Freya's POV

It has been a week since my brother's departure and I've missed him more with each passing day. He was always on my mind and I wondered what he was doing and how his quest was going.

A knock on my door suddenly brought me out of my thoughts and I rushed over to open it.

"Morning." Rhid said as I opened the door.

"Morning." I greeted back.

"Are you ready to leave?" He asked and I nodded.

"Oh before I forget, this was delivered for you this morning." He said and he handed me a letter.

I took it from him eagerly and opened it with haste, because I already knew who sent the letter.

Dear Freya

I hope this letter finds you well and I hope you enjoyed the visit to the village.

The quest is going good and we are positive we would return in a week or two.

I hope Rhid is taking care of you. I can't wait to share all my tales with you and I miss you more than ever and you're not far from my thoughts.

Hope to see you soon.

Love Javier.

I read the letter a few times before I folded it and placed it in my pocket. Something about having the letter close made him feel close too.

"Are you ready?" Rhid asked once more.

"Always, now let's get going." I said as we raced down to the stables.

When we were all saddled up it was once again a race to the village and a laugh escaped my lips as I rushed past the trees. The rest of the guards were following close behind us.

I was the first one who arrived at the pole where we tied up our horses, Rhid gave me a sour look clearly not happy that I won. Again.

"You clearly cheated!" Rhid exclaimed with feigned anger.

"And how did I cheat exactly?" I asked.

"I don't know, but you did because no girl ever beats me." He said.

"I guess there is always a first time for everything." I said before I walked off. Everyone greeted me as I passed by and I greeted them back. After a week I've become quite close to the village people. They were always friendly and happy to show me about.

Rhid and I spent the day walking about with the guards not to far behind. It was already noon and Rhid and I was on our way to the bakery, which has become my favorite place to be.
I was still busy talking to Rhid when he suddenly came to an abrupt stop. I looked back at him worried, but then I saw what he was looking at. It was the girl that worked at the flower shop. Rhid has greeted her a few times we've been in the village and I could clearly see that he fancies her.

"Why don't you go say hello?" I asked Rhid.

"Oh no, I can't leave you." He replied.

"Rhid I will only be a few steps away from you and besides the guards will be with me." I said. Rhid looked torn for a moment as he decided what course of action to take.

"Fine, but I'll be just a few minutes." He reluctantly agreed before he ordered his men to go with me. He went over to her and I could see the fondness in his eyes for her. I tried to ask him about her, but he just told me she was a friend.

I gave them a last glance before I headed to the bakery. I asked my guards to wait outside as I entered the little shop.

"Ah the princess returns." Joe said as he gave me a smile.

"Yes, for who could resist your delicious cakes." I said with a grin. The round man let out a hearty laugh and I gave him a grin.

"So what can I do for you princess?"

"I would like ten slices of that delicious pie of yours." I said as I leaned against the counter.

"Coming right up." He said with a salute before he went into the kitchen.

"He is such a nice man." Someone suddenly said beside me startling me.

When I saw who it was I was taken by surprise.

"Duke Aerolf, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I needed to talk to you alone and here you were, alone." He said as he gave me a small smile.

"About what?" I asked, quite stunned that the duke wanted to speak with me. What could he possible want me?

"Your powers." He said and I feel my breath catch in my throat.

"W-What about them?" I asked as inconspicuous as I could, but to tell truth I was scared of what he might know.

"I know about your capabilities, especially your mind manipulating power that is quite extraordinary." He said.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Don't be so surprise my dear. I know a lot of things." He said in a voice that made my skin crawl.

"What do you want with me?" I asked.

"I want us to rule the world, my dear. Just imagine all the things we could do together." He said as he brushed his thumb against my cheek.

"I will never use my powers to take over the world." I said as I pulled away from him.

"You just might." He said with a wicked grin and I got a strange feeling.

Luckily Joe returned from the kitchen with my pies. I quickly thanked him as I paid for the pies. I rushed out of the bakery as fast I could.

Rhid was still talking to the flower girl when I pried him away.

"Rhid we need to leave now." I said as I dragged him to the horses. The guards following behind us.

"Freya what is the matter?" He asked as we arrived at the horses and we quickly saddled.

"I can't explain now, we need to go to my father as fast as possible." I said as I pulled on Moonlight's reigns. She gave a whine before she sprinted off.

Rhid and the guards sensed my haste and sprinted with equal speed.

My thoughts were one big mess as I wondered what the duke knew exactly and how he found out about my powers. I had to tell my father, the duke was a threat. How did he possible think I would take over the world with him? What was his plans? I had so many questions, but the first thing I had to do was tell my father.

I was so consumed in my thoughts that I didn't see the dark hooded figure who stood in the middle of the road. Moonlight was frightened by the sudden appearance of the man and threw me off.

I let out a startled scream before I experienced excruciating pain as I fell on the ground. Rhid jumped off his horse and came to my aid.

"Freya are you alright?" He asked. He quickly helped me to stand up. Once I was back on my feet I saw that we were surrounded by hooded figures.

The guards and Rhid immediately formed a circle around me and drew their swords. I looked at the hooded figures and I had no doubt that this was duke Aerolf's doing.

The hooded figures pulled out their own swords and then the fight started. The clashing of swords echoed off the trees. I wanted to help them but I was unarmed.

The guards and Rhid tried their best to hold them off, but could see Rhid and his comrades were growing weary.

"Freya!" Rhid called me. I looked up at him and he mouthed, "run." I didn't want to leave them, but I knew that if I was captured by these men my chances will be slim. And as soon as the opportunity presented itself I dashed into the woods.

The guards and Rhid held them off giving me a head start. I ran as fast as I could. The branches of the trees nicked my arms as I sped past. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I had get away as fast as possible.

I was running for a while when I finally decided to slow down, but then I heard voices and I took off once more. I took a few turns and twists, trying my best to get them off my tail.

It was days like these I realized how important it was to stay fit and I was especially grateful for my powers that gave me a boost.

After taking a few more twists and turns I finally decided to stop. I rested myself against a tree as I used my powers to listen for voices, but I heard none and I knew I lost them.

A relieved sigh escaped my lips. But then when I looked up I saw two wolves were standing there and looking at me. I knew I had nature powers, but I could not control hungry wolves.

"Easy there." I said as I lifted up my hands and backed away slowly. They growled at me and I knew I had to make a run for it. It was my only chance.

I ran for the second time as fast as I could. I was so focused on my speed that I didn't see the tree root that stood out of the ground.

My foot was caught onto the tree root and I fell, I positioned my body so that I could fall on my back. But to my demise I did not see the tree that was directly behind me and I bumped my head against the tree trunk as I fell to the ground.

I looked up to see where the wolves were and saw that they were heading my way. Black spots started to cover my view and just as I thought I was going to be eaten, a large dark figure came out of nowhere and chased the wolves. Just as I was about to look at my rescuer the black spots covered my view and I was consumed into darkness.

-*-
Rhid's POV

I fought hard trying to hold off the men as Freya ran off. As soon as Freya was out of sight the two men got the upper hand and chased after her.

I tried to stop them but the other men held me off. After a few more seconds the men seized there fighting and ran off in different directions.

We ran in the direction Freya went and I only hoped she was alright. We ran for what felt like hours but saw nothing. I knew it was pointless because they could've gone in any direction. We needed more men to track through the forest.

But I had faith and I knew Freya was a smart girl. I only hope she lost her pursuers and got to a safe place.

"We need to inform the king." I said to the guards as he started our trek to the castle.

I couldn't believe I let this happen. I should have never left her on her own! Who did this? Why was Freya in such a haste to get back home? What or who did she see? Who was these men and what did they want with Freya.

When we arrived at the castle I called on the king immediately and I was led to the library. The other guards were with me.

"Rhid, what's going on? Why did you want to see me?" The king asked as he entered the library.

I looked up at him before I looked down to the ground ashamed of what happened.

"Freya...where is she?" He asked.

"Sire we've been ambushed..." I said before I told him everything that happened.

The king 's face turned from anger to sadness to pure outrage.

"Who did this?"

"I don't know sire. I'm so sorry I let her down and I let you down. I should've-"

"Rhid let's not focus on the shoulds and shouldn'ts, but rather on finding my daughter." He said and I gave him a firm nod.

"Get the troops ready and bring me my finest trackers. We need to get Freya back." The king said before we all started to do our tasks.

I could only hope Freya was safe.