Loki: Why I Began the End by Maia Jacomus Read Free Book Online Page A

are you going to get it all?”
          “That’s why you’re back just in time, Loki.”
         I rolled my eyes. “Okay, yes, what am I doing?”
          “You will procure the gold from the Rhine.”
         You and I exchanged glances, thinking that, for once in his life, Odin was out of his gourd. “You want me to steal the gold from the Rhine River?” I asked. “Even if I can trick the Rhine Maidens, their Father’s sure to get murderous if he finds out.”
         Odin just slapped me on the back and said, “If anyone can do it, Loki, it’s you.”
         I just shook my head. “I’m not going to stick out my neck for some shiny mausoleum.”
         He turned to look at us both with his one eye. “Do this for me, brother, and I will sanctify marriage between you and Sigyn.”
          “I’ll do it.” My brain finally caught up with me, and I could see that you resented the suggestion. After all, it wasn’t his decision to make. Turning to you, I tried to cover my mistake: “I mean, I’ll do it, but just for something to think about. It’s not like a contract, or anything. More like a…just-in-case…sort of thing…”
         You didn’t say a word, just stood there like a statue. I was so embarrassed, that I left right away toward the Bifrost Bridge, cursing Odin with every step. I was about halfway across when I heard someone walking along behind me—it was you.
          “You really don’t have to,” you said. “It’s just another display of the Aesir materialism. You shouldn’t risk your life for a drinking house made of gold—or for me.”
         I shrugged and said, “I would never risk my life for things like that. That’s not my style. I’m just doing it for kicks. It gets boring up there in Asgard, you know.”
          “Yes, I do know.” Then I felt you link your arm in mine. “You don’t need to make a deal with Odin to get married.”
          “Well…I do need his blessing, actually. He is my blood-brother.”
          “Who are you going to marry—him or me?”             
         I theatrically scratched my chin. “Let me consider that awhile.”
         With a grin, you shoved me aside. “Go soak your head in the Rhine.”
          “Only if you’ll join me.”
         In the end, of course you know, I decided to steal the Rhine gold. Once again, Odin’s power took precedence. I had the chance to bring something into my life that had his approval—a rare opportunity. And it just so happened that it was something important to me.

 
     
    CHAPTER FIVE: THE RHINE GOLD
    I knew that getting past the Rhine Maidens would be a cinch for me. I just needed to bring along Jor, and while they all cooed over him, I could steal the gold. The only difficulty was in the actual stealing—it was a lot of gold, at least ten fistfuls measured by mountain giant hands. And it all had to be transported up the bridge and to the construction site in Asgard. I could have worked from dawn to dusk and not moved it all. It had to be done quickly, and I couldn’t do it alone.
         I took my thoughts one step at a time. First, I borrowed the net from the sea goddess Ran, the net that never breaks and never releases its prey. I knew it could help in retrieving the gold from the bottom of the river. Second, I employed Thor and—against my grain—Heimdall. Though I loathed Ram Boy Heimdall, he and Thor were the only ones I knew who possessed the strength able to haul up the nets filled with gold.
         The third point was the most difficult: transport. Thor and Heimdall couldn’t just drag the net up the bridge to Asgard with each catch. Even with their strength, it would take too long—and I couldn’t be sure their strength would last. I needed a vehicle, but one that could move over water and land. Thor’s chariot was out—too small. A rowboat wouldn’t be enough. Then I thought of that ship I had