Mia and the others had reached the stone palace at last. It was early morning with plenty of light, but Mia and Kayura were generating an illusion that masked their presence. The guards at the watch-posts could look right at them and not see a thing.
Zoe was worried because Zane had told her what had happened. They needed to get in there fast, but they couldn’t just bust in the front door. Zane would be dead or badly hurt before they could fight their way through.
Mia was looking at the walls of the palace strangely. “Here! There’s a series of secret passageways behind this stone.”
Kayura pointed the staff at the wall. “Then we will open it.” A slab slid to reveal an opening.
Mia closed her eyes and led the way. Because of her armor’s ability to reveal and conceal, she could never get lost or take a wrong path—especially in the dark. They soon came to a dead end. “This is the way in. Kayura?”
Kayura once again used the staff to force the stones to slide apart. They came out into a brightly lit room with a few chairs, a table, and a bed. Zoe looked around wildly. “Zane was here! This is where he was recovering from his injuries!”
A small voice startled them. “Yes. Your brother was here. They’ve taken him to the throne room so Odin can begin his farce of a trial. My name is Gudrun.” She nodded at Astarte. “It is nice to see you again.”
They all stared at Astarte. She ignored them. “Take us to him before Odin does something more foolish than usual.”
Gudrun led them down the hallways. “Most everyone is gathered in the throne room. This is a big day—one that has eagerly been awaited by my people. My father and sister have gone to plead with Odin to stop this insanity, but it will do no good. It has gone too far.”
Zoe was seething. “If he hurts my brother, god or no, he’s going to be sorry.”
Astarte put a hand on her shoulder. “We will stop him somehow.”
Gudrun sighed. She was already in too deep. “I have an idea. Trust me.” She led them to the throne room’s large, massive doors. “It takes three men to open and shut them.”
Astarte smirked. She steeled herself and kicked the door with her foot. It creaked and groaned. She kicked it again. It fell over with a thundering crash. Astarte casually stepped over the debris.
Zane stood in the middle of the room, his ankles manacled to the floor. Zoe ran to him, laughing and crying. He grabbed her in a crushing bear hug.
Odin stared for a moment, unsure of what he was sensing. The young man and woman before him both gave off the same energy—Loki’s energy. That crafty cur had created a female duplicate of himself or split himself in two somehow! Odin couldn’t discern the reason for such a ploy—perhaps to distract him or divide his attention. It did not matter. He would deal with Loki and then dispose of the twin. He motioned for several of his warriors. They approached the Sentinels with weapons at the ready. Odin’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the group. “Well, well. The magnificent Astarte graces us with her presence once again. To what do we owe the honor, Harlot of the Mediterranean? Come to rescue one of your favorite lovers? I’m surprised. I didn’t think you ever went back for seconds.”
Astarte turned an angry shade of red. “I’m not here for Loki. He’s long dead and buried. I’m here for a friend named Zane.” She stood up straighter, composing herself. She gave him a mocking grin. “Besides, Loki was never one of my favorite lovers. He was a malicious little toad who quickly made me sick. He liked to hurt people too much. I see you now have something in common with him.”
Zane whispered to Zoe. “Loki and Astarte? That’s just plain creepy.”
“Sounds like a bad breakup.”
“Maybe that’s why I never really liked her.”
Odin shook his fist at Astarte. “You will not interfere! You will not stop the judgment!”
Gudrun swept into the middle of the room to look directly at Odin. “No, but it will be done fairly. In the ancient laws of our people, I set myself as defender of the accused. And I demand for him the right of trial by combat!”
A murmur rose up from the assembled gods. No one had invoked trial by combat since before Ragnarok! But even Odin would have to follow the law. Odin looked smug. “Very well. Warriors, stand down! I choose spears and shields as our weapons. Armor yourself, Trickster.”
Gudrun walked over to Zane and Zoe. He was perplexed. “I appreciate the help, but are you crazy! I can’t beat him.”
“Not in your weakened state. But with the Armor of Tundra you can.”
“Maybe if I could summon it.”
Gudrun closed her eyes. A soft glow enveloped her. Zane and Zoe could suddenly feel the armor vibrating on their skin. “ARMOR OF TUNDRA!” The icy blue and white armor formed around Zane. Zoe let herself go and joined with Zane.
Odin was shocked. “You would use your weird magics to cheat? Surely you have learned much from the Deceiver, young Gudrun.”
Gudrun sniffed with disdain. “You wish to fight Loki, but he is dead and gone. You are intent on fighting a man you believe to be him. Very well, then you must fight all of what he is. He and the girl are of one spirit. They fight together. The armor is his birthright--just as your god powers are yours. You would not turn yourself into a mere mortal to fight him on a more fair level, would you?” Odin said nothing. “I didn’t think so. Then you cannot object to his using his own powers to bring himself up to your level. The winner must be the one to survive…” She caught Zane’s eye. “…or the one to make his opponent submit.” Zane nodded in understanding. Gudrun walked over to where her father and sister stood. “You know no matter what happens, I love you both dearly. Never forget that.”
Skadi hugged her little sister. “We’ve always known that. I love you, too. You’re more than blood, you’re my best friend.”
Balder put his hand on Gudrun’s head, mussing her head. “I don’t always understand you, but that doesn’t mean you are any less precious to me. Do not look so worried, it makes you appear older.” He smiled gently at her.
A wisp of a smile touched Gudrun’s lips, but did not reach her eyes. They would miss her after she was gone. She wished things could be different, but her fate had been sealed the moment she acted to help Zane. She sighed and turned back to the two men about to do battle in the middle of the throne room.