It soon became clear that all the giants were confident in the illusions of Utgard-Loki, as the giantess merely lead Tyr in zigzags and circles before stopping behind Utgard-Loki's throne.
"This shall be your room for the night." she said with a straight face though Tyr thought there was a mischievous look in her eyes. the space was mostly empty save for a bench over to one side, though Tyr decided to check and see if that was supposed to be there.
"Is that bench real?" Tyr asked, which caused the giantess to straighten and the Jotun, who had before been mocking him as he had been led through the hall to grow quiet.
"Yes."
"Thank you for showing me here." Tyr said with a bow and then went to lay on the bench. Once Tyr had closed his eyes, he listened to the talk of the Jotun as he waited for sleep to come.
"We should kill him now and be done with it."
"You think we can even touch him? Some say that after Thor he is Asgard's strongest!"
"Then let's just lead him around like we did Thor, break his spirit and throw him out."
"We can't."
"Why, great Utgard-Loki?"
"Thor was the first of Asgard to search me out, and as such did not know of my powers until after he left. But Tyr is different, he is aware that I can cast illusions. Why else would he ask about the bench?"
"But if we just give him Ivaldi, our lives will be forfeit. What can we do, great Utgard-Loki?"
"Fear not my Jotun, I have a plan, but first, burn some sleeping incense in front of Tyr so that he may not somehow hear us or wake up from a noise."
Stolen novel; please report.
Clever and cautious, no wonder he is one of the great Jotun leaders. I think I'll let myself be surprised.
Tyr then smelled something sweet in the air and breathed deeply, letting sleep weigh down his consciousness.
Tyr awoke the next morning feeling somewhat refreshed and calm, sitting up and seeing the same giantess approach.
"Follow me to the dining hall, Aesir." she said politely, though Tyr could see the smile she gave never reached her eyes. Tyr once more followed her zigzagged and circled pattern back to the other side of the throne where Utgard-Loki and the others waited in silence. Upon being shown a seat, one of the smaller giants brought Tyr a plate that had food that seemed to shimmer slightly and a cup of dirty water. Tyr felt the eyes of the giants staring upon them.
I get it. They are probably casting an illusion on the food to make it look like something else to match the dirty water.
Tyr then acted as though he was moving the food around looking for something to eat, which caused the all the giants save Utgard-Loki to relax. He continued to watch Tyr for a while, staring at him like as if there was a puzzle he couldn't quite figure out. Eventually, Utgard-Loki spoke softly to a servant who then came back with a pitcher and two goblets.
"Tyr, come forward."
Tyr arose and walked towards Utgard-Loki, who proceeded to pour him milk into one of the goblets and handed it to him.
"I don't know what Thor may have said to you, but deception is not our specialty."
Tyr accepted the goblet and drank deeply before responding.
"Thor did not say anything to me about you. But tales of your abilities reached across the realms. Likewise, I am sure deception is but one skill you have in these halls, though not your greatest."
"That runt has gall saying that here." muttered a Jotun to Tyr left.
"And what do you think my greatest skill is, Jarl Tyr?" asked Utgard-Loki, shimmering an illusion in front of Tyr to him that he held up his hand to stop whoever was behind Tyr.
"I think it to be your charisma. I do not know of any other among the Jotun who can have Thought and Old Age serve them like you. Perhaps I am ignorant of these matters, but you are truly great among the Jotun rulers in ways they cannot yet match."
"Flattery is wasted in these halls Aesir, though not necessarily unwelcome." said Utgard-Loki.
"Nevertheless, we must remember your visit is not social. If you wish to have Ivaldi, then you must win him and the others in a few contests. Are you willing?"
"What is the first one to be?"