Mirror ∞ Marvel ∞ bk. 1

Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

For the remainder of the day, the Avengers split up. Clint, Tony, Steve, and Natasha joined Sif and the Warriors Three for a day of training. Thor offered to show Bruce and Paige around the palace and the area outside the city. It amazed both of them just how much gold Asgard seemed to have.

"And finally down here we split in two directions," Thor explained as they went beneath the palace. "To the left, the Vaults. To the right, the dungeons."

Paige perked up. "Oh?"

"Asgard's prisoners are kept there," said Thor. "We will not visit either today."

Evening had fallen. Thor looked at a clock on a nearby wall. He explained they would do best to return to their sleeping quarters, for dinner would be brought to them. As they passed the stairs to leave, Paige nodded as Princess Gersemi approached.

"I hope you are enjoying yourselves," said the Princess. She smiled at them. "It is good to have you home, Paige."

Paige shifted where she stood. But she smiled. "It's been... nice... meeting my family."

Gersemi bid them goodbye as she continued on her way. As Paige watched her pass the guards with a mere glance and head into the dungeons, she smiled. How interesting.

"Come, Paige," Thor called to her. He had gone ahead with Bruce. "Or I shall eat your dinner for you!"

Paige laughed. "Alright, alright."

They took one of Asgard's elevators up to where the Avengers had stayed the night. A large wood table had been set up near the fountain so that they could dine in peace. At the table sat Natasha and Steve, laughing together at something. They wore relaxed clothing, and Natasha's damp hair soaked her grey tank top where it brushed against the cloth.

"There they are," said Natasha. "Took you three long enough."

Bruce shook his head. "You two look comfortable."

"Enjoying the peace and quiet while Tony and Clint take showers," she responded.

As she spoke the words, Clint's door opened and he stumbled out in black sweatpants and a black and purple shirt. His hair had spiked up a bit from his shower. "I heard my name. Were you singing praise about me, Nat?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Clint," she bit back. Then she turned to Thor. "Your friends are great fighters. It was incredibly entertaining to watch Sif knock Tony to the ground."

"I seem to remember you getting knocked to the ground a few times yourself," Steve said. He chuckled. "I think we all did."

Thor laughed. "To be fair, my friends, Sif and the Warriors Three have had a thousand years of practice. Far longer than anyone from Earth."