The road to the North was treacherous. Many wouldn't dare to brave the mountain trail during the winter solstice. The cliffs would freeze over and avalanches were common.

Denizens of Sanctuary greeted them as they passed. Often they were stopped for small talk, the bustle of the city dying as the light had been swallowed by the mountains.

Rena, Gelehrter and Arden had stopped near the northern reaches of the Market District for supplies. No other stall was open, as the last of the merchants had retired for the night. The shop was immense and most of the supplies consisted of weapons, bags of oats, rice, dried meats, fruits and vegetables. They asked for traveling cloaks, horses, and dry foodstuffs for the trip. Arden and Gelehrter worked hastily to prepare the horses.

The merchant eyed their mannerisms closely. “Must be official business. No one is dumb enough to cross the mountain pass this time of year.”

“Aye. Pray for us, will you?” Rena beamed, though the thought of being buried in snow disturbed her.

“Well...I have some information if you're interested.” He rested his hands on the counter. Arden and Gelehrter cataloged their supplies and cross referenced their notes. “The North has had some problems with their defense matrix. At night there are vampires and other ilk running amok up there. The snowfall has been especially bad so no messenger has been able to get out much. Its been hushed though. I'm the only one who knows, see?”

Rena glowered at him dubiously. “Information like that is certainly cause for alarm. Why has no one reported to the Templarate?”

“People don't trust them. They're on the Council's payroll. Justicar aren't around much, see? They're much tougher to get a hold of and don't accept bribes.” The vendor reached under the counter and placed a dagger onto it. The weapon seemed to seethe at his touch, the wood around it blackening. “Someone snatched this from one of the vampires. Its a strange thing, isn't it? One of my boys brought it to me.”

“Your boys?”

“Aye. I have a few guards who watch over me, see? Especially during transactions.” The merchant murmured as he slipped the dagger into a leather bag and extended it to her. “A gift. I charge triple to vampires...the others get fair price. That is just between you and me, see?”

Rena appeared to disregard his whispering. She reached for her coin pouch and placed it onto the counter. “Will this be enough for your goods, sir?”

He raised his palms and shook his head. “I cannot take money from the Overlord, whether it is from her soldiers or otherwise. Strict policy. The Templarate have to pay still.”

“It was good doing business, sir.” Rena turned from them and waved to her young wards. “We will depart through until dusk. Please ensure our safety.”

“Aye.” The merchant replied and waved to the figures overhead. They had stationed themselves around the premises on the rooftops, bows readily drawn. As the signal was recognized, the men disappeared.

The company leaped onto their horses, taking to a trot. For some time the only sound was hooves against stone. The Market District had been laid with cobblestone and it had shown signs of weathering from millions of travelers or bazaar browsers. Wind from the north gently caressed them, their cloaks providing little comfort.

Around them silhouettes of the merchant's men could be seen following them. Grunts and other sounds of struggle were echoed in the distance. Arden grimaced and clutched her cloak uneasily.

Gelehrter focused on the road ahead, but his hand rested on the pommel of his sword. They are skilled for sellswords. If I was not wise, I would have assumed they were Justicar.

The passage through the mountain was a singular gate which opened as they approached. As the last of them passed, the darkness of night engulfed them in its cold embrace.

“We are safe to go over a few things before we continue on.” Rena spoke softly, her voice echoing back to them. “I will go over some fundamentals. Even if you know these already, it is good to review.”

Gelehrter and Arden seemed to wait patiently, the ladder releasing a low groan.

“Under the Sanguine Overlord, there is the the Council. The Council are powerful nobles and other merchants who debate with our Overlord for laws, proposals and other things. When the Overlord is unable to attend, it is the Knight Undying who will lead the meeting. The Council hires knights called the Sanctuarian Templar. They are the more run-of-the-mill soldiers and the only requisite is to complete your training as a knight. However, on the other side of them are the Justicar. We are the arm of the Overlord. Justicar are fighters who wield the strength of history, magic and steel to guard Sanctuary in our Overlord's stead. She may be powerful, but she cannot be everywhere at once. We are Ovelia's eyes and her ears.” Rena's following words however fell unto deaf ears. Politics, simple gestures between races and other formalities were explained in great detail. “...and of course, when encountering a snow elf, it is wise to extend your right and stare into their eyes. They take extreme offense if you fail this and will not hesitate to challenge you to a duel. As you are well aware...Justicar may not use their Blessed Star during duels unless facing another Justicar.”

“...Is it because we are considered...freaks?” Arden questioned.

“In the Justicar's Arm: The Overlord's Eye, you will learn more as to why, but I will be brief. When Gavilis was speaking of your conviction, he was referring literally and figuratively. When activated, your Blessed Star will siphon your own strength and amplify it. It is a draining effect and it is residual. Ovelia and Gavilis are the only beings alive capable of keeping their Blessed Star activated; they show us the example we must follow. From their dedication, their Blessed Star gained unfathomable strength. As a Justicar, you must hone your skills and learn more of the world. This is why there are so few. It is the dedication to our holy land of Sanctuary which gives us our edge.” The darkness ahead gave way to light as they ventured farther still into the tunnel. Overhead the torch sconces erupted into life. Gelehrter and Arden shielded their eyes from the blinding light while Rena merely lowered her head. Gusts of icy wind tore through their beings as the seemingly desolate land ahead of them took shape. In moments the passage from the Market District gave way to the immaculate white city. Their horses whined in protest and they clutched their cloaks to shield them from the unforgiving bite of the northern chill.

“We must make for lodging.” Gelehrter suggested, though it sounded more like an order.

Rena raised a fist, but did not reply. They halted.

Arden clutched at her shortsword uneasily. A pair of figures appeared before them, their forms cascaded by shells of ice. The first of the two extended a hand and Rena tossed him a very small pouch. They then were ensnared by the snow before fading away as well.

Rena then motioned for them to follow. Questions piled upon questions within Arden, her sapphire gaze burrowing into the back of Rena's head.

“We will continue on through the night. We have escorts who will apprehend any resistance to us. I know the turret system here is malfunctioning, if what our merchant said is true.” She spoke softly over her shoulder. “I will go over our several objectives when the time is right. Steel yourselves.”

As they trudged on through the snow, the winds howled and threatened to rip their cloaks from their shoulders. All around them, grunts and sounds of struggle echoed from the rooftops. Arrows hissed and the scent of death filled the air.

The Northern District suffered the howling winds of the cold which seemed to tear bits of the walls with each gust. Though Sanctuary boasted millions within its holy land, the North appeared desolate. Not a soul other than the men who battled above could be seen, or heard. Rena turned her head and spotted a pair of crimson eyes staring back at her before they disappeared; birds of prey descended onto the parasites of Sanctuary.

Gelehrter grimaced as another vampire met their end.

Dunes of snow met them after some time. Rena leaped from her horse, nearly collapsing into the snow. Sastrugas were gently painted from the wind's relentless brush.

She readied her frame to absorb heat. With a few arcane words, her arm was encased in an icy brace. Heat burst from her hand in a ray of incandescence. A path had been carved into the sastrugas which never seemed to end.

Arden gasped in awe. “Y-You...you are capable of such--”

“Come, we will travel for as long as we can.” Rena grinned and climbed into her saddle. They horses took to a trot once more. The ocean of snow welcomed them in its cold embrace, the company pulling their cloaks tighter around their frames.