Ice Always Melts

Chapter VIII

The palace was something out of a dream.

Luna gazed in wonder at the beauty and elegance of King Lackus' home. Draperies of gold and purple hung down from the ceiling, the floor covered in red carpet walkways. Stained glass let in multicolored natural light, and the walls were taken up by portraits of former kings and maps of the kingdom they once ruled.

The serving staff of the palace treated Luna like she was above all of them, which was a feeling the twelve year old wasn't used to. Frost was sniffing everything, and we do mean everything. From inanimate objects to people, the wolf pup was racing around in a silent chaos as if this was territory that needed to be explored. Some maids screeched at the sight of a wolf in the palace, but the other workers thought it was adorable.

General Ragnar, on the other hand, strode proudly into the palace unfazed, like a battle won thousands of times. The general's presence made all workers dip their heads, and some walked up slowly to the warrior, asking what they could do to serve the hero. Ragnar shooed off the people, as if they were nothing but lower class, demanding an adviser to tell him where King Lackus was.

"He is busy with General Autret," The advisor replied, almost in a cowardly fashion. Luna didn't understand why he would be afraid to mention the other general. Then she saw it, the anger in the older man's eyes as his jaw clenched. Ragnar must have not liked this other General... "Does this child need to be attended to?" The advisor looked down on Luna.

Her protector shook his head, and said that she was to stay with him. The advisor didn't object when Ragnar continued the walk down the vast hallways, the twelve year old hot on his tail.

The castle was like a maze, with dozens of hallways winding in all directions. It was a labyrinth that General Ragnar seemed to navigate with confidence. They walked up staircases, and down long walkways, lined with paintings and artifacts on display. Guards stood still at their posts, hands placed readily on their swords. They all saluted the General as he walked past, Luna smiling gently at them, but getting few smiles in return. Luna lost track quickly of where they were, but that only edged her curiosity. It would have taken months to fully see every inch of the castle, and to Luna, that was almost a challenge.

They ended at a pair of double doors, wooden and carved with designs. They were arched and tall, matching most of the doors they had passed. "Now Luna." Ragnar paused, hand on the silver door knob. "I will explain the situation to his highness, but when he speaks with you, I need you to answer truthfully. Even if you lied to me and Armuis, which I know isn't the case, this is when you must come clean. The information you bear could be the cause of a war." Ragnar stated, and the girl's eyes widened.

The wise man chuckled, not wanting to have scared the girl. "Also," he continued, not wanting to go in there and explain this mess with Autret in the room as well. "I do not know if you have plans after this meeting, but my men and I will leave soon surely. I am sure the King will find a place for you, but this may be goodbye."

Luna nodded, a sorrowful expression on the girl's face. Frost whimpered, looking up at the nice man. General however, simply waved his hand. "Do not fret. We shall meet again, if this is goodbye. But please know this, Luna Rose Frost." He used her name, bringing delight to the little girl's face. "I was glad you traveled with us for even the short time you did. You made my army happy in the darkness of this skirmish. You are as stronger as any soldier I have met, fought or trained." He grinned, and Luna was on the brink of tears. This man protected her for such few days, but even before that, he accepted her with open arms. She could never repay General Ragnar.

So she reached out and hugged the General of the third unit of the Anaglasia Army.

And the double doors opened.