Chapter 4
Kol looks over the city of Ran amazed at the beauty and workmanship of the place; it’s a mix of modern technology and ancient ways in a perfect balance. The hill that they are standing on at the edge of the forest gives a wonderful overview of the cityscape stretching into the distance. The buildings are strong and sturdy with the signs of each of them being updated to be made of stone or metal. Food carts and shops of all kinds line the narrow alleys providing everything a person could possibly want, taverns and inns dot the landscape here and there inviting anyone to stay. Looking over the city he hadn’t realized until this moment that he was so tired, they had been traveling nonstop for over a week now with very little sleep and even less food.
Next to him Bjorn huffs in grudging respect at the sight himself. “At last, it has been a long time since I have been here. Hmm…I wonder…no I’m sure they’ve forgotten what happened it should be fine.”
“What happened here last time father?” Questions Hagar.
“Nothing to concern yourself with boy, that goes for you too Kol.”
“I didn’t ask Bjorn nor do I care. I’ve seen the kind of man you are and the things that you do, let’s just find a place to stay for the night so we can discuss what route to take to Greece.” Says Kol walking down the hill.
“That’s my choice apprentice, no discussion is necessary.” He says pushing past Kol heading down the hill himself with Hagar in tow.
“Don’t over step your bounds Bjorn, even apprentices provide input and if you plan on me staying with you I expect you to treat me with a little more respect.” Snaps Kol.
“If you don’t want my training, you’re more than welcome to make the way to Greece by yourself. Enjoy finding your way with the amount of money you have.” He smiles slyly turning his back on Kol again heading down the hill to a close by cart.
Hagar laughs for a moment before skipping down the hill himself.
With a sigh Kol thinks about everything for a moment before he concedes to the idea of following Bjorn walking slowly down the hill after them.
Stopping at the first food cart Bjorn buys some fruit for all of them to eat.
“Here.” He says handing them each a couple of pieces. “This should hold you over until tonight when we can have a proper meal. Now, let’s find a place to stay for the night. The first boat doesn’t leave until morning for our journey. Once we get settled into our room I will be heading to the tavern for a drink and some business, before leaving I will give you some moves to practice in my absence.”
“So I take it you already have a route in mind?” Questions Hagar.
“I do, by the end of our journey you two will be among the fiercest of warriors in the world.”
“A bold statement Bjorn.” Stares Kol.
“One that I can back up completely.” He says flatly motioning for the two boys to follow him.
Silently as the group talks a figure follows them at a distance eyeing them curiously, she is very beautiful but her eyes are pure black and unnerving, her long black hair flows back and forth around her laying down her perfect five foot eight hour glass figure.
Unexpectedly a hand grabs her shoulder turning her around forcefully. “What are you doing here Lofn?”
“The same thing you are Thor, I’m eager to see the character of Loki’s son and I have an excellent plan for his first test, care to help?”
“I will test the boy in my own way Lofn, I do not wish to be associated with any of your dealings, although I will stand sentry and see his decision in the matter you present him.”
“I am thinking that he will…” She begins to be interrupted by a man bumping into her rudely.
Quickly Lofn grabs the man from behind whispering in his ear. “There she is, at the cart is the woman you’ve always wanted. It doesn’t matter that she’s with that giant man, he has stood in your way for far too long, take charge and get the woman you are lusting for no matter what it takes. Promptly the man runs over to the cart and punches the man in the face without saying a word.
Turning back to Thor who frowns at the situation she continues. “Sorry about that, anyway, I was saying that I think that he’s going to be just like his father.”
“I cannot say either way yet, but believe me I will be testing him thoroughly and watching him closely. I have a personal interest in this.”
“Yes I heard about your son, such a waste, he was quite fun to use for my ends, so easily influenced.” She laughs disappearing into smoke robbing Thor of a chance to respond.
“Witch.” He says pulling his cloak over his head while walking in the direction the trio went.
Kol can feel a charge in the air something on the wind that he can almost taste. “Something is off.”
“I feel it as well.” Sniffs Bjorn with his nose in the air as he is looking around.
“I don’t feel anything out of the ordinary.” Frowns Hagar looking around.
“Of course not, your senses are as dull as a rock my child. I didn’t expect you to be on the same level as Kol, but we’ll get you trained yet.” States Bjorn.
Hagar stares at Kol for a second envious of the praise he’s getting before returning to looking around with the others in the hopes of seeing something to prove himself to Bjorn.
“It’s gone, best we keep moving. Let’s get to the inn.” Says Bjorn pushing more insistently through the growing crowd.
Lingering for a moment longer Kol scans the crowd one last time certain he still feels something off. “No it’s not.” He says focusing on a cloak covered man walking slowly through the crowd.
Without meaning to he begins walking towards the man with purposeful intent until abruptly the stranger is swallowed in the crowd disappearing from his senses completely.
“Hmm, it seems that someone may be hunting us.” He smiles. “Believe me whomever you are I am no one’s prey, I will never again be a victim.” He says out loud turning back to follow the others.
“We’ll see about that.” Whispers Lofn with a smile as she watches from a nearby window.
She turns around looking at the young teen age girl sitting in a trance on the bed, pacing back and forth in front of her Lofn inspects her one last time. The girls name is Sig and she has just been happily married, she had sea blue eyes and dark chocolate colored hair, her body was perfectly shaped, supple and beyond pleasing to the eye.
“You will do little one, now go and make Kol fall in love with you. The pheromones from your body are now heightened and will pull him towards you, so do not give in to the desires of the flesh until Kol wants you so bad it hurts, then confess to him the truth that you are married and let him decide what course he will pursue, that of the righteous or that of the deceitful. Now go, he is staying at the Bifrost Inn.”
Hesitantly Sig leaves the room wishing she could fight the control this goddess has over her, unable to resist she heads out into the market place heading towards the Inn to find Kol.
Steadily Thor follows the girl anxious to see the results of the test until a change on the wind catches his attention. Ducking into a nearby dark alley Thor looks to the sky with an irritated look.
“Show yourself.”
A few moments pass before a powerful light glows a few feet from him leaving a beautiful woman standing in its wake. Her hair flows and changes colors as do her eyes and her face is the image of unconditional perfection matching her body, as usual whenever Thor’s thoughts drift to something else that might be better to look at her body and face changed to match it.
“Aphrodite, it has been a very long time. What may I ask brings you to our dominion?” He questions respectfully.
“My son and your nephew great Thor. As I understand it you and many of the other gods of Asgard are planning to put him through a series of tests to determine what kind of hero he is (if at all) and to make him pay penance for the killing of your son of course.”
“Tis the truth, but how is it that you know of the penance planned for him?” He questions curio
usly.
“My father Zeus was given the information by your father Odin.”
“I see, so what has the all father and the father of Olympus decided? I’m sure they have planned something to interfere with my plans else wise dear lady you would not be here, correct?” He smiles.
“It is indeed true the two of them have conspired, they have decided that each demigod will undertake two missions as it were for penance due.” She sighs.
“I sense that you are none too happy with this decision, please speak plainly and tell me your thoughts.” He says placing a hand on her shoulder.
“My son was attacked by another demigod some time ago, Icterus, son of my lover Ares who was doing much the same thing as your child. One day, when my son Vasos paid his so called “protection money” Icterus decided it wasn’t enough, he and his group of soldier thugs beat my child to within a hairs breath of dying. It took nearly three months for him to recover fully, once he had though the rage that burned within him was immense and had to be sated, he tracked down, fought and killed Icterus then fled the city. Furious with what happened Ares went to Zeus and demanded justice even though his son was in the wrong, but, considering everything that happened between them Lord Zeus parleyed with Lord Odin who was visiting at the time and together they made their decree.”
“I see.” Says Thor gravely.
“I am sorry to hear about the loss of your son, I know he was not living up to what you had hoped but none the less I’m sure his death weighs heavy on your heart.”
“It is the truth, my son was performing evil deeds and for that I was ashamed, yet my heart weeps for him and the fact that he did not enter Valhalla but instead Helheim. In truth I do not blame Kol for defending himself, had he not, my brother would be mourning a son now instead of me for surely Ragnar would have killed him given the chance.”
“Nor do I blame Vasos for seeking retribution but regardless of what feelings we may have our fathers have spoken.” Sobs Aphrodite.
“Take heart dear one. All is not lost for these young ones. Pray tell what quests have been chosen for them to undertake?”
“Vasos is to find Chrysaor (who is the son of Poseidon and Medusa), defeat him and his pirates and steal his mask. Secondly, he has to find the armor of Achilles which has been lost for ages now. As for Kol his quests will be first to find Od, the lost husband of Freyja. Secondly, he will have to quest to his fathers’ palace to recover the hair he cut off of your wife Sif and return it to you.” She says unenthusiastically.
“Bold quests, but with a strong will and pure heart they will prevail...”
Beginning to sob again she interrupts him. “There’s more, should they both survive and prevail in their quests they must work together as the gods have in the past. Together they must first journey to Hades realm into Tartarus to retrieve Cronus’ sickle, if the fates will them to survive they must then journey to Helheim and retrieve Surtr’s flaming sword.”
“Dangerous quests, and our Norns like your fates are unpredictable, the probability of them surviving is slim indeed. Do not bare me ill will my lady it was not I that requested such quests.”
“I do not blame you Thor, Zeus and Odin chose these quests because the oracle at Delphi has prophesied that these two demigods will be instrumental to both the Asgardians and Olympians in a dark time to come. So they must be forged in destitution to prepare them for the hard time ahead, we need them to become the heroes that will help save us, and if they should become villains, we must know now so they can be stopped before they cause our downfall.”
“A foreboding prophecy indeed, all the more reason they should be tested in more ways than the quests. I have planned for several moral tests for Kol and I suggest that the same be done for Vasos.” He says ominously.
“Many of the gods agree with you and they have taken to the mission however I am not one of them, I know my sons heart as well as my own. He is a hero.”
“I do not doubt your judgment Aphrodite. In fact because I trust your judgment and counsel, I would ask what you believe of Kol.”
“In my opinion Kol is as different from his father as you are, he has the heart of a hero, and as long as corruption can be kept from influencing him, he will be a great man. I am not sure if that is what you wanted to hear or not but it is the truth from my heart.”
“The truth is all I asked for sister and you have given it, I have no right to be mad at such a thing. Fair thee well goddess and thank you again for everything, now I must go, Kol’s first challenge draws near for the tests have now begun.”
With that Thor pulls his hood back over his head heading out of the alley and disappearing into the crowd towards the Inn.
“Fair thee well Thor.” She says glowing for a moment before disappearing.
Immortals Children Of The Gods Page 4