Part 10

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That night I blacked out from the pain. When I woke up I was in his bed, and my wrists were still tied to his bedposts. I croak, "Loki?"

I try to lift my head and feel immediate pain in my head. I try to pull my right arm out of the restraints but I'm met with a burning sensation in my wrist. I lie my head back down and focus on the restraints. I imagine them disappearing and feel the magic at work.

I sit up, restraint free and examine my wrist. On the inside of my right wrist is a symbol. He must have used magic to brand it after I passed out. The mark looks like this:

I try to get up but the pain is too much

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I try to get up but the pain is too much. Taking a breath, I try again. When I get to my feet I wobble slightly and it takes me a while to make it back to my room. Once I'm there I look at the clock and see that I have to leave soon. I freshen up and change my clothes. I try my best to ignore the pain and walk to the dining hall for breakfast before the competition.

When I get there, I don't immediately sit next to Benji. Instead I plop down by myself in the corner. I look over at Benji and give him my best 'I'm fine' smile. After I eat, all of the competitors are instructed to meet in the courtyard for Frigga's challenge.

In the courtyard there are tables set up with food, and there are areas with cloth and other sewing materials. "Hello all, and welcome to the first day of competition." Frigga greets. "The first agenda for today will be sewing. Each of you is required to sew five ripped items. The first is a curtain, the second a dress, the third a pair of pants, the forth a tapestry, and the fifth an enchanted handkerchief."

She goes into the rules, no interfering with another girl's materials or work. No magic. The sewing will be judged on how seamless the stitching is and how well the stitched hold. When we begin I examine my station. I have four needles of varying lengths and twenty four different colors of thread. The timer starts and we have thirty minutes.

Most of my items are ripped down the middle, except for my handkerchief. My handkerchief is torn to absolute shreds. The first four items are easy enough to sew, but when I look around it seems that everyone is struggling. I move on to my handkerchief and the enchantment is that it is a sentient creature. This is an issue because every time I go to stick the needle in, the cloth flinches and whines. I decide that it would be best for the little handkerchief if I sing it a lullaby.

"It's okay. I know it hurts, but when you wake the rips will all be gone..."

It wasn't a very good lullaby, but it effectively calmed the cloth. I look around and I am the first one done. I'm feeling good about myself until-

"Loki!" Queen Frigga shouts. "Stop using magic and interfering with the work."

Apparently Loki was the reason that none of the other girls were finishing in a timely manner. He stops meddling and the other girls are given extended time. At the end they determine that my stitch work is exceptional, however my handkerchief isn't very durable. Nonetheless I come in first, and we prepare to start the next event: cooking.

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