Emeralds of Agony

15 Years Later

‘Get back here!’ Thor growled in frustration as Nina jumped backwards, out of his reach. She danced circles round him until his head span. They were practicing in the guard’s training ring, a large, sandy space that backed onto the city’s military academy.



 Loki and Thor had begun their training at 13; usual for all the young men of Asgard. They received extra, private tuition from Odin’s finest warriors too, as was befitting for the royal family. Lai soon spotted Nina, then aged 11, sneaking her brother’s leather bound practise swords out of their rooms to practise herself in the palace gardens everyday as soon as the sun rose, and she mentioned it to the King and Queen. They agreed that she could begin too. Both boys had their gifts; Thor’s physical strength meant that he could overpower Loki if they fought without weapons, but his brother’s swiftness of foot, and the agility of his body meant Thor rarely had the opportunity to catch him. And Loki possessed another gift, one which made him possibly the deadliest warrior Asgard had ever had in its power – he could project replicas of himself, controlling them from wherever he chose to hide, and could shift himself to another space in the blink of an eye.

 When Nina began training, she would never be satisfied by the hours spent with the trainers, and would pester both her brothers to spar with her. Thor would always refuse, saying it would be too easy for him to beat her. But Loki stayed with her, teaching her how to move like him, how to twist and turn to avoid her opponent until the opportune moment. She learnt quickly, and soon Thor could no longer use the excuse that beating her would be ‘too easy.’

She laughed, swinging her long braid of golden hair out of the way.

‘Come now brother, you can do better than this, surely!’



Thor jabbed with his practice sword, and she jumped backwards once more.

‘By the gods of old, Loki has taught you well.’



Nina raised her eyebrows. ‘Surely you don’t give him all the credit?’

‘No, but I do know he has taught you how to be as swift and, forgive me for saying it, as sneaky as him when fighting.’

‘Sneaky?’ Nina’s eyes narrowed.

‘Well, yes. For Loki would rather leap out of the way of a sword than strike back with his own-‘

‘Surely avoiding the need for conflict as well as saving himself?’

‘Ah little sister, you do not see. It makes him weak!’

She glared at him. ‘He’s not weak. Just because you’ve never managed to pummel him into unconsciousness like you and your bulky friends do to each other. And don’t call me little.’



Thor threw back his head and laughed, his hands resting on his stomach, sword lose at his side.

Nina lunged, striking the side of his neck with her sword, the leather hitting him before he had time to react. Thor’s eyes widened, and he raised his hands.

‘Loki taught me to pick my moments, and not get distracted. You’d do well to pay attention to his advice.’ She stalked off out of the ring, braid swinging behind her.

 

Please, please review and/or rate if you like what you're reading! Very nervous first time writer here, and any reassurance you could give would be fantastic. Thank you.