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I left the East Mansion with my feelings in a tight, confused knot. I didn’t know how to feel. Relieved? Disappointed? Conflicted?
I came here expecting to be slapped on the wrist and disowned for my mistakes. I thought that was the reason she summoned me. It turned out that wasn’t the case at all.
I should’ve known... It was never about me.
With a heavy heart, I stared at the tall building again, my thoughts with Mamma. She wanted to ascend already? Most Valkyries only decided that when they’d grown older than most trees on this world.
She would be considered a disgrace, but then again, she never cared much about what other people thought. I always thought that was what made her unsuitable to become the Matriarch and why Grandmamma passed her over.
Recent events made me wonder if I wasn’t that much different from her after all.
“Bryn? Is that you?” a voice called.
I turned around to meet the beaming face of a childhood friend. “Ria?”
The blonde woman skipped towards me. “It is you! Why didn’t you say you were visiting?”
“I was summoned. I didn’t think I’d make it out alive.”
She laughed, filling the town centre with some well-needed joy. “You don’t say. What was it this time?”
“Nothing important, surprisingly enough.” I gave her a friendly nudge. “What are you up to? Still hanging around here?”
“Yes, we can’t all go to see the world, can we?”
“I guess. How’s life?”
“Great. I’m getting married soon.”
Surprise curled through me. “You? Really?”
“Yes!”
“No way.”
“Yes way. We even met through the Courting.”
I snickered. “You’re messing with me. Ria Riadottir finding love at the Courting? That’s not the rebellious girl I remember.”
Her cheeks blushed red. “I guess not, but when we locked eyes, I just knew. He’s just so...”
“So...?”
“Amazing.”
“Where’s he from?”
“The South!”
I frowned. “The dancers?”
“I know what you’re going to say, it’s unconventional but I’ve been there and it’s really great. The people are lovely and since I’m not a Valkyrie, there’s no reason I can’t be with him.”
“But... The way they use their wind magic, it’s just so... Different.”
“It is, but different is not always bad.” Ria shook her hair around, the same way she used to when we were younger to drive all the boys crazy. “Come on, Bryn. Isn’t there anything that you like that’s different?”
I stared down at my hands, remembering all the different things they did in the past weeks. The signing, the new gestures they learned, even petting a catzel.
Ria nudged me. “Well?”
“I guess so.” I shoved my hands deep in my pockets. “What’s his name?”
“Raven. He’s tall and handsome and just... Ahhh...” She let out a deep, adoring sigh.
“You’re in love,” I noted, staring at her in surprise. She’d always been so against the traditional ceremony where all four wind districts came together to make new alliances and make matches, yet here she was, positively glowing with love. The world still had some surprises left.
My old friend smiled wider than I’d ever seen before. “Head over heels, Bryn.”
“And you don’t care that he’s... different? You know what they say about the East Wind.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck.”
A genuine smile tugged on my lips. “Then I’m happy for you.”
“Your blessing means a lot.” She pressed a fist against her heart and bowed slightly. “My Heir.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“When are you going to get over it? You are the Heir.” She gave me another friendly nudge. “But you’re also my friend.”
I shot her a look. I’d heard that before from someone I considered an ally. Someone who turned out to be a traitor. But Ria wasn’t like that. I would trust her with my life.
Ria frowned. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
“No.”
“What’s...” She mimicked my gesture, flicking two fingers to the side. “What does that mean?”
My face heated up and I quickly started walking again. I hadn’t even realised I replied in sign language. “Nothing.”
“Don’t nothing me, I can tell it’s not nothing.” She hurried after me, catching me by the arm. “Bryn, tell meeee.”
I decided to ignore her and walked along the town square, taking in all the familiar buildings and houses. I missed it, but at the same time, I was glad to be away at the Academy. Everything here was just...
I stopped in front of the infirmary building and turned back to Ria. “Do you still work here?”
She nodded. “Yes. I got promoted last month too.”
“I see.” That sparked an idea in my mind and I turned to her. “I need a favour, Ria.”
Her eyes narrowed, the curiosity flickering in them. “Oh?”
“I need you to take care of someone for a while.”
Her face lit up. “Someone?”
I knew what she was hinting at, but she got it wrong. “A friend. Heike Ebbadottir, she’s a classmate.”
Ria seemed confused. “Alright, sure? Why is that a favour? Taking care of people is my job.”
“That’s not the favour part. I want you to be the sole caretaker and I want you to keep her as hidden as possible. Nobody else is allowed to touch her, talk to her, to give her medicine. Just you.”
If there was anyone that could nurse Heike back to health, it was Ria. She had a gift and a magical touch.
Maybe it was strange to put my trust in another friend, but Ria was different than all my friends at the Academy. I could trust her. She would never conspire behind my back.
Never.
“Hmmm...” My childhood friend clicked her tongue. “That sounds dodgy. Why the secrecy?”
“Will you do it?”
“Bryn...”
“Will you do it?” I insisted.
She hesitated but nodded. “For you, yes.”
“Good. I knew I could count on you.” I gave her a grateful nudge. “I can’t stay long, so I’ll arrange the transfer from the Academy.”
“I’ll miss you. Visit soon, okay?”
“When’s the wedding?”
Ria smiled. “Soon, I hope. We’re still sorting out the details.”
I extended my arm for a handshake. “Then that’s when I’ll be back, if you’ll have me as a guest.”
Ria pushed my hand away and pulled me in a tight hug. “I would love nothing more.”
I couldn’t remember when I’d been hugged like that. It was warm, reassuring, but foreign.
It took me a moment before I reciprocated and wrapped my arms around Ria. “Thank you, friend.”