The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet. For a moment he didn’t moved, his brain was quick calculating his changes. If he would go back to the grass, he would had to take the long route, but if he would stand too long then he would maybe fall in the icecold water. Or shall he risk it and try for to cross over the frozen lake?

Another crack got him back to reality, where he had to choose the best option for now. Going back was better, while it would take the most time. But he had promised he would come to Rosa, and he never did broke a single promise in his whole life, even not when he was terrible sick. What he said, he did - simple as that! How could he otherwise say that he was a man of honor?

Very carefull he did took some steps back until he felt that one of his feet wasn’t on the frozen lake anymore. A deep sigh escaped from relief; now only the other feet and…

“Come.” The voice was as soft as a breeze, yet powerful enough to make sure it was actually said. Daan frowned. He was sure that no one was to be seen before he put his feet on the ice.

“Come,” he heard again and felt a hand grab his arm now. He turned and looked straight into the face of a beautiful woman with ice blue eyes and long, blonde hair to her feet fluttering in the light wind. Her body was covered in a fluffy, white cape that reached the ground.

“Sorry, do I know you?” He asked confused.

“You are the Chosen one for a mission. Please accept that, Humanity is counting on you.”

“What? I... I have to go to a friend of mine, I never break my word, she's waiting for me.”

“Please. I beg you.”

“What kind of joke is this? Why me? I'm nobody, you must have been wrong.”

“No, the Sword has led me to you.”

“The Sword?” He wasn't sure if she was joking. It had to be, but why would she make a joke about it and pretend it was really true what she said?

“Yes. Come on. Please.” Her voice betrayed nothing else, it remained the same tone as before. It just sounded like he had ended up in some kind of game and had to complete a certain quest. But this was the real world, right?

“But... I have to go to someone, I promised. After that, I'll have time, okay?” He began to panic slightly.

“Her name is Rosa.”

“How do you know that? I didn't say that!” It started to get weirder and weirder.

“The Sword...”

“Oh that damn sword! What's up with that?”

“The Sword knows everything. So that Rosa plays a role, but you have to come along now. Trust the Sword.”

“Fine! But soon then.”

“You need clothing that suits the Chosen One. Let's see.” She pointed the Sword at him after which kind of lightning bolts shot out. He let out a cry of fright, but he felt no pain. A little later he was dressed in a red silk cloth that was tied around his waist with a gold-colored cord. Furthermore, he was wearing white cotton pants and his upper body was otherwise exposed. To his surprise, he didn't feel cold.

“Do I really have to wear this?”

“These are the clothes of the Chosen One.”

“Yes yes I know that, but what should I do?”

“Come.” Then the woman whistled a whistle. Not much later, a life-sized eagle appeared - so large that at least three people could sit on it - with such huge legs that Frederick became afraid of it. If the eagle didn't watch out, he would be crushed and the eagle would think a twig was cracked.

With great ease, the woman climbed on the back of the eagle and stretched out her hand so that Frederick could climb on it. She gave him a friendly smile when he looked quite anxious.


They did fly for a long time. How longer they did fly, Frederick felt himself more enjoying it and he felt less scared. He closed his eyes, felt the soft feathers from the eagle between his fingers and some later he did spread his arms. This was amazing! Feeling the freedom, the wind, while the earth did look so small that even the highest tree or mountain did look if it was not higher than a toy for children.

“We have reached our destination,” said the women at suddenly. The eagle went lower and lower and did stop gently on the earth.

“You did enjoy it,” said she with a smile when they where standing next to the eagle.

“Yes, I did. It is so amazing!”

“Wonderful, I didn’t expected less actually. Good, we are now bij the Silent World,” did she smooth change the subject, “and here is also your task for the mankind.”

“What is that?”

“Fight.”

“What? Fight? To who?”

“The Monsters of Saloc are very dangerous and they want to wipe out every living human. Men, women, even children. The sick ones or the healthy, they are very cruel and no one can escape from them.”

“That sounds… very cruel and horrible.”

“Indeed. Well if you look around, you see no single tree or even grass. They want nothing around them what lives. But there is one blue flower what is hidden from there dirty green eyes. That flower did survived so there is hope.”

“But how do I have to fight? I did never learned that!”

“Relax, relax. Your courage is very strong and you will find a way. I have to go back because my powers are here very weak, but the eagle will stay by you.”

“How can you go back then if your powers are weak? Take the eagle with you!”

“You are so kind, but I did complete my task - bringing you to them. Now it’s your turn. And you will fight them, your heart is very pure, never let that become dark not even a little piece.”