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Chapter 24 Finally Out of the Nifolwilde

  The sun shining off the flowing water felt so therapeutic after spending so much time in the fog. Nova felt happier and more energized as she watched the trees. A bird she couldn't identify majestically swooped out of a nearby tree, and sank its feet in the water. The next moment it's flying back toward the tree with a fish in its talons. The distant songs of various birds pierced the silence. The spring morning was still cool, but the light of the sun did wonders at warming Nova’s heart.

  “If this wind keeps up we should arrive in Eormengd after midday,” Eadgar announced happily. “You forget how warm the sun is after spending so long in the Nifolwilde,” Beornia noted, as she admired the more colorful world with Nova.

  Sapphire sleepily stretched in the back of the boat. She blearily opened her eyes. They soon shot wide open as she noticed the whole boat bathed in sunlight. Sapphire excitedly ran toward Nova. she is gonna fall isn’t she. Nova carefully walked toward Sapphire prepared to catch her. The wolf-kin was too good on her feet to let the rocking boat trip her up. She excitedly hugged Nova while jumping up and down. Her tail wagged vigorously. Nova petted the excited Sapphy’s hair, and returned her embrace. “I missed the sun so much!” Sapphire decred. “That is the longest I have stayed in the Nifolwilde.”Sapphire grabbed Nova’s cheeks and pulled her into an excited kiss. The wind threatened to blow Nova’s hood off. She quickly let go of the wolf-kin to hold her hood in pce. That was close. I can't have my cover blown. Nova wryly smiled at the unintentional pun. I’m sure Juniper would have said something like that. Goddess I hope they are okay. Sapphire pulled away excitedly to look at nature that was bathed in the sunlight. She grasped Nova’s hand gently. “Women, I'm left all alone back here to talk to myself,” Eadgar sighed to himself.

  It was all smooth sailing from there. The wind blew hard downriver filling the sail. River kobolds became a concern of the past. on The left side of the river. Developed farmnd and vilges dotted the ndscape. The right side of the river was an untamed forest. “This river is the border between Nifolmarch and the nifolwildes. Powerful demon-lords reside on the other side. Nothscir was built to defend the only ford in the kingdom,” Eadgar said while gesturing at the forest.

  Soon the metropolis came into view. Tall whitewashed stone walls with intermittent towers stood proudly in the sun. The walls and towers had bck roofing. The acropolis overlooked the town. There was only one temple building. The acropolis was much smaller and less grand then the one in Nothscir. Overlooking the river front stood a tall square white keep. It had a bck roof like the walls. “That’s the White Tower of Dracawine,” Sapphire decred excitedly. “The king holds court there. He also lives there with his household and the crown princess. She moved in at a young age. The king's two oldest sons lead their own houses-” Sapphire expined. Nova couldn't keep up with the flood of information that left the wolf-kin's mouth.

  The waterfront had a lot of docks. A lot of knarrs were loading and unloading at the docks. There were a few longships docked as well. Clouds intermittently blocked the afternoon sun. The day was very warm. Eadgar pulled into one of the docks. Where a girl in her mid teens waited fnked by two huskarls.“Welcome back to Eormengd Aunt Beornia,” Athelfd said, as Nova and her two girlfriends stepped onto the dock.“Don’t call me that I disowned my family decades ago,” Beornia said stiffly. Athelfd approached Beornia. The padin took a step back behind Nova.“She does look a lot like you,” Nova observed, as she put out her arm protectively in front of her girlfriend. “It’s part of my oath to the Goddess. I have no family,” Beornia decred. “Welcome, Sapphire and Nova. Follow me to the academy,” Athelfd said, as she gnced at them with a smile. Her gaze lingered on Sapphire for a moment before she turned around.

  The architecture of the town was not much different from Nothscir. The city was significantly bigger. The streets were more crowded. Most of the half timbered buildings had three stories or more. They soon arrived at the magic academy. It was a huge six story half timbered building. The first floor was made out of white washed stone. The windows had arched frames every window had a gss window pane in it. The window frames had glowing runic sigils carved into them. The academy had a huge open fenced in plot. There were a few trees, and an herb garden. A circur area was surrounded with a chest high whitewashed stone wall. The wall had a lot of runic sigils carved into it. There was a pretty garden with a fountain. The garden was full of flowering pnts. It was across the yard from the circur area. Nova lost herself in amazement for a moment.

  “Are two done gawking?” Athelfd commented with an amused smile on her face.Nova looked at Sapphire just to see her tongue go back into her mouth. The wolf-kin’s tail still wagged vigorously as she nodded at the princess. Nova gave Sapphire a quick kiss on the cheek. She is just so adorable.Sapphire excitedly followed Athelfd into the building. Beornia walked slightly behind Nova.“Are you doing okay?” Nova asked.“I’m doing fine. I’m just very uncomfortable being associated with royalty,” Beornia said quietly.“Maybe we could run off into a forest and live the cottagecore life,” Nova suggested.“That sounds lovely,” Beornia replied. “I’m sick of chasing down demons in the rain, in the snow, in the burning hot sun. Roughing it out and fighting all the time to keep society safe. Despite all I did that bishop ignored, and discarded me at his convenience,” Beornia seethed. “Nova was just too big of a potion to swallow for him,” The princess inserted herself into the conversation.

  Athelfd led them into a small study. She sat on the bench at one side of the table-like desk, and motioned for her companions to sit on the bench on the other side.“I will protect Beornia from my feckless cousin. His allies would soon abandon him if I apply a little pressure. My uncle has many children that can succeed him-”“Isn’t that underhanded? It wasn't his fault I hatched where I did,” Nova said.“So we should execute you instead? I’m already taking the fall for the disaster. It’s either he goes down or I get exiled,” Beornia said angrily. “I will stress that Beornia handled the disaster well. She went to town to get help, and she couldn’t be burdened with finding, and escorting a possible heir to a Jarl. None of you will have to step into the court,” Athelfd crified, “I want you to become my thane Sapphire. It may go against established northern tradition to have foreigners as thanes, but the noble houses of this kingdom do it differently. As my thane, I will pay for your membership at this academy, and pay you a generous stipend,”

  “What would my duties be?” Sapphire asked. “Anything I say,” Athelfd joked with a slight giggle, “Right now mostly attending the academy, But after you establish yourself as a mage you will be expected to defend the kingdom in my name. Fight off monsters, demons or foreign invaders. I may even use you as my champion in duels. You may also have the opportunity to serve as a diplomat. Or explore the nifolwildes. This won’t be one of your duties as my thane, but I'm considering you for the position of princess consort. In a few years I will have to marry someone. My father has done all he can to dey marriage talks, but he can’t hold them off indefinitely. If you are virile, with your magic potential you would be the perfect candidate to breed the next generation of royalty,” The princess said stoically.

  “That all sounds good except for the st part. I’m not about to join the harem of a noble family. I like my girlfriend, and don’t want to leave her,” Sapphire said before she pulled Nova into a warm kiss. Nova gasped in surprise, but she returned the kiss. Beornia cleared her throat, sounding annoyed. Nova and Sapphire pulled apart.“Sorry your highness,” Nova apologized embarrassed.

  Athelfd smiled wryly at them, “Once I become queen no one would be able to stop me from being unconventional. Any worries about marriage can be worked through at a ter date. I don’t pn on getting betrothed anytime soon. I like to keep my options open. People that have tried to court me have called me heartless or ruthless before. I’m not impressed by flowers or poetry. I am impressed by power, talent, and kindness. I would rather marry the artisan that made the gift than the third son of a jarl with no talent that presented the gift,” Athelfd giggled sheepishly as she realized she went on a rant.

  “What happened with a Jarl’s third son?” Nova asked intrigued.“The st person that attempted to court me. He hired an artisan to make me a gift. Then tried to pass it off as his own creation. I ughed him out of court. One of my familiars watched the transaction between him and the artisan. He is probably foolish enough to show his face in court again,” The princess expined.“Isn’t lying to royalty a major offense?” Sapphire asked, confused.“He didn’t outright lie, he cleverly framed his presentation to imply he made it himself. We have spent enough time here. I need to find my older brother. Follow me,” Athelfd said.

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