A/N: Enter the Enchantress, her sister and the God of War Tyr. By the way all events that will be happening in these next few chapters are based around some older marvel stories regarding the land of Hogan the Grim, the Warrior's Three, and even a certain hammer. Enjoy
Copyright: Loki, Sigyn, Thor, Sif, and all others are property of Marvel Comics, Stan Lee, Larry Leiber, Jack Kirby, Roy Thomason and John Buscame.
Loki hurried down the corridor from his room dressed in his formal attire. It was rare to see the young prince dressed in his green, black and gold uniform. So much so that when some of the handmaids saw him they whispered wondering if a new guest had come into the palace. Loki smirked at their reaction, he knew he looked good. The outfit had been tailor made to fit based on his Mother's orders. It was designed to bring out the best features in her son, specifically his green eyes and lean form. The long gold cape flowed behind him like a ray of sunlight as he moved past the young women, and had to chuckle when they finally realized who was passing, remarking about how mature he looked.
Loki felt rather pleased with himself, almost. His smirk fell when he saw Thor waiting for him at the end of the hall, also dressed in his finest. Just as Loki's uniform was meant to bring out his better features so was Thor's. The blue and silver uniform with gold trim certainly made his muscular figure appear far stronger and brought his blue eyes and blonde hair to the forefront of his smiling face. Loki hated it. Thor always showed him up in some way, fashion seemed to be no exception to this. His red cape shifted as he turned when Loki walked over to him.
"Well I see I wasn't the only one to get the invitation to the costume party," Loki smirked as Thor beamed clapping him on the shoulder, laughing.
"Aye, it seems we have guests of some importance," He smiled at his younger brother and remarked, "You look good Loki, as noble as a king."
"As do you," Loki returned the compliment and gave a small smile. "Shall we get this over with?"
"The sooner the better, I agree," Thor grinned as the two made their way down to the main hall where the other three was waiting, along with one new person, who's presence immediately induced a headache in Loki. The large, in both height and girth, red haired man rushed to them with a warm look on his face, embracing the brothers and lifting them up off their feet, Loki slightly higher than Thor.
"Thor! Loki!" He shouted happily, "It is good to see you both after such a long while."
Thor laughed merrily, "Hello Volstagg!"
"It's only been three months," Loki pointed out trying to breath at the tight hug he was getting. Volstagg let them down and chuckled.
"Still as light as a feather I see, Loki," the older man teased and Loki gave him a simpering smile. "We're going to need to work on that now that I'm back."
"Of course, excuse me," Loki moved over by the others, nodding to them in turn and asked Sif, "When did Volstagg get back?"
"Apparently early this morning, along with the man in the throne room right now talking to King Odin," Sif said as Volstagg and Thor joined them.
"Aye, and was it a trip let me tell you. It'll be nice to get some decent food in my gut," the older man chuckled. Loki rolled his eyes when Volstagg wasn't looking. Volstagg had been their trainer in their youth, and though he looked like a bumbling fool, he was as strong as an ox. In his prime he had been as great as some of the highest ranking Crimson Hawks, and had been friends with various nobles in his youth. As far back as Loki could recall he had always known Volstagg as the glutton warrior that stood before them. He was a bit cowardly in his older age, and was the last to rush in, but the first to shout victory. He was smart, but Loki had always figured that his mind rarely strayed from his next meal.
"So who's the guest?" Fandrel inquired excitedly as a guard came to usher them in. They immediately took formation, Thor and Loki in the lead followed by Sif and Balder, with Fandrel and Volstagg in the rear.
Upon entry Loki spied a trio of Aesir, standing before his parents thrones. Two women and one man, dressed in formal wear, whose appearances could not be more different. The man was as tall as Thor, or a bit taller, and dressed in a navy blue uniform with a short blue cape that hung over his shoulder. His black hair was clipped short save for a braid that went down his back, and strangely the tips of his hair were frosted bright snow white, clearly magicked there by some means. Beside the man stood a woman in a long green dress, with slits that exposed her legs, and black stockings covering them. Her wavy blonde hair was pulled back by a crown, and she seemed to have altered the gown so it showed most of her back. Next to the green girl was a young woman with the same sort of blonde hair, but she was dressed in a short white gown with fur trim and thigh high white boots. They were talking in low voices to Odin when the group approached them and the All-Father looked up from his discussion with the man.
Loki heard Fandrel let out a low whistle.
"Well, now that's the sort of guests that I like," and Sif stepped back on his foot, making him wince.
"Watch what you say Fandrel, she may hear you and her ego doesn't need to be anymore bloated."
"Thor Odinson, Loki Odinson, Lady Sif, Lord Balder, Fandrel, and Volstagg," Odin said as they bowed to him then rose to meet the trio that turned to face them.
The man with the braid noticed them first, smiled confidently, and hurried over to give them a warm greeting. He embraced Thor in a warm bear hug and then shook Loki's hand, gave a quick hug to Sif and embraced Balder, then shook hands with Fandrel saying, "My friends it's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of seeing your smiling faces."
"Aye it's been too long Tyr," Thor said clapping the older man's shoulder. "I see you haven't changed much from your trip, excluding your hair."
"Nor have you, Cousin, I was gifted with this look by the lovely ladies," chuckled Tyr as Balder quickly asked.
"Why are you back so soon? I thought you were part of the diplomatic mission."
"There's been a hic-up in our plans," the woman in green said and Tyr turned to face her.
"Hic-up is a slight thing to call it my dear," Tyr brought the two girls over. "Thor do you remember Lady Amora and her sister Loralei?"
"I should hope so, we were schooled together for a while," Thor chuckled and kissed both the girls hands. Amora glanced over at Sif with a smirk and the warrioress glared back. "Charming as ever, it is good to see you both once more."
"Pleasant as always Thor," Amora said and gave a sly smile to Sif who tensed up.
"As it is always a pleasure to see you Prince Thor," Loralei said sweetly and took Thor by the arm and Amora gave her a glare. "Do you like the new look for Lord Tyr; I call it the Frosted Mountain look."
"A new way to cool your head Tyr," Fandrel gave a chuckle at this.
"Nay, Fandrel this is not what you think," the older man said as Frigga quickly cleared her throat to get their attentions.
"We will have catching up to do, my Prince."Amora gave Thor a half smile.
"Yes I'm sure you'll try to," muttered Sif and Fandrel gave him a small grin as Frigga's voice called their attention.
"I'm sure you all can get reacquainted a bit later, right now we have pressing matters to deal with."
"Aye my lady," bowed Tyr as the group went over to the center and stood before the All-Father and All-Mother, and Thor asked his mother.
"Pressing matters? Did not Tyr and Volstagg go to Alfheim to act in a diplomatic mission well on three months ago? Surely they have come back with happy news?"
"If only it were that simple," Volstagg remarked as the group bowed to Odin and all rose as the King addressed them.
"My sons, warriors of Asgard," the All-Father intoned in a grave voice. "I asked you here on a matter of most urgency. As you know Tyr and Volstagg were sent to visit Alfheim at the behest of Lord Frey who had discovered a group of nomads living near the Skornheim Moutians. This mission was meant to be diplomatic, however they were attacked by an unseen force, and most of the Light elf armies were destroyed."
"Destroyed by what?" Thor inquired, intrigued by the news as Tyr bowed to Odin.
"If I may continue All-Father," Odin nodded as Tyr proceeded after thanking him. He motioned to Amora who cast a spell to create a window portal showing the snow covered mountain area of Skornheim where there once was forest of verdant green, now only dead black trees stood. Through those trees came the roars of unworldly creatures and the group looked on in shock at the blurred and distorted images of monstrous beings that crushed anything in their paths, knocking over trees three times their size, and even biting each other to get ahead.
"Cousin what is the meaning of this? What are those creatures?" Thor asked and Loki stepped forward to examine the scene more as Balder commented.
"Whatever they are, they're really big."
"And nasty," Fandrel added scowling. "It's like they're running from something."
"Or running for someone," corrected Loki and Tyr nodded as Amora closed the image portal she had created. Tyr glanced at Odin and the others as he spoke.
"Our men were out-numbered by strange creatures that looked like trolls that had mated with giants, which had yet to evolve from their primordial state. We have named them Skomms and we believe they were created and are by no means natural."
"Disgusting?" Loki asked curious by the choice of name and Fandrel added in gest.
"They certainly look it."
Loki covered a laugh at this as Tyr continued, casting the trickster and the dashing one a heated glare. The two stood upright trying to be as serious as possible at the moment, as the others listened and the older man continued.
"As you know, I was sent with Volstagg to assist Lord Frey with the diplomatic negotiations with the newly discovered nomadic group that has been living around the mountain regions of Hindi, Gundershiem, Skornhiem and Nidavellir. They have been living there for centuries and have only recently come into contact with us."
"Aye, and a good lot they are, wonderful cooks," Volstagg interrupted and Tyr gave him a narrowed gaze. "Of course there's more to them than that. Their leader is King Batukhan, a fair and serious man who welcomed us with open arms. That is…well, until the attacks started to happen."
"Attacks" Sif inquired and Amora nodded to her, "But weren't you going with them to act as protection against attacks, Enchantress?"
Amora smiled, but her green eyes shot furry at the lady warrior as she said in a cool voice, "While my skills as an enchanter are quiet high, Lady Sif, the spell that broke mine was of a different nature. Something far more powerful, ancient I'm sure. It might be something of pure energy, but I'm sure a warrior like you has no time to read and really understand the idea of old magic."
Sif took a step forward and Balder held her back as Amora addressed Odin.
"Those, disgusting creatures, we believe were the second part of an assault meant to cause the destruction of the main city."
"Second part," Sif asked as Tyr came over by her nodding his head.
"Yes, my lady, the second part of it, and not the most pleasant."
"What was the first part then?" she asked sternly and Loralei seemed to laugh which Sif caught. "Is there something you wish to tell us Lady Loralei?"
Amora shot her sister a fierce look and the younger woman shut up. She inclined her head to Sif who returned the gesture as Amora spoke. "The first part was an attack by magic that penetrated the field I cast over the area of the city and surrounding villages."
"I thought you said before you left that you're spells could handle anything," Loki gave her a smug smirk and Amora shot him a cool gaze.
"This was something even you would not be prepared for, Lord Loki," Tyr patted her shoulder and Amora seemed to calm down slightly, her glare leveled at Sif and the Trickster. Tyr ignored the scuffle and spoke to Odin and Frigga.
"It came when we were ill prepared All-Father, I take responsibility for that. We still don't know why the villages were attacked or by what means. And given the rampages of those beasts it won't be long before they decide to strike the city with full force."
"And what of the rulers of this country, surely they have ways of protecting themselves?" Frigga inquired cautiously looking down on the group considering all aspects. Odin had his eyes closed and Loki knew his Father was trying to use some form of magic to see out into the world. Volstagg replied first and bowed to Frigga.
"My Lady Frigga, I can certainly tell you that the ruler of the country is quiet the intellect. King Batukhan is a noble man of the highest degree, offering us the greatest hospitality and kindness that he could bestow. Allow me to tell you of the first night there. King Batukhan offered us the most succulent feast of roast, glistened with honey from the royal bees that he keeps, and side dishes that could make your mouth water…"
"He is a man of renown to his people, just and honorable All-Mother. A man that could truly make a solid ally of Asgard," Tyr noted and closed his eyes, "If we could help to keep his humble country from falling."
"And why is it that he's been assailed?" Balder asked humbly and Amora waved her hand.
"We're not quite sure. According to Lord Frey there have been some issues in recent years. The outlying villages near the edge of the mountains have reported activities long before this attack occurred. The king won't tell us much outside of who he suspects, though he won't give us the okay to try to locate this person either."
"And who is the person that the King Batukhan suspects," inquired Loki, the whole idea of some unseen powerful mystical force fascinated him enough to want to even care about this situation. He wanted to see just how powerful this magic was, that it was able to break past one of the strongest magic users he knew personally.
"A man only known to us as Mongol of Mystic Mountain," Volstagg told him. Odin looked up at this and Loki noted his Father's reaction to the name.
"And you have no idea what he wants?" Thor asked and Tyr shrugged.
"We have no proof that it is him, nor even a reason why he would war with the King."
"Aye but the fact still remains whoever made the attack they attacked not only the warriors of King Batukhan, but also Asgard, Vanir and Light Elf warriors," Thor ascertained and looked to his Father and Mother, "If that is not a declaration of war then I don't know what is."
"It is not war," Odin said sternly and Thor looked to his Father inquisitively. "War is an act that happens between two nations where in one wishes to take over the other. This is not a war, but a lone fight between one man and a nation."
"A coup" Loki queried and his father nodded, "But why over throw a small country like that?"
"Who knows," Thor intoned, "Regardless if it is war or not Father, we should take the battle to them, and show them the Might of Asgard."
Loki rolled his eyes at this, as Tyr thumped his brother on the back. As usual the God of War always sided with the God of Thunder, destruction begot destruction. Odin scowled at Thor and rose as he spoke, slamming down Gungnir to emphasize his point.
"War is not A GAME! It is a battle that costs many lives, and many innocent lives at that. War is not something used as a means to throw power around. A king knows to always be prepared for war, but also when not to engage in one. This is not the time for war; it is a time for prevention. This is not the struggle of the Aesir, it is a battle that is to be fought by King Batukhan and his warriors. Thor, you and your brother, Fandrel, Balder and Sif, will accompany Tyr and Volstagg back, along with Lady Amora and her sister, to aid the King in the battles to come, but you will not wage war on behalf of Asgard. Do I make myself perfectly clear to you?"
"Aye, Father, you do," Thor lowered his head as Odin gave his decree.
"Thor, God of Thunder, Loki, God of Mischif, You are to accompany Tyr, the God of War on his quest and aid the people of King Batukhan. This is there fight, but we will help in any way we can, and you will obey his orders and those of Lord Frey's as if they were my own. This is my decree."
A response of 'Aye Odin, lord All-Father,' echoed the chamber as Frigga added.
"To aid you in this mission, we will have horses and supplies given to you. Keep in mind you are there on the command of the All-Father and myself, whatever actions you take reflects upon us, and thus all of Asgard."
"Yes Lady Frigga, All-Mother," came the response.
"You will be leaving by tomorrow's dawn, I suggest you take this time to relax and reacquaint yourselves with one another. Such a task needs team work, and as such, you will be expected to work together to protect the king and his people. Treat them as you treat your own."
"Aye, All-Mother," once again came the response and the group was dismissed. Loki followed along after Tyr, Thor and Balder who were chatting both seriously and laughing about matters that he didn't really care about. His mind was thinking of the creatures that he had seen and what sort of power could have created such beasts. Fandrel had stopped to chat up Loralei, while Volstagg was talking with Sif, discussing various battle tactics and the culture of the city that they were to visit.
Loki slowed down and found his arm taken up by Amora who smirked at him.
"As always a pleasure to see you to my fellow mischief maker, my how you have grown," she smirked, and he returned the smirk.
"And your beauty has yet to fail you my dear, still having your eyes on my brother I see?"
"Aye, but the raven haired witch seems to have his, no doubt."
Loki shrugged, he wasn't sure if Thor was completely invested in Sif as of yet, but he knew that his brother had not been looking at others, that was certain. Amora nudged him, "And what of you dark prince? Have you had any ladies catch your fancy, or do your eyes still linger on me?"
Loki laughed at this and gave her a smug smile as she turned him to head out of the building and away from the others. He went along with it knowing that Amora would give him information that she had kept from the others in the meeting.
"Can any man's eyes not linger on you, Amora? You are after all the Enchantress, and what great power of seduction you have reside upon all that live in Asgard," Loki told her and Amora grinned.
"Still as charming as ever, I see."
"I can be," he smirked and offered her a seat in the court yard. Amora sat and Loki joined her, she leaned on him, and put her legs up on the other side of the seat. "So tell me more of these adventures you were having?"
"And spoil the surprise? I think not, my dear friend, it would be a shame if you missed out on the fun I had trying to figure things out," She teased him and Loki gave her a devious grin.
"You have no clue about the magic used against you, do you Amora."
At that she sat up and pouted, "And what makes you think so?"
Loki pulled her face very close to his, pinching her chin with his fingers. "Because I know you too well, sorceress, and you have the perspicuity to lie just as much as I do, though, I do it far better."
Amora smirked brightly at this and ran her hand down his thigh, Loki didn't flinch. He knew her game; touching, feeling, using her looks and voice to get what she desired, and what she desired, he knew, was time alone with his brother. Two could easily play at that game as he had his own wants in mind, such as knowing all he could about the city they were going to and what this strange Mongol was.
"You seem to forget I had you wrapped in my little lies for a while," the young woman teased and Loki raised an eyebrow. He knew she was talking of when they were younger and she had offered him a kiss in return for helping her get Thor away from his friends. The kiss wasn't the reason though that he helped her, though it was pleasant enough, no, the reason behind his assistance came from seeing the look on her face when he double crossed her in the end and let Sif and Balder in on Amora's side of the plan. She knew he had betrayed her, and he knew that she wouldn't just give out infomation to him.
"Keep in mind the word you just used Amora, had. It means an awful lot doesn't it," Loki whispered to her waiting to see what her next move was. Daring her to try something on him, to try to trick or use him. This was a fun game, and it made up for the entertainment he had lost earlier in the day with Sigyn. Just as the thought crossed his mind he heard a horse coming up the path and glanced up. Amora turned to look too, only to see one of the guards passing. She glimpsed Loki's face and caught sight of a bit of sadness that came over him, which vanished the moment she spoke.
"Looking for something darling?"
"No," he said and sat up more as she moved closer to him. "Why do you care in the first place?"
"Come now, you can't hide things from me," she pressed and he laughed sarcastically. Oh if only she really knew how much he hid from everyone. Playing along he brushed her hair with his fingers, murmuring.
"Perhaps I can't," Loki leaned forward as if to kiss her, when he heard a sharp whinny. This time he recognized the sound of the horse, as he'd heard it over the past several weeks when it came down the path to Eir's healing temple. He got up swiftly, causing Amora to catch herself before she fell, and sit up looking rather un-amused by his sudden action.
"What is it now?" she inquired and saw him watch as Bragi rode up the road with Sigyn. The poet stopped and smiled seeing Loki and Amora.
"What ho Prince Loki, and is that young lady there Lady Amora?" The poet dismouted the horse and helped Sigyn down, who stood behind him looking at the blonde girl then at Loki. He smiled and bowed to them as Amora got up and came over offering her hand to Bragi, who kissed it once.
"Aye, good Poet Bragi, it is. How are you and your lovely wife?" She asked and then glanced over at Sigyn who was watching both of them curiously. "And who is this lovely young lady."
"Idunn and I are well, and this is my sister, Sigyn. She is Idunn's younger sister," Bragi explained and Sigyn curtsied to Amora. "Sigyn, this is Lady Amora, one of my former students."
"Now I'm known as the Enchantress," she told Bragi proudly and he nodded, pleased by her pride in her new title. "Are you going to train little Sigyn?"
"I'm not little," Sigyn commented softly and looked at Loki stating carefully. "So is this why Sister Liv could not attend today?"
Amora gave her a confused look and Loki quirked his lips at this as he bowed to her.
"Nay good Lady Sigyn, there were matters of greater importance," he lowered his voice to whisper in her ear. "Though, do not doubt that I should have preferred to have had Sister Liv at your side rather than deal with the matters that I am pressed into serving."
Her cheeks flushed and she looked away, "You speak to forwardly sometimes, Prince Loki."
"Is it too warm out in the sun Sigyn?" Bragi asked her and she gave a short nod. Lifting Sigyn up onto the horse Bragi inquired, "Ah, well it was good to see you both. Will you be staying here long Amora?"
"No, I'm afraid not, we will be leaving tomorrow morning." She said shaking her head, her long hair swaying and Sigyn looked over at Loki curiously.
"We?"
"Yes, Thor, I, and the others were asked to accompany Lady Amora and my cousin Tyr to deal with some issues regarding a new ally of Asgard," Loki informed her then took her hand in his and kissed it. "I should hope to not be gone too long, Lady Sigyn."
"Well, I'll pray for your safe return," she said softly and Loki gave her a smirk, which made her turn away realizing he was teasing her again. Letting go he bowed to Bragi who mounted the horse and Loki asked.
"Lord Bragi, should we return earlier, may I incline to ask your wife if I may have permission once more to wander the Garden?"
"You may, if you get back before late autumn comes."
Loki bobbed his head as Bragi bid them both good-bye and rode off with Sigyn. Amora waited till they were in the distance to inquire, "Something did catch your fancy then?"
"Aye, just a toy," Loki tried to wave it off and she smirked.
"The daughter of Lady Freya, interesting toy then my Prince, and she is certainly smitten with you, though I don't think she knows it yet."
Loki gave her a smug expression, "Regardless if she is or is not, Amora, now is not the time to discuss my play things. Rather I should like to know about this attack more?"
"Perhaps after dinner, right now I'm famished," smirked Amora, "Though your eyes look as if you've had a meal though."
At that Loki shot a projectile flare at her and Amora skipped, dodging it and ran off laughing back into the palace. Dinner was a rousing event; with Tyr bragging to all about the various wonders of the warriors of King Batukhan. Loki stifled a yawn, battles were interesting when you planned them, fighting in them however was more fun when you actually did it and not when you heard about it second hand. He listened though, and raised an eyebrow when Volstagg mentioned some sort of treasury room that had old items.
"Old items of what type," Loki inquired as Volstagg smiled.
"I knew that might catch your fancy, Loki," he took a slug of his wine and started in, "Well you see the King's head warrior, Nassor let me take a look in this one area that the king has reserved for some of the items that he's collected over the years. There was what…some vases, paintings, oh these beautiful scrolls."
Loki nodded looking interested, a part of him was, but a part of him just didn't care about the art, not when he was sure that there had to be some sort of magic hidden there.
"Don't forget the crystals," Amora said and Loki looked at her as did the others.
"Crystals," Sif asked curiously. "What reason would a king need crystals for?"
"Perhaps some sort of hobby," suggested Balder and Tyr shook his head lowering his voice.
"Nay, nothing that simple," he motioned his head to Amora who sipped her drink slowly and Loralei giggled grinning at them.
"Amora thinks that it may be various beings trapped in there."
"Beings," Thor asked and looked to his cousin. "You said nothing of the King collecting creatures Tyr?"
"I did not think it was of importance," Tyr remarked casually.
Sif furrowed her brow at him. "Aye, but it could very well be why his kingdom is being attacked. Did you not report this to Lord Fray?"
Tyr scowled at her and said haughtily, "Lord Fray has more important matters to deal with, and didn't have time for a collection of crystals that may, or may not, have creatures in them."
"But if they did, then that quite possibly could have fueled the attack," Sif argued and Loki nodded his head in agreement.
"Did you at least ask about them?" he inquired and Thor added quickly.
"We should when we arrive there."
Tyr looked at them with furrowed brows, "Are you suggesting that I did not do my job as leader?"
"Nay, good cousin, but Lady Sif does have a point. It is something that we should look into," Thor told him and then smiled at Loki brightly, "And who better than my brother to do that."
"Me?" Loki questioned and pointed to himself. "Surely you jest brother, Amora is more than capable."
"Nonsense, you're skills have yet to be equally matched. No doubt that something like this would interest you," Thor smirked in a roguish way. Loki smiled back acting humble, but knowing that he had gotten exactly what he wanted.
"Very well if you insist," Tyr scoffed and Loki shot him a dark gaze, "Is something wrong Cousin Tyr?"
"Nay, Loki, but the idea that you're magic should be wasted on studying crystals when there is a battle to be waged is disheartening."
"Who says that I will not be part of the battle," Loki remarked seriously. "I have as many skills with a sword as the others, and my magic can certainly aid in turning the tide, or perhaps healing a small wound here and there. Do not think for one moment that I would not wish to share in the glory of the fight, though I do so, only if we do not run into battle blindly."
"Aye, a good point, we need to work on a strategy and figure out what those Skomms really are," Volstagg said as he munched on a leg of lamb. "Surely with the lot of you we can uncover all of this wizardry."
"You really think a wizard did all this Volstagg?" Fandrel teased and the larger man chuckled.
"If not a wizard then a witch," Loki glimpsed a look between the sisters, who quietly returned to their meal at this. Something was off, he felt it, and the more he knew the more likely he could use it against the two women who sat opposite him.
With the evening hours waning the group retired to one of the chambers where they were waited on by servants who served them, fruits, cheese and wine. Balder, Thor, and Volstagg entertained them with an imaginative song as they drank. When they were finished the others, including Loki, laughed at this. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, except for Tyr who stood by the fire looking grim.
"Something ailing you, Cousin, come and join us," Thor waved him over offering him a goblet. Tyr walked over, took it, and then proceeded to spill it on the remaining food, the others looking at him with surprised then sour faces.
"Drink, make merry, there is no time for this," Tyr said seriously and Loki pulled Thor down whispering to his brother to calm himself. The older man looked at Thor, "Your Father is wrong about the idea of this being a war, you were right; we need to find them before they attack us."
"While I agree that we need to find them, Father made his decree clear. We are there to aid them, no more, no less. If the King wishes us to war for him we will, but we will not drag Asgard in on this mess," Thor told Tyr and the God of war, who, Loki now realized was drunk and an angry one at that, leaned down to Thor.
"Just because you are now the golden one does not mean you can order me around Thor Odinson."
Thor rose slowly to meet his cousin's look, muscles flexing, reading for a fight when Sif was quick put in. "He isn't ordering you Tyr, he is telling you what the All-Father decreed. If you wish to go against his word then you do so alone."
Tyr looked at them and suddenly screamed, "Is this what Asgard's newest warriors have to offer. Weak willed children, and women to fight?"
Sif reached for her sword and Volstagg held her back. Her blue eyes sparking with anger as the man waved his hands around wildly.
"This…is what I will have to work with? This lot… and a few dozen Hawks, this is the penalty I gain for not being allowed on the council."
"You kept speaking of warring with other kingdoms that we have peace with," Fandrel reminded him and Tyr sneered.
"Even so we are the strongest of them, we are the ones that molded this world, shaped it. Bah, but you won't hear of it, so be it. In the morning, by dawn, we ride." He stormed out at this and Loki looked to his brother who he pushed back down into the chair.
"I know you're upset…" Loki started softly as Thor held his hand up.
"Do not speak to me now brother."
Loki took a breath and tried again, charming his words to soothe his brother's temper. "I know you are upset at him, but I have to say you were right in what you did. If we went in there swords swinging we could start a fight with the nomads, and then the Vanir and you know how much that would hurt mother." He watched Thor's face soften and knew he was getting to him. "Want to know what I think. I think you should talk to Lord Frey alone, tell him what you saw here, and have him make you leader over Tyr."
"Nay, I can't do that. Tyr was appointed by Father, it would be up to him to remove him." Thor told him bluntly, though clearly he was thinking the same way Loki was. They both knew that Tyr's temper could lead them into danger, and risk the mission itself. "He was drunk; he will come to his sense in the morning."
Loki gave a nod adding then, "Well, just so you know, I'm proud of you for not taking a swing at him. I believe in you, and love you brother."
Thor quirked his head at Loki as the trickster added with a playful smirk, "Now why not give your brother a kiss."
Thor batted him away gently, causing the others to chuckle some, including Thor who shook his head and muttered about him being an ass. Loki smirked slightly and departed early. He waited a while and found Amora heading to her room.
"A word with you Lady Amora," Loki said and she paused at her door. Amora stretched and looked at him coyly.
"Could it not wait till morning?"
"No, actually it can't, may I speak with you in private?"
She raised an eyebrow, a devious smirk came across her face as she opened the door and let him follow her in.
Hours later he was back in his chamber resting at the window looking out over the starlit city. Loki sighed some and ran his fingers through his hair, making sure not one lock of gold remained in it and glanced at his reflection. Moments before he had looked like Thor, or at least as good as he could, and the darkness in her room had helped, it had allowed him to get Amora to talk more openly. He of course had to play her game to get what he wanted, and even during his time with her his mind raced on the information she gave to him. Women were an odd lot, some more confusing than others. Still the price was well worth the reward he received from the Enchantress.
He knew now that the spell that had broken through her wall had influences of magic from the Hindi region, and that while the field around the villages that she had put up fell, something had kept the beasts at bay from attacking the city. What that was she suspected was a force-field that came from the city itself and it had to do with the crystals Volstagg had found. With this he was certain he could find a way to stop the magic from decimating the forces they had left.
Loki's eyes strayed over to Bragi's home, and he leaned back. He was tired, and though he wanted a chance before he left to play with his toy, the exhaustion from keeping up an appearance for Amora for so long, and keeping it solid long enough to engage her in what she wanted from Thor, kept him from trying to transform again. He managed to produce some blue magic smoke and traced it as he fell to sleep on the window seat, dreaming of another golden haired girl who kept his secrets and told him things without bargains or need of tricks.