As the White Frost Clan behind them, Aurelion and Faelan walked side by side in silence down the mountain path.
Not a sound came from either of them. One was silent from fatigue and tension, the other from the thoughts swirling in his mind.
With every step, Aurelion relived the last few hours spent in the White Frost clan.
The visit, in terms of his objectives, had been relatively successful. He had seen Elara, observed her condition, and gained firsthand information about the atmosphere of the White Frost Clan. However, the interaction with Clan Leader Morwenna... yes, that part was different.
The woman's elegance, her mastery over ice manipulation, and the predatory nature and absolute authority hidden behind her beauty had both impressed and deeply unsettled Aurelion.
"This woman is dangerous," he thought inwardly.
The promises she offered might have been tempting, but the woman's personality, her demeanor that seemed ready to explode with every move, and her possessiveness were a huge problem.
And her last words... "Otherwise, they melt away." This was a clear threat. He couldn't help but worry about Elara's safety.
The girl's determined words, "I won't be scared anymore," came to his mind. "Is it really true?" he wondered.
Elara had been so emotional and fragile when she told him about her family years ago in the orphanage. Now, despite having been adopted just yesterday, she was calling that woman "Mother"
Was this a show of courage, or a result of Morwenna's terrifying influence? "Morwenna..." he repeated inwardly. "Damned crazy woman."
Just as these thoughts were swirling in his mind, a shrill voice rose from beside him.
"Aaaahhhhh!"
Aurelion turned to Faelan. The man had suddenly stopped, looking back towards White Frost clan, taking deep breaths.
"Finally! Finally, we're away! Or... are we really away? That woman... she can't hear us, can she? No way, she can't... Ahh, why did I even agree to this?!" He quickly turned to Aurelion, "Tell the Captain! Captain owes me big this time!"
Aurelion was initially surprised by Faelan's sudden outburst, then a faint smirk appeared on his lips. "Strange. You seemed to be acting quite bravely in front of the Clan Leader just now?"
Faelan quickly composed himself.
"Don't be ridiculous, lad!" he said, waving his hand in the air. "If I had acted otherwise, that woman would still be examining you! She wouldn't have taken her creepy white eyes off you! She wouldn't have let you go until she got bored of you, and probab-"
Faelan suddenly fell silent. His eyes stared into space, the expression on his face frozen. Then he came to himself again,"-ly she would never have gotten bored!"
Aurelion nodded. "You're probably right."
"Of course, I'm right!" Faelan said proudly. "I told you this woman is crazy!" Then he paused.
"But," Aurelion added "the War Chieftain was a good deterrent for her."
Faelan's face grew serious again. "Yes. But do you think you can always do that, lad?"
Aurelion looked at him, trying to understand. Faelan continued.
"I used his name because I had to. I stood up to that woman for a whelp like you. But if you go around using the War Chieftain's name as a shield, believe me, this crazy woman will be the least of your problems."
Aurelion understood what Faelan meant. "I understand."
"Good. Let me give you some advice then, lad!" he said cheerfully. "If you want a happy, peaceful life..." He leaned towards Aurelion. "...you should stay away from those big guys! Got it? You pass by where they are like the wind! Or at least think about it ten or fifteen times before attempting such a thing!"
Aurelion couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"What's wrong, lad?"
"It's funny because," he said with a shrug. "All the big guys in the city have already set their sights on me."
At this reply, Faelan also paused for a moment, then he too chuckled lightly. "You're right, lad. Your situation is a bit different." He patted Aurelion's shoulder friendly. "Let's go then. We'd better get home before we face the Captain's wrath."
Together, they continued to walk side by side towards Roric's house. The cold but atmosphere of the White Frost Clan was behind them, but the echoes of the visit still lingered in their minds.
Finally, they reached the familiar streets of the Upper District and the house of Roric. As soon as the house door opened, Faelan threw himself inside and took a deep breath.
"Finally! Safe zone!"
Hearing his voice, Sigrid appeared at the kitchen doorway. "Welcome! Did your visit go well?"
"I suppose," Aurelion murmured.
Faelan, however, immediately chimed in. "It was wonderful! So wonderful that we couldn't get enough, I wish we could go again. Right, lad?" He winked at Aurelion.
Sigrid smiled. "I'm glad," she said. "The Captain just got home. He's waiting for you in his study."
"Alright then, lad. Now let's deal with the Captain. Then we will visit the War Chieftain, won't that be lovely?"
Aurelion smirked faintly. Strangely, this man's misplaced jokes somewhat amused him.
The two of them went together to the front of the Captain's study. Then Aurelion knocked the door.
"Come in."
When they opened the door and entered. Roric was leaning back in his armchair, his hands clasped behind his head, his legs crossed.
There was unreadable expression on his face, but he definitely looked relaxed, perhaps even in a good mood.
Aurelion and Faelan went in and sat in the chairs.
"Good," Roric said, looking them up and down. "You've returned in one piece."
"Of course, of course," Faelan immediately interjected. "We almost returned in a hundred pieces, Captain!"
"I can imagine," Roric said. Then his gaze turned to Aurelion. "Was your visit productive brat?"
Aurelion thought for a bit. "On paper, we successfully executed the plan. We saw Elara, observed the surroundings, didn't stay too long. But... unexpected things happened."
"Like what?" Roric asked calmly.
Before Aurelion could answer, Faelan spoke up, leaning forward in his seat. "That crazy woman, Captain!" Pointing at Aurelion, "She personally adopted this child's girlfriend, that Forest Elf girl! Made her own daughter!"
Roric's eyebrows rose slightly. "Clan Leader Morwenna? Elara? Hmm... I suppose she's the only clan leader in Ulfgard who would do such a thing."
Aurelion continued. "The visit went as desired, one might say, but we had a long interaction with this woman. I didn't show her anything that would increase her interest, but... she definitely won't wait without doing anything. This woman is truly problematic."
"Tell me what happened,"
Faelan immediately began a rapid summary. "So we arrived at the clan, there was a strange, white eyed guard at the gate, he let us straight in without any questions. We took in the atmosphere inside for a bit, everywhere was snow white, quiet and peaceful... We went through some beautiful trees to a large manor, and what do we see, this crazy woman playing in the snow with her new daughter! She was turning ice into flowers and stuff! Then she came up to us, started saying some nonsensical things-"
Aurelion continued without pausing. "She spoke of her legacy, of the importance of her own legacy, of having no one to pass it on to... She said she saw a special potential in Elara, that's why she took her as her daughter, that she would teach her everything she knew. But the tone and emphasis of her speech... What she was actually describing felt like veiled promises offered to me through Elara."
Faelan came to himself just then. "Exactly! Then we sat down! We practically had a picnic with the clan leader and the child's girlfriend! Let me tell you something, Captain, no lie, their tea was amazing! How can something hot be cold at the same time? I still don't get it, but it was awesome! Cap-"
Aurelion continued "Later, the Clan Leader brought the conversation to energy use. She said Elara would soon catch up to me and so on. While we were trying to change the subject, she suddenly transformed her entire right arm into thorny, clawed ice. Then she turned to me and asked me to extend my hand so she could check my energy."
"That's where I stepped in, Captain! I said, Whoa there! Put that hand down, Clan Leader! I said the child is under Captain Roric's protection, and Captain Roric only takes orders from the War Chieftain! She paused when she heard that, of course!"
Faelan puffed out his chest proudly. "Then she was intimidated by my awesome charisma and backed down! We immediately used the child's training as an excuse and got out of there!"
During this chaotic and at times exaggerated report, Roric had leaned forward slightly in his chair. His eyes were darting between Faelan and Aurelion. As Faelan's last sentence, hung in the air, Aurelion felt the need to make one final addition.
"This woman," Aurelion said, his voice serious, looking at Roric. "Morwenna, before we left, showed us those ice sculptures in the courtyard. She said if they weren't cared for, if they weren't protected, they would melt away."
"Then she added that it would be good for Elara if I visited her often, so she wouldn't be alone. Elara seems happy for now, yes. But this woman... she's dangerous, Captain."
Faelan interjected again. "No, lad, you're mistaken! This crazy woman isn't dangerous for Elara!" Then he paused, as if realizing what he had just said. "I mean... what I mean is, this crazy woman is dangerous, yes! Generally dangerous! For everyone-"
Aurelion glanced briefly at Faelan's frozen state and turned back to Roric.
"The plan, I presume, will work," he said, his voice more strategic now. "When the other clans, Ursine and Frost-Axe, ask Clan Leader Morwenna about my visit, Morwenna will probably claim me, imply that she has drawn me to her side. The fact that I don't visit any other clan besides White Frost will support this. This situation will definitely sow conflict among those three clans and also worry the Silverfang Clan. But this... doesn't guarantee the safety of Kael, Lyra, and Elara, Captain."
Faelan quickly nodded in support of Aurelion. "Especially Elara!"
"You must really care for these children, brat,"
"They are my people," he said clearly. "And therefore, I have responsibilities towards them. That's all."
"This was inevitable," Roric said in a tired voice. "Even if these clans eventually turn on each other, they will undoubtedly use these children to draw you to their side. Clans are like that, brat. They only think of their own interests."
Faelan interjected. "But!" raising his finger. "Clans use a modern version of the slave system, lad! Even if they're not slaves in appearance, everyone in the clan has to do things that benefit their clan according to their talent or potential! That's why, even if they want to use your friends against-"
Roric, continued from where he had left off. "-you, since these children are now part of their own clans, they have to invest in them. They will train them, try to turn them into useful individuals for their own interests. This is a bad situation, yes, it will be difficult for them. But at the same time, they will be trained by these clans. They will become stronger."
Aurelion understood this logic. "Even if that's true, the situation might not be exactly like that for Morwenna."
"On the contrary, lad!" Faelan said. "This woman might be crazy, yes! But she values energy manipulation techniques, potential, and legacy obsessively! She might actually be aiming for something bizarre like making your little girlfriend create a real flower out of ice! If that's the case," Faelan said, his voice more thoughtful now, "your girlfriend will most likely receive the most intensive, most special training in the clan." He paused. "Of course... I'm not so sure if that's a good thing for her."
Aurelion fell into thoughts, and noticing this, Roric straightened up slightly.
His face was replaced by that stern, resolute Captain's expression again. His eyes focused first on Faelan, then on Aurelion.
"Brat," Roric said. When Aurelion looked at him, "You made a risky plan, and you succeeded."
Faelan waved his hand. "I was there too, Captain! The risky part was on me!"
Roric ignored him, his gaze on Aurelion. "For now, we can say you've thoroughly confused these clans. Maybe they'll tear each other apart, maybe you've bought some time. But actually, none of this matters."
He leaned forward. "You are under my protection, and your training is your priority. For the next two weeks, don't fill your head with such unnecessary intrigues. Just focus on your training."
"I am aware that my training is the priority, Captain," he said, not a hint of hesitation in his voice. "But I have to take care of what's mine. If that damned woman and the others overstep their bounds, I will make them regret it."
Roric silently sized up Aurelion for a moment. "I will handle this matter." he said in a clear voice.
Aurelion looked at him curiously.
"There are worldwide strengthening policies right now, brat, have you forgotten? Resources are limited, threats are great. In this environment, no matter what, no clan can deliberately hinder the development of a child with potential or torment them. That would mean the weakening of all the North. At the same time, you are under my protection, and my primary goal is your training. If any move by any of these clans directly harms or hinders your training, then I will bring them to their senses."
Aurelion was surprised that Roric spoke so clearly and protectively. The Captain usually didn't give such open assurances.
Roric suddenly stood up from his seat. His figure seemed to fill the room. "Enough of this nonsense about plans and intrigues!" he said harshly.
"You, think about what will happen to you if you don't complete the tasks I gave you within these two weeks! You will manage to fill those balloons without popping them and channel your energy to the tip of that spear! I will handle this matter with your friends. If necessary, I will personally bring that Clan Leader Morwenna to her senses. If necessary, I will confront the Ursine and Frost-Axe Clan leaders and show them how they are disrupting my affairs and the possible consequences of that. Even if they are people from major clans, they are part of Ulfgard city, and they cannot disrupt the work of the Guard Captain of Ulfgard city. And you will give your all to your training, brat!" Without another word, he began to walk towards the door.
When he reached the door, Faelan's voice was heard from behind him: "Go Captain! That's my Captain! Who can stop the Captain! Let that crazy woman try to act tough with the Captain if she dares."
Aurelion, however, silently watched Roric.
When Roric reached the side of the door, he paused, slowly turned around, and shot a glare at the two. "What are you sitting around for? Get out of my study!"
Faelan and Aurelion quickly stood up and headed for the door.
The moment Roric opened the door, however, they were met with an unexpected sight. Brynja was right in front of the door, her hand frozen in mid air as if about to knock. Beside her stood a small girl, about Aurelion's age, with shining silver hair cascading down her shoulders and sharp, dark black eyes. Sigrid, standing a little behind, was also looking at them curiously.
The girl frowned and directed her gaze towards Aurelion.
Roric, Aurelion, and Faelan, for a moment, stared in surprise at this new guest at the door. Then Faelan leaned towards Aurelion.
"Looks like your plans didn't quite work out, lad..."