An Inferno of Ice - The Storm Series, Book 1

Part 2

That first night on Icelandia, sleep is an illusive concept. For what feels to me like hours, I simply lay there, curled tightly underneath each and every quilt and blanket I could manage to scrounge up. The inhabitants of this planet must be impervious to the subzero temperatures, because their bedding is about as thin as it is back on my home planet of Incendiar, where temperatures are warmer by a vast margin. Even though the mattress itself is thankfully not made of ice, I can't quite seem to banish the lingering chill. It's a feeling I'll just have to learn to deal with. When morning light begins to creep through the translucent curtains over the window, I give up on the idea of rest and reluctantly rise from bed. I quickly wash, then bundle myself into clothing specially designed to trap an Infernal's power close to their body in the form of heat. This way, I'll hopefully be able to stave off the cold for a while, and also avoid accidental fire production. Downstairs, I eat a meal of entirely unfamiliar but not unpleasant food before I even consider reaching for the case folder in my satchel once more. The contract is gone of course, but in its place is another sheet of paper. Just as expected. I cast a quick glance around to ensure I'm not being observed, then carefully unfold the tight little square. I already know what it'll be before I see it. As a safety precaution, it's completely blank until I press a fingertip to its surface. It doesn't matter that I've witnessed the Infernal Court transmitting instructions in this way countless times before. There's just something undeniably fascinating about watching ink appear out of nowhere and spread itself around the page under my magical signature. It forms lines and symbols where nothing had been a moment ago, stopping only once I'm staring down at an incredibly detailed map of the kingdom of Frostglimmer. According to it, I'm in the village of Snowbell, on the outskirts of the royal Frost family's territory. The palace itself sits atop a high cliff, undoubtedly visible even this far away. I trace my finger along the intricate lines snaking between me and my final destination, following a path I can't begin to visualize yet. I'll have to make my way across Frostglimmer and into the Moonspire Mountain Range. Once there, I'll need to get past the palace's outer guards to gain access to the massive grounds. And that's only the beginning. Reaching the Frost estate will be a mission all by itself, not to mention sneaking inside without detection and unraveling the family within it. Just thinking about all that lies ahead makes my head hurt. A strong desire arises to simply return upstairs to my relatively comfortable bed and forget the whole endeavor. I only entertain the tempting prospect for an instant before firmly shaking my head and flipping the map over. On the other side, a list of instructions waits for me, just as unclear as they always are in the beginning.

For this mission to be counted as a success, you will need to:
Assist in the escape of Icelandia's people
Evacuate slowly to avoid royal family's notice
Remain undercover in Frost palace long enough to discover source of corruption
Destroy source of corruption by all means necessary
Evade detection and subsequent capture

Head spinning with how much I am about to undertake, I refold the map. This is not going to be easy. No Infernal Court mission ever is, however this one seems to carry particular weight for some reason that I cannot understand yet. Slowly, my nerves begin to settle, and the usual anticipation for success takes their place. My heart picks up speed and my power stirs within my core. This is precisely what I had been raised for. To defend, to rescue, to liberate. Getting to my feet, I stuff my map and instructions into an inner pocket of my coat and toss my satchel of supplies over my shoulder. Before leaving the inn for good, I pull on a pair of protective gloves that will simultaneously prevent unnecessary loss of warmth and potentially involuntary power outbursts. The temperature outside compared to inside is severe enough to make me wince. It hadn't felt all that different last night, however today is a different story. I don't allow myself to dwell on it, though, instead heading down the road toward the heart of Frostglimmer. Just before I round a bend, I turn back to survey the looming ice structure. If this mission succeeds, I will not be returning.