Chapter 12 – Midgard (2)
(Midgard – Norway - 10th Century)
Lagertha was currently staring at a god, it was a strange thought but that is what she was currently doing. She and the two small children she had saved were standing just a little distance away as the god Kal was standing on a ridge staring out seemingly at nothing.
It was morning now and the fires of the previous night had been quelled by rain that Thor had summoned, she surveyed the damage, it was extensive but not unrepairable.
The dragon Fafnir's corpse had been removed by the same blinding rainbow she had seen in the heavens when the gods had arrived and currently the gods minus Loki and Kal were helping clear up the damage.
However, the true cost had been the lives lost, the village once had over a dozen families, now it barely had 12 people including the 2 children by her side. It caused her to lament, the survivors would likely have to move as there was not enough of them to rebuild with winter approaching. The survivors had already asked her to take the 2 children with her, which she had agreed to as leaving them there would likely result in them starving.
She caught the eye of the goddess Sif who gave her a respectful smile and a slight nod of her head, which Lagertha awkwardly returned, the whole experience thus far was more than a little surreal.
"What is he doing?" The voice belonged to the boy she had saved who she had learnt was called Harald.
"He is searching for dragons little one." The reply came from the massive Æsir warrior called Volstagg, who was currently carrying a log on his shoulder, like it was a stick, as he helped clear rubble.
"He is just standing there." Lagertha could not help herself but make the statement, which caused a sigh from behind her.
Lagertha turned around to see the sigh had come from the God Loki who whilst the others help clear the damage was just lounging on his back his helmet resting next to him.
Currently, Loki was the only one of the strange beings that Lagertha felt uneasy around, the rest exuded kindness and or trustworthiness but with Loki, something about him which made her want to push the children behind her whenever he was around.
"My brother senses are beyond your comprehension; now please mortal be quiet I am trying to rest," Loki replied not even bothering to open his eyes to look at her.
Sif was about to respond to Loki's rude behaviour but found that Lagertha did not need a defender, as she just gave Loki a look of confusion and offence before she quipped back.
"Rest? From what I can tell you've done the least out of anyone even Aslaug has done more than you." Lagertha pointed to the small girl she had saved, who was currently bringing her steed water to drink.
Her barb at the god of mischief caused Sif, Thor and the Warriors Three to laugh, which made Loki spring up into a seated position and glare at Lagertha, he was about to respond when Kal's voice sounded.
"You know it's difficult to focus if you are all going to start arguing right behind me." Kal's voice was calm and measured, however, his eyes were still scanning the horizon.
Loki just sneered at Lagertha and rolled his eyes raising to his feet and stretched a little whilst rolling his head causing his neck to crack.
"Kal you've been at it for an hour now if there were more you would have found them. Dragons are not exactly easy to miss, the mortal was clearly mistaken." Loki called out a look of boredom on his face.
"Although I am loathed to agree, I believe Loki is right brother," Thor called as picked up Mjolnir having finished removing the last rubble from a nearby house, giving Lagertha an apologetic look.
"The Shieldmaiden Lagertha is not mistaken, there is at least one more Dragon," Kal stated calmly he turned to face the group and started descending down the ridge back to them.
Lagertha was about to ask how Kal knew her name but Thor's voice sounded before she could ask the question.
"So, you've spotted them?" Thor asked excitedly eager for another battle, gripping Mjolnir tightly.
"No, it's strange something is hiding them. I can tell that there is at least one more, but I cannot see nor hear them." Kal said with a look of concertation on his face.
"You think magic is at play?" Loki asked now interested as it was rare for something to be hidden from his brother's remarkable senses.
"That would be my guess, Dragons have a deep connection to magic, so it's either a natural ability or whatever brought them here is camouflaging them." Kal offered his opinion, unsure which was the case.
"So, you think something brought them here?" Siff asked the question to Kal.
"Possibly, Fafnir said something about a price, and I cannot sense any natural portals, dimensional tears or the like in the region. So, I am leaning towards them being brought here." Kal stated with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Sorry, if you cannot see or hear them, then how do you know there are more?" Lagertha although happy she was being believed, was still confused by how Kal knew there were more.
Her question caused Thor to chuckle and Loki to roll his eyes, evidently, both of them found her question to be a ridiculous one. Kal however just smiled at her his piercing blue eyes connecting with her own emerald ones.
"I can taste it in the wind and smell it too," Kal explained and when he could see that Lagertha was still looking confused explained further.
"It is the wind coming from the northeast. It's a metallic taste like a mix of Kree Iron and dry ash, along with the smell of burning charcoal. Fafnir was the same, however, I cannot pinpoint exactly where it's coming from." Kal stated pointing towards the Northeast, a mountain range visible in the distance.
"You can taste and smell all that on the wind?" Lagertha queried looking at Kal with curiosity.
"Of course, he can, it's dammed useful for when we go hunting!" Thor declared slapping Kal on the back, causing a sound like thunder to echo across the destroyed village.
Lagertha watched the gods interact, they were now discussing what to do next and Lagertha stepped back slightly feeling she was a little out of her depth.
Despite her prior scepticism about their existence, there was no denying the people in front of her were gods. They radiated power and confidence, their abilities were beyond anything she could understand and just to hammer the point home they were all beautiful to behold, Kal and Thor especially were marvels of men.
However, they did not act like she thought they would, in truth she knew little of the gods and very few of her people's stories, up until Kal stood before her she just thought they were stories made to comfort children.
Thor was the closest to what she had imagined, with him wanting to fight all the time and constantly laughing, but the rest seemed more like people than gods. The Warriors Three joked like the warriors she knew, Sif rolled her eyes as Lagertha did when her brothers were stupid and Loki reminded her of Sigurd always lurking and sneering.
Kal reminded her of her father when she was little, when he was still strong and powerful, he was controlled, measured, certain about whatever decision he made and not afraid to ask for others' opinions. He also reminded her of her eldest brother, in the way he seemed to play peacemaker between Thor and Loki from what she had seen and seemed to pull Thor back from impulsive decisions.
In all pretty human from what she could tell.
"Well, we should head towards the mountains then and hunt the beasts down." Volstagg declared after the gods had been discussing for a while.
"If Kal cannot see them then it's pointless going wandering around the mountains, as we could pass right by them or worse be ambushed, the mortal stated the others were larger. So, we should be cautious" Siff pointed out.
"Bah, we will force them out. Let me summon a storm and I'll batter the mountains until the beasts come running out." Thor offered whilst spinning Mjolnir in his hand.
"Thor if you do that you could cause an avalanche or rockslide that would destroy the entire basin we are in," Kal stated to Thor who just looked at him wondering what the issue was. "It would kill all the Midgardians living here."
"Oh yeah, forgot about them." Thor chuckled causing Kal to shake his head slightly at his brother's forgetfulness.
"Well, whatever we do we cannot stay here, we will need a place to sleep that is better than this burnt-out hovel," Loki said whilst gesturing to their surroundings.
"You can stay at my father's hall, it's not far from here." Lagertha offered, stepping back in causing everyone to look at her.
"Oh, great a Midgardian Hall" Loki stated in mock enthusiasm, earning him a nudge from Kal.
"Would this Hall be in a large settlement in that direction" Kal spoke kindly pointing in the exact direction of Lakstad.
"Yes, it is" Lagertha stated no longer wondering how Kal knew the things he did, chalking it up to him being a god.
Kal's pupils suddenly constricted, and he squinted a little and then a look of concern passed over his face, he grimaced slightly.
"Kal what is it?" Loki asked having seen his brothers face.
"I'm not sure. Something is wrong though, it's like there is a black mist hovering over the land and centred around that Hall. There is also that noise as well." Kal's voice was still calm but had become hard and forthright.
"I don't see a cloud." The little blonde girl Aslaug asked having edged forward to stand by Lagertha's leg.
"Well, it's beyond your sight little one, but I can see it because I have special eyes." Kal knelt down to be level with Aslaug and tapped the corner of his eyes, causing the girl to giggle.
"You mentioned a noise brother?" Thor asked a seriousness entered his voice for the first time.
"Yes, it's a strange one, it's reverberating through a few dimensions same as the mist. Sounds like ink being scratched on parchment but there is whispering as well like a thousand little voices. It's not natural" Kal rose and whispered his response just loud enough for Thor to hear.
Lagertha overhead Kal's statement as well, whilst she had no idea what a dimension was she could tell that whatever Kal was talking it was not good.
Kal was glancing at Aslaug and Harald, clearly not wanting to alarm the children about the strange noise that apparently only Kal could hear, he gave both a reassuring smile. Thor looked serious and nodded at Kal's statement before his usual demeanour returned.
"Well, I am never one to turn down an invitation." Thor grinned. "Let us head to his Hall and grace the mortals with our presence."
"Oh joy. Are we walking then?" Loki asked, causing Thor to frown a little at Loki's unenthusiastic response.
"Heimdall, if you would not mind" It was Sif that called to the heavens, causing Lagertha and the children to glance up.
It took a few moments but the brilliant hues of the Bifrost illuminated the sky and crashed next to them when it dissipated a small gathering of steeds stood in its place. Lagertha stood in wonder as she observed the magnificent beasts, they were larger than any steed she had seen, and like the gods before her radiated sheer power.
Kal approached one and gently stroked its mane, the creature stood easily a foot taller than him and was a brilliant golden colour its coat seemed to shine like it was made of sunlight.
"You and the little ones can ride on Gullfaxi, it will be much faster than your steed" Kal gestured for Lagertha to approach, which she did, attempting to show no hesitation or fear, whilst Harald and Aslaug just stared in wonder at the creature.
"What about my steed?" Lagertha asked loathed to leave her equine companion, that had aided her escape from Sigurd's clutches.
"I'll bring it back later but for now we must make a move," Kal promised as he smiled, causing Lagertha to nod somehow knowing Kal would keep his word.
As she approached Kal lifted her before she could protest and placed her on Gullfaxi's saddle, she was slightly thankful for the assistance as she doubted, she could have mounted the steed alone. She also tried not to blush as whilst lifting her Kal had brought her close to him and she accidentally pressed up against him for a moment, feeling the mass of pre muscles beneath his clothes.
Kal then placed the children in front of her, the steed was so massive that even with all three of them on its back there was still plenty of room.
"There are only 5 horses?" Lagertha asked as she suddenly realised that everyone had mounted a horse expect, Kal and Thor.
The question made Kal smile. "My brother and I have no need of steeds."
As if to prove his brother's point Thor simply whirled Mjolnir in his hand and then proceeded to take to the skies, his departure caused Fandral to rear his horse back and then started galloping off causing the group's journey to begin.
Lagertha had ridden horses all her life and even been on longships on the roughest of seas, but Gullfaxi's speed made her nauseous, the world suddenly started blurring past her. It took a while for her to get used to the new sensation, and even then, she still felt sick.
The children, however, loved it, they were laughing with delight and Lagertha was more clutching them to keep them on the horse than really directing Gullfaxi who seemed to be acting on its own accord anyway.
"Are you doing, okay? We can slow if you need to." Kal asked as he was keeping pace with the horse, his feet gently bounding along the earth as he moved fast as the divine horses.
"No, we're fine," Lagertha stated not wanting to appear weak before the gods and trying not to stare at Kal.
Kal smiled and shook his head slightly then let out a whistle that shook the trees, it caused the other gods to slow down to a more manageable yet still rapid pace that Lagertha could better handle, Gullfaxi was still bounding faster than any horse she had ever ridden.
"Better?" Kal asked with a grin.
"I was quite capable of handling the pace," Lagertha replied trying to look calm whilst being jostled slightly on the steed.
"I did not say you could not." Kal gave her his best smile that cause Lagertha to smile in spite of herself.
They rode for a little while, mostly in silence only with Aslaug occasional question to Kal breaking the quiet ride. Eventually, Lagertha felt compelled to ask questions of her own.
"So, you are a god, like a real live god from Asgard?" Lagertha asked Kal.
"We are indeed the Æsir from Asgard, except for Hogun he is a Vanir." Kal gestured to the grimed face warrior.
"Although we try not to hold that against him!" Volstagg joked riding next to Hogun causing a ripple of laughter from the group.
"This is insane, I thought you were just stories" Lagertha shook head in disbelief "So what are you the god of? How come the dragon fire did not hurt you? How did you know my name?" Lagertha was suddenly an avalanche of questions.
Kal just chuckled and gave her another brilliant smile "Well I'm not really a god of anything, Secondly I am impervious to nearly all forms of harm and as to your name I overheard you talking to the villagers."
"BUT your Kal God of the sun, truth, justice and protection!" Aslaug declared in awe for a position in front of Lagertha.
Kal just looked very confused at where the little girl was getting her information from, looking to Lagertha, who just shrugged.
"I was never one for religion, I barely know about Thor and Odin," Lagertha stated honestly clearing knowing little of her people's myths about him.
Kal suddenly realised that although he had never been to Midgard before someone he knew very well had been.
"LOKI! What have you been telling the Midgardians about me?" Kal questioned his brother who was trying to look innocent.
"Me? Dear, brother. Oh, I may have just told a few tales about you, like your, honest noble nature and the times you save people from Thor's unjust wrath, completely innocent stories" Loki spoke in his usual deviously charming voice.
Kal rolled his at his brother and was dreading finding out what tales Loki had made up about him. "Right, I'm sure completely innocent stories."
"Is it true that Frigga made you invincible, by getting everything in the universe promise not harm you? And that you feel no pain?" Harald asked a little sheepishly glancing at Kal.
"Um I am very difficult to injure, as to feeling no pain, it has been a while since anything has really hurt me," Kal said
He was unsure how to tell a child that his beliefs were not true and gave Loki a glare guessing the whole mother protecting him was his idea of a joke.
"So, what can the god of the sun do?" Lagertha asked in curiosity.
"Many things my lady, but largely everything a mortal man can just better," Kal stated modestly and turned to look at the road ahead of them.
"Huh, so can you fly?" Lagertha asked looking at Thor who was soaring overhead.
She never received a reply as Kal's was squinting off to the distance and suddenly he leapt forward the earth exploding beneath him.
"Thor, what is it?" Sif called up to Thor as she pulled out her sword ready for a fight.
"It appears the mortals are burning something?" Thor called before he too rocketed off.
Sigurd was standing tall on the steps of Lakstad looking down to the centre of the town where a large pile of wood and stake had been raised. A girl clad in white was being tied to the stake, her protests had been silenced by a concoction a priest had fed to her.
'First the girl. Then when the dragon's attack again I can convince them that the old fool needs to be sacrificed and then it will all be mine.' Sigurd smiled to himself as he commanded the pyre to be ignited.
The people had been hesitant and doubtful about the need for sacrifices, especially a human one but those doubts had been banished when that morning frightened villages had arrived smelling of soot and ash screaming about a dragon attack.
The fear that had spread was all Sigurd needed to make people obey him. He declared they need to sacrifice a virgin girl to appease the gods, in truth the girl was dying just as a test to see if people would really do it and he was ecstatic that his orders were being obeyed without question.
The pyre was beginning to burn truly now, and the fire was starting to spread to the maiden's clothes even in her drugged state she was clearly in pain. Sigurd licked his lip enjoying the taste of his newfound power.
However, suddenly there was a sound like thunder and a figure falling from the sky that crashed into the square causing the earth to shake. Sigurd himself was toppled over and witnessed an armoured man wearing the Sowilo rune on his chest walk into the flames.
The crowd was silent as the man unaffected by the flames tore the ropes from the maidens and lifted her up carrying her from the burning inferno. There was a second sound of Thunder and as Sigurd looked up, he saw clear skies become stormy and a figure looming above holding a hammer.
The heavens opened up and a deluge poured forth extinguishing the pyre and then as quickly as they came the clouds started to clear, the flying figure then landed next to the fireproof warrior.
It suddenly clicked in Sigurd's head and everyone else's who these people must be, as everyone just stood in awe staring at them.
The gods had appeared in Lakstad and the gathered crowd that had been stunned at their arrival suddenly burst into cheers and praises, some fell to their knees openly weeping. Whilst the sacrificial girl's family rushed forward, they fell to their knees before the god that had saved her, started praising him and thanking him.
Sigurd was inwardly panicking trying to figure out how to recover from what was happening. This had not been the plan, the gods were not supposed to show up and save them, it was supposed to be him that saved everyone.
Just as he was about to address the crowd and greet the gods two things occurred; one was the arrival of the old fool Jarl Regin who despite being sickly had risen from his bed and exited the hall roused by the god's arrival, and secondly his stubborn daughter rode into the settlement with a number of people Sigurd did not recognise on massive steeds.
"This woman needs a healer." Kal declared gently placing her in the care of her family.
"Peace good people I am Thor! We are here to save you." Thor declared raising his arms to the awestruck crowd, causing one man to actually faint.
Thor's announcement caused an excited murmur to explode from the crowd, one Sigurd did not like and caused him to step forward.
"How do we know you are not impostors in league with the dragons?" Sigurd asked loudly hoping to win control back.
"Sigurd shut up!" Lagertha shouted as she awkwardly got off Gullfaxi, her insult to Sigurd caused the crowd to laugh slightly.
"I take it you are the one trying to burn people?" Kal asked his eyes focusing on Sigurd.
Sigurd swallowed slightly and gave a small nod "I did not want to do it. It was necessary, the priests stated we needed a sacrif-"
"I would stop talking now" Kal stated bluntly, causing Sigurd to take another gulp.
"My people, these are the Gods of Asgard come to aid us. I have seen them in battle and they have already slain one of the dragons!" Lagertha had walked up the steps and turned to address the crowd.
"Really and how do we know you are not also an impostu-" Sigurd tried to again reassert control but suddenly stopped as a green glow flashed over him and suddenly a small frog was in his place.
"Much better." Loki grinned as he lowered his can from the spell, he had cast.
A few people laughed including Aslaug but many seemed scared at the sudden transformation having never witnessed magic before.
"Loki," Kal said glaring at his brother half-heartedly, causing Loki to roll his eyes and snap his fingers changing Sigurd back.
With his body restored Sigurd tried to speak but gave a frog-like croak instead, causing the crowd to break out into laughter. Despite the humiliation, Sigurd simply grimaced and stayed where he was.
"My people," Jarl Regin spoke drawing every eye to him as the crowd fell silent "WE are saved, the gods have seen our sacrifices and have come to deliver us."
The jarl's announcement caused another wave of cheering from the crowd, the jarl watched as his people praised the gods and he privately thanked the Allfather for his mercy.
"Now, we must-" Jarl Regin coughed up some blood before recomposing himself "WE must honour the gods, let us dispel our fear with feasting and joy, tonight we celebrate!"
The crowd cheered loudly but none more so than Thor who looked gleeful at a chance to drink and regal others about the tale of their slaying of the dragon Fafnir. He started shaking hands and greeting the swarm of people that came up to him, loving the attention.
Kal meanwhile was gently trying to push his way over to his steed to retrieve Harald and Aslaug who were still sitting on Gullfaxi's back. He like the others were being swarmed and to his eye, the crowd gathering around him was greater than Thor, who had been joined by Sif who was gently trying to keep people off his brother.
Whilst Thor was surrounded by all sorts, Kal seemed to be swarmed by young boys or mothers with small children, all of whom seemingly wanted to touch him and some even asked for a blessing. Kal was a little uncomfortable, to say the least, and was really wondering what stories Loki had been telling about him.
Kal collected Harald and Aslaug placing one on each shoulder gently caring them over towards Lagertha who had moved to wait by the doors of the great hall. He gently placed the children on the ground and nodded towards the people that were still swarming him, Lagertha seeing his predicament interceded.
"Lord Kal and I need to speak of defending Lakstad, he will join you in the hall shortly," Lagertha stated placing herself between the crowd and Kal.
There were a few low mumbles, but everyone moved away most going into the hall where Thor had already started the celebrations, drinking a flagon of mead to cheering crowds.
"Thank you," Kal said gave Lagertha a grateful smile.
"It is the least I could do. You did save my life." Lagertha smiled, her comment making Kal chuckle.
However, before he could respond Sif approached both of them with a reserved and strained look upon her face, clearly caused by Thor's actions.
"Well, Thor is already ingratiating himself with the local populace. However, we need to create a plan to deal with these dragons or at least find them." Sif spoke in her usual nonsense and stoic tone.
"True, I'll get Loki to see if he can find them with magic, as well as determine what this black mist is that I am seeing," Kal stated his eyes contracting again clearly looking at the strange mist only he could see.
"Very well and the rest of us?" Sif asked standing to attention as she received her orders.
"Volstagg and Fandral will secure the town and see what supplies we have, Hogun will keep watch he has the best eyes after me and you Lady Sif get the glorious task of making sure our beloved Thor does not destroy the town." Kal gave his instructions with a smile.
Sif eyes darted over to Thor who was currently showing off Mjolnir to a number of Midgardian maidens, causing small sparks of lighting to run across its surface to impress them. Sif just sighed at her near-impossible task but gave a bow of her head and accepted the task, moving off to stand by Thor.
"So, are you the oldest?" Lagertha asked Kal, who just looked at her with a little confusion.
"No, I am the youngest actually. Why would think I'm the oldest?" Kal responded looking down at Lagertha.
"Well you seem the most sensible, you often take the lead and I do not wish to be rude but Thor does not strike me as the most…." Lagertha pointed to Thor who was now challenging people to pick up Mjolnir and was drinking from his special flask getting clearly drunk. "…. Responsible person of your group."
Kal winced at the not entirely untrue observation and caught Sif's eye nodding for her to try and settle Thor down a little.
"Thor is a great man and there is no finer warrior. He is just more a battle leader than a strategist and is also still young. BUT there is no else you would have rather have at your side than Thor." Kal spoke earnestly as he tried to convince Lagertha.
"Of course, and what Loki, does he not help plan?" Lagertha gestured to Loki who was sitting in a dark corner of the room drinking alone, his eyes darting across the room.
"Loki is…. More a…well he is…... Loki is a good person to have, there is no one greater at magic than him and he is fun too great sense of humour." Kal frowned slightly as he spoke about Loki.
Lagertha had a funny feeling that this was not the first time Kal had to address concerns about his brother's unique behaviours. She could see by the frown on his face that he was trying to convince himself as much as her, so she decided to drop the matter for the moment.
"So what are you going to be doing then, whilst everyone else is busy?" Lagertha asked placing a smile on her face.
"Oh, well first I need to retrieve your steed and secondly I want to have a look around the region see if I am missing anything." Kal's face became a grin again dispelling the frown that had formed.
'He looks better when he smiles' Lagertha thought to herself quickly pushing that thought from her head.
"Thank you, it's very kind of you." Lagertha smiled at Kal placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I did make a promise and a prince should always keep his word especially to a beautiful lady." Kal placed his hand on top of hers.
Lagertha suddenly felt flustered heat was rising in her chest and she turned slightly to prevent Kal from seeing her blush. On Kal's part, he was a little astonished at his brazen flirt and was wincing a little at how bad it was.
The two looked at each other and awkwardly pulled apart, Kal clearing his throat and Lagertha looking at the floor trying to clear the heat from her cheeks.
"Soooo, I take it you will be out for a couple of days? Looking around the region." Lagertha asked not meeting Kal's eye.
"Oh uh no. Should take a couple of hours at most should be back before it gets dark. You'll see me before the feast ends I'm sure" Kal stated trying to sound confident, he's throat had suddenly got dry and his palms were sweaty.
"Great," Lagertha stated a little too quickly with a broad smile and attempted to backpedal "I mean it's great that you will um …. have done such a vital task so quickly."
"Yes, it is," Kal stated awkwardly.
"So…" Lagertha responded.
"So, I'll be off then, and I'll see you later, I mean I'll be here later, back here later I mean" Kal started walking backwards down the steps as he suddenly started speaking like an idiot.
'What the hell is wrong with me?' Kal asked himself, facepalming himself when he was out of sight. 'First girl you actually like and you're an idiot around her, some god you are.'
Kal took off sprinting over the land with blinding speed leaving behind an equally flustered Lagertha who proceeded to cool the heat in her chest by drowning a flagon of mead within the hall.
Kal's survey took longer than he initially believed it would, the region Lakstad controlled was not vastly extensive but the terrain of Midgard resulted in numerous places for things to hide. The land was rocky, very undulating and for Kal who was used to Asgard it was more than a little filthy, everything was drab colours and bleak.
'Unlike Lagertha, she's warm, fearless and has hair like spun golden.' Kal smiled to himself before he blinked at the stray thought that had entered his mind.
Kal was unsure where these thoughts were coming from, he suspected it was because Lagertha was not like any girl he had met. Asgardian women were fearless true, but they were either cold and grim like Sif, overtly proper like Sigyn or schemers like Amora, none of which appealed to Kal.
Lagertha though she seemed honest and friendly, spoke her mind which Kal liked and despite being a fragile being had charged in to fight a dragon by herself, not for glory but to protect people, which Kal greatly admired.
He would also admit that it did help that Lagertha was incredibly beautiful too, not as stunning as Sigyn, Amora or Sif but they were all too perfect to Kal's mind. Lagertha's mortal imperfections made her seem more real to Kal, not the simple embodiment of perfection but a real person.
Kal forced Lagertha out of his mind for the moment focusing on the task at hand, he spent the next few hours crisscrossing the land trying to pick up anything he could but found frustratingly little. There were no tracks due to the dragon's airborne nature and the few attacks sites he found revealed nothing but death and destruction.
The only thing Kal did confirm was that the beasts were defiantly being hidden from him by magic, he followed their scent for a while but just as he was closing in on a location, he found it scattered by an unseen force.
However, Kal growing up with Loki was very familiar with concealment enchantments so could easily recognise one when he encountered it.
Kal eventually returned to Lakstad and discovered that Thor had decided that the celebrations required a more Asgardian touch namely he had shared his flask of Asgardian liquor with a few people.
Kal just shook his head and moved over towards Loki who was still quietly sitting in the corner a bored expression on his face, he took a swig of the drink before him then grimaced at the taste.
"I have no idea how anyone can drink this swill." Loki pushed the cup of Midgardian ale away from him.
"Father's cellars have ruined your pallet bother." Kal chuckled as he stood before Loki.
"Then I thank him for saving me from this swill," Loki stated as he looked over to Thor who was regaling a group of Midgardians with a tale.
"I am sorry to ruin your celebrations but I need you to -" Kal was about to ask his request but Loki beat him to it.
"Already doing it, Sif told me. I have a number of spells and enchantments working, should have something in the morning. You still hear that noise?" Loki asked curiosity now showing on his face.
"Yes, it's louder when I am in the town but cannot tell where it is coming from, we will deal with it later for now the dragons. Thank you, brother have a good evening." Kal thanked Loki and made a move to go back outside.
"She is over by the fire," Loki stated with a grin as Kal turned.
"Who is?" Kal turned to face his brother again.
"Your mortal." Loki gave a bawdy grin that Kal just shook his head at and departed.
Kal however found himself walking over towards the fire and quickly spotted Lagertha who was still wearing her leather armour but was drinking and laughing now as she talked to other maidens around her age.
As they laughed Lagertha caught his eye and gave him a smile, which caused Kal to move forward towards Lagertha and grab a drink of his own on the way.
Duty could wait for one night, as he sat down the other maidens quickly made excuses and departed each giving Lagertha a knowing look which she glared at them for.
"So, I've heard some stories about you?" Lagertha smirked with mischief.
"I can likely grantee you that they are all false." Kal smiled as drank from the cup in his hand, he could taste that Thor had placed Asgardian spirits within the cup.
"Really, so it's not true that you have slept with 100 elven maidens?" Lagertha asked grinning as Kal spluttered from coughing.
"Um no!" Kal stated, after he was done coughing, his cheeks had gone red.
"I am going to kill Loki" He muttered casting a glance at Loki's dark corner.
Lagertha chuckled at Kal's response, liking that despite being a god she could still make him blush. Her own cheeks had become flush a result of more than a few cups of ale she had consumed making her more confident and less controlled than she normally was.
"So, tell me then what is Asgard like?" Lagertha leaned forward placing her hand elbows on her knees looking up at Kal.
Kal smiled and drained his own cup and began regaling her with tales of the Realm Eternal and a few modest stories about himself, he really wanted Lagertha to like him.
Chapter 13 – Midgard (3)
(Midgard – Norway - 10th Century)
The morning air was cool to the touch, brought into the room by the open window that faced out towards the fjord. Lagertha curled up, bringing more of the furs on her bed to her body in an effort to keep warm.
It had been a week since the gods arrived and although her people were joyous about the gods being in their midst progress in finding the remaining dragons was frustrating slow. Every day was filled with waiting for Loki or Kal to find the dragons but after a week of searching, they had found nothing.
However, currently, all that was a distant memory as Lagertha was feeling very contented at the moment, as she reached out towards the other occupier of the bed.
However, her hand grasped nothing but air causing her to open her eyes and see that Kal was not by her side, the two had been spending much time together over the past few days since the gods had arrived.
Their first liaison had occurred after the welcoming feast her father had held which had largely been the result of drink but despite such a beginning the two had continued, Lagertha had found Kal far different from the boastful warriors and prideful noble sons she usually dealt with. He radiated power and authority, spoke like the noblest soul she had ever met, yet he acted with kindness and softness she had never seen before. In short, Kal was different, and Lagertha was finding out she liked different.
"Over here." Kal's calm voice sounded from behind her.
She turned to see that he was sitting on the window's ledge one leg raised and was staring out at the fjord as the dawn broke. He was already dressed in his armour minus his cloak and had Gram propped next to him, the searing sword properly sheathed and resting close enough that he could easily grab it if needed.
"Come back to bed, it's still early." Lagertha yawned, patting the furs next to her giving Kal a grin.
"I wish that I could, but I need to leave before the others wake up and duty calls. There has been a sighting near the northern river." Kal sighed and started to raise.
"Another sighting? No attack?" Lagertha asked, ever since the gods had shown up and slain Fafnir the dragons had been constantly spotted but had yet to attack again.
"Indeed, it is very odd behaviour, these dragons are acting very strange. Ah!" Kal winced and closed his eyes for a second.
"That noise again?" Lagertha asked concern partly raising from her bed.
Kal's hearing was still picking up the strange scratching and whispering noise he had mentioned when they had first, only now it was apparently louder and more present causing Kal great discomfort as if it was trying to drive him away.
"It's fine, Loki is still looking into it." He gave her a reassuring smile, which she pretended helped her.
"As long as, you are sure." Lagertha smiled back at him, rising to start getting changed.
Kal placed a gentle kiss on her cheek then with a slight gust of wind he was gone.
Lagertha sighed, it had been her idea to keep the liaison between the two of the private, not wanting people gossiping nor her father having ideas about her being with a god. She loved her father dearly but he was still a Jarl and would jump on the chance to try worm his way into the good graces of a god.
After she was changed, Lagertha descended into the feasting hall where a small morning meal had been set out. Kal was present looking magnificent in his armour, he was standing with Loki and the two were deep in discussion, she caught his eye and gave him a subtle smile.
Her day was then ruined when she noticed that her father's advisor Sigurd was in the hall whispering to a group of her father's warriors. He had been unusually absent over the past week since the gods arrived, usually, Sigurd was everywhere scheming away but he had hardly been seen in the past few days.
Not that she really cared, but Lagertha always slept better when she knew where he was and still desired to settle the score with him for the threats that he had made a few weeks ago.
"Lady Lagertha, it is a pleasure to see you." Sigurd gave the usual smile that made Lagertha want to punch him.
"I wish I could say the same thing Sigurd." Lagertha spat back too tired to try and be polite.
She suddenly felt a hand on her wrist and as Sigurd pulled her in close, a sneer on his face as he looked down at her.
"Careful woman I would be kinder to you bet- AH" Sigurd's voice had been venomous until Kal was suddenly pulling his arm away from Lagertha.
"DO NOT TOUCH HER." Kal's voice darkened the room, as his eyes promised divine retribution.
Although Lagertha was grateful for the aid, she too was slightly frightened by Kal, gone was the controlled warrior she had witnessed or the pleasant modest man she had spent her nights with. No in front of her was a whole new person, one that scared her and looked unbalanced, before her was a god of Asgard.
"Brother, calm." Loki was suddenly by Kal's side and had placed a hand on his shoulder.
Kal turned glaring at Loki with a look of unbridled rage that Loki was shocked to see, yet before Loki could address it, it suddenly vanished from Kal's face. Kal blinked and looked shocked as if he had just noticed Loki next to him, he looked around and saw the sparsely populated hall staring at him, and all of the stares were ones of fear.
"Apologies, I forgot myself." Kal gently released Sigurd's arm and plastered a smile on his face, which caused much of the tension to immediately leave the room.
Sigurd was grimacing in pain but not wanting to look weak forced his own smile on his face "No need my lord. It was I who was in the wrong, I am too rough in the mornings. Please forgive me Lady Lagertha."
Although it brought bile from her stomach Lagertha just smiled not wishing to cause any more of a scene and gave a nod of acceptance, as she did not trust her mouth to be so cordial.
She turned to look at Kal who was staring at the hand he had grabbed Sigurd with a look of concern on his face, he was oblivious to the world around him. He then suddenly looked up and started staring at Sigurd, then did a very strange thing he sniffed the air, a look of concern then flickered across his face.
Lagertha was starting to get concerned so she gently placed herself next to Kal and started dragging him off to a table, not caring for the moment how it might look.
"I will get the prince something to eat, we will speak later Sigurd." Lagertha gave her best diplomatic smile as she dragged Kal away from Loki and Sigurd.
Kal was still staring at Sigurd who was starting to feel unnerved at Kal's staring and promptly moved to return to his own table, where his friends waited for him whilst rubbing the wrist that Kal had grasped.
"Kal, I know you want to protect me, but you cannot react like th-" Lagertha whispered but was cut off by Kal who looked at her with grave seriousness and spoke in a hushed whisper.
"Was Sigurd anywhere near the dragon attacks? Or treated someone attacked by the dragons" Kal asked his face was all seriousness now.
"Uh no, but Kal we need to talk about -" Lagertha was again cut off by Kal.
"You are sure, absolutely certain?" Kal was again staring at Sigurd, his eyes contracting as he stared at her father's advisor intently.
"Yes, I am certain. Why are you asking that?" Lagertha was concerned as Kal was making no sense.
"Because Sigurd's hands are covered with traces of human blood, dragon scales. He also smells of burning charcoal and the air around him tastes like Kree Iron and dry ash. Exactly like Fafnir." Kal's voice was harsh, and his gaze turned to one of concern as he glared at Sigurd.
"You're sure?" Lagertha asked as she too now glanced at Sigurd.
"Yes," Kal's voice was absolute and completely certain.
"You think he is working for the dragons?" Lagertha just stared at Sigurd, trying to gauge the man.
She had never liked Sigurd; he had always been too sly and devious for anyone to really like him and ever since he tried courting her, her opinion of him had greatly soured. He was a schemer and was only tolerated because of his mind and because he was her father's chief advisor.
He had always threatened people and been an intolerable bastard, but Lagertha could count on one hand the threats he had actually followed through on and still have fingers spare. Sigurd was all bark and no bite; however, he had tried to burn a girl alive, which Lagertha had thought the result of fear gripping the man but now wondered if it was not something more.
"He has something to do with them. Do you know where he lives?" Kal asked his gaze returning to Lagertha.
"Yes, I do a small house just at the edge of town. It has a red door and runes carved on the frame." Lagertha had made a point to know where Sigurd lived. "I am guessing you want to have a look around?"
"I do but not just me." Kal's gaze shifted to Loki who was now sitting at a table alone attempting to eat a Midgardian meal that he was clearly disgusted by.
"Meet me outside in a few minutes," Kal whispered to Lagertha his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment.
She nodded and moved off going to a table near the end of the hall where Harald and Aslaug were currently eating their morning meal, Lagertha had taken to caring for the children as they had no one else.
Kal caught his brother's eye and gave a subtle gesture of his head towards the door, Loki simply sighed a bored expression on his face and gave Kal a nod of his own. Kal waited a few moments before he departed the hall making sure that his departure did not arose Sigurd's suspicions
Once outside Kal quickly spotted Lagertha who was half concealed by standing in a small alley just off the central square, he went over to her and the two proceeded to wait for Loki. Which took much longer than Kal would have liked, half an hour had passed, and Loki still had not left the hall.
"Dammit, Loki this is not the time for games." Kal cursed as he looked to the doors of the hall once again.
His raising anger was stunted by the presence of Lagertha's hand upon his back, he turned around and smiled down at her. He was about to wrap his arms around her when he was prevented by a hand on his chest.
"Kal, we need to talk about what happened in the hall." Lagertha's voice was soft but her eyes contained a seriousness he had not seen in their brief time.
"What do you mean?" Kal asked a little confused.
"You almost ripped Sigurd's arm off." She stated bluntly her eyes meeting his.
"He was hurting you," Kal said his voice becoming more aggressive than he had intended.
"Yes, but I have been dealing with the likes of Sigurd all my life." She touched his cheek with her hand and spoke softly. "I appreciate the aid truly, but I am no maiden in need of protection, and I have no desire to be any man's or god's property."
Kal just nodded at her words and looked slightly abashed at his actions, Lagertha's fierce independence was one of the main reasons he liked her. And in truth, he had not meant to harm Sigurd but when he had heard Lagertha's gasp of pain and saw his hand on her he had stopped thinking.
If truth be told, Kal too was a little concerned at his response, he had never really had feelings for a woman before. He had been with a few maidens, as a result of spending time with Loki and had tried to court a lady or two, but none of it was like what he had with Lagertha. He was finding the experience of being with her, both thrilling and troubling.
When he was with her it was like he was just Kal, not a prince of Asgard or son of Odin just plain simple Kal, who was enraptured by the fascinating woman before him. They laughed easily, spoke honestly, they had no worries or duties to be concerned about and when they were in each other's arms Kal felt at peace.
However, there was the other side Kal did not like and was worried about, it was like a light had been shined into the dark places of his soul, a quiet voice whispered worries into his ears as he laid next to her. Lagertha despite her claims of being able to protect herself was mortal, so fragile, and Kal could not help but fear for her, all he wanted to do was protect her.
Kal gently wrapped his arms around Lagertha bringing her close this time she did not resist and as he leaned down to kiss her was interrupted by a very loud cough.
"Sorry, am I interrupting something?" Loki smiled having appeared next to the couple leaning on a wall.
"Uh no, Kal, PRINCE Kal was just …um helping me I tripped," Lagertha stated as she pushed herself out of Kal's arms.
Loki just grinned and gave his little brother an overt wink, which caused Kal to both glare at Loki and blush slightly.
"Come on, we should not waste time." Lagertha gathered herself and started off, walking past Loki.
Loki stayed where he was for a moment just grinning at Kal who was following Lagertha and walked past his older brother, who raised his eyebrows meaningfully at Kal.
"Oh shut it," Kal stated as he walked past Loki whose grin just widen at Kal's response.
Lagertha lead them through the streets and did her best to ignore the stupid grin Loki had fixed on his face. The trio eventually arrived at a rather modest dwelling at the edge of the settlement. It seemed ordinary enough and somehow more ordinary than the buildings around it, Kal scanned the building with his enhanced sight and could find nothing out of the ordinary, however, his other senses were telling him something was off.
Everything was too ordinary, a strange statement to make but it described exactly what Kal was feeling. The entire building before him looked, and sensed completely normally, seemingly emanating a signal that nothing was wrong. This is what was causing Kal to be concerned, it all seemed a little too unnatural like someone was feeding them exactly what they wanted and was hoping no one would notice the poison mixed in with the food.
Loki could feel it too, the ambient magic in the air was almost palpable, there was a very powerful and highly skilled enchantment present, it had been applied skilfully too. Loki believed even his mother would have been hard-pressed to sense the enchantment and despite his own pride had to admit that the spell was a masterpiece.
"You sense it too brother?" Kal asked Loki who was now standing next to him, the elder of the two squinting at the building already making symbols in the air with his hands.
"I do brother. Very curious, it appears that there is more to Midgard than I thought." Loki stroked his chin as he raised a hand to study the enchantment further, it was very impressive.
"Should I use Gram, or can you break it?" Kal asked gripping the hilt of his sword.
"Give me a moment." Loki strode forwarded whilst clicking his fingers together.
Lagertha watched silently as Loki rolled his shoulders and neck, causing both to crack before proceeding to wave his hands around in strange movements, muttering as he went in a langue she could not understand. The occasional shimmer in his hands was the only indicator something was happening, otherwise, Loki simply looked like a raving madman.
Suddenly, the air before her appeared to crack like a mirror and Loki had a triumphant look on his face. He raised one and with a dramatic flourish snapped his fingers and like a mirror falling apart the space around the house fractured and shattered.
In its place was the same dwelling as before but it was now a twisted nightmarish version of itself, the walls were blackened, and strange glowing red runes were appearing and disappearing on the walls. The air around the house seemed shrouded in an ominous black mist that she could hardly see through and there was a strange noise that was scraping at the side of her ear, it was like quiet whispers and ink being scratched on parchment.
"Lagertha, stay here," Kal said in a voice that held no room for argument as he drew Gram from its scabbard, the blade glowing in the presence of the darkness.
For once Lagertha just nodded admitting this was beyond her skills and took a few steps back allowing the more divine amongst them to enter the foreboding home.
'Sigurd what have you done' She thought to herself as she watched the gods enter the home.
As they entered Kal noticed that Loki had produced his daggers and was muttering counter spells under his breath as they moved through the dwelling. The inside was much worse than the outside, tables were full of black hellish herbs, jars of unnatural creatures were present and Kal was pretty sure there were bloodstains on most if not all of the surfaces.
Kal was no expert in magic like Loki or their mother, but it took no master of the mystic arts to recognise dark magic when it was present. He was growing sick at the smell and sight of what was present in the dwelling, Sigurd was clearly more than just some Midgardian advisor and very involved with something very dark.
As he looked around the main room of the dwelling, he spotted a list that was placed in the centre of a very ominous circle, with a pentagram craved within its centre in what Kal knew was blood, very young blood. Looking at the list he recognised all the names present, they were all six of Lagertha's brothers as well as her father, each one except her father had been crossed out with a deep crimson line.
"KAL!" Loki's voice came from across the room.
Kal wheeled around and saw Loki standing in front of a cupboard he had just opened, Kal raced over to see what had alarmed his brother.
"Loki what is i- OH Skitr. Is that what I think it is?" Kal was staring at a metal-bound black book that radiated darkness.
The whispering that Kal had been trying to ignore suddenly intensified a thousand fold, it was like a myriad of voices were talking to him at once, each one offering him everything he had always wanted including things he never knew he had wanted. Kal was about to reach out to take the book when Gram suddenly burned hot in his hand, and like a light shining in the dark, the voices suddenly quieted. They were not truly gone but Kal suddenly lost the compulsion to listen to them or to take the book.
"It's The Darkhold, the Book of the Damned," Loki whispered his usual mischievous tone gone.
(One Hour Later – The Great Hall of Lakstad)
"I do not understand what is frightening about a book?" Volstagg asked as he glanced at the book that had been placed on the table before them.
The great Hall of Lakstad was empty except for the Asgardians, Lagertha, Jarl Regin along with a bound and securely gagged Sigurd, who was a strap to a chair.
Kal and Loki had wasted no time after finding the cursed book, Loki had immediately placed every containment spell he could conjure on the book. Whilst Kal had all but exploded into the Great Hall, knocking out Sigurd before he could react and without waiting to ask for permission. Which had caused alarm from everyone in the Hall and almost caused Thor to tackle his brother thinking he had gone mad.
They had then cleared the hall and gathered their companions to decide what their next course of action should be.
"It's not just any book, this is the Darkhold," Loki stated in an unusually serious tone.
"Okay, so why is that bad?" Thor asked clueless as to why the name should be a cause of concern.
Loki sighed heavily in response and rubbed his eyes in frustration, appearing as if Thor's lace of knowledge was causing him physical pain.
"The Darkhold brother is a source of great evil and suffering. It is infinite knowledge incarnate, it provides the reader with the means to gain everything they desire, but at a cost." Kal spoke gravelly and for a moment Thor was hearing their father speak not Kal.
"Which is?" Volstagg asked looking at the book with concern.
"One's soul," Loki answered, his eyes lingering on the book. "It seduces with the promise of everything you ever desired, whilst it slowly drives you mad until the only thing you care for is the book.
"What does this have to do with the dragons? Sigurd desired dragons to attack his kingdom." Thor asked his eyes turning to the bound Sigurd now who was just glaring at them.
It was Kal who responded his voice was soft and calm, his eyes fixed on the book as he released a deep sigh.
"Sigurd wanted power, he wanted to rule, to be obeyed and he wanted -" Kal stopped talking as his eyes briefly glanced at Lagertha an act she saw.
"Me, he wanted me." Lagertha swallowed suddenly feeling sick.
Kal confirmed her statement with a small nod as his eyes turned back to Sigurd who was glaring at him now.
"I think the dragons were a means to an end. I think he asked the book for a way to become a hero, and that it showed him how to summon the dragons. So that he could be the one to defeat them and, in his glory, make Lagertha marry him." Kal's voice was still calm, but his eyes were hard as they glared at Sigurd.
"So, Sigurd brought the dragons, was going to use this 'book' to defeat them become a hero. What I don't understand is how that would make him a ruler I have 6 brothers who would succeed my father." Lagertha asked looking at Kal to explain, whilst fighting the feeling she was going to be sick.
Kal just swallowed he had been dreading this moment ever since he saw the names crossed out in blood in Sigurd's dark dwelling.
"Lagertha, I'm so sorry. I found ….. I found a list, a spell … I do not think your brothers are coming back home." Kal closed his eyes as he delivered the news not wanting to see the pain his words would bring.
"Are you sure?" Lagertha asked her voice suddenly very quiet.
Kal looked at Loki who just gave a small nod of confirmation as he had examined the list and spell at Kal's request.
"Yes, I am sorry," Kal confirmed feeling sick at having to deliver the news.
The room was silent for a moment Lagertha's face was unreadable she just stared at Kal whilst her father Jarl Regin collapsed into a seat, unable to speak. The unbearable silence lasted for what seemed like an eternity until it was broken by the sudden sound of a fist striking flesh.
"YOU BASTARD" Lagertha screamed in unbridled rage as her fist slammed into the side of Sigurd's head.
She began battering him tears streaking down her face as her blows became less controlled as grief overtook her. No one moved to stop her, as no one particular felt inclined to protect Sigurd, so for a few moments, Lagertha's grief and rage were allowed an outpouring as she battered the defenceless Sigurd.
Evidently, when she was more sobbing than striking, Kal gently placed a hand on her shoulder pulling her into a tight embrace before she could beat the man to death, Lagertha half-heartedly struggled before she broke down fully tears streaking down her face.
Kal held her for a few moments not caring that his brothers or friends were watching as he held her tightly as she sobbed. Eventually, the tears subsided, he released her gently and Lagertha collapsed next to her father who took her hand, the two just looking broken.
"I'll get my blade to remove this swine's head," Sif stated with a look of disgust etched on her face.
She made to leave to retrieve her weapon but was halted by Kal's voice. "We can't, at least not yet."
"Why not brother, I know you have a great desire for justice and fair trials, but this man is clearly guilty," Thor said his voice hard as he glared at Sigurd who was starting to whimper as his face began to swell.
"Because we need Sigurd to tell us where the dragons are and how they are being hidden from us," Loki replied to Thor's statement, his arms crossed across his chest.
"After that, he will be Jarl Regin to deal with." Kal's looked at the Jarl who looked lost at the news of his sons' death and his advisor's betrayal.
Kal then moved over to Sigurd and without concern for the man's comfort ripped the rope from the man's mouth. Sigurd was whimpering now, his face bruised, swelling and bleeding from Lagertha's brief but deadly assault.
"One chance tells us now exactly what you have done or there is going to be a lot of pain." Kal's voice was eerily calm and spoke softly.
Despite his current constrained state and obvious fear, Sigurd's sight turned to the Darkhold his eyes lingering on the dark foreboding text and his demeanour suddenly shifted to one of defiance. He spat at Kal a mixture of more blood than salvia, that landed on Kal's cheek, which the prince simply calmly wiped away.
"This is all your fault if you people had not arrived, I would have slain the beasts by now and everything would be fine. I would be a hero" Sigurd struggled against his bonds glaring pure hatred at Kal.
"Pain it is then." Kal sighed as he drew Gram from its scabbard, the golden blade shining ominously in the dimly lit Hall. "This blade burns away falsehoods and corruptions, so you are going to tell us the truth."
He placed the tip of the sword gently on Sigurd's chest and pressed slightly drawing a small amount of blood, the blade glowed with the runes the dwarves of Nidavellir had cast upon it. As the blade touched his flesh Sigurd began to scream, and after the screams came answers.
(Scandinavian Mountain Range)
It took them only half an hour to reach the location of the dragon's lair once Gram had done its work and Sigurd revealed all. It was a cave deep in the mountains to the Northeast, nestled deep in a gorge that was now blackened with soot and ash, easily visible to Kal now that Loki had been able to lift Sigurd's spells.
"Are you okay Kal?" Sif asked the question to her friend and prince.
She was concerned about Kal, he had been acting more rashly than he usually did, out of all three of the Princes Kal was always the one most in control. However, since their time on Midgard Kal had been less attentive in his duties and more prone to rash action, Sif suspected it was due to the mortal Lagertha.
She had no problem with the maiden and in fact, greatly admired the woman for her fortitude and skills but it was no secret the two had spent much of their time together, and Kal looked at her with great affection. She was worried that affection was clouding his usually good judgment, as often was the case with men.
"I am fine, Sif," Kal responded giving a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, but she was desperate to believe it.
"There are two of them down there. So, I suggest we split up into three teams to outfla-" Sif started but was cut off by Thor who with a swing of Mjolnir had soared straight at the cave.
"Have at thee!" Thor cried as he charged off.
"Or we just charge in." Sif sighed pulling her own blade out, jumping into the gorge followed by the rest of the group.
Thor's actions brought a much-needed smile to his face whilst he didn't necessarily agree with Thor foolhardiness, he did love his brother's passionate nature and love of battle.
"Every time," Loki mumbled as they descended into the gorge.
"Oh, come now Loki! Thor is just having fu-" Fandral started to speak but was cut off by Thor being jettisoned from the cave, crashing into the ground behind them.
The party was suddenly faced by a torrent of fire blazing forth for the cave in front of them, forcing them to dive out of the way. Kal had grabbed Sif as she was next to him and rushed her out of the way.
The earth shook as a single dragon stepped forth from the cave, it was twice the size Fafnir had been easily 100 feet long, with blood-red scales and wings that were spread out to its sides as it breathed another torrent of fire.
Falling back on their training Asgard's finest warriors reacted without thought, Kal charged forward taking the creature head-on unconcerned by the flames. Sif went to the beast's right, whilst the left was covered by the Warriors Three who had spread out to prevent making an easy target.
Loki was hanging back, a twist of his hand and suddenly dozens of illusionary Loki's were dotted around the field providing a great distraction. The dragon roared spewing fire that struck Kal directly blinding him for a moment.
Kal merely pushed through the blaze the only damage was to his cloak which was singed. He pulled Gram from its scabbard and pushed off the ground resulting in a resounding blast as the earth shattered beneath him. His first strike was high striking the dragon's chest, with Gram's sharp edge searing through the dragon's hide creating a small but deep gash, causing a howl of pain to erupt from the beast.
Sif followed next, she had run up a jagged rock on the righthand side of the gorge, with speed and grace she leapt upwards plunging her blade into the membrane of the dragon's wing. Blood rained down on her as she descended down the dragon's wing, slicing through tendons and veins as she crippled the beast.
As she descended, the Warriors Three struck, Hogun attacked the beast's leg aiming for the back of its knee ever silent as he slammed his mace into the creature. Whilst Volstagg and Fandral worked in tandem, the former aided the latter by placing his hands together and as Fandral ran at him pushed upwards sending Fandral soaring through the air.
Fandral flight was graceful and elegant he twisted in the air and connected the upper part of the dragon outstretched wing, which he then slid down with the ease of an acrobat. Once at the beast neck Fandral pushed himself up and gave a series of blinding strikes at the dragon's eye, drawing blood and causing even more pain.
"DIE INSIGNIFICANT INSECTS!" The dragon roared as it attempted to swat at Fandral on its shoulder.
The blonde-haired Asgardian simply backflipped off of the dragon and landed behind the creature with the grace one could only expect of Fandral the Dashing. He then proceeded to join Hogun and Volstagg both of whom were now attacking the creature's leg.
The Dragon did not last long under the onslaught, Kal was quick to follow his initial strike with several more, Gram's searing blade cutting deep into the dragon's flesh. Which when combined with the strikes the others were doing caused the beast to collapse from its wounds after a very short fight.
"VICTORY! Not too tough, rather boring after a week of waiting if I do say so myself." Volstagg bellowed as he stood upon the defeated beast, like a hunter on top of his prey.
"Yes, whilst he was larger than the other one it was rather a simple affair. Although it did manage to surprise Thor" Fandral agreed, taking a handkerchief from his pocket to clean his rapier.
At the mention of his brother Kal turned back towards where Thor had crashed, although the fight had been brief he had been surprised that Thor had not re-joined, he knew from experience that Thor was relentless and got up quickly.
Staring out to the crater that his brother had made Kal realise that Thor was, in fact, unconscious, a confusing sight as the beast they had fought, had not shown anywhere close to the amount of power needed to do such an act.
"Loki, is Thor, okay?" Kal yelled across the gorge to Loki who would likely be the closest to Thor.
The illusionary Loki's disappeared from across the field as his real brother appeared by the side of Thor's crater. A shimmering green light revealing him to the world.
"Unfortunately, he appears to be fine. Just not awake." Loki yelled back a deep sigh emanating from his lips at the tragic news.
Loki's joke caused both Fandral and Volstagg to chuckle.
"Can you wake hi-" Kal was cut off as he felt something soaring behind him.
As he turned around, he was unable to react in time as a large red mass struck him hard, the blow knocked the air from his lungs and caused him to drop Gram, which plunged straight down into the ground. It also sent him flying upwards out of the gorge, the world rocketing passed as the ground soon disappeared from view.
"KAL!" Sif yelled as watched her friend flying off, she turned quickly and raised her blade to face the new threat before her.
Exiting the cave was perhaps the largest creature she had ever seen, the earth heaved as the beast moved, its scales were more crimson than blood and its yellow eyes glinted with such malevolence that Sif felt a chill go down her spine.
"Quake with fear Asgardians for I am your doom! None survive the fires of Sadurang!" The dragon roared as its fire burst forth white-hot, so intense that even the air burned from the heat.
Kal's world was a blur as he went head over heels flying through the air. The constant motion was making him nauseous and combined with the pain in his chest Kal was close to vomiting.
Suddenly the occasional blur of land that passed into his vision vanished replaced by the crystal blue of the sea, informing Kal that the strike had been so powerful it had knocked him clear out over the water.
'I really am getting tired of spinning.' Kal thought to himself throwing his arms out in an attempt to correct his fall and stop his spinning.
To Kal's surprise, the blur that had become his world stopped, in fact, everything stopped as he found himself suspended in the air, holding a horizontal position facing the sea. Kal moved his hand through the air, he could see a small rippling effect occurring as if his body was bending gravity around itself.
"Okay, so this is new," Kal spoke to himself, a grin on his face.
Despite the circumstance, he could not help himself, he let out a laugh and allowed the strange, wonderful feeling he was now experiencing to rush over him. His body felt wonderful as if was encased in a warm buzzing wrapping that untethered him from the concerns of gravity.
The ability of flight was not one that was common to Asgardians, he was very certain that his parents did not possess the ability, and even his brother Thor could only fly due to Mjolnir. So, the sudden development of such a unique power was very surprising indeed, and also greatly troubling for one glaring reason.
Kal had no idea how to use it.
He was a little frightened to try anything less he loses his newfound ability and plunge a considerable distance downwards into the icy waters below, Kal was pretty certain he would survive the fall but would rather not find out. However, he decided he had to act as his companion and his brothers needed him for the fight they were surely facing.
Deciding to copy the only person he had ever seen fly before Kal pushed out his right hand in a fist like Thor did when he was holding Mjolnir. Nothing happened, Kal brought his fist down and then shoved it out again, the same result nothing. Kal quickly losing patience, started punching the air only to remain exactly where he was hovering facing the sea below.
'Oh, come on, if Thor can do it, it cannot be that hard. I just want to move forward!' Kal frustrated thought was combined with a scowl appearing on his face.
Which was quickly dispelled as no sooner had he the thought passed through his mind than Kal felt himself moving forward. The action was jerky and not very elegant, but it was improvement causing him to grin, as he started soaring through the sky.
"Okay, better." Kal laughed to himself, the joyful feeling he had before was intensified a thousandfold, the air rippling before him as gravity bent around him.
Kal shifted his body and found that his ability to fly responded in kind, every shift of his body caused him to change direction slightly, and with careful testing eventually allowed him to manoeuvre in the air with some level of control and turn back towards where he came from. As he looked down, he could see his reflection in the sea below as it rushed past and chuckled at the strange sight of him flying unaided.
'I wonder how I turn it offffffffff' Kal stray thought resulted in hurling towards the ground like an iron ingot dropped from a tower.
He was spinning again this time gyrating wildly with his arms flailing about trying to correct his fall. However, he knew what to do this time and with simply concentration managed to regain that wonderful feeling he had before and was again soaring through the air, albeit much lower than before.
'Glad no one saw that, I am so going to have to practice this' Kal thought to himself as he coughed at his slight stumble.
"Okay, let's see how fast I can go." He felt his body tense as his world went from a series of rapid pasting features to a blur of colours, a large boom he heard signalled his passing the sound barrier.
Meanwhile, the remaining gods facing the last dragon things were not going great.
"COME ON, WAKE UP! THE ONE TIME I NEED YOU!" Loki yelled as he slapped the unconscious Thor in his crater, yet the blow did nothing.
Loki was not having a good time, Thor was unconscious, the others were injured and Kal had been catapulted who knew where. Sif and the Warriors Three were barely managing to hold their own against the dragon and Loki's spells had proved useless having discovered to his horror that this Sadurang exuded dark magic.
Meaning he was pretty much useless unless he was feeling very stupid and decided to attack the beast with a dagger.
"Loki! We need Thor!" Sif's voice was harsh, a result of her frustration with the current fight rather than with Loki.
She was currently rolling out of the way, as one of the dragons massive, clawed hands tore through the earth where she had been standing. She was very irritated with herself for being of little use in the fight, however, despite her valiant attempts she simply could do nothing to harm the dragon Sadurang, her blade left barely scratch on the beasts hide.
"I am working on it!" Loki yelled as he conjured a ball of water that fell on Thor's face, still, Thor did not wake. "OH, COME ON THOR!"
Loki felt a shadow fall over him turning around he saw the massive form of Sadurang now in front of them, a familiar yet terrifying glow rising in the beast's throat. Loki conjured his daggers and placed himself in front of Thor to protect his unconscious brother, an act the beast chuckled at.
"PITIFUL NOTHING CAN SAVE YOU NOW!" Sadurang's voice was dark as it laughed at Loki's brave display.
However, just as Sadurang was about to reduce the princes of Asgard to ash it was interrupted by a strange blur that streaked past right in front of its nose. The blur was moving so fast that a few seconds after its passing there was an audible boom and powerful rush of wind that almost sent Loki flying.
"Was that Kal?" Volstagg asked as stood pulled himself up onto his axe bleeding, looking at the others who looked just as perplexed as him.
'Oh, hell overshoot it' Kal cursed to himself as he inelegantly manoeuvred a flying U-turn, he was starting to get the hang of flying but still had a long way to go.
He was now streaking back towards the group; he could feel the call of Gram and could see that his brothers were in a desperate state. He pushed himself to move faster, and his body responded, he felt his muscles begin to strain and his skin starting to feel warm as he truly began to move. Resulting in another explosion of noise as Kal became Hypersonic speed.
Sadurang turned its massive head toward the sound and using its own impressive sight saw Kal streaking towards at speeds mortals could not yet dream of. The mighty dark dragon simply reared back its head and prepared to melt Kal with a torrent of fire.
"FOOLISH INSECT NOTHING CAN SAVE YOU FROM MY WRA-" Sadurang's insult was cut off as a hole appeared through its chest, as an explosion of dirt and carter formed behind the beast.
It took a few moments for everyone to register what had happened, as it also took a few moments for the sounds of the event to catch up with the speeds Kal had been moving at. Sif was blinking as she suddenly realised that the small crater and explosion of dirt was a result of Kal crashing. A brief shower of blood, flesh and dragon scale occurred as Sif realised that Kal had used his own body to ram through the creature's chest killing it.
A feat of bravery that Sif was sure would be sung by their people forevermore.
Kal for his part was feeling a little foolish, whilst he was glad that he had ended the fight swiftly and decisively, in truth he had not actually planned what had occurred. He had in fact been trying to land so that he could fight conventionally, but due to his very limited experience flying, he had no idea how to. In fact, he was trying to slow down and work out how he would land when he suddenly felt himself tearing through Dragon flesh and scale.
Resulting in his very unintended devastation of his enemy.
Kal slowly pulled himself up from the crater, he was slightly bruised and had cut his fists on the dragon's hide as he went through the beast but otherwise was fine, except for being covered head to toe in gore.
It was also at the same moment that Thor finally regained consciousness rising from the crater to the scene of one very dead dragon and his little brother covered head to toe in dragon gore.
"I take it we won then," Thor asked as he looked to his companions that were staring at his little brother, no one responded as they all just looked at Kal with confusion. "What did I miss?"
Their defeat of Sadurang was not the end of their visit to Midgard, the victorious gods first oversaw the removal of the dragon's corpses so that they could be properly disposed of on Asgard. An affair that took longer than they wished, as they also had to search the dragon's cave to ensure there wasn't anything lurking that could pose a danger especially in the hands of foolish mortals.
The inside of the cave was rather sparse, apart from the usual horde of shiny objects that dragons kept in their abodes. After a little time searching it was clear that there was little to interest the gathered Asgardians, who following Kal's suggestion decided to leave it for the mortals of Lakstad to claim.
With the final matters attended to, Loki had at that point declared that they should simply depart and return to Asgard seeing no further need of their presence. However, he was overruled by Thor who was unusually supported in his decision by Kal, who argued that they should return and inform the mortals themselves.
Thor was happy for the support as he merely wanted to return to the bask and admiration of the mortals, so declared that they would feast and then depart with the praise of Midgard ringing in their ears. Loki suspected Kal's desire to return had nothing to do with seeking praise but perhaps the admiration of one particular Midgardian maiden.
Upon their return to Lakstad, Loki saw his observation was true as once after the feast had begun Kal had subtly slipped off, ducking out of the whole quickly followed by the Midgardian his brother was so keen on.
Deciding that observing Thor getting praised for the hundredth held no appeal and that there was no maidens or warriors that piqued his interest he decided to follow Kal. Fascinated that his little brother had finally taken an interest in the opposite sex or anyone really, his little brother was always so serious.
"So, you are leaving?" Loki heard the Midgardian's voice around the corner and using his skills concealed himself from Kal's very astute sense.
"In the morning, we need to go back to Asgard and tell father the danger is gone." Kal was sat down on a bench holding the Midgardian's woman's hands in his.
"Has it? What about that book? All those people that are dead now just because Sigurd had it." She asked concern in her voice, as she shook her head.
"The Darkhold will trouble you no more, Loki and I have hidden, far from the reaches of men," Kal said with certainty.
"You trust him? Why not destroy it?" The Midgardian was clearly doubtful of Loki's trustworthiness.
"I trust him with my life, he is my brother." Loki was touched by his brother's statement but quickly dismissed it, of course, Kal trusted him why would not.
"Besides, The Darkhold cannot be destroyed, not truly and Loki for all his faults is no fool, he knows better than most the dangers of dark magic. The book is safe, have no fear, we have hidden deep in Midgard." Kal stated with certainty that would have impressed their father.
"Why not take it back to Asgard?" Lagertha asked.
Loki was beginning to get bored of the Midgardian's constant questions, what did Kal see in her, questioning someone clearly superior to her.
"We dare not bring it to Asgard, the temptations for anyone to use it, especially our family could prove too great, and the results would be catastrophic for all." Kal squeezed the Midgardian's hand and gave her a comforting smile.
"I will return have no fear. I may be gone for a little while I have duties to attend to, but if you are willing, I am happy to return to see you. If you desire it?" Kal's question hung in the air a hopeful idiot grin on his brother's face.
The Midgardian woman gave a sly grin and leaned forward, her lips almost touching Kal's "I would not be opposed but you would have to make it worth my while"
"I will endeavour to do so." Kal captured her lips and the two began a passionate embrace.
Loki decided to end his observation there not really desiring to witness his little brother engage in what inevitably was coming next. He had been closed to playing a prank but decided that Kal deserved a little fun, besides their mother throwing the puritan Sigyn at him, his little brother could use a distraction on the side.
However, as Loki turned the corner and caught the last scene of the two in a very passionate embrace, he had a sudden feeling of concern for his little brother.
'I really hope you don't do anything foolish, little brother. Romance with mortals rarely ends well.'