Caspian - The Ice King

Chapter 1

"Harder! Punch it harder!" Malcom Greyson narrowed his eyes and lashed his cane a few feet away from Alysia Hale. The wrinkly, whip of a man was really starting to get onto her nerves. Alysia gritted her teeth and gave the sand bag a vicious right hook.

"Happy?!" She muttered, thinking of obscene ways to decapitate the old crone.

"Excuse me? Did I hear something?" Spit flew onto Alysia's face as Malcom leaned in. She could see the loose bags of leathery, sallow skin that hung low beneath his sunken eyes. In one sudden movement, he slapped Alysia so hard that her head snapped back.

It took Alysia all her self-control not to kick Malcom in the nuts. She would be tasered to a crisp by the unmovable device clamped around her ankle. It was how Malcom controlled them all.

With a stinging cheek, Alysia restrained herself and looked Malcom in the eye. One day, Alysia promised herself, when I'm just a little bit stronger, I'll stand up to him.

"You will not speak to me in that tone!" Malcom hissed and pointed his cane inches from Alysia's eyeball.

"I have had enough of your insolence. Tomorrow you will journey by yourself to the borders of Irefas and collect me some of that rare fruit. Return before sunset, or my men will thrash you." he sneered. "And if you see any High Faes, bring me their eyes!"

Alysia blanched. "Irefas?" she whispered to herself. It was the Kingdom of Fire, and for most of the population of Escia, going near Irefas would be slow suicide. In extreme cases, the blistering heat would slowly melt a Water Fae's insides and burn their sensitive skin to charcoal.

In a haste to get away from the withered tyrant, Alysia quickly ran out of the basement and bumped into her best friend, Lana Marek, who also worked for Malcom.

"Do you know why he hates the High Fae so much?" Lana asked.

"Been eavesdropping again?" Alysia raised a brow, and Lana colored. "I think it's because he has no powers at all."

"True." Lana mused.

"Lana, I must go to the edge of Escia tomorrow!" Alysia cried, remembering her inevitable fate.

"What?!" Lana spun around with wide eyes.

Alysia bit her lip and slumped against the peeling wallpaper of Malcom's hallway.

"It'll be okay, Ally! Just wear the protective gear we found last month. It should protect you from the heat waves and any additional harm." Lana pulled a reluctant Alysia along.

The two girls flopped down onto their separate haystack in the foul stables; a clear reminder of Malcom's gracious hospitality for their service to him. Lana pulled something out of her ratty rucksack and handed it to Alysia.

"Press the red button if you're in trouble."

"Thanks." Alysia studied the tracking implement in her hand and slipped it into her pocket. She sent Lana a curious look.

Lana smiled sheepishly and shrugged her shoulders. "I stole it."

Alysia rolled her eyes and bid Lana goodnight.

It was going to be a big day tomorrow.