11

Poison Fangs

Belle had no clear idea where she was going when she ran out of the garden. All she knew was immense guilt for making Loki so enraged he might commit murder. While she would not feel sorry if her attacker was beaten to within an inch of his life, she did not want Loki to have a death upon his conscience. Especially not while in his Jotun form. That form had surprised her with its otherness—despite the fact that she had read about Loki being a Jotun shapeshifter in the myths. Reading about such a thing was not the same at all as seeing the truth with her own eyes. Nothing that she had read had prepared her for how large her husband was in that form—he had towered almost ten feet and his skin was beautiful cobalt with shimmering white markings almost like stripes . . . or perhaps tattoos? She had not gotten a close enough look at them to determine what they resembled before Loki had attacked Fandral. Then all she had seen was the size, the horns, white as frost, and the crimson eyes glowing with savagery.

Thus she had run, knowing that if she did not stop him, Loki would commit murder and that might well destroy him, convincing him he was truly the monster he believed himself to be. Please, please Lord, let Thor have been in time. Let him have been able to speak sense to Loki and prevent him from doing something he would regret forever. I didn't mean for him to destroy himself! I only wanted someone to come and prevent Fandral from dishonoring me.

She shuddered involuntarily as she stumbled over a tree root in her path. Picking herself up, she ran deeper into the forest, trying to reach the pond she had ridden to with Loki on their picnic. She was sure they had come this way. Hadn't they?

She could not understand why Fandral had attacked her. She knew she certainly hadn't provoked him, had in fact been nothing but icily polite to him despite his rudeness and insults to her husband in her home. She clutched her torn gown together as she ran, huffing and puffing, her hair flying every which way. So why had he chosen to try and take her against her will? She recalled him saying something about "a mortal's place being on her back" and that "Loki should have taught her that". It reminded her sickeningly of Gaston, who also viewed women as mere objects for his pleasure. But from what Loki had said, Asgardian men were more enlightened than the men in her world. Women were respected and cherished and allowed to choose their own husbands, divorce them, and have careers outside the home if they so desired.

Perhaps this Fandral was one of those men who didn't believe that way, she thought, feeling her stomach flip over. She paused to rest, panting harshly, and looked around. She thought she should have reached the pond by now. But all she saw was great gray trunks of oaks and ash, silent and aloof, their green leaves concealing the chattering squirrels and twittering songbirds.

After catching her breath, she turned about, trying to orient herself. But she was no woodsman, and the trees and the scrub brush all looked the same to her. She tried to figure out what time it was by the sun, but low hanging gray clouds hid it from view.

Oh Santa Maria! I fear I am lost! She groaned to herself.

She felt tears prickle her eyes and she thought about calling for Loki. But then she recalled what that had gotten her the last time she had done so, and she straightened her shoulders and bit her lip. No! I will not risk it again! I will find my own way home.

She began walking again, praying she wasn't going in circles. After about ten minutes she wondered if perhaps she should have stayed put, instead of traipsing through the woods like a headstrong fool. Her mouth was dry and she wished she could find a creek or a stream to slake her thirst. She stopped, trying to listen for the sound of water flowing.

The light had begun to dim as dusk overtook the land. Shadows crept about the mossy trunks and from the copses. Belle swallowed hard and reminded herself that panic would only get her lost quicker. Think! Use your brain! She ordered herself sternly.

But even as she scolded herself, a low howl echoed chillingly through the trees. It was a sound unlike any she had ever heard before. It was not the sharp wail of a hound or the deep howl of a wolf. It was eerily high-pitched and sounded nearly unearthly.

Belle froze, feeling the blood turn to ice in her veins.

Whatever was making that noise, it was not something she wished to encounter.

Her heart hammering in her chest, she forced herself to half-run through the trees. Behind her, the howling grew louder.

Asgard:

"What is the meaning of this, Thor?" Odin frowned when he saw his son carrying the comatose Fandral over his shoulder after he appeared in the throne room, which was where Heimdall had dropped him off at his request.

"Father, let me explain," Thor said. "But first, put him in the dungeon." His jaw was tight with anger.

Odin raised one eyebrow. "You wish to put Fandral the Dashing in the dungeon? On what charge?"

"He attempted to dishonor Loki's wife," Thor replied tightly.

Beside Odin on her throne, Frigga gasped, and then she glared at her son and his friend with a look that should have set them on fire. The queen was wearing a royal blue gown, with her golden hair, the same shade as Thor's, piled high on her head and entwined with gold chains and jewels. She wore two rings and many bracelets on her bare arms, for her gown was sleeveless. A fine cloak of gold was wrapped about her shoulders and pooled to the floor at her feet.

Beside her on the golden throne of Asgard, her husband sat in his ceremonial red robe with the golden embroidery at the cuffs, collar and hem. A thick cloak of ermine was draped about his broad frame, and his white beard bore two golden clasps in it. His eyepatch was of the finest ebony satin and his crown lay atop his white locks with careless ease. Beside him in a holder was the Black Spear, Gungnir.

"Guards!" Frigga snapped, and two brawny palace guards snapped to attention and bowed before her. "Take Lord Fandral to a cell immediately. We shall determine his fate anon."

"Aye, My Queen!" they saluted, then Thor handed them the unconscious warrior and they strode out of the throne room.

"Now, my son, tell us what happened," the king ordered. "Did you find your brother?"

"Aye, Father. Just as Huginn and Muninn said," Thor replied. "Only he was not at home when we arrived there, only his wife was."

"When did Loki get married?" Frigga asked.

"I don't know," Thor admitted. "I . . . never got around to asking."

The Queen rolled her eyes. "You spent time talking, yet you never asked that? Men! What did you talk about?"

"We asked about Loki and then Fandral . . . you know how he is whenever Loki is mentioned . . ."

"Aye, I know," the king said darkly. "He has made no secret that he dislikes him. And Loki's wife? Did you at least ask her name?"

"Her name is Belle. She is mortal though very pretty," Thor began.

"Ah. That would explain a few things. Fandral has ever been drawn to a pretty face," Odin nodded.

Frigga snorted. "Fandral is drawn to anything in skirts."

Thor told how Fandral had insulted Loki and Belle had taken offense at it.

"Then this Belle did not encourage Fandral?" Odin queried.

Thor shook his head. "No, Father. She was polite, like a good hostess, but she even threatened to throw Fandral out if he did not cease insulting her husband. And Fandral just kept drinking the wine. I wished to walk about the grounds so I left while Belle went to fetch some more wine for Fandral. I truly thought he was too drunk to do anything else but pass out."

"But he wasn't," Frigga declared coldly.

"No, Mother. Although I never expected him to . . .do what he did to her. She was Loki's WIFE! And I have never known Fandral to force himself on a woman. Woman throw themselves at him," Thor protested.

"Not all women do," the queen said. "I know of a few who are not interested in his pretty face or his money."

"Then what happened?" Odin asked.

Thor told them the rest of what he knew. He stared at his boots, ashamed. "Had I known that Fandral would try and dishonor her . . . I would have never left them alone together. I am sorry I should have protected her better. Mortal or not, she is family."

"Yes you should have," Frigga scolded gently. "But you were right to bring him here." She rose from her throne. "He will be tried according to our laws and the proper punishment given."

"I ask for the Queen's Justice on Loki's behalf, Mother."

And he will have it, the Queen thought. After we have dispensed with all the formalities.

"He must be tried first," Odin agreed. "I will question him myself and he will admit all under our truth spells. There is more to this than meets the eye but we will discover the truths."

"I do hope Loki is happy with his new bride."

"Mother...she witnessed Loki take his true form and I fear it may have frightened her," Thor confessed.

"I've no doubt he took his true form in rage after seeing what was done to her but he would never harm her!" Frigga exclaimed.

"We know, Mother but she does not. We can only hope she will understand that in time."

My lies have caught up with me, Odin thought sadly.

He'd wrestled with his conscience since that terrible day Loki had discovered the Cask of Ancient Winters and learned of his true heritage, at least part of it. He was half-Jotun but not King Laufey's son as he'd been lead to believe. It was this lie that Odin could no longer bear to live with.

Skadi, what have I done to our boy, our precious boy?

Sorcerer's Wood:

Loki saw Belle's tracks meander into the forest clear as day.

He could track her without difficulty, his vision being especially keen in his Jotun form. Not that he would have had trouble even in his Asgardian shape, for Belle had not bothered to try and disguise her trail. Broken twigs, leaves, and a scrap of ribbon marked her passing to those trained in woodcraft.

He was not surprised she had run away, for what sane woman would stay with the beast he had become? This blue skinned freak with horns and eyes the color of blood?

You shall never be more than a monster to her. No matter how hard you try, this is your fate, Loki Laufeyson, his inner voice mocked.

He saw how fear had lent wings to her feet and she had run past the pond and deeper into the heart of the wood. He stopped suddenly upon hearing a chilling howl.

No! he thought, a jolt of pure adrenaline accompanied by terror shooting through him. For he knew that sound-as did all those who dwelled in the Wood.

It was a sound that struck fear into the most courageous heart.

The howl of a pack of dzurilla on the prowl.

Fear congealing into a hard knot in his belly, he abandoned his slow pace and began to run.

Asgard:

Fandral stirred and woke in the cell the guards had tossed him into. He blinked, not understanding why the bed was so hard, nor why there was a rank moldy smell in the air. Until he opened his eyes wide and saw where he was.

In the cell next to his was a rumpled and unwashed man with a two day growth of beard. "You pathetic bastard!" the other laughed. "I hear you're really in for it now, Lord Fandral."

Fandral sat up and glared at him. "Piss off!"

"Not even your rank will save you now, pretty boy!" jeered the other prisoner.

Fandral gave the drunken lout the finger. He was wrong, of course. His rank and his charm had always seen him through trouble before, there was no reason to believe they would not now. Besides, Loki was an exiled beast and his so-called wife little better than a whore. No way those charges would stick.

Suddenly a guard appeared at his cell. He powered down the screen and then placed a set of cuffs on Fandral despite his protests. "Come with me. The Allfather wishes to question you."

He would answer their questions...with as little honesty as possible.

There were some truths that could not be spoken for if they came to light, he would not be the only one facing the wrath of the royal family.

The guard led him up the passage and to the courtroom where he would be tried. In the room were the king, the queen, and Thor and Lady Sif as witnesses.

Unlike a mortal court of law, Asgardian law needed only two things to ensure justice was done- witnesses, and a monarch or lord to pass judgement, for the Asgardians possessed a means to reveal the truth in cases that mortals did not. This was the truth spell, a magic designed to compel the user to speak the truth in answer to any question put to them, no matter if it incriminated them or not. Once under the spell, the defendant could not do anything but speak the plain unvarnished truth, and such testimony, when spoken in the presence of witnesses, was irrevocable.

"Be seated, Lord Fandral," Odin ordered the prisoner, and the guards escorted him to a plain chair in front of a much more ornate one upon which the king sat. Thor and Lady Sif were sitting on each side of the king, and Frigga was standing beside a table.

As soon as Fandral was seated, Frigga cast the truth spell, drawing the runes on the table top. They glittered and shot forward, falling over the seated prisoner without him even noticing.

"Lord Fandral Kettilsson, you are brought before the King's Bench accused of the grave crime of assault upon Lady Belle, wife of Prince Loki of the Royal House of Asgard, with the attempt to dishonor her. How do you plead?"

Fandral opened his mouth to reply "not guilty" but instead found himself saying, "Guilty, My King." No! I didn't mean to say that! Why did I say that? Even if it's true?

"Heard and witnessed!" Thor and Sif chorused.

Odin gestured, and a magic quill and parchment began writing down the facts of the trial. "Though you admit your culpability in such a matter, we would like to know why you have committed such a crime. Tell us your reasons." Odin began. "But first, answer me this—was this the first time you have ever committed such a crime?"

"Yes, My King. Against a lady."

"You have committed such an offense against a woman who is not of noble birth?" Frigga snapped.

"I . . . have persuaded a maid once or twice to give up her virtue," Fandral admitted.

"Persuaded how? With force?" Frigga demanded.

"I . . . threatened to have her dismissed from her post and her reputation ruined if she did not lie with me," his treacherous tongue replied.

"I see. Continue with your reasons for assaulting the Lady Belle." The Queen said icily.

"I . . .She reminded me of a girl I knew before on Midgard," Fandral began, still struggling against the spell to no avail.

"This girl was mortal?" Odin queried.

"Aye, mortal and beautiful, like the one who called herself Loki's wife. Her name was Esme, My King."

"And who was this Esme to you?"

"Just a girl, My King. One that I wanted to spend time with while Thor was on Midgard." Fandral replied carelessly. "She had dark hair and eyes like a still pool of water. And I wanted her."

But she would not have me, he thought bitterly

And it was from his memory of her that the seeds of revenge had been sown.

Frigga's eyes narrowed. "What happened with Esme, Fandral?"

"She rejected me!" he growled. "She would not have me!"

He did not wish to repeat the insults she'd hurled at him when he made his advances but the truth spell would not allow him to keep his precious secret.

"Was there another she preferred?" the Queen asked, thinking that now they were coming to it.

"A mere mortal," Fandral laughed harshly. "So I challenged him to a duel. He was as useless with a sword as he was everything else and when I was finished with him he'd lost the use of legs. She reaped what she sowed and now she has a crippled mortal for a husband!"

Frigga gasped. "And you are . . . proud of this? That you have ruined another's life for what? Your hurt pride?"

"She wanted a mortal and she got him," he replied indifferently.

"And was that why you tried to assault the lady Belle?" Odin queried. "Because she preferred Loki to you?"

"That and I found it fitting to hurt him the way he hurt Nyssa!"

"How did Loki hurt your sister?" Odin asked, puzzled.

"Do you mean when we once considered her a match for Loki?" Frigga clarified. "They did not suit but . . ."

"Did not SUIT!? He humiliated and insulted her!"

Frigga frowned. "What do you mean?"

And he'd waited for the moment when he could return the favor to the arrogant god.

"He told her that if she wanted to be the consort she would need to use a strong glamour spell to look like one."

"He was always mocking her, even in public! The gall! He won;t be mocking her again I can assure you!"

Thor frowned. "That does not sound like my brother. While he can tease, I have never known him to be less than polite towards a lady."

Odin nodded. Something sounded off to him also. "Fandral, did you happen to observe this?"

"My sister would not lie."

"But you yourself were not present when this incident occurred?" Frigga pressed.

"No. But Nyssa came to me later crying." Fandral said angrily.

Frigga looked over at Thor. "Thor, you recall when Loki and Nyssa were a couple. Do you remember what Loki told you when he and Nyssa separated?"

"I do, Mother. He said they did not suit because he found her haughty and shallow but he never said anything about her physical appearance."

"Of course he would lie about it!" Fandral sneered. "He is the God of Lies and Mischief!"

"Since you were not present to ascertain what was spoken, I propose we summon Lady Nyssa to this hearing and resolve this," Odin declared.

"She'll tell you the truth," Fandral said confidently.

Odin waved over a guard to fetch Nyssa, who like her brother, had rooms here in the palace as the daughter of a high ranking noble.

Soon the guard returned with the lady. Like her brother, Nyssa was fair haired and blue-eyed, wearing the latest fashions and jewelry. She had many admirers, but since the failed match with Loki, her lord father had not settled upon another man for her, since she rejected all that had offered for her hand.

She curtsied to the monarchs, glancing at her brother nervously. She knew, of course, that Fandral had been arrested on charges of assaulting a lady, but other than that knew no other details.

"You wished to see me, Your Majesties?"

"Lady Nyssa, we have something we would like to ask you," Odin said. He made a discreet gesture and Frigga cast the truth spell upon the lady as well.

"How may I be of service, sire?"

"We would like you to tell us, to the best of your recollection, what happened when you separated from Loki?"

Nyssa licked her lips. She cleared her throat, then sniffled, looking put upon. Her lower lip jutted out in a pretty pout. "My King, the prince and I . . . were not a good match . . ."

"Tell them, Nyssa, what you told me!" Fandral interjected. "Tell them how Loki humiliated you!"

"Is this true, lady?" Odin demanded. "Did my son do as your brother said?"

Frigga watched the girl closely, noting how Nyssa looked everywhere but at Odin before opening her mouth.

"He . . .Loki . . ." she stuttered, her eyes going wide.

"Go on, dear. You can tell us," Frigga encouraged.

"The prince . . . said that we were too different to make a good match and perhaps I should seek elsewhere for another man who would make me happy," Nyssa said, looking as if her tongue had just betrayed her.

Frigga turned away, pretending to cough, and smirked. So! You too are revealed as a liar, my lady!

"But-but you said Loki insulted you!" Fandral sputtered.

"I lied," Nyssa blurted.

"You...you LIED! Do you realize what you've DONE!?"

There would be no mercy for either of them now.

"I think we've heard enough," Frigga announced.

"My King, my Queen..."

"Lord Fandral, by your testimony and that of the Lady Nyssa, you have shown this court that your actions were born out of nothing more than hatred and revenge."

"Your testimony has also been witnessed and documented." Odin held up the parchment.

"You will remain here under guard until we conclude our deliberations on the proper sentence for your crimes."

"What crime?" Nyssa protested. "Loki got what was coming to him. He never should have refused my suit! I was supposed to be the princess!" she shouted, sounding like nothing so much as a spoiled brat.

"He refused you, by your own admission because and I quote 'we were too different to make a good match and perhaps I should seek elsewhere for another man who would make me happy' Your brother claimed my brother insulted and mocked you yet you gave us no evidence of this. Instead you admitted that your claims were lies," Thor reminded her.

Nyssa pouted. "Why are you defending him, Thor? You never liked Loki! You always called him the boring bookworm that wouldn't know what to do with a girl unless he had a diagram!"

"Surely you know the difference between teasing and malice, Nyssa."

"Shut up, you little conniving brat!" Fandral cried desperately. "You still don't have any conception of what you've done! To us both!"

"But I see that you don't and THAT is why you will be sentenced along with your brother," Frigga informed her coolly.

Nyssa stared, dumbfounded.

"Please, sire, I ask for your mercy!" Fandral yelled as they left the room. "I was duped!"

Odin eyed him crossly. "Duped, yes but you have also admitted that the Lady Belle bore a striking resemblance to a woman who rejected your advances in the past. You soothed your wounded pride by assaulting an innocent woman!"

"You are lucky you are not facing the headsman," Sif snapped. Her tone suggested that was what would have happened had she been the one to hand out punishment.

"I am a weak man who was tempted by her beauty!" Fandral babbled desperately.

"Were it MY choice you would face the headsman!"

"But it is not, dear," Frigga reminded her.

"No, it is not but he should feel fortunate."

The door slammed shut as the monarchs, Thor and Sif went into a sound proofed room to decide the fate of the two nobles.

"I say he should be gelded with a dull knife!" Sif raged.

Thor winced. But he wisely did not argue with the volatile warrior woman. "Always gotta go below the belt, don't you?"

"But it is justified in this."

The Thunder God nodded, for that had been the punishment for rape millennia ago, back when his grandfather had ruled. But today they were a bit more humane.

"I propose we make him a eunuch for a time."

"Why?"

"The law states that we cannot impose the sentence of gelding unless...and forgive me for being blunt...unless actual...ahhh...intercourse has taken place."

"So he keeps his manhood because there was no intercourse involved in the attack? Ridiculous!"

"Nevertheless that is the law."

"Sif is right," Frigga agreed. "I can magically make him a eunuch-and that will remove the urge to have intercourse, much like the way we geld a bull calf. However, I also vote that we imprison him for a time also. It is no small thing to attack a member of the Blood Royal-and the lady is of the royal house because she married my son."

"True. He needs to be made an example of," Odin nodded.

"They both do," Frigga asserted. "That silly cow believes her rank protects her from wrongdoing. And if I am not mistaken, so did Fandral. That story he related about seducing the maid . . . turned my stomach. We must show that no matter what station you were born in-the law is equal for all."

"I will inform Loki of what has been done when I return to his new realm," Thor said. "And...I want to stay with him for a while."

Odin raised an eyebrow. "That is well, my son. Perhaps I should visit also. If he will consent to it. There are things I left unsaid when we last spoke. Things he deserves to know."

"Then we are in agreement?" Sif demanded impatiently.

"About Fandral, yes. But what of Nyssa?" Odin looked at Frigga. "What do you suggest, my Queen?"

"She is proud and haughty. So we should break that pride. I propose she be stripped of her rank as a noble, all of her wealth donated to charitable means, and she be reduced to a farm servant. Her hair cut, given clothes befitting her new station, and be made to work in the fields like a laborer for five years. After that, she will be an ordinary citizen again. And hopefully this shall teach her about the folly of slandering a prince out of petty jealousy and pride."

"A fitting punishment," Sif smirked.

"Will Fandral be a eunuch forever?" Thor wondered. "Lord Kettil will be beside himself. Though he does have other sons."

"Since this was not a full assault, no," Odin decreed. "He will serve twelve years as a eunuch, with imprisonment for half that time, plus loss of rank, privileges, and fortune."

"I believe that will satisfy everyone."

The quill recorded the decisions made. and then Odin said the meeting was adjourned.

Fandral and Nyssa waited anxiously while the gods deliberated, fearing they would show them no mercy for the crimes they'd committed.

The guards stood stony-faced at the entrance to the room, hands on their weapons, as the doors swung open and the monarchs, prince, and Lady Sif returned.

"The accused will remain silent until the sentences have been passed."

Fandral began to sweat and Nyssa looked about to faint.

"Lord Fandral, under Asgardian Law the punishment for rape is that the offender be gelded."

No! he screamed mentally. I didn't...I didn't...

"However, because there was no intercourse in the assault on Lady Belle we have decided that you will be made a eunuch. You will also be imprisoned for a period of twelve years."

"Your rank and privileges will be forfeit," Frigga went on.

"As will your personal fortune," she added. "Thus you shall serve as an example to any other foolish man that any attempt upon assaulting a lady shall not go unpunished. This is the Queen's Justice."

They had been merciful...to a point.

"Lady Nyssa, for your crime of slander and encouraging your brother to vengeance against Prince Loki, you are sentenced to the following-" Odin began.

As he read the sentence Nyssa went white and passed out, only to be caught by her brother.

Fandral looked at Thor pleadingly. "Thor, you agreed to this?"

"Aye. Did you think I would not? It is just."

"We are friends!"

"Does a friend harm another friend's family member?' Thor asked coldly. "Lady Belle is my sister by marriage." Then he added, "And even if she were not, what you did was wrong."

"Enough! 'Tis done, the sentence shall be carried out tomorrow morning at nine o'clock in the throne room," Odin decreed.

Nyssa awoke and began to scream hysterically

Sif walked forward and slapped her across the face. "By the Nine, accept your fate with dignity! You brought this upon yourself."

Nyssa gulped and spat, "Loki did this to us! That Jotun freak! He should have been killed as a baby!"

Frigga snapped her fingers and suddenly Nyssa lost her voice. "You will speak no more vicious gossip against my son! From now on you will speak when spoken to, and you shall be watched to see you plot no more mischief against the royal house."

I hate you all, she mouthed.

"Guards, take them to the dungeons." Odin ordered. "Your lord father may visit after we have informed him of your fate."

The guards marched them away, and Odin said to his son, "Now that unpleasant business is over with, I need a drink!"

"A few would be more appropriate!" Thor sighed.

As he followed Odin back to the king's private study, Thor wondered if Loki had found Belle yet and if they had discussed things between them.

Sorcerer's Wood:

Her breath rasped in her throat as she ran, searching for a tree to climb or a cave to hide in. Why oh why did I run so far away like a fool? she moaned. Now I am lost and some predator is chasing me! Something slammed against her thigh and she reached into a pocket and wonder of wonders, found Loki's dagger that he given her the day of the picnic. She had forgotten to return it to him when he had come back with Ragnar, and had left it in the pocket of her apron.

Behind her she could hear something wailing, the high pitched howl of a pack that was hunting . . . and she knew they were hunting her. Gripping the hilt of the dagger in her fist, she ran to the top of a low rise and tried to climb the squat tree that rested there. She could see the moon soaring overhead and realized that it had become twilight.

She attempted to haul herself up into the safety of the branches but the bark was slick and resisted all her efforts to get a foothold. The howls and growling drew closer and then she turned to see the rise was surrounded by glowing yellow eyes.

There came a rustling and then the soft light of the moon revealed what had been tracking her. They were sinuous black shapes in the moonlight, with spiky fur and humped shoulders. A scaled tail whipped above its back and the legs were ropy with muscle and ending in three toed claws. The face was a horror out of a nightmare, an elongated muzzle with bluish scales that looked like a snake's, but it had ears like a wolf and its eyes were huge glowing bits of amber. It's maw gaped wide and revealed fangs the length of her hand, and a forked tongue.

She felt the breath catch in her throat. Dzurilla. Loki had told her of those magical menaces. She had prayed she never saw one. But her prayers had gone unheard.

She clenched the dagger in her fist, placing her back against the trunk of the old gnarled rowan tree. The rowan was believed to protect people against evil. and Belle prayed it would help her.

The dzurilla advanced slowly as if it were savoring the moment before the kill. Closer, closer it came until its fangs were inches from her throat.

A green venom dripped to land by her shoe, hissing as it hit the ground.

Lord, help me!

Suddenly a blue hand reached out and grabbed the creature by the scruff of its neck.

Quick as thought, the dzurilla whipped its misshapen head about and sank twin fangs into Loki's arm just above the elbow.

"No!" Belle cried.

Loki howled with rage and slammed it against the trunk of the opposite tree as three more advanced.

"Loki! Loki!"

Loki gasped in pain, then his other hand came about and he stabbed a glittering icy dagger into the dzurilla's back and ripped the creature from his arm. "Bastard spawn of Hel!" he snarled, his arm throbbing from the poisoned bite.

"Run!" he ordered.

As if the dead one was a signal, the rest of the pack howled and leaped at them in a frenzy.

Suddenly the air turned arctic cold and then ice shards exploded from Loki's hands, impaling the first rush of dzurilla upon them. But the ones behind surged up over their fallen comrades, howling in a murderous rage.

As black blood seeped into the earth, Loki stood and met the rush, using his illusionary skills to create copies of himself for the pack to strike while he finished them off one by one with his remaining dagger and his frost magic.

He danced the Dance of Death, his blade whirling through the air, striking here, there, and everywhere. The dzurilla were quick and agile, but Loki possessed Jotun strength and cunning as well as his natural lighting speed, and that advantage enabled him to tear his enemies into pieces.

Belle ran to stab a dzurilla trying to bite Loki's ankle with his dagger, the gleaming Uru metal sliding easily into the black flesh and scales.

"Belle! Nine Hells, get back!"

But even as he scolded he thought Norns, Loki, but you have married a Viking woman whose courage skalds will sing of!

"I'm not leaving you here!"

"You are as stubborn as ten goats!" He snapped, taking the head off a dzurilla. "And as brave as a Valkyrie."

She stabbed another with her dagger. "Yes, I am so it'll take more than this to get rid of me!"

"I do not wish to be rid of you, my lady wife." He growled, blasting a third creature until it exploded into icy shards. "Though I would not blame you if you wanted to be rid of me."

"I never said that, Loki!"

"Then why . . . did you run?" he panted. His arm felt like it was on fire.

"You told me you...change forms but I was a little...stunned to see it. But it wasn't you I was afraid of. It was Fandral—and the fact you might kill him, because you don't deserve to have his death on your conscience."

Loki gave her a lopsided grimace. "You are . . . remarkable . . ."

"Oh Loki, we need to get you home right away! Your arm..."

He threw his dagger and it slammed into the throat of the last dzurilla, it died even as it sprang at Belle's back. Then he beckoned and the dagger returned to his hand. He leaned on the tree trunk, his head swimming. " . . .can't . . . dizzy . . ."

He saw two of all of the corpses of the dzurillas he had killed.

With a superhuman effort, he fought off the wave of dizziness. "Your hand, Belle . . . I need to teleport us back . . ."

She clasped his larger hand in her smaller one. "Loki, I am so sorry I got you into this," she sobbed.

" . . .don't cry . . . no regrets . . ." he said, trying to smile despite the fever that burned through him. "Tell Rumple . . . he can help . . ." Then he concentrated and used his last bit of strength to teleport them into the castle's great hall.

They emerged in a cloud of green sparkles, startling Bae, who was carrying a sleeping Ragnar in his arms. "Master Loki! Papa, come quick! Master Loki is hurt!"

Loki felt his head spin and he released Belle's hand as he felt his world go black, crashing to the floor moments later.

The thud as he landed shook the hall.

"Good gods Belle, what happened!" Rumple demanded when he teleported into the hall.

"A dzurilla bit him!" she cried. "Please help him! Don't let him die!"

"Nine hells!' he cursed. "Mal! I'll need you!"

Mal teleported in. "What...?"

"He has been bitten by a dzurilla. We must draw out the poison before it reaches his heart."

"I will start on the potion immediately."

Rumple summoned a dagger. "Lady Belle...it would be best of you retired to your chambers. This treatment...will be difficult."

"What are you going to do?"

The apprentice pointed to the large, black spot on his arm. "The dzurilla poison will destroy the flesh before it works its way into the bloodstream."

She paled.

"But can you save him?" she gulped.

"Lady, I will try my hardest," Rumple promised, though he did not mention that hardly anyone ever survived the deadly bite of dzurilla.