Seekers of the Stone Maker

They moved through the cold, trying hard to keep the ice from forming on their coats and boots as they pushed through the blizzard. Ana knew it would be cold in the North, but she wasn’t prepared for the wind’s intensity pushing against her body, causing the cold to permeate her inner clothes and making it harder and harder to keep body heat.

She didn’t feel cold, though. She had already removed her coat and tended to her wound in her cart. Though the wound had already started to heal at a rate that was faster than she expected, she could still see the prominent lines that ran up her arm, separating it into four long quadrants. The rest of her skin had turned white, but her arm was a flourish of color. Each segment seemed to have its own palette, like a scheme, and she could see various small details had already started to rise through her skin. One looked like vines that moved in a straight line up her forearm, then wrapped around her bicep and tricep, with blossoms of pinks and blues. Another reminded her of a summer storm, with dark clouds and lightning crashing through. Each one seemed to represent a season in the year, and though it was faint, it was coming in more clearly by the minute. She finished wrapping it, put her coat back on, and continued. Sir Nibs shook inside one of the inner coat pockets, trying his best to stay warm.

“We’ve been traveling for hours. What makes you think this is the way?” Myla asked Leaf, who had been in front of their caravan.

“I’m not. I just know that Aramore is to the East and that it is near the water. If we find the water, we can find the town.”

“Darkness is coming soon, though. We need to make a decision on what we’re going to do before it gets dark,” Mr. Muffins inserted.

“I could scout ahead if one of you wants to hitch their horse to my cart,” Ana chimed.

“You have a bird form that you can change into, Ana, but you might want something to handle this cold,” Leaf looked back, concerned.

“I do.”

Mr. Muffins pulled to the side, and the party stopped as they tied his horse to the cart. Ana carefully moved to the back of the coach and felt the wind change as she concentrated. In the distance, she could hear faint music, and she tried to replicate it in her mind. Before opening her eyes, she spread her arms wide and kicked off with her feet. Her wings grabbed at the wind, pushing her higher into the air. She opened her eyes, circled above until she was above any normal treeline, and then darted East as a giant snow owl.

It only took half an hour through the air, but she could see the light in the distance from a small town. She soared close, then dropped to the snow, where she transformed back. Carefully, she threw her cloak up and used her scarf to hide her face before walking into the small village of Aramore.

The village was centered around a significant stone barrier, in which a castle was hidden. She knew this castle already, from the painting at her father’s restaurant and the one Myla made back at the Archmage’s Tower. Karthmere Keep was a shining example of the area, covered in a type of black stone, with large stained glass windows surrounding the four-story building. From what she could see, the castle grounds had to be a large portion of the village.

Ana was at the Southwest corner and used the wall to block the wind as she made it past smaller buildings. There were no alleys or streets, but everything was built in a circular path around the castle, with a few main routes that she could tell were used more often, possibly courses that were used for trade merchants.

She stopped as she stared at the ground in front of her. Just against the exterior wall, something green was sprouting up from the white. She kneeled and brushed the snow away carefully. Reaching the ground, she removed her glove and dug down, pulling up a small bunch of white bulbs.

Garlic! The visions were right!

She carefully placed them in her bag, then stood up and kicked at the snow, covering the area again in white. In the distance, she could hear voices in the wind. Moving further around the castle, it grew louder. In the front, she could see a large crowd had gathered. She didn’t want to jump into the group with the party, so she went West to the village outskirts and waited. Half an hour later, the party came into view. They pushed through the thick snow and made it to her.

“There’s a crowd outside the castle, but everywhere else looks deserted,” She told them

Then, let’s use my new ability so we can talk as we get closer. Myla stated.

Good thinking. Keep an eye out for anything odd. Mr. Muffins added.

Ana jumped into her cart and moved to the stables, where they unloaded their horses and carried their bags into the village. The place was surreal. It was covered in snow, but instead of fire outside of the buildings, which would most likely have gone out due to the roaring wind, there were bulbs, and long tubes of glass that captured lightning shone out from their place. She knew about mechanical devices like this from Westford, but she had never seen one up close before. It definitely looked like magic, but she knew it wasn’t.

They moved into the crowd, keeping their cloaks up as Ana surveyed the people. While there were many humans, there were also tritons, with their blue skin and green hair, and goliaths, tall and muscular, all surrounding the village square.

The large, metal front gates of Karthmere Keep opened outward. Ana could see at least four guards moving circular wenches, which displaced the weight and let them easily drive it. From inside the castle grounds, four white-robed people made their way out in a straight line. The first person was a woman with platinum-blonde hair and very fair skin. She looked older but moved with a youth similar to Ana. The three people behind her had their cloaks up, and the length of their robes covered their hands, so she could not see any distinguishing aspects of them. She noticed they were all of relative height and had a patch on the left sleeve, with three large A’s.

They made their way up a small set of stairs to a stage in front of the stone wall. Behind it was a large curtain, which was closed. When they stopped, and as the first woman looked over the crowd, the people roared and clapped in applause. She raised her hands slowly, commanding the group to quiet, and with a deep breath, she spoke out.

“A century ago, my husband’s family built this castle with their bare hands. They fought against the cold, the wind, and the lack of resources, but ultimately, they were triumphant in their goal.

Thirty years ago, my husband’s father died, leaving Karthmere Keep to us and giving us reign over our village. We came here and provided everything we had to ensure our people, you people, could live here comfortably, even in this harsh environment. My husband brought us light without fire. He brought us ways to heat our homes. He brought comfort to a place that did not have it. The only thing he could not do was grow crops. This meant that we had to pay heavily for our lives or starve.

But it was twenty-five years ago that everything changed. Godfrey Valdimar, my wonderful husband, went North into the cold. He left our village and searched for answers, and answers were found!

We cannot thank him enough for what he has done for our village, but we must honor the deal. We eat because we do not contain magic. We cast aside those who use it and punish those who do!”

Ana watched as a tall, slender man made his way from the castle grounds to the stage. His hair was black as night, and he wore nicer clothes, but not something that would keep the cold out. His sleeves were rolled up, and he smiled wide as the crowd clapped and yelled out. He made his way up the stage, and Ana could see him better.

He was also very pale, with slightly sunken eyes but with very ivory-like skin. One of his canines glowed; she could tell it was because he had somehow encased a tiny bit of electricity into a tooth. His smile turned to sadness. He spoke, and his voice seemed to echo, the wind dying down as if under his command.

“I do not enjoy this. I truly believe that all life is sacred and that we should honor the deities that brought us to our destiny. The Great Icewing has made it clear that magic users should be punished, and it wasn’t until the deal was made that I finally understood why.”

Two white-robed people moved to the sides of the stage and pulled at the ropes affixed to the curtain. The curtain moved to the sides, revealing four people tied and gagged on their knees. Ana gasped, shocked by the scenery.

“These magic users take their gifts from the Gods themselves and pervert them. They harm, cheat, steal, and even kill to take advantage of those who do not have these abilities.”

One of the captured people managed to fight the rag tied around their mouth and yell out.

“I didn’t hurt anyone! I swear! That child would have died from the curse placed upon him!”

Count Godfrey Valdimar took a step back, a look of righteous anger and fire in his eyes. He backhanded the man, no older than Ana, causing him to crash onto the stage, blood pooling near his mouth and nose. Count Valdimar pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket, wiped the blood off his hand, and then turned back to the crowd.

“Liars, all of them. I watched as this man killed two children with his magic.”

The crowd shouted their approval of the Count’s actions. Ana could feel the intensity rising around her.

“The Great Icewing offered us a cave full of crops that always grow. The only thing we must do is get rid of those that pervert the Weave. Magic is not ours to own. We will take them to the cave for that, and they will be judged.”

Count Valdimar grabbed the man off the ground and pulled him to his feet. Next to him, the three white-robed figures held the other captives, and they followed him in a straight line as they walked down the stage, then turned North down the pathway out of the village. The crowd grew silent for a moment. Then, the whispers came that grew louder.

“Icewing… Icewing…”

“Icewing… Icewing…”

“ICEWING… ICEWING…”

“ICEWING. ICEWING.”

“ICEWING! ICEWING!”

“ICEWING! ICEWING!”

Ana moved through the crowd, trying to get closer to Count Valdimar and the captives.

Wait. Mr. Muffins called out through their connected minds.

They’re going to kill them!

We can’t risk it. Rhokhishi responded.

I can save one of them!

Saving one means to risk everyone here. They’re right. It’s too big of a risk. Leaf added.

What do we do?

We need to find somewhere to gain intel. Did anyone see a tavern or an inn? Myla asked.

Yeah. We passed near one. Follow me. Lyla replied.

The party made their way West and Ana couldn’t feel the wind anymore. She couldn’t feel the cold. It was hot, and she was angry. She understood what they were saying, but wasn’t the point of being a hero saving people against the odds?

Lyla led them over to a large, one-story building with a posted sign to the right of the door that said The Scattered Crow. Rhokhishi opened the door and let everyone inside before stepping in behind them. The interior of the building was similar to the outside: stone masonry made of some black rock. Because it was stone and not some other material, nothing was hanging on the walls, making the place seem emptier and less inviting. There was a group of tables to the right, the bar in front of them, and a hallway to the left with twelve doors that looked like rooms.

A skinny triton stood behind the bar, and Ana walked straight up to him, paying little mind to the tall goliath on the side who washed dishes. The triton was older, with frizzled, white hair, and leaned heavily to one side.

“How much for a few rooms?”

“Ah… for the six of ya. Do you want to bunk up, or are you thinkin’ about separate rooms?”

“We could do with just three.”

“That would run ya ’bout twelve silver.”

Ana placed ten gold pieces on the bar and slid them over to him.

“Let’s go ahead and take the whole place for the week.”

“That would do ya plenty!”

The triton’s eyes opened wide, and he quickly slid the coins off the bar and into a pouch on his hip.

“We’d like to ask some questions while we’re here, too.”

“And something to drink?” Lyla piped up from the back.

“Can do, can do.”

The man pulled out a bottle of wine, which Lyla grabbed and moved to a nearby table. She uncorked it and started guzzling it down. Ana stared in shock, but the man pulled another bottle out and handed it to her.

“That ’un is on ’ta house. What type’ve questions ya got?”

Ana looked around the room, waiting to see if anyone would object, then started.

“I want to know about the village, the Valdimars, and what happened there.”

The man pulled a glass bottle out, poured himself a large drink, and then downed it. After he poured himself a second double, he looked around and started.

“It’s a lot, what goings on happens here. I’ve been here ’bout five years now, but it never gets easy to see. Aramore has been round for a while, and the Valdimar family been round since the start. Since ‘for you was born, I’d guess Count Valdimar’s been running the show. He found something up North that made life a bit easy for the people. He calls it The Great Icewing. I don’t pay no mind to all that, though. I came here to make some gold, then I plan on gettin’ over to some warmer land.”

“Does anyone know more about it? Does anyone go with him?”

“The Anti-Arcana Association is what they calls it. The white robes you probably saw with ’em. They’re the only ones who have been up North, and it’s only every once in a while that magic users come this way. Most of ’em are family of the people here. It’s sad.”

“I appreciate the information. If we have more, is it alright to ask?”

“Just keep your nose down, and don’t be askin’ questions when people are round, and I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Thanks.”

Ana grabbed a few glasses and then sat down at the table. She looked around for a moment before opening up the second wine bottle, then started pouring.

“Hey, where’d Leaf go?”

Mr. Muffins pointed up to the wall. Behind the goliath was a large painting. On it was a depiction of Leaf standing near the Archmage Tower and various other mage leaders.

“It seems like they keep up with who controls the arcane.” Mr. Muffins said before grabbing a glass for himself. He took a gulp, then looked around at the group.

“It might be best for us to lay low as much as we can. Keep cloaks and scarves up when possible, and try not to stand out.”

They nodded, finished their drinks, then moved to their rooms. As Ana walked past Mr. Muffins, he yelped out.

“What are you doing in here?” He interrogated the darkness.

“I need somewhere to hide. It made sense to be here.” Leaf whispered out.

Mr. Muffins sighed, gave Ana a look, then walked in and closed the door behind him. Ana made her way to her room, shared by Myla. It was a tiny room, but it had enough space for them both to have their beds and a dresser along the wall that was also a nightstand for the two of them.

I’m going to leave this link up between us all. We should probably take watches. I’ll go first. Myla stated.

We don’t know what will happen if you sleep, so I’ll take second watch. Lyla added.

I wake up early enough, so I’ll take the last watch. Ana chimed in.

She lay down and felt the adrenaline of the day wash away instantly. It wasn’t a comfortable bed by any means, and small cracks let the cold air in at random places, but the place was moderately warm without a fire, and her exhaustion took hold.