Born to be a King
Chapter 11
Ragnar's crimson gaze scanned the vast area around the small cave where he could see his king huddled inside. Nothing was amiss, but something was wrong. He could feel a sense of dread beginning to creep into his bones. Then it dawned on him...
The jungle was quiet.
Too quiet.
"Where are they now?" his concentration was suddenly broken by the sound of Thor's voice. Ragnar turned his head just slightly to see him enter the Observatory.
"They are only a day's walk from the city, my lord" Ragnar replied, his features perfectly schooled though his gaze remained on that faraway realm where his king was about to encounter a new, unknown and treacherous danger.
Thor nodded satisfied. "Have they encountered any new dangers?"
"Aside from gigantic spiders and a winged serpent, our travelers fare well and their journey was mostly uneventful today"
"Gigantic spiders, you said?" Thor asked shocked.
"Aye, my lord. Prince Loki and Lady Barbara did not see them when they entered a stretch of forest where these creatures dwell. Lady Barbara approached a tree and plucked a fruit, disturbing the quiet of the forest. Prince Loki saw the creature first, descending from a web high in the canopy. He killed it just in time before it stung Lady Barbara"
"Sounds exactly like the type of place that Loki favors: Dangerous and horrendous" Thor chuckled, shaking his head, imagining his brother far away "If he has found winged serpents and water nymphs, what other creatures abide in these realms? What threats hide behind the magical façade of mythical beasts and enchanted forests?" he sighed as he looked out toward the vastness of space.
"We will soon know" the gatekeeper said, his gaze fixed on Loki.
The two stood quiet, looking out through the Observatory. Neither the king who stood expectant nor the gatekeeper who stood apprehensive saw nor felt the intruder who had entered the realm of Asgaard through a secret passage hidden deep within the dark mountains behind the city. The Hel-hound emerged from the portal and soon he exited the forests and reached the Asgardian mainland. Upon reaching the peak of a tall mountain that overlooked the city, he howled loudly, upwards to the moons. It was joined by the calls of his lower, canine counterparts, who howled back in fear upon hearing the call of the agent of Death.
In the Observatory, Thor turned his head at the distant sound of howling and frowned.
"Wolves. But the autumn call is not for another two moons"
Ragnar's all-seeing gaze picked no intruders, nor did his keen senses alert him to any dangers. Entering Asgard through the Southern gate, a Hel-hound disguised as an ordinary citizen mingled with the populace. Somewhere inside or underneath the grand city, his mistress' prize lay hidden.
"Autumn must be coming early this year" the king concluded in the Observatory, wrapping the cloak around his shoulders tighter.
The night had suddenly become rather crisp.
Midnight came.
Loki's doubles searched the surrounding jungle one last time before dissipating. Inside the cave, he looked down at Barbara who was fast asleep on his chest.
"Barbara" he shook her "it's time"
"Mmmm" she stirred "I was having a great dream"
"What was it?"
"A battle. People were cheering when we won and you put on the gauntlet after I retrieved the last of the gems. Somehow it was buried deep beneath the ground, but there was fire and an ocean. It was so confusing" she yawned as she stood and stretched her arms.
"You crave battle"
"You crave power"
He chuckled. "We all find our path in the universe. Mine is to rule, yours is to take life"
"You mean mine is to deliver the severed heads of your enemies at your feet"
Loki's lips curved upwards at her words as he picked up one of her swords. His fingers traced over the shiny sheath. Her blades had never faltered from the moment she claimed them. Every drop of blood she had spilled had been in his name.
"Not entirely. Your destiny was to be ruled... by me. Your freedom was mine to take, and mine to return tenfold" he said as he strapped her swords to her back "now you are truly free"
"I've told you before, and it's as true now as it was then: I am what you make of me" she said as she turned around and looked into his eyes.
"My warrior goddess" he said, taking her face in his hands.
"My god king" she sighed. He kissed her long and passionately. Two lost creatures in the dark.
"There is however, one severed head that I wish you to toss at my feet" he said when they pulled back. He saw her brown eyes become aflame at his words and her lips curl into the evilest of smiles.
"Victor von Doom" she purred.
"Victor von Doom" he echoed.
They emerged from behind the waterfall and moved for their horses, but the moment they stepped off the rocks onto the shore, Loki suddenly stopped. His senses went on overdrive as he felt the presence. The horses rose on their hind legs and neighed in fear...
A spear materialized in Loki's hands and Barbara reached for her swords. Loki's eyes went wide as he watched transparent silhouettes rush out from behind the trees and surround them. He heard them speak to one other in hushed whispers. He looked at Barbara and when he saw her looking blindly in all directions expecting to be ambushed, realized that she was unable to see or hear them.
What occurred next happened in the blink of an eye.
"Barbara!" the dagger flew out of his hand but it was too late. He missed and the dagger flew past the head of the figure that was flying towards Barbara. It collided with her and tackled her to the ground, knocking her swords out of her hands and the wind from her lungs. Loki leaped at her attacker but the near-invisible figure moved away just in time. The rest of them moved in and Loki charged. None of his blows were returned, and the figures simply avoided his spear but continued to surround him. When he finally realized he was not being attacked, Loki stood in front of Barbara, shielding her and aiming his spear at the figures.
"Reveal yourselves"
His order went unanswered. Instead he groaned in pain when he was suddenly struck by some unknown force. He fought against it using his own and was able to shatter it. The collision of the two magical powers sent a ripple of force that knocked everyone back. When it was over, the figures were no longer invisible and Loki and Barbara looked upon the Inkeri for the first time. They were tall, colossal beings that towered over them. Their dark skin glistened in the night, their amber eyes burned like flames and their long platinum hair reached their knees. They were covered in steel plate armor and they carried all sorts of edge weapons and powerful guns.
Barbara jumped to her feet and the ground began to shake as her eyes changed color. Loki's blood froze in his veins when a surge of power flew towards her from behind the trees and she was immobilized just as he had been. He had not time to react when he felt himself being brought to his knees by two of the creatures, then his magic restrained when his hands were pulled behind his back and a set of chains were clasped to his wrists. A large, imposing, dark figure emerged from the trees and walked towards Loki.
"Detzielrang po'ovol atdutzieh mahaltz wilikech totzii (restrain the woman, she has powers of the mind)" the figure ordered his men, then he stood in front of Loki and looked down at him. He in turn gave him a murderous look.
"I am Loki of Asgard and I order you to set us free" Loki said defiantly. He didn't even budge when he heard Barbara groan as one of the figures chained her wrists and brought her down on her knees next to him. She swayed as she fought the haze in her mind upon finally being freed from the spell that had paralyzed her temporarily.
"Ehjm'maseme bohhiajske Oknskephe" the figure said with reverence, signaling towards Loki as if presenting him. Loki narrowed his eyes when the figures knelt and stared at him as if looking at a great being. The man kept on talking, and Barbara's head cocked as she took in every word, trying to decipher the language. Her lips moved silently as her mind raced.
Ehjmaseme... ehjma... is here... maseme... the day... bohhia... that long awaited... ajske... he who comes... Oknskephe... promise... a promise..."
"Aa'lik biyeho tumbenka'ahla su wuutzolah" he was now saying to Loki "nahotalh echtetinial zkaleh tumuluk'in okchtlan. Meposhvah unske pao mi Stingadr Inkeri tevah otzu. Hzotroudo a'la Onkskephe mahman Asgardendi" Our mission is not to hurt you but you to take you to our king. He is expecting you. I am Stingadr, leader of the Inkeri Tribe. You are The Promised One who hails from Asgard"
He placed his hands on Loki's shoulder and brought him up to his feet, then he bowed before him. Barbara looked at the gesture and gasped when the meaning of the words finally became clear.
"Oknskephe... The Promised One..." she breathed.
Loki raised an eyebrow at that. The figure looked at her and narrowed his blazing yellow eyes. She held his gaze defiantly.
"Ke ensuuml move'elu sa villis?" she spoke. What guarantee do we have that your words are true?
"Oshanskpo Inkeri ahla atdutza Mahla Verdandi Taman'tsil shak'ha moriantzo vurtahlen xchotil ahla" Stingadr replied vehemently. The Inkeri have sworn with our blood to protect the lands of the ruler of the Five Kingdoms of Verdandi. To lie is to betray our king.
"They were sent by the king to take you to him" Barbara addressed Loki "he is Stingadr, leader of the Inkeri tribe. They are sworn protectors of the king's lands. He called you 'The Promised One'" she said the last line with emphasis.
Loki looked at Stingadr for a long time before he spoke. "Then tell him I will not go see this king until he sets us free"
"Ahla suvertlin holkann" she relied the message.
Stingadr smiled at Loki and shook his head. "Moh'lak pavesh inkisli ahirai mevati. Payooch onni enskele mahala enhatskav"
"The jungle is dangerous at night. They will take us to their dwelling and wait for morning. He must keep us restrained to protect his people"
Stingadr shouted an order to his men and they ushered Loki and Barbara towards the jungle.
"What was that he said about me being 'The Promised One'?" Loki asked as they were quickly being hauled toward the mountains.
"That's what he called you" she answered. The Inkeri were chanting so loudly that Loki and Barbara had to shout over them. "He said that all the kingdoms have been waiting for you for thousands of years. He called them The Five Kingdoms of Verdandi"
"The Five Kingdoms of Verdandi" he said, looking at Stingadr who led the way at the fore "I've never heard of them"
"They've obviously heard of you"
"They must think I'm Thor. This is probably another realm Odin promised to that simpleton" he huffed "which will make it much sweeter when I take it"
"Are you going to tell them who you really are?"
"I already did, but he obviously didn't understand me. So for now I'm Thor, ruler of the Nine Realms. Behold my muscly arms and shimmering blond mane" he said smugly as he flipped his hair in exaggerated pomposity. It earned him an odd look from an Inkeri who had seen his gesture and heard the change in voice. Barbara snickered and Loki gave the Inkeri a cutting look.
They did not ascend the mountain long before they reached a large clearing where the dwelling was located. Upon entering both Loki and Barbara were amazed not to find a cluster of huts, but a small city. It looked prosperous and the people seemed to be thriving. Young and old, men and women, they all seemed merry as they welcomed their leader and his best warriors back home. They all looked at Loki in awe and reached out to touch him. Within seconds they had swarmed him and had Stingadr not halted them in his booming voice they probably would have stifled him to death. Barbara didn't fare any better.
"Mishen ospi Inkeri kuyasanti Oknskephe saabin uxmen" Stingadr bowed to Loki apologetically.
"He asks that you forgive his people's fervor. They too have been waiting for you for a long time" Barbara translated.
"Quite the welcoming" Loki quipped, nodding to the Inkeri townsfolk who stood back watching him with adoration "but it would have made it much more pleasant if they had not met me in chains" he now looked at Stingadr with disdain.
"Are you serious?" Barbara asked.
"Yes. Tell him"
She did and Stingadr only bowed his head lower. He offered another apology before ushering them through the crowd to a gazebo mounted on a cliff just outside of the east gate of the village. Loki and Barbara were chained sitting against the column in the middle. Before leaving, Stingadr provided them with plush cushions.
"Well, so far their hospitality has been astounding" Loki sneered when they were finally alone.
"At least we have a nice view" she said, laying her head on his shoulder.
"A nice view indeed" he said, looking out. From their location they could see sparkling lights in the distance that stood out against the blue glow of the jungle.
A city. Large in scale.
"Is that...?" Barbara asked in awe. Just then, the skies opened and they once again saw the crystal bridge that connected the city to a structure high in the sky. A transport carriage zoomed upwards and the skies closed again.
"At least they don't have to walk or ride the entire length of the Rainbow Bridge" he chuckled.
She snorted. "Do you recognize any of their constellations?"
"No. We are in an entirely different section of the universe. You know, none of the Nine Realms are located within the same galaxy"
"Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people"
He frowned in confusion and looked down at her.
"Some scientist on Earth said that" she explained.
Just then, they felt a pair of watchful eyes on them. They turned to see an adolescent girl standing half hidden in the shadows staring curiously at Loki. She scooted closer and closer to the gazebo until she cautiously entered.
"What the Hel" Barbara grunted under her breath.
The young girl continued to approach them until she reached them. Ignoring Barbara completely she crouched down and watched Loki most intently. He looked back at her with the slightest trace of curiosity. It was enough to draw her nearer.
She drank in every single detail about him, her fascination clearly written on her face.
Barbara was dumbstruck. "What are you doing? Shoo her away!" she complained.
"Just wait" Loki whispered. He continued to look at the young Inkeri woman. She was unbelievably beautiful, with dark cocoa brown skin, bright amber eyes, and a set of pouty lips enhanced with red rouge. She reached out and touched his hair, running her fingers through the long locks of hair that fell on his shoulders. Then she ran her knuckles down the side of his face. He gave her a small smile. She sighed...
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! ARE YOU BEING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!" Barbara was now livid "GET AWAY FROM HIM! GIT! SHOO AND RUN BACK TO YOUR MOMMY BEFORE I RIP YOUR WINDPIPE STRAIGHT OUT OF YOUR THROAT!"
The young girl stuck her neck out at Barbara in a blatant gesture of challenge that sent Barbara over the edge.
"TURGA SHETEI MAGALA SHAKAH VITA!" she pulled against her chains to get closer and kicked at the girl. One of her kicks connected with her and the girl shrieked in pain, then bolted and ran out of the gazebo. Barbara continued to scream threats at her while Loki simply watched her go. When the girl was out of sight he looked back at Barbara with the most angelic look on his face.
"I can't help being so incredibly good looking" he shrugged innocently.
"YOU SELF-ABSORBED JACKASS?!" she screamed at him while she elbowed him hard "HOW COULD YOU?! AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE! WHY YOU..."
She stopped in midsentence when he moved forward to reveal and object he had in his hand: A trinket he had removed from the Inkeri girl's clothing. It was in the shape of a flower and the stem had a very sharp pointy end.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" he goaded.
"...Why you evil genius!" she exclaimed and kissed his cheek.
"Oh, I thought I was a self-absorbed jackass" he raised an eyebrow.
She gave him a wounded look.
"Well, to be quite honest" he said as he worked on picking the locks of his chains "those terms of endearment that you just graciously bestowed upon me describe me most accurately"
The chains fell off and he rubbed his wrists before moving to remove Barbara's. The moment she was free she threw herself at him and wrapped her arms and legs around him then kissed him long and hard.
"You ARE an incredibly good looking, self-absorbed, evil genius jackass and I would not have it any other way" she said as she placed hot kisses all over his lips, his chin, his jaw and all over his neck.
"Then what do you say we reclaim our effects, jump off the cliff and get to that city?" he said, his hand shimmering with a glow of magic. She placed her hand over his and her eyes burned gold.
"Oh yes, let's"
End of Chapter 11
Responses to reviews:
CLTex: I hope the face-to-face with the Inkeri was all that you were waiting for. We will see more of them in future chapters and they will be vital in the battles that are soon to come.. Thank you for your support Christi! Muah! See ya on Tumblr! J
DoctorLokiLove: Loki's importance to these people will become clear within the next three chapters and I don't think that even Loki himself is ready for that revelation lol. As you saw, he thought they confused him for Thor, since Thor was always the one that got everything. My basis for this story is some things in the first Thor movie that were never fully explained about his backstory or Odin's purpose for him. Why would Odin tell him for centuries that both he and Thor were born to be kings, then Frigga later told him that there was ALWAYS a purpose to everything Odin said and did, and then suddenly we see Loki with nothing? It just doesn't make sense and that's something about the cinematic universe that really irks me. But I don't want to spoil anything... you'll find out soon! ;-) How are you doing hun? I'm very happy that things have calmed down for you 'Becca. Have you started school again yet?
Anon fan: Thank you so much for your sweet words, bless you for saying them. And thank you for your prayers. I hope you keep on enjoying! :)
Kat: Oh you, wonderful you, but I've already told you that. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm very happy I met you! You've been a great support since the first story, you and many others, and I am very grateful for you and the rest of my readers. You're one of two that I've met face to face so I really have a lot to be grateful for being a fanfic writer. I've made more friends and made connections with people from all over the world. Some of those connections sadly fell through and dear friends were lost but you and others have remained steadfast. Thank you for being a great friend Kat. See you again in November, God willing!
Hiddles-Skittles: Oh no, I need to hide my face in shame! I knowwww that was terrible! I really planned on going but you know what happened. Being a working girl is not easy in this economy! I can barely even pay my mortgage! Lol Visiting Australia sounds divine at the moment, but hey, is it true that there is a type of spider in AU that only a single bite can kill you? I saw something about it on Animal Planet and that these spiders live in the big cities. But anyway, I digress. Talk to you soon sweetie!