Chapter 6

The ride into the city was a lot more pleasant than the ride Loki'd taken with Laufey away from his old life. The sun was bright, the wind wasn't too cold, and he could actually hear a bird singing somewhere. Now that they were moving at a sedate pace, he was able to look around and notice things. There were the mountains in the distance, and beyond the road there were moors with little scrubby trees here and there. He'd thought that Jotun was nothing but rock, ice, and caves, but it looked like he'd been wrong. With the way the moors that swept away from them and ended in mountains, he was reminded strongly of Asgard's sweeping vistas and natural beauty.

The city was just ahead of them. There were other riders, wagons and carriages full of people, and plenty of people on foot. All of them wore brightly-colored sashes depicting the sun or the sun's rays. Once or twice people looked at them and then did a double-take, but to Loki's relief, nobody approached them, although a few people did wave. The crowds got thicker the closer they got to the city and by the time they reached the city proper, the only way they made their way through the crowds at all were because people made way for them. They entered the main avenue and then, it seemed, the entire city realized just who had arrived, because the crowds burst out with a cheer that nearly deafened Loki. He jumped in the saddle and Noekta shied, but fortunately she calmed down and followed Laufey's mount in front her.

People might have been cheering, but that didn't stop Loki from hearing what people were saying when they passed. It was a mixture of Jotun and either horribly-or-passably accented Asgardian, and everything he heard unsettled him.

"...the lost prince!"

"...looks like a proper Jotun prince!"

"The living blessing!"

"...didn't they feed him on Asgard? What were they..."

"Oh, look at him! Isn't he precious?"

"He looks like a smaller version of his father!"

"Do you think he dances? Or sings? My daughters would adore him if he did!"

"They should adore him no matter what! Just look at him!"

"Why doesn't he wear his Jotun skin?"

"...has his mother's eyes!"

"Yes, and his father's chin!"

"So handsome!"

"I hope he visits my stall...all those years on Asgard without proper food...the poor lad! I'll feed him up right!"

Loki wished that the earth could open up and swallow him whole. Hearing all of this was extremely uncomfortable.

Helbindi must have noticed how he was feeling because he reined up close to Loki. "Don't let it bother you," he advised his brother. "They're going to speculate no matter what, and a lot of it can get a bit...personal."

Loki thought about how much respect the royal family was held in on Asgard and couldn't understand the difference. "Why does it...I mean, why are they...?" He couldn't think of how to frame the question.

"Every clan on Jotun is related through blood or marriage or adoption, so there are family ties of some sort between everyone, and that includes the royal family," Bylestir put in as he joined them. "Everyone in this city will regard you as a distant cousin, and ten to one, they'll act as if you're a long-lost family member."

That didn't make him feel better, and he said so. "What are they going to expect from me?"

"Well, if you're looking for advice..." Helbindi said thoughtfully. "Since you're a living blessing, expect a lot of affection, especially from the women. People are going to try to feed you, even if you're not hungry, so unless you're actually hungry, don't even glance at the food stalls."

"Don't agree to sit down anywhere with anyone unless you're with us, because you'll have a hard time getting away since they'll keep you talking for hours, and you won't be able to see any of the festival."

"And don't show any interest in anything at the merchants' stalls unless you really want it, because ten to one they'll think you want it and they'll try to load you down with gifts."

Loki's stomach sank to somewhere near Noekta's hooves. He wished he were back in his room with a book. "You know what? I think I'll go back to the palace. You go to the festival for me and tell me all about it."

Farbauti must have been listening, because she joined her sons at that point. "It won't be as bad as you're thinking, Loki," she promised. "Trust us, all right?"

Her smile and the tone of her voice helped him relax, and he nodded. "All right."

They reached the main square then, and the cheering blocked out any further conversation. As promised, there was a stage, and Laufey led them all to it and they dismounted. Four short steps...well, four big steps that Loki had to stretch his legs to get up later, and they were on the stage and facing the crowds. The cheering was deafening and continued for a few minutes until Laufey raised his hands.

"Thank you for your welcome!" Laufey stated. "Today is a joyous day for all of us! The sun shines down on us, and it shines down on our lost prince! He has returned to Jotunheim!"

The wall of sound that erupted from the people below them made Loki feel as if he might be knocked off his feet. He could actually feel their cheering wrapping around him like a blanket, and he could feel the vibration against his bones.

Laufey raised his hands again. "Joy swells in my heart to hear your welcome! Today, I will look to all of you to welcome my son back to his home and to his people!"

He turned then and held out his hand to Loki. Feeling self-conscious, Loki took his hand and joined Laufey at his side. A second later Farbauti joined them on Loki's other side and took his other hand. He got a surprise, then, because both of them put an arm around his waist and lifted him so he could sit on Laufey's shoulder. The symbolism wasn't lost on him since they'd read a story recently about a father finding his lost son among the stars and lifting him to sit on his shoulder so he could be carried home. It wasn't lost on the crowd either, because the cheering that followed that little gesture nearly did knock him over and he had to grab hold of Laufey's hair so he wouldn't topple from his perch. He heard a hiss of pain from Laufey and then he was being lifted back down to the stage and set on his feet. A moment later, Helbindi and Bylestir joined them and both of them reached out to grasp Loki's shoulders.

Loki missed the rest of Laufey's speech, but he couldn't miss the cheering that picked back up when Laufey finished. As it faded away Loki could feel his ears ringing and he hoped that he wouldn't suffer any hearing loss from it. People dispersed then, and Loki was able to collect himself. "That was...loud."

"They're very happy," Laufey told him. "Of course they'll be loud."

For the first time, Loki noticed that Helbindi and Bylestir seemed...restless. Helbindi was shifting from foot to foot and Bylestir was bouncing on his heels. Farbauti was giving both of her sons a patient look and Laufey joined her.

"You two know the rules," Laufey said, looking both of them in the eye. "You're to stay together, and you're to watch out for your brother. You're not to take part in any of the races or bouts or wrestling. If you drink anything, not more than one in an hour. Understood?"

"Yes, Father," both of them said. To Loki's eyes, they looked ready to tear off into the festival.

Laufey knelt down to look Loki in the eye. "There are always these rules whenever there's a festival, so please listen closely, Loki. You are to go nowhere by yourself. You must watch out for your brothers. While no one would dare hurt you, there can still be trouble, so keep your eyes peeled. If you get separated from Helbindi and Bylestir, find a guard and wait with him until they can find you. Do not take part in any of the races, fighting bouts, or wrestling. People tend not to follow the rules for those, and your mother and I don't want you getting hurt. You can drink cider or beer or wine, but not more than one an hour. Do you understand?"

Loki wondered what Laufey would say if he ever mentioned the last drinking contest he and Thor had been a part of. While Loki had been able to drink Thor under the table, both of them had woken up with bad hangovers and they'd received a few choice words from Frigga about it. Odin had been a trifle more merciful since he'd provided both of his sons with ice packs and 'a hair of the dog.' No, best not to mention it. There might be bloodshed. "I understand."

"You'll be outside all day and it will be very cold," Farbauti cautioned him. "It might be best if you wear your Jotun skin for the day."

Loki remembered that horrifying shift of his skin and fought down a shudder. Then again, he hadn't remembered being cold when that had happened. It was a sensible suggestion and it might be a good idea as long as he didn't pass a mirror. "How do I...put it on?"

Laufey reached out and cradled Loki's face in his hands. Loki felt...something...shift inside him and the chill in the air receded. "Like that. Eventually, if you make the shift often enough, you'll learn how to do it on your own."

What could he say to that? "Thank you."

Farbauti held her hand out to him and gave him a leather pouch. It clinked when he took it and when he opened it he saw several coins inside. "What's this?"

"Spending money," Farbauti told him. "There will be things you'll want to buy, so you'll need money."

That was something he'd not really expected. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Have some fun today, all right?"

The warm smile she gave him made him smile in return and he nodded.

"All three of you are to be back here at the sixth ring of the bell, understand?" Laufey said firmly.

"Yes, Father," Helbindi and Bylestir chorused, and Loki nodded.

"All right, off with you, and have fun," Laufey said, clapping each of them on the shoulders.

Helbindi and Bylestir both grabbed Loki's hands and darted away, pulling him along. He did his best to keep up but finally he planted his feet and groaned. "Which one of you thought it would be a good idea to nearly pull my arms from their sockets?"

Both of them looked horrified. "Did we?" Helbindi asked.

Loki grinned at them, and shook his head. "No, but it was a close thing! What's the hurry?"

"Aldis has his stall set up nearby," Bylestir told him. "We always go there first, but if we don't hurry, there will be a crowd."

"And what does Aldis sell?"

"The best sweets you'll ever taste," Helbindi promised. "Can we talk about this on the way? Let's go!"

Loki could not believe that he was about to suggest it, but..."What if one of you carry me?" It wouldn't be dignified, but it would be fast.

Bylestir took it as an invitation and scooped him up onto his back, carrying him piggyback. Helbindi and Bylestir broke into a distance-eating trot that had them moving through the crowds at a pace that Loki found enjoyable from his vantage point. More than one person cast them a startled glance and then scurried out of the way. They recognized men on a mission and they didn't dare stand in their way.

The stall that was their destination was a wooden, four-sided stall with stools placed around it. A colorful awning provided shelter to patrons and an energetic man was behind the counter, stirring something in a large, metal pan over a roaring fire. The stall was already crowded, but two patrons handed their bowls back to the man and left just as Lok and his brothers arrived.

The man spotted them. "Ah, the young princes! I wondered how long it would take before you showed up!"

"Hello, Aldis!" Helbindi said happily as they took their seats and Bylestir set Loki down. "We brought our brother with us this year!"

Aldis bowed from behind the counter, still holding the wooden spoon like a scepter. "A pleasure to meet you," he said kindly.

"And you," Loki said politely, nodding his head. "Helbindi said that you make the best sweets I'll ever taste."

Aldis stared at him and then threw his head back in laughter. "Did he say that! Well, well! I hope I can fulfill your expectations, young prince! It'll be just a moment!"

Someone found a tall stool for Loki and he took his seat between Helbindi and Bylestir so he could watch Aldis. Aldis took a mound of white cubes of...something...and tossed it all into the pan, sprinkling golden crystals in on top of the cubes. Using the spoon, he stirred it all around and around, the crystals melting and coating the cubes. With a flourish he filled three bowls and placed them in front of the princes, adding a slotted spoon to each bowl. A second later three small bowls of water were placed beside their bowls, and Aldis bowed. "Enjoy."

"Like this," Helbindi said, scooping up one of the still-sizzling cubes and dunking it into the water, making something crack. The water hissed as it drained away from the spoon and Helbindi popped the cube into his mouth and chewed. "Mmmmmm."

"What would Mother say if she knew you'd made such a noise while eating?" Bylestir asked, scooping up a cube and dunking it in the water. A cracking sound followed.

"She wouldn't hear me since she'd be making the same noise if she were eating this," Helbindi insisted. "Go ahead, Loki."

Carefully, Loki scooped up a cube, dunked it, heard a crack, and put it into his mouth. The sweet was still hot, but the outside was sweet and crunchy with crystallized sugar and inside was light and creamy and absolutely delicious. He chewed, savoring every bit, and scooped up the next piece with more enthusiasm. "What is it?"

Aldis chuckled. "The inside is a sweet cheese flavored with fruit and berry juice, and the outside just plain sugar heated. It's a specialty from where I grew up."

"I bet the whole world is jealous of you for your childhood," Helbindi stated, dunking another piece. He grinned when it cracked and he spooned it into his mouth. "You got to eat this all the time!"

Loki turned all his attention to the glorious cubes in his bowl. Scoop, dunk, crack, chew, savor, swallow, and repeat. All too soon the bowls were empty and Loki was trying hard not to mourn when Bylestir said, "Now comes the best part!" So saying, he picked up his bowl of water and upended it into his sweet bowl, leaving the molten sugar left behind to crack and float to the surface. He scooped the bits out and munched away as his brothers followed his example. Loki smiled when the mellow taste of the heated sugar hit him and he swore to himself that when he went back to Asgard, the recipe for these sweets would go with him.

"Thank you, Aldis," Bylestir said as Aldis gathered up their empty bowls.

"Mmmm, thank you," Helbindi echoed, looking a bit dazed. "You are looking at some very happy men."

Loki gave a contented sigh. "You're here every year?" he asked hopefully.

"Every festival," Aldis corrected. "I hope to see you again."

Loki grinned and both of his brothers laughed. "I think you can count on it, Aldis," Helbindi chuckled. "How much?"

Aldis named his price, the three of them paid it, and then left their stools to make way for the next customers.

"That was good," Loki commented as they headed away from the stall. "I can see why you make that the first stop."

"Oh, yes," Helbindi confirmed. "Come on, let's go play some games!"

The festival had spread through the entire city, it seemed. The central plaza had main thoroughfares cutting through it from every corner of the city, and Loki figured that from above the city must look like a starburst. In the center plaza were the races and bouts, but down each thoroughfare were merchants' stalls, food stalls, and game stalls. Over the next few hours Loki and his brothers played game after game: darts, horseshoes, hammer throw, stacking a pyramid, and he tried to join a match of tug of war, but there was an outcry from nearly every bystander about that. He tried to explain that he was much stronger than he looked, but there was such a protest that he gave up and just cheered Helbindi and Bylestir on. He was alone for perhaps two minutes before a lady at a nearby sweet stall ushered him to a seat and plied him with "just a little snack, prince, you look peaked." How he could look "peaked" when he was blue was beyond him, but the feather-light little cakes she was selling looked delicious, and he was more than happy to accept one and nibble it while he waited.

One game he wanted to try was the rope climb. You climbed a rope as fast as you could while someone timed you and if you had the fastest time out of three you won a prize, but Helbindi and Bylestir both exchanged a look and immediately steered him away.

"Honestly, you know I can do that!"

"That's not what worries us," Helbindi told him.

"Is it because Farbauti yelled at you when I climbed that tree?"

"That's exactly it," Bylestir confirmed. "Our lives are very dear to us, so let's find something else to do."

Feeling merciful, Loki agreed and they joined a ball and hoop game.

He was just starting to get hungry when Helbindi and Bylestir steered him through the crowds to a stall that was doing a thriving trade in...something delicious, he could smell it! "Please tell me this is where we're having lunch!"

"Oh, you bet!" Helbindi promised. "Let's get seats!"

There was no menu displayed. A woman behind the counter, like Aldis, cooked in a large metal pan with a fire under it. Loki could see something stringy and white...something grayish...what was this? Two minutes later he had his answer as the woman placed three portions into bowls, poured broth over each, and served them. What he had in front of him was soup, packed full of thin noodles, shredded vegetables, and slivers of meat. Intrigued, he picked up his fork and dug in and then dug in with more enthusiasm once he'd tasted it. It was incredible! Savory, with just a little spice, and the crunch of the vegetables was a nice counterpoint to the noodles. He wished his stomach was big enough to accommodate a second helping, but a normal-sized Jotun portion of anything was his "large" portion. Regretfully, he put his fork into his empty bowl and leaned back in his seat with a sigh. He really hoped that would be served at the palace sometime soon!

"Like it?" Helbindi asked as he finished his bowl.

"Oooh, yes," Loki breathed. "Do we ever get that at the palace?"

Helbindi and Bylestir exchanged a surprised look, as if the thought had never occurred to them. Loki had to laugh when Bylestir stated that they would have to talk to the kitchen staff.

They wandered the festival then, and while they'd been getting people approaching them occasionally, now it seemed as if people were out in force to say hello. They were positively swarmed once they moved away from the noodle soup stall. Men, women, and even some youngsters flocked close to say hello to Bylestir and Helbindi and to gawk at Loki. They were circumspect about it, but he knew they were all really there to see him. On Asgard, when people thought of "prince," they usually thought of Thor first and then Loki, but here, he could tell he was the first in everyone's minds. While he might have once wanted to be held in more regard than his brother, it was not a comfortable feeling. How had Thor lived with it all those years?

Loki realized for the first time that he had only the barest knowledge of how to greet different people on Jotun. He could greet the staff, of course, and the few nobles and dignitaries he'd met so far, but others...what was he to do?

They took the matter out of his hands. Before he could stumble over a formal greeting, most of the men would reach out and grasp his shoulders or clap him on the back. From the women, especially the older women, he got a kiss on the forehead or a hand smoothing his hair. From the oldest men and women, usually an embrace or a kiss on the cheek or both, and from the children, he got questions. He was starting to feel overwhelmed when a venerable old man turned to the crowd around them and shouted, "All right, now! We've got a festival to enjoy, and the princes deserve to enjoy it, too! Off with you until later!" He turned and grinned at the three princes. "Off with you now, princes. Enjoy yourselves!"

Helbindi and Bylestir didn't wait to be told twice and ushered Loki away.

"Is it always like that during the Sun Festival? People mobbing you to say hello at odd times?"

"Sometimes," Helbindi admitted. "I think, though, everyone just decided to wait until after we'd had lunch. Thirsty?"

"Oh, yes."

"Over here is always good," Bylestir promised. "They make very good cider!"

It was good. Very good. Light and crisp and fruity with just enough alcohol in it to make any drinker feel pleasantly warm. It was a pity they could drink only one glass at a time of something, but Loki saw the sense of the rule. What fun would the festival be, and what sort of impression would you give, if you got falling-down drunk in public?

They kept wandering the festival, and finally they started touring the merchants' stalls. Loki followed Helbindi and Bylestir and tried hard not to be too interested in any one thing, mindful that someone might try to make him a gift of something if he appeared interested. These people had to make a living, after all, and he was determined that if he carried anything away from these stalls, it would be something he'd paid for.

"Yes!" Bylestir gasped as they rounded a corner and spotted a stall with a purple canopy. "Karon is here! Let's take a look!"

"Who's Karon?" Loki asked as they headed toward the stall.

"A bookseller."

Loki felt interest sit up and take notice. Yes, he could see books. Lots of books. Behind the stall, there was a wagon parked that looked like it held even more books. As soon as they got to the stall, Loki was looking at the books. There were books bound in leather, cloth, thick covers woven from reeds, and even some books that looked as if they were bound in silk. There were large ones close to the size of paving stones, ones that could fit in the palm of your hand, books that folded out like a fan or in pleats, and there were even books that were rolled like scrolls and tied with ribbons or cord.

They were absolutely beautiful.

Karon, a grizzled old man who moved about with the aid of a crutch, greeted them warmly and guided them to his newest stock. Loki headed toward the books that he could hold easily in his hand, and Karon joined him while his Jotun brothers exclaimed over this or that volume. "Are you looking for anything in particular, prince?"

"Not really," Loki admitted. "I've only started reading Jotun."

Karon nodded and ran his eyes over the lines of books. He reached out and plucked a mid-size book that would be easy for Loki to hold. "Take a look at this one and see if you like it."

Loki opened the book and gasped at the drawing on the frontispiece. He could see almost every color there ever had been in the world, and a few he'd never imagined. The drawing was a of three Jotun women and a Jotun man, who was asleep. The drawing looked as if he could reach out and shake the man's shoulder. "What is it?"

Karon understood the question. "It's a technique called water-painting. Color is dropped into water, and then the page is treated with different powders before dropped into color after color, drying between colors. Not many people have the patience to do it, but when it's done right, it's exquisite. The quality on this one is middling, but it's passable."

Loki wondered what an exquisite illustration would look like, if this one was only "middling." Loki turned the page and ran his eyes over the words. This wasn't a book of wonder tales or a textbook like he'd been reading, this was a novel. His first Jotun novel! The narrator spoke in the first person and it was clear that the speaker was the young man shown in the drawing. "How much is it? And please, don't say it's a gift if I'd like it. You need to make a living, and I think the king and queen would feel a bit put out if I didn't spend the money they were kind enough to give me."

Karon chuckled. "Well said, young man. Ten and five."

"Done, if you'll show me how much ten and five are."

Karon chuckled, showed him, and Loki paid the price just as Helbindi and Bylestir showed up with their purchases.

After Karon's stall, they went to other stalls, returning peoples' greetings as they went. Loki had a few very uncomfortable minutes when a flock of young women his age crowded around him and cooed over him, and Bylestir and Helbindi weren't much help. Loki was starting to feel rather murderous toward the pair of them because they just stood back and grinned instead of stepping in and putting a stop to...what would any man call this? Feminine assault? In the space of ten minutes he'd been hugged, patted, kissed, his hair smoothed, his hair ruffled (of all things!) and he'd had no less than three pieces of...something sweet...popped into his mouth at different times. One girl was insisting that Loki try a fourth piece of something when Helbindi and Bylestir finally approached them. "We see you've met our brother."

A deluge of questions followed and how they managed to answer all of them was beyond Loki. Finally, they bid the ladies a happy Sun Festival and hurried Loki away.

"Why didn't you stop them sooner?" Loki demanded once they were well away.

"Are you kidding?" Bylestir gasped. "That was the most girls we've seen for ages! Petting you was keeping them right in our line of sight!"

Loki looked at his brothers in shock. "You two hounds!"

"Oh, yes," Helbindi sighed, looking supremely happy. "No chaperones...no formal manners...just beauty and the sound of their voices..."

"And their other charms..."

"I wonder what Farbauti would say."

Both of them stared at him in horror. "You wouldn't!"

Loki gave them an impish smile. "I'll have to think about it." The aghast looks they were giving him made him laugh. "Fine, your secret's safe with me! Is there a place where we can buy some gifts?"

"Lots," Bylestir confirmed, still looking slightly shaken. "What would you like to buy?"

"Let's wander and see if anything looks interesting. Can we do that?"

They wandered about, and Loki purchased a beaded necklace, a wide leather belt with a tooled silver buckle in the shape of a tree, a leather satchel, and a pair of gloves.

"Why did you buy those? The necklace is for a woman, the belt and gloves are way too big..."

Loki sidestepped the question neatly. "Is there anything you want to buy?"

They turned their attention to a nearby stall, and Loki let his mind wander a bit. He found himself wandering to the next stall to look at things, then the next...a few steps away from them was okay, wasn't it?

"Would the prince care to sample?" a reedy voice said nearby, making him jump.

It was the most ramshackle stall he'd ever seen. It was a board set across two boxes, and that was it. Behind the counter was a bent old man with a tatty blanket wrapped over his head. On the (he supposed it could be called a counter) counter there was a bottle and several mismatched glasses. "Sample what?"

"A glass of mountain wine!" the old man said jovially. "It is the most refreshing and restoring drink to be had on Jotun! Would you care to try some?" So saying, he pulled the cork from the bottle and poured some dark green liquid into a glass and held it out.

Loki took the glass and examined the color. It was like looking at a liquid emerald, and the aroma of the wine made his mouth water. He lifted the glass to his nose to get a better whiff and smiled. It smelled wonderful! He put the glass to his lips-

"DON'T DRINK IT, LOKI!"

Bylestir's voice raised in a roar startled him and he dropped the glass. It shattered at his feet and he mourned the wine as it soaked the paving stones. He didn't get long to mourn, though, as Helbindi and Bylestir descended on him.

"Did you swallow any of it?!"

"What were you thinking, going off by yourself?!"

"Did you drink any?!"

"Please tell me you didn't drink it!"

"NO!" Loki managed at last. "What's the matter with you two?" He looked past them toward the old man, but he was gone.

"That stuff's dangerous!" Helbindi growled, uncorking the bottle and pouring it out onto the stones. "It's dreaming wine! You drink a glass like that, and you're asleep for days or worse!"

"Days?" Loki echoed in shock.

"Drink too much of it, and you don't wake up," Bylestir added. "You're only supposed to drink a spoonful mixed in a whole glass of something else if you want to sleep with good dreams, but he gave you a whole glass by itself! What was he trying to do, kill you?"

Loki stared at them. "You don't think he was actually trying to do that, do you?"

Helbindi shook his head. "No. The most likely thing is that he's so old he's lost his wits and didn't realize what he was doing. I think that we're going to have to tell Father about this. If he's peddling straight dreaming wine, that could be a problem.'

"Could you avoid the fact that I almost drank some?" Loki asked hopefully. He did not want to hear what Laufey or Farbauti might have to say.

"As long as you promise not to go off by yourself again."

"Done."

A bell ringing broke into the conversation.

"Sixth bell warning," Bylestir said, sounding worn out. "We have to meet Mother and Father by sixth bell. Let's go."