Seth pushed his way through the snow and kept his eyes focused on the trail ahead. After he’d returned from the ridge, Shaman Fen had wasted no time trying to reassert his power. The old man’s face barely held itself together when he ordered Seth to help Gloria blaze a trail until The Lady returned. Seth shoved some snow aside and let a wry smile slip. He’d gotten under the shaman’s skin; the satisfaction was sweet, even though it had come at a price.
Seth looked up at the looming mountain peak and tried to spy her temple, but the clear view began to hide behind thick gray clouds that covered the late afternoon sun. He shuddered; he could already feel The Lady’s presence growing again. But something was different this time, she felt slower and sluggish.
Not fatigued, he thought, pushing away more snow. Almost as though she was swimming through mud. He frowned. Why? And how? He would’ve thought that as they got closer to her temple, she would regain control more quickly.
Why, indeed. The Lady snarled, trying even harder to crawl closer to him, but could only move at a snail’s pace.
Beside him, Gloria grunted and pushed some snow to widen the path that he had made. Her cheeks were red from the sharp biting wind that threatened to topple the two of them over. He smiled, despite the grueling work, he was glad for the opportunity to be near her.
A sudden gust of wind blew, and Seth attempted to shield Gloria from the wind. She shivered and looked up at him gratefully. “Thank you,” she chattered and turned a warm smile on him.
“You’re welcome,” he smiled back, feeling a little taller now.
They continued to trudge through the snow when another sharp gust of wind barreled into Seth blowing him over. Gloria reached down to help him.
“Are you alright?” she panted.
Seth nodded. “Yeah…” he said as he looked up at the clouds. They were darkening and swirled threateningly. A storm was coming. A bad one.
Gloria helped pull Seth up. As she did, Seth briefly noticed a cord around her neck. He furrowed his brow. It looks like it came from Elias’s-
Shaman Fen’s voice snapped through the harsh wind. “Keep moving!”
Seth turned back. “Shaman!” he called. “It looks like a blizzard is coming.”
Shaman Fen pushed through the path and caught up to Seth. “And?”
Seth furrowed his brow. “Don’t you think that maybe it isn’t wise to travel on a mountain during a blizzard? We should stop before the storm hits.”
Shaman Fen narrowed his eyes in irritation and shoved his staff in Seth’s face. “Do not think that just because you are her vessel that you carry any authority. We continue forward.” Shaman Fen ordered.
“If we continue,” Seth argued, “we could find ourselves in more danger-”
Before he could continue, Shaman Fen whipped out his hand and slapped Gloria across the face. Gloria cried out in surprise and clutched her cheek.
Seth’s nostrils flared, and he started to lunge forward. “How dare-!” he started, then bit his tongue when Shaman Fen raised his hand again. The failed breakfast at Giantstoe flashed in his mind. Seth shook with fury but halted. He couldn’t lose his temper—not again.
“I may not be allowed to touch you,” Shaman Fen said, flicking his eyes towards Gloria, who held her cheek and slowly stepped behind Seth. “But she is allowed to have some damage.” He turned a cool look at Seth. “Do not question me again. Until The Lady returns, I am in command, and I say we continue forward.”
Seth growled and clenched his fists. “Fine,” he said, then he turned back to the snow and continued to plow through. When I get to her temple…he swore.
When Seth and Gloria were out of earshot of Shaman Fen, Seth gently tapped Gloria. “Are you alright?”
Gloria nodded. “Let’s just keep moving,” she said, blinking back a few tears.
A fire burned in Seth’s chest. You’re going to regret everything you’ve ever done to Gloria, he glared at The Lady. I swear it!
----------------------------------------
The storm came upon the expedition faster than Seth had anticipated. The sky became as dark as night, screeching wind howled in their ears, and swirling snow billowed in their faces. Seth held Gloria close as they tried to push further up the mountain, which was quickly becoming impassible.
Despite her two coats, Gloria shivered against him. Seth grimaced. Surely at this point the foolish bastard would listen to reason. He looked back and tried to peer through the snow to find Shaman Fen, but it was a struggle to see the expedition through the cloud of snow.
Seth looked down at Gloria. “Let’s head back and see if we can convince Shaman Fen to stop.”
Gloria shook her head and tried to pull away from Seth. “No! He’ll just hit me again.”
Seth held her tight. “I won’t let it happen; I promise.”
Gloria gritted her teeth, then slowly relented. “Alright…”
Seth held Gloria’s hand and helped her clamber over the snow that filled in their trail. When they approached the expedition, they heard a horse whinny echo out and felt a low rumble beneath their feet. Seth peered through the snow and saw the horses pull against their reins. Voices rose as their handlers tried to encourage them to move forward, but the horses would not budge. A shiver went down Seth’s spine. Something’s wrong, he thought, but what is it?
Shaman Fen’s voice rose above the noise. “What the devil is going on here? We need to move forward not back!” Voices overlapped each other and confusion began to rise. The horses’ screams grew louder, and they tugged even harder on their reins.
Seth scanned the crowd for Elias. Maybe in the confusion, they could reunite and slip away! Just then Seth heard a loud crack like breaking bone and a grumble like thunder. The expedition went quiet, and Seth whipped back towards the mountain. His eyes widened when he saw a wall of snow, ice, and rock barreling down towards them. He gripped Gloria tight. “Oh Crim!” he breathed.
“Avalanche!” The panicked cry spread through the expedition. Some tried to turn and flee; others gripped the mountain wall in hopes that would give them safety, a few accepted their fate and stared at the snow in awe.
Neither will save them, Seth thought as his mind raced with ideas. One came to mind, and he began writing sigils in the air. I hope this works! he thought.
Gloria grabbed Seth. “We need to find Elias!” she cried.
“No time!” Seth cried, yanking his arm away and finishing the set of sigils. “Clypeus fidei!” he cried. The shield shimmered down around him and Gloria just as the avalanche reached them.
The force was incredible: Snow smashed into the shield, sending shuddering vibrations throughout the spell. Ice and rocks splintered off the shield and flew around Seth and Gloria. Seth panted and beads of sweat formed on his brow as the avalanche beat on the shield, attempting to break him and hurl his and Gloria’s bodies off the mountain.
The snow was a never-ending blanket of white that shook the mountain and roared past him and Gloria. Seth’s arms shook from the effort of holding the shield steady. His focus began to waver, and above him a crack formed in the shield. Stay focused! he gritted his teeth before shifting his foot and pouring more energy into his spell.
Out of the corner of his eye, Seth saw Gloria write golden sigils in the air, then she reached out and put her hand on Seth’s shoulder, muttering as she did. The glow of her sigils wrapped around her hand and melted into his arm.
He felt warm, as though he was wrapped in an embrace. Soon he felt new strength flow into his veins. Seth quickly scooped up the energy and poured it into the shield, shoring up the weakening walls. As he did, the shield changed from a white hue to a bold gold and stood firm against the avalanche’s wrath. Together, Seth and Gloria held the shield until the roaring snow slowed to a stop, and all that was left was the wind that now sounded like a whisper compared to the roar of the avalanche.
Seth panted and slowly dispersed the shield, then he turned and stared at Gloria, who dropped to her knees in the snow. “What are you?” he breathed in awe.
Gloria panted and looked up at him. Their eyes met, and a long silence passed between them. She trembled, then looked away. “We should find Elias,” she answered, climbing to her feet and brushing herself off.
As she walked past Seth, his hand shot out and caught her arm. Gloria spun back; her eyes were wide with terror.
“I need to know!” he insisted, unable to keep the frustration out of his voice. “You promised you would tell me! What are you?”
Gloria tensed and yanked her arm away from him. “Let go!” she cried forcefully. Startled, Seth let go. The two met eyes again. Gloria bit her lip and looked away guiltily, rubbing her arm. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “Elias needs our help,” she insisted, trying desperately to change the subject.
Seth opened his mouth to argue, then closed it in a sigh and rubbed his face. She was right. Finding Elias was more important. “Fine,” he conceded, “but this conversation isn’t over.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Gloria made no response and walked past him again, this time warily, and began to climb over the snow drift that formed behind the shield.
Seth watched her climb— the mystery was beginning to bug him. What could she be? he wondered. A dryad? Her plant magic supports that theory. But… He pursed his lips. Something still felt off. A demon? He shook his head. No, no, that made even less sense! The last bit of her red curls disappeared over the drift, and he furrowed his brow. Could she be a fairy?
Seth halted and stared up at the drift. No… he thought, She can’t be a fairy…she’s not devious enough to be one…Right? he hesitantly began to climb the snow drift after her. She did make a deal with me though—fairies love deals.
The Lady chuckled dryly, an attempt to disguise her irritation at her distance. She’ll never tell you, she teased. You’re just a toy for her to play with. Just wait…you’ll see what I mean.
Shut up. Seth spat and focused on his climb. Gloria wasn’t like that. While it annoyed him to no end that she danced around the truth, surely, she wouldn’t tease him for the fun of it. He knew her well enough by now to know that…right?
Before Seth could explore his thoughts further, he reached the top of the drift and peered up at Gloria, who stood frozen, her face pale with horror. He followed her gaze, and his eyes widened. Their path had been completely erased, and all traces of the expedition seemed to have vanished.
Gloria cupped her hands to her mouth. “Elias!” she cried, but the blizzard wind caught her voice and threw it back at her.
Seth climbed to his feet and stood beside her. He drew a sigil in the air, muttered the casting word, then inhaled. “Elias!” His booming voice punched through the wind and echoed across the mountaintops. Seth and Gloria strained their ears for any response. None—only the howling wind.
Seth and Gloria exchanged anxious looks, and a pit began to form in his stomach. He swallowed and dismissed his spell with a wave of his hand. “This is going nowhere,” he said, trying to steady his voice. “I’m going down to have a look.”
“I’m coming too!” Gloria insisted.
Seth slid down the snow drift and held out his hands to help Gloria down. Then, side by side, they carefully stepped across the snow searching for Elias.
Seth kept his eyes peeled for any movement and his ears strained for any voices that called on the wind, but they saw and heard nothing. I have to find him! Seth thought, beginning to grow desperate. He scanned the snow frantically. I swore I’d get him home in one piece!
Gloria’s trembling voice cut into his worried thoughts. “He’s not…” she said, and Seth looked into her shaking eyes. “He can’t be…”
“No,” Seth shook his head firmly; he wasn’t ready to consider the possibility. “He’s a smart kid, he would’ve... Seth’s voice cracked. He swallowed back his tears and steadied himself. “He would’ve figured something out.” Seth put a hand on Gloria’s shoulder and looked her in the eye. “He’s out there, and we’re going to find him.”
Then, faintly over the snow, was a whinny. Seth and Gloria’s heads snapped up towards the sound. Was it their imagination? They held their breaths and listened again. The wind blew and carried with another whinny. It sounded desperate.
Seth took off in the snow, with Gloria stumbling along behind him. Oh Crim, he begged as he leaped over a mound of snow. Please let it be him!
Seth peered through the cloud of snow, and soon the form of a horse buried to its neck came into view. It was pulling at a taut rope around its neck that went over the mountain edge. “Gloria!” he cried, a burst of strength running through him. “I think I found something!”
Seth raced ahead and scrambled to the horse’s side. It frothed and strained against the weight. Seth followed the rope over the mountain edge, his heart pounding. Please! Let it be him! Joy and terror struck him. Dangling precariously over the deep gorge, was an unconscious and battered Elias. The rope caught around his ankle and swayed him over the depths below.
Seth turned back and shouted to Gloria. “I found him! He’s here! I found him!”
Gloria cried in relief and clambered over the snow, hurrying to catch up. “I’m coming!” she cried.
Seth reached out to grab the rope when the horse behind him howled and snapped at him. Seth started and stumbled back a step from the horse. That was when he noticed it—the rope beginning to slip free from the horse’s straps. Panic surged in Seth, he needed to get that rope!
Seth put his hands out to calm the horse. “Hey, shush, it’s alright,” he said, trying to keep his voice calm. He gently reached out his hand to calm the beast, but the horse jerked its head back and the rope slipped out of two of the three rings weaved through its harness.
“Gloria!” Seth cried, trying to reach for the rope again. “I need your help! I can’t calm the horse down!” Seth grabbed the rope, but the horse tried to snap at him again. Seth managed to stay out of reach of the creature’s teeth.
Gloria stumbled forward and fell flat on her stomach next to the horse. The horse glanced at Gloria; its ears went flat against its head and turned its attention to her. She rolled out of the way just as the horse yanked on the rope as it tried to bite Gloria. The rope pulled sharply through Seth’s hands, burning them. He cried out and instinctively released the rope.
At that moment, the rope fled the final ring and dove to the mountain edge. Seth snatched the rope before it raced over the edge, but Elias’s weight yanked him forward, and he fell chest first in the snow, his arms burned at the weight of the rope. He tried to get up, but the weight pinned him to the snow.
“Gloria! Help!” he cried.
“Hang on!” Gloria answered. “I’m putting the horse to sleep.”
The rope began to slip from Seth’s fingers. He panicked and tried to adjust his grip. “Gloria? Now would be a really good time to come and help!” he snapped a little.
“I’m coming!” Gloria spat back; now the horse sounded calm.
The end of the rope began to slip through Seth’s fists. “Gloria!” he yelled.
Just before the rope slipped from his hands, Gloria leaped over him and grabbed the rope. “I’m here!” she cried, straining against the weight. Seth scrambled to his feet and grabbed the rope again. “Thank Crim!” he cried in relief.
“Pull Seth!” Gloria cried, her arms trembling with effort.
Together, Seth and Gloria pulled on the rope and dragged Elias up. As soon as his leg came into view, Seth grabbed the boy’s leg and heaved him to safety.
“Is he alive?” Gloria asked, tearfully.
Seth panted and pulled Elias away from the edge of the mountain, before checking for a pulse. He lit up. “He’s alive!” he cried.
Gloria sighed in relief. “Thank Crim!” she cried and hurried over to assess his injuries. Seth rubbed Elias’s head. “You stupid kid,” he muttered with a grin, “you had us worried.”
“Oh no…” Gloria murmured.
Seth’s grin vanished, and his eyes snapped up to Gloria. “What? What’s wrong?”
Gloria muttered to herself and drew a few golden sigils that melted into Elias’s ankle and hip. She closed her eyes with a sigh and sat back on her haunches, putting a hand to her forehead. His ankle and hip are in bad shape. I imagine dangling from a rope off a mountain would do that.”
Gloria wobbled a bit and sat down. “If there was time, I would heal him entirely,” she glanced at Seth. “But I don’t want to leave you alone during the blizzard. What if something happens?”
Suddenly Elias cried out in pain. He shook, and his eyes snapped open. “Gloria?” he cried out before dissolving into tears.
Both Seth and Gloria huddled around Elias. Seth gripped his hand while Gloria stroked his head. “Hush, don’t talk,” Gloria said.
Seth grimaced at the pain-stricken boy. Even if something did happen, they wouldn’t get far with Elias’s condition. Seth looked up at Gloria. “Do it,” he said.
Gloria frowned and shook her head. “No!” she protested. “We don’t even have a shelter!”
“Let me worry about that,” Seth said, meeting Gloria’s eyes. Elias’s grip clenched around his hand, and the boy moaned in pain. “He needs help now.”
“But if I do,” Gloria argued. “I won’t be able to take up the watch so you can rest! We’re almost to her temple, and you will need everything to fight her!”
“I know!” Seth cried, “But I will also need Elias when we get there, and he won’t be much help if he can’t walk! Losing some sleep is a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
“But you’ve made enough sacrifices!” Gloria cried. “Let me help you!”
Seth looked down at Elias. “Getting Elias back on his feet is how you can help me!”
“It’s not enough!”
Seth opened his mouth to fire something back, but then he noticed a weight on Gloria’s shoulders. He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s enough for now,” he said, softly.
Gloria held his gaze for a moment. He saw her eyes shift between conflicted emotions, then she bowed her head. “Alright. I’ll do it,” she conceded. Then she leaned forward over Elias again and began drawing more sigils in the air.
Seth, meanwhile, glanced over at the sleeping horse. “Let me see what was on this horse, maybe there’s a tent among the supplies.” He walked over and dug through, but all he found was a bag of food and a bundle of wood.
Seth growled. Elias and Gloria needed shelter now! What could he do? Seth scanned his surroundings and looked back at the snow drift. Would it be strong enough to burrow into? Don’t have any other options. he thought.
“Any luck?” Gloria asked, her eyes focused on Elias.
“Just some wood and food,” Seth answered, “but I’ve got an idea for shelter. Wait here.”
Seth leaped over to the snow drift and started excavating with his hands. To his relief, the snow drift held. It’ll take a little while before it’s big enough for Gloria and Elias. What if they freeze to death before then? he gritted his teeth before looking back towards Gloria and Elias. He couldn’t see them through the blizzard wind, but the golden glow from her magic, shimmered through, refracting on the billowing flakes, its beauty encouraging Seth.
With renewed hope, he pulled out the wood and stacked them near the snow drift. He drew a few sigils over it. “Pars dolo,” he said. The logs ignited and the flames eagerly licked at the logs.
Then he rose and bounded back to Gloria and Elias. Just as he approached them, Gloria’s magic dissipated. She looked up at him for only a moment before she crumpled. Seth dashed forward and scooped her up.
“I’ve got you,” he panted as he hurried back with her to the fire. As he ran, Gloria’s head rolled and rested on his chest. Seth’s face grew warm, and he stumbled forward a step as his heart quickened for a moment. Come on, focus!
When he got to the fire, Seth gingerly set her down. As he laid her head on the ground, Seth’s hand lingered in her hair for a moment, and he gazed at her pink cheeks. He blinked and shook his head. What was he thinking? Elias was still out there! He turned back, grabbed Elias, and gently laid him next to Gloria by the fire.
When both Gloria and Elias were safe by the fire, Seth sat back on his haunches and brushed his hair back with a long sigh. He was exhausted. It had been a long day. Seth wearily glanced at the snow drift. I can’t stop... he groaned and picked himself back up. They need shelter.
Seth turned back to the snow drift and continued to dig. His breaths curled from his mouth in wearied gasps, and his arms began to feel numb from fatigue, but still he dug.
You know… The Lady whispered, her presence closing in on him. If you surrender and give yourself up to me, I’ll make sure they return home safely.
Seth’s hands halted in the snow, and he looked back at Gloria and Elias by the fire. The offer was tempting. Maybe I can figure out how to find her heart on my own... Seth gazed at Gloria’s peaceful face by the fire, then down at his own blistering hands. He swallowed, and his hands shook as the painful memory of the creek returned to him. Her sobs, her gasps for breath—they echoed in his ears. If I did, he thought, temptation weighing on his heart. Maybe she wouldn’t get hurt.
Then he frowned and shook his head. No! Why would he think for even a second that she could be trusted? He dug his hands back into the snow and continued to scoop it out. I’m not leaving them, he answered. And I’m definitely not leaving her! The Lady grimaced and continued her efforts to reach him.
Seth smirked at her and tossed an armful of snow out behind him. Maybe I should give you the chance to surrender, he chuckled, before my friends and I come and destroy you.
The Lady narrowed her eyes at him. You think you’re so clever, she cocked her head at him. Let me ask you this. What do you think will happen to you if you defeat me? Who restored you to life?
Seth froze, and his heart dropped. The thought hadn’t occurred to him until now.
Now The Lady smirked and chuckled. You are living on borrowed time.
Seth fearfully glanced over his shoulder at Gloria and Elias sleeping by the fire. I…I don’t want to lose them. His eyes drifted over Gloria, and his chest tightened. His dreams from the night before came back to him and a wave of longing came with them. Maybe, he thought, hesitantly clenching some snow in his hands, maybe Elias is right...Do I...?
Afraid of the truth, Seth tried to turn his mind away and rounded out the burrow, but as he did, thoughts of Fenguar, Autumnport, and the crown floated into his mind, and for the first time, he found himself wanting it: his throne, his kingdom, and justice for his family.
Seth grimaced and brushed snow off himself. If I survive... he thought, But first, I need to finish this.