"Oh, well," Loki said, laughing softly, "I don't care what you call me so long as you spell my name right." Kevan was pleased that the god was taking it so well. "But," Loki continued, "if it's not a matter of arranging a sacrifice, what does bring you here? I cannot remember when a mortal last visited Asgard." * * * * * Kevan quickly debated the matter in his mind and decided there could be no harm in telling this god the reason for his visit. It even occurred to him that since Thor had helped to chain him in the cave, Loki might be anxious for revenge and would be willing to furnish him with valuable clues. "Do you remember a dwarf named Alviss?" he asked. "He once visited here, although I believe it was quite some time ago." "Alviss," mused the god, staring into space, although still managing to keep one eye on his wife to be sure she didn't shift the cup. "Wasn't that the one who became infatuated with Thrud?" "That's the one," said Kevan. "I remember him now," said Loki. "He's the one that Thor tricked into staying around until morning and he turned to stone." Loki laughed until the cave rang with the merry sound. "Thor was always a tricky one. Oh, a fine fellow when it came to drinking or wenching, but tricky. I well remember the time he and I met two little redheads at a convention of--_OUCH!_" The last was a bellow of pain as his wife moved the cup just enough to permit a drop of venom to fall on him. He strained against the chains until the pain subsided. Then he grinned ruefully at Kevan. "Sorry," he said. "It must have been two other fellows." "Well," said Kevan, rushing to fill what he thought was an embarrassing gap, "Alviss is still in love with Thrud." "Even as a stone," exclaimed Loki. "Oh, I remember now--he was stolen from Thor's palace a few nights later. I suppose his friends unstoned him, as it were." Kevan nodded. "Exactly," he said. "Now, there's a small matter with Alviss which needs adjusting and his price is that I bring Thrud to him." "Hmmmm," said Loki. He re-examined Kevan, with something like admiration in his gaze. "I could better understand it if you were after Thrud yourself--she is a winsome wench. But to do it for this Alviss--well, you've sliced yourself a bit of a job." "I'm well aware of it," Kevan said modestly. "Naturally, I'd appreciate any advice...." "Naturally," Loki said, not unkindly. He looked at Kevan again. "I admit I wouldn't mind seeing you put one over on Thor. Maybe...." "Loki," the god's wife said sharply, speaking for the first time, "you promised to keep out of politics." "But this isn't politics, honey," Loki said. "It's romance. In a way, it's legitimately part of my business. If love is a fire kindled in the heart, then surely the god of fire can concern himself with it. Tell me, Kevan MacGreene, is there anything in your mortal world which Thor might consider flattering to himself?"