A Cold Night To Remember

6 Unexpected Encounter

Arovis walked slowly forward, all eyes fixed on her tan skin and long dark hair.

 Children would appear from behind their mothers, bright blue and green eyes seemingly glowing in the light. The men of the group mostly dispersed into the crowd, giving friendly hugs and handshakes to friends and family. Tristan greeted no one, and none greeted him. The-two-of-them stiffly entered the largest, multi-story building in the village. It towered high and was made of a deep, red-brown wood. It was ornately carved in patterns all over the columns and arches...Arovis found it beautiful and foreign.

 As they came up to the towering doors, two large men clad in iron armor opened them.  Their possession slowly entered, their voices quieting. As she entered, she could feel the knife pulling farther away from her back. A wave of smoky heat hit her face, the smell of burning wood filled the air... it was a lovely smell...It was different from what she was used to. In her home, if it were cold, they used coal in their hearts. 

The building seemed even larger inside. Huge high ceilings with dark balconies wrapped around the building above them. There men and women sat watching the entertainment below. Below, a bard sat in a corner strumming an odd instrument made of wood and string... He also had a drum by him, and a few other instruments nearby... It would seem he was a fixture there. In the center of the room was a roaring fire, it's smoke billowing to the top of the ceiling and out slits in the roof... it seemed quite efficient, for the air was not thick inside. The walls were draped with find tapestries of their homeland, all hand sewn of think wool string died in muted colors. Battles were depicted all along them. Each season was represented, one on each of the walls. 

On the opposite side of the flames sat a large, bearded man. His hair was yellow, as expected, and long. It was filled with the braids of a warrior, a large two handed sword at his right side and a hammer to his left. His boots had steel plates and his forearms bore steel plated greaves with ornate designs carved into them. His chest had a leather breastplate over his clothing. His head adorned with a small gold circlet... It was very apparent, by his air and by is surroundings, he was the leader of this village. King perhaps?

"Greetings, men! Be welcome and partake in your journey's rewards." Spoke the large man loudly, his thick accent pervading his speech... She didn't know how she felt about his voice yet...

Three boys and three girls emerged from somewhere Arovis did not see bearing platters of rich, hot food. They began to pass around the delicious looking food, the smell causing Arovis's stomach to lurch with hunger. Voices began to rise.

When the king's eyes met her's, he stopped smiling, an intense glare filling his expression. He slowly went to his feet to get a better look at her. A few noticed his preoccupation and quieted. 

"Walk," Tristan whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling the hair on her neck. A moment later the dagger to her back pressed her forward. She walked forward, stepping down a few steps and walking towards the fire. When they had stopped, she was standing directly before the king. 

"Have you brought whom I have requested?" He asked, looking at Tristan.

"Aye sire, this is she," Tristan replied, his eyes hard as steel. He then returned his dagger to his belt and stepped back. He gave a slight head-bow and was about to leave. The king raised his hand, "No, you have done well. Stay here," The kind motioned for him to sit just below the king's throne. She thought it must be an honor to sit there, for Tristan bowed again, and sat himself down. However, he did not sit comfortably. He turned his eyes away from Arovis and stared into the raging fire before him. Arovis could feel the heat of the fire at her back. She had no idea what this King wanted with her, but it would seem she was very special to him. 

"My lady, I have longed to meet you for many years. I am Lord Ulrik, Master of the Frozen Mountains," He took her hand into his own large, rough hand, and kissed her knuckles. He was very gentle.

Her years of training in court almost made her forget that she was a prisoner. She curtsied and bowed her head. 

"I am pleased to meet you, sire." She kept her eyes lowered. 

"You are as beautiful as the stories say...Welcome to my Kingdom. Please sit," He motioned for her to sit just below his throne, and just beside Tristan. She did but kept her body facing the king. Her shoulder brushed Tristan, he tensed and discreetly slid away from her, keeping his eyes averted. 

"Why have you brought me here, my lord?" She asked as sweetly and innocently as she could, ignoring her violent experience of getting here. He seemed like a powerful man, and she was in no position to lose his favor. 

"All your questions will be answered in due time...for now, eat, drink, and be warm." He commanded jovially, his attentions drawn other places. 

She was starving and wasn't about to skip this meal. She decided to hide away a few pieces of food under to coat, just in case she found an opportunity to escape, she would need to food to make it to the next village. However, when she went to hide a roll of bread under the fold of her coat, she found Tristan's eyes on her, their ice blue color piercing right through her. 

"You'd never make it past the city gates," He stated flatly, pulling her coat flap away from her body. The roll fell and he picked it up. He lifted it up to her, "Just eat it."

She took it from his hand, her face filling with heat. She ate it in silence, Tristan's gaze returning back to the fire. 

She didn't know what would happen next, but whatever it was, she knew there was little she could do about it. Even if she were to run, she would die before she even made it to the dessert. Currently, she had no chance, and she knew it. It was time to wait...watch...and prepare.