THEIR GOVERNESS says Loki shouldn't ask that question.

"Why not? Our article doesn't say what the Giants did."

The warmth in her eyes of surreal wheat meadows ignites into a whole field of fire. "Darling princeling, you have not experienced the incomparable monstrosity of the Jotnar."

"Well have you?" Seated next to him with a bored-as-death look, Thor punches his shoulder. "Ow!"

"Shut up already. I have training to finish."

A 400-year-old Loki flattens out the last phase of his curly black tresses. "I just want to know."

Thor shoves his own wavy blond locks behind his ears as he flicks a pencil between his fingers. "Volstagg's told us why. Why do you need to know again?"

"Volstagg's also told us that the Norns drink our blood on nights we don't dream."

Thor tosses shade at him. "That is because they do, cow. I proved it."

Loki nearly punches his arm. "How many times do I need to tell you I pricked your finger?"

"Did not! You were sound asleep."

"By illusion!"

Their governess snaps both of their hands with her ruler. "Quiet down, both of you. Your little brother wishes to have the legend explained, Thor, so I shall explain. All the better that you know for your assignment, no?"

Little Loki stares with wide, expectant eyes. Little Thor grumbles in his throat and crosses pouting arms.

"The Frost Giants used an Infinity Stone to wreak havoc on Midgard. Why? you may ask, and why is because they are vile creatures. They seek nothing but their own gain and spilled blood. If it were not for Bor the Great—may endless joy bless him—we would all be nothing more than playthings to those monsters of ice.

"You have never laid eyes upon one, Loki darling, but when you do, you will understand how much truth is in what I speak."

The younger nibbles on his lip until he gains the courage to voice his curiosity again. He interrupts her explaining their assignment: "Wait." Thor face-palms. "Could you just explain what one looks like?"

Her porcelain lips curl into a foreboding, twisted grin while endless patience flows through the young skin of her face.

"How about I tell you the story of the wretched King Laufey's Queen?" She closes her teaching book and leans closer to the pair of roused princes before her. "They say King Laufey contrived a plot with the unsuspecting crowned Prince of the Dark Elves. The prince was told to bury mementos of the Giants, including a chest hiding the runt of Laufey itself. In exchange, the Dark Elves learned the powers of the Casket of Ancient Winters. Then, he haggled a trading deal with us Aesir: he would forfeit the Casket and cease terrorizing Midgard if the men cleared away the mess of the Elves.

"The Aesir found the dreaded infant drowned in black snow—you will learn of it next decade—and Laufey ruled the Aesir responsible. Thus, the war between the Giants and Aesir began. Queen Farbuti, a world bender, courted revenge for her infant, but her own anger warped her skills; the Void she created to destroy Asgard consumed her instead. Now, she traps the ankles of young princes of Elves and Aesir when they swim to avenge her little beast."

For a moment, the room is too stifled to move, but in time Thor raises a timid hand. "Yes, darling?"

"But-but he already died…and it wasn't us who killed it. Why does she still want to kill us?"

"Because, my princeling, her kind has always wanted to kill, but now her black spirit has an excuse. Monsters are killers without pardon; monsters is what the Jotnar are. Never forget that."


Dossier published in full length at home: allerdale. wordpress. com.
Thanks to RavenReux for being my second pair of eyes throughout.