Starlight seeped through the trees, giving a soft edge to the harsh shadows of the night. Phineas drummed the ground with his walking staff, concentrating on the scene before him. A soft chant followed the beat of the staff. Light began to flow from his staff, weaving itself into ever more complex shapes. Slowly the light began to form into two bodies. One facedown in the dirty snow and the other kneeling over it, checking its breathing. Cinder’s story was correct so far, but what had broken the ice? He stepped out onto the Keld, continuing the steady thumping of his staff. The light twitched and jumped, showing the scene in reverse.
The boy stood up and stumbled backwards onto the ice. He laid down, scurrying back towards the center of the river. Phineas followed, stepping between the cracks in the ice without looking down. The light outline threw itself under, giving off the same continuous glow. Phineas watched as it kicked at something in the water before being pulled up by light in the shape of ice. A rock appeared in the boy’s hands, and he drew it up like he had struck something. Phineas stopped his drumming, stepping closer to the boy’s face. His eyes were alight with fear, not madness.
Phineas stepped in front, then slowly watched the rock come down. The light dimmed a few feet above the ice. Parts of the rock’s outline disappeared entirely, almost as if his magic was unable to recreate whatever this creature was. For the first time that night, it wasn’t the cold that made him shiver.
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Quill woke to the sun shining through windows that looked to be made of glass. He was lying in a cot, much larger than his own in the orphanage. The scent of hundreds of herbs and woodsmoke filled his lungs, but the scent of vanilla and peppermint stood out the most. He rolled his head to the right. So that’s where the smell was coming from. Sleeping next to him was the girl he saw the first time he woke up.
It looked like she was completely wrapped in a separate blanket than the one he was in. He tried to move but realized his arms werent responding. No matter how much he struggled they stayed still. Panic started to rise in his throat, struggling against rational thought in favor of raw fear. After minutes that felt like hours, Quill managed to twitch his hands. This proved to be something of a terrible mistake as pins and needles raced up and down his arms and legs. The discomfort edging on pain faded just as slowly as it began, and he was finally able to push himself somewhat upright.
The smooth wooden headboard helped keep him upright as he looked around the house. Two tables commanded the center of the single room, covered in every herb he knew and many more he didn’t. Bowls of different make and size were haphazardly stacked on each table. A large stone fireplace sat in the wall behind the closest table, with tongues of orange flame licking at new logs. Hanging in the fireplace was an iron pot bubbling with an unknown liquid.
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The door creaked open, letting in a frosty gust of air. A man who looked to be in his later years entered. He pulled off his jacket and stomped some snow off his boots. From inside one of the jacket pockets he pulled out a few strips of dried meat. He tossed a piece to Quill.
“I see you’ve awoken. Do you feel well enough to answer some questions?”
“Master Phineas? Thank the Light you saved me, but I didn’t know you had a daughter. I thought you lived alone?”
“That damned girl,” Phineas grabbed one of the bowls off the table and walked to the fireplace. “Was supposed to spend the night in her own bed. I swear she never listens to me anymore. Anyways, she’s not exactly my daughter, more like an apprentice. I’m not exactly as young as I once was. Back to those questions though. Three nights ago, you fell into the Keld. The ice at this time of year should be a few inches thick. Could you explain how this happened?”
Quill took a quick bite of the jerky. “Well, I was going to try and get a deer for the orphanage, but while I was out there I came across some kind of monster. I didn’t get too good a look at it before I started running for my life. I thought my best chance at escape was the Keld, but the thing had claws that could dig into the ice. I smashed a stone into its head, but ended up breaking the ice too.”
Phineas nodded as he filled the bowl with porridge from the pot. “Could you describe the creature to me?”
“Well, it stood about as high as my waist and looked blacker than night. It’s face was almost like a dog, but I think the snout-”
“Started to get scaly towards the end? Almost like a snake?” Phineas interrupted him.
Quill nodded. “Yes, but how did you know?”
Phineas handed him the bowl. “Those shouldn’t be anywhere near here. The fact that they are worries me, and the fact that only one attacked you worries me more. They are called Skyggund.”
“Aren't those supposed to be bedtime stories?”
“Most stories have an element of truth to them. Skyggund are not the only nightmares we’ve pushed into myth.”
Quill said nothing as he finished the bowl. He went to put it down, but Phineas took it from him and refilled it.
“Eat up child, you haven’t had much for the past few days. I’d lose my reputation in this town if I were to lose a patient.”
“Thank you. Would you mind taking a message to the orphanage for me? Tell Haley that I’m all right. She’s probably worried sick about me.”
Phineas nodded, resting his hand on Quill’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get her the message. Oh, and if you wouldn’t mind, I’ll move you to the other bed. You might be able to get more rest that way.”