"ACHOO!" Abernos sneezed and promptly wiped his finger under his nose as he and Viola followed a frost covered trail without the assistance of Leadbury's nose to guide them. "Gah… that Leadbury..."

"It can't be helped. He doesn't have fur to insulate his body," Viola said calmly as she marched on ahead of him. "How can you complain of the cold? I'm having no difficulty."

"You're clearly not a normal woman," Abernos sniffled and rubbed his mitten covered hands together for warmth. "How are we supposed to pinpoint Elle without Leadbury's nose anyway? All he told us was to continue heading north."

"Weren't you supposed to be optimistic Mr. Abernos?"

"Not when it's this cold out," he trotted to catch up with her. "Speaking of optimism, you have an interestingly high degree of confidence Miss Viola."

"Because it's all a little too coincidental. We believe Elias was heading to Noric and based on Leadbury's tracking that appears to be where Elle is as well. I'm willing to bet their paths have already crossed by now."

"I sure hope not. I'd hate to think what he'd do to her!"

Elle heard a light knock on her chamber's door. Sighing, she sat herself up in bed and wiped her eyes. Her tears had continued to flow without her consent over the news of Mias' death, but for now she seemed to be holding herself together. She donned a thick, velvet robe and walked slowly toward the door.

When she opened it, she almost mistook Elias for Mias' ghost. She gasped and put a hand over her mouth before her eyes adjusted to the light in the corridor to see it was clearly Elias: still unshaven, but dressed in dark northern attire with an annoyed expression on his face.

"Hi Elle!" Hilda popped up from behind his back. "I was showing Eli here around and he wanted to see how you were doing. Isn't that nice of him?"

"Yes… how "nice"…" Elle eyed Elias suspiciously.

Elias' eyes seemed to be pleading for Elle's assistance in shoeing away the pesky bird who hadn't left him alone since Helga released him from his prison cell.

"As you can see I'm doing fine," Elle said and began to shut the door.

Elias turned his foot into the doorway and leaned in so Hilda wouldn't hear him. "She won't stop following me. I just need five minutes without her frivolous squawking!"

"Yes, how horrible it must be to endure a woman's chattering," Elle was content to let him suffer the annoyance of Hilda's friendly personality.

Elias groaned and faking a smile, turned to Hilda, "W-Would you fetch us some tea perhaps?"

"Oh that's a wonderful idea! I'll even get the biscuits and jam Fio and I made from the winter berries! I'll be right back!" Hilda smiled and took off down the hall.

Elias heaved a sigh of relief before turning to Elle. "Might I come in?"

"I think not," Elle said firmly.

"I understand your reluctance Elle, but I mean you no harm."

"Uh huh," Elle said flatly, not believing a single word.

"I assure you, it's true. If I wasn't a changed man, would I willingly put up with that annoying bird woman?"

"Because killing her would foil what ever foul deed you're plotting. I'm not a fool Elias. You might be able to take advantage of your sister and her household, but as long as I'm here you won't get away with it. I won't let you lay a finger on these good people."

"And I insist that I have no intention of doing so. I truly did come here to check up on you."

"You came because you enjoy seeing people suffer," she retorted. "Now kindly remove your foot from the doorway and leave."

"Elle," he said her name in a voice that echoed Mias'.

Her hold on the door weakened and Elias took the opportunity to push open the door and step inside her quarters. Elle slowly turned and watched him as he examined the room. The way he moved was similar: his stride was long and confident, his boots landing firmly on the floor with a crisp click against the stone. Why did he have to be here? All he was doing was reminding her of Mias.

"Let me just say that my sister's trust in me appears to be thin," he said as he sat at the small table before the fireplace. "I don't think it's her friendliness that keeps that woman following me like a baby chick. I'm being escorted everywhere. Even in the bathroom much to my dismay."

"You have murderous reputation and expected something less? I'm surprised your arms and legs aren't chained together to be honest."

"If that bloody captain of the guard had her way, I would be shackled in solitary confinement."

Elle complimented Helga's tactics this time. If only Ia had indulged the guard's suspicions, Elle might not have to worry so much about Elias' presence in the castle.

"I'd prefer it if you'd become my escort," Elias announced.

"No," Elle said immediately.

"I want to lull your suspicions of me, and get away from that bloody bird. I promise you I have no weaponry on my body and my magic has yet to replenish itself."

"You could be naked, gagged, and bound and I'd still find you a threat."

Elias smirked, "So you're into that?"

"HELL NO!" Elle blushed. He was clearly Mias' twin alright: never missing an opportunity to work sex into a conversation. It brought her heart a bit of relief to have that sort of argument with him, but it only deepened the sorrow of her loss.

"I'm back~!" Hilda sang as she burst through the door with a tray of teacups and treats.

Elias rolled his eyes and Elle couldn't help but giggle at his expense. It wasn't the sort of punishment she always envisioned Elias receiving, but in a way this was better than imprisonment. He was completely miserable and at the mercy of the golden Aquila.

The click of Elias' boots resounded through the halls, followed by the echoing chip of talons against the stone floor. He quickened his pace in hopes of putting some distance between him and his follower, but alas the friendly horror remained on his tail. His tolerance for annoyance finally reached its boiling point. He whirled and shouted, "Must you follow me?!"

Hilda smiled, "Yes. Lady Ia isn't as naïve as you think she is. You get one chance. If you betray her trust, you'll be thrown back into prison and left to rot. So be a good boy Eli, okay?"

Elias cringed at the affectionate and disgusting nickname she bestowed upon him. "I'm finding it a bit difficult to stay in good spirits with your constant irritating presence."

"You don't like me, do you?" She asked, a smile still on her face.

"You're a feather headed, bird brained, molting mess of stupidity plagued with annoyance and irritation that supersedes a rash!" He shouted.

She giggled, "Eli, you sound like my sister."

Elias was dumbfounded. This was the trouble with arguing with people like Hilda. Mere words would never affect them.

"Are you being mean because you like me?" Hilda leaned in to his personal space and batted her eyelashes. "You don't need to be shy. I don't bite, unless you want me to~"

Elle and Fionos observed the scene from the open balcony on the second floor. Elle was convinced she was about to witness Hilda's murder, but Elias simply tried in vain to run away. However her concerns for Hilda remained. "He's eventually going to snap and kill her…"

"Helga said it's Hildie's job to 'test' him," Fionos commented as he took Elle's hand to continue leading her to their original destination.

"Test? She's annoying him on purpose?" Elle asked.

Fionos looked up at Elle, smiled, and nodded. "Hildie's not much of a warrior, but when it comes to mentally exhausting your opponent, she's the best in the whole country."

"I guess I never thought of using kindness for psychological warfare, but if there was ever an enemy to use it on, I couldn't think of a more perfect person than Elias," Elle giggled before turning serious again. "But… what if Hilda does wear him down and he turns on her?"

"She's an Aquila, Elle. She can defend herself or fly off if she's in trouble. Her sisters can swarm in less than a minute and arrest him. Helga assured me it'll be okay," Fionos said quietly.

"And Hilda didn't?"

"Well… Hildie doesn't exactly comprehend she's escorting Elias to provoke him as well as to keep an eye on him."

Elle wasn't too surprised to hear that. "Anyway, what are you so excited to show me Fio?"

"You wanted to see our library, right? I finally got permission to take you!" He beamed happily.

"That's great!" Elle smiled as Fionos tugged her down a narrow stairway at the end of the hall.

They hurried down a winding stone staircase until arriving before a large wooden door. Fionos knocked and then the two waited until they heard the lock click open. The door swung open revealing piles of papers and stone slabs. Worn tapestries hung on the wall and the scent of dust welcomed them into the "library".

"It's a bit… different from what I expected," Elle simply stated as she carefully stepped into the room.

"Alu isn't a very organized Runeskeeper…" Fionos said with a weak smile as he followed in behind her.

"Alu?"

"Yes'm," a light sounding male voice answered.

Elle turned her head to the right where a shaggy looking middle aged man sat at a desk jotting notes on paper with ink and a quill.

"AGH! Alu, you've cooped up in here for days again," Fionos said as he plugged his nose and navigated his way through the piles of old knowledge. "You stink!"

"But I'm on the verge of decoding this volume of old Noricean lore!" Alu adjusted the circular spectacles balancing on his nostrils. "This tale of the first ice giant, contrary to its title, is a heart warming adventure of how the first mountain came to life and began roaming the tundra in search of companionship! Truly inspiring!"

"Would be nice if you ventured out more often too," Fionos retorted as he made his way to the shelves toward the back of the room where there were only a few leather bound volumes stacked every which way on the wooden planks that bore them.

"It's nice to meet you sir," Elle introduced herself to the Runeskeeper. "I'm Elle."

"Oh, indeed, this is quite a pleasure," Alu smiled and shook her hand warmly. "Are you familiar with Runes my dear?"

"Um, not really."

"Well it's really all quite fascinating. You see, Runes, though a system of writing here in Noric, can also be used in spell work. Magic isn't a common practice here in Noric due to our isolation, but there are a few individuals, such as myself, who have gained the power of words after years of study."

"So what kind of magic is it?" Elle asked curiously.

Alu smiled and with his finger wrote out a few characters in the air before an extinguished candle wick. As he finished writing, a flame suddenly sparked and the candle relit. "All I wrote was 'fire', and viola! Of course it took me a few accidents to figure out the lettering size determines the intensity of the flame… but only through failure can one gain the knowledge for success!"

"And that's why our library is confined to this small chamber," Fionos said. "He almost burned the royal family's entire collection when he first tried that spell!"

"Ah, but I didn't," Alu smiled.

Something about Alu's presence seemed strangely familiar. It bothered Elle the entire time she and Fionos were down there discussing Runes, magic, and literature. It wasn't until their ascent up the stairs that it finally clicked.

"Fio? Is Alu… Hilda's father?"

"It's obvious to you too, huh?" Fionos sighed. "Yes. He's her father, and just about everyone in this castle knows except for Hildie."

"Well why doesn't he tell her?"

"It's just how things are. Aquila don't expect who ever sires their children to stay and raise them. Helga and Hilda's mother, Ingrid, was the previous captain of the guard and had an image to uphold for the rest of her sisters. She didn't expect Prince Bernard to hire Alu to be the castle's Runeskeeper. It also wouldn't be fair to Helga, whose father Ingrid couldn't even remember. So she never told Hilda, and as you can see she inherited her 'brilliance' from her father and never made the connection."

"But Alu stays here because of Hilda, right?"

"He stayed because he loved Ingrid… But it was a one-sided love. When Ingrid died last year, he became the reclusive and haggard man you met today. He's still in mourning I guess…"

"I see…"

"But he's still a very nice man and he knows his Runes. So if you ever need anything, you just go ask Alu."

Elle smiled and nodded, not knowing just how much of lifesaver that information would become.

"You summoned me?" Elias asked as he entered a large study where his younger sister sat scribbling notes at a desk.

"Yes, kindly take a seat," Ia said without looking up from her work.

Elias casually approached the table and sat opposite of her.

"How are you enjoying your stay?" She asked, her eyes and hand still concentrated on writing.

"In all honesty I wish you would have kept me in prison," Elias groaned.

Ia chuckled, "Is that so?"

"What is this about? Surely you didn't summon me simply to exchange pleasantries."

"And why not? I've been so preoccupied with my duties that I haven't been able to visit you. Is it so rare for you to be suspect of your family?"

"When it's the Dormaeus family, yes," he responded coldly. "If this is just frivolous conversation, I shall take my leave."

As he stood to leave Ia smacked him back into his seat with her quill. "Sit. You have no matters here that acquire your attention so you will remain in my presence until I dismiss you. Or are you eager to return to Hilda's care?"

Elias pouted his lower lip and sunk back into his chair.

Ia smiled and set her quill beside the ink pot before placing her elbows on the edge of the table and resting her chin on her folded hands. "Just who are you Elias Dormaeus?"

"What…?"

"I've dealt with you based on rumors I've heard so perhaps I haven't been fair in my assumption of you. When I cast aside my bias, you're quite child like."

Elias' nostrils flared, but he didn't respond.

"Tell me, is there any love behind those lifeless eyes of yours? Your temper is quite animated I've noticed, but it's fueled by emptiness, which is why I agreed to let you seek your 'redemption' here in Noric. I believe there is some truth in your purpose here, but I also believe your true intentions have yet to be stated."

"Heh, so that flippity bird was right… You don't trust me."

"Why should I? If not for our blood ties, we'd simply be strangers: I, a high-ranking noble, and you, a dishonored murderer. In accordance with Noric Law, I'd normally have such threats imprisoned or executed. What I have given to you is mercy, which you clearly despise, and have shown no gratitude to me, or my attendants. As such, I now consider you rude as well as childish. Care to defend yourself?"

"I can offer no defense for my actions or behavior. It'll all foreign to me… 'kindness'… and especially 'love'… All of it I rid my mind of too long ago…"

"You can't rid yourself of emotion," Ia smiled. "You can suppress and control them, but disposing of them entirely is impossible."

"And you think you can teach me to feel such things again?"

"It's not something that can be taught. Whether you like it or not, it means making yourself vulnerable. You'll form relationships by making yourself weak at first, but eventually it'll strengthen you. I, for example, was raised to be a polite and proper lady of the court. I loathed it with all my being, but still acted like I was the groomed bride-to-be for the crown prince… but then I had a break down and told the entire royal council to wank off. Everyone sat with their mouths agape in a dead silence and I immediately knew I'd doomed myself… until Prince Bernard started laughing. He understood the pressure I was under and found my outburst so refreshing, he fell in love with me. Nowadays, I'm back to being polite and proper for the court, but when I'm with my husband, I know I'm free to act however I feel and not be judged for it."

"Will I ever get to meet this husband of yours?"

"Perhaps. He's very busy establishing relationships with our neighboring countries. He's rarely home. Usually I'm with him on such endeavors, but I finally though I was with child last month and decided to stay here to not stress myself… but it seems my assumptions were wrong."

"You won't be able to conceive," Elias said calmly.

"W-What?"

"I don't know how much you understand about our family, but when a daughter is born and sold, 'precautions' are taken to ensure no rivals will be born outside the main family."

"I… I wasn't made aware of that… Neither has His Highness who purchased me! He's always asking after me!"

"It's one of those omitted details of the contract. Usually the buyer is too enthralled with the idea of having a Dormaeus in his clutches to bother thinking long term."

"I see… It makes sense then… I've been trying to get pregnant for years with no success…" Ia's eyes began to water and she quickly dabbed them with a handkerchief concealed in her sleeve. "Thank you for informing me, Elias. That relieves a great deal of stress… Oh… how ever will I tell Bernard?"

"I wouldn't if I were you," Elias said. "Your husband may support you, but how will the court feel to know they were had by Dragias Dormaeus? Not favorably I imagine, and here in the castle there's Dragias' last living son."

"Oh… yes, that would complicate things…"

"I suppose this is what bonds us," Elias reached across the table and grasped a hold of his sister's hand. "This… unfortunate secret."

Ia nodded and squeezed his hand for comfort.

Behind his outward kindness, Elias was chuckling within his mind. He succeeded in finding a weakness to exploit more easily than he had expected.

Elle was heading back to her room later that evening after having a delightful soak in the bathhouse with Helga, Hilda, and a few other Aquila. She expected the harpy like women to be fierce like their leader, but once they removed their armor they actually were quite cheery and friendly. It was refreshing to have all female company for once, and it put a smile on Elle's face even after she left the bath.

Her smile quickly vanished when she saw Elias waiting for her just outside her room.

"Good evening," Elias smiled.

Elle frowned. He wasn't supposed to be wandering the halls unescorted. "What have you done with Hilda?"

"I haven't done anything. I told her I wanted to see you and she mercifully granted my request."

His words were unconvincing. "And now you've seen me, so go back to your room Elias."

"I'd rather not."

Elle groaned in frustration, "What do you want from me?"

He grinned and brushed his fingers past her left side lock of hair. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Actually, no," Elle said flatly. "But you have been stalking me lately it seems. I don't know what you're playing at, but I know it's no good—"

Without warning Elias closed the distance between their faces and claimed her lips with a firm kiss.

Elle's eyes widened. Before Elias' tongue could seek deeper indulgence, she shoved him away and slapped his cheek as hard as she could. "WHY YOU SLITHERING BASTARD!"

Elias remained calm and rubbed his cheek. "I should have suspected that reaction…"

"What do you think you're doing?!" Elle wiped off her lips. "Is this all part of some sick mind game?!"

"Hardly," he sighed. "I didn't think it would surprise you. Mias and I are twins after all. I can't help but find myself oddly attracted to you."

"Those are cruel words Elias! Why would I want a lover with the same face as his? It's too cruel… If you've sought to torment and confuse me, then congratulations, you've succeeded in doing so!"

"That was not my intent," he said defensively. "I… thought I could bring you comfort. You can rid yourself of sorrow by giving the love you feel for Mias unto me."

"A monster like you wouldn't know 'love' if it crept up your pants and bit you in the ass!"

"…Those are cruel words Elle," he mocked her earlier phrase. "Though perhaps you're right. Ia's been kept from my side by political matters and try as I may, I just can't tolerate the Aquila appointed as my guard… I have no friend to confide in. This hollow feeling inside my chest isn't being filled…"

"That's your problem," Elle refused to waver. "Why don't you practice 'self love' first?"

"Figuratively or literally?"

"You're disgusting," Elle opened her door and quickly locked herself inside.

Elias stood with his face to the wooden door for a moment before he turned to return to his own bed chamber. Though he had more malevolent reasons for teasing Elle, there was some truth in the matter of attraction. He wanted everything his brother had, including the honey blonde maiden, and he wasn't going to be so easily detoured next time they met.

Fionos' cheerful laughter echoed between the snow capped mountains as the young fawn frolicked in the snow outside the castle walls. He scared up a snow rabbit from its den and amused himself by chasing after the small creature. He leapt forward to catch the hare's haunches, but missed and landed on a soft snow bank. He lifted his head up to find the rabbit staring him down. Fionos smiled and wrinkled up his nose. The rabbit did likewise and touched its twitching nose against Fionos' before hopping back to its home.

"Bye-bye Mr. Rabbit," Fionos waved before rolling onto his back. He intended to remain reclined, but the sound of heavier footprints crunching into the fresh snow caught his attention and he got up to investigate.

He kept himself low to the ground and relied on his white fur and clothing to camouflage him against the tundra. He spied two cloaked figures walking out of the woods and turned his ears up in hopes he'd hear information that would help him determine their threat level.

"There's a castle up ahead. Must be one of Norician noble's," a young male voice said.

"Do you think it's worth investigating?" An older female voice asked.

"I know the odds are slim, but we should check everywhere."

Fionos raised his head up from the bank. There was something familiar about the male presence. As the two got closer, he realized the young man had horns; he was a Stag. And that scared Fionos. He was worried his 'brothers' had come to take him to the forests and that was the last thing Fionos wanted. In a panic, he ran back to the castle through the secret roads only he and Hilda knew of.

"Hildie!" He cried out for his friend after entering the castle's walls. He was on the verge of tears when Hilda burst out of Elias' room and flew down into the courtyard to comfort him.

"Fio! Fio what's wrong?!" Hilda knelt down in front of him and braced his shoulders.

Elias, intrigued by the commotion, followed after his guard.

"I…! I saw a big Stag…!" Fionos cried. "He's coming to take me away! I know it!"

"Now Fio, not every Stag you see is going to take you away," Hilda said comfortingly.

"B-But he was looking for something! They're on their way to the castle right now!"

"Alright, I'll go check it out," Hilda smiled before looking up at Elias. "C'mon Eli."

"Why do I have to go?"

"Cuz I said so," she adjusted her tail feathers and ran across the open courtyard until the wind lifted her wings up into the air. She circled around and snatched up Elias in her talons before flying over the walls.

"Put me down immediately!" Elias commanded.

"What's the matter Eli? Scared of heights?"

"I'm scared of you, you crazy bird!"

Hilda laughed and landed in a watch tower disguised within a bulky pine tree. After releasing Elias, she approached the small opening in the branches and closed one of her eyes. The pupil of the one kept open constricted, giving Hilda her ability to see a great distance away. She spied the two figures quickly and one of them was indeed a Stag on his way toward the castle. "Well… they don't look like they're here to cause trouble, but I'm such a bad judge of character."

Elias peered out the opening. Even though they were high up and a great distance away, he recognized the two figures to be younger of the Stag brothers and his own mother. Elle was enough of a problem. If any more of her allies appeared, that'd mean trouble for him. "Hilda, it's probably best that we don't take chances… We should spare Fionos the trauma of a confrontation."

"You think so?"

He nodded. "Let's capture them and interrogate them somewhere outside of this castle. Is there such a place?"

"Yeah, there's an underground dungeon not far from here. It hasn't been used in a while though."

"Can you take both of them?"

"Of course I can!" Hilda puffed out her chest confidently. "Just watch me!"

Elias smiled, "Alright."

Hilda beamed, happy to see she'd coaxed a smile out of him for once. Her ego boosted, she wanted to continue showing off and promptly swooped down upon the intruders.

"Oh look, a bird," Abernos noticed her shadow racing across the ground and looked up into the sky. "My, it's a bit big, don't you think?"

"Get down Abernos!" Viola grabbed his arm and pulled him down into the snow before Hilda's talons could snatch him.

Hilda bit her lip in frustration as she circled around for another attempt.

"Into the woods!" Viola commanded and ran past the tree line.

Abernos ran after her as fast as he could.

However, the trees didn't hinder Hilda's flight. She maneuvered easily between the branches and on her second attempt dug her talons into Abernos' shoulders. She tried to fly off with him, but the Stag's weight was just a little bit more than she could handle and after a few yards they both dropped into the snow.

"Pff!" Hilda spit up a bit of snow and shook the remaining white powder off with a quick ruffling of her feathers.

"You're completely useless," Elias sighed as he approached the two with his unconscious mother draped over his shoulder. "You're really the Captain of the Guard's younger sister?"

"I… I'm sorry," Hilda apologized as she stood and picked up the dazed Abernos. "I-I'm strong, but… not while flying…"

"You need to train harder then," Elias said. "Now, where's this dungeon you spoke of?"

"Oh! It's just past these trees," she perked up when she knew she'd once again be of use. "Follow me."

Elias followed her through the trees until they came to a small clearing within the forest. "I don't see anything."

"You're not supposed to," Hilda smiled and dug her talons into the snow, searching for the entrance. Within a few minutes, she grabbed onto a ring shaped doorknob and pulled with all her might. The snow cascaded off a heavy iron door hidden beneath the snow and opened up to reveal a long, dark staircase. "See? Told ya."

It was perfect, Elias thought as he followed Hilda into the depths of the chamber. He used a spark of his magic to light the few oil lamps still hanging outside the cells. He placed his mother in one and watched Hilda place Abernos in another. She then used her talons to lock each cell.

Elias looked around the dungeon. He spied a few old shackles on the wall and much to his delight a collection of weaponry hung on the opposite wall of the cells that contained a few daggers.

"I should go report these intruders to Helga," Hilda said as she returned to head to the stairs.

"Hilda, wait," Elias called to her with a small smile on his face. "I… was a little rough on you earlier. I couldn't have done this without your help, so I'd like to thank you."

Hilda blushed, "Aw, you don't need to thank me. I'm happy to help. Since I'm not that strong a flyer you can imagine all the flack I catch my sisters."

"Yes, it must be very difficult," he approached her while staying against the outside wall.

Hilda didn't notice he swiped the two daggers and continued blushing like a shy schoolgirl as Elias approached her with suggestive intentions. "It's not so bad."

"You truly impressed me…" he smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. "By how limitless your stupidity can be."

Hilda's eyes widened as she felt the icy blade run in through her back. She screamed, but Elias muffled her cries with his hand over her mouth.

He dragged her into a cell and quickly shackled her wrists and ankles to the call. He locked the shackles using the dagger tip and sighed pleasantly when he finished chaining up the biggest annoyance he'd ever met in his life.

"Elias…!" Hilda growled and tried to attack him after he backed away.

It amused him when she couldn't reach him. "You're truly a nuisance and the shame of your race. I should do you a favor and put you out of your miserable existence."

"No…!"

"Oh, there's no need to thank me," Elias grinned as he brandished both daggers.

Poor Hilda teared up in fear before crying out at the top of her lungs for help, but no one could hear her.

Elias left the dungeon covered in flecks of blood and carrying a few of Hilda's long feathers in his hand. He shut the iron door and used his magic to stir the wind and snow to once again conceal it as well as remove the tracks in the snow as he returned to the castle to break the unfortunate news.

Chapters 38 - 41