SHADOW OF DEATH
Chapter 15: Bargains
Loki woke and he stretched his taut muscles. He opened his eyes and found himself staring at strong metal bars on every side. He again called his magic to him only to have it refuse to come to him. He pulled at the metal bars but they proved stronger than ordinary Midgardian materials. He slid back to the cold ground and picked at the tray of food that lay nearby. He failed to eat any of it and instead he paced from one side of his cell to the next, his thoughts in a flurry haze. He lay down and attempted to sleep again but it proved to be an unfruitful effort as he tossed and turned on the simple cot. He satisfied himself with turning towards the wall and keeping his eyes closed and his body still.
As Loki sat in the underground prison cell, deep under the golden city of Birnin Zana, he could not see the vagrant in the dark blue hooded cloak that came to the guardian of the gateway into Wakanda. The old man walked to the border, his gate slowed by a slight limp.
The guard on duty peered through the darkness. All he could see was the dark blue cloak and the edges of a grizzled white beard. A gloved hand held a staff that helped steady him as he approached. As he neared, the old man fixed his one eye on him with such a firm, fierce gaze that the guard shifted uncomfortably.
"Unataka nini, mzee?" the guard asked. "What is your purpose in entering Wakanda, old man?"
"I wish to speak with the King," the old man responded.
"Our King only receives visitors with invitations," the guard said uncomfortably. This was not a normal traveler. The guard was used to curious explorers, greedy traders and businessmen, ambitious academics, and audacious tourists, but not visitors like this. The man's blue cloak fell over his impressive, but withered frame in tattered and frayed folds, as if it had been worn through many a long journey by foot through inclement weather. His feet were covered in cracked leather boots and his hands covered by worn leather gloves. His blue eyes shown with an intelligence not dimmed by age, though the age they revealed proved unfathomable.
"I have an invitation," the old man said. "But it was extended to me in the days of your ancestors. Kintu first welcomed me into your borders and Musenti welcomed me last. Tell your sovereign that Gulu has come."
"Yyyesss, yyyesss," the guard stammered and made a hasty transmission to Birnin Zana.
"Gulu, you have come," T'Chaka said. He nodded his head in reverence and shook the gloved hand of the ancient being before him. "I am T'Chaka, King of Wakanda, and you are most welcome here. It has been many generations since Wakanda received a visit from the heavens. What brings you, All-Father?"
"You know why I have come," the blue-cloaked figure of the All-Father said.
"We meant no disrespect to your house, bwana. We will take you to your son immediately," T'Chaka replied.
"No," Odin said and held up one gloved hand. "He must not know of my presence here."
"Bwana, you will not be returning him to Asgard?"
"No. He is not ready to speak or to listen. His grief is still too strong and is only shadowed by his anger. He must return of his own accord."
T'Chaka sat in a chair and ushered for Odin to do the same. The two kings stared at each other in silence for a few moments.
"What is it that you wish?" T'Chaka asked.
"A favor from our oldest of allies on Midgard. I bear you no ill will for your actions towards my son since he arrived at your borders, however, I have come to negotiate for his amnesty, release, and asylum in your kingdom."
"You wish him to stay in Wakanda?"
"I wish him to stay safe and well. His paths have been dark of recent days and he carries a heavy heart. He does not wish to return to Asgard yet and I fear Asgard, in our grief, is not ready to have him return to us. But he is now the rightful heir to the throne and my last living son. If I cannot see to his safety and well-being under my own eye, then I would beg it from our allies, such as still remember us from days of old. I fear his actions of late have forged many enemies and few positive allies. Yet, for the survival of all the Nine Realms, he must be protected. He is pursuing paths now that will be of benefit to all. I wish his efforts to be supported and encouraged. I fear the repercussion if he is discovered by the other kingdoms within your realm. It is much to ask. What say you?"
T'Chaka clasped his hands beneath his chin and remained quiet for a long time. "Your other son, Kiwanuka - the Thunderer- where is he?"
"He gave his life in the defense of Midgard," Odin said with forced stoicism in his voice and manner.
"May his spirit find peace and be remembered by his kin. I am sorry for your loss," T'Chaka said. "And your daughter?"
"She has long been banished from our realms for her ruthless ambition and lust for power. Neither of my sons know her name or of her existence. I fear when the day comes that I will join the halls of my ancestors, they will learn it and all Asgard will pay the price for these millennia of peace. My son's current ire and aversion of his home is the fruit of his discovery of another set of secrets hidden for the sake of temporary peace."
"Aye, bwana, I do not envy your place," T'Chaka said, clicking his tongue. "Such secrets within a family are heavy burdens to bear. What is it your last born seeks?"
"He wishes to forge paths between Midgard and the other realms so the realms can unite in defense against the foes that gather strength beyond the borders of the Nine. He also wishes to destroy the weapons our shared foes wish to gather to use to quickly bring our annihilation."
"And he cannot do this from Asgard?"
"His ability and his willingness are not in alignment. I fear he will not choose to return to Asgard. He is angry with me and I fear he will sooner work against the good of Asgard than for it, simply to spite me. However, he has adopted Midgard as his own for the time and seeks your protection. I would encourage that as a positive development."
T'Chaka sighed and rubbed his hands across his wrinkled brow. Some days, some seasons, the crown felt heavier than others. He stared with an unfocused gaze at the other wall. There hung a painting of an elephant with her trunk wrapped protectively around her small calf, the tiny body hidden behind her massive legs. He slowly nodded his head.
"Aya, bwana, your son may stay within our borders. However, I agree not out of a desire to honor our alliance nor because I see it as a benefit to our realm, but because I, too, am a father. If I were in your place, I would wish to realign all the planets if it would keep my children safe. I have a request in return," T'Chaka said with a slight smile.
"What do you wish?"
"My last born is too bright and too curious and too full of mischief. When peace has been restored, I would wish her to study from your scholars for a time and learn about the world outside of Earth."
"I am in your debt. This is too simple a task in recompense. If you require anything else, I would grant it."
"You are certain you do not wish to see your son?"
"It would do him more harm than good, I fear. His mother and I will be watching him and waiting for him to come home. I do have one other favor to ask."
"Speak."
"My son, with what may have been or may not have been the best of intentions, has installed a league of ruffians into prominent political positions around Midgard. While it has temporarily halted the demise of your realm, I am afraid the mind spell he has used is not permanent and, if it fails, Midgard could crumble overnight even worse than it has of late. I am afraid he has acted out of intelligence and not wisdom and he knows not how to remedy his error. His pride will keep him from seeking the aid of others, to the detriment of all. These last few months, I have been travelling through Midgard, as in the days of my youth, and instating just rulers to replace those unfit to rule. I would ask your assistance in my task."
"Granted. We have watched the events unfolding around Earth with much unease."
"You do not choose to unite this realm and rule it?" Odin asked.
"Hapana, bwana. That is not our way. We wish only to rule those who wish us to rule. We will not conquer. It is against our greatest of values because we believe that those wield an unjust spear will find it someday pointed at their own throats."
"As you wish," Odin said.
King T'Chaka paced the length and depth of his personal office for most of the morning after the departure of his guest. His sandaled feet barely made a sound on the polished tile floors, and his thoughts felt heavier than his footsteps. He paused when a light knock sounded on his door.
"Hodi," asked a cheerful voice.
"Karibuni, Shuri. You are welcome. Come in," he replied.
The short braids of his teenage daughter's head peeked through the door and her face broke into a dimpled grin when she saw him.
"You've been hiding in here all morning. Mama is worried. She sent me to bring you chai and mandazi and to remind you to relax," Shuri said. She bumped open the door with her hip and came carrying a tray filled with breakfast.
"Asante," T'Chaka said, too solemnly to pass unnoticed by his keen lastborn daughter's notice.
She plopped herself into one of the ebony chairs and began to pour herself some tea. She pulled a few mandazi onto one of the plates and soon her mouth was busy chewing. She didn't ask him to speak. She knew she didn't need to. They both knew why she had come and it wasn't to bring him breakfast. He allowed Shuri's presence to calm him and he made his first attempt that morning to sit still. He served himself some of the still warm mandazi and let the warm pastries sit in front of him on his desk. He slowly stirred sugar in his tea, as if the very sound of the metal spoon clinking against the ceramic mug would solidify his thoughts.
"Gulu came," he finally said in a low voice. He continued to stir his tea unnecessarily. His slightly crooked eyes failed to find the bright, brown eyes of Shuri, who continued to keep her eyes fixed on him. "This morning before daylight. He wishes the mgeni, the visitor, to stay."
Shuri stopped mid-bite, raised both eyebrows and replied with a simple, "mmmmm."
"The mzungu, the American, what have you discovered of her?" T'Chaka asked.
"Aya. That story has more drama than a Mexican soap opera," Shuri said with a slightly cheeky grin on her face. "Dr. Jane Foster is an astrophysicist. She thought she was helping Kiwanuka return to Asgard. I am afraid she has not taken this new revelation well."
"Is she a danger?"
"From all I could uncover from the SHIELD database, she housed Kiwanuka for three days over two years ago. She never went to the press or published her experiences in her research, even though her revelations would have validified her own theories and assisted her acceptance into her academic community. She knows how to swallow her words."
"I am glad to hear it."
"I spent some little time with her last night. She will be more trouble for this mgeni than for us," she said. "She is, above all else, thirsty for knowledge and if we reward her with what she seeks, I do not think she will betray us."
"Ah, ah, ah! I see your thoughts on your face, daughter. You are too, too excited to show her your lab," T'Chaka said with a grin that wrinkled his face like an elephant's ear.
Shuri's dimples gave him answer and her eyes shown bright with her enthusiasm. "I am always happy for new friends to join me in my lab." When her father did not return her smile, her own expression sobered. She drank in her father's thoughts from beneath his words, as she was so skilled at doing.
"You are troubled," Shuri said. She leaned her thin arms against her knees and stared at the old king.
"Yes," he said. He abandoned his pretext of breakfast and rose to pace the room again. "It is said, 'when two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled.' I fear Wakanda once again becoming the grass. We have sought to protect ourselves and stay out of the rising and falling of the kingdoms around us for so many generations. Even still, their affairs have spilled over into our borders again and again and threatened the very foundations of our kingdom."
"Maybe it is time we take an interest in the affairs of the other kingdoms before we are forced to involve ourselves," she said.
"I fear that it will not be kingdoms but worlds in the balance this time, daughter," he said solemnly. "Already, there has been so much instability. I fear for the future and not just of Wakanda."
She did not respond. She squeezed her father's hand in her own before she collected the dishes of now cold chai and untouched mandazi and placed it back on the tray. T'Chaka gazed out the window. The sun now soaked the expanse of the bustling city, the early morning softness long since replaced with humid intensity. The towering minarets kept guard over some of the smaller apartments surrounding the external walls of the home of the royal family and he could see the busy flow of trains and cars beyond.
"Aya, come, daughter. I have been too, too slow this morning. I will need to meet with T'Challa and the General first and then our two wageni, our visitors. You are welcome to attend as you will be called on to assist our wageni the most."
"Yes, baba," she said. She rose and took the tray of breakfast. She pushed on the heavy door with her shoulder but paused before slipping out. She could feel her father's words before he spoke them.
"I will need to inform the tribal elders. I fear they will not like my decision."
"They rarely do," Shuri said.
"Which I why I let them speak into so many decisions. However, I could not allow their words into this, for they would speak out of fear."
"Usiwe wasi wasi, baba," she said. "All will be well."
T'Chaka gave a slight nod and turned to face the city again.
To his surprise, Loki woke only to be released from his cell. No explanations were given. Soldiers came, opened his door, and brought him to a set of finely furnished chambers in what he now saw to be a magnificent palace.
"The King has granted you asylum in Wakanda," a red-robed servant informed him.
"Why have I been released?" he asked.
"The King did not specify his reasons," the servant answered. "We have been instructed to provide for your wishes. You will be shown to the laboratories to continue your research tomorrow. Your travel companion has been given a room just there."
Loki released a sigh of relief hearing that Jane had not been imprisoned. He did not expect their next interaction would be a pleasant one. He rather looked forward to seeing her fury and just how she would decry his deception.
Behind a carved wooden door was a brightly colored guest chamber. Tapestries and paintings of animals covered the thick, white walls. Wooden furniture covered in white cushions and brightly colored pillows lined each side of the room. A large bed with red and orange blankets took up the entire western wall while the eastern wall was entirely made up of windows overlooking a walled garden. His belongings now sat in a heap on the floor of this room. He opened his travel chest and let out a cry of surprise as the furry orange face of Goose slipped out and leapt gracefully onto the red tile floor.
"Cursed Beast!" he asked. "How did you manage to make your way into my luggage? You are a tiresome creature. What am I to do with you now?"
In answer, the Flerkin curled itself around Loki's feet and let out a resounding purr. Loki closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He did not need another "pet" complicating his already complicated affairs, but it appeared the creature had other ideas.
At midday, Loki was escorted into a large dining hall for a meal of a spiced stew with something they called "rice." He ate heartily, enjoying the taste of freshly cooked food. As he walked to return to his quarters, he paused mid stride. He could hear familiar steps approaching him from behind.
"You have no gift for stealth, Lady Jane. What is it that makes you trail me like a shadow?" he asked, without turning his head.
"You owe me some explanations," Jane said firmly, attempting to mask her fear with confidence, but failing.
"I owe you nothing," he answered. Her eyes flashed with anger and he hid his amusement at the sight. For a moment, he considered refusing her, but by the strained pallor of her face, he knew better than to push her any farther. He nodded and led her down the hall and into his chambers. There, he ushered her to one of the plush armchairs and she sat.
"I take it your accommodations have been to your satisfaction?" he asked.
"I hear they were better than yours," she answered, crossing her arms and glaring at him. "At least I didn't end up in a jail cell. I'm sure that was all part of your plan."
"Naturally."
"Why are you disguising yourself and pretending to be your brother?" she asked, characteristically allowing her curiosity to lead her questions, though the expression on her face reminded him of a calf being led to the slaughter. She sought her answers in his impassive features, her eyes tracing over his pale, drawn face, dark hair, and green eyes with a curious, hesitant intensity. Loki met her gaze, well aware it was the first time she was speaking to him as Loki and not as Thor.
"All Midgard would rejoice to know it is I who live and not my brother," he answered. "Why, even your face betrays your delight and warm welcome of my presence."
"So, what? Instead, you pretend to be Thor? You steal his identity because it's convenient to you?" she asked, her hesitation melting into her anger.
"As you say. I wish to hide myself from possible harm. My brother is dead and none will give weight to my words and decisions based. I wish to maintain my brother's memory and image and so bring him honor."
"What happened to him?" She asked as tears threatened to pool in her eyes. She fought them back and stared at her hands.
"He sought to protect your realm and paid for his folly with his life. Thus, I buried my own brother in a realm not his own where none save myself attended his departure to Valhalla. He was the mightiest of warriors in all the Nine Realms. The hero who all the arrows of Alfheim, axes of Nidavellir, fires of Muspelheim, and ice swords of Jotunheim failed to fell, was instead slain by a mortal lamp post projected by the force of the explosion straight through the armor of the Thunderer. What bard could compose lines praising such a death?"
"What you told me before-that was true?" she said.
"Yes," he said. "My brother died a shameful and needless death on Midgard-murdered by those he came to protect."
"And all this time, all those times Thor rescued people, who was that?"
"Your deductive reasoning skills continue to astound, Lady Jane," Loki responded dryly.
She glared at him for a moment before getting lost in her thoughts. "All that time-since the Fall-that was you?"
"Indeed."
"But why?"
"I do not wish to speak of it," he said sourly.
"Then who…Loki-are you working for SHEILD? Do they know?"
"I believe it is more accurate to say that SHEILD is working for me. And of course they do not know. I am not a fool, Jane."
"I did not say you were-what do you mean that SHIELD is working for you?"
"As I said, I own them and they do my wishes."
"Your wishes…wait-did you, no, Loki did you organize the terrorist attacks that took out all these countries?"
"No, Jane. I simply awoke one morning and found I was the single ruler of Midgard," he said. He smirked when he saw her growing discomfort and she shifted in her seat and dared not look him in the eye.
"I can't even tell if you are joking or serious. This isn't funny! Tell me the truth."
He sighed. He still needed her assistance and so he decided to indulge her. "A nefarious plot organized by enemies your realm calls 'Hydra' infiltrated SHEILD. They took advantage of the death of the Avengers and the chaos of the New York situation to conquer Midgard using genetically enhanced and mind-controlled warriors. I cannot take credit for their chaos. I can, however, take credit for now ruling them and using them to follow my whims. They are now repenting of their wicked ways and rebuilding Midgard at my direction."
"At your direction…you are telling me that you call in the shots in over 30 of the largest, strongest countries on Earth?"
"And a few of the smaller, less powerful ones who are dependent on the others. Yes."
She threw up her hands in exasperation. "This is all too much for me to take in. I don't understand."
"You do not need to understand. You need to do as you are told," he said.
"Oh my stars! Is that…I can't…Loki-are you trying to open up a portal to bring those alien monster things back to conquer the rest of Earth? I can't believe it. I knew this was a terrible idea," she prattled anxiously. She stood and began to pace the room.
"No, Jane. I have no more wish to see the Chitauri again than you, I can assure you. They are worthless, brainless fiends and their master would stop at nothing to have my head, if we were so unfortunate as to meet again. It is as I have explained to you. I wish to open up a portal to ensure I can travel easily between realms. Asgard has been left without both its princes and without a bifrost. The protector of the Nine Realms cannot accomplish its task and that leaves all of Yggdrasil vulnerable to attack... and an attack is coming. Of that I am certain."
"So, Thor is dead….," she said, tearing up again, this time in earnest as the reality slowly soaked into her consciousness. Soon she descended into sobs with her head cradled in her hands. Loki stood from his chair so he could pace. He escaped to a corner of the room, hoping to put some distance between the mortal woman and her grief over his lost brother.
"This is why I preferred not to speak of it to you," he said quietly, from across the room. "Ignorance assisted your peace of mind. Would you not preferred to remain in ignorace?"
"How can you say that? And how can you be so calm?" she said. "Don't you even care?"
Loki gave her a withering glare but before he released an acidic remark from the tip of his tongue, he turned, and fled the room and its weeping inhabitant.
Hapana: no
Bwana: term of respect, sir. (In Swahili)