Flight
Chapter 7—Gambit
Disclaimer: I do not own the Thor, Loki, or the Avengers. They belong to Marvel/Disney.
Asgard
The shining realm was playing host to a delegation from Alfheim. Abroen, rider of Gallanr, knew diversionary tactics when he saw them. Queen Frigga was pleasant company indeed, but she kept putting him off. A week they'd been in Asgard, and he still had not the answers he sought. Now, he was standing in her chambers, Gallanr out in the queen's garden, napping under the fitful winter sun. Abroen stood, hands behind his back, gaze on the Allfather's queen as she talked quietly with the Lady Sif. His elven ears could hear them, but he couldn't make out what they were discussing. Magic was involved, as he could feel it slide against his skin as he'd entered the queen's rooms for his audience.
A week they'd been in Asgard, and were still the talk of the city and the realm. Three riders a dragonback flying down the Bifrost would be talked about for a long time, Abroen figured. The dragons of the Ljolsafar rarely left Alfheim. They weren't exactly a secret, but the riders of that realm were private, and stayed out of the limelight. Thousands of years before their numbers were higher, but they'd dwindled over the centuries. Plenty of eggs, just not enough people suitable to hatch for picky dragonets.
An egg was part of the reason why he was in Asgard. Abroen's mission to Asgard was twofold—find out what happened to the egg given to Asgard, and learn the truth, if any, of the rumors coming out of the realm eternal. Whispers had it the Allfather slumbered. Neither he nor his sons had been seen in months. Rumor had it Thor, the heir, was exiled and the second son gone with him.
And the dragons. . .the dragons impressed the people of Asgard, and it took much to impress the Aesir. His own Gallanr wasn't the largest dragon in Alfheim, but she was the biggest of the three sent to Asgard. Andriel's Zayan and Nivan's Halad were both males, and smaller than Gallanr. Abroen and his partner were chosen for the task because he was trustworthy, and he had a gift for observation. He was a quiet man by nature, less likely to cause a conflict than one of the hotter-tempered riders, and the fact he was brother-in-law to the queen of Alfheim didn't hurt either. His wife, Halleah, was sister to the queen, and also a rider. Abroen had no use for the intrigues of court and little patience for it besides. Patience that usually held him in good stead, but not now.
Representing his king and queen was one thing, but his interest in the egg given to Asgard was of more import personally than what was going on with that realm's royal family. He was concerned, because a weakening Asgard meant potential chaos and harm to the other realms, including his own. No, he was representing the Council of Riders, also. The hatchling given to Asgard and its partner were his responsibility. He and Gallanr were teachers. They were tasked with training up newly matched pairs, teaching them everything they needed to know to function as a rider and dragon should, and to teach them the lore and the gravity of what they were accepting.
He couldn't reckon what the king and head of the council were thinking—just giving away a dragon egg. His interest in the egg was personal as well, for it was one of Gallanr's hatching, and he and his dragon were the ones to bind the hatchling within, warding her so she would hatch only for the right person. The egg did hatch. He always knew when they hatched. One of his dragon-given gifts. He wondered what kind of gift the hatchling bestowed on her partner. Abroen only hoped they were faring well.
The female warrior finally left, leaving Abroen alone with the queen.
"I've waited long enough, Lady Frigga," he said. "Why didn't anyone alert us the egg had hatched? And who did she choose?"
"My son, Loki," Frigga said.
Ah, so not the golden son, the heir. Abroen smiled. "I did not think the dragon-child would pick your elder son, as everyone assumed. Your younger son is a mage, and much trusted by his father for his counsel, correct?"
"Yes," Frigga said.
"Then why is he not here?"
"Loki has left Asgard," Frigga said.
Abroen crossed his arms, lips pursed.
Well, what a fine predicament he found himself in. "Why didn't you send for us? If he's gone, we could 've tracked him. How far do you think he went with a hatchling in tow?"
"Far enough to evade Heimdall's sight, and my own," Frigga said. "Loki does not want to be found."
"We could try to find him," Abroen said. "Although searching the other realms might prove difficult."
"My warriors have tried, and came back with nothing," Frigga said.
"Which realms?"
"Alfheim, Vanahaim, even Svartalfheim," Frigga said.
"What of Nidaveller?" Abroen asked.
"Loki is banned from from ever setting foot there again, on pain of death," Frigga said. "He has no love for the dwarves."
"Jotunheim?" Abroen said.
"No," Frigga said. "I think not. He wouldn't. . ."
"Why not?" Abroen said. "All things considered, the simplest solution is often the best, or the most obvious."
Yes, Loki would go to Jotunheim, when he'd just found out he was Jotun, and not to mention the fact Asgard was on the brink of war with them. Except Laufey had been unusually quiet for months. No threats, no incursions, no communication at all. No, it really couldn't have been that obvious all along, could it? Not when Loki was involved.
"Why didn't you come sooner?" Frigga asked, changing the subject.
"Ellead thought we should wait," Abroen said. "He respects the Allfather. Speaking of Odin, is it true he's fallen into his slumber once again?"
"Yes," Frigga said, sitting down.
Abroen sat down beside her, taking her hands in his own. "It's a heavy burden you bear, my lady," he said. "I'll send word to my king, see if he will make some rangers available to search. Maybe they would have more luck."
Frigga nodded.
"Now that's settled, did you know many of your people think our dragons are mindless beasts we tamed for our amusement?" Abroen asked.
"I heard what happened with Fandral," Frigga said.
One of the Asgardians, a pretty warrior named Fandral, while flirting and trying to earn favor with Andriel, had asked how they tamed the beasts, not expecting to learn they were sentient. Needless to say the flirtation ended quickly.
"Zayan won't leave the poor man alone," Abroen said. "He keeps telling him he will make a snack of him yet."
"I take it Zayan has quite the sense of humor?" Frigga asked.
"Yes," Abroen said. "Most in Gallanr's line do."
"Your dragon is Zayan's mother?" Frigga said.
"Yes. Zayan is of one of Gallnr's hatchings, as is the egg that hatched for your son," Abroen said. "Gallanr's mate is Duran, the dragon of my wife, Halleah."
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Jotunheim
Loki rushed to Byleistr's side, Isond helping roll the giant onto his back. Loki felt his neck for a pulse, and it was rapid and weak. Blood still poured from the would on Byleister's chest, and Loki placed his hand over it, pressing down. It helped stabilize the broken ribs, and lessened the flow of blood. Loki tried pouring his magic into the wound to heal it, but it felt. . .wrong. Byleistr's energy felt corrupted with a taint Loki had never experienced.
What can we do? Isond asked.
"I'm trying to heal the wound, but it's not working," Loki said. "I should be able to do this. I've done it so many times before, but Isond, it feels like Byleistr's been poisoned, but not with anything I've ever seen. Help me get him inside, would you?"
Before the pair of them could move, they heard a crack like lightning. Wisps of blue smoke licked the air around the two beings now standing a few yards away. One was Jotun, holding a scepter. The other being was unlike Loki had ever seen. The Jotun approached, the being beside him staying a few steps back.
The Jotun was Laufey, his father.
Laufey hesitated, breath catching in his throat. His heir, Farbauti's child, standing before him, and it was almost like seeing a ghost. The small Jotun had his nose and chin, but there the similarities stopped. Laufey knew he was slender for a Jotun, but Farbauti had been more slender still, but a fierce warrior despite his thinner build, which his heir shared. The boy was almost the same rich blue as Farbauti, and had his eyes, and the same defiance shined through.
The Jotun king watched as the boy put himself between his father and Byleistr. Laufey smiled, and his hesitation lasted only a moment.
"Greetings son," Laufey said, striking him.
The blow sent Loki flying, and he was slow to get back on his feet. He split blood as he stood.
"I'm not your son," Loki said.
"Good. We understand each other," Laufey said. "You just might prove useful to me after all. But you'll still die, in the end, as was and will be your fate."
"I make my own destiny," Loki said.
"Brave words from a runt," Laufey said. "I tire of this discourse."
This time, he aimed the scepter in his hands at Loki, and he barely dodged. Isond put herself between the two men, trying to shield Loki. But the thing with Laufey suddenly appeared behind Loki, restraining him. Loki fought to get free, but he couldn't move, and Isond was bound as well.
"The Other has ways of doing things that reach beyond my understanding," Laufe said, walking over. "Apparently there's a bond between you and the beast. He's using it to hold you both in place, as if you had not noticed. Struggle and the pain will become unimaginable. Not that it matters anyway, because soon all you will know is pain."
Loki screamed as the blade entered his chest, and he looked down, expecting blood, but there was none. He felt the blade in his body, felt and heard the crunch of bone as Laufey twisted it. And he screamed again, Isond's roars soon drowning out the sound of his own voice, until there was nothing but blackness.
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Utgard
Byleistr woke with a start. He was in one of the healing chambers, and he was not alone. Laufey stood nearby, watching him.
"Why didn't you let me die?" Byleistr asked.
"You still might prove useful," Laufey said. "As you did today."
"Where is Loki?" Byleistr said, standing.
"He is none of your concern," Laufey said. "Consider yourself lucky to be alive and move on. The Other healed you. Be grateful I've given you this much, Byleistr."
"Whatever you have planned, you will fail," Byleistr said.
"Your conviction is admirable, but as usual, you are wrong," Laufey said.
"Am I?" Byleistr said. "You say you want to restore our world, but instead of showing remorse and appealing to the Allfather for help, you seek war and vengeance. How is that going to change anything?"
"I will take back what is rightfully mine," Laufey said. "The Other has promised me the help I need to accomplish my goals."
"Restoring Jotunheim doesn't have to involve war," Byleistr said. "There are those among your people who still follow the old ways. Your sacrifice would bring prosperity back to Jotunheim."
"I have no intention of joining my ancestors yet," Laufey said.
"A pity," Byleistr said.
"You lack the courage to kill me yourself, yet see yourself as my potential replacement," Laufey said.
"I don't want the throne," Byleistr said. "And I am not a monster like you. Because of you the other realms regard us as monsters. Savages. They fear us."
"Rightfully so," Laufey said.
"Whatever goodness you had died with Farbauti," Byleistr said, hoping to end the discussion.
Laufey said nothing.
"I'll never forgive you," Byleistr said.
"I neither need nor desire your forgiveness and pity," Laufey said. "Get out of my sight. Helblindi's been calling for you."
Byleistr clenched his jaw, trying to think of something else to say, but he didn't. He walked away, knowing Helblindi needed him. The boy was terrified of Laufey and didn't tolerate well other Jotun besides Byleistr and a select few the big warrior entrusted with his youngest brother. Helblindi was like Loki—small, tiny for a Jotun of his age, but he was healthy, and the healers said he was the size of a normal child the same age from the other realms. He was just a runt, everyone said, but he was Byleistr's reason for living.
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