CHAPTER TWO
Thor grabbed the iron knocker of the immense wooden door before him and pulled with all his might. It opened slowly, creaking, and revealed before him the king’s chamber. He took a step in, feeling the hairs on his arms tingle as he crossed the threshold. He could feel a great darkness here, lingering in the air like a fog.
Thor took several steps into the chamber, hearing the crackle of the torchlight on the walls as he made his way toward the body, lying in a heap on the floor. He already sensed it was the king, that he had been murdered—that he, Thor, had been too late. Thor could not help but wonder where all the guards were, why no one was here to rescue him.
Thor’s knees grew weak as he took the final steps to the body; he knelt on the stone, grabbed the shoulder, alre
