Biting cold wind whipped Gloria’s hair around as she led Seth up the cliff-side trail. She glanced back at him. He was utterly defeated. His feet dragged on the path, his head was hung low, and his hands were stuffed into his pockets. They were nearly up the trail now and he hadn’t said a word.
Gloria looked up at the mountains behind him. They consumed the horizon and stared down at her as though they mocked her. Foolish! She could hear them say. Utterly foolish.
There has to be a way, Gloria thought, pursing her lips. A way to reverse everything. She glared back at the mountains. She wasn’t going to give up; She couldn’t. Seth was hanging on by a thread. If she gave up, then Seth would give up, and if he gave up…. Gloria looked back at Seth who continued to trudge up the trail. She shook her head… she didn’t want to think about what Seth might do.
Suddenly, movement a couple of levels down the trail caught Gloria’s eye. She looked down and saw a lone figure in a brown cloak hurrying up the path. Gloria’s heart pounded. Don’t panic. She told herself. Maybe he’s just another traveler heading into the Fjord Plains.
But at that moment, the figure looked up at Gloria and stared at her. Her blood went cold. He was looking for them! An assassin! She panicked. They needed to run!
Gloria ran back to Seth and grabbed his hand. “Hurry!” She cried. “We’re being followed.”
Gloria pulled Seth along, but he didn’t move any faster. He just glanced back, glumly. “Maybe if I’m killed,” he mumbled, “everything will go back to the way it was.” He stared glassily down the edge of the cliff. “Better I die than everyone freeze to death.” He inched towards the edge of the trail.
Gloria yanked Seth away from the edge. “Don’t you dare!” She cried, then jabbed a finger into his chest. “I’m not giving up yet, so you aren’t either!”
Seth looked up at her with dead eyes. “It doesn’t matter…” he answered. “We’re all going to die anyway.
Gloria glared at him. Her patience was wearing thin. “No one’s dying today,” she declared, then she grabbed Seth’s hand again and dragged him along behind her up the trail.
Below her, Gloria could faintly hear a voice calling to them over the howling wind. She couldn’t pick out the words nor did she want to – They had to keep moving; the voice was getting closer.
Gloria pulled Seth up the last few feet of trail and shoved him forward. She looked back and her heart caught in her throat – the brown cloaked figure wasn’t too far behind.
Gloria hurried off the trail and scanned the horizon trying to devise a plan. What do we do? She thought. Can we hide? Can we run? But the land was flat and covered in snow. Gloria gritted her teeth; no, they would have to make their stand here.
She spun back and found Seth plopped in the snow staring off into the distance; he wouldn’t be any help right now.
A flash of anger flared in Gloria, but she had no time to argue. She looked around. A weapon, she thought. I need a weapon! She spied some stones in the snow and gathered up as many as she could. She picked out the smoothest one, then she cocked her arm back, and waited.
It didn’t take long before a little brown hood bounced up the trail. Gloria threw her first stone. It whistled through the air and found its mark with a loud thud.
“Ow!” the hood cried, putting a hand to his head.
Gloria readied another stone and hurled it. The cloaked figure whipped out a lean white clothed arm and wrote a sigil in the air. “Clypeus fidei!” A young voice cried. A shimmering shield burst into existence. The rock bounced off harmlessly and shattered the shield.
Gloria prepared a third stone, but the hooded figure held his hands up. “Wait!” he cried. “I come in peace!” Gloria hesitated; the voice sounded familiar.
“Who are you?” she demanded, lowering her stone a little. The cloaked figure pulled off his hood. It was the boy from the temple. Gloria furrowed her brow. What was his name? Eli? Elijah?
“I’m Elias!” The boy answered. “I was at the temple! I took you to see Father Verdas!” Elias held his hands in front of his face to defend against another rock.
At the mention of Father Verdas, Gloria growled and raised her stone again. “What do you want?” She spat. “We left town! What more does Father Verdas want?”
“Wait!” Elias cried, quickly stepping away from the cliff edge. “Wait, wait, wait! I came because I want to help you and Mr. Seth.”
“How could you possibly help us?” Gloria growled again.
“I know how to defeat The Lady of the Mountain!” Elias declared.
Gloria was stunned. She stared at Elias who nodded, confirming his statement. She glanced over at Seth to see his reaction. His face was still downcast, but his eyes perked up.
Gloria looked back at the boy and narrowed her eyes. “How come you know, but Father Verdas doesn’t? Seems a bit odd that a boy would know but not an abbot.”
Elias kept his eyes on the rock Gloria held. “Because I’ve read everything the monastery has on The Lady of The Mountain, including old tomes! In addition, I’ve collected many stories from the townsfolk.”
Gloria was still hesitant and raised her rock threateningly. “Why The Lady?”
Elias stammered on. “I get bored!” he cried. “The monastic life isn’t for me, so I entertain myself with whatever I can!”
Gloria stared the boy down. He seems harmless enough. She thought, lowering her hand. And it’s at least worth listening to. Gloria dropped her stones and folded her arms. “Did anyone follow you?” She asked, watching his face.
Elias shook his head. “No, I snuck out after you were escorted from the temple. After I packed my things, that is.” He beamed and held up a leather bag.
“Your…things?” Gloria blinked.
Elias grinned and nodded. “Yeah! This way I’m ready to come with you!” He beamed. “That’s my offer! Let me come with you and I’ll help you defeat The Lady of The Mountain!”
Gloria’s mouth dropped open. She blinked then stammered for a response. Then Seth’s voice cut through the air, “No.” Gloria looked back at Seth, his head still on his knees. “You’re not coming with us,” he finished.
Elias’s face fell a bit, then hardened. “Why not?” He demanded. “I can help!”
“Because you’re a child!” Seth said sternly before looking up at Elias. “I’ve put enough people in danger as is and I don’t want to add to that number.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Gloria sighed. “Seth…” she began.
Seth turned to her with a grim look. “Do you know how long it took me to accept you coming with me? Sometimes I’m still not okay with it! Now you want me to add a child into the mix?” He burst.
That’s it! Gloria thought, her last shred of patience snapping. Seth needs a talking to. She turned to Elias and gave him a forced smile. “Elias,” she said with terse sweetness. “Could you give us a moment?”
Elias backed away a few steps. He glanced at Seth, then hesitantly, but put his bag on his back and nodded, “Of course, yes ma’am.” Then he turned and walked away a few steps where he looked towards the mountains and waited.
Gloria turned to Seth. “What are you doing?” she demanded. “We came all this way for answers, and now that someone is going to give them to us, you’re not going to take them?”
Seth looked away. “He’s a child,” he answered roughly. “I’m not going to get him involved.”
Gloria frowned. “We don’t really have any other options, Seth!” she cried. “If not this, then what are you going to do instead?”
Seth didn’t answer. His shoulders sagged as he tried to avoid her gaze.
Gloria stared at him in shock. “Nothing?” She cried. “You’re just going to give up and run away?”
Seth shrugged; a hollow look replaced the grimness in his eyes. “What would you have me do?” He asked.
“Stand!” Gloria cried. “Fight! Protect the people of this land!” She jabbed a finger west. “Save my home!”
Seth curled up and wrapped his arms around his knees. “You have too much faith in me,” he said quietly. “I don’t have what it takes to do that.”
Gloria watched the shell of Seth stare off into the distance. She sighed. Anger began to melt, and compassion formed in its place. She knelt beside him and put a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, you do,” she said gently.
Seth looked up at her, his eyes conflicted. “I don’t see it…” he whispered.
“I do,” Gloria answered. “You made it to Westfjord! You stood up against my father, carried me through the snow—multiple times –, and you ran through a blizzard with an arrow in your leg, for Crim’s sake!” Gloria pointed at Seth, “You are the strongest, bravest man I know. If anyone could defeat The Lady, it would be you.”
Seth shook his head and looked away. “It’s not the same…I-”
Gloria shook her head and squeezed Seth’s shoulder. “I disagree, if you can be strong for me, then you can be strong for them.”
Gloria saw a flicker of hope in Seth’s eyes. “You really think so?” he asked quietly.
Gloria smiled warmly. “I know so.” She stood and offered her hand, “and you don’t have to be alone.”
Seth returned her smile. He took her hand and stood. “Elias,” he called.
Elias perked up and bounded back. “Yes sir!” He cried enthusiastically.
Seth groaned and Gloria hid a smile. “Don’t call me sir,” Seth said. “That makes me feel old.”
“Yes, Mister-”
Seth put up a hand. “Just call me Seth.”
“Yes…Seth…” Elias fumbled over his words.
“If you tell us what you know...” Seth paused, struggling to get the words out. Gloria put a hand on his shoulder. Seth looked back at her, and she nodded. He took a deep breath and looked back at Elias, “If you tell us what you know, you can come with us.”
Elias beamed. “Really sir? I mean Mister- er…Seth.”
Gloria couldn’t help but let out a little snort this time. Seth looked back at her disapprovingly. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “He’s just so cute. I can’t help it!”
Seth turned his attention back to Elias. “Yes, but you need to listen to Gloria and me. I’d like to get you home in one piece.”
Elias shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me, I don’t have any family and the only home I’ve got is the temple. Plus, Father Verdas is always disappointed in me anyway.”
“But it matters to me,” Seth insisted stepping closer to Elias. “I want to get you home in one piece; so, listen to me – got it?”
Elias nodded. “Yes sir!”
“Don’t call me sir.”
“Sorry sir!”
Gloria laughed.
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Things were starting to feel crowded to Seth. He was used to being on his own. Life was easier that way. No one else to worry about but himself. Now, he was joined by a fiery and mysterious woman who refused to leave him and a child novice who had delusions of adventure. That wasn’t even including whoever this “Lady” in his head was!
How did this happen? he asked himself as he crunched through the snow. He hadn’t gone out searching for people to follow him and yet, here they were, stuck to him like pinesap.
Seth shook his head and looked up at the mountains ahead of him. The gray peaks pierced the cloudy sky like jagged teeth. Seth shuddered and felt an odd tug in his chest. Something pulled him towards the mountains. Is it The Lady? Seth wondered. He rubbed his chest in a vain attempt to dispel the feeling, but it wouldn’t leave.
He chewed the inside of his cheek. Elias hadn’t told him anything yet. “Just go north,” was all he would say. He probably wants to get some distance from home before telling us anything important, Seth mused. He chuckled. He had to give the boy props – it was a smart move.
He glanced back at Gloria and Elias to distract himself. The two were cheerfully chattering away; they had become fast friends despite Gloria’s impeccable aim. Before Seth could realize it, a weight began to settle on his shoulders. Worries about their safety, warmth, and food raced through his mind. He felt responsible for it all.
Is this what being a king is like? he thought. Seth shook his head again and pushed the thought away. Was there nothing he could think about that wasn’t a burden?
He tuned back into Gloria and Elias’s conversation. “…and that’s how you make the perfect lamb stew.” Elias prattled.
“Wow,” Gloria exclaimed. “I’ve never heard of that method before, I’ll have to try that sometime. You’re really well-read!”
Seth felt a twinge of annoyance and irritability. He put his hands in his pockets and found himself wishing that Gloria was talking to him. He frowned as he crunched through the snow. Am I jealous? He asked himself. No! He thought. That’s ridiculous. She can talk to whoever she wants.
Seth glanced back at Gloria again; She was laughing at something Elias had said. Seth grimaced, that same irritability rose again, but he couldn’t help but admire the dimples in her cheeks as she laughed.
Gloria caught Seth’s eye. He looked away quickly and kept moving. “Hang on Elias,” Seth heard Gloria say, “I’m going to talk to Seth.” Seth heard the crunch of Gloria’s boots as she caught up to him. His heart pounded.
Gloria’s face came into his peripheral. “Hey,” she said, tilting her head. “Are you doing okay?”
Seth nodded, his throat tightening. He felt ridiculous. He wanted her to come and talk to him. Now that she was here, why did he feel so on edge? “Yeah,” his voice cracked. “I’m fine. Why?”
“You just seem quiet.” Gloria answered, watching his face. “Even more so than is normal for you. Is something bothering you?”
Seth’s face flushed. “I’m fine!” He snapped. Guilt immediately pierced Seth. He looked up at Gloria and stammered. “I-I’m sorry,” he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. I’m just feeling a little on edge.”
Gloria smiled softly. “It’s alright. You should join us! You don’t have to be all by yourself, you know,” she looped her arm through his. “You need to get outside of your head more. You spend too much time there.”
Seth stammered again; Gloria just gave him a look. “Come on,” she said, “come and join us.” Then she gently tugged him back with her towards Elias. “You two should have the chance to talk.” Then she unlinked her arm and walked alongside Seth. She smiled at Elias, “don’t worry,” she laughed, “He doesn’t bite.”
Seth and Elias looked at each other and tried to smile, but neither were sure what to say. They walked on in awkward silence, both in turn cast pleading glances at Gloria. After a moment, Gloria nudged Seth and whispered. “Say something,”
Seth scrambled for something to say. What did they have in common? Ah! He had it. He cleared his throat. “So Elias,” he began.
“Yes sir? I mean, Seth…sir?”
Seth winced but continued. “I noticed you cast a shielding spell earlier. Do you know a lot of magic?”
Elias rubbed his head. “No, I don’t. All novices know how to bless, but outside of that, I just know that shielding spell. I found the sigil for it in a pile of books that were donated to the monastery. It was really hard to learn though, it took me a year before I could cast it. I’m not that good at it, I can only block one hit then it vanishes.”
Excitement ran through Seth. Another person who liked studying magic? “Well, you just need to work on your concentration,” he said, trying to remain cool. “I can teach you some techniques, if you want…”
Elias perked up. “You can teach me?”
“A bit,” Seth shrugged.
“Wow!” Elias beamed, then stared off into the distance starry-eyed. “Who knew that I’d run into a master!”
“Whoa,” Seth held out his hands and shook his head. “Hold your horses! I wouldn’t get your hopes up too much. I’m just an apprentice.”
Gloria nudged Seth again, smiling. “Don’t be modest! You know a lot! I’ve heard you talk about your arcane studies; you know what you’re talking about.”
Seth blushed and rubbed the back of his head. “I suppose I know some,” he mumbled.
“Either way!” Elias beamed again. “it’ll be way more than what I know now! I can’t wait! When can we start?”
“How about after you tell us what we need to know?” Seth answered.
Elias made a face but nodded. “Alright, I suppose that’s a fair trade. Let’s keep going then!” Then Elias hurried forward through the snow.
Seth heard Gloria giggle. He turned his head towards her and she smiled. “Now was that terrible?” She asked.
Seth smiled and bowed his head. “I suppose not,” he admitted. Then he chuckled to himself. Maybe things wouldn’t be as bad as he thought.
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