Fredrika and Cyf walked out from the chaotic palace. Cyf had told that summoning an ancient goddess they needed to find a sacred place of the nature. By saying this he meant that they had to find a place which would appeal them with its extraordinary beauty which would certainly suggest that the place would be dominated the spirits of nature.
And what would be a better place to search for that kind of place than the woods behind the town?
It was a bright late summer's day when Cyf and Fredrika entered to the woods. The birds were singing and the golden rays of the sun danced on leafy branches of ancient oaks.
It felt almost disgraceful that the nature bathed in golden warmth of the summer while Richard was suffering. On the other hand it wouldn't help he one bit although the Mother Nature herself would have been weeping her eyes out for Richard.
Fredrika and Cyf walked deep into the woods until they found a small clear watered fountain.
- I believe this is the right spot, Cyf pointed out after he had sniffed the air of around him.
- I don't smell anything but the water and the forest, Fredrika confessed.
- But I do I can smell the soft scent of fairy's wings.
- How do they smell like?
- It's little bit like the summer's rain and sweetest fructose if you want me to give you some example.
Then Cyf climbed to an old oak which was growing near by. He took some of the acorns and advised Fredrika to find something to be given as an offering to the goddess.
Fredrika picked some white wild flowers and then she gave them to Cyf.
Cyf took the flowers and stepped closer to the fountain.
- Oh, wise Peran goddess of the healers, please hear this humble creature's prayer and accept our offering, Cyf prayed and dropped the offering into the fountain.
Flowers and acorns vanished quickly under the water and then something strange happened.
Fredrika saw how the air, water and light seemed to be packing tightly together and soon it started to resemble a human. She held her breath when a figure of a woman appeared to them.
She was a tall and blond beauty who was holding a bunch of herbs in her right hand.
Her tall body was covered by a fine silken dress which glowed almost as brightly as the sun.
Fredrika had to turn her gaze away from this divine apparition since she felt somehow unworthy even to look at this magnificent goddess.
- Who summoned me, the goddess asked with silvery voice.
- I did, said Cyf and tried to sound like secure although his voice was trembling little.
- What do you want from me, little forest's child?
- Our good friend is very seriously sick and the Doctors cannot cure him, so please oh, mighty lady help him.
Goddess Peran smiled at Cyf.
- Since you asked so nicely I will help you.
- Thank you so much my divine lady, Cyf thanked and fell onto his knees.
Then the goddess started to transform her body, she became little smaller and her glowing dress changed to simple healer's outfit. Although now she looked like any other person there still was something divine in her which would certainly make the onlookers to shiver.
Now Fredrika dared to look at her but still she felt little bit uneasy.
- And who might you be you are not from here, Peran asked and approached Fredrika.
- Please my great lady, forgive my manners, I am Fredrika and I also came to ask your help as a healer. Like Cyf said our mutual friend is struggling for his life and the whole kingdom would be very grateful to you, Fredrika replied and curtseyed.
Goddess gave her a gentle smile.
- You are from the world of the living which inhabitants lost their beliefs to the nature's spirits long ago. I'm quite surprised that there still are some humans who haven't lost their connection to the inner core of the mysteries of the life itself.
- Thank you my great lady, I'll do my best. But could you now please come to see our King, we are wasting time, she urged her.
Few minutes later goddess Peran entered to the King's chamber. Fredrika and Cyf walked tightly behind of her so they wouldn't be left out again. The Doctors gave her room while she examined Richard.
While she was examining him his tired eyes saw Fredrika and Cyf standing right on his bedside.
Richard opened his mouth and whispered with thin voice:
- I do not wish you to see me like this, please go away.
Even speaking was too hard for him and he really had to push himself to the limit to make his voice to be audible enough.
Burning tears were running down on both Fredrika's and Cyf's cheeks.
Their King, mentor and father was dying and seeing him fighting for his life was unbearable to watch.
- Now if you all please could I have some privacy, Peran asked and soon the chamber was empty.
Time passed slowly when Fredrika and Cyf waited for new outside.
The whole palace seemed to hold its breath while the goddess was working.
Even the persistently barking dogs were strangely silent and if someone would have started to snore Fredrika would have thought to be in the castle of sleeping beauty.
Then finally after long hours of waiting, the door opened and Peran asked Fredrika and Cyf to come inside. They both ran to see Richard who was still in his bed.
He seemed to be in deep sleep but he was still very sick.
- I must confess that the roots of this illness are much deeper than I thought, Peran confessed.
- What do you mean, Cyf asked and Fredrika heard a slight hint of anger in his voice.
Frustration and worrying had made Cyf to forget who he was talking to.
The mighty goddess could surely change her mind if she would feel herself to be disrespected.
However Peran was kindhearted goddess and she understood the feeling of hopelessness which lay heavily on the castle.
With calm voice she explained that she had managed to slow down the progression of the sickness but it would not be healed. Richard needed something much stronger.
- There is a way to save him, she continued.
- Yes, Fredrika and Cyf asked together.
- There is a magical stone which can kill the sickness if it goes through the very core of it.
- Where this stone is, asked Fredrika before Cyf hurried to open his mouth.
- My sister Tediza the goddess of sun and fire owns it. You should ask her.
- Great, how do we attract her attention, asked Cyf.
- Every evening when she rides across the sky to her golden house there is a mountain which cuts her route. If you go to that mountain and shout for her name for three times she might hear you. However you must be careful, although she is always happy and kind she can burn you, Peran warned them.
Fredrika and Cyf looked at each other. The quest for the healing stone seemed to be quite dangerous but they needed to save Richard.
- Very well then let's do it, Fredrika said firmly.