Departure
The rising sun warmed my wings as I flew steadily toward the tangled woods of the Svartald. I soared high, aware that I was likely being watched by many Aesir. There were still plenty of issues that needed to be worked out in the treaty, but the formal announcement of peace between our people had been made the day before and Aizerue decided that the sight of a dragon flying overhead would help to indicate our benevolent intent. E had warned me to be careful, however, since there could be discontented holdouts that might see an opportunity to make their opinions known. I was alert, well-shielded, and maintaining an illusion that kept my image offset from where I actually was by several yards, just in case.
My passenger, on the other hand, was under a shroud of invisibility. It had been agreed that while his absence from Asgard was public knowledge, it would be a good idea to keep his method of traveling between realms quiet. We’d also decided not to hide ourselves from Heimdall—at least, until we’d entered the forest.
“So, how will your absence be explained?” Loki asked as we flew.
“I won’t be gone for long, officially.” A chuckle vibrated through my body. “An illusion of me went with Aizerue and Malalik into the Bifrost chamber to report home about Tyr’s execution. When they get to Nastrond, one of our stand-ins will be grafted with the Aesir form I used and brought back in my place. I’d be very surprised if anybody who wasn’t told about the switch noticed any difference.”
He was silent for a while, and although I was curious what he was thinking I couldn’t see his aura, and didn’t want to disturb his thoughts. I didn’t mind the quiet, as I was enjoying the flight, the first chance I’d had to stretch my wings over any real distance for some time.
“I feel…” He took a deep breath, then laughed a little. “Confused,” he continued. “I don’t really know who I am any more. All my life, I’ve followed this path… with some side ventures, yes, but they didn’t change the thread of knowing who I was, what I was going to be, what my relationship was to the most important people in my life. In the last handful of days, all of that has been entirely upended, in ways that I never could have imagined even a month ago.”
I couldn’t help a sinking sense of responsibility for his turmoil, which of course he immediately felt through the link I’d given him. His hand stroked my neck in a soothing gesture. “Never imagine that you didn’t do the right thing,” he said firmly. “You gave me the truth, and my freedom. I don’t know what I would have become if I’d stayed on that path, but I cannot help the feeling that it would not have ended well or happily for me.”
My spirit soared as I brought us down to land among the great trees on the outskirts of the Svartald. He slid off my back and I shifted into my Aesir guard form, possibly for the last time. Loki took my hand, grinning up at me, and I smiled back. He kissed the back of my hand, eyes dancing, and we set off into the forest, finding a new path to follow.