Loki Passage 4.2

Further to the forest. Loki stopped his run to lean on the tree trunk. He had heard what was needed. He then heard the croak to his right; it was the frog. It sat there on its hind legs, croaking to the boy. The frog dissipated into a mist that rose up to double his height and then appeared as a lady, in a green gown with the red striped cloak.

“Hello again, Loki.” The lady greeted the young boy. “Gullvieg is back.”

Loki looked up to the lady there; she had appeared to him in his dreams when he was one year old, and then she appeared to him as the hare, and much later in many more forms of cute animals. It was only much later at the tender age of four, she had appeared to him, as a little girl who called him names in a play. It made him angry and he struck her. In return, Thor wrestled him and then called him a bastard. Soon after that, she appeared to him at the lake when he ran there to seek solace. They had been meeting since then, and she told him a lot of tales of his parents.

 “Loki, you are the true son of Farbauti and Laufey.”

Loki Passage 4.1

4.

The news of Odin’ appointment to the rank of All Father was met with celebration by the Wodin Clan. Frigg, the love of Odin was busy preparing the food in the kitchen for her love’s return celebration. She was a young mother to his son, Thor. The boy was older than Loki by some years, and was seen playing outside with the others. She looked out and tried to sight her one other son; the one adopted by Odin from the lands of Jotunheim.

“Helga, have you seen Loki?” Frigg asked the lady next to her. It was her neighbor and good friend since childhood.

“I had not seen him since morning. That lad had a tendency of going off alone into the forest.” Helga replied while she looked out for her kids. She had five of her own, and they are more difficult to handle than Loki.

Frigg was concerned on the adopted one although Loki was with them for over five years then, but he had distanced 

himself from the others. He was smaller in the frame, and most times, was bed stricken when her sons were just shrugged off. She feared that if anything happened to him, Odin would feel bad. He did tell her that he overreacted in the raid. He also blamed himself for the death of Loki’ parent.

“Helga, take over the food preparation.” Frigg told her neighbor. She rushed out to look for the missing son. She knew that Loki had a few places which he would go to for his personal time. She found him, after having checked the barn, and the nearby stream. He was finally discovered at the nearby lake where he would sit there for hours to look at the water.

Loki was smaller than most child his years, and with all be bullying from them, he decided to be alone most times. He also would not speak and remained mute when questioned. His only companion was a hare he had befriended some time back. That day, Loki was seated there by the lake alone. He was wearing a simple plain tunic that reached his knees, although it would fit a boy his age. Frigg approached the boy and stood by the lake.

“Loki, the water looked fine.” Frigg found herself with difficulty to speak to him, although she did try to show him affection but he had refused to respond. So she worked on the presence of being a friend. A quiet friend most times. Just then a frog appeared on the water surface and hop onto the nearby bank. It went on hopping towards the trees.

“Look, Loki. It’s a frog. It’s going off into the forest.” Frigg told the young boy.

“Why did it leave, Frigg?” Loki asked, which caused the young mother of two own siblings smiling. She took the opportunity to sit down next to him.

“Maybe he does not belong to the lake, so he went to look for a new one.” Frigg replied. Loki looked to the lady and then he asked.

“Am I not your son, Frigg?” Loki asked her. Frigg was taken aback by the question. She paused to think of a reply, but Loki had continued on.

“Thor told me himself. We were fighting, and he told me I am not his brother.” Loki explained. “He told me I was brought in by Odin. He said I am a bastard.”

Frigg tried to hide her expression, but the young boy was quick to tell. Loki stood up so he would near level to her face. On his face, was an expression of fear.

“Frigg, please tell me the truth. I need to know. The other boys have all said the same thing about me.” Among the children, such tales would spread like wildfire. “I got the other mothers staring at me.”

It was the moment that Frigg feared most ever since she laid her eyes on Loki. She recalled the night Odin carried the baby into their home. She moved to hold the child even before the warrior explained. She had heard that most warriors had affairs outside of their homes, and at times, bring back their offspring for their rightful lover. When she had the baby wrapped in new clothing and fed with the milk from her breast, which she was still feeding Thor who was then almost three years old. Odin had later explained to her what happened, but Frigg was more concerned on the baby. She felt her attracted to the boy who was sleeping in her arms. She felt that the boy needed love.

“No, Loki….” Frigg tried to console the boy, but he intervened once again.

“Tell me the truth, Frigg. Am I not yours?” Loki eyes tear up. He leaned forward to reach for the warmth hug of her’. 

Frigg responded with the genuine warmth that she had given for the last five years. She found herself not able to lie to the boy. She told him the truth; the partial part of it, adding on Thor as the real father with his mother who was an Elf which was why he had such a smaller body.

“You lied!” Loki pulled off from the lady who had cared for him. He ran off into the forest, leaving Frigg seated there on her own. She felt so bad, but that evening, there was a celebration of an important event coming up. She got up and walked back to her kitchen. She would leave the matter to Thor. It was he who brought the boy to her life. 

Othello the Legatus Epilogue

Epilogue

The late morning next day on the side of the hill, Othello stood there, discarded of his armor and uniform, he looked to the harbour. He felt sad and tired of the recent events. He thought he knew all his friends, but he was mistaken.

"There are no real friends in life." Othello muttered to himself. "Only devious enemies that pretend to be yours. Iago, Cassio, they are all fake friends."

"Was she one too, Othello?" The voice was to the rear of Othello.

"Brabatio? How did you turned up?" Othello asked of the older man who was with his personal guards.

"I came with Lodovico and Gratiano on the ship, but I landed some distance away. I wanted to see my daughter but news of her demise travelled fast. I was also told you escaped from her room. I had you tracked, and here I am." Brabatio explained himself, while his guards disarmed the Legatus.

"I can explained, Brabatio." Othello replied. "We were...."

"A life was taken, Othello. One of mine and that needed vengeance." Brabatio replied. "I told you before. My daughter is not what she appeared to be. She was head strong, determined and above all, she knew what she wanted. She did loved you, that was true. But you were deceived by others to think that she did not. It was you who was undecisive in this relationship."

"You see things too much though the mask that you think everyone had a mask on them. But some of us don't. We are true in our expression. We are not whores paid to moan when there was nothing to it; paid to share when they was never a need; paid to say meaningless words when they understood only the clatter of coins. We are the true people and friends, and lovers. You however was like a whore; you hide yourself beneath the mask and looked at who would sway your thoughts. Unfortunately, my daughter was not a whore. She decided to love you."

"I am sorry, Brabatio. I regretted my actions." Othello told him back in a defeated tone. "Since I became one with this mask, I hated them all. For many of my friends then, left me thinking I had become a monster. So I chose to believe in only myself. I thought I found love with her, but many a times, I asked myself. Did she love me or love my mask?"

"Words, meant nothing to me now. You ought to know that in the Legion. Once you are defeated, you can't fault anyone but yourself." Brabatio told him." Only the winner could decide. And I have decided."

Brabatio braced himself for the striking blow.

"Do your worst, Brabatio. I would not asked for mercy."

"Mercy is not mine to give. It was Desdemona' but she is no more here. However, I actually liked you in my family. Its how you get in that annoyed me. But with her death attributed to your action, you are no more my family. However, your other family seek you. They want you to answer for the death of their brothers." Brabatio told him. From the shadows of the trees, a group of tribesmen appeared.

"Roman, we are here." The leader of the group told Brabatio. He looked at Othello. "Can we have him?"

"Yes, by all means." Brabatio told them. Othello was to struggle but he was held down by three tribesmen while the Romans slipped back to the harbour.

Meanwhile at the far end of the harbour, Cassio was carried there by the stretcher bearers. Branius was standing by him; while of them watched the burning funeral pyre. It was for Desdemona and Emilia.

"Cassio, you done well. You played your role well. You led on the hunt for the so called lover into Iago, and he listened to your words. Damned! I never thought you had it in you."

"Branius, when Desdemona selected Othello to be her love, I had plotted the downfall of Othello. I was the one who convinced the lady that Othello was in pain with his wound. She was the mothering type; the one to take on the challenge. I let them build up their so called love. While at the battles I nurtured the idea into Othello of Desdemona beauty. He was reluctant initially with his scar, but I told him that was made him mysterious. He could think of no one but her. He even asked me if I mind he take her one as his love, I gave my blessing. He made me his Prime Pilus on that trust. I then led Iago; he knew our secret, to discredit me. I fought with Montana not because I was drunk, but I wanted to be led back to Desdemona. She felt pity on me and laid the charms for me. I signaled her to be alone with me. We used to do that when we were then together. She called on Emilia, but I did not planned Emilia theft of the sash. When you showed me the sash, I actually wanted a duplicate to set up Othello, but you went back on the arrangement."

"I was jealous." Branius replied. Cassio laughed at the reply.

"Don't be a bitch. That's my role. We are supposed to be jealous. And when we get jealous, we get even or hurt you bad." Cassio smiled.

"But you never bargain to get hurt?" Branius told him.

"No, not by the knee. That was the work of Iago,. I saw him but I was too late to stop it."

"So you told me to sent Iago up with the Romans that time. You timed it so that Othello would run. But why?" Branius asked.

"Brabatio wanted him to run, so he can capture the bastard." Cassio replied.

"Brabatio is here?" Branius asked. "So he was also in it."

"Only after the ceremony and the blessing by the Emperor. He saw me and pleaded me to take on Desdemona. I told him I would do otherwise. I told him to pushed for the Emperor to make Othello the Senator and myself the Legatus. He did as I asked."

"So Roderigo died by Iago' hand was the unplanned one.." Branius muttered out. "Justice I guess. After all he pursued here."

"On my investment. I had the merchants buy up whatever he was offering, so he could come here. I had the taverns skimmed him of his coins, and the Captain of the ship was paid to be nasty. In all, they were all pawns for my moves to become Legatus."

In the bay, a ship set sailed with an additional crew. One who was set in last night with heavy chains on his ankles and wrists', bounded to the oar that he was to row. His eyes were gouged out and his tongue removed while his face was scarred on one side. Even his mother would not recognized him, and if she were asked to, she would had refused.

"Captain, the wind is up, and we can sailed now." The ship first crew spoke up.

"Aye, sail on. We are going to down the coasts to the darker continent." The Captain gave the order while holding onto the pouch of coins he had received for his effort.

Footnote:

The story of William Shakespeare's Othello is set in16th-century Venice and Cyprus. Othello the Moor, a noble black warrior in the Venetian army, has secretly married a beautiful white woman called Desdemona, the daughter of a prominent senator, Brabantio. When he finds out, he is outraged, and promptly disowns her.

Othello’s ensign, Iago, harbors a secret jealousy and resentment towards the Moor, partly because another soldier, lieutenant Cassio, has been promoted ahead of him, and also because he suspects that Othello has had an affair with his wife. Intent on revenge, Iago hatches a devious plan to plant suspicions in Othello’s mind that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him with Cassio. He orchestrates a street fight, for which Cassio is wrongly blamed, and is then dismissed from his post by Othello. Desdemona takes up Cassio’s case with her husband, which only further inflames his suspicions that the pair are lovers.

In the meantime, Iago manages to procure a treasured handkerchief from Desdemona that was given to her by Othello. He plants it on Cassio so that Othello sees it, then concludes that it is proof of their affair. Maddened by jealousy, he orders Iago to murder Cassio, and then he strangles Desdemona. Immediately afterwards her innocence is revealed, and Iago’s treachery exposed. In a fit of grief and remorse Othello kills himself. Iago is taken into custody by the Venetian authorities.

Othello the Legatus Act 5 Scene 2 Part 5

Act Five Scene 2 Part 5

Cassio looked to the lady standing before him. He could not believe what she had become, from the lively chatty but strong headed girl to this killing lady with a confused state in her mind.

"Stay here. Do not come down." Cassio told her. He then proceed to get up using the gladius but his knee hurt. Desdemona stepped froward to hold him.

"Thank you." Cassio replied. But it was too late. The door was opened and in came Othello; just recovered from his seizure and groggy on his feet. He saw them holding each other. That was enough for him to react. He had lost his gladius, but he still had his personal pugio. He drew that and thrust towards them.

Desdemona saw it from the corner of her eyes and turned to face it. The dagger tore into her bosom; piercing her heart.

"Die, you treacherous whore. Your heart for my pain." Othello twist the dagger into her heart.

"Othello, I love you." Desdemona called out and then breathe her last. Cassio who was leaning on his gladius fell back to the seat. He looked at the man with the dark mask.

"Are you mad, Othello?" Cassio called out to him. "She is Desdemona, your love."

"My love no more. She is everyone's love. She had nothing I own for myself." Othello replied but Cassio cautioned him.

"You were wrong. She told me everything. I think you are mistaken. I never had sex with her. We used to be together but it was all over." Cassio told him. "I was with no other ladies, Othello."

"No, you were not. You were with her. You devoted to her like I did. I was blinded by her." Othello told him. But Cassio hit back hard.

"No, I was with Branius, my lover." Cassio blurt it out. "Iago knew. He misled you. You are a fool, Othello."

Othello slumped back against the doorway. He felt so wasted stranding here. But not long as the door was hammered from outside. Othello latched it and went for the window. He did say anything but jumped out. The door burst open and in came the guards followed by Iago and the two Roman Senators.

"What in Apollo's name happened here" Lodovico asked."Where is Othello?"

"He had escaped." Cassio told him. He then looked to the guards. "Find him but do not harm him."

Cassio then looked at Iago.

"I want to speak to you alone." 

"None need be." Iago replied. "You killed these women. One is my love." With that Iago rushed at Cassio, but the later had seen it coming. He deflected the attacking Centurion and pushed him off.

"Stop your acting. Iago. I knew it all." Cassio told him. "Its best you claimed defeat than to die today."

"Never!" Iago shouted back. He was to resumed his attack when Branius stepped in. He hurled the pilum from the doorway. The legionnaire spear pierced Iago in the chest. He fell down to his knees holding the spear at the chest.

"Who..." Iago muttered out.

"I, Branius." The Centurion stepped in. "I knew of your plans from Roderigo. You are a disgrace to us in the Legion."

With that, Iago fell to his death, leaving Cassio seated there looking defeated. He looked to the Roman Senators.

"I think we need to find Othello. He may be confused too."

The two Senators agreed to it. They are all confused. Branius arranged the burial of the dead ladies while Iago would be hung over the harbour walls. He then arranged a briefing for the Senators with Cassio in attendance.

"I knew it, as Roderigo was also my friend." Branius explained. "He came to see me when he had landed here. I was surprised to see him, but he told he came because of Desdemona. I knew neither of her and how she had influenced his judgment. I left it at that but when I got the sash from Iago to give to Cassio, I was still not sure what that meant. I was never close to Othello. But I checked the others who were close to him. It was then I knew of the significance of the sash. I gave it back to Cassio. I then asked more of the events. I met Roderigo before he was killed.. He told me of Iago' role. I knew then what was going to happen. I went off to warn Othello but I could not find him. When I came to, Roderigo was dead and Cassio was wounded. I tended to him first and decided to talk to Othello later. But The battle came. It was too quick everything. Until I heard the shouts. I did what I had to saved Cassio. He is still my Pilus."

"A brave and noble move, Branius. You did well to protect your Prime Pilus. I was taken aback by the action of Iago. He looked like a mad man, but we would know more when we find Othello." Lodovico advised back.

"In the meantime, Cassio would take over as per the order of Emperor Commodus. Branius, you would hold the position of Prime Pilus." Lodovico continued on. "I would have this documented for the Emperor."

"Truly a tragedy." Gratiano added on.

"Yes, but above it, we have a victory. The tribesmen are all defeated. Rome once again ruled the land." Lodovico announced for all to hear.

Loki Passage 3.2

“Great One, I am unworthy of your gift.” Odin went down on his knees to plead with the Great One. He was just been given the role of taking over the role as the next All-Father. He looked to his father, Bor son of Buri.

“The rightful person shall be my Bor; the rightful of heir of Buri.” Odin motioned to his father. It was then Buri raised his voice.

“Bor may be my son, as you are his son. Whoever I appoint is my decision.”  The Great One commanded. “And my decision is you.”

“Great One, I am …too young to assume such a great responsibility….” Odin tried to justify his unworthiness.

“One who would have the Elders to guide you in the ruling the people.” The Great One intercepts the clarification. “I was like you before. I may have united the clans, but I was no real leader for some time. I had the Elders to advise me, and from there I improved. So were you soon when you are my successor.”

Odin remained on his knees, and refused to stand up but the Great One approached the young warrior. He leaned down to look at Odin.

“Odin the son of Bor.” The Great One handed over the spear which was his from his father. “Take my spear for yourself. Gunner would serve you well.”

Gunner was made from the tough and resilient wood from the Ysil Tree; unfavorable for a spear due to its weight, but in Gunner, the weight was absorbed by magical properties making it lighter for the user to wield with ease. It was 15-foot in length with a sharp iron head shaped like a narrow leaf and a bronze butt-spike that would allow it to be anchored to the ground to stop charges by enemy soldiers. The butt-spike served to balance out the spear, making it easier for soldiers to wield. The butt-spike could be used as a back-up point should the main one break.

Odin held the spear; he remembered the first time he wield it when he was still a toddler. It felt so strange then but when the Great One handed it then, he felt the spear was already with him. It was then he heard the others in the Hall, all hailed him as the new All Father. He stood up and held Gunner on his side before he addressed the ones who had accepted him as the leader.

“I am Odin son of Bor, and grandson of Buri. The Great One had given me a responsibility which I ….would carry with pride.” Odin told the Elders. He was to speak more but the Great One was walking towards the main doors of the Hall. Odin stopped and spoke to the departing leader.

“Great One, before you ventured on your wanderers; please allowed us to hail you once more as the Great One.” Odin told his grandfather. The Elders and leaders all in attendance were to greet the departing leader, but the Great One rose up his arms. The departing leader turned to look at them.

“Please do not do this.” Buri spoke up. “I am no more your leader. This Hall shall not hear anymore of my name from now. That is my final wish as the Great One.”

With that, Buri took on his walk and left the Hall. Outside the Hall, the rest of the congregation had all heard the new proclamation. They had all crouched down on their knees as a sign of respect to their departing leader. Buri smiled at them and moved to the waiting mount of his. He climbed on and rode off in a slow trot, smiling at every Asgardian he passed.

Inside the Hall, Odin looked to the seat vacated by Buri. It was a large seat with a high back; the seat was covered with the skin of the great mountain lion with its paws laid on the seat arms and legs. Its head was removed to hang on the left side, as it shall not overshadow the All Father who would be seated there. Odin turned to look at the assembled and then he spoke.

“I am in need of some good warriors to ride with me.” Odin laid his eyes on the assembled. “They would be at my side at all times. Their loyalty to me would be unquestioned, and their message from me, would be considered as spoken by myself to you.”

“I called on Lonkar the Brave.” Odin named the first one. Lonkar the Explorer. The named warrior was renowned for his far flung solo travels, where he would discover new creatures and people. He had escaped with many skirmishes where his life was almost forfeited. Lonkar was a huge man who was dressed in the skin of the Frost Giant he slew who had killed his father. He wore the skin like a cloak over his armor, and cared not what the other think, but he was able to defend his name. His weapon was the double head spear that he used like a swinging sword. He does not wear any helm on his head, but the hollowed out skull of the Giant Bear, which he had molded to his head.

“I would be glad to serve you, All Father.” Lonkar stepped forth and went down on his knees. Odin smiled and then announced his other warrior.

“Call in the Vizier from outside. He would be the next one on my side.”  

Othello the Legatus Act 5 Scene 2 Part 4

Act Five Scene 2 Part 4

Desdemona held onto her friend, and cried. She let her mind float onto the recent events from her union vows to the accusation by her love, and then of the killing she did. It was all so fast and never once she doubted her lover would resort to this. She then remembered that Cassio was hurt. That was why Emilia came to tell her.

"Cassio? He is hurt. I must see him." Desdemona got up and changed into an appropriate gown. She stepped over the dead body and went out. She carefully close the door before she exit by the rear door of the tavern. She met the owner of the tavern and asked him where was the healer room.

"Its on your right after the second alley." He told her. Desdemona took to her heels as she ran in the dark alley. At her departure, the owner was curious as to why she seek the healer at this hour. He knew of the attack and was under orders to keep her safe. He followed her close behind lest calamity befalls her.

Desdemona found the rear entrance of the healer, and went in. She was confronted by the sight of wounded men; both legionnaires and town folks. She asked for the location of Cassio.

"He had been sent to the tavern. We are overly crowded here." The healer told her. She then took to the front door and left by there. She saw the legionnaires now in formation marching to meet the tribesmen. They were taken by surprise but with their discipline and training, they were soon organized for the counter assault. She reached the tavern and went straight upstairs. She saw her room door was partially opened. She barged in and saw Cassio seated there, with his leg in bandage. He was holding a gladius in his right hand.

"Cassio!" Desdemona called out his name.

"Desdemona, thank Apollo, you are okay. What happened here?" Cassio asked. He indicated to the body lain there. "Is that Emilia, the love of Iago?"

"Yes, its. I killed her." Desdemona blurted out. "It was all a mistake."

"Tell me everything, Desdemona." Cassio told her. "Everything."

Prologue 35

Othello stood there in the center with his men. They had formed the defensive line and held back the advancing tribesmen. He had sent Iago to the other line by the far end, while he organized the rear one.

"Legatus, we are holding but we need more reinforcement." Centurion Tavius told him. Othello nodded and looked to the hill. Where was Branius with the other cohort? He should be here. The original plan was for Othello to confront and then kill Desdemona. He would then ride out before dawn, and left the legionnaires to fight on their own. But all of that changed when the tribesmen leaders attacked too early. Now he was forced to lead his Legion.

"Man that breach, Legionnaires." Othello shouted encouragement to his men. He was up and down the line, and also into the tribesmen for the assault. Then he heard the trumpet.

Branius is back. He would now attack the tribesmen from the flank. It was working.

"Rally up. We got our reinforcements." Othello shouted out. But he was not to be taking the fight on when he fell into one of his undisclosed seizures. Centurion Tavius knew of of his condition.

"Carry him back to the tavern" Tavius told the six legionnaires. "Guard him well."

Across the harbour, Iago and his men had beaten back the tribesmen there, and had captured the leader. He confronted the leader on the surprise attack.

"None shall I speak except this. Your leader is traitor. He betrayed us on his plans as he had did with yours." The leader spoke out. "Your Legatus is a son of the Vandals, Roman."

"No!" The young Centurion assisting Iago lashed out and thrust the gladius from the left shoulder into the heart. "Legatus Othello is our leader. And he would not betray us."

Iago tried to save the dying leader but it was too late. He then picked up his gladius and went to look for Othello. There was something new in the plan now; Othello was accused of being a Vandal. If he was, then his life was forfeit. If not, his life was still forfeit or Iago's one would go.

"Where is the Legatus?" Iago asked a legionnaire at the defense wall.

"Back in the tavern. He fell and they carried him there."