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  Thor:

  Dueling with Giants

  Marvel’s Tales of Asgard

  Book 1

  Keith R.A. DeCandido

  Contents

  Dedication

  Prelude

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Copyright

  About the Publisher

  Dedication

  Dedicated to the memory of Scooter (1999-2015), the best dog in the history of the world. We really miss you, you big galoot …

  Prelude

  The skies are sometimes blue, sometimes black, sometimes gray.

  When storms come and go on Midgard—which its natives generally call “Terra” or “Earth”—and are followed by sunlight, the sky goes from gray to blue, and the people, if they look up at the right time, are blessed with the sight of a rainbow.

  Scientists and teachers will explain that a rainbow is a result of the refraction of the sun’s light through the moisture still left in the air from the storm. And while they are right, there is more to it than that.

  If humans see a rainbow, then they are getting the briefest look at a much greater tapestry, for they have seen a glimpse of the Bifrost—the rainbow bridge that leads to Asgard.

  Asgard and Midgard are but two of the worlds that are linked by Yggdrasil, the great world tree that connects the Nine Worlds to each other.

  The lives of the natives of Midgard are but brief, over in an instant. The denizens of Asgard are far longer-lived, and much stronger and more powerful, controlling forces far beyond those of most mortals.

  Today, some Asgardians do cross the Bifrost to Midgard, where they are viewed as “paranormals” or “super heroes”—or, in some cases, “super villains.” In this modern age, they are far from the only beings of power who walk Midgard’s lands.

  A thousand years ago, Asgardians crossed the Bifrost in greater numbers. The peoples of one particular region—some mortals call it “Scandinavia”—did view the Asgardians as gods, and paid them tribute, worshipping them and telling tales of their adventures.

  And a thousand years before that, many of those who would be worshipped as gods in adulthood were still children.

  On one such day, a blond-haired youth named Thor—the son of Odin, the ruler of Asgard—did approach the Bifrost. A young man named Heimdall had recently been appointed to be the guardian of the rainbow bridge, for his senses were more acute than any other in Asgard. He could see an army gathering from many leagues away, hear their approach, even smell the ointments they used to clean their swords and polish their armor.

  And so he had no trouble detecting the approach of young Thor. The boy was carrying a sword and shield and had an eager and happy expression on his face.

  “Heimdall!” he cried. “I have heard that the forces of evil will soon attack Asgard!”

  “Yes,” Heimdall said. “Odin’s noble ravens, Hugin and Munin, have reported that there are rumblings of an alliance among many of the foes of Asgard. The Norn Hag, the Rime Giants, the trolls, and the wolf gods are joining forces to do together what they could never accomplish while apart.”

  Holding up his sword, Thor spoke solemnly. “Then I must defend the Realm Eternal! I am Odin’s eldest son, and it is my duty!” Then his face broke into a grin. “Besides, if I do enough good deeds I will earn Odin’s uru hammer!”

  Heimdall smiled indulgently at the boy. He knew that his younger sister, Sif, thought highly of the lad, and Sif was not one to give her affections to someone unworthy.

  But after a moment, Heimdall let his smile fall away, for he had only recently been appointed to this sacred duty. He would not allow Thor to distract him. “Go away, Thor. Rest assured, if any do attack Asgard, I will know it and I will sound the Gjallarhorn.”

  “And I will be ready by your side when—”

  “If you are by my side, you will distract me from my post—as, indeed, you already are.” He put a friendly hand on the youth’s shoulder. “Go, return to your home. The Gjallarhorn will be heard throughout Asgard, should the rumors be true. When that happens, you may answer the call to arms with everyone else.”

  Despondent, Thor returned to his home. Odin, of course, was not there—he was always busy in the throne room with affairs of state—but his mother, Frigga, was present.

  As always, Thor’s mother knew his mood instantly. “What distresses you, my son?” she asked upon his entry.

  “I tried to stand by Heimdall at the Bifrost, but he sent me away! I will never earn possession of Father’s hammer if I do not perform noble deeds in the service of Asgard!”

  “And is that the reason for your desire to stand by the Bifrost, my son?”

  Thor frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I simply question whether or not your eagerness to defend the realm comes from a desire to protect the people of Asgard, or because of the trinkets you will be rewarded with if you do.”

  That brought Thor up short. “But—” He hesitated. “If I am granted Mjolnir, then I will be able to perform my duties more properly!” He held up his sword and shield. “These weapons are strong and true, but compared to Mjolnir they are no better than the wooden training weapons I used as a boy!”

  Refraining from pointing out that Thor was still a boy, Frigga called her son to her. He placed his sword and shield upon the end table, and then sat next to her on the couch in the grand sitting room of their home. “So you wish a more powerful weapon?”

  “Only that I may protect the people better! I may be the ruler of Asgard sometime in the future—should, the fates forfend, something happen to Father …”

  “Yes,” Frigga said quickly, not wishing to dwell on such a possibility. “But in that instance you will rule, not fight.”

  “But I must know that I can protect the people of Asgard as best I can. So I must have the hammer!”

  “What if you don’t have the hammer?”

  “If I am not considered worthy of Mjolnir, then I am not fit to be Asgard’s protector!”

  Frigga smiled. “You need not worry, my son. You do not wish Mjolnir for its own sake, but for its ability to allow you to serve your function greater. That is why I am sure you will be granted it—and also why you need not worry about when you will be worthy. Your intentions are pure, and all else will derive from that.”

  Thor smiled at his mother and suddenly leaned over and gave her a huge hug. “Thank you, Mother.”

  “Now shoo, and leave me in peace.”

  After retrieving his sword and shield from the end table, Thor said, “Of course, Mother. Again, thank you!”

  Thor went toward the rear entrance of the house with a spring in his step. He would use the time practicing with his sword while he waited for Heimdall to sound the Gjallarhorn to signal the coming battle.

  As he worked on his parries and his thrusts, Loki suddenly appeared as if from nowhere, startling Thor.

  “You would be wise, my brother, not to be so stealthy when approaching one carrying a blade. I would not wish to hurt you by accident—or, indeed, on purpose.”

  Thor spoke the words with a truly sincere smile, for though Loki was not his blood, he was still kin in all the ways that mattered. Thor had nothing but affection for his brother.

  Loki returned the sentiment with a smile that was far from sincere, for he did not share the good feelings of his adoptive brother. He had his own designs on Mjolnir, knowing it would be a valuable tool in his growing ability with spellcraft. But he knew that Thor
was going to be the one to get it, barring a catastrophe.

  And Loki was definitely the person to provide that catastrophe.

  “Mother said you were back here, Thor. I heard that you were trying to find a way to perform good deeds, that our dear father may deem you worthy of his bequeathing Mjolnir upon you.”

  “Indeed! Heimdall tells me that many of Asgard’s greatest foes are gathering and will invade soon. But Heimdall stands true at the rainbow bridge, and he will alert all Asgard when the attack comes.”

  “Assuming it comes to a place Heimdall can see.”

  Thor frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I have discovered something. Come with me!” Without even waiting to see if Thor followed, Loki ran back toward the house.

  Of course, Thor did follow him. He was compelled to learn what his brother had found.

  Loki led him down the spiral stairs to the catacombs, the tunnels that connected this, Odin’s home, with the throne room, allowing the All-Father to traverse between his home and his place of rule in relative peace and quiet. After all, if Odin were to stride through the streets of Asgard, he would be a figure of admiration and gawking, and after a long day of responsibility, he wished to be on his way to his dwelling with dispatch.

  Thor and Loki had both made use of these tunnels as well, but now Loki was leading Thor down a route he had never gone before.

  “I had no idea the catacombs extended so far,” Thor said.

  “Indeed,” was all Loki would say in reply.

  The tunnels twisted and turned so many times that soon Thor had completely lost his way. Loki, however, remained sure of foot as he traversed the halls, finally arriving upon a bend.

  Thor was surprised to feel a breeze, and when they came ’round the bend, he understood why: there was a great hole in the wall, which led to a grassy plain outside the city walls of Asgard.

  “What perfidy is this?” Thor asked, aghast.

  Loki smiled. “A quite literal hole in Asgard’s defenses. It was mere happenstance that I came upon it while exploring these tunnels. It is possible that Heimdall will still see the hordes coming, but he may not. And if Asgard’s foes come through here …”

  Thor nodded, raising his sword. “You were wise to bring me here, Loki. I will stand fast at this breach and defend Asgard against those who would destroy her.”

  “Excellent!” Loki clapped Thor on the back. “I knew I could count on you. I will go and fetch assistance.”

  Loki very carefully waited until he was well out of Thor’s earshot before bursting into laughter. The truth was, of course, that he had not so much come upon the hole while exploring the tunnels; rather he was the one who created the hole during those explorations. What’s more, he had sent a message to Skoll and Hati, the wolf gods who had brought several of Asgard’s greatest foes together to plan an assault. Loki had learned of their secret covenant by his own means, and was determined to help them succeed in their plan to attack—so that Loki himself could drive them away and earn Mjolnir for himself!

  But first, he’d need to be rid of his tiresome brother. Mother may have been equal in her affections to them both, but Odin very obviously preferred the blond idiot. Loki would need to make sure that the wolf gods and their allies did their part and took Thor out before Loki could make his own move.

  Sure enough, Thor soon found himself face to face with a most impressive collection of foes: the Norn Hag astride Ulfrin the Dragon, accompanied by the wolf gods, and several trolls and Rime Giants.

  Never before in his young life had Thor seen so many foes come at him at once. And Loki had not yet returned with the promised reinforcements.

  Faced with no alternative, Thor charged forward. Knowing he could not overwhelm so great a force with his strength alone, he instead used his blade to smash a nearby rock that he knew covered a hot spring. The heated water burst forth and knocked the wolf gods aside.

  However, those who felt the enchanted breath of Ulfrin the Dragon rarely lived long to speak of it. At the Norn Hag’s command, Ulfrin breathed a sickly green smoke that caused Thor’s very limbs to grow weak. He dropped his sword, unable to even muster the strength to hold it, much less lift the weapon.

  And then he remembered what he had said to Frigga about his duty to Asgard, and how he longed to be worthy of Mjolnir so he could keep Asgard safe.

  Shaking off the effects of the dragon’s breath, he reached for his sword and struck the beast in the gullet with a mighty blow.

  The dragon thrashed in pain, throwing the Norn Hag from its back.

  That left only the Rime Giants and the trolls, and soon Thor was fighting them all for his life, as they came at him from all sides.

  Just as he believed he would be overwhelmed, just as he was sure that he would die protecting Asgard and be brought to Valhalla far sooner than he’d hoped, he heard a very familiar voice cry out, “For Asgard!”

  Looking back, Thor saw that Odin had arrived, with a dozen more warriors by his side.

  Within moments, the foes had retreated, unwilling to face so great a foe as Odin, much less his warriors, pledged to die defending him. They had hoped for the element of surprise when Loki came to them with his plan, and now that was lost. The water-soaked wolf gods, the wounded dragon, the humiliated Norn Hag, and the defeated giants and trolls beat a hasty retreat.

  Thor knelt down before Odin. “I am sorry, Father, I failed to defend the Realm Eternal.”

  “I say nay, my son, rise to your feet.” Odin smiled beneath his thick white beard. “Heimdall heard the sounds of battle from your sword against the rock, the dragon, and the creatures’ weapons and he had us come. You did well—had you not been here to defend this opening, these brigands would have been well within Asgard’s borders before we were able to muster a defense.”

  “It is not just I who should be thanked, Father. ’Twas Loki who brought me to this opening and bade me defend it while he summoned help.”

  “Did he, now?” Odin shook his head. “I shall have to make sure that Loki receives all due credit for his actions this day, then.”

  Thor went home that night with a happy heart, for he knew he was that much closer to earning Mjolnir.

  For his part, Loki’s heart was far less happy. His plan had completely failed, and he was upbraided by Odin for not fulfilling his promise to Thor to send for help. Loki pleaded innocent, saying he got lost in the tunnels, but Odin did not appear to believe him.

  Despondent, Loki returned home. Frigga was present.

  As with Thor, Loki’s mother knew his mood instantly. “What distresses you, my son?” she asked upon his entry.

  “I had hoped to stop the vanguard of enemies that attacked Asgard today—after they defeated Thor. Then Odin would see that I am the one who should wield Mjolnir!”

  “You wished Thor to be harmed?”

  “Well, perhaps a little,” Loki admitted. “I just wanted him defeated so I could show Father that I am just as worthy a son as Thor.”

  “You are just as worthy a son, Loki. Remember, Odin chose you as his son. He did not do that lightly.”

  “Perhaps.” Loki sat next to Frigga on the couch and folded his arms. “But why does he not see what I can contribute?”

  “Because you attempt to show him only through paltry schemes and misdirection! And by endangering your brother, his other son. That is not the way to Odin’s favor.”

  “Of course, you are correct, Mother. My schemes must be brilliant!”

  “Loki—”

  Rising from the couch, Loki quickly ran from the room. “Thank you, Mother!”

  Frigga sighed. No one had said that raising two boys to become heirs to the throne of Asgard would be easy …

  Chapter One

  When the troll’s fist collided with Thor’s head, the thunder god was at once surprised, exhilarated, and angered.

  The surprise had been ongoing, commencing when the gaggle of trolls first appeared amongst Asgard’s gleaming spires. Thor kn
ew not how or why the creatures contrived to invade the home of the gods, but he had pledged long ago to protect the Realm Eternal at all costs. He did so two millennia ago when Loki led him to a hole in the tunnels beneath the city, and he did so now, and no doubt he would do so two millennia hence. Never would Thor shirk his duty to the Realm Eternal. And so from the very moment Heimdall sighted the trolls’ invasion with his great vision, Thor took up Mjolnir and joined the fray. There would be time enough to learn the how and why of the incursion by the trolls after the battle was done. Indeed, such an investigation would need to take place, for Heimdall’s all-seeing eyes should have detected the trolls’ approach long before they got within Asgard’s gates.

  The exhilaration came from knowing he did not fight alone. His comrades-in-arms were right beside him: Balder the brave, Fandral the dashing, Hogun the grim, Volstagg the voluminous, and the mightiest of shield-maidens, the Lady Sif. They were the doughtiest warriors a god could ask for to stand by his side, and Thor considered himself fortunate to number them among his friends as well as his battle-mates. Balder, Sif, and the Warriors Three had joined Thor in the square outside the Temple of Titans to face the thirteen trolls who had invaded the city.

  The anger derived from the troll who had managed to sneak under Thor’s guard and strike him. His winged helmet flew from atop his head, clanging to the ground beside him, and he also lost his grip on Mjolnir as he fell to the paving stones in a heap.

  Thor looked up at the troll who had struck him, and smiled. “Well struck, but you will rue the day you challenged the son of Odin!”

  Cackling in response, the troll said, “No such thing do I rue, thunderer, save that you still draw breath. I shall remedy that state of affairs now.”

  With that, the orange-skinned creature leapt at Thor’s prone form. Thor raised his arms to defend himself from the troll’s onslaught. Thor’s foe was the biggest of the thirteen trolls who had invaded, standing head and shoulders above even Volstagg, the largest of the Asgardians. Doubtless that troll was the leader of the campaign, and Thor intended to defeat him directly. When he fell, the other dozen would soon follow.