Lezard's Triumph

There was laughter in the room, female and joyful, the two women smiling at each other. They sat across from each other, a table in between them, empty tea cups scattered across the white surface. The blonde, Freya sat back in her chair, hands busy as she worked on her sewing, seeking to mend the tears in the gown's bodice. The needle was on the constant move, the former Goddess choosing not to question her mistress on just how the rips had gotten into her clothing.

Lenneth's fingers played with the handle of her tea cup, spinning the delicate porcelain around and around as she talked. She sought to keep the mood airy and light, keep the amicable feeling intact as she avoided subjects that might trouble the former Goddess. It was almost like a game, a harsh juggling act that had her reaching for any and all topics, varying from the mundane such as talk of the always beautiful weather up in Asgard, to commenting on Freya's talent with a needle.

She was trying to nerve herself, to ask Freya how Tyr and Thor were doing, knowing the men were still kept imprisoned in Valhalla's dungeons when a knock sounded at the door. Both women paused, surprise in their eyes as they turned to glance at the door. "Enter..." Lenneth started to say, but Freya shook her head no.

"Allow me, my lady..." She said, setting down her sewing. Freya hurried to the door, wanting to see who it was. She would be careful on just who she admitted to the room, knowing Lezard wouldn't like it if just anyone could waltz in and see Lenneth. The Goddess was watching her, starting to stand, curious over who was at her door.

The knock sounded again, louder and more insistent, the owner of the sound growing impatient. "Coming." Called out Freya, her hand reaching for the door handle. She turned it, the door slowly opening, and her breath caught in her throat to see just who stood before her on the threshold. "Frei!"

"Sister!" Frei smiled, spreading her arms, ready to accept the hug Freya offered her. "I'm so glad to see you." Freya pressed her firmly against her, a fierce hug as she touched her sister, almost daring not to believe the sight before her. Frei returned the embrace just as fiercely, hugging her tightly.

"Frei..." Freya was pulling back, her smile freezing on her face, becoming a frown. "What are you doing here? If Lezard were to find out..."

"Lezard already knows." Frei interrupted. She nodded at Lenneth who was watching the sisters' reunion quietly. "It was he who gave me permission to visit you."

"Permission?" echoed Freya, taking in her sister's words.

"Yes..." Frei nodded, smiling. "I went to Lezard, and asked if I could see you. He said yes."

"Frei!" Freya was shouting, anger in her eyes. "That was a very foolish thing of you to do. What if he had been in a bad mood...what if he...what if he..." She trailed off, remembering Lenneth was in the room, and she turned guilty eyes at the Goddess. "Forgive me...I speak out of place..."

"It's all right Freya." Lenneth came closer, placing her hand on the blonde's shoulder. "I know all too well what Lezard can be like..." She sighed then. "It surprises but pleases me that he agreed to this."

"It's because of you that he let me come here." Frei said, disengaging from the hug. She reached forward to take Lenneth's hands, eyes shining with gratitude. "Because he wants to please you...His love for you makes him a kinder ruler..."

"Er..." Lenneth was blushing, and she pulled back her hand from Frei. "Maybe...but much of what he does has an ulterior motive..."

"Is it really such a bad thing when he does it simply to move your heart?" questioned Frei, staring intently at Lenneth. The platinum haired Goddess was shaking her head, frowning.

"I would have him do these things because it's right to do...because it's good...not because he wants to impress me." explained Lenneth.

"Hmm...you are a difficult woman to please..." murmured Frei, ignoring Freya's attempts to shush her.

"Am I?" asked Lenneth, surprised. "Am I really?" She touched her forehead, running her fingers through her bangs. "Is it really such a difficult thing to ask of him, that he do good for a change...?"

"It could be going against his very nature." Frei promptly said in reply.

"Frei!" hissed Freya, shooting her sister a look. "No, Lenneth, it is not too much to ask for...not at all." Lenneth merely sighed in answer, eyes looking thoughtful. "Perhaps a change in subject is in order." continued Freya, looking back and forth between Frei and Lenneth. "This is a happy occasion...we should be celebrating!"

"Yes..." agreed Lenneth, though her expression remained troubled. "It is indeed a joyous time, sisters should be together..." She offered a small smile, trying to school her expression to be happy.

"What say we toast to our reunion?" asked Frei. "To sisters, and benevolent rulers...?"

"I'll drink to the sisters part." Freya said, making a face at the idea of toasting Lezard.

"I wouldn't mind a drink myself." admitted Lenneth.

"Then it is settled." grinned Frei. "Allow me..." She said, when Freya made a move towards the bar in the corner of the room. "You two just sit there and rest..."

"All right..." agreed Freya, sitting down. Lenneth joined her at the table, the room filling with the soft murmur of her voice, the two women engaging in conversation once more.

With one last dazzling smile, Frei was moving, heading towards the bar. She stared at the array of bottles, all filled with various forms of colored liquid, a fine array of alcoholic drinks. Her fingers touched the bottles, caressing the cool glass as she eyed the containers. She popped open corks, examining the liquids, carefully choosing a drink that was apple red in hue. Her lips curled into a smile, carefully pouring the drink into the waiting glasses.

With a shifty look over her shoulder, she peered at Lenneth and Freya, seeing the two in deep discussion, paying no mind to the young Goddess. She smiled, a crafty look in her eyes. Her fingers grazed against the pocket in her tunic, reaching in to carefully withdraw a glass vial. Liquid sloshed inside it, the same vibrant shade as the drinks she had just poured out. Licking her lips, fighting back a grin, she popped open the cork, hurriedly emptying out the contents into one of the cups.

Just as quickly, she returned the empty vial to her pocket, bending slightly to pick up the two cups. She walked back to the table, a bright smile on her face. "Here you go." Frei said pleasantly, setting down the cups before Lenneth and Frei. "Drink up!"

"Frei...aren't you going to have any?" asked Lenneth, hands hesitating over her cup.

"Oh silly me...I forgot to fix a drink for myself." Frei realized, shrugging her shoulders.

"You can have some of mine..." suggested Lenneth, but Frei quickly shook her head no.

"I'll just grab a cup of my own." She hurried to do that, her actions hasty and sloppy, spilling red liquid on the counter top as she poured herself a drink. She spun, returning to the table, showing off her cup. "Shall we...?"

"Yes..." agreed Lenneth, lifting up her cup, failing to notice the manner in which Frei watched her actions.

"To sisters..." smiled Freya, also raising her glass. "To being reunited..."

"And...to new beginnings..." added Frei with a giggle, clinking her cup against the other two. Lenneth and Freya looked at her puzzled, and she merely smiled in reply. Frei took a small sip of her drink, watching Lenneth carefully.

Lenneth and Freya exchanged glances, then brought their cups to their lips. Frei's eyes widened, her gaze boring into Lenneth as the Goddess inhaled the scent of her drink. Her nose wrinkled up, and she made a face, starting to lower her cup.

"What's the matter Lenneth?" asked Frei, not needing to fake the concern on her face. "Why aren't you drinking?"

"It's nothing..." Lenneth said, returning her cup to her lips. "I just..." Again that look on her face, and suddenly she was leaping out of her seat, chair toppling over. The cup clattered to the table top, over turning on it's side, the precious liquid spilling out and dripping down to the floor. Lenneth took several shaky steps away from the table, a hand over her mouth, ignoring Frei's irate shout.

"Lenneth...?" Concerned, Freya set down her glass, rising to approach the nauseous Goddess. "What's the matter?"

"I..." Lenneth started to lower her hand, and then her eyes widened, and she slapped her hand back into place. She coughed, gagging on the bile in her throat, managing to mutter out a weak sounding reply. "I don't feel too good..." She took another stumbling step forward, reaching the side of the bed, and suddenly Lenneth was hunched over, making retching sounds.

"Lenneth!" Freya hurried over to her, hand rubbing her back soothingly as the Goddess continued to cough, somehow managing to keep from being ill on the floor. Frei sat at the table, an uncharacteristic scowl on her face as she stared at the spilt liquid. "Frei!" Freya whipped her head around, green eyes landing on her sister. "Go get a healer...find Lady Eir!"

"No!" protested Lenneth, straightening once more. "I'm fine now. I just felt ill for a moment..."

"I don't know..." protested Freya, as Frei slowly stood up.

"Really..." assured Lenneth with a wavery smile. "I just...just need to rest..." Freya's hands were on her, solicitous as she helped Lenneth ease onto the mattress. Lenneth sighed as she laid down, shaking her head sadly. "I'm sorry Frei...I ruined your toast..."

"It's..." Frei hesitated, then shrugged. "It's all right Lady Lenneth..." She forced a smile. "Your health comes before any silly old toast."

"At least let me not cut your reunion short." Lenneth said. "Freya...I release you from your duties...Go...go and visit with your sister."

"It's really not necessary!" protested Frei, and Freya nodded.

"Lenneth, you are clearly not feeling well. Allow me to stay and watch over you." said the blonde. "Frei..." She turned to look at her sister. "You understand, right?"

"Yes..." Frei nodded. "Stay with her Freya...stay and make sure nothing else happens to Lenneth." She started to turn to leave, and her happy smile faded away. "I'll see you two later..." She promised, her back to them, her eyes flashing with menace.

"Farewell..." Freya called after her, and Lenneth murmured her own good-bye as well. Frei merely waved at them, and slipped outside the door. It swung shut with an audible click, and she leaned against the door, letting out a deep sigh. A scowl was on her pretty face, and her hands curled into fists, eyes infuriated. She took several seconds to compose herself, needing that time to calm down and think. And then Frei was pushing away from the door, walking forward several steps, only to disappear in a shower of red and black ether.

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A loud groan emitting from his lips, Dallas forced his eyes open, seeing darkness. He didn't panic, finding the inky blackness suited his dark mood, the mage wallowing in his misery. He sighed, and got a mouthful of cotton, the mage slow to realize he was lying face down on the bed. He groaned again, slowly pushing himself upwards with his hands, peering around the room bleary eyed. He found himself still dressed, legs dangling off the bed, the man unceremoniously dumped a top the mattress.

With a sigh, he slumped forward, burying his face into the cold sheets. "Alicia..." His muffled voice came out, sad and full of pity for himself. He thought back to how she had looked the day before, her face even more beautiful than he had ever seen, shining with a happiness that he was not the cause of. Dallas couldn't remember ever seeing the princess looking so blissful before, not even as a child had she looked that happy. And it was all because of that half elf, realized the mage. Rufus made her that way, made her happy in a way Dallas couldn't hope to duplicate.

Another deep sigh from him, the mage slowly rolling onto his back, finding he could breathe better now. However, the sun sent it's rays in through the open window, shinning them directly onto his face. Dallas let out a pained whimper, throwing an arm up over his eyes, trying to block out the light. He slowly became aware of other things, like the pounding in his head. Faint but it was there, just waiting to blossom into an explosion of pain.

He tried to think back to the night before, remembering his first sip of rum, the drink foisted onto him by the muscle bound warrior. It had been sharp, tangy, making him wrinkle his nose in disgust. And yet he had drank it all down, the taste bitter in his throat as he watched Alicia dance with Rufus. When they kissed, Dallas found the second cup of rum went down easier, tasting not half bad. It became a game to him, every time Alicia smiled, or touched Rufus, for every kiss, every embrace, he'd take a drink. He soon rapidly lost count of how many glasses of rum he had had, the world narrowing down to the taste and desire for the brown drink.

Dallas supposed he should be relieved, grateful that he didn't make a fool out of himself in front of Alicia. He was glad he was able to keep some control of his tongue, keep from spilling out his true feelings about her, and her wedding to the half elf. The pounding in his head was getting worse, his temples throbbing. Dallas licked his lips, finding his mouth dry, and realized he could use another drink. No more rum! His mind protested, and his stomach gargled, seeming to agree with it.

He forced himself to sit up, moaning with every sudden movement. Dallas practically fell off the bed, grabbing onto the wooden post for support. He took stumbling steps forward, smoothing down his robes, heading for the door. He wrenched it open, and was greeted by the sight of the hall, flooded with sunlight from the windows set in the opposite wall. Dallas squinted, holding up his hand, his head screaming at him.

"Oh hey..." A voice was speaking to him, sounding concerned. "You don't look so good."

"Er..." Dallas cautiously lowered his hand, seeing the beserker Arngrim staring at him. He was dressed in his armor, heavy blade strapped to his back. His hands were by his waist, fiddling with the packs on his belt, making sure he had plenty of potions on him.

"Dallas?" repeated Arngrim, his face frowning. "Did you hear me?"

"Oh yes...yes..." Dallas went to nod his head, and his world spun, the mage putting out his hand against the wall. "I'm just a little...hung over this morning..."

"Drank too much rum, did you?" Arngrim grinned, amused now that he knew the cause behind the mage's distress. "Well you know the cure for that..."

"No...no..." Dallas held a hand over his mouth, face turning green at the thought of Arngrim's cure. "I think I'd rather just work through the hang over, rather than drink any more of your devil drink..."

"I was going to suggest some fresh air, but drinking more rum is also a good idea." said Arngrim. "Come on...why don't you go out for a while? I could use the company."

"Go out? Where?" Dallas asked, taking deep breaths, trying to concentrate on the beserker's words.

"I'm going hunting on the Kythena plains." explained Arngrim. "The monster population is starting to grow out of control, what with the path to Solde being in so little use. Figure it's prime territory to earn some loot."

"Ah, you seek to replenish the gold you spent on the wedding..." A morose sigh from Dallas then.

"That too. But mostly I'm doing it for fun." answered Arngrim, flexing his muscles. "Got to keep in shape somehow, and the beasts are the perfect prey to test out my blade on. I could always use a mage on hand for back up. I'm sure you know some great spells."

"Thanks for the invitation but I think I'll pass." Dallas said to a disappointed Arngrim. "I'd much rather stay here and..." He trailed off, hearing Alicia's excited moan. She sounded breathless, calling out Rufus' name, her giggles echoing off the walls. If possible, Dallas' face turned even greener, and he shook his head. "On second thought...I think I'll go with you after all."

"Great!" Arngrim said, slapping Dallas on the back, causing the mage to stumble. "We'll have the plains cleared out of beasties in no time!"

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The ether swirled around, a tornado of red and black, spinning faster and faster. It spun around the bedroom, stirring up the curtains, ruffling the sheets on the bed, and knocking light objects off their perches. It moved through the room, uncaring of the mess it made, and only when it reached the center, did it slow to a stop. In an explosion of ether, the young Goddess Frei appeared, hands on her hips. She still wore her scowl, and her foot tapped impatiently on the floor.

"I was so close!" She raged, and then frowned, hearing the high pitched tone of her voice. Her eyes closed, and she waved her hand over her body, ether touching her skin. Slowly she changed, body growing taller, breasts flattening out as she took on the shape of a man. Her hair unbound itself, shortening and changing color, becoming a black that was as pure as a raven's feathers. Her---his skin darkened, and his eyes opened, Loki gazing down at himself in satisfaction. It was good to be back in his natural form.

"Damn it." He snarled, making a fist. He was perturbed that his trick had failed, Loki having hoped to use the love potion on Lenneth to steal her heart for his own. It wasn't that he harbored any desire for the Goddess, although he wasn't completely indifferent to her charms. But Loki was quick to realize that to gain control of Lenneth was to gain control over Lezard. And the one who did that was the one who would be the true power holder in regard to the Aesir kingdom.

"I'll have to think of another way." He muttered, Loki beginning to pace. He walked back and forth across the floor, lost in deep thought. Plans quickly formed in his mind, of great tricks and misdeeds. They were just as quickly dismissed, Loki deeming them to risky to undertake. He needed to do something, something that wouldn't point suspicion at him. But what?

Loki growled, turning back and forth, listening to sound of his footsteps across the floor. Lezard is a fool. He thought to himself. Letting his actions be guided by his feelings for a woman. It's his own fault if others seek to capitalize on that weakness. He continued to move, thinking back on how Lezard had shot down his suggestion of war against Odin's family. And all for the sake of making Lenneth happy. Loki shook his head, then paused, a grin slowly emerging chasing away the sour expression that he wore. A glimmer of an idea was starting to form in his head, suggesting that his next step be one that would implicate Odin's family in his next scheme.

Letting out a happy chuckle, Loki sat down in his favorite chair, expression thoughtful as he carefully considered his next move.

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Kythena plains was a lush and fertile land, green grass as far as the eye could see. It came up to their waist, the tall stalks brushing against their clothing, rustling as they moved. Overhead, the sky was a brilliant blue, not a cloud in sight. One could see for miles in either direction, only having to be careful of the monsters that used the grass for cover.

Tiny goblins lurked in the grass, crouching down so as to stay hidden until the last moment when they sprang up, swiping at passerbys with their sharp daggers. Wolves also lurked on the plains, stalking steadily through the grass. There was other creatures, vicious bats that swooped down out of the sky, to beat at people with their wings, fangs flashing, and a living armor roamed the plain, it's body animated by the vengeful ghost of the once living.

All in all, they were easy prey to one as experienced as the beserker Arngrim. His blade was on the constant move, swinging forward, smashing into the beast's flesh. Dallas stood some distance back, his remaining hand up in the air, his aura lit up. Power radiated off of him, the mage casting spell after spell, needing only minor magic to exterminate the fiends that roamed the plain.

"We make a good team." grinned Arngrim, settling his blade on his back. His clothing was bloody, splatters of the red liquid decorating his weapon. "Sure you don't want to become a pirate with me?"

"No thank you." declined Dallas politely. "I've no desire to live the life of an outlaw."

"Your loss." shrugged Arngrim, dropping to his knees. He withdrew a tiny knife from his leg sheathe, stabbing it into the stomach of the goblin that lay dead at his feet. Dallas wrinkled up his nose in disgust, trying to block out the sounds of the blade sawing into it's flesh. Arngrim was whistling, a happy little tune as he worked open the goblin's belly, sticking his hands into the open cavity. Things squelched, Arngrim removing it's organs. "These'll fetch a pretty price back in Solde."

"Urg..." Dallas tried not to be sick, cringing back as Arngrim held up it's liver. He didn't mind looting the bodies for their gold, although he hated the aspect of harvesting their insides to sell in town. Rationally he realized that someone had to get the ingredients that made up the various accessories and weapons manufactured in town, but he didn't like being that person.

"Come on." Arngrim said gruffly, tossing the bloodied knife at Dallas' feet. "Time to start earning your pay for your cushy life in Crell Monferaign."

Dallas made a face, staring at the knife. "Must I?"

"Hey, I'm not going to be the only one getting his hands dirty." Arngrim sounded annoyed. "Time to dig in, do a little hard work for once."

Dallas winced, bending to pick up the knife. He approached the body of a great gray wolf, muttering out a prayer as he stabbed the dagger into it's chest. A putrid stench assaulted his nose, the insides starting to spill out as he worried at the wound. Arngrim watched him work, approval in his eyes, Dallas tight lipped as he pushed his hand inside the wolf. His fist closed around it's heart, and he gave a tug, whispering a spell that loosened the organ, freeing it from the body.

"That's a big one." Arngrim grinned, holding out a brown sack. "Sure to bring in twice the price of what a normal sized wolf's heart brings in."

"Great..." Dallas said without feeling, dropping the heart into the bag. He was less than enthusiastic about it, finding this work was almost as grisly as some of what he had had to do in the laboratory of Dipan.

"Just keep this in mind, if you ever find yourself short on cash." advised Arngrim. "Nothing beats the quick buck of a monster slaying. Come on." He tied the sack off at his side, and withdrew his blade, eagerly scouting around for more monsters to kill.

"Haven't we got enough?" Dallas asked, a hint of whine to his tone.

"Enough?" Arngrim laughed. "Good joke. Dallas, we've only just started! I say we got another two, three hours tops worth of monsters to kill." He smiled, looking forward to the blood bath.

"Great..." muttered Dallas, hurrying after the beserker. He almost wished he had stayed back at the inn. But then he remembered Alicia's moan, a blush coming to his cheek. Perhaps it wasn't so bad killing monsters, when one thought of the alternatives...