The Stronghold 2: Immortals

Arguing

Once my tale was over and I'd added in all the facts about Pridian and the oncoming attack Harry had gone pale. He leaned back against the wall and took a deep, shuddering breath.

"So Pridian is battling Nightmare," he said, "by sending people to snoop around. There are monsters on the way and a little man inside your head. Nobody knows what to do, people are dying left, right and centre and it's all something to do with you." He pointed to me with a trembling finger. Another deep breath was taken and the trembling stilled as Harry visibly calmed down.

"Okay," he said at last. "What do you propose we do?"

"I need to pay someone a visit before I come up with any plans," I said. "For personal reasons. You never know, it may result in us getting a bigger team with better fighters."

"If you're going to talk to that jerk Pepper-" Brian began.

"Then I'll go now, go quietly and be quick about it," I finished, kissing him on the forehead and vanishing in a whirl of shadows. I materialised behind the bar in the Stronghold, resting my elbows on the countertop and grinning at an astonished Pepper.

"Good morning, sir, what may I get you?" I asked with a smile. Pepper got over his initial shock and responded by punching me in the face.

*

"You need to think things through before doing them," Loki said. He was sat cross-legged on the ground in the middle of an icy field.

"Did you do this?" I asked, indicating the frozen blades of grass.

"Yes," he replied. "It's the only way I can stop the creatures from reaching me."

"How close are the creatures to the human world?" I questioned.

"Too close. They're slipping through the portal all the time and will be heading to Nightmare," Loki said grimly. "Family and friends are locked up in that basement and so that will be the main point of attack."

"If I let everything free, will that help?"

"No, you mewling quim, that will set more creatures on the loose."

"Oh yeah."

"Hopefully Mr Rogers won't punch you again," Loki said. "Your company is hardly enjoyable."

"Thanks," I said sarcastically, feeling invisible hands tug me back into consciousness.

*

"Why the hell are you in my house?" Pepper growled, kneeling on my chest to hold me down. I blinked a few times and then pushed him off me easily.

"We need to talk," I said smoothly, standing up and leaning against the bartop. 

"About what?" Pepper snapped.

"Georgina."

"Geez, don't talk to me about that bitch," Pepper said, rolling his eyes.

"Have you been drinking?" I asked suspiciously.

"No."

"Then don't talk so foully about one of my friends," I hissed.

"Why do you care? You abandoned them all," Pepper spat.

"That was you, Pepper, and I actually had the grace to tell them where I'd gone," I retorted coldly.

"After two days," Pepper stated.

"At least it wasn't six months," I shot back.

 "Yeah, well, I was busy."

"I'm busy working!"