Chapter 2
Kasey's POV:
It probably was madness. But my pride had already had its say, and there was no going back. I had something to prove – not only to Thor, but to myself and my entire adopted homeland. I remember the determination in my mind, and an ever-so-slight hardening of my heart. And for some stupid reason, those were the things I chose to listen to. That's what made me risk life and limb and the two people who meant all the world to me.
Narrative:
"This is madness," Loki grumbled, stuffing a spare cloak into a backpack and tying it shut.
Kasey stepped out from behind a changing screen; she'd traded in her dress for her boots, a tight pair of brown pants, a blouse and brown tunic, and a hooded cloak. She pulled on a pair of black gloves, as dark as the cloak. She wore a belt with a dagger at her waist.
"Will you stop grumbling, brother. We'll be fine."
Thor pulled on his own cloak and picked up his pack. "Now, we're allowed to leave as soon as the feast is over, which judging by the sounds, just happened a few moments ago. We'll need the earliest start possible and we'll have to pack light."
"What about our flag? The family flag is our signature to enter the contest."
"Loki, Odin puts on the race. Our flag's been up for days!"
"Are you two going to argue all night, or are we going to go any time soon?" Kasey pulled her bow and quiver across her shoulders and stood waiting at the door.
Loki glanced at Kasey and she felt a prick in her mind, like doubt mixed with fear, a tiny warning. But she pushed the thought away and looked back at him expectantly. Finally he nodded in silent resolution and joined his brother at the door.
They snuck out of the palace and off the grounds, drifting as silent as shadows. At the edge of the palace grounds, Thor stopped abruptly. They'd nearly crashed into Sif and her father, who stood debating the course ahead – several routes could be taken and each team had to decide which path best suited them. Finally, they were off. And Thor motioned ahead again.
He led them confidently across an open field, moving softly with the twilight breeze. Kasey soon recognized the foothills and cliffs looming ahead. As adventures go, this wasn't so bad. By dawn, they had reached the base of the great cliffs.
A sign stood at the base of their climb.
Kasey read: "This is the path you chose, but is it right? If you continue on, there will be little light. Take heed this warning before going on; perhaps it's better to cross the great pond."
"One of Odin's riddles," Thor scoffed. "It's meant to make us doubt our choice."
"When has Odin cared for riddles?" Loki countered. "It's mother making sure the teams play to their strengths."
"What's the last bit, Kasey?"
"On this path you will come to a round room with no doors and no windows. The only things you have are a table and a mirror. These are your only means of escape. Use them well."
"Oh, great help. Great help." Thor muttered as they started climbing.
Kasey started up just behind him, glancing back to Loki. "What do you think? Bridge?"
"Sounds like it," he agreed.
"What bridge?" Thor called back. He paused to give Kasey a hand up onto a ledge, but she shouldered past, hauling her body up.
"The first obstacle must be a bridge," she gasped. The sun was nearly up and even here in the mountains she was starting to feel its warmth.
"You two do know that a bridge is a solution, not a problem?"
"Depends on whether it's already there or not."
"How could it not be?"
Kasey looked back at Loki, but all she got from him was a shrug. They followed Thor in silence for several minutes, their path turning them away from the sun and higher into the mountain crags.
At last they came to a stop on a wide ledge. A huge hole gaped out in front of them, separating them from the path beyond.
Thor stared in disbelief. "So much for your foolish riddle! There isn't even a bridge here!…Perhaps we can make the jump."
"And perhaps you'll like your broken neck," Kasey snapped. "We have the tools for the bridge, remember?"
She looked at Loki beside her, who nodded. "A table and a mirror," he recalled. "Look in the mirror to see what you saw…"
"Use the saw to cut the table," Kasey went on. "The two halves will make a hole."
"Climb out the hole."
Thor looked at them like they'd lost their minds. "Am I the only one who does not see a table or a mirror?" he demanded.
Kasey sighed. "Thor, you see things far too literally! Your eyes reflect what you see."
"The stone is our table," Loki put in.
"Therefore, we make the bridge from stone! It's simple."
"Exactly how do we do it?"
"You wait back there beside the wall," Kasey pointed back to where they'd came. "And let us make the stone whole."
Kasey looked down at the disk of stone they stood on and started to focus her magic. For the first time since leaving the palace, she felt unsure of herself. "Do you think we can do this?"
Loki examined the stone then glanced back at their target. "No idea. It's quite large. But we'll have a go, eh?"
Working together, they channeled their energies to slowly part the stone disk in two. Kasey kept her mind focused on the slab and on Loki's movements beside her. As he moved, so did the far tip of the stone. She kept mostly still, only turning her body slightly to follow him. Moments later, the rock touched down on the other side of the gap. As Kasey let go of her end, she heard the resounding boom echo through the mountains around them.
"And that is how you make a bridge from a mirror."
