2 | 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃 ▹ LOKI LAUFEYSON

xiv. the omen

A M O R A

"So are you really going to do it?"

Sif had to raise her voice in order to be heard over the noise of the training room. Even though the archery range was outside, the clanging of swords and shouting of voices carried easily.

Amora released her drawn arrow and it hit the target with a dull thunk, just barely missing the very center. With a sigh, she reached back for another arrow from her quiver.

"Why should I not?" she asked, once more taking aim, "We need information about Thanos, and Odin actually approves of it now."

The arrow cut through the air and found its intended mark. Amora beamed; having spent so much time in the healing halls, she feared the day that she would lose her touch. Forunately, she and Sif were able to meet for these casual training sessions.

"That may be so, but this is Loki we're talking about."

This made Amora pause, her hand hovering over an arrow. Turning, she sat down on a nearby bench. "I know, but..."

Sif sat down next to her and furrowed her brow. "But what?"

But what? The question had circled Amora's mind too whenever she pondered this topic. She always had the same answer, but the thought of actually saying it--solidifying her thought--made her feel like a foolish girl.

Shaking her head, she stood and said, "Nothing. It is silly."

Before Amora could retrieve her bow, Sif snatched it away.

"Amora," she said, giving her a pointed look.

The brunette opened her mouth, searching for the right words to make her thoughts sound reasonable.

Sighing, she simply said, "I don't think that he is completely lost anymore."

Seeing Sif open her mouth to object, Amora quickly continued, "I know that I once said that he was a lost cause, but I think that he has...changed."

Hearing her own words, Amora let out a harsh groan and ran her hands over her face, "I sound like a naive girl."

But she could not help holding some hope. Recently, Loki had seemed softer, his actions less cold. It reminded her of the time before he fell.

Part of her hoped that Sif would berate her, help convince her that she was, in fact, being foolish.

But Sif only looked at her skeptically. "I don't trust him," she said.

"I don't either," Amora admitted. Loki may be improving, but he was still the God of Mischief and he had always been prone to causing trouble. If he saw a chance for escape, there was no doubt that he would act on it.

"Good," Sif nodded, handing Amora her bow back.

The two walked to the targets and retrieved their arrows. After a moment, Sif asked quietly, "Do you think Thanos will come here?"

Amora turned and was surprised to see the worried look on her friend's face. Sif always put up a good facade, rarely showing any weakness.

"I don't know. Maybe," she said before leaning in and lowering her voice, "I don't even know if our security would be enough to protect the Tesseract."

A great shout sounded from the training room, followed by a chorus of cheers. The two women turned and saw the soldiers gathered together with their weapons raised.

"When do you leave?" Amora asked.

Sif kept her gaze on the men that she was to lead. "In two days. We're to meet Thor and his men in Alfheim and travel together to Jotunheim."