The sky over Frosenia was clear. The air was cold and permeated the bodies of each of Queen Freya's hunters. The owls were quietly pecking at the food prepared by a young hunter, Charlie, who had been in the castle for two years. He loved feeding the owls, who cooed merrily as he slipped them dead mice.
Charlie sighed and huddled tighter in his sheepskin when suddenly a menacing squawk tore right past him. The boy flinched when he saw that a black raven was perched on the eaves. It spread its wings and squawked at Charlie with superiority.
-What's the matter with you bird?
The raven had a small parchment letter pinned to its belly with a tag. He let the letter unhook itself then flew over to the owls and grabbed greedily one of the mice almost from under the nose of Norris, Charlie's favourite owl. Raven. In this world he was synonymous with greed, greediness. Her Imperial Highness Ravenna.
Charlie rushed quickly to Tull, one of the leading hunters who was in charge of the rest. The strong, black-skinned man was sitting in the cantina drinking beer with his fellow hunters.
-Tull!
The bilge turned and smiled.
-What's up, brother?
-Raven flew into the castle.
Silence fell in the hall. Tull put down his tankard.
- Charlie. Are you sure it's a raven?
The boy's only response was to pick up an envelope with Ravenna's coat of arms engraved on it. A raven with a crown.
Tull quickly ran with the letter to Queen Freya's hall. There was no time to waste. This could be something important. Ravenna had not written to her sister for nearly eight years when France was conquered by the joint forces of the North and Ravenna's subordinate army. Now, however, the letter could only mean one thing.
Tull knocked on the door of Freya's chamber.
-Enter- commanded a strong voice.
Tull entered Freya's chamber. The queen was sitting in her loose hair on a chair and reading a manuscript in an old language.
-Mistress. Mother. A letter from the South," wheezed Tull.
Freya held out her hand, and Tull quickly handed her the letter. Freya tore open the seal and quickly ran her eyes over the letter.
Silence like a poppy seed fell in the chamber.
Freya mumbled and put the letter down.
She glanced at her foster son, who was looking questioningly at the queen.
-War. Ravenna lost the first battle against the rebellion. She lost the girl. What's more. My brother was killed," she said dispassionately.
-Condolences, my lady- quietly said Tull.
Freya waved her hand.
-So sooner or later it would happen. With his character. But it was family after all. However, there is something that makes this matter personal.
Tull looked at Freya with a silent question.
-My brother was killed by Eric. Your former brother who was exiled from Frosenia. Fate has brought us together again.