Fear of Losing Control (Book #1 in the Infinity Chronicles)

Chapter 5. A point and a punch

I tiptoed through the palace, jumping at every little sound. I had specific instructions from Thor and Hogan to slap or punch any suspicious characters.
That could be anyone, for all I know. Since I'm not familiar with Asgardian ways, anyone could be suspicious.
"Hey," a voice sounded from behind me causing me to jump.
I turn around only to find Siff and a wave of relief.
"I heard you're good with a sword," she says as she approaches me.
"Well, yeah," I say, "But as a sport, not as war."
"Don't worry," she says grabbing my arm and dragging me towards a door, "It's not that much different."
"Where are we going?"
"To see if what Thor said was true."
She pushes the door open to reveal an open area surrounded by balconies and wall. Inside it people are training and watching. Sand replaces the usual floor and weapons and armor replace the usual decor.
She helps me into some chain mail and then does the same for herself.
"Choose your weapon," she says as we stand above a table with a variety of swords.
I reach down to pick up a sword that looks very much like an epae, which is the sword I am most familiar with.
I've never fought with a real sword. I only fence. It's a sport that is a lot like ballet but with a sword. It requires rhythm and precise, small steps.
"All right," Siff says as she leads me to an open spot, "Show me your stance."
I take my weapon and hold it out in front of me, my elbow in and slightly bent. I put my left hand behind me, above my head, pulling my shoulder backwards. I position my feet, the right one facing forward and the left facing sideways. Both knees bent.
"Impressive," she says as she walks around me examining my stance, the sand shifting beneath her feet. "Now lets see if your wielding is as good as your stance."
She pulls out what looks like a saber from her sheath and makes her own stance.
A smug smile appears on her face and she says, "Go."
Before I can think she launches at my shoulder, causing me to place my sword there and exposing my stomach. And that's where she hits. She tricked me.
The smirk remains on her face as she lunges again, this time aiming for my chest. As she does, I crouch below her weapon and hit her in the stomach.
"Nice move," she says as she returns to her stance, "But you'll need more than that to defeat me."
We parry back and forth, Siff gaining a point, and then me. And vise versa.
We don't stop until we are tired and out of breath. Siff wears a determined look and I remain placid.
After a half an hour, Fandral steps in between us and yells, "Stop! You have been fighting for long enough, and you both need a bath."
Siff sends him a glare as I try to hide my smile.
I return back to the palace after saluting Siff and mocking Fandral.
I treat myself to a nice warm bath and some new clothes. This time, I choose leggings and a dress that goes halfway down my thighs.
I lay down to nap, ignoring the huger that begins to form in my stomach. But it wasn't a peaceful nap.

"Sigyn, what were you thinking?" my mother yelled at me, "How could you be such a fool?"
I had only forgotten to take care of some laundry and dishes, but she was making it out to be a big deal.
Tears stung my eyes and ran down my face. I was not sad. I was afraid. Afraid of her.

I awake with a start to find my self in a huge bed, in a huge room, with a balcony near by. This wasn't my apartment.
Then I remember. Thor. Bifrost. Asgard. Odin. Siff.
My eyes are barley open when I walk outside my room. I was to tired to be up, but to afraid to go back to sleep.
The hunger that settled in my stomach before I napped grew, so I decided to eat the pain away.
One right, three lefts, two rights. I make my way through the halls trying to remember what Siff had told me. One left, four rights... Then I was lost.
I stand in the middle of a hall exhausted and hungry, when a small sound catches me off guard.
I turn around and bring my fist to a face, feeling its nose crack beneath my knuckle.
I panic as I see who I just punched. Odin.
"Oh, your majesty!" I gasp, "I'm so-"
Just then the cold face of Odin that I had seen before changes. It no longer has one blue eye, but two green ones. It no longer has long white hair, but jet black hair. I recognized the face from the news. Loki.
My heart begins to pound as I realize that I just punched the god of mischief.
He holds his hand up to his nose and then notices the blood on it. Shifting his gaze to me, I can almost hear a growl in his throat.
Before I can speak, his hand covers my mouth and blocks any hope of a scream. Then I feel a hard bump at the back of my head. And everything goes black.