Northedge.

It was the northernmost part of the kingdom and Rode dukedom. It is the land where tundra fields and snowy mountain range rule; the highest peak is twice the height of Mount Raza.

Time and time, blizzards roar across the land making it unlikely to live or to field a crop.

And in that oblivious place, lived a tribe since ancient times. A few kind kings of the past gave them mercy and permitted them to relocate to less cold, fertile regions yet these stubborn people rejected the kindness and moved to colder places, the mountains.

"Damn those idiots. Why do they choose to make themselves hard to live?" Dovos complained while both he and Ethan pulled their horses against the tundra snow.

Ethan chuckled, "cuz they don't want to be in the drama of low land. Just how many times the houses of Midland fought each other before King Kane Adder Eclair united the land? The blood shredded may as well be the royal lake of Midland. Maybe they are wiser."

Dovos turned silent. Ethan's words made him think for a while. Then the complaint continued, "damn the mist. I can't see ten feet ahead."

Since the heat from low land and the cold from the mountain fought head-on, the area was always misty. And it became the first natural barrier for the tribe.

"Are we on the right track? I don't see the road anymore. Check the path before we get lost or we will freeze to death."

Ethan sighed as the big guy Dovos kept complaining about every single thing.

"Give me a break. You have been complaining nonstop since we set foot in the tundra. This is your trip. I tag along because you asked me. So stop complaining. Why did you want to come here if you are scared of the cold so much?"

"Because I heard it was beautiful up there. This is the only chance to come here with a companion. I was scared to go alone."

"For god sake," Ethan mumbled.

Dovos continued, "damn. I wouldn't come if it is this cold. How about going back? We are blind and definitely not prepared enough to tread on this land. Let's come back with a guide later."

Ethan sighed again. He could not put up with the crap anymore. What would this guy be doing if he did not tag along? And he could not believe the guy's horse also hate the cold, same as its master and it was the reason they had to pull the horses, not rode them. Rings was fine with the cold however that horse had to be pulled so to match their speed, Ethan had to get off Rings.

"Just shut your mouth and follow me. After we pass the mist, we will see a fort in the great snow plain. We can buy a fur coat there."

"How do you know? You said this was your first time too."

"Because a man who had, said so."

He dragged Dovos along until they passed the mist. Ethan was right. Passed the mist was the great plain of snow, in the middle was a lone fort protected by a palisade, at its far back_the white mountain peaks.

It was the first time they saw so many whites. A realm so white it could be wrong as heaven if not the cold. The scenery was mesmerising.

"So white. So magical."

For a moment both of them forgot how cold it was with their thin cloaks and leather armour until the chilly wind blew across the plain. The shiver strokes their bones.

"Fuck. It is cold. So fricking cold."

The fort welcomed them openly. It was more of an outpost for trade than a fort. The tribe brought products of the mountain like; animal furs and Bourkē salt, here and sold them to low-land people. They bought wheat and weapons back.

The Bourkē pink salt was regarded as magical and healing. It was so expensive that a rock of it could be exchanged with a huge ore of iron. It was the main economy of the tribe.

"I don't know what this is but it does warm my belly and bones."

Dovos praised the local smoke as he inhaled another puff to fight the chill. Ethan had to warn him.

"Slow down or you will spend the rest of the day dancing naked and get robbed tomorrow. It is made from a snow herb."

The big fireplace in the middle heated up the entire hall, comforting the dwellers and visitors with warmth. The rest of the hall was filled with counters and tables talking businesses.

Ethan asked a man with a shield if he knew the way to the mountain.

"We come here for the village. Do you happen to know a way?"

"I do. But outsiders are not allowed to enter the village. It is prohibited."

"We are here for a mission. See this shield and identity papers? One of our comrades from the village died during a mission. We are here to return his belongings to the family."

Ethan explained their reason. The man checked the bag. He recognised the shield design right away. It was the work made by craftsmen from their region.

"Thank you for your kindness. I shall take the belonging and return them in your stead."

The man tried to take the bag. However, Ethan moved it back to him and rejected the man's favour.

"Sorry man. I don't trust strangers. I promised the warrior that we would share the prize and I intend to keep it. I can't give them to you and not know if it actually reaches the family."

"You mean I will take them for myself? Humph* you accuse me that I will steal from a man of my own tribe?"

It triggered the man. He stood up and prepared his fists. Ethan stood his ground firm. Dovos had to calm them down. But it did not work.

"I should be the one wary of you two. Who knows? You killed our man and pretend to bring back his items. To infiltrate our sacred mountain and steal our salt."

The commotion turned big. The crowd turned their heads to watch. They were hoping for entertainment, a fight. But their wishes were crushed when a young man came running and stopped the man.

"Wait, Dorüg. Don't fight. I must be the one they are looking for. I am Igüan and I heard you are looking for the family members of the warrior who belonged to that shield. That shield is my brother's."

Ethan looked at the young man and concluded that he was his actual brother. He handed over the bag. However, he was stopped by Dovos who asked the most ridiculous question he had ever heard.

"How am I supposed to believe if you are his real brother?" Dovos asked.

It was a basic logical question. Unless the young man right in front of them looked exactly the same as Ishàn. Ethan looked at Dovos, asking 'Are you serious?' in his mind.

"Because we look the same? I am his twin." The young man explained. He did not understand why he had to though.

It was an awkward moment. All eyes were on Dovos and the silence filled the air until Dovos laughed bursting out loud.

"Hahaha. Ahaahaha. Come on. I was just messing with you."

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He softly pats the young man's shoulder with his big hand as he tried to break the ice. Except it made it worse. Ethan had to save.

"I apologize for my partner's behaviour and I am sorry about your loss. Your brother was a fine warrior."

"Thank you. May I know how...how he...", the young man's head dropped as he spoke.

"It was a geckan. A geckan nest, actually. Your brother bravely fought and helped us until a genkan got him while he was trying to save a man."

"I see." He gave a sad smile with a tint of pride. He continued, "That's so like Ishàn. He always put others above himself. Anyway, thanks for informing his death by coming all the way up here. It must be a hassle. You may take the gold back. The shield is enough. Thank you again."

"No. You can also take the gold."

"No. I insist. You two came all the way here. It is to show my gratitude."

"Hmm.. then may I ask a favour as a token of your gratitude? Let us visit the mountains." Ethan asked.

The favour made the young man think a lot. He had much to contemplate. 'The tribe always honour the gratitude'. As a favour asked by his debtor, it must be met. On the other hand, it was the iron-clad rule that no outsiders shall set foot on mountains.

Ethan knew this fact. His journey here was not in goodwill in the first place. He came here with his own agenda. He heard an artefact of the Temple was hidden on a mountain where there is white in all seasons. After the book of Sahel, he was interested to find out what that artefact would be. What kind of book it has to be to make lord Mordu', the salvation of men, went on full berserk to burn down the entire island along with his hundred of soldiers.

"So..? You will let us, right? It is just a visit." Ethan pushed the young man to agree.

"Ermm... Haha. I don't know what to say. It is above me. Let me ask the council first. In the meantime, you may rest here."

"Sure. I hope it won't take long."

Dovos looked at him startled. Yes, he did want to go up there too, that was until he figured out how cold it would be. However, it was he who asked Ethan to tag along so he shut his mouth.

They waited a night while the council of defenders thought of a way how to reject them. The next morning, the council agreed to let them climb the mountains, under the eyes of a defender. Igüan volunteered.

And so the three of them: Ethan, Dovos and Igüan climbed the mountain.

"You might want the shields on the mountains. Take one from the pile."

Igüan offered them their native shields from the pile. They tried the shields. All of them were different from the regular shields. These shields were longer and narrower, its top edge was curved inside. Regular shields have reinforcement outside where they would look like a bump to hit with the shield effectively. But here, the reinforced iron was built inside where the handle was; the outside was completely smooth.

Both of them believed these shields were practically death weight for them on the climb so they gave up the idea. Also, they used a long sword and a Warhammer as weapons so a shield was useless for both.

Igüan saw them and smiled mysteriously.

There were only two paths they could take in the mountains. One was used by the tribe and another was built by Temple. They were separate paths until connected by the Temple three years ago. They took the path the tribe used.

The start was a smooth slope. However, after climbing for a candle, it became steep steps.

"Steps," Dovos sighed disappointedly, "how many are there?"

"Five hundred till the resting place."

"Damn."

Under the cold and the weight, they felt like their knees were breaking. The inner of their mouth became dry and cracked as they kept swallowing the cold air while panting. They were dying but Igüan was the same as before, smiling.

"Didn't we pass more than five hundred? Why aren't we reaching the resting spot yet?" Dovos complained.

"Not really. A hundred still left. See this totem? It marks where we are and helps us navigate."

"Is that so?" Dovos approached the totem and cleared the snow to see the engraved. It did say a hundred. Dovos turned gloomed as if he had lost hope until Igüan made him thrilled by his words.

"They are also where most people died from bad stepping. So be careful."

"Hell!" Dovos stepped back immediately in fear. "Tell me sooner. I could have died."

Igüan smiled, and so did Ethan.

After another hundred steps, they reached a cliff. Eight feet apart was another cliff which was connected by a small bridge made of ropes and planks. It swung when a cold stroke of air blew through the narrow gap between the two mountains.

"Hell no. I ain't passing that shitty bridge." Dovos quited.

"It is the only bridge. The good news is that we can rest after crossing the bridge. It is right over there." Igüan tried to cheer them.

Ethan approached the bridge and checked below. It was a sheer cliff, a drop would be a free fall, a sure death. It made a creaking sound whenever the wind passed. Even Ethan turned pale and blue, getting cold feet. He lied to himself it was because of the snow but deep down he knew he was frightened by the crossing.

"Are you sure it can hold my weight?" Dovos questioned.

"Sure. We always pass it while carrying shields and loads. Don't worry. Watched my steps. But follow only after I pass it completely."

Igüan passed the bridge quickly. When the weight of him was on, the bridge dropped lower but became steadier. Ethan felt it was doable so he followed him. So did Dovos, but it took him longer.

All of them successfully reached the rest stop. Both Ethan and Dovos sat immediately and rubbed their icy cold feet.

"Don't spill the water," Igüan shouted to Dovos who was satiating his thirst leisurely. It got on his nerve but Ethan de-escalated the situation by suggesting to make a fireplace. Igüan made a fireplace to get some warmth and eat some meal but he forgot his flicker stone so he went back to the bridge.

"Shit. It seem I dropped my flint stone when I checked my bag back there, on the other side. I will do a quick trip."

"It is fine. I have one. You can use mine."

"Thanks. But no. It is a gift from my brother. I can't lose it."

Although it was just a stone, Igüan stubbornly went back to get the stone. Ethan let it be because it was a stone full of sentiment from his dead brother.

It was at the moment when Igüan was crossing the bridge, Ethan heard a faint sound behind the rocks. It was a growl.

Ethan swiftly got on his feet and took out his sword. The same with Dovos. He heard it too. They braced for a sudden fight.

Right at that moment, a snow missile flew through the white mist straight to Dovos. It hit Dovos's hammer. Its force was too strong, it would have shattered a sword in contact. Luckily Dovos wielded a big-ass Warhammer.

The second missile flew toward Igüan and hit the bridge. The planks were broken into pieces, its rope snapped from the other side and the bridge fell down the cliff.

Unfortunately, it also took Igüan along with it.