Chapter Nine

Sif plodded into Alti's house, her eyes heavy. She had just gotten back from yet another battle; this one, thankfully, had lasted only a few hours. She couldn't help but wonder what Karnilla was up to. It had been too easy to win. The soldiers didn't seem to have any orders, and they had fought in a hopeless mess. Maybe it means this will be over soon! In any case, with Jotunheim's destruction, she couldn't ask for leave from the army. She only hoped that she could convince Alti to move to the palace anyway.

"Mother?" she called as she entered the house. She smelled something cooking, and went to the kitchen to see the blonde woman standing over a stew. "Mother, I-"

The woman turned. Sif blinked in surprise.

"Alti went to the market for some carrots," Nanna said, subdued.

"Oh." Sif shrugged. "And she just left you to do the cooking?"

"I volunteered, actually."

"Why?"

Nanna looked away and shrugged. "I had to do something."

"Don't you have your hands full taking care of your husband?" Sif teased.

"He's busy."

Sif frowned at Nanna's doleful voice. "What's wrong? Are you fighting with him?"

Nanna shook her head. "Not Balder."

Sif looked at her, puzzled. Her voice sounded strange. "Nanna, are you alright?"

"No. I'm not... Sif, have you ever wanted sisters?"

"Is this about Sigyn? Has something happened?"

Nanna shook her head, wringing her hands. "I don't know how to say this."

"Just say it, whatever it is."

"I found out that I'm not half dwarf," she said in a rush. "Mother lied about who my father was."

"Who was it? It's not Odin, is it?"

Nanna looked startled. "Odin? Yuck, no! Why would you think that?"

"The way you're acting. It's obviously something that's distressing you."

"Mother and Odin were never involved."

"Then who?"

Nanna opened her mouth and closed it again. She took a deep breath. "Tyr."

Sif blinked rapidly, her face paling. "What... are you sure?"

"Yes. I double checked with Mother. I didn't even know she had been involved with Tyr."

"Neither did I."

"So... what do we do now?"

Nanna shook her head. "I don't know."

Sif took a deep breath. "You're my sister."

"Yes."

"I have a sister. All these years and your mother said nothing? Why?"

"I don't know!"

Sif's eyes were blazing as she turned towards the door. "I need to have a few words with her."

"Sif..."

Nanna's plaintive voice made her turn back.

"You knew him. What was he like?"

She turned to look at the younger woman, her sister, and her heart wrenched. She took Nanna's hand. "He was a good man. I learned a lot from him. He was tough, but caring. Even before I found out that he was my father."

Nanna jumped a little, then nodded. "I forgot you only found out a short while before he..."

Sif blinked back tears. "Yes. I wish I'd known earlier."

"At least you knew him. I never will." Nanna hung her head.

Sif squeezed her hand. "He would have been very proud of you."

"How would you know?"

"You're tough, you don't back down from anything, and you still manage to be one of the kindest people I know. What's not to be proud of?"

To Sif's surprise, Nanna's eyes filled with tears. She dropped Sif's hand and turned away.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't... I'm not..." Nanna choked. "Why would Mother lie to me about this?"

Sif's brow furrowed. "What has she said?"

"She said that she was afraid that he'd take me away from her. That's it!"

Sif shook her head. "That can't be all of it. He would never have done that, I am sure of that much."

Nanna shrugged. "I don't know what else. I didn't let her explain. I didn't want to hear her explanation. Her excuses."

"Understandable, but refusing to talk to her won't get you answers."

"I don't want to talk to her!" Nanna shouted. She stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind herself.

Sif sighed, starting to follow her. This wasn't how I expected today to go!

She caught up with the distressed younger woman halfway to the palace. "Nanna."

"What?" She was sobbing.

"Nanna, come back to the house. We need to talk, right?"

"I don't know what to talk about."

"We can talk about what's bothering you, for a start. Come on." Sif put an arm around Nanna's shoulder, steering her back to the house.

"I just don't... I don't want to talk." Nanna didn't even try to dry her face. "I wish Sigyn was here. She'd know how to talk to Mother about it. She'd get answers."

"Well... I am your sister too. Could we go and speak to Freyja together? I know I'm not Sigyn, but..."

Nanna shook her head. "I don't want to talk to Mother."

"I could go talk to her, then."

There was a long silence, with Nanna looking at the ground. Eventually she nodded. "I guess that's alright."

Sif squeezed Nanna's shoulder. "Should I stay with you for a while first?"

Nanna shrugged. "Whatever you want. Mother and everybody else are all going to Vanaheim soon."

Sif nodded. "I'll talk to Freyja when they return, then."

Nanna nodded glumly. "But what reasons could she possibly have? Why would she lie?"

Sif set her jaw. "We'll find out soon enough."

"I suppose."

They had reached the house again by this time. Sif glanced sideways at Nanna. My sister! She had never thought about having more siblings, not really. Heimdall was fine for being an older brother, and Alti's pregnancy was a surprise but not an unwelcome one. A ball of anger rose in her chest. How could Freyja deny her and me both the knowledge of our kinship?

They had just entered the house when Sif heard Fandral calling her name. He hadn't even washed up from the battle they had just finished.

"Sif! Alfheim is under attack again."

Sif repressed a groan. "Nanna, can you tell Alti-"

"Go," Nanna said, nodding. "Be safe."

Sif nodded and dashed off without another word.

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Balder adjusted his ceremonial cape as he entered into the council room. Everybody was there, Thor and Frigga at the front of the room. He saw instantly that Thor was sitting on the king's throne, that had been empty since Odin's death. His jaw dropped. Nobody told me this was going to happen! Trying to keep himself steady, and wearily keeping part of his mind focused on Set (who seemed to be more preoccupied with Nanna at the moment) he walked up to Thor and got to one knee, as one did before the king.

"My liege." He greeted his older brother formally. "I was unaware you had claimed the throne." Set's going to love this...

"Rise, brother," Thor replied, his voice burdened. "I know it is a sudden move, and I pray that you do not feel slighted from not being informed. Time is of the essence and we couldn't find you."

Maybe Set's plans will fail now, with Thor as king... "No slight had been dealt, brother. It is what Asgard needs."

Thor sighed heavily. "I hope you are right... In truth, I did this so I have the authority to order a retaliation upon Surtur for the destruction of Jotunheim."

"O-of course. A good idea." Balder looked at the floor. Except Surtur didn't do it. I did!

"Take your seat, Balder," Frigga instructed gently. "The council is convened."

He moved woodenly, feeling numb. I wonder what will actually be discussed? I'll have to tell Set everything, of course.

"Should we start over for young Balder's sake," one of the generals said as Balder sat. "Or shall we just start with how utterly foolish this plan is?"

Thor glared at the speaker. "This plan is not foolish, and as I have already explained, we need to stop Surtur before another realm is lost!"

Balder tried to intervene. "What sort of plan do we have, exactly?"

"It is foolish," the general replied sharply. "It is merely the least foolish course of action. You would do well to understand the difference, King Thor."

"What is the plan?"

No-one answered for a while. Balder waited.

"We are marshalling every solider we can spare from every realm under Asgard's rule," Thor said eventually. "No-one has ever breached Surtur's palace. But that is exactly what we are going to do. We are going to lay utter waste to his realm. And then we will march on Nornheim and wipe Karnilla out."

Balder's heart leapt. If this works, Set's plans would end immediately!

Which isss why you will make sssure it doesss not work!

"This is madness, I know," Thor continued. "And if there are any alternatives, I would gladly hear them."

He waited. No-one spoke. Balder wracked his brains for a way to talk Thor out of it, even as he hated himself for no longer trying to argue with Set.

Well? He asked. What alternatives does he have?

I sssaid I wanted you to make sssure thisss doesssn't work, not to ssstop him from attempting it. Sssince he did not die on Jotunheim...

Balder fought to keep his face impassive. No!

He isss going to die, one way or another. Bessst to get it over.

Give me a day for my death.

The day Asssgard hasss fallen, and all your friendsss and family are dead.

Give me the day! How long?

I don't know. Set sounded amused now. That dependsss on how sssoon you carry out my wissshesss, doesss it not?

I'm not doing anything else until I know when it's going to be over, Balder replied flatly. You're struggling to hold Nanna and Heimdall; I can feel that. If I opened my mouth right now, you couldn't stop me from saying your name.

No, you're right, I probably couldn't. Set's voice was almost musing- that wasn't good. Asssuming you did that, you would be held here and quessstioned. Poor Nanna isss all alone. Imagine how horrifying it would be if ssssomething happened to her while you were detained...

Like what? Death would only be a relief, now that she is your thrall as well, and you have stated numerous times that you want our child for your host! What could you possibly do?

Leave her comatossse, or disssfigured with ssscarsss, convince her that you're the enemy, make her afraid of you... ssshould I continue?

But by opening his mouth, he could save her life, and the life of their child! He swallowed heavily. An image flashed through his mind; himself... and Karnilla. Balder felt sick.

Set's voice echoed warningly. I will make her watch.

Balder shuddered in revulsion. Thor noticed.

"Are you alright, brother?"

"Y-yes. Just a little chilled."

Thor put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand. Now, if there is nothing else to discuss we need to send formal proclamations of what is to happen." There was no further dissent, so Thor concluded the council. The lords and generals departed, and Balder toyed with the idea of telling Thor about Set once they were alone.

Now isss not the time to ssstart trying to be brave, Balder. Poor Nanna...

You won't be able to hurt her if I act fast enough!

Are you sssure of that?

"Balder, are you alright?" Thor asked in concern. "You look pale."

"Thor, I..."

Go ahead and tell him, then. Perhapsss inssstead then Nanna will have to dessstroy the realmsss after watching you hang for treassson with her friend Eitri.

Words failed Balder at the thought. Thor gripped his shoulder.

Give me your mouth. Set ordered.

Balder closed his eyes, shoulders sagging.

Thisss inssstant.

Balder submitted, and Set's words issued from his lips. "With the dwarves openly fighting with Karnilla's forces, shouldn't we investigate Eitri? I didn't want to bring it up, Nanna is so attached to him... But he's a dwarf. He must still have ties with his people, especially since the death of his brother has left him alone in Asgard."

Thor frowned. "Freyja's dwarves have had little contact with their people since they came to Asgard... but I will certainly look into it if you think it necessary. Your instincts have always been wise, brother."

"Thank you, Thor. I hope that there's nothing there, but... We can't afford to be careless."

"Agreed." Thor thought for a minute. "I suppose questioning Freyja would be a good place to start- she's had the most dealings with Eitri, after all."

Set nodded Balder's head. "Should I? I am her son-in-law after all."

"Perhaps... and if she won't talk to you, I will deal with her. I am her king, and her half-brother, don't forget."

"She likes me, I'm sure I can get her to talk if there's anything to say." Balder's heart sank. This was going to destroy Nanna!

Thor was nodding. "Very well. I will leave the investigation in your hands."

Set's laughter was euphoric.

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They walked the rest of the day, and they were both hot and thirsty. Skurge was clearly in worse shape, though. Amora supposed that it was because he was a Frost Giant. Ice and heat do not mix. And yet, Loki was born of the sun-god and a frost giantess. Angrboda was born of a frost giant and a fire demoness. And I'm fire, Skurge is ice. Different scenarios, I suppose.

"Are you alright?" she asked him as they began setting up camp.

"Fine, I suppose. Looks like we'll have to go north again tomorrow. So any ideas on what we will face next?"

Amora shook her head. "We've had magic arrows, a sand devil that falls asleep if you sing to it... What else did Atum say to me? Literary critics? That'd be funny. No it wouldn't, they're brutal beasts, literary critics." She shook her head. "He said he wouldn't give me the first clue unless I earned it. And then we fought for hours. I don't know."

She laid down and curled against Skurge's side, staring up at the sky.

"Maybe we'll get a new clue in the morning."

"Maybe. Maybe we'll be attacked by desert ghosts during the night. But that's so cliché. I hope Atum doesn't do that..."

"Me either. I want a proper sleep... I don't know why I'm so tired."

Amora's gut twisted. Was this the toxin at work? She swallowed. No. It can't be. I can't lose him! She tried to smile reassuringly. "Sleep for a while if you need to. I'll stay awake."

Skurge nodded with a yawn, sitting down heavily. "Wake me in an hour or so..." His eyes drifted shut, sweat coating his skin. Wearing all black probably wasn't helping. Amora shifted restlessly for a while, before deciding to go and try and locate some water. She couldn't go far though, she didn't want to get separated from Skurge, and who knew what might happen in the night?

"I'll just go a few paces, see if I find anything..." She began walking. A strange, silvery glow caught her eye, not far ahead. Curious, she went to investigate, on guard in case this was another trick. It was a book-sized, engraved sheet of silver, apparently recently polished. What's this doing out in the middle of the desert?

She picked it up, examining it. The engraving was a strange pattern of triangles, and a single arrow pointing through them in one place. She squinted. What game are you playing, Atum? This had to be a clue, but it made no sense! Sighing, she returned to Skurge as a wave of fatigue overcame her. Setting the piece of silver down near the sword, she curled up next to Skurge again, closing her eyes. Maybe this will make more sense in the morning... She fell asleep watching the sunset light up the mountain range in the distance.

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Skurge woke before Amora. He stirred and then, seeing that she was still sleeping, grew still. He smiled fondly, but it was also somewhat ironic. If we both keep falling asleep, then we're going to be caught unawares. And I can only imagine who would be blamed for that! It was a mite unfair, supposing that Atum would blame him if anything happened to his niece, but Skurge didn't care. He probably would! He probably blamed Skurge for what Amora had been doing to raise money. That was probably why he was infected by the magic toxins and not her. Either that, or all this is a test for her and I just happen to be along for the ride. The dangerous ride.

The sun was just starting to rise and he bit back a weary sigh. He gently shook Amora awake. She smiled at him as she opened her eyes.

"Morning, sleepy," he teased.

"Morning..." She pushed herself up, her smile fading. "I found this last night."

She handed him a stiff piece of silver and he frowned at it. "Another clue?"

"Suppose so."

"Hmm... Is it a map of some sort?"

"A map?"

"Well, these could be the mountains. It's how they're drawn on Jotunn hunting maps."

She gasped. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?"

"Probably because you've never seen a Jotunn hunting map!"

She nodded sheepishly. "The sword's even pointing towards the mountains now... I suppose we should break camp?"

Skurge agreed, and they set to work quickly. Once everything they had (not much) was packed, they both pored over the map.

"The arrow seems to be indicating a route between those two peaks," Skurge pointed, squinting in the brightening sunlight. "I imagine we're supposed to go that way."

"Agreed." Amora smiled. "Finally, something easy!"

Skurge wanted to clamp his hand over her mouth. "Has no-one ever told you not to tempt fate like that while on a quest?"

"Yes... Argh, now we're going to have something terrible happen..."

They waited for a moment, looking around. When nothing happened, they both shrugged and headed towards the mountains. Skurge frowned slightly, already feeling the sweat glimmer on his temples. He felt like he was melting in this desert!

"I think we may need to revise our strategy. Find someplace cool to rest during the day, and then travel at night. I'm not sure how much of this I can stand, to be honest."

Amora reached over and put her hand on his arm. "That's a good idea. It seems pretty flat here, but maybe we can find a cave or something in the mountains."

Skurge nodded gratefully, and they made their way into the foothills. The day warmed quickly, though the travellers found cause for celebration when Amora stumbled across an icy-cold spring that fed a small lake in a secluded area. They were both roasting already, so it took little encouragement for them to strip, and dive in to bathe.

"Mmm... that feels better." Amora sighed, loving the cool caress of the water on her skin. She glanced at Skurge slyly a few times as he doused himself again and again before drinking liberally. She leaned back to wet her hair and rinse the desert's dust and sand from it. When she raised her head, she saw Skurge swimming closer, his eyes dark with desire.

Amora grinned and beckoned him closer with one finger. He pulled her into his arms and tenderly began to kiss her. The cool of the water and the heat of the desert felt like a good combination and she did make a promise, to herself and Skurge... We're going to find the cure, she told herself, letting her neck muscles relax as he kissed her throat. We will. She let her head fall back, smiling as the sunlight caressed her face-

Sunlight.

"Stop!" she squealed suddenly, pushing herself away from Skurge.

He released her, looking surprised. "What did I do?"

"I just realised... Atum's a sun god." She pointed upwards and then in a horrified whisper added. "What if he's watching?"

Skurge's face went turquoise. "Is that likely?"

"I don't know... but I don't think I want to take the chance." She'd gone bright red by now, swimming back to the edge of the pool to retrieve her clothes and dressing as fast as possible. Skurge was right behind her. They clambered out, abashed.

"Maybe we should... fill the water skins while we're here?"

"Good idea! Then we'd better carry on with our original plan, and find some shelter from this sun."

Amora shook her head, glancing upwards briefly. "Well, at least in a cave he won't see anything."

Skurge chuckled, though he was still turquoise. "I think that perhaps it might be wiser to rest."

"If that's what you want..."

"We don't know what trials he's going to test us with next, do we? Better save our strength."

Amora contemplated him as she filled her waterskin, drank her fill, and then filled it again. "Skurge?"

"Yes, my dear?"

"You didn't really give me a reaction. When I said that I was going to have your baby."

Skurge stopped and looked at her. "I am not going to die. We're going to find the cure. I know we are."

"I know, but... do you want children someday? I think we should at least talk about these things, don't you?"

Skurge scratched his head. "Me, a father? I've honestly never thought about it. Back on Jotunheim, I assumed I would sire children eventually, but that was back when I thought-"

"You thought you were going to end up with Angrboda." Amora finished for him. "So... could you see yourself as a father to my children?"

He thought for a minute. And grinned broadly. "There's no-one else in the nine realms I'd rather have children with than you, love."

"Right," Amora smiled back at him. "So it's settled. We're going to have children eventually. Four seems like a nice round number."

"Four?" Skurge raised his brows. "I guess..."

"Is there something wrong with four?"

"It just seems like a large number."

Amora laughed. "I have eight sisters. Four is a small number. But we can discuss this later. Let's get out of the sun, shall we?"

"Let's," Skurge agreed. He was already feeling uncomfortably warm, despite having just gotten out of the cool pool.

They had another stroke of luck a few minutes later, when Skurge found (fell into) a small cave. He gestured for Amora to wait outside while he checked it out- there might be something sleeping in it for all he knew! Finding it safe enough (to his eyes) he straightened up, satisfied.

"This looks secure enough."

Amora came in, rolling her eyes but still smiling at his protectiveness. She slung her pack to the floor, looking around. "Nothing nasty lurking in here, then."

"I thought we established not to tempt fate?"

Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oops."

A strange rustling became audible from the back of the cave. They both strained their eyes to find its source.

"Sorry!" Amora squeaked as Skurge readied his axe just in case.

"I can't see..."

"Here," Amora muttered, concentrating. She lit her hands and formed a fireball in her palm, and then sent it hovering towards the back of the cave. It lit up the areas; nothing could be seen. Skurge and Amora glanced at each other in confusion, and both started to carefully move forward, her clutching his axe, she holding their compass-sword tightly. It might be dull, but it could still be used as a weapon. They searched the area thoroughly, only to find nothing. Both lowered their weapons.

"That was strange," Amora commented. "There's nothing-"

The floor dropped out from under her.

Her scream echoed as she vanished from sight. Skurge lunged forward.

"Amora!" The floor under his feet remained stubbornly solid. He looked around, panicked. He could hardly see a thing... He felt along the floor blindly. What had she fallen into? He found a smooth, hollowed-out shaft that just dropped. There would be no way of climbing down, so he would just have to leap, with no idea what was down there... No, I know at least one thing that's down there- Amora. He edged closer to the shaft, calling down loudly.

"Amora? Can you hear me? Are you hurt?"

No response.

Skurge sighed. I hope I don't land on her... and she'd better not be hurt! He tensed. And leapt down.