The halos around the white jade platform gradually faded.
Eir, the chief healer, stepped back half a pace, lowered the golden staff in her hand, and offered Thor an Asgardian salute.
"You said the Soul Forge was useless. Then what would work?" Thor asked.
"The king may know." Eir lowered her gaze to Jane Foster on the stone platform. "This energy will not accept treatment. It is resisting Asgard's magic. Every time we touch it, it drains her strength."
Thor raised a hand and tousled his long blond hair. The metal clasps on his breastplate clinked with the movement.
At the entrance to the hall, a palace attendant in silver chain mail approached at a brisk pace. He stopped three steps away and saluted with a hand against his chest.
"Prince Thor, honored guest from Midgard," the attendant said quietly, "the All-Father awaits you both in the throne room."
Thor let out a heavy breath and lowered his arm.
Lucian stood beside a white marble column with both hands in his coat pockets, his gaze resting on the rune-inscribed breastplate on the attendant's chest. Asgardian craftsmanship certainly had its merits. Faint energy circuits flowed within the metal.
"Let's go. Looks like my father knows." Thor turned and beckoned to Lucian.
After passing through the archway of the Medical Hall, Thor slowed down and walked beside Lucian along a corridor carpeted in red with gold patterns. Gold-armored guards holding halberds stood on either side, as motionless as stone statues.
"Lucian." Thor lowered his voice, sounding unusually constrained. "When we get in there, put in a good word for me."
Lucian gave him a sidelong glance. "What should I say?"
"Just say... Jane is a very important scholar, and Earth can't do without her. My father has always looked down on mortals.