Verdicts
As king of Asgard, Odin had the authority to make any judgments and decisions he liked without anybody’s approval, and from what I’d seen that was usually the case. On this occasion, the entire council of elders was present, as well as representatives from what I realized were several other powerful groups in Asgard society. I guessed that every noble family was represented as well. The enormous audience hall wasn’t even close to full, but there were at least twice as many people present as there had been at our arrival ceremony. Frigga, Thor, Loki, and the Warriors Four flanked his throne, in positions of honor.
Many members of the audience kept a nervous vigil on Tyr, who stood surrounded by guards, wearing chains and the tattered garments he’d taken to Midgard. He seemed to have been healed from his injuries, but he was leaning covertly on the guards on either side, and I doubt he could have stood unsupported for long. His expression showed only weary bitterness.
After tapping his spear, Odin gave a very brief outlining of why we were there, and what would be decided. I found the retelling of events that followed to be tedious, but kept myself amused watching the reactions of the audience to his unfolding story. Odin skillfully steered the narrative away from awkward complications. Although the elders and representatives were invited to ask questions of their own, they seemed satisfied with the testimony as it was given.
Once the tale had been told more or less in its entirety, the Warriors Four were called before the dais. Each of them was given a medallion and titles of nobility. Fandarel, who was already of noble birth, was given an additional title. Hogun and Sif seemed particularly moved by this gift, and although the concept was rather abstract and meaningless for me, their happiness was contagious.
The mood in the hall darkened as Tyr and his entourage of guards came to stand before the throne. Odin read a list of charges, and then asked each of the representatives whether they thought Tyr was guilty. The answers were unsurprisingly unanimous.
There was a pause, and I wondered if Odin was going to ask for opinions on sentencing, but instead he leaned forward, as though he was addressing Tyr along. “Tyr Borson… my brother,” he said, his voice quiet and heavy. “I had truly hoped that we could be reconciled, that the quiet isolation of your exile would cool your anger. Instead you have used the time you were bestowed to nurture your hatred and conspire against your family and king. I was able to grant you mercy when I sent you to Svartalfheim, but with the evidence of what you have made of that mercy, I have no more to give you.
“Tyr Borson.” Odin raised his head and his voice strengthened. “You will be taken from this hall directly to the Chamber of Termination, where you will be executed as the last sun’s rays illuminate the peak of Asgard. I will bear witness, as will whichever representatives wish to verify the event.” He looked for a moment as if he would say something else, but instead he closed his eye and gestured to the guards, who marched Tyr out of the hall.
Odin didn’t open his eye until Tyr was gone. When he did, he beckoned to Thor, who stepped forward to kneel before the dais. “In light of these events, I have rescinded the banishment of Thor Odinson. Furthermore, given the report of his actions on Midgard, I propose that he consent to a period of training in politics and diplomacy overseen by Queen Frigga. At the end of that time he will be interviewed and tested by the council of elders, and if they approve, he will be reinstated as the heir to the throne of Asgard. Thor, do you consent to this?”
“I do,” Thor said, saluting his father solemnly.
“And do you approve of this plan?” Odin asked the audience. The cheer that went up in response may have been a little reluctant around the edges, but on the whole the people of Asgard seemed happy enough to give Thor a second chance.
“Then I pronounce this—”
“I would like to make a request.”
The audience murmured and parted as Loki strolled forward. He bowed and saluted before the throne, then gripped Thor’s elbow and pulled his brother up to stand beside him.
If I hadn’t been looking for it, I would have thought that I was imagining the very slight shadow of tense wariness that crossed Odin’s face, but his expression was convincingly neutral as he nodded for Loki to continue.
“The duties of the younger heir to the throne have traditionally been to offer wise counsel, be available as a replacement should the elder become unsuitable for one reason or another, and to cause a certain amount of trouble.” Loki’s smile was infectious, especially when aided by his aetheric techniques of persuasion. Whether the manipulation of aetheric threads was a conscious ability or not, I watched the effects on his audience as representatives of noble families chuckled, and saw a few smiles on members of the council of elders. Thor was grinning at his brother like an affectionate puppy. A warm glow of approval suffused Frigga’s aura, and though I knew Loki couldn’t see it, he was certainly aware of her favor. Only Odin remained impassive as he anticipated his adoptive son’s gambit.
“Since I have already demonstrated proficiency in these duties, I request a personal leave of absence from Asgard.” There was a brief murmur of surprise as Loki raised his hand. “As many of you know, I have made no secret of my contention that Asgard’s period of self-imposed isolation must come to an end. We had good reason to withdraw from the other realms when we did, but I believe that there is much mutual benefit that can come from reaching out to them now.” He gestured towards Aizerue, who nodded slightly, recognizing a cue when e saw it. “I have hopes that the treaty with the Niddroghn will be the opening through which a revitalizing stream may eventually pour. Whether you agree with this idea or not, it is certain that my brother will be required to have increased dealings with the other realms when his time comes to rule Asgard, one way or another. And to that end, so that I may give wise advice based on personal observations and sound reasoning, I would like to spend some time visiting and exploring the other eight realms that make up our cosmos.”
“It could be said that you have already done plenty of this, in your travels with your brother and his Warriors,” Odin said dryly.
“On those ventures, I was acting as an official representative of Asgardian interests—more or less,” Loki replied. Thor chuckled, as did a few others in the audience. “I am proposing now to use my skills with magic to make less obvious observations, to broaden my understanding of the peoples of the other realms on a more informal basis, and to see ourselves from their point of view.” Nobody was crass enough to say the word “spying” out loud, but awareness of that subtext flickered through the crowd, earning subtle nods of approval from many.
“And if some situation should arise here that requires your presence?” Odin said. I had the distinct impression that he already knew the answer, but wanted to have it clearly stated.
“In the process of thwarting Tyr’s plans on Midgard, I was able to reclaim Tyrfing, lost these many centuries.” Loki drew the sword and held it up for all to see as several of the elders gasped. “As it shares a bond with its fellow forgemates, Gungnir and Mjollnir, it allows us direct communication across the Realms, as quick as thought. Of course, that’s in addition to having Heimdall find and send the Bifrost to collect me,” Loki added, still smiling. I had wondered if Odin was aware of Loki’s ability to conceal himself from Heimdall’s sight. From the way the king of Asgard was clenching his jaw, it seemed that he was.
“Very well. I grant you use of Tyrfing, since it seems that it has accepted you as its rightful owner, and give you leave to travel the realms as you see fit. I request that you make regular reports to us through Tyrfing, and return to visit your family when you can.”
Loki bowed acknowledgment and stepped back. “Then, if there is no further business…” Odin looked pointedly around the chamber for a moment, then tapped the butt of his spear on the floor. “I pronounce this session at an end.”
As courtiers swirled and chattered around the sides, Odin stood and walked down the steps of the dais. Frigga approached him, setting her hand lightly on his arm, and I could see her aura ripple as she lent some of her energy to her spouse. Loki said something into Thor’s ear, and the brothers bowed as their parents passed them, then fell into place behind them. No discussion among us was needed as we guards moved into formation around Aizerue and Daucus. Each of us needed to witness Tyr’s end, however unpleasant.