Chapter 25 Freija
Freija
“We,” I corrected. “ We are going.”
He shut the door behind him and leaned against it, arms crossed like a boulder blocking my path. “That’s not part of the plan.”
I dropped my bag and crossed my arms, matching his stance. “There’s a new plan.”
He cocked a single brow.
“Grab two of your soldiers, a bag, and let’s go. Ragnhild is waiting for us with a vessel to get us down the fjord tonight. She has made full travel arrangements that only she and one other know about.” Not even I knew all the details.
His eyes blinked rapidly as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Why should I follow this new plan of yours? Tell me why I shouldn’t tie you to that bed right now and stop you?”
I swallowed hard at the image that brought to mind, but rolled my shoulders back, stepped forward, and stared up at him. “Because you value the well-being of the Fjell Fae as much as I do.”
The only part of his body that moved was his jaw, clenching shut.
“And you were in that meeting with the Council,” I continued. “You heard their strong interest in knowing exactly where we are and what we’re doing.”
His brow furrowed but a light emerged in his gaze. “I did. I’m impressed and glad you noticed that too.”
My heart fluttered at the compliment. “Thank you. I don’t think we can trust anyone in this mountain. Not right now. So, the fewer people who know our movements, the safer I may be.”
A smirk bloomed. “Someone has been paying attention during training sessions or reading up on strategy.”
“I, admittedly, have a good teacher,” I replied with a gentle grin. “And may have borrowed a few books from the library’s second floor.”
He nodded and wiped a hand across his mouth, hiding what I could only assume was a smile based on the way his cheeks moved. “Very well, then. What is the plan, princess?”
“That has been orchestrated by Ragnhild and I don’t know all the details. Only to meet her down by the fjord after eleven o’clock.” I glanced over at the clock on my bookshelf. Half past eleven. We were already late.
His joy vanished and he dropped his arms to his sides. “You cannot be serious?”
“You don’t think she can make safe arrangements to match or exceed your own?”
He glared at me, and I stifled a chuckle while I grabbed my bag off the floor. “Get your soldiers, Halvar. We are leaving this mountain now.”
With my cloak tightened around my neck and the deep hood swallowing my head, I dodged past guards and guests, and hurried down the mountainside toward the meeting point Ragnhild had chosen.
My satchel of clothes, books, and ink bumped against my hip, and the skirts of my dress skimmed over the woodland detritus.
Two male soldiers—Vigi and Finn—joined Halvar and I, all three of them clad in dark, unassuming clothing and leathers adorned with daggers. I didn’t doubt there were more weapons hidden beneath their own cloaks as we scurried away from the mountain.
I’d have opted for the trail, but with all the comings and goings tonight, staying hidden within the forest was the safest option—and put the trees between us and anyone who might decide to follow.
A gentle whistle trilled from the woods up ahead, mixing with the sound of water lapping against rocks.
I didn’t dare whistle back in case someone was giving chase. Instead, I clenched my fists and picked up my pace, aiming in the direction of the noise with the three men right behind me.
My footsteps slowed as I reached the edge of the forest and ducked behind a tree.
Peering around it, I searched for the boat that was supposed to be waiting for me.
Heavy fog blanketed the fjord, darkness swallowing the hills on the other side.
But there, nestled among the rocks, only ten paces down the shore, was a small wooden vessel and two figures, one with a dark cloak around them, shielding their body, the other with a crown of blonde atop their head.
I scurried out from the tree line and across the rocky shore. Ragnhild turned in my direction and hoisted her hand above her head, waving us forward.
“Were you followed?” she asked as we reached them.
“I don’t think so.”
“Good.” She held out her hand, helping me over the rocks and onto the boat before turning to Halvar. “Hello there, beastie.”
He grunted. “Where are we going and how are we getting there?
“That’s between me and your guide here, Mads.” She pointed to the man on board who hadn’t moved. “We don’t need you storming—”
“I do not storm.”
“I beg to differ. I’ve seen how you tromp after Freija through my woods.” She crossed her arms and stood up to him as if she wasn’t half his height.
Vigi and Finn’s eyes flared as if they’d never heard someone talk to Halvar that way. If Ragnhild wasn’t careful, they never would again. Halvar’s grimace and tense shoulders were an omen I didn’t want brought down upon her head.
“Halvar, we can trust her,” I said, hoping to ease the growing tension on shore.
He continued to glare at her.
“You heard the princess.” Ragnhild popped her hip. “You can trust me.”
“Tell. Me. Where. We. Are. Going.”
I sighed. This was turning out to be a lot harder than I’d anticipated. “Ragnhild, please tell him before we lose more time.”
“Fine. A small village on the southern coast called Egersund. A friend of mine lives there, Vigdis Johansen. Little cottage near the bluff. As for how you get there, the less you know the better.”
She had to add that last sentence didn’t she.
Halvar’s eyes narrowed before he let out a huff, strode past her and hopped aboard. The boat shifted under his weight and continued swaying as the two soldiers climbed in too.
Ragnhild whispered, “Good boy.”
With a snort of laughter, I flicked my hood off, letting it settle over my shoulders, and surveyed the vessel.
It had the shape of an ancient Viking ship, made of wood with a sharp curving bow that twisted into a dragon’s head.
At the rear was a cabin, big enough to house a single bed but not much else, I’d wager.
A small mast pierced the ship’s middle and rudders and oars lay at its sides.
Turning to the man by the cabin, I said, “You must be Mads.”
His hood bobbed as if he were nodding.
He’d been mentioned by my friend countless times before, but I’d never met him in person. He was always away on errands for her or the Forest Fae royal family.
Ragnhild pointed at the fellow. “The only man I’d trust you with on this journey.”
“And do you know what the risks are?” I asked him.
Mads reached up and partially removed his hood, revealing lightly sun-kissed skin, dark brown eyes, and the quiet countenance of a mastermind. “I’m well-aware of the threats and who I will be traveling with.” His gaze flicked to Halvar.
“As long as you are aware of the danger.”
He nodded again, his onyx hair shifting across his forehead like thick blades of grass.
Howls sounded in the distance, and I furrowed my brows. Wolves?
Halvar, Vigi, and Finn all reached for blades.
“Ah, they’re restless,” Ragnhild said, peering toward the southern side of the mountain. She motioned to the newly brandished weapons. “You can put those away, gentlemen.”
“Forest Shifters are in the area?” I asked.
“For this month’s Forest Fae Council meeting. Which I’m late for. Well, the after-meeting meeting that is.” Ragnhild spun and clasped my hands. “I’ll see you when you get home. Don’t die on me. We have a future alliance to uphold.”
I squeezed her hands and smiled. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Keep your hands and feet in the boat,” she dropped her hold and added with a grin, “lest any creatures decide they want a bite of you.”
I shuddered. “You know I never take any chances with fish or the Fjord King.” Anyone who disrespected the man’s territory ended up in a watery grave at the deepest depths of the fjord.
And while I doubted Balder or any Fjord Fae were out to target me, the threats and their unidentified sender loomed over me like a boulder.
There was no point taking unnecessary risks, even if I was making a wild choice.
Ragnhild stepped back from the boat. “Stay safe and have fun. I will see you all when you get back.”
I rested my hand on my heart. “Thank you again.”
She gave me a mock salute. “Anything for you, my friend.”
Mads pushed the boat from shore, and we set sail for the south.
As the sun crept over the horizon, Mads docked the boat in a tiny fishing village nestled within a rugged cove at the mouth of the fjord.
Waves crashed against tall cliffs, but within the sheltered harbor, the waters were calm enough for our tiny vessel to slip into town and settle against the bustling dock.
Boats of all shapes and sizes bobbed within the harbor.
The smell of brine and fish clouded the air as fishermen hauled their morning catch ashore.
The stomping of boots against the wooden docks added a percussion to the entire idyllic scene.
It was like something out of a book: a place where the cliffs met the sea in a maelstrom of craggy grays and dark blues.
Mads traipsed to the front of our boat and started fastening thick ropes over the dock’s piling.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“This is Grim.” He yanked on the line, droplets of water flicking off it. “Both kinds live here.”
“Us and humans.”
He coiled the excess rope in the boat and nodded, while the others tucked away the oars and located our bags.
That was good to know. I’d have to mirage my ears.
And now was as good a time as any to mirage my hair too.
A trickier task than the former, but necessary thanks to my distinct copper hair color.
It wasn’t wholly unusual as many others had such a coloring.
However, paired with my unique gray-and-brown marbled eyes, I was a target.
Of that I was certain. And, unfortunately, I couldn’t mirage my eyes. As far as I knew, no fae could.