After trading the fire ore he had on hand for elven goods, John began exploring Seagull Cluster.
As his guide, Dunbar gained a new understanding of just how wealthy John was.
The man had so much money that he did not even want Vana currency.
Paluru returned to the spaceship and quietly got to work.
The days when he had enslaved his own people were gone for good. Paluru was finally his true self.
"Where are you from, Magic Master?"
"Asgard."
"That really is a wonderful place. The conqueror, All-Father Odin-is he really one-eyed, like the legends say?"
"That part is true, though he's been acting very strangely lately."
The Magic Master from Asgard said to the blue-skinned man, "I never realized he doted on his son so much."
"Thor. I've heard of his valor."
"No, the other one. Loki."
"He erected a statue of Loki and even staged a deeply moving play about Loki's brave and fearless death. Good heavens, you really ought to see it."
The two talked as they walked. John listened to their voices fade into the distance, then muttered, "Isn't Loki a little too full of himself?"
Loki's brave and fearless death?
If John had not personally watched him return to Asgard alive and kicking, he might have believed it.
Loki had returned to Asgard from the Dark Elves' world with his heart full of resentment.
There was one thing John had to admit: Loki was indeed a highly accomplished Magic Master, even if he preferred close combat.
Loki's illusions could fool even the mighty Thor.
Killing someone like that was a very difficult task.
In fact, Loki's endless tricks for faking his death had once reminded John of Voldemort.
A man who made Horcruxes and feared death.
"It seems Asgard has changed quite a