image [https://i.imgur.com/yFu9mOD.png]

XIX

The Cold Within

I was in my office the second time I entered Durak’s body. It went smoother than the first time. I no longer grew nauseous and controlling my strength came easier too. That’s why the following message didn’t surprise me.

[Timed Hidden Quest Completed: Learn to Control Your Constructs]

{Skill points awarded: 3}

Sepharin K. Vrost =

{

Skills =

[Lesser Frost Necromancy, Lesser Frost Manipulation, Minor Miasma Control,

Minor Necromancy, Minor Frostmancy]

Racials =

[Icy Veins, Goliath, Overbearing, Callous, Vorst]

Miasma =

995/995

Skill Points =

10

Skills Menu=

[

[Minor Frost Necromancy] (2 points)

[Minor Frost Manipulation] (2 points)

[Necromancy] (5 points)

[Frostmancy] (5 points)

[Miasma Control] (5 points)

]

}

The new addition to the screen was a surprise.

‘Points…I’m certain those are skill points.’

Well, half certain. I was only going off what Lucian told me. Spending the skill points was supposed to increase my strength. And though that thought charmed me—Ruelle knew I needed power these days—I refrained from choosing.

I didn’t know the skills’s purpose yet. Hell, I wasn’t even certain if they did anything. My current skill list had many “lessers” and “minors” in it. That meant my skills were at their lowest level. However, it didn’t appear my strength was being held back. I could assimilate my undead, and that wasn’t exactly a beginner level ability.

So what was the purpose of the skills if not to regulate my strength?

‘I’ll think about it.’

I could also ask Leah. But I wasn’t sure if the system was something everyone had. If it wasn’t, asking her was a blunder.

Who else could know?

My eyes went outside, to where a tent shone golden in the dark. Faint silhouettes could be seen going in and out, some carrying smaller silhouettes in their arms. Even this late, the line outside Levi’s tent was headache-inducing.

‘Would he know?’

He may. Even if he didn’t, who better to trust with such information than your family?

…But my gut squirmed at the thought of asking him.

I frowned. This started happening after our conversation in Snowspire. We could still be in the same room and conversing was not an issue. Yet anytime I wanted to ask him a personal question like “When did you last speak to our brother?” or “Have you heard from Father?”, I got this sense. The sense I was talking to a wall. It wasn’t that he wasn’t hearing me or responding to what I was saying. Instead, the wall was like a barrier. One keeping us from seeing eye-to-eye.

‘It’s a lie,’ I told myself. ‘You’re just afraid.’

…Afraid of what?…to take another step. To risk reducing our already thin bond to ash. That hesitant, guarded nature was how I’d always been, and Lucian had reprimanded me for it more often than I could count.

“But don’t give in to it,” I heard myself say to another. You have another chance.

So I got to my feet and went outside.

image [https://i.imgur.com/z6G5s0x.png]

I bypassed the line.

‘Hey,’ a man yelled, rising and balling his fists. ‘Whaddya think yar—’

Then the lamps revealed my face fully. He quickly sat back down.

I reached Levi’s tent. It was the same as any of the other temporary shelters. But the immediate surroundings had been cleared of debris, and a sign at the front read: Open for Care. Golden light shone from underneath the tent flap, giving the scarlet tent an ominous feel despite the healing that was going on inside.

I waited until his current patient exited to enter…and walked into a little girl.

‘Au!’ She bounced back and rubbed her nose.

‘Ah, pardon me,’ I said. ‘I thought it was clear.’

The little girl glared upwards—but her anger faded as she was forced to nearly glare at the roof. Her mouth fell open. ‘You’re big!’

I chuckled. ‘Thank you. Would you mind stepping aside? I have business with my brother.’

‘Your brother?’ she asked as she moved out of the way.

‘Her name is Sepharin,’ came Levi’s voice.

He was seated behind a desk stacked with bottles and wiped a needle with a cloth. He turned towards the entrance. ‘Could you please flip the sign, Sophie? I’m taking a break.’

The little girl nodded and went outside.

I didn’t spare her any mind. Instead, my gaze was glued to Levi’s face. The bags underneath his eyes were almost black and his cheeks sunken.

‘What happened?’ I said. ‘It wasn’t this bad yesterday.’

‘It’s the healing. Casting too often drains me.’ He waved away my frown. ‘It’s nothing a good night’s rest won’t fix.’

I doubted that but didn’t mention it.

‘You’re doing great work,’ I said. I took a seat in the chair beside him, the one his patients used. ‘But make sure to take care of yourself. They won’t last if you don’t.’

He blinked. ‘Thanks…I will.’

I hummed. He would definitely ignore my advice, so I’d look into having someone check up on him regularly.

Sophie entered the tent and hastened to a table on the side. She poured a cup of water for the both of us.

‘Thank you,’ I said.

The little girl flushed and drew back to a corner of the tent, where she began scribbling in a notebook.

‘Your assistant?’ I asked.

He nodded. ‘She lets the patients inside and keeps a ledger of their names and ailments. I offered her the job after treating her. In exchange, I give her a few coppers.’

I noticed a mark near her windpipe after he mentioned treatment.

‘Noble,’ I said and sipped from my drink.

The water was ice cold, and the lack of warmth crawled into my skin. It differed from the cold outside, I thought, and not just in intensity. But I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly was different.

When I looked up, Levi was staring at me.

‘What are you here for, Seph?’

‘Do I need a reason? I’m spending time with my brother.’

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

His brow touched his skull. ‘You never “spent time” with me. Not when we were children or teenagers, and certainly not now.’ He crossed his legs. ‘What are you here for, Seph?’

…That was true. I recalled often watching Levi play in the gardens of Vrost all by himself from the balcony. Once I asked the maid following me at all times: “Who is he and why is he all by himself? I want to talk to him.” There was a moment where disgust and contempt usurped her countenance. “Someone too minor for your worries, Milady.” The following morning, my arms instructor drilled me until my muscles quivered, forcing me to repeat each manoeuvre until perfection. My history teacher handed me a tome on the noble bloodlines of Vrost and demanded I memorise passages for an impromptu test that afternoon. Never before or afterwards had such a thing happened.

My forehead creased. Were they acting out her father’s orders? Maybe. Maybe not. But it would explain why Sepharin avoided Levi as an adult—even disregarding their differing opinions.

Memories faded, and my mind returned to the present. I suppressed the stab in my chest as I regarded Levi. I had come for a reason, hadn’t I?

I took a deep breath. ‘I wanted to know…’ I trailed off.

My digits tightened around my mug. Don’t be like this, Sepharin. Just say it. I looked at him, mouth parting to speak, and something about him just…it just squeezed my throat.

‘About what?’ he said.

Seconds passed.

‘The refugees,’ I said finally. And I swallowed the taste of defeat. ‘Their worries. Anything I can act on.’

He sighed, which released the tension in his shoulders (Was he glad I was here for an actual reason?).

‘The Black Heart’s shipment has helped. However, the sick could still use more. That, and the cold. Many have already fallen during the night.’

I exhaled and got my head back on track. Temporary shelters indeed weren’t anything to bet your life on. But building everyone a home was unfeasible. Even if we had the resources, it would take too long…The castle? Not enough space. We could offer the sickest a place to stay, but that was it.

‘The latter I will search a solution for,’ I said. ‘For now, we can offer the most vulnerable a place in the castle.’

‘That’s better than nothing,’ he said. ‘The former?’

I glanced to the side and Levi followed my gaze.

‘Sophie,’ Levi called. The little girl looked up. ‘It’s getting late. How about you return home for the night?’

She didn’t appear particularly happy about that, but she left all the same, offering her goodbye before promising to be back tomorrow morning.

‘We figured out where the bandits are hiding,’ I said after she had gone.

The shadows clinging to Levi’s face lightened. ‘Leah’s work?’

I nodded. ‘We plan on striking soon.’

‘I see. That’s great news.’ He drew from his cup but didn’t say anything else.

My lips pursed. ‘Levi, when we find them—’

‘You should do as you see fit,’ he cut me off.

I paused and showed my surprise.

He chuckled. ‘You already spoke your truth, Sepharin. There’s nothing else for me to say to you.’

And I didn’t know what stung more—his expression after I denied his plea in Snowspire, or the ease with which he now spoke.

‘Say it anyway,’ I said. ‘What would you suggest I do with them?’

His eyelids lowered. ‘I’m not doing this, Sepharin. I’ve got patients waiting for me.’

I waited too.

The shadows deepened again as they seeped the energy out of his skin. His sigh was deeper than before. ‘They did more than rob this time—their actions are leading to the deaths of others. So I would say imprison them. Isn’t that what you said you would do?’

‘I did,’ I said. ‘Before I knew their numbers. Frostmouth won’t be able to support that many prisoners. Besides more food, it would also require a watch for whenever they shower or get some time out in the yard. It’s—’

‘Look,’ he said. ‘I don’t have the answers. You already know what I’d do. Will that be all?’

The cold touch of the mug made my fingers tremble, so I put it down. I was right not to speak on anything else, I told myself. He’s already tired and overworked as it is.

‘Don’t stay up too late, Levi. Let me know if you need anything.’

‘Thanks, Seph. I will.’ He didn’t meet my eyes as he spoke.

I pushed away the flap…and paused in the door opening. The refugees, still waiting in line and huddled together, looked up. Their eyes beamed…until they noticed who it was. They shook for a reason other than the cold.

And why wouldn’t they be after the way I stopped them from rioting?

But I had an opportunity to speak. My mouth parted (to say what? “I’m sorry for scaring you. It was necessary to keep the peace.”?), and I sighed.

Levi poked his head from between the doorway. ‘Is there a problem?’ He surveyed his patients to spot anything offensive, and turned to me when he found nothing.

‘No,’ I said. ‘It’s nothing.’ And I walked away.

I stopped and watched my breath curl up into fog well after the dark swallowed the tallest of the silhouettes. My chin turned up to the moon as a breeze ruffled the bottom of my coat.

Yes. The cold outside truly was different.

image [https://i.imgur.com/z6G5s0x.png]

‘~hello?’

I was sitting in the mess hall, staring into my cup of tea. A haze of heat wafted up into my cheeks, and my eyes closed to accept it. Cold began where warmth fled. When it took root, ice was close to follow. So I followed it, eyes closed, into the darkness where it resided. My thoughts slowed. The drumming in my chest lessened. It was peaceful—

A snap wrenched me from the dark space. I looked up and found Leah standing beside me, fingers in front of my face.

‘Yes?’ I said sluggishly.

She paused. ‘You look horrible.’

‘Thank you.’

She snorted. ‘Did you sleep at all?’

My hands automatically went to rub my eyelids. ‘Not a lot.’

A moment passed.

‘Something happen?’ she asked. ‘You were particularly silent during breakfast.’

‘It’s nothing.’

She blinked, then shook her head. ‘Right. Do you have a plan?’

‘For?’

‘The bandits,’ she deadpanned. ‘I can cast a sleeping spell on you, you know.’

‘I’d rather do anything else with my time than sleep. And yes, I do have a plan. Why?’

Whatever, she shrugged, and fished the portal rune out of her pocket. ‘It was gruelling work, but I’m nearly done deciphering. I should have it done by the end of the day.’

Now that threw a wrench in said plans. The bandits were a problem. So was the lack of food. However, the threat to the Duchy took priority.

‘Let me know right away.’

‘I will.’

Another person joined us in the hall. ‘You called for me, Warden?’ Fernando said.

Leah decided that was her cue to leave.

I rose from my seat, eyeing my cold-growing cup one last time. ‘We’ll speak outside.’

The air would keep me awake.

image [https://i.imgur.com/z6G5s0x.png]

We were standing near the gate of the castle, overlooking the infant city.

‘It’s possible.’ Fernando stroked the beard he didn’t have. ‘And smart,’ he added.

His eyes glistened with something akin to renewed appreciation. Could be that he hadn’t expect any smarts out of someone my size, though he would never say it.

‘But is it feasible?’ I said. ‘I want it to surround the entire settlement.’

Here Fernando pursed his lips. ‘Materials should not be a problem. The Winterforge quarry is nearby. My concern would be manpower and funding. However…’

I waited.

‘Perhaps the Ebonfrost clan can help,’ he added.

‘The masons? I haven’t seen them since our arrival.’

‘They left, Warden.’

‘Left?’

He nodded. ‘When the refugees came pouring in, they packed their bags and returned to their village. The homes you see the merchants use are theirs—they brokered a deal.’

Probably to use their homes while they were gone. Still, it was strange.

‘That’s quite the opposite reaction,’ I said.

‘They’re isolationist,’ he said. ‘Despite being neighbours, we barely spoke outside of ordering goods and produces.’

I hummed. ‘You said they returned to Winterforge? Does that mean we can still contact them?’

‘I’m not sure, Warden.’

My brow raised.

‘Before they left,’ he said, ‘their representative mentioned an emergency at home.’

‘The orc kind?’

‘Not probable. Our delegation was turned back at the gate. There were also no signs of any fires or damage.’

‘Send a runner,’ I said. ‘Make him inquire about their issue.’

‘And should they turn him away?’

‘Then he can tell them the Warden is asking.’

They may be isolationist, but they were an integral part of the Duchy’s defences and economy. “Not probable” wouldn’t cut it.

Fernando saluted and was off.

I stayed where I was and allowed the next in-line for my attention to approach.

‘How is the sparring?’ I said.

‘Demoralising, Warden,’ Malakai’s face was covered in bruises. ‘But I’m learning fast,’ he added, and I detected a hint of pride in his tone.

I smiled. ‘Good to hear.’

But my smile vanished when I thought of the next subject. I glanced around. The frostguards were hard at work. Still, I caught them glancing from the corner of their vision more than once.

‘Let us go down the hill,’ I said.

So we walked.

‘I summoned you regarding our Black Heart issue,’ I said once we were far enough away from the walls.

‘Do we know where they are?’

‘Yes. Don’t tell anyone else.’

We didn’t know who our leak was after all.

‘Understood,’ he said. ‘What is it you want me to do? Are we flushing them out?’

‘You are, to be specific.’

He tilted his head. ‘I am, Ma’am?’

‘Yes. I want you to lead a small team to their hideout. You are to incapacitate or wipe them out and recover our stolen supplies.’

There was quiet for a moment.

‘With all due respect, Ma’am, I go—’

‘“Wherever you go,”’ I finished for him. I placed my hand on his shoulder. ‘I know, Malakai. But I need to stay here in case of an emergency, and you’re one of the few I can trust with this. Will you accept?’

Strained lines appeared around his mouth. But they smoothed out as the seconds passed.

‘How big is the team? Can I choose my own companions?’

‘Ten.’ I tipped my chin. ‘I had planned to give you Jaeger’s men. Are you eyeing the castle’s force?’

‘I sparred with a few,’ he said. ‘I’d feel safe with them having my back.’

I hummed. It was a risk. The very same one that I was trying to avoid. However, getting Malakai closer to the frostguards was a boon. That, and this could be an opportunity to chisel his feel for people—a feeling I could trust when sharpened.

Besides, it also freed up Jaeger, whom I needed to do something else.

‘Give me their names by tomorrow,’ I said.

‘Warden!’ he saluted.

We turned to go back up the hill.

‘Also,’ I said. ‘Though I will not be there in person, I’ll be present in your force.’

He frowned and asked for an explanation.

‘You’ll see when the time is right,’ I said, and smiled as he grew more confused.

image [https://i.imgur.com/z6G5s0x.png]

Night was present as I stalked through the makeshift streets beyond the castle. My hood covered my face from the glare of burn barrels and oil lamps. It didn’t stop me from drawing glances. But the refugees were quick to snap their heads the other way, wanting nothing to do with the three cloaked figures wading amongst them.

I left the sprawling city behind me just as quick, and strode into the snowy landscape of the Duchy. The city had all but disappeared when I finally came to a stop and looked back.

This was where my connection with the undead began quivering.

That’s a few hundred metres.

I grimaced. Though I had told Malakai I would be present, I wasn’t yet certain if it was at all possible. The issue was the range. Perhaps a product of my minor and lesser skills, my undead could only travel so far before I could no longer take control.

But there was a caveat to it. I made the human point forwards, and the orcs at his side began running into the night. My senses followed them through the darkness as they distanced themselves. When they reached the limit, I ordered the third to start running.

It’s as I thought. This had been a non-issue in my previous life, so I had never questioned it. But it appeared my control functioned as a relay network did. As long as I had an undead in range of me and another undead was in range of them, I could control both. Only when the chain was broken did I lose command.

Even if I did, though, I could still sense them, so they weren’t lost.

The problem was that I lacked the numbers to encompass the scope I required. I was pondering a solution when a poke on my shoulder dragged me out of my focus.

The human glanced backwards. There was nothing there.

Ah, not this one.

I drew back my senses and returned to my room in the castle. Leah had poked my shoulder with a wand.

‘Losing awareness of your surroundings during meditation,’ she said. ‘Novice mistake, that.’

Her being right annoyed me. Something I would need to work on. Especially if I didn’t want to sit still every time I commanded one of my undead.

‘You deciphered the rune?’

‘Yes, are you ready to be surprised?’

My brow raised.

‘It’s to the west, near the mountains.’

‘West? Not north beyond the Wall?’

She shook her head, and my frown deepened. Xun had said “West of the Wall”, but he never mentioned what side of the Wall.

The mountains lay beyond Winterforge. Why would the orcs choose to return there? And if they had, why had no one caught so much as a whiff of them? Where were they hiding?

‘How accurate is your prediction?’ I said.

‘To within a few kilometres. The nearer we draw, the more accurate I’ll be.’

‘Then we set out tomorrow.’

There was no time to waste.