Chapter 13
ASGARD
Loki had returned to Asgard, to give Travis enough time to settle. The duplicate following the boy would let him know when it was time to come back and scoop him up. He hoped it was before the wedding. He’d rather focus on Sigyn and his family.
“Loki?”
The trickster cocked his head to the left, leaning over a banister at the current moment. “Thor?”
Thor had a grave look on his face, but his jaw was set. Like he’d been wrestling with himself before approaching him. “Why would the elders be worried?”
He made a soft chuffing sound of amusement. “Hmph…I can think of a few reasons if I had my way.” Holding up a single finger. “One moment.” He opened his hand and blew softly. It looked like strands of spider silk had been caught on his breath and were drifting through the air.
Distracted, Thor frowned. “Spider hatchling?”
Smirking deviously as the silk drifted down towards a pair of random courtiers. “Just the silk. No spiders attached. But they won’t know that.”
Sure enough, soon the duo went screaming for the safety of the palace interior.
Thor chuckled and shook his head to himself. But as the amusement faded, the questions started to pile up again. “You said a few reasons. Such as?”
Loki sighed and glanced away, almost hoping Thor would forget he’d said that. He enjoyed speaking, but he didn’t enjoy wasting his time with words that no one was hearing. “Are you going to actually listen if I speak or is it yet another exercise in futility?”
Nodding firmly. “I wish to know.”
Pulling in a slow breath. “You stop listening, I walk. Deal?”
Protesting, “I do not ignore you, Loki.” Then muttering, “That is nigh on impossible…”
Ignoring his grumbling and shooting him a look. “Deal?”
Thor nodded in resignation and leaned against the banister as well. “Aye, deal.”
“What do you know of the elders?”
A shrug. “They advise the King. They vote laws into effect.” He recognized them by the traditional robes they wore. He didn’t really know any of them. They were nameless and faceless as far as he was concerned. Old men who had either never fought, or who had done so such a long time ago they no longer had the bearing of a warrior.
Loki started with the basics. “Elders come and they go, but not very often. They retire. They die.” His eyes suddenly had a crafty glint to them. “But a new King has the power to forcibly retire any elder when they ascend.” No harm in planting that little thought early.
He was listening carefully, if only to prevent Loki from ignoring him before he learned what he wanted to hear. “Why do Uncle Vili and Uncle Ve worry them?”
“Ah, that worry.” Thor nudged Loki when he didn’t continue. Baring his teeth to himself. “If I ever got the job they know most of their days are numbered.”
Frowning heavily in confusion. “Why would you be King?”
Replying vaguely, “There are ways.”
“Father has…err…” Thor trailed off, remembering what happened the last time Loki had decided he wanted a shot at being King. He knew a lot of times telling Loki he couldn’t do something only goaded him into doing it.
Shrugging easily, no longer bitter about what would soon be fact. “He has. But if either uncle put in a bid for the throne, well, they are older.”
His frown shifted to a mild one. “They wish to be King?” If they did, he would be disappointed that his preparations would be for nothing but he wouldn’t challenge them.
Loki shook his head. “No, but the elders like to worry about things that won’t happen.”
Asking with reluctant curiosity since he assumed his brother didn’t dislike them on principle alone. “What have they done?”
The mage knew the question was about the elders. “What haven’t they?” Thor made a gesture motion for Loki to keep going. “They work to undermine.”
Looking exasperated. “That is all?” His brother did things like that. But Loki also tried to do what was best for Asgard. Why would it worry him?
Loki knew where Thor’s mind had gone. Warning him. “It is not like war, where the deeds are evident. It is the laws that were voted upon. The selfish gains, even to the detriment of the citizens. The stances that are taken…or yielded to.”
“And you know these things.” Thor wasn’t asking.
“Of course. I keep records of each of them.” Thor blinked at him, really wanting to ask why he would even bother. “Know thy enemy.”
Protesting the practice of considering any member of Asgard as an enemy. “They are not enemies.” A bore. An inconvenience. A group of self-important windbags.
Loki didn’t look at him, folding his hands together as he considered how to spin this in a way that Thor could easily relate. “In war two sides are announced. Different flags. Different armor colors. Perhaps a race strange in appearance to our own. It is easy to identify one’s enemy. Politics? Most are not so brazen, not even Aesir. The deeds, the whispered conversations behind closed doors, that is what determines ally from foe.”
Asgard was part of the Nine realms. But it was a misleading turn of phrase. There were not just nine planets. There were hundreds of lesser realms and not all of them were mortals or closed. For the lesser realms, deals were sometimes brokered with some of the elders to try to elevate their own status.
Thor sighed wearily, knowing even with Loki explaining in detail he didn’t understand as well as he should. “Yet another example for father to criticize.”
Loki blinked and frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It--…you know how father is.”
It was the way that Thor was slouched that grabbed Loki’s attention. “Perhaps I do not.”
Gesturing. “The council who was sticking their noses in our affairs with Midgard.”
A beat before Loki filled in. “The Inter-realm Council?”
Thor nodded, expression tight. “He was not pleased when I leapt to your defense.”
Loki felt a chill rush through him. If father was in some way trying to turn he and Thor against one another, he and the old king were going to have words. “Those were his words?”
“He…” Thor’s brow furrowed in thought for a moment, not noticing Loki’s reaction which was a bit too obvious. “He said I should not blurt such words without forethought.”
Feeling a rush of relief. “Ah.”
Exclaiming, “You understand?” Thor didn’t wait for an answer, throwing up his hands. “Never mind. Of course you do.”
He’d never heard Thor so bitter. He didn’t like it. He was the bitter one, not Thor. “Words have to be weighed. That group has the power to make matters uncomfortable for Asgard.”
Shoulders slouching a bit, looking like a kicked puppy. “I do not weigh my words, Loki, you know this.”
That was true enough. But agreeing with him wasn’t a very productive use of their time. A blink before Loki asked carefully, “What were you supposed to say instead?”
Thor shrugged.
Cocking his head. “He never said?”
A grieved sigh from the thunderer. “He never does. You know this.”
Loki lifted both eyebrows. “I was raised by mother. Remember?”
Thor whipped around, eyes wide. “She explains??”
The younger man shrugged. “Of course she does. To be chided loses its point if you are not given examples of what should—” He stared at Thor like he’d never seen him before. No wonder Thor understood so little. The bitterness and envy that had made it virtually impossible for Loki to help Thor get ready to be King faded. If anything, he felt sorry for Thor being stuck with Odin while he got Frigga. But free of those emotions, he was suddenly feeling generous. “I can provide a copy of the records I have on the elders, provided you intend to truly read them.”
Thor grimaced.
Snapping, “You are not stupid.”
“Such matters bore me.” It wasn’t a whine. But it wasn’t that far removed from one.
It bored him?? That was his excuse?????
Snarling, “Do you think becoming an Aesir warrior was easy for me? That it thrilled me? That I would not have preferred to spend my days reading and honing my spellcraft? Do you know how many bones I broke over the years attempting to learn the Aesir way?” Thor flinched. He remembered seeing it happen a few times. He’d heard it had been much more than a few. “We both know I do not have the strength to wear armor half my body weight or swing a weapon equal to it.” Nor to take a direct hit without breaking something. “But to be more than just a Prince by family ties I did it. My way.” He could have been just a prince as an honorary title. A status symbol with no power, not even during war. But it would have disappointed their father. Thanks to his mother and Tyr, he found a way to pass his tests as a warrior. “Being a warrior was easy for you. We all know you walked away from the cradle with skills that were merely honed by Tyr and the other warriors. You want to be a King that I will respect? Learn what suits you ill.”
Grimacing to admit this out loud, even if they both already knew it was true. “I will never be as smart as you.”
Smirking with arrogance in his voice. “There is no one as smart as I.” Then rolling his eyes. “You do not have to be cleverer than me. But you have to be passable so that I no longer have to be concerned you will ruin our home when you sit on the throne.” A flash of emerald light and a stack of bound parchment appeared in Loki’s hands. Thor stared at it like it was about to bite him. After a beat Loki slapped them against his chest so Thor would hold it. “Each elder has a divider to separate them. Read about the first elder. I will quiz you in a week. Disappoint me and I will send in Veilya and Sigyn to intervene. Then you can have all three of us hounding you.”
Thor winced.
***
A petite figure wearing a light grey cloak with the hood pulled forward entered the room within the palace, closing the door behind her. She pulled the hood back as the man sitting at his desk looked up. His eyes moved from the ears that identified her as a light elf, back to her face. But he didn’t say a word, waiting.
Her expression was stiffly held, not revealing her emotions. “You are the House Steward.”
He was indeed the House Steward. Ivar Arneson. Instead of confirming her observation he asked, “Do I know you?”
She nodded slightly in return. “I am Holly of Alfheim.”
“Should that name mean something to me?” The sweat that was suddenly beading at his temples indicated he knew that name.
But Holly didn’t address it. She crossed to the desk and put down a letter, showing the familiar seal. “I want to speak with him.”
Nervously he licked his lips and stutteringly asked, “W-who?”
Her face twisted with annoyance. “We both know who.”
His eyes moved, obviously concerned about being overheard. Although who he was worried about was left unknown. “I--…I do not know him anymore than anyone else.”
Voice flat. “He is Aesir. I assume there is a way to contact him.” Deciding that he lacked motivation, she next spoke idly of a threat she wouldn’t follow through. Not because she was above such actions, but because doing so would likely be to her detriment. “Or perhaps I should ask someone in the royal family. Perhaps Loki. I hear he is quite clever.”
Slowly Ivar sighed before he hastily opened the lid to a shallow wooden box designed to hold individual sheets of parchment. He jotted something down on the top page. The parchment vanished in the next instant and he closed the lid. A few minutes passed, the pair staring at one another before there was a knock at the door.
“Enter.”
A page opened the door. “Sir. You are requested in the Atrium.”
Ivar nodded and followed the page, not looking back. The door closed behind him.
A few more minutes passed before Holly turned with a frown to realize someone was sitting behind Ivar’s desk where once there was no one. It hadn’t been teleportation. And she’d heard nothing.
They wore a very strong glamour, tied to the amulet around their neck. A disguise to trick the eyes and the ears. At the moment she would assume a male, but even with that assumption she wasn’t certain.
The voice, like their appearance, seemed to shimmer and dance. “What do you want?”
She squared her shoulders even if inside she was quivering. To have such precautions in place, this was a man to be wary of. This person unnerved her. Ivar may be a coward, but she agreed with his hesitation to do anything this other man would disapprove of. “What was promised.”
A finger slowly tapped against the desk he was sitting behind. He and Holly’s original arrangement had been to scoop Talia away from Asgard and under her influence. “It is no one’s fault but your own you failed to outsmart Asgard’s second son.”
Holly blinked in shock when that was all he said. “That is your answer? He thwarted you as much as I.”
A faint chuckle was heard. Followed by a condescending sigh. “I am patient, elf. There shall be other opportunities.” Nor was he concerned about destroying the Whisper on the Wind. That was her passion.
Her chin tipped up a fraction. “Not if I allow a few facts to see the light of day.”
As odd as it was to hear him, she could feel the shift in the air. “A dangerous threat.”
She was quick to shake her head. “Not a threat. A warning. I want what was promised.”
There was a pause of silence, the seconds slowly ticked by with neither moving. Eventually, with two fingers the figure procured something from a pocket and pushed forward a slip of paper. “Vanaheim’s pleasure moon. This establishment. After the wedding I understand at least two elders will travel there instead of celebrating such a dubiously positive event. You should speak with them.” She didn’t see the point but she didn’t ask. She reached for the parchment but he kept one finger pressed down on it, holding it in place. “Holly. Do not come back here again. You succeed or you do not, but our business is now concluded. After all…accidents happen all the time.”
Feeling some of her confidence return as he lifted his finger, she snatched the parchment and sneered. “Perhaps you should follow your own advice.”
No humor now. He stood up sharply and she jerked back. “Do not think, you presumptuous little girl, that you entered the palace without being seen. You were permitted this far, the Blades poised to cut you down.” Holly paled a bit. She hadn’t noticed them. His head nodded as if reading her thoughts. “You never saw them. Do not think that Alfheim is the only realm that can train the lethal and unseen. Unless you are invited, do not return. You will not be granted a second audience.”
Silently she fled.
He waited 2 minutes before turning and pressing a hidden knob along the wall that soundlessly revealed a passageway. He took it, the entrance sealing behind him. If Holly became a nuisance she would be eliminated. For now his thoughts were on Loki. The Prince certainly had a knack for ruining his plans. Some men traded in wealth. He preferred to trade in favors. Having a Vanir Queen in his debt would have been most lucrative. But that opportunity was lost when the Inter-realm Council failed to heel Odin into releasing Amora. He also knew it would only grow worse if what was now anticipated occurred and Odin picked Loki for Viceroy.
Nothing to do about it now. But soon it would be prudent for the trickster to have a convenient and final end.
***
It had started innocently enough. Tony and Bruce were wandering through one of the corridors, chatting about something science related. Not that Loki had been really paying attention, too focused on the moment. He appeared in a flash of green in front of them and strode towards them, snagging the inventor by the arm and propelling him to walk backwards.
Looking thoroughly confused, Bruce only managed to call out haltingly, “Uh, we were talking.”
Loki paused and looked over his shoulder. “I am about to prank my father. Want in?”
Bruce blinked owlishly before firmly deciding he certainly did not. Holding up both hands in surrender. “I’m good.”
As Loki had assumed. But it was bad manners not to at least offer. He nodded and started walking away again, dragging Tony with him who had stopped protesting.
Reading the anticipation thrumming through the trickster, Tony asked, “Is there a particular reason it’s prank time?”
“Court is in session.” Loki said this as if it were obvious.
Frowning in confusion. “It pretty much is every day, right?”
Unless Odin decided otherwise. “It is.”
When nothing more was offered Tony poked his arm with a finger as they walked. “Use your words.”
Loki batted his hand away. “Stop doing that.”
“Loki?”
The trickster froze and turned to regard his mother who just calmly stared back. Tony suddenly felt uncomfortable and gave Frigga a little wave. Not even her insight when it came to her son was necessary in this instance. He was brimming with tension that needed an outlet. When Thor got this way, he sought the training yard. Loki had his own preferences. That he was the God of Mischief made his own method to relax all the more logical.
She huffed an amused sigh. “Try not to annoy your father too much.” Indulgent look in place, she continued on her way.
Tony’s jaw dropped. “Did your mom just…approve you pranking your dad on the throne?”
Replying primly, “Of course not.”
Glancing to the side. “Kinda sounds like approval.”
Shaking his head, Loki waved a hand and started walking again. “She knows she can’t stop me so she no longer tries.”
“Bet she could if she wanted to.” Loki suddenly looked thoughtful. The inventor wasn’t wrong. “Wait, how did she know?”
Chuckling to himself. “She always does.”
A few moments of silence before Tony asked, “So? Why the prank?”
The mage grinned. “It perks up both our day.”
Muttering quietly, “…bet it doesn’t perk it up the same way.”
“Hush. We’re here.”
They both fell silent and crept the rest of the way. Tony whispered, “Now what?”
Loki pressed his finger to his lips and carefully hugged the shadow of the side entrance to the throne room so he could see within without being noticed. Court was in full session, a nice little chunk of the aristocracy missing thanks to the recent evictions. Odin was on the throne, stoic and silent as a petitioner spoke.
He looked rather bored, in Loki’s not so humble opinion.
Not for long.
Silently casting to increase the humidity, he pointed.
Odin blinked with a frown as something wet touched the corner of his cheek. He had fought wars in the pouring rain. He wasn’t about to let it phase him. At least, that was his intention until another drop fell. And another one.
He looked up. He was indoors, the ceiling a good bit of distance above him. Where was the drip coming from?
“Sire?”
Reaffirming his attention on the man before him. “Continue.”
With annoyance the dripping started again. But he wasn’t the only one. The petitioner had paused and touched the top of his head. Other drips further away started, several members of court protesting.
Odin pushed himself to his feet moments before a tile on the ceiling fell. It missed the throne by several feet but Odin thought it prudent to descend from the throne with Gungnir in hand. A good decision it would turn out to be. Two minutes later and the ceiling cracked, water from one of the upper levels started to pour down. Those in court scattered.
Silently Odin glared at the cascading waterfall landing on his throne. It was gold. It wouldn’t harm it. But it was still an annoyance. And given there was little above the throne room, he suspected who was responsible.
He pivoted sharply and walked towards the side corridor. Then he paused for a heartbeat to hear Loki snickering and his mortal friend chuckling nearby.
Shaking his head, Tony asked in confusion, “Why am I laughing? It wasn’t that funny.”
Mischief sparkling in Loki’s eyes. “Does it help if I tell you they currently all have duck feet?”
Tony barked a laugh. “Now that is funny.”
“Loki.”
Both men froze before Loki asked innocently, “Yes, father?”
Odin confronted the pair of them, his face revealing nothing and his tone allowing for no argument. “Clean up your mess before the afternoon’s court session.” Not a request.
Loki shrugged off the tone, observing innocently, “Or you could spend some time mingling with the guests.”
He was not about to concede the possibility in public. “Such a decision does not alter the command.”
Responding stiffly in return. “I expected nothing less.” With a nod Odin left. As soon as he was far enough Loki made a face behind his back. The kind he would make when he was younger and his father wasn’t watching.
Tony snorted, causing Odin to freeze for a moment. Both of them eyed one another with trepidation. Then, without turning, Odin continued and they both started breathing.
“You’re just going to do what he says?”
Loki shrugged loosely. “I do on occasion. Besides, I never intended to leave this for someone else.”
Looking doubtful. “You always clean up after your pranks?”
A pause from the mage, his face going blank before he admitted softly, “It never occurred to me to do so when I was younger.”
“Until when?”
Green eyes flicked away. “Until one time I was complaining about cleaning up one of Thor’s messes and Anya had this look on her face that needed no interpretation.”
A knowing expression. “Just a look?”
Crossing his arms with a grimace. “Then she raked me over the coals about the messes that she and the other palace servants have been forced to clean up after me over the centuries.”
Teasing, but doing so carefully since he knew Loki had a low tolerance for it. “This wasn’t that long ago, was it?”
“Not really, no.”
Tony patted his arm. “Sounds like me and Pep. Y’know, back when I was a selfish asshole.”
Mouth thinning. “Thanks.”
Changing the subject before Loki decided it was time to hex him. “How long will the duck feet last?”
Responding airily as he wandered into the throne room to clean up the water and fix the ceiling. “A couple of hours. They finding grubs and worms irresistible? That lasts considerably longer.”
Tony started giggling.