*Book One of The Accursed Chronicles*
August was a man from a normal world, living a mundane life until one night everything changed, and he was sent spiraling into a world stuck forever in winter, full of magic, creatures, and a curse that has grip...
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When we had left Lorge, it had taken us two and a half days to reach Darrose. I hadn't been grateful to reach the final destination because it wasn't my final destination. Mine had been to go home to Ashedale, and with each day that that reality became further away, I became more stressed that my situation here was going to my permanent.
Gloom had said he would assist me, but I didn't know what that meant or if he'd be able to get me out of here. It felt like I was in too deep now to back out and that this life was going to be mine soon.
On our last day, when we had broken from the tree line, I had seen Darrose for the first time. The city spanned from the great open fields to the coast with walls, taller than Merk's, that had gone on for some time, towering over us like ants. The main roads in the city were cobblestone while side alleys were dirt with mounds of collected snow that had swept out of the way. Buildings felt like they were on top of each other, made of sturdy stone and wood for windows.
But nothing had beat the smells that I had been met with. I had passed a storefront where fresh fish was being sold, but also cooked upon request. The briny smell wasn't pleasant and had been one I had passed quickly before I had stalled in front of a bakery, almost glued to the front of it. The delicious, mouth-watering smell of freshly baked bread had taunted my nose and my tastebuds, keeping me occupied for the longest until Gloom had called me after him.
That had been one thing I hadn't gotten used to since we had left Aegar days ago. Gloom never let me out of here sight for long and if he did, he would ensure Leuthar was with me. I couldn't tell whether he was doing it because he was concerned or paranoid, but either way I appreciated that someone had my back. It made my days brighter since being in these constant sunless days had me on the rocks.
Soon, we had made it to the castle of Darrose and into the courtyard. The castle sat in the center of the city, standing out as the highlight and pinnacle of it. It was well fortified a wall for itself and guards almost at every peak. I would've felt safe, if it weren't for the looks I had received.
I didn't have a choice but to follow Gloom along with Daesa to report to King Magnus, who was said to be a king of Krak. Leuthar had split off from us and had taken our things back to The Remnant's headquarters. It left me alone with two people who were far more important and well known than me, receiving curt nods and bows from passing people within the castle. I had felt like a fly on the wall.
"His Grace will see you now," A maidservant said when she waved us forward towards a set of heavy iron doors.
I swallowed thickly as I gazed up and up at them, wondering if giants lived here. Every door I'd gone through was twice my size and built from fortified iron with etched depictions of battle and victory. I assumed the pictures had significance, but I didn't know that much about Laelmos's history, only what Gloom had told me so far and what I had read myself.
When one door dragged open, my mouth nearly fell open. I stared wide-eyed up at the rafters at the long flowing banners that hung from it. Each was embroidered with emerald, like the color of fresh moss, and the banners themselves shined as if they were made with gold. A runner rug ran the length from the door to the platform where the throne was sat. Stone columns filled the sides of the hall, making the room feel full. Then a chandelier, made from antlers and twisted pieces of wood, hung from the center of the ceiling. The only light came from the chandelier and candelabra in the room as there were no windows.
