Loki: Storm of Swords

Chapter 26 - Sister & Brother-In-Law

"These people have no moral compass whatsoever!" Volstagg shouted, actually angry now. 

"Every culture is different. In this case, she believes cruelty is the proper response for the attempts against her family," Hogun said, trying to be the mediator, to a point. 

 "That still does not justify her reaction to this," Thor said firmly. All of them (with the exception of Sif) were gathered in Thor's chambers, drinking and arguing. Hogun was neither for or against the decision Daenerys made, while Volstagg, Fandral, and Thor were in violent opposition. 

 "What has Sif said about it?" Fandral asked as he stared into his goblet.

"She hasn't said much of anything. She had to take the children away with the Hound," Thor answered as he polished Mjolnir. 

 "Do you think what Loki said was true?" Fandral posed and they looked at him. 

 "That Odin made him kill traitors and rivals?"

"Many of those nobles did vanish or were found dead under mysterious circumstances. We must take that into serious consideration," Hogun reminded and Thor put Mjolnir down, burying his face in his hands. 

 "I know, Hogun... but... I already have a strained relationship with my father since Malekith. I honestly can't afford to believe that he made Loki, while he still thought of him as his son, perform such heinous acts," Thor answered. They were interrupted by a knocking on the door. "I thought were ordered to 'stay out of the way'?!" Thor shouted through the door. It opened a second later, and an exotic woman appeared. She curtsied to them before fixing Thor with her dark gaze. 

 "I have been ordered by my mistress to bring you to her," she said, an accent of sorts accentuating her words.

"Your mistress?" Thor posed as he stood up.

"The Lady Sansa of House Frostborn. I am Shae, her handmaiden," the woman answered. Thor glanced around at his friends, but only Fandral offered him a half-hearted shrug. 

 "Will her husband be present?" Thor asked, not sure if he wanted to see Loki at that moment.

"As of this moment, her husband is seeing to affairs of state in the small council chamber," Shae responded. 

 "Did she say why?"

"I am not at liberty to say, your highness," Shae said and she led him out of the room. Thor had not been to Loki's chambers in the Red Keep, and he was rather curious to see if he maintained any Asgardian sense of décor. The hallways were rather empty, and he figured it was because all the nobles were afraid after the attack on their queen earlier that day. Only a few servants were about, preparing food or doing other necessary tasks. Thor just followed Shae until they arrived at a door that had horned helmets carved into it. 

 "These are the palatial suites of the Hand of the Queen."

"Is this the only place they live?" Thor asked as he followed her through the large doors.

"No. They have an estate on the cliffs overlooking the Narrow Sea. They are simply here for the duration of the unrest and threat," Shae said just as Sansa came through the door on the other side of the entrance hall. The setting sun caught her hair at a perfect angle, giving her a fiery halo. Her loose green shift was emphasized by the black and golden traced corset adorning her shapely figure. Thor bowed to her and she tilted her head to him. 

 "Thank you, Shae. You may leave us now," Sansa said.

"As you wish, my lady," Shae said in response and she left them alone.