Tear of Ice

Chapter 13

The boat finally pulled into the port of Illiar, Kreidd’s pride and joy capital. The port city where I was born and where I was abandoned on the ferry so many years ago. As the ice that floated in my hand dissipated, its become a little easier than before, I turned to peek out the window. I watch as the large gate came closer, large blue flags with gold trims waving in the wind. That familiar golden armor dusted with flecks of blue came into view as knights stood guard outside of the gates. A far more fitting environment for them than the blistering cold of the Neigless Forest.

Lia growls a bit from the sight and jumps off of the bed. “It’s time.”

“Yeah.” I nod, rising to my feet as well, grabbing the cloak from the bed and holding it up. My gaze flows down the long red fabric as I let out a sigh, before quickly throwing it over my shoulders and pulling up the hood over my red hair. I look down at Lia as we hear a horn go off.

We hear footsteps around our room and I walk over to the door, exiting the small room we occupied. Before walking behind the large crowd as they slowly filtered out through the doors. The ferry worker smiled at us as I stepped off of the ferry and onto the little metal bridge they placed onto the wooden bridge. Once my heel connected to the wooden bridge, I looked up, seeing those large walls and waving flags.

I never thought that I would be back here again, after so many years.

Lia bumps herself onto my leg and I look at her. She didn’t speak, but angled her face lower to make eye contact with me. I could see her concern and I shrug at it, before letting out a deep breath and walking forward towards the Illiar gates.

“Welcome to Illiar! Capital of our great country, Kreidd! Where life and faith combine into paradise.” The captain of the guard squad spoke out to the people who exited the ferry. They were always like this, so welcoming to people coming in.

“How far you must’ve travelled to make it to our wonderful home-” As the knight continued to ramble on, I look around a bit, the luscious green fields obstructed by the sheer size of the gates. The knights all held rifles but most seemed to be leaning against the wall calmly, not really bothering to even look towards the crowd.

As the captain’s speech continued about the laws and safety regulations, I kneel a bit and pat Lia closer to my side, feeling her snout against the cloth of my skirt as he finally ends his speech.

“-And with that- Welcome to Illiar!” The gates slowly creaked as a loud metallic screech sounded out as it raised. The crowd cheered as they all moved forward and the nearby guards converged making sure people got inside in an organized manner.

We blend in as best as we could into the crowd as we slowly enter Illiar in all of its glory. The tall buildings and cobblestone sidewalks. The flags waving on almost every corner and the bustling of people that echo around us. There is an occasional knight standing guard on a corner. A carriage riding by with a few horses pulling it and kids running around with their loving families.

It’s like Kreidd was forever frozen in time; its barely changed from those years ago.

“For it to be on the brink of war, it sure doesn’t change.” I mutter.

“Well, we’re not here for the war.” Lia replies.

I look around a bit, “Should we just go ask a knight for directions to the Commander?”

“Don’t you think they will recognize you?”

I point to Icarus’s eye, “This will definitely make it much harder for them to, but we can always try.”

Lia nods, “I’ll be ready just in case anything starts.”

I nod back and let out a breath. Before looking for the closest knight, standing at the corner in front of a shop. I walk over to him, Lia following after me as I wave to get his attention. He turns to me, noticing the bright red cape.

“Oh! What can I do for you?”

I clear my throat once I get close enough, “Hello, I’m actually visiting to see a relative of mine who is a knight. I was wondering where the base is?”

“I haven’t heard of any of the knights getting a visitor?” The knight hums to himself as he brings his armored hand up to his chin.

“This is more of a surprise visit.” I lower my hood, leaning enough away so Icarus’ eye won’t be too visible

“That hair-!” The knight looks at me in utter disbelief. Before fixing his posture and bowing to me.

“I-I didn’t know you were a Loraine ma’am! Let alone related to General Vassard!”

My hands clench the hood tighter as I nod. “Yes, she’s my mother. I came to… reconnect with her.”

I feel Lia’s snout against my leg as I pet her. The knight standing straight once more. “Of course! I can take you to the base!”

I nod, forcing a smile on my lips. “Thank you.”

The knight turns and leads us down the roads. Lia walked beside me as I lifted the hood over my head once more. The knight turned to me a bit as he walked.

“It’s such a surprise! General Vassard mentions her daughter in passing but never mentions how much you both look alike.”

“Oh well, our ancestry had a Loraine so it’s just a trait that sticks to us now.” I replied, my voice bouncing an octave higher. Hiding my clenched fist under the cloak.

“That makes sense.” He hums as he marches forward with a bit of a pep in his step. As we slowly made our way to a large stone building. The flag of Kreidd waving to and fro, the blue and gold somehow shining in the sunlight. Other golden knights stood around the building and a shield sat on the wall with the same blue and gold pattern. Upon the shield was carved the words, ‘For the Creed’. Typical.

“Why aren’t you at your post? Who is this?” The other knight spoke up, rifle in hand being held tighter.

“Oh, Captain- well! This is actually a visitor, she was coming to see General Vassard.”

“Oh?” He strides over to me, his taller armored figure looking down at me and I see Lia lower herself as well, ready to strike.

“What is your business with our general?”

“I am her daughter. Am I not allowed to see my mother?” I lowered my hood again, letting the soldier get a look at me without looking back at him. He hums.

“If you are General Vassard’s daughter, I will never hear the end of it if I turn you away, so,” He lets out a deep breath, “We’ll see if she truly knows you. I will accompany you.” He crosses his arms as he steps to the side. The large brown door was opened by his subordinate.

I step in, looking around the base. Large and full of other knights mostly in lighter uniform. Some jogging in a line across the way and other eating and polishing weaponry. Always another higher ranking knight in gold standing and observing. The captain walked in behind Lia and I and gestured for us to follow him. He stayed beside me, his rifle pointing the barrel in my direction.

I look down at Lia, knowing that with this captain here we will not be able to truly reach her so easily. Lia looks back up at me, a soft scoff coming from her. The captain looks down at her and she shakes her fur.

More knights ran past as we turned a corner and opened another door, coming to a courtyard area. Cobblestone paths that lead to a smaller building and an open training area for knights. Some knights are out now, practicing with their rifles. An occasional shot rang out, making me flinch.

“Their training. You’ll have to grow accustomed to the shots.” He says as he gently nudges me forward as we walk by, behind the training squadron.

“I see.” I stuttered a bit, letting out a breath as we walked forward. Lia standing closer to the backs of the men, a soft growl coming from her.

When we reached the building he took out a key. “From here your dog must wait.”

“What? Why?”

“It could be a danger. After all, this is a straight way to General Vassard. I will not be risking anything.”

I look at Lia once more; she nods, and I sigh. “Alright, fine.”

He nods, and Lia sits beside the door. As he starts to turn the key I step back several small steps. Hearing the click as the key fully unlocked the door and it slowly swung open.

I rush forward using the full force of my body to knock the captain away from the door. While he stumbles, I rush inside quickly slamming it shut after Lia slips in behind me. I hold my body against the door as I put my hand over the knob and watch as the ice freezes over my hand. My shaking hand yanks back as it left a giant rock of blue crystal on the doorknob. My breath was short as the panic rushed through me, the ice still present on my hand.

“Carmine!” Lia called out to me as we saw some lighter-armed knights running at us.

“Intruders!” “Get them!”

Lia growls as frost and crystal swarms around her, creating a large sphere of energy and blasting it towards the knights, who all reel and barely dodge it. I throw my hand towards them as well, icicle spike protruding from the ground as the knights attempt to raise their smaller weapons.

“There’s the door! Go!” Lia makes a large ice spike and blocks the shoulders for a second as they all struggle around it.

“But-!”

“Get Wiesse! Go!”

I turn on my heel and rush towards a large silver door with the word ‘General’ etched onto it. The sounds of howling and occasional shots behind me once more. Slamming my body on the door as it forcefully opens, revealing a smaller thin hallway behind it. I run through the hallway, my breath coming out as a mist. Before my iced hand grabs a golden door at the end as the mechanical jiggle before I force it open and freeze.

In my face was the barrel of a rifle, looking down the length of the gun made me meet bright golden eyes matching mine and bright red hair that framed them. I knew this would happen, that this time would come. But I never would imagine those eyes quickly shifting from calm to shock and then sorrow. Before those familiar lips muttered a name I left behind so many years ago.

“Celeste…?”