And the queen. The dwarf woman did not have a beard, but she did have long, flowing red hair that I was a little envious of. And she was no different in build from her mate.

Now I saw that I noticed that quite a few of the dwarves around were women. They didn’t have much in the way of breasts or hips, so I hadn’t noticed them before. Nor did they dress any different from the men.

“Loki in my hall again.” The king sounded amused. “What game is this this time?”

“No game. A purchase.”

“And you bring a mortal with you. Would you put our work into her hands.”

“No, I would,” I said, raising my voice just slightly.

“And who are you?”

I dropped into a curtsey. “Siglaugr Lokisdottir.”

“Ah. The baby of the family.”

The other dwarf might have been surprised by my existence. The king was not. Kanesha was suppressing a laugh.

“I’m not going to deny it.” I was the baby. I wasn’t going to pretend experience I didn’t have.

“Good. But again, you would put dwarven steel in the hands of a mortal?”

“I have a particular value for this one.”

“And you want to ensure her survival?”

I shook my head. “No, I want to help her ensure it.”

A laugh again at that. “I think I like you. Come. Let’s talk.”

“Wouldn’t that,” I quipped, “Leave your wife with Loki?”

“Last time he tried anything with her he bore the imprint of her palm for a month,” the king noted. A sheepish look on my father’s face showed it was likely an accurate statement of the situation.

“Well, then.”

He led us down a side corridor, into a smaller and rather more comfortable room. “So, Loki comes to negotiate for weapons for you.”

I nodded. “I’m told…”

“The man can haggle blood from a stone. He’s also a liar, a trickster, and a thief.”

“I know.” I grinned at the dwarf. “But he’s my liar, trickster, and thief.”

More ringing dwarven laughter. “Of course he is. I’d have less respect for you if you didn’t have that reaction. A child should respect their parents.” He lifted a hand. “But not follow them blindly once they’re an adult.”

“You have kids?”

“Two daughters.” A pause. “So, what did you bring Loki here to haggle for?”

“Swords. For me and her.”

He glanced at Kanesha. “For you, we will have to be careful. A dwarf-forged blade could easily overwhelm your will.”

She swallowed. “Alright.”

“But I think I have an idea. The question is what you can offer in return.”

I kept my voice even. “I’m not sure what you need.” And hoped it wasn’t actually dragon slaying.