The Ice Warden | Chapter 5
Hoods covering their heads, the three of them left the wooded area from the east side, and kept walking for the rest of the day.
Yuri still had some of the food packed by his cousin, but it was not enough for the three of them, so they had to go hunting and fishing from the first stream they found on the way.
Sheila looked through the bushes for edible berries while Atres set up some traps for small rodents. They were not equipped to hunt big game and they didn’t want to make too much noise, even if they were far enough from inhabited areas.
Yuri was quite surprised by their readiness to find food sources, even if they were in a place they probably were not familiar with. It didn’t look like it was the first time they found themselves in a survival situation.
He picked up a good stick and sharpened it with his axe, then went by the stream to look for fish. Having wet boots and socks was never a good idea, so he removed them and stepped bare feet into the shallow water. It was cold but nothing too bothersome for him.
Now that he thought about it, the fact that he had the power to make ice could have something to do with his high tolerance for chilly temperatures. He was still trying to wrap his head around what just happened, what he could do, and how his life would change from now on. For sure his family would be utterly surprised.
He also wondered if his magic could help him with the fishing, but didn’t want to risk drawing attention. If someone like Sheila could feel it, maybe their enemies could as well, and he had no idea how far away they were able to sense it, or even if they had spies around the area.
He managed to catch a couple of trout, then dried his feet and legs in his cape and put the boots back on to go looking for some wood for the fire.
“These Wodran creatures are way sneakier than I thought,” commented Atres when they were back together to make camp.
“No luck with your traps?” asked Yuri, arranging the wood and the stones.
“I found some wild berries and herbs,” said Sheila, carrying them in her lifted skirt.
“Nice. Now lit the fire,” replied her brother.
Yuri furrowed his brow, wondering why he was asking her to do it. “I have flint.”
Atres grinned. “Yes, but the way she does it is more fun.”
Sheila sighed. “I’m not here to give a spectacle.”
“You’re boring.”
“Fine.” She put her foraging down and approached Yuri. “Do you mind stepping aside for a moment?”
He was confused but moved back. He offered his flint and lock but she didn’t take them. Instead, she pointed her hand to the dry wood and said a word in a foreign language. A moment later, the fire caught and was crackling warmly.
Yuri remained speechless. “How…”
“It’s actually one of the easiest tricks to learn when you start studying magic,” she shrugged then turned to her brother. “I started the fire, you clean the fish.”
“Ew, that’s not fair, it only took you a second!”
She sat on a log. “We did so much walking, I’m tired.”
Atres shook his head and took out the knife he held at his side. “Fine.”
Later, while they were eating, Sheila started to look around nervously. “Do you think they could’ve followed us?”
Atres spat out a fish bone. “Are you sensing dark stuff again?”
“No. Not right now. I’m just worried. How could they know we were in the woods?”
“Not hard to imagine. We came to the port on a ship carrying Imperial banners, they probably followed us from there. Maybe they were already in the area before we arrived. If we know the Flower is active, they know too.”
“What does that mean?” Yuri stepped in.
“The Flower of Light,” Sheila explained. “The stones that the Wardens keep… it has been blocked for the past ten years, which meant the powers couldn’t be transferred to the new Wardens. But now it’s active again, and that’s why your magic has manifested.”
“How did this happen?”
“We’re not entirely sure, but there was a prophecy stating it would happen, after ten springs, and the tenth spring is near…”
Immediately, the voice from his dream came back to Yuri. Maybe it was just a trick of his mind, but did it actually sound like Sheila’s voice? That couldn’t be possible, they had never met before. “So there are other Wardens?” he just asked.
Sheila nodded. “There should be eight of them, but we only met you so far. That’s why we have to go to the Star Kingdom. There is a Temple in the capital, and other two stones are held there.”
Atres stretched and got up. “I don’t need another one of your lessons, so if you don’t mind, I’ll go patrolling around here to make sure we are actually alone.” He glared at Yuri. “Can I trust you with my sister?”
He responded with a nod. “I’m armed.”
Atres laughed. “I’m sure of that.” Then he left them alone.
“You were saying there are eight stones?” Yuri resumed their conversation.
“There are seven stones, actually. The eight Warden is called the Sun, and it’s usually the Emperor of the Bluand dynasty. He doesn’t have a stone… it’s a long story, you’ll learn more when you’re at Court with the others.”
“I still don’t know what am I supposed to do with this power.” Yuri reached into his pocket and took out the light-blue teardrop, turning it over into his hands.
“When you’ll be at Court, they will tell you all you need to know. It’s not up to me, I’m just… a Warden’s handmaiden.”
He looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Sheila loosened the string that was tying her braid. It was a thin leather cord. “Here, let me help you carry the stone more practically.” She held out her hand.
Yuri hesitated but then gave her the gem.
She touched it and seemed amazed for a moment. “It’s very cold,” she murmured. Then she wrapped the cord around it, making some knots, and gave it back to him, so he could wear it at his neck.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
“That’s how the Wardens usually wear it.”
He tied it around his neck and hid it under his clothes.
For someone dabbling in forbidden magic, Sheila was acting quite nice to him, he realized. But maybe it was just because of what he was now.
He thought back at what happened in the Soth Woods, how she helped him even if he was the one who was supposed to protect an unharmed woman. He thought at the way she had clung to him, but also how he had held her tight. That was not what he would normally do. Even in that situation, it felt like he had done something very inappropriate. And then later, when he pushed her to the wall? It was surprising she didn’t complain about it to her brother. Maybe he should apologize.
While lost in his thoughts he realized he was staring at her. They actually had been staring at each other, in silence, for quite a long time. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry.”
She raised her brows. “For what?”
“I’ve been rude to you, during the fight. I didn’t mean to.”
She seemed surprised. And was she… was she blushing? “You don’t need to apologize, we were in a dangerous situation, and I’m glad we made it out unharmed.” She then averted her eyes.
“It seems quiet around here.” Atres’ voice made them flinch. “Better get back to walking, so we can find a place to stay for the night.”
Yuri agreed and jumped up. “Let’s put out the fire and hide our traces.”
* * *
Sheila’s feet hurt for all the walking, but she didn’t want to be a burden to the others so she just kept it to herself.
There was a little spell she could do to ease the pain, but she had to be careful with that, because the herbs she needed to chew to make it effective were highly addictive and could cause people to act strangely and make them queasy.
Yuri had cut a long stick with his axe and gave it to her to help with the walk. It was surprisingly effective. She didn’t even have to ask; he just knew she was struggling and immediately decided to do something about it. That was what one would expect from a Warden. The Warden of Duty nonetheless. There was a reason why they were chosen by the Constellations.
She had only met two of them in her life at Court, but they were in the dark half, which was more challenging. From what she’d been told, the Wardens of the Light side were simply… good people. Moral, generous, brave, selfless. It was the only way they could embody the characteristics of their stones.
Duty, Love, Faith… Life. On the other side, there were Betrayal, Hate, and Freedom. A triad that had brought danger and ruin to the previous Emperor and his family. But despite the Darkness, Lady Arjanna had always been good to her, she helped her and Atres, gave them a better life, and for that she would always be grateful. She had a debt to the Constellations and she intended to honor it. Especially now that she was called to follow and protect the new Warden that was with them.
Maybe it was a silly thought. Yuri was strong and didn’t seem to need any protection, especially not from a tiny woman like her, but their enemies were cunning and dangerous and she needed to put her knowledge to good use if they wanted to get to safety.
That’s why she didn’t numb her senses with the herbs, so that her perceptions stayed sharp and she could be able to sense when dark energies were near. Even if, right now, the only thing she could feel was Yuri’s aura.
It had been subtle at first, but it seemed to become stronger the more they traveled and the more she got accustomed to him. Yet she still felt restless in his presence. Maybe the Darkness in her blood was reacting in a weird manner to his Light.
The way he had held her in the Soth Woods had made her heart jump in her throat and her legs almost gave in. That was not… acceptable. She had to hold herself together.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed even further.
The sun was already setting and there was no village in sight. They really took the most remote route through the wilderness and she feared they would get lost, but Yuri seemed so sure of himself and he probably knew those lands more than anyone else.
As if he read what she was thinking, her brother voiced her concern. “Are you sure we’re going to find a village before dark?”
“There is a small settlement further ahead, near the woods. It’s a stopping point for woodcutters when they go logging in the spring,” replied the Wodran scout.
“Do you think there will be someone who can deliver a message to our delegation in Laske?” asked Sheila. The fact that nobody knew where they were might have been an advantage to lose their pursuers but it would be safer if the Imperial soldiers were informed of their position and came to help.
“There’s usually a couple of guards stationed, so you could ask them. We’ll be there before dark,” Yuri reassured them.
They kept walking.
* * *
The village was really small, maybe even smaller than Soth, and half of it seemed deserted.
“There will be more people moving here in the next weeks,” explained Yuri. “Which is a good thing since we don’t want to let others know where we are. You can trust the locals; they know how to keep to themselves.”
The sky was turning dark but they could see the light of the fire from inside a few buildings. The scout led them straight to the one that was supposed to be the inn. It was mostly a big house made of logs, with a sharply slanted roof, ready to withstand the snowy season. “You can talk to the guards in the morning, now it’s better to get some food and rest.”
They entered the common room and it was nice to feel the warmth of the interior. Even if the winter was ending, for Sheila it was still cold out there.
Upon seeing them, the innkeeper greeted them in the Ice language. She was an old and wrinkly woman with grey hair gathered behind her head and almost transparent grayish eyes.
Yuri got close to the counter and they started talking. After a while, he turned to Atres and Sheila, switching back to the Imperial language. “There are no other guests so we can have two separate rooms. Food will be ready in a while. You can take a seat.”
While they were eating, one of the village guards entered the inn and immediately noticed the foreigners. He approached their table, most likely to inquire about their presence.
Again, Yuri responded to him in the language of Wodr and the man immediately switched to the Imperial. “We don’t see many outsiders in these parts. What brought you here?” He was addressing Atres, but Sheila stepped in.
“We were attacked by bandits and we had to take a different route. We need to reach the nearest port.”
The man frowned, showing suspicion. “Where did this happen? And what were you doing when it happened?”
Sheila exchanged a glance with her brother. They wanted to keep a low profile, but maybe it was safe to disclose some details to a guard, it’d be easier to get help. “Forgive my manners.” She reached for her bag and took out a small pendant with a white iris on a blue background. “We are Imperial emissaries. I cannot disclose the reason for our travel, I hope you will understand.”
The guard raised an eyebrow, recognizing the Bluand crest, the symbol of the Imperial dynasty.
“We were further north on the road when we were attacked.” She looked at Yuri. “Fortunately, our guide knows the land well and he brought us here to safety.”
“That is a very unpleasant occurrence, My Lady,” the guard bowed respectfully. “How can we be of service?”
“We just need a safe place to rest, and by any chance, do you have the means to deliver a message to the rest of our delegation in Laske?”
The man scratched his dark-blond beard. “There are only two of us and we can’t leave our position for so long, but if you’re headed to the port, you’ll find a messenger there for sure.”
“That would be splendid. Thank you. And if it’s not asking too much of you, are there any horses we can rent to make our travel quicker and safer?”
“We don’t have many horses here, but maybe we can provide one for Milady, if you assure us to deliver it to the guard at the dock, so they can send it back.”
Sheila looked at her brother.
“We can take turns, it’s better than being on foot,” he shrugged.
She spoke back to the guard. “Then we thank you and we will leave some gold as payment, of course. We plan on setting out in the morning. Would it be possible to arrange the saddle so that it can hold two of us at a time? We promise we’ll go slow and take good care of the animal.”
“Of course, My Lady, you are the most generous.” The man gave her a bright grin. “I’ll be waiting for you at the barracks in the morning. Have a nice stay.” He made another deep bow and then left them alone.
Atres chuckled and went back to eat.
“What’s so funny?” Sheila asked.
“Was it really necessary to charm that poor man like that?”
“I didn’t do anything, I was just being polite,” she shook her head while putting away the medallion. “It was the Imperial crest that made him change his attitude.”
“If you say so. But don’t give him too much money, we still have a long journey ahead.” Atres looked at Yuri. “I imagine our guide would want to get paid too.”
Yuri stared back at him with his cold, light-blue eyes. “I don’t need anything. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“How noble,” he scoffed. “The Emperor will fill you with gold anyway and give you some fancy title. If we make it back to the Island.”
“We will,” Sheila replied.
“A title?” Yuri asked.
Sheila looked around and lowered her voice. “The Wardens used to be Imperial Councilors and they are granted titles, usually based on their standing. Knighthood is most likely.”
He widened his eyes in disbelief.
“I assume you don’t have other nobles in your family,” commented Atres, amused by his reaction.
“I…” Yuri paused. “My father was a knight for the crown of Mjorgard. But it all ended with the flood of our hometown.”
Sheila frowned. “Sorry to hear that.”
“It was… many years ago. I was too little to remember.”
And for once, even Atres decided to shut up, and they resumed their dinner in silence.
>> Chapter 6 coming tomorrow
