Chapter Three: The Salvation of Paradise

[The Mighty Thor]

There was a sense of alarm that began to sweep through the village once Sigmarr had panicked. The sight of an Asgardian security detail was never something the locals cared to see in their quiet hamlet. Rather quickly the locals began to retreat into their homes and shops, peering out at the strangers who threatened to bring the Lord’s wrath down upon them. From the safety of one of those shops, Abby decided to stay as far from harms way as she could and look through the books around her for some tidbit of information that could help their cause. She began to peruse the tome that lay before her, as people began to filter into the store around her. She did her best to ignore them as she reopened the book and began to read. To her surprise it was written by hand, and judging by the splatter and blotches that littered the margins, it had been done with quill and ink. The ink was faded and old. In fact, it was probably older than anything Abby had ever seen before, including anything she had ever seen in any museum. But as old as it was, it was remarkably preserved. It was a book of ancient mythology, Norse mythology to be precise. The first page read, “In the beginning there was cold and heat. On one side, Niflheim, the land of frost and mist. On the other, Muspellsheim, a sea of raging flames. Between them, there was nothing but the vast, bottomless abyss, Ginnungagap. Here, in this yawning void, flanked by light and dark, lay the origin of all life. In the encounter between ice and fire...” Abby continued to read, but realized that the book was not written like any tall tale or story book she had ever read before. In fact she quickly surmised that this was not a book of mythology at all. This was a history book. As she paused to take in the information she had gleaned, she noticed the people who had filtered into the shop now huddled some distance from her, whispering and pointing in her direction.

Outside the shop, Logan was making his way determinately toward the ruckus that his teammates seemed to be causing. But as he walked, he realized that he was being followed. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Sigmarr rushing after him, with four armored and armed locals in tow. Apparently the annoying little man had been successful in rousing the local security forces to go along with their more godly counterparts. A fact which became apparent to Franki, Paige and the Cloak as they watched from a nearby rooftop. It was simple child’s play for Franki to traverse the building’s facade, finding a shadowy nook behind a large stone chimney. Her training had taught her how to stay hidden even in the most unlikely of circumstances, a skill she had mastered long ago. Paige had a slightly more difficult time of it. But once she had peeled the flesh from her hands, revealing metallic claw-like fingers which were much more suited to climbing, she followed behind Franki with little trouble. The trio watched as the armored men pursued Logan, calling out to him as they went, “Good sir! You there, in the pallid cloak. We would have words with thee!”

Lies flowed freely from Iron Fist and Barry, hoping to fend off the curiosities of the large Asgardians. Although they weren’t really lies, more the likes of half truths. But even half truths made them seem suspicious, especially considering the reports that their Master had handed down to them. The first man, Hogun spoke, “If that be the truth, that ye are but humble nomads, why did thee lie when first ye were questioned? I don’t believe a word ye speak. Security master Loki has seen something amiss in Landsbystyv. There be at least one here who possesses abilities no longer allowed on Midgard. As ye seem to be among the only strangers in this land with something to hide, it seems most obvious that ye be the ones we seek.” Just then, Victoria emerged from the alley, cloak pulled tightly about her white locks. She spoke to the demigods hoping to extinguish the situation, but Hogun barely heard a word. His gaze was fixed at the woman’s hip, and the uru sword that hung there, not quite hidden by the folds of her cape. With his focus completely shifted, he sprang from his mount and rounded on Victoria, bellowing, “Where did thee get this blade?!”