Wings of War

On the other side of border that divided light from darkness, instead of dim life that was sleeping and complete silence and calmness in the trees, everything was filled with lively wildlife. Plants were blooming, birds singing, even towns and buildings seemed brighter and had more golden decorations that, instead of moon, praised sun. Sunlight made different structures made of coloured glass turn into magical mosaics.

The closer to its capital we're getting, more magical those places are. Even for Odette who spent her whole life in a castle, it was a nice experience. Hylos was welcoming enough to let the Swan Princess rest in his family estate for a night since they arrived very late and after two exhausting days of traveling, they truly needed some rest.

After a night of good sleep, everybody feels better. When Odette woke up, she felt for a moment like she was home but then remembered she was actually in the capital of the light half of the land. The place where she was sleeping looked similar to her room and she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

The sun made her get up. She slept in a sleeping dress one of the maids found and brought her. This was the first time in quite a while when she had to dress up all by herself. She was surprised to find her clothes, all cleaned up, neatly put in a pile and on the top of it brushes and all other stuff she'd need for morning routine.

Before she even started changing there was a knock on the door of her room and a familiar deep voice asking: "Princess? Are you awake?" It wasn't very loud but she was able to hear it just fine. She quickly replied: "Yes I am. You may come in Hylos."

He opened the door and entered her room. He wasn't in his fancy armour, he changed into some more comfortable and classy outfit. While he was entering, Odette sat down on her bed and then added: "Oh, and would you please stop calling me 'Princess'? Just call me by my real name." She said.

He nodded. "As you wish, Princess-- I mean-- Odette." He corrected himself just in time, the girl had already frowned. "Do you want me to call you 'Mister Minister' all the time?" She asked seriously.

"Please. Don't." He said. It sounded weird because when people talked to him with respect, they'd mostly simply say 'Sir' but how she put it sounded pretty embarrassing, at least to him. "Just use the name please, we are friends, aren't we?"

Odette nodded. "Exactly! That's the point I was going for! You can call me simply by my name, friends don't use titles..." She said before teasingly adding: "Unless it's a nickname you're giving me because I'm that attractive."

He facepalmed and laughed taking it for a joke. "Fine. I get the point but that's not exactly what I came here for." He said. "I came here to tell you I've arranged meeting with somebody who could help us. Are you excited to meet the legendary Freya, valkyrie, hier of power of the light?"

Odette jumped up from her bed in surprise and shock. "What?! Really?? You did!? No way!" She seemed to be more than excited, she was thrilled to meet one of the ideals she was taught to follow - strength and discipline.

Hylos just smiled happy because she was that happy. He said: "We'll meet her at noon and she said she was glad to meet the famous Swan Princess. By the way, the word of your arrival has spread across the town so don't be surprised if somebody recognise you." He said.

"B-but I didn't show myself a lot in the past. My parents always liked it better if we kept separated from the rest of the land, at least from normal villagers and citizens." The Swan Princess started.

Hylos grinned: "People are better stalkers than you think." It was all he said before leaving her room. From the door he just added: "Meet me in the hall in an hour or two, I'll be waiting for you." He said and closed the door behind him.

***

Argus was sitting on a throne shaped into a heavy rock in his dungeon's wall and watched the three young warriors who returned from their not-so-long journey. He was tapping fingers on the arm holder before saying: "Well... Your success already exceeded my expectations."

Lancelot gazed at Karina who was staring at Argus, her eyes lit up with faith and hope he'd embrace her back and forget about the little incident that happened with Moskov. She secretly crossed fingers and all she was doing was staring at Argus's blank helmet and occasionally quickly blinking.

Finally, the knight in still shiny armour dared to start speaking: "Thank you, sir. We've even bro--" He started wanting to explain how two assassins, whose mission was to return the Codex of Apocalypse, ended up with the three prisoners and one friendly helper but Argus didn't let him finish.

"Silence! I didn't allow you to speak." He said. "Now... Karina, for now you've proved you can be useful when you listen to my orders. Lancelot, I'll have a little chat with you later and give you your reward. Your little friend seems like she has already taken her reward and Karina, I'll get to you later." He spoke calmly but his gaze was far more terrifying than his speech.

Lancelot nodded and bowed slightly. "As you wish, Master." He said before asking: "May I leave now?"

The reply came quickly and it bolted through the air like thunder: "No! Am I done talking yet?"

Lancelot reflexively backed away and gazed at the ground. He went silent as Argus continued talking and giving away his instructions.

"About the prisoners... I don't need the young elf and demon hunter, although I must say Alice would probably enjoy having some more toys to play with, but I'm going to just let you take them, they're your prisoners after all. Do whatever you want to them but leave the king to me. I feel he might know some useful tips and tricks for me to retain my... treasure."

Estes remained calm. "I will help you but I have a request - Let my daughter live. Don't keep her in this dungeon." He said.

Argus rolled eyes. "Fine. Karina, you heard him." It was all he said before standing up and gesturing Estes to come with him. "The rest of you is free, for now." He added waiting up for Estes who was slowly making his way through thick layers of dungeon air.

***

The Minister of War led the visiting princess into another nearby building that looked even richer than his family residence. All the windows were made of golden spheric glass which from outside looked like simple golden facade but from inside, outside world could be seen.

Rooftops were relying on marble pillars that were standing like arms of a mother holding up its child. Also, the ground was covered with marble slabs and quartz was everywhere on the facade.

It was the building where parliament was working and debating about the newest events or laws in the land. The centaur was greeted upon entering while princess was just getting awkward stares. "Hylos... Why are they staring at me like that?" She asked.

He simply shrugged. "Perhaps they didn't expect your visit and now they are wondering what's going on. We've been leading this land for years now while your family has been hidden behind veil of mysteries, behind the Swan Lake and the walls of your palace."

The Swan Princess gazed back at someone whose eyes were locked onto her and they just looked away and walked away looking busy. "Are they afraid I'd take their position? Do they think I'm dangerous for them?" She asked.

"Everything is possible. Both they and people know that the crown is rightfully yours but it is possible that they don't want you to take it." Hylos was explaining while he was leading the way up long staircase.

Once they reached the third floor, Hylos stopped in front of huge white door with a golden symbol of sun. He pushed the door. Nothing happened. The door were already a little rusty, he thought, and they were heavy. He pushed once again but the door refused to move.

Finally, after few moments of trying, he realised he was supposed to pull not push. It was an embarrassing moment to have in front of a princess but he hid his embarrassment very well and Odette did her best not to laugh out loud as Hylos finally succeeded to open the door.

As a fine gentleman he was, he let the lady go in first. She was the first one to see the valkyrie personally. Not many people have the honor to do so ever in their lives.

She was standing in the middle of the room, her figure perfect. The breastplate was made out of pure and magical iron received as a gift from the dwarf metalworker community and her blue skirt was covered with that material just for esthetic purposes.

Her hair was blue like the clearest sea in summer and eyes were those filled with hope and energy shining with words: 'I will fight, fight forever if needed'. Her smile was soft, unlike her gaze it looked nothing like a smirk of a fighter that's winning a combat. Her mouth soon opened ruining the smile, she spoke: "Hi! You must be Odette, am I right? Hylos told me so much about you, I'm glad to finally meet you."

The girl's nervousness faded away. The northern angel of war wasn't cold at all, she was very friendly which relaxed the princess. "I'm glad to meet you too." She said with a smile. "I've also heard many stories about you but to be honest, none of them said how beautiful you looked. I love the armour."

Hylos facepalmed. "Man... Why did I even think putting two girls in the same room together was a good idea?" He mumbled to himself. "What was I expecting?"

"I heard it." Odette said, unamused by the comment while Freya simply laughed. "Your fault. Now you'll be cursed with a curse of boredom as soon as our fashion conversation starts."

Hylos gazed at her. "I hope you're joking." He said simply before switching the subject. "Anyway.... Why don't we focus on why are we all here today." He smiled awkwardly just trying to avoid the two girls starting an off subject talk. He wasn't going to listen a parliament debate about dresses, shoes and make up.

"Right..." Freya mumbled. "So... Would anybody mind telling me exactly what you know so far? About the book and guy you mentioned yesterday?" She asked Hylos.

He started speaking. Odette soon grew bored so her mind switched to thinking about something else. All the time, stories about Freya were talking about a warrior sent by gods with golden wings whose feathers were so strong that they could deflect a sword. Where were her wings?