Ch.13 Winter Storm

Near the tallest point of the North Mountains stood a great fortress.

Built over centuries ago, it was mammoth in size but considerably small compared to the mountain it laid on. The Fortress was once the point of a great battle and the scars of it remained. It weathered storms, monsters, and sieges but not time. Over the course of generations it had become forgotten and abandoned. Until one man had found it and restored it to its former glory. Then it became a historic focal point to a new country and a new people.

A great soldier once defended the fortress to the death and in return, the fortress was given his name, Cadmium.

The city fortress of Cadmium was the capital of the Free Nation State. The fortress itself was just the tip of a city, one that reached deep below the North Mountains. The fortress housed a superb military that followed the Hero-King Alastair. The rest laid within the mountain itself. The Free Nation State was a neutral country but its military might was nothing to scoff at.

The fortress looked down from high the North Mountaintops.

It was built with that vantage point in mind and arranged for great defense. There were stables for drakes near the top of the fortress and horses at the gates. Drake riders were used for aerial battles and scouting. The horses raised in the North Mountains were sturdy and fierce at the edges of cliffs and steeps. Military armories adorn the center of the fortress with barracks nearby. Dwarven workshops and forges were built into the sides of the mountains but within the fortress walls.

There was a building at the back of the fortress with a tower that gazed at the stars.

This place was heavily guarded as all the soldiers knew who actively came here. King Alastair roamed the tower and the building it was based on as a sort of office chamber for him. He was not a man of the mountain but from the plains down below. The tower was an office for which he can look at the stars and breathe the mountain air. Although this was not a natural habitat for a King. His chambers and audience room were deep underground but in his spare time, he would be up above in the fortress, locked away in a tower.

King Alastair wore a sash with tight clothing that hugged his shoulders. A short cloak draped around his back with his insignia, a bow in the crescent shape of a moon. His trousers seem loose because of his tall and lanky frame. A golden crown adorned his head with beautiful diamonds. Although he never liked long hair, Alastair had grown it out on his wife's suggestion. He wrapped his hair with a beautiful silk cloth and let his black hair flow behind his back. His beard was trimmed neatly and without it, he would look as beautiful as a woman.

But none would dare call the King a woman except for his wife.

Alastair was never a very manly looking man but he had a great presence about him. His age and experience defied one another. Alastair was not yet an old man but he traveled the world at an early age. He learned from his journeys through much experience and conversation. Alastair was called the "Heroic King" because he was exactly that.

Alastair, once a great hero who became the founder of a new country. Known to be fast on his feet, agile like water, and quick with a bow. Alastair was a grand hunter who fought in numerous battles and a great deal of skirmishes as well as the Punic wars between kingdoms. His valor and wit helped him save a considerable amount of people. He became a brother to an Orc because of the blood, sweat, and tears they shed together. He took an Elven wife after besting her in combat. Everyone knew the circumstances and history of King Alastair's background.

King Alastair was not a pauper who dared to be King but had always been of royal blood. Born the second prince in the central territory, the Human Kingdom of Or'Vale. Alastair was raised with the utmost care and education known in the world. Yet with all the cultivation he received, he longed to be free. In his youth, he left his old kingdom so he wouldn't be wrapped in the politics of the throne. The backroom dealings and the power play of positions was not to his liking. His older brother was once the crown prince and considered a lesser man than Alastair. But Alastair truly loved his elder brother and would not be a usurper for the throne. So for the sake of everyone involved, Alastair renounced his claim and left.

After many adventures and circumstances, Alastair found himself stuck in a country he founded.

His Kingdom housed a numerous amount of people in search for a fresh start. The Free Nation State had the essentials it needed to survive as a country: a region, a populace, a military, and an incredible amount of wealth. The North Mountains held a tremendous deal of treasure, so much that wars have been caused by it. The only reason why it was left undisturbed was because of the vast amounts of beasts, terrible monsters, and vicious creatures that roamed its lands. Only Alastair was able to defeat these things in creating a home for himself and his new found people.

None have succeeded in fighting Alastair's claim for his country.

Alastair walked around his chamber office in a terrible mood as he hoped to gaze up at the stars. But a storm had brewed with strong winds and snow that fell harshly. Alastair couldn't use his telescope and his demeanor was that of a pouting child. Alastair sighed as he found his favorite wicker chair and sat back in it. The chair was not very kingly but a gift made by an elderly woman he saved long ago. King Alastair rocked the chair back and forth as he began to ponder.

A letter was just delivered to Alastair sometime prior and he felt peeved.

That ingrate! I can't believe he doesn't want to marry little Maude! She's a better girl than he'll ever receive! After all that planning and talking! Going to all those idiotic parties! He's the son of a Duke but he has no ambition.

Alastair sighed as he rubbed the temple of his forehead.

Alastair was very displeased as the letter detailed to him came directly from the Duke of Or'Vale. Months of planning and preparation was made by Alastair's hand. Sometimes it felt that it was as if he were being married off too with all the work he had done. Usually, King's aren't matchmakers but there was an exception for King Alastair. He wanted to foster peace between two countries that he cared about.

The United Empire of Doragoth and the Kingdom of Or'Vale.

Not only were these two Kingdoms situated between the Free Nation State but King Alastair had ties to both. The Kingdom of Or'Vale was once his home and the United Empire was a place he spent much of his twenties in. Alastair knew very well how much hatred was shared between Orcs and Humans.

All that was undone because of the Duke's son. The letter professes apologies from the Duke and how his son had grown ill. The Duke's son wanted to cancel the engagement because of poor health reasons. Although Alastair knew the truth and it irritated him greatly. How could he not? Even when he was fostering the marriage proposal many people would ask of Maude's beauty. All the Orcs would say one thing, "She is very ugly."

Idiots! They don't want to see her because of rumors!

King Alastair knew of Maude's appearance very well but for everyone else who had never seen her, they could only imagine. Suitable marriage partners could only base her appearance on speculation and discussion. People suspected that because Alastair was the blood brother to an Orc, he would never call his niece "ugly." Although, the perception between Orc and Human beauty vastly differed.

This is only going to hurt her. Why can't anyone understand that the perception of beauty is different for everyone!?

Another reason for finding Maude's engagement besides the fostering of peace was for her happiness. Maude was his favorite niece, and aside from her true father, he raised her like his own daughter. Alastair knew how much Maude cared about her looks and the whispers around her. Alastair wanted Maude to leave the bubble of Southscale but besides going to her uncle's country, Maude never ventured any further. He wanted to show her how others could view her with glee instead of disdain. He often praised her beauty but it usually comes out like the ramblings of a doting father.

A knock came from the door and aroused King Alastair from thought.

"Come in," Alastair said as he stared at the door.

A slender woman with pale white skin and radiant hair like the sun opened the door. The dress she wore fit her slim figure and was as lush as the green foliage in spring. A beautiful golden crown sculpted like leaves sat on her head. The woman parted her golden hair slightly to reveal a pointy ear.

As Alastair fixed his sight on her his demeanor gradually warmed and his expression became lighter.

"Still sulking?" The woman said as she ventured closer to Alastair.

"These bastards don't know what's good in front of them," King Alastair shrugged as he leaned back in his chair. "They haven't even met her and they dare to think she's ugly?!"

"You know how fickle humans can be."

The woman came close to Alastair and sat on his lap.

"Well, I truly know how fickle Elves can be," King Alistair said with a smile and kissed her hand.

"All these years and you still have time to flirt with me."

"I can't deny that by having such a young and beautiful wife by my side."

"Please, I'm older than you by two centuries," The Elf covered her mouth with a laugh. "I'm the one who has the young and beautiful husband."

"Fiona my dear, aren't you supposed to be dealing with the subjects and such?"

"My dearest husband shouldn't you be dealing with your people?" Queen Fiona replied.

"Ah, you're right, I will," King Alastair said as he lovingly looked at his wife.

The pair gazed at each other warmly and shared an intimate kiss.

Queen Fiona was known as the wife of King Alastair and also happened to be an Elf of the North Grove. She became entangled with Alastair during his youth and never left his side since then. Queen Fiona was renowned for her beauty and dazzling swordsmanship. Not many females can compare to Fiona's hand with the sword just as none can compare to Lady Mare's with a great sword.

Even with her beauty, the marriage between a Human and an Elf was looked down upon in the lands.

King Alastair being married to an Elf was a colossal shame in his home Kingdom of Or'Vale. However, he loved his wife dearly and thus one of the first of many decrees by King Alastair was of free marriage. Both partners needed to be at the age of consent, equally willing and forthright. Though the age of consent usually differed between races like how Elves tended to get married no earlier than one hundred and sixty. Many lovers of the same sex or opposite races flocked to get married in the Free Nation State. While other countries would usually oppose such things by law or religion.

The Free Nation State was a place where all ideologies and free thinking could be commonplace.

"Where's Alexander by the way?"

King Alastair stroked the hair of his wife before touching it to his lips.

"He's out and about," Queen Fiona said and looked out the window at the harsh storm.

Alastair followed his wife's line of sight.

"Again? In this weather? It looks like a winter storm is brewing! That foolish boy! He should be studying with his teachers. Not gallivanting about in the cold. He's not acting like a prince."

King Alastair groaned and rubbed his temple as Queen Fiona laid her face on his shoulder.

"You never acted like a prince at his age," Queen Fiona said as she looked at the mountain of paperwork stacked on King Alastair's table.

"I renounced my claim by that time," King Alastair looked at his wife. "I hadn't the responsibility that he has now. He should be preparing for the future we are giving him. What about the academy that he's supposed to enter soon?"

"Husband, you know how hard it is for Alexander to be the son of the Hero-King Alastair. He wants to gain as much fame and achievements as he can by his own hands. Let him do what he wants. He should be back before the storm starts. If things get out of hand, I'll reel him in."

Queen Fiona got up from her husband's lap and rubbed his back.

"You baby him too much you know."

King Alastair gave his wife a smirk.

"He's the first child I have with you and the first child I'll ever have. Let me be a mother who babies her firstborn."

Queen Fiona returned Alastair's smirk with a dazzling smile.

"Oh, and before I forget, there's another letter for you. It arrived by carrier pigeon before I came here. I'm assuming their viewing portals weren't working because of the weather."

Queen Fiona produced a letter from her pocket and placed it on her husband's hand.

"Where from?" King Alastair asked.

"Southscale," Queen Fiona replied. "It's most likely from Scar."

"I suppose he heard the news first," Alastair grimaced a little before giving out a sigh.

King Alastair opened the letter and quickly read its contents.

Queen Fiona could only watch as her husband's face change from melancholy to dread.

Alastair frowned deeply as he read the letter.

The last lines he read shook him to his core.

The war of the Four Gods is nearing.

---###---

Near the base of the North Mountains inside a cave, an Orc girl was slowly awakened by faint murmurs.

"Father!...don't leave me! Father!"

Maude pulled herself up from her makeshift bed and begrudgingly moved her eyes around. Confused by the noise and the air outside. Her ears listened for the sound and soon her gaze laid at Nero. He was laying down on his red cloak and grasping for the air. Tears streamed down his face as he mumbled.

"Father..."

After some more movements, he fell asleep again.

Nero's having a nightmare about his father? What exactly happened to Gregor?

Maude reached out for Nero's face but decided against it as she thought.

As Maude pondered another noise penetrated her ears. The sound of heavy snoring from Kogar echoed loudly in the cave. Kogar slept in his armor at the end of the cave flat on his back. Maude remembered that her brother snored like a beast in hibernation, coincidentally he looked like a bear. She tried to plug up her ears with her fingers but it was to no avail. Maude groaned as she would not be able to go back to sleep.

Suddenly a high pitch wail occurred from the entrance of the cave.

The spider webbing that Maude set beforehand was bulging and looked to burst. Some light shone through the web and snow was trickling through. Maude raised up her hand to the light and felt a cold chill. A winter storm occurred overnight as the trio were inside the cave. If Maude had known there was a storm brewing she wouldn't have taken the training path.

Realization set onto Maude and she quickly started to pack her things.

"Nero! Get up! Kogar! Get up!" Maude yelled and stamped her feet.

Nero stirred awake while Kogar slept on.

'What?...What's going on?"

"A winter storm!" Maude said. "Hurry! We must leave the cave before we get trapped in here and freeze!"

"What's that?"

"That's what they call a storm here in the North Mountains! Instead of rainfall and lightning, they get piles of snow as tall as the great mountains themselves with freezing winds and pelting shards of ice!"

The webbing at the entrance of the cave burst open and snow dashed inside. High winds and snow began to pour inside the cave. The entrance to the cave was nearly halfway filled with snow. Nero was shocked at what was happening but quickly came to his feet. Nero and Maude both packed their things in a hurry.

"Pii! Bal! We're leaving!"

Pii the yellow spider was nestled on top of the corner cave. The spider opened all its eyes and saw what was happening. It leaped onto Maude's back as the storm outside intruded itself in the cave. Bal opened one eye and saw the storm. He yawned but stayed in his spot as he didn't need to prepare anything to leave.

"Kogar! Get up you idiot!"

"Ugh, What is it? Let me sleep some more...somebody shut the door...it's cold in here..."

Kogar turned to his side.

"It's going to get a lot colder if you don't get up!"

"Kogar can you get up? We have to leave!" Nero said.

Nero started to put his winter gear on and gave a glance to Bal. His familiar needed no words as he stretched himself before going over to bark in Kogar's ear. Kogar became irritated and turn side to side. Bal continually barked at Kogar's ear no matter which way he turned. Having no other choice, Kogar finally sat up and then saw the snow dashing in the cave.

"What are you two doing!? We got to leave!" Kogar said. "It's a winter storm!"

Nero and Maude looked at each other before shaking their heads.

The trio gathered their belongings and started to trek through the cave entrance. The snow piled up and they had to crawl out of the cave quickly before it closed. Pii was tucked inside Maude's Jacket as she didn't want to lose him in the storm. Bal was too big to be inside Nero's cloak and only followed him close behind. The Book of Knowledge was wrapped tightly inside of Nero's coat.

They exited the cave and started to shield their faces from the onslaught of the winter storm.

"So this is a winter storm!?" Nero yelled as he found his voice being deafened by the wind.

"Yes!" Maude replied back as she examined their surroundings.

"Aha! This winter storm is nothing! I've been through worse!" Kogar bellowed as the snow began to color his armor white.

Nero had just woke up but was bedazzled by the spectacle of the storm in front of him. The high winds seem to slur sight and push you in all directions. The snow was blinding as it fell and there was an immense amount of it. Nero had never touched snow before and yet he was in the middle of a winter storm. His hands and arms were in front of him shielding his face as he traversed into the storm.

"We should make it up the mountain before it gets too hectic."

Nero could only see a tinge of Maude's red hair as he followed behind her.

"I was lost in a storm like this once!" Kogar yelled.

Nero glanced back to see Kogar not too far behind him.

"It took me weeks before I found Uncle again!"

The once rocky and jagged mountainous terrain had been replaced by that of a curve sheet of snow. Maude hurried her pace as she worried about their lives being lost in the cold. Walking seemed to take much effort as their feet sunk into the snow. Nero tried to stay close to Maude but the physical difference between the two was noticeable.

The trio climbed for what seemed like hours.

They were obviously in the middle of the day but there was no sunlight out. The winter storm had blocked all light from appearing in any view. Only the dreary clouds and the white snow eclipsed everything. Increasing amounts of hail pelted them the higher they ventured the mountain. Nero slowed down heavily and was far behind Maude with only Kogar keeping pace behind Nero.

Nero, in trying to take his mind off the effort at hand, called out to Kogar.

"So...*gasp*...how'd you get lost in the first place Kogar," Nero yelled behind him.

"Funny story! I was sitting on a rock and there was this huge white b-"

The fervor of the winter storm picked up.

"Yeah!?..."

"..."

"I...*gasp*...can't hear you!..."

"..."

"Kogar?"

"..."

Nero glanced behind him and found that Kogar had disappeared.

"Kogar!" Nero yelled. "...*cough*...Where are you!?"

In almost an instant, Kogar vanished from behind Nero. Worry filled Nero as his eyes darted around to find a glimpse of the red Orc in black armor. Only a canvas of white was within Nero's line of sight. The sounds of the howling wind resounded in Nero's ears. Kogar was nowhere to be seen or heard from.

Where'd he go!?Blast if I weren't so exhausted straggling behind!

Nero was beside himself as he felt despair from losing sight of Kogar.

"Nero! What are you doing! We got to get up the mountain!"

A hand grabbed onto Nero's shoulder and pulled him back to his senses.

"What are you doing!?" Maude reiterated.

Nero was face to face with Maude and Pii who peered out from her jacket.

"I...I lost Kogar!..."

"What?"

Nero gathered up some courage to utter his words.

"Maude! Kogar's missing!"

Maude looked behind Nero and noticed that her brother was no longer there.

"That idiot!" Maude exasperated. "Wait...where's Bal!?"

"What! He's right..."

Nero in his efforts to find Kogar hadn't noticed that the King Wolf pup had disappeared as well.

"No!...*gasp*...No!...I...*cough*..."

The pair searched their surroundings but could not find the stout Orc and the wolf familiar. A sudden realization came over Nero and he checked the back of his hand. The spirit contract was still intact and he felt that Bal was somewhere nearby. The contract would disappear when either the master or servant dies. So he knew very well that Bal didn't die yet. Although, it wouldn't take long in the freezing winter storm.

Maude could see Nero's face in disarray.

"Calm down! They must be together!" Maude pulled Nero's sight to her. "We have to go up the mountain and get to the fortress!"

"What about your brother!? What about Bal?" Nero was visibly shaken from having lost Kogar and Bal in the storm.

"My brother's an idiot! But he's a survivor! He's been lost in a winter storm before! He won't be killed as easily as this! Otherwise, he won't be a Strongsong! If Bal is with him, he'll be at least able to track back to us!"

"Pii!" The yellow spider let out words of encouragement to Nero as well.

Maude's eyes gave off a confident sparkle that resonated with Nero.

"Your right!...*breathes*...Let's get to the fortress!" Nero said as he nodded his head.

Maude made a great deal of sense to Nero. He knew that there was nothing that could be done in finding someone lost in a storm like this. Kogar did indeed look like the durable type, someone that couldn't die no matter how hard they tried. Bal had once chased the pair through the Sea of Trees and could very well find them again. Nero did not have the tracking and hunting skills that Maude has so his best bet was to follow her lead.

All they could do for now was find safety and shelter before they searched for them.

"Let's go!" Maude turned around and was about to head up the mountain.

"Wait, Maude!" Nero said as a thought occurred to him.

Nero remembered that climbers often use a rope when they went up the mountains.

"What is it?"

"Use the relic! Create a rope with the webbing. We should tie ourselves together so we won't get lost in the storm!"

The pair at least didn't want to lose each other.

Maude agreed with Nero's idea and brought forth her hand. She started to use the relic and weave the indestructible web as a safety harness between the two. She cut out ends with the relic and rewrapped them together to create a stronger bond. Maude created strands of the golden web and crafted them similarly to a rope.

Afterward, she wrapped herself and Nero securely around the waist with the golden thread.

"So we've tied ourselves together again!"

Nero tried to make a joke and let out a laugh.

Maude hurriedly moved forward and tugged Nero along to save herself from embarrassment.

"S-Shut up y-you idiot! I'm only doing this so we don't lose each other! We have to make it up the mountain!" Maude turned her face as she blushed slightly. "Let's get to the fortress!"

A winter storm was a dangerous and deadly phenomenon that happened in the North Mountains. Some say that it was a curse of the dead that fell on the lands. Countless soldiers have died on the North Mountains during the great war. Others would speak of a magnificent creature that roamed in its wake. Many would say it's because of the God of the North, Arcas the white bear. Delirium and hallucination would often set on those who live through and survive a winter storm so their words are never accountable.

Whatever reason, not many survive when a winter storm brews.

For the populace, travel in a winter storm is strictly based on experience and emergency. Luckily enough for the people living in the North Mountains who are situated in the mountains themselves. They need not travel far and shouldn't be up above unless it were for scavenging or hunting. While the people of the North Mountains have experienced many winter storms and even stayed in them, they know not to stray too long. For there are many other dangers in the North Mountains as well.

Time was of the essence in the middle of the winter storm. There were no markers for their journey upward but all the paths led to the Fortress on top of the mountain. Maude only assumed that they were more than halfway up the mountain. If there were no other obstacles they should reach the fortress in due time. They could only continue forward with themselves together.

The frigid winds gave off another chilling howl.

Nero and Maude could barely see what was in front of them. The storm stole what little precious body heat they had left. Their clothes started to become a mess of frost and ice. The pair were only separated by the length of the golden thread that binds them. Maude tried to slow down for Nero but her mind kept yelling for her to move onward. They were just under a horizon of snow and rested a bit before they went over it.

Pii the spider was visibly shaking, he was not a cold blooded creature but a familiar made out of energy.

"I'm sorry Pii, a little longer."

Maude tried to rub the spider in her jacket.

"I don't think...*gasp*...I can make it..."

Physical exhaustion began to set in for Nero and he was near the end of his limit.

"We have to...keep going!"

A screeching howl echoed through the mountaintops.

"Is that..."

"Let's check it out!"

Nero and Maude remembered the sound and headed up over the horizon of snow.

A mighty Griffon was fending off multiple attackers in a close distance from them. Nero and Maude recognized the noble beast as the same one they met just the day before. Its wounds once healed by Nero were now covered by new injuries that appeared all over its body. They could not make out who the attackers were as they were all covered in white. The winter storm did not ease visibility either.

Only an insignia was visible as it was marked blood red on their clothing.

"What are they doing!?" Nero said as he looked at the attackers. "Is that a talon on their clothes?"

The pair watched as the white clothed attackers marked with a red talon fought the Griffon.

"Did the Griffon attack them?"

"No, it looks like they are the aggressors here!"

Maude recognized the weapons they held and the wounds she found on the Griffon.

"They're Hunters!" Maude said.

"Are they trying to eat the Griffon!?"

"No, my uncle told me about them! Unlike people who hunt for food, they hunt beasts, monsters, and whatever reaps the biggest reward. They piece out what they get all in the name of profit. They're like mercenaries but they have little moral code whatsoever since they tend to deal with beasts all day."

"Wait...they're Monster Hunters? I thought it was a noble profession!"

Nero and Maude could make out what looked like cages next to the hunters.

"No, these bastards aren't noble!" Maude said. "They captured baby Griffons!"

While there are many who become Hunters to protect people from wild beasts there were other Hunters in it for profit. Hunting for noble creatures who tend to be docile were not authorized. You may defend yourself if the beast attacks you but you can't sell its parts. This made monster hunting of noble creatures very valuable and created a black market for them.

"I see," Nero said. "I don't remember any parts of the Griffon being valuable. "

"Some do it for the achievement of killing a noble creature," Maude grimaced. "Others think its prestigious to have a Griffon as a mount."

Nero remembered the scrolls of mighty warriors riding Griffons.

"I know why," Nero said. "Some heroes have ridden Griffons in legends but that was because of their own accord and not through captivity. What they're doing is wrong."

Maude's blood was boiling as her uncle often talked to her about the other side of the hunting profession. She saw the attackers as assailants for profit and gain not the noble defenders that some were known for. Maude listened to the wailing screech of the Griffon and she could not hesitate any more. Nero gathered up bits of his energy and went with Maude as he could not stand it either.

The group of five in white cloth hadn't noticed Nero or Maude. They surrounded the Griffon and jabbed it fiercely from blind spots. The Griffon was weakened mightily and the winter storm had caused it to be grounded. One of its wings was heavily wounded with tears and slashes. The Griffon knew that it was close to death but it fought on as its young was taken from it. The Hunters in white cloth had lured the Griffon here with cages of its young. The smell and the sounds of the young Griffons could be located by its parent even in the winter storm.

One of the attackers broke off from the group and leaped high in the air with a spear.

"Earth! Wall!" A shout caught the attention of the Hunters in white.

A cascade of white snow erupted with the yellow earth and walled off the Griffon from harm.

The attacker in the air lunged at the wall only to be repelled backward back in the snow.

Nero and Maude appeared in front of the wall, their details hidden by the winter storm.

"What are you doing! Leave this Griffon alone!"

"Free its children from those cages!"

The group of hunters looked at each other daunted.

"There were other people here in the storm?"

"What should we do?"

"We can't be found out!"

Suddenly the four hunters looked towards one particular hunter with raven black hair.

"No! We are close to defeating the Griffon! I won't run away! We are doing this to be known aren't we!?"

The Hunter spun around a radiant spear and pointed it at Nero and Maude.

"If you don't move, I'll make you move!"

Maude brandished her bow and Nero drew his short sword.

"Bring it!"

The winter storm continued as the pair faced off against the Hunters in the harsh cold of the North Mountains.