LOKI

"I shouldn't have brought any guards," I groused as we continued down the road, the worryingly observant girl now safely out of sight.

"You're the king of Asgard," Thor replied. "You can't have enough guards. Besides, I told them to stay ahead of us. Even if someone sees them, which I doubt will happen, no one will know they're with us. You have nothing to worry about."

"Well, it doesn't feel that way," I muttered, urging my horse forward.

Thor shrugged. He was infuriatingly calm about this whole affair. Clearly, he didn't understand how important it was that information regarding our arrival did not reach Obsidia. Even if she failed to guess we were after her, she would have the common sense to go into hiding, making our task that much more difficult.

I do not know how long it took us to reach Dagson Castle-it could've taken minutes or hours. It was all the same to me, as I spent the entire time glancing over my shoulder. I could've sworn I heard the flap of a cape behind me, but when I turned there were only shadows. Thor had replied my mind was just playing tricks on me when I'd pointed it out to him.

"Finally," he grunted as the clipping of our horses' hooves over the road stopped. I stared at the large stone arch marking the entrance to the castle, currently closed off by heavy metal grillwork and two armed guards. Thor dismounted to explain to them our purpose, but the soldiers we had sent ahead of us must have already done so, for we were let through without resistance.

As we headed into a spacious courtyard, I observed the layout of the castle. Two staircases on either side of the space led up to a second story, and a set of wooden doors were inlaid into the stone at the far end of the square. To the left was a large, rectangular building, presumably the stables. A stablehand rushed out to take our horses. He had clearly just woken, as he stifled a yawn in the middle of addressing us.

In front of the doors stood our two guards, a young woman, and a figure who could only be Kispin Dagson. I leapt down from my horse, glad to be on flat ground again. I'd surely be sore tomorrow from the long day of riding. Judging by the position of the moon, it was around midnight, and we had started our journey early in the morning.

Although I was beginning to grow exhausted, I forced myself to stay alert. I studied the lord who had summoned me here. He was tall, with pale skin. Dagson was reasonably handsome, his blonde hair yet to turn gray. I assumed the woman standing to his left was his daughter, as they both shared the same piercing blue eyes.

The girl's eyes stood out against her dark hair and skin. They were both dressed in finery, in stark contrast to our dusty riding clothes. Kispin was wearing long, white robes embellished in gold. They covered his feet, which were surely clad in equally fine shoes, and the wide sleeves hung loosely from his arms, which he now clasped behind his back. His daughter was dressed in red velvet, her gown accented with a design of silver leaves. I took note of her excessively low neckline and the demure smile she gave me.

"My lord," Kispin greeted, bowing his head. The girl followed his example, lifting up her thick skirts to curtsy. "What a pleasant surprise. I had no idea that you would be so gracious as to personally reply to our plea for help."

"Yes," the girl agreed. "How kind of you to come." She had a soft, pleasant voice.

Kispin shot her a frown, and I got the sense that this entire conversation had been scripted beforehand. "This is my daughter, Una. I can see that you have traveled far to help us, so she can show you to your rooms now. While we have much to discuss about the….problem, I am sure you will want to rest first."

"We thank you for your hospitality," I replied smoothly. Thor beamed amiably at the pair.

Una hesitated, looking to her father. When he gave her a nod, she turned back to us with a smile. "Right this way, my lords," she said, gesturing to the staircase on the left.

Thor immediately struck up a conversation with her as we moved towards the stairs. "I am surprised you and your father were up at such a late hour. I hope our arrival did not wake you."

"Nonsense!" Una laughed, although I could tell her good-naturedness was faked. "It was the least we could do after the mightiest warrior in all the nine realms and the king of Asgard deigned to visit our humble town."

I held back a rather un-kingly snort. Una's words were so obviously forced that I abstained from even speaking to her. I would surely get another previously rehearsed reply if I tried. Instead, my attention was drawn to the lavish interior of the castle. Torches hung on the walls, casting light on the golden wallpaper and soft, thick carpet we walked on. Paintings and decorations were hanging everywhere I looked, and any free space, which was scarce, was taken up by lifelike marble statues of previous Dagsons.

"And this is my great grandfather," Una continued, pointing out a stern-looking bust to Thor. I realized she was giving him a history lesson and tuned back in in case any useful information was given. "He was a general-one of Odin's favorites."

"Ah yes, I had heard my father speak of him," Thor agreed. "General Alfarin. He fought against the Frost Giants side by side with Odin."

"Oh!" Una laughed nervously. "Yes, yes-the Frost Giants. Yes. Our family has, uh, always strived to protect Asgard from those...monsters."

Thor glanced back at me, apparently worried that this slight against my heritage would anger me. However, I was much more interested in our guide's reaction to the mention of Frost Giants. I knew how to pick out a liar, and she certainly was one. I did not know what to make of it currently, but I silently vowed to find an answer during our stay.

"Well, my lords, here are your rooms," Una informed us, her skirts swishing as she came to a halt. She gestured towards two adjacent doors before bidding us a good night. Thor smiled at her as she left.

As soon as she was safely out of earshot, I turned to him. "You know she was-"

"Lying?" he finished, raising an eyebrow. "I am not nearly as dense as you would believe, Brother. It is clear she has something to hide about her relationship with the Frost Giants."

I could not keep the surprise from my face. "You didn't seem to be showing any of this suspicion when you were so eager to speak to her."

"And if I had not made up for your silence, we never would have discovered her secret," Thor pointed out. "Although you must find it quite hard to believe, being polite can, in fact, be helpful." With this veiled insult at my impropriety, he disappeared into his room. Scowling, I did the same.