Sif looked up as Fandral entered the room at the final stroke of three, the true witching hour of the Asgardian night. Volstagg was already seated there, filling his bottomless stomach and looking rather anxious to be conniving in such an Inn as this. Sif put a hand on her blade when she checked outside the door and then outside the windows. Clear. Thank the Norns that no one had made a scene on the way in either. Still, this needed to be done quickly and fashionably.

"Close the door."

Everybody waited until they sat down before even thinking of speaking. Sif would go first since Thor wasn't there.

"A spy I have sequestered reports that Loki and the surveying company art now on Alfheim. This means he is among the Light Elves, and he shall likely receive a banquet for the sake of banqueting," Sif said as she twirled a knife on the table out of nervous habit.

Fandral snorted. "Typical Light Elves...not that I would complain. Tis nothing wrong with a bit of jovial fun, in my opinion."

"Apparently, our impressions of Loki as a fool-hardy tyrant are not wholly correct. He hath been keeping excellent records and keeping up with the business of the realm. But there is some concern from the spy that tis most unusual."

Volstagg and Fandral leaned forward slightly in their chairs, bracing themselves for the worst.

"Tis some speculation that Loki is keeping a maiden for himself in the camp."

"That foul-" Fandral snarled angrily. "Of course he is! He is a Jotun demon!"

Sif winced at his loud voice. They weren't supposed to be drawing attention. "Be at peace, Fandral. The maid seems to be in good health, though not very bright by any standard. They say she tis Aesir in appearance."

"And this spy?" Volstagg demanded. "They art trustworthy?"

"Indeed. I vow by the very hair of Odin AllFather's beard. Speaking of the AllFather, have we found any evidence of his life force still in existence? Any hope for Asgard?"

"Nay. Neither I nor Heimdall can find any sign of him. Loki has no doubt used his masterful trickery once again," Fandral sighed heavily. "I fear the worst."

"Have faith, old friend," Volstagg smiled merrily though Sif could see something wary in his eyes. "As long as Thor lives, tis always hope for Asgard."

For a while, the room was silent.

Surely they were all remembering their companion and the betrayal they felt when he left them. How could their beloved friend leave them for just one plain mortal woman? That day weighed heavily on them, but they still missed their Thunderer despite their feelings of betrayal. Sif especially missed that large grin and the way his brow furrowed when he thought on somethings. His heart was set more so on the mortal species than her though, so Sif was slowly learning to move on from Thor to more successful sorts of pursuits. Of all the people Thor could have had, he chose the one woman that would leave him for Valhalla before the rest of them.

"How long hath he been away?" Fandral asked absentmindedly.

"Eighty-six suns," Sif said without hesitation.

"I worry for him."

"We all fear for Thor," she murmured. "We must hope that our spy can find something we can use. I do not think I shall be able to bear seeing him again…or letting him leave."

"Nay," Volstagg said with a determined look in his gaze. "Neither could I."

"What dost thou suggest?" Fandral inquired.

"Tis a man who I once knew well. He is an assassin by trade and-"

"Thou jests!"

"Nay."

They were all silent as they weighed their options. Either they could rely on Sif's spy to continue to relay information, or they could use Volstagg's assassin to take out the problem altogether. Loki was so volatile in his attitude and his mood though that the choice was becoming clearer to the quartet. They had to get rid of Loki now instead of later. Even if it caused political turmoil, they could still save the Nine realms this way.

"Fine. Send for thine spy. Tell him to attack on Alfheim when he deems it proper. Dismiss."