Chapter Thirteen
As soon as Sif had assured herself that Nanna was alright, she went to the healing rooms to have her broken arm checked. It was already fully healed, and the bone seems to be in the proper position, so she retreated to Frigga's gardens and hid herself in among the tall ivy vines. She didn't want to be near anybody. Not even Heimdall. She felt guilty, knowing that he must have seen it all, too... but she didn't want to have to try to comfort him as well... She didn't want to answer questions about Karnilla.
She hadn't been there long before Thor pushed aside some of the vines and entered the small opening, sitting beside her silently.
"Nanna's my sister," Sif blurted.
"What?"
She looked at her lover. "Freyja and Tyr were involved, apparently. Nanna is my father's daughter. She's my sister, and Freyja kept that from the both of us."
"But, why-"
"I don't know."
Thor sat for a moment, and then wrapped his arms around her. "Freyja and her family are on Vanaheim. Perhaps it would be best to..."
"Focus on other things? Focus on my mother's death?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Or perhaps focus on what else Karnilla did today."
Thor tensed. "What did she do?"
"The spell making me infertile. She took if off. Called it a gift. She was planning on... making me pregnant and using my baby to restore her burned face. When she couldn't... that's when she went after Alti. She's dead because we haven't slept together in weeks, too long for Karnilla's plan to work."
"You can't blame yourself."
"I don't. I blame Karnilla." Sif's eyes blazed for a moment before going sad. "But it also means that we could have a child. Someday, when this is all over..."
He cupped her face and kissed her gently.
"Thor..." she whispered. She didn't say another word, instead pressed herself as tightly as she could against him, kissing his hard, lifting a leg to wrap around his waist.
Thor pulled back "Sif, you're upset-"
"Take me. Now."
He thought for a minute- then decided he was tired of thinking. He pulled her onto his lap, fumbling with her clothes.
"Are you sure this is the right time for that?"
Sif cursed as a magpie lighted in a nearby bush. "Curse that bird!"
Thor glanced over. "Is that the same bird Balder got for Loki?"
"Yes. And it keeps annoying people! Like its namesake..."
"Hardly," Ikol fluffed up in indignation. "I am much better at annoying people than Loki."
Thor blinked rapidly. "Does it join in conversations often?"
"Yes," Sif snatched a rock off the ground and hurled it at the bird. "Ignore him. Take me."
Thor went red. "Not with an audience!"
Sif stared at him in disbelief. "It's just a bird!"
"It talks though!"
The magpie perched on Thor's shoulder. "I don't want to see that anyway!"
"Go away then." Sif suggested.
"You're in shock and mourning. Why is the first thing that comes to your mind sex? I mean, you could be planning to destroy Karnilla right now!" Another rock came flying at him. "So aggressive! I'm only trying to help!"
"Go away!" Sif shouted. "Thor, please, I just want something to distract me. Please."
Thor stared at her for a long minute, before concentrating. A lightning bolt struck the ground inches from Ikol, and the bird flew away, squawking with indignation. Thor sat down beside Sif, brushing his lips on hers. "Where were we?"
"Thor!" The lovers groaned as Balder's shout could be heard. "Thor!"
"Ignore him." Thor muttered, kissing her again.
"Thor!" Balder sounded like he was right outside the garden wall. Sif groaned in disbelief. First that stupid bird, now this?!
Thor sighed. "Tonight," he promised, standing.
Sif closed her eyes in frustration, but stood. Thor marched to the edge of the garden. Balder needs to have a very good reason for this!
"Balder! What is it?"
He glanced at Sif, giving her a small nod. "The generals want to meet with you and Sif. They want to have Alti's funeral right away. And then... the Muspelheim invasion."
Thor sighed. "Of course they do."
"Plus they want you and Sif to get married."
Sif rolled her eyes. "I'm never going to marry."
Balder looked at her in surprise. "What? Why?"
"Because my mother should be able to walk with me to my wedding. And she can't. So I'll never marry."
Balder and Thor wisely didn't point out that Alti would have wanted her to marry... instead, they all headed into the palace together.
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Nanna had been working with Eitri for many hours before the oncoming night forced her to head home. She sighed as she walked, feeling exhausted but at the same time that she at least was able to spend some time with her forge-mentor. Set seemed determined to take everything else away from her! She sighed again, touching her slightly rounded belly. Everything, including my child's future.
Ssstop feeling sssorry for yourssself! It could be worssse.
Nanna had no reply to that. She made her way to her and Balder's chambers in the palace, trying to focus on the brief bit of happiness she had had today. Inside their chambers was a large crate. She frowned, and inspected it. The seal of Vanaheim was stamped on the lid. A present from Aunt Gullveig? A smile broke over her face. It had been a while since she had seen her aunt, but they had once been extremely close... Not wanting to wait to see what it was, Nanna got a prybar from the royal smithies and went back to her chambers and pried the lid off. It was filled with straw.
"What are you up to, Aunt Gully?" she murmured, reaching in. Her fingers touched something soft and clammy. Frowning, she brushed the straw aside. And she screamed.
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Sigyn scrubbed at her mouth with water that was almost too hot to bear, shuddering as she tried to forget the way Chthon's tongue felt in her mouth, the way he tasted, his body pressed against hers. Bile rose in her throat again, and she bent over and retched.
There was a soft knock on the door. "Amora? Sigyn? Can I come in?"
Sigyn didn't want to talk, so she made no sound. Helblindi slipped into the room, shutting the door softly behind him. Seeing Sigyn in her state, he went to her and knelt beside her, rubbing her back soothingly, holding her hair back out of the way as she retched again, although this time she didn't vomit. Gasping to get her breath back, she leaned against him gratefully. She spoke in a small voice.
"We were supposed to explore the universe, have some fun, get away from all this... how is it I end up back where I started, with threats from Chthon?"
"I don't know."
"I don't think this has changed anything at all," Sigyn muttered bitterly. "I'm just the same frightened little girl I always was."
"Are you, though? After the things we've done, I don't think you're a frightened little girl."
"Then why do I want to run and hide at the mention of Chthon's name?"
"That's a normal reaction to encountering an Archdemon. It's not a weakness!"
Sigyn looked up at her lover and managed a smile. "Oh, Helblindi. What would I do without you?"
He smirked. "You'd be helpless alone."
Sigyn raised an eyebrow. "Oh! Aren't we sure of ourselves, suddenly?" She shoved him playfully, giggling.
"I love it when you laugh."
Sigyn's cheeks flushed. "Thank you."
"I'm serious. I love the sound of your laugh. And your voice. I love you."
Sigyn opened her mouth and closed it, not sure how to respond to that. "Thank you," she said eventually, not knowing if she could say "I love you too." Not knowing if it would be the truth.
Helblindi waited for a second before nodding. "We had best get going." He couldn't help the small stab of disappointment in his heart.
"Yes, we should..." Sigyn held him as close as she could. "I wish there was time..."
He stroked her hair. "There will be plenty of time after."
After. Sigyn closed her eyes and nodded. "Then let's go. Let's defeat him."
Helblindi helped Sigyn to her feet, both their faces determined.
"It's time to end this." They made their way to the ship hand-in-hand. Sekhmet and Thoth were already waiting for them. Helblindi took the controls, and Heliopolis was left behind in seconds.
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Go to your wife.
Balder blinked at the ferocity of Set's order. He shook his head, not hearing what Thor had just asked him. Loki and Angrboda were with them, too, as was Sif and-
GO TO YOUR WIFE!
Without even a fumbled explanation, Balder turned on his heel and ran. He heard Nanna's screaming before he reached their chambers; a guard was inside, trying to wrestle her away from a crate but she was clinging to it and screaming. Balder rushed in - and his stomach dropped out as he saw what Nanna was seeing. Her youngest niece, Skaldi. Not even two years old. Her severed head was sitting atop a pile of straw. Balder was frozen in horror, but his wife's screams roused him from it. He ran to her, pushing away the guard to pull her into his arms. She shoved him away roughly and reached into the crate, brushing aside more straw. Her screaming intensified as she uncovered Frey's face; his eyes were wide and his jaw hung slack, his skin grey.
"YOU MONSSSSTER!" she screamed, her hands trembling, reaching in again to uncover Idunn's oldest boy's face. "YOU BEASSSST!"
Thisss wassss not my doing, thisss wasss not my plan!
LIAR, Balder thought as harshly as he could, fighting the urge to be violently ill. He wrapped an arm firmly around his hysterical wife, finally managing to pull her away from the crate, and slamming it shut. He turned a white face to the guard.
"Take this out of here, and alert Thor about what has happened. You don't have to give details, but he needs to know. Gullveig has broken allegiance with Asgard." The guard nodded and left with a bow. Balder turned back to Nanna. She was no longer screaming, but now she was deathly quiet, and utterly unresponsive.
"Nanna?" He reached out tentatively, not sure if she'd want him to touch her right now...
She shied away from his hand silently, staring at him - looking to see if it was really him, or if it was Set.
"Nanna, it's me."
She collapsed into his arms. She was still sobbing, but words gradually became understandable. "My whole family... gone... why would Gullveig...?"
Balder stroked her hair, wrath kindling in his heart. Damn you, Set!
Thisss wasss not my plan!
Nanna tensed suddenly. "Sigyn! She's still off travelling or whatever with her Jotünn... how am I going to tell her this?" Her voice was utterly desolate.
Balder's shoulders tensed. Is Sigyn even alive? he wondered.
"Why did thisss happen? What could it posssssibly give him?"
Eitri livesss.
Nanna tensed. "What?"
Eitri will no longer be declared a traitor.
Nanna blinked in confusion. "When did you decide he would die?"
"You don't remember?" Balder asked in shock.
I wasss bored of her whining and made her forget, Set hissed irritably.
"Forget what?" Nanna demanded. "Are you telling me you planned to kill Eitri?" Her hands flew to her mouth. "Isss that why I went there earlier, to warn him?"
No. You went there for one lassst day. He wasss to die tomorrow.
Balder frowned. "But you've changed your mind?"
Thessse deaths were not planned for.
And suddenly, a darker voice entered Balder's mind.
I planned it.
Nanna flinched; Balder sensed Set recoil.
Brother. Massster. Set almost sounded meek. Why do you take interessst in my humble planssss?
Humble? You underestimate yourself, Set. I've been watching for some time. The nine realms destroyed? It's an easy step from there to the rest of the universe.
Perhapsss... Set felt nervous now- if Chthon had watched all this time, why was he only speaking now? What did he want?
Dismiss the slaves. Wouldn't want them to get in our way, would we, little brother?
Set tried to sound as if he was still in control of this situation. Balder, Nanna, leave. Now.
They did so without protest. Set turned his attention back to Chthon. Why do you interfere, Brother?
Why not? I am your master.
But ssssurely you have more pressssing mattersss to occupy your time...
I do. Atum's death.
Then why come here? I cannot aid you in sssuch a tasssk, you know thisss!
No? I think you can. Atum dies and you can kill Gaea as you've long wanted. I don't need her anymore.
You really think you'll find a way to force Sssigyn to co-operate?
I can break her. Do you doubt my abilities?
No, my lord... but what if Atum retrievesss her firssst? Set thought if he could make Chthon believe that, he might be able to buy some time to advance his plans before his brother wrecked them all...
He doesnt know she's here. And I think he'll be more focused on revenge for his sister, don't you?
Set's heart sank. I sssupposssse... isss that how you plan to kill him, ussse hisss dissstraction?
Chthon's only response was laughter.
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Thor was waiting for Jord when she arrived. Her face was pale, as if she already knew. He swallowed hard as he met her eyes. No parent should have to hear this news... "Mother..."
"Thor." Jord's voice was tense. "I sensed incredible fear from both Frey and Freyja just hours ago. What has happened?"
"I... I am sorry..."
Jord's face went paler. "Tell me."
Thor braced himself, stating facts, trying not to let emotions choke his words. "Frey, Freyja, her daughters and their families were invited to Vanaheim to visit Gullveig. We all thought it was best, that they should be able to have some time with their sister. But... Gullveig has turned from us. The twins, and those of Freyja's daughters and their husbands and children that accompanied them..."
Jord was shaking her head in denial. "No..."
"Nanna received... word from Gullveig that they had all been executed." He would not tell her what Gullveig had actually sent!
Jord clapped her hands over her mouth and began sobbing. "No!"
Thor embraced her. "I'm sorry."
"Did Gullvieg send their bodies at least?"
"I..."
Jord shuddered with a sob. "You said not all of Freyja's daughters went?" She was clinging desperately to hope.
"Sigyn is obviously still travelling who-knows-where, and as I said, Nanna remains in Asgard."
The youngest. "Where is she? I need to see her."
"The palace. We are arranging a memorial service."
Jord pushed past him. "Nanna needs me." She half ran into the palace, determined to find her youngest granddaughter. She quickly found Nanna's chambers, but the door was locked and she could hear weeping within. "Nanna?"
Inside her room, Nanna looked up from where she had buried her face into her pillows. "Grandmother?" she whispered.
"Nanna, let me in, child."
Nanna lurched to her feet, flinging the door open and throwing herself into Jord's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Grandmother! They're dead! They're all dead!"
Tears began flowing down Jord's face as she held Nanna tightly. "I know, child, I know." She stroked the golden hair softly, imagining she had her daughter safe in her arms, not her granddaughter...
Are you going to make me kill her now? Nanna thought bitterly to Set. Here'sss your chance!
Not yet. You need comfort for a while, at leassst. Besssidesss, I wisssh to kill her mysssself.
"Thor told me that Gullvieg sent you a message?" Gaea asked gently. "Can I see?"
Nanna's stomach churned. "No!"
Gaea tensed. How bad can it be? "What did she send? Nanna?"
"Their heads," the girl whispered. "She sent me a package and when I opened it, it was full of straw. I brushed some aside and saw... Skaldi. Like it was planned that I'd see her first!"
Gaea's hands shook. Gullveig had sent their heads? Even the baby? How could anyone be that sadistic? She couldn't think what to say- no words would comfort Nanna now!
"Why would she do that, Grandmother? Aunt Gully... I thought that she cared about me, I thought we were friends!"
Gaea wordlessly held her arms out again, having no answers for Nanna.
"They must have been brave," Nanna said shakily. "Even the little ones-"
Even the little ones! Gaea closed her eyes. Atum.
Gaea.
You are needed in Asgard.
Why? I felt grave fear from Freyja not long ago. What has happened?
She broke the connection, not yet able to say it. She returned her focus to Nanna. "Gullveig will pay."
"Doesn't matter. It won't bring them back."
"I know." Having no more words, she just held Nanna. "I'll stay for a while. For as long as you need me."
Nanna didn't respond, only nodding mutely.