“In the old customs of Frostholm, when a king dies, the new ruler wears a hollow silver

  crown. It is only after three moons pass, and the spirit of the late king ascends, that the

  risen monarch will earn the supple crown."

  ?

  The Kingdom of the Icebound Isles breached the freezing waters of the northern sea.

  Frozen rivers carved the archipelago. The nine isles were governed by five semiautonomous

  kingdoms, and where all connected by trade and travel through a system of

  bridges and canals.

  All answered to the capital city and home of the high king. It was in the northwestern

  snowfields of the second largest isle. There stood the city of Frostholm, jewel of frozen

  shore.

  It’s harbor painted streaks of blue along the small basin. The city spanned considerably

  inland, its outskirts touching a sacred lake. The waters, and where they come from, was a

  great deal of importance to the people of the isles.

  A skyward gentle mesa marked the center of the city. It was leveled in three, and so three

  small and bustling districts inhabited the outcrop. It was crowned by the Royal Keep in the

  Palace district. Twelve spires dotted the courtyard, six on either side lengthwise. A lower

  level surrounded the north face of the grounds, allowing for a great balcony that offered

  breathtaking views of the great city. The enormous range of mountains of the Snowspires

  central to the island would be visible from the balcony on a clear day.

  A young prince entered the balcony grounds. He walked the cobblestoned path lined with

  posts of crystal lanterns and stone benches scanning the sprawling city of snow and stone

  with his glacier-blue eyes. The clouds in the sky were thick, and darkness was coming. The

  lanterns flickered weakly through the gentle haze of the snow. He moved slightly to the left,

  nearer to the cliff wall that was the grounds of the keep. He was avoiding the sheer cliff on

  the right, and the upwards snowy breeze it summoned. The he city was obscured by the

  moderate snowfall, but he saw a shimmer, just through the gray. It was one of the eternal

  lakes, catching the skylight through an unseen break in the clouds.

  The balcony broadened as he arrived at the middle of the path. There stood a large and

  ornate stone fountain. A tall, twelve-sided column rose from its center. Sculptures of gods

  and legends surrounded the column, perched on top a ring of stone. It were beasts and

  men, great birds and snow horses, bears of the fringes, whales that once dwelt in the

  coldest unfreezing waters of the strait; there where bearded ice serpents, but they all

  looked extraordinary, all the beasts, and the men as well.

  The basin of the fountain was covered with a clear sheet of solid ice, protecting the virgin

  waters below. Once, it might have flowed freely through the sprouts that were now frozen

  shut. The virgin water came from a natural reservoir deep below the mesa, funneled

  upwards by a system of pipes.

  This precious water was protected as a symbol of life. Its properties were not mystic like

  the lake, but the virgin waters were vital in the rise of the great old empire, until the advent

  of seaving, when the water mages of old learned to filter the water of the ocean.

  Now, the world coveted the mystic water of the lakes.

  Behind the fountain was large stone carving, on the hill wall being the base of the keep

  above. It was a scene of people looking up at the sky in reverence, as a falling star was

  descended into a lake below. The light of the two nearby crystal lanterns made the carved

  waves of the lake move with their swaying and flickering.

  Eldric clutched his heavy fur cloak. He believed that one day he would have no need of it.

  He felt a gentle tug of cold coming from behind. He looked over his shoulder, to the eastern

  side of the lower rise. The temple of the Cult of Thermogenesis grew upon his eyes. It was

  quite distant, yet it imposed upon the palace. It was a tall rectangular structure, tapered

  slightly on its rise. Wide columns protruded from its corners, disrupting smooth seamless

  walls. A pair of large sconces burned with pale flame at either side of its tall, slim door of

  dark nickle. Acolytes walked about the surrounding grounds, carrying torches and clearing

  the snow. It was known that house Geraphim was a friend of the Temple, which made their

  presence in the city the faith of the monarchy, but the city was also home to many sites of

  worship of many faiths. The Church of Thermokinesis was a close sister to the Temple and

  was tolerated by the Divine Hand, the patron of all faiths.

  "Prince Eldric,” Seer Isolde approached Eldric from the cobblestone path, her dark blue

  eyes slowly coming into view. The light of the crystal lanterns bathed her hooded pale face,

  and her eyes gleamed like sapphires. “May I join you in your solitude?"

  “Please do.” Eldric offered her his heavy fur cloak. The Seer declined politely. She was

  Clad in blue robes that draped down, unresponsive to the winds. As an affiliate of the

  Temple, she was well versed in the arts of Thermogenesis. She would have no need for furs

  even in the coldest of winds.

  They sat down in a stone bench, below a tall crystal lamp post that dotted the cliff grounds

  in an orange glow. Eldric used his own abilities to keep the calm of the winds around them,

  as snow had began to fluster, flowing upwards from the cliff. “Last time I spoke with father

  he spoke of his plans for the Second Great Council. I think he knew their unity would not

  last.”

  Isolde's gaze softened "The Isles are bound by ancient pacts, but the landlocked kingdoms

  still try to forge their ground. Veridia covets the wells of Xianthos. Their research into the

  so-called alternate schools demand a great deal of power, and their own wells don’t seem

  to be enough. It is rumored that these… zealots have infiltrated the government. If they can

  convince the rulers to reclaim the wells… as you can see, your father had reason for his

  urgency."

  “The great houses were already preparing for the summit, but rumors of his condition have

  come out. Some have abstained from their dues. Are they anticipating the worst?”

  “They are preparing for a world without your father, my prince. I implore you visit him; though

  the second great summit is now unlikely, I know we can find another way. Heed his wisdom,

  my prince, for as the days go by, still heavier burdens will befall upon you. You are his heir

  after all.”

  “I must go know, he is waiting for me.”

  “One more thing my prince. There will come a moment when you will be the seers of

  Egrescroll will approach you. They are masters of prophecy, yet they are extremely

  selective at the sort of information they can reveal. This may be the reason that they have

  never been wrong, but consider this as well: they have devised the downfall of three great

  houses.”

  “Seer Isolde, if… when the time comes, I shall appoint you as spymaster of Frostholm. I

  see no other way.”

  “Well, my prince, it would be ever the honor, though I still insist you review your options. In

  any case, I am here for you and your family.”

  As Eldric retreated, the sun was completely sunken, the clouds were lifted, and stars could

  be seen above.

  From the courtyard, Eldric made his way to the royal family terrace where an elaborate

  keep housed the king’s quarters. The guards welcomed him.

  He climbed the stairs and maneuvered several corridors. The quarters were in the third

  floor, connected by several other buildings by sky bridges. He entered the common room,

  where several people stood. He greeted them quietly. As he opened the door that led to the

  bedchamber, the cold nickel doorhandles sent shivers down his spine.

  The window was wide open, the curtains swayed, and the sky no longer cloudy. Twinkling

  stars shone above the quiet city. Seraphina stood next to the bed, focused intently on her

  craft.

  King Tharion lay in a thickly furred bed. Five shards of light floated gently above his head,

  crowning him in an otherworldly glow. They produced a deep, but gentle, rhythmic hum.

  Eldric’s father looked serene below the astral light.

  ?

  The lakeside estates of house Geraphim was located at the end of a winding road in the

  rolling outskirts of Frostholm. The manse was made of stalwartnubis and it lat atop a gentle

  rise that overlooked eternal lake Ursa. In fact, part of the lake invaded the walled off

  grounds, which contained several groves and gardens. Eldric’s house had direct access to

  the lake, even before their rise to power.

  The house guard allowed his carriage in. Although his household servants still resided and

  maintained the place, it was largely uninhabited by the royal family. Eldric himself resided

  at the royal quarters with most of his house, he was usually surrounded by his uncles, aunts,

  and cousins. But his favorite uncle, Adrian, who was a member of the royal advisory,

  preferred to live at the lower terraces by the temple, with the barracks in sight. His

  presence was always missed.

  His house seemed empty compared to the castle, and Eldric hardly came this way

  anymore. But he had guests arriving soon, and he thought this was the best place for a

  private discussion. The cult always seemed to keep an eye on the prince, but they hated

  the stones of that place. Stalwartnubis had a unique property of rendering magic

  ineffective. It interfered with the cult’s rituals and meditations, and no whispers could

  penetrate those walls.

  An orange glow now appeared in the horizon, and gentle, shy light came unto the gardens

  nearby. Beyond the garden and past the pine woods, above the low wall, the lake was

  reflecting the horizon, the waters swaying gentle, the reflection, blurred by the haze of

  winter, grew brighter yet.

  As Eldric entered the chilly interior of the dinner hall, his footsteps echoed against the stone

  walls. A tall, bald man clad in dark gray robes stood next to the fire. It was Silas, his loyal

  servant who was tending the hearth. He rushed to greet Eldric with a warm hug. His round

  face was was pierced by two golden chains from cheek to cheek. They clanked as he

  smiled. He held Eldric’s hand in a ball with both of his, and squeezed.

  “I missed you too.” Eldric returned the smile. Silas hurried and offered him a pastry, which

  Eldric refused. Silas looked at the door, and pointed at the horizon through the glass

  windows, with a questioning look in his face. Eldric nodded reluctantly. “We are expecting

  guests. I know, not much notice given. Do not do too much. But, the important guest is

  coming second.” Silas bowed and went off to the kitchen, servants and cooks waiting for

  instruction.

  Eldric retreated to his study, but it wasn't long before the quiet of the manse was interrupted

  by the arrival of Brother Kassian. The house guards had allowed him to a the dinner hall,

  were an enormous hearth bathed the interior in warmth. Eldric greeted the cloaked monk.

  Brother Kassian had been a childhood confidante of his father, a bridge between the court

  and the fringes. After the due greeting and formalities, they proceeded to lunch at the hall.

  Platters of traditional Frostholm dishes dotted the table, but the monk chose a simple meal

  of smoked fish and bread. The bread was good, Kassian claimed but requested a coarse

  unleavened bread stone-baked in the style of the fringes. Silas obliged, and pursed his lips

  disapprovingly when the monk could not see.

  The conversation took a more serious tone. The monk spoke of the growing unrest in the

  landlocked kingdoms. Eldric’s father had once asked of the monks to help the isles

  establish formal relations with the landlocked kingdoms, across the continental mountain

  range that lay along the Northeast coast, leaving only the city-states of Xianthos and

  Veridia, and their colonies, with ready access to a coast. But the efforts dwindled, the plan

  bearing no fruit. The attempt did manage to cause some instability within, for a small

  minority wanted reciprocate the efforts of the isles, but were not allowed by the xenophbic

  majority. However, their settlements on their own outskirts do not share in their glory. They

  did manage to leave the inland for a different purpose: piracy.

  “The marginalized colonies are not adhering to the no contact directive. Their resources

  are dwindling, and ships have been spotted along they strait, they are targeting trade

  barges.”

  “Our only hope, and now they are attacking us. Father must know of this. Now that you

  mention it, you aren’t the only person who noticed these increasingly bold raids. We would

  visit Alentis and employ the service of the fleet of house Thundertide. Even from his bed,

  father toils away making plans. He is sending me there with a procession. As part of a

  bigger mission.”

  “Have Xianthos and Veridia reported any attacks?”

  “They have not. That is, we’ve had not contact with them for weeks. Lady Elara seemed to

  think their messengers are avoiding our unkempt roads and waterways, but Isolde reports

  their whispers have gone silent as well, as if… barred by something. Which brings me to

  the other part of my mission…”

  Eldric declared his intentions to personally see the resolution of a suspected dispute. “My

  father knows the influence of house Geraphim runs deep within Veridia. If there would be a

  conflict, we can hold sway as mediators.”

  The monk scowled and scratched his short beard. He seemed skeptical of Eldric’s

  mission, but chose to move on to the next topic. “Regarding your brother…” he glamored.

  Eldric's younger brother, Prince Alaric, who according to the monks, thrived under their

  austere tutelage, had stopped writing, and Isolde had heard no whispers of his

  whereabouts, having been spotted last in Winterwatch. “He has decided to take his leave.

  This was not unusual for him, there are many monasteries scattered throughout the fringes,

  and he had in his mind to visit all of them. But the last time we saw him, he was acting

  different.

  "Your brother is strong, Prince," Kassian continued, his voice raspy with age. "But anger

  simmers within him, a fire stoked by the injustice he sees in the world. Perhaps he needs

  the guidance of the king, and of his brother. He needs your temperance."

  Eldric felt a pang of guilt. He had always seen Alaric as the wild one, the shadow to his own

  stoic light. But he was surprised at the monks disposition. His father the king asked of him

  to retrieve his brother, and had warned him the the monks would not agree so easily, and

  now, it would seem, the monk was suggesting it was time for prince Alaric to come home.

  “I will personally travel to the fringes, I will stay at Winterwatch while we locate him, and it will

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  be a great time to speak with the abbot.” Eldric drank his goblet of winterfire, and wine with

  herbal blend of minty winterleaf and spicy sunbark powder. The monk followed suit,

  particularly enjoying that rare vintage, a pleasure rarely allowed in his monastery.

  They tapped their empty goblets in the dark wooden table. “But there must always be a

  prince or princes under our care.” Kassian blurted, and Eldric felt a cold run up his spine.

  “The princes Cirylla is studying at the School of Snowpire. She would often say she

  dreamed of becoming an arch mage of one of the student houses. Our own greatgrandmother

  was an archmaster of the house of ice.” Eldric voice remained steady, the

  monk was studying him closely but Eldric continued with no hesitation. “Snowpire has long

  held a tradition of neutrality. If the princes were to become an archmage of the school, she

  is expected to abdicate her royal titles.”

  Kassian asked the servant to pour him more wine. He took a deep gulp and smiled gently.

  “Prince Eldric, please be sure, if you can grant me this humble request, of a dozen barrels

  of this delightful wine.” He inspected the deep crimson, swishing about in the goblet. “Truly,

  a blessed beverage; it’kian, we called our wine, different from here of course, not the fine

  vintage you islanders posses. Still, it is a dangerous and desirable thing; the name in our

  tongue, it means water of paradise.” Kassian took another gulp, and wiped his lips with his

  sleeves. “At the monastery, there is only one source of wine. It is in the dungeons of the

  monastery, and we call it the black reservoir. All who are found drinking wine are thrown in

  the reservoir. There lies a collection bodies, preserved by the red, unfreezing waters.

  Generations of them. It is abhorrent, why anyone would desire to drink those waters. Yet,

  many do desire and some even drink.” He stared at the wine. “It is the only source.

  “Prince Eldric, we require the princess, it is the only way.”

  Eldric had a thought: my father will have his last wish. “My brother is coming home, and my

  sister shall remain in Snowpire. There are many in the isle who question the order that

  remains, because my father is ill. I am his voice.”

  The prince had a sincere belief that he should not be afraid. The isles were united and

  protected under the rule of House Geraphim, and so they shall remain.

  “Thank you brother Kassian. I believe our meeting has come to an end. I will see that I

  deliver the barrels of your favored wine, and an assortment of my own personal favorites,

  and perhaps, a surprise? It will be a great opportunity the settle the matter regarding my

  sister with… well, you have not told me yet, who runs Riverbreak Monastery now?”

  “You want to speak to abbot Renard. He is a surprisingly tolerant individual. He has let your

  brother run amok. But he does not believe the pact can be broken-oh, he could never

  imagine it.” Kassian got up and gave courteous bow. He held his stance down, and was

  looking at the floor. “I cannot personally make any demands about who you bring, all I can

  say is I know what the abbot expects.” He raised from the bow.

  “I believe that we can find away. I am looking forward to seeing you again in the fringes.”

  “Thank you for your hospitality. I always enjoy these visits to the isles. Frostholm in

  particular, the way your people look at us, with such reverence. My ship leaves at sundown,

  I have an entire day to see the sights and wonders, but I will be out of your way promptly.”

  “Your ship has been resupplied. I wish you a safe journey.”

  His servants arranged transport for the monk. He wished to be taken to the market square,

  upon hearing this a small sack of silver.

  Silas had a skeptical look on his face. He gesture to the other servants, and they began to

  clear the table. Silas looked at window, towards the state entrance and raised his arms

  with his palms open, questioning.

  “Lady Rosalind shall be arriving soon.” Eldric said his voice a lower tone while saying her

  name. Silas raised an eyebrow. With a hand upon his hip, he looked a the prince

  quizzically. “This is the most private place to meet, there can be no whispers.”

  While waiting for Rosalind’s arrival, Eldric made his way through the tranquil snowfall to a

  sacred grove beside the lake grounds. It was a clearing amidst snowy rolling woods ringed

  by ancient pines. The trees where said carry the whispers of the dead. Eldric knelt and

  offered a silent prayer for guidance. Only house Geraphim clung to the sacred grove

  tradition, and every visit, he felt a strange unease, as if somehow, the cult, who shunned the

  sacred tradition would know.

  After a while, he heard the approach of Lady Rosalind's carriage, he returned to the

  manse. Rosalind entered with a smile in her face, her chestnut hair bound in a low, circular

  bun. Eldric greeted her warmly. He kissed her soft hand and took in her winterberry bloom

  perfume. He stared into her hazel eyes.

  “My prince… it is rare to see you these days. I am glad you summoned me.”

  “I have been stepping in for father more and more, you must forgive me. I hope you did not

  take my summons as demand. I merely wish you spend these days with you. Father is

  sending me to the fringes.”

  “What is the purpose of you going to the fringes?”

  “I’m retrieving my brother.”

  “Your father wants your family with him during this time.”

  “My sister will remain in Snowpire.”

  “Hmm…”

  Breakfast was served. They ate porridge drizzled with honey from the southern apiaries, a

  companied with baked rolls with a pattern of five-pointed crown, a symbol from the crest of

  house Geraphim.

  “Did your house change their crest to the crown when they won the throne? Or has it been

  the same?”

  “It has been the same. House Geraphim were stewards of lake Ursa even before we won

  the throne. The crown symbolizes this stewardship… but now it has reached its full

  meaning, has it not?”

  “Fascinating! One could say it was destiny.”

  Silas brought a platter of apples, grapes, and oranges.

  “Come the the christening,” Eldric implored, “a week from now. See me off. The ship is

  expected to be one of its kind, as promised by house Velaris.”

  “Another debt.” Said Lady Rosalind, enjoying her grapes.

  “Father has a lot of friends, and they want to help him now. He will not forget.”

  “Perhaps I’ll join you in your expedition.”

  “You will?” The prince was delighted. Rosalind laughed lovingly

  “I am going to Alentis.”

  “And what is your business there? Everything my father asks of lord Thuthertide will be

  asked by me.

  “Your father has given me a mission too.”

  “Did father think it was wise to leave the court with no steward?”

  “My journey will be short. I expect I will be home when you return.”

  Eldric had many questions in his mind, but thought it best not to pry, in respects to her

  station. “Yes, well, I am glad we you will come with me as far.”

  “Me too!” Rosalin said. She noted Eldrics more serious look in his face. Rosalin give him a

  curious look, and said, “You know, the isles carries whispers and rumors, saying your father

  has neglected his duties as king. But they are the ones neglecting their duties. Your father

  has been so busy, planning and devising. He has been more active than he has in years,

  even from his bed.” She grabbed his hand and rubbed it gently, “And when it is time for you

  to wear the crown, you will reap the benefits of his labor. The realm will be ready for…

  whatever comes. This is his plan Eldric. The more he learned about the situation at

  Xianthos and Veridia, the more he believed there was to be a war.”

  Edric looked at her with a sad expression. “I know.”

  The tray of fruit was taken away and tea was served. Silas knew their preference

  beforehand. He somehow surmised Rosalind’s favorite tea without asking, no doubt having

  his sources. He brought her a blend of chantinglilly petals and tarnishleaf, it smelled floral

  with a hint of citrus. Eldric was served serpentroot with enumelac powder, a sweet-smelling

  blend with a sharp kick.

  A tray of pastries was placed in the table. Sugar cookies and puffy cream pies, wafer bars

  with melon puree, and balls of waternut crumble.

  By the end, they needed to go for a walk. They donned some light furs and stepped out,

  followed by the house guards.

  With Eldric mindfully manipulating the temperature around them, they navigated

  comfortably through the gentle snowfall. They followed a cobbled path that stuck to one of

  the walls, past Eldric’s private sacred grove, and other woods of pine. Near that corner by

  the lake, the wall gave way to a mesh barrier, a small part of the lake seeped into the

  grounds. As they were walking past, the lake came into view through the opening. Lady

  Rosalind stopped, and gasped.

  The sun was well above the horizon now, and the lake was illuminated through the still

  persistent winter haze of snow and fog. A a layer of low-hanging clouds filled the sky, and

  rays of sunlight faded in and out of view above the lake. Smoky, glowing wisps danced

  above the swaying waters, perhaps a substance of reflected sunlight from the the lake that

  was pristine.

  He allowed a moment for her to take it in. She had no words; then they continued, following

  the wall. Flowing water could be heard. A narrow door appeared, past it was fog and trees.

  As they entered through it, it was another pined grove, this one had a steamy pond,

  surrounded by half stone and half grass. . A series of pumps kept the pond filled and the

  water moving, and steam was emanating from the water as well as the stones.

  “Oh, thank you!” Rosalind took off her boots and approached, she bent over to touch the

  water in the spring.

  “It is kept hot by mages. It should never cool but, it filters back into the lake, then new water

  comes in.”

  “It’s warm.”

  “Give me minute” Eldric walked to a wooden shack nestled between the pines, where he

  left his garments. He sat down by the pond with his legs crossed outwardly, and joined both

  is arms by his palms held flat. He took slow, deep breaths. Rosalind began to shiver. The

  air was becoming colder… but the water began to bubble.

  Rosalind slowly dipped her foot in the water. “Better.” Eldric helped her disrobe, and they

  both climbed into the pond, as fast as they could take the hot water. There was silence for a

  while, and they both kept their distance. She was looking around, appreciating the place.

  The chill of the hair was gone now, warmed by the growing steam. Much of the snow

  disappeared as it descended in the misty grove, most it perched to the top the the trees,

  were it melted and trickled down. Occasionally, a snowflake made its way down to the

  pond. It would fall on their back, or forehead, or join the waters of the pond. The stray

  snowflakes felt soft and gentle in their bodies, like an inner sparkle of the soul.

  “I dreamed we had children.” Eldric confessed.

  “What a beautiful notion.” Rosalind grabbed his hand and squeezed tightly, then smiled.

  “Have you thought about what I said? Marry me, Rosalind, and unite our houses.”

  “It was always our wish was it not? But, it is more like a fantasy. You know we cannot

  change the order of things.”

  “It is not like a fantasy.” Eldric frowned. “It is as real as anything.” He looked a their

  conjoined hands through the clear water. She let go.

  She gave him her back. “If your house were to join, they are more like to marry you to my

  younger sister.” Her voice had lost volume then.

  “Who exactly is they? My father is they, I know he will stand by me; I will be ‘they’ one day.”

  “My young prince…”

  “Not a young prince. My brother is a young prince.”

  “You are young to me, Eldric.”

  “Once at court, they floated they idea of marrying Lady Elara, your older sister! And do not

  forget my fathers concubine was twenty years…”

  She turned back to face him again “Do not compare me to your fathers concubine.”

  Eldric backed down. There was a long pause, and said “When I am king, I will do and marry

  as my hear’s desires.”

  “That sounds like a useless king. Think practically in this case. You are like to need some

  kind of emergency alliance. There are strongholds in the isles with sizable forces, teeming

  with beautiful princesses and nobles houses eager to lick the boots of the high king; they

  will be throwing princesses at you, and princes too. You will drown in the young blood of

  nobility!”

  “Perhaps you are right. Maybe I’ll need to conquer the coastal kingdoms, and then strike

  down the impassable ranges.” Eldric stepped out of the pond partially, and began making

  sword-slashing motions. “I will conquer the landlocked kingdoms, it is the last frontier. It will

  set the stage for me to bring the know world under the rule of the isles.”

  Rosalind began to laugh. “You and what army?”

  “Like you said, I can marry. I’ll have thirty wives by then.”

  Rosalind, through laughter, gave a face of disgust. “Ugh… now you are thinking like a king.”

  They both laughed out loud, their echoes muffled and consumed by the misty grove, that

  warm place of confession and acceptance.

  Rosalind looked deeply into his eyes. “Hey, do not be stupid. I still love you, no matter

  what.”

  “Me too.”

  They left through the same snowy path. They had one more cup of tea before Eldric

  accompanied her to the carriage house, where she went off to the castle. It was a working

  day and she had been largely absent.

  Eldric spent the rest of the day in the study. The meant to visit the crystal caverns, where he

  would practice his daily rituals. It was no use trying to attune the room temperature inside

  the estates. But it decided to stay. Besides, he had already prayed at the sacred grove. It

  would have to count.

  He watched sunset through the snow frosted window. Silas was happily catering to his

  every need, Eldric had to remain him many times he need only a light meal for dinner, he

  had already had a double breakfast.

  Sleep came fitfully, filled with dreams of swirling flames and icy rivers, of a crown both

  heavy and empowering. Masters of Thermogenesis could sleep in the coldest places with

  comfort, maintaining a continues and precise body temperature, regulated by their

  subconscience, and independent of the air that surrounded him. Even in a bed of

  Stalwartnubis, a master could control his internals, so long as no stone or stone dust

  penetrated their body.

  Eldric was no master, but he did manage to have fallen asleep with no furs, dreaming.

  His dreams kept shifting. It was a rare thing now. Perhaps it was the queer stones.

  He saw his brother leaving, he rising to a sky shrouded by a darkened sun.

  He saw five bright shards of light hovering in snowy skies. It grew, shards multiplied,

  creating a circle of growing shards that encompassed all.

  He saw a lone comet falling from the skies, its trail of white wavering and refusing to

  dissipate.

  A firm knock in his door awoke him. His heart was hammering in his chest.

  He opened the door and saw Lady Seraphina slumping in the door frame, her old face

  veiled in tears.