Ninjagaësia

The Blades of Ice

As soon as she had been brought into the fold, Pixal had become unusually happy over the next few days, though uncharacteristically soft with Zane. She seemed oddly sad every time she saw him, though couldn't seem to explain why.

It was seven days later and the merchants still hadn't arrived, but Nya's blue egg finally hatched. The dragonet that emerged was not as long as the other two, wingtips connected in a smooth line much like a fish's fin, with two similar fins on either side of its head instead of horns. Instead of fur or lobed spikes, there was another fin going down their back, and another set at the base of its tail behind the legs. It was very obviously adapted for the water, and Nya- shockingly- fell in love with the little one almost immediately.

After that she started visiting Zane's place just to hang out with the hatchlings, namely hers. No one objected to this, as she was helping prevent chaos and keeping them fed as they were growing at an astonishing speed. Already the blue one was flying outside, it and the green starting to hunt for themselves. Their prey consisted of rodents and squirrels primarily, though once a fox as well.

They were starting to wonder about Cole's egg though, as it still had yet to hatch even after nearly two weeks- not including the time in the Spine.
Yet the thoughts were quickly set aside, as the traders finally arrived late one afternoon, a few days after a blizzard had blown through the valley.

The next day after their families had gathered their things and set out to sell and trade, the 5 of them met near Ray's wagon, the older blacksmith greeting the others cheerily, distracting Zane into having a brief conversation about his welfare.

Then they chatted awhile before breaking apart to enjoy the day. Some bought snacks, others simply browsed the curiosities some traders had to sell. Zane decided to go straight to his current favorite, a man named Merlock that was less afraid of him than most others.

The man immediately stiffened at the sight of him despite being occupied with a few others who were interested in his wares. It would have been easier if the merchants forgot about him every year- but they never did. Apparently Zane stood out a little too much, especially in a small village like Carvahall.

Still, when the crowd cleared he approached, Merlock flashing an unsteady smile.
"And what can I do you for this year, Cold One?"
Zane ignored the title in order to glance around at the scattered wares. "Do you still have that mirror from last year? The one with the ornate gold and sapphire frame. I think I might buy it."

The man cringed a little at that. "Unfortunately no, I'm afraid. I sold it off all the way back in Gil'ead; ugly place on a lakefront, hardly worth the time."
Zane hummed, a little disappointed as Merlock started to offer a smaller mirror, though rectangular and not nearly as interesting.

"It's quite alright." He declined. "I'm sure another one will catch my eye soon. Though I do have money to spend at the moment." He offered, instead inspecting other wares. Merlock ignored the other villagers pausing at his stall in order to fully watch Zane.

He was getting curious about a silver amulet with a blue stone in the middle when, surprisingly, a weapon drew his eye. Specifically a pair of daggers.
"Ah, the IceBlades." Merlock paused, suddenly uncertain.

"I'm told that they were made from the bones of the Herald of Winter itself. Just the handles, of course. Saved my skin twice already, they're not just for show. Those gems in the pommels came straight from the dragonsteed of snow as well, though gods know where it died, eh? Maybe you found it's bones once yourself." Merlock waxed eloquent on the legend of Winter's Herald.

It was said to be a spirit that rode a wild dragon of snow, flying out every year days before the first snows would come, every year without fail. Of course, when the Crystal King came to power, the Herald of Winter, whether they rode the dragon or were the dragon themselves- vanished.