Today marks the return of Thor. Following the rebellion in Nornheim, one of the scattered territories of the Nine Realms, Asgard's forces had stabilized the situation. The Bifröst had then launched Thor into Vanaheim to suppress another uprising. Now, reports from the frontlines—via Heimdall's omnipresent gaze—indicate that the rebellion in Vanaheim is all but quelled.
The Warriors Three and Lady Sif had already subdued the enemy forces, comprised of mercenaries hired by minor Vanir noble families. At this rate, the conflict would be fully resolved within a day, and Thor would return triumphantly to Asgard. [Note: Vanaheim's high-ranking Vanir nobles reside in Asgard, leaving only the minor ones in Vanaheim. This reflects the Vanir's reluctant acceptance of Odin's rule, although not all are content with it.]
In celebration of another restored peace across the Nine Realms, a grand banquet was being prepared.
This would be far grander than Solomon's welcome dinner. At these formal Asgardian banquets, the revelry doesn't end until everyone is drunk. If a single guest remains sober, the festivities continue. Plates of roasted meat are served endlessly, and as people recover from their drunken stupors, they're expected to resume drinking. A banquet only concludes when no one is left standing.
This is the essence of Asgardian feasting—those who can eat and drink the most are considered the strongest and most manly. Of course, not all nobles appreciate such debauchery. The Vanir, for instance, disdain the Asgardians' boorishness. The courtly manners seen in the Golden Palace were actually brought over by Queen Frigga from Vanaheim. Before that, Asgardian banquets were even more chaotic; after such events, it wasn't uncommon for palace maids of common origin to find themselves pregnant—without knowing who the father was.
During this grand banquet, Queen Frigga would formally announce Solomon's studies in Asgard. While some Aesir already knew of his presence, making the announcement at such an official occasion carried a weight of legitimacy.
Meanwhile, Queen Frigga had already begun her teachings. After bidding farewell to Kaecilius, Solomon returned to his chambers in the palace. There, he found Frigga's handmaiden, Gná, the goddess of wind, waiting for him. She paid no mind to the chaotic pile of furs on his bed. Gná's purpose was to escort Solomon to the queen and inform him of a significant change: from now on, Solomon would dine with Odin and Frigga, just like a royal prince.
This decision had been made the previous evening. But if not for my reminder, the queen might have forgotten, Gná thought. Of course, she wouldn't reveal such minor lapses to anyone—it was a trivial matter, after all. Frigga occasionally forgetting things was a secret that remained among her closest attendants.
However, Gná did take the time to familiarize Solomon with Frigga's extensive network of attendants and their respective roles. For example:
If he felt unwell, he could seek out Eir, the goddess of healing who oversaw the royal infirmary. If he needed specific books, he should consult either Snortra, the goddess of wisdom he'd already met, or Vör, the goddess of truth who co-managed Asgard's royal library. In case of disputes, he should seek Forseti, the goddess of justice, who had the authority to mediate conflicts among the palace nobles. And if he needed an audience with Frigga outside designated times, he'd need the approval of Lofn, the goddess of reconciliation, who managed access to Frigga's private quarters and reception rooms.
Additionally, if he fancied a particular noblewoman, Lofn, the goddess of love, could lend a helping hand. Gná had mentioned this in passing, hinting at Solomon's unique situation—Frigga had casually remarked that his lifespan was far longer than an ordinary human's.
Solomon listened patiently to Gná's chatter, learning about the power dynamics within the palace as they made their way across a grand bridge spanning the sea, toward the rear section of the Golden Palace. Their destination was the palace's greenhouse, where Queen Frigga had chosen to conduct her lessons. In Asgard, meeting locations reflected the nature of the relationship:
Formal gatherings took place in the grand hall or reception room. More intimate interactions occurred in spaces like greenhouses or balconies.
Thus, by selecting the greenhouse, Frigga signaled a more personal approach to teaching Solomon.
The glass-domed greenhouse was maintained at a comfortable temperature by magic, shielding it from the chilly morning sea breeze. Inside, a variety of plants and herbs flourished—not just ornamental flowers, but also magical flora used in potion-making. From the common feverfew and vervain to rarer specimens like wood avens and sage, the greenhouse housed an impressive array of plants. Even certain hallucinogenic magical herbs were cultivated here, alongside rare flora Solomon had only ever seen in Vanda'zhar Voh.
This was less a garden and more Frigga's private alchemical sanctuary. Thanks to meticulous horticultural planning, the air was free from the overpowering bitterness typical of densely planted magical herbs.
After a polite bow, Solomon took a seat across from Frigga at the dark-golden round table. The glass ceiling above refracted sunlight, casting dappled patterns on the floor through the hanging planters suspended from vine-like golden metal supports. The temperature and humidity were perfect—ideal for dozing off.
"You've already learned much," Frigga began, opening a beautifully bound tome and brushing away the petals that had fallen onto its pages. Turning the book toward Solomon, she slid it across the table. "My magical prowess pales in comparison to the Ancient One's, so I'll share what I can: the secrets of the magical world. Thanks to our long lifespans, we know things humans can only dream of."
Solomon glanced down at the page inscribed with golden runic text. Beside the writing, an intricate illustration slowly shifted, depicting the Bifröst. Looking up, Solomon voiced a question that had lingered in his mind for some time: the relationship between the Nine Realms and the Bifröst.
"You've studied planar theory, haven't you?" Frigga asked with a smile. "You know our material plane is separated from the Outer Dimensions by a barrier—the Bronze Wall. This invisible barrier can only be crossed by those with the skill to breach it.
"What I'm about to tell you is merely a legend—deeply romanticized, of course. Consider it a story, if you will. I've told this tale to Thor before, and he was foolish enough to cry over it. Don't be fooled by how he appears now—he was quite endearing as a child."
Frigga paused, omitting any mention of Loki.
She continued, "Long ago, a powerful sorcerer from the material plane fell in love with a being from the Outer Dimensions. Because of the Bronze Wall, they could only meet as astral projections. But magic has its limits, and whenever the spell wore off, they were forcibly separated—the sorcerer's soul returning to his body, the dimensional being left alone in its realm.
"One day, the sorcerer vowed that, no matter the cost, he would find a way for them to be together forever. So, he began crafting a spell of unparalleled power, a portal that could bypass the barrier—a spell that could breach the Bronze Wall.
"This undertaking consumed countless years. By the time the spell was complete, the dimensional being had long since died of old age. And the sorcerer, too, had grown ancient and frail.
"Dragging his withered body to the roots of Yggdrasil, he cast the spell he had spent his life creating. In an instant, his body was torn apart by the immense energy of the World Tree. The radiant spell, brilliant as a galaxy, spiraled out of control, piercing the Nine Realms and the Inner and Outer Planes, illuminating the night sky.
"That spell became the Bifröst.
"Legend has it that the souls of the sorcerer and his lover now reside within the Bifröst. In death, they are finally together, bound eternally—even by fate."
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