To Make Peace

The day after her declaration, Freydis announces her intentions to the people of Solgrad.

The crowd roars in support. Action to bring peace and end the days of worry for another great war could be brought to an end soon.

“Thank you all.” Freydis continues her speech, “We plan to meet with the representatives of our sister realms in neutral ground to explain our findings, and seek peace. I hope all of you will continue to support us.”

Freydis smiles and waves, though her eyes pick every noble in the area. They’re infuriated, any attempt at the throne will be met with great disdain from the people of the kingdom as it could disrupt the efforts to create peace.

Her plan has worked to perfection, but is not the support that gives her sly smirk energy.

“Your honor. Given the circumstances, I must ask that Alvis, Eiric, and Runa be allowed to travel with me to the meeting with our sister realms. Their presence will be important, and Eiric will be there to explain our findings and future action as well.”

Freydis stands at the center of the courtroom. Even as royalty, she is not given special treatment. Were she the queen she could pardon the entire group with ease, but that is a step she has yet to make.

Three judges sit at the front of the room; the center judge the first to speak.

“You still have the other three captains able to be at your side, even without Runa and Alvis who are under suspicion for aiding the young Eiric with your kidnapping. Would they not be enough protection?”

“My protection is not important. Alvis is the leader of the captains, and also someone who has faced the protector of Yggdrasil. We will only be able to garner the support from the leaders if we can give information and say we have a chance at succeeding.”

“Then I shall ask Alvis. Is there a chance?” The left judge said.

“There is. I will need to ask for help from old allies, but we are far stronger and even more prepared now.”

“We have few capable of taking Alvis’s place.” The right most judge said, “But they are still under investigation for this crime. At best, we can give you the two captains temporary permission to travel with you. But the boy cannot receive such privilege.”

“He is needed.” Freydis said.

“If I may.” Tyran stands.

“Go ahead.” The center judge said.

“Eiric is a blessed with little time left before he turns. Not only is he the one who kidnapped Freydis, but allowing him to roam free, to be near Freydis, it is only a disaster waiting to happen. I ask that you not allow even the chance for Freydis to be hurt.”

Vilgur grabs Sigrun’s hand, though he fears that she may decide to blast a hole through the wall and run away with Eiric soon.

“I’d like to call Eiric forward. Thank you, princess Freydis.”

“Thank you.”

Eiric replaces Freydis at the center of the room. Arms and legs chained, the room full of eyes focus on him.

Few in the room have seen a blessed turned, only hearing of the dangers that have threatened the inside of the kingdom’s walls once. They look for any sign, any reason to put down what they believe to be the most dangerous person in the room.

“Young Eiric, few blessed have made it past your age without turning. Unfortunately, you are the child of the most wanted people in Mithold, the kidnapper of princess Freydis, and a blessed believed to soon turn. We can think of no reason to let you free.” The center judge stands, holding a scale in their hand, “Scale of Truth, Uruz. With this I can see your lies, and how much you believe your own words. Will you answer my questions?”

“I will.”

“Very well. Did you kidnap princess Freydis?”

“I did.” The scale remains even.

“Why?”

“I believed it would be a way help stop the battles the people of Sanctuary face.”

“Do you believe you will turn soon?”

“I’m not sure.” The scale tilts to the right.

“You are unsure. Then you are dangerous. Is there a reason you believe you should be able to travel with princes Freydis.”

“I do not fear turning.” The scale tilts to the other side, “I know those close to me will make sure I hurt no one.”

“The demon children?”

“Yes. And, Alvis and Runa. I cannot say if I will turn one day, but I am sure that I am strong enough to prevent myself from losing control before being stopped.”

“One last question. What is your goal in going with princess Freydis?”

“My goal is to make peace. That is all I want for my people.”

The judges stand, the scale now with a heavy tilt to one side. “Our decision is made, the three under suspicion will be allowed to travel with Freydis. We will continue to consider their trial during their time away.”

“Wait!” Tyran stands, “Do you not see the danger he poses?”

“Certainly, and it is great. But princess Freydis has acknowledged this danger, and Eiric accepted what must be done should he lose control. We agree that his presence could aid in the efforts to make peace with the other realms. His presence a reassuring one if he can continue to remain under control. Furthermore, it is he that will be taking the journey to find the pieces of Yggdrasil. With that, our decision is made.”

“Thank you.” Princess Freydis bows as the judges leave.

“Eiric!” Sigrun jumps into Eiric’s arms as the group meets with Freydis, Runa, and Alvis to prepare for their journey.

“You did well, princess.” Runa said.

“Thank you. Of course, they pushed my hand, but I believe we can use this as an opportunity. I can’t promise what the judges will decide, but if we are successful then it will be easy to make a case for you all. Eiric, sorry for dragging you into this. I never expected them to go this far.”

“I don’t mind. Thank you for taking care of Sigrun and Vilgur.”

“Of course! Although, I was protecting the guards from Sigrun in this case.”

“She would have frozen the entire castle if it wasn’t for us.” Vilgur said.

“Hey! I would never do that to Freydis’s home. The guard’s barracks on the other hand…”

“I thank you for restraining yourself then.” Alvis said, “Freydis, is there something you wish to do while we prepare?”

“There is. I can go alone.”

“Vilgur can take you.” Sigrun said.

“If you don’t mind.”

“Of course, may I ask where we are going?”

“You’ll see.”

Vilgur stands outside a small home near the outskirts of Solgrad’s capital. The home is surrounded by gardens of beautiful flowers and protected by six guards much stronger than those Vilgur has faced so far.

Inside, Freydis takes her time walking down the hall to the living room. There, a beautiful woman with long red hair, and eyes as bright as Freydis’s, sits by the window that looks to the castle.

“Mother.” Freydis manages to say.

“Freydis.”

To Freydis, queen Kara is the most beautiful woman alive, but she is a shell of her former self. Kara’s bones are easy to see, her hair greying, even her eyes are distant despite looking at her beloved daughter.

Kara seldom speaks in full sentences, even years since her mental breakdown. Each visit is more difficult for Freydis who fears losing the last of her family. She fears that one day her mother will no longer recognize her, or that she will not recognize her mother.

“Sorry for not visiting more often. I just wanted to see you before leaving on an important journey. I think. I think I’ve found a way to cure the blessed. I’ll give it my all to see this through. I am a little scared. I don’t want to leave Solgrad alone, I’m not sure what the right decision is.”

“Freydis.”

“Yes mom?”

“I believe in you. Remember, Solgrad is more than just our kingdom.”

Freydis does her best to hold her tears, but fails. “Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

Freydis exist the home to find Vilgur waiting. “Do demons have good hearing?”

“Better than most. You’re not alone in this journey, you’ll have us.”

“Thank you, but some promises are difficult to keep. Mom hasn’t spoken that much in a long time; it made me so happy.”

Vilgur is left in awe by Freydis’s tearful smile, he now understands Eiric’s constant raving about Sigrun’s smile.

I want to see you smile like this more.

After wiping away her tears, Freydis and Vilgur return to the castle, the journey for the meeting beginning early in the morning.