The Ice Eyed Mage

Chapter 3

"Tell me, do you know how the war began?" She started. The two now sat on the plush leather couches that ringed the television. She sat with her head held high and her back straight.

"I know the basics, more truth than what the average person knows. The story most of our country knows is that when our king went to make peace with yours he was attacked and killed. However I know this to be a lie, the government lied because they were covering their own asses. We started this godforsaken war, you lot are simply defending yourselves." He set cups of tea in front of them and the pot in the middle of his wooden coffee table.

"That is correct, I'm afraid. Your previous king, Mikael, died on the battlefield during a war long ago, however, our two kingdoms were allies then and he died protecting my father. For his sacrifice he is held in high regard as a friend of the kingdom, however, this war began due to the actions of your current king, Nikolai.

"Since our kingdoms were allies, my father, King Onnedi, sent the newly coronated Nikolai several gifts as a sign of friendship. One of these gifts was my older sister, First Princess Herahe. Your Nikolai was to take my sister as his wife to merge our kingdoms by blood. At first, all went well, Nikolai accepted the gifts and treated my sister with the dignity that a princess should be treated with. However, it was on their wedding night that all went wrong.

"That night Nikolai hosted a grand ball as a wedding party. Many of my father's men were there as guards to protect my sister. That night during the party Nikolai and his men killed our men and my elder sister. She died by your king's own hand. As you can imagine this started the war.

"I do not understand why, but your King Nikolai takes great pleasure in killing our kind. I do not know how we may have wronged him. His father is still held in high regard but Nikolai is considered insane by our people, a monster that must be destroyed." She took a deep breath and took a dainty sip of the tea and smiled at the flavor.

Crowley had heard rumors of this happening but nothing was ever confirmed. It wouldn't surprise him, however. He drank his entire cup in one shot and refilled it before speaking.

"I know Nikolai enough to know that he is a blood-thirsty bastard. You see many don't know this, but he secretly had all of his younger siblings murdered one by one so he would inherit the throne. He is cruel and evil, even by our standards, however many overlook this due to the war with your people.

"Nikolai and his advisors have laid out so much anti-Fury propaganda that many of my kind see yours as murderous beasts, monsters who eat human flesh and kill us in cold blood. Seeing you, however, proves that they are wrong. Here you are, sitting at my table and drinking a simple cup of tea with as much grace as any court lady. Speaking of which, you haven't told me why you are here, to begin with." He sipped his tea and raised a black eyebrow in question.

Nysia blushed heavily making her red cheeks glow with an amber-colored light. "I wanted to end this war the moment it started but I never knew how until recently. Our royal seer, Lady Reshiru, summoned me into her quarters a few weeks past to speak to me in secret.

"She told me that there was a way to end the war, but only I would be able to stop it. It would be a long and dangerous journey for me but she gave me strict instructions on what to do. She told me 'If you die then the war will continue until one country is completely gone, however, if you succeed then peace will reign supreme." She took a sip of tea and refilled her cup.

"I am to find who she called the 'ice-eye' and I was to help him do what he was born to do. That he would know what he needs to do, but will not wish to do it. She told me that I would find him here in this town and that I should stay with him until his task is complete. Do you know anyone like this?" She looked up at him, a flame of hope dancing in her golden eyes.

He looked at her without emotion before standing and walking to the kitchen sink. "No, I don't know such a person. You have failed I'm afraid." He whispered his back to her. She stood and padded over to him on silent feet, so quiet was she that he jumped when she touched his shoulder. He hesitantly allowed her to turn him, his eyes cast away from her. Without a word, she moved his black hair away from his dreaded left eye.

"I found you." She whispered, rubbing her thumb over his icy blue eye before placing a gentle kiss on his eyelid.

"I do not wish to do it, Nysia. I know what I need to do, as you said, but I refuse. I can't face him, I've run from him for so long, I just can't." He whispered, his body and voice shaking like a leaf on the wind.

"I did not wish to come to a land filled with people who wish me dead, but I had to, Crowley. So must you. I will be with you, but you must do it. I will help you succeed in whatever it is that must be done." She smiled sweetly.

"Do you even know what it is I must do, sweet princess?" He said with a cruel sad smile. He leaned down to whisper in her delicately pointed ear. "I must kill my brother."