Heart of Ice

Eyville

"Uncle Harlow!" Anna's shocked voice echoed around the tavern as her feet took a couple of steps closer to him but did not reach him.

Harlow Zarbeck was the eldest of the three Zarbeck brothers. Disowned for marrying a witch, he left Glimmerhook and never looked back. No one knows what happened to him after he left town but news reached that his wife died of a disease.

Anna does not know much of his new life but she had loved him when he still lived with them. He was her favorite uncle. He had encouraged Anna's desire for adventure.

"Oh, Anna," Uncle Harlow moved closer to her and spread out his arms. "Look at you. You are all grown up." His arms wrapped tightly around Anna.

Anna's eyes teared up as she realized how much she had missed him. After he had left, Anna had done everything she could to forget about him, and she had.

Though she remembered him from time to time but most of the time, he did not cross her mind. But now, now that he was here, she could not stop the feelings from flooding through her. Anna returned the hug as a couple tears dropped down her face.

"What are you doing here, Fletcher?" This is not the place for anyone, especially not right now." Uncle Harlow pulled her away from everyone and upstairs.

"I'm looking for the arrowhead of the golden arrow." The two entered a room, filled with maps, scrolls, books, and stamps.

"Why?" Uncle Harlow picked up a scroll and examined it.

"Because I need to kill the ice witch."

Hearing this made Harlow's blood run cold. He knew his niece was spontaneous, adventurous, impulsive, fearless, and would prove to be gallant if given the opportunity but he did not think she was senseless. Kill the ice witch? Impossible.

The journey alone would kill anyone. And his niece wanted go to the end of the world just to kill the witch. But the next words that left Anna's mouth made him understand why she wanted to do that.

"She has Arnele."

"She has little Arnie?" Uncle Harlow's voice sounded weak, weaker than it had ever been to Anna. She had never seen him like this, not in all the time she has known him.

"Yes," Anna whispered. "No one is willing to go and save him. Everyone keeps saying he is as good as dead. But I can't leave him. I will not."

"And you shouldn't. He is your brother. He deserves this kind of loyalty and love. But . . . this is the ice witch we are talking about here. Defeating her will not be easy. And I am saying with a heavy heart. . . you may fall under her spell."

"I am aware of all the consequences, uncle. But this is Arnie we are talking about here. I have to risk everything for him."

"I will help you then, as much as I can."

"You will?" Anna could not help herself but ask in surprise.

There were not many people who'd risk their lives for someone other than themselves. Her other uncle had refused, her other far relatives had refused, everyone else had refused. And now — now there was someone who was willing to risk his life for someone else.

"But why?"

"Because you and Arnie are my blood."

Anna leaped forward and hugged him tightly. This was another reason why Anna favored her uncle Harlow, because he reminded her of herself. He had this bravery in himself that would make him risk his life for others. With the promise that he will get the arrowhead, Anna and uncle Harlow hugged again.

After talking about their lives — well Anna talked and uncle Harlow listened — they made their way downstairs and found themselves in a sort of a dining room. A medium sized table was set in the corner with trays of food and jugs on it. There were tables, chairs, pillows, and rugs strewn around. People were scattered around, holding plates of food and cups.

Drago was chatting with a couple of ladies before his eyes found Anna and he bounded over to her.

"My lady," Drago offered Anna his hand.

Anna places her hand in his and let him lead her towards the table of food, but not before rolling her eyes at him. Drago helped Anna pile food onto her plate and no matter how hard she tried, she could not stop him from adding more food onto her plate.

He kept telling her that she 'needed the energy' for the journey she had planned to go on. Drago and Anna spent the night talking to each other — and others but mostly with each other. Anna found Drago's easy-going personality that attracted people to him.

The next morning, Drago and Anna collected their supplies and weapons for the journey ahead. Uncle Harlow was busy talking with the others and did not spend any time with Anna.

He only arrived when it was time for them to leave. Uncle Harlow led them downstairs and told Anna to follow Drago and that he will meet them outside before he left with two men standing by the door.

Drago led Anna further down the stairs that were hiding in the corner, away from everyone's eyes. Anna noticed how easily Drago navigated his way around. He looked to be in his element.

They walked further into a room with a huge curtain covering one side of the wall. Anna grew impatient and asked him they were getting out.

"Through right . . . here." Drago pulled the dirty curtain down and motioned towards the huge hole dig into the wall. "Ladies first."

The hole looked to be freshly dug in and Anna could see some rocks falling from time to time. There was a light coming in from a distance and Anna grabbed the torch held out by Drago and followed him inside.

Her feet came in contact with a huge rock and she fell forward but was saved by Drago. He smirked in response to Anna's gratitude. Anna stared at Drago who walked in front of her, lighting the torches hanging from the wall and telling her stories about his time here.

His warm smile was still adorning his face and his eyes had a sparkle in them. Anna stared at him with curious eyes, wanting to know more about him.

Anna did not know how long they walked for before they came to the door. Anna peered at the darkness coming in front as Drago knocked the door twice, paused, then knocked three times.

The door creaked open and Anna stared at the man with one eye. His right eye was sewed shut while the left eye was wide open. His pale blue eyes looked over Drago, then Anna before he nodded and let them out.

There, standing in front of her was Lightening with her uncle tending to a dark black colored horse. Lightening let out a noise in happiness after seeing Anna and rubbed his nose against her cheek.

Drago stared at the happy reunion in front of him before they were told by her uncle that they needed to start their journey to Druford before nightfall. The three got on their horses and started their two day and one night long journey towards the dragon's lair.