“Finnie faces a variety of dangers, witch, and there are protections for those,” Frey returned.
The witch nodded.
Then she took a step toward him, her gaze grew cautious but her mouth opened to speak.
“There are no dragons in the other world, Drakkar.”
Frey’s body went solid and it did this because he took her meaning.
Then he whispered, “You speak treason.”
She pressed her lips together, clearly hesitant, but went on, “I do and I do with purpose. There are few matches like yours with Finnie in this world or hers. So few, they are so rare, they are precious and need to be protected at all costs. Valentine may be able to break the binding spell of the elves and she could take your Finnie and you to the other world where she’ll be safe. If Princess Sjofn doesn’t run through it, your princess has the means for you both to live there comfortably for the entirety of your days and –”
Frey leaned toward her and cut her off. “Witch,” he clipped, his tone fierce, “you… talk… treason.” She leaned back slightly and pressed her lips together but Frey went on, “And treason is heinous but what you speak of is worse. If I were to remove Finnie from this world, an elfin, dragonian child will not sit on the Lunwyn throne as our gods desire, our frosted land would again descend into turmoil, the dragons would lose their Drakkar and would remain at slumber in their caves for the gods know how long. The fact I am The Drakkar means there is a threat looming for all of Lunwyn for which the dragons will need to be roused. And lastly, the elves would again be betrayed by The Frey and because of that may retreat for another seven centuries or worse, may never ascend again. And you know that breaking their binding spell would mean sacrifice, the elves will demand it as their due before they withdraw to their realm. I do not know what this sacrifice will be but I do know it will be terrible. The gods have chosen Finnie for me and me for Lunwyn. Our destinies are linked and this link is for the future of Lunwyn. We cannot desert our land. This cannot happen.”
She stepped back, her eyes moving to contemplate the rug and she nodded but he saw her hands shaking with fear, as they would. It took great courage for her to suggest betraying his country, his responsibilities and the elves.
But she did it to advocate safe harbor for his wife.
“I will forget you suggested it,” Frey said quietly.
“Thank you, Drakkar.”
Frey continued speaking softly and when he did her eyes moved back to him.
“As you can see, we must do all we can to keep my princess safe.”
Agnes nodded. “It will be my honor to serve The Drakkar and his Ice Bride.”
“My thanks,” Frey replied, watched her draw in a breath then he stated, “I will see to your meal and bath. You’re away in three hours.”
Agnes nodded again.
Frey moved to the door muttering, “Safe journey, I will see you in Snowdon.”
He did not await her response.
He went in search of the housekeeper.
Then he went directly to his wife.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hit the Bell with a Loud Clang
Two days later…
I stood at the railing on the bridge deck at the stern of The Finnie and looked at the terracotta tile roofed, adobe buildings with their brightly-colored awnings, pots of profuse flowers, multi-colored lanterns and wrought iron whimsies all stretching up the hill where, at the top, there was an unbelievable fairytale castle.
The city state of Bellebryn.
And I watched it all slowly get smaller as we sailed away.
It was, the first time I saw it nearly two months ago and at that moment, the most beautiful place I’d ever seen in my life. Nothing like it existed in my world, not even close.
Except in animated children’s films. Yep, seriously, it was a city only the most whimsical, artistic minds could create.
It was amazing.