“It was just as he had dreamed. With the Crown upon his head, the power it promised was at his fingertips. He couldn’t bear for anyone other than him to see it, anyone else to wear it. So, he killed them all and sealed the mountain. All to ensure that his treasure was safe for all eternity.”

Chapter 55

Quentin walked down the street, heading towards the Mercantile Association’s branch building in Grand Falls. She was bundled tightly against the cold and the blowing snow, her body braced against the heavy winds.

It had been over a day since the others had set out towards the mountain, intent on stopping the source of the storm. They hadn’t had any word from them since, although communications were nearly impossible in this weather.

Even magical communications were being disrupted. They were completely isolated from the rest of the empire.

As she walked forward, fighting the wind at every step, she lurched forward suddenly. The ever-present wind, a constant for the last few weeks, abruptly stopped. Without the wind to slow her down, Quentin stumbled and nearly fell.

She looked around in wonder at the sudden silence. The snow, that was steadily falling gently downwards from above, gradually ceased. The clouds in the sky were still a dark grey, but in the dim light Quentin could see others stopping and staring at the now eerily quiet surroundings.

Soon, a crowd was forming as they all walked towards the front gates of Grand Falls. Curious, Quentin followed along in their wake.

Through the open gates, the mountain that had been obscured by the storm was now revealed. She could see it rise in the distance, the solitary mountain that the Wil and the others had traveled to was in full view, rising so high that it nearly touched the clouds above.

Nestled in the crowd, they all looked into the distance, marveling at the sudden change in weather. Abruptly, they could feel a faint tremoring in the ground below them. It was a rumbling, steady and growing ever stronger.

Quentin could see a faint mist rising from the mountain top, like steam coming from a kettle, as the shaking grew. The rocking of the ground became so violent that many were forced to kneel on the ground, not trusting their footing on the icy surface.

With a flash of bright light, the mountain top exploded and a large pillar of flames rushed upwards. The column of fire reached far into the sky, driving deep into the clouds above.

Quentin could hear gasps of shock and cries around her from the crowd as they watched the mountain erupt. Shortly after they witnessed the explosion, the noise hit Grand Falls. It was thunderously loud, and many of the people present clapped their hands over their ears to protect their hearing.

Windows throughout Grand Falls shattered, glass and debris raining down on the streets below.

The explosion’s shockwave, powerful and swiftly moving, pushed the clouds in the sky far away from the mountain. For the first time in weeks, the clear skies above allowed the brightly shining sun to reach the ground below.

After the initial eruption, the shaking subsided, and the crowd climbed slowly back on their feet. They stared in amazement at the clear skies and the erupting mountain before them.

The amazed silence lasted a moment before the crowd erupted in cheers. Quentin could see excitement and happiness on everyone’s faces, a feeling she shared.

Whatever Wil and the others had done, the storm had ended.

The North was safe again.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

It was with considerable fanfare that Archibald and the others returned to Grand Falls. Striding triumphantly through the town gates, he was impeccably dressed in his flamboyantly colored clothing and golden breastplate armor.

The Bard waved at the cheering crowd as he led the others through the streets. Of the many who had set out, a much smaller group had returned. They had suffered losses, from both the bugbears and the elemental.

Those that came back were waving enthusiastically at the townspeople, equally excited by the sun’s return as they were to still be alive.

They reached the main square, where a considerable group of people were waiting for them.

Family members rushed through the group, searching for loved ones and all around them were signs of joy at those who had returned, and sadness for those that hadn’t.

Mayor Allard rushed forward, sweeping his wife and children into a hug. His loud laughter cutting through the noise around them.

Quentin pushed her way through the crowd, looking for Wil amongst those that returned. She could not see him anywhere and her heart was gripped by icy terror at the thought that he may have fallen.

She could see Archibald, strutting around the town square like a preening peacock. He was slapping people on the back and flashing his white toothed smile at every woman nearby.

He leaped onto the back of a nearby cart, striking a pose as he addressed the crowd. Quentin ignored the man as he launched into his tale, gesturing dramatically and waving his golden sword about.

Just when Quentin was about to give up hope, a hand pressed down against her shoulder. She leapt in surprise and spun around to confront the person.

It was Wil, dressed in his familiar white ursine cloak and black armor. He looked uninjured but exhausted. With a cry of surprise, she grabbed him tightly in a hug.

“You’re alright?” She said, half a question and half a statement. Tears ran down her face from the relief she felt. Wil returned the hug. Awkwardly patting his crying friend on the back.

“I was worried, why didn’t you come through the gates with the others?” She asked.

“I’m sorry, I fell and got separated from them.” Wil explained, as he stepped back out of the hug.

“You fell? Are you hurt?” She asked, looking him over. He didn’t appear to have a single scratch on him. Compared to the others who returned, he was in a much better state. Even the Bard was limping and covered in bruises.

“I’m fine, just fell in the lake.” He said, grinning at her. Quentin gave him a curious look as he turned away from her and looked towards Archibald. It was clear that whatever had happened to him, he didn’t want to discuss it yet.

“Sounds like they had quite the adventure.” Wil said, nodding at the Bard.

“Yes. Although to hear him tell it, he slew all the bugbears singlehandedly.” She snorted, not impressed by Archibald’s antics.

“He probably sang to them, killed them with an off-key ballad.” Wil joked. They chatted back and forth as they watched the bard from the crowd.

Archibald regaled everyone with the battle against the bugbears, and the arrival of the Elemental as the others who were hugging their loved ones heard the man’s story. Even Mayor Allard stayed and listened, chiming in every now and then with a loud laugh at the Bard.

Whatever had happened on the mountain peak, the relationship between the two men had improved, in Wil’s opinion.

When Archibald had arrived at the mountain’s eruption, Wil had a thought.

“I brought you something.” Wil said, turning back towards Quentin.

“Really? You had time to get me a gift?” She asked, surprised.

Wil shook his head. “Just something I picked up.” He handed her a lump of silvery white metal. It was a fused and melted mass. It appeared to have once been an elaborate crown or headband.

Quentin accepted the item gingerly, a dubious expression on her face. “Um... thanks?” She frowned. “It’s just what I always wanted.” She said, sighing loudly as she hefted the chunk of metal.

Wil laughed at the comment. “I’m sorry. Next time I fall in a hole in the ground, I’ll try to get you something nicer.”

“Wait…” She said, holding the gift closer to get a better look at it. “Is this Mithril?!”