An Inferno of Ice - The Storm Series, Book 1

Part 7

I can almost feel the enormous weight above my head, being suspended only by ice that could so easily crack and splinter into nothing. I firmly push the thought from my mind as I blindly navigate the lightless underground tunnel that will supposedly bring me to the Frost palace. My breathing and footsteps echo hollowly, more than once convincing me that I'm being followed. Just to be safe, I move as silently as I can while my ears strain to pick up even the slightest indication that I'm not alone. The walls on either side of me remain smooth and never deviate from the straight passageway. When I reach up with a curious hand, I find that the ceiling isn't far above. I can't help but wonder about the intended purpose of this tunnel. Had it been originally made to get in, or out? My musings are abruptly cut off the instant I feel the ground under me begin to rise. This can only mean one thing. I'm nearing the other side. I take one last moment to inhale deeply as though that can somehow prepare me for what I'll encounter, and then proceed. As the slope grows steeper, my balance grows more precarious. The treads of my shoes dig into the slick surface underneath them, and provide just enough traction for me to remain upright. I take one hand from the wall at my side and bring it in front of me instead, palm facing outward. I use the other to guide me. A few steps later, my extended hand comes into contact with something solid and cold. My gloved fingers map out the dead end I've come upon. Holding my breath, I gather my strength, brace my feet, and push. The barrier gives way so easily that I nearly tumble forward, but managed to catch myself at the last second, blinking rapidly at the sudden, harsh return of light. I hesitantly exit the tunnel and take my first look around. The room around me is cavernously large. On every side, looming bookcases made entirely of ice rise higher than I can see, lined with books of all shapes, colors, and sizes. My mouth falls open, stunned. "A Library," I whisper in awe as I turn around to conceal the tunnel entrance. But there's no need. There's nothing at all behind me but yet another bookshelf. Confused, I study it closely until I notice the almost imperceptible difference. The rest of the shelves appear as though they've been carved from the walls of ice themselves, and not even a gale force wind could move them. But this one juts out just the barest half inch, but it's enough to let me know that it would open once again when pulled. Aware that at any moment I could be noticed, I stealthily wind my way through the seemingly endless isles, the sounds of my footsteps muffled by deep purple carpet. When I finally find a secluded alcove with a small reading table, I take a seat and retrieve my map of Frostglimmer from my satchel. I remove one glove and deliberately press one finger to the center of the paper. Under my touch, the kingdom slowly begins to break apart, the lines shifting and rearranging themselves until I'm staring down at the inner workings of the Frost palace. My earlier assumption is correct. I am currently in the Royal family library, which is located on the ground level. The sprawling structure consists of a total of six stories, and I take a moment to silently hope that I won't be expected to comb every single inch of this place for whatever I'm supposed to destroy. For all I know, it could be one among these many thousands of books rising around me in every direction. Just the thought alone makes me want to collapse with exhaustion. When I flip the map over, the list of instructions that waits for me has unsurprisingly altered itself since the last time I had looked at it.
In order to complete this mission, you will need to:
Locate the source of power and corruption
Ensure that no harm comes to the occupants of the palace during source destruction
Remain as inconspicuous as possible to minimize risk of exposure
Once power source is destroyed, evacuate Frost palace
Additional information: the remainder of the royal Frost family consists of Queen Ileana, Princess Rosalie, and Prince Damon. It is unclear whether or not the corruption has spread, or inflicted the king alone.
Note: Once you have successfully obliterated King Rudolph's origin of corruption, he will be forced to either rule under his own power or select another to take his place. You will be safely transported back to Infernal Court headquarters once you are outside the palace boundaries. Good luck.
I stand, refold the map, and place it in my pocket. In addition to showing the main palace, it had also shown several more obscure and possibly secret passageways. In order to locate whatever it is that has so drastically impacted the rulers of Frostglimmer for over a century, I will have to stay as unnoticed and unobtrusive as I can. Learning to traverse the more obscure passages and shortcuts is a good place to start. Careful to listen for any sounds to indicate someone else's presence, I slowly make my way toward the exit of the library. According to my map, the entrance to a more discrete network of hallways is concealed behind a portrait of the royal family across the grand entrance hall. This will also aid in recognizing them later. Remarkably, I encounter no one on my way out. Not even at the desk that sits facing the enormous double doors where, I presume, an attendant would usually be. I cautiously open one door a crack and peer out of it at the hall beyond. From what I can see of it, the room appears to be the height of the palace itself and is shaped like a huge dome, seeming to gleam silvery under its own power. In the center is a staircase that rises in widening spirals all the way up to the sixth floor. It would be magnificent if there hadn't been so much openness between me and my intended target. Luckily, it looks to be similarly deserted, but I remain furtive as I slip out of the library and flit across the open space. The portrait hangs on the wall facing the front doors. My first impression of it is that it's massive. In fact, the four people depicted appear so lifelike at first that I freeze, thinking I've actually stumbled upon them. In the center, a man with deep black hair and aristocratic features sits elegantly on a throne carved of vibrant purple and blue ice. His robes are silvery, but are laced with the same designs as the masks the guards wear. Sitting atop his head is an intricate crown, its small spikes like blades. The tips of them are white, but they slowly darken until converging into first blue, then purple, then finally black where it touches the king's hair. I shiver under his stern gaze and quickly turn my attention elsewhere. A woman who I presume to be the queen is perched on the arm of Rudolph's throne. Against her lovely Crimson gown, her hair appears as white as snow though her face is very young. She also wears a crown, though this one is far more delicate and is a perfect, pristine silver. The girl standing beside her is a carbon copy of the queen, and can only be princess Rosalie. But it's the fourth figure that captures my full attention. He's standing on the opposite side of the throne. He wears no crown, but he is dressed in fineries and looks almost exactly like his father. The only difference is his hair, which is mostly black, but is laced with unmistakable streaks of brightest white.