Embers In The North

Reyna quickly left the ice dome, the wind’s mournful howl accompanying her as she pushed her way back into the cave.

Pausing for a moment, she observed the relentless storm, puffing with frustration. There was no sign of it relenting anytime soon; it looked destined to rage through the night, and it brought her mind back to that dream. As she stepped back into the cave, her gaze quickly found Roth, Gareth, and Quinn huddled in a corner beside the flickering fire. Decker was lying face up in his sleeping bag farther to the right.

Seeing Seth up against the cave wall close to the entrance, she caught his sly smile before he looked away. She eyed him before walking to the middle of the cave.

“We should be on our way now,” Reyna said, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“Not in this storm,” Seth countered, earning a disdainful glare from Reyna.

“Why?” Decker asked, sitting up to face her.

Reyna’s gaze swept over him, mapping the contours of his porcelain skin against a black tunic. She caught a glimpse of arcane glyphs in the opening on his chest. As Roth approached her, she turned her attention from Decker to him.

“What happened?” Roth inquired, noting the urgency in her eyes.

“We have to reach the conclave as soon as possible,” she explained. “I fear this storm won’t stop.” Reyna paused, contemplating her dream. If it mirrored reality, it would be disastrous. The gods were either not in favour of their journey to the conclave and were desperately trying to impede them, or it was something even worse.

The gods were divided on this.

Decker stared harder as if trying to read her mind. “You’re not telling us everything.”

She hesitated, torn between revealing her dreams and suspicions and keeping the unsettling uncertainties to herself. Roth placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and she took a deep breath and chose to share her worries.

“The nightmare I had felt more like a revelation than a mere dream. It seems the gods themselves are undecided about our journey to the conclave. This storm may well be a manifestation of their discord or an attempt to obstruct our progress.”

Silent glances passed between the group. Seth, standing up, had the same serious look as before, reminding her that he had insisted on her dream being more than it was.

“I figured your dream might be bigger than you realize,” Seth said. “Lunas often have the gift of foresight; their dreams are often premonitions.”

Decker’s gaze bore into Reyna, his fiery crimson hair cascading in loose waves, adding a mesmerizing allure to his presence. “What else have you seen?” he asked.

Reyna bit her lip, debating how much to disclose. The line between sharing and burdening them bothered her, and she hated caring so much. In truth, she had never been particularly empathetic or affectionate, but an unexpected fondness for this lot had taken root.

“No more dark omens since that dream,” she admitted. “If we really want to reach the conclave, we must weather the storm because it won’t stop.”

“What exactly are they in disagreement about?” Roth asked her as if she were privy to the conversation between the gods.

Decker, rising with his sleeping bag in his hand, answered Roth. “Consider this, Roth. We have three potential Alphas and one Luna. The gods orchestrated this, turning it into a dangerous, complicated game. Why else permit the existence of three Alphas in a single lifetime, fully aware of the chaos it would unleash?”

Oh, so Decker felt the same as those two. Mulling over all the complications as they flooded her mind, she absent-mindedly tucked her hair behind her ears. The fourth, mysterious Alpha from her nightmares lingered in her thoughts—he was neither Icehelm, Redfall, nor Highthaw. Could there be another lineage of wolves, unknown to them?

“The storm persists. Setting out in these conditions would likely lead to our death,” Roth told her.

“If the gods intend to deter us, wouldn’t going out there be…horrible, Alpha?” Quinn inquired.

Gareth joined her and Roth in the middle with furrowed brows. “But what purpose does this chaos serve? What is their endgame?”

Decker, securing his sleeping bag, shot a wry smile in Gareth’s direction. “The gods’ motives aren’t grand, Redfall. They want us to dance to their tunes, mostly for entertainment. Our struggles and challenges entertain them.”

Turning his attention to Reyna, Seth asked, “You believe they are in disagreement about this, right?” Reyna nodded. “Then there are those among them who will make sure we reach our destination.” Seth halted Decker with a raised finger before he could interject. “I know they aren’t invested in our success, only in winning their bet.”

“And how do you propose we navigate through the storm?” Decker asked Seth pointedly.

“Ator will guide us through the storm; her primary ability is controlling frost. We just need a runner she can pull,” Reyna suggested. “I will stay with her to guide, and the rest of you can shelter inside the runner.”

“The only runner we had was blasted to pieces,” Quinn pointed out.

“Let’s take the night to consider our options and set out at first light,” Roth proposed. “The storm may subside.”

“What if it persists?” Decker asked. “We still need a plan. Reyna’s right; leaving now is the best choice.”

“Warmaster Decker, we have no runner,” Gareth reminded him. “Our Shadowbeasts cannot outrun the storm, and I doubt the Luna can both clear our path and keep us warm simultaneously.”

Seth moved to Reyna’s side. “Couldn’t you create a runner? It could be crafted from ice with a fire inside, like your dome out there?” he suggested.

Reyna’s brows lifted at Seth’s suggestion, contemplating the idea, her gaze shifting between Seth and the others.

“A runner made of ice with a fire inside…” Roth mused, his eyes narrowing in thought. “It’s a fascinating idea, but I’m uncertain about its practicality.”

“It’s crazy, that’s what it is.” Reyna hung her hands on her hips.

Reyna’s gaze met Seth’s, and his eyes challenged her. “We’ve seen what you are capable of. It might not be as durable as a conventional runner, but it could carry us through the storm.”

Gareth folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t know about this. Travelling in a makeshift ice runner during a storm is risky.”

Decker stepped forward. “We don’t have many alternatives, do we? Waiting for the storm to pass might not be an option, and attempting to get through it without a runner is impossible.”

Quinn, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. “We should give it a try. I trust the Luna’s judgment.”

Roth sighed and Reyna could feel his reluctance to concede “Very well. If Reyna can create a functional ice runner, we’ll depart once it is ready. But we must be prepared for the worst.”

The idea wasn’t so great. Building a warm, mobile runner seemed impossible. The dome outside was anchored in the ground, which gave it stability. The only way to make this work was to provide the anchor herself while Ator cleared a path.

Decker unexpectedly took her hand, redirecting her attention. “Can you do it?” he asked as he led her away from Roth.

“I really don’t know,” she admitted. “I suppose we’ll find out.”

“Alright, let’s go,” Decker said, gesturing toward the exit. “I’m going with you.”

Seth interjected before she could respond. “Not in that cold, you’re not. I am the only other Icehelm here, and the only one who can be out there with her.”

He was right. Decker or any of the Redfalls couldn’t brave the storm or endure for more than a couple of minutes. She and Seth, on the other hand, were better equipped; on a good day, she could race through the Hare Thicket in such a storm. Their abilities were heightened in a snowstorm.

“He’s right, Decker. The storm is brutal out there. It would be better if Seth came with me.” She smiled at Decker before walking away to avoid further discussion on the matter.

With her arm shielding her face, Reyna re-entered the storm and returned to her dome. Seth followed her inside. Once there, she stood with her arms folded, scrutinizing him.

“How do you plan to do this?” Seth asked, moving away from her to inspect the dome. “I’m curious about the path you intend to lead us through to reach the conclave.”

“We’re still going through the Giehl Mountain. We’re merely an hour away from Frostcall’s border, with No Man’s Land right on the other side. It doesn’t make sense to take the long way now.”

Seth returned to stand in front of her, looming with serious eyes. “That path’s blocked, remember?”

“If we’re willing to risk continuing with a runner made of ice, might as well go against all the odds.” Reyna shrugged. “Besides, have a little faith. I believe Ator can clear the path. It beats lengthening this journey by two days. Aren’t you already exhausted from pretending to be civil with everyone?”

After a lingering stare, Seth conceded with a nod. “I suppose you’re right. By the way, while I despise the others, it has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he admitted, his voice dropping an octave.

Reyna flashed a sly smile. “This isn’t some half-hearted attempt at charming me, is it, Seth Thorin?”

He shook his head. “No, it’s not. I’m being sincere. Getting to know you, meeting you, and, well, you putting your hands on me has been rather interesting.” He grinned. “But let’s not pretend wooing you is a pursuit with any promise. That’s why I proposed a deal.”

“I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about,” she lied, masking her understanding of his implications regarding her connection with Roth.

“How can I assist in creating this runner?” Seth asked, choosing not to respond to her.

Stepping back, he rubbed the back of his neck, emitting a huff, as if trying to loosen an invisible knot.

“You need to shift, Seth. It’s the source of your restlessness. Your wolf yearns to be in the storm.” She knew Seth knew that, and as she watched him turn back to her now, she was quite curious to see his wolf form.

“You know, the Warmaster who raised me held the belief that we are creations of Fenrir, and our true form is the wolf. This human guise, according to him, was a curse bestowed by Odin to diminish Fenrir’s influence within us, thwarting the formidable army that Fenrir sought to assemble.”

“Hmm.” Reyna, arms folded, contemplated his words. “Interesting notion. It might explain why our kingdom seems boundless,” she mused quietly, catching a glint in Seth’s eyes.

“You are aware?” he asked, drawing closer. “You know that Aupheadia is a prison?”

“I wouldn’t label it as such,” she argued, hesitant, as Roth’s revelation hadn’t framed it as a prison for wolves, though it felt like one.

“It’s fascinating that you are aware of this, yet others remain oblivious whenever it’s discussed. I suspect it’s a hidden truth only Alphas and Lunas can comprehend,” he mused, circling her. “This changes things, Reyna.”

She followed his orbit around her, trying to figure out his intentions. He knew about this, and she suspected Decker did too. What worried her was that Seth knew certain things he shouldn’t since he’d never been in the conclave.

“How does my awareness of this change anything?” she asked.

“Because you will understand why I am driven to enter the conclave and liberate the wolves from this accursed prison,” Seth said, coming to a standstill in his pacing. “Now that you are aware of what is at stake, you possess the knowledge to make a difference, the power to take action,” he added.

“I don’t understand what you’re insinuating, Seth. If Aupheadia truly is a prison, you think destroying the conclave is the way to free us?”

“I cannot share all I know until I’m convinced you understand and genuinely believe it must be done. Have you never yearned to explore beyond these confines? Surely, it is not just the wolves out there; consider the humans whose form weakens us,” Seth pressed.

Finding that Seth harboured these thoughts grounded her; she no longer felt isolated in her curiosity. Even so, he seemed to be plotting something that spelt doom for Aupheadia. Reyna observed him as he returned to stand in front of her. Maybe it wasn’t truly doom; maybe this supposed destruction was the key to Aupheadia’s liberation. She was losing faith in the gods and everything she knew.

“Tell me what you plan to do in the conclave, Seth,” she whispered, her eyes searching his for answers.

“You know how to get me to tell you that, remember?” He smiled.

“If I’m to believe anything you’ve told me, I have no choice in the matter. I may give you my word in this semblance of a choice.” She shrugged. “But the gods always get what the gods want,” she reminded him, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “So what does my word matter?”

“The brilliance in your eyes is amazing.” He stroked her cheek. “If I didn’t know the truth, I would think you were trying to lure me into your snare. You’re trying to capture me with your wit, your eyes, and your guile.”

What truth was he speaking of? Her feelings for Roth?

“But we both know that you are the one who has the power to make me do anything you want,” she replied. “If I had any thoughts about you, it would be to kick you around. You said you like it when I put my hands on you.” She arched a brow at him.

Seth chuckled, his fingers tracing her jawline. “Feisty. I like that.”

Reyna leaned back, out of his touch. “This deal you’re proposing, Seth, what could you possibly gain from having me as your Luna?”

He leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. “In the conclave, secrets are currency. Knowledge is power. I know things that could alter the course of our world, and I’m willing to share them with you. All I ask in return is your allegiance as my Luna.”

Reyna scoffed. “How do I know you won’t use that information against Aupheadia?”

Seth grinned with a sly and confident expression. “Because, my dear Moltenroar, our interests align more than you realize. I have no desire to see harm come to Aupheadia. In fact, my goals could ensure its prosperity.”

“Prosperity for whom? And at what cost?”

“All will become clear once you accept my offer,” he replied with cryptic assurance. “Think about it, Luna, and choose wisely.”

It wasn’t worth telling him she’d already made her choice. As long as she didn’t have to make a decision right now, she could play on all three fronts.

“Let’s get this runner made.” Reyna distanced herself from Seth, exhaling as she linked with the elemental magic of Frostcall. The air hummed with latent power as she prepared to form the runner.

“I wonder,” Seth mused, his voice carrying across to her, “have you ever considered the prospect of avoiding making a choice altogether?” Reyna’s eyes met his, and his words hung in the space between them, pregnant with intrigue. “If an Alpha can keep a harem to ensure order, could not a hybrid Luna accomplish the same? Picture yourself as the nexus of peace among the three, each Alpha reigning in his own dominion.”

Reyna scoffed at the audacious suggestion which mirrored Decker’s desires. “That would make me the Alpha of Alphas.”

“Indeed,” Seth admitted, a sly gleam in his eyes. “The Alphas eradicated the line of wise women precisely for this reason. Mimir’s scheme was glaringly obvious to those smart enough to comprehend it.” Drawing closer, he lowered until his lips brushed against her ear. “You have the capacity to hold sway over all three Alphas, Moltenroar. The choice could be yours if only your desire burns fiercely enough.”