The Shadows in the Ice

Chapter 2: The Adventure Starts

Elijah's POV:

She was beautiful. Her skin was white like the snow, piercing blue eyes, and her hair silvery white. I never imagined someone as beautiful as her existed in this world. However, the snow lying beneath her was absorbing her dark red blood. Benjamin had shot her with a sharp arrow, thinking she was an animal or prey of some kind. The image standing in front of me was very strange lying down on the snow, but somehow the snow shielded her. It was forming a sort of shield or barrier around her entire body. It seemed like the snow surrounding her had a life of its own. I had never seen anything like it before. I have traveled to multiple realms and kingdoms before. Except this is the first one that has been abandoned by its civilians.

It was said this was the prettiest of the 5 kingdoms. However, one day, all the civilians were killed and frozen to death by the princess who had become Queen a couple of days before. It had been a week since her official coronation, which I couldn't attend. It was said she was extremely beautiful and kind, hence the nickname, Irina the kind. The story says that one day she went mad and killed everyone in her kingdom, including her parents and siblings. Survivors of this tragedy sought refuge in nearby kingdoms. They lived on to tell the story and now Queen Irina is known for being a monster. This all happened about 2 years ago, which is the last time Queen Irina was seen. There are rumors that she escaped to a nearby kingdom as well and now lives as a servant or peasant. Others say she is too tormented and haunted by the ghosts of her family, which led her to stay in the destroyed kingdom. Nevertheless, the council of kings and queens put her head on the market for being a traitor and murderer. Countless have tried to find her in the cold kingdom of Sundara but have failed. The tale says that once you enter the fog you never leave (alive).

Benjamin convinced me to come along on this adventure. He was sure that I was the perfect addition to this trip. I must admit I love traveling and exploring, but coming to Sundara gave me an uneasy feeling. It felt like this would be my last adventure. However, I did not let that stop me from following my childhood friend. My father had ordered me to not make any more trips and stay home. After giving it much thought, I saw no reason to stay confined in a four-walled room. I escaped and went along with Benjamin.