Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

❄️ Permafrost [3/3] ❄️

Sir Nyx's POV:

I woke up just before moonrise, laid down on my bed in the royal guard's barracks.

After a quick shower and a cup of coffee, I slipped into my ivory armor, heading out of the castle for my morning watch.

Stationed beside the front entrance to the palace, I decided to make some small talk with Sir Blizzard.

"How have you been?" I asked, tapping the hilt of my sheathed sword.

"Decent," The knight mumbled back, staring up at the indigo sky. "Someone's about to take over my shift... I think my legs are frostbitten."

A thick blanket of snow had settled over the entire kingdom, at least two or three feet deep. "Good for you. It's far too cold to stay out here for so long."

"I heard that His Majesty the king is shortening our shifts." Blizzard sighed, shuddering from the cold. "Our armor isn't designed to keep us warm."

"Speaking of shortening shifts," To my surprise, it was Tia calling out to us, trudging through the snow in nothing but casual clothing. "King Arthur has ordered everyone to head inside. The entire kingdom is staying indoors because of the frost."

"My goodness, Tia!" I exclaimed, running up to meet her. "Can you not feel the cold? You're going to get frostbite if you stay out here too long!"

"You guys will, too." She huffed, a puff of steam coming out of her mouth. "The king told me to tell you guys that we're gathering in the dining hall for an emergency meeting. All of the royal guard is required to go."

"So everyone?" Blizzard asked, watching the captain nod in response. "Even Prince Edward?"

"Even Prince Edward." Tia repeated. "Even though he has nothing to do with this."

"Alright, enough talk." I began, trudging through the snow and toward the entrance. "Let's head inside before any of us freeze to death out here... We can talk when we're at the table."

They followed me with no protest, and within a few minutes, we were sitting at the grand dining table.

King Arthur sat at one end, flanked by Tia and his son.

I was right beside Tia, my hands folded as I started intently at the king.

Blizzard and the other knights took up the other seats as the discussion began.

"As you all may have noticed," King Arthur said, adjusting the obsidian crown on his head. "It has been overwhelmingly cold outside. There have been rumors spreading around that this is going to last for more than a few days... Maybe weeks, or months.

He took a sip from his silver goblet before continuing. "Only very few of us can resist these temperatures. For example, the frostbreathers at the table. Could you please stand up for me?"

Tia stood from her seat, gesturing for me to stand with her.

I quietly rose from my chair, feeling the eyes of everyone at the table rest upon me.

"These two," The king began, pointing to her and me. "Are going to be the only people that get to leave this palace for the next few days and or weeks. I've known Tia for over half a decade, she is more than capable of resisting such drastic temperature changes."

He turned to face me. "As for you, Sir Nyx, I am not sure. Yet, I have faith in you will understand the task that I am about to bestow upon you."

The captain briefly glanced at me, a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"You will both be in charge of guarding this kingdom, with life and limb." King Arthur said solemnly. "Sir Blackthorne's death was a tragic loss for our kingdom, and we need a new leader of our royal guard."

My eyes widened as I realized who he was referring to. "Me, Your Highness?"

"Exactly." He nodded. "Sir Nyx, I need you to be the new leader of Northwynd Palace's royal guard. Out of all the other knights I have seen over the years, you have proved yourself worthy of being in such a position. Do you accept?"

Tia gave me a gentle nudge, urging me to go on.

"Yes, Your Majesty." I replied, bowing my head. "I will accept this new position."

Cheers erupted at the table as I stood there, awkwardly taking in the moment.

It felt gratifying, in a way.

I was going to take Blackthorne's place in the kingdom, to be better than him... And to not turn out the way he did.

Everyone was counting on me.

I needed to be better than him.

Once the cheering died down, I took my seat.

King Arthur then turned to face Tia, crossing his arms. "Captain Tia Aquaticlaw, I have known you for at least six years by now, correct?"

She gave him a nod. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"And in those six years, you have proved yourself worthy of a place here in Northwynd." He dipped his head, acknowledging her. "I offered a place for you to stay here in the kingdom, and you have accepted that with gratitude. Now, I have another offer to make."

He stood up from his chair, towering over her. "I'm aware of the power you harness and the skill you possess, Tia. Your strength is derived from your ability to persevere through situations that seem impossible to some."

She wagged her tail, taking in his words.

"I want you to be the next kingdom guardian." The king smiled at her. "Do you know what I mean by that?"

She shook her head, falling still.

"You'd be in for a long story time," He began, planting a hand on his hip. "But in a nutshell, each kingdom has a guardian of some sort that they rely on for protection. It can be a creature, a person, or a spirit. Living or dead, they just had to have walked this earth at least once."

"And... You're calling on me to be Northwynd's protector?" Tia squeaked, looking up at him.

"Precisely." Her mentor smiled. "The people will see you as a dead, fallen spirit. Some may disapprove of this choice, but they don't get to choose. Do you accept?"

I watched as she nodded her head, giving him a soft smile. "I accept."

Today, two new legacies had begun.

Yes, mine and Tia's, but something else...

Our debut as new leaders of Northwynd.