"It's so boring here..." Ron muttered beside .
The open air felt liberating after the oppressive atmosphere of the castle. Freyja had asked to find her once I was ready-though for what, she hadn't said. It was obvious her request wasn't about guarding her, so I assud it was sothing more demanding, likely far from the castle grounds. With no idea how long I'd be gone, I couldn't leave Ron behind. The thought of him alone in that place, surrounded by Freyja's zealous cultists, was dangerous. For a six-year-old, it would either be terrifying or worse-he might co back brainwashed like so of the castle staff.
"When the war is over, I'll send you back to Sancta Vedelia," I said, breaking the silence. "You're from Zestella, right?"
Ron nodded, but his expression clouded. "But... where would I go? I don't have a family anymore..."
His words stung with the kind of sorrow no child should carry. "Do you think your parents would be happy seeing you like this? Focus on making them proud. First, you'll get an education, go back to school, and start building your future."
"I want to beco strong like you!" Ron exclaid, his eyes sparkling
A smile tugged at my lips. "That's a tall order. I'm the strongest in Sancta Vedelia, after all. But I can arrange for you to train with the finest knights of Zestella."
"Really?!" His face brightened with excitent.
"Of course," I said, grinning. "I know the princess there quite well."
"Wow! Do you think I could et her too?" He asked, practically bouncing with enthusiasm. "Well, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I asked." Celeste wasn't the type to refuse, especially if she heard his story. She had a soft spot for victims of Utopia and would likely go above and beyond for him.
"Thank you, Loki!" Ron bead, throwing his arms around in a hug.
Caught off guard, I awkwardly patted his head. "Uh... yeah, sure."
But his excitent dimd as quickly as it had flared. "How long will you be gone?" He asked quietly, staring down at the ground.
"No idea," I admitted.
I hoped it would be just a day. Was this so sort of trial from Freyja to earn her trust?
"But don't worry, I'll leave you in safe hands," I reassured Ron, my eyes scanning the bustling marketplace until I found the person I was looking for.
A figure cloaked in a dark hood stood near a stand selling apples, her face obscured but I quickly noticed her.
I approached her, grabbing an apple from the stand without hesitation and taking a bite. The crisp sweetness filled my mouth. "Not bad."
"Hey! Pay first!" The vendor barked, glaring at .
Without a word, I pulled out a golden badge emblazoned with the Ruvelion Royal Emblem. The vendor's expression crumbled instantly, his mouth snapping shut. That badge Freyja had given was proving to be more useful than I'd expected.
Turning to the cloaked figure, I extended another apple toward her. "Here. You should eat if you're hungry, Vina."
Vina turned her head slightly, her delicate features peeking out from under the hood as she grimaced. "I'm not hungry. I was just waiting-hm!"
Before she could finish, I gently but firmly pushed the apple into her mouth. "You're still a kid. Eat fruits if you want to grow up strong," I said with a smile.
Her eyes narrowed at for a mont, but then she relented, biting into the apple and chewing quietly. A small smile tugged at my lips as I watched her.
Though she spent most of her ti secluded in that cave, Vina occasionally wander into Elyen Kiora or nearby islands to gather news or scavenge for food. However, this wasn't the reason she was here today.
In the month I'd spent recovering and strengthening my body, I'd co to understand her better. She was a lone orphan, surviving in isolation for who knew how many years. Vina had once confessed that no nation would accept her, her existence deed too peculiar for the world's norms.
So, I'd made her a promise. If she helped during my stay in Elyen Kiora-passing along information, delivering ssages, or simply keeping an eye on things-I would provide her with shelter in Sancta Vedelia. It was a fair exchange, and she'd agreed without much resistance.
Since then, we've kept in regular contact. So when Freyja gave her task, I called for Vina, and as always, she'd arrived swiftly.
"I need you to take care of him in my absence," I said bringing out Ron who was hiding behind .
"..." Vina stared down at Ron and imdiatemy hid back behind .
"It might take a day but more, I am not can you do that for ?" I asked her.
"He can't stay at my place, and for now, Elyen Kiora is the best option for him," Vina said softly. She wasn't wrong.
The cave she lived in was far from suitable for anyone, let alone a young boy like Ron. In truth, I hated the idea of her living in such conditions herself. Sothing about it bothered deeply, though I couldn't put it into words.
The cave was inhospitable, cold, and utterly devoid of comfort. While I'd managed to endure it for a month during my recovery out of necessity, Ron wouldn't stand a chance there. Sancta Vedelia, wasn't an option either. The whole Island was in the throes of war, and Vina had no desire to head there under the current circumstances.
So, yes, Elyen Kiora seed like the best choice for now-but still...
"You really want to stay here? Isn't it dangerous for soone like you? The High Elves aren't exactly known for their hospitality, especially toward outsiders."
"It won't be a problem," Vina replied simply, lowering her hood.
I froze, montarily taken aback as her long, pointed ears ca into view.
"You can disguise yourself?" I asked, surprised.
The transformation was seamless. Her ears now mirrored those of the High Elves, and the slight shimr around her suggested the work of a powerful artifact. Sohow, the illusion suited her perfectly, blending her into the very society that would otherwise shun her.
Vina gave a small nod, lightly patting her chest where I assud the artifact was hidden. Despite her confidence, I couldn't help but worry.
She looked barely twelve, her delicate features and youthful beauty far too eye-catching. The thought of so wandering creep or degenerate crossing her path made quite concerned.
"I'm strong," Vina said, as though reading my mind.
I studied her for a mont and sighed. Yeah, she must be. After all, she'd survived alone in
this world for years.
"Alright," I relented. "Just keep updated if you can."
I gently pushed Ron forward, urging him to stand beside Vina.
Ron gazed at her with wide eyes, his expression a mix of awe and curiosity. She probably seed otherworldly to him-soone so different from anyone he'd ever known.
"Stay with her," I told him. "Once I'm done here and the war is over, I promise to keep my
word."
Ron turned to look at , his eyes glistening with gratitude. "Thank you, Big Brother," he said, his voice soft but filled with emotion.
The last ti soone called that, it was Elona.
I forced a smile, ruffling Ron's hair affectionately. "Take care of yourself, alright?"
With one last look at the two of them, I turned and walked away,
--
After settling things with Ron, I finally felt prepared. I inford Freyja of my readiness
through one of her maids.
The following morning, the day had arrived.
I woke early, using the ti to train briefly before taking a refreshing shower. By the ti the
sun crept over the horizon, I was standing fully prepared before the gates.
Before long, Freyja appeared.
My gaze instinctively flicked toward Brisingan, her necklace, but I quickly forced myself to
look away. "Do you know what I want from you?" Freyja asked as she stood before .
"I can only assu it's a personal task, Your Highness," I replied with a hint of wariness.
"Indeed, it is, Loki," Freyja said with a slight nod. "I want you to head to Sancta Vedelia."
I blinked, caught off guard by her request.
"I had soone there-a spy-who had been feeding information. Or rather, she was. It's been weeks since I've heard anything from her, but I know she's alive."
"Which ans..."
"Which ans she's betrayed ," Freyja said, her eyes glowing coldly. "Above all else, I
despise liars and traitors. Such vermin deserve the harshest punishnt. Don't you agree,
Loki?" She asked, a sweet smile curling her lips.
"Of course..." I nodded, though inwardly, I was sweating bullets. My entire backstory-the identity I'd crafted-was a web of lies, a ans to get close to her.
"Good. Here is my demand: kill her."
"Kill...?" I blurted out.
"Yes," she confird, tilting her head slightly. "Why does that surprise you? I imagine the Raonpherys would reserve far crueler fates for traitors, wouldn't they?"
"Yes, but I thought I was only supposed to guard you," I said, trying to mask my reluctance.
"And you have done well," Freyja replied. "But this task is different. I can entrust it to no one
else. My brother's n are out of the question, and I need soone both strong and trustworthy. You fit the bill, Loki."
"How long will I be gone?" I asked, hesitating.
I needed to stay near her-to find a way to take that necklace from her. Yet now, she was
sending away on what felt like a fool's errand.
"At most a week. One of Utopia's kings, Elashor Sarkian, is preparing to march on Sancta
Vedelia," Freyja explained. "He intends to bring down one of the countries there. I've already
inford him that you will accompany his army to Sancta Vedelia. You'll have your chance."
"A week huh..."
"It all depends on how quickly you act," Freyja said. "We're currently heading toward the City
of Utopia. Once there, I will leave you in King Elashor's care. He is one of Utopia's strongest
figures, and I don't expect it will take him long to bring down Valachia."
"Valachia?" I repeated.
"Yes," Freyja confird with a nod. "Elashor's mission is to bring down Valachia. It's almost too convenient-your target, the traitor, is also there. You don't need to concern yourself
with the war; all I require is her head."
What a scary goddess she was. "How will I find her?" I asked.
Freyja raised her delicate hand, her fingers glowing faintly as golden particles began to swirl.
They coalesced into the shape of a radiant bird that shimred with life. The creature let out
a cheerful chirp before flying to my shoulder.
"When you arrive in Valachia, call through the bird," Freyja said. "I will guide you to her
exact location."
I stared at the golden creature perched on , feeling a knot tighten in my gut. Did I truly
have to kill soone? The task felt both unnecessary and far removed from the plans I had
imagined. Freyja must have noticed my hesitation. She stepped closer, her hand reaching out to cup my cheek. Her touch was soft and the smile she wore radiated a dangerous allure.
"Don't look so disheartened at the thought of being apart from ," she murmured. "Just
complete this task, and I will grant you any wish you desire."
I blinked in surprise, her words catching off guard. "Anything?" I asked.
Could she really an it?
Could I ask for my mother's freedom? The idea seed impossible, yet if anyone had the
power to help, it was her. Even if I couldn't trust her completely, perhaps I could ask for sothing smaller-like getting a look at Brisingan, or sothing else that could bring closer to my goal.
"Anything," Freyja said with a nod, her smile deepening into a sly smirk.
In that mont, my hesitation evaporated. If the traitor had turned against Freyja, then
surely she wasn't a virtuous person. It felt easier to justify the task with that reasoning, even
if the truth was murky.
"I will do it," I said.
"Wonderful." Freyja withdrew her hand, as she turned and walked toward her carriage.
I mounted my horse as the knights ford a protective formation around Freyja's carriage.
With the signal given, our party began to move.
As we rode, I had to ask. "Who is she?"
From her seat within the carriage, Freyja crossed her legs elegantly and smiled.
"Her na is Viessa."
User Comments
0 comments from readers