The Frostians

Chapter 7

Kristian's Point of View

The morning sun bathed Overland in a golden glow as I prepared for the journey ahead. My mind was restless, swirling with thoughts of the mysterious enemies, the prophecy, and the suspicion surrounding King Vorja. Yet, amidst the chaos, a sense of purpose solidified within me. I knew I had to seek the truth, even if it meant venturing into unknown realms.

As I packed my belongings, my thoughts kept drifting back to the conversation I overheard in General Vanis' quarters. Sandra—or Alyssandra, as she introduced herself—wasn't too thrilled about accompanying me. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that her presence would be significant, perhaps even crucial, to the success of our mission.

Just as I finished strapping on my axe, a knock came at my door. I opened it to find Sandra standing there, her expression determined but tinged with reluctance.

"Are you ready?" she asked, her voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of hesitation.

I nodded, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "As ready as I'll ever be. And you?"

She shrugged, her eyes briefly meeting mine before she looked away. "I don't have much of a choice, do I?"

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "Seems like we're both in the same boat."

We made our way to the castle gates, where a small group of soldiers had gathered to see us off. General Vanis was among them, his expression stern but with a glint of something I couldn't quite place—was it hope or worry? Perhaps both.

"Kristian, Alyssandra," he began, addressing us both with the weight of command. "This journey is not just a mission; it's a test of your resolve, your strength, and your loyalty to Overland. Remember, the fate of our kingdom may well rest on your shoulders."

I exchanged a glance with Sandra, and for a brief moment, our differences seemed to fade. We were united by the gravity of the task before us, by the shared burden of protecting our world from an unknown threat.

"General," I said, my voice firm. "We won't fail."

He nodded, stepping closer to me. His voice dropped to a whisper only I could hear. "Kristian, be vigilant. Trust no one blindly, not even me. The King... he’s watching us all, more closely than you think."

I stiffened at his words, but I managed a nod of understanding. "I’ll be careful."

With that, General Vanis stepped back and saluted us both. Sandra and I returned the gesture, then turned to face the open road ahead.

*Third Person's Point of View*

The journey began in silence, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. The path out of Overland led them through rolling hills and dense forests, a scenic route that belied the danger lurking in the shadows. As the day wore on, the two travelers spoke little, each lost in their own musings.

It was only when they made camp for the night that the silence was broken. As they sat around the crackling fire, Sandra finally spoke up.

"I know you didn't want me to come," she said, her tone blunt. "But I'm here now. So, we might as well figure out how to work together."

Kristian looked at her across the fire, the flames casting flickering shadows on their faces. He appreciated her straightforwardness, even if it was a bit sharp.

"I didn’t think you’d want to come," he admitted. "But since you’re here, I’m glad. We’ll need all the help we can get."

She nodded, seeming to accept his words. There was a moment of quiet, filled only by the crackling of the fire and the distant sounds of the forest.

"Why did you agree to come with me?" Kristian asked, breaking the silence.

Sandra hesitated, her gaze dropping to the fire. "Because... my father trusts you. And because... I think there's more to this journey than either of us knows."

Kristian studied her for a moment, sensing there was more she wasn’t saying. But he didn’t press her. They were still getting to know each other, and trust would take time.

"Whatever happens," he said, "we face it together."

Sandra met his gaze, her expression softening slightly. "Together."

*The Next Day*

As they continued their journey, the landscape began to change. The trees grew taller, their leaves a darker shade of green, and the air grew cooler. It was as if they were crossing an invisible boundary, stepping into a world that was different, more ancient, and more dangerous.

Kristian couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows seemed to move of their own accord, and every rustle of leaves made his hand twitch towards his sword. But when he glanced at Sandra, she seemed calm, almost as if she was used to this eerie atmosphere.

By the time they reached a narrow mountain pass, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the rocky terrain.

"We should find shelter for the night," Sandra suggested, her voice cutting through the stillness.

Kristian nodded, scanning the area. "There’s a cave over there," he pointed out. "It looks deep enough to protect us from the wind."

They made their way to the cave, its mouth wide and dark like a gaping maw. As they entered, the temperature dropped further, the cool air biting at their skin. But it was safe, at least for the moment.

As they set up their camp inside the cave, Kristian’s thoughts drifted back to Overland, to the soldiers they had left behind, to General Vanis’ cryptic warning, and to King Vorja’s unsettling gaze. He knew that this journey would not only be a test of their strength and resolve but of their ability to trust one another.

Sandra's Point of View

As they settled in for the night, Sandra found herself watching Kristian more closely. He was strong, determined, but there was something else—something that made her wonder if he even realized the full extent of the path they were on. She had heard whispers of a prophecy, of a fate that awaited him, but the details were shrouded in mystery.

She didn’t fully understand why her father had insisted she come, but she trusted him. And now, she had to trust Kristian as well, even if she wasn’t entirely sure what they were walking into.

"I wonder what will happen next," she murmured to herself, echoing Kristian’s words from the day before.

But as she glanced over at him, she knew one thing for certain: whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.

To be continued...