The Second Task

"Ah the truth! My dear I live for the truth, it my raison d'être.. pardon my elvish." Harlequin giggled to himself and threw back his cloak revealing his familiar patchwork garb.

"The deal is over." Balar told the demi-god, "She is dead and you no longer have a hold over me."

"Oh my dear boy. An unfortunate occurrence but none of my doing, you have out little loopy Luna to thank for that... and the deal is far from over. I demanded three lives and so far you have delivered one."

"And how do you intend to force me this time clown." Balar stepped forward sword in hand. Harlequin clicked his fingers and suddenly he was holding Hofund. He shifted it this way and that over the fire admiring its sharp edges.

"I believe you promised to cast this into the lake." he mused.

"How do you..." Balar began to ask but Harlequin cut him off.

"Allow me." and with that he threw the sword far out into the lake and it disappeared beneath the surface. Harlequin stood.

"Three pays all. One for Hela and two... well two has already begun. For your second trial it is to kill or be killed. The hunt is already on and you are the prey."

"Fenrir." Balar gasped, "You conniving bastard. He is your brother, why."

"Half-brother." Harlequin waved away the concern, "And the reason is for me to know and you to... well in all honesty you will most likely die before you find out." He clapped with glee and then vanished only yo reappear next to Luna.

"My how you have grown." he beamed at her, "and you have so many friends now. A half dead dwarf, a glammed up crone, an Ice elf... are you worried that she might be prettier than you? or more powerful? Oooh and you have a sex wizard, how fun."

He looked over to Dim and smiled broadly, "Master dwarf you are in good company. These fine people will lead you to glory and adventure on this you have me word." He gave Kespin a sly look then and in a flash of movement appeared by the old mans side, he peered intently into Kespins eyes and for a moment looked worried.

"I had hoped," he mused, "that the brush with death would bring you clarity." he shrugged then and turned to face Balar.

"Heimdall told you to seek me out and here I am, what would you have of me."

"You bastard, you know what I must ask."

"Then ask it me dear boy I have worlds to conquer and wenches to bed! Time is a wasting."

"How do we defeat Fenrir." Balar spoke the words.

"I thought you would never ask." Harlequin laughed, "The answer lies in Asgard upon the throne of the All Father. Sit upon the seat of power and the wolf gods bane will be made clear to you."