“The problem that many commanders have with levied troops ultimately revolves around one thing, training. For although most states are more than capable of equipping their soldiers to a reasonable degree, the difference of discipline between levies and more professional forces can be staggering. Take the ‘Battle of Kresthorn’ for example. Where a Traxian legion fought against the Army of Kresthorn. Though the army numbered at least three times the legion, the large amount of levied troops lacked the discipline to wait for orders. For after a successful cavalry skirmish, Kresthorn Ferrata Knights retreating to regroup accidentally caused levies on the right flank to rout, thinking that their riders had lost the field. Thus, allowing the Imperial legion to exploit this opening and open up the road to Krest proper.”

  - Sir Adrian Noackes, Arterian Academy of War, “Discussion On Army Composition”

  “We’re here.” Tristan called out to them.

  The pained smile on his face suggested to Ary that he had at least suffered during the hike. A most pleasing thought for her.

  They had spent the last few hours only pressing upwards without any breaks. The frightful weather soon grew to an annoyance that they simply had to get used to. Harsh winds and thick snowfall had slowed their ascent by an hour or two, but it did not deter them.

  Cassian had generously described their destination as ‘a small ruin’. Parts of that statement, Ary agreed with. Namely that the crumbling, frostbitten walls were, in fact, very much a ruin. However, the word small was not what she would use to describe this place. Located atop a plateau, the destitute stonework appeared dotted haphazardly across the vast tract of flat land. Their current sorry state of existence owed to the area’s remoteness and treacherousness to access. That they still remained here without being completely plundered likely also the result of that. A blessing and a curse.

  Empty ice covered towers and snow filled halls greeted their approach. The carcass of something that was once far greater. The stonework were the only remnants of the former occupants. Cold winds howled an eerie melody between the gaps, the mountains themselves groaning as if responding to the group's arrival. A darkening sky only added to Ary’s growing sense of unease.

  Amidst the ruins, there was still a strange beauty to be found. A few areas where crystal clear icicles protruded up from the ground or out of walls. Their translucent blue sheen interspersed with purple veins of mana. Although Ary found the sight to be fascinating bordering on wondrous, her elemental companions found them less so. Both Yana and Sigrid appeared wary, keeping a watchful gaez upon the crystalline structures as if they were about to burst.

  Walking past the initial few pillars and walls, they even found a few structures that seemed to have withstood the test of time. Collections of walls and fallen stones enough to give a semblance of something that could be used to shelter the group. With taciturn efficiency, Cassian and her senior directed the two different camps to two nearby ruins, the mages clearly aware of the tension between the groups to some extent.

  That made Ary wonder, just how much is Cassian aware of everything? How much did Galen tell her? And why did she look so guilty just telling us about this place?

  Heading towards their quarters for the day, Ary noticed something strange. Alongside the crystalline formations were stray bits of stone flooring that still showed through. Little cracked, broken, but unmistakably visibly gray and grotty stonework tiles against the white backdrop. Huh, curious.

  Crumbled walls, debris piles, snow mounds. Ary wondered how ancient the structure could’ve been to have fallen into such disrepair. But for so much to still be left untouched… hmm.

  Reaching their assigned structure, she saw a caved in roof that fell between some of the remaining walls. The fallen structure looked more like a tent made of rubble than actual shelter. Still, it was flanked by more of the strange translucent ice, the blue crystals reflecting a faint shine from what little light had snuck through the clouds to illuminate the living space. Like torches lighting up the entrance to a home.

  Still too curious to settle down properly, she took the brief lull to glance at the area beyond their shelter. Examining her surroundings further, she noticed how angular and squarish the few standing remnants were. She furrowed her brows and closed her eyes, allowing her other senses to better tap into the world around her.

  It was chilly, she felt that much more acutely when the sensation was isolated. An irritating but necessary compromise. Then she caught it, a gentle hum, the shifting energies of the world. She could not see or recognize it the way Sophie or Mila might. She had no mana sight spell memorized nor the innate ability to just sense such things. But this place held enough traces that she could feel the distant hum of some arcane power, a potential culprit for how parts of this place still stood.

  Opening her eyes once more, she could come up with her own hypothesis. Some lingering power was what likely kept this place from completely disappearing under the harsh mistress of time and nature. Though given that she could still feel the residual traces, it was more than likely that whatever spell and enchantments had been cast here possibly spanned far further back than she could fathom. Back to a time when the spirits were stronger, and when the hatires of old still held dominion over the world. She pursed her lips, but the craftsmanship is unlike them. So… so ugly, like the opposite of majestic.

  “Damn, this place gives me the creeps.” Hanabi grumbled, breaking the silence.

  “The blessings of the Gods have long left this place.” Sophia grunted in agreement, the elf kneeling to run her hands over some of the stonework, “Even the Lady of Shadows cares little of this place.”

  “Don’t like how exposed we are either. Half of these buildings only have bits and pieces of their walls. Shit could get in easily enough, people too.”

  “Then we can keep watch. At least the walls block enough angles of approach.” Sophia growled, the elf's eagle eyes lingering on each and every security flaw in the structure around them.

  Sigrid clicked her tongue cautiously, the mermaid interjecting herself in the conversation with a forceful clap of her hands. The strategizing duo turned their attention to her, then to the fae who now fluttered out of Ary’s pocket and onto her palm. Sigrid clicked her tongue again, this time slower and more deliberate. Yana just nodded before motioning for the three who couldn’t understand the fae tongue to get closer.

  “The room we are assigned is too close to the ice, that is a warning that will not be given twice.” Yana spoke.

  Sigrid made a throaty sound that seemed to be agreement.

  Sophia sighed, “But it’s where they expect to find us. Besides, I can’t really feel anything with the ice beyond the little mana veins inside them.”

  Hanabi remained silent, the outlander exchanging a glance with Ary. Ary shook her head. Though she was wary simply because Sigrid and Yana were, she also sensed nothing of note beyond the dull hum of preservation magicks.

  “Perhaps to you.” Yana flew up in an instant, squaring up to the elf, “But to brush our warnings aside will be a choice that you’ll rue.”

  Sophia rolled her eyes but held up her hands to signal defeat, “I’m just saying. Wasn’t questioning your judgement. You know I’d prefer to be cautious too, given the circumstances we’re in. It’s just where else would we go? And I don’t think they’re trying to entrap us. At least, no signs of that yet.”

  “It is only just ice. If infused with mana. I also can’t sense much from it.” Hanabi offered her own idea, “If it’s so worrying, I could just break it and throw the chunk out.” She imitated cracking her knuckles intimidatingly, but with cloves and a coat, it just made the gesture look a little silly.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “No!” Yana screeched, surprising everyone.

  “Eek.” Ary squeaked in alarm.

  “Fucking hell, alright, alright, was just an idea. I won’t do anything.” Hanabi joined Sophia in hold up her hands in surrender, the outlander looking just as rattled as Ary.

  Yana flew between the three of them, emphasizing her resolve. Sensing no disagreement amongst the fright and surprise, the fae seemed to relax a little, fluttering up to Ary’s head to assume her podium.

  “Yana?” Ary recovered enough to query.

  The fae let out a tiny angry huff before settling down. A calming breath sailing down Ary’s forehead. Glancing upwards, she found Yana leaning over the top of her head looking back down at her. The fae squinted at her, then seemed satisfied in whatever she saw, returning to an upright position.

  “So what’s the matter? Why’s this ice got you so agitated?” Hanabi asked after everyone calmed a little, “You both.” She acknowledged Sigrid.

  The mermaid trilled back appreciatively.

  Sophia performed a quick scan of their surroundings, even now still keeping an eye on things. Ary could see how she searched the more hidden angles. Places that she’d try hiding behind, I’ll bet. She might be trying to distract herself.

  “The ice… the ice…” Yana shook her head, “It is not the ice that is our worry, but what’s within that’s got us in a flurry.” The fae mumbled, bobbing her head in satisfaction at her rhyme, “It is the essence contained within, yet unknown to even us much to our chagrin.”

  “Unknown magic might be dangerous. But this doesn’t seem to be doing anything.” Hanabi moved closer to stare into one of the crystalline protrusions.

  “That is the main problem, magic shouldn’t be solemn. It flows within the world and us all, never alone and contained within a wall. It usually means something sinister is lurking here, but what will it be is my fear.”

  “So you mean this was a trap all along?” Sophia hissed.

  Yana did not immediately reply, the fae thinking deeply on a response. Her mental struggle reflected with the briefest flutter of her wings. A feeling Ary had learned to recognize in their time together. Yana wasn't at a lost for words, merely that she wasn't able to find a rhyme.

  “I… I don’t think so.” Ary murmured for the fae.

  “Eh?”

  “I don’t think so.” She tried again, louder this time.

  She glanced upwards to find the fae nodding in tepid approval.

  “As decreed by me, the great Yana. I agree with my host Aryana.” Yana affirmed.

  “Explain.” Sophia demanded.

  “The mages here tread about with reverence, but they are still shrouded by ignorance.” Yana spoke far slower than before, her words more calculated, her tone now tinged with a certain resolve. “They are correct in assuming that the magic here is a resource, in a manner of speaking, that is true, of course.”

  Sigrid trilled with annoyance.

  Yana replied with a guttural series of notes, placating the mermaid.

  “But we can sense something is wrong, of primal currents that have slumbered for long. To us upon this world who have long lingered, it resounds with an echo of a soul that has wandered. Whatever it may be, tis best to leave it be.” Yana waxed poetically.

  “Hmm.” Sophia mumbled thoughtfully, the half elf’s gaze now slowly languishing over the crystal on the far side.

  Ary could practically see the scheme coming together within her protector’s mind and move quickly to dissuade. No words needed to be spoken, a simple shuffle, a worried tug on Sophia’s sleeve, and the girl acquiesced with a disappointed sigh, the message received.

  “Enough. Not the room with ice. Got it. Where would you suggest?” Hanabi put a stop to any more debates.

  Yana zipped over to Sigrid, the two trading a few grunts and unintelligible words before the fae flew well ahead of the party to scout out the area. After a second or two of looking around, the fae darted around a corner and disappeared from sight. Confused but sensing nothing amiss, the others gathered their things and followed.

  Arriving at the hallway, they stared into the collapsed room at one end of it. The tent-like ruin with the ice crystals flanking it. Their eerie blue glow that surrounded it alongside with the viscous purple mana in its veins sent shivers down Ary’s spine. Even Sophia seemed a little more put off by the thoguht of them, though the elf’s curiosity did make her lean in for a closer examination, much to Sigrid’s chagrin. Only when the mermaid released a low trill did Sophia back away, discouraged from the idea of a thorough examination once again.

  The group waited in silence for the fae’s return. The howling of the wind outside only grew more fierce the later in the day it got. Though the few walls that remained here protected them from the worst of the snowfall, none of them felt safe, that much Ary could tell from how everyone shuffled uneasily while waiting.

  Yana popped back around a corner moments later, the fae wearing a rather pleased expression on her face. Without delay, she flew up to Ary’s head, triumphantly assuming control of her flock.

  “Beyond the bend after two turns just over yonder, a place where we can stop our wander.” Yana declared.

  Hearing this, Hanabi clapped her hands loudly, the outlander just delighted to be doing something at last.

  “Perfect! Let’s get set up and get a fire going, shall we? It’s just a wee bit chilly standing around.” Hanabi hurried the rest of them along.

  Buoyed by the sudden jovial eagerness that the outlander provided, a lighter mood set over the snow weary group. Sophia grunted her assent whilst Sigrid stuck behind Ary, the mermaid now more curious about their environment than being concerned over trivial matters such as lodging. Ary herself felt more like a pack mule than ever, forced her to lead the way with Yana guiding them, the fae directly her by gently tugging at her hair to nudge her towards the left or right.

  Following her directions, the group found themselves in front of yet another worn down ruin. This one with far fewer stone tiles visible, the ground covered by snow or sheets of ice. On the bright side, despite two walls having fallen halfway over and a good third of the roof missing, there were still technically four walls to at least enclose them from the wind. The chill however, felt magnified from the ice and the cold trapped inside the walls. Nothing a good fire won’t solve though. Instead of worrying about the wind putting it out, now we just need to watch for the snow, heh.

  “While it is not the best, it is a place to rest.” Yana exclaimed proudly.

  “I like it.” Hanabi cheekily answered.

  Uncaring of the sarcasm, Yana beamed none the less and flew up to the center of the room. After making sure no one else but them were around, the others could hear a low drone emit from the faerie. Sigrid trilled some in response, the mermaid’s hands rising up to offer a wispy thread of mana to the fae.

  Almost instantaneously, a muted warmth washed over them all, the stark contrast to the frost accentuating the feeling of comfort they felt.

  “Ary, here.” Sophia grunted.

  Ary lowered herself to allow the elf to unstrap part of her pack. With a significant weight off her shoulders, she let out an instinctive sigh of relief. I’ll definitely feel sore in a few minutes.

  “Hanabi, get the tent sorted. Sigrid, help her. I’ll get a fire pit started for us.” Sophia ordered.

  “Got.” Hanabi acknowledged.

  Sigrid chimed in with an agreeable trill.

  Ary noticed something odd. She was a part of the team, she wanted to be useful. She frowned and perked up, “What about me?” She queried their taskmaster.

  Sophia stared at her for a few seconds, the elf having been caught a little off guard before shaking herself from the momentary stupor.

  “Unpack our supplies and get them sorted. The mage said about two days on the mountain, but given that whenever we do anything it seems to go wrong… well.” She shrugged.

  “Got it!” Ary exclaimed.

  For the first time since they began their treacherous ascent up to the Highwall. She felt a genuine sense of progress. That whatever trial lay ahead, it would be done, for good or ill. They had passed yet another boundary, one that brought them closer to unlocking the mystery of her spirit.

  “Alright people, let’s get to it.” Sophia took full command, “Once tonight is over…” She paused, her expression turning grim, “Well, let’s just say we’ll have a lot more to worry about.”

  “Hai. Got enough on our plates already, eh?" Hanabi chuckled. Sigrid following along with a defiant click.

  Sophia then turned to Ary, a hand reaching out, almost hesitant. Her eyes darted to the sides, her feet shifting ever so slightly. Ary scooted forward a little and let Sophia rest her hand on her shoulder, the latter giving her a soft squeeze. “Don’t worry, Ary. We’re here. We’re with you. It’ll all work out.” Sophia spoke softly, a slight quiver in her voice, as if she was only pretending to be certain, “I’m not Sophie, I know. But I promised her I’d watch over you and I will.”

  “I know.” Ary whispered back with a waning smile, “I know.”

  Their alliance reaffirmed, they parted to do their respective tasks in silence. Yet Ary did not know why Sophia had to reiterate her support. Out of all the uncertainties tomorrow, the group standing by each other was a guarantee, it was the one certainty they had. Then she felt her stomach rumble, not out of hunger but of fear. A deep uneasiness coiling itself tightly around her. For when she tried to imagine tomorrow, she couldn't.