“They will have the first samples in a few days” Noelle said yawning, Frey was making a habit of visiting her at her afternoon nap.

“I did not expect to many apprentices would be interested” Frey said while holding the fey wooden board tightly. She had come to talk with Noelle, and even dragged Danielle, she needed to be distracted.

“From what Siv described their clothes are simple, I don’t doubt that their shamans would look for extravagant design and a seamstress or tailor would be interested but as a sample, it is a great opportunity for apprentices” Noelle continued.

“They really need some fashion sense” Danielle added disinterested, she had not been invited to Frey’s idea yesterday, and she considered herself a good judge of fashion.

“They are for the most part nomads, I don’t see a lace dress helping them while hunting, but you are right, their clothes are functional, but some may not be optimal” Noelle said lost in thought, Frey knew her sister had spent the entire evening drawing designs.

“You know perhaps…” Frey stopped as she felt the fey wooden board words been slowly carved on the surface, both Danielle and Noelle got up expectantly “The battle is over, we’ve dealt with the Storm’s Fury tribe. Everyone’s unharmed, there is work to be done, I’ll need to organize the army, I think by tomorrow I’ll have a date to part for Lune de Neige, I’ll tell you the specifics later, but we are proceeding as planned. I love you Frey, see you soon” the last words gave a rush to her head, as she read them out loud. She hugged the fey wooden board, and soon Noelle and Danielle were both on her hugging. They all were on edge.

“I’ll tell mom and dad” Noelle said as she parted from the hug.

“I’ll send a message for father as well, Percy is not that diligent… unharmed thank the goddess” Danielle added with swollen eyes, she had been terribly nervous about Percy.

“I’ll tell Siv, and I’ll go to the study” Frey spoke after a long exhalation, she had so many things pent up.

The three ladies left Noelle’s room, Frey was sure Siv was near the message tower waiting, as she had been. She was speeding through the corridors, as she passed the chambers she started running, laughing, Aedrik was coming back, her chest was filled.

Some guards were startled as they saw her running, but she did not care, she was already on the way for the message tower, when she saw Siv, the northern woman eyes went wide, but then she smiled as she got a look at her face.

“The battle’s over, he is coming back soon” Frey managed to say as she stopped in front of Siv, she was a little out of breath.

“Thank for letting me know, lady Frey, now I am worried about you, you need to some exercise, if you are out of breath already” Siv smile was wide, and she held Frey. Frey wanted to argue but she was truly out of breath, Siv could be, was probably right.

“Do you think?” she finally managed

“You can be whatever you want Frey, Aedrik was adamant in me not trying anything on you, but I think anyone should at least be fit enough to run from their lives, if you allow me to be blunt, lady Frey” Siv said in a low voice.

“He was adamant? Wait, what would you have me do?” Frey regretted her words the moment they left her, as Siv grin was wild.

“I would suggest, learn to use a dagger, proper ridding, a little bit of poisons and a better physical condition, save your life running, and hunting; but that is just an opinion lady Frey” why did she had to ask, Siv was grinning.

“I think you have a point in my physical condition Siv, would you… I will amend it” good, don’t fall into her trap Frey “I can handle myself in a horse”

“Can you ride for an entire day, while being chased lady Frey?”

“I think, I could if the need arises” Frey said a little less confident that she wanted, but she could handle herself while ridding.

“It is just my opinion, lady Frey”

“Fine, besides improving my running ability which skill would you suggest I improve?” she would regret this dearly.

“Learn orcish and woodspeak, lady Frey” Siv grin was marvelous, Frey knew the northern woman was enjoying herself.

“You are right, but why woodspeak, and not fey or the northern variant of common?”

“The empire uses common as a base, if you truly want to involve with the orcs, you will need to learn orcish, it is a sign of respect. Most fey on the other hand, know common, they will like you take the time to learn their language but until you truly master it, they will be criticizing you, more than praising you, and it’s a complicated language. The northern variant of common is disappearing, you will learn naturally, there is no point in spending time on it. Woodspeak however, is old, it’s the base form of fey, and there are too many races in the northern forest, woodspeak will serve you immensely”

“Can you teach me?”

“I can teach you orcish, I know you’ve been studying it, I don’t understand why you haven’t asked me” Frey bit her lip, she had started studying orcish with the help of Mrs. Ferlin, and had considered asking Siv but had been a little embarrassed about it “I can teach you some of the basics of woodspeak, and if the information I have is correct, master librarian Emeryn knows a little as well, but you have to be sure to have Aedrik teach you, he speaks it naturally”

“Did the empress taught him?”

“He learned it by himself so he could talk with a friend”

“A friend?”

“Even princes have friends, lady Frey”

“Of course, just…”

“The empire surrounds the Myrkvidr forest, we northerners live at its borders, and the Boreal Glades mark its end, Aedrik spent many of his free time inside the forest, he learned woodspeak there, that’s why I suggest you learn it”

“Is it difficult?”

“In part, the problem lies with its speakers, not everyone who speaks it has lips, so it can be heard to understand, or to make yourself clear. I am still learning, I never asked Aedrik to teach me, but I’ve grasped part of it by being with him, I you ask him to teach him, I would also assist those lessons”

“I take your word then Siv, running, orcish and woodspeak. For now, accompany me to the study, I’m guessing my father is going there as well”

“You have taken over almost half the study”

“The study is for those who use it, and we need it”

“Lead the way, lady Frey”

Frey turned, followed by Siv. She wanted to review the layout of the Auvernier, and the lands they had taken from the warring hills. Aedrik would probably sent the proposal her father and uncle Rowan had discussed with him regarding the distribution.

She had been working on her room, but it lacked space, in the end she kidnapped a table at the corner of the study, she had been considering Aedrik’s ideas on how the orc tribes would spread, for all her father was very methodical on how to address the campaign, she felt he was still too shallow on his approach regarding the orc tribes. Perhaps Luka’s point of view had changed after the campaign.

She had never met an orc, and here she was considering how to treat them like allies and neighbors. Siv was right, she needed to learn orcish, and woodspeak. The words of the forest, and ancient language. What kind of friends did Aedrik had at Myrkvidr. She had read too many stories of the legendary northern forest, the home of leshys, amaroks, and basilisks. Frey smiled nervous, she only had to ask him, he was coming soon.

The victory celebration was at its peak, people danced and singed around the campfires. Aedrik was moving around the camp, talking, and laughing. He saw a couple of man, who had probably drunk too much, insisting on dancing with a young woman, she was refusing them politely, another woman was trying to convince her as well, but she was bothered by the situation.

"I am glad to see you came to the celebration miss Ryba. I am grateful for taking care of my injurie, it stills hurts but it allowed me to be here as well” Aedrik sudden presence startled them all, the young men were soldiers, they immediately saluted him, the other woman was probably a cleric as well, but the one who was more surprised was the young miss Ryba “I am not up for a dance, but may I invite you piece of steak, it is a northern custom, would you care to accompany me?” miss Ryba face had gone completely red at the familiarity the prince was showing her, she manage a small nod.

“I am sorry for taking her from you, enjoy the evening, just moderate yourselves” Aedrik words were familiar but firm, both soldiers nodded, and miss Ryba was following him.

"I am sorry miss Ryba, most man are overexcited after a battle, alcohol does not make it better, it is no excuse for their behavior, but try to not hold it against them” the young cleric was still red from head to toe, she noticed many people looking at them as they walked together. She had only drunk a glass of wine, but she felt hot. She had dressed up as well as one could on a military camp with only a half an hour of space after treating wounded people for half a day.

“You don’t need to worry your majesty, they are from my town, but they were being to stubborn, my father says I need to be more direct, especially when saying no” she felt her voice failing, she wanted to slap herself. Her head barely reached the prince’s shoulders, and she did not have the courage to look at him as they talked, the only consolation was her hair was loose, it covered part of her face, or so she hoped.

“That’s a good advice, I am glad to hear you know them. The imperial army does not condone such behavior” the young cleric was about to say something, but she noticed the prince face was calm “I hope they listen to my advice, but be sure to remind them their actions represent their principles, and as long as they are imperial soldiers, they represent the empire’s as well”

“I’ll let them know, your majesty” the young cleric said worried.

“I am sorry miss Ryba, I wanted to help you, and to truly thank you for your effort, and here I am lecturing you” Aedrik sighed loudly “Where you enjoying the celebration? Before this, I mean”

“I am your majesty. I liked your speech, I am sure must of us will never forget, I honestly see orcs, differently” the young cleric admitted, and felt a rush to her face, as the prince smile appeared.

“Thank you miss Ryba, that is more than I can hope” he looked genuinely happy, the cleric was turning red entirely “And here miss Ryba, this is the proper way to cook a steak”

Much to the cleric relief, they arrived next to a small campfire surrounded by northern men, they were all looking at the meat cooking over the fire, one of them had a large fork with which he was moving the pieces of meat, the one who was cooking had a fierce look about him, he seemed dangerous, and somehow the cleric felt it make him look handsome.

“Miss Ryba, may I present you, Captain Orri, and soldiers Knute, Ase, Vendel, Thyr and Joren. Gentlemen, this is miss Valeska Ryba, she treated my wounds, and I was hoping to treat her to a steak, I also would like for you to keep and eye on her, for it seems she is too kind, and I would like to assure her father, she is well cared at the eastern army”

“Miss Ryba”

“Miss”

The northern men answered in a familiar manner, the cleric noticed they all had the 11th battalion insignia.

“You are the icebreakers” the young cleric said surprised, the 11th battalion of the northern army, were the elite fighters directly under the prince command.

“That they are miss Ryba, captain Orri here is responsible for them, and he is also one of our best cooks, next time I hope, I can cook a steak for you miss Ryba”

“You cook, your majesty?”

“He does, but captain Orri is better, miss Ryba” one of the soldiers, Thyr, answered.

“Not everyone likes their meat so raw, Nord Stern” the youngest of the soldiers, Ase, added, the rest nodded in agreement.

“I like your steaks as well Nord Stern, you should…” captain Orri intervened but stopped as he noticed, the young cleric paying attention to him.

“Don’t mind the captain, miss Ryba, he is the best of us, be he gets nervous around pretty ladies” Ase said smiling, and was hit by an elbow, from one of the other men.

“Well miss Ryba, you will have to decide on my cooking some other day, an impartial judge is welcomed. I need to speak with our orcish allies, miss Ryba, I’ll have to excuse myself for a while, but I will come back in a moment” the young cleric who had been enjoying the odd group of northern men, opened her eyes wide “Don’t worry miss Ryba, these are good men, they are just really bad at speaking with woman, all of them. In fact, you would do them a favor if you invited some of your friends to taste the steaks, I promise you won’t be disappointed” she was about to answer, but the prince smiled and winked at her, and turned, marching straight for a corner were there were orcs dancing.

She sighed, turned and saw all the northern men who had been talking happily suddenly were looking at the steaks cooking, she smiled. These men were the best fighters of the army, and it seemed the prince was right, they were scared of her.

“How do you call this?”

“A grill, miss Ryba” captain Orri answered without looking at her “I like Nord Stern way of cooking his steaks, but I like to keep mine a but longer in fire, because I like the fat to get roasted”

“I want mine, like that, please” the cleric smiled, and she noticed the fear looking man blushing, as he nodded.

Aedrik smiled as he looked back and saw miss Ryba talking with Orri, who knew, perhaps something might come out of a chance meeting, it worked for him. He knew Orri for a long time, the man had always been shy around woman, it was the result of being raised next to three older sisters and just their mother. The man was a fierce warrior, he just never had the chance or opportunity to try to court someone. Dammit I never thought I would become a matchmaker, after being engaged.

He truly wanted to spend some time with the orcs who had joined the celebration. The warring hills orcs were different than the glacial orcs, not only they were smaller, but they were also less tribal, their tribes seemed to have no trouble mingling among themselves, whereas the northern orcs were more wary from other tribes than they were from man.

He saw Erkal and the Ruin Builders sulking about, but he did not want to come by them, their pride as orcs was hurt, it was best to leave them alone. Raz on the other hand, was suffering from his success, some females from his tribe had him surrounded, discouraging females from other tribes, but Raz seemed to be enjoying the attention.

Aedrik gave Raz a nod, and the shaman answered grinning. He continued along the camp and spotted a group of orcs, northern men and even some men of the east trying to talk with the orcs. They were part of the units that had trained together before the battle, the northern men were used as translators, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. He was about to go talk with them, when an orc from the Book Reader tribe came to him.

"I am sorry to bother you, warrior Aedrik, but Kirn wishes to speak with you" the orc who had come, was one of Kirn's guards. He was an average looking orc, but he was deadly on the battlefield, he used a short sword and a dagger, and for what Aedrik saw, they were probably poisoned.

"Thank you, Lurn, I will speak with Kirn" Kirn had been hurt when the last group of elites fell on them. Kirn’s leg had been pierced by a lance, and had to be pulled back from the front. Aedrik guessed it had been a deep wound, since he had not seen Kirn at all. The orc, Lurn, gave him a nod and motion him to follow him, they pass the center and entered the part of the camp where the Book Reader tents were.

Aedrik walked slowly, he was looking everywhere, trying to spot an ambush, he was sure no one else was following, and he had not spotted people hiding. They stopped in front of Kirn’s tent, if they prepared anything it was waiting inside the tent.

"Kirn is waiting for you inside the tent" Lurn pointed at the tent and went back the same way to the celebration. Aedrik stood there, looking for any other clues, but he did not see anything out of place, no traces of magic or anything else. There was no point in overthinking the invitation, he rested his hand on the short sword grip. The tent left a faint light from the entrance. He took a deep breath and entered the tent, inside there was no one else but Kirn, the huntress was waiting for him.

"Thank you for coming prince Aedrik" the female orc warm voice greeted him. She was almost the same height as him. She had a slender frame, and for an orc hunter it meant all of it was muscle. Kirn looked like what most northern woman warriors hoped to be. Aedrik had seen too many soldiers eyeing at the orc huntress while she moved around the camp.

Her pale green skin matched her deep violet hair, almost dark but vibrant. It was let loose, and it fell just past her shoulders. Aedrik could see her war tattoos along ger body, they were all engraved with white ink, he could see the traces of magic in them. The female orc was standing in front of him, proud, she was hiding nothing, and she was expecting a response.

"I am glad, to see you recovered from your wounds, Kirn" Aedrik had been surprised by her, but he kept his calm. He approached her, he had looked at her, but his eyes had never stopped along the way. Kirn saw him looking at the leg where she had been injured, and then his eyes went back to hers, those fascinating eyes.

"Thank you, prince, one of your healers took care of it. They just asked me to rest for a while. I heard your words from the tent, I am sorry, I was not able to assist, I had to prepare myself, but I am glad of the response of your words, I feel the same way” Aedrik had not stopped, until he was standing in front of the female orc. Kirn had moved closer to him, she moved slowly, seductively, but his eyes never left hers, she felt her skin burning, but they remained steady.

"What is it, that you wished to talk with me?” Aedrik asked politely. Kirn had been watching the prince, he intrigued her since the beginning. The prince was an incredible warrior and a smart and fine commander, and he had saved her more than once during the battle. Kirn was compelled to him, his eyes called her, she had never felt attracted by someone as she was for this human.

"I wanted to compensate you prince, not only did you fulfill your promise and our need of vengeance. You have been a loyal and fair ally for the Book Reader tribe, and you saved my life, as the acting leader of my tribe, and as Kirn the huntress, I offer myself to you, prince” Kirn was standing as tall as she could, she wanted to pounce on the prince, and yet, his intoxicating eyes, were calm, set on hers.

"I am sorry Kirn, as I am sure you already know, I am promised to someone else already, the sister of lord Luka, I would never dishonor a promise” His eyes were on hers, was it interest? Was he pleased? Troubled? Scared?

"I am aware prince, but would you care not for a second wife? You understand our customs, am I not worthy?” Kirn moved closer, she tried to remain calm, even though her breathing had increased.

"I am honored Kirn, and though Loire does not practice the same customs, the Empire has some leniency regarding it, however, it is not by these customs that I am bound, but by honor and heart” so that was it, love? The spark the prince had in his marvelous eyes, but she was prepared for his answer.

"Then do not take me as a wife, prince, but tonight you owe me. You saved me, I have a debt with you, for myself and my tribe. You will not have dishonored your promise for what I understand is yet to happen. You are still not marked as mates, or is it the idea of laying with me, so bad?” Kirn was just a step from the prince, if she moved a little closer her skin would graze his clothes. She had never taken her eyes of his, she was fascinated, enchanted by them, her arm moved, she wanted him to touch her, but just as she was about to reach him, he stopped her, and leaned close to her.

"No one would deny themselves a moment with you Kirn, but look into my eyes, see that my heart is filled, I am honored and humbled of seeing you interested in me, but I cannot respond to you in kind, and you deserve no less, Kirn the huntress of the Book Reader tribe. Kirn saw inside his eyes, and her heart ached. Her hand was inside his, it was large, it covered hers, and it was warm, so damned warm. Whomever had grasped the heart of this man, she wished them luck. He was kind enough to truly care for her, not for her skin, but for her, it enraged her, she wanted him more.

"Then give me no love, prince, but this night, is mine" she leaned in for a kiss, but the prince, held her. His damned eyes still locked on hers.

"You are magnificent, Kirn the huntress of the Book Reader tribe, I have seen you fight, and I am honored to be considered your ally. You look for what is best for you people, and your words bound you. I hope you will always consider me a friend, but you need to know what is inside my heart, then you’ll understand" He grabbed both her hands and placed them on his chest, for a moment Kirn though he was about to answer her advances, but suddenly she felt something else. His hear beat, but it was doing so slowly at the rhythm of some other heart, and then, she felt warm, and empty, a feeling so overwhelming that tears started rolling down her eyes, and yet he never stopped looking at her.

Kirn could bear it no longer, she removed her hands from him, and feel to her knees, clutching at her chest, her air missing, there had been a warm inside her heart, so incredibly that it hurt, and yet as she moved from him it left a while so big, that she feared she was disappearing, never had she felt anything that way, was that what he felt for someone else?

"I am sorry, Kirn, I tried to show you what lies inside my heart, I never meant to hurt you in any way, but I may not respond to your offer. I only wish to convey, how truly humbled and honored I am. I am in your debt for understanding” Aedrik gave Kirn his most formal bow, and at last his eyes left her.

Kirn heart ached again, she wanted to move on him, but she remembered the intensity of his warm harm, and could not move. Her hands still on her chest, her breathing irregular. His eyes held something intense, raw, and yet, so very delicate, so fragile, the tears did not stop for a while.

Aedrik left the tent walking at his normal pace, his legs were too weak. Fuck… he would rather fight any orc unarmed than face something like that again. He had an urge, so desperate, so visceral, his body was on fire and yet, he would never.

He had not only chosen and promised, he loved Frey, with every part of him, she had become his kismet as a result of his decision of asking her that night. He left the tent but his skin was burning, he had been aroused before but never like this.

He was angry, desperate, in pain, and exhausted. How he missed Frey, her eyes, her smile, her skin, her hair, her smell, her voice. He sighed and continued walking, back to the celebration. He went past the orcs celebrating, he spotted what he needed near the wine barrels. He grabbed a jug of water, and poured over his head, everyone near him were startled, but he exhaled loudly.

“That was refreshing, now I need something to eat” and without saying anything else, and before anyone asked anything, he went back to where he had left miss Ryba talking with Orri. The northern men cheered and laughed as they saw him come back drenched in cold water. It seemed miss Ryba had called a pair of friends; the young lasses were startled by his sudden display.

"I want a piece of steak as well, Orri" as he spoke, miss Ryba, was surprised but that was it, the other two woman however almost jumped where they stood. They all turned to face him, and everyone had different expressions on their faces, but who would blame them.

"I have one, just the way you like it Nord Stern" only Orri had kept his cool, he knew Aedrik from way back, and this was not the weirdest thing he had seen about him "We are slicing it, so that everyone may take a bite" he made a gesture towards a wooden block where they placed the steak and then sliced it "Were you hot?" Orri asked after a moment of looking at Aedrik drenched figure, and he laughed wholeheartedly at his words.

"You could say so" Aedrik laughed, and it was contagious, the other man began to laugh as well, and then the young cleric, it took a moment before her companions also laughed. They air was still filled with music, shouts and laughter, and the celebration continued well past midnight. It was almost 2 in the morning, when Aedrik returned to his tent, he was tired and exhausted, he went straight to his bed, thinking only one thing, Frey's soft lips, before falling asleep.