Loki: Storm of Swords

Chapter 34 - Old Enemies Meet

Jon glanced over his shoulder at Lord Umber. The man was riding a horse, and he was chained with his arms across his chest. More ropes actually secured him to his saddle, to keep him from rolling off of it. The reins of his horse were attached to Bronn's saddle, and the sells-sword was eyeing the traitorous lord on occasion. Loki was riding at the head of the column, his expression a cross between contemplative and annoyed. The questioning of Lord Umber had revealed that the noble had felt cheated after the war, and had been approached by the new voice of the Lord of Light. He had sheltered Lancel Lannister and the surviving rebels on his lands for the last six years, rearming them, and planning with the Lord of Light to overthrow the queen. Through his new mouthpiece, of course. Jon urged his horse forward till he was beside Loki. "You seemed to have developed a frustrating habit of talking to me when I don't want to be talked to," Loki said without sparing him a second glance. 

"I think it might be a family trait. It runs in the Stark blood," Jon commented. Loki glared at Jon and he raised his hand, his fingers threatening to snap.

"If I didn't feel like I had some affection for you, I would shrink you and put you in a place you wouldn't like very much," Loki warned. Jon shrugged his shoulders and allowed a small smile to appear on his face. 

"Then it's a good thing you have some affection for me," Jon responded. Loki shook his head and finally looked at him.

"It's passable, but not really enough," Loki said. Jon frowned again. "And that's the Jon I know!" Loki taunted lightly. 

"Are you two done yet?" Bronn piped up from behind them, and they glared at him over their shoulders.

"I miss my Night's Watch brothers," Jon groaned. 

"You're more than welcome to pop up for a visit. Although, I think a pregnant Ygritte rather likes the warmer, Southern climate," Loki commented. Jon rolled his eyes, but they narrowed a second later when he heard and saw a large flock of birds fly out of the brush on either side of them. Loki noticed as well, and his hand slipped inside his coat, fingering one of the knives that was strapped to a belt across his chest. "Kom til meg, mitt barn. Fly på vinger av fart. (Come to me, my child. Fly on wings of speed)" Loki whispered. Jon heard him speaking in the Nordic tongue, and knew that he was summoning Rhaegal.

"We're almost a hundred miles away from Kings Landing! How is he supposed to get here?" he asked, keeping his voice low. 

"Wherever I go, he is not too far behind," Loki answered. 

"How come I didn't know he was there?" Jon queried. "He's a big dragon. He's not exactly easy to conceal." 

"And you aren't exactly attuned to the energy Rhaegal sends out. I am. I can tell proximity by sensing auras. Dragons are mystical creatures, therefore, they give off auras. I am Rhaegal's master; he is keyed in on my aura and I on his. It's a relationship you wouldn't understand," Loki explained. 

"Why do you always have to sound so smart?" Jon posed and Loki grinned.

"Maybe because you're so-" but he didn't get to finish that thought. Several arrows came whizzing from trees. "This again?!" Loki roared as he conjured up a shield that protected his column. The arrows bounced off the green forcefield and the Stark men looked around, their swords in their hands. Jon glanced at Loki as he dropped the shield and drew two knives. "Bronn! Get Umber to Kings Landing!" Loki ordered as he released the two knives, killing two separate targets in the bushes. Bronn kicked his horse forward, dragging Umber's after him. Loki and Jon's mounts peeled off to give theirs a chance to get away. Loki's hands went up and he created more forcefields to prevent them from being shot as they fled. That was when the screech of a dragon overhead made Loki look up. "Kjør dem inn i det åpne! Ikke la noen av forræderne være i live! (Drive them into the open! Leave none of the traitors alive!)" Everyone heard the dragon's cry from above, and suddenly, flames spouted and began to consume the brush.