Freja felt as though she might faint as she turned from the door. She had to clasp her hands together to stop from shaking, her eyes glistened from unshed tears. The last time she saw him was four years ago when he sent her here to exile her from family affairs. The transition wasn’t pleasant nor easy as she was all but ostracized from everyone she had ever known.
The man, her father, Lord Ulfar Salstar, walked up to the containment that held Bjorn. With every step his anger rose. His lips pressed into a thin line, jaw clenched and his brow furrowed as his gaze locked onto Bjorn. Without warning, he spun around and struck Freja across the face with an open palm. The blow sent her collapsing to the ground, blood trickling from her nose. His aura flowed from him which caused the light to bend towards him in a beautiful kaleidoscopic and unnatural way. It was as if everything bent towards him to the point he was all that was in the room that mattered.
“What is this–this thing? You have brought even more shame to my house,” Lord Salstar said, his voice uncomfortably calm for how angry he appeared to be. “Are you trying to embarrass us, Freja? I gave you strict instructions: keep your head down, do not speak my name, and do not embarrass the Salstar name. We are dragonkeepers! For generations our family has only summoned and tamed the mightiest of all beasts.” He shook his head in disbelief. “And you—you failure—not only have the audacity to be a pathetic wizard, the only one in our family lineage, but now this?” He pointed to Bjorn, his contempt searing.
Freja, still on the ground, could barely meet his gaze. The oppressive atmosphere, laden with her father's anger and disdain, pressed down on her. Bjorn clawed at the barrier keeping him contained. He tried everything in his power to help Freja, but all he could do was claw and hiss, which of course accomplished nothing. He could not believe that the man would come here just to belittle her. Everything in Bjorn just made him want to see just how effective his venom was on that man.
Freja cried. “I’m sorr—”
A wand appeared in Lord Salstar’s hand, it was made from black metal and inscribed with golden runes. With a single flick of his wrist, his magic wove masterfully into a complex array, producing a chantless spell. In an instant a ring of soft light formed around Freja’s neck, choking her. It lifted her from the ground to her knees then slowly rose higher until she had to stand on the tips of her toes to keep from being hanged. Her eyes widened in sheer terror, her hands clawing desperately at the magical noose, trying to gasp for breath that would not come. Her face turned a shade of purple, her vision blurring as she teetered on the brink of unconsciousness.
“I don’t want to hear your excuses, I am sick of them,” Lord Salstar stated coldly. “Pack your bag; you have thirty minutes, do not make me wait.”
The Lord dismissed the magic and Freja fell to her knees, coughing and gasping for air.
“There is too much at stake for us to keep a failure like you. Helga could have kept you as her pet. She had a pension for mercy that I do not share.” Lord Salstar watched Freja squirm on the ground. “You know what we are, you know what the Salstar name means. We are the Sword and Shield of Yuhia, but what could you protect? What could you conquer? Tell me?”
“But I have gotten stronger, father.” Freja coughed.
“What use is the strength of a fly to me? Wizard, failure, that is what you are known as, that is the filth that has dirtied our name. Your magic hasn’t improved in the four years you’ve been here, and your sister isn’t around to defend you anymore. Pathetic.”
The man turned as his wand floated back into its case at his side. He looked at the hissing Bjorn with equal disdain and hatred. He walked to the door, which opened under his magical manipulations. Julie, standing outside, bowed her head. Obviously terrified of the man, she stammered out a greeting. Lord Salstar didn’t even acknowledge her before continuing on his way. As soon as he was out of sight, Julie rushed into the room, checking on Freja, who was still struggling to breathe and trembling from the ordeal.
“Freja, are you okay? You're bleeding,” Julie said as she knelt down beside the coughing girl. “I’ll go get a healer or Ms. Dimii.”
“No-no don’t do that,” Freja said as she grabbed Julie with a shaky hand. “I-I have to pack. I’ll be—I’ll be fine.”
“No, what in the Infernal Planes are you talking about? Are you serious? Where are you going? Not with that evil Divine’s damned noble hopefully,” Julie said as she helped Freja up to sit her on her bed. “He can’t treat you like this just because you’re a wizard. We can get the authorities or something.”
Freja shook her head as she slammed her hand into her thigh. “And they will do what? Arrest him, the Lord? No offense but I don’t know if a human would understand. It is just… how things work here. Just leave me alone. I need to pack.”
“Me being a human has nothing to do with this! He just attacked his daughter. That is not alright. You don’t have to—”
“Yes I do, Julie!” Freja yelled, then took a long breath and wiped her tears and blood. “Yes, I do.”
Freja stood up and pulled her wand from a cylindrical hoster on her waist. The wand was a gnarled piece of faded wood that could be easily mistaken for a kindling if not for the rather comfortable leather grip. She spoke the words of power to call forth two wisps in the shape of hands. A beginner level wind spell would usually create substantial hands of wind that could interact with the world. Freja’s wind hands, however, looked weak and could not move quickly without winking out. She used the hands to quietly gather her things.
“Here let me help.” Julie said.
Julie summoned hands of her own, however due to her geokinetic magic they were made from rock and earth. It wasn’t real rock but a magic construct that simulated the real thing. She was sure to continue her slurry of insults towards Lord Salstar. Some of which were quite creative, and others couldn’t be translated yet as Failsafe didn’t know what they meant. It took only five minutes for Freja and Julie to pack the meager amount of belongings the girl possessed. Most of this time was spent carefully packing up her alchemy equipment. The wind hand carried her books, while she had a single bag full of her clothing and other nicknacks.
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“I can’t believe this is happening,” Julie muttered, her voice shaking with a mix of rage and helplessness. “He has no right to take you away from here.”
“It doesn’t matter, Julie. He’s my father. I have to go.” Freja said.
“Freja, please, there has to be another way.”
“There isn’t. This is my life, my family. Thank you for everything. You and Mat have been the best friends I could ever ask for.”
Julie swallowed hard, nodding. “We’ll always be here for you, Freja. Always.”
“Are you ready to go, baby?” Freja asked as she picked up Bjorn. “Guess you aren’t going to be able to meet the rest of my friends after all.”
“Is it safe to carry him like that?” Julie asked, apprehensive to get any closer. “The containment did tell us he’s venomous you know.”
“Bjorn is a good boy, he wouldn’t bite anyone. Would you baby?” Freja asked while nuzzling Bjorn.
Bjorn let out an affirmative squawk. He didn’t notice before, but while she held him he could feel the faintest flow of mana coursing through her muscles. She was augmenting her strength with mana in order to carry him, which made sense as she was a pretty petite girl. His tail still dragged on the ground so he wrapped it around her waist, which could help with the weight distribution.
***
The lobby was full of girls staring out into the courtyard; more and more seemed to be rushing down the stairs to see what was going on. Whispers of admiration for Lord Ulfar Salstar and the noble family spread out amongst the students, especially those of Freja’s race. At the top of the stairs to the main lobby Miss Dimii was ordering the girls not to do anything that would embarrass the academy. As soon as she caught sight of Freja and Julie carrying bags she hurried over to them.
“What is going on, Freja?” Dimii asked, she then saw the swelling presenting itself on her cheek. “By the Divines, are you okay?” A gentle blue glow surrounded her hand as she touched Freja’s swollen face. “There.”
Healing magic coursed into Freja and the swelling quickly subsided.
“Looks like I have to go,” Freja responded as Ms. Dimii finished her healing. “Thanks for looking after me these four years.”
“Oh sweet baby.” Ms. Dimii did her best to hug Freja. “Everything is going to be alright.”
“Thank you.” Freja said.
Dimii opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a panting boy who inserted himself into their space.
“Freja, Julie, what is going on, why is Lord Salstar here?” Mat asked, trying to catch his breath. “Are those bags?”
“It was horrible what that man did.” Julie said.
“It looks like I’m leaving,” Freja said, choking back sadness. “Lord Salstar came to take me back home I guess.”
“You shouldn’t have to go,” Julie said.
“But you just summoned your familiar, why would he take you now?” Mat asked as his eyes darted between Freja and Julie. “We don’t even know what he is yet. Speaking of, is it safe to carry him around like that?”
Freja sighed. “Bjorn is fine and I don’t know why Lord Salstar chose now to get me. Probably because my sister’s…”
“Oh. Yeah, didn’t mean to bring that up,” Mat said with a frown, scratching his head. “But she died a few years ago, why now?”
“I don’t know but,” Freja said. She tried to smile but couldn’t. “I’ll be fine though, I’m just going back home for a while it seems.”
“That is the Lady? Wow, she is so pretty.” Someone down stairs said. “Let me get a better look! Woah!”
A crash downstairs pulled Dimii’s attention, and she had to deal with a student that apparently tried to get a better view by standing on top of a coffee table. The trio was quiet for a few seconds, each of them struggling to figure out what to say next. Julie then stepped up, placing the case she was carrying on the ground; it was the one with all of Freja’s alchemy equipment. Julie grabbed Mat’s hand and Freja’s shoulder, since Freja’s hands were full with Bjorn.
“It’s not like this is goodbye, guys,” the red headed girl said. “If you are ever in the Mesha Kingdom come see me. I may not be from nobility or whatever, but my family knows how to cook up a feast. Also, Mat has a crush on you.”
Mat and Freja both perked up at the last statement. Their eyes locked for a second before they both averted eye contact.
Mat stammered, “Wha-Wh-what?” His eyes locked onto Freja, cheeks turning nearly as red as Julie's hair. “Well I… you see uh.” He cleared his throat. “If you're ever in the Force Isles you're always welcome.”
“Oh… That is kind of you,” Freja said. “The invite I mean. Both of you. Thanks.”
The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken words and lingering dread. Freja clutched Bjorn tighter like he was the air she needed to breathe, the strength to push forward despite her misgivings. Bjorn flicked his tongue, tasting the air, sensing the mingled emotions of sorrow, fear, and unexpressed affection.
Julie squeezed Freja’s shoulder one last time before stepping back. “Take care of yourself, Freja. And Bjorn too.”
Mat hesitated but looked to have come to a decision, he stepped forward, awkwardly patting Bjorn on the head which surprised everyone. “Yeah, take care. And remember, if you ever need us, we’re just a letter away.” He stepped forward and hugged Freja.
Freja nodded, her eyes misting with tears she refused to shed. “I’ll miss you both so much.”
***
The crowd parted as Freja and her friends made their way to the door. She was the daughter of the Lord and Lady but also a disgrace to their noble lineage. The murmurs and curious glances from the students heightened her sense of unease. She always tried to keep her head down as instructed but now she had to stand firm. She stopped at the open doors and could finally see the reason for the gathering. Two imposing figures stood clad in red beside a massive lesser red dragon.
Her father, Lord Ulfar Salstar, loomed with his dark, imposing presence. But it was her mother, Lady Ingrid Salstar, who drew the most attention. Ingrid's white skin seemed to glow, an almost ethereal, ageless beauty that stood in stark contrast to her husband's midnight darkness. Her antlers were adorned with delicate flowers and ribbons that fluttered softly in the breeze, creating an otherworldly aura around her.
The dragon, Thrand, Lord Salstar’s familiar, was equally formidable. Its scales shimmered with an ominous crimson, and a large enclosed carrier on its back had enough room for twenty people to sit or stand comfortably. The sight of the dragon, combined with her parents' presence, cast a heavy pall over the courtyard. Freja knew something was wrong. Both of them here told a grim story for her future.
Freja steeled herself with a deep breath and squeezed Bjorn a little tighter. The familiar warmth of his scales provided scant comfort. Freja made the mistake of meeting Ingrid’s gaze. Her eyes, though beautiful, held a coldness that sent a shiver down Freja’s spine. Lord Ulfar’s expression was unreadable, his eyes shimmered with his magic. There was no parental love in either of their eyes, only disdain. They didn’t see her as a daughter, they barely saw her at all.