Fire and Ice

Chapter 5

I frown looking at the scorched patch of grass and earth. I looked about the surrounding area to see what has caused this unnatural phenomenon. The grass has been charred and leading a trail from the edge of the forest. I followed the trail and it leads me to a fall. I watched the fall, fascinated by the flow of the water. It has always been my past time, just watching and listening to the flow of the water. The power that the water held is just wonderful. Gentle yet fierce when overcome with obstacles, but I am veering off the matter at hand. It’s odd, the trail of scorched grass and even the blackened gravel and earth stopped at the edge of the pool at the base of the fall. I looked around observing the area, nothing unusual here. I looked up and squint my eyes to the top of the falls but all I see are the trees swaying at the gentle breeze.

A snap of twigs had me turning quickly, conjuring a bow and arrow made of ice, shooting at the enemy. “By the gods, SooJung get rid of that weapon. I am not here to hurt you.” I blinked once, twice, looking at the face of my sister’s guard.

“Spirits! Yuri, you scared me. You should know better than surprising me like that, I could have hurt you.” I walked over to Yuri waving my hand to dispersing the bow I had conjured. Yuri bowed to me, not too low to signify her rank in my sister’s army. I dipped my head in a small bow to acknowledge her.

“Princess, your sister has sent me to escort you back to the palace. I must advice you to be haste, the King expects you to be present when the Dragon King makes his visit.” I widen my eyes, I did not realize that today would be when the Dragon King visits Alfheim.

“Was it today?” I ask Yuri. “Why did nobody remind me?” I ask again, worry now evident in my voice.

“My apologies Princess,” Yuri cast down her eyes and continued “The Dragon King’s party is a bit early and they had sent a messenger ahead of them telling your father they will be arriving a day early.”

I groaned, not wanting to be present at the arrivals of know-it-all dragons. My father would chastise me for even thinking about it, but they are just too full of themselves. Their kind is just as old as ours but they think they are wiser and stronger than the Elven people.

My father, the Elven King thinks each of the races has their own roles in this world and each has their strong suit of abilities that other races will always be jealous of. For us Elves, he believes that keeping the world in balance and keeping nature alive is our honored duty. The Dragons as many can attest are indeed strong and wise but their kind is one to pursue something without thought of the consequences for others. They are selfish and can sometimes be spiteful.

The Humans are uncanny but values their bond with their family. They are a younger race compared to us Elves and Dragons, but they have populated much of Midgard in less a time the older races has to our own realms. The Humans has never ventured beyond their lands, only a handful had been brave enough and created a way for other brave souls to travel and mingle with the other races.

I heard Yuri mumbling something about bath and dresses and I sigh knowing I will need every bit of time to get ready before our visitors arrived. “Yuri, did you bring your horse? I just walked here from the palace so I will need a steed to get back to the palace as soon as possible.”

“Yes, of course Princess. I brought your loyal steed foreseeing your predicament,” Yuri smirked knowing I love to take leisurely walks alone and leaving my own guards, or to be more accurate, slipping away from them without them noticing. I squint my eyes at her and Yuri just laughed at me.

“You wipe off that smirk of yours young warrior or I will tell my sister you have been fooling around with those dryads.” This time it was my turn to smirk. I am laughing triumphantly inside my head knowing Yuri will be in the mercy of my sister’s wrath.

I saw Yuri with wide eyes but instantly had a straight face. “I don’t know what you are talking about SooJung,” she said nonchalantly and whistled for the horses waiting nearby. I saw my black horse trot over to me and whinnied as I rub its muzzle. We ride back to the palace as fast as the horses can and arrived with me laughing at the exhilarating feel of the wind in my face.

As I got off Gunther, my horse, I saw my sister with a scowl on her face. The temperature is slowly dropping as her feet tapped the ground looking at me. “SooYeon,” I bowed not daring to look at my sister.

“Where have you been?”I flinched at her angry tone, knowing she had found out I had run away from my guards again. I felt Yuri stand in front of me and bow to my sister.

“Princess, please calm down. SooJung was only taking a stroll in the forest and I had been following her since you sent me to look for her.” I raised my eyebrow even though I knew Yuri can’t see it. The temperature around the palace grounds slowly came back to normal as I feel my sister calming down. I hide my smirk as I know the effects Yuri has on my sister.

This time I walked up to her and hugged her by the waist, “I’m sorry SooYeon. I’ve been cooped up in my room and I was getting bored.” I looked up at her widening my eyes in an innocent way and making my lower lip quiver for effect. She sighed surrendering to me.

She groaned and said, “You know better than to keep leaving the palace grounds without guards, SooJung. Besides, we have guests arriving.”

“Nobody told me anything!” I unlatched myself from my sister, “I didn’t know were arriving today.”

“Well, now you know. Go to your room and be presentable enough befitting a princess.” I huff muttering fine and walked to my room with a few elves in waiting ready to clean and dress me.