Shadows of Honor: The Arcane Warrior

Chapter 11: Into the Eldergloom

Emile awoke shivering in his bed, his breath clearly visible in the frigid air of the room. The chill seemed to seep through the walls, wrapping around him like an unwelcome blanket. He began to roll over, seeking the warmth of his covers, when the gentle fluttering sound of something soft dancing against the window caught his attention. He glanced over, his eyes widening as he saw a layer of white powder partially covering the bottom of the window frame.

His heart leaped with sudden realization. "SNOW!" he exclaimed, excitement bursting out of him.

The unexpected shout jolted Gareth awake, his eyes snapping open in panic. "What?!" Gareth shouted, his voice thick with confusion and fear. "What's going on?"

Emile, still shivering but now grinning from ear to ear, pointed toward the window. "Look, Gareth! It's snowing!"

Gareth blinked a few times, the remnants of sleep still clouding his vision. He turned his head to follow Emile's gaze, squinting at the window. The sight of the snow quickly banished any lingering grogginess. The delicate flakes fell steadily, blanketing the academy grounds in a pristine layer of white. The usually stern and austere buildings of the academy were transformed, their rooftops now frosted with snow, giving them a magical, almost whimsical appearance.

"The snow here is quite beautiful, I'll give it that," Gareth murmured, glancing out the window. "Kind of reminds me of home."

Emile nodded, still captivated by the scene outside. "I never saw much snow back in Bramblewood. It was mostly mild winters. This is incredible," he said, his breath fogging up the window as he leaned closer.

Gareth wrapped his blanket tighter around himself, the warmth a welcome contrast to the cold. "Back in Frost Haven, snow was a regular thing. Winters were long and harsh, but they had their own beauty. Seeing this... it brings back memories."

Emile turned to Gareth, his excitement giving way to a more thoughtful expression. "Do you miss it? Frost Haven, I mean," he asked, pulling his blanket tighter around himself.

Gareth sighed, his breath forming a small cloud in the cold air. "Sometimes. Especially on days like this," he admitted, his eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and resolve. "But being here, at the academy, it's different. There's a purpose, a goal. And the people... well, they make it easier. When I was home for the break, my parents were very happy and proud of me. It made leaving again easier this time around."

Emile sat back down on his bed, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Did something happen?" he asked, sensing a deeper meaning behind Gareth's words.

Gareth sat up slowly, a smile playing on his lips. "I... I've decided to transfer into the Paladin program with you," he said, his voice steady and determined.

Emile's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Really? But I thought your goal was to be a knight and be elevated to lordship?"

Gareth nodded, his smile growing wider. "I did... but I talked to my parents, and I told them about you, how you're passionate about something. And I decided that I want to be a Paladin too. I want to learn more about the holy arts and be seen as someone of moral judgment and good."

The room seemed to warm with the sincerity in Gareth's voice. Emile could feel the weight of Gareth's decision, understanding the significance of his choice.

Gareth smiled at Emile again, the determination in his eyes unwavering. "I already spoke to Sir Richard and Sir William. Sir Richard tried to convince me to stay under Sir William, but eventually, he gave up and agreed to it."