Soulbonds and Fairy Dust

Chapter 24

"How are you feeling, Sig?" Loki asked as they rode side by side. Sig figured the question was equal parts checking on her and equal parts making sure she stayed awake enough to stay in the saddle.

Sig gave Loki a tiny smile meant to reassure her, but didn't think she was successful in that endeavor. "Tired, but I'll be alright," she replied. Maybe some words would help reassure Loki.

"Hopefully when you get some food in you, you'll feel a bit better,"

She nodded her agreement and they continued to ride. Thor finally found an eating house that was acceptable to everyone and they all dismounted and headed inside. They all headed to the tavern part of the inn and sat and ordered food and drink. The warrior boys loudly cheered about the glorious battle, even though they were injured.

Morons.

Sig picked at the meal, but she ate, knowing she'd need the energy to close the next gate that day. Loki watched her carefully, clearly concerned, but she stayed coherent enough to assure Loki that she was strong enough to keep traveling. When they finished eating, the group returned to the horses to head to the next doorway. The group decided they were going to stop halfway there to rest for lunch as it was farther away than the others had been. None of them trusted Sig to travel that far, not with how draining closing the portals was on her. She tried to hide how drained she was, but she was clearly exhausted, staring listlessly and unfocused as she rode.

Sif rode up to Loki's other side. "I don't understand the difference," she told Loki softly so as to not disturb the listless, half-dozing, Sig. "You mages aren't usually so drained by your magic and Sigyn has always been a strong sorceress. Why is this magic so draining on her?" Sif was curious and not asking maliciously. She really just wanted to know why this was different.

"Blood magic is not the same as the magic you see me or my mother use. It's a more physical form. It takes an individual/s energy from the blood they spill to cast their spell. It drains them physically and mentally and can be extremely dangerous. That's why every time Sig closes a gate, she looks and feels drained. It's because she actually is. The magic I use takes a lot more raw power before I would become drained like that," he gestured to Sig. Sif nodded her agreement, accepting Loki's explanation. There was a reason blood magic wasn't allowed to be practiced on Asgard. She still looked understandably worried about Sigyn, and more urgently, her ability to stay on her horse.

Sig managed to stay ahorse and awake until they found a village to have lunch in about halfway to the next gate. "We should rest here. We can continue onto the next gate after Sig gets some rest," Loki told the others, getting more and more concerned about Sig as they had been riding.

"There's a tavern, they should have lunch and Sig can rest there," Thor agreed and the group started to dismount in front of said tavern.

Loki helped Sig down from the saddle. "Do she wish to eat now or rest first, Sig?" she asked her gently.

"Eat first," she replied, ducking under Loki's arm to wrap her arms around her waist. She trusted Loki to steer her where she needed to be while she closed her eyes for a moment and leaned her weight on her. Loki led her straight to an empty table and coaxed her into sitting down. She'd noticed how unsteady she was on her feet from closing the last doorway. It had been a miracle that she'd remained in the saddle. Sig ate what was placed in front of her without paying attention to what it actually was and laid her head on Loki's shoulder as soon as the food was gone. Loki stood once she had finished eating and dragged Sig to her feet. She helped her to a room in the inn so Sig could get some desperately needed rest.

"Do you wish for me to stay?" Loki asked after she'd gotten Sig tucked into bed.

"Only if you want to," she murmured, mostly asleep the second she was lying down.

"I'll stay with you if you're ok with that," Loki would rather not leave her so defenseless. Sig nodded her agreement and moved over on the bed to make sure there was room for Loki to sit with her if she was so inclined. Sig closed her eyes again the second she was in position. Loki settled on the bed next to her and summoned a book to read to pass the time. Sig wrapped her arms around Loki's waist like she was her favorite plushie and used Loki's lap as a pillow, purring softly as she got some much needed rest. Safe with her Loki. Loki smiled warmly and ran her fingers through Sig's hair while she napped. She thought Sig was adorable and loved having her safe in her arms.

Sig napped for a couple of hours before she stirred and sat up again, blushing a deep red at having used Loki as a pillow. Again. Loki was going to get annoyed if she kept getting used as a pillow. Loki didn't like being touched. She didn't quite understand yet that was the exception to that rule. It had only been a few days after all.

"How are you feeling, darling?" Loki asked her gently.

"Better," she replied and gave Loki a real smile, looking much more alert and awake.

Loki's smile grew even brighter and warmed Sig's heart to see her Loki so happy. "Wonderful. Though we should be heading out before night falls,"

"We should have time for me to get the third doorway before dark," she agreed and moved to get out of the bed. Loki nodded as well and they headed out to the tavern area where the morons were drinking. Thankfully, they were only drinking ale, so it hadn't affected them much. They'd be fine by the time they made it to the next gate.

It didn't take long to get everyone back on the road and Sig rode next to Loki chatting with her as they rode. "Was the battle awful at the last gate?"

Loki shook her head. "Not really. At least, not for me. The others had a much harder time," she teased the warrior morons.

"Of course they did," Sig agreed with a smirk. "You're a much better fighter," she told Loki warmly.

"He took all the easy ones!" Fandral protested, which just made Sig giggle. Annoying Fandral was a fond pastime from days long past. Even if Fandral was being dumb and misgendering Loki. Fandral was also a moron.

"No. You just aren't as great of a fighter as me," Loki replied easily. Taunting Fandral was fun.

Sig giggled even harder at their argument as Fandral spluttered that he was a great warrior. They all chatted for awhile and Sig eventually went back to reading her books. "So what do you think, Lady Sigyn?" Fandral asked her awhile later about...something... she hadn't been paying attention while she was reading.

Sig looked up from her book and saw that he was arguing with Loki over whatever it was. "I wasn't paying attention," she admitted, "but whatever it was, I side with Loki," she replied with a smirk. Loki smirked over at Fandral triumphantly.

"You can't take Loki's side without even listening to the argument!" Fandral protested while Sig turned her gaze back to her book.

She flipped a page in the book as Fandral started to try to explain it again. She held up a hand to stop his explanation. "I can. I'm going to side with Loki regardless, so safe your breath,"

Loki's smirk only grew. "Thank you, darling," she replied warmly.

Fandral spluttered indignantly at the pair, especially at Sig, the noble lady who wasn't charmed by him. Sig smiled warmly at Loki. "Of course, Lokes," she said brightly before she returned to her book properly.

All too soon, the group was making their approach to the third gate.