In transit

The ships took off to the realm below Asgard, heading to the forgotten planet of Gundersheim, home of the Rock Trolls, intending to strike first before they could send anything to Asgard.

They were not counted among the 9 realms because of their lack of technological capabilities and poor intelligence in general.

They acted more like savages than a species who could communicate so they were deemed unimportant, due to the lack of threat.

Even with this designation, their fighting capabilities were on par, and with their high population should they gain the ability to travel with ease would be a threat, which was why Odin took this very seriously when he discovered a portal that allowed them into Asgard.

The Asgardian ships were reminiscent of the Viking ships on Midgard, who were inspired by their design when they use to visit on a more frequent base.

They had sail-like features on the side that looked like the wings you would find on a winged helmet and had that same golden color worked into the design as the rest of Asgard, Odin's favorite color.

Theoric took this chance while in travel to talk more to Vott, thinking that maybe he could use a group like this, not exactly uptight and brainwashed, but still combat trained.

"Tell me more about you and your men Vott," he said looking at the hairy Asgardian, he was a big stout man, with wild red hair and a long thick beard with hairier arms than most, which probably went all the way to his chest and back.

He looked like a man who lost meaning in life, but wouldn't go down without a fight.

Vott having nothing to do or hide spoke- "Well Theoric I'll be willing to talk more if you tell me why someone as strong as you, wants to be with a group like ours."

"Think of me like Thor," he said not able to hide the disdain on his face when he said the name.

Vott noticing this left it alone, not caring for the royals himself considering his position- "So battle maniac is it? Well, that's fine I guess, as long as you do as you said and follow my orders.

This all started back when Herlu became a commander due to his privileged birth, he took a particular interest in me when he saw my strength, my wife." his voice getting lower from the painful memory.

Vott- "My wife was a beautiful woman, but it soon became clear she only was with me because of my strength and when Herlu came and showed her that strength isn't everything, by making me do as he commanded, she left me for him,

but that wasn't good enough for Herlu, he despised me for how much stronger I was than him, it made him feel inferior being with her, knowing he could never measure up."

He smirked before sighing- "And so he made this squad, where he would not only have me constantly put in danger, but he could even throw in others he doesn't like or who his friends don't like."

Theoric- "Why was this allowed to happen, does he really have that much sway, I don't understand how I never heard about this."

Vott grunted- "His father is Hildir a high command elder who has the ear of the council."

Theoric looks around sadly at the men knowing that with that kind of backing against them they had little hope to dig their way out of the situation, the king was unlikely to listen about something such as this and would consider it a petty squabble, beneath him to act.

While corrupt members of high command elders and council members may move him, he would likely remain impartial without strong evidence.

He only cares if everything is running according to his expectations, caring little for the how.

"Tough break, I wish I could help, but the king is unlikely to listen to me even if I were to speak with him about it, maybe during this war if we do something of great importance the king will take heed." Theoric said in an attempt to lift the mood and provide motivation.

Vott looked strangely at him- "You can talk to the king? who exactly are you?" he asked

Theoric just grinned in response, he wasn't one to toot his own horn, feeling like he already gave enough away saying he could speak to the king.

Vott snorted before wincing in pain from his broken nose.

Theoric seeing this offered his help- "I could fix that for you."

"No thanks, I think you did enough, I'll seek out a healer when we land."

Theoric shrugged his shoulders as he leaned back to catch whatever sleep he could before they arrived.

____________________________________

Gundersheim was an Orange rock planet with very little life, the Rock Trolls survived by eating what little there was and even supplemented their diet with the very rocks themselves.

In the carved out rock capital, inside the throne room sat Ulik who usurped Geirrodur who fled for his life.

Ulik looking at a magically carved man-sized silver mirror spoke- "You didn't hold up your end of the deal, you gardians can't be trusted, weak little man who I can stomp under my feet, I'll crush you all."

"How dare an Oaf like you speak to me that way, it was you who failed to kill the one I wanted, so why should I give you what you want." the voice shouted from the mirror.

Ulik yelled back- "Gardians are all liars, I squashed him like a bug, he died beneath my feet."

"Then explain this." the voice said as the mirror changed to a view of Theoric riding inside a ship.

Ulik scoffed- "Just a stupid Illusion from you magic man, don't think I'm dumb."

"You rotten bastard, listen well, he is coming to your planet, this time I want his head torn from his body and presented to me and then I'll give you what was agreed upon."

Ulik thinking about it answered- "Alright magic man if he comes as you say, I'll rip his head off and present it to you, if this time you go against your word, I'll squash you like all the rest."