Then Richard had an idea how to catch Fredrika, since her mind was still linked to her physical body in reality there should be a thin silver string somewhere near. A human soul was always linked to the body by this thin string and when it got broken the death was inevitable since the soul had lost the precious connection for earthly life.
He fumbled the air around the doors and then he felt something which was as light as a spider's web, there was the string! Richard looked at the door and it somehow reminded him about the sea. The color of the wood was light turquoise and some artist had painted the pictures of seashells and starfishes on it. Richard touched the doorknob and felt that it was still warm after Fredrika's touch.
He opened the door and looked inside. The scene which he saw was amazing it was like he had looked inside of a huge aquarium. Pure water vibrated lightly by the constant movement of the sea and bright rays of sun danced on the pale sand. Richard got rid of his heavy armor and after he was done he stepped into the world of sea.
He held his breath but eventually he realized that it was easy to breath under water. The sand was cotton like under his bare feet and it felt good. However he didn't have time to marvel at the beauty of the ocean floor he had to save Fredrika. He took a firm grip from the silver string and followed it.
The path which he walked on was full of beauty. Thousands shades of colors lied over the coral while fishes flew over and under of them. Sea had always been a grim reminder to Richard about his two exiles. The sea had nothing to offer him it had been like an old angry lady who took what she wanted and if it was a life of a sailor which she desired she took it without of question.
He remembered the cold and wet kisses of the wind which always blew over the waves.
The salt of the sea was as bitter tasting as his mother's silent tears when she had heard her husband's death. There had been nothing but death at England to Yorkists and it would have took them all if they would have stayed. It had always been Lancastrians which he had run away from but on the third time he had refused to run and what it had led him to?
The memory was so bitter that it made a hard lump to climb up in to Richard's throat.
After his death there had been no more of white roses to weep for his death and he didn't care for the tears of the Lancastrian's.
Suddenly Richard stopped. The string was leading him to a small cave but on the mouth of the cave was a huge walrus which blocked his way. The walrus was sleeping and wasn't about to move away from his cozy sleeping place.
Richard tried to push the walrus off but it's fat body was way too heavy for him to move.
Then he tried to pull it aside but it was no use, for a moment he thought to cut the walrus in two by his sword but he rejected the idea.
This walrus had right to be exist and besides it was Fredrika's creation so she would be very offended if he would destroy her creations.
But how to make it move away?
Richard thought for a moment and then he got new idea.
He stepped as close to the walrus as he could and then he started to tickle it.
At first nothing happened but then the walrus started to laugh in it's sleep.
This was the right way to make it move so Richard carried on and made his tickling even more intense.
The walrus now laughed hysterically and suddenly it rolled away from the cave's mouth.
That was all Richard wanted it to do and he thanked the walrus for moving away from his way.
Richard entered to the cave, it was dark at there but the silver string glowed little bit in dim light.
He followed the string like Perseus the ancient hero of Greek's mythology when he was in Minotaur's labyrinth of death.
After long walk in darkness he finally came on the other end of the cave and there the string seemed to go back at the surface.
He followed the string back to the dry land and he found himself from green lush meadow which was full of flowers and butterflies.
Birds were singing and the sun shined high on the sky.
This place seemed like a paradise to Richard but he had to keep on looking.
He had to find Fredrika.
The string continued on and on and eventually it seemed to go strait to a small castle which stood lonely at the top of small hill.
Richard walked to the gates of the castle where was a guard whom was made from iron.
-Halt who goes there, asked the guard with metallic voice.
-King Richard of England, France and lord of Ireland, Richard replied with confidence.
-My lady will not want to let you pass.
-Or else?
-You'll have to pay with your life.
-That sounds reasonable pull out of your sword sir knight.
The iron knight pulled out of his sword and Richard replied to his gesture with the same way.
Blades of steel hit together with force which caused little sparks to fly.
Although the iron knight was tall and heavy he lacked some of agility which Richard had much more. Since he had fought many battles he knew which risks were worth of taking when his opponent was bigger than him. Plain force was useless against a knight like this so he needed to be smarter than him. The heavy armor was knight's greatest weakness when it wasn't flexible enough it brought limitations which were hard to overcome in dire situation.
Richard knew this well and to become a good fighter he had had to learn the right movements in hard way. At Middleham's castle he had had to dress a clumsy and heavy armor on himself which had helped him to adjust to certain limitations. The bad armor had taught him quite well how to use his mobility when he was in a metallic shell. Observation and anticipation were both important factors but knowing the limitations of one's body in and out of armor was the most important thing of them all. When you knew the stretching points of yourself you could turn them for your advantage. When it had been his time to step in a right armor of his own size and good flexibility it had been child's play to fight it on.
Richard dodged and the knight slashed only air, he jumped at the right moment and knight missed him again.
Richard was way too fast for the clumsy knight.
Then finally he got his big chance to win the knight. He ran under him between his legs and the foolish knight followed him with his gaze by bending himself down.
One push was enough and soon the knight rolled heavily down the hillside and into the waves.
After the knight wasn't blocking the gateway Richard stepped to the court yard.
Fredrika was inside of the keep and he hurried to her.
The string lead him to the top floor where located one of the most luxuries chambers of the castle.
At the very center of the chamber was a huge bed and the string vanished strait under the heavy covers, she was there.
Although he was tired after the long trip and fighting he wasn't angry at her, she was just a little child who was afraid. And he knew quite well how terrifying it was to be shouted at.
He remembered how he had sinned against his father's will when he had been a mere boy he had been scared of his rage.
No, he needed to do this in good way if he wanted her to co-operate.
-Hmm, if I would be a little lassie where I would hide myself, Richard said aloud with impish voice.
-Should I go behind of the window curtains, he asked and pulled the curtains away.
-Hmm, no, perhaps an empty vase would be a good place, he continued and looked inside of a huge clay pot.
Then he head a soft giggle right from the bed.
-I must say that I'm very confused where could a little lassie be?
Silently he started to walk towards the bed.
-Where is the lassie...?
He took a firm grip from the blankets and pulled them away with one strong movement.
-HAA! I got you now!
But she wasn't there any more...