Fredrika knew quite well that there was only evil around of her. She could even feel the invisible pressure coming from all directions. She wanted to run away but her feet kept on walking.
The air around her was full of unnatural anger and hate which tried to squeeze her soul out from her aching body.
The she took one more step and she was surrounded by the army of Hatmen.
Raw panic hit her like a wave of stormy sea and made her to stand still like a stone statue.
She now totally on the mercy of these demons.
-It was about time for you to join back to us, said the tallest one of the Hatmen.
Cold sweat ran on Fredrika's skin when that monster spoke to her.
Its voice was pure malice and cruelty like the Devil's.
However she swallowed her fear and demanded to have her friend back.
-You want him, you shall have him.
The leader of the Hatmen gave a signal to his comrades and they step aside.
Behind of the black wall of them Fredrika saw a tall block of ice and inside of it was Richard.
She ran to the ice block and started to hit it's surface with her fists but the ice was too firm to break.
Pure terror had congealed to Richard's face and he had lifted up his arms to protect himself while the ice had sealed him up.
-RICHARD, PLEASE SPEAK TO ME, she cried but Richard didn't react.
-What have you done to him?!
-Nothing much, he is just little bit frozen, the leader replied and laughed.
Soon the other Hatmen joined to his laughter and evil echo of the laughter hammered poor Fredrika's ears.
-Now when you are finally among of your real family it's time to rejoin to us, the leader continued after the laughter had faded away.
What was he talking about?!
-Once you were one of us but you turned your back at us, which was quite unforgivable but we are not rancorous beings when someone wants to come back to us.
-No, Fredrika shouted.
-Don't you remember you were one of us?! You were the best of us, you captured hundreds of souls increasing our number year after year. You belong to the shadow folk you belong to us!
-NO!
-Believe it!
-LEAVE US ALONE! ALL OF YOU!
-We tried to show you the way back to us, we possessed your earthly father and we tried to kill your earthly mother as well but you didn't understand. We even possessed you to take your own life!
Fredrika turned her gaze away from the leader. His words made her suffer and she wanted to get out. His words could not be true. She didn't belong in here, they were not her family!
She belonged to the light!
When she realized that all her fear was swept away by new kind of courage and peace which she had never experienced before.
The leader took a small break before he continued with even more malice in his voice.
-Well then, if you don't come back willingly then we must take you with force!
They thought that they had the power over her but they were wrong, she wasn't about to surrender.
-IN THE NAME AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST I COMMAND YOU TO LEAVE US ALONE, she shouted as loud as she could.
Hearing the name of the son of God made the Hatmen to pull back.
Nevertheless they tried to attack again but now a blinding light appeared into the darkness.
The light was so bright that it made the demons to run away like cockroaches and the dark chamber started also to shake and crumble.
Heavenly light burned away all the darkness and chased the Hatmen away for good.
Soon the darkness had burned into ashes and bright sunlight made the gloomy world to come back to life. New grass sprouted from the ground, trees got their verdant leafs and new blossoms reached towards the light and warmth.
Orion galloped towards Fredrika rejoicing for her victory over the Hatmen but nevertheless one problem still remained, Richard was still inside of the ice.
Fredrika looked helplessly at him since not even the warm rays of the sun couldn't melt that enchanted ice.
Then she remembered one thing from her early years of childhood's treasure hunt.
When the treasure was found the one who had discovered it was allowed to make one wish.
Fredrika laid her hand on the freezing surface of the ice and closed her eyes.
-I want Richard back, she said aloud.
Then she felt the wet touch of running water, the ice was about to melt!
Fredrika took one step back while the ice melted away.
Soon Richard was free from his prison and he fell down to the ground.
Slowly he got onto his knees and coughed since he had swallowed some of the water.
-Are you alright, she asked worried and helped him onto his feet.
-Ow, ow, ow, careful, please be careful, he moaned while he tried to stretch his frozen limbs.
Fredrika helped him to sit on to a rock which was near by.
-Oh, Richard you are really hurt, she lamented when she saw how badly the Hatmen had harmed her friend.
-Don't worry I have taken much more of damage than this, nevertheless I don't recall when but, Richard understated but the pain was clearly visible on his face.
-I'm so sorry, Fredrika apologized and laid her hands and forehead against his thigh.
-Don't be, lassie.
-I have ruined everything.
-What do you mean?
-My life, my dreams, my health and everything. And the Hatmen said that I belong to them.
Once again Richard took her face between of his hands and looked at her strait into her eyes.
-You haven't ruined anything, everything is still possible and the world is waiting for you.
Leave yesterday behind of you and greet the new day with joy and love. Don't waste your tears on things which are in the past but onto those poor souls who don't know what love is.
Never give up from your dreams since they are the fuel of your future and future without of dreams is as dark as the spirits of the Hatmen.
Although I'm just a King who is pretty much worn out I know that you'll have a great future ahead of you and nothing will prevent that. And what comes for being one of the Hatmen that is pure purebovine faecies.
Fredrika embraced Richard and tears of joy ran down on her cheeks.
-Your mama is soon about to come home you would better hurry, he pointed out with soft voice.
-One more thing, the Latin word you said, what does it mean?
-I'll tell you when you are old enough, Richard replied and laughed.