CHAPTER 7
Saffron looked at her father and nodded.
"As you wish, father," she said. "When Isis is well enough to travel, I will let the school know we will be taking some time off."
"Then that is it! We have a plan," Thor said with a booming voice.
All nodded, and then Ra and Diana took their leave with a flash of soft white light and fire.
Saffron began to leave the room with Thor, meaning to give Isis and Loki privacy to talk, but Isis cried out again.
"Saffron! Please, please don't leave me alone with him!"
Saffron sighed and turned back.
"Look, Isis: Loki is not going to harm you. I know this is a lot to take in all at once, but you have to listen to him. Let him explain. Just please listen with your heart. I will be right in the next room if you need me."
Isis slowly nodded.
"Ok," she said, taking a deep breath.
Saffron turned and grabbed Thor by the arm.
"I hunger! You must feed me. What passes for food in this realm?" Saffron urged. As they left the room Saffron looked over at Loki and nodded. There was a silent warning in her eyes as she and Thor left the room.
Isis rolled her eyes. Asgard, Midgard, and Earth, whatever: some things with Saffron just didn't change. That girl could eat her way through a banquet hall and not gain an ounce.
Loki slowly walked over to the bed, his brow furrowed.
"Isis, my love," he said tenderly, "you are my life, my world, the star in my night sky, and I would never do anything to harm you. I know what you saw frightened you. I speak truthfully with you: it frightens me, sometimes, as well. I am truly sorry you had to see that, that you had to learn about me that way," Loki sighed. "I am only half Jotun, my father-my real father-was the king of the Jotun, but he left me to die as a babe. Odin found me and rescued me, and raised me as his own, but I only recently found that out. I am not...proud...of my heritage. That is why I have never shown or told you about it." He took another shuddering breath. "It is difficult for me to face. But I know...I apologize...I know now I should have told you! Please, can you forgive me? I want you to know, no matter what, that I love you and will never hurt you in any way. You are the reason the sun shines for me..."
The goddess Eira entered the room, carrying a small medicine cup.
"Forgive me, my Prince, but I have brought an elixir for Lady Isis to ease her pain," she said with a respectful bow.
Loki nodded as Eira handed Isis the cup. Isis quickly drank the elixir and lay back down.
"Wow," she said blinking sleepily, "that stuff really works!"
Eira motioned to Loki to follow her, and when they were out of Isis' hearing she turned to him with a concerned look.
"My Prince: I can heal most of her body, but I can-not heal her mind. You should take her to see the goddess Hygieia. That is her patronage; she can heal her mind if anyone can."
Loki puts his hands on Eira shoulders, and his face was troubled.
"Thank you, dear friend, for all you have done for my lady-wife. You have ever been ready to patch up Thor or I, but I cannot begin to repay you for what you have done here..."
Eira smiled sadly.
"No thanks are necessary; you are welcome, my Prince." As she turned to leave, Eira saw Thor trying to sneak up on Saffron, who was busy with a plate of food. She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Thor: those who play with fire will get burned!" she warned.
Saffron turns around at Eira's words to see Thor blush, and laughed at him.
"She just saved you from needing a healer yourself, Thor!" she chuckled. Saffron thanked Lady Eira with a smile and a nod as she left. Saffron then turned to Thor and Loki. "You two should get some rest, I will watch over Isis. My fire is fed now, and I can keep her safe."
Thor nodded and turned to Loki.
"Come, brother. It is time to rest ourselves. Lady Saffron will look after your ladylove. We can take our rest in my chambers."
Loki looked down at Isis's sleeping form, and sighed.
"You have the right, brother. We should be well-rested when we enact our revenge on Sciotha." He turned and followed Thor from the room.
Isis slept for nearly an hour after Thor and Loki left. When she finally opened her eyes, she called for Saffron: softly, not wanting Thor or Loki to hear her. (She did not know they had left the room.)
Saffron hurried over with a worried look on her face.
"Is all well, my sister? Do you need anything?" she asked anxiously.
Isis nodded weakly. "Yes, all is well, but I need your help."
Saffron sat gently on the bed next to her. "With what do you need help? Do you need a chamber pot, or perhaps a bath? Would you like something to eat?"
Isis thought for a moment. "You had to mention a chamber-pot, didn't you?" she grumped. "Yes, all of those in turn, and some clothing. Then I must go to retrieve my star amulet; I cannot go another day not remembering who or what I am."
"But Isis," Saffron protested, but Isis cut her off.
"Don't interrupt. I want you to teleport us to the field where I was found: in Kansas. We can go and get back before the men know that I am missing. I believe that if the two of us go, the chance the Jotun will find us will be less, and the faster we can return."
Saffron bit her lip. "I do not know if this is wise, Isis. You are still in rough shape. Perhaps you should rest at least a day..."
Isis shook her head. "Please, sister. I can't take this any longer! Help me remember, sister; please help me!"
Saffron frowned and thought for a moment.
"You have an appointment with yet another healer, by commandment of the goddess Eira," she finally said. "You are to consult with the Lady Hygieia, of Olympus. She must assess the damage done to your mind, and make her recommendation. There may be magical damage we do not know about, after all, and that mischief must be tended. Suffer a day for her arrival and her council, and I shall do all that you ask."
Isis nodded. "This I so swear. At least help me to the bath," she pleaded.
Saffron nodded and helped Isis to the bathing chamber, and while Isis was bathing she stuck her head out of the room and waved down a maid.
"My sister wakes, and desires to eat. Can you bring her a tray? She should not be up and about, I think."
"At once, milady Saffron," the maid said. She curtsied and left.
Saffron helped Isis finish bathing. Reaching into the wardrobe for clothing she pulled out a gown for Isis, and tutted.
"We're going to look weird rummaging around in a Kansas field dressed like this," she said, handing the gown to Isis, "but I don't think they have blue jeans and tennis shoes in Asgard."
"Or bras, either," Isis lamented, staring at the dress.
"That's what the corset is for, you goose," Saffron scolded.
"Just don't cinch me up too tight, ok? I'm still sore," Isis said plaintively.
Isis finished dressing and stood up. "Alright then, my sister: let us go."
Saffron places her hand on Isis shoulder and hesitated. "You did promise to wait for Hygieia," she said petulantly. "And I have ordered a tray for you. You need to gain your strength."
A knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?" Isis asked impatiently.
"Your manners have not improved with your time on Earth," Saffron scolded. She walked to the door and opened it. "I just told you I ordered a tray from the kitchens. One does not just shout through doors in the royal house of Asgard. This isn't a university dormitory," she finished as she pulled open the massive door.
"Well said, daughter of Ra," said Hygieia. "I met the maid who brought this tray, and relieved her of the burden of her duty and her desire for gossip fodder. May I enter?"
The Greek goddess was tall, with olive skin, gray-black hair swept back in an elaborate plait, and three intense black eyes.
Saffron blinked. "That was fast indeed!"
"Who are you?" Isis said in wonder.
"I am Hygieia, oh daughter of Diana: my sister," Hygieia said with a bow. "We are kindred; I am your aunt. I am known as the goddess of theosophy, health, and wisdom. I came summoned by my friend and cohort, the Lady Eira, who mentioned your need."
"Oh! Um…I have not yet eaten…" Isis began, but Hygieia waved her hand.
"Worry not, child. Work any special magic I shall not. We need to speak comfortably, and in private. If you will excuse us, child of Ra?" Hygieia spoke the last part to Saffron. It was obviously an order, and not a request.
"Isis?" Saffron said, turning to her sister. Isis waved her off.
"I will be fine."
The session with Hygieia lasted an hour, and when the goddess emerged from Loki's chambers her face was grave. Loki and Saffron were waiting for her.
"I found no residual magical harm to your life-mate's mind, O Prince," she said somberly. "When she is strong enough to be about, as assessed by Lady Eira, she may do anything she pleases. No bond remains of the Jotun's guise…"
"But she still remembers nothing!" Loki protested. "How can there be no residue if…"
Hygieia held up a hand. "There is more. I beg your patience. When Isis' powers and amulet were stripped from her, damage was done within her. She shall remain mortal, amnesiac, and weak until that harm is undone. She sleeps now; I have given her a powder from my brother, Morpheus. For your part, tend her until she is physically ready to travel, and then seek out her amulet. With the restoration of her Star Amulet will come all truth, and the Truth is what will set her free."
Saffron poked Loki playfully. "So you can't help much, God of Lies."
Hygieia glared at the young goddess. "This is no joking matter, firebird. Mind your tongue!"
Loki held out his hands to Hygieia. "Thank you, Lady, for all of your help. I am in your debt."
Hygieia took his hands and kissed them. "There is no such debt between brethren, Loki. You are married to my sister-daughter; we are now kindred. Peace to you, and to your house!"
Hygieia vanished with a wisp of mist and glitter.
"I will check on Isis," Saffron offered. "She still frightens easily on waking."
"Thank you, firebird," Loki said gravely. "I must take this missive to the All Father. He must be informed.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Isis slept for half a day with the administration of Morpheus' powder. Saffron was there when she awoke; another tray of food had just been delivered.
"Saffron," Isis said sleepily.
"I am here."
"Help me to the bath-chamber."
Isis wanted to bathe again, and Saffron noticed that she spent a lot of time scrubbing her intimate parts. When she reached for a scrub brush, the young fire-goddess stopped her.
"That won't help," she scolded gently. "You aren't dirty, not like that."
"I feel it, though. I so want to feel clean again! Saff…will you help me? Hygieia said if I find my amulet, that the damage done to me will be healed. Will you take me to Earth, so we can find it?"
Saffron bit her lip. "You want me to teleport us both when you need help walking to the chamber-pot?"
Isis scowled. "Fine," she pouted. She pulled herself out of the bath and grabbed a towel. Furiously scrubbing off all of the water until she no longer dripped, she glared at her friend. "Happy?"
"You go to Earth like that and you'll make a LOT of guys happy," Saffron pointed out.
"Nag, nag, nag," Isis groused. She stomped-as best as she could-to her wardrobe and pulled on some clothing. "Better?"
"Much," Saffron nodded. She frowned again.
"What now?" Isis demanded. "You really don't mean to get permission to go, do you?"
"No. It isn't that. I don't really know where to go," Saffron said, frowning. "I mean, your Earth home was somewhere in Kansas, and you were found in a field, but there is a lot of that in Kansas! Where should I take us?"
Isis frowned; Saffron had a point. "Take us to my foster parents' home in Topeka," she finally decided. "My foster-mom can help us find the field."
"Good idea," said Saffron. Placing her arms around her sister, she whispered "Hold on," and teleported them to the Topeka suburb where Isis had spent so much time.
The girls appeared in a small copse of trees and looked around. The neighborhood was quiet; it was the middle of the day.
"Good thing everybody is at work," Saffron muttered.
"Why?" asked Isis
"We could throw veils over these outfits in Egypt, and nobody would give us a second glance," Saffron said sourly. "Here, we stand out like a couple of weirdo's from a Renaissance Faire!"
"Gripe, gripe, gripe," Isis gritted her teeth. "We can change when we get into my...err...my foster-parents' house. I still have clothing there."
The girls made it into the house unseen. Apparently Mrs. Knite was not at home. Isis led her half-sister into her old bedroom and pulled out t-shirts and blue jeans for them both.
"Ahhh, cotton underwear," Isis sighed. "Asgard is great and all, but this corset is for the birds!" She turned and found Saffron frowning at her. "What now?"
Saffron traced the lash-marks that stood out against Isis' skin. While not raw, they still glowed an angry red.
"At least these are closed," she said, her face puckered. "If you were really human I think he would have killed you. Are you sure you want to do this so soon?"
"Yes," Isis said simply. "I want to do this because I'm not human. I have parents and a life and a life-mate and a realm, and none of those things are here! Do you have any idea what it is like, to lose yourself?"
"No, I don't. I only know what it is like to lose my sister before we even met," Saffron pointed out. Her mouth twisted to one side. "Do you think we could grab something to eat before we head out? Thor so-not-the-god-of-stealth didn't really let me finish eating this morning."
Isis snorted. "Not that that would have mattered," she groused. "The kitchen is this way."
Mrs. Knite came home as Isis and Saffron sat in the kitchen eating.
"Isis," she asked, amazed, "what are you doing here? The term won't be over for two weeks at least!"
Isis coughed as if she was choking on something. "Mom, we got out early and wanted a break, so Saff and I thought we would surprise you and Dad. There's a lot I have to talk to you about, but first I need to know which field is the one where you found me. I want to show it to Saff."
"It is the one behind the green barn, down by the lake where we used to go swimming. Why do you need to know? Is it important?"
Isis hesitated. "Mom, I have found out a lot about myself that you would never believe. I will tell you all about it in time, but I need to go to the field first, ok? When we get back we will talk and I will explain every thing." Isis stood up. "Is my truck still in the garage?"
"Yes, dear," her mom said, looking puzzled, "the keys are on the hook like usual. Why won't you tell me now what is going on?"
Isis sighed. "It's nothing bad, Mom. It's just that I want to have all the pieces of this puzzle together before I say anything. That way I can answer any questions you may have," she kissed her mom on the cheek, "and believe me, you're going to have a lot!" She left her foster mother shaking her head in the kitchen, and walked out to her truck with Saffron right behind her.
As they leave Saffron cleared her throat.
"What?" Isis asked.
"That was not nice, sis. You should have told her what you know! Now she is just going to worry about you more."
Isis shook her head as she drove. "It will be easier to answer any thing she asks when I know the answers. This is awkward enough already."
"What do you mean, awkward? How can the truth be awkward?"
Isis gave her a look.
"Mom, Dad, thanks for raising me since you found me in the field and all, but…the thing is…I'm not 22. I'm not even human. I'm an alien demigoddess from another dimension. By the way, I'm married to Loki of Asgard, the guy who tried to take over the world a few years ago…need I go on?"
"Um…right."
"I don't want to leave anything out when I tell Mom and Dad what we have discover. It's going to rock their world enough as it is." She looked away from Saffron. "It certainly has mine."
The sun was getting low in the sky by the time they found the lake and the barn. They walked behind only to be amazed by its size: it was easily 1,000 acres.
"Ok, genius," Saffron drawled. "This is your quest. Where do we start?"
Isis pressed her lips together. "Well, Mom told me that I was in some kind of a crater, so I guess we start over there, where the ground dips."
They started casting about, trying to see if there was any place the amulet could be hidden, but found nothing. Except for the 'crater', the field was plain and empty. Its only decoration was the piles of stone and logs at the edges, left from decades of tilling and clearing.
The light was already fading, and Saffron worried that they would not be able to find the Star Amulet in time to stay out of trouble. She paced nervously, occasionally prying up a stone or kicking over a log in her search, for it was obvious they would not find the amulet lying on the ground. If it ever had been there, it had either already been picked up, or was buried under 5 years of tillage.
"We should have brought a metal detector," she grumbled.
Isis frowned, trying to remember what Halastjarma had said to her when they had met in the Realm of the Wandering Winds. Saffron's nervous pacing and grumbling was not helping her think. To make matters worse, her sister had the annoying habit of telling her they had to hurry. Isis finally glared at her.
"Saff," she groused, "sit down and shut up, I can't think straight with you doing that."
Saffron looked at her with narrow eyes and sat down on a log.
Isis remembered, finally, what her aunt had told her: to speak to the night sky and petition it for assistance. Isis took a deep breath and closed her eyes, then tilted her face up to the darkening sky.
"I am Isis, daughter of Diana, the goddess of the moon! I beg you: please help me find what I have lost!"
A chiding voice behind them made Isis and Saffron jump.
"Should you not be in bed, my child? 'Tis too soon after you took hurt to be realm-wandering and questing!"
They turned to see Diana and Halastjarna standing there, hands on their hips and stern faces disapproving. Diana's bow was slung across her back as always, while Halastjarna wore her sword. Diana's scowl deepened even further.
"And unarmed to boot! Child, were you not already injured, I would box your ears!"
Halastjarna turned to her sister. "I've a mind to box her ears anyway. 'Tis obvious she learned little from her torture."
Isis' lip quavered. "I am sorry, Mother, but I need to find my amulet! I am tired of not being able to remember any thing. I have not just lost a necklace. I have lost myself!"
Diana looked toward the now-starry sky and sighed deeply. "Save me from the impetuousness of the young," she said. Taking a deep breath she shouted: "Heimdall! Beloved, I need you to come to me!"
A bright light shot down from the stars and burned a rune in the ground. When it ceased shimmering, a tall black man in gold armor stepped out. He carried a long golden spear, and a golden hawk flapped its wings from its apex and screeched at their company. He smiled as his eyes found Diana, who smiled in return, and walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"The one that looks at nothing," Isis whispered to herself, "but sees everything."
"My hearing is quite good, too," Heimdall nodded, cocking an eyebrow down at Diana. "You needn't shout when you petition me, you know."
Diana chuckled. "Yes, my child. This is Heimdall All-Seeing, the Gatekeeper of Asgard. He is also your father."
Isis' voice squeaked. "My…my father?"
Heimdall nodded, with a sad smile. "I have missed you, dear one. The dark one, Sciotha, hid you from even me."
Isis took a deep breath. "Father, I need to know: have you seen my Star Amulet?"
Heimdall smiled and nodded.
"Yes, my dear daughter; I have. It is safe till you have need of it."
A crack of thunder split the air, and with a flash of lighting Thor and Loki appeared. Loki ran to Isis, for he wanted to hold her, but he stopped short when Isis stepped closer to Heimdall and grabbed his arm.
"Is all well my prince?" Heimdall rumbled.
"I went into our chambers to check on my lady-wife and found her gone," the dark prince replied. "I feared that Sciotha had taken her again."
"Heimdall, what are you doing here?" Thor asked in his booming voice. "What has caused you to abandon your post at the Bifrost?"
Heimdall looked at the crown prince and raised his chin. "I left the Bifrost with another caretaker, O Prince. My post is not abandoned. I have come to aid my daughter in her time of need."
Thor and Loki looked at Heimdall in shock.
"Daughter?" Thor finally sputtered. "Do you mean that Isis is your daughter?"
Heimdall nodded. "Yes, my prince, she is."
Thor snorted and smacked Loki good-naturedly on the back. "Ho, brother! You must call Heimdall your father now!"
"That explains a lot," Loki grumbled. Thor raised a questioning brow at him, so he explained. "We never could sneak about for…privacy…when we were courting. We were always caught by the royal chaperones!"
"Surely you did not think t'was an accident, my prince?" Heimdall said good-naturedly.
"Nay, I thought t'was Mother's meddling, or Odin's," Loki answered with a sigh.
"Back to business, then," Thor said, turning a disapproving glare onto Saffron. "All of this sneaking about cannot have been in vain. Know you what the ladies seek?"
"I do," Heimdall nodded. "And they waste time fumbling about in a field that has been ploughed 12 times in 6 years," he growled disapprovingly. "Ladies of your breeding and intelligence should show better sense!"
"What say you, Father? Have you known of mine amulet's whereabouts this whole time?" Isis's eyes were wide.
"Its location, aye," Heimdall nodded. "But I could neither find you nor secure it for you. 'Tis your amulet, and only you may touch it. The Guardian has so decreed it, and set the necessary wards about it, to keep it from Sciotha's hands and misuse."
Heimdall turned his face to the dark sky and closed his eyes.
"KRSTAR! IT IS TIME!" He bellowed.
A star seemed to twinkle and grow, and then expanded into a white globe in the sky above them. It continued to grow in both size and brightness, until a dragon of massive size appeared and landed in the field before them all.
The dragon was hard to see in the dark, despite the glow that surrounded him, for his body was as black as night. Feathery scales of pearl white cascaded from his snake-like neck and the tip of his tail, and the horns on his head shone like a thousand suns. His fangs, as long as swords, glowed as well. He threw his head back and roared as he folded his mighty wings.
"I am Krstar: Guardian of the Star Amulet! If you wish to claim it, you must prove yourself worthy to wield it!"
Saffron jumped up defiantly. "Of course she is worthy! It belongs to her! She is the star goddess!"
Krstar growled and snapped his jaws at her, and Saffron sat back down.
"Silence, Flame-Rider! You know not of what you speak!" He roared. "Goddess she may be, but know herself she does not! The amulet will only do the bidding of the servant of the stars! She must prove herself!"
"Calm yourself, sister," Isis said. "This is my rite of passage." She walked up to the dragon without fear and bowed her head. "What must I do, Guardian?"
Krstar nodded and flapped his mighty wings, stirring up the dirt around the assembled gods and goddesses.
"Climb onto my back, youngling, and your test will begin."
Isis nodded and made to step onto the proffered limb, but Loki grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"What are you doing? You cannot just take off with him alone! You have not fully healed yet! I can't lose you again!"
Krstar lowered his head. "Your mate would gainsay you. Have you not his consent for this quest? Have it, you must!"
Isis bowed to Krstar and turned to look Loki in the eyes.
"Try to understand," she pleaded. "I don't remember you. I don't remember me-or us. I have been torn in a thousand pieces. If this is what it takes to get my memories back, then this I must do."
Loki shook his head. "Isis, my love; I would not live if I lost you again. My heart was lost when they took you! I cannot go through that again: not now that I have you back." Loki insisted softly.
Isis placed her hand on his cheek.
"You asked me to trust you: to accept you as you truly are. Now I must ask you to do the same for me. I want to remember how much I love you, and you me. Please let me do this! I promise I will return to you." Isis said lovingly.
"I would rather you waited until you were fully healed," Loki insisted. "Can this not wait another fortnight?"
"NAY!" Krstar exclaimed. "The test has been called for. She must take the challenge now, or remain weak and mortal the rest of her days! The Amulet of the Star can wait for another Chosen One to be born, though it take 1,000 years!"
Loki looked Isis in the eyes and nodded. "I do therefore consent. I will wait here for your return, my love." He said with a sigh
Isis climbed onto Krstar's back.
"I love you, my goddess." Loki sadly called to her. "Be safe! Be strong!"
"Worry not, Oh God of Mischief. She shall be as safe with me as she would be with you," Krstar roared. "Verily, even more! For if the Unworthy Enemy is foolish enough to try me, then taste my teeth and fire they shall!" With that final roar the dragon spread his mighty wings and took to the sky.
Up, up, up they flew, until the assembled gods and goddesses were nothing but dots below them. Krstar banked into a great thundercloud, and Isis was temporarily drenched and cold. With a snap and a flash Krstar conjured a large ball of lightening and flew into it.
As they broke through the clouds and ball lightening, Isis saw a castle in the stars. The ball of lightening had been a magic portal to Krstar's home! Krstar landed on the balcony, where Isis dismounted and stepped away. Krstar stretched his mighty wings and neck once, then wrapped his wings around his body, and with another flash of lightening he transformed into a dark-skinned man with white hair. He beaconed to Isis and pointed to a nearby nebula.
"There," he said in his deep, loud voice. "There is your test."
"What must I do?" Isis asks
"You must give life to a star." Krstar answered. "Even now it shudders in vain, trying to be born, but unable to ignite. This is your age-old calling: igniting the dead elements of the cosmos into the beacons of life and illumination they are meant to be!"
"I am a Star Midwife?" Isis mused. "Saffron is a goddess of fire. This would seem more her field of operation. How can I ignite a star?"
"I did not say the test would be easy," Krstar intoned. "Choose! Will you accept the challenge? Aye or nay?"