The Winter's Heir

Chapter 2 - A New Perspective

Everything was a blur. By the time I had returned to my bedroom, my belongings had already been packed. I had no idea how long I would be gone, or what awaited me upon my return. I didn't even get to see Seren before they ushered me away. Seated on horseback in front of an unfamiliar Krothar warrior, I turned back to glance at the cold palace that I had called home for so many years. I couldn't decide whether I would miss it or not. The fear of what's to come overpowers any attempt at mourning the past. Facing forwards, I catch the gaze of the young warrior from dinner. His eyes are calculating and alert, yet there's a hint of something else that I can't quite figure out.

I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until I was awoken by the sound of distant shouting ahead. We were approaching a large fortress, its stone and timber walls towering above us. Additional warriors flanked each side of the slowly opening doorway, their gazes meeting ours as we prepared to enter. A dull throbbing in my head tells me that we're high up in the mountains. The men around me remained silent, apart from the door keepers welcoming them home. Through the crack, I am stunned by what I see. All I know about the Krothar clan is that they are a fierce and ruthless race of warriors. Through my teachings, they were consistently portrayed as monsters who show no mercy and lack any kindness. I had heard whispers around the palace that they lock away and abuse their women and children, among other horrible things, yet, here in their village, a completely different story is painted out before me. The cold and cruel are not unfamiliar to me; this appeared to be anything but.

The shouting that I had heard belonged to a group of young children playing in the street, their laughter filling the air. Nearby, their mothers shared the warmth of each other's company. There were signs of life everywhere I looked. The men, far from being just warriors, were preoccupied by various activities despite the time of day: tending to the gardens and livestock, forging metal into tools and weapons, selling domestic and foreign wares at merchant stalls, and even balancing on rooftops repairing the thatching. The rumours that I had heard about the Krothar people felt like faint memories, overshadowed by the reality in front of me. This was not a place of cruelty and hate; it was a warm, compassionate community of people who are filled with a sense of belonging and purpose.

"Don't be fooled by what you see." I snap out of my daze and turn to the voice. I am not fully surprised to see that the young warrior has fallen beside me. "The training hall is an unforgiving place. I look forward to seeing how long you last," He laughs to himself.

"Don't act like you care." I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. Using the moment to get a better look at him, I observe his features. His dark brown hair curls slightly over his forehead, framing his face and accentuating his sharp eyes that are akin to blackened steel. In the lighting of the lanterns around us, long eyelashes cast shadows down onto defined cheekbones. Despite his youth, he carries himself with a quiet confidence, his tall, lean figure proof of the training that he has endured. He scoffs at my response and urges his steed to go on ahead.

I had been given a bedroom in the training hall that rivaled the size of a dungeon cell. The room was sparsely furnished with only a narrow bed, a rough looking desk, and a simple wooden chest for my belongings, which weren't much. I didn't have time to review what was packed for me, but judging by the fact that it all fit in one trunk, it was just the essentials. The early hours of the morning were approaching, and although I had fallen asleep along the way, the journey had left me exhausted. My eyes grew increasingly heavier, and I no longer cared about how uncomfortable my new bed looked. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I drifted away into a dreamless sleep.

---

I was rudely awakened by the blaring sound of horns echoing from out in the yard. I felt no more rested than before I had fallen asleep, and my stomach ached with hunger. I heard the bustle of others getting ready in the rooms adjacent to mine and took that as a sign that I should be doing the same. Being defiant served no purpose; if my father heard of my disobedience, my fate would be far worse than whatever was in store for me today. Opening up the chest at the foot of my bed, I find clothes that I assume are meant for training. They were simple but practical, functional above all else. I dressed quickly, slipping into a white tunic paired with a black vest and matching breeches. The boots came up to my knees, and were well worn from previous use. With my hair secured in a braid to keep it out of my face, I headed for the door, unsure of what laid ahead.

I found myself face to face with one of the warriors from yesterday waiting outside. "Your learning will take place separately from the others." he stated curtly before striding off, not bothering to check if I was following. I tried my best to keep up, but weaving through the crowded hallway was proving to be difficult. As I pushed through the masses, I spotted another girl staring at me in disbelief. Her large eyes and hair that was pulled tightly into a high tail were comparable to the colour of a raven's feathers. She had defined, angular features and a full, firm mouth curled into the biggest smile I had ever seen. Her physique was not yet muscular, suggesting she had only recently begun training. With no time to stop, I made a mental note that she could be a potential ally.

I grew confused as we left the training hall, heading beyond the village walls and toward a clearing surrounded by towering trees. The branches stretched overhead forming a canopy, morning light filtering through the leaves. A nervous feeling crept up my spine as we stray further into the forest, and I am reminded of my hunger. Although my father had put me through training, it was nothing compared to the skills that Krothar warriors possess. Excelling in a class filled with the lackluster children of the elite, who believed their inherited magic exempted them from any effort at all, was not difficult. But out here, if this man tried anything with me, I wouldn't be able to fight back to save my life.

Lost in thought while questioning my own abilities, my escort abruptly came to a halt in front of me, causing me to bump into his back. Only feeling slightly embarrassed, I stepped to the side to see why we had stopped. To my astonishment, the young warrior that I just can't seem to escape emerged from the trees, wearing that same smirk he had at dinner last night.

"Eira, I believe we missed out on introductions. I'm Kael." His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Let's begin your training."