Free Power Play: Act 1 Svartalfheim (Ragnarok on Ice) by Jeremy Croston

moved from his position I left him to get closer to the fire.  I did not know if he was awake, so I carefully went up to him and touched his shoulder.  He jerked and we came face to face with each other.  His eyes were so full of warmth and light that I could not look away.  But I needed to; I had to find out his true intentions.
    But I could not, at least not right away.  What was probably only a few fleeting moments in time seemed like an eternity.  His eyes told me he was feeling the same way, that both of us had found what we were looking for.
    I shook off my feelings and put on my best interrogation face.  “My original intention was to capture Sif so she could answer for her crimes against my people, but you I did not recognize.  You do not seem hostile and yet the unknown is what intrigued me.  Just who are you and what is your connection to the Aesir?”
    He looked confused again.  I started to doubt the intelligence of the man before me.  “Hey, I can understand you!”
    “Of course you can foolish man.  Ever since that pact Odin brought down on us we have all learned to speak the Common Language as per the accord.  In fact, most dark elves now prefer the ease of Common over Druhir.  Enough stalling and out with your identity to me.”
    I regretted immediately the way I snapped at him.  I remembered back at the cabin that Sif had mentioned Midgard.  It started to dawn on me that he might not be from this realm.  Could it be he was from…
    “Well, I am not even sure who Odin is.  My name is Jack Skelton and I am not from this little slice of heaven.”
    ****
    “Did you kill her?”  All three put their heads down in shame.  I was so angry that I wanted to cut all three down.
    “We did not Captain Mallerk.  The trap was laid perfectly, but we were interrupted by an ice giant.  There is a very good chance that she was swept away by the avalanche he created.”
    Origon’s tale may have just spared their lives.  It also explained the loud noise that echoed through the valley.  “I am to take it that you did not go and locate her body?”
    “We retreated into the tunnel, but only ventured in far enough not to be seen.  At first light we left and all the snow had been melted.  It seemed impossible for that to happen, but then we found this.”  He handed me a piece of parchment.  “It was being held by a dagger stuck into the side of the mountain.”  He pulled out the dagger; it was most definitely not made by the poor excuse of a blacksmith Algrim.
    I looked down and read the note:
    ‘Attempt to follow and you will find out the true meaning of being burned alive.’
    -The Trickster
    Loki, here?  Lord Azmodeous needed to be informed at once.  I left the men at their post and headed towards his chamber.  I knocked on the door and waited to be summoned.
    “Enter.”
    Doing as I was instructed, I entered to see Azmodeous talking to a man dressed in black, with his face partially concealed.  “My lord, I bring news that was most unexpected.”
    “Your news can wait Mallerk.  The time has come for King Oor to be introduced to our friend Baldr.  Do you think you can handle that?”
    I swallowed hard.  I knew this day would come, but never expected it to happen so soon.  If I objected however, my life would be over.  “Yes Lord Azmodeous, I can arrange a meeting.”
    The man, Baldr, cracked a sinister smile.  At that very moment, the Wolf of Asgard, Fenrir, let out a bone curling howl.
    ****
    I made it back to our home in the Fields of Idavoll, my wife Sigyn waiting for me.  The look in her eyes told me she was on to me.
    “So my husband, you have been a very busy man.”
    My loving wife, on point as always.  “What makes you say that Sigyn?”
    “Loki,” she gave me that look, “you might think that the Trickster is the smartest person in Asgard, but remember, I outsmarted you.”
    That she did!  The memory still makes me laugh.  “You are, of course, right my