Reason

Sigrun rushes over to Runa and Leif. Both have terrible wounds and her healing magic will only slow the bleeding at best.

“We don’t have enough time. Maybe I could freeze the wound, but that could make it worse.”

As Sigrun begins healing their wounds, Eiric looks at his path back to Selby. There is no direct route, the terrain is uneven, and they are at least an hour away at a normal pace.

“When you heal them, I’ll take them back.” Eiric said.

“What? Eiric, we’re far. Light step is fast, but using it to cover that distance will be heavy on your blessing.” Vilgur said, though he gets no response from Eiric, “Sigrun, are you going to let him do this?”

“You didn’t hesitate to jump in front of them just now, Vilgur.”

“That is different. Using our blessing doesn’t put us in danger.”

“I know. But we won’t make it back in time with our speed. Even if I beg him, he won’t listen. We just have to trust him.” Sigrun, done with the healing she can provide, hold’s Eiric’s head, “I know you fear using your blessing, but I think you can do it. You’re strong.”

“Thank you. I’ll be ok, I promise. Vilgur, I’ll be waiting for you both in Selby.”

“Fine. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

Vilgur helps Eiric grab Leif and Runa. With both of them on his shoulders, Eiric calms his breathing as he stares at the direction he must go first.

Light step is difficult to use even with his blessing. The information he must process for a short distance is astonishing, the information for the long distance will be far greater. But Eiric does not fear it.

The memories that flow into Eiric’s mind do not slow. Many times, they are old memories with newer images sprinkled within. But it is that flow that has forced Eiric to process large amounts of information for many years.

Eiric tightens his hold on Runa and Leif. “Light step, prir.”

His body disappears, traveling forward at the speed of light before reappearing at a turn. His foot pivots, not a second wasted as he disappears once more.

Eiric improves. Each turn faster than before until the time needed to turn, the time his body returns to reality, is almost nonexistent. For two minutes, Eiric is the fastest person alive.

Against the shock of information, against the pounding headache, against his exhausted breathing, Eiric continues forward until he appears in front of Alvis who stands guard at Selby’s gate.

“You… get medics now!” Alvis uses magic to grab Runa and Leif but catches Eiric in his arms, “Well done, and thank you.”

Alvis enters the Meeting room with Eiric.

The summon for Eiric was sent a half hour after his return. Runa and Leif were rushed into intensive care where treatment began immediately. They are stable now and the doctors are hopeful, but Runa’s condition was worrisome as Eiric left.

“Did something happen?” Freydis said.

“Nothing that will interrupt this meeting, I assure you all.” Alvis said.

“So this is Eiric.” Fenric walks over to Eiric, towering over the boy, “Are you strong?”

“Not strong enough yet sir.”

“I like that answer.” Fenric grabs Eiric’s arm, raising it and inspecting his eyes before returning to his seat, “There are small hints of a turn in his eyes, lingering instability in his magic. But, nothing to be worried about, even the youngest with signs have more signs than he shows now.”

“Is there an explanation for why you remain yourself?” Liva asked.

“It may have to do with my age before reincarnation. But I am not certain of the reason.”

“Is there a chance you could still turn?” Bjorn asked.

“There is. I feel good however. Even after using my blessing more than before, I believe there is no significant change within myself.”

“Then I pray you will remain yourself for much longer, but that is not why I wished to meet you.” Hilda said, “Freydis explained her plan, and that you will be part of the group to journey to heaven. Is this true?”

“Yes. We believed it is the angels that are cursing the blessings. We’ll find why, and stop it.”

“But to achieve that journey will be incredibly difficult. We could even anger them for taking a piece of Yggdrasil. How can we be sure that you will follow through with this plan until you succeed or are dead?”

“I ask that you trust my word for now. I will prove myself in time, but we will need your support. I want this more than anything.”

“Yes.” Hilda approaches Eiric, her eyes piercing his own, “Why is it that you want to do this?”

“I want to bring peace to my people.”

Hilda sighs. “How disappointing. There are two issues now, young Freydis.”

“You can trust Eiric, I guarantee it.”

“I want to believe you. Freydis, the two issues are as follow. You do not have the power to commit Mithold to any agreement with another realm. And, him.” Hilda points at Eiric, “Though he is different, he is still dangerous. But that is not what concerns me. Eiric, you only care for your people. Not Ymirra. Not us. What if you gain the power of five pieces of Yggdrasil, what if they offer an exchange for your people, but only in return for us? You did not lie. You want nothing more than for their peace and safety, and that is terrifying without knowing you will not sacrifice the rest of Ymirra.”

“Lady Hilda-”

“Freydis.” Bjorn said, “I agree with Hilda. At this time, we cannot commit to anything. But you have my highest respect for gathering us here today and keeping us under control. When you have the power to commit, my people will give you an audience without question.”

“As will mine.” Fenric said.

“As will mine.” Hilda said.

“So be it. My people will await your call as well, Freydis.” Liva said.

Freydis bows, a show of respect, but also a way to hide her quivering lips. “Thank you all so much for coming.”

Eiric and Freydis are left alone in the meeting room.

“I’m sorry.” They both say.

“No.” Freydis wipes away her tears, “It is my fault. I have neglected this responsibility because I feared it. Had I the power to commit, were I the queen, I could have convinced them myself. I cannot place such a burden on you.”

“But they are right. I never thought about it until she said it; to think I would do such a thing. They have all families and loved ones. I cannot trade them for my own. I’m sorry.”

“Then we have both learned today. This was not a complete failure.”

The two younglings leave the meeting room, both disappointed and angered at themselves.

“How is Eiric?” Freydis asked as Vilgur entered her room with a tray of food.

“Frustrated. He wants to apologize to everyone for making things worse, in his words. He also apologized to us, saying he is selfish to even consider such a thing.”

“It’s my fault for not being queen.” Freydis wipes her tears with a cloth, “I’m just afraid. I don’t want to marry just anybody. I don’t want to take the seat when I am not ready. But because of this I may have worsened everything.”

“I don’t believe so.” Vilgur sits by Freydis against her bed, “They said they will wait for your call; they just need certainty. I know it is scarry, but you will have everyone here at your side if you decide to become queen.”

“The title or princess is what allows me to make mistakes. Should I make more as queen, it could be catastrophic. I could start another war. And, I will not be able to travel with you all to gather the pieces of Yggdrasil.”

“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t make mistakes. We learn from them; we overcome the challenges. I doubt you will make anything as bad as you say, but if you do, then I’ll help you fix it. My shields will protect us from every war; our wills will make our mission a success. If you cannot come with us, I swear will return to you victorious.”

“Thank you, Vilgur. I feel better now. Oh, but what if I mess up when you are away?”

“Eiric is as fast as light, we saw it today when…”

Freydis stands. “Something did happen. Vilgur, please tell me.”

“I shouldn’t.”

“Someone was hurt. Who?”

“Freydis. Everyone is ok.”

“You’re hurt. What happened to your arms? Who else was hurt? Tell me, or I will find out from someone else.”

Vilgur stands. “Fine. I will take you to them.”