Asgaard

Today Ard would speak to Asereth. He'd find him, wherever he was in the realm of Asgaard, he'd track him down and confront him about all the things going on behind his back. He was the son of Wodran and leader of the cavalry. Whatever it was they were planning, he should be informed. The legions needed to be prepared and Asereth shouldn't be allowed to pass judgement alone over possible precautionary measures that needed to be put into place. Ard should be involved just as much as the Elders. And besides all that, Ard's suspicions reached much further than this being about simple acts of war.

As arranged with Hera the night before, who then told Lugh after he stormed off during the evening appeal, Ard would meet them at the three white rocks once he'd spoken to Asereth and they'd take it from there.

After getting dressed and quickly devouring the sourdough bread and cheese that Frigg brought for breakfast, Ard made his way to find the Elder. He hadn't even left the north wing as two servants came towards him. They stopped in front of him, blocking his way.

"Leader of the Cavalry, we have a message for you from the highest Elder."

They bowed their heads slightly and one of them produced a letter that was hidden underneath his robes.

"What is this?"

"You are advised to go back to your chamber and read it."

Ard laughed.

"Are you ordering me back to my rooms?"

He seemed clearly amused and looked at the servants in disbelieve. The servants on the contrary didn't show any signs of emotion on their faces.

"You are advised to read this letter carefully. In your chamber."

"Get out of my way" he said, pushing past them and knocking one so hard with his shoulder that he fell to the floor.

"This is unwise, Ard. I advise you to come back!" the other servant shouted, but Ard was already on his way out, letter in hand and didn't bother to turn around.

He passed the grand entrance hall and was walking towards the gates that would lead to the council chamber but before he reached the gates a thundering noise sounded, the floor vibrated and glass broke. Immediately he drew his sword and then saw what, or rather who, was the cause of it.

Thore in all his might stood about 5 feet away from him. A big hammer made of stone in his hand, his long blond hair wildly hanging in his face and with about the same hight as Ard and just as much muscles, he clearly looked a threat.

"It's been a while Ard. I wasn't hoping to see you any time soon but since Wodran asked nicely, I thought I'd help him out controlling his ungrateful and arrogant son."

"Wodran sent you?"

"They knew you wouldn't cooperate."

Weapon still drawn and ready for a fight, Ard was talking in a casual voice. He knew that Thore's lightning could kill him, but in combat they were about equal. Ard was perhaps slightly stronger and more skilled. Thore had always relied on his lightning and therefor never put as much effort into his training in other areas of warfare and fighting. Ard doubted that his father had given permission for the lightning to be used.

Thore's lightning was surely a powerful weapon but it was destructive beyond its actual target. The last time Thore used it during the wars, parts of Valhalla were destroyed by it and a lot of innocent gods died. His powers were neither controlled nor precise enough, no matter how hard they tried to train him. If Ard was to challenge him, it would be sword against hammer. Even though the thought of kicking Thore's ass appealed, he decided that a fight was better avoided.

"Why did you agree to be my father's puppet executioner? Have you got no other, more purposeful ambitions?"

"Serving the king of the gods is my only ambition. There is nothing else in this world for me."

Ard huffed.

"You know Thore, I understand that you feel like you've lost everything, but I think your biggest problem is jealousy. I still remember the times playing with you and my brothers down in the dales and we were all friends, equals. Now..."

"You can stop right there. We have never been equals. You got everything handed on a silver plate, you had brothers, a father, opportunities...I never had a family. Even though he's not my father, the only male I trust is Wodran and I will do his bidding."

Ard could see his pain. Thore was an orphan and was taken in by Wodran after he recognised his gift of thunder and lighting. His father announced that the god of thunder had been born and gave him into the care of Amms, to be looked after as if he was his own son. Just a few years older than the three brothers, they would grow up together and play during the long summers of Asgaard running through the fields, learning to ride bronteos horses and practising sword fighting. But the day came when Thore's powers killed two guards and almost struck down Arl, so it was decided that the god of thunder needed special training. Wodran wanted to utilize his abilities to kill immortals and that's how he became the king's unofficial executioner.

Thore though was left isolated and angry, yet faithful to Wodran. He moved into a cabin down in the deepest forest and would only emerge when called in for his services.

"Read the letter," the god of thunder demanded.

The gods were staring at each other. For what it was worth, it might well be a good idea to read the letter.

Ard opened and read it.

A meeting. Tonight. At the council hall.

The letter, signed by Asereth, said that he was ordered to stay in his chamber until servants come to collect him just before the sixth hour. No weapons allowed.

"This is a bad joke."

"Do as you're told and go back to your chamber."

Sword still raised, Ard took a step towards him.

"One step closer and you might not make the meeting tonight."

"All I hear is words...." and with that Ard took another step closer, "...let's get into action!"

He attacked. Metal clashed against stone. Thore swung his hammer but Ard dodged it. The hammer came swinging around once more, aiming for Ard's head but he danced around it skilfully, slicing Thore's chest with his blade as he swirled to the other side.

"Bastard!" the blond god shouted, now furious and shaking with anger, his face torn into an ugly grimace.

Ard now 10 feet away smirked and the hammer came flying his way. It nearly hit him, but his swift reaction had it crashing into the tapestry behind him instead.

"I'll get you!" Thore bawled, blood seeping out of his wound but Ard knew that it would heal up soon so he had to be quick.

The hammer flew back to its owner.

Ard ran for the exit. He had called Eldri through their special bond and she'd be outside any second now. There was no point to continue this fight. Even though he could easily beat the god of thunder with weapons, he wouldn't stand a chance if Thore was to use his lightning on him, which might well happen if he got pushed too far.

Thore, hammer back in hand, ran after him and with one big leap was on Ard's back just before he made it through the front gates of Valhalla. He placed his hammer between Ard's shoulder blades and the weight almost crushed his rib cage. Damn.

There was no way to get out of this now. The hammer was too heavy for anyone to lift but Thore. It was forged for him and only responded to its one true master.

"Too bad," he said. "I quite enjoyed this little exercise. Unfortunately it was over just before it began."

"What would you be without your big boy's toy, Thore?" Ard said barely audible with his face squashed on the marble floor.

Thore pushed down the hammer a bit more. Ard groaned.

"It...just...tickles."

"You're still an arrogant, self-entitled little brat."

And with the hammer on Ards back, Thore dragged him all the way back to his rooms, where he left him, including the powerful stone tool. The god of thunder had to wait until the evening in front of the chamber, Ard was too crafty to be left alone.

***

At the same time, Lugh and Hera were placed under arrest. Guards stopped them on their way to the white rocks. They weren't guards from their legion though. After initially trying to reason with them, a fight broke out. It took 20 soldiers, all unfamiliar faces, to contain the two generals. They were locked into their rooms without explanation until further notice.