Loki was still feeling the result of both the sun and his recent victory when he descended into the dungeons with his personal guard after lunch. They had not been able to linger over the meal for long, but it had definitely been enough to help lift his mood. Being able to send Thor off to read the treaty had merely been an added bonus.

"Majesty, may I inquire as to the procedure of what will happen next?" Lieutenant-General Yngvarr asked as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

Loki was actually rather surprised it had taken his guard so long to ask.

"We will need to deal with each of the traitors separately in order to properly fit the collar and manacles," Loki explained. "So request as many additional prison guards as you wish to aid in the process, since I have been informed Fandral, Volstagg and Hogun are housed in one cell."

Personally, Loki did not mind if any of Thor's friends made an attempt to harm him, as he was through playing nice with them. From now on he would react with the full might of his seiðr if so necessary. Now that Thor was restored and Múspellsheimr knew, it would be best if there were no new 'incidents' as he was tired of dealing with them.

He was rather surprised when Lieutenant-General Yngvarr merely requested one of the prison guards accompany them, but Loki left it as he was certain the man had his reasons.

His elation from earlier returned as Loki walked down the corridor, past all of the empty cells towards his defeated nemeses. It would have been easy to tell where Thor's friends were kept even if he did not already know, as Iðavöllr's blacksmith was set up at the end of the corridor with a makeshift workspace upon which lay the necessary collars and manacles.

"Your Majesty," Hólmgeirr greeted, bowing deeply.

"Hólmgeirr," Loki returned, completely ignoring the prisoners who had startled and risen upon the blacksmith's words. "May I?" he indicated the items laying out.

"The last set may still be rather warm to the touch," Hólmgeirr replied. "I have only now finished adding some of runes, as requested."

Ah, aye, Loki recalled the instructions had mentioned the final few runes could only be inscribed an hour before activation, and the last immediately before it. Unfortunately, it had not said why, which was a pity as he did not know enough of dökkálfarian metal seiðr to know the reasoning. Picking up the first set, Loki found 'twas Sif's based on the runes inscribed upon it. The collar was thick and heavy, made from the titanium and steel mix unique to Niðavellir, and purely utilitarian without any of the fanciful designs many warriors oft requested be added to their items. It would be more than obvious to anyone viewing it that this was no ornamental piece. Not that many would view it without the chains running to the accompanying manacles and chain belt. But still, Loki liked it.

"Great work, as always, Hólmgeirr," Loki complimented.

While the man was no artist like Lord Brynjarr, he did always produce solid, dependable work and the man was good with his attention to detail, which was particularly important with items such as this where the slightest deviation could render the enslavement seiðr worthless.

"Thank you, my King," Hólmgeirr replied. "I must admit to being quite curious as to what happens next."

"Resistance, mainly," Loki said, before he fully turned to face his former companions. "Unless you have resigned yourselves to your fate?"

"You may think you have won, Loki," Sif hissed. "But we will emerge victorious in the end."

"I will take that as a nay."

"You have no dökkálfr with you," Heimdallr spoke up from his cell. "This punishment requires one of the dökkálfar."

"Not if we have the instructions on how to perform the working and a trained seiðmadr," Loki corrected as he turned to face the former gatekeeper and his would-be assassin. "Which we do."

'Twas disconcerting, in a way, to look into Heimdallr's brown eyes, but it thrilled Loki as well.Hehad done that! Exactly as he was the reason Heimdallr was here in this cell, unable to see or hear anything beyond his immediate surroundings.

"You mean to do the spell yourself," Heimdallr realized.

"Of course," Loki replied, eyes flickering about the bare cell. "Bored yet?"

Realization flashed in those brown eyes and Loki allowed his glee and satisfaction to show. 'Twas not like people were not already used to Heimdallr making outrageous claims about him, so what were a few more?

"You are enjoying this," Heimdallr stated.

"What? The defeat and proper punishment of those who sought to move against me and Ásgarðr? Aye, of course I am," Loki retorted. "'Tis always good to see justice served."

"Your idea of justice is as perverted as the rest of your claims."

Loki snorted. "You will be hard pressed to find one on Ásgarðr who does not feel that those who would attempt regicide deserve to be punished. Most would no doubt feel I have been far too lenient on you."

"You do not know the meaning of the word leniency," Heimdallr countered.

"So, you would rather have been executed?"

The former gatekeeper did not respond, narrowing his eyes instead and Loki smiled even more broadly. If there was one thing he could say about Heimdallr, 'twas that the man was no fool, most of the time, and he had little doubt Heimdallr was attempting to uncover precisely why Loki had sentenced him to imprisonment rather than death. Especially considering he was certain the former gatekeeper still believed quite firmly that Óðinn would reverse his sentencing. He wondered how long it would take Heimdallr to figure it out. Probably longer than Loki guessed, as 'twas so counter to how æsir thought and he was not certain whether Heimdallr was self-aware enough to realize precisely how badly this type of complete isolation would affect him.

"You will not emerge victorious from this," Sif repeated, confidently, either to distract him and thus 'save' Heimdallr, or simply because she felt it a sufficient answer to his question.

Loki laughed, not truly caring which option 'twas as it did not truly matter. "I already have, you have merely to realize it."

"We shall see," Hogun stated, and Loki looked over at the vanir in surprise.

They must truly believe what they said for Hogun to speak up thus. Luckily, he had the perfect reply.

"I received a missive from my uncle this morning," Loki said. "You have been officially renounced by Vanaheimr, Hogun, and Uncle Freyr will not protest should Ásgarðr wish to increase the severity of your punishment."

The words clearly startled the vanir and Loki smiled. While he did not need his uncle's approval to punish Hogun - indeed Ásgarðr could theoretically overrule the authority of any of the Nine - he had always believed it best to work with the other rulers rather than over them. Besides, it helped prove the legitimacy of his rule and right to punish them, and he was smart enough to realize he could use any such additional indicators, much as he wished he did not.

"Your uncle's help will not save you when Óðinn awakens," Sif stated and Loki rolled his eyes.

Her words were repetitive and boring, but for once Loki did not mind. Altering her mind was not the point of this particular exercise. He was here to try a new branch of seiðr, to see the four of them subjugated beneath his will, and to play games with them mentally. 'Twas why he had requested Hólmgeirr set-up down here in the corridor, where the former Warriors Four would witness him finalizing their new collars and manacles.

'Twas a power play, the same as forbidding Thor from accompanying him down here, not that Loki was certain his brother had truly wished to witness it. Still, it would have prevented him from enjoying this to the fullest if Thor were present to view him and his reactions.

"Are you even listening?" Sif demanded.

"Nay, not really," Loki replied flippantly and with a smile as he glanced at her. "You have proven to have nothing worth listening to."

Her face took on a blotchy color and Loki wondered if she was aware of how ugly her anger made her. It revealed her true nature, he felt.

"Heimdallr is correct, you are enjoying this," Sif spat. "Beyond so-called mere justice."

"Enjoying this?" Loki asked as he stepped right up to the barrier of her cell. "Seeing you all imprisoned here and knowing you are about to be shackled and restrained like animals? Of course I am, after all you have put me through over the centuries."

"Thus, you admit it then?"

"I have always enjoyed revenge, Sif, you know this. Unlike others, however, who flare up bright, quick and brutal such as yourself, reacting with mindless violence and brute strength, I prefer to simmer slowly and take better vengeance at a more opportune time, which is far more satisfying and longer lasting. Though even I could not have dreamt you would provide me with such a wonderful opportunity to do so. You have brought this entirely upon yourselves and I will savor it to the fullest."

"You can lie to yourself and to others all you want,ifindeed you truly believe what you are saying, but we know the truth," Sif retorted. "You are nothing more than a petty, spoiled child who is jealous of Thor and his friends, whom your brother likes more than you."

Loki stared at her in disbelief for a moment, before he began to laugh. "And at whose side does Thor stand now, Sif? Did you hear him standing up for you at the trial? He was present, as I know you witnessed firsthand."

Since he was standing so close to her, Sif having come right up to the energy barrier in her rage, Loki could see the impact his words had, and how she fought not to flinch. The attempt was pathetic at best, but for her 'twas progress; progress she would no doubt have ample time to practice once the people of Ásgarðr made their feelings for traitors to the Realm known. He would have to visit them on occasion when they were performing their assigned duties to observe it all. It could easily be done under the guise of ensuring their punishment was progressing as intended, or some such excuse.

"Thor is mortal and thus powerless," Heimdallr said, and Loki turned to face him.

'Twas weak and they all knew it. Thor had never held back on speaking his mind, even when he truly should have, when the oaf felt the need to do so.

"And?" Loki prompted, curious to see if the former gatekeeper would follow through.

"It put him at your nonexistent mercy," Volstagg declared. "What with everyone following you blindly and your superior strength, which you could easily have used against him."

"Are you truly claiming you believe Thor was cowed and intimidated by me?" Loki asked in amusement, before it all fled. "And, if you are so concerned with physical intimidation and coercion, 'tis odd then how none of you considered it wrong when Thor used his superior strength onme, before."

As this part of the dungeon was currently deserted other than for the traitors, Loki was able to hear the sharp intake of breath behind him from either Hólmgeirr or one of the Einherjar, and he cursed himself for saying those words. By doing so, he had revealed far more than he had wished to. Not that they were any less true for it.

"You deserved every punishment you ever received, Trickster," Sif spat behind him, and Loki sighed. "Particularly that of the dökkálfar."

"Sif!" Fandral protested in shock.

The looks on the faces of the Einherjar were positively murderous and Loki realized his fear of how they would react to witnessing him carrying out this punishment had been pointless.

"We shall commence with Sif," Loki decided, his seiðr itching to lash out at her.

The greatest risk also lay with his first attempt, as once he had successfully performed it, he would be certain how to do so. The first time, though...

Loki suppressed the desire to smile at the thought as he stepped away from Sif's cell and allowed several Einherjar to approach. As he had known she would, Loki saw Sif shift into a fighting stance and, not for the first time, he had to wonder at her intelligence or lack thereof. Did she truly believe she could win here? Although it could simply be she was so terrified of what came next, she could not help but struggle now even if she knew it would be futile. 'Twas a rather nice thought.

Then the prison guard lowered the energy barrier and several of his personal guard rushed in. Not too many, as the restricted space would limit their efficiency, but enough to make their greater numbers count against Sif. She struggled nonetheless, but was soon wrestled to the ground. As the Einherjar debated on how best to pull her up and into position, Loki stepped back to the blacksmith's table.

"Time for the final mark, my King?" Hólmgeirr inquired.

"On the first collar, aye," Loki confirmed.

He then pulled the parchment with instructions from a pocket and laid it out on a clear part of the worktop. Loki half closed his eyes as he reached within him to his wounded core. He received another twinge from it and knew he truly should not be doing this, before he brushed it aside. Not only did they not have someone else to do this, but he would not allow it even if they did.Hewanted to be the one to enact this working and enslave his former tormentors. Simply sentencing them to it was not nearly enough.

He gathered together his seiðr, feeling both Ásgarðr and Mother Winter stir within him as he did so, both of them reaching out to bolster and aid him, though he knew neither had personal experience with the seiðr he was about to perform. The moment Hólmgeirr handed him the newly modified collar, Loki could detect the seiðr simmering within the metal. Though no dökkálfr had initiated it, this collar had been created for this specific purpose and so had been imbued with the necessary elements and basic seiðr at the time of being forged. Creating the indentured servants (or outright slaves in the case of the more dökkálfarian use of the accoutrements) was no simple feat and was a complicated, multistep process of which his was but one, and would be unsuccessful without the previous steps.

His own seiðr reached out towards that in the collar and Loki focused on it and the ancient runes of power whose arcane shapes had been etched into the metal. The very air around him seemed to sing with the weight of them as he muttered each one, focusing all of his thoughts and efforts towards making them real, imbibing the very metal with the full force of his will. As he spoke each word, the corresponding rune lit up, glowing a brilliant green and Loki felt the seiðr woven deep into the metal's very core respond, reaching out towards him. He was careful to mold his own seiðr exactly as the instructions had told him too, making it appear as lava, the creator and master of metal ore. It felt both antithetical and familiar at once and, for the first time ever, he could start to understand why. Fire was his element, his gift, and had always responded to him almost instinctively. Yet now he knew it should be anything but. As a jötunn, fire should be contrary to his very nature and repellant.

The very chaos of it thrilled him, but he kept a tight leash on it for now as, of all of the races, the dökkálfar were the least chaotic; the most exact. They shaped metal to precise purposes, guiding both it and their seiðr into specific, defined tasks with their only creativity being extraneous details requested by purchasers and only agreed upon in order to obtain their trade.

Therefore, Loki kept his thoughts strictly focused now, putting all of his will behind the command he issued. The instructions had spoken of focusing thoughts on the desired punishment and laws to be obeyed. What he lacked in the familiarity of the regular discipline of those who performed this task, he made up for in a deep seated, genuine desire to see those he condemned and enslaved thus constrained. He hoped it would be enough to make up for any lack of practice and discipline he possessed elsewhere.

Then the collar's seiðr relented, allowing him to mold it into the runes and Loki repeated them, each arcane marking lighting up once more, but far more powerfully than before as he did so. Power rose around them and then the matching symbols appeared on Sif's manacles, the seiðr there linking it to that of the collar, all of it flaring before settling once more. Now only two runes remained alit.

Master and Slave.

Only the final step remained.

When Loki turned back towards the cells, 'twas to find Sif on her knees before him, an Einherjar on either side and one behind her. Though her face was still twisted into a fierce, angry expression, she was pale as a ghost and Loki could easily read the fear in her dark eyes. He took a moment to savor it as she so rarely showed true fear, and for once he was thankful for the pride and arrogance of the dökkálfar as it had made their seiðr far more grandiose and unsubtle than it could be. He did so love to put on a show with seiðr when he had an audience. Especially now, when 'twas one who had sneered at him and his talents before. They would see who laughed after he emerged so victoriously.

"I am not wearing that!" Sif declared loudly, eyeing the collar he still held.

Tired of her continued stubborn attitude, Loki completely ignored her words and instead stepped forwards, opening the collar. Sif, predictably, struggled but the Einherjar had her firmly secured.

Loki said the ancient word for slave, the sound reverberating down the corridor as he closed the collar around her neck.

"Sif Hermóðrdóttir," he said, watching the slave rune flare and fade.

Next, Loki spoke the old word for master, which made Sif gasp and start as if shocked.

"Ásgarðr," Loki said, being very careful to think of Hliðskjálf and the government, filtering it down through to the prison guards and city counselors.

Tempting as it may have been to lock it to only him, then he would have to be present far too often. This way, all of those acting in an official capacity would be able to command her, in a strict order based on governmental structure.

Or, well, almost entirely so as he had not added in the necessary rune to remove himself as the spellcaster from the top spot. Thus, even after Óðinn awoke, he would be able to countermand any of his adoptive father's orders should he so desire. But no one needed to know.

The final rune glowed a brilliant green before fading away until only the normal color of the collar showed. Sif was panting and looked drained, no doubt due to the fact she had attempted to fight the seiðr as it wove into her very flesh and blood, down to her bones and enslaved her heart, body and mind.

"Sif!" Volstagg called. "Are you unharmed?"

The former warrior's voice rushed into Loki's ears as if breaking a trance, and he blinked as he looked around. His seiðr sang within him even as it ached. Both Ásgarðr and Mother Winter were close to the surface, intrigued and curious.

Of course, this would be unfamiliar to them as well, being dökkálfar seiðr. There was almost a certain level of bloodthirstiness from Mother Winter he had not felt before, but he found it comforting to know he was not the only one who found this so satisfying.

"The manacles, my King?" Hólmgeirr asked from behind him.

"Aye," Loki confirmed, holding out his hand.

Now he was not so focused on the seiðr, he took a moment to look more closely at the overall construction of the manacles themselves. Though made of metal, they were lined with one of the fabrics he had seen on Niðavellir, something tough and durable. 'Twas not overly soft, but should prevent chaffing which could interfere with the ability of the enslaved to carry out their assigned duties.

"You may release her," Loki told the Einherjar.

He could see their hesitancy to do so with him standing so close, but they obeyed without glancing towards Lieutenant-General Yngvarr and Loki was pleased. It actually took Sif a moment to realize she was no longer restrained, but once she did so, Loki could see her muscles tensing as she prepared to rise.

"Stay down," Loki ordered, watching in satisfaction as Sif immediately complied, shock and horror showing on her face. "Let me guess, you did not think I could accomplish it."

"Sif?" Fandral asked, worry evident in his voice.

She glanced over at him, desperation starting to bleed onto her features. "I cannot rise."

Horror flashed across the faces of the other three and Loki savored it.

"Lo- Your Majesty," Fandral pleaded, shifting his attention to him. "I beg you to reconsider."

Loki snorted. "You have already had your trial, 'tis too late to ask for mercy now, not after how you all behaved then."

"I hate you," Sif hissed, glaring up at him with poisonous eyes.

"My heart bleeds."

"You have no heart, no monsters do."

It took all of Loki's willpower not to visible flinch at the word, though it hit him like a physical blow.

"Wrists," he ordered instead, taking pleasure in making Sif aid him in completing his enslavement of her.

He closed each manacle around her wrists, marveling at the clever locking mechanism which hid all access to the lock itself, meaning only seiðr could be used to unlock it. His in this case.

"Rise," Loki ordered, before stepping in close. Sif's face twisted in frustration, and he smiled wickedly at her. "There are several built in instructions within the collar, including one which ensures you are unable to physically assault any of those who fall under the category of your master. Naturally, those include myself and all members of the Einherjar or government."

"You would leave them defenseless," Heimdallr accused.

Loki rolled his eyes and stepped close to the former gatekeeper's cell. "I am neither naive nor a fool. I am well aware of how this power could be abused."

"You would delight in it."

"Sif," Loki began, eyes never leaving Heimdallr. "You owe Lieutenant-General Yngvarr an apology for what you implied of the Einherjar during the trial. Kiss his boots."

The shouts of protest from the former Warriors Three made Loki smile, but he kept his gaze on Heimdallr.

"Rise, Sif," he ordered. "Strip."

"Nay!"

Sif's word rang through the corridor loud and clear, full of defiance and rage.

"See," Loki stated. "I have taken steps to prevent the power of the collars from being abused."

"You are abusing it even now," Heimdallr countered.

"Says the coward who abused his position and the trust placed in him to attempt to both usurp Hliðskjálf and assassinate his king."

"You will nev-"

Lightning quick, Loki reached out and hit the button to mute Heimdallr's cell. He left the barrier transparent to allow the former gatekeeper to watch, but he rather liked being able to render him voiceless.

Thiswas potentially an abuse of power, but he doubted anyone here but for the other prisoners would mind. Not after what Heimdallr had tried to do. For once, Ásgarðr's system was working in his favor and Loki planned to both enjoy and utilize it to the fullest.

"So," Loki began, turning to look at the third cell. "Who would like to be next?"

Hogun and Volstagg immediately tensed and moved back to take up defensive positions. Fandral appeared far more resigned.

"Please," the paramour tried once more.

"Fandral, then," Loki stated, then stopped to consider. "Sif, you will help subdue Hogun."

The vanir scowled darkly at him, but Loki knew he would not dare attack as aggressively as normal for fear of hurting her.

"Majesty?" Lieutenant-General Yngvarr said, appearing by his side.

Knowing what the head of his security wanted, Loki stepped back, allowing the Einherjar to deal with subduing the traitors. He focused his attention instead on the next collar, initializing it as soon as Hólmgeirr had it ready. The process went faster this time as he knew exactly what he was doing, so he was surprised to find Fandral being held by his side when he looked up once more.

"I will not hurt another áss who is merely doing his job," Fandral said upon seeing his surprised look. "Besides, we cannot win even if we were to overpower your guard."

'Twas surprisingly rational and Loki had not expected it of any of them. That Volstagg felt himself above such concerns was evident by how the man still fought, though Hogun had already been driven to the floor, Sif perched on his back, keeping him in place.

"A wise choice," Loki stated as he stepped close.

Despite Fandral's words and actions, Loki could see his guards were taking no chances, their grip on the paramour firm and sure. The final words of the ritual fell from his lips, making Fandral flinch as he closed the collar around his neck.

"Snug," Fandral commented.

"To prevent any outside tampering," Loki replied.

"Ah, aye, I can see that."

"Wrists," Loki said, to check the seiðr was working.

He glanced back up as soon as he was done, and Fandral's shoulders slumped as he met Loki's gaze.

"Help with Volstagg?" Fandral asked.

"Aye."

It would not be quite as effective as ordering Sif to help subdue Hogun. They all still worried about hurting her more than each other, but that would simply serve to make Fandral use more force to fulfill his master's wishes.

Loki watched Fandral move off to help subdue Volstagg, before he turned and accepted the next collar Hólmgeirr handed him. He walked over to Hogun who tensed at his approach which only made Sif put her knee into the back of his kidney, making him grunt.

Not having anything to say to the vanir, Loki set right to initializing the collar. The seiðr came even faster now and he could almost start to see individual components of it which made him wish to sit down and study it, but he could not least he did something which inadvertently weakened the working. He would have to see if they had any old collars and manacles left from before, which had already been utilized or ones not yet initiated. For now, though, he pushed his curiosity aside and completed the working, feeling how Hogun's whole body deflated as the seiðr sunk its grip into his mind and body.

"Thank you, Sif," Loki said pleasantly, while he accepted the manacles Hólmgeirr handed him.

"I hate you!" Sif hissed.

"I know. Now back to your cell."

With a few deft movements, Hogun was fully enslaved, and Loki motioned him back into a corner of the cell. He rose and looked over to find Volstagg was now also on the floor, Fandral helping to pin him down. Loki accepted the last collar from Hólmgeirr and approached the largest of Thor's friends.

"You are a heartless, venomed, whey-face," Volstagg accused. "My family!"

Loki scowled. "We cannot sentence some criminals less harshly than others simply because they have a family. You should have thought of them before you sought to usurp Hliðskjálf."

"Saying it will not convince me of your lies."

"Believe what you will, I care not," Loki retorted, beginning to collect his seiðr. "But I have requested that Lord Ragnvaldr ensures someone speaks with your wife of the provisions we have in place for those who have lost the main provider of their family."

The words seemed to stun Volstagg as well as both Hogun and Fandral. Loki scowled at them, but he supposed he should not be surprised given everything else they thought him guilty of.

The seiðr came very easily to him now and Loki itched to try something different, but he persisted, already able to feel the strain of what he had done on his mutilated core. He should not have done this, but the thrill and beauty of it uplifted him in many ways, leaving him feeling strangely energized even as the ever-present agony sapped at his strength.

"Stay," Loki ordered the former Warriors Three once he was done with the overweight fool.

Lieutenant-General Yngvarr had the energy barrier back up as soon as Loki and the last of the guards were out of the cell.

"Loki, you-" Sif began.

"Quiet," Loki ordered, enjoying how her mouth clicked shut.

If only it had ever been so easy!

"Now, there are a few basic rules," Loki continued. "Ones no one else may countermand."

Volstagg snorted. "Until we get our next orders."

"Nay, orders are prioritized according to rank," Loki explained. "'Tis part of the seiðr when implementing the final step. From now on, you will have no choice but to follow the chain of command."

As he kept glancing between the three cells, Loki saw the interested look on the lieutenant-general's face, and he quirked an eyebrow.

"Was this when you said Ásgarðr?"

"Hmm."

"And this tells the collars how the chain of command operates?" Lieutenant-General Yngvarr inquired.

"Partially, the rest came from me, picturing it and... willing it."

"I see."

"'Tis hard to explain if you have no background in seiðr, but 'tis largely force of will."

"So if someone like Heimdallr attempted to utilize them to harm yourself, it would not work?"

"Nay."

"Good."

"Quiet," Loki said when he saw Volstagg prepared to speak once more. "'Tis time for you to listen. First, you will not attempt to escape or aid in any efforts made by others on your behalf. Indeed, should any ever speak with you about such plans, you will report them immediately."

The glares he received for this were as dark as Loki had known they would be. Escape would have been on their minds ever since they were first arrested. To have it removed as an option and being forced to turn in any who would seek to aid them...

"Oh, and you will return to Iðavöllr immediately should you ever be broken free," Loki added on. "Secondly, you will never do anything, either directly or indirectly, to harm or endanger any member of the royal family."

He had considered amending the wording so they could not slander him, but he had decided against it as he knew they would bore him then. Besides, their continued resentment of him, especially if expressed as freely as he knew they would, could only work in his favor.

"Including any plot you may learn of against me or the government," Loki continued. "Next, you will not be able to betray any confidences you hold from a member of the royal family or anything from your duties as former Einherjar."

It had occurred to Loki last night they still knew far more of him than most others did as regards his seiðr and personality, things he did not necessarily wish for the people to know.

"Finally, you will perform each order you are given to the best of your ability, without subterfuge or delay, unless it endangers your lives or the lives of others. Unless endangering yourselves is part of saving, or attempting to save, another."

Fandral looked more thoughtful than anything else now, but the others and Heimdallr were clearly furious. It rather amused Loki more than anything else, and that alone would have made the renewed agony of his core worth it.

"Am I missing anything, Lieutenant-General?" Loki inquired.

"The inability to harm anyone of Ásgarðr is built in?"

"Hmm."

Lieutenant-General Yngvarr pursed his lips as he thought before he shook his head. "Nay, I cannot immediately think of anything else."

"Very well, we are done here then," Loki said, before he glanced over at his brother's friends. "Sit quietly and think over your actions and the consequences for half an hour. Then you may speak and move about once more."

With that last command, Loki turned and headed back down the corridor, pleased when no one seemed to recall he had muted Heimdallr's cell. He was petty enough to enjoy such simple little pleasures.