by Aya Knight
“Don’t avoid my question, Reem. How do you know of the white sky?”
“Please—walk with me.” Reem gestured for Kale to follow.
They trudged through the powdery snow until coming within sight of the camp. Kale could see the glow from the floating flames; still burning brightly. His companions slept peacefully in its surrounding warmth. The sand-people remained alert, just as when he had departed on his walk.
Reem stopped in his tracks. “Ever since this curse befell us, we have lost the ability to rest. We’re tired—so very tired, and yet, we cannot sleep. It is a curse … within a curse.” He lifted a handful of snow within his hand, allowing it to sift in tiny chunks through his fingers. “We cannot feel cold—we cannot feel warmth. The very essence of life has been taken from us. Without sleep, we cannot dream—without dreams, we have no escape from this treacherous reality in which we live. There is little joy left within our hearts.” He turned his head to face Kale. “Tonight, this changed for me. My weary soul slipped from this realm, and without warning, I stood in a place without boundaries—without anything in sight but white brilliance. Then, she came—the same woman I had seen in vision before … though this time, it was different—it felt real, as though she were right beside me. This woman … she went by the name of Zasha—your mother.”
Kale’s mouth opened, though no words escaped. He couldn’t understand why she would visit Reem instead of him. A tinge of jealousy struck him and he quickly re-focused his thoughts. Kale leaned toward Reem, eagerly awaiting continuation of his story.
“She spoke to me with great worry in her tone. I could immediately sense her tension. She confided many things—things which I regret to say, I cannot reveal at this time.”
Kale squeezed his brows together. “What in Pan’s name do you mean, you can’t tell me? After everything I’ve gone through, she is yet still withholding information from me?! This is absurd!” He threw his hands up into the air and stomped angrily toward the camp.
“Kale,” Reem spoke from behind, “you will find the answers soon enough, my friend. I now know my part in this quest—I now know what I must do. Soon, you will too.”
Chapter 30: Until We Meet Again
Kale woke to the cold flakes, dissolving against his face. He opened his eyes to see a steady snowfall, pouring down upon them. His body folded as he sat upright, rubbing his hands against his skin to remove the icy moisture.
“I was just about to wake you. We must retrieve our supplies from the boat before the downfall grows heavier. It’s imperative we move now in hope of finding shelter.” Thomas looked down at Kale, dots of snow coating his coarse beard.
Kale nodded, still squinting as he woke. He gently nudged Neelan, who lay curled tightly against his leg. Her body lightly trembled from the cold.
“It’s time to leave,” Kale whispered into her ear as he rubbed a warm hand against her arm.
Neelan lifted her head and smiled. “Thank you for waking me,” she mumbled. “If I had to get prodded by Thomas’ slipper again, I’d just—” her eyes widened, “Snow!” She leapt to her feet. “It’s absolutely amazing!” She held her face to the sky with a wide, child-like grin.
“You’ve never seen snow, my dear? Does it not fall upon Tyrione? Your kingdom is near the northern shore of Ravondore, near the ice-valley. I had always assumed it to have frigid winters.” Thomas worked diligently to tie pieces of cloth together as he spoke.
“It snows on the surrounding land of Tyrione—at least, that’s what I was once told. However, the barrier around the kingdom kept everything out which was not granted access—this included elements such as rain or snow.”
Thomas appeared impressed with the abilities of high elves. “Very interesting,” he replied as he intertwined another pair of cloth strips together. “There we are.” The old sorcerer shook the cloth contraption in the air, relieving it from the snowflakes which had begun to build. “I call it—a sled.” He smiled proudly.
Thomas explained how they would lay the supplies onto the wide, cloth area and use the makeshift handles to pull it over the snow with ease.
“Well done. Shall we depart for the boat?” Kale asked.
“Indeed.” Thomas nodded.
Illadar, Marg, and the sand-people gathered.
Illadar clapped a hand against Kale’s back. “Mornin’ kid.” He dusted white flakes from his clothing. “Gotta get used to this weather.”
“Yes. I won’t regret the day we leave this horrid place,” Kale replied in disgust.
“How can you say that? The snow is wonderful!” Neelan held out an open palm to catch the fluffy ice as it fell.
“You’ll have to excuse Kale, my dear,” Thomas replied. “You see, like you, he has never encountered snow until now. For someone like him, it is not the most compatible of elements.” He chuckled.
“Oh, I see.” Neelan fully understood the sorcerer’s meaning and dropped the subject.
The group silently trudged through the snow with a hardly visible view of their surroundings. They soon heard the waves breaking upon the slush-covered shore and knew they were close. As the snow melted away into the chilling waves, Kale and his friends began to search for the dinghy they knew had been secured the day before.
“I am certain we’re in the same location,” Thomas said while kneeling to inspect the shore.
“I’ve found somethin’!” Illadar called out. “You’d better come take a look!”
The group hurried by Illadar’s side and an immediate bombardment of words filled the air.
“Is that our boat?!” Kale questioned while looking at the many broken pieces of wood along the shore.
“Indeed it is.” Thomas replied in short. He looked to the water where additional planks bobbed in the waves. “It appears there was an ambush upon the boat, though sadly the snow has long covered any tracks.”
“I knew we should have gathered all our supplies yesterday. Forgive my overstepping, but this situation is severe—we have minimal rations,” Marg spoke with a look of worry in her eyes.
Thomas released a low growl from within his throat, narrowing his eyes in fury.
Kale looked up in surprise. He had never heard, nor seen Thomas behave in such a manner. It was unsettling.
“There is also the chance we have been sabotaged. Let us not forget about that as a possibility.” The old sorcerer scowled at Marg.
“Are you trying to accuse me of this?!” Marg shook her finger at Thomas. “I have put up with a lot from you—you shriveled, old plum!”
Neelan gasped at Marg’s words.
“But I will not stand for being accused of anything that might bring harm upon my friends—or Illadar.” Marg wrapped an arm around Illadar’s torso as she spoke.
“You dare attempt to turn my friends against me?!” Thomas’ face bore deeper lines than normal as he looked forth angrily. “Horrid wench.” His right palm began to cast a faint, red glow.
Before Kale could blink, Illadar had withdrawn his sword. The sharp, pointed tip pressed into the sagging skin beneath Thomas’ jaw.
“You go no farther, old man.” Illadar’s face was so close to Thomas that their frosty breath collided in one massive cloud between their bodies. “You’re my friend, and I don’t want to harm you, but so help me, I will if you don’t stand down. She has done nothing. I have not known you to show such ignorance—and I will no longer tolerate it. I will remain here for Kale—not you. You have changed, old man. Maybe it is you who has been overcome with darkness.”
“Your blindness sickens me,” Thomas replied with eyes narrowed to slits. “Your lack of ability to truly see will eventually become your demise,” he spoke coldly and with little emotion. “Mark my words, dear friend—you will remember this day.” His leathery hand rose, wrapping around the width of the claymore. He clamped down, fo
rcefully shoving the blade aside. He then turned his attention toward Marg. “You are in check, my dear.” His eyes burnt into Marg’s, who stood with a look of fear upon her face. “Should I find you alone, it shall be check-mate.”
“Thomas—enough!” Kale finally decided he could stand by no more while his friends tore their bond to shreds. “How can you treat someone so foul on nothing more than a feeling you have? You have always taught me not to judge others so hastily. And yet, here you are, prepared to claim her life? This must stop. I am not saying you are wrong. You are wise, Thomas—but Illadar is right … you have behaved differently as of late. We cannot continue like this. Our goal is to find and defeat Jedah—have you lost sight of this?”
“You too, Kale?” Thomas laughed bitterly to himself. “I see.” He took a long step back. “Well then, I suppose the only logical move at this point is to say goodbye—for now.”
Kale’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?” His mind raced, uncertain if he had heard his friend correctly.
Thomas took another stride in the opposite direction, and Kale could hear the old sorcerer softly muttering the incantation.
“No! Thomas, don’t!” Kale called out while diving in the direction of his friend.
Snow collided with his face, instantly reddening his cheeks. Kale positioned himself upright in a frantic panic—Thomas was gone.
Chapter 31:The Frost Elf
Kale pounded his fist into the fresh, powdery flakes. He stared down at the crimson droplets of blood that had sunken into the snow from where Thomas had stood only moments ago. He hung his head; his heart filled with sorrow as he grazed his hand against the makeshift, cloth sled.
“Why Thomas …?” Kale whispered.
“I—I’m so sorry.” Marg held her head low while fumbling with her hands. “I should have never said anything. I am truly so very sorry. I never meant to cause this turmoil amongst friends. I think it’s best if I go my own way from here—I don’t want to be the source of any further trouble …”
“To hell you are!” Illadar interjected. “I don’t know why Thomas has done what you’ve witnessed, but I assure you, something is not right with him. I know Thomas—and the man you just saw was not the one I’ve called my friend.” He gripped Marg’s shoulders. “You stay with us. Our means of returning home has been destroyed, I see no shelter around, and you won’t survive this weather alone.”
She silently nodded.
Kale immediately stood. “I’ve got it!” He exclaimed as he raced to Neelan and pulled her from where she stood. “He can only teleport to places he’s been to, or seen. Therefore, he must be back at camp! He has never explored this frozen continent, and therefore, cannot move anywhere else.”
Without another word, Kale tugged Neelan in the direction of camp. Snow fell even harder than before, making it hard to determine the exact location in which they had slept the night before.
Kale fell to his knees in a state of defeat. “Thomas!” He cried out. “Thomas!!” He folded forward, allowing his head to hit the snow. “Come back …” Kale glanced up with reddened eyes as a hand gently stroked his back.
“You know well enough, if he doesn’t want to be found, we will not find him. Besides, it would be impossible in this weather to track him. Any sign of his presence will be covered—we really don’t even know for sure if this is indeed the camp. All directions look nearly the same.”
“I’m not leaving.” Kale hung his shoulders and shook his head. “I’m not leaving my friend behind.”
“Kale, he is a spell-caster, he will be just fine. I am certain he will find us when ready. He just needs space right now to figure things out.” Neelan knelt before him and tilted his chin until their eyes met. “You said yourself that with each passing day, Jedah will only increase his strength—it is true you know.”
Kale heavily breathed, returning his stare to the ground in thought.
“I know in your heart, you are aware that what I say is true. We must keep moving.” She placed a warm hand upon his cheek.
He stood in silence, looking in all directions in the falling snow before nodding. With a final glance over a shoulder, he joined the group.
Thomas, please take care, dear friend. When this is over—I will find you, Kale vowed.
For four days, they walked onward through the snow. Reem carefully tracked the direction of the illuminated haze in the sky, which still shone brilliantly, even during daylight.
Reem had perfected the ability to spot the lighted haze, even through the intermittent downpour of snow. He claimed his expertise with tracking location was from the many years he spent in the desert.
Night fell upon the group, and the miserable cold overtook their bodies as they huddled for warmth. Without Thomas’ fire, Kale struggled to produce enough body heat to radiate within a large blanket they draped over them all. Worry ran across their minds as they rationed their last piece of jerky. The food was nearly gone, and it was important for them to find refuge soon.
On the fifth day, their feet dragged slowly through the snow. Even the sand-people moved sluggishly. The sky was relatively clear, with only a few clouds scattered throughout.
“Look ahead—trees!” Neelan called out.
The group noticed the outstretched limbs ahead. As they approached, it was clear that there was no greenery to be found. For as far as the eyes could see, there were hundreds of barren, ashy trees. The branches rose toward the sky like vicious claws and, despite not having any foliage, the branches were so thick they intertwined, creating a shadowed canopy.
“Trying to go around will add more time than we should spare, considering our supplies,” Reem spoke. “I advise us to enter through this barren forest. I’m confident the sky light is leading us to temporary safety. There is a reason we were told to follow, and I do not believe it solely implies the man you seek.”
“Am I the only one who finds this place rather odd?” Illadar glanced around at the flaky bark that appeared frozen onto the trunk.
“We’re going to trust Reem’s judgment,” Kale commanded. “Let us get going before darkness falls.”
They continued until the sunlight had nearly vanished through the thick, tangled branches. The group was now moving forth with nothing more than instinct to reach the opposite side of the barren forest.
It was deathly silent, aside from the crunching beneath their boots, when Neelan froze in place.
“Kale!” She whispered anxiously. “Stop moving!” Her wide, violet eyes shot to each side. “I heard something—moving. It’s close.”
Kale paused all movement and silently listened. He could hear nothing aside from his own breath escaping through his slightly parted lips.
“I can sense it … I think it’s—” Neelan’s words cut short as a small branch snapped from above.
The debris fell to the side of Kale, causing the group to focus all attention above.
There knelt a male elf, no older than Kale in appearance. His silvery white hair rested upon his jawline as he stared down with vibrant, blue eyes which contrasted against his dark lashes. The clothing he wore was tan, aside from a thick, fur collar as white as his pallid flesh. His ears were what gave his identity away—their slender characteristic with pointed tips.
“He’s a frost elf!” Neelan swiftly withdrew her bow.
The elven male continued to stare in silence, tilting his head to the side as though examining them all. His eyes quickly returned to Neelan, and he grinned.
“Prepare yourselves; they are heartless beings who show no mercy. I did not expect us to cross paths with one. They are said to never leave their citadel, unless summoned in a time of judgment.” Neelan curled her lip at the frost elf as she carefully watched his movements.
The male elf shifted his body—dropping his shoulders as though ready
to pounce.
Neelan drew back the string on her bow, aiming an arrow toward his skull. “I’m going to do it, Kale,” she whispered. “I’m going to kill him before he kills us. Their power is incredible and we will surely fall if he attacks first.” Her voice was barely audible as she spoke at Kale’s side.
Her hand steadied as she further tugged upon the string, preparing her shot. She knew there would be a single chance to land her arrow or retaliation would surely be upon them. Neelan’s fingers parted, releasing their grip upon the steady arrow.
Before her brain could register what had happened, the frost elf appeared before her. With a swift swipe, he took hold of the arrow as it zipped past the bow. Smiling, he casually held it out to Neelan, who stood with her mouth gaping open in shock.
“This belongs to you, Milady.”
His features were flawless, striking, and the closest to perfection Kale had ever seen—he despised it immediately.
“Move away from her at once.” Kale positioned himself between them.
Encircling the three, were defensive sand-people, and Illadar—all equally prepared to attack.
“There is no need for this hostility. Especially considering that you are in my territory,” the frost elf spoke before instantly teleporting himself behind Neelan, breathing softly into her ear. “Did you truly think I could not hear your words—they were most unkind.” He brushed his cheek against the side of her face.
Angrily, Kale lunged forward toward the stranger. His hands swiped forward, finding no more than air.
Laughter could be heard to Kale’s side and he furiously glared at the male elf.
“Coward, fight me!” Kale opened his palm, allowing the Sword of Vindication to appear.