by Andrew Ly
“Sure, I’d love to see what you got.” Quinn smoothed her hair with a slender hand and flashed her smile once again.
Nick couldn’t decide whether he should be pleased or mortified. This was going to be a challenge for sure. He had to admit, he was rusty when it came to the dating scene, but he wasn’t letting this opportunity slip by. Time to play it aloof. A girl like this was probably used to being the center of attention and he had to try to avoid all the common pitfalls of the guys before him.
“So it’s settled then,” Matthew said. “Listen, I’d join you both, but Joni wants to dance.” Right on cue he snapped his fingers, pretending he had just come up with a new option. “Here’s an idea, how about you guys go up to one of the balconies. It’s a nice night, so the moonlight should do it more justice.” He took quick glances to his sides. “Now I got to get back before she gets mad. Have fun guys.” He moved quickly out of their circle and got lost in the crowd.
“Um, shall we?” Nick asked.
“Lead the way,” Quinn replied.
Nick found the Wolfsbane on the chair and laid it gently into her hands. He led her up the stairs and outside to a vacant balcony. The night air was colder than before, much to his pleasure. However, she didn’t share his reaction: she wrapped her arms around herself and her face scrunched up in a very uncomfortable looking manner.
“Cold?” Nick teased.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Here.” Nick pulled off his tunic and draped it around her perfectly sculpted body. He felt the goose bumps along her arms as he helped her slip it on.
“Thanks, but what about you?” Quinn asked. “That shirt you have on can’t possibly be thick enough to keep you warm.”
“It’s nothing. I happen to like cold weather. Winter is the only season that doesn’t irritate me.”
“You must be a robot then, because it’s like twenty below right now.” Quinn breathed warm air into her hands.
They grew silent and took in the night sky. The moon had the perfect ambience for a situation like this, so cliché and obviously romantic, but perfect nonetheless. As Quinn was busy examining the blade, Nick snuck a better look at her in her natural state, without the shoddy lighting, and realized why he was justified in being so taken by her in the first place.
She looked even more beautiful out here. In the room, it was hard to distinguish her dark hair color, which he could see now, was clearly a rich, fiery red. It was medium length and just touched her shoulders. Her face was devoid of imperfections and had the classic features of a true beauty, with high cheekbones and a cute, button nose. The way she carried herself seemed to be both self-assured and independent. However, these traits probably came across as arrogance, which threatened other girls. Her milky complexion seemed to radiate in the moonlight, giving a distinct contrast to her hair. She had big, deep green eyes, which were accented further by her black dress that was simple in design, medium in length, with spaghetti straps. The dress hugged her figure in a way that blew his mind. The word “perfection” seemed to be the only way to describe her. Built like a supermodel, it was as if she walked straight off a billboard and into reality. She was very feminine, but also had a slight seriousness that indicated that she wasn’t meek, like the average civilian. Beneath her cool exterior, she carried a very powerful personality as well, one that should not be trifled with.
“What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful,” Quinn murmured, feeling the intricate details and patterns on the surface. She brushed her fingers along the fangs of the hilt. “Thornish steel. It possesses a herringbone pattern down the middle of the blade. The angular waves give off almost a mesmerizing effect, don’t you think? Such impressive craftsmanship. It has to be a late Avon. I wonder how Matthew got hold of something this rare.”
Nick raised a brow. “I’m pretty surprised you could tell just by looking. Not many civilians know much about our weapons, much less the famous whitesmiths that craft them. Do you know a lot of whitesmiths where you’re from?”
“Sort of, I just believe when you’re living in a crazy world like ours, it pays to stay a little informed, right? But where I’m from the people—even civilians—eat and breathe this stuff. I guess you can say it’s in our blood.”
“Then I take it you’re from Thorne,” Nick said. Thorne was the city with the largest, most powerful Garrison in the world. It was also the first Garrison established as well as the battlegrounds for the Great War’s final showdown.
“Very close. I lived in a small town outside of it, but I guess when you live so close to such a holy ground it becomes hard to avoid its history,” she said.
As Nick watched her, he couldn’t help but become completely and utterly fascinated with her. There was something about her presence or the way she spoke that was just so enamoring, entrancing the way she seemed to call to him as if putting him under a spell. He’d never felt like this before, not with any other girl.
“So Quinn…”
“Hmm?” she responded, her attention still wrapped up in the brilliance of the sword.
“We should be getting back inside,” he said.
She took her gaze off the blade for a moment and tilted her head to face him. “Right.” Quinn smiled. “We should probably take it back to Matthew, just in case right?”
He placed his hand on her lower back, guiding her outside the room as he closed the door. As they walked down the stairs, the loud and obnoxious music shifted into a soft, slow song. The crowd of people that had been shaking wildly to the beat now broke into pairs, and swayed gently against the smooth vocals of some teenage pop sensation.
“Would you like to dance?” Quinn asked. Her tapping foot and bright eyes beckoned him.
“I’m not very graceful on my feet,” Nick admitted.
She laughed heartily. “I thought members of the Garrison were trained in everything. Don’t tell me that doesn’t include dancing?”
“We are, but trust me you don’t want to see me on the dance floor,” Nick said.
Quinn put out her hand. “Try me.”
She didn’t wait for his response and pulled him onto the floor. It was weird for a girl to be so forward and in control, but soon he found himself actually enjoying being led by her. As they swayed side to side, he became lost in the motions. The personality she displayed this far, had been light and breezy, playful, with no sign of seriousness at all. Nick was mystified. Never before had he dealt with someone he could not read. Trying to unravel her, trying to break her down was like solving a riddle wrapped in an enigma.
“Your friend Matt did a good job trying to covering it up,” Quinn said.
“What do you mean?” Nick asked.
“Don’t worry, I thought that whole balcony set-up was cute,” Quinn said.
“Much like my dancing, I’m not usually very good at this kind of thing,” Nick said sheepishly, playing it off as best he could.
“You’re very honest. I find that attractive.”
Nick was taken aback once again as he twirled her with the music. It was at this point he thanked the Heralds for making dance training a required course.
“You’re the first person to say that. I mean, I’m sure you can see how everyone feels about me,” Nick said. There was a very distinct space of separation between them and the other dancers.
Quinn laughed. “They hate you, is that it? Look, when I first met you I had this feeling about you. It screamed different, as if there was something not quite right about you. If I was anything like one of these girls here, I probably would have stayed away.” She leaned in close, so close he could almost feel her lips on his ear. “But I’m not like all the other girls.”
Nick couldn’t help but grin. “I’ve never met a girl like you before. You have to know how intimidating you are.”
“Intimidating? Really, I don’t think so.” Quinn smiled innocently. “I think I give tests though, to root out the boys from the men.” She had to be kidding. There was no w
ay she couldn’t see the effect she had on people. The way everyone looked at her, the way she could part the room with just the flick of her hair. This fair maiden could send a soldier into battle armed with the strength of her smile alone.
“Did I pass?” Nick said.
“I think so. You intrigue me, Nick Emberson. Usually all guys I meet I can tell what their intentions are from the start, but you took a little more work. It’s almost like there are two sides to you.”
“Most guys would have a hard time talking to a girl with such confidence. Not many people are like you, they can’t just open themselves up like a book and get the same results,” Nick said.
“Life’s too short to always beat around the bush. I find I enjoy things more when I get to be myself,” Quinn said.
“That’s a good answer.”
“My turn. Why is a guy like you hanging around a bunch of over-privileged snobs? You obviously must know how out of place you look around them,” Quinn said.
“Well I wouldn’t if I had a choice, but I promised Matt I would celebrate my birthday with him.”
“It’s your birthday? Well, happy birthday.”
“Thanks, but it’s tomorrow actually,” Nick said.
“Wow, what are the chances? Being born on the New Year has to be some kind of good luck,” Quinn said.
“It must be good luck because I got the chance to meet you tonight.”
“You’re getting better at this,” Quinn said.
Their eyes locked and Nick realized his cheeks were blazing hot. He must look like chili pepper at this point. He could never hide his feelings very well, but Quinn kept her brilliant white smile on him, as if she didn’t notice at all. At that exact moment everyone was staring at the clock, chanting as the countdown began.
Ten…
What to do? They’re already doing the New Year’s countdown and he was aching to kiss her, but maybe now wasn’t the time. When was there ever a time for these things? Situations like this only come once in a lifetime. The best time would be now!
Nine…
She brushed her hair behind her ear. Obviously, if he was going to make a move, it had to be now. No holding back!
Eight...
Her arms wrapped around his neck as he was being pulled closer into her space.
Seven…
“Wha-what are you doing?” Nick stammered.
Six…
“You talk too much sometimes,” Quinn whispered as she pressed her index finger to his lips. His heart was racing wildly.
Five…
“Poor Nick, everyone deserves a present on their birthday,” she cooed.
Four…
“Having just met you, I’m not really sure what you like…”
Three…
Nick was practically on fire.
Two…
“I hope this’ll do…”
One…
She pressed her lips into his the same time the party poppers and horns blared around them. Screams of excitement echoed in the large room. Nick wrapped his arms around her waist and put forth every emotion he was feeling into his lips. It was everything he imagined it would be and more, like kissing a goddess. The sound of cheers seemed to drown out, as if the whole purpose of his life was fixated on this one moment. When they finally stopped, Nick was left in a daze.
“Happy birthday, Mister Emberson,” Quinn smiled.
“That was some present,” Nick replied.
Holding her in his arms in the center of that dance floor, Nick felt that nothing else mattered at that moment. This girl he just met seemed to erase every bad feeling he felt in his entire eighteen years of living. It wasn’t like him to fall so hard so fast. He barely even knew her, and yet he already knew that letting her go would be the biggest mistake of his life.
3. Angel Feather
The celebration died down after that. The ballroom that was once packed with lively, obnoxious kids was now almost cleared. Everyone was partied out, and either retired for the night or left to roam the city. The floor was littered with colorful party favors and confetti like it was painted a multifaceted rainbow. However, the night was still young, and Nick was in no mood for sleep.
“What would you like to do now?” Nick asked once they were outside. “Do you have a curfew or anything?”
Quinn shook her head. “Let’s go somewhere! it’s still too early to call it a night.”
Nick gave her a curious look. “Anywhere you had in mind?”
She thought for a split second. “Heaven’s Peak! I’ve heard people talk about it. It sounds magical.”
Nick nodded. “Sure.” Thankfully, he had borrowed one of the more durable Garrison vehicles.
Nick had lived in Glenhaven his entire life. Heaven’s Peak was the tallest mountain in the city. It was a famous landmark and a natural monument that helped the city attract the bulk of its tourism. Since it was a rite of passage, everyone who lived here had visited Heaven’s Peak at least once in their lives. In his case, it was also like a second home—a quiet place where he went to think, where he could enjoy the stillness of nature that hadn’t been touched by growing industrial renovations.
During the drive up, he remembered Peter once told him of a legend surrounding the peak when he was very young, but like all kids, he wasn’t really interested in listening to what he said, and just let it go through one ear and out the other. Now that Quinn suggested going, it was a missed opportunity he could have used to impress her.
As they approached the peak, snow began to fall. Traveling deeper and deeper, the combined darkness and stillness made the forest seem eerie. Nick looked from the corner of his eye at Quinn, but she seemed enthralled. They passed a small lake, up a singular road leading to places higher along the mountain. The trees seemed to grow in groups as they crept silently uphill, as if they were traveling into an endless wood.
At the peak, there was a big clearing but it was hard to see anything in front of them due to the snowfall. Nick parked under a tree. When they got out, they were quickly enveloped by a veil of light snow.
“It makes sense now doesn’t it?” Quinn said.
“What does?” Nick asked.
“The name Heaven’s Peak, I mean. We’re up so high it’s almost as if we can touch the sky itself.”
“Yeah, I can barely see a thing though.”
No response. Nick squinted over the hood of the car to the passenger side. She was nowhere to be found. What just happened, he thought, worried at the same time. She couldn’t have traveled too far. Could she have fallen off?
“Um, Quinn?” Nick asked loudly, “Where are you? I can’t see you at all.” He waved his arms in front of him, hoping to reach out to her.
“I’m right here.” Quinn emerged from behind him. She looked like a goddess molded by the Heralds above.
“You’re doing that again,” she said.
“What?”
“Gawking.” She laughed.
“I wasn’t gawking. I just couldn’t find you, that’s all. I thought you got lost, or worse.”
She laughed. “Oh is that right? There’s nothing to be afraid of, I’m right here.”
Her hand reached over and clasped his, interlocking to form a tight bond. Her soft hands were warm as she led him through the snowy trail, further until they reached a side of the peak where the snowfall couldn’t reach.
There, Nick could see the foliage and massive rocks at the foot of the cliff and the bright city lights in the distance. The edge of the cliff was the perfect spot for a view of everything this town had to offer, and it was breathtaking.
“It’s so beautiful…” Quinn whispered.
“It’s amazing at night. To be honest I haven’t been here in such a long time. When Matt and I first found this place, I thought that it would change into one of those spots where kids came to make out.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Quinn asked with a flirty grin.
“Nothing,” Nick said a bit too quickly. He cleared
his throat. “I think a piece of nature as beautiful as this should be given the proper respect.”
“I can understand that.”
They became silent for a while and when Nick glanced at her, she seemed to be wrapped up into her own world. “Is something the matter?”
“No, nothing.” She smiled faintly. “Just something I remembered. An old story.”
“What is it?” Nick asked, curious as to what she was thinking. He had so many questions for her, so much more he wanted to know.
“This was the site where a great battle was once fought, one that caused the loss of many lives. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. The Frozen Fifty Incident?”
“The Frozen Fifty Incident is the reason why it snows all year round here,” Nick said.
“That’s one reason. It’s also because of that incident that Orichalon ore was formed here, the same ore whitesmiths use to coat Garrison weapons,” Quinn said.
Orichalon ore were small, uniform white stones that were shaped like water droplets. They formed on high mountainous regions where the temperatures were low. These stones were especially valuable to the Garrison because they contained holy properties. They were very versatile and could be crushed into powder, melted into liquid, or used to brew potions. One of the main reasons why a Garrison was built in Glenhaven was due to its close proximity to one of their most prized resources.
“What exactly happened during the battle here?” Nick said.
“Well, the story goes that during the Great War, a demon known as Bergice slayed fifty of the most elite knights singlehandedly. He was cornered at this exact spot where we’re sitting now, and with his power to control ice, he froze fifty soldiers, smashed them into pieces and spread their remains to cover this mountain to mark this as his territory. Because of this, the temperature of Heaven’s Peak remains the same year around as a testament to the cold way they were so brutally massacred.
“The worst part is that he’s still out there, hiding somewhere like a coward with his demon brethren,” Quinn continued. “The whole world tries to forget about what those demon monsters have done to us and they think that they won’t reach us behind this barrier. But even with a Holy Shield protecting us, it would be foolish to pretend like none of this happened. I feel when doing so we also forget a part of ourselves. For a brief time the Great War erased our identities. Every city, every landmark, and everything that made us who we are were taken from us during their reign. For those years that our forefathers stood in servitude of demons, there was a time where we could have lost everything.”