Friends and Loose Ends

After Loki walked out the door, Loki senior was sitting by the fire.

"I can tell your there."

Suddenly the Goddess appeared in the room still looking like Angie but dressed in furs like Loki.

"Won't he see us in his mind with you being here?"

The Goddess looked at Loki senior for a moment and then back at the fire in the center of the hut with her gleaming purple eyes. "I actively wipe everything from his memory so he won't know some details before the required time."

"So you think he's the one?" Loki senior asked.

She smiled, "At this point we really have nothing to lose. were all on borrowed time anyway. Plus it seems like you like him as well."

Loki kept poking the fire and then laughed, "We've all made mistakes including you, but your right about one thing. We are on borrowed time. As you know I never make a bet without knowing I will win but betting on him this time seems to be the most prudent thing to do even if the odds are against it."

The Goddess joined in his laughter, "Being the abandoned ones, we sure know how to pick em don't we."

Suddenly to cups filled with the Giant Aegir's brew appeared in both their hands,

"Cheers mother." Loki senior raised his mug to the Goddess.

The Goddess smiled dangerously and giggled, "Cheers Loki senior! Also I told you to not call me that in this form."

Loki senior raised an eyebrow. "I can call you maiden to make you feel better, but if were being really serious about names, then I'd rather call you....

_________

About 30 minutes in the real world after Loki entered the trial.

Nix walked around the burning mead hall worriedly.

Ullr put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Loki will be fine. He's just gone through an interesting experience but he's making his way out."

Nix nodded but still looked tense.

Boom

A wall in the building was bust through and I came right through.

"You do not wanna go in there!"

[You made a toilet joke, Kind of shitty]

… okay your probably right. Its all fun and giggles until someone giggles and shits.

[Touché]

Man.. I have never felt so happy having a free conversation with you Goddess. I really had so many jokes to say.

[... who are you and what have you done with Loki]

Ha ha ha

After chuckling in my head which made me form a smile, I look to Nix who was running over.

"Are you just happy to see me or what?" I said a quick quip to Nix before I was tackled from my back by a golden meteor.

It was of course Sif who comedically came from behind while I was paying attention to Nix.

"Idiot! I was worried about you." I was pinned on my stomach but I was able to turn my head slightly to respond. I gleefully explained, "Of course not Sif, in fact i probably would have gone out earlier if it weren't for the ruin I found."

Sif was crying for a bit until she registered what I had said. "Ruin?"

She got off me allowing for Nix to help me up. Ullr had appeared at some point as well. "Whose ruin was located in there?" He asked.

As I dusted myself off because I was now covered in dirt in addition to all the ash and soot from crawling through a burning building, I remarked, "Loki's ruin of course. Don't try going in after it, the ruin moves around and will only appear to people it finds worthy."

Ullr, Nix, and Sif were all flabbergasted at this point.

"Come on. Ill explain later, we have some loose ends to tie up", I said walking to where the Elder wolf was waiting for us with the other eleven wolves. As I walked Muninn and Fenrir quickly moved onto my left shoulder and right side respectively.

They looked very happy clearly. I could feel it through our connection which has clearly increased.

I got close to the elder and then used Mana's language to link us. This was very different from nature's language as Mana's language not only allows me to see and connect to nature's mana network between living beings but I can also see ambient mana that isn't interacting with any living being. I guess this is to be expected of a mana controller.

"Young warrior, you have my thanks for giving me my family back." The elder Wolf lowered his head.

I shook my head, "I apologize for not being able to rescue everybody."

The Elder looked forlorn for a moment before responding, "That is okay. You have helped us immensely already and I am sure those who have passed would want our tribe to continue. I also see that you have accepted one of my kin as your travel companion."

I scratch my head a bit, "yes well I gave her the option of leaving if she choose to."

The elder had a glint, "She must trust you for some reason. In any case, its time for us to head back unless you have something else for us to do."

"Actually there is something you can help me with." I then took out a book and flipped to a page depicting the Aesir tribes crest. "Please avoid attacking any traveler showing this flag. They are with me. Also you can try and contact me by communicating with anyone that has that flag to summon me in case any of those bandits come and disturb the forest. You can spread this through the wood's creatures and fae. You all are neighbors to my home and we should protect each other in these times."

The wolf looked for a moment and nodded. "We will keep this in mind."

The elder wolf then howled and followed by the rest of the cohort. They then began to run out the camp.

I then turn to Sif who had been walking close to me, "How are the women?"

"They are still asleep but in stable condition. They should awaken soon though." She then pointed toward the burn building, "I left them just over there near the entrance to the mead hall."

I then smiled at her, "You did a good job Sif." I then patted her shoulder to show my friendliness.

The rest was simple, Ullr carried two while Nix and I carried one all the way back to the carriage. Luckily our carriage driver was still there.

The one in Nix's arms woke up already but she was silent.

Now I have to decide on how to take care of these women. I don't really want to turn around just to bring them back but with the next destination over a month away by carriage, taking them along doesn't seem like a viable option.

Looking at the women coming to by the carriage, I furrow my brow.

"I have already summoned someone to pick these women up so you do not have to worry. They will be well taken care of." Ullr said seeing my concerned look.

The women below still looked emotionless even though they were hearing about their salvation.

Noticing this, Nix walked up to them. They didn't react to him getting closer at first but he was in touching distance, most of them looked frightened.

"I am not going to harm you nor is anyone here. As hard as it is to take in, you all are free now." Their expression softened a bit but they were still extremely guarded and scared. Their bodies didn't react though. They were like broken puppets with only their facial expressions reacting to outside stimuli unconsciously.

Nix isn't really a people person is he? I knew he was very quiet but I never knew he was that bad at social cues.

Looking at Sif I use my finger to gesture to her to get close to me. She did and I grabbed her hand real fast before walking up to them. This time, they were more receptive with Sif being here.

"Hello, I am Prince Loki, and this is Sif, the daughter of Eastern General Ullr who is the gentleman standing over there. What my compatriot said was very true, we won't hurt you. In fact, we really want to help you beyond just rescuing you. Can you tell me about yourselves so we can figure out a way to help you."

See people skills Nix.

[5/10 from me on that one. You still haven't figured out one thing]

And what's that?

[Whether they want to be helped]

One of the woman looked at me with cold dead eyes but no fear. "Prince Loki, I think I can speak for the others in saying we would prefer if you left us here. I have brought dishonor for losing to these foreigners. I cannot return home anymore and I should be left here to die in my shame."

The rest of them didn't respond to correct her giving me a silent acknowledgement for what she said.

I got a bit annoyed at this explanation from them but I didn't argue the morality of it. "Unlike a lot of my colleagues, I don't believe there is dishonor in losing. In fact, you all standing is a second chance at proving yourself. There is no dishonor in losing only dishonor in giving up."

"He's right," a voice at my side responded.

Hilda had appeared next to me at some point. I looked to her and smiled, "Hello Hilda, you were very fast."

Hilda smiled and nodded, "you called and I answered. Also, Ullr's gate stone speed up the process."

Then she turned to the women, "My name is Hilda, I am a servant of the Prince and I would like to offer you another path besides one of shame and dishonor. Serve the Prince so that no one has to go through this ordeal again. Find your honor in striking down those who would prey on you."

Wow, now that is some good rhetoric. Go Hilda!

The women looked at each other still worried but with more confusion than muteness on their faces.

Hilda saw their confusion and interrupted their thoughts, "You do not have to decide now, but lets at least get you guys cleaned up."

She looked to Ullr and he showed the runic carved gate stone. He walked in front of Hilda who gestured for the girls to touch it. One by one, those broken women disappeared from my view.

Hopefully the next time I see them, they have found purpose in life again.