Nix Terra

A Boy Named Finnikin - 1

 Cold air tore through the young soldier's throat as hot rage coursed through her core. To think her superiors had the audacity to send her to Nix Terra! It filled her with complete frustration. She, who graduated top of her class and was a daughter of one of the most influential Necromancers of the century, was put on duty in Nix Terra, of all places. The snowy town was probably one of the calmest locations in the entire United Mage Republic, and the worst place to put her talents to work.

The soldier shivered in her boots, snot, tears, and condensation alike clung to her face, for the air was so cold that all moisture froze. How had she gotten stuck here guarding the textile vaults? She understood that fabrics were a key part of the economical success of the Republic, but surely someone who did not spend four years in the academy could be put to this post? No one ever attacked the textile industry, and even if they did, there was virtually nowhere to go in this town other than out the main cave system, which was already heavily guarded.

Why had they even assigned her to the textile industry? She was a freaking Necromancer for crying out loud. They of all people attained the highest ranks in the military, and were the least likely to receive pointless jobs. If she had to be assigned to the textile industry, the least they could have done was to put her in the traveling guards instead of shipping her out to FreezeYourAssOffVille. Her talents could be used much better elsewhere. She should have suggested they place one of the new Thaumaturgist recruits here, since they were trying to diversify the military with their own kind.

All of these thoughts filtered through the soldier's mind as she stared into the distance. Or she would have been staring into the distance if the winter haze wasn't inhibiting her vision. Snow flurried from the ceiling of the expansive cavern and gathered on the rooftops of houses and businesses alike. The snowy town of Nix Terra was nestled far to the north of Spes Novis and Bellum in the cave system beneath Niagara, so it got plenty of snow. The translucent ceiling gave all below an obscured view of the river and the falls, which were responsible for the snowy conditions.

"It is a beautiful day today," a warm voice said.

The soldier whipped around to face the voice, turning her scythe in her hands in preparation for a possible attack.

A soft, young man stood before her, evidently not a warrior or a crook coming to steal the textiles. "Quite cold, though. I noticed you have been standing out here the past few days, and you are always wearing that Belli parka... but those are not very well suited for the weather here in Nixta. You looked cold."

The soldier frowned and lowered her weapon. He was just a civilian. Not a threat. He was offering her a coat? She mouthed the word Nixta, then recalled that was what the locals called their city.

"I brought you a Nixtae parka. They're much better suited for the cold weather here. They're made from the fabric in the vaults, so you know they are the best... Just do not tell anyone that I gave it to you. My father would be upset to know that I was giving away merchandise."

The soldier bristled, "You stole this from the vaults?" She raised her weapon a little more and charged up a magical attack just in case he proved to be problematic.

"No, no, oh no." The young man took a step back and held his hands up. "My father is a textile merchant. He owns a share of these vaults. I took this from our shop, so it's technically my property? I don't know, you don't have to take it if you don't want it..."

The soldier shivered and stopped charging her attack, she slung her scythe over her back and reached out for the parka. "Thank you..."

The young man smiled, and upon letting go of the parka, he held out his hand for a shake. "Finnikin Frost. Pleasure to meet you... Miss..."

"Lavender." The soldier slipped off her Belli parka for a brief moment, then put the Nixtae parka on instead. The difference was immediately noticeable, and her shivering ended abruptly. The soldier smiled and took the boy's hand. "Lavender Necros. It's nice to meet you too."