Chapter 25 – Seek and Find
"A struggle?" Loki mused. "Sif is an excellent warrior."
"She is, but who would be expecting an attack on your wedding night?" Katirya pointed out.
"Point taken. Most likely she was taken by surprise." Loki walked over to the table and picked up their mugs to inspect them more closely. He frowned as he looked at the bottom. "Did you order these?"
Katirya shook her head. "No, it was my brother's idea. He commissioned them. Why?"
"Just curious as I do not recognize the marks on the bottom. They are not of Asgard." Loki held the mug out so the others could inspect it.
Katirya recognized it immediately. "It is from our hometown. One of our artisan's. I recognize his signature mark. His work is well known in Cartherion and in high demand."
"That was rather nice of Micarian. Few men think of such niceties for a wedding," Frigga commented.
"Indeed," Katirya laughed. "They tend to avoid having anything to do with the wedding if I'm not mistaken." The two women shared a laugh.
A guard ran into the Hall and approached them. "My lord, we have located your brother!" he announced.
"Where?" all three asked in unison.
"At a tavern, down near the stables. He is with the Warriors Three," the guard paused then went on. "I took the liberty of placing a watch around the tavern in the event they decided to move on to another."
"Good thinking. Has he been there long?" Frigga asked.
"It appears they have been there for a bit," the guard replied. "I did not go in to inquire thinking it best he not know we were searching for him."
"Good thinking. So far, this news has been contained and right now I would prefer to keep it that way. Let us hope there are enough who can corroborate how long he has been there. I believe we need to visit this establishment…" Loki started, looking at his wife.
Picking up on his thoughts, Katirya nodded. "Indeed. It is a wedding celebration, and I think of tour of the city in order. Shall we start at the tavern by the stables?" She slipped her arm through Loki's.
"Mother? Care to join us?" Loki inquired.
"Indeed," Frigga responded, a fierce look upon her face. "I want to exonerate Thor. I cannot believe he was responsible."
"Neither do I." Loki nodded to the guard. "Lead on, good man."
They headed towards the tavern, winding through the streets. People shouted or waved as they passed. The trio responded in kind, attempting to make it appear as if they were enjoying the revelry that was happening throughout Asgard.
"Do not say a word about Sif when we find him," Loki said quietly as they neared the tavern. "At least, not until we return to the palace. I do not wish everyone to hear of this."
"Indeed. Everyone appears happy right now," Katirya replied. "I wonder where my brother is?"
"Last seen, he was crashing through the forests by the waterfall, insistent that Thor and Sif were out there," Loki replied. "I wonder if I should send a guard to track him down?"
"It probably wouldn't hurt," Katirya replied.
Loki asked the guard who was with them if he could see to that. The guard nodded and headed back towards the palace.
As they reached the tavern Loki scanned the area and quickly sighted the guards who had been set on watch. He nodded his appreciation as they entered the tavern.
The owner was perched behind the bar, overseeing the crowded tavern, a pleased smile on his face. The place was usually filled, but tonight it was crowded. Seeing Loki and his party, he waved a greeting to them. Loki, Katirya, and Frigga wandered over to him.
"It is always a pleasure when you brother visits, but even more of a treat when you choose to visit my humble establishment," Barnet bellowed above the roar of the crowd.
Loki chuckled. "Indeed. I fear I do not visit as oft as I did in the past."
"No, but your brother remains a frequent visitor." Barnet nodded towards where Thor and the Warriors Three were holding court, Thor retelling some tale of adventure that was clearly enthralling his audience.
"That is good to hear. I believe I shall join them for a bit," Loki headed towards the table. "Ladies, if you will excuse me?"
"Your usual?" Barnet called after him. Loki nodded as he found a seat near the back of the group surrounding his brother. Barnet quickly filled a mug and handed it to one of the wait staff. The girl quickly took it over to Loki. Barnet then focused on Frigga and Katirya. "Now, I have a treat for you two. I recently discovered a new wine I think you just might like." He pulled a bottle off the rack behind him and uncorked it. Pouring two glasses, he handed it to them.
Katirya took a sip and smiled. "This is indeed divine!"
"Very well crafted. It tastes of the fruits of summer, very bold," Frigga added.
"I thought you might like it. It just arrived today and I thought of you ladies immediately. I was going to send a bottle up to the palace for you to try, but you have saved me the trip," Barnet laughed. "I can obtain it on a regular basis. Would you like me to set a few aside from each shipment?"
"Indeed!" Katirya smiled at him. "That would be most welcome. This is far better than what we have at the moment."
Barnet beamed. "Only the finest, my lady."
Katirya took another sip of the wine before speaking again. "How are you wife and children? Especially little Elias. I heard he had a tumble from a horse recently."
Barnet was touched that the queen actually kept track of things so closely. "All are doing well. And yes, he did take a tumble, but just a few scrapes. He was back at the training field the very next day."
"Excellent news. I have heard he excels on the training field," Katirya replied. She took another sip of the wine, then glanced over to the men. Thor was still regaling all with his tale.
Barnet saw her look and laughed. "He almost beat me here after the feast. I barely returned when Thor and his friends arrived. Good thing I set aside a few barrels of their favorite ale. I figured they were going to be here often during the revelries of the wedding. It's their favorite spot being so close to the stables. If they desire a hunt, they don't have far to travel to collect their horses and gear."
Frigga and Katirya exchanged a glance. This clearly exonerated Thor from any attack on Sif. And it also appeared that few had any inkling of any possible relationship between Thor and Sif. Katirya looked back at Thor, wondering what his thoughts were about the Lady Sif.
"He's been here since he left the feast. Barnet said he arrived on his heels." Katirya sent the message to Loki.
Loki turned to look at her and nodded. Rising from his seat, he returned to the ladies.
Katirya offered him her glass. "Do try this."
Loki took a sip and smiled. "This is excellent. Where did you find this?" he asked Barnet.
"My wife's brother has started a new vineyard. He was experimenting this spring and came up with this concoction. Sent me a sample and, well, after I tried it, I told him to send me more," Barnet explained.
"I've asked him to set some aside for us," Katirya added.
"Indeed. This is a pleasant wine. I shall look forward to enjoying a glass every evening," Loki replied as he finished the glass off.
"Wait! That was mine!" Katirya laughed.
"No worries, my lady. I have plenty more," Barnet pulled another bottle down and quickly refilled her glass and poured one for Loki as well. He glanced at Frigga and noticed her glass was almost empty. Frigga held out her glass for a refill and he quickly obliged. A shout from the end of the bar caught his attention. "If you will excuse me."
Loki nodded and Barnet quickly went to take care of the problem that had erupted.
"I believe we can safely leave Thor here. He clearly had nothing to do with Sif's disappearance and I would prefer to keep that news quiet. With Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg here, along with the small watch outside, we can keep tabs on him. I suggest we try to track down your brother now, before he returns and announces that Sif is missing," Loki said.
"You mentioned he was searching out in the forest, by the waterfall?" Katirya asked.
"Yes, that was where I sent the guard to search." Loki stopped talking as Barnet returned.
Barnet made to refill their glasses when Loki stopped him.
"Thank you, Barnet, but I think we must move on to our next stop," Loki stated.
"Indeed, we are attempting to visit as many establishments tonight as we can," Katirya added. "But, if you don't mind… could you send a bottle or two of that up tonight?"
Barnet laughed heartily. "Indeed, I shall. Do stop in again soon!"
"We shall!" Frigga stated as the three rose to depart.
Shouts erupted from the entrance of the tavern as Micarian burst into the room. "I have been attacked! Your brother tried to kill me!" He staggered towards Loki and the others, blood pouring down his face from a wound above his left eye.
"Mica! What happened? How?" Katirya gasped as she ran towards her brother.
He opened his mouth to reply when his eyes settled on Thor. "I'm going to…"
He never finished his sentence as he and Katirya disappeared.