Loki's Daughter, Mortem and Mischief

Chapter Fifty Five

"Chins up!" I commanded firmly as I stood behind the Ragnival army. The seventy men who kneeled in front me immediately followed my order, their posture straightening as they began to take aim to the targets that sat fifty yards away.

"Draw back to your cheek, not ear, and certainly not behind or in front of your head," I continued. I paced down the line of men, checking their form and adjusting it when necessary. As soon as everyone was as close to perfect as I could make them, I ordered, "Fire!"

An onslaught of arrows immediately flooded the air as they traveled to their targets. One by one, the arrows landed-some made it to bullseyes. But for once in the entire time I was training the Ragnival's not a single arrow found itself shot into the dirt or a nearby tree. I could've nearly yelled in pride but I subdued myself to a smile.

"Well done!" I exclaimed as I surveyed the targets. At the beginning of this endeavor, not a single archer had been able to hit the bullseye. When Tyriel said that his archer's needed training, he certainly hadn't been kidding.

"That's the best I've seen them shoot my entire life," Tyriel muttered in amazement. Some of the soldiers couldn't help but smile, they were just as surprised by themselves as Tyriel was.

"Alright, now land ten bullseyes each and you're free to go," I commanded the soldiers, expecting a groan in reply. But to my delight, they happily got into form again and started to launch arrows just as I commanded. It felt good to have someone listen to me, and not do it begrudgingly.

"I don't think you've stopped smiling since you've gotten here," Tyriel stated, gently elbowing my side. "Would you prefer if I frowned?" I asked, raising a brow. Tyriel chuckled as he shook his head.

"Not at all. It's just...refreshing. Who would've thought that the girl who slaughtered half the universe, walks around like she's always angry, and has quite the reputation for being a colossal bitch has such a gorgeous smile?" he said as he looked down at me with those russet eyes.

I gently pushed him away, sidestepping away from him. "I thought we had established no more flattery," I said with a small smirk. Tyriel put his hand up in defense. "I made no such promise."

"Can I ask you a question, Hela?" he asked, I simply nodded in reply. "You're sixteen. The duaghter of perhaps the most notable partier in all of Asgard, and yet-I don't think I've seen you do so much as drink a sip of wine. All this to say, have you...ever enjoyed...your youth?"

I thought for a moment, taking time to mull over his question. "I enjoy things. I like archery, reading, magic...the likes. So yes," I replied. Tyriel scoffed, "That was not an answer."

"If you mean to ask, have I indulged in drinking till dawn, prostitutes and whores, or perhaps you mean ingesting those mushrooms your Berserkers are known for? The answer is no," I said matter-of-factly.

"Oh come on. Do you ever lighten up? We were made to enjoy ourselves, you should be taking advantage of your youth. Why don't you come out with me for a drink tonight? Just to see what it's all about," he suggested. I shook my head, that offer was already out of the question. I could hardly imagine the wrath I may face from my father if I were to come home drunk or worse. I could easily enjoy my youth in other ways.

"You'll consider it, won't you?" he asked with a smile. "I will make no such promise," I said, giving him a warning glance. Tyriel put his hands up defense, nodding as he turned his attention back to the archers.

"You know, Odin was such a good king because he could sympathize with his people. How will you accomplish that if you've never stepped foot in a bar?" Tyriel pushed on. I simply did my best to ignore him, not even paying him my gaze. "Come on, just a bit of fun, I'll be your personal guide throughout the bars, pubs, hey maybe even a brothel if you're into that-"

"No," I cut him off swiftly, I was not going to even entertain the idea a second longer. I was walking a thin line as it was, I was hardly going to test my Father's patience anymore. Especially not by going out to a brothel with Asgard's second in command. But, Tyriel must not have spoken Asgardian as he mistook my blatant no as a reason to keep begging. His voice rang in my ears like an annoying buzz.

"Shut up," I groaned, causing him to finally go silent, "As soon as you entire legion can shoot three bullseyes in a row, maybe-just maybe I'll consider. But no promises." Tyriel's face lit up and he immediately stomped towards his training men and got to work, perfecting their aim. I rolled my eyes before venturing back to the palace, I had quite enough of the berserkers and Tyriel for the day.

As I walked into palace, I was immediately met with a whirlwind of chaos. Guards were running left and right. I hardly had a clue what it was all about before I finally saw a familiar face amongst the crowd. Before my father, Mobius stood with a worrisome expression. I didn't hesitate even for a moment before I quickly came to their side.

"What happened?" I asked hastily, cutting off Mobius from whatever he was discussing with my father.

"Where have you been?" My father asked, his eyes were wide and if anything- he looked even more concerned than Mobius did. His voice was harsh and filled with concern. Anxiety began to bubble within me, had I done something wrong? What could have possibly caused so much of an uproar?

"I was with the soldiers, training them for archery," I explained quickly, desperately trying to defend myself against my father. "We sent a messenger for you over an hour ago," he argued, firmly gripping my wrist. I simply shook my head, my mouth gape in surprise. No such messenger had come, I had no clue that the palace had been in such a hullabaloo.

"He could've been killed...the messenger I mean," Mobius suggested with a sigh, "We know she's not shy to some bloodshed." My father hummed in agreement.

"Who? Who are we talking about? What's going on?" I questioned, feeling like a broken record. I scanned their faces looking for any sort of answer. My heart plummeted as I took in my father's countenance. The absolute terror in his eyes, the way he now held my wrist as if he were scared to let go, the shaking firmness in his voice-I knew only the worst could've happened.

"Your mother is gone," he said grimly, I could feel my heart leap into my throat. "Grimnir is too," Mobius added. I swallowed hard as I nodded slowly.

I suppose there was no way I'd be taking up Tyriel's offer anytime soon. I had bigger, far more important things at hand.