For Mithold

“There they are, my favorite partners in crime!” Alvis waves to Runa and Eiric as they are escorted to a cell under the castle, “Tyran, this is a waste of time. Freydis already admitted to leaving of her own free will.”

“An investigation must still be completed; the people and nobles demand it.”

“Do they now? So be it, but you’re treading dangerous waters here.”

“What about Vilgur and Sigrun?” Eiric said.

“Don’t worry, the demon youth are safe since they had nothing to do with the kidnapping itself. Freydis is keeping them at her side for safety at all times. I did hear nobles demanding for this as an act of power. But that isn’t what matters. The real reason they are doing this is to target Freydis.”

“What do you mean?” Runa said.

“They are spreading rumors that she is conspiring with the settlements to end the war. The nobles believe if the cure will not be used then containment falls back to us. Tyran, even you must understand this.”

“There is proof of what you have done. I am disappointed in you Alvis, protecting Freydis, Solgrad, and Mithold should take priority above all else.”

“That is what we are doing, you’re the one falling victim to the noble’s influence. You must understand that they are not interested in being of help to her, this is a push for the throne.”

“This is to make sure we don’t have traitors amongst us.”

“You believe Freydis of all people would betray Solgrad?!”

“I believe she is young and impressionable. What if she did decide leave of her own accord? The pressure on her from such responsibility and the nobles meddling could change anyone. I will protect Freydis with my life, but there is merit to their concerns.”

“I never thought you, of all people, would be a pawn.”

“You heard her, even if they have a cure they refuse to use it. Their interest is not the safety of the world. Do you believe the lunacy about the collecting pieces of Yggdrasil to seek the angels?”

“It is farfetched, but there is a heaven. There were once gods after all.”

“But to blame angels, that is blasphemy.”

“No one is above evil. If it is true, the only way to do so would be with the pieces of Yggdrasil.”

“Enough. You will be kept here until trial.” Tyran said before leaving.

“Should we break out?” Runa said.

“No, we’ll be chased around. It’s best if we stay as near as possible to Freydis. The young demon girl can contact us using her blessing if they are in danger. Don’t worry Eiric, we won’t let anyone be harmed.”

“No one is allowed in here unless I summon you!” Freydis slams the doors to her bedroom.

News of the arrests were brought to her by soldiers loyal to the royal family, forcing her to spring into action. She gathered Sigrun and Vilgur and will keep them with her for the time being, but she must take action before the nobles conspiring against gain ground.

“Captain Rein, please tell me what you know.”

“Yes princess. Nobles have taken the refusal to use the cure as an act of defiance and begun spreading fear of the dangers that will come because of it. They’ve begun to spread rumors of retaliation by a force of dangerous blessed.”

“And?”

“Ahem, they believe your loyalty is with the blessed as you left of your own accord with the boy from Sanctuary.”

“Ugh.” Freydis kicks the foot of her bed, “I hate them. They don’t care to help; they just want the throne and power. How ridiculous. All of our efforts should be to helping them and preventing war. Captain Rein, thank you, I will think of what to do. Please continue to monitor them.”

“Of course, princess.”

“Will Eiric and the others be ok?” Sigrun asked.

“They will be fine. Arresting Runa and Alvis is just for show, those two could break out with ease. Tyran isn’t strong enough to stop them both, Ingrid would only do it for a ludicrous amount of money, though Dagrmir could be convinced. Either way, those three are only in a cell because they don’t want to cause trouble. It will buy me time at least.”

“Do you have a plan?” Vilgur said.

“I do. It’s a risk, and I planned only to use after a successful return.” Freydis slams her fist on her table, “Very well. This is how they want to play, I won’t hold back. Summon the nobles at once!”

Freydis sits at the front of a large table inside of a meeting room. The leaders of each of the seven noble houses are also present with guards at their side.

“I won’t lie to you all, I’ve had enough of your attempts to take the throne. You disgust me.” Freydis said.

“Princess, we only wish to protect Solgrad and its people.” A member of the Ildr family said.

“You think I want anything different?”

“We believe there is a possibility you have been influenced by outside forces that could be a danger to our kingdom.”

“Outside forces? They are our people as well. They treated me like a friend despite all we have done to them. There is no influence, only understanding of what they wish for. And that is why none of you can be the leader of Solgrad, you don’t understand the reason this kingdom exists.”

“And what would that be?”

“Solgrad was made to protect Mithold. They are all our people. Considering anyone outside the walls of our kingdom an outsider is an insult to the founders of our kingdom; you should be ashamed of yourselves.”

“The people of Sanctuary are a threat to us!”

“The people of Sanctuary will do all they can to prevent dangers to us all! We will help them find the cure; it is our duty as their kingdom.”

“Unfortunately, princess, you have limited power without being queen. If you refuse to take the seat, then it will fall to one of the noble families with support of the people.” A member of the Bryn family said.

“Hmph, at least your family doesn’t keep what they want a secret.”

“We can lead the kingdom and protect it, then you are free to roam as you please.”

“Fools. Now then, I’m only here to announce my next action. The decision of the throne will be done later; I’m calling for an emergency meeting.”

“Emergency meeting? You seek to stall? An emergency meeting with Sanctuary will not buy the time you believe it will.”

“Hahaha! That is where you are wrong. I am not meeting with Sanctuary; I am meeting with the leaders of our sister realms!”

The room falls silent. The last meeting with all realms participating was over a decade ago, relationships between all of them complicated at best. Not only could relationships worsen from such a meeting, war could break out because of it.

But that is not what the nobles fear. There is a possibility, however low it may be, that Freydis could create a pact with the sister realms. It would secure her control over Solgrad, eliminating one of the only issues they can use against the royal family.

Freydis smiles as she glances at their alarmed faces, her plan has worked. Now, she must plan for the meeting itself.