The Embers under the Great Tree
V
Eyes squinted, she worked away at the slightest gap between the pattern.
Back and forth the file went, shaving away mere wisps of metal that would have been no larger than a pinhead at best, some might have been even smaller. Yet it was always the little attention to the smallest details that made everything stand out all the more for it.
Humming under her breath, she moved the file away and looked down at the pattern of metal, tilting her head and giving the barest hint of a nod.
With a body of bright silver and flakes of barest emerald dusting lining the smaller points in the metal, she looked over the work in search of anything that might have been out of place. Though, of course, there was nothing. There was never anything wrong with what she had made - centuries of experience helped - but it was never wrong to double, triple and even quadruple check everything before moving on to the next step.
Setting the file down, she reached out and took the mandel before setting it before herself, placing the band of silver across it and giving the smallest nudges. Enough that the metal as one was curved around, letting nothing move out of place or bend in the wrong angle to the other parts of the body.
Nothing distracted her.
Not even the knock at the door.
Answering without even turning her head.
"Enter."
The fragrance, however, was enough to give her the barest hint of a pause as she knew the familiar footsteps coming into the room. Smiling under her breath but not quite turning her head to greet them, she instead spoke.
"Good morning."
"If only it were so." Came the sigh from behind her, rolling her eyes at the remark. "Hard at work again?"
"Idle hands."
"I recall you not touching any of your silversmith equipment for nearly eighty years."
"Idle hands, as I said." She replied with a shrug of the shoulders, taking up the small hammer and turning the band around. Finding the point where the two ends met and tapped away at either side to join them closer together. "And you never complained about them."
"Because it makes you happy and you make some nice jewellery."
"And swords." She added on, because it was hardly as though she just made decorations for fingers or ears. "And spears, some axes as well. Those few times I made some halberds and-"
She would have gone on, but she broke into a chuckle at the faint groan which answered her instead. It was such an exhale that she could feel the smile on the face of the person behind her. Shaking her head, she removed her hammer and examined the work. With yet another satisfied nod, she set it down to one side. Removing the ring from the mandel and placing it down.
Taking up the spare metal set aside for just this occasion, she heated up the tips of her finger and produced a small wisp of flame from it. Reaching across and holding it still as she melted the metal scrap into the smallest gap between the two ends. Watching and taking back every second or so to avoid overspilling and making it uneven.
"What is the matter?"
A notable hesitance filled the room and she almost moved off from her work, almost.
"The matter?" She heard in reply. "Why would something be the matter?"
Taking in a deep breath, she turned her head ever so slightly and looked over her shoulder.
"You're wearing that face."
"What face?" Came the rather sudden remark, a hand reached up and graced at the cheeks before realising what it was doing and swiftly fell back down. But she was not fooled in the least, they went through this same song and dance every time there was something happening that they didn't know how to handle.
"Dar."
Dar winced and looked down at her feet, placing her hands on her hips and closing her eyes.
"...You have a visitor."
She rolled her eyes at the words and turned back around to the ring, looking over it once more.
"I have many visitors, none of them have you making faces like that." Actually, that might not have been so true. She felt a frown come to her lips against her will as she thought of a particular name who had that effect on people. "Not unless Midir has thought he can show his face around here for a visit."
"Midir?" Dar spoke the name with a sour note. "I'd have sent him off before you even caught his breath. No, it's…uhm…"
For Dar to be so hesitant in speaking, she was starting to imagine it must have been someone she couldn't quite handle.
"...It's your mother."
Brigid stopped moving.
She blinked, then lowered the ring down to the table and moved her hands away from it.
"...Oh."
"And…uhm…" Dar hesitated before blurting out the rest. "She's brought some guests."
Brigid raised her hands very slowly and pressed them against her temple.
"...Feck sake."
Ophelia kept her eyes anywhere but the Goddess.
Anywhere at all.
She would have stared down at the ground, looked right at her own feet, but she could feel the stare of the Goddess on the side of her head. The smile on their face was audible, worse than that it was like a feeling. A genuine feeling of someone pulling at the side of her face, her cheeks felt as though they were being stretched.
But she didn't want to raise her hand and touch it just to check, doing so would mean that she was revealing that she was feeling it. She might well have been but she was scrambling for anything she could here. Anything at all that would have shown she wasn't as shaken from the ordeal as she actually was.
She could still smell it.
Feel it on her skin and clothes, the weight it pressed upon her.
The mere thought of it almost brought bile up once again, but she managed to fight down the urge through whatever strength she had left.
If only so she did not embarrass herself by vomiting all over the floor and potentially making things worse.
She did not know who she had been brought to, but she knew that if she insulted them by hurling all over the floors, everything could potentially be made worse for her. Which was a thought that existed, speeding through her head, and keeping her on her feet and aware of how she appeared.
It could still get worse.
She did even know how, she could scarcely imagine how, but she just had a feeling that it could get worse.
Ophelia registered nothing save for the place they were in.
Dimly, she had recognised it as being some sort of smithy, but a well decorated one. The proof of the skill of the owner hung across the walls in all manner of assorted items. From weapons to jewellery, it was as though the owner was showing off the full extent of what they were capable of.
Thudding from above had her eye snap towards the far end of the room, past all the wall mounted items and to the spot behind the forge. She heard the sound of a door being opened rather loudly before footsteps came next, heavy and thudding followed by another pair. One was considerably faster than the other.
"Ah, that will be her now." The Goddess chuckled. "Am I not such a lucky mother to have my daughter come charging out to greet me?"
"Every feckin' time with you!"
A roar echoed through the house, one that made Ophelia jolt and snap her eyes to the blonde who descended and into the open, marching around the force. With bare arms showing off a fair amount of muscle, a leather apron covered in grease and with her hair hung down by her side and almost ragged. Despite that, it was bright red hair almost like fire.
The redheaded woman marched forth, pointing a finger right at the Goddess.
"You never stop by for a social visit, you just show up to dump trouble at my door! What sort of-"
Coming to a dead stop, the woman fell silent as her eyes landed on Ophelia - if only briefly - before roaming past her and towards the others. The raised hand started to lower itself down as she looked right towards one of her members.
"Feck sake!" Throwing her hands up, she turned around and ran her hands through her hair. "What the feck-!? Why!? Why would you bring her here of all places! You just wake up every morning and decide that you want to shit on my doorstep, is that what it is?"
In the face of this rage, the Goddess chuckled.
"A good morning to you as well, how have you been?" Looking left and right. "I saw Dar earlier, how has she been doing?"
"...Dar!" The woman shouted. "I need to speak with my mother! Can you…"
Ophelia watched the redhead wave a hand towards her in silence before stomping back the way she had come, marching up the steps and trailed behind by the almost mirthful steps of the Morrigan. Though it was not a departure without acknowledgement, the Goddess sent one final look her way and smiled behind the veil before vanishing.
As the pair departed, another woman - shorter than the first - came out and moved around them with a look aimed the way of their retreating figures, turning towards them and stopping the second it caught sight of the Angel. Quickly inclining her head in a polite bow of the head before bringing it back up and advancing.
She looked…amicable.
But Ophelia did not relax until the Morrigan was out of her line of sight, but that did nothing.
Even when she was gone, it was as though that smile was still stretching her cheeks.
"...She's not mad at you." The girl - light brown hair and wearing attire that would have been suited for a member of the clergy - began, offering that still strained smile. "It is merely that she is rather…"
There was a short silence.
"...She knows this is going to be a long day and the Morrigan is…"
Further silence.
"...I hope that your time here has not been coloured too deeply by what I assume was a rather troublesome passage?"
No one answered her.
The woman, Dar she believed her name was, looked between all of them before dropping her shoulders ever so slightly turning towards the Angel and stepping closer still, she held her hands and took in a deep breath.
"If nothing else, I welcome you, Lady Angel." Dar greeted. "Understand that our faith is welcome here."
Susa-il grunted, Ophelia was just waiting for the comment.
"You are…an Abbess." It was difficult to discern whether the tone of voice was accusing or not.
"Once." Dar answered. "In life."
"...You could have entered Heaven."
"Perhaps." Dar agreed again, this time with a nod of the head before her eyes turned softener, turning her head ever so slightly. "But as with life, I felt as though my duty was held to another and to abandon my friend was…not something I was prepared to do. Even if it meant forgoing my place in His Kingdom."
"For what little of His Kingdom remains." Susa-il scoffed loudly.
That brought about a rather awkward silence, broken only by the sound or raised and muffled voices from deeper in the forge. Dar maintained the smile as though there was nothing amiss between all of them.
"...Hello."
Ophelia glanced left, Schmidt stepped past and then - for some reason - in front of her with his hand raised in greeting.
"I'm Schmidt."
"Welcome, Schmidt." Dar inclined her head and smiled more openly. "My name is Darlugdach. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"You're a nun."
"I am, yes."
"I met nuns before." Schmidt continued. "I met Gabriel as well. She's nice."
Dar blinked and the smile slipped away into something more akin to bemused surprise than anything else, tilting her head ever so slightly. "If that is so, then you are indeed a soul most fortunate to have been graced a visit by the Lady Gabriel. Not many have been offered such a chance before."
"Really?" He sounded genuinely shocked. "I met her nearly once a week."
"...Very fortunate, it seems." Dar answered. "...Are you a fellow believer?"
"I…uhm…I don't know." Schmidt answered rather candidly, scratching the back of his head.
Ophelia caught the eye of Susa-il as the skull mask jerked backwards, clear proof that she demanded a private conversation. She turned ever so slightly and shuffled backwards, small steps that moved her away from whatever conversation was happening between Schmidt and Dar.
Susa-il stopped beside her and looked down.
"We are being delayed."
"We are fortunate they haven't decided to…" Ophelia trailed off with a breath. "We need patience."
"I am being patient enough that I do not smite this heathen here and now."
Ophelia did not even think to try and understand where that could possibly have come from, especially as the woman had done nothing more than nod and welcome them into the house. She was, by far, a marked improvement over their escort. Pinching her brows, she stared at the Angel long and hard, glancing to see that Schmidt and Dar were still speaking with one another, then back to the bone mask.
"...Can you at least keep yourself civil?"
"I am being civil at this moment." Susa-il answered. "I do not believe you appreciate how civil I currently am. This…"
With a sharp intake of breath, the angel went straight.
"...She is…You would not understand."
No, she probably would not.
And right now, she wasn't sure she would care too either.
Whether she had anything else to say on that subject, their time was cut short by the loud banging of a door being flung open and the heavy stomps of the approaching divines. Ophelia stiffed purely on instinct as the familiar chill spread over her shoulders and up her nape, like a cold finger trailing across her skin.
There was that familiar shadow trailing through the forge, passing through with nary a sound to be made.
Then it stopped, turning its head towards her and staring for what felt like years.
Behind the mourner's veil, there was the bright flash of white teeth curved into a smile.
"Until next time." And with words of parting spoken like a promise - like a curse - the shadow stepped out from the forge and vanished out of the door. It took Ophelia several moments to actually realise the door had never been opened, but that they had simply walked through it as though it was not there.
Her lone eye lingered on it, as if by staring she could ensure that the Goddess was truly gone for the time being.
But those final words clung to her like a vice, a cold and rusted vice scraping at her memories.
Until next time, she had said.
And what was worse was that Ophelia truly believed they would meet again and she dreaded that.
"Alright."
She turned slowly to the voice of the redhead, the woman running her hand through her hair and sighing. Stopping and sweeping her eyes across them all once more before looking at her and then letting out an irritated sigh. "She went and did it again, didn't she? Just dropping traumatised visitors on my doorstep and leaving me to deal with them."
Ophelia resented the accusation she was traumatised.
She was legitimately concerned for her wellbeing.
"Come with me."
Without further preamble, the remaining Goddess turned around and walked away from them, beckoning with her hand for them to follow.
While that was happening, Ophelia looked at Susa-il with what she hoped was the unspoken message for her to at least be civilised during the conversation that was going to happen. Whether it was actually registered was something that she could not tell on account of the mask, but at least they did not scoff at her stare.
Snapping her fingers, there was a rapid growth of branches from somewhere in the floor but without breaking the flooring in the least. It trailed upwards and wound up around one another and formed an arch, in mere moments there was bound up gateway with a door that seemed to be made from the same knotted branches.
Pulling it open, the Goddess walked in first, shortly followed by the cleric - Dar - and then Schmidt and Berserker in after them, Ophelia allowed Susa-il to go first before she entered as well. Though more on account of sending one final look over her shoulder just in case there was something amiss.
She stopped for a half second.
There was a face in the window behind her.
That familiar freckled appearance winked at her.
And then she launched herself through the door before giving herself much time to think about it, hand flying to the handle and yanking it shut behind her purely on instinct. It did not slam - fortunately for her - but it was loud enough that it probably drew a couple eyes. She stopped and took in some calming breaths.
She could do this.
Turning back around, she was immediately met with an array of expressions.
The red haired Goddess gave a single grunt.
"Yeah." She said with a nod. "She has that sort of reaction normally. She won't bother you around here though, this is my meeting room."
Ophelia took the time to actually see where they were.
It was a grassy field, a meadow really, filled to the brim with flowers of all sorts and stretching on for as far as the eye could have seen. Very little in the way of trees, merely a sea of emerald mixed with flashes of colour from the plant life.
Contrasted rather clearly by the ocean blue sky overhead without a single cloud to be seen.
It was…oddly peaceful.
The only thing that might have even been described as out of place was the round table ahead of them, complete with enough chairs for each of them and not a single one more or less. Old and wooden, but still looking well cared for. It was a remarkably simple design that somehow managed to portray elegance.
The Goddess waved her hand towards it as she advanced, flanked by Dar.
Just before actually reaching the table, the Goddess moved her hands up and rank both of them through her hair, as her palms ran through Ophelia watched as the ruby red lockes of hair shifted colour, changing from nearly bright red to a glowing blonde, the hands trailed further down until they had completed painted the hair a different colour.
Yet it did not stop there, she moved down and seemingly dragged the changes down the length of her body, her figure changed rather dramatically, losing her obvious muscle down her arms and some of her height, but her waist line grew as well as her chest filling out.
Then, with a final twirl, the Goddess discarded the greasy apron and work clothes and replaced them both with a pristine white dress, one without sleeves and with small diamond shaped cut outs running down the sides of it to show off cream coloured skin. A tone that looked almost perfect.
Ophelia quickly jolted herself once she realised she had been staring, rolling her jaw and focusing less on the change and more on the expression on the Goddess.
The one that looked almost benign.
"Now we have met, let us have a chat." Even her voice was lighter than before, where it had been gruff now it was delicate. "And we shall come to see if your words fall flat."
Almost musical with each spoken word.
Setting herself down in her chair, the Goddess smiled at them rather gently and indicated to the seats.
"Come and sit, don't be shy. If you have fears that remain, let them fly."
Ophelia stepped towards the table and around it, keeping her eye on the pair already sitting down before she slowly took out a chair of her own. Finding herself comfortable and drawing the seat closer to the table, she glanced across to at least hope that the others were not presenting themselves clumsily.
Susa-il was the last one to sit down.
And she did not draw her chair back to the table, she just pulled it out and then sat there with arms folded.
"We have much needing to be shared." The Goddess smiled. "Then let us begin with our names declared."
Gesturing to herself.
"Upon my honour, I do declare, my name is Brigid, this I swear."
Was she going to be expected to rhyme?
She cleared her throat and wet her lips. "Greetings, honoured Goddess, my name is Ophelia."
A gentle smile, eyes passed her over for the others.
"I'm Schmidt…uhm…" There was a brief pause, she dared to look the way of the hybrid as he put out a rather odd face and looked like he was trying to swallow his own tongue. Or he was thinking so hard that he was giving himself physical pain. "Wait, I'll try again, uhm…"
He scrunched up his face in effort.
"Schmidt is my name." The boy said, producing each word with great effort. "Uhm…meeting you is good, I…I hope you feel the same."
Then he smiled and looked rather proud of himself, turning his head as though trying to bask in their reaction to his words.
All Ophelia could feel was a profound sense of…something.
It was hard to say what she was feeling at watching him try and fumble his way through rhyming words back.
"A poet at heart, thou could be." The Goddess giggled, raising a hand to her lips and looking at the boy almost fondly. "Nurture thy talent, this I plea."
And Schmidt was back to smiling once again.
Then it moved along.
"...Berserker."
Ophelia closed her eyes and fought back a response at what was probably a very disrespectful introduction.
"To shy your name, such implies weight." Brigid responded with a more sombre tone. "If it is judgement you fear, I shall not berate."
Berserker looked on blankly, hands resting atop one another on the table and with a posture that was virtually perfect.
"I shall say nothing to your own methods, but it is a matter of my own safety I should be concerned with." Berserker raised a hand, indicating she was not done. "Though I do not suspect you, as you have given your word, I would be more dubious of those I walk beside. For they have done nothing."
Brigid hummed. "If it is your worry, then I understand. Your name shall be silent as you walk in this land."
And then the most nerve-wracking of them all.
"Susa-il." The Angel introduced. "Second of the Zabaniya, I offer my fair greetings to you, venerated one."
…Wait…what?
Ophelia could not help but stare as the Angel delivered a greeting that was nothing but respectful, she could not even detect a hint of mockery or snideness within any of the words. If she did not know better, she would have said that the speaker held no negative feelings about being here at all.
Then she caught herself staring and brought her attention back to Brigid.
The Goddess smiled at the Angel and inclined her head in a polite bow.
"For as long as you speak softly, I welcome you as a guest." Brigid's smile seemed smaller. "But for the future, keep sour words to your breast."
Ophelia thinned her lips and tried not to react to the fact the Angel had been called out on being so apparent.
"In greeting we trade." Brigid waved across the table, "Now to the unknown I hope shall fade."
Leaning forwards, she spoke. "What would you like to know?"
Brigid, this time, said nothing and leaned back into her chair. All while the woman at her side - the nun - shuffled forwards and looked towards her with an almost approachable air about her. But whatever that effect was became marred by the fact that Ophelia was aware they were isolated here with a Goddess.
And not just any Goddess.
A Goddess recognised by God himself and venerated as a Saint, apparently.
Which was…troublesome.
"If you could please start from the beginning?" Dar asked. "It would help us terribly with this confusion. As you can imagine, word of your coming here spread quite a bit of unease amongst us…especially as with the news coming from the far east and from the seat of the Church."
Yes, she imagined that would paint a dire picture.
"I - we - did not come here seeking violence." She gestured between herself and Susa-il. "It was only a means of finding access to the realm of Muspelheim."
At that, Brigid raised a brow very slowly.
"You seek to tread to the land of fire." The deity muttered, drawing up her hand and looping hair around her finger slowly. "Yet that place is no mere shire."
Stopping, she flicked eyes onto her and then towards Susa-il in a slow and deliberate motion.
"Thick with smoke, it is a realm unspoiled. I would not wish entry, if you seek it soiled."
Quickly shaking her head, "That is not what our intention is, it is only to seek an audience with Surtr himself to pose a question."
"A question indeed." Dar remarked with thinned lips. "Not often - or at all - does one travel to the realm of flame and seek the Jotunn of Fire for the mere chance to pose them a question, unless it is a question of much importance."
"The question is my business." Ophelia said, looking between the two of them. "But I have no interest in inciting violence between yourselves and the land of the Giants. My interest only lies with Surtr himself. Getting involved to this extent is far beyond what I wished for."
"Wished for or not, that is where you are now." Dar stated, though not unkindly. "And as you have been seen, there falls upon us all an expectation of what is to be done with you. There are few in the world who could call you their friends, and many who would call you their enemies."
There was a brief pause, then Dar turned her eyes onto Susa-il.
"Or at least one of you their enemy, as you proclaim loyalty without shame, knowing what uttering such a name says."
"I stand by Maalik." Susa-il declared. "And shall not doubt his actions as anything more than necessary."
Dar turned and sent her a look at that, which clearly drove the point home.
Ophelia was, rather quickly, coming to the conclusion that Susa-il was some manner of simple-minded brute.
"Suppose we trust your words are true." Brigid spoke up, looking at her with a raised brow. "It is in my land you walk, so why let you through?"
Ophelia could not think of an immediate response to that.
"But…why not?"
And she did not have the chance to as Schmidt blundered, opening his mouth and apparently just speaking the first thing that came to mind. Sharply turning her eye upon him, she did not glare him into silence, despite how much she wanted to, but she was looking at him in a silent plea to not speak.
Schmidt, unfortunately, did not pay attention to her or even Berserker who was doing much the same thing.
Except she was glaring.
Glaring with a heat that could melt steel beams.
Dar and Brigid shared a glance with one another, passing an indecipherable look before they turned back to the hybrid.
"What about it confuses you, young man?" Dar asked as if it was mere curiosity.
Schmidt just tilted his head. "Well…they said they were just passing through, so they haven't done anything…have they?"
"I believe insults were dealt." Brigid tapped a finger on her chin. "And wounds to pride surely felt."
Susa-il.
Once again.
"But no one got hurt though." Schmidt spoke again, except now he looked more confused than before. Raising a hand and scratching the back of his neck. "At least, I don't think they did? Well…Except Ofeelea. I think that lady did something really mean to her, but I don't know. So that wasn't very nice."
"What she does, to me, is known." Brigid replied, eyes flicking to her and shifting to a softer hue. "And I would offer words of comfort, if that might atone."
Ophelia gave a faint shake of the head.
"Yet here she is, alive and unscarred." Waving a hand towards her, the Goddess turned on Schmidt with a not unkind voice, but still firm, and directed his attention to Susa-il. "What of the lands visited by her friends, which are now found charred?"
That was a fair point, but not without a counter.
"The result of an internal dispute." Ophelia replied. "It did spill into the public and result in violence, but it remains an internal affair for Heaven with those who wish to continue the war against the Devils and Grigori. The same is true of the other two factions. There is no reason for them to pursue further war with anyone else while their chief enemies remain alive."
"What you seek is a return to war." Brigid spoke. "A thing that many with sense would rightly abhor."
"Arguing the morality of war is not the purpose of the meeting, however."
Brigid gave a faint nod. "With sense you may speak, yet why through my lands should we let you sneak?"
"Because detaining them is to take a side, whether you wish to or not."
Ophelia looked between the two of them.
"Because if you try to stop her-" Pointing to Susa-il "-then you are declaring that you support Heaven in this conflict, and then there will be little reason for you not to be considered an enemy by their faction, and those who despise Heaven. Such as the Old Satans who still linger, if they should overthrow the current regime and assume control once more-"
She went silent when Brigid raised a hand, a command for her to stop speaking.
Dar took in a short breath and sighed.
"It is not as though we have not considered this." She said. "But in knowing you have been here and letting you pass, the same argument could be made for supporting Maalik's war. We have had a long standing peace with Heaven for many years, since the time of God."
"But not with Michael." Susa-il cut in. "Your agreement and your faith with the Heavenly Father is alone the reason we are speaking. I am-"
"If your words I wished to hear, talk to you I would." Brigid interrupted her, turning colding eyes the way of the Angel. "Until that time passes, silence from you I believe would be good."
Susa-il took in a sharp and sudden breath, such that Ophelia could feel the air being sucked towards her. There was no exhale, it was drawn in and then all went quiet. Brigid continued to stare her down until satisfied, then the cold eyes warmed and returned to her once more, the twitch of her lip upwards and the inclination of the head was given as permission to speak.
But now Ophelia was far more wary than before, not simply because it was clear Brigid did not like Susa-il for her words, but also that she was leaning towards the support of Heaven as well.
But clearly there was room for movement, as they had not been turned over yet.
"Examine it from a practical standpoint." Ophelia suggested. "For the time being, the three factions will be occupied with internal strife and rooting out - as well as combatting - the elements within their own forces who would wish for renewed conflict. Whether such a thing interests you or not, the fact remains that you are neutral until declared otherwise."
Dar nodded. "And yet if you are allowed to pass, our neutrality might well be called into question. Or at least the neutrality of our lands, the other Governors would disagree with us if we were to let you pass."
Ophelia gestured towards Susa-il. "You have confirmed she is the Second of Maalik, a figure of importance for him. Instrumental in the command of his faction, if she were to be detained here then Maalik would have reason to come."
Quickly raising her hands, she continued.
"It is not a threat." She stressed. "But it is a fact that I am sure you can both see. He knows she has come here but for the time being, he is willing to let the matter settle. If you act against his goals then I do not doubt he would see you as an enemy and then respond accordingly. I am certain you could win a direct confrontation…but is it ultimately worth it for the damage that could be caused?"
Her eye slid between the two of them.
"As we are only speaking and have not been attempted to detained or had Michael appear before us, I shall assume you do not wish to embroil your own settlement in a war or risk bringing the other governors of the Fae into such battles."
Dar hummed. "You do not speak falsely on our part, but this could be the start of a troublesome precedent. For now it is yourself and your curious allies…but what happens when more come through here to expect passage? When we allow a commander of Maalik's forces, when then should we bar a legion of Devils?"
"To the Jotunns, we have been a good friend." Brigid frowned. "To let you pass is trouble we might send."
"Again, we do not wish to cause harm-"
"These words you say, spoken in repeat." Tilting her head, she raised a brow. "But what of others, cloaked in deceit?"
"The Jotunn's are some of our closest allies in terms of trade." Dar elaborated. "And not just for us, but for the other districts. Surtr is one with a voice that carries a certain amount of weight and should he decide to do something…drastic, then that would quickly involve many of the other Jotunns and cut off a source of trade for us."
Brigid hummed. "Your words, I would have you remind. Please inform me, why should I be inclined?"
Ophelia went silent at that.
It was not something she was prepared to-
"Isn't that up to the Jotunn's though?" Schmidt leaned forwards. "If they are going to do it, whatever it is, then won't they do it regardless of who asks?"
Dar exhaled. "That I cannot deny, but I would ask you to understand that for us, it presents itself as a pointless risk. With business with Surtr that cannot be elaborated upon, it seems as though there is a conundrum here. We have no interest in whatever dispute is occurring within Heaven, and we value neutrality…however…"
Wordlessly, she looked to Brigid once more.
"If chaos is caused by your travel. Then your plans I must unravel." Brigid lost the smile completely. "For as long as there is a chance for harm. Then I find there cause for alarm."
The very worst part about it was that Ophelia could not rightly argue with what was being said, which was only an issue because of Susa-il being here in the first place.
She tried very hard not to react to what was obviously a collapse of negotiations, but it was getting more and more difficult to keep her thoughts in line with her feelings. None of this was going according to her plan because it had been spoiled from the onset. Yet she was not petty enough to glare at Susa-il for what she had inadvertently caused with her attitude and general presence.
Mostly because none of it would probably get through to her.
The two of them were right as well.
With what she had been told here, there was a clear chance this would hurt them financially.
Or at least negatively affect their trade with the Jotunns.
"For what your tale was, I believe it has been spun." Pressing her hands against the table, Brigid started to push herself back. "And with that I think, our talk is now done."
"If-" Ophelia quickly leaned forwards, hoping that she could get something out of this. "If I might be allowed to speak further."
Brigid only shook her head. "The time for words has passed. Now you should leave my land, and do so fast."
Schmidt wasn't very smart, he didn't understand what people meant sometimes and wasn't all that good at reading faces either.
Even the phrase 'reading faces' didn't make much sense to him, but he could watch people and tell things about it.
And when he looked at Ofeelea, he could see only a sense of sadness and almost heartbreak on her expression. If only for a few seconds before it vanished and she gave a shallow nod of the head, pulling herself back into her chair. He looked across the table towards the two in front of them, Brigid and Dar, and saw they were standing up.
Schmidt could guess what was happening and figured it wasn't all that good for either Ofeelea or the Angel lady.
Looking at the face she made when she was told made him feel sad himself.
He didn't like that she looked like that and couldn't understand why they were being told no.
It was definitely something complicated that he did not understand, but he could not really get why they weren't allowed to just pass through to wherever they were going based on the idea that they might do something with the Jotunns that might be bad. He frowned to himself and leaned back into his own chair, thinking.
He really did want to help, but he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do in order to help them.
Berserker would be upset, he knew that much, but he was…starting to accept that the things he did would make her upset, but only because she didn't want him getting into trouble and this would definitely get him into trouble.
But he would probably do it anyway.
"Uhm."
Schmidt leaned forwards ever so slightly and spoke up, drawing the eyes of the two towards him.
"What if someone else took them?"
He stopped for a moment, then brought up his hand and waved towards the pair.
"To where they wanted to go, I mean?" Still, he was looked at as if he hadn't made all that much sense, but he thought he got his point across. "You aren't allowed to let them go because it might get you in trouble, but what if someone else took them? Wouldn't they get in trouble instead and you would be fine?"
Dar, at least, looked like she understood what he was saying and rested her hand on the table, smiling at him rather sadly.
"It is not merely because there could be trouble." She explained. "But because if they go, they might cause trouble. If they do, and we helped them, then it would make us look rather bad. We would get in trouble with our friends because of that."
"Right." Schmidt nodded slowly, he understood that. "But if you don't let them go, then you might get in trouble as well?"
He turned and looked at the Angel, furrowing his brows. "Isn't that what you were saying? That your friends would get angry if you couldn't go?"
The Angel stared at him rather blankly, it was hard to tell what she was thinking with the mask on her face and she hadn't really looked at him at all. Most of what he knew about her was that she was very mean and didn't like people much. But she had friends - maybe? - and they wanted her to go somewhere.
If she didn't go, then her friends would be disappointed and then get angry at Brigid and Dar.
Which seemed really unfair to him.
Dar breathed out. "There is the chance, yes."
Brigid agreed. "Violence might happen, this much is true. Yet Maalik has fighting elsewhere to do."
"Right, but what if someone else took them?" He asked again. "Aren't they still going to go?"
Dar made a noise that was almost a laugh but sounded like a cough. "Then they are free to take those methods to get to Musphelheim, in such a way that we are not implicated in-"
"Okay." Schmidt muttered and reached up, scratching the underside of his chin and shuffling slightly as Berserker took hold of his shoulder and started to pull. Having already stood up and very clearly trying to get him away, she was squeezing his arm tight enough that it was starting to sting.
But he kept on thinking.
The way they talked about it sounded like it was common, then he perked up.
"How do other people get through?"
Dar stopped and stared, then raised a brow and shared a short glance with Brigid.
He wasn't sure what he had said, but now the two of them were looking at one another and not saying a single word.
Then Brigid made a small gesture and looked back towards him.
"If one wishes a stroll," She said. "then they must pay the toll."
"So what if they pay?"
Brigid hummed. "If they pay, then our word we must obey."
Schmidt felt something light shift through him, perking up and turning towards Ofeelea with a smile on his lips. He might not be smart, but to him that sounded like there was still a chance for her to actually get through. Given the way she was starting to look more surprised - and less upset - then he thought that he was right.
Her eye briefly shot towards him, then back to Brigid before she leaned forwards, over the table.
"Then…" Licking her lips, he felt his heart beat faster at the more hopeful expression she had. "If we are to offer something in exchange for our passage, something of equal value…"
"To keep our trade, a deal must be made."
"With Surtr?" Ofeelea guessed, at the nod she continued. "You want some assurances that if he does something to help us that affects the Jotuns, then your trade with them will remain unaffected, yes?"
Dar hummed. "If such a thing could be assured, then I am certain that an agreement could be made, yes?"
The latter part seemed directed towards Brigid, it got a small nod of the head from the blonde and a more open smile from Dar as she faced them once more.
"There you have it." Dar motioned. "If you could provide us with any assurance that our aid would not directly hinder us and instead be mutually beneficial, then I am sure it would be much easier for us to justify allowing you through our lands without there being the possibility of accusations from either side that we were providing direct aid."
Schmidt winced and looked down, staring at the fingers which had pinched directly into his side, looking up and staring at Berserker. She was glaring at him full force now, such that he was sure his heart briefly stopped in his chest before it started beating again, ducking his head and turning about to stare down at the table, he leaned towards her and dared to whisper.
"Sorry."
Even before she spoke, he knew she would not be happy.
Except there never did come any sort of rebuttal from her, or raised words.
There was just a silence while the others were speaking on the table, his eyes glanced up at her and saw her face.
She looked annoyed, yes.
But there was something else there which made him pause and had his shoulders drop. She looked sad to him, but he wasn't sure why that was. It was never his intention to make her sad but he had gone and done that.
All he really wanted was to try and help.
Then the face was gone just as quickly as he had seen it, shifted back into something cold as she glanced away.
Then leaned forwards.
"If I would be permitted a moment to interject." Berserker waited only a second before she continued. "Neither myself nor my charge have formed an alliance - official, I would add - between this one and her Angelic bodyguard. As such, I would request permission to depart and take my charge with me."
Schmidt twitched ever so slightly and sneaked a peak at Ofeelea.
She wasn't looking at him at all, he didn't even know if she was paying attention.
"You are not friends, or so you say." Brigid hummed. "Yet he has stepped in and helped, nay?"
"Because he is an impulsive youth." Berserker said rather flatly. "And has not been taught better. Disregarding that, a mere suggestion as an act of charity is not proof of an alliance."
"And yet the argument could be made." Was the counter, "Would you so quickly reject their aid?"
Schmidt perked up, but Berserker sent him a sharp and silencing look.
"A discussion for yourselves, this seems to be." Brigid waved her hand, then looked away. "Make it clear to one another, before you come to me."
Berserker leaned back and closed her eyes, Schmidt could feel some projected annoyance drift through his head.
"For the words of deals, it seems time to make. How vital is this agreement, for what is at stake?"
It was not as though Ophelia couldn't find another method to Musphelheim.
But it would take time, and that was something she was hoping to avoid.
Especially after the recent string of events, which meant she truly did need this to work in her favour and if they could secure some manner of pact with the Irish pantheon, something that would work to their advantage, then it might be worth it.
No, it would be worth it.
The first words that jumped into her head were non-aggression, which would certainly appeal to them if they wished to avoid a war and, in the grand scheme of things, it was hardly as though the long term plan was truly an attack on them. It seemed as though they were mostly independent from the world of man.
At least the Fae themselves were isolationist enough that this just fuelled their already separationist ideals.
"On behalf of my own leader." Ophelia began. "I can offer a confirmed non-aggression pact as the bare minimum between us. If you wish for a toll to be paid for the use of this path, then I am certain there can be an agreement there."
Lord Kirschtaria would approve.
…She hoped.
Brigid raised a brow and just stared at her, eyes fixed and stripping her bare as if they could see whatever inkling of doubt she held.
Then the stare moved off and onto Susa-il.
"And is it with your brothers words you speak?" Tilting her head, the blonde frowned. "That ought to be the case, for one so far from meek."
Oh.
Right.
Her.
Susa-il made little noise as she shuffled forth. "Brother Maalik has trusted me to act in accordance with the words of this human. For the time being, that is what I shall do. We are not oath breakers, if there is a vow sworn here, then he shall uphold it."
A brief pause, then Susa-il turned on her directly.
"Provided it is made clear to him of whose idea this was."
"I intend to." Ophelia responded, refusing to be cowed by her of all the people, quickly looking back to Brigid and taking a breath. "Then…what is it that you would expect to see as a worthy trade for allowing us access to Muspelheim, in addition to the assurances of causing nothing strenuous between yourself and the Jotunns."
"The word toll, I believe you used. A word so easily abused."
She kept her expression fixed.
"But all our deals are truly fair." Brigid said after another moment passed, the cold in her face replaced by the warmth once more. "And in trade we deal with great care."
Her eyes flicked towards Dar, the woman spoke up at the invitation.
"We would accept the non-aggression pact first and foremost in addition to the demand of an audience with Surtr - if he should agree with you - that he would form a geas forbidding him from disrupting our trade to any significant extent, should he aid you."
Outwardly, Ophelia nodded her head.
Inwardly, she grimaced.
Already that might prove a problem as it was said that Ragnarok would be when Surtr lead all the Jotunns to war against the Gods. If they were reduced in strength, then that was already a point in which the prophecy would fail. Though unless they could make a loophole in that he would lead all the warrior Jotunn's as an army?
No, she could debate that later, for now she would agree to it.
It was always just enough to have Odin believe it was Ragnarok and lure him out so they could kill him.
And Surtr's help would at least convince Loki.
Hades alluded to such.
"To and from Muspelheim - for any an all future ventures - you are sworn to use our path and ours alone, at which point you shall pay our fee."
That sounded less fair and more like extortion.
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
Then she raised a final finger "And in exchange, each trip in debts you to us for a single service. Be it in the form of physical or otherwise."
"...Service?"
"An exchange of labour." Dar elaborated. "For our district and for any others that might require something in the future. One debt per trip, it is a favour we ourselves do not know - at current - but might be rather important in the future. The fact of the matter is, this remains a service on our part…so it is only fair that you continue to demonstrate your willingness to use said path."
"The path you are saying we have to take." She said very slowly, narrowing her eyes.
"Only for as long as you need to take it." Dar pointed out. "And only if you, or your allies, need access to Muspelheim. Anything beyond that, such as communication over long distances, is permissible. Though the use of teleportation in or out of said realm is not allowed. Instead transit must be sought through us."
"...You would turn us into mercenaries?" Susa-il sounded as though she did not know whether to be insulted or confused. "Reduce our forces, the forces of righteousness and justice, to nothing more than sellswords for the use of a single road?"
Brigid hummed, rubbing her fingers together. "A road you dismiss, yet a deal you should not dismiss."
Ophelia was not seeing the wisdom in such a thing at all.
It was a strange thing indeed that she was agreeing with Susa-il, though not for the same reasons, as to the nature of this deal.
She was prepared to be indebted to them, but to sell themselves our for repeated services - for an undisclosed purpose at an undisclosed time - and to whatever Fae district happened to have need of them, was certainly not something she was in a hurry to agree to.
Yet there was more than that.
"This would be accepting our aid." Ophelia interjected, looking between them. "Even if forced, to the outside world it would look like an alliance-"
"Or a contractually obligation." Dar pointed out. "One that we would make no effort to hide, at least for the extent of your side of the agreement. You are allowed use of our lands as transport and, in exchange, we are paid for this in deeds and trades."
Dar let out a breath and leaned forwards. "If this does seem harsh, or insulting, then I offer my most sincere apologies, but this is how we must present it to the other clans and districts. If they are not of the impression they shall benefit from this also, then your journey would end here."
Another pause, and then a shake of the head.
Ophelia grimaced at that.
Yes, she supposed she was familiar with that sort of thing, but that made it no easier to stomach.
"I…would need to speak with my leader."
"And I."
Susa-il declared, rising from her seat and with a voice that was barely restrained. Ophelia might have been more shocked that she was actually holding herself back from snarling, but she might have had a low opinion of her…accomplice.
…Schmidt had done more to help her cause than the actual person sent to help her.
"If it be a break you need, then from this table you are freed."
Brigid's words had her climb to her feet and quickly turn away from the table, pacing across the meadow a good distance and feeling the shadow of Susa-il upon her, not that she cared for that at the moment and instead moved her hand to her inside pocket and quicky fished out her phone.
She wasn't sure if she would even get signal - magical or otherwise - from the device.
Quickly flipping it up, she stared at it and took in a deep breath as she saw there was still a signal.
Thus she hit the call button.
Seconds passed, then the screen flashed, the phone opened completely and a screen appeared in the air, the face of Lord Kirschtaria greeted here
…Was that a towel around his neck?
…Was he surrounded be steam?
Had he just been in the shower
"I…Ahem." Clearing her throat, she averted her eyes - for all of two seconds - and pursed her lips. "I hope I did not disturb you."
"Not at all." Lord Kirschtaria replied smoothly, sounding wholly unbothered. "I understand you would not call if it was not urgent. How goes your mission thus far?"
Thinning her lips, she prepared to explain the situation calmly.
But that is not what she said.
No, her brain addled mind - still staring at the stray bits of water dripping down Lord Kirschtaria's collarbone - said the first thing that popped into it.
"I got arrested." She blurted out.
Lord Kirschtaria stopped, then blinked.
Then blinked again.
"...Did I hear that correctly?"
If the earth could open up and swallow her now, that was acceptable.
"Yes."
That was not her voice, nor was it Susa-il.
She turned robotic ally as the eyes of Lord Kirschtaria tracked something over her shoulder, Schmidt was standing next to her.
Looking apologetic.
"We got put in rooms." Schmidt continued. "They were a bit dark but we met some people later. And this scary woman who bullied Ofeele-"
Schmidt was cut off when Berserker took the back of his shirt and yanked him away, she watched him get dragged off before slowly turning back towards Lord Kirschtaria.
He looked more puzzled than anything else.
"...Did that boy have horns and wings?"
"...Yes."
"And were his eyes glowing?"
She nodded her head.
"...I see." He finished, then blinked and looked back at her. "So, you were arrested?"
She hated the reminder of it, and disliked the flush she could feel on her cheeks.
All she could hope was that her face was still stoic.