DRAGON LONGZE ENCOUNTERS FREYA (BY BOST, 2026 – PART 3)

After the tragic loss of Alec, Hans still grieving, Freya and her father had lived in a cocooned state of isolation; though, Freya had never outwardly said it, deep in her heart she had held on to the belief that her beloved brother was still alive somewhere and that he would one day return to them and things will be the same as before.

01- ALEC AQUILA AND FREYA (1)JP

Moreover, each night before going to sleep she quietly fetched the little carved red fox her brother had bought it for her on that day at the summer solstice festival before everything had changed.

02- FREYA IN THE MARKET (2)JP

Freya, every night without fail talked to the little fox, as if it were alive, then kiss it and placed it beside her pillow, remembering those joyful moments in her life, when Alec and she, had both laughed and talked endlessly without abandon, about everything and nothing.

It was the last thing she watched before going to sleep and the first thing she saw when she awakened at sunrise.

03-FREYA LOVED THE LITTLE RED FOX (1)JP

                                                                                          ~      

 

Autumn was a particularly precarious season, a vital period where most inhabitants within and at the periphery of this autonomous village, would be engaged in frantic activity of readying themselves for the long harsh winter months ahead, where they would be trapped indoors; and this was because, when the snow came which lasted for days -  the incessant (relentless) , tempestuous lightening storms with hurricane winds, biting snow and ice-  it turned this pristine region into a treacherous land. The few, scarce paths then became extremely perilous or obstructed by debris; thence, eradicated (cut off) any access to the village from the outside world.

04- HANS AQUILA (15)JP ON HUNTING TRIP

Hans Aquila thinking he still had time, three days prior had left on his end-of-season hunting trip; but winter storms came unusually early this year. As the temperatures suddenly plummeted, Freya was beset with worry, for her father had not yet returned. She had always been well loved and diligently protected by both Hans and Alec; all alone now, her safe sanctuary felt precariously brittle, especially since an inexplicable deep sense of foreboding just then had gripped her heart in a vice.

All during the day, she had frequently stepped outside, her eyes eagerly searching the distant paths for any sign of her father Hans; the weather, echoing her emotions, had been most unsettling all day long, sunny one minute, hazy (misty, fogy) the next. Her pensive (wistful, melancholy) gaze once more searched the distant paths disappearing into of the forest.

Unable to stand still, for the fifth time she again stepped outside, and her eyes eagerly perused (checked) the far distance.  After an extended period, she sighed and then reluctantly turned on her heals and went back inside to, place her folded her hands in her lap, sit by the hearth and, with a void stare and in melancholy mood, simply gaze at the flickering flames.

For an unfathomable reason, her contemplation just then had reverted (turned) to her still absent brother Alec whom she so terribly missed; she rose from her seat, fetched the red fox wood statue and holding it in her hands, and looking at its eyes, she began talking to it. She felt silly doing that in daylight and leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes instead; but her mind still stubbornly and defiantly continued ruminating (cogitating) the delightful events of that day at the summer solstice festival.

Being so worried, she had forgotten to eat anything all day long, save for the coffee and toast at breakfast time; her thoughts oddly enough just then recalled the last batch of fluffy pastries in which they had indulged. As if plaintively, at that moment her stomach growled loudly, as she same time recollected (absentmindedly thought of) the exquisitely delectable apple-strudel she had last eaten with Alec at the market! Only, his had been a cherry tartlet; thinking of that, she smiled, certain Alec will return one day soon, and they will again (partake in) do the same.

05-ALEC AQUILA AND FREYA (6)JP

Back then, at one point Alec appearing nervous, and his hidden hand ruffling the few coins in his pocket, he’d smiled fondly and mischievously, then asked for her to wait there, while he briefly stepped inside a shop to conduct some business; knowing him however, she knew he must have prearranged to purchase an item, a certain delightful gift for her upcoming birthday and so nodded sweetly and smiled, acquiescing. In that brief time of Alec’s absence, however, Jedrick had appeared out of nowhere and oh so suavely (elegantly, graciously) accosted her.

A dark shadow fell over Freya’s face at present, recalling (even the minutest details of), how despite Jedrick’s civil words and smile that never reached his eyes, something about him that had unsettled (even frightened) her. Lowering her head and mumbling some excuse, therefore, she had striven to get away; but he had agilely (nimbly) positioned his body at every instance, to menacingly, block her way (preventing her escape). She had felt like a trapped bird, facing an avaricious wildcat.

Subsequently, his odd, almost hungry gaze that had been searching for something in her eyes (the typical allure, bashfulness, the usual signs of infatuation, flirtation), not detecting any of it, thus clear disappointment (but only for a spell) registering in his face, he’d then affectedly inclining his head, sardonically and cheekily (irreverently) grinned. At the time she had no way of knowing this, but her sheer indifference to him, had suddenly made her a challenge, a rare, prized objective, which beget (resulted) his offended ego now hankering to totally possess (own) her.

06 - JEDRICK BIJARKE (17)JP

Though Jedrick, in volte-face (in turnaround), had hidden his unsavory (nasty)aim and instead, chivalrously bowed (nodded) his head and, addressing her formally, extended his polite felicitations (salutations) to her. His continued intense gaze (stare), however, had infused her heart with a certain dread and same time made her flesh crawl.

Minutes before, prior of his rude intrusion, a particular silver hairpin in one of the stalls had caught Freya’s eye and after examining it and deciding on not to buy it for it was far too expensive, she had just put it down, when Jedrick, appearing at the spot, had brazenly snatched the shiny trinket from where she’d left it, and held it up to examine it, then superciliously asked: “You like this?” She shook her head in answer and was about to offer an excuse and try to get away, when he, next instant dismissively threw down, a silver ingot, as if it were a paltry sum, and haughtily declared, “I’ll buy it for you.”

Jetrick, then turning to the merchant added, “And vendor, you may keep the change.” Her wishes were of no consequence, as he had already presumptuously made up his mind to purchase it, hence, obligating her to be nice to him.  

As the cast amount had been far more than the asking price, the merchant with glee had eagerly (instantly) snatched it, bowing to him and declaring his thanks, therefore, finalizing the transaction.

Now you owe me. Jedrick, meanwhile, had calculatingly for a spell glanced at her, then turned to look at the shop where Alec had gone; afterwards, he indecorously (boorishly) grinning, had again affixed his gaze back on her and this time kept it there for a long while.

07 AJEDRICK BIJARKE (4)JP

Jedrick had next drawn to closer proximity to Freya, leaned forward and, with his hot breath in her ear, snobbishly whispered: “Darling why resist destiny, you shall soon be mine!”

Presently, an involuntary shudder passed through Freya; as she, looking at the flames, experienced the same helplessness and dread that had back then gripped her heart.

Though she had refused the gift, he had grabbed her right wrist, forcefully unfurled her clenched fist, and pressed the hairpin into her palm; therefore, obliging her to be civil and meekly accept his forced gift. In front of the motley eyewitnesses hence, he had arrogantly, improperly declared to all, that she was now marked as his; and, if she was lucky, she will be his future mate(wife).

Despite her innate docile nature, seeing red, and indignant, obstinately she had thrown the silver hairpin (trinket)with force at his face, barely missing his left eye. Onlookers gasped and then they stared at the apparent crimson scratch on Jetrick’s porcelain left high cheekbone.  This extreme disgrace (humiliation) had for a moment derailed Jedrick; then, murder registering in those eyes, he had raised his hand to strike her.

Luckily just then, however, Alec had at that precise moment stepped outside of the shop and, grasping the situation at once, with incredible speed closing the distance, had with force gripped Jedrick’s wrist, arresting (halting) his aim, in mid-air.

Freya took in a deep intake of breath and longingly sighed; her mind cogitating (deliberating) now on the very image of her heroic brother Alec.

 Alec next, having pinned his threatening gaze just inches of Jedrick’s, as he still held on to Jetrick’s wrist, furthermore, with his thumb pressing on a specific point just so, his eyes narrowed, daring Jedrick thence, to give him a single reason to break (maim) it. The irate fury in his pupils, the implicit threat, was unmistakable; intensity of which, moment later, had cowed Jedrick.

The ominous atmosphere and the tense standoff, which had subsequently propelled many onlookers in the market squire to cower and slowly back away to safe distance, was furthermore diffused by the sudden appearance of two-armed stalwart security enforcers. They had been dispatched, carrying orders to at once bring (escort) Jedrick to his father Elof Bijarke’s presence.

08-ELOF BIJARKE

Before his obligatory departure however, Jedrick had menacingly leaned forward and whispered something which had been audible only to Alec. Alec had somberly, never taking his eyes off Jedrick, nodded his ascent, then turned with a serious demeanor but gently taking Freya’s hand, he had then escorted his sister safely away from the once volatile scene.

The ache in Freya’s heart presently rekindled, she somberly looked down. Unfortunately, from that time on, Alec had shut her out and remained mysteriously tight lipped, despite all her concerned queries, about the nature of Jedrick’s whispered communication, which Alec had so promptly acquiesced to. Moreover, everything had markedly changed after that day. With certain hindside, she now understood, she was at the root of his troubles, that she was solely responsible for his subsequent moody silent absences and mysterious bouts, fights, returning from those engagements with bruises and cuts, whom he had hidden from everyone including her. However, being as close to him, even then, she had quietly suspected the source of his adverse behaviour being herself; and had hoped that he might one day voluntarily unburden himself and then include her in all his deep dark secrets. She had thought she had ample time; alas, time was a luxury that had been denied to them both!

Strangely, since her brother Alec ‘s absenteeism (truancy), Jedrick had been unusually civil; furthermore, he and his goons had noticeably kept their distance from both Hans and Freya.

All the same, Freya had sensed that her father Hans Aquila for some time now had been troubled by some grave matter; since Wednesday last week, when Elof Bijarke’s second in command had suddenly showed up at their doorstep, to present a formal command, disguised as written request, for Hans to report to his office at his earliest convenience.

That afternoon her father Hans obligingly had gone into Village, to the Head of the security’s office. Later, when her father Hans had returned home, his face had drained of all color (was ashen) and he looked terrible concerned (troubled) about something; however, despite all her queries (enquiries), had refused to disclose the reasons of his unease and furthermore, remained adamantly tight lipped about the contents of Elof Bijarke and his private discourse (conversation, chat).  All during the repast, though, he had periodically stolen worried glances at her, that also registered deep dismay and intense agitation, which she had pretended not to have noticed.

Three days later, a chest bearing precious items, had been formally presented to her father, whom he had been obliged to accept. Once more, however, her inquiries, had gone unanswered.

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Then just before Hans Aquila left on the hunt, her father had pulled Freya aside and gently reassured her that upon his safe return he would at length talk to her about a grave matter and explain all the details to her. That he did not wish to unnecessarily worry her; he would use the time while hunting, to first clear his head, evaluate (tally-up) all available options and then figure out an apt way to extricate them (Aquila’ family) from the obligatory commitment (contract) which he’d signed under duress. Hopefully by the time he got back, he would find a lawful resolution or another alternative way out of this dilemma. His cryptic words had nevertheless, had caused her serious worry.

09-HANS AQUILA (21)JP

Subsequently, as she painstakingly considered (deliberated) all the available clues and the ensued, unusual set of events, her keen intellect and being an astute observer, she had arrived at the most probable cause.

This had upset her; and even now still very much perturbed, she pensively lowered her head; understanding, the full implications of Elof Bijarke’s sudden request to see her father, and Hans’s subsequent parting words just before he’d left on a hunt: “signing under duress,” meant. It had furthermore denoted: that both patriarchs (head of the families) had already signed the formal nuptial document of declaration of intent to be the future in-laws. As further proof of this, had been the prior unexpected gifts: the chest, bearing precious items delivered to their home, whom Hans had been forced to accept, as it was the obligatory dowry (wedding gift, an offering) tendered (offered, sent forth) by the groom’s family to the intended bride’s family, to seal off the agreement. Jedrick must have persuaded his father Elof Bijarke that he had fallen deeply in love with her (Freya) and that he would have no other for his mate. But what had possessed Jedrick to do this? He did not love her!

This stark realization, all being just the preliminaries to her future, compulsory (binding) nuptials to Jedrick, had justly stolen Freya’s breath. That night she had slept badly; furthermore, her sleep had been assailed with terrible nightmares, all of which included Jedrick, her and Alec.

Even now, a day later, being reminded of the possibility of her union with Jedrick, despite all her effort to keep (maintain) calm, the horrific cognizance (grasp) still constricted her heart in a terrible vice. Her complexion once more (yet again) became ashen and, she felt both lightheaded (faint, vertiginous) and nauseous all at once.

She shook her head and heaved in a morose sigh, bearing in mind Elof Bijarke’s power and Jedrick’s dogged (tenacious) intent, therefore, cogitating (considering), fearing for her father’s safety in the wilderness during the hunt. All during her repose (inactivity) by the hearth, meanwhile, a repeated pattern two days in a row,  she had been fearful, intermittently ( occasionally) disquieted, startled even,  by every ordinary sound: like the rustling of leaves on the ground or, by those falling from the trees, at the sighing of the wind in their branches, at the rushing, gurgling sound of water of the fast flowing spring that bypassed their small abode as it charted a course over the rocks. , the just then lonely eagle’s cry overhead, as it with outstretched wings rode the surging airstreams (winds) of the sky and later still,  the haunting  (lingering) wolf’s howl from afar.

10- A WOLF

The third day being no different, Freya, with her heightened sense of foreboding (fear, hopelessness, and grief) yet again gripping her heart in strong vice, could not ban the few escaping tears that charted (registered) a wet course down her pallid cheeks. Feeling cooped up, forlorn, with only a thin shawl, which was once her mother’s, draped over her shoulders to keep out the biting winds, a young and slender figure, akin the white blossoms of spring in the falling rain, Freya had once more stood at the open doorstep, her eyes pinned (glued) to the far void.

By mid afternoon, the violent winds had finally tapered a bit (diminished from its gale force); however, now that the mist rose (from the convergent airstreams) and the miasmic fog began to roll over the familiar foothill’s paths, the loneliness of the scene was deepened further, by the plaint of insects chirruping in the grasses, and by the slow pattering of the first drops of moisture on the rooftop and the wooden railings of the porch. She turned to go inside, when just then however, her ears detected (picked up) the faint, hunting melody emanating from a wind instrument (a flute), from the periphery of the forest. It tolled (resonated, echoed) the transientness of all things earthly; and, despite the gloom in her heart anticipating that in four hours, the dusk then thereof would mantle of Earth in pitch darkness festering (aggravating) her fears – this still afforded her heart an inexplicable solace (comfort, relief). Miraculously also, the sun’s golden rays had just escaped (peeped out) from the clouds that had swiftly been heralded to distant point in the sky, to embrace (bathed) the Earth and her in comforting warmth.

11- lONGZE PLAYING THE FLUTE

Freya, moreover, for a second had thought she’d seen an unusually tall, strapping (broad-shouldered, stalwart, robust) a handsome young men with pale alabaster skin that almost glistened in the sun, his long, straight, white-blond hair cascading down his shoulders and reaching his waist standing at the edge of the forest. He was clad not in ordinary local rough attire but in rich, well tailored brocade garment, with silver threads running through it, the length of which reached down to his feet. Akin a fable prince, he held in his hand the flute which he had momentarily stopped playing. As if sensing something, he had then abruptly looked in her direction and, his gaze thus meeting hers, he simply had nodded and smiled in polite greeting. However, when she blinked, he had totally disappeared (instantly vanished into thin air) the very next instant, which begged the question, whether he had been a phantom or a fanciful figure of her weird (eccentric, odd) imagination.

 

(END OF PART 3)