The scene shifts to the Frostlands, where the land is besieged by endless white streaks of crystal. Five travelers' feet crunch beneath a layer of snow.
Leading them was a man clad in sleek armor negating the terrain, his ginger hair peeking out from beneath his helmet.
He clutched a lamp, the light casting long shadows on the snowy ground. His back bore a sizable load, filled with springs, cogs, and other random items. Jeice, a knight with a mission.
Close behind him were three taller more menacing figures, their oily shells glistened under the moonlight.
The tallest, Jasper, carried a massive mace on her back. Her shell mimicked demonic horns jutting from her head, and she walked with an aura of barely contained fury, her arthropodous toes leaving distinct marks in the snow.
To her left, Gia had small sheaths holding her four blades and numerous vials of potent liquids on her belt. The third, Arachnia, carried no visible weapon but bore the group's supplies, her many eyes twinkling with hidden knowledge, they all bore masks like their father, hiding away their monstrous jaws.
Trailing behind them, Jeice’s only son.
His hair matched his father's in a blazing undercut that stood out in the icy landscape. He read from ancient texts while conjuring fire in his palm, lighting their path through the treacherous terrain.
As they moved forward, they encountered a snowman-like figure waiting for them. The figure reached out to Jeice as if he were an old friend.
"Oy! My boi Jeice, I see ya dun got me junka!" he called out with a thick accent.
Jeice turned to Arachnia. "Translate," he commanded.
Arachnia advanced with a wary tone. “He wants the metal, Father.”
Jeice cast the parcels to the ground with a sneer and thrust them forward. “Demand of him whether he will render the agreed sum this time,” he growled.
Arachnia leaned down to the snowman’s level. "Do ya got da golda for papi, Karlo?"
Karlo rummaged through his coat pocket and produced a pouch of gold, handing it over. "Since-a ya treat me gud, I gotta stack for ya, no?"
Arachnia translated with a cold edge, “He claims he has extra for us, seeing as we performed well this time.”
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Jeice scoffed with disdain. “Hmph. To think he’d deign to pay me so frequently. Eddy… Eddy!” he bellowed.
Eddy hurriedly put his book away and fumbled to catch the sack of gold. "Sorry," he muttered, embarrassed.
Jeice dismissed the apology with a wave and motioned to Jasper. “Jasper, the map, if you please.”
Jasper retrieved a scroll from her pack and handed it to him. "Here, Father," she said softly.
Jeice examined the map and the ink lines. “Where do we venture next?” Gia inquired, her curiosity sharp.
Arachnia’s smile was cold and enigmatic. “Patience, sister. I am well aware of our destination.”
Their journey led them out of the Frostlands and into a dense forest. They arrived at Lief's Inn, a cozy haven amidst the trees.
The warm glow from within beckoned them inside. As they entered, Lief greeted them warmly. "Howdy there strangers, welcome! lucky for you
We have a great markdown for you weaponed folk! Go see my friend over there and you can get yourselves a room."
Jeice tapped at Eddy and he took the pouch of gold to the orc at the other side of the counter
Rox smiles at Eddy as he approaches, "Um, hi. We need rooms for the night, please." he says sheepishly.
"Sure thing. It's twenty gold per night, warrior's discount included," she responded, staring at him intently with her four indigo eyes.
Eddy counted the gold with a touch of unease and presented it respectfully. “Pray, accept this sum. I confess, I have yet to meet a lady of orcish kin. Thou art most comely indeed…”
Rox grinned watching a blush creep up Eddy's cheeks "Flattery will get you everywhere, handsome, thank you. Here, you'll need this."
She handed him the room key and a small candy.
Jeice cut in sharply. “Eddy, hasten thy pace!” Eddy trembled as he retreated from the counter.
Later, as they unpacked, Jeice settled in his quarters, he pulled out an N-Droid. Static filled the room before a voice came through.
"Jeice, I have something for you..." Jeice's gaze grew strained. "What do you want?" The voice gave a faint grin. "I found her, the Luvbug you said?" His hold grew more firm.
"Where!?-"
"Calm down, I have an assignment for you first.."
"Talk.." Jeice uttered harshly.
"I've traced her path, I'll send it to your NioDroid" Jeice paced around impatiently, and a beep rang through his room, he snagged the device and looked through it frantically.
Upon scrolling down to view the briefing for his mission, he stopped to look at the figure that stood out most. It was her, the one who took so much from him.
"Your task is simple," read the text under the image "Give me a way to the girl, and the Luvbug yours.
Do whatever you want. I don't care, I want the girl."
With apprehension, Jeice gazed at his NioDroid; at last, his opportunity for retribution had arrived, and the years of effort would finally bear fruit.