Chapter 2 #2
Cillian nodded, studying her. “Have a nice day, Miss Valor. Give Orion my regards,” he said, brushing Thorne’s hand off his shoulder with a dismissive flick.
Gisela’s nostrils flared as the two of them walked away. She couldn’t stand that man.
Tristan was approaching as he called out, “Gisela, wait up!”
She veered away, quickening her pace towards home.
Gisela flung the door open and slammed it shut behind her.
Ivy spun at the table, alarm flashing across her face. “What happened!?” she asked, dropping her herbs and grabbing the empty basket.
Vivi looked up from where she was playing on the floor, her wide eyes softening the storm brewing inside Gisela. Despite her frustration, she managed a warm smile for her little sister.
Gisela exhaled slowly, facing Ivy. “They’re jerks. Why do the Alderoses hate us so much?” She flattened her palms on the table.
Ivy turned away, bringing the basket to the table to clean.
She adjusted her bandana, a strand of her light blonde hair slipping over her delicate face.
“Cillian has his trousers in a bunch for losing his position. Selene has always been kind to us, at least. Although she clearly has poor taste in men,” she remarked, raising her eyebrows.
“Here, have some frostbites. I made them this morning.”
Vivi jumped up from the floor and rushed to the table, eagerly grabbing a small, wrapped bundle. Each frostbite was encased in a delicate, ice-crusted shell, with a creamy, honey-sweet center that melted smoothly on the tongue.
“I love the berry ones,” Vivi said, savoring the sweet cubes.
Gisela scoffed, slumping into a chair and popping a frostbite into her own mouth.
Cillian must have felt the sting of losing the assembly vote to her father, but his demeanor had shifted into something filled with hostility.
When he served as Village Lord, Frosthaven was listless, cut off from the other villages, messages arriving in dribbles of ravens.
Now, men were beginning to repair the trade routes, ravens were starting to come more steadily, and the village’s Ice Stone glowed brighter than she had ever seen it.
The low rumble of drums sounded off in the distance.
Ivy and Gisela exchanged confused glances and hurried out the front door, Vivi trailing close behind them.
Villagers poured from their homes and into the square, following the sound of the rhythmic beat. The gates to Frosthaven groaned open to reveal King Ravenor himself, riding astride his horse, flanked by his mounted guards.
Gisela caught her mother’s worried expression. “What’s happening? Did Father know about this?”
Ivy watched as the King drew nearer. “No, he didn’t.”
The citizens of Frosthaven gathered in the village center, murmurs of confusion rising as they awaited the King’s word. Tension hung thick in the air, threaded with smoke and livestock. A personal announcement from the King himself was unprecedented.
King Ravenor ascended the dais, long, jet-black hair brushing his shoulders. His eyes, dark as a bottomless void, swept over the crowd, unsettling even the bravest of villagers. He wore a crimson robe adorned with intricate gold embroidery.
Orion leaned in to whisper something, but King Ravenor ignored him, staring straight ahead.
At the bottom of the dais, Cillian leaned against a post, arms crossed, fingers drumming on his sleeve. A cruel smirk tugged at his lips, an unspoken taunt to anyone watching.
“Good people of Frosthaven,” King Ravenor’s voice echoed through the village center. “I am here today to deliver an important announcement. From this day forward, the executions during inspections are suspended.”
Whispers spread among the villagers.
Gisela’s shoulders eased, but a quiet hum of suspicion lingered.
The King had enforced the old laws of execution for Mystics, and nothing about him suggested genuine mercy.
“Suspended? But they’re dangerous!” someone shouted.
The King raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent.
“In addition,” he continued, “I’m temporarily removing the Life Stones from each village. For the good of the realm.”
Gisela clutched her chest as gasps echoed around her.
A young girl whimpered and pressed against her mother’s side, while an elderly man muttered a curse. Even Orion, standing nearby on the dais, wiped a bead of sweat from his temple, eyes wide with worry.
The Life Stones sustained Mystralos, their energy threading through every corner of the kingdom—nourishing crops, feeding lakes, and sustaining the forests. Without them, the land itself would suffer.
“Temporarily? What does that even mean?” another villager asked. “Right before Imbuing Day? How do we celebrate without the Stone?”
“Silence!” King Ravenor’s voice boomed.
The chaos subsided and the village center fell into a stunned hush, broken only by the rhythmic snap of the King’s banners in the wind.
“Difficult decisions must be made for the kingdom,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“The Life Stones, while vital to our villages, hold greater potential when they are united. This counsel comes from an Ancient Elder. By gathering the Stones temporarily, we will harness their combined power to ensure greater protection and abundance across Mystralos.”
Parents tightened their hold on children, exchanging wary glances with neighbors.
Ivy shook her head, Vivi clutching her arm like she might disappear.
The King’s voice reverberated around the center once more.
“The Ancient Elder has informed me that Mystics are to assist in this task. They will be brought to the castle and rewarded generously for their service. This decision is not taken lightly, but it’s a necessary step toward securing our realm's strength and security.”
With his final word, unease spread through the crowd. Some recoiled at the thought of sparing Mystics. A few seemed relieved—but they were in the minority.
None of it made sense.
King Ravenor descended the dais, crimson robe trailing behind him, and strode directly into the Temple of Vitality, where the village’s sacred stone was kept on its pedestal.
The crowd whispered amongst themselves until he emerged, cradling the Ice Stone in gloved hands. The large gem gleamed white and translucent, otherworldly in its radiance.
Gisela could feel its pulse from afar, a subtle thrum that resonated with her own heartbeat.
When touched with bare hands, it was said to exude a chill that penetrated straight to the bone.
At least, that’s what the villagers claimed.
Gisela had touched it once during prayer at the Temple of Vitality.
Instead of chilling her, its icy touch was strangely comforting.
She had avoided it ever since.
After the announcement, the villagers dispersed back into their homes, spirits heavy with uncertainty.
The King never explained how temporary these changes would be.
No one knew what would come of a realm without Stones.
He moved as though the villagers had no right to question him, departing in a rush that left Orion bristling.
Her father’s jaw was stiff as he watched the King leave through the gates.
Gisela didn’t move.
She looked toward the Temple of Vitality, where the Ice Stone had rested for generations.
The air already felt different—thinner, as if the breath of the village had been sucked out with the Stone.
A cold wind rattled the shutters of a nearby house, and it didn’t feel like the seasonal chill setting in.
The Valors gathered around the dinner table, treading carefully on the topic in front of Orion.
“Father . . .” Gisela began.
“I had no idea, but Cillian . . . he was ready for this,” he said, brushing sweat off his brow.
They nodded but stayed silent.
Orion sighed heavily. “I don’t know what this means. I tried to speak to the King before and after his announcement, to no avail. I’m the Village Lord, and he couldn’t spare a moment to tell me what the hell is going on?”
“Orion,” Ivy said gently, putting a hand on his forearm. “I know you’re angry, but you need to be careful—”
“Ivy, please. You know nothing of these matters.”
Noah, Vivi, and Gisela exchanged stunned looks, their mouths slightly agape at Orion’s sudden harshness toward their mother.
Ivy lowered her chin, taking a bite of food.
“I apologize, Ivy,” Orion muttered after a long pause, his voice quieter now. “I’m a little agitated. That’s all.”
She inclined her head and laid her hand on his.
“Stopping the executions makes little sense. I need to look into that. But . . . perhaps uniting the Stones truly could strengthen the kingdom,” Orion added, his thoughts spilling out in a rush.
Gisela wasn’t convinced.
“Maybe I need to speak to Cillian. Find out what he knows.”
Noah and Gisela exchanged a knowing look across the table.
“Good luck talking to that asshole,” Noah mouthed.
She lifted one corner of her mouth, despite the tension. A shadow of unease hung over the table as they finished their meal. The King’s announcement changed everything and explained nothing. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.