Skye [Loki]

Chapter 16 | Lost Possibilities

Chapter 16 | Lost Possibilities

Under the grace of the blazing sun, walking arm in arm, Skye and Valery made their way through the main street toward the Central City Markets. People of all ages had made the way across the realm to buy, sell and trade a vast range of goods from this central location. Some meats and crops, others weapons and tools – but the two maids found it was the perfect place for an afternoon of shopping and admiration.

“And how are you finding your new position?” questioned Valery, her eyes watching countless goods as they passed her by.

“A little less challenging than I expected, but still exhausting nevertheless.” Confessed Skye, her eyes following.

“Less challenging? Than attending the Queen of Asgard - I would like to think so!” Her voice was stern. “I don’t suppose it takes a great deal of talent to be able to clean floors and use a scrubbing brush, now does it?” Valery giggled before Skye stopped and turned to stare at her.

“I never said I enjoyed my current position – and Tydriss! Uhhg, she has me working at all hours of the day. She is insufferable!” Said Skye, before  Valery pulled her closer so they could talk more intimately.

“According to the kitchens gossip, Tydriss is to serve as a ladies maid.”

“Who is it she would serve?” said Skye, her eyes widening at the very thought.

“If I had my way, she’d be serving the farmers pigs! Unfortunately – that is not the case.” Valery sighed, moving toward the embroidered works of Asgardian elders. “It was said, that in the next few days, the royal party and council of a neighbouring kingdom are to come and stay in the palace.”

“Honestly!?”

“You have my word. I enquired and was told it be the house of Varney that comes to stay – but only so the houses of Odin and Varney may be united.”

“United?” questioned Skye.

“Through marriage”

“MARRIAGE!” Voiced Skye in utter shock.

“Hushhh!” Valery  cooed, pulling Skye into the darkness of a back alley, away from the noise of the and prying eyes of the markets. “It was said, that one son of Odin and the daughter of Varney may be untied through the act of marriage – and they are to arrive at the end of this moon.”

“That’s in three days.” Skye choked.

“Then for your sake, I hope it is not Loki she marries.” Concluded Valery, her tone smug - as she began to walk off into the daylight once more.

“Valery!”  Said Skye, abruptly following her confidant. “You know ‘nothing’ is to happen between the Prince and I. Why do you-”

“Ahh! Gustave, might I have a look at your herbal collection this week?” Valery chimed, walking off into the market place, before turning around to wink at her good friend. Skye could only smile and shake her head as she moved to progress through the market place once more. That was before she caught the words of two Asgardian Guards.

Sinking back into the darkness of the alley, she listened.

“Not that it would make any different. He’s a gutter rat!” Laughed one baritone voice. “He won’t make it through the trial anyway – not with the way he’s being beaten. Mathis doesn’t have it in him to confront the case, let alone find the evidence to support him.”

“Who’d you fuck to find that out?” Questioned the harsh voice of the short guard. Skye couldn’t help but cringe at the vulgarity of his words.

“Word travels. I needn’t bed another whore to concede palace gossip. Everybody knows Lupis Stanisson will be executed before the day of Lastseed. ” Skye couldn’t breathe. Her mouth grew dry and her chest collapsed. They were talking of Lupis!

“Word travels that you and that new kitchen maid have become a little too familiar with one another – if you catch my drift.” Said the shorter man once more, before he received a solid ‘whack’ across the back of her head. “What was that for!?” He roared.

“Don’t be so insulting! That little tramp is the elder sister of that gutter rat!” The baritone voice hushed. “And anyway – Tydriss warms my bed. You know that.”

Skye couldn’t believe what she was hearing!

“Ha! That’s right! I almost forgot – not seeing you and all at the tavern yesterday.”

“I was at the tavern, but you were too pissed to notice.” And at that note, Skye moved out from the alley and took it upon herself to leave before things escalated once more.  

There was something on her mind she had to do before the day grew dark.

-

Mathis broke her into the palace dungeons that night - and the moment Skye found herself before the prison cell of Lupis Stanisson, she paused and sighed in anguish at the very sight of him. He, the frame of a small boy, lay uncomfortably upon the flat surface of the cell floor. His body was shrivelled up, crumbled and beaten.  

Kneeling before the screen of magic in which imprisoned him, she stared before finally speaking.

“Lupis?” cooed Skye, watching his slight head rise and turn to look up at her.

“Lady Edricksdottir?” He voiced, his vocals broken – pain evident within his words.

“You needn’t call me that, for I am not a lady.” Confessed Skye as she watched him crawl and approach the glass-like-magic. That was before he was brought to a halt, confined by the chains binding his ankles. “Just Skye.”

“Lady Skye.” He voiced once more, and she couldn’t help but smile at his manners. “What are ye’ doing here?” Questioned he.

“I’ve come to talk-” She paused, before sending him a comforting smile as fear glazed his features. “-about what happened that day.”

“I promise, Lady Skye. I didn’t do nothing to harm the wellbein’ of Sir Mathis.” He frantically said.

“I know.” Skye concluded. “And I promise you, I will do everything in my power to prove that you are innocent.”

Lupis’ grey eyes lit up. That was until a dark shadow appeared behind Skye, and he then lowered himself further into the ground. Skye turned to gaze upon the stranger, only to find the masculine presence of her dearest friend Mathis. That and his gentle eyes.

“As will I.”

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