"There is someone on the beach to see you, Loki." Ran had amusement written on her normally austere face. "He is very uncomfortable coming here, to my castle."
That was just about the most words Liz had ever heard her use. Loki got up and walked down, and Liz followed out of curiosity.
The man on the beach had fishing tackle with him. For Liz that was always a good sign. "Who is he?" she whispered to Ran.
"Njord. A Vanir sea and wind god. The husband of Skadi."
That didn't sound promising.
"Njord," said Loki. His tone was not overly friendly. "Giantesses use your mouth for a piss-pot."
The Vanir shook his head. "You always did have a foul mouth, Loki. I was angry about that. It took me a long while to work out the kenning."
Loki shrugged. "If I had left you out, the?sir would have thought you were a friend of mine."
"If you'd left it well enough alone, it wouldn't have happened at all," said Njord.
"Yes. Maybe. It's a bit late for wisdom now. So why are you here, sea-god?"
"The Vanir want no part in this war that Odin drags us toward, not now that Oku-Thor is gone. And Frey and Freyja sent me to talk to you."
Loki raised his eyebrows. "Madam Cat-house, and your son who has swapped his good sword for a giant girlfriend."
"You're one of the giants yourself, Loki."
"I know. Most of the As are either giants or half-bloods. What I wanted to know was whether Frey still thought he was going to war with a stag's antler or not."
Njord shook his head. "No. Skirnir still has it."
"And Skirnir is still trotting on errands for Odin, is he? Dangerous paths, those to the dwarves and dark elves." Loki pursed his lips. "And how is Skadi?"
"Still in the pit. Odin has been unable, or unwilling, to remove the spell of binding from her." Njord did not seem too upset about his wife's situation, though.
Loki snorted with laughter. He clapped Njord on the shoulder. "I'll explain that sometime. In the meanwhile… I need to know that I can trust you, Vanir. You've a reputation for executing hostages, if you don't mind my reminding you."
"Of course I mind," Njord said. "But it wasn't my stupid idea to chop off Mirmir's head. I'd have chopped off H?nir's."
"H?nir was always too long-legged to be caught," said Loki, with a nasty grin. "Mirmir would stop to think about running or try reason."
"Sometimes running is a better option," admitted Njord.
"Yes, it is. Let's work out how we can make you a nasty surprise for Odin."
"Oh no," said Njord. "No, no, no. Forget your crazy schemes, Loki. Frey, Freyja and my Vanir cousins made it clear to me. They won't take up arms against Odin and the other?sir."
"Not much good as allies, are you?" said Loki dryly.
"Maybe not. But we will fight against our hereditary enemies. Surt and the sons of Muspell are our meat."
"They're not involved, Njord. I've been talked out of asking for that alliance. For now. Anyway, why would I want your help fighting my own side?"
"My cousins in Vanaheim say the long lines of fire-wielders are assembling in the East, Loki. They come, and not at your bidding or naysaying. Odin has made common cause with Surt-against you."
There was a long silence. "Ragnarok comes, then, whether we want it or not."
"And the Vanir cannot stand against Surt's hosts and the sons of Muspell on their own, Loki," said Njord. "We're not coming to you to help. We're coming for help. Vanaheim has no walls, unlike Asgard."
Eric Flint Dave Freer
Pyramid Power