“Dear Diary,
I come of age and I now must make do with the unfamiliar. Luck is not on my side, and so I begin my trial. I expect this to be a miserable affair. I count my blessings that I am like this and the way I am; I am lucky to have experienced what I did. I will carry these memories with me forever.
—-Sweiza”
—
Upstairs Sweiza moves towards her room. The door is open and she walks inside. Inside she sees the sprite asleep on her bed again.
“Dewey…” She says it in a low tone and with disbelief. No matter how many times she’d seen him do this, warned him, they go through this same process relentlessly.
He looks up at her and lets out a yawn.
“It’s always nice when your parents let me eat at the table. Especially those noodles~!” He says it in a chipper voice and follows with several clicks and whistles.
Rather than shoo him away, she walks up to the bed. He looks up at her. Sweiza lets out a slight grin and then turns around and plops on the bed. The sprite is launched up several inches. Caught off guard, his wings flap several times to catch air. They stop and he hovers. His hands go down to his hips.
“Once again the giant terrorizes the weak… How original!” He sticks his tongue out at her.
Her eyes close and she shakes her head side to side, small smile on her face.
“There is more where that came from Sir Herschel…” She says it up to her friend, but looks down towards the ground, “…but I’m not sure for how long.”
The sprite takes one look at her as he settles back to the bed covers. “What do you mean?” He looks up at her.
“Strife says I will be traveling with her to Valhalla in one week’s time.” She lets it out forlorn with dismay.
“Oh.” His head drifts down towards the ground. He knows what this means. He will be drifting around the village and scavenging food, if not outright stealing it. It could also mean worse - having to leave the village and fend for himself in the forest, not a good thought in his mind.
“I suppose at that time it will be goodbye. But for how long?” He hovers up to her and then sits himself on her shoulder. “Goodbyes are not forever you know.”
“Maybe.” She turns her head towards her friend. “Strife didn’t say. I assume it will be awhile, if not several years. Perhaps I will not be allowed to come back. Mayhap I will not want to come back, as if I would like my new life there.” She rolls her eyes with sadness at the thought.
“At any rate Dewey…” She looks at her friend, now sitting on the bed with her, “We still have some time together, at least a week.”
She takes her finger and presses it against him lightly and then removes it and makes a flicking motion at him. “We should make the most of it.”
Normally he would be quite hard to get along with (deliberately), and at points he could be sarcastic if he felt like it; but his eyes shift up at her, “Agreed.”
He launches into the air again, just outside of her head. “What did you have in mind?”
She looks over at him, “As long as I am in the village, I will still have chores… and I have been absent for about two weeks, or so my parents say.” She lets out a huff of air at the thought.
“So?” He darts in the opposite direction of her head and then back to his original position; she follows his movements accordingly, but just barely.
“They will probably not be happy at my disappearance, or at least will be worried. I believe I will have my work cut out for me.”
“They should be glad you even help!” His hands go to his hips and he removes his right hand pointing it in a gesture like ‘as a matter of fact’. He opens his eyes and his head shifts to his friend not paying attention to her.
“Sweiza?”
He doesn’t get an answer. Instead he follows her gaze to the mirror on her vanity. There is an envelope on it with a violet seal. “What’s in that?”
Sweiza looks down at her friend and shrugs, “I don’t know. It wasn’t there earlier. You didn’t put it there did you?”
He shakes his head. He moves out of the way as Sweiza lifts herself off her bed and heads towards her vanity. She grabs the envelope with her left hand and gives it a once over, the violet seal catching her eye. She notes it looks impressive with the circle and multiple brush-like strokes pointing away from it and coming to a point; it has what looks like a ribbon underneath it. She doesn’t recognize the character marking inside of it. She only thinks it looks impressive.
She slowly rips it open and pushes the sleeves of the envelope apart. Inside is a letter, which she slowly removes. Her eyes slowly glance it over - a light pink color letter with extremely well made penmanship.
“To Miss Starla Serif,
You are to be hereby drafted into the Valhallan Army. You have one week to get your affairs in order. At which time, I shall accompany you to the capital Midgard city of Valhalla, whereby which you will begin your training under my tutelage. Your training will be lengthy and rigorous, do not expect it to be a comfortable affair. However, as with all such things, hard work makes the end result worth doing.
Based on descriptions and accounts by both your parents and fellow villages, you will fill the role of a Valkyrie Guardian; that is to say, you will assist to protect and help others. This shall be contrary to my role as a Sentinel, which requires the dispatch of evil that may plague the land. That isn’t to say that there may not come a time in which you have to kill. You’re parents have very much told me you abhor violence in any way shape or form. You will find yourself in conflict at points in your new role. As a Valkyrie’s life is not an easy one, our very namesake means, “Choosers of the slain.”.
My understanding, as your parents and villagers have informed me as such, you have chores you regularly do around the village. There is certain work which has gone undone for the past two weeks time. You first duty as Valkyrie is to complete these duties as you would yourself normally. Might I suggest also, to go above and beyond your normal abilities to show that you are more than capable in your new role? Just a thought. I have no doubt you will do quite well with your duties in your new role.
Also, find enclosed to the specific amount of $500 marks in equivalent gold for your first duty as Valkyrie. This position is not without reward.
This day of Odin, you are hereby sworn in as Valkyrie Guardian.
So says I, Alice Verdandi.
May the spear of Gungir light your path.”
She reads it slowly as she walks back over to her bed. Her sprite friend watching her carefully.
“Well?” He bobs up and down in rapid succession as he folds his arms.
She gives him little attention as she reads it. She turns around and sits down on the bed. Dewey darts to the side to avoid getting hit.
“Sweiza!” He raises his voice.
Her head darts up from the letter and she looks over at him. “Hmm?”
“The letter, what does it say?” He flies to her side and props himself on her shoulder.
She looks down at him, her eyes focused on him. He flies in front of her and turns his back to her as he reads the letter. She makes no attempt to move it away from him.
“Are you done, Sprite?” He turns around to face her and nods. The darts two feet in front of her and waits patiently.
She lowers her head back to the letter lost in thought. Dewey knows she hasn’t fully read it yet - her eyes continually moving while the letter raises ever so slightly.
She finally lowers it. She looks up towards the door and then the vanity.
“Well?” He asks again. She gives him no attention.
“Sweiza!” He raises his voice again to get her attention. He sees she is clearly lost in thought.
She lifts herself from the bed and folds the letter back into the envelope and places it back on the vanity.
“Dewey…” She turns around towards her friend. He jumps to attention at the name - normally she would call him “Sprite” or Little Sprite”; to be called Dewey meant she wants to be taken seriously.
“Yes Sweiza?” He says it straight and to the point.
“Don’t tell anyone about this letter.” She gives him a sharp look.
“Absolutely.” He doesn’t quite know why, but he knows better to honor the request.
“And Dewey…” Her hands go to her hips. She then waves her left hand in a ‘move’ motion, “Please move away from the bed.”
He zips out of the way without a second thought - he knows what is coming next; Sweiza turns her back to the bed and allows herself to fall - the bed catching her. She lets out a faint, but dreamy sigh. Her mood has changed for the better, and Dewey suspects it is either the letter, or more specifically the money included.
“Hey Sweiza…” He flutters one foot above her chest, but directly in front of her face so she can see him.
“Hmm?” Her closed eyes open towards her friend.
“I can stay here the night right?” His eyes widen in curiosity.
“Why?” She looks at him suspiciously.
He points towards the window, “It’s going to rain tonight.”
She looks over towards the window and the direction where the moon should be. Instead, she sees clouds covering the sky and moving in fast.
She looks up at him and rolls her eyes, “Whatever.”
He darts too-and-fro at the request and gives several rapid, but deep bows.
“Just don’t make any noise.” She raises her left finger up and points it at him accusingly, “And no begging to be let out until morning.”
His arms cross and he quickly turns his head and part of his body away from her, “Who men? No. Never.”
“I mean it Little Sprite. No noise! None!” She points her finger at him again and gives a mock flick of her fingers one foot in front of him.
He says nothing and sets himself down crosslegged on her pillow. It is going to be a fun night as far as he is concerned - he doesn’t have to stay out in the rain.
“Oh and Sweiza…” He looks up at her. Her head shifts over to him.
“Hmm?” Her eyebrows raise slightly.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
She shifts her body fully onto the bed and plants her head down on the pillow; Dewey instinctively jumps up from the pillow and flutters his wings for a moment while Sweiza pulls the covers over herself. He flies down to the covers and plants himself down belly first, assuming the position for sleep.
She reaches her left hand over to a small dresser next to the bed and grabs a candle holder; she brings it up close and blows it out before setting it back down on the dresser.
“Goodnight Sprite.” She says it expecting a reply, but hears nothing. Her friend is already fast asleep.
Many thoughts fill her mind, such as what her future will entail and what she will be like when all is said and done. The thought of Lady Strife appears in her mind, but before she can think about it, sleep soon takes her.
—
She looks around and sees an alien landscape - different from what she is accustomed to. Gone are the fields, greenery and shrubs that would make up areas around her village. No mountains, barely any discernible structures. No signs of civilization, and for that matter, no signs of life. Instead, she sees a barren landscape; dry ground all around. In front of her, is a single crevice in the ground, not quite a canyon, and not quite a crack. Inbetween it is a ten foot river. She looks over at it and sees there are shrubs and treets dotting the distance, but they are all dead. Up towards the horizon the sky is black with stars out - that isn't unusual in and of itself. However, in the direction where the crevice and river flows, the sun sets sending out blinding rays of light. They are a distinct red. As the sun sets and blackness engulfs the land before her, she hears a voice behind her.
"What is it that you desire young one?"
She spins around and loses her footing. Indeed she trips, and notes she is in the air, seemingly on some kind of invisible platform. She looks up at the figure.
A large and foreboding bear stands upright in front of her. It lets out a howl and Sweiza is overtaken by fear as her body shakes with fear. It looks down at her. It says nothing and continues to stare at her. This goes on for some minutes as Sweiza's fear is finally subdued by her will.
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"What do you truly desire?" The unknown figure has a surprisingly familiar voice.
"Demi!" She frowns with iron determination. This time she wouldn't be playing this thing's games.
The bear lets out a smile - as odd for one of an animal can give.
"Why do you want?" She says it accusingly and approaches him slowly, but cautiously.
It extends a claw and points it towards the air like a finger and then at her, "The better question young child, is what do you want?"
"You think I'm going to be terrorized by the likes of you?" She points an accusing finger at him.
She lowers her finger quickly and lets out a yelp of surprise as the bear stalks up to her; it drops down to all four feet and gazes at her at eye level. It is bigger than she had anticipated. However, she puts her hands on her hips and turns her head away from him. Her assumption at this point, is that thing thing stalking her in her dreams merely wishes to be a bother, rather than have any form of malicent intent, or so she hopes. It appears she is correct.
"I asked you first young one. What do you truly desire?" It continues to stare her down as an animal would, but it makes no other movements.
"And if I answer you, then what?" She yells it at him.
She suddenly snaps to, and realizes they are on the ground. She does a double take pulling her attention from the bear and looking in either direction to her right and left.
"It would be wise not to turn your attention away from an adversary on the battlefield." It says it in a darker tone.
Sweiza crosses her arms and deliberately keeps her head turned away from the bear.
"Do not ignore me child, you will regret it."
She turns her head towards him and barks at him, "I regret nothing!"
"So you say. However, my time is almost up. We will meet again." It turns around and walks off.
"Hey!" Her attention focuses on him and his defiance - worse than hers. She notices the red aurora moving in wisps over head.
"Why is..." She looks up at it as everything fades to black.
—
The crowing of a rooster is the first thing to rouse Sweiza from the realm of sleep. She gives an involuntary yawn while stretching her arms and arcing her back. She lets out a groan as she pries her eyes open. The dawn sun shines in through her window. She pulls herself up at the realization.
“Sprite?”
She looks towards the bed where he was last night, but doesn’t see him. She gives her room a once over and doesn’t find him. She gives a sardonic “Hmph” and lets herself drop back to her pillow. The first thought on her mind was just a few more minutes - or an hour or two of sleep if she could get away with it - this being her first time being back in two weeks.
“Sweiza!”
She rolls her head over towards the window at the foot of the bed. Dewey stands there with his legs spread and his hands on his hips. Several water drops drip down from his wet body hair as the sun shines behind him. It illuminates him in almost a blinding light. Sweiza turns her head away from him and pulls the covers over her head.
“Sweiza!” He lets out the chant again. He crosses his arms and taps his foot impatiently. He gets no answer from her.
He makes his next move. Sweiza lets out a yelp and an uncontrolled laugh as something starts to tickle her feet. She attempts to kick him away. She pulls the covers off her head and peaks straight towards her bent knees, but sees nothing. She feels something skirt underneath the covers and feels it brush against her right arm. Dewey appears next to her right ear and lets out a whisper, “I want sugar.”
She lets out a puff of air at her hair and pulls the covers back over her head, attempting to pull them fast enough to catch Dewey. He darts out just as the covers come down.
“Another hour or two Dewey. Come back later.” She lets it out softly as sleep attempts to take her. She feels something plop on the top of her covered head. The weight lightens and then plops down on her again. She throws the covers from her head to her stomach and captures the sprite in the process. The top of the covers jump up and down as he attempts to break free.
“Gotcha Sprite!”
Muffled noises come from under the sheet. Sweiza pushes her ear up to it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you Sprite, speak up.”
More muffled noises come from the covers. Sweiza playfully pokes the covers and in turn the captive inside for a few moments. The noises stop after a few seconds. Sweiza lets the covers down. Sprite stands there, arms crossed, glaring up at her. She lets out a grin at him. He sends a puff of air at her in defiance.
“That’s what you get for waking me up Sprite!” Her grin intensifies and then disappears.
Sprite turns his head away from her as if it didn’t bother him. He looks up at her, “I’m hungry. Feed me!”
“In two hours.” Sweiza pulls her covers over herself as she lays back down. One eye pops open as she jerks the covers hard under sprite. He fails to catch himself as he falls back. He sticks his tongue out at her. She lets out a smirk before her eye closes and she slowly drifts off to sleep. Sprite gets back up, puts his hands on his hips and gives one last defiant look at her before laying himself down into a ball. Sleep soon over takes him.
—
It is sometime around noon when she finally rouses from sleep. She pulls herself up and lets out a yawn while stretching. She feels really good. She lets out a yelp and her head jerks towards the sound of lighting as it clashes in the distance. She notes the heavy rain outside and pulls herself out of bed; she rushes over to the window and closes and then locks it. She makes a mental note that Dewey stayed the night and scans the room to make sure she didn’t lock him outside. She jumps again at the sound of thunder outside. She turns around and sticks her tongue out towards the storm and jerks her body around while giving a “hmph!”. Satisfied, she goes back to the matter at hand. She doesn’t see him around the main part of the room. Instead, she looks up towards a small bookshelf. As she thought, he in his secondary sleeping location - a small makeshift bed the size of a cigar box made out of a small wooden giftbox.
“Sprite!” She says it while looking up at him. He doesn’t respond. “Whatever.” Is all she says.
Her gaze turns back towards the window. It is raining outside, and quite heavily. The thought that Lady Strife would make her perform chores out in pouring rain was a real possibility; however, with the lightning, it shouldn’t be an issue. This was going to be a day she got to spend inside. She purses her lips and maintains the satisfying thought. However, she hears her stomach growl. She turns her attention to the alarm clock on her nightstand. It reads roughly twenty-two past noon. Her eyes widen and she realizes she overslept. Her first priority was food. She heads towards the door. She stops and then looks up at the bookshelf. Thinking better of just banging her hand on the wall to wake him, she picks up the wooden giftbox and starts to gently blow on it. Sprite lets out a yawn as his eyes slowly open. His looks up bewildered at the big face looking down at him.
—
"I wish you would leave that thing outside or at least up in your room." Her mother Melda says it cross with her, but quickly changes the subject, "But it looks like you have once again gotten out of village chores. Lady Strife will be disappointed."
"She sure will!" Sweiza says it with a spoon and oatmeal in her mouth. She quickly removes the spoon and grabs for a glass of milk.
It hadn't taken her long to dash down the stairs and to the table. Her Sprite friend, despite how her parents felt about it, was also hot on her heels and at the table. For her it was oatmeal, for him sugar cubes. Somehow they had both gotten what they wanted - out of chores, and out of the rain.
"Did you have any plans on how you were going to spend your day? Verdandi will be disappointed." Her mother says the second part as if asking a question and gauging her daughter's reaction.
"So let her. I'm sure she has plenty to do that is none of my business." Sweiza grabs for an apple.
Her mother clears her throat. Sweiza looks up to see Melda's hands on her hips. Sweiza grips the apple and closes her eyes into a frown of disbelief as she lets out a sigh. Her body tremors ever so slight in agitation before she regains her composure.
"It's not like her life revolves around me." Sweiza takes a bite of the apple while focusing her eyes on the table and away from her mother.
"Sweiza, if you are a Valkyrie as she says, then she probably has some special training for you." Her mother taps her foot impatiently.
Sprite bites into another sugar cube, oblivious to the conversation at hand with each heavenly bite.
Her mother crosses her arms, "You should probably head over there; she will be impressed at your enthusiasm - no matter how insincere Sweiza."
Sweiza ignores her mother as she continues to eat at the apple.
Her mother walks up to her daughter's chair and nudges it with her hand, "She could use the company."
Sweiza closes her eyes and looks down at the bowl of oatmeal in front of her. She grabs another bite with her spoon. She hears Sprite let out a moan after finishing a sugar cube.
"Starla Serif!" Her mother barks it at her, "You go over there as soon as you are done eating."
Sweiza drops her spoon of oatmeal and jumps, as does Sprite whom drops a sugar cube as he darts the opposite of Sweiza's side facing her mother. Melda's eyes narrow at the Sprite. Her mother silently walks towards and then by, and away from Sweiza, almost oblivious to her; she walks towards the exit of the kitchen. Her mother turns around at the exit. Sweiza feels her hair stand on end.
"You can spend the day there. You better not come back until dark unless you have a good reason."
"Yes mama." Sweiza says it in submission and a low tone of voice, knowing her mother's word is law.
"Daughter, do you understand?" Her mother says it with her hands on her hips (again) and cross with her daughter.
"Yes mama." Sweiza says it knowing full well what could happen if she disobeys her mother.
"That's a good daughter of mine." Her mother says it in a more pleasant tone and walks off.
Sweiza grumbles to herself. The last time Sweiza disobeyed her mother concerned village chores. It was two years ago and late fall and cold. Her mother as bad luck would have it, went shopping at the same time Sweiza was neglecting her duties and window shopping the village market. Sweiza still remembers the stearn lecture by her mother as well as the sharp pain in her right ear as her mother pinched it. Sweiza was further embarassed when her mother dragged her back to their house by hand. Sweiza had to sleep outside in the back woodshed attached to the house. It had rained later that night, and then turns to drizzle. Sweiza still remembers the msiery and cold of that night and had no love lost on it.
Sweiza snaps to and shoots Sprite a dirty look, "Sprite, have you no shame?"
Her Sprite friend managed to shove a whole sugar cube in his mouth and was attempting to shove another one in. He looks up at her sheepishly and lets out as best a sile as he could muster.
"Sir Herschel, will you be coming with me to Lady Strife's house?" She says it in as serious as a tone as she can muster.
"Maybe." He manages to say it with his mouth full chewing on the first sugar cube. He has given up on eating two sugar cubes at once. Once he swallows it he flies up to Sweiza. "But she is a Valkyrie. You now how I feel about them."
"Understood."
Sweiza and Sprite finish the rest of their meal together in silence. When finished, Sweiza walks by the stairway and grabs an umbrella. She passes by the door to the living room and notes her mother.
"Mama?" She says it with intent.
"Yes, daughter?" Her mother looks up from her book and chair.
"Where does Lady Strife live?" Sweiza says it uncertain.
"You cannot be serious..." Her mother says it with disbelief.
—
Sweiza stands outside of the house in question. She knocks at the door and stands back. She puts her hands in front of her. Her Sprite friend sits on her shoulder rather curious.
They hear a voice, “Just a minute. I’ll be right there.”
The door opens and Lady Strife appears, without her armor. She is in a typical garb of anyone from Maria village.
Sweiza attempts to speak, but Verdandi beats her to the punch, “You honor me with your presence Angst. How may I be of assistance?”
Sweiza’s mouth drops to an ‘o’ as she attempts to speak, but the words do not come. Her Sprite friend looks over and up at her and refrains from snickering at her.
“I see you have brought your Sprite friend as well. Is he your familiar?”
This time the Sprite’s mouth drops to an ‘o’.
“All the same, please come in. It will not do you any good to stand out in the rain.”
Both bewildered, Sweiza’s eyes shift down to her Sprite friend, whom looks up to her.
“Is she always like that?” Sprite says it with some confusion.
“I think she’s doing it deliberately.” Sweiza says it equally confused.
Both say it low enough Verdandi doesn’t hear it.
Sweiza with a moment of hesitation, steps inside and closes the door behind her. She closes the umbrella and sets it next to a coat rack. She attempts to walk forward and Verdandi interrupts her, this time her voice less polite. “Miss Serif, if you would be so kind as to remove your shoes.”
Sweiza looks down, then back up at Verdandi. Sweiza lets out a slight bow and then removes her shoes. She walks forward towards Verdandi.
“So…” Verdandi says it without finishing. She turns around and heads towards a stove. Sweiza stands there and observes. “Won’t you have a seat Miss Serif?” Verdandi shifts her head and eyes behind her, giving her a stern look. Sweiza complies and pulls up a seat at the the table. Verdandi returns her attention to a teapot on the stove. She pulls it up and then moves with it to the table. She starts pouring herself a cup of tea.
“Miss Serif?”
Sweiza’s whom apparently spaced out, pulls her attention up from the table to Verdandi, “Hmm?”
“Do you like tea?”
“It’s okay.”
“I see.”
Verdandi sets the teapot down on a plate on the table.
“Help yourself Miss Serif.”
Sweiza does nothing.
“So…” Verdandi says it again, with her eyes closed and her eyebrows raised. She does so while stirring her cup and then takes a sip. Sweiza again says nothing.
Verdandi assesses the situation one last time and sets her teacup down. She finally speaks.
“Do you have any idea what you have done?” She says it sternly.
Sweiza shakes her head and then looks down and away.
“Right now you have created a commotion within the Valkyrie that has not been seen for several hundred years. Very few Valkyrie have the gall to defy Lord Odin and speak to him the way that you have.”
Sweiza tenses up; Verdandi’s body language and eyes bore through her.
“You were warned about becoming a Valkyrie, in your foolish youth you voiced your commitment. When I presented myself as your superior, you not only defied me, but you attempted to back out on your commitment. You were warned. You have angered me as Valkyrie and disrespected me as your superior. Odin’s sick humor may be stirred, but you risk his wrath.”
“Oh…” She continues looking down and away.
“You are lucky enough to move about freely. I dare say you are lucky to be alive.”
Sweiza says nothing.
“Look at me Miss Serif.”
When Sweiza doesn’t comply, Verdandi sets her cup down calmly on the table. She raises her right hand and and her gauntlet appears. She smashes it down hard on the table. The dishes on the table rattle as Sweiza jumps. She sinks her body into itself as she looks straight at Verdandi.
“Such punishments as being chained up naked in a cold dungeon are not out of the question. You might have been whipped repeatedly, doused with cold water hourly, or simply tortured before you were executed. Do you understand this?”
Sweiza shakes her head back and forth slowly. Verdandi glares an angry frown at the girl.
“I have spoken with Lord Odin and secured your freedom. ‘I’ am the reason you are allowed to move about freely. ‘I’ am the reason you are not whipped or beaten for your insolence. However, my services do not come without a price.”
Verdandi lightens her expression as she pulls up the cup of tea again.
“You really should try it Miss Serif. I find it helps.”
Sweiza looks down at the cup in front of her, but says nothing.
“Suit yourself. If you want to make your life miserable, that is up to you. However, because of your insult to me and other Valkyrie, in addition to your normal training, you will begin your days with one thousand cuts. In addition, you will perform extra tasks as I see fit. You will do this at my behest everday until I am satisfied you have atoned for your insolence, or at least until I see you are remorseful. Feeling sorry for your current situation does not excuse you. Do I make myself clear?”
She sets the cup down again and glares at Sweiza. Sweiza again sinks into her body and says nothing.
“I will continue to give you a heavier workload if you continue to show me the proper disrespect. Do I make myself clear?”
Sweiza nods slowly.
“Valkyrie Angst, I asked you a question, I expect an answer.”
“Yes ma’am.” Sweiza says it straight forward.
“Are you going to make up for your stupid insolence?”
“Yes ma’am.” Sweiza says it again.
Verdandi refrains pulling up her cup again. She sits there in silence staring at Sweiza. Sweiza finally musters the courage to speak.
“Strife, I…”
Verdandi barks at her. “But nothing. Right now it seems fate has been kind to you with rain. You may have gotten out of chores, but you most certainly have not shown my wrath respect. You can deal with your shame and parents when you get home. Is that clear?”
“Yes ma’am.” Sweiza bows her head slightly and slowly pushes her chair back. She had nearly forgotten about her Sprite friend sitting in her lap; he was hidden under the table. He looks up at her with concern. Sweiza says nothing and slowly pulls herself up and pushes the chair back under the table. Her Sprite friend takes flight at the earliest convenience.
Sweiza slowly walks towards the door, her mood bruised by Verdandi.
“Oh and Miss Serif…” Verdandi follows it with silence.
Sweiza turns around and winces at Verdandi’s voice, “You may have gotten out of chores, but you owe me one thousand cuts. You can do them in your bedroom or in the rain for all I care. You haven’t earned the right or privilege to do them in my house. I’ll take your word on it for the next week only. Until then, I don’t want to see you in my sight until we are ready to leave for Valhalla. Now get out.”
Visible anger adorns Verdandi’s face as she deliberately turns her face away from Sweiza.
Sweiza continues on her way towards the door. She turns around once towards Verdandi and lets out a bow, before turning around and putting on her boots and pulling up her umbrella. She proceeds on her way out the door.
Once the door is behind her, she continues in the rain back towards her house with the rain beating down on her umbrella. She walks in silence, occasionally looking down at her Sprite friend, whom she can only assume is glad to be flying under protection from the rain.
Sprite looks up at her, “Sweiza…”
Sweiza stops with the umbrella and looks down at him, “Hmm?”
He flies up to her face and deliberately smiles, “She was a ‘Grade A’ bitch!”
Sweiza cracks a smile at him and continues on her way. While Sprite’s words may be true in her mind, she will have a much larger foe to deal with when she gets home - her mother. Mother’s words were very clear, “Do not be home before dark.” The current situation may warrant it, but her mother will not be happy.