As great Urd counseled her
shieldmaidens in the tomb of the legendary Loddfafnir even her uncanny
awareness could not detect the approach of the greatest of all interlopers.
“These new Reavers must not be
allowed to enter the tomb and claim Loddfafnir’s treasures, for if they do…”
Urd began but was interrupted by the mercurial laugh of the approaching
halfling as he stepped from the shadows.
The shieldmaidens looked about
confused as did the mighty Urd who stammered, “how did you get in here, where
are your companions little one?”
“My companions? Oh, you mean the
pawns I’ve assembled to play this little game?” replied Cassim the halfling
rogue as he continued laughing, but the laugh gradually shifted from mercurial
to sinister as did his shape as the trickster dropped the cunning guise he’d
been wearing this whole time and then it was Loki who stood before Urd and her
shieldmaiden.
“Sly one, I should have known” said
Urd as she took a step back.
“Perhaps if you were your sister
Skuld you could’ve foretold my coming, but no you are too busy looking to the
past dear Urd and it is there your efforts will remain.” Said the sly one.
“The All Father would not approve
of your tampering in this world…” began Urd before being interrupted.
“Silence crone! It is not your
place to intervene, but to obey! Now return to beneath the Ash from whence you
came and do not interfere with what you do not understand!” snarled Loki.
“Very well Loki. I don’t know what
game you play at, but neither do these mortals for they risk freeing an ancient
evil, that of which makes even your own treachery pale by comparison…” began
Urd.
“Yes, yes, that’s all very interesting now be gone.” Replied Loki as he absent-mindedly examined his fingernails.
* * *
“Ha!”
Bellowed the thunder god. “Your champion has apparently fled the field in fear
for his own life, or perhaps his greedy little heart has been satisfied!”
“Hmm, it
would appear so, but we shall see how my champion fairs in the end, for the
game is far from over dear brother.” Replied Loki unconcerned. “Besides, it
would seem that your champion has taken up the banner of the Grimjaws.”
“Bah,
she is simply blinded by the beauty of the priest wench she has taken up with,
in the end none can resist Thor!” bellowed the thunderer.
“Perhaps we should raise the stakes of our little wager if you are so sure of yourself?” suggested Loki slyly
“Have
you come to back out of our wager father?” Hela asked with a grim smirk.
“Back
out, whatever for? Things are proceeding swimmingly.” Replied Loki confidently.
“Your
pathetic little halfling has disappeared, your champion is gone you cannot
win!” laughed Hela incredulously.
“I do
not recall claiming the halfling as my champion, you merely assumed I had.”
Shrugged Loki innocently.
“But
then who….” Stammered Hela.
“I do
not recall anything in our little wager regarding the declaration of champions.
The wager was that whomever champion survives the reclamation of Reaver Hall
would be the one who would enter the Faerunian pantheon. I never stipulated
that anyone had to announce who their champion would be.” Smirked Loki.
“But how
can you claim to win when you have named no champion?” Hela asked in
exasperation.
“Oh, you will know when the time is right dear daughter, all will know.” Promised Loki.
“You
requested my presence oh mighty Prince of Devils?” Loki asked, feigning
deference.
Asmodeus
looked down at the god from high upon his iron throne and said, “Here I am no
mere devil but a god trickster, you would do well to remember that whilst you
play in my garden.”
“Oh yes,
I’d forgotten. You have established yourself as something of a deity here on
Toril where you have found a few paltry worshipers. Please forgive my
affrontery.” Apologized Loki in a less than convincing tone.
“I’ve
summoned you because you are dabbling in affairs that are of my interest.
Reaver Hall remains the home to one of my ‘paltry worshipers’ and I have use of
him as a… caretaker. It would be… inconvenient if he were distracted from his
duties to me.” Explained Asmodeus.
“Oh, you
mean the archmage Alistayre… yes of course. You have nothing to fear Cloven
One, for the pawns I and my kinfolk have sent to Reaver Hall are of no threat
to one as mighty as your servant… if they even survive long enough to confront
him that is.” Loki ensured. “You see I’m merely playing a bit of a prank on my
oafish brother and my dour daughter to teach them a bit of a lesson in humility
as I am wont to do.”
“It is
the magic that has sealed the Hall from interlopers this past century that
keeps Chernobog from returning to Toril, the same magic that imprisons
Alistayre in his tower, for the Reavers knew what would happen if Chernobog
were to return.” Asmodeus warned. “If all of the towers are breached…”
“Chernobog…
Chernobog… ah yes, I forgot that is the name he took when he last appeared on
Toril, before Heimdall… I mean ‘Helm’ as he prefers to be called on Toril,
imprisoned him beneath the Galenas. Then that most foolish band of mercenaries
decided to build their silly little keep over his resting place.” Mused Loki. “Well
fear not great Archfiend I promise his slumber will not be disturbed by my
account… you have my word.”
Ullethane
Dragonsblood ordered his men to hold the pass and slay any monsters that tried
to enter or escape from Reaver Hall. This new band of Reavers had been gone too
long for his liking and he was going to enter the hall of his legendary
ancestor, Loddfafnir, to see what had befallen them. These lands were filled
with great treachery, they always had been. After all was it not the treachery
of Nymiir the white dragon who had taken a human guise and seduced Loddfafnir
all those years ago that drove him and his band to raid her lair? Was it not
this same treachery that had spawned his people who now swore to guard the pass
to Reaver Hall in the name of Heimdall? It was his sworn duty to contain
whatever evil still dwelt within those halls to remain there or be destroyed
outright. He drew his sword and donned his shield before making his way towards
the foreboding castle.
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