"You want me to turn against the Aesir — against my friends?"
"That woman Freya — and even Frey, if you wish — can be spared."
"Why do you wish me to become your follower?" I asked suspiciously.
Loki's beautiful face was undeniably sincere as he answered me.
"Because it is as I said. We two are more akin than any others in this land. We seek scientific truth and love the new and strange. Besides, I have no human friend, for Utgar is but a brute-brained tool, and Hel is but a wicked wildcat who never can learn my science. It is true that I have Fenris and Iormungandr. My wolf and serpent have wisdom and cunning which are almost human, but they are not human friends. Speak, Jarl Keith. Will you join me as friend and follower?"
Stunned by the offer, I tried desperately to think. If I could make Loki believe I was willing to join him, and then work against him–
"Your words are convincing," I answered as though deeply thoughtful. "We are alike. I think that I shall join you, Loki. Loki smiled at me; a weary, half-scornful, half-amused smile.
"Jarl Keith, I thought better of you than to expect you to try such transparent stratagems as this upon me," he said. "Can you not understand that in experience you are to me but as a small child? Can you hope to dupe me when I can read your mind?"
I looked up at him defiantly.
"I would fight the devil with fire. You know the truth now, Loki. I have only hate for you, as for all traitors. You prepare to lead these savage Jotuns against your own people, because your own kind has cast you out."