Beams of light entered through the window, setting a golden glow to the room. Maddy awoke to the sound of a sweet hushed voice at the side of her bed, "Maddy, wake up, come on its nearly time to go." Idunn went to open the window, as Maddy stretched.
"When did I come here?" She yawned.
"Oh, Loki brought you, he said you fell asleep on the hill after your dinner. Such a sweet person." Idunn smiled, she thought everyone was 'sweet'. Idunn hummed as she pulled back the curtains, "They're waiting downstairs, you should pack your stuff."
Maddy had totally forgotten about packing. Quickly, she she got out of her wardrobe a brown skirt, two blouses, a grey waistcoat, a night dress, two daggers, a set of throwing knives and socks and stuffed it into a green duffle bag. Then she put on her riding leathers; leather and hard-cloth brown trousers with a dark green tunic complete with a knee-length brown leather jacket- a generous gift from her father, Thor, appreciated even if he wasn't much of a father figure. Maddy quickly done up the laces on her boots before taking her belongings and skipping downstairs. She made here way onto the front lawn where Odin waited with two horses, along with Heimdall, Idunn, Thor and Loki.
"There's the sleepy one!" Thor said jokingly when he saw her. She smiled politely and said her farewells to them in turn. Thor kissed her on the forehead, Heimdall gave her an over friendly pat on the back and hug, Idunn hugged her softly and passed her a small parcel of food which Maddy thanked her for and then at last she said her good-byes to Odin. Slinging her duffle bag over her shoulder, she mounted her grey mare. She looked to Loki; he was riding a skinny chestnut stallion and was carrying a slightly smaller bag than hers.
"See you in a few days." Maddy waved at them.
Loki was turning his horse around when Odin called out, "Loki remember what I said."
He gave a mocking salute in return, "Yes sir!"
Maddy went into a quick trot towards the main road, Loki on her right. The sun was out but it was cold outside, and the wind blew Maddy's hair into her face. After a while she turned to Loki, "Loki, are you sure it wouldn't be better having the people to go to Worlds End. I know it's just a tiny thing we're dealing with but y'know, just in case..."
"Actually, we're not going because of some rift. One-Eye told me this morning." Loki shrugged.
"And?"
"One-Eye wants us to find a young girl- around your age- and seriously powerful. She's been doing some dark magic and Odin's a little her own good the Easir and Vanir don't know about her."
"What's her name?"
"Nimueh." Loki looked out into the distance.