"I have never had a personal slave before," said Loki, voice soft as he moved from the chair he had been working on to another, more comfortable chair, long legs crossing over one another as he reclined back. "I never wanted the effort, and most slaves are boring. Far better to have my tasks completed by already trained palace property. You had intelligence and a spark of personality, these were the traits that caused me to choose you, but you must know when to temper them."

He knew that he could provide a good life for his slave, even an enjoyable one, but it would take wisdom to learn when certain things were appropriate. He did not yet know if Anthony possessed that wisdom.

"I told you that I would hold leniency for the week until Thor's birth celebration, and I hold true to that. No more will be spoken of this. Rise. Run to the kitchens and the stables, I wish to ride through the night and both food and mounts must be prepared for us both."