Electrostatic

Matias

Matias

"Fear not death for the hour of your doom is set and none may escape it." - Volunga Saga

The dawn had broke, dappled peach and pink light softened its way throughout the room. A tan stained cloth gently shifted as the morn breeze entered the few square feet of abandoned inn I had occupied. Oil, food and filth scents soon followed, a small part of me seemed to ache at the current state of the land I once knew.

Almost as a comfort defence my conscience had allowed small patches of memories seep forward during my sleep. If I so wanted too I could recreate the jasmine and floral gardens, once walked as if in a dream. My imagination pined for some sanctuary, overwhelmed with battle, tasks and politics I fear I will never be able to return to the forgotten paradise of the high gardens. I cannot recall why I had such an attachment to the palace gardens, I assumed it has something to do with my lost affections to the now king of Asgard. However, times have taken over and I was to do my duty for the greater good, I know not of my true feelings, my emotions are scattered and confused. But today was the day I would threaten the mythical love of my life.

Smelling blood in the water I quickly washed the best I could, sanitary needs had obviously become a luxury within the city, sewage flooded the streets and clean water only ran in the country rivers.

My tunic twisted, I began to strap various knives and weapons to the hidden sheaths in my uniform. The daylight would not grant me cover to jump from roof to roof I would have to walk the streets with my face hidden, a hooded stranger was a much more threatening sight than a female dawned in jaded leather. To the naked eye summer is upon the dark city, the heat wasted as it passes over the shanty towns, there were no hint of new born nature here. Its citizens slumped shrivelled and filthy.

"Weapons for sale! Knives, Axes and whips!" Passing through a market the choas was clear.

"Royal cloth! Own the kings robes!" A rather large surly looking man bellowed from a golden stand.

"You Sir! Dawn your table in the royals own silk cloth!" Directing his attention to me, my face still draped in a large jade cloak.

"I suppose the thief that lifted these was served a swift justice?" Lazily palming the soft materiel it flowed straight through my fingers like liquid.

"Aye that's if the bastard king knew about it. Who are you to decide what is justice and what is not?" His spittle spewed with every syllable.

"A person whom is in concern for the survival of this city... can a passerby be not but worried for the common folk?" My tone deepened to continue the rouge of my gender.

"Not from around these sorrow parts then? A passerby should not care for lands he has no claim to. If us common folk are such a concern take it up with the bastard himself." A somber chuckle erupted from his greased lips.

"I have been counselled that the palace doors are firmly shut for such matters, although it stands to reason if such lovely items can mystically escape from the palace surely a person can enter unnoticed?" A pause was evident, low grumbles made themselves clear.

"These such things are known to but few folk, those who you just moments ago were swift to lay out justice to. Not a valuable impression to begin with if ones self intends to committing the very same crimes as those who entered before her." His expression lifted as if pulling back as mask.

"You are mistaken my good - " I began as to rescue my facade the merchant spoke clearly.

"Rumours and whispers run amok this city, words of a leader, a freedom fighter here to liberate the human population. And who are we mere market goers, to cast judgment to a simple stranger dawned in the finest of leathers questioning about how to lay siege to the palace itself?" The blatant underlaying suspicion visible in his words.

"And for that very leader to turn up a my stall, a female at that. I'd call that the finest of luck, I myself used to work at the palace, soldier of the guard. My name is Matias, follow me young Iver you'd be surprised at how far my connections lead my knowledge.

"So you know of my name... Matias?" Following the bold man through a series of overhanging market stalls and shaded tents, he entered a rich in colour red silk tent. Laid back into a maze of other lodgings, the worn material became less grand as more holes and stains dappled themselves across the linings.

"I received a message from one of my roaches that the Queen Freyr has been training and building a revolt force, against who I do not know but I have a rather sudden feeling that you are the centre of this gossip?" His accent dropped into a rather refined way of dialect.

"Was that a question or an accusation sir?" A monotone wave flooded my chords.

"Do not play fool with me child, I know of your purpose and your will here in Asgard but what I want to know is how I can be of service? A favour for a favour if you will?"

Matias was a lumbering man his waist line draped in fine cloth that seemed to have never seen a bucket of water in it's life. The sweet smell of body oder and wine was quite frankly pungent on him.

"You mean to say as long as I steal goods from the palace for you you'll do as I wish?" This deal had a foul stench just like the stained carpet in the tent.

"No dear lord what a wasted opportunity my child, I mean to say with your help when the war of the universe finally occurs I would like your protection, mine and my little roaches? In exchange for the information you need of course." His bowing showed respect but emitted a hint of sarcasm.

"There will be no war Matias, I intend to stop any conflict but if needs must I will use controlled violence to fix this city. And as for your little 'roaches' I'm sure orphaned children and enslaved adults where ever you have placed your listeners and messengers, across this world or the next will be suited fine in a future Asgard I plan to liberate." My speech fell on deaf ears, as Matias fondled a bunch of softened grapes spilling out of a chalice.

"You misunderstand me Iver, there is a war coming not even you can prevent. It is bigger than all of us, bigger than Asgard at least. If you want to take on the world have your fill but do not involve me in such matters. I am only interested in power and a life of luxury for as long as I can, before the universe comes to ruin." His concentration drew from the fruit towards a small purple vile clasped around his rolled greasy neck. The golden chain glistened in the dull light two golden snakes coiled around the magenta liquid.

"After you had your fill of this life you plan to exit through a vile of poison?" His desperate plan seemed sad in a way, wanting to live so quickly and die willingly with no purpose?

"Yes I have no interest to live when he victors." the chipper in his tone disappeared as his face fell.

"I do not understand who is this all powerful victor you speak of? This great war of worlds? This... this insane end of all life as we know it?" Matias looked up so sharply his spine should have fractured.

"Thanos."