Part one – Misadventure

"And he was to find it a great thing it was that he had done, too," read Kvasir, "For it was only by means of this passage that Buri escaped from the hands of the giants when they had broken in to the lower halls."

The teacher fell silent and Thor looked up, "Where was it?"

Kvasir closed the book, "No one knows," he leaned back against the desk behind him, the tome still in his hands, "The seeress fashioned it with such skill that it was believed that it would never be found, save by the one whom she had fashioned it for, and, so far as we know, Buri told his secret to no one before his journey beyond the sun."

"What good is it then?" Thor asked, "If we can't find it or use it, then why bother telling us about it at all?"

Loki thought it best to keep his peace. Thor was best undisturbed when in his moods. There would be no stopping him, not until he'd had his say.

"Does it not make a good story?"

"A story?" Thor dropped his hand against the table so hard that the ink bottle Kvasir had set upon it bounced dubiously.

Loki swallowed a groan and closed his eyes.

"What good for the realms is a story? Is our time not better spent?"

"One may learn much of benefit for the future from the tales of the past, Prince. This must be remembered. Loki," Loki didn't twitch. "What did you learn from this story?"

"Groa was a Visenda, was she not?" He didn't bother to open his eyes.

Kvasir sounded pleased, "She was. At least, so far as we can deduce. And why is this of import?"

"Because a Visenda has more potential ability than your average seeress, and thus might create a more powerful passage. She may have had enough power at her disposal for the creation of a portal, even a permanent one."

"Why is this information pertinent now?"

"Because Buri made good her debt to him in that way, and he had to have known of what she was capable."

"So," Thor said slowly, "what you're saying is that we might have an active portal within the very walls of the palace?"

"Indeed." Kvasir said.

Loki opened his eyes. Thor was looking at their teacher, "What good is that information if my great-grandfather took all knowledge of its presence with him to his grave? It's not like there are people we could ask."

"That is true." Kvasir allowed.

"But if Groa was a Visenda," Loki said, "then wouldn't she have demanded the usual payment? Even if her service was rendered to absolve her debt?"

Kvasir smiled, "Very good. Yes. Groa – if she was a Visenda – was sure to have demanded by oath of blood, that the secret be somehow recorded. Usually, it was passed on by word of mouth, often from father to son, or mother to daughter, but, in this case, we have no sign of it."

"Well, if she didn't demand it," Thor exclaimed, "then she wasn't Visenda and there is no portal and this entire discussion is…" he seemed to be searching for the right word, "it's worthless!"

Loki wasn't listening. "Kvasir," he said, sitting up straighter, "You said just now that it was only 'usual' for the secret to be passed on orally. Could it be done in writing?"

"It could, though it required to be done by the recipients own hand – and we have precious little that Buri ever wrote."

"And even less reason to discuss it!" Thor hit the table again.

~.~

"Then I will see you both tomorrow," Kvasir stacked the maps they'd been studying and tapped them against the tabletop. By the time he'd looked up, Loki was already halfway out the door.

Kvasir's brows went up, "Now from you, I'd expect that," he turned to Thor, "but what has he planned?"

"How should I know?" Thor grumbled, pushing himself up and stretching, "The first I know of his plans is a snake in my bed and laughter in the hall."

Kvasir chuckled.

"But for once he is showing some sense. Until tomorrow."

And the elder prince was off.

Kvasir shook his head. Such was the way with boys.

~.~

That selfish, spoiled, brat of a lop-eared pig.

Sif was nearly vibrating with passion as she marched down the hall.

Think he can call me all those filthy names and come away unscathed. I'll show him. I'll show a- "-Oh!"

She only saw him as she hit him.

In her defense, he was coming around the corner directly before her at a remarkable rate, and even if she were watching where she was going she would have been hard-pressed to avoid him.

They collided at such a pace that she barely knew who he was until she was picking herself up off of the floor.

"Loki!" She was untangling herself, trying to find where her feet had escaped her to.

"Sif," Loki was faster, already having straightened, he offered her his hand, which she took, "I should know better than to duck around corners like that. You are unhurt?"

"I'm fine," Sif brushed off the skirt of the tunic she wore. It was unlike Loki – from the little she knew of him, being relatively new to life in the palace – to be so brief and so courteous. His face was flushed and excited. Suspicions peaked, and happy for the distraction from her own grievances, she asked, "What are you rushing off to?"

"I have –" he glanced away, seemingly remembering himself, clearing his throat, "I am looking for something. I've detained you long enough. My apologies for –" he gestured toward the floor, "You know," and went to move away.

Sif caught his arm, "Oh no you don't! You don't just get to knock me over and run off like that. I'm coming with you."

He seemed incredulous. "You have nothing better to do?"

She grinned, "Nothing at all."

He pursed his lips for a moment, then gave her a sharp nod.

Sif caught and held his pace easily, even though his legs were longer. "What are we looking for?"

"A book," he glanced at her, "Still interested?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Loki shrugged.

"Well, what sort of book is it?" she pressed.

"A very ancient one," he said. "One that would have been written in the time of my great-grandfather."

"You don't know what book it is, do you?"

Loki bristled, "If you wish to accompany me, you may. But don't think –"

Sif brushed the words aside with her hands, "What's so important about this book?"

There was a pause, "What book?"

Sif gave him a quizzical glance, "The book we're looking for?"

His voice was faintly acidic and his eyes glittered, "I don't know what book it is."

Sif cuffed him on the shoulder and he shot her a look, "You deserved that," she suppressed a smile, "but I was serious."

When Loki didn't answer, she turned. He was looking at her, all mockery gone from his face. But the look was gone again all in an instant, before she could tell what it had meant, "If we find it," he answered, "I'll show you."