Journey Begins

“Remain vigilant at all times. I’m sure Solgrad has scouts searching for a way in here as we speak, should they see Freydis they will attack without mercy. Eiric.” Astrid adjusts Eiric’s hair, “You’re growing up so fast. I believe in you, but return to us safely. And don’t be nervous, your training will help you.”

“We will. I promise. And I’m not scared, dad always used to take me to see areas outside the safe roads.”

“Oh, did he now, what a wonderful thing to discuss later tonight.”

“Haha, teenagers and their crazy imaginations. Best of luck son!” Torsten said.

“You two. Protect each other, as family you understand how the other fights well. I know you will return, but return healthy as well.”

“We will dad.” Vilgur and Sigrun hug Keldan.

“It’s been an honor to meet you, princess Freydis. Share a meal with us once more when this is all over.” Brynja said.

“Thank you, Ms. Brynja, we will return with good news.”

After more goodbyes and advice, the group of Vilgur, Eiric, Sigrun, and Freydis leave through a secret tunnel that leads them northwest of the camp.

Exiting the tunnel places the group on a hill that overlooks a forest centered between two raised pieces of land. The forest below is covered in mist and the trees make it impossible to see the land below them. With many tales of the dangers within, few ever venture below and choose to follow the raised land instead.

“Wow. I never thought I’d be seeing this. I hear large cats with big teeth live down there. Eiric, do you think they have more of those scary things down there?”

“With the dear skull? I’m not sure.”

“Did it have a humanlike body?” Vilgur said.

“It did.”

“That was a wendigo, I’m surprised it didn’t attack you. Dad told me they’re strong but stray from attacking something they believe can kill them.”

“You were acknowledged Eiric.” Freydis said, “Next time we see one it will be my turn. Sigrun, which way are we going?”

“North, but there are smaller settlements on our path. Freydis, do you have anything that can cover more of your face?” Sigrun said.

“I do.” With help from Vilgur, Freydis adorns a scarf that covers everything but her eyes. “It’s hard to breath.” She said with a thumbs up.

“You tightened it too much, I’ll loosen it.” Vilgur said.

“Should we go straight though the town then?” Eiric said.

“It’s best if we do to save time. Vilgur and I can cover our horns with hoods, but you’ll have to hide your face as well.”

“I will?”

“You’re the most wanted criminal in Mithold love. But we’ll deal with that when necessary, let’s go!”

The journey to the immortal lands will take a week by foot, the group deciding not to take any animals such as horses to avoid any unwanted attention. Even so, they’re not invisible to monsters of the lands away from safe roads.

“What is that?!” Freydis jumps behind a tree as Vilgur holds off a giant bear with purple stones growing from its back.

Each swipe from the bear is packed with an electric jolt, but none of its strikes can dent Vilgur’s shield.

“Hah!” Vilgur bashes the bear with his shield, forcing it to lose balance and stumble towards Eiric just behind it.

“Einn beam.” A beam of light aims for the bears heart but fails to pierce its skin.

Recovering, the bear swings at Eiric but misses the much faster opponent before being struck by a barrage of ice pellets.

“I got it!” Freydis falls from the sky, spinning to gain momentum for the large hammer over her shoulder. The strike forces the bear to the ground, but it continues to struggle, “It’s still alive?!”

Freydis raises her hammer, the stones on the back of the bear launching a powerful lightning strike at Freydis that is blocked by Vilgur. The shield shatters on Vilgur’s command, allowing him to grab the bear’s paws and hold them in place.

“Hurry up Eiric!”

“Light step, Uruz.” Eiric lacks strength, his normal swing would never deal any to the elemental bear. But his light step allows him to move at speeds that make even the lightest of swings a deadly attack.

The elemental bears head drops to the floor, Eiric sheathing his sword with a pose.

“Stop showing off!” Vilgur pokes Eiric’s ribs.

“Hahaha, sorry. You’re showing off as well, maybe you’re trying to impress the princess with your strength.”

“Hmph, I only did that because your light step only takes you in a straight line.”

“You both did well.” Sigrun grabs the boys by their ears, “Strange, I thought a monster like that would only be in the forest.”

“That may be my fault.” Freydis said, “Since I draw magic instead of generating it, animals and monsters can sense that.”

“How interesting. Can you be traced by other humans this way?”

“No, we aren’t sensitive enough to magic.”

“Good. We should take a break… how about there?”

The group rests in a forest alcove filled with flowers. Long pink leaves hang from the trees, Eiric picking one each time they pass a vine and handing it to Sigrun. Near the end of the alcove is a waterfall with a dungeon just behind its wall of water. The group is curious, but the runes around the entrance detail the danger within.

“Ahhh.” Freydis rest in a bed of leaves that is just Vilgur’s shield made of the petals from the trees.

“I’ll cook something for us. Freydis, can you start a fire?” Vilgur said.

“Yes sir!”

“Oh! Dad told me about this.” Eiric pulls Sigrun with him towards the waterfall, “Take your shoes off, we’re going in.”

“I hope you’re not thinking about giving into that cave mister.” Sigrun said as she rolled up her skirt.

“No, I want to show you something.”

The two walk near the waterfall, Eiric touching the flow of water to confirm his suspicions.

“Water with this much magic can be used for rituals.” Eiric pulls water using his finger enveloped in magic, swirling it around and creating two rings of water with a string connecting them, “With everything that is going on, I want you to know you never leave my mind. That I mean to keep my promise to you.”

Sigrun holds her left hand up, blushing as she speaks. “And I will keep mine to you, I love you more than you can ever imagine.”

Eiric places a ring of water on each of their fingers, the water rushing around their fingers and in between the line of water connecting them,

“I love you as well. Oh! This will leave a mark on our fingers, we can stop it here if you’d like.”

“No, go ahead.”

Eiric nods, whispering the short incantation his father would often tell him. As he finishes, the rings around their fingers spin and leave identical ring like marks. The center of the ring has a small open circle with a line pointing towards their arms, a mark unique to them.

As the water falls from their fingers, Sigrun tackles Eiric into the water, “You’re all mine now.”

“Hahaha, I always have been.”

“What a wonderful couple.” Freydis said as she helps Vilgur cook.

“They’re engaged. Have been since we were kids.”

“A childhood promise? Oh how romantic!”

“It is, I think it’s beautiful that their love only seems to grow, though Sigrun is more obsessed than in love at times.”

“Are you engaged as well?”

“No, most humans aren’t willing to look the way of a demon.”

“Unfortunately, such mentality will last for some time. How about marrying me? I need a partner before the kingdom picks one for me hahaha.”

“Vilgur has a lot to learn about how to treat women.” Sigrun as she returned with Eiric, both dripping wet, “Do you risk losing the throne if you don’t get married?”

“I do. The other noble houses are attempting a hostile takeover behind the scenes so they may go after anyone I choose to marry, though it would be a war in between themselves. They’ll use it as a way to say I’m unqualified to rule since I failed to find a partner. If this goes well, I’ll gain more support and time, but I care more for their safety than the throne. If I must step away so everyone is safe, I’ll do that as well.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.” Vilgur said as he hands Freydis a plate.

“What do you mean?”

“I can tell you wish to keep the throne as well. Go for it. If this goes well, you’ll have the support of our people as well. Your time with us helped them trust you.”

“You’re right. Very well! I’ll keep everyone safe and keep the throne! I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when we return.”

The group eats, a night of peace one they will cherish.