Freydis

The kingdom of Solgrad is a center of trade for the realm of Mithold.

Eiric watches from inside a carriage as others leave with items stacked high. Guards at the gate of Solgrad let in Runa and Eiric’s carriage without inspection, none daring to anger Runa who has dark circles under her eyes.

The inside of the kingdom is paved with brick roads, the center road also housing the merchant district that leads to the castle gates near the center of the kingdom. There is no shortage of people, it’s overwhelming for someone who comes from a small community like Eiric.

“What do you think?” Runa asked.

“I think it is beautiful.” Eiric said.

“It is, but it has many flaws as well. I hope the princess can fix them one day, but the problem of the blessed makes it difficult to do so. Eiric, do you believe there is a way to save the blessed?”

“I do. I believe we will find it.”

“For everyone’s sake, I hope you do.”

Eiric’s time to grasp the world beyond is short, soon he is escorted into the throne room of Solgrad. Large banners cover each window, each enchanted with runes to protect from anything that can get through the reinforced window panes. Even the rug at Eiric’s feet is enchanted to help protect the royal family of Solgrad.

Near the foot of the stairs leading to the throne stand four in blue and white robes.

Alvis and Tyran, the two who attacked Eiric’s home village.

Next to them is Dagrmir, the youngest captain of Solgrad.

Sitting on the stairs is a woman wearing a long skirt that reveals her left leg, and a top that reveals her midriff. She has long blonde hair and her eyes frighten Eiric as she follows his every movement.

“He is the perfect bait to destroy the revolution. We send a message immediately, his head or theirs. Torsten and Astrid will come immediately; we kill them all then.” Tyran said.

“Destroying the revolution means destroying a heap of talent, we should stray from using violence. We can come to a peaceful resolution.” Alvis said.

“Enough of that Alvis! Leaving that man alive was your decision. Ingrid, you must agree here.”

Ingrid, second captain of Solgrad, leans further back against the stairs. “I’ll do what pays most, Tyran, killing or not, it matters not so long as I get money.” Ingrid appears in front of Eiric and grabs him by his chin, “I wonder just how much your head is worth. What if I steal you away, offer you to your parents, or others interested in a long lasting blessed.”

“Enough, Ingrid.” Runa glares at Ingrid.

“Ah, yes, Runa, I forgot you arrived as well. I recommend you get some rest, permanent circles under the eye are a terrible combination with such short hair.”

“Your hair has been the cause of issues in battle has it not?”

“Adapt, darling, beauty is worth the sacrifice. Dagrmir, who is prettier, Runa or I?”

“D-don’t pin in between you both!”

“Answer Dagrmir.” Runa said.

“I think you’re both pretty.” A young girl’s voice said.

The five captains of Solgrad gather by the stairs and bow as the princess of Solgrad enters the throne room.

Freydis, princess of Solgrad, wears a red and white dress and a veil that covers most of her face. Her dress covers all of her body, even the skin of her hands hidden by thin gloves despite the warm weather of the time. Her hair is long and red, her smile warm.

“Thank you for bringing him here, Runa.”

“Of course, princess.”

“Now, could you all leave us alone.”

“What? Absolutely not!” Tyran stands, “Princess, he must be considered as dangerous as his parents.”

“Well, his mother didn’t lay a finger on me, I believe he will do the same.”

“Fine.” Alvis is the first to leave, followed by Ingrid.

“Alvis, are you sure about this?” Dagrmir said.

“Eiric won’t attack the princess, he isn’t violent. But hey,” Alvis grabs Eiric’s right shoulder, “Keep it under control in here.”

“I will.”

“Good. I won’t be the one to disobey the princess today.”

“He could turn at any moment!” Tyran said.

“Isn’t that why he is here? He’s not here because the princess wants to use him as ransom, she’s looking for a way to end this conflict.”

The others remain silent, understanding that the princess will not yield on her request. They accept, but they will stand by the doors should the worst come to be.

“Sorry about them, they can be overprotective. I am Freydis, a pleasure to meet you.”

“Eiric.”

“I wish we could have met under better circumstances, but such is fate. Eiric, do you know why you are here?”

“Because I haven’t turned. But I am here to ask that you stop what you are doing with the people of Sanctuary.”

“I would love to, but there are powers above that keep things as they are. Even though I despise what they have done to you all, I can’t stop it.”

“Why? Must I ask the king and queen?”

“No, that won’t do. The reason is because are blessed are dangerous. At the very least we must contain them.”

“What about forcing them to have children?”

“That is out of my power to stop as well.”

“Then have you brought me here without the ability to help us? Will they continue to attack my family and friends? This isn’t right! To keep people locked in camps as you do, they all deserve much better than that!”

“What other choice do I have? Eiric, while blessed are dangerous and must be contained, the real reason for the camps is to prevent the other realms from attacking us. It is our only guarantee that blessed won’t destroy the realms. Only this way can we stop the other realms from attacking us. I want to set everyone free, not just form the camps, from the curse of the blessed. I’ve stopped them from executing babies, Eiric, but I believe I have given some a worse fate. They use them, experiment on them. Was I wrong for that as well?”

“I don’t know.”

“Neither do I. But I will not give up, I swear it. That is why you are here.”

“I’m sorry. You’ve brought me here in hopes that I know how to stop from turning, but I don’t.”

“That is unfortunate, but you are living proof of it. It is possible, that is more than enough. We will find a way with leading this effort. Please, will you help me?”

“Of course, I’ve promised everyone that I would find a way. But it has been difficult.”

“I would assume so.” Freydis looks out the window, keeping her veil close to cover her skin from the sun, “I will join you, Eiric. We will keep everyone safe.”

“Can you promise to stop the battles?”

“For a time, everything has its limit here. We will work quick; I have some ideas as well. And, an option should all else fail. I will only use that if it absolutely necessary, we will exhaust our other options first. Follow me, I will show you all the information we have on blessed.”

“Will it be more than what Sanctuary had?”

“Much more, unfortunately, some blessed were met with tragic fates here.”

“Will it be the same for me?”

“I will not allow it. I can keep one safe, one that represents hope. And I have those who support me to help, though many more who wish to overthrow me. Eiric, I hope we will succeed, or all of Mithold will be in danger.”

“From the other realms?”

“No, from those who seek to take the throne.”