Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up! It's been an absolutely crazy week... on top of everything, this chapter really didn't want to be written (maybe 13 really is unlucky) so it's also pretty short. I'm sure the next ones will be easier to write! Hopefully when things settle down with work I'll be able to update more regularly again :) Please let me know what you think by leaving a review!
Chapter 13
After a few days of walking, the scenery began to look familiar to Loki. At first he feared he had walked in a circle, but he quickly put that thought aside – he had not lost his way unless the sun and the stars had become unruly in their guidance. Perhaps he was going mad? He was not entirely sure if any kind of long-term damage had been done while he was trapped in the shadows, but he felt uneasy when he remembered the tearing feeling as the creatures had opened up his soul. He'd also noticed that he was getting the occasional dizzy spell followed by the prickly sensation that he was being watched.
Eventually, however, he decided that the place was starting to look familiar because he'd been here before some years previously with none other than Thor and his annoying friends. It had been some kind of rescue mission that had taken about three times as long as it should have due to Volstagg managing to convince the others that they should take the opportunity to practice their hunting skills on the way. From the memories, he estimated he was only a day or so out from the main city.
Getting in wasn't even a challenge. Loki was a bit miffed. He'd put on a disguise and thought up a story and everything and the place wasn't even guarded! The people going about their daily business on the streets seemed strangely subdued, compared to the normal easy-going attitudes of the Vanir. He wondered briefly if it was some sort of Remembrance Day like those he had seen observed on Midgard.
As he was wandering up a cobblestoned side street, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over him and he abruptly sagged against the brick wall of a building while he waited for it to pass. At the edge of his perception he imagined he could hear lots of sharp voices… He shook his head and they were gone. Glancing up to make sure he had not attracted any unwanted attention, the sign of the building he was currently leaning against caught his eye – the Flying Ship, Bar and Inn. Well, he did need to figure out what was going on in this place, why not take the opportunity to relax and have some fun while he was at it? He stumbled forward and pushed through the wooden doors to the bar.
