"You won! Victory!" they cry, praising and teasing about his prowess and congratulating him, and. . .

Thor looks after the slim dark figure of his brother, slipping out of the room all but unnoticed, slightly mussed, slightly bruised, perhaps favouring his side - Thor hadn't meant to strike so fiercely at his ribs, but he moves so quickly, and always seems so unshakable - and casting only a single, dark look behind himself as he disappears.

And Thor has to wonder . . . because this victory feels like a loss.