Nine Realms: Gods and Warrior Hearts

Chapter 11

           

Asgaard

Today Ard would speak to Asereth. He'd find him, wherever he was in the realm of Asgaard, he'd track him down and confront him about all the things going on behind his back. He was the son of Wodran and leader of the cavalry. Whatever it was they were planning, he should be informed. The legions needed to be prepared and Asereth shouldn't be allowed to pass judgement alone over possible precautionary measures that needed to be put into place. Ard should be involved just as much as the Elders. And besides all that, Ard's suspicions reached much further than this being about simple acts of war.

As arranged with Hera the night before, who then told Lugh after he stormed off during the evening appeal, Ard would meet them at the three white rocks once he'd spoken to Asereth and they'd take it from there.

After getting dressed and quickly devouring the sourdough bread and cheese that Frigg brought for breakfast, Ard made his way to find the Elder. He hadn't even left the north wing as two servants came towards him. They stopped in front of him, blocking his way.

"Leader of the Cavalry, we have a message for you from the highest Elder."

They bowed their heads slightly and one of them produced a letter that was hidden underneath his robes.

"What is this?"

"You are advised to go back to your chamber and read it."

Ard laughed.

"Are you ordering me back to my rooms?"

He seemed clearly amused and looked at the servants in disbelieve. The servants on the contrary didn't show any signs of emotion on their faces.

"You are advised to read this letter carefully. In your chamber."

"Get out of my way" he said, pushing past them and knocking one so hard with his shoulder that he fell to the floor.

"This is unwise, Ard. I advise you to come back!" the other servant shouted, but Ard was already on his way out, letter in hand and didn't bother to turn around.

He passed the grand entrance hall and was walking towards the gates that would lead to the council chamber but before he reached the gates a thundering noise sounded, the floor vibrated and glass broke. Immediately he drew his sword and then saw what, or rather who, was the cause of it.

Thore in all his might stood about 5 feet away from him. A big hammer made of stone in his hand, his long blond hair wildly hanging in his face and with about the same hight as Ard and just as much muscles, he clearly looked a threat.

"It's been a while Ard. I wasn't hoping to see you any time soon but since Wodran asked nicely, I thought I'd help him out controlling his ungrateful and arrogant son."

"Wodran sent you?"

"They knew you wouldn't cooperate."

Weapon still drawn and ready for a fight, Ard was talking in a casual voice. He knew that Thore's lightning could kill him, but in combat they were about equal. Ard was perhaps slightly stronger and more skilled. Thore had always relied on his lightning and therefor never put as much effort into his training in other areas of warfare and fighting. Ard doubted that his father had given permission for the lightning to be used.

Thore's lightning was surely a powerful weapon but it was destructive beyond its actual target. The last time Thore used it during the wars, parts of Valhalla were destroyed by it and a lot of innocent gods died. His powers were neither controlled nor precise enough, no matter how hard they tried to train him. If Ard was to challenge him, it would be sword against hammer. Even though the thought of kicking Thore's ass appealed, he decided that a fight was better avoided.