Chapter 8
Loki frantically used his hands to dig; pushing through dirt; pulling away stone. He had noticed the large crack in the floor upon his first night in the cell, but never thought much of it. Just more neglect from the nobles. He did pause to think once about hiding books or small treasures inside it; but it was not large enough then.
He stopped digging and saw back, panting softly. His hands hung at his sides; raw, bleeding, caked in dirt and rock. What was once the small crack between stones had become a gapping hole.
He let himself smile; proud of the fact that he had done something, so physically painful, without the use of magic (though he had no choice in the matter). His gaze shifted to the dying plant that lay across the cold floor. And just as he was about to lift it, when two voices caught his attention.
"She attempted to escape?" One voice asked.
"Yes, but it was a foolish attempt." Another voice answered.
Loki recognized that the voices belonged to Ragnar and Torsten; the guards who stood watch over him. Those two were always speaking gossip- but this felt different somehow; they seemed secretive.
"Where is she now?" Ragnar spoke in a hushed voice; Loki felt himself leaning closer to the bars.
"She is contained." Torsten answered. "Anundr has her locked in her chambers. She won't be escaping again."
"And what if she does?" Ragnar asked.
"We stop her." Torsten answered, glancing back toward the doorway. "By any means necessary."
Loki's eyes widened, and it was all he could do not to scream at the guards. But he knew better- he knew this was a plot against him; and he could not reveal that he knew. His head went to Sigyn, and he suddenly smiled.
Does this mean… yes! She did not want to leave! She does not hate me.
Then he paused.
Yes this meant that Sigyn did not hate him, but in turn it meant that she was in trouble. And Loki knew not what to do.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Ingrid watched as Sigyn paced across the floor; she slowly sipped her wine. "Sigyn, there has got to be something else we can try." She spoke, trying to calm her panicking friend. Though, clearly nothing was going to get them out of this room- Ingrid knew it and Sigyn knew it.
Sigyn looked over at her. "We've just got to run!"
Ingrid's eyes widened. "Run? Run straight out of this room! They'll surely catch us!"
"Well we have to try!" Sigyn snapped at her.
Ingrid placed her wine on the table and stood. She walked to her friend and lightly took her hand in hers. "Sig, I have never once questioned you." She spoke, her words sincere. "I have trusted every decision you have ever made, and I will always trust you." she paused; Sigyn silently waited, her green eyes frantic. "But this… I hate Anundr just as much as you, and I hate what he is doing. But are you sure you want to take these risks? Just to see Loki?"
Sigyn gave Ingrid's hand a light squeeze, "I know you do not understand it; you do not see it yet. But Loki is no monster. He…" she paused again, feeling her cheeks blushing. She quickly cleared her throat and turned from Ingrid, hoping to hide her red face. "He is in trouble. So yes, to answer your question. I am sure."
Ingrid watched Sigyn momentarily. She had always been unsure about Loki- and even now that he and Sigyn were… something. Her job, her only job, was to protect and serve Sigyn the best she could. Not just because she was a servant and hand maiden, but because she was Sigyn's best friend.
She slowly returned the light squeeze and smiled at her friend. "Alright."
Sigyn turned to her and smiled.
. . . . .
Loki looked over toward the plant, silently watching it. He wanted nothing more than for what he had done to work. The thought of loosing both Sigyn, and the only thing left to remind him of her, was all too much for him. He slowly watched the green leaves droop toward the ground, the green being so very similar to that of Sigyn's eyes.
Loki turned from the plant, the thought burning through him. His mind still racing around what the guards had said; if she did not ask t be dismissed, then what had happened to her? Loki had this feeling, deep in his gut, that she was in trouble. Though he had no proof, but… was it enough to be kind to the former prince, now a criminal, to be locked away?
"No." He muttered. He feared that this was his fault. Perhaps he should have pushed her away, refused to have her visit. Maybe then she would not be in this situation.
"What have we here?" Torsten suddenly spoke. Loki raised his gaze slightly to meet the guard's. Ragnar stood beside Torsten, both were staring at the plant questioningly.
"I see you replanted it." Torsten spoke again, almost teasingly.
Ragnar turned to him, "Will this change things?"
Torsten shook his head, turning to walk out. Ragnar followed closely. "It matters not. After his display last night, I see no one releasing him from that cell."
Loki's eyes widened slightly, watching the two guards until they slammed the door shut behind them.
"Release… me…?"
. . . . .
Sigyn pulled the tie tightly around her long red hair and looked to Ingrid, giving her a small smile. "Ready?"
Ingrid smiled and gave a nod. "Of course." Though she was no where near ready to risk this much.
Sigyn walked to her, taking her hand in her own. She gently held her hand up to her lips, lightly kissing Ingrid's finger tips. "You are my very best friend."
Ingrid's smile widened. "And you are mine."
"If something should happen, I promise we will be alright." Sigyn spoke, still holding Ingrid's hand tightly in her own. "And if we get separated, I will find you. I will make sure nothing happens to you."
"Please M'lady, do not worry about me." Ingrid said teasingly. She lightly wrapped her other hand around Sigyn's. "Now, let us escape." She added with a wink.
Sigyn let out a soft laugh and slowly released her friend's hands. "Yes, let's." Both girls turned to the large, white door and took a slow, deep breath. Sigyn glanced at Ingrid one last time before both girls ran to the door, swung it open and darted out of the room.
It took the guards less than a second to realize what had happened, and they took off after the girls. But the girls were fast and it took a bit of time to catch up to them; however… they were not quite fast enough. As quick as one guard caught Sigyn, the other caught Ingrid, dragging them as they kicked and screamed back toward the room.
"Stop!" A man suddenly called.
Sigyn looked over, hopeful- but it quickly faded when she saw the man. She turned her gaze to Ingrid- remembering what her friend had told her. Ingrid watched him, her eyes narrowed, filled with hate.
"I suppose you thought it would be easy to escape my guards." He spoke, walking toward the two girls. "Oh… how you were mistaken."
"Anundr…" Sigyn almost growled.
Anundr gave her a smile - a devilish, almost proud smile. "Yes M'lady?"
"You cannot do this! Let us go!" Sigyn snapped, pulling her arm against the guard's tight grip. If only she could get her hands on Anundr…
"I'm afraid you have left me no choice." Anundr said with a sigh. "Perhaps… if you had stayed put, I would not have had to resort to these drastic measures."
Sigyn paused, glancing at Ingrid - who also seemed confused. "What…?"
Anundr looked to the guards, "Take them to the dungeon. Lock them up until this whole ordeal is over with."
Both Sigyn and Ingrid looked at each other, shock filling their faces. This was an outrage! Locking Sigyn in her chambers was one thing but this… this was something unmentionable. How he thought he would get away with this astounded the girls.
"Anundr! You cannot do this!" Sigyn yelled at him, feeling the guard begin to drag her away. "You will be found out!"
Anundr chuckled softly, but said nothing.
"You worthless quim!" Ingrid yelled, disregarding any decorum she may have had left.
Anundr's eyes fluttered to her, his smile fading quickly. "Separate them. Far from each other."
Sigyn's jaw dropped, she could feel the warm tears filling her eyes. "No! You-"
"Bastard!" Ingrid screamed, cutting Sigyn off. She kicked her legs against the guard, but he ignored the pain and held her tight, slowly dragging her off down the hall.
Sigyn reached her hands out, pushing hard against the guard. "Ingrid!" She could see Ingrid reaching out toward her, but there was no way they would reach each other. The space between grew larger as both guards dragged them down opposite halls.
The tears dripped down Sigyn's face, staining her rose cheeks. Her hand slowly dropped, realizing that there was nothing she could do for her friend; realizing that she had broken her promise to protect her. She feared not for herself, she knew that Anundr could not harm her - since she was of nobility. But as for Ingrid… Ingrid was only a mere servant girl to everyone in the palace - and to Anundr she was a nuisance, a trouble… an enemy.
"Pity." Sigyn heard Anundr speak, her watery eyes looked to him. He sent a smile her way. "If only you had stayed put, your friend might not be in this situation."
With his words, Sigyn felt her heart break. He was right… if she had just waited patiently for the test to be over, instead of selfishly risking her friend's safety just to see Loki…
She softly closed her eyes, unable to endure his smile any longer.
