We don't have time to plan. We don't have time to speak. We just walk silently to the throne room, each step feeling heavier and heavier.
This is all my fault.
We stop before the throne room door, dread hanging over us like a cloud. The guards don't look at us as they open the doors. As soon as I glimpse inside, my heart drops. It seems this won't be between the four of us. Odin is seated on the throne, glowering menacingly. Frigga stands beside him, a disappointed frown on her usually cheery face. Then also attending is Thor, who stands opposite of his mother, his expression one of pure solemnity. Lady Sif is next to him, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. She scowls at us. Lastly, to my great surprise, is Sigyn, who is looking very small and feeble compared to Sif. As soon as she sees Loki, her expression changes from one of seriousness to one of despair, though after a quick glance at Odin, she quickly schools it back to seriousness.
"Enter." Odin commands, his voice still full of that quiet rage. We do, and kneel before him. My heart is thudding so hard in my chest I can scarcely hear myself think. How am I going to fight this? "You may rise."
We do, and one of the guards posted around the room comes over and grab's Loki's arm, pulling him away from Dessa and I. We share a glance before he is pulled away, and his gaze is filled with so much despair, it almost breaks me. But it doesn't. If anything, it returns my resolve. I turn to the throne and wait for Odin to speak. Let him make his move first.
"Cameron of Midgard and Dessa of Asgard, you stand before me after committing one of the worst infractions in Asgard: you entered the Forbidden Art Gallery." He starts, his one eye boring down on us. "What do you have to say to this?" Loki opens his mouth, but Odin immediately stops him. "For yourselves." He states with emphasis.
I guess this is now my chance. I take a tiny step forward. Guards immediately move in front of the throne, their weapons pointed at me. I cautiously raise my hands in surrender. "I was simply stepping forward to speak."
"Then speak." Odin orders. Reluctantly, the guards move back into position.
I swallow nervously. "Sir, it is entirely my fault that we ended up in the Forbidden Art Gallery." I pause, unsure of how to continue. I don't think Odin will be very happy if he finds out that I can now teleport.
Odin narrows his eye, leaning forward slightly. "And why is that?" He asks, scrutinizing us. "Dessa has been a servant of Asgard nearly her entire life." He raises an eyebrow. "Surely she knows the secrets of Asgard better than you."
I have to fight to keep from turning my fidgeting hands into fists. Did he really just accuse Dessa of bringing me to the Forbidden Art Gallery?
I take a deep breath to try to relax. Here goes any sort of good feelings Odin has towards me. "It was my fault because I teleported us in there."
Odin's face freezes in shock, but only for a moment. Then he laughs, quite humorlessly, and leans back. "Loki told you to say that, didn't he?"
My eyes widen in surprise. Does he really not believe me? I shake my head. "No.. I.." I starts, but then I am interrupted by Loki stepping forward.
"You are correct." He smirks, shrugging his shoulders. "I told her to say that."
I whip around towards him, staring at him in shock. What does he think he's doing? His gaze meets mine, and he winks. I try to express to him with my gaze that I think he's crazy, but he just looks back towards Odin. Relax. I have figured out a plan. He speaks to me in my head.
I mentally scowl at him. It's a stupid plan. I reply. I know he's trying to get all of the blame placed on himself. I open my mouth to speak, but Loki breezily walks around in front of me, blocking Odin's view of me. I notice none of the guards bother to move either, of course. Privileges of being royalty, I suppose.
"I am the one to take them both into the Forbidden Art Gallery." He states proudly.
Hidden from view, I fight the urge to roll my eyes at so obvious a lie. Odin's going to see right through that.
"You were not seen in Dessa's memories, only Cameron was." Odin states. "I checked the memories myself."
Loki chuckles. "I am a Master of Magic, All-Father. I know how to alter a few memories." He walks over to Dessa, who still looks really nervous, placing a hand on her head. He closes his eyes in concentration. I watch, fascinated, as Dessa's eyes go blank for a few seconds, but then she is completely back to normal, though she does look confused. "I took the alterations away." He takes his hand off her head. "Go ahead and see for yourself."
Odin stands up, towering above us, and I can feel worry start to clench at my gut. This plan is so not going to work. He walks over to Dessa, who is looking quite terrified now, but she remains still as he places a hand on her head. We wait for what seems like an eternity, but it could have easily just been a few seconds, when he removes his hand.
He nods at the guards by Dessa and I. "He's telling the truth." Immediately, the guards surround Loki.
"No!" He's been banished once before, I won't let it happen again. Especially since it's because of me. I move towards the circle of guards, but one rushes over and grabs my arm, stopping me.
Odin turns and smiles slowly at me. "Oh don't worry Cameron, he's not the only one with consequences." That smile... why does it give me a sinking feeling? He continues on. "You, also, Cameron, are going to the dungeons."
"The.. dungeons?" I repeat, a bit confused. Does that mean we're not being banished?
Odin nods seriously. "Yes, Cameron, the dungeons. But this time, it won't only be for a day. This time it will be for two weeks."
"Two weeks!" I exclaim, my mouth agape. Can someone survive in there for that long?
"It's less than you deserve." He warns sternly. He turns to Dessa. "You, Dessa, will not be going. You were adamant about leaving as soon as you figured out where you were, so you won't be punished for that, as well as looking over Cameron." Dessa relaxes, losing her terrified gaze. "However..." He continues. She looks back up to him. "You will be attending Lady Sif until Cameron is released." Dessa nods quickly. Odin smiles. "Good. It will be tough, but you still were in the Forbidden Art Gallery, so something must be done."
Odin travels back to his throne, sitting down. "You are all sentenced. Be gone." He thuds his staff on the floor.
And, just like that, the sound reverberates around the room, bouncing off the ceiling, walls, making everything blurry and fuzzy. Then the world tilts, and I pass out.
