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Prologue

The day before Prince Thor's coronation, Prince Loki, son of Odin, walked the path to the training arena, deep in thought. Just barely south and west of the palace, the arena stood tall and grand. The grandeur that made the palace breathtaking to any outsider had the same effect on this place. A large circular stone, about twenty Midgardian feet in diameter, sat in the middle of the ovular arena that was floored with soft dirt. The training area was scattered with different equipment, though the stone was clear except for two warriors who were currently training with swords on it. Men that had tried and failed to conquer Lady Sif lay in the stands on either side of the stone groaning in pain, while holding various body parts that had been damaged in their fight. Lady Sif, the warrior goddess, was deep in the heat of the battle that she so loved.

Loki did not recognize her opponent, though, as he observed the two women. The unknown warrior was quite skilled, more so than he would have expected from any woman of Asgard beside Lady Sif. As Lady Sif's fighting style was fiery and aggressive, this unfamiliar woman was casually effective. It seemed she was not trying to avoid Lady Sif's sword until just the right moment when she would lift her own to prevent the blow, using the minimum amount of energy required to defend herself. Such elegance and grace was not seen in many of low status, he noted.

He watched the two for a while from the shadows so as not to be seen. He hid because, had he stood in the open, someone surely would have attempted conversation with him, and he did not very much feel like speaking. He was usually found in his quarters reading or practicing magic, if not out and about causing mischief. Mischief was not his purpose today, though. He simply needed to be free of his usually cozy chambers for they had become, as they did on occasion, boring to him. He had been walking to wherever his feet took him, and it seemed they fancied it here.

Suddenly, like a snake, the unknown warrior struck out with her sword to the left of Lady Sif's head. Lady Sif blocked the blow easily, but before she could fit in a retaliating strike, the nameless warrior slid underneath her and knocked the Lady's feet out from under her. The warrior stood quickly, before Sif could, and kicked the Lady's sword away from her, the woman's own weapon pointed at Sif's neck. For a few moments, the arena was silent. Then both women began to laugh and the nameless warrior helped Sif to her feet, letting her sword drop to her side.

"Always a challenge with you! I enjoy our sparring very much."

"As do I Sif." The unknown smiled at Sif from under perfect, long, black hair and a pale complexion.

She rolled her right shoulder, as though it we're sore, and frowned. Lady Sif saw her friend's actions and her face showed concern.

"Are you alright, May?"

"Yes, yes I am fine. Or I will be momentarily." As she said this she waved her left hand over her shoulder and muttered something. Loki felt the power roll off her form before she moved her shoulder again and smiled.

"See? I'm fine, Sif. Thank you for your concern."

Lady Sif merely nodded.

"I must return to the palace now, friend. I wish I could stay longer to spar with you more, but I fear next time it will be more than just my shoulder."

Lady Sif smiled and bent to pick up her sword that had been kicked away.

"Yes, I believe it is a good time for both of us to retire from training today. I will see you tomorrow, yes?"

"I will come again tomorrow to practice with you, yes."

"Very good! Farewell then!"

"Until tomorrow, Lady Sif." May said as she walked away.

May. So this must be the Allamay woman that he heard people chattering about in the palace. He had heard of her skill but never given her much thought, for favor of causing trouble, studying, or practicing magic and battle skills.

Loki watched as Lady Sif walked away to replace her sword in the equipment room. As he turned to walk back to the palace, he saw Allamay's sword turn to mist in her hand and disperse itself into the surrounding air. He smiled at the magic before turning himself to smoke to float back to his chambers through a window on the highest floor of the palace.