[Chapter 19 - Bona Fide : In Good Faith Pt.3]

The air was thick and heavy with tension. My body had frozen in response to what just unfolded in front of me. The Valkyries' words seemed like they were reverberating in my head as I darted my view back and forth between her and my mother. After what felt like ages the silence was broken by my mother in a much more level headed manner of speaking

"You will leave here immediately and arrange transport to the capitol."

The Valkyrie's head darted up in a rushed response "Wait you do not mean you intend to return to Lindor. Should Arbor hear about this he will"

"Aela"

At my mothers call, Aela swiftly rushed over and pulled a small wax sealed envelope. The wax was a deep golden color, embossed in its center was a large tree whose roots twisted to form a sword. As it passed from her to my mother in front of me my eyes remained fixed on the symbol until my mother received the envelope and extended it to the Valkyrie snapping me out of the trance like state I was in.

"Not should, but when he hears about this, he will remember that a queen in exile is still a queen."

The Valkyrie reached her hand out to receive the letter but when she did my mothers grip remained and her voice gained a level of malice

"He will also do well to remember where the allegiance of the people lie, as do the soldiers." she ended with a cutting tone as she released the envelope. At her release the Valkyrie pulled the envelope to her knee where she rested her hand before lowering her head once more

"Understood my queen"

"Then I suppose you best be on your way" my mother spoke in a slightly mocking way

The Valkyrie remained silent and simply raised herself off the ground holding her sheathed sword in one hand and the envelope in the other. Quietly she pushed in the chair she had sat in and made her way back towards where she had entered. Shortly after vanishing from view a large wind gust accompanied by thunderous trots could be heard until eventually silence once again filled the air.

My mother stood frozen where she was and I did the same in my chair. After a few moments Aela made her way to the entry followed by the sounds of the door being shut. I turned my view to the side where Louse was, though only to discover he had seemingly vanished. I swallowed my spit so hard as I looked back to my mother that it practically echoed through the room.

I could hear a deep emerge from my mother as she turned to me with a seemingly unfazed expression "Let us talk". Ignoring the chair lying on its side behind her she instead made her way to sit directly across from me.

When she did I simply stared at her. On top of the intimidation, the shock, the confusion, I also felt fear. From the moment my mother snapped there was more than tension alone in the air. There was a bloodlust so thick that one could practically see the red. Like a predator hovering over its prey the intent to kill permeated as well as a confusing yet vivid understanding of just how absolutely that intent could be carried out.

With a clam and steady demeanor she began to speak "First and foremost I think it important to clarify one thing before any others. The life we have lived up until now no longer exists. From the beginning it was built upon the edge of a knife with few supporting pieces. With the absence of your grandfather one of those pieces is now gone. I do not know exactly what will come in the following days to months, but I do know that we will be under many watchful eyes. There will be many new things you will need to learn and face but before that I believe a level of transparency is in order. Ask what is on your mind and I will answer as best I can."

I did my best to listen as she spoke but her words were simply passing over me. I couldn't break from the frozen stare I'd been stuck in. As I tried to gather my mind and words I ended up just dumbfoundedly blurting out the thing that had consumed my mind the most "You're…a queen?".

With a calmness she nodded and replied "Yes. The Silver Continent is under the rule of Elves and with little exception we are the only race permitted within its borders. After the hero saved this continent the land and who controlled it was in chaos and scatter. Around half of the continent was under the rule of various Elven clans, and the other was under the rule of The High Elf Kingdom. To aid in the recovery of the continent and prevent any future war the kingdom and clans agreed to join under one rule, The Federation of Silver Elves. Though shortly after the High Elf queen and king fell ill and eventually died without producing an heir, throwing the power balance into turmoil. To rectify this the strongest High Elf warriors were chosen to act as king and queen which incidentally were the commanders of the kingdom's elite units, the Valkyrie leader the Völsunga and the leader of the Berserkers, the Einherjar. This continued as tradition and alongside the Elven Council The Elven King and Queen would act as the rulers of the Federation and the various territories under its flag."

I stared at her. I was processing everything she had said but there was something I couldn't resist from asking "So am I, a prince?"

Her face visibly lost its composure. I couldn't blame her, I guess it probably wasn't the right thing to start with.

After regathering herself she cleared her throat and explained "No, not exactly. Though you are technically the heir to the Vinswain name."

"I see. I'm sorry to ask something so arbitrary."

"No, it is okay" she smiled a bit "What else would you like to ask?"

I paused at her question. I'm sure there are a million different things I could respond with right now but in the end there was really only one that mattered "So what now?"

Her face grew serious "We will travel to the Capitol City Lindor. I hoped to prolong this a while longer until you were of proper age. The original plan was for me and your grandfather to slip you into the world by appointing you head of the Vinswain name, something no one could challenge. But with his disappearance, that will be impossible. That aside I also cannot ignore his disappearance."

I could see the muscles in her jaw tighten. To be honest all of this had already gotten to me. My blood had grown cold and I was reminded of feelings I hadn't experienced since the events of when I turned 10. I was scared. Scared of my life changing once again and the confusing dangers that were starting to appear all around me. But I also knew there was no changing what is already done, something I have been painfully reminded of time and time again. So I composed myself and looked her in the eyes "I understand. What do we do?"

With a slight nod of understanding "My exile was a result of the Elven Council, the people remain loyal to me as do much of the Federations veteran forces, as well as the Valkyries, so they wouldn't dare to try to combat my arrival, at least not publicly. The current Elven King is a good man who insists on neutrality as much as he can. Call it being wise or call it being a lazy drunk either way he and the Berserkers should pose no concern. That said the council does have control over many powerful soldiers and assets within the country. I sent that note in advance to help try for a least probable outcome. The first goal at hand right now is to make it to Lindor without interference and call for a Royal summit. Only after that can we plan further. We will most likely leave come this time tomorrow, until then prepare to leave and for the travel ahead."

"I understand". I couldn't say anything more. My stomach had long since twisted with nausea and at this point the room was starting to move around me. I slowly stood up and began making my way to my room in what became an ever growing challenge against my vision spinning around me. Eventually I collapsed into my bed feeling as though I was going to fall through it. With the constant shock of events I hadn't been able to fully process the impacts of what was happening until we had started talking. Now that I had it, I felt my body was poisoned.

I closed my eyes to escape the dizziness but was met by a thousand rampaging thoughts. In a desperate attempt to escape reality I fought against my mind for the emptiness of sleep. So much for a simple day of training.