Power Play: Act 1 Svartalfheim (Ragnarok on Ice) (26 page)

We were all standing on the Bifrost Bridge, ready to go.  Heimdall apparently wanted no part in being around dad or Sigyn again so he let Odin handle everything.

“I have a few questions.  When we cross the bridge, where will we be and how much time has passed since I came over?  My reappearance might cause a stir if I have been missing for an extended period of time.”

Odin took the first question.  “The magic behind the Bifrost allows those to choose where they go.  When you reach the door, just speak the place you wish to go and you will be taken there.  As for the time and how it passes, I cannot say.  It has been very many cycles since I have been to Midgard.”

Loki started laughing his crazy laugh like he had a secret.  “Time is a fickle mistress.  You never know how she will treat you, only that she is always in control.”  Wonderful, that was absolutely no help at all.

“Jack, do not worry.  Both your father and I will cover for you should the need arise.  To be honest, I think I am more worried how our beloved coach will handle our absence.”  Oh great, Clayton, I had forgotten about him.  That was something I for sure wasn’t looking forward too.

“Now the time has come, go forth and know shall you ever wish to return, just look to the sky and ask the Allfather for passage.  I will take care of the rest.”

The five of us started walking forward.  Dad came up to me.  “You might notice we all aren’t really dressed to blend in with the general population.  I think a smart plan would be to show up at my house.”

“Yeah, I agree with that.”

We walked across the bridge for a bit.  The view was beautiful, with the cityscape to the back of us and the small mountain range in front of us.  I looked up and am pretty sure I saw Odin’s ravens flying above us, keeping watch.  I gave them the thumbs up, not sure if Odin would even know what that meant, but it amused me. 

Finally, we came to the door at the end of the bridge.  It was built right into the side of the mountain and looked impossible to open.  I hoped Odin wasn’t pulling one on me.  But then I remembered both Thor and dad had crossed over and they knew the score.  If I was being fooled, they would have told me the correct way.

I walked up to the door and probably a bit more loudly than necessary stated exactly where I wanted to go.  The rest of the group made their way to the door and after a few seconds the door began to open.  I couldn’t see anything, as it looked like we were walking directly into the side of the mountain but we all started going forward.  We kept going into the darkness and right about the time I started to get worried a flash of light happened and when it died down we were standing right in front of dad’s house.  We were home.

Once inside, dad went about getting clothing for all of us.  I quickly turned the television on to see how long we were gone.

“Dad, Thor!  How is this possible?  It’s Monday morning!  So we’ve only been gone for two days?”

Thor was the closest.  “Something tells me the Trickster knew a little more than what he told us.”

“Seriously, we had to be away for at least a month, maybe a little more!  This is crazy!”

“I do not know Jack, but this is a slightly better situation.  It is bad enough that we are going explain what happened after the bar fight and where we have been.”

Dad was coming down the stairs now.  Apparently he had some success in finding the girls’ proper Midgard clothing.  I guess it was a good thing he didn’t get rid of everything of mom’s.  “Yes, that will definitely be tough.  Before we leave here and head back out, we need to think of something.  Why don’t you boys head upstairs, I have some jeans and a t-shirt that might fit you Thor.  Jack, you know where your stuff is.”

Rumil was waiting for me in my old room, and she was no longer her dark elf blue and dressed in animal fur and leather.  “Do you think this will be okay?”

They weren’t a perfect fit but they more than did the job.  The jeans fit but were probably a bit short though due to Rumil being a little over six feet tall but that was covered up by her calf length boots she had been wearing when we left Asgard.  The sweater was also very flattering and properly hugged all of her best features.  “Why yes, I do believe that will be more than okay.  You look amazing!”

Another side effect of not being blue was the fact I could see her blushing and it was incredibly cute.  “Stop it Jack.  Now get dressed so we can figure out what is to come next.”

Thank God for my clothing.  It felt wonderful being back in my jeans and a t-shirt.  After I got cleaned up, Rumil and I went back downstairs to the kitchen.  Dad, Thor, and Valkyrie were already eating eggs and talking.  Valkyrie, being a tall blonde goddess, was a real stunner as well.  Dad got up from the table and went over to get some more food.

“So did anyone decide how we are going to explain this all away?”

Before anyone could answer, there was a knock on the door.  “That’s odd, I’m not expecting anyone.  Everyone stay here.”  Dad set down the eggs and headed off to the front door.  No one in the kitchen moved and we just waited.  The door opened and dad seemed surprised.

“Chief Thompson, good morning and how can I help you?”

“It’s okay Fred, I’m aware of the situation.  I know both Jack and Oleg are here.”  Thor and I made eye contact, we needed to be ready.  “Fred, the FBI has told me what’s going on.  Your contact Agent Lowkey was at our office this morning and gave us the case file now that the terrorist has been apprehended.  The boys no longer need to stay here for their safety.”

Stop it.  The FBI and terrorists?  I wanted to laugh when I heard all of this but it seemed someone (and I think we all know who) had taken care of our problem.  Chief Thompson came into the kitchen and wanted to make sure Oleg and I were okay.  He ended up talking to the girls more than either of us and who could really blame him. 

When he finally finished, he asked if we needed rides back to our places.  We both declined and the chief got up to leave.  “Boys, I’m glad you’re okay and whenever you get a chance in the next day or two come on down so we can take your official statement.”

“You got it chief.  And thanks for checking up on us.”

“Of course.  Now let me go see Norm and give him the update.  Maybe he won’t kill you guys tonight.”  We all started laughing.  We knew that wasn’t happening.

Thompson left and dad confirmed what we all were thinking.  The FBI agent who showed up at the station was none other than Loki.  No one was sure how he managed to get to Midgard and more importantly convince the local police he was with the FBI but I guess that’s why he’s called the Trickster. 

Eventually Thor and Valkyrie got up to leave and get situated.  Thor and I agreed to go to the station together before practice to get that taken care of.  Not long after I figured it was time for me to get Rumil all set so I got up to leave as well.

“Well dad, I don’t even know where to begin but I’m glad I know the truth.  No matter what, I’m proud of who I am and of you.  Thanks for everything.”  I could tell the big old softy was getting choked up and I gave him a hug.  Then I turned over to Rumil.  “So beautiful, are you ready to see our new home?”

“Jack, hurry up!  Stan and Val are going to be here any minute!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll be down in a minute.”  I was up in my little nook reviewing some game tape.  In two days the EHL Finals would begin and I might have been a little too obsessed. 

It’d been two months since everything happened and what a two months it has been.  First, the team caught fire and we finished the season as strong as ever.  We even bulldozed our way through the playoffs and made it to the finals. 

Second, Valkyrie, now known as Val Kryie (I know it wasn’t the best alias but that’s what she chose) was dating Stan.  The big lug wouldn’t stop bothering her after the first time they met at Hooligans and I guess his charm wore her down.  Now they were practically attached at the hip. 

Rumil, being the sweet girl she is, had practically won the heart of everyone she met.  The neighbors loved her, the team wives and girlfriends invited her everywhere, and most importantly Stansky thought she was great.  We told everyone she was from out of state and that we were sorry we kept things a secret for so long.

“Jack, you have two minutes to get down here or I will rip that television off the wall!”  That was a threat she would and could do.  I got up and threw my jacket on.  Stan was taking us to some fancy seafood place for a relaxing night.  I sprinted down the stairs because I loved my TV and didn’t want to buy a new one.

“I’m here!  No need to do anything drastic.”

“Oh I was just teasing, but I am glad it worked!  I will have to remember that one.”  Damn, I was getting to think I was getting predictable.  But then her sweet smile melted me again and I didn’t care I got hoodwinked.

“It’s a shame they’re going to be here soon or else we could…”  And just like that there was a knock on the door.  “Well damn, let me go get it.”

I opened the door expecting to see Stansky but what I got was my dad.  “Let me in son, we need to talk.”

“Dad, what’s wrong?  You look like hell by the way.”  His eyes were bloodshot, had a gash on his forearm, and his hair was all over the place.

“For good reason, Freyja just attacked me at my house!”  Both Rumil and I froze.  “She caught me completely unprepared and easily could have killed me.  She said she wanted to give me a chance to pass my regards on to Jormungandr.”  The panic in his eyes was growing.  “The Siblings are going after him Jack and I have to stop them.”

To be continued in Penalty Kill – Act 2 of the

Ragnarok on Ice Saga
 

In anticipation of a brand new comic series brought to you by REMA Studios, please allow me the honor of introducing to you, Calder the Viking in:

**Somewhere in the Winterfall Forest**

As we crossed the cold forest, my eyes spied something moving in the trees.  “Blue, put that nose of yours to work!  Something is over there!” 

Blue, my best pal who happens to be a wolf just gruffed at me.  “Calder you idiot!  Do you have to be so loud?”

Smiling stupidly at her, “I figured my manly voice and stern tone would let the intruder know not to mess with us!”

All this got me was a blank stare.  “I stand by my original point, you’re an idiot.”  She gave a quick sniffero and sighed.  “I believe this is a dark elf.”

“Odin’s beard!”  I got my axe off my back.  “Come out of hiding you vile creature!”

Stirring from the bushes, the elf got up and showed herself.  My mouth hit the snow and my eyes left my head.  What a magnificent creature, gorgeous from the top of her head to the bottom of her boots.  Dropping my axe and running over with my hand extended, “Miss, I’m so sorry for the ruckus my wolf Blue caused!  Please allow me to make amends for that!”

She gave me a smile that’d melt my frosty heart.  “Are you not an interesting one?”

“Allow me to introduce myself!  I’m Calder, Viking extraordinaire!”

She shook my hand and returned the gesture.  “I am Rumil, princess of the Darklighter clan.”

“A princess?!  Odin’s beard!”  Looking back at Blue, “You should show more respect next time!”

My wolf pal trudged through the snow to where we were standing.  “Princess Rumil, I’m sorry for him.  He’s not right in the head and it shows.”

Rumil laughed, all the while never once threatening us.  “It is okay.  I have dealt with men like this one before.  He is kind of cute in his own way!”

While my eyes continued to grow and my heart melted further, “Please don’t add to my suffering.  I have to live with this oaf.” 

Way to kill the mood Blue!  “Please ignore her, she’s just jaded no other wolves find her fetching the way you find me irresistible!”

“You certainly are a strange one Mister Calder!  I do not wish to rain on your parade, but I am already spoken for.”

As she said it, my heart broke in two.  “No… my love for you is so real!”

“Calder, this is the third time this week you’ve fallen for a girl.  Would you knock it off!  I’m sure the Princess has much to do!”

Falling to me knees, “Blue, can you not see my agony?  My pain?”

If she did, she ignored it.  “Again, allow me to apologize.  It was a pleasure to meet you Princess Rumil of the Darklighter Clan.”

Rumil patted Blue on the head and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.  “The pleasure was all mine!  I will never forget the two of you!”

The love of my life said her farewells and quickly ran out of my life, forever.  Turning to Blue, “How could you ruin this for me?!”

“Calder, you make me hurt…”

Look for more adventures with

Calder and Blue coming this fall!