Chapter 2: The Unfamiliar Shores

The waves gently lapped at the shore, carrying with them the wreckage of Iduna's ship and the battered body of the queen herself. As she came to, Iduna was met with the sound of seagulls crying overhead and the feel of cold, damp sand beneath her cheek. She groggily sat up, her head spinning, and took in her surroundings. She was on a rocky beach, with dense foliage and towering trees rising up from the shore. Iduna struggled to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her. She was soaked to the bone, her clothes clinging to her body, and her hair a tangled mess. She brushed it back from her face, revealing her brown eyes and coronet braid, which was now disheveled and dripping with seawater. As she stumbled along the shore, Iduna spotted a group of people watching her from a distance. They were a rough-looking bunch, with weathered skin and tattered clothing. Iduna's instincts told her to be wary, but she had no choice. She needed help. The group approached her, their leader a burly man with a thick beard. "You're a long way from home, lass," he said, eyeing her up and down. "What brings you to our shores?" Iduna hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. She was a queen, after all, and she didn't know these people. But something about their rough kindness put her at ease. "I was traveling to Ahtohallan," she said, her voice shaking. "My ship wrecked in the storm." The bearded man nodded sympathetically. "You're lucky to be alive. We'll take you to our king. He'll know what to do with you." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She was exhausted, hungry, and cold, and she knew she needed help. As they led her away from the shore, she caught a glimpse of the wreckage behind her, a reminder of the life she had left behind. The group walked for what felt like hours, the trees growing thicker and the air growing colder. Iduna stumbled along, her legs aching and her body shivering. Finally, they emerged into a clearing, and Iduna saw a sprawling castle in the distance. As they approached the castle, Iduna saw a man standing on the balcony, watching them. He was a tall, imposing figure, with a cruel smile spreading across his face. Iduna felt a shiver run down her spine as he beckoned her forward. "Welcome, Queen Iduna," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I've heard a lot about you. I'm King Westergaard, ruler of the Southern Isles." Iduna curtsied, trying to hide her fear. She had heard rumors of King Westergaard's brutality, and she knew she needed to tread carefully. As she followed him into the castle, she couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead for her. Would she find refuge here, or would she become a pawn in King Westergaard's game of power? Only time would tell.