Chapter 8

'Monster'

Ragnarok is coming...

Avrid felt it the moment he landed. It was like something had reached into his very soul and ripped out the raging sea of power and magic inside him. Like they had reached a thieving hand into his body and stole the beating essence that lived in every pore and inch of himself.

A furious roar tore through him as he staggered. That living, breathing thing in his chest was gone, the bubbling cauldron of magic simmering to complete nothingness. He closed his eyes and steadied on feet that were too heavy, a body too slow and a heart too fast. He hadn't been without magic in years, had not felt so empty and dull in decades, it was infuriating to say the least. Liogoo appeared a few seconds after him and her expression was one of shock and dread.

They had left the shuddering mid-point between and re-emerged on a small flat piece of land. It was mostly clear of any vegetation or sign of life, bar a small gathering of trees, their tops bloated with snow to the left. The ground had been drowned in crispy, white snow and only Avrid's careful steps kept him sinking foot-deep. Liogoo, however, swore blindly as the whipping wind tore at the thin fabric she wore and moisture, cold and cruel soaked her through. She crossed her arms and tucked them in, trying to keep whatever heat she could gather.

Avrid looked up to the grey sky to see Toothless circling them, to another he was only a crow hovering in the air. But Toothless' keen eyes kept out eye and ear in case of danger.

"Do you feel that?" Liogoo said through chattering teeth.

Avrid only nodded. He scanned around them searching and taking in his surroundings but as far as the eye could see, human eye, for that was what he was now- albeit less human than those in Midgard- in a realm with no allowance for magic. If he was correct, then they had landed in the northernmost part of the Archipelago. And in mid winter at that. A brutal time of the year, even for the most seasoned of occupants.

"How is it possible? For it to be… gone. Just like that. Is there someone or something that's responsible?

"Something like that. My last time in Midgard it was the same, there is no magic in this realm. It's like a dampener or ignorance of anything of the sort. I believe there is something that blocks magic from taking shape, it could have something to do with what we are here to investigate."

"And you didn't think to mention that before we got here? It might have been a tad bit useful."

He shrugged. "I had thought the lack of magic was only mine, I hadn't considered it might affect others."

Liogoo huffed and threw her hands in the air. "So we will be completely useless?"

Amusement danced in the corner of his lips. "Think of it as a training exercise, see how dependent you have become on your essence."

"I have not become dependent." Liogoo stuck out her tongue at him.

Tannis then appeared, swaying on his feet till he fell with a soft thud and sank a dent in the pristine blanket of snow. His face was as white as the flurry and he put a hand to his mouth, trying with all his might not to vomit.

"Never again."

Liogoo rolled her eyes but walked over to the guard and pulled him up by the arm. He stood on his feet, swaying slightly. "Then next time, maybe you should just-"

"Liogoo," Avrid warned.

She flashed her sharp teeth but held back whatever she was about to say. Toothless then descended beside Avrid and tucked his wings in, shaking off the mist of the clouds.

"There is an island not too far from here. A trading port by the look of the ships."

"Then we start from there."

Avrid addressed Liogoo then, "Midgard is a very foreign realm, what have you been taught of it so far?"

"Nothing much really. I know that it's occupied by humans although they are oblivious to much of everything, stupid creatures really. Humans aren't born with any possession of Essence although, some have tail ends of something such as oracles, some healers or worship the Aesir as Gods and most humans are pretty much useless at anything."

Avrid made a distasteful face. "That may be said for humans but here, in the Archipelago, you will be facing Vikings. They are ruthless, bloodthirsty and raving mad. It is true they have simple minds, but do not make the mistake in thinking that they are dullards."

Liogoo went red at the scolding, but nodded.

Tannis glanced between the two, his mind whirring. "Avrid, you are human are you not?"

Avrid looked at Tannis, looked at him from head to toe. He seemed to be measuring him up, not his appearance but what felt like his soul, who and what Tannis was. He shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny and when Avrid finally laid those lightening green eyes on his own blue ones, he said simply, "No."

He wanted to ask then what, if not human then what, for he had been told Avrid had hailed from Midgard. Sure enough he looked human, he had no markings for Elf, no pointy ears or that sharp delicate beauty. He wasn't unusually short with a wicked temper like the Dwarves. He held none of that stuck-up, high horse bullcrap the Aesir gave off. His skin was tanned but not the dark colour of Vanir who always had a sense of propriety. And he was certainly not Siren; so what. It was clear there was something about him. The way he would walk with such utter stillness and that constant hum of energy that just glowed like a million stars gave him an alien sense. It gave Tannis the chills if he stared too long at those emerald eyes. It made him want to climb through the realms to escape the otherworldly sense of his gaze. He wanted to ask, although the cold way in which Avrid had dismissed him made Tannis refrain.

"Liogoo, these waters are too cold for either of you, so you will have to ride on Toothless. There is a trading port named Forklong just a few miles from here, so we will work from there."

Avrid and Toothless looked to each other, silently conversing. Avrid shook his head and then the ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Liogoo hated when they did that, when any true blood did; it was like always missing the punchline to an inside joke.

He nodded to the black dragon at some unknown question and Avrid lifted his chin to the two Sirens, inclining them not to waste time. Liogoo didn't hesitate and gladly trudged over, already imagining the warm body heat that would be on offer, although Tannis was more hesitant. He had not been brought up to hate or fear the beasts and he had encountered them before but this was a Nightfury, Avrid Guigrain's dragon. The myths and legends of Nightfurys were ones he had studied and come to fear, never mind the one that stood in front of him now. It might be tame enough, but with half a thought, he knew, it could crush or eat him in seconds and he would be powerless against it.

But he didn't want to give Liogoo yet another reason to mock him, so he gulped past any fear and closed his fists to stop them from shaking. It was an effort to climb up such a large beast especially with the slickness of its black scales and Tannis' own shaking hands. Any movement it made; even so much as breathing, had him jumping out of his skin. Eventually, Toothless had huffed -huffed, like he was frustrated. He lay down on his belly and shoved him up with the arch of his wing. Tannis didn't dare look at Liogoo, an expression of hilarious amusement surely plastered on her face, but awkwardly slid himself in place behind her.

It was unnatural and strange to have such a thick, muscled back under his thighs. It was different from the water mares or sea horses in Vanaheim. His legs did not fit comfortably over the sides, but rather spread them way too far for comfort. Not only could he feel every inhale and exhale of the beast's breath, but he swore he could feel the slight bump of its heart through his heels. Tannis then made the mistake of looking down. They hadn't even taken off yet but the sheer size of the dragon made them at least fifteen feet off the ground, he suddenly felt very queasy again.

Avrid had been watching Tannis with an unreadable expression, his arms folded. He walked over to the neck of Toothless and put a hand on the top, pushed down and pulled himself atop Toothless's neck, then stood. He walked around Tannis, as if dandering the length of a dragon was second nature and stood at the bottom of Toothless' spine.

"Liogoo, show me how far you've gotten in your studies of Dragon Riding," Avrid said, ever keeping her on her toes.

She nodded and shuffled up on his neck, the heels of her feet found purchase on the underside of his chest and in between the dimples there. With no reign she had to gently nudge her foot to motion for take off, but Toothless got the message.

There was not enough time in the world for Tannis to prepare for the speed at which they took off. They bolted into the sky, wind slicing his face painfully. He barely had the sense to wrap his hands around the dragon's back and cling for dear life for the second time in the last hour; he had a feeling he would be on death's door quite often in such company.

Avrid stood with ease, only his legs moved from crouching to standing in time with the beating of Toothless' wings. When they were in the air and sailing just below the clouds, he walked back up to Liogoo and stood behind her.

"Temperature affects what?" he questioned her.

"The speed of the dragon, especially smaller ones who are unable to sustain cold or heated temperatures for too long. Also the air pressure: it can affect the direction in which the underarch of the wing will angle to catch free breezes or overcast winds."

Avrid didn't give her praise and instead pointed to their right. "In the distance is Forklong Port, we land there. Try to approach a less crowded area, there's no reason to give anyone too much a fright." That same wicked amusement danced in his eyes, as if seeing an island full of people have a heart attack was exactly what he wanted.

As they neared the island, invisible between white clouds, Liogoo circled its port. There were rows upon rows of long wooden ships; they were the strangest vessels she had ever seen. The keelson stretched twice as long as normal ships making the entire deck narrower and on one level. Round, thick shields plated with metal nails bordered the fringe on each side and smack in the middle of the deck were huge trunk sized poles. Tied to them were masts of varying colours that gulped the wind like huge spoons. It made little sense to Liogoo, to have wood anything in a realm where dragons were the main predators, beside their own bickering wars.

Dozens of people milled about the docks and a little farther inland a market had been set up. Avrid pointed a scar freckled hand to a small clearing jutting out from the cliff face of the island. It was hard to make out the finer details, but it seemed that it would be safe enough to land where Avrid had pointed.

Liogoo put her heel flat on her right side and, as Toothless had been trained, he banked left. She managed to land them without any difficulty, keeping to the trees to avoid being seen.

When they landed Avrid stepped off, his feet sending up a silent billow of snow. He stood in front of Toothless and thoughtlessly scratched under the dragon's maw, eyes flicking here and there, looking around them.

"Check the island and see how far we are from any clans. For now this will have to do." He nodded his head towards the port.

"Stay in the air and don't get seen." Toothless snorted at that, the sound more like a growl.

"Don't give me orders."

Avrid smirked. His brother was ever his equal and always a fresh breath from those who followed his every word.

"I'll see you tonight." Avrid patted him on the side and looked to Liogoo.

She raised her eyebrows. "What?"

"Get your messy ex off my dragon."

She looked over to Tannis and sighed in frustration. He still clung to Toothless, his face pressed to black scales and his whole body trembling, Liogoo wasn't sure he could move. Toothless however, had other ideas. The dragon turned his large head, pulled the thing that was stuck to him off, and dropped it. Tannis shook himself, took one look at the menacing dragon whose expression seemed to growl annoyance and hurried over to the retreating forms of Avrid and Liogoo who had started heading inland. Toothless took off without a second glance.

"Is everything going to be miserably cold?" Tannis rubbed his hands together and puffed hot air on his palms. Nobody answered as he trailed behind them. He huffed and pocketed his hands in his long robe. The clothes happened to appear as he arrived in the realm as well as his human form. He didn't want to know how Avrid managed to do such a thing.

It didn't take very long for them to reach the bustling village. Everywhere the eye could see there were stalls erected, some huge with tables upon tables of overflowing fresh fruits and vegetables and others holding glittering precious items. But what was most surprising to Liogoo, was the number of humans bustling here and there.

Humans. They weren't much to look at. In fact, they all looked very much alike. Small, spindly things, delicate enough she reckoned it wouldn't take much effort to snap their bones. The males were hard worn, some with scars on their light skin or limbs missing and replaced by wood or metal. Every single one of them carried some form of weapon, an axe was the most common or maces and heavy, thick hammers, no swords. The females all wore the same drab clothing that gave them no shape or compliment. Dull shades of winter's browns, greys and an icky blue made up most of the colour scheme in sight.

She sighed in disappointment. It truly was a realm of nothingness. Avrid glanced at her and saw the grimace on her mouth. He crossed his arms.

"Not impressed?"

Liogoo fought the urge to shy at the ice in his voice, this was his home, where he was born, she shouldn't be so judgmental. Many species had strong opinions about humans and Midgard, often snapping foul insults at Avrid for his birth from it. She had never been the kind of person to prejudge, especially when it came to Avrid. She muttered an apology and looked behind her to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. Tannis had begun to catch up with them, swearing and panting that there was surely no reason to sprint; she didn't point out that they had merely been walking.

When he did finally stand beside them Avrid was already off, leaving them by the bushes and heading into the streets, gobbled up in seconds by hurried figures. The siren guard took a step as if to follow but she threw an arm out. If Avrid had wanted them to come with him, he would have told them. She said as much and when he asked her why, she shrugged and rolled her eyes. It would never fail to shock her the lack of training other species had compared to those trained as Kohuru.

Members of Radox were trained for years to hone skills of commandment and leadership as well as the ability to follow orders down to the letter. They were taught when they were needed or wanted by their superiors and how to follow silent commands, like well oiled machines. Most worked in perfect harmony especially when it came to partnered Kohuru. A Kohuru with a partner was an unmatched team. They would go through training after training to ensure they can expect and follow everything the other thinks and does. It's a magnificent thing to watch and an even more precious thing to be a part of, it was something that Liogoo had pushed and worked towards for Avrid. She wanted so badly for him to allow her as his partner, for her to follow him and watch his back, to have that honour… It was something that helped her focus and motivate her, something she fought and trained every day for.

Avrid was ruthless and cunning, he could wield a sword like it was his own arm and aim a bow with ferocious accuracy. When he was in his first year at The Academy he was hand picked and trained personally by Urfan Kroômf, a legend unto himself.

Avrid then finished not only first in his class, but in less than a third of the time expected. But then he went missing for eight years. Eight years where he vanished. His court had been beside themselves and he was officially proclaimed dead until the day he showed up. They say he just appeared sitting there, in the garden of Aurora's castle. He never told anyone where he went or what happened, but when he returned he was even more the ruthless warrior. He came back with a body of scars and skills that no one had seen before.

Where he went wasn't pleasant, she knew that much, but that was all. He never told anyone what happened, save Urfan and his court. He had been forged from steel and his mind was as sharp as his blade Forseti. He had no weakness and no leash, no mercy. A wild soul that even the Ordera had trouble keeping an eye on but men and women easily swore allegiance to. It was called a court: Kohuru who swore to follow and protect their leader, Avrid.

To have a court meant honour and respect for the leader and members, it meant to be considered part of a family where you watched out for each other with heart striking loyalty. Avrid's court was notorious for its strength and love for one another, the members were people who had known him for a lot longer than she did and knew everything, even the things he would never tell her. To say she envied them was an understatement. Avrid didn't accept anyone in and it wasn't as simple as filling in a form and hoping you passed the interview. No, the members were people who had bled for him on the battlefield, people who showed honesty and courage; they were the kind of people Avrid admired and they admired him back.

In total in Radox, there were only five courts, the Court of Hollow, Blood, Velvet, Colours, and Avrid's court: the Court of Crowns. His was a court mastered in stealth and violence. The shadows sung to them and death was their air. They were the most feared and admired Court simply because they were so tightly knitted. Avrid's court had a habit of knowing everything: they were spies, the eyes in every crack of a wall. They could dig up information that you had thought was dead, buried, and long forgotten. Aurora, the leader of Radox, favoured the Court of Crowns for all her more sticky political escapades. She trusted them to be the ones to convince those tricky ministers and courtiers that agreeing with the Radox was in their best interest, without having to use violence. They were so fiercely loyal it would be a death wish to insult one, as every single one of them would come after you. They were not petty, but they didn't take disrespect from any other Kohuru. A ruthless family with nothing to prove and each other to defend.

Liogoo knew he would never let her into his court, not only did half the members hate her, but she was aiming for higher anyway; she wanted to be declared his partner. The other side to his coin, not for power or fame but because the thought that Avrid might one day wake up and stop letting her come with him on his missions, sent a shudder down her spine. She didn't want him to forget her, didn't want them to ever become someone she used to know. And yes, maybe she did find him somewhat attractive, but she told herself it had nothing to do with wanting to be his partner.

Just then, Avrid came jogging up carrying two large packs over his shoulders. He dumped them on the sludgy snow. She reached down and picked one up, as did Tannis.

"Viking clothes. You'll seem less out of place and there are hoods so use them. It'll be hard to take the foreign out of your eyes but don't try to sing anyone to their deaths and it should be fine."

They nodded and she went behind a tree to change. The clothes were the same most of the females here wore: scratchy dull material with heavy furs on the shoulders and lining the inside. It felt like she was being suffocated by the heap of clothes but she was more than grateful to be finally warm in this gods forsaken realm that was hell bent on freezing her to death. Inside the pack was also a small dagger, the hilt was the size of her palm and the blade not much longer, she frowned as she held it out to Avrid.

"What's this supposed to do? Cut up my dinner?" He hardly expected her to use such a pathetic thing in a fight. Especially if they had no Essence to call upon.

"It's the best I could get."

Tannis came out then, wearing more or less the same clothes she was, only more masculine. Avrid had already changed, only he didn't wear as many layers as they, she supposed it was because he never felt the cold anyway. His outfit was made of tight, brown leather trousers and a loose green tunic that sagged and bellowed in the winter wind. It didn't leave many places to hide weapons but he seemed to do fine. In fact, she could just make out the glint of his black bow, already folded. Forseti was a blade of magic and even what was responsible for diminishing their own Essence wouldn't be able to lay a glove on her. If Avrid wanted her to remain hidden, then Forseti would do so until he needed her.

Avrid held out a small dagger to Tannis, a solid metal one only slightly smaller than her own. It certainly wasn't one of Avrid's own blades—he would never give them away. He must have wanted to give it to Tannis personally because when the siren reached out to grab it, Avrid didn't let go and looked him fiercely in the eyes, a look that sent most men running. Tannis audibly gulped.

"I don't think I need to warn of the consequences if you attempt stabbing me or Liogoo in the back with this dagger, so I won't. Without our Essence we are more vulnerable than I should like, but that doesn't mean I can't find horrible ways to end your life should you step out of line."

Tannis nodded and Avrid gave him one more piercing stare before letting go and watching exactly where Tannis tucked the blade between the folds of his fur-lined cloak. Satisfied Tannis got the message, Avrid jerked his chin at the town.

"I'm going to inquire about somewhere for us to sleep. I'm sure there is an inn. The pair of you," he gestured with a finger, "will go among the stalls. Buy something or just look around, but gossip. We are looking for anything that hints towards any unusual patterns in dragon raids or gatherings of them in one place. Remember that these are Vikings, they don't like to talk but you might find a chatty salesman and you mustn't try to talk in big words, most don't know how to even read."

Avrid reached into a pocket and pulled out a small purple velvet pouch and threw it to Liogoo. She pulled open the thin gold threads to reveal a gracious amount of silver and gold coins as well as a few pearls. He must have snatched it from another woman.

He looked to Tannis. "Your voice will be different although Liogoo and I have already gone through the accent and she can mimic it somewhat, so you just need to keep quiet. Pretend you're deaf or something."

Avrid then went off again and Liogoo began waking in the opposite direction, towards a stall of blooming lilies and red roses.

Tannis came to her side and held out an arm. "If I can't talk and I'm just walking around like a stalker, people might become suspicious. Pretend we're married."

Liogoo had to bite her tongue from outright refusing but he looked even more reluctant about the idea and it would make sense. She sighed and, none too gently, pulled him closer and latched her arm over his. He hissed but they headed into the crowd, remembering to pull their hoods up.

As soon as she hit the crowd of people she was overwhelmed by the smell of sweat, pollen and that bitter smell of humans. They had gone to the flower stall only for Tannis to be yanked away as she spotted a stall dedicated to jewellery. Gods she loved jewellery. She fumbled through small silver bands and delicate plated bracelets. Tannis stood and didn't mutter a peep, although she could tell from the shuffle of his feet he was bored. She spotted a small gold ring with a rose pink studding and traced a finger over the sharp cut gem. The vendor was a thick man with a round protruding belly that bumped into the tables as he leaned over and pointed to the ring she had been eyeing.

"'Ats a pretty one. Took me three days to get it just right. I can give it to ya' for 'alf price?" His accent was thick and coarse and he probably came from far away. He picked it up and placed it in a black lace pouch, declaring she should buy it. Typical vendor tricks.

She shook her head and mumbled she didn't need it before heading to the next stall. This was one that smelled wonderfully of fish and she inhaled deep before looking around for a Pink Diasis, her favourite. She was sorely disappointed when all she could see were trout and eels on the far end. Only trout and eels. She frowned but called the vendor over and pointed to the fish and asked for ten of his largest. She was famished. The vendor nodded and as he began packaging them she tried asking him about how strange the dragons have been acting. She knew it was a long shot but it was hard to skirt around the topic of a Dragon Army without using big words.

Unsurprisingly, he hadn't known much of anything, although he did say his catches had been easier from a lack of Scaldrouns—big nasty water dragons that were a nightmare to bargain with, especially when it came to territory.

"Where is it you normally fish?" She asked sweetly as he handed her a square, wrapped, brown box of her fish, she handed it to Tannis who took it with a glare but stayed silent.

"See my husband owns a large dock of fishing ships and he has experience in the sea, but we have been finding the same thing. I wonder if we should be worried?"

The vendor's eyes went wide and he looked to Tannis. "I normally catch my best load off the coast of Forklong, it's the best at this time of year. A large docking you say? I've been trying to get my ships in a docking port but they aren't taking any till next spring, you be interested? I have forty years of the sea under me belt and I don't want much area."

Tannis looked to Liogoo and it took her a moment to remember he was meant to be deaf.

"Oh, my husband can't hear. He was injured horribly in an... accident." She put a hand to her heart.

"Oh it was a horrid day when I found him in bed with my sister. Of course I forgave him but the Gods didn't." The vendor crossed his arms and shook his head with a look of disgust

"It turned out she had…" Liogoo looked left and right before she leaned in closer to the man and he leaned closer as well, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"The clap!" she shrieked and put a hand to her mouth. The man gasped.

"But I loved my dear Bobby so very much and I forgave him for his indiscretion but the healer said the disease was bad. He lost his hearing and most of his… down there. I try very hard to please him but he gets angry sometimes and I, I just…" she wiped away a tear and the vendor held out a napkin.

"Thank you." She dabbed at her cheeks. "I just want him to be happy but he can never, well you know… finish." The vendor's eyes were bright and he put a hand on her shoulder.

"Never worry, it isn't your fault. Here," her held out another brown box, "twice what you needed and free of charge."

Liogoo smiled through her tears and thanked the man graciously before she dumped the box on top of the one Tannis was already carrying. He grunted but, again, said nothing.

The man put a hand on her shoulder. "You just remember it was your husband's unfaithfulness that led him here and you shouldn't have to pay for it." She let a blubber come out and then she thanked the man again and turned away, pulling Tannis along. The vendor sent daggers at him.

When they were down a few stalls Tannis stood on her foot. "The clap!?"

"Well I had to make up some reason why you were deaf, plus we got free food."

"You could have just told him I'd been born with it!" He growled.

Liogoo smiled wickedly. "Shut up, you're deaf remember."

He sneered at her but kept quiet. They went past a few more stalls and gleaned no more information until she landed at a cloth covered table with neatly lined perfume bottles. The woman was selling all kinds of different coloured and smelling incense. Liogoo looked at them all, picking up one every now and again to press her nose to the cork and sniff. She tried talking to the lady that sold them but she didn't have much to say about dragons. Liogoo was about to leave when she caught the overpowering fruity whiff of something. She stopped dead in her tracks and shook her head, there was no way. It must have been all the strong chemicals she had abused her nose with, but... there it was again. She followed her nose until it led her to that all too familiar smell and she spotted a beaker of swirling blue that had been set behind and hidden by other bottles. She looked at the woman who was busy chatting up a finely dressed man before reaching over and snatching it.

She popped the lid off and heard Tannis gasp, "Is that what I think it is?"

Liogoo ignored him. Her heart racing, she stuffed the bottle in her pocket. But the woman saw her and screeched. Liogoo didn't have time to argue with her and she was very sure the blue liquid wasn't for sale, so she bolted, pulling Tannis. He was slower with the boxes and his annoyingly hard footsteps, but he was still faster than any of the humans. Men—people who the blue bottle was likely for, judging by the furious but frightened faces—followed them, but she zig-zagged through the crowd.

Liogoo sniffed out Avrid, smelling that familiar scent of his blood. By the time she found him talking to a pastry chef, they had lost track of the men and were panting. Avrid turned, his brows creasing.

"Avrid, you will never-"

"Is that Freabole I smell on you." Liogoo mentally stumbled for a moment at the strangeness of the accent he spoke in to blend with the other humans. But then she pulled out the bottle, the swirling contents glinted in the cloud covered sunlight. Avrid snatched it and tucked it into his back pocket, looking around him furiously.

"Right now, tell me where you got that. Did you bring it with you?" His voice was tipped with fury and she had barely the dignity to flush angrily that he might think she was stupid enough to bring Freabole with her. Although she was too shocked to be too angry and shook her head.

"A woman from the perfume vendor, she had it behind her stall and seemed awfully pissed to see me steal it. I wouldn't be surprised if we are being searched for." She scanned around her in case the men who had been chasing them might appear. Without their essence it would be too much bother to take them out and not seem suspicious and then no one would tell them anything.

Avrid hissed and pointed to a little cottage balanced on the edge of the island and away from the market but close enough she could see it.

"Wait for me there, I have to get some things but I have already booked us a room under the name Aklav, here's the key." He shoved a metal key in her hand, it was big and she put it in her pocket quickly from the coldness of it. Avrid took one more look around them before walking down past the stalls in direction of something. Liogoo didn't wait to see if the men were going to catch up with them and headed towards the cottage, Tannis again following behind her.

The cottage was a little smaller than a Manor House and its crumbling walls were infested with vines choking around wood and bricks. She opened the wooden door. The smell of musty linen and stale ale hit her full force and she had to hold back from gagging. Tannis seemed equally disgusted and pressed his nose against the two brown boxes he carried.

A young lady, about the same age as Liogoo, came bounding over to her, a warm smile plastered on her face and holding a wicker basket of pretty primroses and daisies.

"Hello, can I get you a room?" She chirped.

Liogoo gave the name Avrid had booked and they were led to a room at the furthest end on the bottom floor. The girl kept glancing at Tannis beneath her long fair lashes and blushed when he asked her what time breakfast is normally served. Liogoo had glared at her until she excused herself hurriedly but not before she offered one of her pretty pink primroses to him. He had taken it, only to place the stem over her ear and tucked her chestnut hair away from her delicate face. She had positively glowed red and hurried out the door. Liogoo refused to let it bother her, and, to be honest, she wasn't quite sure why it did: she had left his ass. If he wanted to flirt with an immature little girl then he could go right ahead.

Their room had only two beds with flowery designed covers and a small oak table on either side. In the middle of the room was a lowered table with a few cushioned sofas and a fireplace in front. It was a cosy room with all flowery designs and bright colours that glowed in the sun's light, turned white by the tuffet of clouds cloistering the sky.

Tannis dropped the boxes he had been lugging around on the table and Liogoo began checking around the room. She pulled aside picture frames and looked under cushions, blankets and curtains for any spy holes. She then pulled out the small dagger Avrid had given her and began loosening the hinges of the doors and windows should anyone try to come in. Tannis watched her with mild curiosity but then grew bored and began making a fire.

They sat in silence as they ate the fish, not bothering to cook it. She ate an entire box to herself and Tannis took the other one, finishing them in a few minutes. There was no need to save any for Avrid, he didn't eat fish for whatever reason. When she was done she went over to a pitcher that had been laid out and washed her hands.

"So what exactly are you two here for? What's your… mission?" Tannis said the last word with venom.

"How about you tell me how you know so much about Radox?" She turned a narrowed eye in his direction. Radox was an extremely classified order and it surprised and shocked her that he knew so much.

Tannis stiffened in the seat he had taken. "When you left I had thought- the entire kingdom thought you had been stolen, and the queen sent out guard after guard to get you back but we found no trace. It was only when you sent that letter did we learn you had sold yourself to that wretched group."

Liogoo snarled, "Wretched as it may be, it is my people. You would do well to respect them."

"Your people are the Siren race in Vanaheim, not a group of murdering, lying, cold blooded assassins."

She refrained from snapping his neck and began un-layering her coats as the fire warmed the room. "That doesn't answer my question."

"A month after you left I joined the guard and in my spare time I did all the research I could to find out everything about Radox. I travelled to the Scholar Reefs in the North and learnt from the masters there everything I could on it. They told me what I know."

"And what do you know?" She sat down in the furthest chair from his, not trusting herself to not beat nine rounds into him if she got to close. The chair was hard and she twisted until she could get comfy.

"I know that Radox is a-"

"Without the colourful and insulting descriptive words, please."

He made a face but went on, "It's based somewhere no one really knows, but it is a civilisation of… justice makers. Radox people are called Kohuru. Their job is to terminate those who commit crimes against the Home Laws, the laws that determine an international justice system for the nine realms. Because of the Home Law and under the section of The Crying Treaty, those punished can only be done so by The Radox. They do what is necessary to dispose of the criminal, any aiding, abetting or potential accomplices. They are, in a shorter term, assassins without leashes. They are trained in the way only sick people can be, to torture out information. To kill on sight and feel no remorse about it."

Liogoo sucked on a tooth. "You make us sound like monsters."

"Are you not? The nine realms are in the hands of kill happy savages! We are at the mercy of your judgement and should we fail, we should expect to have our throats slit and our families tortured."

"That's pathetic talk. You know we are bound by The Crying Treaty."

Tannis threw his hands in the air. "That treaty is the only thing that stops us from being slaughtered. The Radox has the power—the numbers—to wipe it from existence."

"You know we would never do something like that. Kohuru are bound by a right of honour, dignity and fucking law!" she seethed.

"Until that becomes just a line. Until the loss of honour and dignity is worth breaking the law to overtake the rest of us."

"There are things in place that stop us from that. Aurora would never do such a thing. She has been working for centuries to give Radox a voice, to give us a reputation to conquer that exact image you have of us. We are not monsters and we are not the bad guys. It's ignorance like yours that creates that image and I will be damned if you dare use it against me."

"Fuck's sake, Liogoo I want you out of this! You are nothing like those murderers, you don't belong there."

"If you are here just to insult me and Radox, I'll have you know Avrid will kick you out on your ass before you can-"

"Ahh, Avrid." He stared at her with acid in his eyes. "The bloodied legend himself. I've been told he once destroyed an entire armada because they insulted his friend."

Liogoo smiled at the memory. "Oh he did, but it wasn't his friend that was insulted, it was his court." Tannis' face went pale.

"The Court of Crowns," he barely whispered. She smiled evilly.

"Mhmm."

"I heard that Hàrbotta Silver is a part of it. That they are one of Rodox's most esteemed courts. But, Avrid, I thought it was only a rumour..." Tannis gulped at the excitement in Liogoo's eyes.

Before she could answer Avrid came through the door, his boots knocking snow onto the wooden floor. He took a glance around the room and set a brown leather bag on the bed, it clanged as he set it down. Liogoo stood up, glad to put her back to Tannis, his words still bouncing in her head.

Inside the bag, two hatchets lay sheathed as well as a few slips of paper. She pulled out the parchment and unrolled it to reveal a language she didn't know. Strange. Part of Radox training was to learn all the languages one could think of, this must either be very old or very new. She put them back and pulled out a hatchet. It was heavy and thick, certainly not made by a talented blacksmith but they would do the job she supposed.

Avrid went to the window and pushed it open; it squeaked perfectly.

"What did you find out?" he asked with his back to them. She told him what the fish monger had said as well as any small bit of information she had discovered and that there had indeed been fewer dragons plaguing the skies.

Avrid nodded and pulled out a small, white rectangular box from his pocket and pulled from it a slim tube-like, white thing. It was just smaller than the width of a pencil and he put it between his lips. Liogoo watched him curiously as he scratched the red tip of a match against that white box and lit the end of the tube with the flame and then whipped the match unlit.

"What are you doing?"

Avrid looked at her and his mouth curved in a half smile, the white-tube-like-thing bobbing as he did. He sucked at the thing and the end glowed orange until he stopped and blew out a puff of sweet smelling smoke.

"This is something I haven't had in a very long time, something I've only ever come across in Midgard and Gods I have missed it." He took another pull and blew out a swirling tendril of smoke. Liogoo tried to figure out what it was, although she could only smell its strange smell. She jumped from the bed to pluck it from his mouth.

She sniffed it and brought it level to her , she thought. Avrid snatched it back and continued puffing and pulling at it, his face smoothed back in a contentment she had never seen on him, other than that time…

She gasped, "Is that Roir?" Rior was a drug-like substance some of the more mischievous Elves enjoyed and Avrid had become very fond of when he'd discovered it.

He shook his head and frowned. "A more mundane version unfortunately."

She gave him a disapproving stare. "Right, well I'm going to do an update."

"Mhmm." He let out another puff of smoke. "You will do nothing of the sort. You aren't supposed to be here and if your superior found out, I would have my head eaten off and I enjoy my head on my shoulders. It's one thing to accompany me to Asgard than it is another to accompany me to Midgard."

"Well what about the Freabole? If it's a dragon army we're looking for then no doubt the Freabole will be a promising lead."

Avrid nodded once. "And that is what I will be finding out tonight."

Liogoo sighed but flopped back on the bed, closing her eyes. "Then go away and let me go to sleep, I haven't slept in days."

Avrid huffed a laugh but took a final drag of the white thing, flicked it out the window and went back out the door.

Tannis still sat, unsure of what he should be doing. He had planned to convince Liogoo to come home, but their argument had set him back somewhat. She believed the Radox was something other than murderous liers and he needed to change that, but he couldn't if she was asleep. As she was right now, he noticed as she snored lightly.

He got up and considered following Avrid, but the idea of being alone with him wasn't pleasant. So, he went over to the still open window and closed it. Then he poked the fire and added more wood. And when he finished that, he washed his hands of the fish he had eaten and looked into the small glass mirror. He was bored. And with how little Avrid trusted him right now, it would be foolish to go out on his own and explore Midgard. Tonight, they were going to trace the Freabole, he just had to wait till then.

It still made his mind whirl with astonishment that he was in Midgard, and with no other than Liogoo. His princess, his charge to bring home to a kingdom that was falling apart. And he had never felt so hopeless at that command. He could only pray that with time and convincing she would come with him. Although the queen had declared that using force was permitted, that was out the window. He had no doubt the thought would barely pass his mind before she would ditch him, or worse. He just had to play along, pull strings but play along.

And he would play the game, he would give chase, but Tannis wasn't going to leave without her. He needed only one misstep, one fault to pounce and then he could take her home. Right now he had nowhere to go, he could get a ship but that Helish dragon would find him in a second. And then probably burn him alive. Avrid was the problem.

As Tannis stared at himself in the mirror, he began to make plans, ideas running amuck in his head. He would find a way to bring her home, he swore it.

...oOo...

A/N this one is loong. She is thicc. But, it couldn't be done without my beta.

Thanks for reading!