Chapter Five Hundred And Seventy Six – 576

Chapter Five Hundred And Seventy Six – 576

The interior of the fortress was far homier than Felix anticipated. He expected martial defenses and an abundance of ice; what he found was similar to almost any town he'd encountered up to this point. It had shops, taverns, a smithy, even a kennel for the massive Hoarhounds.

Also a lot of ice.

The walls were made of it, a blue so cloudy it bordered on white. Purple-white Mana vapor was thick in the midday sunlight, gleaming almost as bright as the snow piled high in the corners of the streets. Children with brooms, dressed in leather and fur, worked hard to keep the snow contained. Felix assumed they were children, at least, based on their slender limbs and basic proportionsbasically Humans, save their blue skin and six foot height. They were the first to notice the strangers in their midst, and their chubby faces spread in excited grins.

Ta lana! Kas ta lana! one of them cried out.

As his company exited the large sleds, the hustle and bustle of the town ground to a halt. Older women grabbed their children, pulling them back as they regarded Felixs team with fear. Rotund shopkeepers emerged, axes and hammers in hand, while mothers and youthful female citizens lifted four-foot long knives made entirely of ice.

Tu roun! Morvena ais koma! Orvar shouted into the tense silence. Set aside your wrath! They have been invited by the Coven!Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

As if the words were a magic spell, weapons disappeared and the people returned to their chores and duties without a single word. Only the children seemed unaffected, their curiosity singing as brightly as their boredom.

Thats about the welcome I expected, Evie muttered. Harn was next to her, hands caressing the hilts of his axes as he scanned the area.

Beef let out a huge, whooshing breath. What the heck was that about?

The Risi do not suffer intruders, Tzfell said, and her sedate voice was troubled. Laur. Where were your shields?

Summoning a ward is just as dangerous as drawing a weapon, the Elf said, hand to his chest. Did you wish to escalate things further?

Calm down, everyone, Felix said. And keep your weapons and spells to yourselves. The last thing I want is a massacre.

And if they give us no choice? Tzfell asked.

Felix frowned down at the Dwarf. Then I will handle it. Understand? She bobbed her head, but said nothing else. He looked to Orvar. Where do I find the Coven?

Their instructions were to wait just inside the gates, the young warrior said. An escort would come to relieve us.

And so it has.

Down the wide thoroughfare came a handful of familiar Risi Warriors, led by the youthful figure of Kimaris. Her white hair snapped in the arctic breeze like a flag, billowing almost as much as the purple and black gown and cloak she wore.

Felix smiled. Kimaris. Battlelord Vidar.

The lot of themWitch and Warriorstopped a dozen feet before his company and dropped to a single knee in unison. Fists went to heart and earth. Lord Autarch! Hail the king!

Felix maintained his smile. Barely. He gestured for them all to rise to their feet. Youre leading us to the Coven?

I am, Kimaris said. She pointed further up the street, where the road wound up a steep cliff toward a structure made entirely of icy-columns. The Coven awaits within the Frostfathers Embrace.

Looks like the little hut they had in the Domain, Pit sent.

Youre right. To Kimaris he said, Alright. Lets get moving then. I dont want to waste time.

As you wish, my Lord. Kimaris made a shooing motion at Orvar, her manicured nails gleaming in the sun. Go on, boy. Well take them from here.

Orvar grimaced and that dark spark inside him flared up just a bit more. It was anger and rage and several other emotions packed together so tightly that it was hard for Felix to pick them all out. He seemed poised to say somethingdo somethingbut the young warrior only ducked his head and left with his men, hustling up the same central road.

There is a lot of anger in him, Vess said in a low voice.

In all of em, Harn pointed out. This place is boilin.

Wheres he going? Evie asked.

To report on your arrival, I dont doubt, Kimaris said before turning her wide grin on Felix. Thank you for returning so soon, Lord Autarch.

Felix could feel the strange miasma of discontent all around them, now that his friends pointed it out. It was so omnipresent that it felt almost environmental. Is there a problem?

What is a problem, but an opportunity to change things to our advantage?

So thats a yes.

Kimaris beautiful face creased with a faint grimace. The majority of the Coven supports your claim on the title of Chieftain, but there is a vocal minority that do not. We have been trying to sway them but, well. She cleared her throat. My people are almost as stubborn as the Dwarves.

At his side, Tzfell snorted derisively.

Kimaris nostrils flared, but she ignored the Chanter. Lord Autarch? If you will follow me.

Keep an eye out, folks. Felix inclined his head and motioned for everyone to get moving. He stepped up until he walked just behind Kimaris billowing cloak, while his sworn Risi Warriors surrounded him like a guard of honor.

Gasps filled the ice church, and whispered words followed.

The Frostfather!

Ninth layer!

farther than any other

Silence! Vepar demanded, her eyebrows as fierce as her voice. She regarded Felix from her elevated position. Your completion of the Path of Rule is noteworthy, Lord Nevarre. It is clear you are mighty, for a Human. For this reason, I am willing to enter into a peaceful treaty with your kingdom. But we cannot support your approaching Kingsrock.

Mother Vepar, you cannot be serious! Not only did he complete the Path of Rule as you have admitted, but he fixed our Domain! Kimaris looked out to all the Witches, encompassing them in her words. The source of our training and sustenance. Without the Domain, Cold Rock would be finished, and that is at the feet of this man.

We would not be so beholden to the Domain had your beloved Grimmar not ripped our warriors and hunters away, Kimaris, Berith snapped.

Vepar raised a hand. Enough. I will be the first to admit that he has done a great service for our people. And he has progressed further than any Risi Chieftain in living memorybut he is not of the Kin. Nods of agreement started spreading around the chamber as the Witches caught onto her meaning. Vepar regarded Felix with cold eyes. You cannot approach the Kingsrock.Felix shrugged before summoning another Title and sending it out. To everyone.

Conqueror of Ironskin Domain (Legendary)!

You have achieved what no one else has in the history of this Domain: defeated the Frostfather in combat. Your connection with ice, stone, and metal Mana has deepened, and your dexterity with all three elements has increased!

No whispers met this revelation, only shocked, breathless silence.

Vepar cleared her throat. But, who are we to gainsay the will of the Frostfather?

Felix almost laughed. Those words had cost the old Witch something to say, judging by her pained expression. He only inclined his head.

His people had read the Title but seemed unconcerned. The other Witches all watched, their Spirits as flabbergasted as their faces.

Ahem. If you wish to approach the Kingsrock, then you shall need an army. Normally you would have a clan of advanced warriors to aid your approach, but we are at a distinct disadvantage. Our warriors have been greatly depleted due to this ones interference. Vepar gestured at Kimaris, who flinched. We cannot spare any of our people, Lord Autarch.

Thats fine, Felix said. Im good with what I have here.

Vepar leaned forward, her age-spotted hand clutching the arm of her throne. The approach to the Kingsrock is filled with great danger. Not only from the terrain and the beasts below, but from us.

Felix frowned. Explain.

Naberius spoke up. If I may, Mother.

You may.

All clans are alerted when the Kingsrock is approached, and even the weakest will mobilize. The approach is an opportunity to test ourselves against one another, but also to claim the riches within the trapped fields around the Kingsrock. To be chosen as our new Chieftain, you must reach the Kingsrock and defeat all contenders that have walked the Path of Rule.

I thought people either made it or died?

Many live, having achieved only the first few layers. They are still highly regarded, but they are not fit for the role of Chieftain, Vepar said. If they defeat you, however, they will take your Title for their own.

They can do that? Pit asked. Several nearby Witches jolted in surprise at his voice.

They can, Honored Tenku, Naberius said. It is our way.

We can deal with the issues as they come up, Im sure, Felix said. He was more than confident in himself, and his people had proven themselves time and again. Just point us in the right direction and well be out of your hair.

Indeed. We must open the way to the Kingsrockit is not a place that can be reached by normal means. Allow us a day to prepare, Lord Autarch. Vepar drummed her skeletal fingers on her chairs arm. So long as we are not opposed, the initial steps will proceed smoothly.

Feldspear has been raiding our hunters these last few months. Your fixing of the Domain means a great deal for that reason above all else, Naberius said.

Feldspear? Felix asked.

Feldspear is our sister Coven to the north. They did not support Grimmar as much as we did. I did, Kimaris explained, a flush of anger in her cheeks and regret in her Spirit. They held back their tithe of warriors.

Meaning they might pose the greatest challenge to us before we can arrange for the approach. After that is another story entirely. Vepar gestured for the other Witches to gather. We must

Food Is Here.

What? Felix asked, hand to his chest. Vepar looked to him.

What is going on? Vepar asked, her impressive brows drawn. One of the young guards ran up to her and started whispering. What do you mean? If its an attack then the horns would sound!

A basso note shook across the earth and sky, shaking chips of ice down from the ceiling and jostling their insides. Felix felt the sound in his teeth. Gasps rang out around the chamber as the Witches began summoning their aides.

Yum.