Chapter One
Hertha walked into the nursery, and lifted the baby from his crib holding him in her arms. She had been Bari's nurse for a month and he cooed and gurgled feeling very comfortable with her.
Sigyn walked into the room just as Hertha was about to leave. Sigyn smiled at the woman. "I was just going to take Bari into the gardens, but I see you got here first. Is that where you were going with him?"
Hertha beamed at Sigyn. "Yes, would you like to join us?"
"Of course; it is such a beautiful day. A bit of fresh air will all of us good," Sigyn said and walked with the nurse to the garden.
The two women entered the garden and wandered through the mazes. They were deep within the rose bushes when Hertha grabbed Sigyn by the arm and the three of them disappeared.
~O~
Loki walked into the nursery looking for Sigyn. That was where she said she was going. It was clear that not only was she not there, but neither was his son.
He grinned, his wife had also said she was going to take Bari to the garden. He walked there and began looking for her. "Sigyn, where are you?" He went through many mazes trying to find her. Every so often he would call out her name without a response.
Perhaps, he thought, she went to the library. She liked reading to Bari. Along the way he met up with Dagmar. "Have you seen Sigyn?"
Dagmar bowed before answering. "No, my King, not since this morning."
"Thank you," Loki said and headed for the library. He entered the room. He saw Sigyn's mother, Freya. She was seated in a chair doing needlework. "Freya, have you seen Sigyn?" He asked and walked over to her.
Freya looked up from her needlework. "Yes, she was on her way to the nursery."
Loki shook his head. "I just left there. I have looked everywhere she would normally go. It is as if she and Bari have disappeared. We also seem to be missing Hertha."
A guard rushed into the library and over to Loki. "My King, I have a message for you," he said and handed it to Loki.
Loki read the message aloud. I have your wife and your son. You will never see them again.
Freya dropped the needlework as she rose from the chair. In a shaky voice, she asked, "The Gods, someone has taken them. What are you going to do?" She held Loki's arm with both hands. "You have to get them back."
Loki looked at the guard. "Where did this come from Ake?" He asked as he held up the message.
"A messenger brought it. We have him locked in the guards quarters, my King," Ake answered.
"Good, I will question him momentarily," Loki said.
"Yes, my King." Ake bowed his head and exited the library.
Loki touched Freya's hands. "I will get them back, even if I have to search every realm. When I find them the kidnapper will feel my wrath."
