when the other children taunted me after my mother went mad. They said I¡¯d driven her crazy,¡± Boda said as tears streamed from her eyes. ¡°Loki defended you as well. He was involved in more than a few tussles¨C¡± ¡°Release me¡­please¡­¡± Boda said, her voice and demeanor now calm, Thor letting go of her wrists. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡°You''re not like him. You wouldn¡¯t have left me without saying goodbye,¡± Boda said as she placed her hands on his chest, sliding them up to hook her arms around his neck as she pressed herself to him, moving her lips to his. Thor, taken by surprise for a moment, placed his hands on Boda¡¯s shoulders, gently moving her back from him. ¡°It is not to me your heart belongs.¡± ¡°Forgive me,¡± Boda said as if emerging from under a spell, hanging her head in shame. ¡°There is nothing to forgive. You weren¡¯t yourself.¡± Boda looked behind her at the ruined canvas and the paint splattered on the wall, the shards of broken glass littering the floor. ¡°Mommy?¡± Vanar said, Thor and Boda both turning to see him standing in the doorway. ¡°I had a little accident. Everything¡¯s alright. I¡¯m sorry if I frightened you,¡± Boda told him reassuringly. ¡°I¡¯m rejoin you soon and we¡¯ll finish our game,¡± Thor told him. ¡°Ok,¡± Vanar said, disappearing from the doorway. ¡°Loki said the elixir¡¯s effects would last a few days. It¡¯s barely been one,¡± said Boda. ¡°You had quite a shock learning of this Shadow Man and the curse he placed on him. You¡¯re tired after toiling to prepare one of the best meals I¡¯ve enjoyed in some time...¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to flatter me. Vanar should be going to bed soon. I''ll clean this up,¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see to it and to Vanar as well,¡± Thor replied, ¡°You should rest. As my mother says, you cannot care for others if you neglect to care for yourself.¡± ¡°Our lessons were one of the few things I had to look forward to. I used to pretend she was my mother,¡± said Boda. ¡°She¡¯s the mother of all of Asgard. When Loki petitioned our father she spoke on your behalf,¡± Thor informed Boda. ¡°At least everyone knows I¡¯m going mad. I knew something was wrong...no one believed me when I told them something was wrong with my mother...not until the day she-¡± Boda said, breaking off as she put her hand to her forehead, swaying on her feet. Thor took hold of her shoulders, steadying her as Boda lowered her arm, noticing the slight bruising around her wrist where Thor had gripped it. ¡°You''re right...I should retire,¡± said Boda, fatigued, as Thor placed an arm around her, escorting her from the room. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Arvid opened the front door of his abode to find Loki standing outside flanked by two einherjar, a bottle in his hand. ¡°I¡¯m not interrupting anything?¡± asked Loki. ¡°No¡­not at all.¡± ¡°I thought since my father ordered the tavern closed¡­¡± Loki continued. ¡°Will your friends be joining us?¡± Arvid asked, referring to the einherjar. ¡°They¡¯ll remain here to accompany me after I take my leave.¡± ¡°Come in,¡± Arvid said, moving aside, Loki entering, Arvid closing and securing the door behind him, ¡°Make yourself comfortable.¡± Loki crossed to a settee, seating himself, setting the bottle on the table between it and the armchair. Arvid glanced around the room, his eyes falling on a cabinet, drinking vessels atop it. Walking to the cabinet, Arvid retrieved two of them, carrying them to the table and setting them down, seating himself in the armchair. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you,¡± said Arvid ¡°You were expecting another?¡± asked Loki. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting anyone. I suppose rules don¡¯t apply to royalty.¡± ¡°Actually, my father made it a point in my last conversation with him that they do, thus my escorts this evening. I didn¡¯t want to disappoint you,¡± Loki replied, Arvid remaining silent, sitting stiffly, ¡°Are you feeling alright?¡± ¡°Yes...I¡¯m fine...a bit anxious, out of sorts considering...¡± Arvid replied. ¡°This may help. I nicked it some time ago from my father¡¯s store of spirits. I¡¯ve been saving it for such an occasion,¡± Loki said, uncorking the bottle and pouring the golden liquid into both vessels, picking one up and holding it out to Arvid who took it from him. ¡°Thank you,¡± Arvid said. ¡°To our success in Midgard,¡± Loki said, Arvid lifting his goblet as well before both drank. Loki surveyed the room, noticing the paintings on the wall. ¡°I see you took my advice,¡± Loki observed. ¡°Advice?¡± ¡°The paintings.¡± ¡°Oh, yes.¡± ¡°That reminds me. I¡¯ve yet to give Fandral his gift. I took Fandral and Thor on a bit of an adventure to Midgard some time ago. Judging from the clothing worn by the subject in the painting it was around the same time which is why it reminded me of him. We spent days traveling from place to place, mostly by train. They traveled far slower then. They had yet to invent vehicles as you and I made use of. Fandral did a passable job impersonating mortals but my brother could never get the hang of it. He was like a bilge snipe in a potter¡¯s shop. I suppose being drunk a great deal of the time didn¡¯t help, but then Fandral and I were no less so.¡± ¡°How does it feel?¡± ¡°To be drunk? I¡¯ve practically carried you back here on more than a few occasions.¡± ¡°To be a father.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still acclimating myself to the idea. To my mother¡¯s dismay I wasn¡¯t sure if I wanted children to judge me unworthy along with everyone else. Now that I find myself one, I plan to improve upon my own father¡¯s performance, though that should hardly pose a challenge,¡± Loki said, falling silent before reaching for the bottle and pouring himself more, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t tarry long. Boda is ill. In light of her condition, my father agreed to allow her to occupy my grandparents¡¯ cottage instead of a dungeon cell, though her movement is restricted. Vanar is staying there with her for the time being. He...he proved in need of time to adjust. I left my brother in charge of them. I don¡¯t wish to impose on his time," Loki explained before he began to chuckle, ¡°The magazine with the photographs of mortal women¡­when I awoke this morning, Vanar had risen before me. I found him engrossed in its pages as I have no television.¡± ¡°I believe I¡¯d find that more interesting than cartoons as well,¡± said Arvid, Loki looking from his goblet at him. ¡°I promised you an explanation. I hadn¡¯t had contact with her for six years. She¡¯d broken with me when she learned of Vanar¡¯s impending arrival. Vanar had been abducted. The wretch who abducted him demanded a relic that was being housed in the museum in exchange for his safe return. She contacted me asking for my help to retrieve it. I thought she planned to sell it. I decided to remain to insure whatever deal she had made was honored. I suspected there was a reason he wished to obtain it beyond money. Of course, as always, I was right. My decision to remain and my scheme to replace it with a fake likely saved the universe. There¡¯s no ¡®likely¡¯ to it, actually.¡± ¡°Well...it¡¯s not everyday one has the opportunity to share a drink with a savior of the universe." ¡°It¡¯s poetic in a way¡­Boda¡¯s exile was precipitated by one relic, her return brought about by another. Would you like more?¡± Loki asked, picking up the bottle. Arvid held his goblet over the table as Loki refilled it, adding more to his own before replacing the bottle on the table. Loki emptied the contents of his goblet in one long drink, setting it on the table with the bottle. Rising, he walked around the table to stand behind Arvid¡¯s chair, placing his hands on Arvid¡¯s shoulders, massaging them. ¡°On second thought, perhaps I may extend my stay to assist you in overcoming your anxiety. I¡¯m sure Thor won¡¯t mind the opportunity to spend more time with his nephew. He seems to enjoy spoiling him.¡± ¡°What about her? The mother of your child?¡± asked Arvid. "She was never more than someone with whom to occupy my time. I only visited her in Midgard as I knew it would vex my father if he knew of our liaisons. She means nothing to me.¡± Chapter 12 Arvid rose from the armchair, setting his drink on the table, turning to face Loki who remained standing behind the chair. ¡°Your friends outside-¡± Arvid began. ¡°I don¡¯t believe ¡®friends¡¯ is quite the right word. They¡¯re sworn to safeguard the lives of those closest to the throne. Unless you¡¯re planning to do away with me...though after our earlier encounter¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Arvid said as Loki rounded the chair, Arvid side stepping from between it and the table. ¡±Others have done worse. Ask Sif if you don¡¯t believe me. You could learn a thing or two from her,¡± Loki said with a slight grin as he approached Arvid, standing before him and placing a hand on his cheek, ¡°I should have told you of my plans. It¡¯s far from the first time I¡¯ve disappointed you,¡± Loki finished before moving his lips to Arvid¡¯s. ¡°I don¡¯t believe now is the right time...under the circumstances¡­¡± Arvid said as he swiftly stepped back. ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll leave you to fret...that¡¯s new,¡± Loki said, looking past Arvid at a shelf holding sculptures of various sizes, walking around Arvid to stand before it as Arvid turned, ¡°Is this one of Eluf¡¯s pieces?¡± Loki asked, examining the black stone idol in the shape of a featureless man. Behind Loki, Arvid removed his tunic, allowing it to drop to the floor, revealing his torso. ¡°It''s not his style,¡± Loki said as he turned, ¡°I see you¡¯ve changed your mind-¡± Loki said as Arvid¡¯s form morphed into that of a minotaur, the man-beast reaching out to grasp Loki by the throat, Loki vanishing, Dario''s hand closing around empty air. Loki reappeared behind him, a dagger in his grip, sinking it into Dario¡¯s hairy back. Dario bellowed in pain, turning and striking Loki with his bulky, muscular arm, sending Loki soaring across the room to crash into the wall. A second crash came from the direction of the front door as the einherjar stationed outside broke it down, rushing inside, swords drawn. Dario reached behind him, pulling Loki¡¯s dagger from his flesh, flinging it at them, the einherjar moving to avoid it as he grabbed the idol from the shelf and barreled toward them and the door. The einherjar took a battle ready stance, Dario powering past them and sending them flying in opposite directions as he charged through the broken door into the night. After recovering, the einherjar rushed to Loki as he was picking himself up off the floor, taking hold of his arms to assist him. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Loki said, the einherjar continuing to grasp his arms as he rose to his feet, ¡°I said I¡¯m fine!¡± Loki exclaimed, the einherjar releasing their grip, ¡°Remain here,¡± Loki ordered them, turning from them, heading in the direction of a doorway at the far side of the room. Loki entered Arvid¡¯s bedchambers, firelight from the burning cauldrons flickering on the walls. Examining the room he noticed nothing amiss until his eyes fell on a bit of fabric sticking out from the bottom of one of the two doors of a standing wardrobe. Quickly crossing the room to it Loki opened it, stepping back as the top half of Arvid¡¯s body limply flopped out of it, his glassy, lifeless eyes staring up at Loki. Loki looked down at the body of his former friend and lover with an expression of grief and remorse. Taking the cadaver in his arms, he carried it from the wardrobe to lay it out on the bed. Loki moved Arvid¡¯s arms to lie across his chest, one hand atop the other, gently closing the dead man¡¯s eyes before seating himself on the edge of the bed, reaching out and placing his palm on Arvid¡¯s forehead. ¡°Arvid, son of Balfour¡­my friend, I bid you to take your place in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave live forever. Nor shall we mourn but rejoice for those who have died the glorious death.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki exited Arvid¡¯s bedchambers, returning to the front room to find Heimdall and two more einherjar standing along with the einherjar who had accompanied Loki. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t arrive sooner. He is able to cast shadows to conceal himself from my sight,¡± Heimdall explained. ¡°See to him,¡± Loki said, striding past Asgard''s gatekeeper, one of his two einherjar escorts returning his dagger to him as both followed him as he exited Arvid¡¯s abode through the gaping front door. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Thor glanced at the light red stain left on the plaster wall, the fire in the cauldron low but enough to see by, the easel and other artist¡¯s accouterments having been moved into the corner, as Vanar clutching Wolfie climbed into bed, Thor tucking him in. ¡°When will father be back?¡± asked Vanar. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s on his way as we speak.¡± ¡°Do you love my Mommy? You kissed her,¡± Vanar said, Thor silent for a moment, pondering how to reply. ¡°She kissed me. She was unwell. She¡¯ll feel better in the morning.¡± ¡°Father said he couldn¡¯t come here but he did. What if he gets him?¡± Vanar asked anxiously. ¡°Your father is an able warrior. We¡¯ve fought side by side many times against Asgard¡¯s enemies. He¡¯s more than capable of defending himself.¡± ¡°I certainly am,¡± Loki said from the doorway, Thor turning his head, Vanar sitting up in bed as Loki entered the room. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear you come in,¡± said Thor. ¡°You should have been in bed some time ago,¡± Loki told Vanar. ¡°We were finishing a game,¡± Thor explained. ¡°Who won?¡± asked Loki. ¡°The final tally was five games to three, in Vanar¡¯s favor,¡± answered Thor. ¡°Well done,¡± Loki said to Vanar with a smile, seating himself on the edge of the bed as Vanar laid back down, Loki leaning over and kissing his forehead, ¡°Goodnight. Pleasant dreams.¡± Loki rose as Thor made his way to the bedroom door, Loki following, closing it behind them. ¡°Where¡¯s Boda?¡± asked Loki. ¡°She retired early. She had an episode.¡± The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°An episode? Did Vanar witness it?¡± Loki asked, concerned. ¡°No. It was short lived, likely brought on by fatigue, her worry over him.¡± ¡°Arvid is dead,¡± Loki said, Thor reacting with shock at the news, ¡°Dario must have seen us together in the plaza this afternoon, overheard our plans to meet and followed him home in the guise of Stian before his murder had been discovered. I injured him but he was able to escape.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, brother, you had cared for him for some time,¡± Thor said, placing a hand on Loki¡¯s shoulder, struck by Loki¡¯s seeming lack of emotion, ¡°Despite what the blessing says, you are allowed to mourn him.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll mourn him in my own way,¡± Loki said, turning away from Thor, walking across the room to the chaise and seating himself, resting his elbow on the arm, his forehead on his closed fist in both physical and emotional exhaustion. ¡°It may be best if I remain for the night,¡± Thor said as he followed Loki, sitting down in the armchair across from him. ¡°I discovered him in his wardrobe. It¡¯s fitting...we first met at the clothier. By the end of that evening we found ourselves three sheets to the wind and-¨C you''d have no interest in the rest.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve spent too much time in Midgard. Asgard grew past such prejudices long before even father¡¯s time. Though I don¡¯t share your proclivities, I¡¯m not troubled by them, though you¡¯re correct that I have no desire to hear of the details.¡± ¡°Boda told me of a mortal she met in her tavern. He was beaten by two ruffians for such ¡®proclivities.¡¯ He died in her arms. At least he was afforded that comfort at his end. I visited the healer. There¡¯s been no progress on a remedy.¡± Thor, taking note of Loki¡¯s stony expression, rose from the chair and seated himself beside Loki on the chaise. ¡°I had told Boda many times never to accept food or drink from an enemy, even to be wary of that offered by friends under certain circumstances,¡± Loki said, breaking the silence. ¡°None of this is your doing,¡± Thor assured him, placing a hand on his brother''s shoulder. ¡°I''m sure Father would disagree. Say nothing to Boda of Arvid,¡± Loki told Thor before rising from the chaise. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Thor asked. ¡°To bed. Needless to say after the events of this evening...¡± ¡°You¡¯re sharing a bed?¡± ¡°It will be far from the first time. Where else would I sleep? On this?¡± Loki said, indicating the chaise, ¡°You¡¯re welcome to it.¡± ¡°Do you think it¡¯s wise?¡± ¡°The eitr has rendered her nearly as weak as mortals and as vulnerable. It¡¯s unlikely she could do me harm,¡± Loki said, Thor recalling the bruising to Boda¡¯s wrist he had caused with what he had considered a weak grip, ¡°I¡¯m more concerned about Dario paying a visit. Before I became aware of his ruse I gave away our location.¡± ¡°He would make it no farther than the door,¡± Thor said confidently, extending his arm, Mjolnir sailing from where Thor had sat it beside the chair into his hand. ¡°There¡¯s no need to try to sooth my anxieties as if I were a child,¡± Loki said, recalling Thor¡¯s assurances to Vanar earlier that day, ¡°May I ask you something?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Thor replied. ¡°Have you never questioned why father bestowed Mjolnir on you yet he has never gifted me such a weapon?¡± Loki asked. ¡°You have your magic.¡± ¡°A poor substitute compared to a weapon forged in the heart of a dying star.¡± ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡± asked Thor. ¡°Asgard can afford the loss of a shepherd and an architect, even one such as I skilled in Asgardian magic, but not the heir to Asgard¡¯s throne.¡± ¡°Father has not yet declared between us.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t possibly be such a dunce. If Dario makes an appearance here take Vanar and Boda and flee to our old hideaway as children. It¡¯s within the boundaries father set. I will deal with him.¡± ¡°I have never shrank from battling Asgard¡¯s foes,¡± Thor said, setting Mjolnir down and standing from the chaise to face Loki. ¡°Not all defeats come in battle. He wants the goblet but for whatever reason he wants Vanar as well. There would be no other reason to poison her. As Arvid was fond of saying, may fortune favor us.¡± Loki said as he turned away from Thor, taking a step toward the bedroom in which Boda slept. "Loki..." said Thor. Loki turning back to face him, his stony, stoic mask slipping for a quick moment to expose an expression of profound grief. Thor embracing his sibling. ¡°I grieve with you your loss, brother,¡± said Thor. ¡°His mistake was involving himself with me. It rarely turns out well for anyone it seems," Loki replied as Thor ended the embrace, gripping Loki''s shoulders. ¡°This is not the first time Asgard has faced danger. We will emerge victorious as we always have. The goblet is safe in the vault. I will keep watch. Sleep well, brother.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The clanking of chains filled the throne room as Boda, wearing a simple gray gown, was led in shackles by four einherjar towards the throne upon which Odin sat. Beside the throne stood Loki, both father and son glaring down at her as she and her guards reached the presentation area at the foot of the dais. Turning her head to the left, Boda¡¯s eyes fell upon Frigga who stared back at her in silence with an expression of sadness and disappointment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¨C¡± Boda began to say to Frigga in a choked voice before Odin interrupted, his booming voice echoing through the expansive chamber. ¡°The prisoner will be silent!¡± Boda turned back to face Odin, looking up at him as he stared back at her icily. ¡°You have been brought before me to face justice for your act of treason against the throne and the people of Asgard. Do you admit to your misdeeds? What have you to say for yourself?¡± ¡°I had no intention of harming anyone.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t consider enslaving another¡¯s mind, stealing their free will as causing harm? You seduced my son in the hopes of using him to gain knowledge that would assist you in your scheme.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t ¡®seduce¡¯ him! He was the first to call on me!¡± Boda exclaimed. ¡°You sought to usurp the throne,¡± Odin continued, ignoring Boda¡¯s protest, ¡°You believed you could do better than myself governing Asgard and safeguarding the peace of the realms?¡± ¡°No! Not at¨C¡± Boda began, her eyes meeting Loki¡¯s, his face expressionless and unfeeling as if he were a statue. Breaking off, she paused for a moment, hanging her head, ¡°You sent my father and many others to their deaths.¡± ¡°Your father willingly pledged to sacrifice his life in the defense of Asgard and the realms. He was in no way coerced to do so. He died honorably and nobly defending others who could not defend themselves.¡± ¡°I needed him more than did the realms,¡± Boda responded, continuing to gaze at the stone floor. ¡°I held your father in high esteem. He earned my trust and respect and the high station to which I raised him. Your actions dishonor him,¡± Odin said, silent tears escaping Boda¡¯s eyes upon hearing his words. ¡°My King¡­¡± Frigga spoke, Odin looking to her and raising his hand in a gesture demanding silence, Frigga acquiescing, bowing her head. ¡°For your act of treason, I sentence you to death, the sentence to be carried out immediately,¡± Odin said, banging Gungnir, his spear, on the floor, the sound echoing through the throne room. ¡°What?!¡± Boda said, raising her head. As Odin stood from the throne, an einherjar approached from behind Boda and her guards carrying a golden gilded block, placing it on the stone floor in front of Boda. The guards surrounding her took hold of her, moving her to her knees before it. Boda witnessed Odin magically produce a large axe in his free hand, offering it to Loki who took it from him, stepping down from the dais. Boda struggled against the guards as they held her firmly, forcing her head down onto the block as Loki approached. Boda fought to turn her head to look up at him, their eyes meeting once more, Loki staring down at her coldly as he raised the axe. ¡°Loki! No!¡± Boda cried out. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda shot upright in bed, her cry reverberating off the plaster walls of the cottage¡¯s bedchamber. Loki, lying awake on his side, his back to her staring at shadows from the cauldron¡¯s flames, turned over and sat up, startled. ¡°What is it?¡± Loki asked as grasped her arm, Boda¡¯s breathing slowing as she leaned forward, covering her face with her hands. ¡°Your father...he ordered my execution...he gave you the axe¡­¡± ¡°It was only a dream,¡± said Loki reassuringly as he relaxed, turning his head toward the door as he heard a knock. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± Thor asked from the other side. ¡°All¡¯s well. Only a nightmare,¡± Loki called out in answer to his brother. ¡°It was so real¡­I was taken before your father as on that day¡­¡± ¡°Boda, look at me," Loki gently commanded, Boda slowly lowering her hands, turning her head to face him, ¡°Even if my father were to threaten me with the axe, I would never do such a thing.¡± ¡°When did you return?¡± ¡°Not long ago. I didn¡¯t want to wake you.¡± ¡°Your friend, you broke with him?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Loki replied tersely. ¡°Did he take it as badly as you feared?¡± ¡°He accepted it nobly and honorably,¡± Loki replied as Boda studied his face, noticing in the dim light from the cauldron burning low near the far wall that they appeared red and slightly swollen. ¡°What is it? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Chapter 13 ¡°Nothing...nothing at all,¡± Loki answered, feigning a grin, ¡°What?" he asked with a chuckle, noting her skeptical expression, "I''m fine...everything¡¯s fine¡­well, not everything, obviously¡­¡± ¡°You''re a terrible li-¡± Boda began, Loki cutting her off, catching her off guard with a lustful kiss as he wrapped her in his arms. Placing her palms on Loki¡¯s chest, Boda in her weakened state struggled to push him back as she turned her head. ¡°Loki¡­stop...¡± ¡°Do you need wine?¡± Loki asked as he released her. ¡°You regret it.¡± ¡°Regret what?¡± ¡°Breaking with him,¡± Boda replied. ¡°No...I-¡± ¡°You¡¯ll return to him,¡± Boda interrupted, Loki casting his eyes down. "I didn¡¯t break with him. He¡¯s¨C¡± Loki began before Boda again interrupted. ¡°You lied! You never intended to break with him!¡± Bodie railed, throwing off the blankets and rising quickly from the bed walking around it, making her way to the door. ¡°If you would be so kind as to allow me to finish!¡± Loki exclaimed in frustration. ¡°As always, you want to have your cake and eat it too!¡± Boda vented angrily as Loki rose from the bed. ¡°I didn¡¯t lie to you! It seems you took me at my word when I said you were free to do the same. I foolishly believed it went without saying my brother was the one exception!¡± Loki groused, Boda freezing as she reached the door. ¡°I wasn¡¯t myself¡­the eitr¡­¡± ¡°A convenient excuse if your advances proved unwelcome!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not listening to this rubbish!¡± Boda exclaimed as she threw open the door and stalked out past Thor who stood a few feet from the door where he had been listening to their raised voices from within the bedroom, unsure if he should intervene. Boda continued to the front door of the cottage as Loki reached the bedroom doorway. ¡°Boda, wait¡­you can¡¯t go out--¡± Loki said, Boda ignoring him as she opened the door and exited the cottage, slamming it behind her, ¡°...alone. Damn.¡± ¡°Another episode?¡± Thor asked as Loki in his pajamas followed Boda¡¯s path, walking past him. ¡°Taking a stroll down memory lane,¡± Loki replied. ¡°Perhaps it would be better if I¨C¡± Thor began. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. After all, am I not an able warrior capable of defending myself?¡± ¡°An angry woman can be a more formidable foe than any to be found on a battlefield,¡± warned Thor. ¡°I¡¯m well aware,¡± Loki told Thor as he opened the door and stepped out of the cottage, closing it behind him. "Uncle Thor?...What''s going on? Is it him? Is he here?" Thor heard Vanar ask fearfully, turning to see the boy standing in his bedroom doorway in his pajamas clutching Wolfie to his chest. "No...no...nothing to worry about. Your mother and father were just having a disagreement as do all parents from time to time. They just stepped out for a stroll. Nothing like the night air to clear the head," Thor said in a reassuring tone as he made his way across the room to Vanar, lifting him up, "Let''s get you back to bed. I''ll tell you about Nidavellir and my friend Eitri. He made my hammer, you know..." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Odin stood at the back of the small, dimly lit chamber before making his languid way forward to stand before a wide pedestal upon which rested a golden helmet and a sword. Staring down thoughtfully at the objects for a moment, he slowly reached out, resting his palm on the helmet before the King of Asgard lowered himself to both knees, bowing his head with an air of meditation. ¡°Bor, son of Buri¡­Father¡­since you took your place in the halls of Valhalla I have not disturbed your rest. I beseech you to grant me your presence,¡± Odin said in a subdued voice. Odin remained kneeling for a time in silence before rising stiffly from his knees to his feet, taking a final look at the helmet and sword before turning, making his way towards the tall chamber doors. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°My son¡­you seek my counsel,¡± said the deep voice of Asgard¡¯s former king, Odin turning to face the image of his father standing before the pedestal. ¡°I have questions to which only you may have the answers,¡± Odin said. ¡°Ask them.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Dario, having returned to his human form, sat on the floor against the wall inside the door of the empty tavern, his torso bare, the idol clutched in his hand. The only light within the large room from a single cauldron left burning low in the far corner. Wincing, he gingerly touched the wound Loki had inflicted with his dagger, staring at his bloody fingers before wiping them off on Arvid¡¯s dark colored pants. Rising unsteadily to his feet he glanced around, spying a stone counter upon which sat a large cask with a spigot. Making his way to it he sat the idol down and grabbed a goblet nearby, filling it from the cask and drinking from it. Dario looked at the idol, his expression angry as he addressed it. ¡°You¡¯ll kill me. So what? I¡¯m already dead. I died with her¡­with them,¡± Dario said closing his eyes, calling up an image of a woman with curly dark hair and olive toned skin, her abdomen only just beginning to grow rounded from pregnancy, her hand resting on it as she stood on a balcony, the azure blue sea stretching out behind her as she smiled at him, ¡°Dina¡­¡± Dario said softly before opening his eyes, picking up the idol, ¡°What if I went back...left you here? What if I--¡± Dario said, pulling his arm back as if he were a pitcher preparing to hurl a baseball. Dario dropped the idol onto the counter, grabbing both sides of his head in his hands as waves of intense and excruciating pain exploded from the center of his skull radiating outward. Resting his forehead against the countertop, he groaned as he held back screams of pain, gripping his head and pulling at his hair. As the pain subsided, Dario raised his head, looking in the direction of the door, noticing dark spots on the stone floor following the path he¡¯d taken to the counter where his blood had dripped from his wound as he heard footsteps approaching the tavern. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°Boda¡­.stop!¡± Loki called as he caught sight of Boda, following after her, ¡°You can¡¯t be out alone,¡± Loki said as he trailed behind Boda as she walked along the shore in her nightdress. ¡°I¡¯m not alone, obviously. I wish I was,¡± Boda retorted, picking up her pace, attempting to put more distance between herself and Loki, though he knew she couldn''t travel much farther as they were approaching the limits of the magical boundary Odin had put in place. ¡°That can be arranged. My father would be more than happy to welcome you back to your solitary cell in the dungeon.¡± ¡°If I¡¯d wanted your brother I could have had him ages ago. All I would have had to do was feed his ego, act in awe of his big hammer...Mjolnir as well,¡± Boda replied. ¡°You knew I would come after you,¡± said Loki. ¡°You didn¡¯t that day.¡± ¡°What day?¡± ¡°The day I walked in on you with another...I never learned his name. I doubt you remember it.¡± ¡°Ingvar...yes I did.¡± ¡°Two hours later you appeared at my door as if nothing had happened. You didn¡¯t even bring flowers. Maybe I was mad then. Even if I¡¯d succeeded, nothing would have changed.¡± ¡°I did betray you,¡± said Loki, Boda halting and turning to face him, ¡°I¡¯m easily able to obfuscate all I do and say from Heimdall. Though I had set you above others I wasn¡¯t ready to pledge fidelity to anyone. It would have meant sacrificing a part of myself I wasn¡¯t yet willing to cast aside. I was afraid you¡¯d tire of waiting. When you told me of your scheme...as I was about to tell you of the Destroyer, it came to me, the answer to my quandary, a way to have my cake and eat it too.¡± ¡°If I was in the dungeon or exiled to Midgard I wouldn¡¯t grow weary of waiting and find another,¡± Boda finished for him. ¡°I knew it would only be two or three decades until Father chose his heir and stepped down. Though even then I knew he favored my brother, I was certain I could convince Thor to pardon you,¡± Loki said, Boda staring at him in stunned silence, ¡°I don¡¯t deserve your forgiveness. I won¡¯t ask for it...Arvid is dead. Dario learned of our plans to meet and murdered him, taking his form to attempt to do the same to me.¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Boda asked before hanging her head at the sight of Loki¡¯s expression of incredulity, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I have a tendency to fly off the handle.¡± ¡°I never noticed,¡± Loki quipped. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten better at controlling it since Vanar¡¯s arrival. Are you alright?¡± ¡°I rather quickly sussed out his scheme. I emerged from the encounter relatively unscathed. The same can¡¯t be said for Dario, though he was able to make his escape. He¡¯s quite a skilled mimic. He would likely have fooled even my mother for a time.¡± ¡°I doubt that,¡± Frigga¡¯s voice said, both Boda and Loki turning their heads in surprise to see the Queen of Asgard approach, two einherjar on either side of her. ¡°Mother? You could have made contact from the safety of the palace.¡± ¡°I can project my form, but not this.¡± As Frigga reached them, she held out her clenched fist, opening it to reveal a small vial in the palm of her hand. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The door of the tavern slowly opened, two einherjar with swords drawn cautiously entering the large, dimly lit room, furnished with tables, collections of unlit pillar candles sitting in pools of hardened wax in the center of each. The einherjar scanned the tavern¡¯s interior as they crept forward, following the droplets of blood on the floor. One of the einherjar put his arm out in front of the other, both coming to a halt, as he heard a breathy whisper. ¡°Help¡­..help..me¡­¡± pleaded a man in a slurred voice almost too softly to be audible. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± the einherjar who continued to extend his muscular arm in front of his companion called out. ¡°Here¡­please¡­¡± the pained, slurred voice struggled to say. The einherjar started forward again, now following not only the blood trail but also the voice and the sound of labored breathing. Reaching the counter, the einherjar split up, one walking around one side, his partner the other, both rounding it to see the form of a shirtless man lying face down on the gray stone, a knife wound in his back. ¡°Is he injured or drunk?¡± The einherjar on the side of the counter nearest Dario¡¯s head asked with a smirk as he noticed the goblet sitting beside the cask. ¡°Both. Attempting to relieve the pain from his wound he discovered Asgardian ale packs more of a punch than what he¡¯s used to,¡± the second einherjar chuckled. ¡°Should we take the cask to be honored by the Allfather along with the two of us for his capture?¡± the first einherjar joked as he sheathed his sword, producing a pair of Asgardian shackles. Chapter 14 ¡°I was told there¡¯d been no progress,¡± Loki, confused, said to Frigga as Boda took the vial from her hand. ¡°You will sleep for a time. The king wishes to speak with you in the morning after you¡¯ve rested. He will send einherjar to escort you,¡± Frigga informed Boda. ¡°I will see her there. I wish to speak with him myself,¡± Loki told his mother. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± Frigga asked, seeming to take notice for the first time that Loki and Boda were outside in their nightclothes. ¡°We had a bit of a r¨C¡± Loki began before Boda quickly interrupted him. ¡°After what transpired this evening Loki was unable to sleep. I suggested we take a stroll.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Frigga said sympathetically, ¡°Arvid has been taken to the palace and will be treated with honor,¡± Frigga said to Loki before embracing him, ¡°I must return.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± said Boda to Frigga. ¡°Rest well,¡± said Frigga before turning, rejoining her escorts and departing. Loki and Boda stood in silence as Boda stared at the vial in her hand. Without warning she turned to face the water, preparing to pitch the vial into the sea, Loki swiftly grabbing her arm. ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡± Loki exclaimed, shocked and confused. ¡°You said yourself there¡¯d been no progress! How do I know this isn¡¯t something even worse? Your father would be pleased to see me dead.¡± "My father may be many things, but a murderer is not among them. At least allow me to safeguard it until you¡¯ve spoken to him,¡± Loki said, Boda hesitating before handing him the vial which he magically stowed away. ¡°How many has he sent to die in battle over the millennia?¡± asked Boda. ¡°He has shed his own blood as well. He carries the scars. My brother and I fight at his command. He risks no less than they,¡± Loki said, ¡°I never told you...¡± ¡°It seems there¡¯s much you¡¯ve neglected to tell me,¡± Boda responded, Loki placing his hands on his hips, cocking his head. ¡°Honestly? You neglected to tell me I have a son.¡± ¡°Touch¨¦,¡± Bodi replied. ¡°At Harokin, victory was within our grasp. I became blinded by overconfidence. I...I made a mistake. If not for your father, I would have taken my place in Valhalla that day. He gave his life to preserve mine. That¡¯s why I came to you myself to tell you of his fate instead of allowing those whose duty it is to deliver such tidings,¡± Loki confessed, Boda once again stunned into silence. ¡°Is that why you began calling on me, you felt guilty?¡± Boda finally asked. ¡°It had been some time since we had spoken at any length. I still thought of you as the young girl I¡¯d known, Angry Boda. We had always had much in common but I didn¡¯t realize until that day¡­Is it that you don¡¯t trust my father or is it to punish me?¡± ¡°You do a marvelous job of that yourself,¡± Boda said, Loki silent as he pondered her words, ¡°You may have been certain you could convince Thor to pardon me, but you had no guarantee I would pardon you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Loki acknowledged, ¡°I suppose I-¡± ¡°Simply assumed that I¡¯d forgive you as I always had,¡± Boda finished. ¡°You lost your mother as a child. You don¡¯t wish Vanar to share the same fate.¡± ¡°He will lose me regardless. Once I¡¯m cured your father will return me to the dungeon.¡± ¡°To live is preferable to the alternative!¡± ¡°Is it? My mother was locked up like an animal before death released her. If I can¡¯t be with him, be a mother to him, I don¡¯t want to ¡®be¡¯ at all...I was wrong to have kept him from you. If I¡¯d not been selfish none of this would have happened.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°You were a mother cast off into an alien world afraid of losing her child. I wasn¡¯t ready to pledge myself to you yet I couldn¡¯t abide the possibility of another doing so,¡± Loki responded. ¡°Had I broken with you as I should have when I couldn¡¯t accept your attention to others,¡± Boda countered. ¡°Had I broken with you when it became clear to me you were unable to accept it.¡± ¡°Wait...are we really arguing about this? Is there anything we won¡¯t argue about?¡± Boda asked. ¡°Nothing seems to have been off limits thus far. As I recall we had quite a row one evening as you were positively insistent that my eyes were gray and not blue¡­they¡¯re still blue, by the way.¡± ¡°You enjoy it. You¡¯ve always been quite the drama queen¡­or prince. The plays you used to write were so melodramatic,¡± Boda said with a chuckle. ¡°You said you liked them, that I would someday surpass Gandar as the most celebrated playwright in Asgard.¡± ¡°What was I supposed to say? That I¡¯d rather put my lips to your father¡¯s bare ass than to sit through such a travesty?¡± Boda laughed. ¡°I assume you thought the same of my poetry." ¡°No, actually. Much of it was rather good. There¡¯s one I still remember¡­Love is the sound of your sweet voice singing a song to my restless and doleful soul¨C¡± Boda began to recite. ¡°Amid the cacophony and clamor of chaos,¡± Loki joined in as Boda finished, gently placing his hands on her shoulders, ¡°We should return before Thor comes in search of my corpse. Is there nothing I can say that will change your mind?¡± asked Loki. ¡°Perhaps you could attempt to persuade me another way. I¡¯m certain you brought more than one bottle of wine.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°How are we to locate him if even Heimdall can¡¯t see him?¡± Volstagg pondered as he, Fandral, Hogun, and Sif patrolled the stone paved path along which sat dark and empty shops. ¡°I¡¯ve said for centuries Loki left to his wiles would lead to our ruin,¡± Sif said irritably. ¡°Had Loki not been there and Boda had given the relic over to him, the situation would be far worse,¡± said Fandral. ¡°You mean had he not been off in Midgard carousing with a criminal who sought to usurp the throne from his own father,¡± Sif continued. ¡°Love often makes men fools,¡± Hogun replied. ¡°Love has nothing to do with it. He has no idea what it means. I¡¯ve long suspected that tiring of her he put her up to it to betray her so he could be rid of her,¡± Sif responded. ¡°Why then would he have continued to visit her in Midgard and risk his father¡¯s wrath?¡± Fandral asked. ¡°Who knows? I don¡¯t think he knows why he does what he does,¡± answered Sif. The four warriors came to a halt as they caught sight of a lone armored figure stumbling towards them in the darkness. ¡°Halt! Identify yourself!¡± Volstagg called out as all four readied their weapons. The figure continued towards them, failing to answer. The four warriors started cautiously forward. Upon reaching him, the figure, an einherjar, one of the two that had entered the tavern, collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily. ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± Hogun asked. ¡°We¡­we found him in the tavern¡­he changed¡­a beast¡­¡± the einherjar managed to say between labored breaths as Hogun and Volstagg assisted him to his feet, supporting him. ¡°Return him to the palace to the healing room,¡± said Fandral, he and Sif starting in the direction of the tavern. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Sif and Fandral entered the tavern, swords drawn though they were reasonably sure Dario would have long since fled. They quickly spotted the body of an einherjar, his armor and clothing stripped from him, lying on the floor, only his top half visible, the rest obscured by the counter holding the cask. Taking a quick glance around the room both warriors rushed to the man who stared up at them with blank, unblinking eyes. Sif knelt beside him, examining him for any sign of life. ¡°He¡¯s dead,¡± Sif said, standing, ¡°He¡¯s taken his form.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda and Loki sat up in bed, each with a goblet in their hand, a bottle of wine open on the bedside table nearest Loki. Loki reached over, grabbing it, holding the bottle out towards Boda. ¡°More?¡± Loki asked, Boda looking down into her almost empty goblet as a wave of dizziness overtook her. ¡°No¡­thank you...I think¡­I think I¡¯ve...had enough...¡± Boda said, trailing off, Loki grinning as he set the bottle on the table as her shoulders slumped, her head lolling to the side as her eyes fluttered closed. Loki reached out, taking the goblet from Boda¡¯s hand before it tipped and spilled what little remained within it, setting it and his own goblet on the table. Loki gently moved Boda to lay flat in the bed, the pillow under her head, gazing down at her for a few moments before placing his lips on her forehead. ¡°Sleep well,¡± Loki said, turning towards the table and magically producing the empty vial in his hand, placing it within one of the goblets. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fandral and Sif hurried along the street after locating two einherjar on patrol to retrieve their compatriot¡¯s corpse and take it to the palace. Suddenly Sif slowed, Fandral turning his head to look at her, noting her expression of alarm as he slowed his own pace. ¡°What is it?¡± Fandral asked. ¡°We¡¯re fools...they¡¯re at the palace by now!¡± Sif exclaimed, sprinting away, Fandral following suit. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Volstagg and Hogun assisted the einherjar along, nearing the tall golden double doors of the entrance to the palace, two guards standing on either side. The einherjar straightened somewhat, gently shaking off the two warriors and stepping forward. ¡°I can make my own way from here. Thank you. You should rejoin the others and continue the search,¡± the einherjar said, walking forward, one of the guards stationed at the doors opening one of them, the einherjar stepping through it, the guard closing it behind him. Volstagg and Hogun turned, walking away from the palace entrance in the direction from which they¡¯d come. Chapter 15 Loki awoke, golden sunlight streaming through the window lighting up the bedroom, to find himself alone in the bed. Turning his head to view the nightstand, he noticed the bottle of wine and one of the two goblets he had left setting there the night before were missing, only the goblet containing the empty vial remaining. Having dressed, Loki left the bedchambers, entering the sitting room to find it unoccupied. Loki approached the open door of what was now Vanar¡¯s bedroom. Reaching it, he watched from the doorway as Boda, still in her night dress, her back to him seated on the stool, moved her brush from the pallet to the canvas, the missing bottle of wine and goblet on the small table beside her. Without making his presence known, Loki studied the painting in progress. It most certainly wasn¡¯t the image of an infant but himself once again, though minus his helmet. His hair was somewhat longer, reminding Loki of his and Boda¡¯s conversation in her cramped bathroom in Midgard. Perhaps something had reminded her of it as well, inspiring her latest work, Loki thought. ¡°Good morning,¡± Loki said, hoping not to startle her, ¡°Did Thor take Vanar for another swim?¡± ¡°It would be a bit chilly this time of the morning. He took him to see your old clubhouse,¡± Boda replied as she continued to paint. ¡°Hideout,¡± Loki corrected her. ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± ¡°A clubhouse¡¯s location is generally public knowledge. A hideout is a secret known only to one or a select few. Isn¡¯t it a bit early for wine?¡± Loki asked as Boda sat her brush down, pouring more wine into the goblet from the bottle before taking a drink. ¡°As you once said, it¡¯s never too early or too late,¡± Boda said, taking another drink before returning the goblet to the table and retrieving her brush, returning to painting. ¡°As I once told Arvid...¡± Loki trailed off, failing to finish his thought, the memory of the previous night¡¯s events flooding back. ¡°What did you tell him?¡± asked Boda. ¡°Nothing I should have.¡± Boda lowered the brush, staring into the blue eyes set within the face she had painted on the canvas. ¡°You will see him again.¡± ¡°Not for a few millennia, I hope it will be so long. Did you sleep well?¡± Loki asked, leaving the doorway to stand behind Boda. ¡°You know I did,¡± Boda answered acidly. ¡°I saved your life.¡± ¡°For what purpose?¡± asked Boda. ¡°What do you mean ¡®for what purpose?¡¯¡± Loki asked, puzzled. ¡°There¡¯s a purpose behind everything you do.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a purpose behind everything everyone does,¡± Loki responded. ¡°Let me rephrase the question. What is it that my continued existence gains you?¡± ¡°Nothing except perhaps a lifetime of squabbling.¡± ¡°I had a plan. You told me to always have a plan.¡± ¡°Maybe if you¡¯d taken the trouble to tell me of it...¡± ¡°Even when I don¡¯t tell you of my plans you manage to betray me,¡± Boda replied as she painted. ¡°I tricked you. There¡¯s a difference. Betrayal is a purposeful choice made with knowledge and understanding of the circumstances. One can¡¯t inadvertently betray another.¡± ¡°I defer to your expertise in the subject,¡± Boda responded sarcastically. ¡°So what was this grand plan?¡± asked Loki. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now.¡± Loki remained silent for a moment, engaging in another spat unwelcome so soon after rising. ¡°I thought you were painting Vanar. You¡¯ve done one of me,¡± Loki said, examining the painting more closely. ¡°It¡¯s not you,¡± Boda said. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Loki then noticed aside from the length of the subject¡¯s hair, there were the slightest deviations from his own visage yet the resemblance was uncanny. ¡°Your friend you avenged?¡± ¡°His full name was William Thomas Henrikson. His adopted ancestors were of the lands where your father once held sway. He knew nothing of his true heritage. He¡¯d been abandoned in a park after his birth. It was the middle of winter. It was a miracle he survived. Like me, he had no one. His adoptive parents had been wealthy. They¡¯d both died in a car accident a few years before we met. He had a brother, his parents¡¯ natural son, They had a falling out and hadn¡¯t spoken since the funeral. He knew his parents wouldn¡¯t accept him for who he was if they knew so he had kept it from them, though his brother knew. When they were in high school his brother had walked in on him in his bedroom... he swore to keep Will''s secret but some time later let it slip to their parents. Will didn¡¯t learn he had been disinherited until after their death. He was left with nothing,¡± Boda explained as she painted. ¡°Why did you decide to paint him?¡± Loki asked. ¡°I had a dream. Everything transpired just as it did that night. I had a craving for chocolate. I¡¯d grown fond of it but that night I thought I might die if I didn¡¯t have any. He offered to walk to the store at the end of the block. It was the only thing open that time of night. When he returned he was going to help me close up. He often did so. When he came through the door he had the chocolate bar in his hand,¡± Boda stopped, her voice beginning to quaver, pausing to take another drink of wine before continuing to both speak and paint, ¡°He was the you I always wanted you to be, that you were too afraid to be, though that Loki would make an appearance from time to time. The first time we made love...it was the first time in my case. I was terrified. You were so tender and gentle.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t recall that I was so gentle. I fully expected einherjar to burst in fearing a murder was in progress,¡± Loki joked, smirking, placing both hands on Boda¡¯s shoulders, beginning to slide them slowly downwards. ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s too early,¡± Boda said, rising from the stool, Loki removing his hands, Boda picking up the bottle with one hand, the goblet with the other. As Boda turned, Loki blocked her path, taking both from her hands and setting the bottle back on the table, lifting the goblet to his lips and finishing the contents before setting it down as well before taking Boda in his arms, kissing her. ¡°I can be whatever you want me to be,¡± said Loki before the pupils of his eyes flashed green, changing from blue to gray, ¡°They¡¯re gray¡­¡± ¡°I knew they were blue. I was in the mood for a row. It was always better after. All I¡¯ve ever wanted is for you to be you, the real you,¡± Boda said. ¡°Perhaps that would be easier if I no longer needed to be anyone else for another...marry me,¡± said Loki as Boda, stunned, gazed searchingly into his eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. Have you forgotten your father will soon return me to the dungeon for the rest of my days?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll deal with my father.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want to marry me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be the one to decide what I want or don¡¯t want.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve ever known what it is you want. No...I can¡¯t,¡± Boda said, pulling out of Loki¡¯s embrace and stepping back from him, ¡°You don¡¯t understand. You didn¡¯t save my life. You¡¯ve only extended my suffering.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, I don¡¯t understand,¡± Loki said, confused. ¡°I realized as I was sitting in the dungeon with nothing to do but ponder my situation that Dario had done me a favor. Eitr would be far quicker. It began with dreams for her as well,¡± Boda said, Loki taken aback by her revelation. ¡°Odrhjami is exceedingly rare. It¡¯s not an inherited condition. Everyone has such dreams. Not long ago I dreamed my father had banished me to Jotunheim.¡± ¡°They aren¡¯t dreams really. They¡¯re reliving memories but the outcome is always altered in some way, as if my mind is attempting to rewrite them. I had planned to soon tell Vanar of Asgard, of you, and you of Vanar. That¡¯s why I was painting your portrait. Dario simply hastened matters.¡± ¡°If Eir confirms it my father would have little choice but to pardon you or allow you to remain here. I¡¯ll recruit the best healers in Asgard to work day and night to find a cure.¡± ¡°There may not be a cure. They never found one for my mother. They¡¯ve never found one for Rauoricch Pox either.¡± ¡°I know. I came down with it as a child. I wasn¡¯t much older than Vanar. I looked like I¡¯d been stung by a million bees. I itched from head to toe. My mother threatened to place me in shackles before I scratched myself to the bone. Of course Thor proved to be immune. Seeing him romp about unaffected¡­I only knew a few tricks then, otherwise I would have turned him into a frog long before I did¡­or something worse.¡± ¡°I remember the day he was showing off with Mjolnir in front of those girls. You made it appear as if it had turned to rubber. The look on his face¡­¡± Boda began to laugh, ¡°You told him not to worry, it happens to all men, though you had yet to experience it.¡± ¡°A streak that continues,¡± Loki responded with a grin. Boda¡¯s laughter suddenly converted to sobs, Loki stepping forward, taking her in his arms once again, his face expressing his devastation at Boda¡¯s latest revelation. ¡°Everything will be alright,¡± Loki soothed. ¡°No, it won¡¯t! Nothing has ever been alright! It¡¯s like....like one of your tragedies, like some madman is writing the script of my life! I¡¯ve never had control over anything!¡± Boda wept. Loki and Boda both heard the sound of the front door open, Vanar¡¯s running footsteps approaching the room. ¡°Mommy!¡± Vanar called out. Boda moved herself out of Loki¡¯s embrace, hurriedly wiping the tears from her cheeks as Loki glanced at the door before taking Boda in his arms again. ¡°Mommy! Uncle Thor showed me¨C¡± Vanar called out excitedly, breaking off as he reached the doorway, staring in silence as he witnessed Loki kissing Boda passionately. ¡°Vanar...perfect timing,¡± Loki said after ending the kiss as Thor appeared behind Vanar in the doorway, Sif and Fandral along with him, ¡°Brother! My friends! Glad tidings! Boda has agreed to be my wife.¡± ¡°No I did¨C¡± Boda began, stunned, breaking off as Loki stared intently into her eyes, ¡°I did.¡± ¡°The revels afterward best be worth enduring the tedious, overly elaborate ceremony I¡¯m certain you have in mind,¡± Fandral said. ¡°We¡¯re to accompany you to the palace,¡± said Sif. ¡°I should get ready,¡± Boda said as Loki released her, crossing the room to the door, everyone gathered stepping aside as she exited. ¡°I told my mother I would accompany her. What¡¯s happened?¡± asked Loki. ¡°The situation has become more complicated,¡± Sif replied. Chapter 16 Loki, Sif, Fandral, Thor and Vanar gathered outside the cottage waiting for Boda to emerge, Loki kneeling before Vanar. ¡°Your mother and I are returning to the palace to speak with my father. Uncle Thor will remain here with you,¡± Loki informed him. ¡°Your father wishes him to accompany you as well,¡± Sif informed him, Loki rising, confused, turning to face her. ¡°For what reason?¡± ¡°I do not know. I have never questioned the command of my king,¡± Sif replied haughtily. ¡°I¡¯m going with you?¡± asked Vanar. ¡°It appears so,¡± Loki said. ¡°It has never taken me so long to prepare for the day,¡± Sif griped. Loki began to make his way to the cottage. He had only traversed a few feet when the door opened, Boda stepping out. Loki froze in awe at the honey blond woman wearing the powder blue dress from the wardrobe, her hair carefully coiffed, her fair skin glowing with health, radiating an uncomplicated, simple beauty. ¡°My father will have no choice but to grant a full pardon,¡± Loki said quietly to Boda with a grin as he offered her his arm, escorting her to join the others. ¡°Are we ready?¡± Fandral asked, Sif neglecting to wait for anyone¡¯s answer, turning and heading in the direction of the shore where a skiff sat, the others following her lead. Reaching the skiff, Fandral and Sif entered, Thor lifting Vanar, handing him off to Fandral. ¡°Vanar is coming with us?¡± Boda asked ¡°My father requested it,¡± Loki answered, Boda appearing troubled though she remained silent. As Sif and Thor seated themselves, Loki and Boda followed suit, Vanar seated in Boda¡¯s lap as she wrapped her arms around him. Fandral piloted the skiff off the shore over the water. ¡°Do you recall when you brought me the goblet, the song I said reminded me of you?¡± Boda asked Loki, Loki opening his mouth to reply aloud when he realized her voice had originated from within his mind, glancing over, noticing the bracelet on her wrist. ¡°What of it?¡± Loki asked with his own thoughts as they conversed telepathically. ¡°I¡¯ve thought of another. It¡¯s called The Name of the Game. What¡¯s the name of yours?¡± asked Boda. ¡°I haven¡¯t the slightest clue what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°There¡¯s always a game with you.¡± ¡°Why did you accept my proposal if you believed it to be insincere?¡± Loki asked, perturbed. ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Boda responded. ¡°You told them you did.¡± ¡°You put me on the spot. What was I supposed to do? You¡¯ll have to let me in on it eventually, preferably before the bullets start flying.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll find no bullets flying in Asgard,¡± Loki replied. ¡°Let me guess...once you¡¯ve pulled off your scheme you¡¯ll offer me something to claim I only recently became aware of my condition and wish to release you so you may find another who won¡¯t go mad and try to kill you.¡± ¡°In my experience, madness isn¡¯t necessary,¡± Loki quipped, ¡°I have no need for an exit strategy.¡± ¡°You expect me to believe that you, Loki Odinson, would sacrifice your precious freedom to marry someone you don¡¯t love?¡± Boda asked incredulously. ¡°When did I say I didn¡¯t?¡± ¡°When did you say you did?¡± Boda asked in reply, Loki silent within Boda¡¯s mind for a moment. ¡°I wasn¡¯t prepared to make promises before...¡± Loki reached over to Boda¡¯s wrist encircled with the bracelet as she remained with her arms around Vanar seated in her lap, touching the bracelet, utilizing his magic to release the clasp as he removed it from her wrist. Boda examined Loki¡¯s face, puzzled, as Loki spoke aloud. ¡°I love you,¡± Loki said before kissing her as Vanar looked on, pleased, though it was obvious from Sif¡¯s expression she didn¡¯t share the same sentiment. ¡°Better late than never, I suppose,¡± Boda responded in an irritated tone that was belied by her smile. ¡°I think I may be sick,¡± Sif grumbled, disgusted. ¡°If you¡¯d be so kind as to assess the direction of the wind first,¡± Fandral responded to Sif as he continued to pilot the skiff as they crossed over the water, nearing the palace. ¡°By the way, Fandral, I have a gift for you. I acquired it in Midgard,¡± Loki said as he returned the bracelet to Boda¡¯s wrist. ¡°Obviously that wasn¡¯t all you acquired,¡± Sif said sarcastically. ¡°What happens to be the occasion or should I simply ask what it is you want?¡± Fandral asked cynically. ¡°Do you recall our adventure in Midgard some time ago?¡± Loki asked. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. ¡°I remember our departure and return. What transpired in between is a bit hazy.¡± ¡°The man who I noticed was sketching you in the tavern?¡± asked Loki, Fandral appearing thoughtful. ¡°You gave me a notebook and told me to sketch him as he was sketching me. I suppose it was more amusing when I was drunk.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve recently learned his identity, a mortal by the name of Manet. He was an artist of some renown. Of course he¡¯s long dead now,¡± ¡°I can¡¯t imagine devoting years of one¡¯s life to learning a skill only to have such a short time in which to utilize it. If I ever so displeased your father he would give me the choice between exile to Midgard as a mortal or the axe, I¡¯d lay my head on the block willingly,¡± Fandral said before noticing the pained expression that had come over Boda¡¯s face at his words, ¡°Though I suppose Midgard has some redeeming qualities.¡± ¡°Music¡­chocolate...¡± said Boda, ¡°Despite their short lifespans they could accomplish far more than they have but they lack leadership to ensure peace and order. They murder and war with each other over trifles¡­the color of one¡¯s skin, where one happened to be born, who one loves¡­¡± Fandral landed them near the entrance to the palace, he and Sif and Thor exiting the skiff, Boda handing Vanar to Thor as Loki followed his brother, assisting Boda. ¡°Considering the change in circumstances, your father has mandated that we remain in pairs within the palace as well as outside when not in our chambers, nor are we to admit anyone to them unaccompanied,¡± Fandral advised. ¡°Change of circumstances? What¡¯s changed?¡± Boda asked Loki telepathically as they started towards the palace, Fandral, Sif and Thor leading the way, Loki, Vanar, and Boda following, Vanar between them holding their hands. ¡°Aware he was no match for me, after the coward fled, by employing a clever ruse Dario was able to infiltrate the palace,¡± Loki answered with his thoughts. ¡°Why did your father request Vanar to come with us? What if it¡¯s a trap?¡± Boda asked, suspicious. ¡°Usually I say everything could be a trap...my father is rarely alone outside his chambers under normal circumstances. He wouldn¡¯t negotiate with the likes of Dario or this Erebus.¡± ¡°He negotiated with Laufey instead of ending the Jotuns when he had the chance.¡± ¡°My father would never use an Asgardian¡¯s life as a bargaining chip, even a criminal¡¯s.¡± ¡°As much as you grouse about your father, sometimes I think you admire him,¡± Boda said to Loki¡¯s chagrin. ¡°Hardly. As Midgard has music and chocolate, my father has a few redeeming qualities. I suppose that''s true of most anyone. Dario dresses well. Judging from his office his good taste extends to interior design.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you find him attractive.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I¡¯ve never been attracted to bulls. I find their coat rather coarse. Horses on the other hand...¡± Loki said, grinning, though the conversation was inaudible to anyone else. ¡°Where did mortals come up with those stories?¡± asked Boda. ¡°Perhaps in that instance it may have been inspired by another bet between my brother and I that I lost during a visit to Midgard with our father when we were younger,¡± Loki answered. ¡°You didn¡¯t...¡± ¡°Heavens no! I kissed it, nothing more,¡± Loki assured her. ¡°On the lips?¡± asked Boda. ¡°If only my brother had been so merciful...no...the other side of the equation,¡± Loki said, obviously still discomforted by the experience. ¡°Anyway...speaking of fathers,¡± Boda said, changing the subject, quiet for a moment as if unsure if she should ask the question that she had been pondering since the evening before, ¡°Did my father say anything at his end?¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t ask me to look after you. What I told you was true. His end was swift. He didn¡¯t suffer,¡± Loki replied. ¡°Unlike my mother,¡± Boda responded. ¡°We¡¯ll visit the healer before we speak with my father. It¡¯s likely you¡¯re fretting over nothing.¡± ¡°What if you¡¯re wrong?¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ll request they cut our meat for us in the kitchen before serving it as knives will be conspicuously absent at our table,¡± Loki replied as the guards opened the doors of the palace as they reached them. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX After a short detour to Loki¡¯s chambers to give Fandral his gift, the warrior receiving it and examining it with great interest, and after leaving Vanar in the care of Thor, Boda now lay once again on the soul forge. With a wave of her hand, Eir, the healer erased all but the head of Boda¡¯s projection, enlarging and studying the image of the brain within it. ¡°I see nothing to indicate the presence of the condition your mother suffered,¡± the healer said as she continued to examine the image hovering over Boda. ¡°You see, it¡¯s as I told you, only silly dreams,¡± Loki said to Boda with a reassuring smile. ¡°That¡¯s strange...¡± the healer said, with a tone and expression of puzzlement and concern, Loki and Boda both turning their attention to her. ¡°What is it?¡± both Loki and Boda asked simultaneously. ¡°The area of the brain where memories are stored¡­the imprint signatures¡­it¡¯s as if a few have been overwritten. I almost didn¡¯t notice...¡± ¡°Could it have been caused by the eitr?¡± asked Loki. ¡°Eitr primarily affects emotion and impulse control, reasoning ability, personality, not memory.¡± ¡°My mother lost her memory as well. She didn¡¯t remember anyone or anything by the end,¡± said Boda. ¡°I¡¯m aware. I treated her,¡± the healer replied. ¡°You?¡± Boda asked in surprise. ¡°At the King¡¯s request.¡± ¡°Will it progress?¡± asked Loki. ¡°I¡¯m not certain. I¡¯ll need to study the scan further, compare them to those done previously¡­though considering you¡¯ve been away from Asgard for some time¡­¡± Eir explained. ¡°You¡¯ll have nothing recent to compare them to,¡± Boda finished. ¡°It may be impossible to pinpoint when it started, to assess any progression if there¡¯s no signs in the scans from before your¡­departure.¡± Eir said as the image above Boda vanished, Boda sitting up. ¡°What can be done?¡± asked Loki. ¡°Until I know more, nothing.¡± ¡°Thank you¡­for your care of my mother,¡± said Boda to the healer. ¡°I did all that I could for her, though it was no more than any competent healer could have done. I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t do more.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°I forgot Wolfie,¡± Vanar said sadly as he sat on the chaise in Loki¡¯s chambers as Thor stood in front of the bookshelf having offered to read him a story as his toys had been relocated to the cottage. ¡°I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s little here that would appeal to a boy your age¡­¡± Thor said as he scanned the titles on the shelf, coming across the magazine Loki had tucked in between two books on the top shelf, everything having been carefully placed in the same spot where they had been in his old chambers when Loki''s possessions had been moved, out of curiosity pulling it out and glancing at it, an expression of shock and discomfort crossing his face before quickly returning it to its place, ¡°...or is appropriate¡­Who needs books when you have a good memory? I¡¯ll tell you a story my mother told me when I was your age,¡± Thor said as he turned from the bookshelf. Thor froze as the sound of a chime filled the room, the God of Thunder looking warily in the direction of the door, extending his arm, Mjolnir flying from beside the chaise into his grip. ¡°Stay where you are,¡± Thor told Vanar. Making his way to the door, Thor opened it cautiously to see two einherjar standing outside. ¡°The King summons the boy,¡± one of the einherjar informed Thor. ¡°I¡¯ll see him to¨C¡± Thor began. ¡°You are to remain here,¡± the einherjar interrupted. ¡°Under the circumstances I believe I¨C¡± Thor said before again finding himself interrupted. ¡°I will see him there,¡± Frigga said as she approached, two einherjar on either side of her, to stand behind the two einherjar outside the door of Loki¡¯s chambers who turned to face her, bowing their heads in respect and assent. ¡°He awaits him in the vault,¡± the einherjar informed Frigga before both einherjar turned, making their way down the corridor. Vanar rose as Frigga stepped into Loki¡¯s chambers, the einherjar escorting her remaining in the corridor. ¡°Vanar, come with me,¡± Frigga said to the boy with a smile, Vanar crossing the room, taking her hand. Chapter 17 ¡°It¡¯s all right,¡± Frigga assured Vanar as he hesitated at the top of the stairs inside the vault, squeezing her hand as the tall double doors closed behind them, their einherjar escorts remaining outside. Frigga led the boy down the stairs as Odin approached, the expression on his face denoting that he had not expected his queen to be present. ¡°I can think of only one reason you would summon him here. That question could have been answered by any healer,¡± Frigga said to her husband and King. ¡°I had wished no one to be aware I ask it,¡± Odin replied in a tone that made clear ¡®no one¡¯ included his queen before turning, Frigga and Vanar following him into the vault. Vanar remained silent as he turned his head this way and that with an expression of both awe and anxiety, gripping Frigga¡¯s hand even more tightly as they passed by pedestals and niches displaying various relics. Reaching the pedestal upon which rested a rectangular box that exuded a blue glow, Odin turned to Vanar. ¡°Vanar, join me, please,¡± Odin requested, Vanar peering up at Frigga with uncertainty. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to fear,¡± Frigga assured Vanar with a smile as she released his hand, Vanar leaving her side to stand beside Odin. ¡°What is it?¡± Vanar asked as he stared unblinking at the strange relic before him that sat at eye level to his small frame, mesmerized by the azure light emanating from it. ¡°A relic of great power,¡± Odin answered simply. ¡°Will it fix me?¡± Vanar asked. ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± Odin replied. Odin took hold of the boy¡¯s arm and raised it, resting Vanar¡¯s palm on top of the Casket of Ancient Winters, holding it there as Vanar attempted to withdraw it, gasping in shock. ¡°It¡¯s cold!¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki and Boda descended the stone stairway that led to a long corridor, a pair of einherjar on patrol walking a few yards ahead of them, after having made their way from the healing room to their current location in silence. Reaching the foot of the stairs, Loki glanced over at Boda who stared straight ahead, her face devoid of any expression. Loki reached over, taking her hand, his action appearing to momentarily jolt Boda from her trance as she turned her head to look at the Prince of Asgard, Loki noting the fear evident in her eyes before she returned her attention in front of her as they continued forward. ¡°May I ask you something?¡± Loki finally said, breaking the silence. ¡°You just did,¡± Boda responded sarcastically, Loki rolling his eyes and shaking his head but with a hint of a grin. ¡°The music you favor...¡± Loki began. ¡°What of it?¡± ¡°To Asgardians a decade or two is nothing, a heartbeat, but in Midgard is it not considered out of date?¡± ¡°To some but there are many who enjoy it. It was the first music I heard in Midgard. You remember my first employment there after my exile, at the club, serving drinks before I learned to make them myself.¡± ¡°It was the reason I suggested you become the proprietor of a tavern of your own. Why labor to enrich another?¡± ¡°What a brilliant idea,¡± Boda replied sarcastically, ¡°There¡¯s a difference between a club and a hole in the wall tavern. I wasn¡¯t exactly enriching myself after overhead costs, then after Vanar was born I had to hire help for a time. I¡¯d only taken it all over myself once again about a year ago. What does my taste in music have to do with anything? It''s not that strange. Even you''re familiar with Will¡¯s favorite song,¡± said Boda, as they continued on without speaking. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me of his murder when I visited you?¡± Loki finally asked. ¡°How could I have told you of an event that had yet to take place?¡± ¡°You said he was murdered before my visit. My memory is one of the few things I trust.¡± ¡°I must have misspoke. It was after. You visited me February 28th. It would have been the last day of the month but it was a leap year that year, there was an extra day, so you left...at some point...on the 29th. Will left the tavern some time after last call, so it was well after midnight April 15th. I recall thinking only a little over a day before how fitting it was considering the mortal superstition about Friday the 13th that it was on that day I learned¨C¡± Boda said, coming to a halt, appearing confused as the color drained from her face before she unexpectedly sprinted away from Loki down the corridor around the pair of einherjar. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡°Boda!¡± Loki called out, taking off after her, also passing by the two einherjar who began to pursue the pair. On the verge of panic having lost sight of her, Loki was relieved as three Asgardian women traversing the corridor pointed to a doorway as he rushed towards them. Thanking them, he opened the door to witness Boda standing with her back to him as she faced the large cauldron built into the floor, chairs and chaises arranged around the common room, though due to the increased security measures it was now devoid of other Asgardians. Slowly closing the door behind him, Loki cautiously approached Boda as she held her hand over the flames. Hearing the door open and the clanking of armor, Loki turned to see the two einherjar both he and Boda had passed standing behind him. Silently waving them off, they retreated back into the corridor. ¡°Boda,¡± Loki said in a quiet, gentle tone. ¡°Is this real?¡± Boda asked as she continued to hold her hand over the flames, ¡°Are you real? Is this a dream?¡± Loki reached out, turning Boda to face him, taking hold of her wrist and moving her hand from over the fire, placing her palm on his chest over his heart. ¡°I¡¯m real. You''re not dreaming.¡± ¡°I''m sure you wish you¡¯d never given this to me,¡± Boda said, lowering her hand from Loki¡¯s chest as she looked down at the bracelet on her wrist, touching it, feeling the smooth stones under her fingertips. ¡°On the contrary,¡± Loki said, resting his hands on Boda¡¯s shoulders, ¡°Others came and went, but not you. No matter what I¡¯d done or said, when I arrived at your door you always answered...you shouldn¡¯t have.¡± ¡°What¡¯s happened to me?¡± Boda asked, tears beginning to course down her cheeks as Loki embraced her. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Thor, standing on the balcony turned to face the doors of Loki¡¯s chambers as they were opened by two einherjar, Frigga entering, Vanar sleeping soundly in her arms. Concerned, Thor left the balcony, meeting his mother in the middle of the room. ¡°Is he all right?¡± Thor asked, looking down at Vanar¡¯s peacefully dozing face. ¡°He wore himself out. After meeting with your father we enjoyed a bowl of rommegrot before spending a bit of time in the gardens,¡± Frigga answered in a quiet voice. ¡°He was up before dawn. I thought I was an early riser. I¡¯ll take him,¡± Thor offered, extending his arms, Frigga transferring the boy into them, ¡°Why did father wish to see him?¡± ¡°He had more questions about his time with Dario. He hoped he might learn something that would assist in apprehending him,¡± Frigga answered, Thor turning and carrying Vanar to the bedchambers, Frigga following. Upon reaching Vanar¡¯s bed, Frigga turned down the covers, Thor gently laying the child down as she tucked him in, smoothing Vanar¡¯s hair back with her hand as she kissed his forehead. ¡°Pleasant dreams,¡± the Queen of Asgard whispered. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°My son,¡± Odin acknowledged Loki as he approached the throne, the sound of his boot steps echoing in the expansive throne room, ¡°There is a matter you wish to discuss?¡± ¡°I seek to claim my right as a son of the crown. I¡¯ve asked Boda to do me the honor of becoming my wife. She declared her acceptance of my proposal in the presence of witnesses,¡± Loki stated to his father as he locked eyes with him. Odin stared in silence at his son, his expression stony and stoic, Loki unable to glean any clue as to his father¡¯s feelings or thoughts regarding his announcement, Loki''s confident facade slipping in the presence of his overbearing father for a brief moment before he regained it. ¡°As a prince of Asgard you are entitled to be granted a petition on the occasion of your betrothal¡­if I were to give my blessing to your union and if the fulfillment of that request would pose no threat to Asgard or the realms,¡± Odin responded, Loki¡¯s face falling before he began to scowl, appearing as a child on the cusp of a tantrum. ¡°I merely ask you grant her pardon! You can''t honestly believe she poses a threat! Her actions were misguided but she intended no malice¨C¡± ¡°Be silent!!¡± Odin bellowed from the throne as he looked down upon his son, Loki acquiescing to his father¡¯s command, snapping his mouth shut, though he glared at Asgard¡¯s king with fire in his eyes, ¡°I am prepared to grant both my blessing and your petition,¡± Odin stated in a calmer tone of voice, ¡°If, to insure the continued peace and wellbeing of Asgard and the realms, you are willing to renounce your claim as a potential heir to the throne,¡± Odin informed Loki after which a heavy silence descended over the throne room after the echo of Odin¡¯s powerful voice faded away, Loki staring in disbelief at his father, ¡°Before you make such a decision there is something you must know...the boy is not your son.¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Loki replied in a voice only just loud enough for Odin to hear, Odin raising his eyebrows at the unexpected admission, ¡°Boda has told me of his true father. He was a mortal who greatly resembled me by the name of William Henrikson. He was murdered before he knew of Vanar¡¯s existence.¡± ¡°You would take as your wife a woman who has perpetrated a fraud? You would raise a child who is not your own?¡± ¡°There was no fraud. Her memories have been altered possibly due to a condition similar to what her mother suffered. I¡¯m the only father he¡¯s known. Though we are not bound by blood, I claim him as my son.¡± ¡°If she suffers from such a condition, you are aware what her fate may be. The day may come when you will be left to raise him alone.¡± ¡°I accept the possibility,¡± Loki said as Odin rose from the throne, stepping down from it as Loki lowered himself to kneel on both knees, producing his daggers and placing them on the stone floor before him, bowing his head, ¡°I, Loki, Prince of Asgard-¨C¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Odin said, interrupting Loki as he stood before him. Loki remained kneeling for a moment in silent shock before retrieving his daggers and stowing them away, rising to his feet, Odin reaching out and placing a hand on his shoulder. ¡°I grant my blessing and to your betrothed pardon.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Loki said in disbelief, struggling to make his mouth work to form the words. ¡°I will speak with her alone.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Loki said, turning to make the long trek to the far exit of the throne room. ¡°Loki,¡± Odin said, Loki turning to once again face his father, ¡°I am proud to call you my son.¡± Chapter 18
The young Asgardian woman sitting at the vanity before the mirror thoughtfully studied her reflection, tentatively touching a lock of her wavy red hair before peering down at her bosom covered by her golden hued gown. As a chime sounded, she slowly rose, moving to the bed behind her. Noticing a hand hanging off the side from under the blanket she tucked the arm to which it was attached out of sight. Returning to the vanity, she wrapped her long, graceful fingers around the black obsidian idol of a featureless man. Lifting her skirt to reveal the white underskirt beneath, she tucked the statue into a bag tied around her waist, lowering the overskirt back in place as the chime sounded once again. Entering the sitting room of the chambers, far smaller than Loki¡¯s, she made her way to the door in long, purposeful masculine strides before halting, closing her eyes and taking a breath before continuing on with more feminine steps. Reaching the door she opened it to see three other female Asgardians in identical gowns standing outside. ¡°What took you so long? We have duties to attend to,¡± one of the women said in a tone of annoyance. The three women turned, making their way down the corridor as the red headed woman following them. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°Loki?¡± Boda said with a mixture of anxiety and concern, stepping away from the two einherjar that stood on either side of her as Loki emerged from the throne room in a state of shock. He came to a stop, frozen in place, staring unblinking at Boda as she stood before him, meeting her gaze before Boda bowed her head, her shoulders slumping. ¡°He¡¯s sending me back to the dungeon.¡± ¡°He¡¯s granted you pardon,¡± Loki finally managed to say, Boda¡¯s expression of disbelief mirroring Loki¡¯s own before it was replaced with one of suspicion. ¡°In exchange for what?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Loki answered, his demeanor swiftly altering to one of self-assurance, ¡°He tried to test me but I saw right through it.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Upon claiming my right to have a petition granted upon my betrothal he demanded that I¨C¡± Loki began before Boda interrupted. ¡°That was your game. You only proposed to secure a pardon to assuage your own guilt. How long do we have to carry on with this pantomime to ensure it isn¡¯t rescinded before you call it off?¡± Boda said, stepping away from Loki. ¡°Odin¡¯s beard!¡± Loki exclaimed, turning from Boda and crossing his arms, ¡°He had placed a condition on your pardon, that I renounce any claim to the throne. I was prepared to do so when he changed his mind. If you don¡¯t believe me, ask him,¡± Loki said, Boda shocked speechless for a moment as Loki continued standing with his back to her. ¡°You would have...you were going to...but if Thor were to...¡± Boda stammered in disbelief. ¡°Is it so difficult for you to believe someone could love you?¡± Loki asked, Boda hanging her head. ¡°As difficult for me as it is for you,¡± Boda replied in a meek voice, Loki remaining with his back to her as both fell silent. ¡°You¡¯re right to be wary,¡± Loki replied after a few moments, turning to face her, his countenance transitioning from frustration to shame, ¡°I¡¯ve given you every reason to be. I can¡¯t change what I¡¯ve done in the past. I can only leave the man who did them there.¡± ¡°Not all of him, I hope. That would be boring,¡± Boda said, Loki¡¯s morose expression transforming into a grin. ¡°I can assure you, boredom is the last thing you will ever experience with me. He wishes to speak with you.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Southern California May 1979 ¡°Anne¡­booth six,¡± the busty brunette in a low cut gold lam¨¦ top and skin tight pants carrying a tray said loudly in order to be heard over the disco song right before it ended to the honey blond woman in an identical outfit, her hair styled similar to Farrah Fawcet who stood behind the bar of the club as she mixed a drink and sat it in front of a patron. ¡°Thanks,¡± Boda said, stepping over to the male bartender and tapping him on the shoulder as the song ¡®I Will Survive¡¯ began to play, ¡°Be back in ten,¡± Boda informed him, the bartender nodding. Making her way along the edge of the dance floor full of club goers and past waitresses in gold, Boda reached a booth. ¡°You¡¯re early. My shift isn¡¯t over until¡ªWhat are you doing here?¡± Boda asked in surprise at the sight of the man seated in the booth dressed in a smart, dark colored business suit, a drink on the table in front of him. ¡°I needed to get out from under my brother¡¯s shadow for a time and enjoy the sun. You were expecting another?¡± Loki asked as Boda slid into the booth across from him. ¡°What are you wearing?¡± Boda asked, Loki glancing down at his clothing. ¡°A suit.¡± ¡°You look like a banker or something,¡± Boda said with a smirk, Loki peering around at the men he could see at other booths and tables before a green glow enveloped his clothing, transitioning them into a late 70s era leisure suit similar to those worn by the young men in the club, Boda looking anxiously around. ¡°Is this better?¡± Loki asked. ¡°What are you doing?! Someone might have seen you¨C¡± Boda hissed in alarm before Loki cut her off. ¡°Based on how long I waited for a drink I doubt anyone¡¯s been paying the least bit of attention to my presence since my entrance,¡± Loki responded with annoyance. ¡°Sorry. We¡¯re always busy on Friday night,¡± Boda explained. ¡°I see you¡¯re sporting a new costume. Is the proprietor trying to save money by conserving fabric? The next time I visit, you''ll likely be prancing about nude,¡± Loki said in a tone of disapproval as he eyed Boda¡¯s outfit. ¡°I don¡¯t do much ¡®prancing about¡¯ anymore. I¡¯m making the drinks now,¡± Boda said, Loki picking up his drink and eyeing it before taking another sip. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s a good thing you didn¡¯t know who it was for,¡± Loki joked, ¡°It¡¯s very good.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that difficult. How long are you planning to stick around?¡± Boda asked, Loki noting her stony expression. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°You¡¯re not pleased to see me?¡± ¡°No¡­yes¡­I mean¡­I¡¯m not not pleased,¡± Boda answered, flustered. ¡°How much have you imbibed this evening?¡± Loki asked with a grin. ¡°We¡¯re not allowed to drink during our shift. Of course some sneak a shot here and there. It¡¯s just the way you word your questions.¡± ¡°I find I receive more honest answers or at the very least clues that indicate deception,¡± Loki explained, ¡°Your critique of my apparel was an obvious dodge. Who is it you were expecting?¡± ¡°He¡¯s just a friend.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a friend,¡± Loki repeated before downing the other half of his drink, hailing a waitress as she walked by, pointing at his empty glass and requesting another, the waitress taking the glass and placing it on a tray before moving off. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think. Even if it was, it¡¯s none of your business,¡± Boda replied. ¡°Your well being is my business.¡± ¡°If you were concerned for my well being I wouldn¡¯t be here-¨Cnever mind. Forget it. Anyway, I could easily dispatch any mortal if the need were to arise,¡± Boda said, the two remaining seated in silence for a time before the waitress reappeared, setting another drink in front of Loki. ¡°Thank you. Keep the change,¡± Loki said to her, passing her a hundred dollar bill, the waitress taking it and looking at it. ¡°No...thank YOU!¡± the waitress said in amazement at the denomination. ¡°A lovely lady deserves to buy herself something nice,¡± Loki said, winking at the waitress before she smiled in return and walked away with her tray, Boda obviously perturbed at the exchange. ¡°It won¡¯t work,¡± said Boda. ¡°What won¡¯t work?¡± ¡°You¡¯re jealous so you¡¯re trying to make me jealous. You wouldn¡¯t be caught dead with a mortal.¡± ¡°What cause have I to be jealous? We made no promises to each other. Even if we had, considering the circumstances they would necessarily have to be considered null and void,¡± Loki replied. ¡°As I told you, it¡¯s not what you think¡­maybe it¡¯s worse,¡± Boda said. ¡°What could possibly be more heinous?¡± ¡°When a man asks me out¡­and I don¡¯t accept the invitation from just anyone¡­usually he takes me to dinner¡­places I could never afford,¡± Boda said, pausing before continuing, ¡°Once I¡¯ve eaten, I tell him I need to visit the restroom, to ¡®powder my nose¡¯ as they say here, and excuse myself. I¡¯ll find a waitress or one of the staff and tell them I¡¯m on a blind date, he¡¯s a creep, and I need to slip out without being seen. If I see him again, here or elsewhere, I apologize and tell him I got cold feet, that I just went through a bad break up and I thought I was ready but I wasn¡¯t. It¡¯s saved me a lot of money on food. I do whatever I have to do,¡± Boda said, Loki''s expression softening. ¡°You do whatever you have to do?¡± Loki asked, concerned. ¡°Not that.¡± ¡°Eventually there will be one who won¡¯t take kindly to your little scheme. The need you spoke of will arise and then what? You abscond and go ¡®on the run¡¯ as they say? It would then become necessary to harm others to avoid being apprehended.¡± ¡°I may not have to worry about it much longer. I was offered a job the other day. It¡¯s not too far from here, in Nevada. He said I¡¯d make ten times what I¡¯m making here along with room and board.¡± ¡°Doing what exactly?¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t say. The same as I do here, I assume.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve told you before, never assume. What was his name?¡± ¡°Joe something¡­Comfort I think? He gave me his card but it''s in my purse. I have to go,¡± Boda said, sliding out of the booth, stepping over to Loki and placing a hand on his shoulder, ¡°If I take the job I¡¯ll let you know where you can find me the next time you ¡®need some sun,¡¯¡± Boda told Loki before walking away past the packed dance floor. As Boda neared the bar, the waitress who had delivered Loki¡¯s drink picked up a full tray, turning from it and meeting her. ¡°Is Mr. Moneybags your date you were talking about earlier?¡± the waitress asked. ¡°No¡­a guy I went to school with back home. He¡¯s here on vacation.¡± ¡°Is he single?¡± "As far as I know but I don¡¯t think you¡¯re his type.¡± ¡°For a guy who tips like that I can be any type,¡± the waitress said with a wink and a smile as she began to walk away with her tray in hand, Boda rolling her eyes before the waitress turned back to her, ¡°Oh, by the way, when you were off last night the last guy you went out on a date with and ditched, Brian I think? He came here looking for you.¡± ¡°He did?¡± ¡°He was pretty riled. Anthony had to give him a couple drinks on the house to cool him off and had a talk with him. I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll cause you any trouble but watch yourself.¡± ¡°I will. Thanks, Lisa,¡± Boda said, the waitress turning once again and walking away, Boda slipping back behind the bar with a troubled expression. Loki remained seated in the booth having finished his drink as Lisa walked by, glancing over and noticing the empty glass and coming to a stop just as the song that had been playing ended. ¡°Can I get you another?¡± she asked. ¡°No, thank you. I should be going soon¡­but before I do, would you care for a dance?¡± Loki asked sliding out of the booth and standing as another song, Alicia Bridge¡¯s ¡®I Love the Nightlife¡¯ began. ¡°I wish I could but I can¡¯t,¡± Lisa replied, indicating the tray of drinks. ¡°Are you certain?¡± Loki said, raising his hand, another large bill between his fingers, the waitress staring at it as Loki took the tray from her, setting it on the table, she taking the money and slipping it into her pocket. ¡°What¡¯s your name or should I just call you Richie?¡± asked Lisa. ¡°John...¡± Loki said, saying the first common male mortal name that came to mind. ¡°Like Travolta? I can see it,¡± Lisa replied with a grin as Loki led her onto the dance floor. Behind the bar as Boda finished mixing another drink, she looked up, freezing as she witnessed Loki and Lisa among the others on the dance floor. ¡°Anne? Hey¡­you ok?¡± the other bartender, Anthony, asked as he stepped over to her. ¡°Fine...¡± Boda replied, continuing to watch Loki and the waitress dancing seductively, their bodies pressed together, one of Lisa¡¯s arm hooked around Loki¡¯s neck, his around her waist, Anthony following Boda¡¯s gaze. ¡°Is that the guy you told me about?¡± Anthony asked. ¡°Yeah. We¡¯ve known each other since we were kids. My father worked for his father.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just trying to get under your skin. He¡¯s a dick. Forget about him. I¡¯ll talk to Lisa. She¡¯s not getting paid to dance.¡± ¡°She probably is, actually. It¡¯s ok. I can¡¯t fault her for not turning down a few extra bucks. I wouldn¡¯t either.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a few minutes¡­get some fresh air?¡± Anthony suggested. ¡°I just got back-¡± Boda began. ¡°It¡¯s all right. Take however long you need.¡± ¡°Thanks." Loki turned his attention from Lisa for a moment as he watched Boda step out from behind the bar and make her way to the club''s exit, disappearing through it. ¡°I have to get back to work,¡± Lisa said as the song ended, reaching in her pocket and pulling out a slip of paper, putting it into Loki¡¯s hand, ¡°My shift¡¯s over at eleven. It takes me twenty minutes or so to get home. I don¡¯t have any plans. If you¡¯re looking for someone¨Csomething to do, give me a call.¡± Lisa turned, working her way through the crowd of people on the dance floor back to the booth, picking up the abandoned tray and hurrying off, Loki glancing around the club before heading towards the sign indicating the location of the restrooms. Reaching the corridor where the restrooms were located, Loki picked up the receiver of a pay phone on the wall nearby, waiting as two women patrons entered the one designated for their sex, glancing quickly around for anyone else entering or leaving before hanging up the receiver and transforming himself to appear as another waitress he had noticed earlier in the club, making his way past the restrooms and out of the alcove, towards the bar. Stealthily slipping past Anthony through the door behind the bar, Loki in the guise of the waitress stood alone in a room with small lockers attached to one wall. Scanning them he found one with ¡®Anne¡¯ written in black marker on a piece of tape affixed to it. Taking hold of the padlock, it glowed green for a moment before popping open, Loki removing it and reaching into the locker, removing a purse. Unzipping it, Loki rifled through it, removing a wallet and searching it, finally finding what he was looking for, a business card printed with the name ¡°Joe Conforte¡± and ¡°Mustang Ranch¡± along with an address and phone number. Finding an ink pen in Boda¡¯s purse, he scribbled the information on the back of the slip of paper Lisa had given him, before returning the card, wallet and pen to the purse and setting it back in the locker, reattaching the padlock. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda made the long trek between the columns of the throne room of Asgard¡¯s palace doing her best to appear confident, calm, and collected. The throne sat empty, Frigga along with two einherjar standing before it in the presentation area. ¡°My Queen¡­¡± Boda said, confused. ¡°He wishes to speak with you in his study. I¡¯ll see you there,¡± Frigga said, gesturing in the direction of the exit to Odin¡¯s study, starting towards it at Boda¡¯s side, the two einherjar trailing behind. Frigga entered the study, Boda behind her, to see Odin, two einherjar standing behind him, seated at a table upon which rested platters of various fruits and berries. ¡°Angrboda Vanargandsdottir, my King,¡± Frigga said, stepping aside as Odin stood. ¡°Would you please join me?¡± Odin said, indicating an empty chair across the table from him, Frigga smiling at Boda as she walked by her and approached the table, one of the two einherjar stepping around the table and pulling the chair out for her, Odin returning to his seat. Chapter 19 Boda stared in silence at the food spread before her as Odin dismissed the einherjar who followed Frigga as she exited. ¡°Is there something else you desire?¡± asked Odin, Boda continuing to sit still as a stone, her unblinking eyes glued to the contents of the platters placed between her and Odin. ¡°Oh...no¡­no...this is wonderful, thank you¡­it¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve had niffleberries or soetrfruit¡­it was--it¡¯s my favorite,¡± Boda said, filling the gold plate in front of her with fruits and berries, sampling a berry followed by a slice of blood red fruit. ¡°I recalled Loki requesting that it be served on the occasions he invited you to dine with us,¡± Odin said as he placed a few slices of fruit on his own plate, ¡°Before we begin, it is imperative that our conversation be held in strict confidence. It is not to be shared with anyone, including my son,¡± requested Odin as Boda ate another slice of fruit, swallowing it before replying. ¡°I give you my word but do you trust it?¡± ¡°I have given my blessing to your union and forgiven your past transgression. As you are to be my daughter and in the interest of subduing those who now threaten Asgard and the universe, we must trust one another,¡± Odin fell silent for a moment as Boda placed another berry in her mouth, ¡°I was father to a daughter. She was lost to me,¡± said Odin, Boda looking from her plate across the table to Odin in shock. ¡°Loki nor my father or anyone else ever mentioned¨C¡± Boda began before Odin interrupted. ¡°No living Asgardian, with the exception of my Queen and now yourself, are aware, or aware any longer of her existence,¡± Odin responded. ¡°You enchanted all of Asgard to forget her? Why?¡± ¡°I was not always the man you see before you. Long ago, when my father was Asgard¡¯s King and I his heir, I succumbed to the seductions of a demoness who took possession of a woman, scheming her way into the position of a lady of the court serving my mother, Queen Bestla. I put aside the young woman to whom I was betrothed and took her as my wife. She gave birth to Hela, my firstborn,¡± Odin paused, remembering the bottle of wine setting on the table near him and picking it up, ¡°My apologies, would you care for some wine?¡± ¡°Yes¡­thank you,¡± Boda said, Odin standing and leaning over, filling the empty goblet in front of Boda from the bottle before filling his own and replacing the bottle on the table, seating himself again, taking a drink from his goblet before continuing. ¡°Under the nefarious influence of this demoness, upon taking the throne I was a very different king than my father and his father before him. I sought to conquer the realms and beyond with the intent of creating the most powerful empire the universe had ever known. When Hela came of age, she joined me in my pursuit. Power and the riches of the realms were all that mattered to me, to us¡­until the fateful day a young woman arrived at the palace to serve my Queen. She had been raised by witches who had become aware of my Queen''s true nature and secured the position for her. As they intended, she revealed the demoness for what she was.¡± ¡°Frigga?¡± ¡°Yes¡­.¡± ¡°What happened to the demoness?¡± ¡°She slayed the body she inhabited, taking possession of another and fled Asgard. I was restored to the man my father raised to defend Asgard and those unable to defend themselves, to protect life and to preserve peace. Some time after, I took Frigga as my wife.¡± ¡°Did Hela leave Asgard with her when she fled?¡± ¡°No...Hela remained but it became clear she had inherited the demonic nature of her mother. I could no longer control her violent appetites. I was forced to imprison her in Hel. There she will remain as long as there is life in this body.¡± ¡°But¡­you have gone into battle many times. Why would you risk your life knowing the loss of it would put Asgard and the universe in danger? What will happen when you pass?¡± ¡°I trust the fate of Asgard and the universe will unfold as it has been ordained. If fate sees fit, I will live long enough and remain strong enough to transfer the lock of her prison to my heir after he has taken the throne and I have prepared him¡­if not, the prophecy of Ragnarok will come to pass.¡± ¡°But if the prophecy says¨C¡± Boda began. ¡°Prophecies can be misunderstood or misinterpreted as my Queen recently reminded me.¡± ¡°What does this have to do with me?¡± Boda asked, confused. ¡°Even before your exile, I failed to treat you with kindness and respect. You reminded me¡­of the guilt and shame I have long carried¡­of the young woman who was to have become my wife¡­your mother.¡± ¡°My mother was to have been queen of Asgard?¡± Boda responded, aghast. ¡°I left her a broken woman desperate to be free of the pain I had caused her. It was my father who began collecting relics deemed to be a threat to Asgard and the universe. The Warlock¡¯s Eye was one of the first he obtained. With the knowledge I had previously shared with her she succeeded where you failed. To use it to manipulate the mind and memory of another is dangerous...to attempt to use it to alter one''s own...It was I that discovered her in the vault. After she awoke, she had no memory of our time together. She would go on to marry your father and give birth to you. It was only much later¡­¡± ¡°She went mad,¡± Boda finished. ¡°Loki has told me that your memories have been altered, that you suffer symptoms akin to what your mother experienced. I believe something similar may have happened to you.¡± ¡°I never entered the vault. I didn''t intend to...¡± Boda fell silent for a moment, hanging her head, her voice heavy with shame as she continued, "I didn''t intend to use it on myself." If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°As you are well aware, the manipulation of one¡¯s memory and will can be accomplished by means other than The Eye. Those methods can prove equally dangerous when attempted by those not fully versed in their many nuances.¡± ¡°Who would have¨C¡± Boda began before falling silent. Odin stood, walking around the table to stand at Boda¡¯s side. ¡°With your permission¡­¡± Odin said as Boda hesitated before rising from her seat to face him, nodding her assent and closing her eyes as Odin placed his palm upon her forehead. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Southern California May 1979 Boda placed the last drink on the tray as Lisa waited on the other side of the bar, the music of KC and the Sunshine Band blaring as club goers danced. ¡°Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight!¡± the recorded voice of Harry Casey belted out. ¡°I¡¯ve danced, I guess we¡¯ll see about the second part later,¡± Lisa said with a grin and a twinkle in her eye as she picked up the tray and sauntered off, Boda staring after her with a scowl. Anthony stepped over, placing a small wrapped chocolate on the bar in front of Boda who looked down at it before picking it up. ¡°Thanks,¡± Boda said as she unwrapped it, popping it into her mouth. ¡°I thought you could use it. Gina should be here soon. You only have ten minutes left. You got here early as usual. Go ahead and take off. It¡¯s raining, by the way. I hope you didn¡¯t park too far away.¡± ¡°Raining? It almost never rains here in May,¡± Boda responded. ¡°It was coming down pretty good when I took a peek a few minutes ago. You¡¯ll think you¡¯re back home.¡± ¡°Home?¡± questioned Boda. ¡°It rains a lot in Britain, doesn¡¯t it? I heard that somewhere.¡± ¡°Oh, yes¡­all the time,¡± Boda replied as she turned towards the swinging doors leading to the store room and employee exit, ¡°See you tomorrow.¡± ¡°Same time, same channel,¡± Anthony responded with a friendly smile as Boda moved past him and through the doors. After collecting her purse from the locker and removing her keys from it, Boda reached the employee exit, stepping out into the night, rushing quickly across the lighted parking lot in the downpour to a late 1960¡äs model car that had obviously seen better days. As she went to put her key in the lock she noticed that the door was already unlocked. Warily she peeked through the windows through the rain running down them. Seeing no sign of anyone within, she opened the door, seating herself in the driver¡¯s seat and closing the door. Drenched, water dripping from her hair, which now looked as Farah Fawcett¡¯s would have after diving into a pool, Boda sat for a moment staring out of the windshield before putting her key in the ignition, starting the car, turning her head to look at the radio, reaching out and turning it on, Debbie Harry¡¯s voice emanating from the small speakers. ¡°Once I had love and it was a gas, soon turned out had a heart of glass, seemed like the real thing only to find, mucho mistrust, love¡¯s gone behind¡­¡± Boda listened in silence as the song continued, staring at the dials. ¡°Lost inside, adorable illusion and I cannot hide. I¡¯m the one you¡¯re using, please don¡¯t push me aside¡­¡± Harry¡¯s voice sang on before Boda switched off the radio, her shoulders slumping as she placed her hands atop the steering wheel, resting her forehead against the middle of the wheel and closing her eyes as she began to quietly weep. In the passenger seat, Loki materialized in a green glow, facing forward as he watched the rain running down the windshield before turning his head to look at Boda with a grim expression. Reaching out, he placed his left hand on her shoulder, emerald light tracing her shape from the crown of her head downwards, her hair, body and clothing now rendered dry. Startled, Boda gasped and sprang up, accidentally activating the horn for a moment, turning her head to view Loki as he withdrew his arm, Boda drawing hers back and slapping him across the face. ¡°A somewhat unorthodox way to express your appreciation. I could have left you to marinate,¡± Loki commented. ¡°You scared the shit out of me! Is this your doing?¡± ¡°Is what my doing?¡± ¡°It rarely rains here this time of the year. Not more than a drizzle anyway. There¡¯s even a song about it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid manipulating the weather is beyond my capabilities. I thought you had a date. I assumed I would have a few hours to wait.¡± ¡°I canceled it. You¡¯re right¡­.¡± ¡°As always,¡± Loki replied confidently. ¡°Don¡¯t you have one?¡± ¡°Have what?¡± ¡°She gave you her number, didn¡¯t she? She chooses a man to give it to every shift. The way you were throwing money in her direction...¡± ¡°I thought you said it wouldn¡¯t work. That wasn¡¯t my intention¡­it was, actually, though only as a means to an end.¡± ¡°A means to what end? What are you talking about?¡± asked Boda, perplexed as Loki held out his hand, magically producing a slip of paper between his fingers, offering it to Boda, she taking it, ¡°Lisa¡¯s number?¡± ¡°The other side.¡± Boda turned the paper over, reading Loki¡¯s writing on the reverse side. ¡°You went through my purse?!¡± ¡°Joe Conforte is the proprietor of a brothel,¡± Loki informed her, Boda¡¯s face expressing her shock, ¡°You honestly didn¡¯t know?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Boda said quietly, the irritation and animosity now absent from her voice as she shook her head, both she and Loki silent for a moment as the rain continued outside the vehicle before Boda broke the silence, her countenance becoming stony, ¡°So what if it is? What does it matter?¡± ¡°What does it matter?!¡± Loki repeated in disbelief, ¡°How could you even consider¨C¡± Loki asked, flabbergasted before Boda interrupted. ¡°What else can I do but what I¡¯m doing now or something that pays no better? Women aren¡¯t equals here. It¡¯s said we are but it¡¯s not so. It¡¯s not as if I can find a mortal man with money to marry,¡± Boda became silent once again, casting her eyes down, ¡°You thought you were doing me a favor, but it¡¯s a curse. Speak with your father, tell him whatever you need to tell him, you were in Midgard and happened to run into me¡­tell him I¡¯ve requested to be made a mort¨C¡± ¡°No,¡± Loki interrupted tersely. ¡°It¡¯s the only way,¡± Boda pleaded, tears welling in her eyes, spilling over, ¡°I¡¯ll never return to Asgard. This is my home now.¡± ¡°I can get you all the money you need.¡± ¡°You would have to take it from someone else who needs it. One has to have money to survive here, to be considered worth anything.¡± ¡°Trust me, there are many in Midgard from whom I could obtain it and it wouldn¡¯t be missed.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want your money! I don¡¯t want anything from you!¡± said Boda angrily, glaring at Loki before bowing her head, her voice softening, ¡°I think it would be better, for both of us, if we never saw each other again.¡± ¡°How would that be better--¡± Loki said before cutting himself off, quiet for a moment, appearing as if in contemplation, then reaching out and cupping Boda¡¯s chin with his hand, raising her head, ¡°Boda¡­look at me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind. Nothing you--¡± Boda stopped speaking as Loki¡¯s pupil¡¯s flashed green for a moment as she stared into them, her eyes becoming glassy and her expression blank. ¡°Only me¡­no other,¡± said Loki, keeping his gaze locked with her own for a few more moments before taking her head between his hands, moving his lips to hers, Boda¡¯s eyes closing, the glassy blankness gone as she opened them after the kiss had ended. ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange how we always end up this way?¡± Boda asked softly. ¡°Strange? It¡¯s rather familiar, actually,¡± Loki replied with a grin, ¡°Are you hungry?¡± ¡°I¡¯m starving.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda¡¯s eyes fluttered open as Odin removed his palm from her forehead, a tear escaping and rolling down her cheek as her gaze locked with that of Odin¡¯s remaining eye. ¡°Will I become like my mother?¡± Boda asked. ¡°It¡¯s uncertain, though it is likely the effects will continue to progress over time,¡± Odin replied. ¡°Is there anything you can do?¡± ¡°There is only one remedy I am sure of. I offered it to your mother. She refused.¡± ¡°What is it? Why did she refuse?¡± Chapter 20 ¡°Your grandfather was my father¡¯s first minister. Your grandmother was my mother¡¯s maid of honor and closest companion. Your mother was proud of her heritage. She wished to die as she was born¡­as an Asgardian,¡± Odin explained. ¡°The remedy is to be rendered a mortal?¡± Boda asked in disbelief. ¡°She would have lived the remainder of her life in Asgard. Life in Midgard during that time was fraught with hardships,¡± said Odin. ¡°It¡¯s no picnic today,¡± Boda interjected before Odin continued. ¡°However, to age as others remained seemingly unchanged as well as other difficulties would have had its own effects on her mental state. She was hopeful another way would be found so that she could return to you but it was not to be. Your condition is similar but not the same. It¡¯s possible you could live a full lifetime, happily raising a family with my son while only experiencing minor effects and never succumb to those which afflicted your mother.¡± ¡°I hadn¡¯t considered¡­I don¡¯t know if I could risk it¡­more children.¡± ¡°That is a matter to be settled between yourself and my son. Loki has informed me of Vanar¡¯s paternity, stating his willingness to accept him as his own, raising him in the knowledge it may someday become necessary that he do so alone. Vanar will be entitled to the rights and honors of a grandson of the crown. He will grow to be as any other Asgardian as have the other progeny of the few Midgardian and Asgardian pairings that have occurred in our history, including your grandmother." "My grandmother?" "She was brought to Asgard as an infant. It was your mother''s mortal heritage that led to her madness after using The Eye. It was Vanar''s father''s resemblance to Loki which allowed the spell my son placed on you to be circumvented but not broken. After his death your memories of the circumstances of Vanar''s conception were rewritten as your mind sought to conform to the dictates of the spell. Due to the mortal blood passed down to you, it began attempting to rewrite others as well,¡± Odin informed Boda, ¡°We must now discuss a matter of more immediate import.¡± ¡°Dario..." Boda said, trailing off into silence for a moment, contemplative, folding her hands in her lap, staring down at them, "Loki told me in the past to always have a plan.¡± ¡°I have found many times my son offers sound advice yet too often fails to follow his own counsel,¡± Odin responded. "I don''t believe truer words have ever been spoken." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°What could they possibly be discussing?¡± Loki said as Frigga sat on a stone bench across from the entrance to the throne room as he paced impatiently in front of her. ¡°Calm yourself. Sit,¡± Frigga said, placing her hand on the empty space beside her, Loki ceasing his pacing, following her suggestion, ¡°There are fences to be mended. Such things take time,¡± Frigga paused, appearing unsure before continuing, ¡°Are you certain this is what you want? You¡¯re still young. You could still be a father to Vanar. It¡¯s not at all necessary¨C¡± ¡°He¡¯s trying to talk her out of it. You¡¯re not in favor either. You think it¡¯s a mistake.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve said no such thing,¡± Frigga calmly replied, ¡°If your father was against your union he would not have granted his blessing. I¡¯m concerned only for your happiness, as I have always been, as is your father,¡± Frigga said soothingly, placing a hand atop Loki¡¯s. ¡°Did you have doubts about Father?¡± Loki asked. ¡°Very few regarding your father himself. I was aware I would be taking on not only the role of wife but that of Queen as well. Had I been younger at the time, I¡¯m not sure I would have been ready. I¡¯m still not certain I was prepared for it. I¡¯ve made my share of mistakes,¡± Frigga answered. ¡°You¡¯re beloved by all of Asgard. Any mistakes you have made have been of no consequence. In any event, it¡¯s unlikely Boda will ever find herself in such a position.¡± ¡°Regardless, you must be open to her expressing any doubts she may have. They are not necessarily a reflection on you. Any that are you should consider an opportunity to become a better man tomorrow than you are today. Others often see us more clearly than we see ourselves, especially those who most care for us, though it is their criticism that wounds us more deeply. Surely you must have doubts yourself.¡± ¡°There are times she can be abrasive, stubborn, determined to have her own way, easily aroused to anger, argumentative simply for the sake of it.¡± ¡°Much like someone else I know,¡± Frigga said with a grin. ¡°Point taken,¡± Loki said with a slight grin of his own, ¡±We¡¯re opposites in some ways, but in others very much alike.¡± ¡°It is those similarities and contrasts between a couple that make life interesting,¡± Frigga replied. ¡°I¡¯ve never considered you and father to be at all alike,¡± Loki responded. ¡°We are in the ways that are most crucial to sustaining a successful union. You don¡¯t always have to agree. What¡¯s most important is that you both feel free to disagree, that you are assured that doing so will not alter the love and respect you have for each other,¡± Frigga said as Loki took her hand in his. ¡°Many times I have thought you to be the one best suited to be seated on the throne.¡± ¡°I would never wish to be cursed with such a burden. I have been charged with a far more fulfilling duty than that of a queen¡­mother to you and your brother.¡± ¡°I know I have not always made that an easy task,¡± Loki confessed. ¡°I have always enjoyed a challenge which you have been gracious enough to grant me in spades,¡± Frigga said with a smile, ¡°The future will bring you your own challenges. If in that future you recall nothing else of our conversation this day, always remember that I love you.¡± The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Loki found himself in a position he seldom experienced in the presence of others, that of fighting back tears, as he embraced Frigga. ¡°How could I ever forget?¡± The doors of the throne room opened, two einherjar stepping out, Boda following them before they separated, Boda passing between them as Loki and Frigga ended their embrace, both standing as Boda approached, her expression blank, almost mask-like, Loki studying her with the same concern she had for him after his audience with his father. ¡°Is everything all right?¡± Loki finally asked after a few moments of silence as they stared at one another, Frigga looking from Boda to her son, then returning her gaze to Boda. ¡°All¡¯s well,¡± Boda said, breaking her stoic mask with a smile, ¡±We had quite a pleasant chat. Your father was gracious enough to have arranged refreshment. He remembered you would request soetrfruit when I dined with you in the past,¡± Boda said, Loki slapping his forehead. ¡°I should have brought some to the cottage for your pantry,¡± said Loki. ¡°You had far more weighty matters on your mind than my food preferences,¡± Boda told Loki before addressing Frigga, ¡°I expressed my appreciation to him of course, if you would thank him for me again.¡± ¡°Certainly,¡± Frigga replied as she took a step towards the throne room doors. ¡°And thank you¡­for your help with Vanar¡­for everything," Boda continued. Frigga halted, extending her arms, Boda falling into them, returning her embrace. ¡°You¡¯re very welcome. I hope you will finally find the happiness that in the past has eluded you,¡± Frigga said, ending the embrace, making her way to the throne room doors, the two einherjar stationed outside them opening them for her, closing them behind her as she entered. ¡°Vanar¡¯s likely growing restless seeing as all his playthings are at the cottage. We should relieve my brother before he begins pulling out those golden locks of his. He may well be half bald already,¡± Loki quipped, extending his hand, Boda taking it. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Frigga entered Odin¡¯s study to find him appearing drained and weary as he remained seated at the table gripping the goblet in front of him in both hands, staring into the wine it contained as if he were engaging in divination. Standing inside the doorway for a moment before proceeding to the chair across from him Boda had recently occupied, Frigga wordlessly seated herself. ¡°It is as I suspected,¡± Odin finally spoke, breaking the silence between husband and wife, though he did not lift his head. ¡°From the beginning?¡± Frigga asked. ¡°No. It was some time after her exile. Her feelings are true. His spell was not to induce love but to prevent such feelings for another.¡± "How then was it possible..." Frigga asked, puzzled, failing to finish her thought. "By the sort of twist of fate I have come to know occurs more often in the universe than most realize. Vanar¡¯s father so resembled our son that the features he passed to his own fooled even yourself, a far more rare event.¡± ¡°During his instruction I made clear to him the dangers of such spells. How could he have been so careless?¡± Frigga said in disappointment. ¡°The spell was cast in haste in a moment of fear due to his own selfishness but also out of genuine concern for her wellbeing. He was unaware, as was she, of the mortal blood she carries, that such spells if not cast with the utmost care are especially dangerous for Asgardians with such ancestry,¡± Odin explained before drinking from the goblet, ¡°The spell caused her memory of Vanar¡¯s conception to become convoluted with that of Loki¡¯s visit that took place weeks before. If she had been asked if she had engaged in such relations with the mortal she would have believed she was being honest in her denial. The remedy for the eitr had the unintended consequence of untangling those memories.¡± ¡°Then she is cured?¡± asked Frigga. ¡°I wish it were so. I sensed an imbalance similar to what I experienced when I explored her mother¡¯s mind in hopes of setting things right. Though I removed the spell, her mind will continue to attempt to overwrite her memories, these attempts manifesting as dreams. Thus far she has been successful at recognizing them but that is unlikely to continue indefinitely,¡± Odin explained, ¡°I offered her the same remedy as I did her mother.¡± ¡°And as did her mother, she rejected it?¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Thor stood to the side of the doorway of Vanar¡¯s bedchambers, peeking in at the boy who continued to sleep soundly¡­too soundly, the God of Thunder believed. Something had felt off to him since his mother had entered Loki¡¯s chambers with Vanar in her arms, though he rejected the notion that his mother would be dishonest with him. It was at that moment that Vanar rolled over onto his side, though his eyes remained closed and his breathing the slow and steady respirations of one during slumber. Thor ducked out of sight to the side of the doorway, his concern somewhat allayed by Vanar¡¯s movement, quietly making his way back into the great room of Loki¡¯s chambers just as the chime sounded at the door. No less cautious than previously, he held out his open hand, summoning Mjolnir into it and gripping it, before crossing the room to the doors, opening one of them to see two chambermaids standing outside along with the two einherjar charged with guarding the chambers standing on either side of the double doors, both women bowing their heads. ¡°My brother has only recently moved into these chambers. He hasn¡¯t yet slept a night in them. I doubt there¡¯s anything needing attention,¡± Thor said to them convivially. ¡°Very well, we¨C¡± the brunette chambermaid began before the other with the striking red hair interrupted. ¡°We would be remiss in our duties if we didn¡¯t at least inspect them. It will only take a moment,¡± she said, the brunette beside her, turning her head to look at her companion as it was the first time the young woman had uttered a word since she and the others had collected her from her own chambers. ¡°Far be it from me to impede such lovely ladies from performing their duties,¡± Thor said with a smile, stepping aside and gesturing politely with his left arm for them to enter, the red headed chambermaid entering first, the brunette following, Thor closing the door behind them, ¡°My nephew is napping in his bedchambers so if you would be mindful¡­¡± ¡°Of course,¡± the redheaded woman replied with a smile. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki and Boda traversed the corridor down which Boda had fled prior to both of their audiences with Odin, Loki glancing over at Boda every few moments before finally posing the question that was currently occupying the forefront of his mind. ¡°Are you going to tell me what you spoke about?¡± ¡°I pledged not to divulge what was discussed between us,¡± Boda replied. ¡°My father asked my wife-to-be to keep secrets from me,¡± Loki said disapprovingly. ¡°There have been topics you¡¯ve discussed with your father which necessitated your discretion...the Destroyer for instance,¡± Boda responded as they neared the common room in which Loki had discovered her earlier, Boda pulling Loki toward it, ¡°Come with me.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you think we should return¨C¡± Loki said as Boda opened the door, leading Loki through it, releasing his hand after he had entered and closing it behind them. Standing before Loki, Boda held out her hand palm up, a mini fireworks display erupting from it. ¡°He¡¯s given you your magic back?¡± Loki asked in wonder, though his question had obviously been answered before he asked it. ¡°Surprise!¡± Boda said happily as Loki pulled her into his arms in an exuberant embrace, ¡°I have another. Close your eyes,¡± she said after removing herself from Loki¡¯s embrace, Loki¡¯s expression changing from pleased to uncertain suspicion. ¡°You¡¯re not planning to turn me into a frog¡­or a slime eel¡­¡± Loki replied warily. ¡°Of course not, I promise,¡± Boda laughed, Loki hesitating for another moment before taking a breath and closing his eyes, Boda placing her palm on his forehead as the interior of the room began to transform into the inside of the tavern in Boston as green light tracked along the walls as Loki began to hear the sound of Midgardian rock music, ¡°Open them.¡± Loki¡¯s eyelids slowly opened, peering around the altered room. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Chapter 21 Boda led Loki to a small table in front of the window to the left of the door of the tavern, sliding out one of the chairs for herself, gesturing to the one on the other side of the table. A stereo system connected to speakers mounted on the wall, complete with a turntable, radio, and cassette tape deck sat visible on a shelf behind the bar, a female vocalist adding her voice to the music originating from it. ¡°Cold, late night so long ago when I was not so strong you know, a pretty man came to me, I never seen eyes so blue, you know I could not run away, it seemed we¡¯d seen each other in a dream, seemed like he knew me¡­¡± Ann Wilson sang. ¡°Have a seat,¡± Boda said, Loki reaching out and touching the chair, finding that it was solid and appeared real enough, seating himself. ¡°This isn¡¯t an illusion,¡± Loki observed. ¡°A memory¡­our memories,¡± Boda explained. A man and woman in their mid 20¡äs appeared at a table across the room, nearly empty mugs of beer in front of them. A doppelganger of Boda, her hair curled and teased in a style popular in 1984 and sporting clothing of that era now stood behind the bar, a bin of freshly washed mugs within it placed upon it. She stood drying each mug with a towel, replacing them under the bar. The couple finished their drinks before standing, the man placing a couple of dollar bills on the table, both retrieving their coats from the back of their chairs and donning them, Boda¡¯s double taking notice. ¡°Thanks for coming in. Have a good night,¡± Boda¡¯s double called to them, the couple both giving a short wave in acknowledgement before turning to walk to the door, ¡°Be careful out there. It¡¯s a mess,¡± Boda¡¯s double finished as they reached the door and exited. Boda¡¯s double put the glass she had been drying away and sat the towel on the bar, reaching under it for a damp rag hanging off the side of a bucket, dipping it in the cleaning solution and wringing it out. Walking over to the table she putting the money into her pocket before grabbing the handles of both mugs in her left hand, picking them up. ¡°¡®Come on home, girl,¡¯ he said with a smile,¡®I cast my spell of love on you, a woman from a child¡¯ but try to understand, try to understand, try, try, try to understand, he¡¯s a magic man, oh he¡¯s got the magic hands¡­¡± Boda¡¯s double sang along with the song playing on the stereo as she wiped down the table and pushed in the chairs, checking the floor beneath them, Loki looking over to the real Boda with a smirk. Boda¡¯s double roamed about the tavern, wiping the wet rag over a few more tables before returning to the bar, placing the dirty mugs beside the bin and the rag back with the bucket, returning to drying the clean mugs just as the telephone on the wall behind the bar began to ring. Boda¡¯s double sat the mug in her hand and the towel on the bar, stepping over to the stereo, turning the volume down a bit before walking from it to the phone, answering the call. ¡°Talk of the Town Tavern. This is An¨C¡± Boda¡¯s double began before going silent, listening to the voice speaking through the corded receiver. ¡°You never told me where you came up with that name,¡± Loki said to the real Boda. ¡°It¡¯s the name of a song.¡± ¡°Of course it is,¡± Loki replied. ¡°Will, hi¡­.no, it¡¯s ok. I¡¯m not busy. Far from it. There¡¯s only been a few come in since I opened. The last two just left. It¡¯s a weeknight and the weather¡¯s bad. I think I¡¯ll cut my losses and close early. No sense paying to keep the lights on. How¡¯s New York?¡± Boda¡¯s double asked as she spoke into the phone, pausing to listen to Will¡¯s response. Boda¡¯s double, cradling the phone between her chin and shoulder as she stretched the cord, stepped back over to the bar and picked up another mug, drying it. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Boda¡¯s double said, pausing to listen, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ve been doing all right. You¡¯ve helped me out enough times. It makes me feel better since you never let me pay you. You have to give it a go. If it doesn¡¯t work out there¡¯ll be other shows, at least you¡¯ve got people¡¯s attention, that¡¯s the hard part,¡± Boda¡¯s double continued as the mug she was drying slipped from her grip, shattering on the floor, ¡°I¡¯m fine, just clumsy, dropped a mug,¡± she said, beginning to chuckle, ¡°Nothing¡­it just reminded me of a custom back home. See you Saturday. I hope you hear good news¡­.you too. Bye.¡± Boda¡¯s double hung up the phone and returned to the stereo, turning the volume back up before drying the two remaining mugs in the bin. She placed the two dirty ones into it, picking it up and walking around the shards of glass on the floor through a swinging door behind the bar. ¡°He was an actor. He acted in one of the local theaters in the evenings. He worked as a cook at a restaurant during the breakfast and lunch shift to save money to move to New York. Someone attended a show he was in and invited him to audition for a show on Broadway. I¡¯d given him some money for the trip so he wouldn¡¯t have to dip into his savings,¡± the real Boda informed Loki. ¡°Did he get the part?¡± Loki asked. ¡°If he had, he wouldn¡¯t have been here that night¡­¡± The door of the tavern opened, the song that had been playing coming to an end, another beginning after a pause, Loki turning in his chair to witness his own doppelganger enter wearing a black tailored wool coat, a green scarf around his neck, snow and sleet spotting his hair and coat beginning to melt as he closed the door, standing in front of it. ¡°Come take my hand. You should know me. I¡¯ve always been in your mind. You know I will be kind. I¡¯ll be guiding you¡­¡± Olivia Newton John¡¯s smooth, sultry voice sang as Loki¡¯s double looked around the tavern. ¡°Hello?¡± Loki¡¯s double called out after a few moments. ¡°I¡¯ll be right out!¡± Boda¡¯s double¡¯s voice called from the back room. ¡°I don¡¯t need to see anymore. I was there. We both were,¡± the real Loki said, turning back to the real Boda across from him who looked past Loki at his double with a wistful expression. ¡°I need to know if our memories align,¡± the real Boda replied. ¡°Why does it matter?¡± the real Loki asked, the actual Boda ignoring him. ¡°You have to believe we are magic. Nothing can stand in our way. You have to believe we are magic. Don¡¯t let your aim ever stray, and if all your hopes survive, destiny will arrive. I¡¯ll bring all your dreams alive for you¡­¡± Olivia Newton John¡¯s voice sang sweetly as Loki¡¯s double stepped forward, reaching the midway point between the bar and the entrance, halting as he heard Boda¡¯s double¡¯s voice as she pushed open the swinging door, entering the tavern from the back room with a broom and dustpan. ¡°Sorry. I didn¡¯t think anyone would brave the weather. What can I¡ª¡± Boda¡¯s double abruptly ceased speaking as she laid eyes on Loki¡¯s double, ¡°How...you¡¯re in New York¡­¡± ¡°Not recently,¡± Loki¡¯s double replied, confused, Boda¡¯s double rendered speechless once again. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Loki¡­?¡± Boda¡¯s double finally said, dropping the broom and dustpan before striding to him, throwing her arms around him and kissing him passionately, catching him off guard and knocking him back a step. Ending the kiss, Boda¡¯s double stepped back, raising her arm and preparing to slap him, Loki¡¯s double swiftly raising his own to grasp her wrist before she could complete the maneuver. ¡°if it¡¯s all the same to you, I¡¯d rather skip that part,¡± said Loki¡¯s double, releasing her, his coat and scarf vanishing as green magical light traced them, revealing the black early 80¡äs style dress shirt he wore beneath it with matching trousers. "I like what you''ve done with the place," Loki''s double replied. ¡°It looks the same as the first and last time you were here...four years ago. Sit,¡± Boda¡¯s double said, turning and walking to the bar, picking the broom and dustpan up from the floor, quickly sweeping up the broken mug. Loki¡¯s double made his way to the bar and seated himself on a stool, watching Boda¡¯s double as she dumped the remnants of the mug into a trash can under the bar. ¡°What happened?¡± Loki¡¯s double asked. ¡°I was drying a mug and it slipped. Not the first time,¡± Boda¡¯s double replied, ¡°Can I get you something...Wait! I¡¯ll be right back!¡± Boda¡¯s double exclaimed, carrying the broom and dustpan through the swinging door. Loki¡¯s double stood, walking around the bar to the stereo as the song that had begun playing soon after his entrance ended. He glanced at the swinging door before he stopped the tape deck and opened it. Removing the cassette tape he examined it, noticing it was a recordable cassette, ¡®Loki¡¯ written on it in black marker. Grinning, he placed it back in the stereo and restarted it, the next song beginning as he returned to the stool awaiting Boda¡¯s return. ¡°We are young, heartache to heartache we stand, no promises, no demands, love is a battlefield¡­¡± Pat Benatar¡¯s voice spoke with an echo effect before proceeding to sing as Boda¡¯s double reappeared, a bottle of wine in her hand. ¡°I can get rid of one of these,¡± Boda¡¯s double said, setting the bottle on the bar as Benatar belted out the next lines of the song. ¡°You¡¯re making me go, then making me stay, why do you hurt me so bad? It would help me to know do I stand in your way or am I the best thing you¡¯ve had? Believe me, believe me, I can¡¯t tell you why but I¡¯m trapped by your love and I¡¯m chained to your side¡­¡± Benatar sang, Loki¡¯s double turning his head to stare at the stereo. ¡°What is it?¡± Boda¡¯s double asked, noticing the pained expression on his face as he listened to the music. ¡°Nothing,¡± Loki¡¯s double replied, forcing a grin as he turned his attention from the stereo back to her and the bottle of wine, Boda''s double retrieving two wine glasses and a corkscrew from under the bar. ¡°I don¡¯t sell much wine, beer and mixed drinks mostly. I only order a few bottles every couple of months but my supplier made a mistake and sent me two cases of this in the last delivery. they didn''t charge me. They said it would cost them more to send someone to pick it up and to restock it. It¡¯s better than what I usually get,¡± Boda¡¯s double explained as she picked up the corkscrew. Loki gripped the neck of the bottle, a green glow tracing it before the cork popped out, landing on the bar. Boda sat the cork screw down and picked up the bottle, filling both glasses, sliding one in front of Loki who raised it to his lips, sampling the wine, as she sipped from her own glass. ¡°Not bad¡­for Midgardian wine,¡± Loki¡¯s double stated, taking another drink as Boda''s double made her way around the bar to seat herself on a stool beside Loki¡¯s double, both Asgardians silent for a time as they drank. ¡°You didn¡¯t come here for the sun. Is everything ok? How is your mother? I won¡¯t ask about your father,¡± inquired Boda¡¯s double, breaking the silence as she refilled their glasses. ¡°She¡¯s wonderful, as always,¡± Loki¡¯s double replied. ¡°Your brother?¡± ¡°If his ego becomes any more inflated he¡¯ll float away. I would enjoy seeing that, actually.¡± ¡°I think you¡¯d rather stick a pin in him in that event,¡± Boda¡¯s double responded with a smirk, Loki¡¯s double returning his own. ¡°I may stick a pair of far sharper objects into him if he continues to test my patience,¡± Loki¡¯s double said acidly. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be the first time,¡± Boda¡¯s double replied, ¡°It''s never seemed to help.¡± ¡°How are...things?¡± Loki¡¯s double asked. ¡°I¡¯m doing all right. I¡¯m running the place myself so I don¡¯t have to pay anyone. It¡¯s not as if I have anything else to do. I¡¯m making enough to keep it going and take care of myself. Some months I even have a bit left over to put away for a rainy¡­ or snowy day. Things could be worse¡­I thought maybe you¡¯d forgotten about me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been otherwise occupied,¡± Loki¡¯s double explained. ¡°Doing what?¡± ¡°My father sent me on a mission to infiltrate a band of marauders who were making overtures to Jotunheim for assistance in their schemes. Thanks to me they now call the dungeon home. Not that my accomplishment garnered the least bit of appreciation,¡± Loki¡¯s double responded. ¡°That didn¡¯t take four years to accomplish, likely all of four minutes. Marauders aren¡¯t known for their intellect.¡± ¡°I have other responsibilities along with the bones my father occasionally sees fit to toss my way,¡± Loki¡¯s double responded, both falling silent once again as they drank. ¡°So who is she, or he, or they?¡± Boda¡¯s double finally asked, gazing down into her glass of wine. ¡°No one of any significance. I made the acquaintance of an apprentice architect while commissioning a few additions to my wardrobe. He¡¯s a pleasant enough companion and conversationalist. You might like him.¡± ¡°Maybe you can bring him along next time, if he¡¯s still speaking to you by then,¡± Boda responded. ¡°I¡¯m not sure Midgard would be to his liking.¡± ¡°If he can handle you, he could survive a visit here,¡± Boda replied. ¡°Perhaps I will. He seems to enjoy hearing about it, though hearing of something and experiencing it are two very different things.¡± ¡°Tell me something I don¡¯t know,¡± Boda¡¯s double said, polishing off her glass of wine, pouring herself more as Benatar''s voice faded out before the haunting notes of a piano filled the tavern as the next song on the tape began to play. ¡°Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you¡¯re never coming round. Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears¡­¡± Bonnie Tyler sang. Loki¡¯s double looked from his glass to the stereo once again as he listened. After a few moments he stood, offering his hand to Boda¡¯s double. ¡°Would you care for a dance?¡± Loki¡¯s double asked. ¡°We haven¡¯t danced together since the revels celebrating your parents'' anniversary,¡± Boda''s double replied as she stood. ¡°In Buri¡¯s Valley. I remember.¡± ¡°It was so beautiful, all the aureole lights, the fireworks¡­like a dream. Sometimes it feels like it was...that it was all a dream,¡± Boda¡¯s double reminisced as she hooked her arms loosely around Loki¡¯s double¡¯s neck as he wrapped his own around her, the two dancing as the song continued. "Every now and then I know there''s no one in the universe as magical and wondrous as you. Every now and then I know there''s nothing any better, there''s nothing that I just wouldn''t do..." Tyler sang on. Boda¡¯s double suddenly pulled away from Loki''s double, attempting to flee. Loki''s double took hold of her arm, gently pulling her back as Boda''s double turned to face him, their eyes locking, sharing a kiss before vanishing, the tavern now silent and empty but for the real Boda and Loki. Loki as if in a trance sat silent for a moment before snapping out of it, realizing their doubles were gone, the scene ended. ¡°I changed my mind. I¡¯d like to see the rest¡­¡± Loki said as he turned to Boda. ¡°It¡¯s all up here,¡± Boda replied, tapping her temple with her index finger. The sound of voices began to fill the room as well as music once again, the opening of ABBA¡¯s song ¡®Waterloo¡¯, tavern patrons appearing seated at a few of the tables and at the bar, some rising and putting on coats as they moved toward the door. Loki turned from Boda to look over the room, noticing Boda¡¯s double once again, her hair style the same but now wearing a white blouse and jeans, standing behind the bar across from a young man with dark hair like his own, though a few inches longer, his back to Loki. ¡°I don¡¯t recall¡­¡± Loki said, puzzled, before realizing what he was witnessing, his expression darkening, ¡°No¡­.Boda¡ª¡± Loki began before Boda cut him off. ¡°I need to. I have to.¡± ¡°Some things are better forgotten.¡± The dark haired man rose from the stool on which he was sitting, taking Boda¡¯s double¡¯s hand and kissing it before turning, Loki amazed to be viewing a face that was nearly a copy of his own, Will crossing to a long metal coat rack near the door, locating his and removing it from the hanger and putting it on, zipping it up before walking to the door. Turning he waved at Boda¡¯s double, she returning it with a smile, before he walked out the door, closing it behind him. Boda¡¯s double stepped over to another customer at the bar who handed her money. She walked over to the cash register, ringing up the patron¡¯s tab. One of two men sitting at a table on the other side of the tavern made a gesture to his companion seated across from him before pointing at the door, both men rising and walking to the coat rack, locating their coats and exiting. Boda¡¯s double glanced at them for a moment before shifting her attention to another customer. Loki stood from his seat at the table. Stepping over to Boda he kneeled before her, taking her hands in his. ¡°Vanar¡¯s waiting for us.¡± ¡°Will was waiting¡­.for someone¡­anyone...¡± Boda said, her voice quavering as tears welled in her eyes. ¡°Boda, stop this¡­¡± Loki pleaded. Chapter 22 ¡°I was told you have a nephew. I thought it was only a silly story. I can¡¯t imagine Loki as a father...¡± the brunette chambermaid told Thor, ¡°My apologies. I meant no offense,¡± she added as the redheaded chambermaid slipped away unnoticed. ¡°None taken,¡± Thor responded with a reassuring smile, ¡°I was astonished at how well he¡¯s taken to it myself, though you would think nothing would surprise me where my brother is concerned. I¡¯ve been assisting him in keeping watch over Vanar while he attends to other obligations.¡± ¡°Everything must seem so strange to him. What is he like?¡± the chambermaid inquired curiously. ¡°In appearance he resembles his father when he was that age. His disposition is more pleasant, less¡­stabby? Is that a word or did I make that up?¡± asked Thor. ¡°All words are made up,¡± the brunette answered. ¡°I¡¯d never thought of it that way,¡± Thor responded with a grin as he tossed Mjolnir, the hammer spinning in the air before falling back into his grip. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°I have to know...If I truly cared for him...or if it was only your spell,¡± the real Boda told Loki, his expression somber as he bowed his head. ¡°I didn''t know what else to do. I was afraid for you.¡± ¡°You were afraid for yourself. You viewed me as a possession another might take from you, like a toy you placed in a trunk until you found yourself in the mood to play with it.¡± ¡°I was¡­I did....but I was concerned for you as well,¡± Loki explained, pausing as he attempted to think of a way to coax Boda to end the memory, ¡°We¡¯ll leave Asgard, relocate elsewhere with Vanar until Dario has been apprehended. We can seek refuge in Alfheim. We¡¯ll be safe, Vanar will be safe there.¡± ¡°You believed we¡¯d be safe here. No where is safe. No where has ever been safe, not for me,¡± Boda said, silent for a moment, ¡°There was a snowstorm. It was exactly a month to the day after you left, March 29th. it was unusual for that time of year, even for Boston, like when it rained that time you visited me in California. Everything closed down. He didn¡¯t live too far from the tavern. He walked there to check on me. He had lost power like many...a man was electrocuted by a downed line. There was no way to know how long it might be out. He didn¡¯t have heat. I was lucky mine was still working so I insisted he stay the night. We drank more of the wine¡­danced as you and I did...¡± Boda paused, leaving the rest of the evening¡¯s events unspoken, ¡°The night he was murdered...my memories hadn¡¯t yet been altered. If Will had lived maybe they wouldn¡¯t have been...I had just learned the day before...I was anxious...I broke three mugs¡­spilled drinks¡­he had to have noticed I wasn¡¯t myself. After everyone had left I was going to tell him everything...about Vanar, I didn¡¯t have a choice, eventually I wouldn¡¯t be able to hide it...about Asgard...who...what I really was. I didn¡¯t know what to do. I had heard the stories as a child of the few such children born long ago that had been brought to Asgard. He would be taken from me...from us.¡± Loki, still holding both of Boda¡¯s hands, turned his head to look over his shoulder as the last two patrons paid their tab, Boda¡¯s double ringing them up at the register, taking their money and returning their change, thanking them as they turned to walk to the door. She anxiously glanced at the clock on the wall near the bar before walking through the swinging door, reappearing moments later with a bin and making her way around the tavern collecting empty mugs and glasses from tables. Just as it had in Boda¡¯s car, Freddie Mercury¡¯s voice resounded through the much larger speakers. ¡°It started off so well. They said we made a perfect pair. I clothed myself in your glory and your love. How I loved you. How I cried. The years of care and loyalty were nothing but a sham it seems¡­¡± Mercury sadly sang. "I¡¯m sorry....I¡¯m sorry for everything that¡¯s happened to you, what happened to him,¡± said Loki. ¡°The first time he came in...he was walking by the tavern on his way home when he heard the music¡­his favorite song...he¡¯d be in New York now, he¡¯d be performing on Broadway, I¡¯m sure of it.¡± ¡°His murderers paid for their crime. You saw to that. Boda...let¡¯s go,¡± Loki said, making one last attempt to persuade her to leave. ¡°Save me! Save me! Save me! I can¡¯t face this life alone. Save me! Save me! Save me! I¡¯m naked and I¡¯m far from home,¡± Mercury pleaded in his powerful voice. Returning to the bar, Boda¡¯s double sat the bin down, looking at the clock on the wall once more with an expression of uncertainty and fear before she stepped over to the stereo, turning it off. The real Boda looked past Loki at her double. Boda rose, Loki rising as well from where he kneeled before her as Boda¡¯s double vanished, the tavern again empty and silent for a moment before Boda¡¯s double reappeared on her knees on the floor a few feet from the tavern¡¯s door holding the battered and bloody body of Will, his coat blood stained, his blood staining Boda''s double''s blouse, a chocolate bar lying nearby on the floor, the scene frozen like a paused video. The true Boda stepped past Loki, approaching her double to stand behind her, looking down at Will before disappearing, the scene continuing as if someone had pushed play. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°Your¡­chocolate¡­where is it¡­I¡­just¡­I just¡­had it¡­¡± Will¡¯s weak voice mumbled haltingly as he shivered. ¡°I have it. Thank you. It¡¯s all right. They¡¯ll be here soon. Hold on just a little longer,¡± Boda said to him in a quavering voice, tears rolling down her cheeks as she heard the sound of sirens in the distance, growing louder. ¡°Why are¡­you¡­crying? I¡¯ve never¡­seen¡­you cry,¡± Will struggled to ask, disoriented. ¡°You¡¯ve never given me a reason to,¡± Boda answered, attempting to smile through her tears as Will''s eyes closed, the trembling of his body subsiding as it relaxed, going limp in her arms. ¡°No...Will¡­don¡¯t go¡­don¡¯t leave me too¡­Will!!¡± Boda cried out. Loki, who stood near the table a few feet away witnessing the proceedings with a dark, grieved expression, turned away to face the far wall as the sound of sirens blared outside before cutting off, the lights of police vehicles and an ambulance reflecting off the walls through the windows. ¡°I love you,¡± Boda said softly, ¡°I did love you.¡± Loki remained staring at the wall, struggling to contain his emotions, not only due to Boda¡¯s grief but also the feeling that Midgardians would describe as someone having walked over their grave. Sensing a hand gently place itself on his shoulder, he turned to face Boda, wordlessly embracing her, caressing the silky strands of her honey blond hair as she returned his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. Loki released her, taking her hand, Boda leading Loki to the door and stepping through, Loki trailing her. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki unexpectedly found himself surrounded by darkness before realizing his eyes were closed. Opening them he found himself standing before a large stone double sink, one side filled with soapy water, clear water running out of a bronze arched faucet into the adjoining sink, his hands in the soapy side under the water, gripping a sponge with his right, a gold rimmed plate in his left. ¡°Boda¡­?¡± Loki said aloud, puzzled by the sound of his child-like voice. ¡°What about Boda? She¡¯s probably at home breaking dishes instead of washing them,¡± a voice Loki recognized from his memories of long ago spoke, Loki turning his head to see a towheaded young Thor appearing to be around the age of a mortal ten year old standing beside him, he then noticing the diminished size of his own hands. ¡°Thor?¡± Loki said, his child¡¯s face expressing his confusion. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, brother? Did you sneak some of father¡¯s wine again? Hurry up! I don¡¯t want to stand here all night!¡± The child Loki slowly raised the plate from the water, holding it out to Thor who held a towel in his hand. ¡°You have to rinse it first! You missed a spot,¡± the child Thor said, pointing with his free hand at a remnant of food stuck to the plate. ¡°You haven¡¯t finished yet?¡± Loki heard Frigga¡¯s voice behind him as she entered the washroom of the palace¡¯s kitchens. ¡°Loki¡¯s playing the fool, as usual,¡± Thor said in annoyance. ¡°I¡¯m not a fool! I¡¯m smarter than you!¡± Loki bristled. ¡°I didn¡¯t call you a fool. I said you¡¯re acting like one but if you act like one most of the time, wouldn¡¯t that make you one?¡± Thor replied. ¡°You act like a horse¡¯s ass often enough you smell like one,¡± Loki insulted his brother, Thor punching Loki in the bicep, ¡°Ow! You almost made me drop it, you dolt!¡± Loki whined. ¡°Boys! Enough squabbling. It¡¯s your own time you¡¯re wasting,¡± Frigga admonished, Loki scrubbing the plate clean with the sponge then rinsing it under the flowing water before handing it over to Thor who dried it, placing it with other plates, dishes and utensils on a large rack, ¡°Loki,¡± Frigga said in a motherly voice. ¡°There¡¯s only a few more,¡± Loki replied in a tone of annoyance. ¡°Look at me please when I¡¯m speaking to you,¡± Frigga said, Loki turning from the sink to look up at his mother. Frigga held a long knife in her hand, thrusting it into Loki¡¯s abdomen, leaving the hilt protruding from his midsection. Loki, in shock, wrapped his hands around the hilt. ¡°Mother?¡± Loki managed to say before sinking to his knees, his vision going dark. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Thor, an eight year old child, traipsed through a field dotted with small yellow flowers as birds twittered and swooped above, coming to a halt as he spotted a serpent sunning itself in the grass. Stepping forward slowly and cautiously he gazed down at it admiringly. ¡°Hello¡­what do we have here?¡± Thor said, reaching down to grasp the snake behind its head as it transformed into a child Loki lying supine, grinning mischievously up at him. ¡°Hah! It¡¯s me!¡± Loki exclaimed with unabashed glee, thrusting his arm upwards before realizing he held only empty air instead of his small dagger. A sword appeared in Thor¡¯s hand, he stabbing the blade downward through Loki¡¯s abdomen, leaving Loki pinned to the ground. ¡°Brother¡­¡± Loki gasped as Thor turned and walked away without a word before Loki''s vision went dark once again. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki opened his eyes as if he had blinked, finding himself a small child around Vanar¡¯s age lying prone under a bed appearing frightened, the room pitch dark, clutching a black stuffed toy rabbit. ¡°They won¡¯t find us here, Heri,¡± Loki whispered to the rabbit, pausing as if listening to it speaking to him, ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. Quiet! We don¡¯t want them to hear us,¡± he hissed. Loki cried out as he suddenly felt a large, ice cold hand wrap itself around his ankle as he slid backwards, releasing Heri to claw at the stone floor as he was wrenched from under the bed, finding himself dangling upside down in the grip of a frost giant as he screamed in terror. The Jotun sneered menacingly as he formed an ice sword with his free arm, thrusting it through the shrieking Loki¡¯s small body. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki stood motionless in the common room of the palace, his eyes closed as if asleep on his feet, his eyes moving slightly under his eyelids as if dreaming. Boda gazed at him dolefully, caressing his cheek silently for a moment before kissing him softly. ¡°Devil and the deep blue sea behind me. Vanish in the air you¡¯ll never find me,¡± Boda said softly. Taking one last look at the God of Mischief as if attempting to sear his image into her memory, she turned from him and made her way to the door, an illusionary image of Loki appearing behind her. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda entered Loki¡¯s chambers, the illusion of Loki following her, to see Thor standing on the balcony with the brunette chambermaid, their backs to her as Thor hurled Mjolnir far out over Asgard, stretching his arm out, his hand open, awaiting its return. Scanning the room and seeing no sign of Vanar, Boda dissolved the illusionary Loki before moving swiftly and silently to the doorway leading to both Loki and Vanar¡¯s bedchambers, unnoticed by the distracted Thor and the chambermaid for whom he was vaingloriously showing off. Chapter 23 ¡°Odin has removed the curse,¡± Boda informed the red headed chambermaid at the side of Vanar¡¯s bed as she stood inside the doorway to his bedchambers, ¡°You wanted to talk¡­so talk.¡± ¡°If it isn¡¯t Blondie¡­¡± Dario said, remaining in the chambermaid¡¯s guise as he turned to face her, the idol in his hand. ¡°Blondie is the name of the band.¡± ¡°Anne¡­¡± ¡°My name is Angrboda Vanargandottir.¡± ¡°You must have difficulty finding personalized souvenirs in gift shops. Where¡¯s Ziggy Stardust? You are aware he¡¯s...how should I put it...a double agent?¡± Dario asked, Boda rolling her eyes and sighing in exasperation. ¡°For some time now.¡± ¡°Mommy?¡± Vanar said groggily, sitting up, not recognizing Dario in his female guise. ¡°Everything¡¯s all right,¡± Boda reassured him as he looked in confusion at the strange woman at his bedside. ¡°You said you¡¯d kill me,¡± Dario sneered. ¡°What is it he¡¯s offered you?¡± ¡°My life back...my wife¡­my son¡­we''d just learned he was a boy. We hadn¡¯t decided on a name. I¡¯d bought the villa a few months before. I was told there had once been an oracle on the site so I went in search of it. I had almost given up when I stumbled upon it...into it, actually. I told no one. If the government learned of it they would have taken possession of it. When I returned to excavate it I found little of value, a few fragments of pottery. I thought it had been looted, but then¡­the stone casket I unearthed held an idol, I had never seen anything like it, as well as an amphora containing a substance resembling salt." ¡°Eitr.¡± ¡°Having a knack for languages, I recognized the word ¡®pharmakon¡¯...evil, poison or madness. I left them intending to return the next day. I had made a rare bad deal, I owed money...quite a bit of money. I had contacts who sold antiquities on the black market. If I could sell the idol, anything else I would find, I thought I could buy time. My parents were joining us for dinner...when I returned they executed them right in front of me before turning their guns on me. I hid in the oracle but they tracked me¡­my blood¡­I hadn¡¯t realized I was wounded. I¡¯d never believed in gods but I begged any that existed to help me. I heard a voice in my head...it told to take the idol from the casket. That¡¯s all I remember...until I found myself standing over their corpses.¡­what was left of them,¡± Dario recited his tale, Boda silent for a moment. ¡°If I get you into the vault...would he bring someone back for me?¡± Before he could answer, Dario, still in the form of the chambermaid, suddenly dropped the idol to the floor, gripping his head, his mouth opening in a silent scream as a black shadow stepped out of his body from behind him as he collapsed face down, unconscious or dead, Boda wasn¡¯t certain. Vanar, gasping, wide eyed in fright, slid swiftly to the far side of the bed, cowering and trembling at the sight of Erebus as terror stole his ability to cry out. ¡°Whatever you wissshhh¡­¡± Erebus hissed, ¡°But firsssst¡­I must have assssurancesss¡­¡± Erebus continued in his reptilian voice. ¡°What sort of assurances?¡± asked Boda. Erebus turned to Vanar, the boy anxiously clutching a blanket, shrinking back. Erebus¡¯s form glided toward him, reaching out, vanishing as he merged with Vanar, as if he had been absorbed into the child¡¯s body. Vanar, no longer fearful, left the bed, retrieving the idol from the floor near Dario¡¯s body that had returned to its original male form, the chambermaid¡¯s dress busted at the seams. Picking up the idol, Vanar approached a disconcerted Boda, reaching out and taking her hand, Boda leading him from the bedchamber. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The violet sky was darkening to a deeper purple as daylight began to fade. Loki, in full battle dress, obviously fatigued from the fight in which he had just engaged, weaved his way around the bodies of the slain, friend and foe, littering the grassy plain, large rock formations jutting up from the ground in places. Loki peered grimly down at their still forms as Asgardian warriors tended to wounded comrades. At the foot of a rock that resembled a large tablet Loki came to a halt, staring down at the corpse of a warrior sporting a golden beard streaked with gray who vaguely resembled his father. Kneeling beside the body, the corpse''s glassy eyes staring up at the sky, Loki closed them before placing his palm on the dead Asgardian¡¯s cold forehead. ¡°Vanargand, son of Einar, I bid you to take your place in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave¨C¡± Loki said breaking off, his face expressing grief and guilt, taking a moment to gather himself before continuing, ¡°where the brave live forever. Nor shall we mourn but rejoice for those who have died the glorious death,¡± Loki finished the blessing, removing his hand from Vanargand, ¡°I will tell her myself¨C¡± Loki spoke to the deceased Asgardian general, swallowing the rest of what he had intended to say as the corpse raised his arm, his clammy hand gripping Loki¡¯s wrist like a vice, his head lolling to the side to lock eyes with the God of Mischief, Loki in fright attempting to wrench himself free from the dead man¡¯s grasp. ¡°You won¡¯t tell her the truth,¡± Vanargand said in an otherworldly raspy voice, ¡°Your hubris will be the death of you. You will be the death of her. She has borne more than her share of sorrow. Stay away!¡± Vanargand, taking hold of the hilt of the sword lying beside him, rolled onto his side, thrusting the blade through Loki¡¯s abdomen before returning to his previous position, his body lifeless once again, Loki collapsing onto his back as well, both men staring unblinking at the purple sky. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki¡¯s eyes flew open, gasping as if he had just surfaced from under water in desperate need of air. He moved his hands quickly to his abdomen, looking down, examining himself for wounds. He relaxed, exhaling in relief before he recalled how he came to be in the common room of the palace. ¡°Boda¡­¡± he gasped, rushing to the door, throwing it open and racing through it¡­only to find himself not in the corridor as he expected but the club where Boda had once tended the bar in Midgard, the lighting dim, a large disco ball hanging from the ceiling over the crowded dance floor throwing fragmented reflections of silvery light on those dancing below. ¡°Ooh, how do you like your love?...¡± Andrea True¡¯s voice sang the question as Loki visually searched the room, confused, as patrons walked past him to exit, a familiar waitress in gold carrying a tray almost colliding with him as he stepped forward. ¡°Pardon me,¡± Loki said to Lisa. ¡°No harm, no foul, sugar,¡± Lisa said with a smile before appearing to recognize him, ¡°Richie? No¡­John, like Travolta. You never called.¡± ¡°I had a prior engagement.¡± ¡°What can I get you? I have a break coming up in a few minutes. We can pick up where we--¡± Lisa began, Loki ignoring her as he stepped around her, heading in the direction of the bar, Anthony behind it mixing a drink, as he caught sight of the back of a blond woman stepping through the door to Anthony''s right, disappearing into the back room. ¡°More, more, more. How do you like it? How do you like it? More, more, more. How do you like it? How do you like your love?¡± the song continued, its rhythmic beat like a pulse. Reaching the bar, Loki stepped behind it striding to the door, Anthony spotting him out of the corner of his eye, looking up from the drink he was pouring. ¡°Hey! Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Anthony called out, setting the bottle on the bar, Loki ignoring him as he passed through the door into the back room. ¡°Boda!¡± Loki called out as he saw the employee exit door closing on the opposite side of the large room full of kegs, bottles of various liquors, and other supplies just as a heavy hand gripped his shoulder. ¡°Employees only! Get the hell out¨C¡± Anthony commanded before Loki threw him over his shoulder, stepping over the stunned bartender as he raced to the back door, pushing it open and running through it. ¡°Boda, wait!¡± Loki cried out. Instead of finding himself outside at the back of the club facing the parking lot, Loki discovered himself running in the dark of night down the sidewalk of a familiar street on the outskirts of Boston lit by streetlights, a couple burnt out or flickering in need of being replaced. Old, somewhat run down brick two story commercial buildings lined both sides of the street, a few vacant, for sale signs with realtor logos and phone numbers in the dirty windows. Slowing to a walk, looking around discombobulated, he realized he held something in his hand. Looking down he viewed a chocolate bar in his grip as he came to a halt, staring down at it for a moment before turning his attention ahead of him, spying the entrance to an alley only a few yards away. The light from the neon signs in the tavern windows colored the sidewalk a block away in the distance. Slipping the chocolate bar into the pocket of the coat he found himself wearing, one he recognized from the earlier replay of Boda¡¯s memories, he unsuccessfully attempted to produce his daggers. Finding that he no longer possessed weapons or his magic, he steeled himself for the confrontation he knew was to come as he continued on his way, whistling the chorus of the tune Boda had informed him had been Will¡¯s favorite. Just before reaching the entrance to the alley, two figures stepped from it to stand side by side, blocking Loki¡¯s path, one man holding a baseball bat, the other a heavy rusted pipe. ¡°Good evening, gentlemen. Is there something I can I do for you?¡± Loki asked amiably. ¡°We¡¯ve had our eyes on you for a while now,¡± the burly man on the right said with a sneer. ¡°I¡¯m flattered but I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m spoken for,¡± Loki replied facetiously. ¡°Listen to him¡­thinks he¡¯s Bonnie Prince Charlie or something,¡± the lankier man on the left chuckled at Loki¡¯s accent. ¡°I met the man once, actually. He was a drunkard and a fool. He didn¡¯t have a brain in his head,¡± Loki responded, though he doubted that either of the men actually knew anything about the historic prince. ¡°Neither will you after we¡¯re done with you. At least the fairies know which side of the fence they''re on,¡± the burly man said menacingly as he and his companion stepped to Loki, each grabbing one of his arms, forcing him into the dark alley. Once in the alley, Loki stomped hard with his heel on the lanky man¡¯s foot, the man releasing him, Loki sweeping both of the man¡¯s legs out from under him with one of his own before using his now free arm to punch the burly man still gripping his other, blood spurting from the man¡¯s nose as he released Loki, reflexively moving his hands to his face. Loki grabbed hold of the man¡¯s head with both hands, twisting it, snapping his neck, the larger man collapsing to the ground as the lanky man rose to his feet, the baseball bat in his hands, swinging it at Loki who had commandeered the rusty pipe the burly man had wielded, blocking the blow, the sound of the pipe and aluminum bat colliding echoing through the alley followed by the clanging of the bat as Loki used the pipe to knock it from the lanky man¡¯s grip, sending it flying out of reach. Loki dropped the pipe, taking the man by the throat and squeezing until he heard a snap, the lanky man¡¯s body going limp, Loki tossing his corpse to the ground. Spying a large dumpster, Loki dragged the deceased assailants to it, hefting them up one at a time and dumping them in before replacing the cover and dusting off his hands in a gesture of good riddance as he walked away back to the alley¡¯s entrance, whistling the same tune as previously as he continued on his way to the tavern. Reaching his destination, Loki opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind him. Once again Olivia Newton John¡¯s voice greeted him in song. ¡°Guess mine is not the first heart broken, my eyes are not the first to cry. I¡¯m not the first to know there¡¯s just no getting over you¡­¡± Expecting to see Boda behind the bar, Loki viewed another familiar face drying a mug before he sat it down. ¡°I know I¡¯m just a fool who¡¯s willing to sit around and wait for you, but baby, can¡¯t you see there¡¯s nothing else for me to do...I¡¯m hopelessly devoted to you¡­¡± the song continued. ¡°Loki! I¡¯ve been expecting you,¡± Will said with a grin, greeting the Asgardian who had just entered in a voice similar to Loki¡¯s if he were to feign an American accent. ¡°But now there¡¯s nowhere to hide since you pushed my love aside. I¡¯m out of my head, hopelessly devoted to you¡­¡± Newton-John¡¯s emotionally charged voice sang the chorus. ¡°I have to find Boda,¡± Loki said, turning and opening the door, stepping back outside¡­only to discover himself standing in the middle of the dark, dreary, frozen wasteland of Jotunheim, the icy wind cutting through Will¡¯s coat he wore. Stunned and confused for a moment, Loki took in the scene, realizing where he was. In terror, Loki spun around, relieved to see that the door remained behind him. Throwing it open he stepped hastily back into the tavern. ¡°Welcome back. What can I get you?¡± Will asked as Loki strolled slowly to the bar, taking a seat on the stool across from him, studying him. ¡°Ale¡­¡± ¡°Coming right up,¡± Will filled a mug with beer from the tap, setting it in front of Loki, ¡°On the house...that''s enough of that,¡± he said, stepping over to the stereo and turning off the tape. ¡°You know who I am?¡± Loki asked. ¡°Of course I know who you are. Do you?¡± Chapter 24
¡°What sort of fool question is that?¡± Loki asked, perturbed, ¡°I know who I am. I¡¯m Loki, son of Odin, prince of Asgard, God of¡ª¡± ¡°Not what¡­who, Prince, duke, earl, the Bloody Red Baron of Germany¡­that¡¯s a good song, haven¡¯t heard that one in awhile,¡± Will mused, interrupting Loki, ¡°Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more, the Bloody Red Baron was rollin¡¯ up the score. Eighty men died tryin¡¯ to end that spree of the Bloody Red Baron of Germany...¡± Will sang, ¡°None of that matters.¡± ¡°It certainly does,¡± Loki retorted before taking a drink from his mug. ¡°Maybe where you¡¯re from¡­but here, no one gives a rat¡¯s ass,¡± Will replied with a grin. ¡°If Midgard had anything resembling proper leadership you¡¯d still be alive,¡± said Loki with a sneer. ¡°We tried the whole king thing¡­a few queens. Didn¡¯t work out so well. Most of the few still around are just shiny baubles that are taken out and paraded around on occasion.¡± ¡°My father and Asgard¡¯s warriors prevented this entire planet from becoming a playground for the frost giants. My father sacrificed an eye and Asgardians gave their lives only for the mortals whose asses they¡¯d saved to then inform them they were no longer needed then proceeded to run the place into the ground,¡± Loki retorted. ¡°He could have destroyed us all but he didn¡¯t. He gave us the opportunity to discover who we are.¡± ¡°Ignorant, backwards fools,¡± said Loki disgustedly. ¡°We haven¡¯t been around all that long. We¡¯re still kids really. Eventually we¡¯ll grow up.¡± ¡°More likely you¡¯ll destroy yourselves, like a cocksure pubescent who doesn¡¯t look before he leaps breaking himself on the rocks below,¡± Loki replied, finishing his drink. ¡°Anything¡¯s possible...most kids survive and go on to become adults. I did,¡± Will countered. ¡°Only to have your brains bashed out¡­too soon?¡± Loki said, looking up from his mug with an evil grin before his expression transformed to one of annoyance as he stood quickly from the barstool, ¡°I¡¯m wasting time!¡± Loki exclaimed, "None of this is real! You¡¯re not real! She put you in my head.¡± ¡°Maybe I''m in hers,¡± countered Will. ¡°She¡¯s planning something foolish!¡± ¡°Anne? Never,¡± Will scoffed. ¡°She¡¯s going to get herself killed!¡± Loki cried in frustration. ¡°She knows what she¡¯s doing. You have to trust her. She trusted you.¡± ¡°Look where that got her!¡± Loki growled angrily, turning and heading for the door. ¡°All you¡¯ll find out there is a winter wonderland full of the monsters you so fear,¡± Will said before turning and grabbing a bottle of amber liquor from among others arranged on the highest tier of the shelves behind him, "She couldn''t save me...but she can save you." As Loki processed Will''s words he came to a halt, standing with his back to Will before the door, his head far clearer now than it had been when he had first opened his eyes to find himself a child again standing before the sink in the palace kitchen''s washroom. ¡°Have another drink. Let¡¯s have a chat, get to know each other,¡± Will said, Loki turning to face him as Will poured two drinks from the bottle in his hand, ¡°Top shelf, best she had¡­it¡¯s either me or the smurfs on steroids out there, your choice,¡± Will continued, taking a drink from his own glass as Loki eyed him suspiciously as he made his way back to the bar, ¡°It¡¯s too quiet in here,¡± said Will, stepping over to the stereo and removing the cassette he had silenced previously, replacing it with another, ¡°I put this one together. It¡¯s mostly Bowie, a little ELO and Zeppelin thrown in if I remember right,¡± Will finished as he started the tape playing, the opening riff of David Bowie¡¯s ¡¯Rebel, Rebel¡± flowing through the speakers. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Loki seated himself once again, glowering at Will who pushed the second drink across the bar in front of the Asgardian. ¡°What did she see in you anyway?¡± Loki asked, raising his glass to his lips. ¡°I was about to ask you the same,¡± Will said with a grin, studying Loki, ¡°I used to be a lot like you¡­beyond the obvious...wanted my name up in lights,¡± Will continued, setting his glass down, raising both hands as if framing an imaginary marquee, ¡°Will Henrikson..." Will grandly spoke his name, "It was what I¡¯d been born to do, my purpose. I wanted the world to know who I was¡­but I didn¡¯t know who I was, I didn¡¯t even know where I came from¡­made it up as I went along I guess,¡± Will said, picking up his glass and taking a drink, setting it back down on the bar, ¡°When I was on stage I convinced people I was someone I wasn¡¯t, that I felt things I didn¡¯t feel, loved people I didn¡¯t love. It wasn¡¯t much different off stage. After a time I didn¡¯t know who or what was real anymore¡­Anne saw right through it. She changed my life.¡± ¡°What little you had left,¡± Loki said darkly, ¡°You certainly changed hers.¡± ¡°I did,¡± Will said, gleaning Loki¡¯s meaning, ¡°I''d been far drunker than I was that night. I¡¯d always been careful to avoid that, among other things.¡± ¡°You gave your life for chocolate. Did you try to fight them?¡± Loki asked. ¡°Not for long. I was never much of a fighter. It was two against one. I thought it would be like all the other times. I¡¯d get the shit kicked out of me¡­black eyes, maybe a few broken ribs, I''d be sore for a few days. If I didn¡¯t put up much of a fight it was usually over quicker,¡± Will replied, staring into his drink, Loki¡¯s expression changing to one of empathy, ¡°I should have stayed in the alley. I shouldn''t have put her through that. I wanted her to have it.¡± ¡°It would have been harder for her to know you died alone,¡± said Loki, unable to avoid recalling Arvid and the circumstances of his demise. ¡°You talked about humanity jumping off a cliff...I took a blind leap of my own a few days before that. We weren¡¯t together, not officially, we never talked about that night after¡­I didn¡¯t know about him¡­my son I mean, maybe I did somehow¡­the worst that could have happened was she could have said, ¡®no.¡¯ I was an actor. Trust me, I¡¯m used to rejection,¡± Will said, setting his empty glass on the bar and refilling it from the bottle, topping off Loki¡¯s almost empty glass as well. ¡°She and I also experienced its sting. She saw through the illusion I cast as well. Maybe that''s why I betrayed her. Maybe she''s right..or as I told her that''s all bunkum and I''m just a monster,¡± Loki said, more as if thinking aloud than speaking to Will, draining his glass in one drink before turning to his right and hurling it to shatter against the wall, placing both elbows on the bar and holding his head between his hands in despair as he stared at his reflection in the varnished wood. ¡°I used to watch old horror movies on TV as a kid with my dad, the man who raised me. Maybe your stories are different, but here many of our monsters¡­vampires, werewolves, zombies, Frankenstein¡¯s Monster¡­Frankenstein was the name of the scientist who made him¡­they were once just people¡­I suppose in Frankenstein¡¯s Monster¡¯s case, parts of a few people. You¡¯re not a monster,¡± Will echoed Loki''s previous words he''d spoken to Vanar. ¡°I have to find a way back!¡± Loki cried in helpless frustration as he raised his head, lowering his arms and balling his hands into fists, slamming them down on the bar. ¡°If I help you, would you do something for me?¡± Will asked. ¡°What could I possibly do for a dead man?¡± ¡°The leap I mentioned¡­it wasn¡¯t much, the best I could do. I got it at a pawn shop, pawned a few things myself to help pay for it. I spent all evening thinking about how I was going to do it, I wanted to surprise her, she would have been surprised anyway, but I wanted to do something different than the old routine. When she said she was dying for chocolate the lightbulb went off. The chocolate wasn¡¯t the only thing I bought. My jacket¡­the inside pocket¡­¡± Will said, pointing at the jacket Loki wore, Loki unzipping it, reaching into an inner pocket and retrieving a small, square ring box along with a diminutive tube of super glue, Loki opening the box to find it empty, ¡°I resealed it, You couldn''t even tell. She kept it. It¡¯s in a box under the bar below the register. The key¡¯s under the till.¡± ¡°How do I get back?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t be there but you can use the link--¡± ¡°The bracelet! Damn it! Why didn¡¯t I think of that?¡± Loki exclaimed. ¡°Through that door,¡± Will said, pointing to the swinging door behind the bar a few feet to his right, Loki stepping away from the bar, moving towards it, ¡°One last thing¡­¡± Will added, Loki halting and looking at him questioningly, ¡°It¡¯s time I moved on. You''re a god. Would you send me on my way?¡± ¡°Send you--? Oh, yes...of course,¡± Loki replied, realizing the meaning of Will¡¯s request, walking around the bar as Will stopped the tape in the stereo before he stepped forward to meet and stand before Loki, ¡°What was your father¡¯s name?¡± Loki inquired. ¡°I never knew who my parents were. No one did. The people who raised me abandoned me too in the end,¡± Will answered, his eyes sad. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Loki assured him, raising his right arm as Will bowed his head, closing his eyes, as Loki rested his palm on Will¡¯s forehead, ¡°William¡­father of Vanar, I bid you to take your place in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave live forever. Nor shall we mourn but rejoice for those who have died the glorious death,¡± Loki finished, lowering his hand. ¡°Thank you,¡± Will said before his image vanished, leaving Loki alone in the still and silent tavern. ¡°May you be welcomed in the land of the gods,¡± Loki said before turning and swiftly striding to the swinging door, stepping through it. Chapter 25 Boda stealthily led the possessed Vanar by the hand from his bedchamber through the short corridor to Loki¡¯s own, though as Thor had informed the disguised Dario, the trickster had yet to spend a night in it. Entering the room, kept dimly lit by sources of light along the base of the stone walls, the cauldron not yet lit, Boda took stock of the room which was arranged as it had been in his previous chambers and as Boda recalled it. Still gripping Vanar¡¯s hand, Vanar holding the idol in his other, Boda and the boy crossed to a tall object on a stand resting under a velvet cover at the far side of Loki¡¯s bed near the wall. Boda slid the velvet off the ornate gold frame of the tall and wide full sized mirror, tossing the protective fabric aside. ¡°He¡¯s rather vain¡­he also enjoys¨C¡± Boda said with a cynical smirk before cutting herself off as she caught sight of Vanar¡¯s diminutive body reflected in the mirror, unsure whether the boy retained any awareness, ¡°Never mind.¡± Closing her eyes with an expression of deep concentration, Boda stood motionless in silence, concentrating, before placing the tips of her fingers onto the glass. A ripple effect originated from the center of the mirror, as if the glass had become a pond in which a pebble had been thrown as Boda drew her hand back, the mirror now converted into a portal filled with a gold glowing mist into which Boda and Vanar entered, the mirror returning to its previous state, reflecting Loki¡¯s empty bedchambers. The coal black glass of the slightly smaller mirror on its stand placed along the wall at the far end of Odin¡¯s vault displayed the same golden fog before Boda and Vanar stepped through its rune carved frame, entering the subterranean warehouse of relics¡­Boda coming to an abrupt halt at the sight of Loki standing in front of them, his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°Shit¡­¡± Boda uttered. ¡°Second time¡¯s the charm it seems,¡± Loki greeted her sarcastically. ¡°What is it?¡± Erebus asked in Vanar¡¯s voice, looking up at Boda from the boy¡¯s body he inhabited, Boda realizing that Erebus/Vanar was unaware of the God of Mischief¡¯s presence, quickly reasoning out why. ¡°It''s a bit disorienting,¡± Boda said aloud before speaking to Loki telepathically, ¡°especially when I find myself in the throne room surrounded by an entire battalion of einherjar.¡± ¡°You''re exaggerating, as usual. It was more like a squad,¡± Loki responded as Boda led Erebus/Vanar forward, passing through the image of Loki, he turning before disappearing and reappearing beside Boda, "What is this about? Revenge? I respect that but your grievance is with me, not the universe." ¡°It¡¯s never treated me any better. It¡¯s not about you. I''m setting things right,¡± Boda replied. ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± responded Loki, confused. ¡°You never have. Maybe you never will.¡± ¡°Why involve Vanar in your scheme?¡± Loki asked. ¡°He''s not Vanar...he is...Erebus has taken possession of him,¡± Boda explained. ¡°How--¡± Loki began, expressing shock and dismay. ¡°Your brother¡¯s attention was elsewhere," Boda interrupted. ¡°My father will sense your presence! You know what will happen!¡± Loki exclaimed anxiously. ¡°I¡¯m counting on it,¡± Boda replied to a confounded Loki as she spied the goblet on its pedestal near where the Warlock¡¯s Eye rested before speaking aloud to Erebus/Vanar, ¡°There...¡± ¡°If you''re thinking what I think you''re thinking it won''t work! He can¡¯t be destroyed but you and Vanar will be!¡± Loki exclaimed. Boda and Erebus/Vanar reached the pedestal, Boda releasing Erebus/Vanar''s hand and magically producing a bottle of wine. After filling the goblet and replacing the cork, she returned the bottle to the ether from which she''d summoned it. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Ssssomething else is necessssssary¡­the blood of a god,¡± Erebus/Vanar said, dropping the idol to the floor and extending his hand. ¡°For Vanar''s sake...I beg you!¡± Loki pleaded desperately as a dagger appeared in her left hand. ¡°You''re begging me?" Boda chuckled cynically in her mind, "How does it feel for the shoe to be on the other foot?¡± ¡°You said this wasn¡¯t about me.¡± ¡°It isn''t. Despite what you may believe, very little is.¡± Boda used the dagger to slice Vanar''s palm before dropping the weapon to the floor. As she lifted Vanar, he made a fist with his wounded hand over the goblet, crimson blood dripping into it, mixing with the wine before she returned the boy to his feet. ¡°He said to trust you!" Loki exclaimed, "Will! I spoke with him only minutes ago in a vision," replied Loki. ¡°That¡¯s not possible. I enchanted you to relive your own memories altered to incorporate one of my own,¡± Boda explained. ¡°You kept it...the chocolate¡­it¡¯s in a box under the bar, the key is in the register. He wanted to surprise you. He hid something in it.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Boda said aloud to Erebus/Vannar, grabbing his wrist as he reached for the goblet, ¡°You will fulfill your end of the bargain?¡± ¡°He will live once more,¡± Erebus/Vanar assured Boda. Loki watched in helpless horror as Erebus/Vanar took the goblet from the pedestal, looking down into it with a sneer of satisfaction before lifting it to his lips, downing its contents. Erebus/Vanar slowly lowered the goblet, his expression of smug victory transitioning to one of confusion morphing into shock and fear before an inky black smoky substance began to seep from Erebus/Vanar¡¯s eyes into the goblet. ¡°You vile witch!¡± Erebus cried in devastation as his mouth fell open, the same black smoke pouring from it as he was forced from Vanar¡¯s body as Loki looked on in awe. Erebus now entrapped within the vessel, the cursed replica of the goblet dropped from Vanar¡¯s hands onto the floor at his feet beside the idol. A moment later Vanar¡¯s blank, staring eyes rolled into his head as his small body crumpled to the floor, Boda frantically kneeling beside him. ¡°Vanar?!¡± Boda cried out, taking his limp body in her arms, shaking him,¡°Vanar!¡± ¡°Is he all right?¡± Loki asked, his expression changing from relief to concern and then to frantic worry as Boda failed to answer, ¡°Is he alive?!¡± ¡°My baby¡­no¡­¡± Boda said softly as she cradled the lifeless boy, pulling him close to her as tears rolled down her cheeks. Standing with Vanar, moving him to one arm, his head resting on her shoulder as if he was a sleeping infant, Boda stepped over to the pedestal on which the Warlock¡¯s Eye rested. ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡± Loki exclaimed as the sound of heavy, metallic steps approached from behind him as he faced her, ¡°Take him and go! Now!¡± Wrapping her free hand around the base of the Warlock¡¯s Eye, Boda lifted it from its pedestal, turning to face Loki, locking eyes with him. ¡°Boda!¡± Loki called desperately as the Destroyer drew nearer, coming to halt a few feet behind Loki¡¯s projected image as he realized it was too late, his expression now hopeless and mournful, ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°Though we never thought that we could lose, there¡¯s no regrets. If I had to do the same again¨C¡± Boda said with a sad smile to Loki before his image vanished as a white hot blast of fire shot through it from the Destroyer¡¯s head. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX As night fell over Asgard, Loki stood alongside Odin, Frigga, and Thor dressed formally for the occasion, he, his brother and father having donned their helmets, as they and other mourners looked on as the small skiffs holding the bodies of Arvid, Stian, and the other victims of Dario and Erebus were launched, floating away towards the drop off into the cold darkness of space. As Odin gave the signal, archers notched flaming arrows into their bows that they then sent flying over the water, landing in each craft, the fire spreading and consuming the deceased Asgardians¡¯ corpses. Once the skiffs were fully engulfed in flames, Loki turned, silently and swiftly walking away into the darkness. Frigga¡¯s grieved and concerned eyes met Thor¡¯s, he gleaning her unspoken message, after a moment also turning and following in his brother¡¯s footsteps. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki crossed the torch lit plaza where Arvid on his last day had confronted Loki, the memory replaying in the God of Mischief¡¯s mind. He could almost again feel the sting of Arvid¡¯s assault. Though they¡¯d had more than a few heated arguments in the past, it had been the first, and would ultimately be the only time that Arvid had the gumption to strike the Prince of Asgard. Though Loki would never have voiced it to him or anyone, he had felt a sort of pride in and respect for Arvid in that moment. ¡°Brother¡­where are you going?¡± Thor called to Loki, Loki coming to a halt, remaining with his back to the God of Thunder. ¡°Away.¡± ¡°Away¡­where?¡± asked Thor, concerned. ¡°To the cottage. If it¡¯s not too much to ask, I¡¯d like to be alone," Loki said in a monotone voice, Thor placing a hand on Loki¡¯s shoulder, ¡°If you wish to retain your hand, you will remove it from me,¡± Loki said darkly, Thor drawing his hand back. ¡°I know my words are cold comfort but I share your grief. Asgard and the universe owe them a debt that can never be repaid. I know how you loved her¡­both of them.¡± ¡°Sentiment...the bane of fools,¡± Loki replied before walking away from his brother across the plaza. Chapter 26 The interior of the abandoned tavern was pitch black and eerily silent as the door opened, a shape entering and closing the door behind it. After a moment a ball of green light appeared held in Loki¡¯s palm, casting a glow around him. Searching for the switch that controlled the far from magical overhead lights, Loki, dressed in his mortal guise, located one set near the door, flipping them on and illuminating the room as the orb in his palm vanished. Everything appeared exactly as it had the last time he had been there only days before, the St. Patrick¡¯s Day banners and streamers decorating the walls. Loki stood in place for a few moments, unable to help recalling the memory of six years previously that Boda had enchanted him to revisit along with Boda¡¯s far less pleasant one he had not originally been present to witness. Loki looked at the floor where Will had breathed his last before walking over it to the bar. Loki approached the register, examining the shelf below to find it empty except for a single cassette tape. Puzzled, he touched the drawer of the register which glowed green before popping open. Lifting the empty till, he found nothing. Closing the drawer, he lifted the entire register, revealing only a fine layer of dust. Loki took the tape from the shelf, stepping over to the stereo and powering it on, placing the tape in it and pressing the play button. After a few seconds of blank hissing, the sound of a piano began filling the room accompanied by the same female voice who sang Will¡¯s favorite song. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna talk about the things we¡¯ve gone through, though it¡¯s hurting me, now it¡¯s history¡­¡± Turning from the stereo, Loki stepped to the shelves of liquor, lifting a bottle from the top tier. ¡°I¡¯ve played all my cards and that¡¯s what you¡¯ve done too, nothing more to say, no more ace to play¡­¡± the song continued. Moving to the bar, Loki took a glass from under it, pouring a drink, taking a sip from it before placing it back on the bar, staring into it as he listened. ¡°The winner takes it all, the loser¡¯s standing small, beside the victory, that¡¯s her destiny¡­¡± Loki downed another drink from his glass before beginning to search the rest of the shelving under the bar. Finding nothing but mugs, glasses, a few towels, cleaning supplies and other odds and ends one would typically come across behind a bar, along with a box of cassette tapes, Loki returned to his drink. ¡°The gods may throw the dice, their minds as cold as ice, and someone way down here loses someone dear¡­¡± Finishing his drink, Loki held the empty glass, studying it for a moment before throwing it to shatter on the floor. ¡°Another!¡± he called out loudly with feigned exuberance to no one. Grabbing another glass from below the bar, Loki filled it almost to the rim, throwing it back and emptying it in one gulp, filling it once again, as the tavern door opened, a tall man of African heritage sporting a closely clipped mustache and beard stepped inside out of the chilly March night air, closing it behind him. ¡°I thought I locked it¡­this establishment is closed¡­permanently, I¡¯m afraid,¡± Loki informed the man. ¡°Anne¡¯s closed up shop? Last time I was here she had a full house,¡± the man stated in surprise. ¡°There was an accident,¡± Loki replied. ¡°Is she all right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid not¡­she¡¯s passed,¡± Loki told him glumly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that. I didn¡¯t see anything in the paper. I keep up on the news around here.¡± ¡°She was out of town.¡± ¡°Damn shame. She was a nice girl. Guess Billy Joel was right, only the good die young. Is there going to be a service?¡± the man asked. ¡°It¡¯s taken place already. It was a simple affair.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the way she would have wanted it. She wasn¡¯t one to toot her own horn. She was more the type to applaud while she let another play theirs, no matter how badly,¡± the man replied. ¡°You knew her well?¡± ¡°Not really. Never saw her outside this place. I wouldn¡¯t say we were friends, just friendly. We knew each other¡¯s names. Mine¡¯s Nathan¡­yours?¡± ¡°Lo¨CLuke¡­Luke. ¡° ¡°Luke. Like in the good book¡­Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Were you kin with her?¡± Nathan inquired. ¡°Her father serv¨Cworked for my father. Her mother and father passed away some time ago.¡± ¡°I remember her saying something about that. Her mother died from a brain disease, her father in the war¡­Vietnam, I assume.¡± ¡°You came for a drink. Would you like one?¡± Loki asked, "On the house, if you¡¯d lock the door so no one else pops in...¡± Loki replied. ¡°Sure,¡± Nathan said, locking the door, crossing the room to the bar, seating himself across from Loki. ¡°What can I get you?¡± asked Loki, a sense of deja-vu coming over him. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re having is fine,¡± Nathan replied, Loki procuring another glass from under the bar and pouring a second drink, sliding it in front of him, Nathan lifting the glass, ¡°To Anne.¡± Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°Anne¡­¡± Loki repeated in a subdued voice, raising his own glass before taking a swallow. ¡°Ahhh¡­.that¡¯s the good stuff,¡± Nathan remarked after taking a drink. ¡°Top shelf. Best she had.¡± ¡°I brought this for her,¡± Nathan said, pulling a cassette tape from his coat pocket and setting it on the bar, ¡°Last time I was here I was giving her trouble over her taste in music. Like alcohol, I prefer the hard stuff. She said if I put something together she¡¯d play it.¡± ¡°I could use a break from morons mewling about being alone,¡± Loki replied, taking the tape from the bar to the stereo, stopping and removing the tape he¡¯d found under the bar and setting it aside, replacing it with Nathan¡¯s, the hard driving guitar and percussion of AC/DC¡¯s ¡®Shoot to Thrill¡¯ flooding the room, both listening for a few moments. ¡°That¡¯s more like it,¡± said Nathan with a grin, looking across the bar at Loki who continued listening. ¡°I¡¯ve heard this before,¡± Loki said, appearing as if he were trying to grasp hold of a memory that kept slipping away just out of reach. Of course it had to have been during one of his previous sojourns to Midgard but he couldn¡¯t recall exactly, a fact that strangely nagged at him. ¡°I¡¯d be surprised if you hadn¡¯t. It¡¯s ten years old. I didn¡¯t say my tastes were any more recent. Their songs all sound about the same, but when you do a thing well why mess with the formula?¡± Nathan said with a smile as Loki returned to stand across from him at the bar. "What is it you do¡­for a living, I mean?¡± Loki asked, finding the music and company had somewhat lifted the melancholy he¡¯d been laboring under, at least momentarily. ¡°I¡¯m a scientist.¡± ¡°What sort of scientist?¡± Loki asked, curious, as the man before him didn¡¯t seem to fit the mold of other scientists of Midgard he was familiar with, as well as the fact it struck him as strange that someone with such a high level of education, by Midgardian standards, would visit a hole in the wall tavern in that section of Boston. ¡°A physicist. I don¡¯t suppose you know what that is.¡± ¡°I¡¯m somewhat familiar. That must be interesting.¡± ¡°It¡¯s boring. Every day¡¯s the same. I know what¡¯s going to happen, the same thing, over and over¡­until the end of time.¡± ¡°Why not do something else then?¡± ¡°Someday, maybe. I made a big mistake. It took some time to fix,¡± Nathan explained, Loki not comprehending his answer but not interested enough to inquire further. ¡°I¡¯ve made my own mistakes. I''ve never been all that successful at fixing them. I''ve made a mess of it,¡± Loki confessed. ¡°Sometimes all you can do is move on, start again from where you are,¡± Nathan advised. ¡°That¡¯s easier said than done.¡± ¡°You know what they say, if it was easy everyone would do it,¡± Nathan replied, ¡°So what is it you do?¡± ¡°Whatever tasks my father sees fit to assign me,¡± Loki answered. ¡°The family business?¡± ¡°In a manner of speaking.¡± ¡°He¡¯ll hand it off to you someday?¡± Nathan asked. "He¡¯s had my brother in mind for that honor for some time now, I believe,¡± Loki said morosely, staring down into his drink, ¡°I haven¡¯t yet discovered my purpose.¡± ¡°Enjoy your freedom while you can. I miss those days before I found mine...or it found me. Sometimes your purpose seeks you out,¡± Nathan said, finishing his drink. ¡°Would you like another?¡± Loki asked, taking hold of the now more than half empty bottle. ¡°I should be getting on down the road,¡± said Nathan as AC/DC ended followed by a moment of tape hiss before the next song began, Judas Priest¡¯s ¡®Breaking the Law,¡¯ Rob Halford singing the first verse amidst the cacophony of sound. ¡°There I was completely wasting, out of work and down. All inside it¡¯s so frustrating as I drift from town to town. Feel as if nobody cares if I live or die¡­¡± ¡°Keep the tape,¡± said Nathan, rising from the stool, walking to the door. ¡°It was nice meeting you,¡± Loki said cordially as Halford''s vocals continued through the speakers. ¡°Thanks for the drink. Maybe we¡¯ll run into each other again sometime,¡± Nathan said, unlocking the door and stepping out of the tavern, closing it behind him. ¡°I doubt that,¡± Loki said, finishing his drink before sliding his and Nathan¡¯s glasses down the bar off the end of it, shattering, as he drank from the bottle, stepping over to the stereo, cranking the volume up. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The steady beeping of a heart monitor was all the man lying under stark white sheets and a heavy blanket in the hospital bed could hear or process at first as he felt his consciousness rising as if he had been in the darkest depths of the ocean and was now slowly surfacing. As the nerve endings in his body reconnected to his brain, he felt the weight and warmth of the blanket. Now aware of the murmuring of voices along with the beeping, he attempted to open his eyes, at first everything in his vision melting together in a snowy blur. ¡°I think he¡¯s coming to¡­thank god,¡± the middle aged woman in the gray skirt suit sitting in a chair beside the bed said, leaning forward and placing a hand over Dario¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯ll page Dr. Lofton,¡± the nurse who had been changing the IV bag hanging on a stand on the other side of the bed said as she attached it, moving swiftly from the room. ¡°Mr. Ager¡­.Dario¡­¡± the gray clad woman said, squeezing his hand, Dario turning his head slowly, trying to force his eyes to focus. ¡°Who¡­where¡­?¡± Dario said hoarsely. ¡°You¡¯re going to be alright. If you¡¯d been found any later you wouldn¡¯t have been. You were lucky those kids were on a fieldtrip.¡± ¡°Who¡­are you? Where am I?¡± ¡°Rachel¡­Rachel Kohlmorgan. I¡¯ve been your PA for the last seven years. Don¡¯t you remember me?¡± ¡°No¡­I¡¯m sorry,¡± Dario replied. ¡°You flew to Norway, I don¡¯t know why. You didn¡¯t say. They said you had a driver drop you off, that you told him you were going for a hike. That¡¯s the last anyone heard from you until yesterday when they found you. You were suffering hypothermia but they haven¡¯t been able to find anything else wrong. I had you flown back here to Boston. What happened?¡± ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t remember. Norway?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why would I go to Norway?¡± Dario questioned. ¡°I don¡¯t have a clue. I was hoping you could tell me,¡± Rachel replied. ¡°Why did you bring me to Boston? Where¡¯s Dina?¡± ¡°Dina?¡± ¡°My fiancee. Did you call her? Is she coming?¡± ¡°Your¡­¡± Rachel began as a lanky man in a long white coat, a stethoscope around his neck entered the room. ¡°Welcome back,¡± Dr. Lofton said cheerily, approaching the bed and doing a cursory examination, ¡°Everything under the hood seems to be fine. We¡¯ll keep you here for another day, let you rest, and you should be good to go.¡± ¡°Doctor, can I speak with you?¡± Rachel said, lightly touching the doctor¡¯s arm. ¡°Yes, of course,¡± Dr. Lofton said, following Rachel to the door. ¡°He doesn¡¯t remember me. He was talking about Dina. He called her his fiancee but they were married. She was murdered ten years ago along with his parents,¡± Rachel informed him in a hushed voice. ¡°It¡¯s not unusual under the circumstances to experience temporary amnesia. It will most likely all come back to him in time. Due to the traumatic nature of such memories, however, you¡¯ll want someone to be with him until they do and he¡¯s processed it. It would be difficult enough to learn your family¡¯s gone once, let alone twice,¡± Dr. Lofton explained. ¡°Is it normal to lose over ten years?¡± ¡°No, but it¡¯s not unheard of either. He was out there for some time from what I understand. The brain scan came back normal, no signs of a stroke or tumor. The wound on his back is healing nicely. I was told he had nothing of value with him, it¡¯s doubtful he was attacked. He likely took a fall, landed on a rock with a sharp edge or something. He may be able to tell us eventually. The best thing for him at the moment is rest. I¡¯ll check in again in an hour or so.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Rachel said, returning to the room and Dario¡¯s bedside. Chapter 27 ¡°Loki?¡± Frigga called after rapping her knuckles against the cottage¡¯s front door, ¡°May I come in?¡± Receiving no reply, Frigga stood before the door listening. Hearing no indication of activity inside, she opened it, sticking her head in before entering, peering around the room, ¡°Loki...¡± . ¡°Mother¡­what can I do for you?¡± she heard Loki¡¯s voice say as he stepped through the doorway from the dining room, facing her, the tenseness in her body relaxing at the sight of him. ¡°I¡¯ve been worried over you,¡± asked Frigga. ¡°I¡¯m quite alright. I now know why you come here. I¡¯m enjoying the solitude. That being the case¡­I don¡¯t wish to be rude¡­¡± ¡°I understand. I''m glad to see you¡¯re well,¡± Frigga stepped toward her son, intending to embrace Loki before departing, her foot falling on an object lying on the floor. Looking down, Frigga eyes came to rest on a book she hadn¡¯t noticed a few moments earlier as if it had materialized out of thin air. Frigga waved her hand, the illusion cast over the room dissipating, Loki¡¯s image along with it, revealing the true state of the room. Almost every book that had been on the shelves lay strewn about, the chaise, table, and armchair overturned. Frigga swiftly spun on her heels, exiting the cottage. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Smoke swirled upward to the round opening in the high ceiling of the cave that had once served as Loki and Thor¡¯s hideout during visits to their grandparents as children, a fire burning below, though the blaze being larger than what it was designed to draw, it was insufficient for all the acrid pollution to escape. The flames licked at the edges of canvas frames, the fabric that had been stretched over them already consumed and rendered ash. Music filled the chamber from a portable cassette and radio combination, a substantial collection of batteries piled next to it along with a cardboard box of cassette tapes. ¡°There¡¯s a blue whale beached by a spring tide¡¯s ebb, that¡¯s my soul up there, there¡¯s a butterfly trapped in a spider¡¯s web, that¡¯s my soul up there¡­¡± Sting¡¯s voice, backed up by those of the rest of the band, The Police, echoed off the stone walls. Loki sat not far from the fire, a blanket from the cottage wrapped around him, his eyes red and watery from the smoke, his face appearing pale in the combination of the sunlight that streamed through the hole in the ceiling and the firelight. Empty liquor bottles from the tavern lay strewn about behind him where he had tossed them over his shoulder, a few broken. Three more, full or almost full, sat in a line beside him on his left. He grasped the neck of another bottle in his hand as he focused his eyes on the flames, one last canvas he had yet to place into the them lying flat at his side. ¡°I have stood here before inside the pouring rain, with the world turning circles running ¡¯round my brain, I guess I¡¯m always hoping that you¡¯ll end this reign, but it¡¯s my destiny to be the king of pain¡­¡± the song went on. Loki took a swig from the bottle in his hand, glancing over at the painting of himself that Vanar had dubbed ¡°Gold Helmet Man¡± turning his gaze to the fire. ¡°My son¡­¡± Frigga said mournfully, Loki turning his head in her direction. ¡°Leave me, Mother.¡± ¡°Do you think me such a fool?¡± ¡°I could ask you the same,¡± Loki retorted, his voice slurred, setting the bottle down beside him before standing, the blanket falling from his shoulders. Picking up the last unburned painting, Loki took two staggering steps toward the fire. ¡°You¡¯re not going to burn that...¡± Frigga said, moving closer to Loki. ¡°Would you like it?¡± ¡°I would,¡± Frigga said, Loki holding it out to her. ¡°She said it wasn¡¯t finished,¡± Loki informed her as Frigga took it from him, examining it more closely. ¡°I can¡¯t see what more it requires. She was quite talented,¡± Frigga said, pausing, ¡°What is it you¡¯re listening to?¡± Frigga inquired as Loki sat, wrapping the blanket around himself once more, picking up the bottle and drinking from it. ¡°Boda¡¯s music,¡± Loki replied, turning it off, ¡°I returned to Midgard to collect her effects¡­anything she may have left behind that might have been a clue to her origin.¡± ¡°She was allowed nothing of that nature when she was exiled.¡± ¡°She painted¡­Asgard,¡± Loki said between drinks from the bottle. ¡°Mortals would believe it to be only fantasy,¡± Frigga paused, ¡°Did you find what you were actually searching for?¡± ¡°No...It was what I didn¡¯t find...here,¡± Loki answered, ¡°Wolfie. He didn¡¯t bring him to the palace. He¡¯s not here,¡± Loki said before standing once again, the blanket once more falling from him as he took drunken, unsteady steps toward Frigga, his expression bordering on madness made even more so by his sickly pallor, sunken cheeks, and irritated bloodshot eyes, ¡°Mother...tell me...where are they?¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Switching on the light as she entered the kitchen of the Victorian gingerbread style house, somewhat larger than a cottage, the young woman clad in a pastel blue robe over a long, modest, flannel nightdress, her honey blond hair damp, walked to the stove. Removing the teapot from one of the back burners, she carried it over to the sink, filling it with water as she looked out of the window, watching flakes of snow lazily falling outside in the darkness. Once filled, she returned the teapot to the stove, switching the burner below it on to heat. Exiting the kitchen into the sitting room, a Christmas tree decked with glowing multicolored lights and ornaments topped with a star standing in one corner, she made her way to the stereo resting on a shelf of the entertainment center decorated with garland along the wall. Pressing the power button, she adjusted the volume low enough to be heard in the room but not enough to carry throughout the house, notes of a pop song nearing its end coming through the speakers on either side of it. Turning from it, the woman crossed to the couch, seating herself in front of a coffee table that held a stack of textbooks, a notebook and pen sitting on top, a few envelopes beside it. ¡°You¡¯ll find all of today¡¯s hits right here on 98.9, WLKZ!¡± a recorded announcement exclaimed with exaggerated exuberance through the stereo, another song beginning with a catchy rhythm provided by drums, a tambourine, and piano. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down, I will not give you up, gotta have some faith in the sound, it¡¯s the one good thing that I¡¯ve got. I won¡¯t let you down, so please don¡¯t give me up, ¡¯cause I would really, really love to stick around...¡± George Michael smoothly sang in a sultry voice. Picking up the envelopes, she sat them in her lap, picking up the one on top addressed to Rhiannon Henrikson with her left hand adorned with a golden ring set with a small, heart shaped diamond. Opening it with her right, she removed and unfolded the paper inside, looking over it before returning it to the envelope and setting it back on the table before opening the next. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Finishing with the mail, she took hold of the notebook and pen, setting it beside her on the couch and picking up the textbook on top of the stack, flipping through its pages. Finding the page she sought, she sat it on one side of her lap, retrieving the notebook, resting it on the other side and picking up the pen, reading from the textbook as she jotted notes. ¡°All we have to do now, is take these lies and make them true somehow. All we have to see is that I don¡¯t belong to you and you don¡¯t belong to me¡­Freedom!...Freedom!...Freedom! You gotta give for what you take¡­¡± Michaels belted out. As she continued her studies, the sound of the teapot beginning a shrill whistle cut through the music, the woman setting the textbook, notebook, and pen back onto the coffee table, rising and returning to the kitchen. Turning the burner off she opened a cabinet, retrieving a teacup and saucer and placing them on the counter. Opening another cabinet, she removed a box of chamomile tea bags, taking one from it, putting it into the teacup, pouring steaming water from the pot into it. Taking a step to her right, she grasped a small wooden cutting board and opened a drawer, removing a knife before freezing in place, realizing the music from the sitting room had ceased. Puzzled, she turned her head in the direction of the doorway. After a moment the music began again, though something about it struck her as odd. ¡°Hello, it¡¯s me. I¡¯ve thought about us for a long, long time,¡± Todd Rungren¡¯s voice sang, almost conversationally, ¡°Maybe I think too much but something¡¯s wrong. There¡¯s something here, doesn¡¯t last too long. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t think of you as mine¡­¡± Returning her attention to the task at hand, picking up a lemon out of a basket nearby, she sliced it in half, cutting off two small slices from one half and dropping them into the tea. ¡°Seeing you, or seeing anything as much as I do you, I take for granted that you¡¯re always there, I take for granted that you just don¡¯t care¡­¡± Rundgren went on. Taking a ziplock bag from a drawer, she sealed the rest of the lemon inside, carrying it to the fridge and placing it into a drawer, returning to the teacup and saucer. Picking them up from the counter, holding the edge of the saucer in one hand, the handle of the teacup in the other, she made her way to the doorway to the sitting room, slowing as she realized the reason for the odd feeling that had come over her¡­the song playing was far older than those the station to which the radio was tuned played. ¡°Think of me, you know that I¡¯d be with you if I could, I¡¯ll come around to see you once in a while¡­¡± the song continued as the woman reached the doorway, Boda freezing wide eyed in shock as she viewed Loki standing in front of the stereo, gazing at her from across the room, ¡°or if I ever need a reason to smile and spend the night if you think I should¡­¡± Rundgren crooned as the teacup and saucer fell from Boda¡¯s hands, shattering on the hardwood floor, leaving a mess of porcelain shards, tea and lemon slices at her feet. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to drink it first,¡± Loki quipped. ¡°How¡­?¡± Boda managed to gasp. ¡°How did I know you hadn¡¯t been incinerated? A bold and brilliant ruse. Anyone aside from myself would have been thoroughly duped.¡± Stepping over the mess on the floor, Boda swiftly crossed the room, reaching past Loki and turning off the tape playing in the stereo before staring once again in stunned silence at her visitor. Loki, noticing her damp hair, reached out, touching her shoulder, a green glow tracing over her hair, starting at the crown of her head, rendering it dry. ¡°What are you doing here? What if Will was to see you?¡± ¡°Will?¡± Loki questioned. ¡°Vanar¡­his name is William now. William Thomas Henrikson, Jr., son of William and Rhiannon Henrikson, born January 6th, 1985 at 3:32 a.m. Would you like to see his birth certificate?¡± ¡°You¡¯re referring to the forged document my father arranged. Rhiannon?¡± Loki questioned Boda¡¯s new moniker. ¡°I still go by Anne for short. It¡¯s from¨C¡± ¡°A song,¡± Loki finished for her, ¡°Does he remember any of it? My mother said you wouldn¡¯t allow my father to alter his memory¡­the reason.¡± ¡°Your father enchanted him to remain unconscious until he brought us here. I told him there had been a fire at the apartment. That¡¯s why we¡¯re living in a new house with new things.¡± ¡°Except for Wolfie.¡± ¡°He sleeps with Wolfie every night. If there had actually been a fire it wouldn¡¯t be strange he was saved. Is that what gave us away?¡± asked Boda. ¡°One of a few clues.¡± ¡°He thinks it was all a dream. I told him that he¡¯d been overcome by the smoke, that he¡¯d been in a coma. I told him about Will, that he died before he was born, that he knew about him before but he¡¯d lost his memory, that his dream and his memory had gotten mixed up.¡± ¡°You found it,¡± Loki said, observing the ring, raising her left hand and examining it. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°He was right. It isn¡¯t much,¡± Loki stated. ¡°Why did you come? To try to convince me, more likely trick me into returning with you?¡± ¡°No¡­however if you¡¯d like¨C¡± Loki began, a hint of hope in his voice, before Boda interrupted him. ¡°What I would like and what¡¯s best for me...for Vanar...are two different things. We¡¯re mortals now¡­¡± ¡°What my father has done he can undo.¡± ¡°It was my plan. He only assisted me in carrying it out. After I learned I would likely end my days as my mother did, that it was the only remedy¡­I didn¡¯t want you to be left to raise Vanar alone like my father. I had to make a choice...for all of us,¡± Boda explained. ¡°What are your plans? Obviously my father left you with sufficient funds.¡± ¡°Sufficient, for a time at least,¡± Boda said, leading Loki to the coffee table, picking up a textbook on psychology and handing it to him, ¡°I started classes in August at the university. It was your idea. I want to help children, others like me who¡¯ve lost someone.¡± ¡°A noble purpose,¡± Loki remarked, staring at the textbook for another moment before handing it back to Boda who replaced it on the table. ¡°Why did you come?¡± ¡°I have something for you,¡± Loki said, magically producing a bag in his hand, handing it to Boda, ¡°Happy Yule.¡± Boda opened the bag, revealing fruit resembling pomegranates. ¡°Soetrfruit¡­thank you.¡± ¡°I have a gift for Vanar as well.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The door to Vanar¡¯s bedroom opened, Boda slipping inside, closing it silently behind her. The room was illuminated dimly by the glow of a nightlight, a painting similar to the one Boda had begun painting in the cottage in Asgard on the wall, a small framed picture of Will sitting atop the dresser as well as others of Vanar and Boda together, a toy chest along the same wall, a shelf of children¡¯s books near the bed. Moving to stand beside the bed, Boda gazed down at the sleeping boy under the blankets, Wolfie in his arms, before turning away, taking a step towards the door. ¡°Mommy?¡± Boda heard Vanar say in a groggy voice. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to wake you...I wanted to be sure you were ok,¡± Boda said turning back to face Vanar. ¡°I had a dream,¡± Vanar said, sitting up. ¡°Good or bad?¡± ¡°Good. I was building things with father with blocks¡­we made a big castle and a bridge.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have woken you from it,¡± Boda apologized. ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Vanar replied. ¡°I have something for you.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Vanar asked, Boda returning to the bed, seating herself on the edge of it. Boda removed a necklace from her neck made from small strips of fine black leather braided together with a flat pendant of what appeared to be clear quartz with a rainbow effect, engraved with a rune, Algiz, resembling a capital Y with the stem extended between the two branches. ¡°It was your father¡¯s,¡± Boda said, placing it over Vanar¡¯s head, around his neck, ¡°It¡¯s for protection from harm.¡± ¡°He must not have been wearing it when the bad men found him,¡± Vanar said, holding the pendant in his hand, looking down at it. ¡°No¡­sleep now,¡± Boda said, Vanar lying back down, Boda tucking him in, kissing him on the forehead, ¡°Goodnight. Pleasant dreams.¡± Boda rose from the bed, crossing to the door and opening it, stepping out as Vanar lifted the pendant from under the blanket, continuing to examine it in wonder in the dim light. Closing the door, Boda stood with her back against it, bowing her head as she magically morphed into Loki. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda had just finished cleaning up the mess in front of the doorway, stepping out of the kitchen into the sitting room as Loki entered. ¡°Would you like some tea?¡± asked Boda. ¡°I should be on my way,¡± Loki said, turning from her, making his way to the door. ¡°I think it would be best¡­for both of us¡­if we didn¡¯t see each other again,¡± Boda said, Loki coming to a halt, remaining with his back to her. ¡°You still have it?¡± asked Loki. ¡°Yes,¡± Boda said, aware of what he was referring to, ¡°but I doubt I¡¯ll¨C¡± Boda began. ¡°You never know what the future may bring,¡± Loki said, walking to the door and grasping the knob. ¡°Loki¡­¡± Boda said, Loki removing his hand from the doorknob, turning to face her as he struggled to contain the tears welling in his eyes, ¡°No regrets.¡± Boda started towards him, having no compulsion to contain her own, Loki stepping away from the door and meeting her halfway, both throwing their arms around each other, their lips meeting one final time. Loki turned once again, crossing the room to the door, magically clothing himself in a black coat and scarf before opening it and exiting, stepping off the porch, snow falling around him, collecting in his hair and on his shoulders as he made his way to the cherry red corvette parked at the curb. After Loki had entered the car and pulled away, Boda stepped out of the front door onto the porch, watching the taillights until they were out of sight. Chapter 28 Darkness had fallen in Asgard outside the tavern. Sif, stifling a yawn, nursed her ale, taking far longer to finish than usual after an exhausting day of drill and instructing the youngest of those choosing the path of a warrior who had recently reached the age of advancement beyond what was in Asgard considered rudimentary skills. Volstagg, Hogun and Fandral had initially joined her, the four arriving together, but they had all since taken their leave, Sif the last of the group remaining, as she had intended. Glancing over to the far corner of the room, Sif viewed Loki as he sat alone, having extinguished all but one of the candles in the middle of the table, his head bowed, a drink in front of him that he appeared to be imbibing as slowly as she did her own. It was the same scene she had witnessed each night for the last week. He had made only a brief appearance at the Yule festivities in the palace recently before excusing himself, failing to return. Though in the past he had personally delivered gifts to their recipients, this year he had sent them via messengers. When she had delivered her gift to him to his chambers, an einherjar stationed outside the doors had taken possession of it in his stead, informing her that the prince had requested that he remain undisturbed. Loki had seemed to recover fairly quickly from Arvid, Boda, and Vanar¡¯s loss nine months earlier after his period of mourning in solitude at the cottage, though upon his return he looked as if he had lost a bit of weight and was paler than usual for a time. Though Sif would never wish such grief on anyone, she had found herself enjoying the break from his antics which had elicited a pang of guilt. It came as no surprise to Sif that he was soon back to his old mischievous self until recently. Sif was well aware from personal experience how the pain of a loss, even those years in the past, which in the case of Asgardians may have occurred centuries or millennia ago, could flood back during special occasions, especially Yuletide. Finishing her drink, she left the table she had recently shared with the Warriors Three, walking to the bar with her empty tankard. Refilling it and procuring another, she carried one in each hand as she passed between tables to seat herself across from Loki, wordlessly sliding the second tankard towards him. Finishing what remained of the drink in front of him, Loki put it aside, taking the one Sif had delivered and drinking from it before setting it down in the previous tankard¡¯s place. ¡°Thank you,¡± Loki said in an uncharacteristically quiet, flat voice, ¡°Is there something I can do for you, Lady Sif?¡± ¡°I thought you might like some company.¡± ¡°Whatever gave you that idea?¡± Loki said, taking another long drink. ¡°I haven¡¯t had the opportunity to thank you for your gift. It¡¯s lovely.¡± ¡°I¡¯m pleased you liked it,¡± Loki said, failing to look up from his drink. ¡°I wore it to the feast.¡± ¡°I failed to take note of how those present had adorned themselves,¡± Loki said, pausing for another drink, ¡°You claim no prior opportunity to express your appreciation, yet I¡¯ve occupied this table as you¡¯ve been seated at the one over there for the last week,¡± Loki finished, pointing across the room. ¡°I was waiting for the right time,¡± Sif replied. ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware expressing gratitude necessitated such careful scheduling,¡± Loki replied, ¡°I received yours. I have yet to open it or any others...thank you.¡± ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯ve wanted to tell you. I should have long before now. When Boda and Van¨C¡± Sif began before Loki interrupted. ¡°I would appreciate those names remaining unspoken in my presence,¡± Loki said, Sif looking across the table at him with sympathy and concern. ¡°Their place in Valhalla was well earned. My behavior was shameful. I made disparaging remarks that I regret. I apologize.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t accept your apology on their behalf,¡± Loki responded. After a few seconds of silence, Sif reached out, placing her hand atop Loki¡¯s that rested on the table. ¡°How are you?¡± Sif asked. ¡°Rarely am I asked that question,¡± Loki replied. ¡°I refused to celebrate the first Yuletide after Haldor¡¯s death. I know it''s difficult but had I spoken with another during that time¨C¡± ¡°What is there to say? It would change nothing,¡± Loki interrupted in an irritated tone before falling silent for a moment, ¡°You wish to know how I am¡­I am alone.¡± ¡°You are not alone,¡± Sif insisted, ¡°Hogun gifted me a cask of wine from Vanaheim. I have yet to tap it. Would you care to join me?¡± Sif asked. ¡°That depends. What color are my eyes?¡± Loki asked, closing his eyes before looking up from his drink, Sif caught off guard by the question. ¡°Blue.¡± "Are you certain or merely making a guess?¡± ¡°I''m certain,¡± Sif replied, unsure where Loki was going with his question. ¡°They¡¯re green,¡± Loki said, opening his eyes to reveal emerald irises, Sif''s face expressing her confusion, ¡°I¡¯m joking,¡± Loki replied with a slight grin as a green flash of magical light converted his eyes to their natural color before standing from the table, extending to Sif his hand. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Mired in the muck on the floor of one of Earth¡¯s oceans so far below the surface no light could penetrate, the creatures capable of surviving in such a hostile environment all blind as that sense would be of no use to them, lay two stones roughly the size of shoe boxes meters from each other where they had come to rest. Encased within one, the true Goblet of the Gods, the other the cursed replica. The darkness in which Erebus now existed was more than darkness, an inky sea of nothingness, devoid of light, color or shape, empty of anything tangible, stretching without end in all directions and dimensions. Erebus was unsure where he himself ended and it began. He knew there would be no freeing himself even partially this time. He wondered if it had cost Asgard¡¯s aging king, who he was certain had cast the spell, his life as Erebus had not sensed another in Asgard who possessed the power necessary to entrap him, as he had also sensed Odin¡¯s weariness, especially after removing the curse Erebus had placed upon Vanar. Both acts could easily have drained him of his life force to the point that the Odinsleep would not be enough to restore him. There was no way for him to know, Erebus dismayed he was denied even that small measure of satisfaction. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°You have failed me for the final time,¡± a deep voice echoed in the darkness seemingly from all directions. ¡°Father!¡± Erebus called out, ¡°Free me...or be merciful and end me!¡± Erebus cried. ¡°If mercy were a trait I possessed, I could not do so. I have no power in this dimension. It must be granted to me,¡± Dormammu replied. ¡°How then will you obtain that which you sssseek?¡± asked Erebus. ¡°There are others whose hearts have been or will be darkened by the pain of loss. One will hear my summons and seek me.¡± XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki stood nude before the mirror in his bath, a glass of wine in his hand, the open bottle on a stand beside the stone tub that also held the box of cassettes and portable stereo, now playing one of Boda¡¯s tapes, a catchy tune he vaguely recalled her mentioning in the past. ¡°Seems it never rains in southern California. Seems I¡¯ve often heard that kind of talk before. It never rains in California, but girl, don¡¯t they warn ya? It pours, man it pours¡­¡± Examining the left side of his face where Sif¡¯s fist had landed, he noticed no bruising and only a lingering hint of red. She could have done worse. She had in the past. As angry as she had been, she had chosen to wound him far more with her words. ¡°I hope you know you deserve to be alone and you always will be,¡± she had said with particular vehemence. Loki stared into his own eyes, recalling how he had felt as if he was doing the same nine months previously while conversing with his doppelganger. Why had he done it? Of course the simplest answer was that he thought it would be funny. It had been, for a few moments anyway as he¡¯d looked down at his handiwork with the scissors he had conjured, Sif¡¯s hair lying in a neat lock over the arm of the chaise beside where she had laid her head after yielding to exhaustion and inebriation after he had left her to refill their goblets. It would be the first thing she would see upon opening them after she awakened. Yet it had failed to instill in him quite the level of hilarity and glee he had expected when the idea had first sprouted in his mind. ¡°Out of work, I¡¯m out of my head, out of self respect, I¡¯m out of bread, I¡¯m underloved, I¡¯m underfed, I wanna go home¡­¡± Albert Hammond continued singing. He hadn¡¯t been sure what he intended to do when he had accepted Sif¡¯s invitation, he only knew it was an opportunity for mischief. He had skillfully maneuvered Sif into speaking at length about her own losses, especially that of Haldor six centuries earlier, the only man that had ever equaled Thor in her affections. Her own past emotional wounds leading her to drink more of the wine than she had intended and her sympathy for him causing her to let her guard down had played right into his hands. Though his melancholic state in the tavern was not a pretense he never had any intention of speaking about his angst regarding Boda and Vanar or even Arvid, who was truly dead, to her or anyone. At times he was unsure whether it may have been easier if Boda and Vanar were dead. Though Boda and Vanar were alive and well, as well as one could be as a mortal far more vulnerable than Asgardians to injury and illness and subject to such a limited lifespan, they were as lost to him as if they were in Valhalla. He thought perhaps he now understood to some degree how Boda had felt during the time her mother had been kept locked away from her following her mother¡¯s crazed attempt on Boda¡¯s life that had very nearly succeeded. He recalled the first time his eyes had viewed her nude body, noticing the faint but still perceptible scar on her abdomen. Uncustomary for him, he had never cracked a joke or uttered an unkind word regarding it. The visions, particularly of his own mother which Boda had enchanted him to experience with his father¡¯s assistance, as her own knowledge of enchantments was as limited if not more so than his own, his mind too strong to fall victim to most, had given him a fuller understanding of the trauma she had endured as a child and carried with her ever after¡­not only the physical agony but the emotional and mental pain as well, the confusion and fear. Loki surmised that his actions that evening were also rooted in the fact that Sif had allowed herself to be so easily duped by Dario, Loki quite certain he would never have fallen for such an amateurish scheme. Also a factor was the contempt Sif often exhibited towards him. Though she had apologized for her more recent behavior during Boda and Vanar¡¯s brief stay, it was far from the only example¡­though he¡¯d probably repaid her for the majority of those instances already. It wasn¡¯t as if he kept a ledger. Of course Loki was aware others would see it as even more of a betrayal considering her expression of empathy and invitation earlier that evening, but she had not only waited an entire week but until the others had gone, Loki surmising the reason for that...she had been loath for others to witness her displaying any feelings towards him other than her usual disdain. Even so, perhaps it could have proven to have been a fresh start in their relations, she eventually becoming comfortable expressing more positive vibes towards him in the presence of others, but in Loki¡¯s mind, though he hadn¡¯t doubted her sincerity, her olive branch felt diseased, tainted. The overarching explanation, however, was that when the opportunity presented itself, he simply could not help himself. He was the God of Mischief after all, what did she, or anyone, expect? He had done her no real harm. He could have done worse. It would grow back and as an Asgardian, far faster than a mortal¡¯s hair. It did cross his mind that though he had played many a prank on Boda, he had never done anything of that nature to her, though he now acknowledged to himself that he was guilty of causing her a great deal of pain through other actions. Cutting her hair would have been far less hurtful. As Loki walked away from the mirror to the tub he pushed Sif¡¯s words to the very back of his brain, covering them with whatever detritus he found floating around his mind, much like a child who has broken something tossing a blanket over the remains, hoping somehow it wouldn¡¯t be noticed instead of confessing and clearing up the mess. After setting his goblet on the stand beside the tub and refilling it from the bottle, Loki entered the steaming bath, reaching over and retrieving it, sliding himself down the smooth stone further into the soothing, relaxing warmth of the water as the song that had been playing ended, the second or two of familiar blank tape hiss that followed it now replaced with the intro of the next. ¡°Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night and wouldn¡¯t you love to love her? Takes to the sky like a bird in flight and who will be her lover? All your life you¡¯ve never seen a woman taken by the wind. Would you stay if she promised you heaven? Will you ever win?...¡± Stevie Nicks sang in her husky voice, asking the same question Loki had frequently asked himself over the course of his life, now finding it even more poignant. Loki slowly lowered the goblet from his lips as he processed what he was hearing, an expression of grief and dismay painting his features. ¡°She is like a cat in the dark and then she is the darkness. She rules her life like a fine skylark and when the sky is starless¡­¡± Loki raised himself in the tub, setting his goblet on the stand once again before standing from the water, stepping out. ¡°All your life you¡¯ve never seen a woman taken by the wind. Would you stay if she promised you heaven? Will you ever win? Will you ever win? Rhiannon¡­.Rhiannon¡­¡± the words flowed through the attached speakers as Loki stood in front of it, reaching out and pushing the ¡®stop¡¯ button, silencing the music. Opening the tape deck, Loki removed the cassette, looking down at it before crushing it in his palm, stepping over to the cauldron along the far wall and discarding its remains to be consumed by the flames. Returning to the portable stereo, Loki searched through the box of tapes beside it, removing the one that Nathan had left in Boda¡¯s tavern and setting it aside, carrying the box containing the rest of the cassettes to the cauldron, placing it into the fire. Putting Nathan¡¯s tape into the machine he pressed play, a moment later the hard rock rhythm of AC/DC blared as Loki turned the volume up, returning to the tub and his goblet of wine. ¡°Back in black, I hit the sack, I¡¯ve been too long, I¡¯m glad to be back. Let loose from the noose that¡¯s kept me hanging about. I¡¯m just looking at the sky ¡¯cause it¡¯s getting me high. Forget the hearse ¡¯cause I¡¯ll never die. I got nine lives, cat¡¯s eyes, abusing every one of them and running wild ¡¯cause I¡¯m back. Yes, I¡¯m back¡­¡± Loki closed his eyes, his body relaxing, a grin spreading over his face as he listened, imbibing more wine before lowering his goblet, speaking aloud amid the music amplified by the stone walls of the bath. ¡°No regrets¡­¡± Chapter 29 New York City May, 2012 The dark haired, blue eyed man in the latter half of his twenties sat at a booth in a coffee shop staring at the screen of his laptop resting on the table before him. Taking a drink of his coffee, he closed the computer, unable to focus on his work. Reaching under his shirt, he removed the flat clear quartz pendant, rubbing it between his fingers as he often did, as he had since childhood when anxious, the act soothing to him. Closing his left hand, he stared at his fist in deep concentration as he continued to caress the pendant with the fingers of his right for a few moments before slowly opening it to reveal his empty palm. ¡°Will? What are you doing?¡± a female voice said from across the table where the young woman with almond toned skin and straight, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail had only just sat down, a canvas tote beside her. ¡°Zoe¡­sorry¡­off in my own world¡­¡± the now adult Vanar said, startled out of his trance-like state, ¡°Just thinking about a dream I had when I was a kid¡­after the fire. I was in a coma.¡± ¡°You told me about that¡­the fire and that you were in a coma, not the dream.¡± ¡°I was with my father¡­it was like another planet. I don¡¯t remember most of it,¡± Vanar explained, Zoe looking at him with concern from across the table as he continued to rub the pendant between his fingers. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Vanar replied, moving the necklace back under his shirt. ¡°You¡¯re sure? I can¡¯t believe she dumped you in an email¡­actually I can,¡± Zoe began. ¡°We were only together a couple months. I¡¯m not sure that even qualifies as a relationship.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to say I told you so, but I did try to warn you.¡± ¡°Yeah, you did,¡± Vanar said before taking a sip of his coffee. ¡°She¡¯s always run hot and cold as long as I¡¯ve known her.¡± ¡°You warned me about Mark, too. Maybe someday I¡¯ll learn to listen to you,¡± Vanar said with a weak grin. ¡°At least he had the decency to tell you face to face.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t blame them. Auditions, rehearsals, up all night writing or doing research...I¡¯m always busy. My life¡¯s crazy,¡± said Vanar. ¡°No crazier than mine or a lot of people¡¯s here,¡± Zoe countered, ¡°Speaking of research, I brought the book,¡± she said, pulling a book from her bag and sliding it across the table. ¡°Thanks,¡± Vanar said, placing it into his own bag beside him in the booth, ¡°I¡¯ll get it back to you in a week or two.¡± ¡°Keep it,¡± Zoe told him, taking hold of her bag and sliding from the booth, ¡°I¡¯ve gotta go. I¡¯ve gotta couple errands to run,¡± she said, rising before pausing for a moment, ¡°Would you like to grab something to eat later? My treat¡­¡± ¡°Yeah¡­sure. Where would you like to go?¡± Vanar asked. ¡°I¡¯m treating. You decide.¡± ¡°There¡¯s that shawarma place. It¡¯s pretty good.¡± ¡°Shawarma it is then,¡± Zoe said, stepping over to Vanar''s side of the booth, hesitating a moment before bending down, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before turning away and rushing off, Vanar following her with his eyes with a surprised expression as she exited. Vanar returned his attention to the laptop in front of him, opening it and staring at the screen for a moment before typing something, rereading it before deleting it, appearing frustrated as he reached for his coffee. A tall, lean man with auburn hair sporting a smart black suit with an emerald green tie and carrying a walking stick topped with a large blue jewel entered the coffee shop through the door. He scanned the room before making his way to the booth in which Vanar sat, sliding in across from him, Vanar looking up from his laptop. ¡°William Henrikson?¡± the man asked. ¡°Do I know you?¡± Vanar replied, confused as he didn¡¯t recognize the man, his voice familiar though Vanar couldn''t place it. ¡°We met some time ago,¡± the man replied. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t-¡± Vanar began. Loki in the guise of Arvid touched the jeweled end of the walking stick to the middle of Vanar¡¯s chest, rendering him silent. ¡°There¡¯s a taxi outside. It will take you to an aircraft. Your mother will be pleased to see you,¡± Loki said. Without a word, Vanar closed his laptop, placing it into his bag and slid from the booth, walking past Loki to the door, exiting the coffee shop. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda, or Rhiannon as she had been known for the past twenty two years, a glass of wine in her hand, entered the front room of her home, far larger than the one she had inhabited when Loki had last visited her. She had noticeably aged yet looked to be a few years younger than she should appear after two decades. On the ring finger of her left hand she wore an engagement and wedding band, the ring with the heart shaped stone now transferred to her right hand. She was enjoying the few days she had taken off from her work after an especially difficult few weeks. The stories related to her by her young patients seemed to be even more horrendous than usual as of late. Walking to the coffee table where a package ready to be mailed sat, she picked up the remote to the stereo system, powering it on and turning up the volume. Returning the remote to the table, she crossed the room to the double doors that led to the balcony overlooking the ocean, stepping out into the sunlight as she listened to the smooth vocals of Florence Welch. ¡°Regrets collect like old friends, here to relive your darkest moments. I can see no way, see no way and all of the ghouls come out to play and every demon wants his pound of flesh. I like to keep some things to myself. I like to keep my issues drawn. It¡¯s always darkest before the dawn¡­¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Sipping wine from her glass, Boda looked out over the beach and the water, smiling in contentment, sensing the warm sun on her face as the beat of percussion instruments began to accompany the vocalist. ¡°I¡¯ve been a fool and I¡¯ve been blind. I can never leave the past behind. I can see no way, I can see no way, I¡¯m always dragging that horse around, all of his questions, such a mournful sound, tonight I¡¯m gonna bury that horse in the ground, cause I like to keep my issues drawn, it¡¯s always darkest before the dawn ¡­shake it off, shake it off¡­¡± Welch went on singing the chorus. Boda startled as a hand placed itself on her shoulder. Turning quickly, she relaxed at the sight of the tall man with blue eyes and hair the golden color of sun kissed wheat, a bit of gray noticeable at his temples, a briefcase in his hand. ¡°Adam¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m headed out. Where¡¯s Ingrid? I thought she had the day off school,¡± Adam asked. ¡°She''s at Emmie''s. Emmie''s mother''s taking them shopping and to a movie,¡± Boda informed him, ¡°Oh¡­I baked some cookies for Will. He sounded down when I talked to him yesterday. If you have time could you take them to the post office?¡± ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll be back tomorrow before dinner. I¡¯ll call if I¡¯m running late.¡± ¡°See you then,¡± Boda said, Adam setting his briefcase down, the two embracing, sharing a kiss. ¡°I know you¡¯ve been having a hard time lately. If I¡¯m able to seal this deal, you could take a permanent vacation¡­wasn¡¯t that Aerosmith¡¯s eighth album?¡± Adam asked. ¡°Ninth,¡± Boda corrected him with a smile. ¡°I thought you¡¯d know,¡± Adam replied with a grin of his own. ¡°You know I don¡¯t do it for the money.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the package for Will?¡± ¡°On the coffee table. Good luck...be careful.¡± ¡°Always,¡± Adam said, picking up his briefcase. ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°Love you, too,¡± Adam responded, turning and exiting the balcony. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda had turned off the stereo after leaving the balcony fifteen minutes or so after Adam had left and now stood at the sink in the kitchen rinsing her wine glass, opening the dishwasher and placing it in the top rack as she heard the front door open and close. She left the kitchen, passing through the dining room into the front room. ¡°Did you forget some¨C¡± Boda began, expecting to see Adam, instead her eyes falling upon Vanar standing immobile in front of the door, his bag containing his laptop and the book Zoe had given him sitting on the floor beside him, ¡°Will?¡± Vanar failed to respond as the two stared at each other for a moment, Boda crossing the room to him. ¡°Will¡­what are you doing here?¡± Boda asked. ¡°Mom¡­?¡± Vanar finally said as if he were a surgery patient coming out from under anesthesia. ¡°Are you all right?¡± "I don¡¯t know¡­there was a man...he knew my name...he sent me here...he didn''t look like him, but his voice...it sounded like father''s...in my dream....on TV...New York.¡± Boda quickly crossed the room to the television, turning it on to see the mayhem taking place in the city accompanied by the commentary of the befuddled and frightened newscasters. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a dream, was it?¡± Vanar asked. ¡°No¡­Sit down. Stay right there. I''ll be right back!¡± Boda told Vanar, steering him to the couch before racing from the room as Vanar seated himself, staring at the TV. Boda entered her and Adam¡¯s bedroom, running to the closet and throwing it open, reaching up and retrieving a lockbox from the shelf. Tossing it on the bed, she rushed to a dresser, opening a jewelry box on top of it and removing a small key, returning to the bed and sitting on the edge of it, putting the key into the lock box and opening it, taking the bracelet from it and slipping it onto her wrist. ¡°Loki!¡± Boda said the name within her mind that she had not uttered aloud in over two decades. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Loki stood on the balcony below the landing pad near the top of Stark Tower, the scepter containing the Mind Stone gripped in his hand. His scheme had gone off without a hitch, for the most part anyway. He hadn¡¯t expected his brother to make an appearance, but he¡¯d dealt with that fly in the ointment. Midgard would soon be his to rule. His father¡¯s mistake would be rectified. He would clean up the mess mortals had made of their world. No longer would they war with each other, murder each other, persecute each other, go hungry, live in squalor¡­once they realized how much better their lives were under his reign they would celebrate this day each year as a sacred holiday, the day of their deliverance. They would all kneel before him or monuments to him erected in his honor¡­there would not be one found among them who did not love their king with their whole heart. The voice calling his name cut through his thoughts, Loki turning to see no one, the voice repeating his moniker, Loki realizing from where it originated and to whom it belonged. ¡°Boda?¡± "What are you doing?!¡± Boda''s voice asked frantically within his mind. ¡°What I must. I assume Vanar has arrived,¡± Loki replied. ¡°What did you do to him?¡± ¡°A minor spell in order to return him to you to ensure he wouldn¡¯t be harmed. The effects are temporary. He''ll be fine,¡± Loki assured her. ¡°How did you know where he was? How did you know where I am?¡± ¡°Heimdall was kind enough to update me when I inquired as to your whereabouts. He was to inform me if you were in any danger. The spell I placed on the necklace allowed me to pinpoint Vanar''s location.¡± ¡°I should have known,¡± Boda replied. ¡°I suspect you did,¡± Loki responded. ¡°Why are you doing this? Stop this!¡± ¡°You should be pleased. Once I rule this realm, Will¡¯s fate will never befall another. You have nothing to fear. You and your family will be under my protection.¡± ¡°If you stop this¡­I¡¯ll return with you to Asgard.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s no longer an option. In any case, you would now appear of an age to be my mother.¡± ¡°You could be killed! Even if you survive your father will send you to the dungeon for the rest of your days!¡± Boda exclaimed before falling silent, ¡°If we''d remained in Asgard you wouldn''t be doing this--¡± Boda began before Loki interrupted her. ¡°I''m afraid I must end our little chat. I have a world to conquer,¡± Loki said, closing the link with Boda, just as Tony Stark descended onto the platform above, Loki turning, peering up at him with a grin before entering Stark''s penthouse. ¡°Loki!¡± Boda called out within her mind, receiving no further response. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Boda stood on the beach, the breeze from the ocean lifting her honey gold locks off her shoulders as she looked out over the water, replaying the events of her life from the day Loki had arrived at her door in Asgard to notify her of her father¡¯s death to the present. ¡°I¡¯ll always love you,¡± Boda said in her mind, though she doubted Loki would hear her...or wished to. Removing the bracelet from her wrist, Boda gathered all her strength, tossing it as far as she could manage with only a mortal¡¯s strength into the ocean, turning and making her way back to the house and the waiting Vanar. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ¡°And I you,¡± Loki said within his mind, though he sensed Boda could no longer hear him, staring at the broken pane of glass he had just sent Stark hurtling through to fall multiple stories to his death on the street below, having dodged what he believed to have been a missile Stark had launched in a last desperate, futile attempt to end him. He stood in shock as Stark suddenly appeared in his armor, hovering outside the broken window. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Pennsylvania December 1958 The dull orange glowing shape of a doorway appeared below a tree in a dark, snowy park, a fair skinned woman in black body armor and a helmet, D-18 stenciled on it stepping through, a newborn baby wrapped in blankets held in her arms. Another woman with darker, caramel toned skin in the same armor sporting a helmet with the designation A-23 followed her. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± the woman carrying the infant asked her companion. ¡°The orders come directly from the Timekeepers. It¡¯s not our place to question their wisdom,¡± A-23 replied. ¡°It¡¯s so cold. He won¡¯t survive,¡± D-18 said with concern, looking down at the sleeping infant. ¡°He¡¯s a Loki¡­a human variant, but he¡¯ll be fine. Leave him.¡± D-18 brushed snow aside, revealing the frozen ground beneath, placing the infant onto it, checking the swaddling of the blankets before stepping back, turning to face A-23 and the portal as A-23 activated her time stick, thrusting it forward to make contact with D-18¡äs abdomen, the woman¡¯s form vaporizing. Glancing at the infant who had awakened and was fussing, A-23, not yet known to others in the TVA by the name Ravonna Renslayer, turned and stepped through the portal before it closed behind her as the baby began to wail.