And so, life continued on. Years passed, the 7th Century drew to close, the 8th Century begun, and my life began to settle down as my children grew. I had come a long way from arguing with a Roman over stones and wood: I had a kingdom to manage, with chiefdoms, castles and counties to govern; I had an army to oversee in the name of the High Queen; but most importantly, I had a family to take care of.
It's funny how life works, the very fears my father had, fears I couldn't understand before, were vivid and clear to me now. I wanted the best for my children, I wanted them to have good futures and many children with the best possible husbands and wives. My father was far stricter than me in many matters, but now, I could at least understand why.
Night descended upon the Freezer as I lead my son and daughter to their bedchambers. They were still young, no more than four dragonyears of age, but it had been plenty of time for me to identify what the character of my children were.
Nauma was a very sweet, gentle girl, but she'd never gained much more muscle from when she hatched, she was very quick of both mind and body, but that body was also weak and delicate, much unlike myself when I was her age, in fact, her feminine habits and meek tameness put her more in stead with my late sister.
Hosvir on the other hand definitely had my flare, he was brave and adventurous, developing a healthy weight and strong muscles, for he trained often, often with me watching from the side-lines, or helping him in person. Nauma had my brains, and Hosvir (while definitely not stupid) had my brawn, I saw a lot of my late brother in him.
However, more important than that was how they treated one another: Nauma was slightly older than her brother, but Hosvir was very protective of the young dragoness. It was as if he knew she was different, weaker; her secret blood had not served her well, for I saw far more of frail, timid Helga in her than the strong conqueror Jotun. He spent his every waking hour with her, playing, training, enjoying one another's company; she'd been taught to read early, picking it up fast. It wasn't long before she was reading to Hosvir after he was tired from training, Nauma didn't train her body, but she certainly trained her mind; I was even tempted to hire a magician for my court, so I could teach her magic.
"Story, mamma!" Hosvir petered, hanging off my neck. "Tell us a story!"
"Yes, please, oh please!" Nauma joined in, trotting alongside me as I slumped into a warm corner of their room, next to a fireplace.
"Very well, it's good one of your remembered your manners. Hosvir, darling, please get off your mother's neck, you're growing quickly, and you're very big already."
He obeyed, dropping down and landing with a gentle glide, before bounding over and plopping himself down next to his sister and I, the fire crackling quietly alongside the occasional puff of wind outside, tossing about a light snowfall as it went.
"Tell me, my young children, what do you know of the gods?"
Nauma, as usual, was first to jump at the question.
"I know I know!" She squeaked happily. "There's Ro'Silios and Ro'Denthanus, and they created all the other gods! I know all of them momma! I could recite all of them without reading it in my books! My special book about the gods!"
I chuckled. "I know you, sweet child, I know you could... So then, little Nauma, tell me, who is the goddess of nature, love and fertility? If you can guess that, I shall tell you a story."
"Oh, that would be Ro'Gemuth!" Nauma chirped, to which I nodded.
"Very good. And it's Ro'Gemuth that our story is about..."
Long ago, when the gods themselves walked the world of dragons and men, Ro'Gemuth, the goddess of nature, love and fertility, came to our realm. The goddess Ro'Gemuth came to our kingdom, seeking a champion to represent her on Earth, to whom she would bestow her blessings.
News spread quickly of her arrival, it wasn't every day a goddess walked among them, especially one as fair and as beautiful as she! Four contenders had gathered in a village, awaiting judgement by Ro'Gemuth: A strong dragon named Gudmund the Tall; a clever dragon spell caster and scholar, named Kol the Blue; a rich dragon noble named Chief Guthorm Av Bissthalan; and finally, a quick and sly dragon named Tind the Thief.
Tind was the first to step forward. He approached with a smile.
"Good goddess." He spoke. "I should be your champion, for I am quick and sly. Whatever you wanted I could take for you. I am a master thief, and there is nothing I cannot steal."
But Ro'Gemuth didn't patronise thieves, and his presence repulsed her. No matter how good a thief he might be, he could never steal her heart, and so she passed him by.
Next came Chief Guthorm, he bowed before the goddess.
"The thief is naught but criminal scum." He announced. "I should be your champion, not he! I am a nobleman and someday, with your blessing, I might be king. On the day that I might wear a golden crown, I shall build glorious temples in your name across the known world!"
But once again, Ro'Gemuth was unsatisfied.
"You seek to buy my favour?" She asked. "You do not seem to realise, love and blessings cannot be bought, only earned." With that, he too was passed by.
Third was Kol the Blue, his face was old, and had never known joy.
"Divine goddess." He spoke, his tone flat, almost as though he was bored. "These people are fools, fools with not a brain in their heads between them. It is for that reason that I should be your champion. As your champion, I could unravel the secrets of the universe and come to eventually know everything there is to know."
Ro'Gemuth was interested in Kol, but she could see into his heart, it was black and cold; his intentions weren't malicious, but a lifetime of bitterness had left him coldly disinterested in love or the happiness of others: His story must have been a sad one but he was still unworthy to be a champion. Ro'Gemuth passed him by.
Lastly, there was Gudmund...
"BEHOLD!" He shouted proudly, his voice booming. "I AM GUDMUND THE TALL! THE STRONGEST DRAGON TO EVER LIVE!" He lacked the humility of the previous contestants, proudly strutting up and down the square, flicking his long, white tail with each step. "THESE OTHER DRAGONS ARE WEAK! I SHOULD BE YOUR CHAMPION, FOR I AM STRONG! I..." He seemed more distracted than the other contestants. "OH, FOR GOODNESS SAKE, SOMEONE SHUT THAT CRYING UP!"
The goddess, who cared for all her subjects, looked to the sound of the crying, turning away from the brutish dragon who spoke only in shouting. The crying was from a little dragoness, who hid under the leg of her father, who sat hunched around her: The two of them were skinny, dirty and tired looking. She watched the father whisper softly into the child's ear, and she calmed. He handed her a torn half of bread, which she hungrily wolfed down.
"She's pretty." Ro'Gemuth spoke, causing the dragon to look up in surprise.
"I, erm, I suppose she is, my lady goddess." He bowed his head. "We are homeless, and penniless. It brings me great shame when I have to steal food to survive. But I'd do it every day so my daughter can eat."
Ro'Gemuth smiled. "What is your name?"
"Egil, your grace." He answered: "And this is my daughter Aesa."
"Very well, Egil, I think I've found who I'm looking for." She spoke, her mind decisive. Hearing this, Gudmund shoved his way to the goddess, his face triumphant.
"HA HA!" he bellowed. "I KNEW IT WOULD BE ME!"
"Oh, be gone you fool!" Ro'Gemuth hissed. "You are not my champion. Egil is."
Gudmund growled, his face was practically purple in rage. "THIS HOMELESS WASTREL!? HE'S WEAK, HE'S NOTHING! I COULD CRUSH THIS PATHETIC FOOL IN MY SLEEP!"
The goddess scowled, conjuring her power over nature, great vines grabbed the brute by the legs and dragged him away, tossing him aside.
"Me?" Egil stammered. "You think me worthy to be your champion?" She nodded. "But, why? I'm not strong, nor clever, nor quick nor rich."
"I know." Ro'Gemuth smiled. "Idiots like Gudmund have a lot of strength, but use it only to their own ends. He would've genuinely hurt you if he thought it would name him my champion. He is a bully, and not worthy of my blessing."
And so, Egil became the champion of the goddess Ro'Gemuth. She showered him with her blessings, and neither he nor his daughter ever went hungry again.
"And that's our story." I concluded, though I wasn't quite finished yet. "Could either of you tell me why Egil was chosen by Ro'Gemuth?"
"I know, I know!" Hosvir cried. "It's because he gave his daughter that bread."
"No it wasn't!" Nauma jabbed: "It's because he was the only one who wasn't being selfish."
"Well, actually, you're both right, in your own way." I explained: "The reason the goddess chose Egil over the others wasn't because of what he had, be it power, intellect, wealth or cunning. It was what he used them for. What strength he had in the world, he used for the well-being of someone who had even less than he story was about Ro'Gemuth, that much is true, but really, it doesn't matter, the rule would still apply, the strong should always protect the weak." I stood up, heading to the door, blowing out the candle as I went. "I'll leave you two to dwell on that in your dreams. Good night."
"Good night mamma." They cooed.
Perhaps I was very heavy handed with the moral of my story, but I wanted to make sure that my children learnt it, and stood by it. No more so than with Nauma. Both Finn and I hadn't forgotten that Jotun's blood flowed through Nauma's veins; we didn't know how much she'd turn out like the brutal warlord, if she'd one day turn into a monster, or if she'd remain the golden-hearted soul she was. Whatever her fate would be, it would be brighter if she was shaped to be a better dragoness in her youth.
However, as much as I may have wanted to focus my life upon my children, I could not, I was still the Queen in the North, and I was also still Isete's Marshal, whom the High Queen had grown to trust me on many matters.
The castle of Korwin was unlike anything Danthe had seen before. It was built along Lake Burben, rich with fish and edible seaweed, helping to feed the people of what was quickly becoming a city larger than anything I'd seen before. I'd been a ruler for far too long to believe that a city this large could be sustained on fish and algae alone: Korwin was a city driven by trade and the migration of the humans and other sentient creatures, creating a great melting pot where there was great activity and energy in every corner.
"Danthe, my friend! Please, come in." Isete greeted, a tired but cheerful tone to her voice as she invited me into her study; she took a clear glass bottle from a cabinet near a large, glass window and poured two glasses full of the rich red fluid. "Would you care to share in some wine? It's shipped in from the Italian Peninsula. Can't really call it anything else anymore. Rome fell, then there was the nightmare with Malefor's damned kingdom, then perhaps the Byzantines, then... Ashes." She sighed: "I've heard some news though, which has given me cause for happiness. News from the dragons in the South." She handed me a glass, instructing me to sit opposite her desk; I looked at Iste, waiting for to continue speaking; her face bore some new wrinkles, scars from stressful days and sleepless nights. "...I didn't believe it when I first heard the news, it seemed too good to be true, and to some extent it is... Avalar has returned. One of the descendants of the old King Lucianus of Avalar has emerged, and has reformed the fractured realm under the vassalage of King Rudolph II, a human! The king of Burgundy no less!" She took a deep sip of her drink, wetting her mouth to continue speaking; my blood heart skipped a beat at this development on behalf of our fellow dragons. "Yes, this is certainly good news. However, we cannot rest now, we have work to do! With this resurgence in draconic presence in Europe, I worry that some humans may seek to put down what they see as a threat."
"What do you propose we do?" I asked, getting comfortable within the padded chair.
"The only thing we can. We prepare ourselves, build up our strength, and make our kingdom strong enough to scare away any Norsemen who might consider attacking in search of gold, fame and crowns." She sighed: "We will be invading the human tribes who surround our kingdom. The Bothnians and Sami, all of them will be subjugated and assimilated into Sekeolath. The humans have already united to create Norway, and have taken Halogaland already. How long do you suppose it will take before that big, unified kingdom, with a fat human king, looks greedily up at us and sees land fit for plunder? The humans will fall in line quickly, as they always do in opposition of dragons. But there'll be no plunder for them!" She poured herself another drink, but this time setting the glass on the desk, she'd finish it later. "We shall make the first move, and secure our kingdom for a thousand of their oh-so-short years! I need only one thing. Queen Danthe the Avenger, do you have my back in this campaign? I'm going to need you now, more than ever before. Avalaris fire, its burns hot, and it burns bright, but if they're not careful, they'll burn out and be naught but embers in a dying fire pit. But Sekeolath is a glacier, it is vast, it is cold, and it is unconquerable..."
I couldn't exactly refuse my liege in her request, but I didn't want to be apart from my family again. It was certainly too dangerous for our children to be at a war camp, but I remembered how hurt Finn was when I denied him the right to accompany me. Perhaps, so long as he did not fighting and kept to the camp, he'd be safe with us; this wasn't Jotun and his horde, but, with the slight exception of Halogaland, a disorganised band of tribes and wandering barbarians with no dragons loyal to what little army they could muster: They'd never be able to mount a meaningful resistance against an army of Sekeolasian dragons and men.
I was not the only one to have changed a lot since my youth: My marshal, Gauti, and his brother Grimm had matured greatly; no longer did they fight with one another as they once had, and were now lords of my realm. The marshal would accompany me on the war, but I needed someone to look after my children while I was gone, and someone else to stand in my stead as regent, that person would be Grimm.
Originally, I had gone to my liege, asking for her to rule in my place; she refused, as it was too much work for her to handle, but she did present me with a strange request...
"I'd like to stand as guardian of your son and daughter while you are away." Isete explained.
"You would?"
She nodded: "Of course. I've heard many good things about them. Brave, strong, kind Hosvir. And sweet, clever little Nauma. Your son shall train with my master-at-arms, and your daughter may study the tomes and the magic of Court Magician. They shall be well fed, and sleep in warm beds every night. They shall want for nothing, and it'll help settle their nerves at your absence." At that moment, she was joined by a rather handsome looking blue dragon; he sat next to Isete, affectionately nuzzling her cheek. This was King Sterk the Wise, and it was he who was Isete's Court Magician; like me, it appeared that Isete also had an attraction to gentle, intelligent folk.
"The king teach my daughter magic?" I questioned.
"But of course." He spoke with a smile, offering me a handshake with paws which seemingly had never seen more violence than a papercut. "I'm not a fighting dragon, good queen, my magical talents lie in enchantments, charms and restorative magic. But I am a scholar! If you wish for your daughter to learn other magics, I'm sure there are books in the palace archives I can dust off for you. It is my pleasure to teach Princess Nauma what I know, as I do not yet have children of my own."
Isete smiled, giving her husband a quick kiss on the cheek. "With your gentle soul, and my time nearly upon us, I'll make a father of you yet, my husband." She whispered in his ear.
It was settled: I trusted Isete, and her offer was simply too good to refuse, and it offered my children considerable safety and an opportunity to learn far more than I might be able to teach them. I did regret having to leave them though.
"I want to come with you Momma!" Nauma cried, as did Hosvir. "Why do we have to stay?"
"Because it's much too dangerous, and you'll have a great time here in Castle Abelburben. It's much warmer here than back in the Freezer. There's a big lake for you to swim and play in, and you'll learn a lot of new things from my friend Isete's husband and her master-at-arms!"
"But..." Nauma peeped.
"No buts, Nauma." I sighed, nuzzling my daughter. "I love you, my sweet children. Take care, your father and I will be home soon, and we'll write back as often as we can."
I turned to my regent, leaving Finn, who hugged them tightly with his wings one last time before handing them over to the High Queen. Gauti and Grimm were at a table, sharing a quiet drink, a final moment together before they parted.
"I'm sorry to interrupt." I coughed, a frown on my face. "We're going to need to leave soon."
Gauti nodded. "Very well, my queen." He turned to his brother. "I suppose this is goodbye."
"Indeed." He smiled meekly. "Yes. Go, bash some humans with the blunt side of a tree for being foolish enough to challenge you, brother."
Gauti laughed: "Ha! I fear this may be my last tree-uprooting. I'm not a young dragon anymore. Still, I'll make sure they remember the elder brother of House Skaleretilbake." He hugged his brother with his wings and forelegs. Once they parted, he was ready to join us.
Isete was correct: The war with the human tribes was nothing compared to the war against the late Jotun and his horde, naught but a disorganised band of men with crude metal weapons and armour. Some had boats which they used on raids, but boats weren't going to be of much help in a war where the enemy is in the sky, not the water...
The wars were going very well, though Finn was not strong enough to fight, and couldn't lead the armies personally. As such, I was confined to my war camp, deciding to stay with him. The plus side was that Finn was no fool, and had also confined himself to the camp, giving each other plenty of company. My duties were heavily focused on strategic planning and writing to and from the High Queen on our progress; however, there were other letters I had coming, and those were the ones that happened to be most important to me.
Dear mother,
Hosvir and I have been having a good time here with Queen Isete and King Sterk, it's been really fun, but I miss you and father. Hosvir has been training with the master-at-arms. His name is Bron and he's really big and really scarred and ugly, but he's been doing a good job making Hosvir a better fighter.
King Sterk has been really nice to me while you were gone. I got upset and homesick, but he and Isete were really nice to me and helped me to feel better. The king has been teaching me all kinds of history! He taught me about how you went to war with my Aunt Helga the Kinslayer, destroyed Jotun the Perisher and saved our kingdom and our family, I can't lie, Jotun sounded really mean and scary!
Sterk's also been teaching
me magic! Magic is so much fun, and really useful! He closed all the shutters and blew out all the candles, making the room where he trained me really dark, and then conjured a little glowy ball. It floated in the air and followed him around, producing a lot of really bright light! He told me it was called a Candlelight Charm, and he then showed me how to cast it myself, but mine wasn't as bright as his. He also gave me loads of books to read, though some were written in funny languages I didn't understand, he told me what they said, and he's helping me learn how to read them.
I miss you. I hope you're okay, wherever you are, and that you'll be home soon. Hosvir always says he isn't, but I know he's missing you too. My bed here isn't the same as back home, Isete tucks me in and reads me a story, but it's not the same, she doesn't do it the way
you do it. I miss father too, he's big, soft, and warm, but Sterk is really skinny, and I don't think we can really hug him like we can father. I know you're fighting a war for our realm's future, and I know that's it's really dangerous. Be careful mother, please. Me and Hosvir can't wait for you to be home again.
Your loving daughter,
Nauma.
PS: The king and queen helped me make you a present! It's a bead necklace with a magic crystal in it! Sterk helped me make it, and showed me how to put a protective ward on it. Wear it and you'll be really lucky! Or so Sterk says, it's my first time enchanting anything, the spell might be a bit weak. I hope you wear it anyway and think of me.
A tear formed in my eye as the letter consumed all else, and I held the thing close to my chest, almost hugging it. The letter's handwriting was awful, a scribbled mess written by a feather quill which probably wasnt being held properly by the writer, and it was plagued with spelling mistakes, but it was my daughter, her heart and mind poured onto paper.
I looked inside the envelope of the letter I'd been sent, and sure enough, inside was my present: A small necklace, a Relgimist rosary made up of a number of painted beads, each neatly engraved with the sigil of each of the Relgimist gods, strung along a woollen string; alongside the beads was a single, faintly glowing green crystal, no larger than an almond. I held Nauma's craftwork in my paw, a smile on my face as I placed it around my neck, where it joined Ro'Gul's charm.
One thing however pained me, and turned my mouth dry: King Sterk was teaching Nauma about Helga and Jotun. Nobody else knew the truth, but the less she knew of him the better. If I could go my whole life without her learning the truth, she'd live with a heart without the weight of such ancestors, but she had to know the truth, but not like this.
I cleared my desk, and begun to write a response:
To my darling daughter and my brave boy,
Thank you so much for your letter. The days I am parted from you pain me too, and me and your father miss you dearly, and cannot wait to have you back in our wings again. However, while the war is going remarkably well, it is not over yet, I may not be able to abandon my duties, but I feel confident in saying I shall be home soon. The war shall be won, Sekeolath shall be strong, and we can be together again.
My darling Nauma, thank you for your kind gift, such fine craftsmanship, you have a real talent! I shall wear it, and not even Ro'Denthanus himself wouldn't be able to make me take it off again. I am so pleased to hear your studies are going well, you'll become a fine spell caster yet. A word of note which concerns me however: Jotun the Perisher is a dark and scary part of Sekeolath's history, and Helga's story is a sad one. If you want to learn more about it, you can ask me when I return home, but it's not an area of history I would look into alone until you are older.
To my young Hosvir, you'll be a big, strong warrior someday, you'll make our family name proud. It is good to hear your training is coming along well. If ever you want me to teach you how to be a better fighter, I would happily train you and teach you everything I know. We shall hunt together and bring back fine game someday, as mother and son. For now though, continue to be the son I know and love so much, your sister lacks your great strength, but she may also need your soft heart as much as your strong body. I know you will not let me down though, you never have.
Hoping to see you again soon,
with love,
Mother.
The letter was finished, but before sending it, I offered the letter to Finn, who read both my letter and Nauma's. He was very happy to read his young daughter's message. However, he too worried about Jotun's legacy.
He sat close to me, his wing draped over my back as he signed the letter we wrote, and sealing its envelope with a wax seal. It seemed rather official for a letter to our children; the only thing which could tell it apart from any other document was the fact it was addressed to Nauma and Hosvir.
It took a few human years (and many letters to my young children!), but the Bothnian tribes were the first to fall, followed swiftly by the Sapmi, their armies lacked any organisation, and the combined planning of me and my marshal lead to the human armies being surrounded on all fronts. By the time we turned to Halogaland, Isete had intervened, sending spies to destabilise it, leading to what Norway called the Jarldom of Lade to revolt to our side; it was wondrous news for me, as it meant me and Finn could return home earlier than expected...
"Momma!" Nauma cried as both she and Hosvir charged and hugged my legs with the speed of a charging horse, they weren't small anymore, they nearly knocked me down! "Oh momma! You're back! I've missed you so much!"
"It's wonderful to see you again mother!" Hosvir chirped from my other foreleg, he was dramatically stronger looking than before. "Look mother! I'm so strong now! I've even managed to beat the master-at-arms a couple of times!"
A loud groan of boredom erupted from Nauma. "He's been boasting about his strength for days! Look at what I can do now momma!" the young dragoness pulled away from my leg and skipped around as though her feet were fitted with springs, closing the shutters and plunging the room into darkness. She stopped, sitting on her haunches as she lifted up her forelegs, wobbling a little to keep her balance, and pressed her paws together; a bright light flashed from between her talons and she opened her paws again: A glowing orb floated from them, hanging in the air, bathing the entire room in a warm glow.
"You see momma?" She peeped happily. "I can do magic! Hosvir can't do magic! He just hits stuff!"
"Conjuring balls of light? Unless you're fighting in a cave, that's not going to help much!" Hosvir protested.
"Grr, I'll show you!" Nauma squeaked. She took out of her satchels (which was attached to her sides like saddlebags on a horse) a big leather-bound book, and flicked through it intently, before stopping, skimming the page then closing her eyes in focus. Wind begun to circle around her, taking up more and more speed, creating a very small vacuum of cold air, from which the air itself condensed into liquid, then froze into snow; satisfied, she fired the snowball at Hosvir, which exploded into wetness across his face! I gulped to myself, I recognised that spell, although it was far weaker than when I saw it last.
"Gah!" Hosvir yelped. "Mother! King Sterk said no snowballs inside the castle!" To which Nauma stuck out her tongue, smirking over the success of her spell.
"Hmm, Nauma dear, wherever did you learn how to cast a spell like that?" I asked, flicking my gaze to Finn, who was doing a much better job of hiding his concern than I.
Nauma blushed, looking at her feet as she twirled one of the against the cobbles of the castle floor. "Erm, well, I don't know, I just read about magic for fighting, King Sterk had been teaching me about Jotun the Perisher and his army, and I just... I don't, I just, did it. It was really easy."
I frowned. "Well, that spell is not a toy, one day, it'll be really powerful. I want you to promise me you won't use it unless you're in real danger, or at least make sure there's nobody you could hurt nearby when you train it."
"Don't worry momma, I promise." My daughter replied.
"Very good. I need to speak with the queen for a while, why don't you show your father your new magic until I get back, then we can all go home again." Nauma nodded, and I left for the High Queen's study.
Entering Isete's study, I was presented with a familiar pair of glasses, containing a familiarly sweet smelling wine therein. The dragon queen had a pretty big smile on her face as she invited me inside.
"So, my valiant conquering friend returns." She greeted. "Your presence lights up my castle as the ancestors' glow lights up the night sky."
"As does yours, my queen." I smiled, taking her offered drink and sipping it. "I do hope my children have been behaving well for you and your husband."
She laughed aloud at my remark. "What? Little Nauma and Hosvir?! The pair of them have been angels, my friend, such well-behaved young children, full of curiosity and energy, just soaking up anything they can learn from." She smiled, a shrug escaping her. "I must confess, it's reminded me of my own need to have an heir. Your children have certainly helped me to realise that, yes, I think this is a good time to finally settle down and begin a family of my own." She looked at me, a knowing moment of certainty in her face. "...And, I want yours to be a part of it. Danthe, I would propose we merge our houses, Abelburbens and Jarnhuds. If I have a daughter, I would be honoured if you would allow her to marry your son once they both come of age."
I frowned, memories of my father plans to arrange a marriage between me and another Abelburben, all those years ago. "Your, your offer is kind, my friend. But, I'm not really comfortable with an arranged marriage. Not personally of course! I would love to see our houses united. But, I remember what it was like to be forced into a marriage to a dragon I knew nothing about. It was too much for me. I don't want that for my children." I ground my teeth slightly inside my mouth, thinking. "Once your children are old enough, I'll speak with my children, and attempt to persuade them to consent to this match, it shall be up to him if he wishes to marry your daughter... Assuming you have a daughter. Have you spoken with Sterk about this? Thought of any names?"
Isete shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, my husband wants a son, and wants to call him Faron. A daughter though... Considering your services to me, I may as well name her after you!"
I laughed: "Oh, please don't. For the sake of your child, don't."
"I must name her something!" Isete smirked. "If not after one of the finest dragonesses I've ever known, then what should I call her?"
I paused, thinking it over for a while. "...Honestly? I'd like her to be called Kara, after my late sister. She was a good dragon, and died too young in circumstances which were far too cruel. That, or something similar would be the name I'd chose."
"Kara?" The queen paused. "Very well, I shall name her Karelia. Lands afar, something for her to strive towards in our future..."
The thought of pregnancy had nestled itself firmly into my mind when I finally returned home with Finn and my children. It had been a long war, and unlike my younger self, I no longer took enjoyment in it: I had more to lose than I'd ever had before.
I lay in bed, resting and restoring my energy with a book in hand. Nauma had shown off her new magic all the way home, skipping in her happy, bouncy manner all the way until she was too tired to continue, falling asleep the second she hopped into her bed that night. As for me, I was tired, but my mind was lustful; this only became clearer when Finn finally joined me, bringing me food and Italian wine.
"Thank you." I spoke as he set it down atop a nearby bedside table; I was eyeing him up as he sat next to me, I couldn't help it, and he knew it.
"A war is hardly the time for indulgences." My husband remarked. "You rode into battle pregnant once before, I'd never been so afraid in my life."
I sighed. "I know, a foolish act committed by a foolish girl. Never again."
He leaned over, kissing my cheek. "Well, it's a good thing we're no longer at war." He smiled. "My queen is free to pursue her every need without fear or worry. Whatever they may be..."
I smirked, he knew exactly what I had in mind. "So, how do you fancy adding a new son or daughter to our family?"
Finn smiled, snuggling close to me. "I'd enjoy that very much..."
And so, me and Finn brought new life into our household. After a yearlong pregnancy, the egg was laid; however, it proved to be a late hatcher, breaking into the world in 937 as an ice dragoness named Dagmaer. Her birth was a nervous affair, for she was born sickly and small compared to my other children, and she never really put on muscle: She was beautiful, mind, her body was long and slender, as were her tail and neck. Even as a hatchling, her every step was graceful and fluid, she would become a very beautiful dragoness in the future, and many dragons would clamour for her favour.
Another dragoness joined our family in 989, through a night of passion. This daughter looked and behaved much as I did when I was a baby: She was stronger than Nauma, smarter than Hosvir, and braver and more adventurous than all of them put together when they were her age; she had a certain fire in her heart I couldn't help but respect. I named her Amora.
I was not the only dragoness to bring new life into the world however: Isete had beaten me to the post there, and boy, had she done so. Twins. An identical pair, one male, one female, and born in 935 at the same time. As she planned, the boy was named Faron, and the girl was named Karelia.
Isete was clearly overjoyed at her good fortune, as was I. As such, I invited Isete and her newly expanded family to the Freezer for a grand feast to celebrate.
It was a glorious event, reminding me of better times when the renewed Freezer was young (and not even finished!), as was I. The great hall where feasts were held had never been so crowded! Both my family and Isete's sat at a grand table at the far end of the hall, decorated with fine silks and finer foods from across the known world: Wines from Italy, fruits from the Frankish farms, thick juicy meats from further south and Norway, and grains, bread, ale and cheese from those few English (mostly from York) who were willing to trade with us: Our halls had come a long way from mere fish and berries.
There were so many dragons visiting my court, even I was surprised; I'd grown up around ice dragons with little exception, rare was a dragon whose scales were not an icy blue around these parts. But no! Great dragons had come from far and wide on the behest of the High Queen: Dragons of all colours and elements you could imagine, we even had nobility! Amora was barely a dragonyear of age yet, and so was quietly huddled atop my back, nestled comfortably between my wings where she took a nap.
"Queen Lucilia." I greeted. "It's truly an honour to have you and King Jedias in my castle. Too long have we been without news on the fate of Avalar."
"Thank you." Queen Lucilia, a pretty red fire dragoness (who looked young despite being 10 years my elder!) smiled. Her tone was a rather smooth and soothing dialect of Draconic which contrasted greatly with the much harsher accent of Draconic spoken in Sekeolath; the poor queen looked simply frozen up here, even with a roaring fire pit illuminating the room.
I felt movement brush against my leg. I looked down to see Dagmaer huddled up under me, staring up at the fire dragoness in a shy fascination: She'd never seen a fire dragon of any sort, not least their queen!
"Momma." She squeaked quietly. "Is that dragoness bleeding? Why is she red?"
"No no, little wing." I smiled, nuzzling her. "Not all dragons are blue, my dear. Some of us are red, some of us are green, or black, or white, yellow, almost any colour you can think of." I looked up at Lucilia. "Dagmaer, this is Queen Lucilia. She's the queen of the dragons in the south. She's a very interesting dragoness, because she doesn't breathe ice."
"S-she doesn't?"
"No. She breathes fire."
Lucilia smiled, spitting out a tiny little jet of flame, causing Dagmaer to gasp in surprise.
"Wow!" the little dragoness squeaked. "That's amazing!"
"Oh, pretty young princess, you are too kind. Back home where I come from, there are many dragons who are fire dragons where I come from, and many more besides."
"Really?" The little child peeped.
"Of course. There are dragons like you who can control the ice and cold, and dragons like me who can harness the power of heat and flame. But then, there's also dragons who can command the thunder and lightning, the winds, the plants and animals, many many different dragons with all manner of magic."
Upon hearing of 'magic' Nauma, who had been listening in on the conversation, quickly darted over.
"Magic? I'm sorry, your majesty, I just overheard you were speaking of magic. I love magic!"
"So I've heard." Lucilia smiled. "You are the spell caster princess called Nauma. Are you not? I hear from the High Queen's husband that you've got quite the brilliant young mind."
"I'm a spell caster! Yes! Look! I've been reading up on conjuration!" Her face contorted into concentration, muttering some form of incantation under her breath: There was a flash of light, which revealed an apple in her paws once it faded; a tiny baby apple, but an apple nonetheless. "Hmmm." She groaned. "Sorry, I've not quite mastered it yet. I tried to do the spell where you conjure a dove..." She blushed as the Avalarian took the summoned fruit. "I think I'll stick to apples for now."
"Perhaps you should run along and play with your siblings and the Abelburbens?" I suggested to Dagmaer and Nauma. They grumbled, but left nonetheless.
The Abelburben twins were found on the battlements with Hosvir. The two of them were engaged in a brutal battle of snowballs with the older dragon child: He had taken cover behind some crates, pinned down by the unrelenting attack of the twins, who threatened to flank him.
I know of this because, after Finn took Amora to bed, I went to my quiet spot atop said battlements, where a stray snowball struck me across the face.
"Oh my gosh!" Karelia cried, running over. "I'm so sorry Queen Danthe! Are you okay? I was aiming for Hosvir, we were playing, and, and my shot must've gone astray!"
Snow was snow, that was never going to have hurt; but I was a child once, and I wanted to toy with these younger ones. I stood up, staring down at the hatchling.
"You just struck a queen." I growled. "Do you know what we do to little dragons who throw snow at their host?" I suddenly smirked, swiping down some snow from a nearby roof, causing it to fall to the ground; and then I began to snowball them myself, turning the battle decidedly in Hosvir's favour...
I wasn't angry, not at all: Faron and Karelia were good kids, Isete taught them manners, and she taught them well. She'd grow up to be a fine young dragoness at this rate.
However, for Nauma and Hosvir, while they hid it well, they were beginning to change. Nauma and Hosvir were both 155 human years of age, they were adolescents. They'd gone from calling me 'momma' to 'mother', their wings were strong enough to carry them great distances, and soon they would be proper adult dragons.
Those years had been some of the happiest of my entire life: The Danthe who chose to be a warrior above all else had faded away, leaving Danthe the Avenger, Danthe the queen, Danthe the parent: Before I even knew it, I'd turned into my mother...
Of course, my mother never lied to me like I lied to Nauma. I dreaded the day she learnt the truth about her birth: It wasn't a case of if, but when...
"Mother, would you tell me more of Jotun, and Helga the Kinslayer?"
Nauma had grown into a beautiful young dragoness, with a far keener mind than I; however, as she and Hosvir grew older, his scales and underbelly darkened, while Nauma's remained blue, with a clean white underbelly; in addition, she had grown more and more curious about my dead sister.
I found her that morning in the main hall, sitting before a vast hanging tapestry which had been painted for House Jarnhud's honour, upon which also featured Helga Jarnhud; it was upon her illustration that Nauma's concentration was fixated.
"Nauma, my love, why do you devote so much of your thoughts to them? You've been neglecting your magical studies, and I do long for you show me your impressive mastery of magic once more."
I settled down next to my daughter, who leaned up against me as I folded a wing over her.
"I, I had a nightmare about them last night. Or, a dream, I don't know. It was so strange."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
She nodded. "I was in my bed, it was dark... Both of them were there, standing over me. Jotun and Helga, they were like ghosts. I tried to move, or scream, but I was too frightened. He, he just stood there, never saying anything, just watching. Helga approached me, sitting at my bedside... She... She..."
"What was it, what did she do?"
"Well, nothing, really. I told you it was strange. She just whispered in my ear. I don't even remember the words, but it was odd, soothing, my heart slowed and her presence was comforting. I drifted off soon after. It felt so, so... real. I can't shake it from my mind. Oh mother, I know of the gods and how spirits can visit the living. But please, tell me, what does this mean?"
Unbeknownst to her, I shuddered. In front that painted picture of my long-dead sister, Nauma calling me mother suddenly felt wrong; I'd taken my sister's rightful inheritance, her home, even her life, and now I'd stolen her daughter, and her love, from her as well.
"I don't know, my dear." I replied. "But worry not, it was just a dream. But if even if may have been more than that, Helga and Jotun wouldn't hurt you. I wouldn't let them. Try not to worry about it for now."
Nauma frowned. "How do you know they wouldn't hurt me? You battled against them. They sent children to fight and die in their war, that's how Hosvir got his name."
I winced. "How did you know about that?"
"Father told me."
"Finn." I sighed. "When you're older, I shall tell you more of them when you are older, I shall take you to Castle Jarnhud, and then I might be able to show you what he looked like... By the gods, was he ugly. Blue and white, like his wife, he was scarred, with only one horn, for the other had been ripped from his head! He was proud though, putting up tapestries and statues of himself across the castle."
Some more years passed, twenty dragonyears of happy nothingness brought us to the 12th Century, and my life to its middle years; I was not a young dragon anymore, I was nearly 50 dragonyears old, and most of my children were adults themselves.
However, despite my best efforts, I couldn't help but feel that Nauma didn't quite take my attempts to make her lose her interest in Jotun and Helga to heart. But nonetheless, life continued: She did return to her magical studies somewhat, but by this point in their lives, both Nauma and Hosvir had become very distractible.
Isete had come to visit, bringing her twin children with her. It had become a regular occurrence for Isete to put her husband as regent while she travelled to The Freezer for a friendly visit for herself and her kids; while my doors and my feasting hall were always open to her, I knew in part why she did this: I hadn't forgotten about her desire to marry her daughter to my son, and so getting them to become close at an early age would certainly make this easier, and for the most part, it had worked.
"Nauma, wherever is your brother?" I asked that bright and cloudless afternoon, for he had skipped lunch once again.
"Do not fear, my friend." Isete interrupted. "He is with my daughter. He wanted to take her on a walk around the forests further south, for it is such a lovely day."
I sighed, downing a glass of wine. "I know what you're trying to do. Don't you think Karelia is a little young?"
Isete chuckled. "Maybe she is for now. It's not unheard of for there to be such large gaps between betrothed dragons. I shan't allow either to take the other into the bushes and marry them in the dirt before her first heat."
"I know, I know..." I sighed. "I've just been worrying about things recently." I turned to my kids. "Nauma, Dagmaer, Amora. Leave us, I'd like to speak in private with the queen."
Isete nodded. "Faron, go with them."
"Yes mother." her son nodded, running after the girls as they left. I poured myself another glass of wine: Difficult topics were always easier to speak about with alcohol flowing inside.
"I'm worried, about Nauma" I confessed. "She spends all of her days losing herself in books about my kinslayer sister and her evil husband. Helga is... She's Nauma's kin. I fear that, one day, this obsession will really hurt her."
"The past is the past." Isete commented. "And your past has been harder than most, but Nauma was born safely away from those horrors. How do you fear this might hurt her?"
I sighed; I dreaded to tell Isete the truth, if I was to ever tell the truth, I wanted Nauma to be the first to know; but I was at a loss, so I downed yet another glass of wine, and told my tale. "On the night I defeated Helga and Jotun, Helga told me to go to her bedchambers, alone. So, I did. In those chambers... I..." I felt my eyes go wet. "...I found an, an egg."
Isete froze. "But I was always told Helga had no children."
"She didn't." I croaked, wiping my eyes and they leaked. "...I, I had twins."
It took a second for Isete to figure it out, but once she did, her mouth dropped, and she quickly went to hug me as I broke down. "She's Helga's! Not mine!" I sobbed in the wings of my old friend. "She wasn't even out of the egg and I killed her mother and father! I, I nearly killed her too! The thoughts were in my head, my own kin!"
Isete held me tightly, both her wings and her forelegs holding me in a warm embrace, which helped. She worded her response carefully. "...She's Helga's offspring, but she's your daughter. She was such a danger to you, vengeful maybe for killing her parents, a challenge to your dynasty in that she would've had the strongest claim to everything your family owned. But you took her in when she needed someone, and you gave her your love..." She sighed. "Now, she reached an age where she might understand the truth. Danthe, you have to tell her. It'll be better if she hears it from you, sooner rather than later..."
I was at a loss. Isete was right, even if it hurt, I had to tell Nauma the truth. It was going to be painful for us both, I feared she'd never forgive me for it, but she had to know, she was old enough now. Talking to Finn didn't help, he shared my concerns, but also Isete's sentiment, Nauma had to be told, I just had to work up the nerve.
I decided I would tell her when the family and I went south to Castle Jarnhud for the winter, a time when Queen Isete and her royal family had decided to take a tour of their kingdom (the official reason being to keep an eye on House Horn, though they would be visiting each of the Sekeolasian provinces in due course). The old castle had a more pleasant climate compared to the Freezer in all seasons; the alpine grasslands of Jarnhud was caked in snow, but the air was clear and crisp. Relics and memories of Helga and Jotun were strong within its stone walls: Pictures, tapestries and statues to Jotun's vanity once littered my mother's halls; now, all but a few were gathering dust, locked away in a forgotten chamber deep within the castle.
I found myself sitting the courtyard one morning, watching Finn sitting with Dagmaer (who was now in her mid-teens, and had grown to be an extremely lean, elegant beauty, with a voice like silk and a laugh warm enough to melt the glaciers, just as I hoped) and Amora (who was roughly 11 dragonyears of age, and had grown into quite a brave, adventurous, if slightly short and stocky young dragoness), casually chatting and laughing as he told them stories; Amora happily snuggled into her father's chest, she and Dagmaer were very close indeed.
I wanted to speak to Nauma (who, along with her brother, was now in her mid-20s), but at every opportunity, she seemed too busy to speak, running around, numerous books bulging from her satchels as she went; her face always looked deep in thought. I wished she would slow down, just for a moment, so I might be able to speak to her. Hosvir was even worse, for I rarely saw him at all. It was heavy on my heart for both my eldest children had grown so distant.
I chose to go to my husband and our younger children; perhaps Finn had some clue as to where I could find my older children?
"...And then she pushed Old Gauti to the floor, and we all started singing. A dragon warrior, bested by a younger dragoness. Gods be good, she was so fast back then." I caught Finn speaking as I joined the conversation. "Oh, hello there my darling. What troubles you?"
"Finn, have you seen Nauma or Hosvir anywhere?" I asked, sitting among them. "I've barely seen them all day. I worry."
My husband sighed, nuzzling my cheek. "Last I heard, Nauma was in the library, running between it and her bedroom. Hosvir? Apparently he's gone hunting. Though, if I'm honest, he went alone, and took no hunting gear. Either he's overconfident, or he's up to something."
"I wouldn't put it past him. His head has been all over the place lately. Same with Nauma."
Finn frowned. "...I have an idea as to why you're looking for Nauma. Are you..."
"Yes, yes I am. Or I will be, once she slows down enough for me to speak to her."
My answer to where Nauma was pried from her at dinner. The elder children bore two severely difference faces as the family sat down to dinner: Nauma face was strained, heavy with exhaustion and stress, but Hosvir seemed very pleased with himself indeed, bubbling with a sort of confused pride, like a ship captain sailing into unexplored waters for the first time.
"Nauma my dear." I spoke to the dragoness, who poked aimlessly at her food. "Where have you been all day? I've missed you."
"I've been... Reading." Nauma grumbled.
"Ah, I heard you were seen in the library today. What were you reading about?"
"Jotun..."
"Oh."
"He's... He's vile." Nauma stammered. "A dirty, horrible, evil monster. A plague of atrocities from York to old Holmgardr. Burning, stealing, looting, raping and killing people. So many dragons of House Stormsson are concubines born out of rape. I, I hate him. And Helga Jarnhud loved that... that monster." She shook her head, listlessly tossing away what remained of a join of ham. "I'm sorry, I've lost my appetite..." She stood up and left the table, leaving me and Finn to stare at each other, concerned.
"Poor thing." Finn commented. "I hate seeing her like this."
I nodded. "I hate seeing her like this too. I wish she would just talk to me about whatever is troubling her. I'd do anything if it might help settle her nerves." I sat up. "I should go to speak with her, right now. I'm going to take her to one side, and just talk. It has to be worth a shot, right?"
Finn stood too. "Do you want me to...?"
"No, no. You stay here with the kids. They'll fight over who gets the most dessert otherwise."
My husband feigned a smile under the duress of his present company. "Of course, my love. I'll save you some for when you return."
Oh, how many disasters must start from good intentions? I got up to follow Nauma after a concerned nod from Finn, giving me the instruction to "Give her a hug from me" as I headed to the doors out of the dining hall after my daughter. She had gained a considerable lead over me with her quick feet and light frame, however, my hearing was still very keen: I heard her paws hitting the floor with each trot, her claws clicking in rhythm against the stone cobbles. Torchlights flickered in the corridors as I followed the noises of her movement, until the sound of a heavy door creaking open echoed forth, followed by it slamming shut shortly after. I was lead deeper into Castle Jarnhud: Down a corridor, then another, and up a spiral staircase, nearly all the way to the top; there were two more corridors, but only one had its door left ajar, moving slightly from the momentum of when it was thrust open. Following down as the sun began to set and the winds picked up outside. Finally, I froze outside out of the doors down the corridor. On the floor, next to the chunky stone doorframe, there was a lock, which had been forced open and discarded; on the other side of the door, I head pacing, frantic and flustered, with that same padding of paws and clicking of claws, but there was something else, a different sound: A sniffle, and a slight sob, as though the inhabitant was upset or frightened. I knew who it was, and wasted no more time entering, quickly wishing I hadn't.
Inside was a storage room, vast and full: Leaning against both the walls at my sides were countless paintings covered in cloth canvas; a few moth-eaten tapestries hung from the walls and painted stone statues of Jotun the Perisher dotted the room. Many of these things were caked in a thick layer of dust, save for a few choice items huddled around a collection of small, flickering candles in the centre of the otherwise dark room... Where Nauma stood, her eyes bloodshot and wet with tears as she stared at the largest tapestry of Jotun and Helga. His large, green eyes stared from the fabric, right into Nauma's: It was impossible not to see the likeness between the two dragons immortalised in illustration, and the young dragoness with secret blood flowing in her veins.
She turned to me, the similarities in appearance between Nauma and her late father were clear to see: Her scales were so close in colour to his, her underbelly and wings were a perfect match for shade; her eyes were his eyes, and they bore into me like knives.
"W-who are they to me?" She croaked. "Tell me! Who are they?!"
