"A man of many secrets was our father." The bitterness remained in his voice, but it did little to mask the fondness there. He loved the man to spite anything else, and he trusted the King of Asgard had his reasons for keeping things from his sons. At least he hoped it was something beyond shame.

"What of Mother? She was the greatest woman I've ever known, a woman of boundless compassion and...unconditional love. She...fell protecting a mortal I so arrogantly brought to her care. Jane, she...was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and a weapon thought lost long ago took up refuge within her. It was killing her, and I thought if anyone in all the Realms could save her, it would be our healers. Those from which Father had taken that weapon long ago wanted it back, they stormed the palace to take it and Mother...laid down her life to protect it."