Between Two Worlds

Chapter 2

"My Lady," called Aemond, speeding up his pace upon seeing the two he'd been tasked with retrieving strolling almost mindlessly through the afternoon market. Once again, they were together, no doubt speaking of their shared curse, as was the norm when expectation wasn't unfairly placed upon them. "Lord," he added in greeting, "Queen Thyra asked I bring you both to the castle."

Viserra and Qimir could only share a glance of confusion. The last time they'd been taken to the castle was the year prior. Just hours before, King Matthias had told Guiseppe he was sending Viserra with Prince Lucian on a royal visit to the nearby kingdom. Guiseppe, to no one's surprise, hadn't taken it well.

"What is it the king is to tell my father?" asked Qimir, running a scarred hand through his short coal-colored hair. His dark eyes were alight with concern and sprinkled with curiosity. Was Lucian finally to ask his sweet cousin for her hand in marriage? Was the king finally to put his foot down and swing the axe of justice, an act many see as overdue?

"It is not the king, my lord," replied Aemond, his voice gentle as he held a hand out to escort Viserra back to the castle. "An envoy of five has arrived, sent by King Athelstan. They appear to be looking for you, Lady Viserra," he explained, uncertainty overshadowing him now. Even more so as Viserra became uncomfortable. Over the years since her parents' deaths, she had slowly declined from the attention others were all too happy to bestow on her. Instead, she'd come to fear it.

"I fail to see what value I would be the king of Northumbria," commented Viserra, her voice quiet, as she began nervously playing with her midnight braided hair. Anyone could see the fear sparkling in her sapphire eyes. For so long, she's wished for an escape, to be free of her uncle. However, she had not expected it to come in the former of travelers searching for her. Instead, it had only scared her further. A king no less, surely the punishment her uncle would cast upon her would be far worse than anything she'd thrust far endured. "I have no abilities as a Seer nor Sorceress. What use would a Dane king have of me?"

"They spoke of a prophecy," replied Aemond, once again observing the cousins share a confused glance. Neither knew any prophecy nor understood how said prophetic words were important to their predicament.

"A prophecy?" worded Qimir, recalling the religious ones to pop up; some were well known, stretching from one side of the country to another. Others were thought to be unintelligible drunken rambles, often forgotten with time.

"They did not elaborate more than that," admitted the knight of the kingdom, recalling Alyn escorting the five travelers to the Snow Residence. The warning is sent along, as the King had allowed his act to drop in favor of his more family-man side. "The king, however, trusts them, even if the Queen is concerned. They hope this will be what they have spent countless hours praying for," added Aemond as the trio arrived at the castle.

Almost immediately, Prince Lucian joined them, a broad grin upon his lips as he left his instructor. The trusted knight teaching him sword skills appeared more lenient than usual, as if he knew what others did not. Not long after, a lady in waiting led Viserra away; there was little doubt she'd be taken to the queen. It was no secret that Queen Thyra had a soft spot for her and treated her like a daughter.

"Our visitors should be arriving soon," worded Prince Lucian, his gaze lingering in the direction Viserra had gone, a small smile of affection painted upon his lips. Qimir chuckled, his grin growing, almost as if the young lord could read the prince's mind. "Both the travelers and your father," he continued, his voice growing harsh. His thoughts turned to the Lord, whom many saw as undeserving of his title.

"Who are these travelers?" asked Qimir; once again, his curiosity grew. Umbara was no stranger to travelers and magic folk looking for a new place to call home. But still, something seemed different this time. It was as if all could sense something wasn't quite what it seemed. Northumbria was a godly kingdom, yet no priest had traveled with the five; on top of that, none seemed familiar with the way of life despite appearing so normal.