The Frost Lord Cometh

[Birdnerdy 1539]

 

 

 

       The winter sun had set over Gwydir. Ecthallion stood at the topmost tower of small keep, surveying the land below. The grand caste of Vaerhold, home to the warrior family Faolain and its vassals, loomed in the distance, and if one strained his vision, he could just make out the lights of small mountain villages scattered throughout the mountainous region of Hanseti. The Watch Captain took in a deep breath of fresh northern air. It was in times like these that he could take a moment of rest, escape from the tedious political engagements that he constantly found himself a part of, and just enjoy life in the North. But the brief moment of serenity was not to last. Footsteps sounded on the stairs behind him. A Watchman, Gawain, poked his head through the doorway. “Excuse me Captain. I have outfitted Favian with his uniform, and he is ready to join us on the Hunt.” Ecthallion stared straight, his eyes still fixed on Vaerhold. “I’ll be with you in a moment.” he says, enjoying the last few moments of his brief respite. Gawain gave a curt nod, returning to the main hall of Gwydir. Ecthallion smiled as he listened to the Watchman make his way back into the keep. Gawain was a jack-of-all trades who had joined the Watch to apply his talents in an environment that could fully utilize them. So far, he had been the most active and useful of the men recruited, and he showed no signs of changing. Ecthallion turned away from the magnificent view and headed back into the fort. Seeing their Captain’s descent down the stairs into the main hall, the two Watchman present looked up, acknowledging his presence with a few murmured words. As Ecthallion slung his bow and quiver over his back,  a cold wind blew through the hall, extinguishing the few candles lit and chilling the Watchmen to the bone. A faint shuffling sound could be heard from outside the closed gate, a soft rattle following suit.

“ Gra sul vask…” came an icy whisper, biting into the flesh of the three descendants. Ecthallion slowly put and hand to his sword.

  “Watchmen, at the ready.” Gawain pulled his bow off of his back, notching an arrow. Favian did the same, looking to his Ecthallion, an expression of fear apparent on his face.

   “Captain…” said Favian, attempting to keep his voice from shaking. A guttural voice boomed off of the walls.

   “GREETINGS” Gawain’s eyes darted around the hall, searching every nook and cranny for the voice’s origin. The moment of uncertainty was not to last for long. A huge figure, equatable in size to a small olog, emerged from the shadows in the small balcony used as a gatehouse.

The temperature of the hall dropped to an almost polar temperature. The figure stepped forward, wisps of an icy blizzard swirling around it as it gazed around the hall. Ecthallion stepped forward. “Who are you, spectre, and what brings you to our humble abode?” The icy being shifted its gaze to elf.

 “Spectre?” it said, in a flat sort of tone. “I should take offense. A shame that I don’t." The figure plummeted down onto the wooden floor of the hall, the support beams groaning in protest. The ground around it took on an icy hue, spreading around the frame’s feet and before covering the square foot with ice and snow.

 

   “I have embarked on a kind of search, a wander around my kingdom. I begin to question why so many ‘mortals’ roam here.”

    “A good question, oh icy one.” responded Ecthallion. “Many men have seen fit to throw their lot in with the North. Your realm has always fascinated the sons of Horen.”

    “Hmph.” grunted the figure. The dark being began slowly advancing toward the cluster of Watchmen. Each step it took seemed burdened with glorious purpose, as if this moment had been meant to be. Gawain watched its progress with bated breath, his eyes never leaving the figure. As it grew nearer, he slowly pulled his bow from its place on his back, nocking an arrow in anticipation as the figure few closer. At last, it came to a halt in front of the Watchmen.  Ecthallion stiffened as the figure approached him. Motioning for the Watchmen to ready themselves, he stepped forward.  

  “It has nice having you drop by, oh frosty one, but we have much to accomplish in such a short amount of time. I make a humble request and ask you to leave us to our duties.” The figure looked to Gawain, who’s bow was drawn and ready. The being flicked its wrist, sending a breath of cold toward the man. Gawain’s bow and arrow bursted with a hyperborean chill, plates and segments of snow and ice forming along the limb and shaft of the projectile. Ecthallion and Favian quickly raised their bows, aiming straight at the dark figure.

   “Hostile already?” it said, in an almost chiding tone. Ecthallion looked to Gawain, an expression of concern on his face.

   “That was rather...unnecessary, Frost Lord”

   “Oh it is necessary.” replied the being. “In fact, lower your weapons. Now.”

   “We will lower them if you divulge your true intentions!” retorted the Watch Captain.

    “A shame.” said the Frost Lord.  “Then loose away, and see what occurs. Ecthallion hesitated for a moment, gazing straight at where he assumed the figure’s head to be, before letting his arrow fly. It struck in the center of the being’s chest, where it’s progress was halted by a thick layer of ice. The sound of splitting wood could be heard as the shaft splintered on impact. The broken arrow dropped from the figure and fell to the floor, clattering against the wooden beams. Favian stepped back upon observing the unsuccessful attempt of his Captain. Ecthallion raised a hand.

   “Watchmen, lower your bows, we can do nothing to this being. The best we can do is to hear it out." Unfazed, the dark figure continued.

  “I want you to explore this land for me. And tell me if you find glowing stones encased in some material. I give you my word that I will return when these stones have surfaced."

   “Mmmh,” murmured Ecthallion, his expression unreadable as he pondered what the being had said. Turning to the figure, he spoke forth. “The Eagle’s Watch will accept your offer.”

   “Good. The Eagle’s Watch will get a message shortly.” replied the figure. It began striding back towards the gate of the keep, leaving a trail of ice and snow  in its wake.

   “It has been most interesting speaking with you…” replied Ecthallion, phrasing the response in a way to ask the being its name. The icy figure stopped as it was about to exit the gate.

  “Call me what you will.” is all it said, taking its leave from Gwydir, a myriad of crackles could be heard as ice began to splinter. The mist within the frame lashing outwards past the gate. As the figure vanished from sight, Ecthallion turned to the Watchmen.

  “Watchmen, you heard the Frost Lord. We will explore these lands, and when we find these stones, we will document their location and present them to our departed visitor.” The Watchmen gave a cheer, and headed off into the fort, fashioning bows, fletching arrows, and forging blades in preparation for their task. We are efficient. We are dynamic. We are precise. We are Watchmen.

 

                                       

[Birdnerdy 1539]

(( Forgot to add a pic, whoops. Edited. Thanks to Phillip who did this event for us!

[monkeypoacher 8055]

Marvin overhears these happenings recounted in taverns. His interest is piqued.

[Heero 4092]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.