An Inferno of Ice

An Inferno of Ice - Part 1

The first thing I feel is the cold. A mind-numbing, body-aching kind of cold that penetrates down to the very soul. When my eyes fly open in shock, I realize that the reason for this is surrounding me on all sides. Every aspect of the foreign landscape before me is entirely constructed of or coated in ice, gleaming whitish blue under this alien planet's three moons.
Even as my mind comes to terms with that, the ground beneath my feet begins to creak and groan alarmingly. I have just enough time to pray fervently that it won't give way before it does exactly that with an ear-splitting, splintering crack. The only thing that saves me from being plunged into the frigid body of water below is the desperate leap of faith I take without looking. By some miracle, I land on hands and knees in the ankle deep snow that borders the edges of the iced over pool of water. I hoist myself back to my feet and shoot an exasperated look up toward the deep purple sky. I'll really have to have a word with transportation management once this mission is complete. Employees of the Infernal Court have enough to contend with on each case as it is. The last thing we need is assistance from our own company getting into dangerous situations. I pull out a folder from the satchel thrown over my shoulder and read over the assignment to myself as I start picking my way toward a road in the distance.

Case #78493
Location: The planet Icelandia
Important Information: The society on this planet is under the rule of the royal Frost family. They consist of King Rudolph, Queen Ileana, Princess Rosalie, and Prince Damon.
Significant Laws: The use of fire for anything besides cooking in highly supervised settings is strictly prohibited. Any individual discovered to be misusing it shall be imprisoned immediately.
Assignment: Infiltrate Frost family and overthrow the current tyrannical leader. This will free Icelandia's people from over a century long corrupt rule.
Caseworker: Ember Sparks

I've long since began to shiver from the cold by the time I make it into the tiny village I was meant to have been sent to. In fact, the only thing that keeps me from stopping in the middle of the road and gaping in astonishment is the unbearable temperature. Although I have been sent to some pretty strange places before in the past, this one definitely takes the cake. Just like the wilderness, everything here is constructed of ice, including the buildings. They gleam like cut crystal in the light of the moons, oddly beautiful in a strange, eerie way. As usual, the innkeeper is expecting me. Part of Infernal Court protocol for these types of cases is sending word ahead that a newcomer will soon be arriving, though the reasons for our presence vary widely. "Miss Sparks?" the kind man asks, smiling as soon as he sees me enter. I nod, not trusting my numb lips to form words. To my relief, it is a great deal warmer inside, but still nowhere close to what I had been hoping for. Not seeming bothered at all by my silence, the innkeeper leads me up to the room he had already prepared. The ice walls, floor, and ceiling are carved with intricate designs and patterns, and it would have been breathtaking if the chill still weren't sharp enough to feel like needles. After he has seen to it that I'm reasonably settled, he bids me goodnight and leaves. The one odd feature in this room is the elaborately chiseled fireplace in the far corner. It, too, is solid ice, letting me know that it's more than likely never been used for its intended purpose. Walking over, I kneel on the frozen hearth, retrieve the paper with my instructions written upon it, and lay it gently in the empty space usually occupied by logs. I close the fingers of my right hand into a fist and concentrate. When my hand opens again, a tiny orange flame dances merrily on my palm. I feel my body beginning to thaw at once, warming even in this arctic environment. Being a true Infernal here is likely the most dangerous thing I've ever done. On Icelandia, needing to produce fire to survive could very well get me captured and imprisoned. I'll just have to complete my task a little more quickly than expected, and be exceedingly careful in the meantime to not get discovered. With one last glance at the paper before me, I reach down and set the magical contract ablaze, sealing it. It shrivels, turns black, and crumbles into ashes. The outer coating of ice inside the fireplace doesn't even have time to melt before the fire disappears without even a trace of smoke or lingering heat. By the time I get to my feet and turn around again, even the ashes have vanished. There's no way out now.