Chapter 36
Jor franticly conjures another ball of fire hoping to defend himself against Kol who is calmly walking towards him, but just as quick as they form they dissipate from sight.
“I warned you.” Kol says blasting him so hard that he flies right through the wall of the tavern into the street.
“Who are you?” He questions trying to stand.
“I am Kol son of Loki and adopted son of Thor.” He answers stepping through the hole in the wall.
“Kol the punisher?” He asks trembling in fear.
“Kol is fine.” He answers magically picking him up in the air and slamming him back into the ground.
“Please I didn’t know it was you.”
“So that makes it better? If it hadn’t been us then you would have beat up on some other demigods simply because you wanted to look tough and not find out the whole story? No, I imagine things have been this way here for a very long time, how many innocent men have you beaten to a pulp for no good reason? Consider this a punishment for your crimes against all those you wronged.”
“Please no!” Yells Jor.
“Never show yourself to me again and if I find out you have been attacking demigods for no reason I’ll come back and finish what I started.” Kol snarls turning and walking back to the bar.
“No you won’t.” Whispers Jor pulling out a dagger to throw at Kol.
Sensing something amiss Kol turns around to see the dagger dropping from his hand as he screams in pain with Floggen standing next him.
“Now boy I’m going to teach you a lesson you’ve needed for a long time!” Floggen yells in his ear while pulling him to his feet by the ear.
Punching him in the stomach so hard that he lurches over, Floggen grabs onto him bending him over his knee and spanking him in front of everyone.
“You don’t attack people from behind! That is very, very naughty, it’s a no, no. You don’t bully others! That too is a no, no! You better be a good boy or I’ll come back here, understand?” He questions.
Jor just continues to cry feeling totally humiliated.
Spanking him again harder Floggen demands a response. “I said do you understand me?!”
“I understand.” He shrieks.
“Good, now get out of here before I change my mind!” Snaps Floggen lifting him up and kicking him in the butt.
“I had it under control.” Kol says walking up to Floggen.
“I saw that, but things had already got pretty serious and when he pulled the dagger it would have forced you to kill him to survive, you don’t need that on your conscious Kol.”
“The day will come Floggen when evil men or demigods that serve an enemy will force me to kill them, no matter how you look at it one day I will have to cross that bridge.”
“Hopefully you will always find another way, and if that bridge is one you will cross it won’t be crossed today.” He says patting him on the back.
“Thank you Floggen, I guess I’m more like Loki than I thought.”
“Not in the least, your father would not have stopped, nor would he have given his enemy a chance to flee. In the end you are nothing like him given what just happened here.” Reassures Floggen.
“Thanks Floggen.”
“Well look at what we have here, the conquering hero returns.” Smiles Curios. “Nice job there killer that was some major power going on there, it looks like you’ve been holding out on us.”
“And who’s your little friend?” Asks Hallthor. “Orphan from the streets? No, that can’t be, I mean it doesn’t look like he’s been missing any meals now does it?”
“What did he say? I don’t speak stupid.” He asks turning to Curios.
“And you think that I do? Screw you Floggen.” He says turning his back on him playfully. “That’s it tonight you’re sleeping on the couch.”
“Fine, the couch gives me more love then you do anyway!”
“Speaking of getting some lovin’ when was the last time you got a little action Kol from what I saw in that fight you have some serious pent up aggression.” Laughs Hallthor.
Thinking for a second Kol smiles. “I don’t know Hallthor, we’ll have to check with your sister she was the last girl I was with.”
“Low blow.”
“That’s my specialty.” Kol smirks grabbing the mead he just got.
“I bet it is!” Yells Curios slapping the table.
They all start laughing taking a big drink together.
“So where do we start?” Questions Kol getting back to business.
“I’d say we start by finding the bottom of our mugs then the very next thing that should happen is you ducking Kol.” Says Curios.
“What?”
Just then the golden bird flies right through the window slamming into Kol’s head with full force.
“Low bridge.” Pronounces Curios with a grin.
“Funny, now let’s hear what Vasos has to say.” He mutters pressing the button.
After listening to the message they all share a little giggle.
“I like that Sander, he sounds like a hoot and I’m all for having a huge party after the quests are over.” Cheers Curios to the air spilling a little of his drink.
“I think we can beat them.” Hallthor smiles. “I’m not going to let Sevrrir get bragging rights on us.”
“The eyes didn’t follow them.” Notes Kol. “What’s that about?”
“I wouldn’t worry about it Kol, that’s a weird place and I’ll bet you that things aren’t always the same for everyone.” Floggen declares.
“I suppose but it still bothers me.”
“Water under the bridge,” Curios says.
“You’re right, it’s Curios under the bridge. Anyway, I think I’m going to wait on sending a message back to Vasos until we actually have a little more to report.”
“I agree. Otherwise what are you going to say? We’re lounging in a bar and have no real idea where the hell to start our search.” Hallthor states with a chuckle.
“Man you guys are thick.” Floggen laughs. “He a god of summer and the outdoors where do you think you should start looking.”
“Calm down Mr. hide in a hole when danger comes.” Hallthor snaps.
“So screw it let’s get out of here and find that god.” Curios suggests.
“I agree let’s do it, we’ll get out of here and head to the forest to the south that’s as good a place as any to start.” Agrees Kol standing up and marching out of the tavern paying as he leaves.
The others stumble out of the place in a hurry meeting up with him in the middle of the street.
“Are you going to join us on our little adventure Floggen?” Beams Kol in excitement.
“Did you forget what happened when the other gods showed up? No, it’s best if I’m not around the gods too much, mainly because I’m a coward at heart.”
“Don’t sell yourself short so to speak.” Laughs Curios.
“Ha ha. Well I’ll be heading back to the ship, you know how to find me when you need me.” He says waving as he heads back towards the docks.
Hallthor watches him for a second and then turns to the others. “Hey guys I’ll be right back I forgot to tell Floggen something.”
Catching up to him Hallthor turns him around forcefully. “What’s your game Floggen?”
“Why whatever do you mean?” He asks innocently.
“I mean I know you’re no coward that was a weak excuse, what’s the real reason you don’t want to go with us?”
Lowering his head Floggen speaks in a whisper. “Listen Hallthor I don’t have a great relationship with the gods.”
“Given the way you talk to people I’m not surprised.”
“It’s more than that, to tell you the truth Hallthor my real name isn’t even Floggen it was mainly luck that Ares didn’t recognize me, if some of the gods find out I’m here it’ll just cause more problems for everyone. Please just trust me and keep this to yourself, I think I’ve proved that I’m on your side so jus
t trust me.” Pleads Floggen.
“Why are some of the gods angry at you?”
“Because I’m trying to protect and help Kol.” He informs him quietly.
“If that’s true and you’re on our side then just tell Kol and Curios, they’ll understand I’m sure.” Reasons Hallthor.
“It’s not the right time.”
“What is it with everyone saying that? There’s never a right time for bad news!” Exclaims Hallthor.
“There is a time and a place for everything Hallthor, so please just don’t tell Kol or Curios anything ok?”
After deliberating for a moment Hallthor agrees before turning and walking back to the others who are still waiting in the same spot.
“What was that about?” Questions Kol.
“Floggen is an imposter that’s not his real name and apparently the gods wouldn’t be too happy if they find out who he really is and what he’s been doing.” Hallthor says simply as they begin to head towards the forest.
“Yeah I figured as much.” Kol responds coolly.
“You did?” Curios looks at him raising an eyebrow.
“I pieced it together a while back but I wasn’t completely sure until just now, I don’t know exactly who he really is but he’s proven no threat to us. We’ll deal with the problem of who he really is later.”
“I trust him.” Hallthor says. “I just want that known.”
“We all do.” Guarantees Curios. “Whoever he may be he is our friend first and foremost I say.”
“I concur for the time being, but right now let’s take to the air and end this quest.”
Immortals Children Of The Gods Page 36