Blood of Ice and Betrayal

Winter

Present

The icy cold wind whips my face, covering my lashes with a thick layer of frost. Snarled branches reach out, catching on my black cloak and tearing the authentic fabric. Snow lies heavily on the ground, smothering the grass and adding weight to the leather boots that protect my feet. Despite these obstacles, I continue running. Though unsure of my destination, I am determined to escape the kingdom of Flaik.

There was a bounty on my head, and I did not doubt in my mind that my face would be on every wanted poster in the kingdom. Probably in others as well, but it was easier to hide in a foreign place where someone wouldn’t recognize you right away.

As the wind strengthens, my hood is lifted off my head, revealing my transforming locks. My previously dark tresses are gradually fading into a pale white, alongside my eyebrows and lashes. Additionally, the iris of my eyes is adopting a pale blue hue, owing to the enduring influence of Colds Bane, a toxic compound extracted from

Wyntercourts, a flower found nowhere but in my kingdom.
Pulling the hood back over my head, I come to a sudden stop as I emerge from the forest. A broad, frozen river is laid out before me, halting my progress.

On the opposite bank, the forest stretches on. Just beyond the tree line lies my freedom. I can almost taste the sensation of relief on the tip of my tongue.

As I step my foot onto the ice, a moment of indecision washes over me. My thoughts are overrun by memories from the past, reminding me of the occasions when my father would bring me to the frozen lake nestled in the woods behind the palace.

“Remember, Ebby,” he would say, using my childhood nickname, his soothing baritone voice firm and authoritative. “Step only on the ice if it’s calm and still below, never when it’s fast moving and angry.”

“Why?” I questioned him.

He paused, his voice turning serious.

“Because the ice will crack, then you’ll be a prisoner to winter. Bound eternally. Frozen for all time.”

I never knew exactly what my father meant by that until I turned ten and lost my best friend to the lake. A tear slipped from my eye at the thought of them, but

I quickly wiped it away, not wanting my eyes to freeze from the frigid winds.
Swiftly, I shifted my focus towards the matter before me and contemplated if traversing the river was the most feasible decision. I knew it would take some time to cross, which I had little of. 

Going back into the forest was not an option. I cautiously placed one foot on the ice, tested my weight, and proceeded with my slow trek across the treacherous frozen terrain.

As I stared at the ice beneath, my heart raced with intensity, my face contorting as the ice emitted a deep groan.
Don’t worry, Ebony. Everything is alright.

Despite the lengthy time it took, I found solace in the fact that I successfully reached the midpoint of the river, with the forest on the opposite bank within reach. A feeling of accomplishment washed over me, causing a smile to grace my lips. But, as I heard the sound of a horse whinnying and the deep thump of hooves on the snow approaching from behind me, that smile faltered.

Alone, a cloaked figure sat astride their trusted steed, a chilling sight that made me tremble. As the wind intensified, my cloak hood fluttered in every direction, yet I maintained its position with my hands encased in leather gloves. Across the expanse of ice, we faced each other, locked in a mesmerizing gaze.

As time went on, they eventually took the first step, leading their horse across the frozen river towards me. Anxiety churned inside me as I watched the added weight causing the ice to let out a piercing groan, and faint crackling sounds reached my ears. Yet, they seemed completely unaware of the fragile ice beneath them and had no intention of stopping. It was clear that their main goal was me. They were so fixated on their target that rational thinking seemed to have completely escaped them.

But I had no desire to remain in this place and passively await my doom, whether it meant being caught or plunging into the frigid waters beneath.

Swiftly, I made my way to the opposite side, resenting the wind for intensifying at the most inconvenient moment. I instinctively raised my arm to shield my eyes from the piercing icy gusts, but my efforts proved useless, and before long, my body started convulsing uncontrollably.

The lasting effects of Cold’s Bane taking over are evident. As I gaze at my exposed brown skin, I notice the melanin turning a pale white, almost blue. This clear evidence shows that the poison has been working overtime, as my body has been unable to maintain its stable temperature despite the layers of clothing I wore. A sharp and cold pain shoots from my heart, causing my bones to rattle and making me stagger. I almost lose my balance, but manage to catch myself before toppling over.

Shivering, I blink, trying to clear my blurred vision, while disregarding the pain that throbs through my body and the sound of hooves on ice growing nearer. I must hurry. They are swiftly catching up from behind, and I still have some distance to cover before reaching the bank.

Putting one foot in front of the other, I moved quickly despite my body’s rejection. Suddenly, the sound of ice breaking and urgent cries made me turn my gaze behind me. The sight was one of shock and bewilderment; the ice had broken under the cloaked figure and their horse’s weight, causing it to give way.

Cold water splashes wildly, and in panic, the horse throws its rider off as they both struggle to get out of the icy water.

My eyes widen and the ice beneath my boots splinters, getting ready to break. I don’t think or care about the pain in my body; I take off in a sprint, ignoring my father’s warning and my internal instincts.

The sound of fast-moving water makes me pump my legs faster, the adrenaline in my body taking over completely. I don’t realize I have made it to the bank until my legs give out underneath me, and I collapse face-first on the ground. I don’t care about the snow freezing my cheek. Another sharp, cold pain racks my body, making my body spasm, but I don’t care.

Through my blurred vision, I can see the last moments when the horse and its rider succumb to the undercurrent of the frozen river. The poor steed lets out one last cry before sinking into the depths below, becoming a prisoner of winter.