The Dark World | Book 3

Ten: The Golden Bor

As Heimdall said, the hour was late and Asgard's hour of mourning was just beginning. When Sigyn locked herself away in her chamber, she dressed in dark plain clothes and a heavy cloak. The Princess gently and slowly cracked open her chamber door and peeked down the corridor at the two guards standing watch over her quarters. She quietly stepped out and skipped across the corridor and into the bathhouse.

From there she snuck down to the wall and opened a hidden entrance that her maids sometimes used. She took the winding stairs down that would take her to the maids bathhouses. From there she used the servants hallways to sneak out of the palace and through the gardens, avoiding guards on duty. The cover of night helped conceal the Princess as she slipped in and out of passageways until she eventually reached the horses stables.

She broke her way into the stables and took a horse.

Once the Princess finally arrived at the Golden Bor, she dismounted her stead and tied the rope to a post. This old tavern sat in the lower streets of Asgard and was the go to place for the young royals in their youth when they wishes to party with friends. Sigyn remembered the time Odin's warriors stormed the tavern because he heard that night his sons were mocking him with a chair on top of a table.

That was a glorious night. She smiled entering the tavern and looked around. There was no one here, but a candle lit table where Thor, and the Warriors Three, and Lady Sif, and Heimdall are gathered. Sigyn let down her hood and approached the meeting.

"Thank you for coming, Siggy." Thor greeted.

She took her seat. "What is going on, Thor?"

The tavern is empty of life and seemed so out of place. What usually us a lively space is now reduced to a empty room. The curved ceilings cupping the night within them to shield this meeting. The candle light is not strong enough to penetrate the darkness completely through, but only enough to highlight the under-light of their faces.

"What I am about to ask of you is treason of the highest order." Thor began his secret meeting. Sigyn sighed at this. "Success will bring us exile, and failure shall mean our deaths. Malekith knew The Aether was here. He can sense its power. If we do nothing, he will come for it again, but this time, lay waste to Asgard. We must move Jane off-world."

Thor has had many lovers in his past. None could compare to this deep love he held for Jane. He had a special place in his heart for them all, but Jane, a lowly mortal girl from Midgard, has found her way on the throne of Thor's heart. Never has he gone this long, nor cared so deeply for a women before. Not enough to begin wars with an ancient race and even face the threat of exile and death.

Thor could never again judge the strong bond between Loki and Sigyn and all that they do for each other. So many times has Thor questioned Sigyn why she still loved Loki much, and the the answer was the same every time. And now he knows the true meaning.

"The Bifrost has been shut down." exclaimed Sif. "And the Tesseract locked away in the vault."

"Odin has the entire palace in lockdown, Thor." Sigyn noted. "I barely got out. Both Einherjar and Vanir are watching Jane and my own quarters."

"There are other paths off Asgard." the deep voice of Heimdall said. To this, Sigyn perked up. Of course! Heimdall's golden eyes turned to Sigyn. "Ways only known to few."

All the times Loki and Sigyn spent exploring the Nine Realms, there were times they couldn't directly leave Asgard, so Loki took the secret pathways he explored during his youth as a child. Dangerous pathways. Some nearly killing them and nearly impossible to use.

"One actually." informed Sigyn, sullenly. "I was never the one who used them."

"I know." Heimdall sported a smile. All eyes on the table turned to Sigyn in interest and confusion.

Volstagg shook his head. "No." he slapped the table, and the candle flame flickered.

"He will betray you." Fandral quickly shot.

Thor shrugged. "He will try."

"Of course he will. It's his nature." Sigyn replied.

Fandral leaned back on his seat. "Well, what then?" he crossed his arms. "Your lovely mortal is being guarded by a legion of Einherjar and elite Vanir. Who will see you coming from miles away."

"I won't be the one who comes for her." Thor stated, and looked at Lady Sif. She falters and her mouth falls open in objection to this. Must she really be the one to fetch the mortal? And Thor turned his eyes to Sigyn. "And you will command the Vanir warriors away on behalf of your father."

"What of Odin?"

"It is my sworn duty to notify him of crimes against the throne." explained Heimdall. "I will lure him to the Bifrost, away from the palace."

"Assume you can get Loki's help, and you can free this mortal." spoke Volstagg. "What good would it do? We would all be dead the minute we step one foot outside of the palace."

"That my friends, is why we won't be leaving by foot." Thor pointed his finger knowingly.

"Of course, let's steal the massive ship they crashed into the palace. Why not?"

"That will be your job, guard it until we arrive." Thor says. Volstagg sighed heavily before nonchalantly nodding.

"Okay, you steal the ship, how do you plan to leave Asgard. They'll shoot it down before we make it past the bridge." Sigyn says.

"That is where Fandral comes into play, he will take a skiff, and he will be waiting for us along the bridge." Thor explained.

Fandral nods, "Easier said than done."

"And where exactly do I come into play in your master plan?" Sigyn asked.

"I was hoping you would speak to Loki. Convince him to join us, he will only listen to you." Thor says.

Sigyn pursed her lips and said, "No."

The entire table looked at the Princess shocked. Fandral, had nothing to say. Volstagg looked back to Thor. And then Hogun said, "What have you done with the Princess?"

"Thor has not been to see his brother since he was imprisoned. I think it is best if he went and seen Loki for himself to ask something this precious of him." explained Sigyn. "He is grieving tremendously for Queen Frigga. You should go see your brother, Thor." she urged.

"Sigyn may actually have a point." noted Lady Sif.

Thor leaned forward on the table. "Fine I understand." he said. "But you will do well to keep him in line, Sigyn."

"I can make no promises for the God of Mischief."