The Ring Of Frost

First Journey

It was a dark and stormy night. Thunder cracked through the air like a whip, as rain assaulted the earth below. A horse could be heard whinnying, and seen standing on its hind legs, and as lightning struck nearby, the horse and its owner galloped off.
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Nathaniel awoke from his sleep, sweat dripping down his face. The room was dark, only illuminated by candlelight. He reached for the glass of water nearby, and drank it, the smooth water flowing down, relieving him of his thirst.

He stepped out of his bed, onto the wooden floor, and began his stealth mission. He snuck his way down the stairs, and crept across the Central Hub, to the Armory. He grabbed a bow, quiver, and a cloak, and went back up to his room.

He crept out the window, and walked his way across the large limb that was attached to his window.

He leapt down off the branch, onto another, and then another, glad to know the Ranger's lessons had been paying off. He finally reached the ground, and strung the bow, and held an arrow on standby.

He slowly traversed the landscape, making sure to blend in with the shadows, and set down his feet carefully. Suddenly, lightning struck, as thunder accompanied it. He kept walking across the terrain, unfaltering.

Suddenly, he felt a knot underneath his foot. Before he knew it, he was swept into the air, suspended by a rope net. He looked down, and saw that his knife had slid out of his sheath, which he had left open. Now he had no way of getting out.

He sat there, trying to figure out a plan, as a torrent of lightning struck around him. His thoughts were interrupted by a dark gray arrow piercing the rope that was tied around the tree. Nathaniel fell, 10 feet above the ground, still tangled in the web.

He hit the ground with a thud, and waved of pain went through him. He took deep breaths, the wind knocked out of him, when he felt a presence above him. "Get up." And he was filled with joy, because it was the Ranger.

He slowly got up, grimacing at the pain. He quickly retrieved his knife, and stood, waiting for the incoming lecture. "Let's go." was all he said, leaving, assuming Nathaniel was following.

He raised an eyebrow, perplexed, but decided to roll with it. He followed, waiting for him to break the tension in the air, but it never happened. 10 minutes through the walk, Nathaniel dared to speak up. "So, where's my lecture at?"

"What lecture? You snuck out. Big deal. These people aren't your leader. You realize you're their savior? They follow that prophecy blindly. You operate on your own. You're under no ones rule." The ranger said, emphasizing how special everyone thought Nathaniel was.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, confused. He hadn't done anything for the people. How was he supposed to save them from an enemy he didn't even know. The land had had greater heroes than him, that had accomplished less. So how was he supposed to succeed?

"What about you though?" He asked, confused. He wondered why he snuck out. Was he not under anyone's rule as well?

"I'm a Ranger. I operate on my own circumstances, but I report back to the King." He said, making it clear he wished to be perceived as a free person, not bound by rules or orders.

"Oh. What king?" He said, knowing there were numerous spread out across the land. There were many different places a King could rule over as well. A country, a region, and a kingdom.

There was silence. No answer. Crickets chirped peacefully, as Nathaniel realized the awkwardness in the air.

"Now, I assume you don't need escorted to your room." The Ranger said, his voice dripping with cynicism.

Nathaniel made his way up the branches, and rested on the one outside his window. He sighed, and sat down, looking up at the stars, attempting to determine his fate.
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Nathaniel woke up, and went to head straight to his first lesson. But when he arrived, he saw a yellowing piece of paper, with a cold steel knife sticking out of it. Upon it, the letter said,
"Report to the Overseer's Office immediately. You are to bring a sword, cloak, bow, arrows, your gear, and your mind."

Nathaniel shrugged and did as told. When he entered the room, he found it dustier than before. Upon the chair, was a small shriveled up man. "Come here young lad."

Nathaniel did as told, and inches closer. "Closer my boy!" The man said, a bit louder. Immediately, he realized his mistake and moved closer.

The man looked up to him, into his eyes, as if inspecting for something. Then, he abruptly broke eye contact, and began to speak. "The Overseer has vanished. He rode off to check in on a group of Elite Scouts, but hasn't reported back. You are to go with Jace, the girl, and the Ranger."

Nathaniel nodded his understanding, and then looked at the man, seeming to ask if there was anything else. "Jace will inform you upon the rest. You are to leave at nightfall."

He walked out, somewhat confused. But he shrugged, and scanned the crowd. He suddenly spotted Jace. He smirked, and spoke up. "So, I heard you were supposed to be briefing me?"

Jace responded casually, "Yeah. I suppose so. But we can do that later. Right now, we're leaving."

"Now? We're supposed to leave at nightfall." Nathaniel asked curious.

"Yeah, but the sooner we get moving, the sooner done." Jace said, confident. "Now wipe that dumb look off your face and let's get going.
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Nathaniel stepped outside as the warm sun assaulted his eyes. It took a minute for his eyes to adjust. His senses were bombarded with various different things, each pulling him to a different direction.

The chirping of birds, the smell of clean pine-tainted air, and the various sights. In front of him was a caravan, shrouded with a white linen sheet. This would be where their journey began.