This is a retelling of the Norse myth that spins the "origin tale" of Sleipnir - Odin's eight-legged steed.

This story first appeared in the Anthrocon 2000 conbook and has been languishing on my harddrive ever since.

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In the days of the Aesir, long gone but not forgotten, the gods of the Old North feared attack from the trolls and the giants. They conceived a stronghold, a place called Asgard, and sought a craftsman for its construction.

A stonemason arrived to offer his services. "My name is Blast," he said in a ringing voice. "I will build you a stronghold that will be impenetrable to attack from the Frost Giants and the Trolls of the Mountains. For this task, I only require a small payment: the hand of the beautiful goddess Freya in marriage, and the sun and the moon."

"Outrageous!" the Aesir roared, and prepared to send the stonemason away.

But the trickster Loki called his brothers aside. "I propose we set a deadline for the mason," he said. "The entire stronghold must be completed in six months, and he must complete the work alone. He will fail; no human could complete the task alone in that time. When the first day of summer arrives and even one stone is left unlaid, he must forfeit his prize. We will then only have to finish the hall ourselves - surely an easy task."

The gods warily agreed, and proposed the contract to Blast. "I will accept your conditions,” said the mason, “but only if I can use my stallion Svadilfari."

Odin glanced at Loki, who nodded. "Very well. We accept your terms. You may begin work on the first day of winter." The contract was made, and the gods of Asgard were bound by their word.

Come the dawn of winter, Blast began work on the stronghold. The mason worked all day and all night, using his horse to haul the stones. The Aesir were astonished at the size of the stones Blast used to form the walls - his stallion Svadilfari was much stronger than he looked. As winter wore on, the stronghold went up far faster than Loki had anticipated.

Days and weeks passed as the great hall neared completion. The mason had only to complete the hall's massive archway before claiming his wages. Odin fumed. "If the hall is completed in two days, we will be forced to hand over the sun, the moon, and Freya!" he roared. Odin clamped his hands on Loki's shoulders and lifted the trickster into the air. "If the mason completes the wall before the first day of summer, you will be dead."

Shaken, Loki swore a solemn oath. "I swear that I shall not let Blast finish his work, no matter what it might cost me." Appeased, Odin let Loki go. Loki did nothing for the rest of that day but watch the mason work. He noticed that the stallion did twice again as much work as the mason, hauling the huge stones from the quarry to the hall. Loki devised a plan.

The next morning, Loki called upon his powers and transformed himself into a mare with flaxen mane and hooves of gold. Hiding herself in a thicket, the mare waited for the mason and his stallion to pass. When they came into view, Loki stepped out of the thicket and neighed at Svadilfari, flicking her tail playfully in the air.

Seeing the beautiful mare, the stallion became frantic. He bucked and whinnied and struggled, and he broke free from his traces. Svadilfari kicked up his heels, arched his neck at the lovely mare, and galloped after her.

Blast roared when he saw his stallion break free. He spent the rest of the day and that night pursuing the two horses through the forest. But Loki led the stallion further and further into the thick dark of the woods, until they were lost from Blast’s sight, and made sure the stallion remained occupied for two days.

Blast sullenly returned to his cart, attempting to finish the work himself. Without his stallion's help, however, the work progressed much more slowly.

Two days later the stallion returned to his master feeling frisky and refreshed. But it was too late, for the first day of summer had come and passed, and the hall remained incomplete. The mason became so angry that he revealed his true self, transforming into a Rock Giant. Thor killed the giant with one blow of his mighty hammer, and Asgard and Freya, and the sun and the moon were saved.

The gods were pleased that they did not have to pay the giant, but they wondered what had become of Loki. Several months passed, and still the trickster did not return.

One day, Loki appeared at the gates of Asgard. He looked tired and sore, but he waved off questions of what had happened to him. Trailing behind him was an extraordinary colt with eight legs and eyes of fire. "This is Sleipnir," he said wearily, handing the colt's bridle to Odin. "He is a magnificent animal, suited only for a god such as yourself. He can travel over land, sea and air, and he will serve you loyally."

Odin nodded and regarding the trickster. "Thank you," he said, accepting the fine animal. "But tell us, where have you been?"

"Another time," Loki murmured, departing the great hall. "I must rest now... I'm feeling a little hoarse."