Dorian sets off on his quest to locate a means to challenge Modi in single combat. Accompanied by his newfound tiny ally, he enters a land forgotten by time to save the woman responsible for his new life among the gods…

"Son of a bitch!" Ratatoskr cursed as the Bifrost Bridge deposited them on the platform, their destination finally reached.

"It's not that bad," Dorian tried to calm his furry companion, if he was going to complain about everything the whole way it would get grating fast.

"Not bad? Having your molecular structure broken down by a damned rainbow and shot across the universe is pretty bad. You could just send us back to the Road Between Realms…get us there a lot quicker…"

"You heard the Allfather," Dorian chastised. "The trek must be made from the base to the peak on foot; if any transportation or teleportation magic is used they will refuse to help.

That includes flying runes as well, he grimaced internally. Dorian did not want to admit it, but he found it difficult to open a rift bigger than Ratatoskr even under intense focus. His only guess was that Yggdrasil must have helped him the first time.

"Why do you even care? You are riding on my shoulders!" Sure enough, Ratatoskr was sitting on Dorian's left shoulders curled up into a ball; he had been that way since entering the Bifrost structure.

"Don't change the subject kid, besides you should be the one in a rush!"

Dorian's face grimaced as he continued to powerwalk as fast as he could, Ratatoskr was right. Odin and Freyja assured him they would delay the challenge as long as tradition allowed, that gave him one week. If he could not make it to the peak and back to Asgard in that time, Rossweisse would be considered a traitor at Modi's word and executed.

"I am…but if we try cutting corners it will ruin everything, I WON'T risk it until we have no other choice!"

Even Ratatoskur shirked back at his tone, he knew when to joke and when to be serious. They could not help but notice that the Bifrost Port was almost deserted; a few caretakers from Asgard were the only occupants.

"I wonder why no one comes here," Dorian muttered as he rushed towards the exit.

"Well, this used to be one of the more feared realms in creation," Ratatoskr explained. "Hel, Thor himself used to be known as the giant slayer until the treaty was made centuries ago. Even still, it is hard to remove fears that were ingrained into the minds of people since time immemorial. Even taking them out, the land is…shall we say, a tad wild."

"Wild?" Dorian asked as he stepped out of the front entrance, the door noticeably larger than the one in Asgard. "Oh…" he muttered as the landscape opened up before him.

One hour earlier…

"Jotunheim?" Dorian asked as he hurriedly strapped on his armor he had used for the hunt. As Odin had put it, they could not supply weapons for the fight, however if he was merely leaving to retrieve his weapon then there was no problem outfitting him for the trip. He had wanted to say goodbye to Rose, reassure her...but apparently only family of her own or the challenger were permitted entry before the fight.

"Precisely," Thrud held his back to aid in expediting his preparation. "There are none more skilled at weapon crafting than the dwarves of Nidavellir, if you are to acquire a weapon to challenge Modi, it will be made by them."

"Then wouldn't I go to Nidavellir?"

"Not at present," Thrud pulled back the final strap tightly. "The dwarven brothers who forged Modi's and even my father's weapon are currently in service to the King of the Jotuns. You will have to make it to his palace to request their aid."

"And they will just build a weapon for me…just like that?"

"Is it ever that simple?" Thrud asked dryly as she tugged on a strap harder than necessary. "You must prove your worth for them to craft a weapon to match Modi. In this case, making it to them through the very wilderness of Jotunheim unaided should be enough to gain their favor."

"And if it doesn't?" Dorian asked fearfully as he secured the sword to his hip, sliding the new Ategir into a leather strap on his back.

"Then you must find another way to prove yourself and quickly," Thrud replied sharply after a moment's hesitation. "Do hurry, Lady Freyja has already cleared all the paperwork to take the Bifrost straight there. You can still turn from this path if you so choose."

Dorian turned, Thrud was holding her composure, but he could see the worry in her eyes. She and Rossweisse were quite close almost like sisters in their duties serving Freyja and Odin. Mustering all of his certainty and determination to hide his own fears, he gripped the Valkyrie firmly by the shoulders. Her eyes locked onto his, uncertain what he was doing.

"Don't worry," Dorian smiled. "I WILL get this weapon and be back in time…and I WILL kick your brother's ass, I swear. I could never run...my life is not worth hers."

Thrud allowed a smile to squeeze through, pulling Dorian into an embrace. Dorian thought it was to reassure him, in actuality it was so he wouldn't see the look on her face. It was true Dorian had improved immensely since coming to Asgard, but he didn't know her brother like she did.

"Just…get back alive, we can start with that and work from there."

"Oy!" Ratatoskr called out from the front entrance. "We gotta go! Just get the quickie over with and save the rest for when we get home!"

Present Day…

Everything outside the Bifrost Port was jungle and wilderness, but unlike any Dorian had seen in all his travels. As expected of the land of the giants, every blade of grass and carnation was enormous, even what should have been the smallest of ferns towered over the young Einherjar. The trees stretched high above even the Bifrost's structure, the air was thick and humid, Dorian made sure to leave his warmest outfits packed for when he reached the mountains. Even with what little gear he was wearing while still remaining armored, his clothes stuck to him almost immediately, it was sure to be a long and grueling trek.

"Think the realm is compensating for something?" Ratatoskr asked with a playful elbow, even Dorian could not resist a snicker as they set out. They were both so focused neither noticed the gem on Dorian's gear switch to a deep green for half a second before reverting back to azure. "It smells just as bad as last time I was here."

Dorian had to agree, as amazing a sight as it was; the aroma of the jungle around them seemed to be amplified in proportion to everything else. He had to restrict his breathing somewhat to resist gagging.

All was peaceful as they set out from the Port with little excitement as there were defenses in place that deterred the plant life from encroaching on the structure and drove away predators. That would most certainly change the further out they got. They could see a massive waterfall in the distance, according to Odin; if they climbed it they would find themselves before the mountain leading to the King's Palace. At that point, they would have to scale the side of the cliff to reach the top where the frost Jotuns resided.

"So what do you know about the Jotuns?" Dorian asked as he hacked his way through the deep foliage.

"Big, burly, not too bright on average but that small percentage can be wicked clever…trust little of what you see around them for they are skilled at illusion magic. Best partiers of the nine realms outside of the Aesir themselves, a celebration of theirs could last for weeks!"

"Hopefully they are not in the middle of one then," Dorian sighed. The path before them seemed so far; by his math they would have to reach the peak within three days, no more than four to have time to get back down depending on how long it took to craft the weapon…if they would craft it at all.

The hardest part at first was certainly finding ways around the gargantuan trees and roots that littered the jungle floor. What appeared to be an entire forest was merely the path of roots leading to a single tree. They did not have time to go the traditional path; instead, Dorian took a page from Ratatoskr's book and took to the trees.

They spotted the occasional animal; Dorian had jumped at the first bird that swooped by, being larger than him by double at least. It screeched, flying just overhead towards them. It looked as if it would try to snatch him in its oversized talons until Dorian dropped back to the forest floor and drew his spear. Recognizing the threat, the bird veered off course and into the sky, not willing to fight for such a small meal.

"At least they aren't predatorial birds," Ratatoskr sighed. "I hope."

"Right," Dorian relaxed, returning the Ategir to his back. Alas, he did not notice the high grass rustling in such a way that could not possibly have been the wind. He would never have reacted in time had he not spotted a pair of glowing yellow eyes from the foliage. "RAT! Look out!" He cried as he drew the sword at his hip.

The head of a snake larger than his entire body launched itself from the brush maw open and barreling towards him. Dorian raised his blade, parrying one of the poisonous twin fangs and causing the enormous python to fly past him, plummeting to the ground beyond. Somehow, his sword had failed to slice through the tooth. It had clearly been the reason the bird had taken flight and was unwilling to stay.

The snake coiled around, its tail swiping towards him like a whip capable of cutting him in half with ease.

"I don't have time for this!"

The Sacred Gear bracer emerged on his arm, the gem switching to gold instinctively. With a renewed slash, his sword cleaved through the tail, causing its halves to split and fall around him harmlessly all the while covering him in its violet blood. The serpent hissed in agony yet did not give up, rising up and arching its neck, it lunged once more impossibly fast, but Dorian was ready this time.

Impaling his sword in the ground, he clenched his fist; with a tremendous windup and battle cry he buried a powerful swing right into the snake's jaw. The blow shattered the left fang and cracked the right, sending the creature flying through the air back into the treeline beyond. He saw the unmistakable rustle of the python making a swift retreat back into the jungle, the fight knocked out of it. Only once it was clearly gone and the sound of moving grass had receded did Dorian allow himself to somewhat relax, doubling over gasping at what he had just done.

"Looks like we're the bottom of the food chain," Ratatoskr remarked once Dorian had recovered and his breathing returned to normal. The spectral companion had hidden himself within his pack for the duration of the fight.

"We can follow the river to the waterfall Rat…can I call you Rat?" Dorian asked hesitantly as he stood back to his full height, realizing how he had referred to him in the heat of the previous fight. "We can figure out how to climb from there."

Despite the certainty of his words, his stomach was twisted in knots. He was no skilled climber, which alone could take hours for them to find a way up even without mistakes made. Then there was the worry of more creatures attacking them along the way.

"Sounds like a plan…and I suppose I can forgive Rat, considering how bad you are with the name of a gorgeous slab of lady like that silver-haired beauty I suppose I should be grateful you can pronounce that much."

"I'm working on it," Dorian replied exasperated. "I never heard names like these before except in books…I'll get it right eventually."

"Well work on it faster, do you have any idea how embarrassing it would be to call out the wrong name during the throes of passion…?"

Dorian slapped at his shoulder to silence him, Ratatoskr dodging aptly and withdrawing to a position on top of the young man's head.

"You are too easy boyo," the spectral rodent could not stop laughing.

Despite his grating nature, Dorian was thankful for the company. The landscape was vast and even following the river with a clear course it took over half of the day to come within range of the waterfall and cliff. He had kept his spear ready at all times to ward off the more slothful or cowardly of the predators. Fortunately, no more dared to challenge the two, Ratatoskr theorized the blood of the giant serpent he had been drenched in was likely a deterrent as few species would want to challenge such a predator without good reason.

Even so, I am surprised there are so few large animals in this area, why would they be steering clear of an area with such an overabundance of water?

"Wait," Dorian stopped. "Do you smell that?"

Ratatoskr lifted his nose and inhaled, nodding in agreement.

"Perfume?"

"Or something like it." The smell had suddenly assailed his nostrils, a sweet aroma like honey mixed with something he did not recognize. "This way…"

"Should we really check it out boss? Remember the time table."

"It seems to be on our path…besides it's not like we could leave someone out here if they are in trouble."

Ratatoskr just sighed as they continued through the brush at a brisk yet cautious pace. The smell was certainly growing more potent.

A blood curdling scream cut through the air, high pitched yet clearly masculine. In an instant Dorian picked up the pace, bursting out of the wall of greenery in front of him.

"Oh fuck me!" Ratatoskr called out, immediately recognizing what was going on.

A massive plant, if it could be called that, was looming tall before them. At first glance it was quite beautiful with blossoms of every color imaginable sprouting around it, only upon closer inspection was the horror of the scene more evident. It had a pair of heart-shaped leaf jaws above and below hinged together at the base, the tantalizing aroma seemed to be coming from within as the smell was now overpowering. Lodged within its mouth was a person. At first Dorian mistook it for a human, but realized his folly at the incorrect proportions, their arms and legs seeming stubby despite their large size. The excess muscles and extra body hair reminded him of depictions of what prehistoric humanity must have looked like once. He corrected his conclusions in a matter of seconds.

It was a child, a Jotun child and he was trapped in a plant that looked unmistakably similar to a Venus flytrap.

Jotuns were quite large, also being known as giants and this boy lived up to their reputation. He was taller than Dorian but with the features and proportions to imply he was no older than perhaps twelve years by human standards. He had wandered into the trap, no doubt drawn by the sweet smell just as he and Ratatoskr were. The child was screaming, already stuck by the carnivorous plant's sap, pulling him towards its maw to be digested.

"Hold on!" Dorian called out, breaking out into a full sprint spear in hand, Ratatoskr holding on for dear life to his chainmail rings. "Stand back!"

The child followed his commands, moving as far as the sticky substance would allow to give some space from the teeth-like hooks that prevented his escape. In a flash, Dorian's spear cut through a half dozen of them, creating a gap he could reach his arm into.

"Take my hand!"

The large hand gripped his completely, giving Dorian the leverage he needed. With a mighty pull, he ripped the child from the glue-like sap, ripping of portions of his ragged clothing with it. The young boy tumbled out, landing smack on top of Dorian and driving him to the ground.

"A-are you okay?" Dorian asked, groaning as the much heavier form got off him, still sniffling. The Jotun nodded, wiping away an armful of snot and tears.

"Kid, it's not down yet!" Ratatoskr cried out as the ground started to shudder beneath them.

The monstrous plant was actually pulling itself from the ground, tendrils and vines that had been secured to the forest floor were now thrashing wildly in the air. Impossibly, its incredible size was being supported by the roots themselves now acting as legs

Dorian stood ready to fight, but with the child nearby he didn't want to risk his safety. "Get to the water!" He screamed, realizing they couldn't be too far from the waterfall. He sprinted off towards it, actually falling behind the running child who was faster than he.

"You just had to get involved!" The snarky rodent called out from his shoulder. The flytrap monstrosity was keeping pace behind them, somehow able to move incredibly fast on its viney legs. It seemed less like a plant and more like an animal that had evolved to imitate one.

"Now is NOT the time Rat!"

Dorian turned mid-sprint, his Sacred Gear activating by instinct, he had no abilities with it he could hit from range but having it out gave him comfort. Focusing hard he formed a blazing red seal in his hand, aiming it straight for the incoming predator. A flurry of fireballs erupted from the hastily created runes, homing in on their pursuer. The projectiles struck home, impacting its maw. Yet, instead of reducing the killer carnation to dust as Dorian had hoped, the flames instead fluttered and went out, leaving the points of contact barely scorched.

"These things have evolved here for eons!" Ratatoskr berated him. "Did you really think a little fire was going to drop them!?"

"It was worth a shot, if you can't do better, then a little peace and quiet would be appreciated!"

We don't have time for this!

He burst out into an open field just before the base of the waterfall. Base was an understatement, due to the immense size of the falls it was more akin to a large lake. He must have disturbed something as swarms of the giant birds took flight, their numbers blotting out the sun and bathing the area in illusory night. The Jotun child was standing at the edge, looking up at the flocks.

"Volan…Volan!" He cried, pointing to them while glancing back at Dorian.

"He says…fly?" Ratatoskr translated for him, scratching his tiny head in confusion.

"I wish we could," Dorian sighed as the plant beast crashed through the trees, making a bee line right for them. He planted his feet and brought his spear to bear, ready for a protracted fight.

"Volan nun!" The child shouted once more, grabbing Dorian by the arm. It was only then that the young Einherjar spotted a simple yet unique primitive-looking slingshot in his hands.

The young boy twirled the weapon with incredible force before releasing it towards the nearest of the fleeing birds. It wrapped around a talon securely, a long cord stretched back into the Jotun's hands, connecting them together. As the feathered fowl continued flying, it lifted the child off the ground and Dorian with it as his arm was still gripped in the surprisingly powerful fingers.

The flytrap monster arrived too late, missing them as they were lifted away to freedom, dragged along by the creature that seemed to barely even notice it had unintended passengers. Dorian contemplated firing a lightning seal below to use the water as a conductor to surely fry the plant-like creature, but he decided against it. It was not evil or malicious, merely a natural inhabitant to the area seeking a meal, he and the Jotun kid were the intruders in its home.

Dorian was forced to grab Ratatoskr who was nearly sent flying. They went higher and higher, the cold air stinging his face and forcing his eyes closed. A fine mist hung on the area, so high was the waterfall that it was scattering into the air long before reaching the bottom. The water vapor soaked through his armor and clothes but he ignored it upon the realization reaching his brain past the discomfort and pain.

It…it's taking us to the top of the waterfall!

Back in Asgard…

Rossweisse leaned back in her cell, the accommodations were kind considering the charges, yet that did little to alleviate the apprehension in her chest. The room she found herself in had a table with a stack of books on it she had not touched, a chair and nearby bed.

How did this happen? She asked herself again and again. How could everything have gone so wrong so quickly?

A clang of the cell door interrupted her thoughts as a guardsman entered; eyes locked harshly on her no doubt due to the memory of his slain friends.

"You have visitors…make it quick."

A pair of shapes slid in as the guard left, Rossweisse rose to her feet as she recognized them both.

"Thrud! Grandmother!"

The elder woman wearing a blue robe embraced Rossweisse, Thrud nodded in greeting behind her, not wanting to interrupt the family reunion.

"I swear granny…I didn't..."

"Oh hush dear girl," she interrupted. "I know full well you did no such thing. I had Thrud bring me here to see you as soon as I arrived. I will find a way to pardon you, once the trial begins…"

"There will not be one," Thrud interjected. Göndul had demanded to see Rossweisse before she could explain the situation. "Modi's claim of her guilt was challenged in open proceedings and my brother has demanded a Rite of Challenge set for six days from now."

"Someone actually stood up to that brat? Good on them, what warrior will be fighting on my Rose's behalf?"

"Oddly enough…a young man who calls her by the same name."

Rossweisse paled.

"Dorian? No, he won't stand a chance! We have to stop this, he'll be killed!"

"Dorian? The young Einherjar you told me about that the Allfather had you training?"

"It is too late," Thrud explained. "The Allfather gave him ample opportunities to turn back, he refused them all. He is in Jotunheim as we speak seeking a weapon that will allow him to face Modi in combat."

"No…I will admit to the crime right here if need be," Rossweisse protested to Göndul's horror. "My life is not worth his!"

"Someone's math does not add up in that case…Dorian said the same thing about you before he left."

Rossweisse's face flushed red, her grandmother noticed with an approving nod.

"I can't say how strong he is…but at least the lad has a pair," she muttered much to Rossweisse's embarrassment. "Is there anything you haven't been telling me about him little Rose?"

"Grandmother!" She shouted again, her voice echoing throughout the holding area as she hid her renewed blush. Unbeknownst to her, Göndul knew full well nothing was going on between them, knowing her granddaughter too well. All the same, it had been a long time since she had seen Rossweisse smile, and even under the circumstances the fringes of one seemed to push against the sorrow at mention of his name and the task he was undertaking on her behalf.

Jotunheim…Day 1…

Dorian gasped, spitting up water that had entered his mouth as he doubled over. Ratatoskr was behaving similarly as the Jotun child stood beside them. They had made it to the top of the waterfall though it took quite a while due to its size. The monstrous bird had never once glanced back towards them, allowing the three to jump for the safety of the ground once clearing the legendary falls. The water drenching his clothes did have the added bonus of washing away much of the putrid blood staining it from their previous encounter with the serpent.

"Thank…you," Dorian gasped. While they had been the ones to rescue the child from the plant monstrosity, he had now more than returned the favor by depositing them far above the dangerous jungle floor and shaved hours, if not a whole day, off their journey.

"Grati, tibi," Ratatoskr translated for him.

"BROKIII! SALVOOM ETU!"

A much larger Jotun was running from a nearby path leading up the mountain, standing easily over fifteen feet tall with lighter beige skin. He could have given the Troll Dorian faced a run for his money, it was no wonder they were not considered a grave threat if these were part of the dominant species in Jotunheim.

"Pata! Hic salv mihi!"

"He says we saved him, seems to be his pappy."

The two embraced, tears streaming down the father's face, cradling his son's head. Dorian stood back, giving plenty of room so as not to interrupt as he wrung the water out of his clothes, his chainmail had already been removed to dry. The mountaintop would be as cold as the highest peaks on Midgard; going in sopping wet would be suicide. The Jotun father turned towards them, speaking in their deep, ancient tongue. He was clearly far more proficient than his son; he talked so quickly that Dorian could not hope to make out the words.

"He says we saved his…world," Ratatoskr continued. "He wants to know what the small man wants in repayment."

"Tell him no payment is required, we are just glad to have been nearby when we were. Unless he knows a faster way up the mountain beyond scaling it as we had planned."

Ratatoskr sighed, no doubt having hoped to earn something for their trouble. In equal speed to the giant himself, he relayed Dorian's message. The father looked up and scratched his chin as if deep in thought before replying.

"He says if we follow the…dragon's teeth, we can find a path reserved for the king's advisors." The tall Jotun continued speaking as he translated. "It is meant to…require the mind of a general and can cut two, no…three moons of travel upwards if you can best the guardian. And take this as thanks…hey, we are getting something!"

The father produced a small wooden chest from behind his back. It was simple without a single marking other than the black lock keeping it shut tight. Despite Dorian's protests that it was not necessary, he pushed it into his hands all the same.

"He says it's an…ember of water? That can't be right, but he says not to open it until you reach the peak lest it escape and be lost forever."

"Ember of water?" Dorian was confused; he must have gotten the translation wrong. Nevertheless, it clearly meant a lot to the gentle giant standing before them as his eyes still watered with joy at his son's return. "Tell him, we thank him for his generosity and knowledge of the mountain. Neither will be forgotten."

I guess writing Lady Freyja's letters and getting a feel for the speech of diplomacy really paid off.

Ratatoskr complied. In a flash, the young child was lifted onto his father's shoulders and the two ran down the path laughing all the way with joy. Neither Dorian nor his furried companion noticed the two seemingly fade into mist upon running just past the mountains beyond.

"Well that's enough sap for one day," Ratatoskr groaned. "Get your shit dry and stowed, we gotta move!"

"If we hadn't intervened we'd still be below the waterfall," Dorian retorted, pouring the last drops of water from his boot. "Karma came around for us today. Do you know what he meant by the dragon-teeth?"

"Gee, I don't know…THAT might have something to do with it?"

Dorian followed the small rodent's fingers, eyes widening at the rock formation that had been obscured by the waterfall's mists. The entire mountain looked to have been chiseled in the likeness of a flock of dragons. Each peak and chain were shaped like a different drake, no two were alike. A short ways from the path the Jotun family had taken was the skull of a stone dragon larger than the palace of Asgard, its teeth traveled upward like a jagged stairway. As far as he could tell it led the entire way up, removing the task of a perilous climb as he had feared.

"We can do this," Dorian whispered. "We can actually do this!"

In Asgard…

"You said he was done for!" Modi roared, smashing a nearby table and flinging the remains across the room."

"Yes…he should have been," the god of mischief mused, completely ignoring his tantrum. "Opening a path to the Road Between Realms…I underestimated this boy and his ties to Yggdrasil. I do not see why you are so worried, kill him in combat and be done with it."

"I cannot for he has left Asgard, I must wait until the time appointed by the Allfather six days hence."

No imagination in the slightest in that whole brutish body of his.

"Fortunately for you, I know where he has gone. I have associates still loyal in that land, they will ensure he does not reach the Jotun king."

Who would have thought I would ever need to call upon favors from the land of my birth…

"And if they fail?" Modi gripped his mace tightly, his fingers turning white from the pressure and rage. "How do you intend to fix..."

"IF they fail, then you will actually need to pull your own weight for once in your life," Loki threw back at him, his hair standing on end menacingly as he loomed over the demigod. "If you wish to reap the benefits of our partnership…then I would SUGGEST you actually take some responsibility."

Modi shirked back, despite his immense strength inherited from his father, he would never dare to challenge Loki in any contest be it of wit, strength or cunning.

"Why rely on others? Could you not slay him as well?"

"A thousand different ways," he confirmed. "Yet every one of them would scream to Asgard and the Allfather that I was involved. This was does not guarantee his death...but it does our anonymity in this matter. Our young Einherjar will find a welcoming party waiting for him when he reaches the slopes of the Jotnar people…"

Jotunheim…End of Day 1

The Dragon's Teeth lived up to their name, as the old father had promised they led up the mountain like steps. Ratatoskr finally had his fill of laziness and bounded ahead while Dorian caught up to scout the terrain. He felt horribly out of shape, due to the thinner air, the young Einherjar had to constantly slow his pace or even stop entirely to catch his breath. He made sure each rest was as short as possible as the sun had started to set, signaling the end to their first day seeking the dwarves.

This place is beautiful in a scary sort of way…if I had more time I'd love to just explore it on my own.

"Oy, kiddo," Ratatoskr had returned. "I think I found the way ahead, but it's not so easy."

Another hundred or so steps up the teeth deposited them on a wide open plain that seemed quite out of place so high up the mountain. Dorian was forced to don his Dire-wolf cloak as the temperature had dropped considerably. If legends were to be believed, winter never ended at the peaks above Jotunheim's trees. At the far end of the plain was a narrow passage leading upward, but getting through it was not so simple.

Standing as tall and wide as the opening was a tremendous stone statue. It was carved in the likeness of an armored giant yet towered at least twice as high as the father they had met below. It had a gargantuan spiked hammer in its hands.

"Bet you five minutes alone with Freyja's tits it wakes up," Ratatoskr whispered in his ear.

"It looks like the only way forward," Dorian had grown used to his new friend's crude comparisons and assertions and did not draw attention to it. He assumed after thousands of years, they were the speech patterns he had settled on, or at least the one he was currently enjoying. Even so, he could not resist blushing at the spectral squirrel's words.

It was fortunate he did not take the bet, as once they came within ten feet, the eyes opened with a harsh grinding sound as stone slid against stone. Great red orbs locked on the travelers, the fingers obviously tightening around the mace.

"Only one worthy to be the King's advisor or general may pass," it spoke with a booming, gravelly voice. "Do you choose the way of the sword…or the pen?"

"I don't get it," Ratatoskr muttered, retreating behind Dorian's head. "Is this a job interview?"

"I think," Dorian theorized. "That he wants us to choose what kind of challenge; either we fight him to prove our worth as a general…or some sort of intellectual task for the advisor?"

The statue nodded at his words.

"Pick the intellectual one Poindexter, that is an earth elemental no question about it. It is an embodiment of the very stone brought to life and an exceptionally powerful one at that. I don't even want to know what high-tier creation weapon made it. I doubt even your fetching instructor Thrud could take it head on in a fight."

Dorian swallowed at the comparison, he still stood no chance against her head on yet now he faced a being that could give her a challenge…

"I choose the way of the pen!" Dorian shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing throughout the field before fading into silence.

"Give unto me this answer:

Who are those girls that go for the king?
They charge the unarmed fleeing chief
The black fighters defend all day
While the white ones attack
Can you solve, oh king, this riddle
?"

Dorian just stared at the golem; it stood there unmoving, awaiting his answer. "How much time do I have to submit my response?"

"Until the end of eternity, no longer…yet answer with caution, for if one challenge is failed, then the other shall be taken up."

So if I get it wrong, I have to fight him...good to know. I have to think fast, no time to waste on this.

"Girls who go for a king and charge him," Ratatoskr whispered in his ear. "Sound like gold diggers to me."

"But the rest doesn't fit with that," Dorian countered, his mind racing to find the answer. "Black defenders and white attackers…"

Dorian plopped to the ground, taking up a somewhat comfortable position as he pondered. He and Rat went over everything they could think of yet nothing seemed right. It certainly did not help that the answer could be literally anything from a physical object to an abstract concept. The last of the sun sank beneath the mountain peaks and darkness fell, yet the two were still no closer to a consensus.

Good and evil, Yin and Yang, light and dark, and everything in between…they all fit the black and white aspect yet fall flat on women facing an unarmed fleeing king. Dorian was furiously thumping his foot in frustration as he thought; Ratatoskr was doing no better as he focused more on the feminine aspect than the rest.

"Why don't we take a step back," his small companion offered at length. "What sort of riddle would help an advisor to a king? One to help develop strategies or ways to improve his people?"

"Developing strategies…Chess!" The answer exploded into Dorian's mind once that mindset was considered. "Black and white attackers and defenders facing against kings! "Though I've never heard of the pieces being given genders."

"But the riddle refers to a king singular, not plural…plus kings attack in chess, not run away, also they didn't have chess in ancient times, not around these parts."

He's right, chess was often considered being invented in the 2nd or 3rd century A.D. in Asia. If this land is as ancient as Lady Freyja warned, everything here should be far older. What predated chess?

"I have it!" Dorian stepped forward to the guardian. "Swords and Shields! The answer is Swords and Shields!"

The guardian's eyes flared red, raising its mace high into the air. It obviously did not consider his answer valid.

"You dumb shit!" Ratatoskr screamed, bouncing atop his head and into the path of the weapon. "He meant Hnefatafl…Tafl!"

The stone mace stopped at the apex of its swing, after several tense seconds it returned the weapon back to its original position.

"Answer…accepted."

Ratatoskr lowered himself to a shoulder, wiping nonexistent sweat from his furry brow, turning to glare at Dorian dryly as if he couldn't believe how stupid he had just been.

"Swords and Shields…really? What kinds of Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers bull were you spoon-fed as a babe to think THAT would be the correct terminology?"

Dorian's face flared red in embarrassment. "I had the answer right on principal didn't I? Blame that thing for not keeping up with the modern names!"

Dorian had played many games growing up, even before he started traveling for his studies. Chess had been an old favorite of his, but thanks to his interest in history he had become somewhat aware of the other variations worldwide…Tafl, also known as Swords and Shields, and Senet from Egypt being his two favorite though he seldom ever had a chance to play them. He was also quite partial to Backgammon.

However, despite the accepted answer, the guardian did not move and continued to block their path.

"May we pass?" Dorian asked to a shake of the colossus' head.

"Um…kid."

Dorian turned at Ratatoskr's prodding, behind them the wide plain that had led up to the passage started to move and shift. Giant aligned rows and columns eleven wide and eleven long raised up out of the ground. Atop them were black and white giants identical to the guardian only smaller, perhaps the size of a standard adult Jotun. Four teams of six attackers surrounded the center of a dozen defenders encircling an empty High King space. Dorian slowly realized what was happening, the field before them had been converted into an enormous Tafl board.

"Do I…need to win?" He asked the guardian, audibly groaning as it nodded coldly.

We don't have time for this, if we don't hurry then Rose will…

Dorian clenched his fist, reinforcing his determination at the memory of her face. If he tried to rush past, even if he made it the guardian could likely chase him tirelessly as a golem construct could not tire, and how would that prove anything to the dwarves except the fleetness of his feet. Once the shakes in his hand stopped, he turned back to the guardian upon having noticed something.

"Where is the High King? His space is empty."

"I thought you were clever boyo," Ratatoskr answered with a smirk. "Remember how the guardian referred to us? 'Can you solve, oh king, this riddle?"

The first stage of Dorian's trek across the untamed wilderness of Jotunheim has ended. Having survived the perils of the jungle below, he must now test his intellect and cunning before continuing to the frozen peaks of endless winter above.

In case anyone is confused as to the landscape of Jotunheim, unlike modern portrayals, in the original Poetic Edda, the giants were not directly associated with frost or ice. Rather, Jotunheim was the opposite of Asgard's focus on order and civilization…being a vast untamed wild seeking to bring all back to the primordial chaos from whence it sprung. Only the snow-capped peaks were described as having an eternal winter atop them. As always, I hope you Read and Review…but most of all Enjoy! :D