I only got to gape at the massive rock a moment before a large red-tailed hawk swooped down from the brillaint blue sky and shifted into a man as he landed. "Bad news," Loki said, "there's an encampment of warriors waiting for us at the base of the mountain. We take the direct route and we're screwed."

"There's more than one side to a mountain," I replied. "Loki, scout around-."

"I already did and trust me, they're not pretty." A new female voice spoke and I turned, tightening my grip on my sword and ready to brawl if I needed to.

I didn't recognize her, but she was petite, a full head shorter than me but muscular. Her skin was a deep shade of umber, just like Elise. A shield was slung around her left arm the silver studs on gleaming in the bright sunshine along with her long name of golden brown hair. "Who are you?" I asked, still not letting up on my weapon. I knew I had one more team member but still, I wasn't taking any chances. I wasn't going to win this by being careless now.

"I'm Brunhild," she said with a smile, twisting her arm so that I could see the black, bird-like symbol painted onto the face of the shield. "I'm your last team member."

"Nice to meet you," I said, not wanting to be rude but not wanting to spend too much time on pleasantries. "Loki did you see any other trails on the mountain?"

The Trickster shook his head and I opened my mouth to berate him but Brunhild interjected. "I did my lady, there's two other trails that have a trail to the top. Both are steep and a longer path overall, though one is faster than the other."

That didn't reassure me, I wasn't much of a climber. "Loki, how many people were at the base?"

"At least thirty."

"Shit."

"That's no way for a queen to speak," Loki said with a slight frown and I scowled at him. Now was not the time for quips.

"I'm not a queen," I replied tersely. "Now be quiet and let me think." I weighed my options, knowing I needed to think fast. I couldn't go directly up the mountain. Though I knew that each companion I had was skilled in combat and magic we were very outnumbered and three of us had already undergone some difficult physical trials. In terms of a head-on confrontation, I didn't like our odds. We had to go around but the encampment knew we were coming, they might have even seen Loki over head and if we were ambushed while climbing, I liked our odds even less.

"Tick tock Suzume," Loki said and I glared at him even as the tentative plan formed in my mind. "What's your plan?"

"We're splitting up."

"That is a terrible plan." Loki said at once and Brunhild elbowed him. She was half his size but the lanky man stumbled sideways and glared at her. "Hey! What was that for?"

Foreseti howled with laughter at that display. "Maybe your reputation proceeds you?" he offered before turning his attention to me. "Does this splitting up involve you and Loki taking the other trail and Brunhild and I slowing those guards down?"

I shook my head. "No, you and Loki will be slowing those guards down, Brunhild and I will be climbing."

"Loki might be a better choice," Foreseti said at once. "I don't mean to discredit Brunhild," he nodded amicably in her direction. "I know how strong she is, but Loki can transform into any animal out there, that's useful on a steep climb."

"I know that, but if the guards think I'm taking another route, they're going to divide their attention too and come after me. I'm not experienced at climbing mountains and I don't need to have the added complication of fighting to go along with it. Loki, you're going to shapeshift into me and go with Foreseti. Hold things down there, buy as much time as you can before they figure out what we did." I could only hope that it would be enough to finish the trial before my time ran out.

"Now take this," I handed him my sword, "and go. Both of you."

Loki stared at the weapon and I resisted the urge to yell. "It's going to look weird if you show up as me and I don't have a weapon. Besides, I can't climb with this in my hand anyways."

"Oh good point," Loki said, long eyebrows rising up his forehead in surprise as he gripped the blade and even as he moved, he changed. His long fingers shortened, and his tall frame shrunk a few inches until he was my height. His white skin turned olive and the moment the sword was at his side, I was no longer looking at Loki, but an exact copy of myself. I now understood why I gave off the impression of being angry all the time, my square jaw and high cheekbones gave my face a hard edge. Pretty but not inviting.

"Like what you see?" Loki asked and I tried not to squirm as I heard my voice come out of someone else's mouth.

"Try not to talk too much," I advised, "it might be a giveaway. Brundhild, can you teleport us towards the other path?"

"Yes my lady."

"Wonderful," I said, reaching out to take her extended hand. "And please, stop with 'my lady' stuff. It makes me uncomfortable. You two, fight smart and stay safe."

"See you at the celebration Your Majesty," Loki said and even on my face, I saw his trademark smirk. "If you need us before then, just whistle."

"Be safe," Foreseti replied, glaring at Loki, a sentiment which I did appreciate. If I passed this trial and still had the strength when it was over, I was definitely going to smack Loki at some point. My world warped in a blur of color and when gravity returned, I heard the crunch of rocks and pebbles underneath my shoes. I looked up, squinting at the blinding sun to see the red rock looming above me.

"How much do you know about climbing?" I asked, stomach twisting as I took in the massive task that laid ahead of me. A literal mountain between me and the crown that would let me catch the monster that took my best friend from me.

"If you are with me," Brunhild promised. "You will reach the peak. I've climbed this before."

"How?"

"They modeled this after the Hel Mountains, I've climbed those ever since I was a child. I know these mountain. Now come, give me your hand. We can teleport here and there, but not often."

"Why not? Visibility is fine."

"Yes but some of the areas we have to climb are not built for two people to scale at the same time. Try that and we'll both fall."

"Let's avoid that," I agreed, "so, shall we get started?"

Brunhild slung her shield over her back. "Yes, let's but first eat this," she reached into her pocket and pulled out a drawstring pouch. I recognized the twisted shapes instantly.

"Healing runes," I said as she smiled at me, handing one over. "Thank you." I popped it into my mouth and chewed, gagging at the chalky taste but the throbbing pain my wounded shoulder vanished seconds later. I was thankful she'd been prepared, climbing would be easier with two good arm.

"Ready?"

I nodded and she grabbed my arm and I held my breath as the air changed again, compressing and moving us through time and space. When gravity returned, my body slammed into the rock face. A cool breeze tickled my face and I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, knowing if I opened my eyes now, I'd fall into the trap of looking down.

"Alright?" Brunhild asked, thankfully her voice was directly above me. I opened my eyes and saw her above me, poised and ready to climb.

"I'm fine," I said, keeping my eyes upward. "Lead the way."

**********************************

There's on the mountain and time is ticking! Guess we'll see how long Suzume's fakeout lasts, huh? Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Write on! :)