BUZZ!
Hugo said a few more things but I paid little attention to them while pondering on his possible affiliation with the defeated empire. But then, the buzzing sound came from the walls and I quickly looked up in horror only to see a section of the wall sliding up
WOOOOSH!
A strong chilling wind carrying snow particles poured into Castle Black, causing me to shiver slightly under my fur jacket worn over light leather armor. This wind lasted for five minutes before dying out.
Sitting at the center of a 4000-strong force made it impossible to see what was ahead so far ahead so I could only wait. I noticed a howlsteed approaching due to the nervous grunts of my spirit-bred horse and I looked over my shoulder
It was a face I had only seen once—at the round table on the day we arrived at Castle Black. The man had extraordinary white hair with white lashes and snow-white eyes. However, I could only glimpse his face momentarily because he always had his hood draped over his head.
"Following My Lord's order, I will stand by your side through the expedition. Do as I say and you have a 50% chance of coming out of this alive." He said in a frosty tone that caught my attention.
The extremely cold physical features of this man led me to believe he was an anomaly with Ice magic. I gave a small nod and looked ahead, paying him no attention.
"Beyond the walls, you will meet only chaos and death. It was a race to get to Skardrith. Don't get left behind." the strange mage spoke up again and I glanced over my shoulder, giving him a brief nod.
Returning my attention to the forefront, I was interrupted once again but this time the mage grabbed my shoulder and turned me over. His cold temperament vanished, replaced with an exaggerated frown.
"Playing the cool guy is my thing!" He yelled then froze as he noticed people glanced our way. "Do you understand?"
His voice came out in an aggressive hiss. One I found laughable but I didn't overlook it. I could feel the resentment budding. I couldn't understand his strange personality but I decided to play alone.
'The last thing I need is someone trying to strike me in the back in the middle of a battlefield.'
I turned to meet the mage's gaze and slowly bowed.
"Forgive me for—my earlier ride behavior, I'm just—anxious since this is my—first time." I stuttered and put on a terrified expression.
The man's resentment vanished and I saw a proud smile spread across his face and he sheepishly tried to hide his face by looking the other way.
{Is he on some sort of drugs or something?}
Even Lin was confused!
'It doesn't matter, his death is close anyways.' I said while looking at the spirit of death seated behind him and even stroking his shoulder.
My motto has always been simple; never beef with the dead. Save that resentment and trouble for the living.
"It's alright kid, I understand how you feel." The fraud put on his cold persona again. "Worry not, nothing gets past me."
Listening to tough words coming from a dead man was probably the most entertaining part of having this death magic. I'm curious to know if they maintain this cocky air when death finally meets them on the battlefield.
"Thank you!" I gasped like a desperate man who had just been given hope. "What may I call you, my Lord?"
I regretted asking that question the moment those words escaped my lips. The fraud's confidence hit an all-time high and the gleam in his eyes was nearly impossible to ignore.
He rode forward only stopping when we were seated side by side.
"When you are in trouble, scream the name Blizzard and I will be there to save you." He said in a low tone and rode away.
I blinked in confusion, wondering how that corny exit was meant to be cool. Turning my horse, the shameless mage kept sneaking glances and chuckling like a little goblin.
This wasn't a cool mage, it was a mage trying to look cool.
{I'm looking forward to seeing how he dies} Lin chuckled.
'Likewise.'
Suddenly, a massive sky-blue magic array appeared above us, slowly rotating anti-clockwise.
"For victory at Skardrith! For the glory of Thorned Peak!"
ROARRRRRRRRRRRR!
Following Hugo's final war cry, the charge began. The earth trembled violently as Black Guards charged out of the gate first and the frost fang riders followed. Simultaneously a thick chilly fog poured out of the magic array, shrouding the entire army and masking our existence.
My vision was surprisingly clear within the mist. I reckon it wasn't the same for beasts outside the fog.
{Spells must not be designed to kill.} Lin said and I raised an eyebrow.
Why is he lecturing me now?
'What do you mean, I have supportive spells. The wind tunnel, hello?'
{Those are not your original spells. You can steal as many spells as you want but they will never be as special as your original spells} Lin argued.
Instinctively I wanted to argue back but there was no time for that and dee[ down I knew he was right.
"Okay, I'll improve on that." I said hastily.
As Blizzard said, the journey to Skardrith was a race—I loosened the grip of the reins on my horse and sped forward with the army.
SWOOOSH!
Within seconds I had gone past Castle Black's walls, revealing a wide, winding mountain path, layered in packed snow and frost. The trail hugged the mountainside, bordered by sharp drops into mist-choked ravines. Guard rails made from unique blackened steel and ice-bound rope were the only thing separating soldiers from a fatal fall.
Castle Black was cold but outside the walls was a biting blizzard. The sky was a permanent grey-white, blurring the line between earth and cloud. The howl of wind was ever-present, carrying with it echoes from the valley below—inhumane growls and howls.
Monsters!
Their vicious cries came from far beneath the mountain—a massive, dark forest that stretched for miles.
Skardrith was within that dense forest!