"What brought you here Verri?" Freya asked. The tension was created. Silence prevailed the moment they waited for Freya. The sky gets darker as the clouds forbid the sun rays to radiate light. Altogether, they looked up in the sky and along with the swans they saw another white bird. Suspicion arouses; Freya's eyes widened. She rivet her gaze as it continue to swerve in the air. Its faint red glow confirms that the one on the sky is Verri, and the other one's surrounded with velvety black smoke, producing a malign presence. It was larger than Verri and obviously not one of normal kinds.
"An omen?"
"Something's not on the right place"
"Who's this bird then?" Tigreal asked.
"Verri!" Freya called out desperately to the bird but it refused to come down and continued flying instead.
"Reveal yourself, we won't inflict you any harm for scaring these two" Freya and Tigreal was surprised of what Odette said. The princess must know what's happening, or at least she has an idea of what's going on.
Then, the black smoke effect that surrounds the bird became a silhouette ribbon-like strip. It fades as it twists and twirled around. Verri starts to swerve down, Freya's gaze followed him and thought that he will launch an attack to the other bird but everything occurred so fast that looking away became a mistake.
A mistake that she could not have done.
"Did I succeed to scare you?" The white bird turned out to be Pharsa who's now standing in front of her and Verri keeps himself to stay in flight near the left side of her head. "I should've seen your actual expression"
"I honestly thought we're going to hell" said Tigreal. "Are you satisfied?" he added.
"Hell? You're making me laugh." Pharsa turned her teasing smile into a laugh "Sorry, I can't help it."
"You won't be able to laugh if I burned you earlier"
"Scary"
"Well, thanks to Princess Odette. She's able to recognize me in an instant" She looked at Odette and greeted her with a smile. "It's been a while, Princess."
"You should be thankful since this is your second life Pharsa. You're supposed to be our breakfast." Tigreal bursts out. He raised his sword and about to aim at Pharsa. He's aiming to do this for fun. Of course, he never wants to hurt his comrades but due to his surprise, Odette raised and extend her arms to barricade Tigreal's attack. "You mustn't, I don't want any blood to drop on my treasured castle grounds."
He felt bad when Odette said that since he's aware of the fact that he might disappoint the princess with what he did. "Sorry, I wasn't trying to---"
"It's okay, I know you weren't aiming to kill or hurt her, I'm just preventing the occurrence of casualties"
He's really scared earlier not just for himself but also about the safety of Moniyan Empire. He can't accept the guilt he'll take for the rest of his life if other lives would be in danger again because of them.
Not another one.
"Good thing we came across to the both of you here."
"Pharsa, that act was suspicious." Freya said calmly but with a serious tone. "I lost all energy that I'm supposed to lose earlier when walking, usually Verri can't be seen when you mogrify but why---"
"My magic has improved a little. But the duration of the transformation when on flight was only extended for 3 seconds. Pretty bad, isn't it?"
"You practiced your buffed ability towards us?"
"It wasn't like that Tigreal there's more to it actually"
"Why are you here at the empire?"
"Save all the questions. We can go inside for the mean time. You two can rest there and we better discuss our concerns there."
"Wait, I'm just here to tell something" Pharsa said in a serious tone.
"Pharsa..."
"What are you talking about Pharsa?" Tigreal grew curious. It's not natural for them to be in the land that is comprised by the Moniyan Empire.
"I received news from the village of Iga in the Eastern lands." Pharsa managed to pique Freya and Tigreal's attention and interest. It seems like she hit the exact thing that will make them more focused on their main goal.
"Is it from Hayabusa? What does it says?"
"Names weren't stated. It's from the Order of Scarlet Shadow, both factions are involved."
"It must be them, I'm relieved they're alive" Freya wanted Pharsa to speak directly to the point and not to prolong the conversation anymore. "Hanzo injured us quite bad."
"They can't find the centaur but they managed to defeat Hanzo. Their theory is he used the opportunity to escape while they're dealing with the red shadow ninja. No corpse was seen and found nor traces of blood to locate him"
"I shouldn't have left him" Fists clenched, Freya bit her lower lips.
"If we didn't we must be dead by now. Let's just assume he's safe." Tigreal tries to shrug off their thoughts about Hylos condition. And then he remembered how quickly the demon devoured Chiron that night. "It bugs me every second that I'm reminded of how I witness Chiron's death."
"I can't help to be worried too, but we also received a letter from Queen Aurora's kingdom. There is no news about Hylos' death included because if he is gone, the misty mountains will immediately show signs of it."
"Also, there's something..."
"What?" Tigreal asked. Odette looked down, a bit tensed. She carefully waited for Pharsa's next phrases left unsaid.
"Nevermind, please stay safe. Don't make unnecessary moves for danger waits out there."
"Thank you for informing us Pharsa."
"I am terribly sorry for I cannot join you inside the castle. Natalia's not returning home for at least---"
"Where did that lady go?" Tigreal immediately asked after hearing Natalia's name "What happened to her?"
"She's been out for two days and we are searching for her. Worried of what may have happen for her to do this. Don't worry Tigreal, we'll find her as soon as possible."
"Maybe I should help."
"Don't be upset. Stay here and leave that to us. We were suspecting that she started a mission on her own without telling us, that's why we can't stay. And Freya…" Pharsa looked straight to Freya's eyes before starting to convey a message. "We would appreciate if you stop on making us worried by sending us a letter"
Pharsa left with a smile then she morphed again into a white bird and flew high along with Verri. They grew slower and slower until they vanished entirely. Odette glanced to where Freya and Tigreal is, she begins to walk and take the lead to her castle. Everyone bowed and gave respect to the princess as they walk past them, and she never failed to greet them in return.
After few minutes of walking, they stopped at the Great Hall.
"I would also appreciate if you won't complain and decline to the help I'll offer." She said. Odette decided on her own without consulting Freya. It is visible that Freya and Tigreal are exhausted; not having enough sleep and sufficient supplies of food or maybe----none at all. She could at least offer things they can consume so their body will not malfunction. She doesn't even know how many days they have been in that condition or how long that would keep on going. She excused herself to them and commanded her servants to prepare the chambers, an exchange of clothes along with toiletries and robe, and add more servings to the breakfast. She went back to the Great Hall along with two of the castle's servants that she assigned to give Freya and Tigreal assistance.
"I hope you'll enjoy your stay here even for a short time"
"Princess Odette this is too much. We can't---"
"You can't decline? You're welcome! Proceed to the dining hall once you're all set." Odette left them to avoid hearing complains. She knows that she needs to force them because if not, they'll neglect her offer and prefer to just greet her and leave immediately.
Odette dissipated her time in the Solar. Questions keep on running in her head. She wants to ask them about all encountered whereabouts because this case is not happening without any reason. Plus, there's a lot of rumors and hearsay circling around the empire that she refuses to believe. She even forbids anyone in the castle to speak of it, referring that gossiping is a sin and a sign of disrespect. Lancelot often talk about his journeys too, where he gather news about people they know and they don't.
She's careful to even mention the Goddess' name.
Meanwhile, Freya was assisted to enter the third chamber in the castle's East Wing.
Spacious. The floor was made with grayish granite that shines brightly and can reflect the ceiling of the room. Books were organized in one row on top of a cozy fireplace, in front of it was a pearl white-colored wing chair, detailed in metallic silver. A midnight blue olefin carpet was placed underneath the wing chair and the coffee table. Everything is colored in harmonious metallic, white, and blue.
On the left of the bi-fold door, hanged a large painting of Swan Lake, L-shaped closet, and a dresser. And on the right side, a misty glass door was built.
"I guess it leads to the water closet" She slowly twists the door handle and shuts it when she moved in completely. For a moment, she froze; the mesmerizing atmosphere of the shower room made her show-off a dazed expression. The hot water exudes fumes that is scented with lavender and chamomile that soothes and relieves tiredness, and stress. "She's dead serious."
She walked towards the tub, then undressed and soaked herself in it. She scrubbed her body thoroughly, the dirt that clung to her skin may have been permanent if it stayed there for 2 more days. The bath replenishes her but she can't help but to flinch each time she touches her bruises and cuts. "So, battles without armors, shields, and powers resulted to this" she pitied herself for attaining scars and damage but she doesn't need to worry because it's a remnant of history in creation.
A thought about the Book of Sages bugs her inner peace. This help they're getting from Odette is too much that it keeps them from asking for more.
Although, what if by chance... that the princess possesses an unused item or she knows where exactly they could find it, will she help them? The quest and ritual is convoluted, the procedure is unknown and there is limited information about it. A vision's quite foggy, something unattainable, unless completed.
Swan Castle's Dining Hall
"They aren't here, I see." Odette sits on her spot, and waited carefully for Freya and Tigreal. Then there she noticed Tigreal doing nothing but to lean on the wall near the bow type window. "Come and join me wait for her, Tigreal. Good thing that suit fits you. The armor was beyond repair."
"I've live off my normal days wearing this in the Empire" he chuckled. Freya headed to them quickly, wearing a low cut heeled shoes along with her floor length dress in pale color. Her curls were rearranged as well. "I'm so sorry for making you wait."
"Oh, there you are Goddess, much better. Well, we can discuss things later in the Solar after we finish eating breakfast. Let's dig in?"
"Let's dig in." Tigreal replied to her with enthusiastic voice. He can't remember the last time he joined Odette and Lancelot, sometimes along with Lance's sister Guinevere, in dinner. He missed the warmth of the Empire, the people here, as well as the meal that you can savor. With this, he'll be able to regain his full strength. It has been ages since he ate proper food with intended nutrition that his body needs. They do eat decent food in the cabin located in the outskirts of Nost Gal, where they choose to stay. As well as in their journey, they prepared enough food to suffice their hunger. Same goes with proper clothing.
However, this quest is totally different that it busted out almost everything: energy, strength, and they almost lost their sanity. All of a sudden, all bad experiences they had encountered for 7 weeks faded. It was melted away by a long, heartfelt conversation.
Famish was finally relieved. Tigreal and Freya thanked the princess endlessly. They are happy that they'll be able to meet a person who is good at heart. To top all of it, among all people, a princess.
Yet, they don't have a hint of what's going on. Even though her concerned and disturbing expressions divorced her gladness, Odette is still the happiest.
"Shall we head to the Solar now?" asked Freya.
"You two can go first, I'll ask someone to assist you" Odette ended her sentence with a smile. The two were acquainted with one of the chamber maids. The princess focused her eyes to them as she watch them walk towards the solar. Tense, uneasy, and a bit afraid but she has no choice but to keep everything going like everything is fine and normal.
Even though it is not.
"What's with that baffled look, Your Highness? Your heart and mind are arguing again am I right?"
"Isn't it unsightly to see a helpless goddess? I cannot fathom how she's acting lively and fine."
"There I thought it only happens in romance."
"What?"
"Your selfless act. Are you sure to discuss everything in the solar?"
"What room you want me to use then?" The princess find things odd that she can't even throw a look to the one she's talking to.
"Somewhere more secluded, like the cabinet room of knights" The voice suggested. "I presume they have something to ask you."
"It was too unnecessary for that. It's nothing but a mere conversation, a deeper one. Besides, I want them to stay at ease." Odette heaved a sigh, the one she's talking to revealed herself. "I never want to see them rush desperately like criminals who tries to escape the snare of judgment."
"I suggest informing them. Freya wouldn't let you off without any explanation. I'm relieved that you sided with us."
"People might think I am being manipulated"
"You aren't. No matter what people tell you, your own decision is what matters."
"Tell me Natalia, am I betraying the empire?"
"Sort of, but good thing it's not your heart. And that's pure kindness"
"This isn't kindness at all, it is pity."
- E N D O F C H A P T E R F I F T E E N -