The Runestone Guardians book 1: Secrets of Sølvefalske

Chapter 8 What we do for Friends

Miria watched the storm until the sun's rays appeared. Songbirds chirped outside her window, so cheerful and happy in their simple world. It made her want to throw her shoe at them.

To keep herself busy, she buried herself in a book.

In the year 1066 A.D., the Dark Ages swept across Europe, crumpling humans in disease, war, and famine. Pitying them, Skoll used Odin's Runestones to create a sanctuary. It became the Island of Sølvefalske.

To keep the new realm from Earth's despair, he created a portal passable only through death at sea. The first arrivals were Norsemen whose vessel sunk in a storm, and over the years, as the portal brought more humans to the world, a kingdom arose.

Two brothers, Sindri and Brokkr, fought to rule. Ruthless and twisted, Sindri slit his brother's throat while he slept. Outraged villagers banished him and his followers to wander the sea while Brokkr's family bore a monarchy. The outcasts discovered an island made by Hati called The Sutherlands, a barren and ugly land with rocky shores and volcanoes that polluted the air. Trapped in eternal punishment, their lust for power was not over.

They sought to steal Sølvefalske's magic to lay waste to the kingdom and restore their home, but Skoll hid the stones away.

"I figured you were awake," Queen Aina said, walking into the room.

Miria slammed her book shut. "Any news?"

"No sign of her in the village."

"That's odd because you'd think after kidnapping someone, the Crows would stay close."

Aina frowned, unamused by her daughter's tone. "Sassing me does no good."

"Neither will waiting around. I don't understand; father sent parties for less important people."

"Back then, we didn't have to worry about so many Crows running amok on the island. We've never been this vulnerable."

"So we leave Ylvana to die?"

Her mother's eyes warned her she had crossed a dangerous line. "You better calm yourself and approach this like a Queen," she said, voice sharp as a needle. "Horrible things happen in this world. People get kidnapped and killed, but whining about it helps no one, especially those depending on you. As a ruler, you make the best choice for everyone, not waste your time saving every lost soul." She grabbed Miria's chin. "Understand?"

Her daughter forced her head to nod, fighting back tears that would prove the Queen's point.

"Good. I want you downstairs in an hour."

When the door slammed, Miria's tears broke free, and the more her mother's words echoed in her mind, the harder she cried. One thing was certain: she could no longer turn to her mother for help. When her eyes dried, she left bed to find a distraction.