Sif nodded her approval of the last item. "I would not so malign the Avengers or SHIELD or Tony Stark, though I must think of what might happen if all goes ill and we are unable to call on them for whatever reason. It is my nature to consider all circumstances that might be used to attack our people and to wish to prepare against them," she reminded the council. Rarely did Sif need to say that she was the Goddess of War, but she was, and war could come to New Asgard at any time.
"All that having been said, Your Majesty--" she inclined her head toward Thor, "your suggestion of a means of contacting Stark and the rest of the Avengers directly is more than welcome. As our liaison to the Avengers that would normally be my task, but should you and I both be engaged in the defense of New Asgard in an emergency, a reliable method that someone else could use would seem a wise precaution. Further, I add my voice in support of Prince Loki's wise plan of a retreat for the civilians of New Asgard, which will free the minds of our warriors from concerns about their loved one should an attack occur." Sif flashed a smile at Loki, because it was an excellent plan and one of his problems, she thought, had been that nobody had ever praised him much, or at least nobody (but the Queen) had in public in ways that he understood. He might have been angry at her but she didn't have to be cross with him.
"I still would wish to explore what SHIELD and the Avengers are doing to hold such prisoners, if I might have leave to do so. But I would do so without offering comment or aid as a member of this council. I hold no formal office at this time other than my position here, so I have nothing to offer beyond my own friendship, and I would not give up our secrets as part of an exchange. But I believe anything I learn would benefit both our relationship with SHIELD and the Avengers and ultimately the defense of New Asgard. I cannot say I feel a wyrd upon me but my concern itches at me as if I am leaving some stone unturned that might have a--" she started to say serpent but considered and went with "--stinging creature beneath it."