The Calm Before The Blizzard

“Enough of your religious rambling. Take this.” Colvin hurled a small black bag across the empty sanctuary.

Neven did not turn from the open book before him. Frost spread across the floor behind his feet. It climbed upward, shaping itself into a perfect replica of Neven made entirely of ice. The replica caught the bag with both hands.

Something clinked softly inside. Small glass bottles, by the sound.

“The white is for erasure,” Colvin said. “The black is for unleashing.”

“I know faith means nothing to you,” Neven said, his gray eyes remaining on the page, “but I will not pardon sacrilege within a sacred place.”

Colvin’s expression did not change. “I believe in one person—the only man capable of saving this crumbling world.” He rested a hand near the blue handle of his sword. “And that man has a message for you.”

Neven finally glanced over his shoulder. “Bring him the boy with the half-crimson eye. Alive.”

“And where shall I find this boy?”

“With the false King.”

Silence settled beneath the stained-glass windows.

Colvin turned toward the exit. “Before I leave, remember this: Emperor Magnus will not be pleased if you fail him.”

Neven closed the book. The sound echoed through the empty sanctuary. “I have spent fourteen years preparing for this moment.” His fingers tightened over the cover. “Then tell him the Kraken Organization will not fail him.”

He turned fully, fury burning inside his gray eyes. “It is time I reclaimed my rightful throne.”

A raven perched upon one of the empty pews.

Its black head tilted.

Then its wings snapped open.

The bird launched itself toward Colvin, but he raised one hand.

The raven froze.

It hung above the pews as if caught by an invisible force, its wings struggling against nothing.

“Hm.” Colvin looked toward it. “It seems we have an unwelcome guest.”

Neven’s gaze shifted toward the sealed windows. “No ravens nest anywhere near this place. Could it be—”

Colvin twisted his fingers.

The raven exploded into feathers and blood.

Several streets away, a cloaked figure froze as his connection to the raven suddenly vanished. “Damn…”

His breathing grew heavier. “The Kraken Organization’s leader is…”

The words died in his throat. His face tightened beneath the hood. “This is bad. I need to inform Sardar Julius.”

Back inside the sanctuary, Colvin looked down at the scattered feathers. “If the person I suspect was watching us, then we need to move sooner than planned.”

Later that morning, Alfred walked alone through one of the quiet hallways, his hands clasped neatly behind his back.

Something stirred against his chest.

He stopped.

Reaching beneath his uniform, Alfred drew out two necklaces. One held a closed locket containing his daughter’s portrait. Beside it hung a smaller pendant shaped like an oval mirror.

The mirror’s surface rippled.

Once.

Then again.

Alfred’s eyes narrowed with recognition.

Without saying a word, he returned both necklaces beneath his uniform and continued down the hallway.

A while later, someone knocked on the door of Malvern’s home.

The door opened.

Malvern stood behind it with his black hair disheveled and a loose shirt hanging from his shoulders. He covered a long yawn with one hand, still too drowsy to recognize the presence before him.

“Who’s this?”

“It’s Alfred.”

Malvern rubbed one of his blind white eyes. “Alfred?”

“Forgive me for disturbing your rest, Captain.”

“It’s fine. You saved me from oversleeping.” Malvern leaned against the doorframe and yawned again. “I need to get to the guild and see what those idiots are up to.”

He lowered his hand. “So, what brought you to my house this early?”

“Julia asked me to give you a letter.”

For one dangerous second, every trace of exhaustion vanished from Malvern’s face.

“A letter?”

His voice came out quieter than usual.

Alfred’s smile did not change. “She intended to deliver it herself, but she became too embarrassed.”

Malvern straightened. “E-embarrassed?”

Alfred reached inside his uniform and produced a folded letter. “She was blushing when she asked me to bring it to you.”

Malvern cleared his throat. “I see.”

He accepted the letter carefully, his fingers lingering around the folded paper.

“What does it say?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know.”

Malvern’s faint smile disappeared. “You didn’t read it?”

“Julia made me promise not to read it.” Alfred leaned slightly closer. “She said its contents were personal.”

Then he stepped back. “Well, I should be going. I hope you enjoy whatever surprise she has prepared for you.”

Malvern cleared his throat again. “R-right. Thanks.”

Alfred bowed and walked away.

Malvern remained in the doorway, holding the folded letter as though it were more valuable than any royal document.

Back at the palace, another folded letter already lay upon Julia’s bed.

No one was there to read it.

A short while later, Malvern stopped a passerby in the street and asked him to read the letter aloud.

I asked His Majesty to grant me two days away from the palace.

Go to the carriage station and look for the carriage drawn by two white horses. Tell the driver your name is Malvern. He will bring you to where I’m waiting.

I have a surprise for you.

Since then, Malvern had replayed those words in his mind at least four times. For a man who had faced the Forbidden Forest without losing his smile, his heart was beating far too quickly.

Now he sat beside the carriage window with his cheek resting against his palm. A shirt covered in green flowers and leaves hung loosely over his body, matched with a pair of shorts. Sunglasses covered his blind white eyes, and a cup of apple juice rested in his other hand, a straw between his lips.

Through the mana surrounding the road, the outside world appeared to him as void-like shapes.

Trees.

Rocks.

People.

Then two mounted figures entered the reach of his perception.

They were moving quickly.

Malvern straightened. The contours of their helmets were unfamiliar

“Those men…” He opened the carriage door. “Old man, stop the carriage. I need to piss.”

The driver nearly dropped the reins. “What!?”

“Unless you want me to do it in here.”

The driver pulled hard. The two white horses slowed to a halt.

Malvern stepped out. A moment later, he appeared in the middle of the road ahead.

The approaching riders yanked their reins. Their horses reared onto their hind legs, forcing both men to cling to their saddles.

Malvern calmly took another sip of apple juice.

This guy… Where did he come from? one of the guards thought.

“Move, scoundrel!” the other guard shouted. “We’re in a hurry!”

Malvern tilted his head. “The shapes of your helmets are nothing like those worn by Royal Guards.” His smile thinned. “So who are you?”

One of the men drew his sword. “Didn’t you hear him? Move!”

Malvern lowered his cup. Then he slowly removed his sunglasses. “Let me introduce myself properly. That may help us understand each other.”

The guards froze when they saw his blind white eyes.

“Malvern Silverhart,” he said. “Captain of the Immortal Sword Guild.”

Neither man moved.

Malvern’s voice lost its playfulness. “Those helmets mark you as Noble Guards. You may serve your lord within his own territory, but this road lies under direct royal sovereignty.”

He took one step closer. “By the laws of Valenharth, Noble Guards are forbidden from leaving their lord’s lands without the King’s permission.”

His empty gaze settled upon them. “So unless you have a valid excuse, I suggest you start talking.”

At the same hour, breakfast covered the long table inside the royal dining hall. Stacks of pancakes sat beside bowls of fruit, eggs, warm bread, soup, and several pitchers of juice. Alvis appeared determined to eat all of it.

“Mmm! Lady Julia, this is incredible!” He reached across the table. “Nash, you don’t want that pancake, do you? Good. I’ll take it.”

“I didn’t answer.”

“You were too slow.”

Alvis stuffed another piece into his mouth before looking toward Julia. “By the way, where’s Alfred? I haven’t seen him all morning.”

Julia stood beside the table with her hands folded over her apron. “Prince Alvis, please chew before speaking. I asked His Majesty about him earlier. Alfred took the day off to attend to some personal matters.”

Nash lifted his cup of tea. “With your father shut inside his office, you think you’re free to behave like a pig, huh, Prince?”

Alvis swallowed and pointed his fork at him. “You fool. Lady Julia’s cooking is extraordinary. Every part of my body rejoices when I eat it.”

Julia’s cheeks turned red. “It isn’t that special, Prince Alvis. Please don’t exaggerate.”

“At this rate, every part of your body will become round,” Nash said.

Alvis ignored him and emptied a glass of fruit juice in several gulps. “I’ll use all this energy during training.”

Nash lowered his cup. “Training?”

Alvis grinned. “Dad trains me once every week. Today is the day.”

Interest immediately entered Nash’s eyes. He almost asked whether he could join them. Then Kane’s words returned.

I will not raise you into a weapon made from my failures.

The excitement faded. “Good for you.”

Alvis was already reaching for another pancake. He did not notice the frustration hidden in Nash’s voice.

Nash watched him for several seconds. “You’re lucky.”

Alvis continued chewing. “What?”

“To have a father like him.”

Nash looked down into his tea. A small smile touched his face. There was no bitterness in it. Only quiet honesty.

Alvis kept eating as though Nash had said nothing unusual. “By the way, you can come watch.”

Nash glanced at him. “Really? I mean… I don’t want to interrupt your training.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Besides, I’m afraid Julia will have to mop your tears off the floor if I leave you alone.”

Nash’s eyes twitched. “Little princess.”

“Crybaby.”

Later, Nash stood near the wall of the royal training chamber while Kane and Alvis faced each other across the polished floor.

Kane checked the silver pocket watch in his hand. “You have ten minutes,” he said. “Choose any weapon you want.”

Alvis laughed. “Why would I need a weapon when I have magic?” He drew in a deep breath. “Dragon’s Breath!”

Fire erupted from his mouth.

A blade of yellow lightning formed in Kane’s right hand. His empty left sleeve shifted in the heat as he swung once. The sea of flame split down the middle.

Alvis grinned.

Kane disappeared from behind the divided fire. Alvis’s eyes widened. He crossed both arms in front of his chest just before Kane’s right fist struck them.

The impact launched him across the chamber.

Flame burst from Alvis’s palms. He slowed himself moments before hitting the wall, planted both feet against it, then pushed away. “Heh—hey, Dad.” He shot toward Kane with fire streaming behind his hands. “You always act so serious, but this is when you truly enjoy yourself.”

Their right forearms collided with a heavy crack. A light smile rested on Kane’s face.

Alvis grabbed the front of Kane’s clothes with his left hand and twisted. His leg swept toward Kane’s exposed left side—the opening left by his missing arm.

Yellow aura gathered beside Kane. A glowing arm manifested and caught Alvis’s ankle before the kick could land.

“Damn!” Alvis pulled free and leaped backward.

“Targeting my weak side was clever,” Kane said. “But that’s not enough.” He vanished again.

Alvis barely saw the yellow glow before Kane appeared inches from him. The father’s eyes shone.

Alvis thrust his left palm toward the left. Flame exploded from it, hurling him to the right through the air.

Yellow lightning wrapped around Kane’s body. He flew after him.

Alvis fired from both palms, forcing himself higher. Kane followed without slowing. The distance between them vanished. Kane appeared directly before him and extended one finger toward Alvis’s forehead.

Alvis clenched both fists. “Fiery Tornado Fists!”

Flames twisted around his arms, forming two violent spirals. He drove them forward.

Thin branches of yellow lightning spread from Kane’s fingertip and formed a web between them. The fiery tornadoes crashed against it.

Alvis gritted his teeth. “Blocking me with one finger again?”

The lightning web vanished into sparks along with the fiery tornadoes.

Alvis suddenly spat a small ball of fire past Kane’s face. It burst behind him, scattering flame and smoke through the air.

Kane’s gaze shifted for less than a second.

That was enough.

Alvis propelled himself to the left, curved around Kane, and disappeared into the smoke.

Kane glanced sideways, then turned.

A torrent of fire erupted from within the smoke and swallowed him.

Heat rolled through the chamber.

Nash raised one arm in front of his face. “Did he get him?”

Alvis descended slowly, small streams of flame still leaving his palms. “Hah… Hah…” A victorious smile spread across his face. “How about that, Dad?”

A presence brushed against the edge of his senses.

The smile vanished.

Alvis turned.

Kane floated behind him without a single burn upon his body. “You sensed me,” Kane said. “Good.”

Alvis’s eyes widened.

“But noticing danger after it reaches your back will not save you.”

An ornate drum materialized beside Kane. Three black circles decorated its surface. Another appeared behind Alvis, but he didn’t notice it.

Kane raised his finger.

Alvis looked from him to the drum. “Oh, no…”

Kane pointed toward the first drum. A thin bolt of yellow lightning pierced its center.

It vanished inside.

Then it erupted from the drum behind Alvis. He noticed it too late—the bolt shot past his cheek and struck the floor below, leaving a black scorch mark across the stone.

Alvis hit the ground on his back. “I give up.” He spread his arms, breathing heavily. “You’re too strong.”

Kane descended beside him. The lightning drums faded. He offered Alvis his right hand.

Alvis took it and pulled himself upright. Kane gently patted his golden hair. “You did well, Alvis.”

Alvis looked away. “As if I’d believe that. You’re only saying it to make me feel better.”

“A seed does not become a tree in one day.”

Alvis frowned. “So I’m still a seed?”

“Yes.”

Nash covered his mouth, but a laugh escaped anyway.

Alvis glared at him.

Kane turned toward the chamber doors. “Failure leaves that seed with two possible fates. It can let frustration bury it…”

He paused. “…or use that same earth to grow.”

Alvis’s expression slowly changed.

“Nothing comes easily,” Kane continued. “Not even to royalty.”

He walked several steps, then looked back. “But I believe you’ll grow into a great tree someday, Alvis.”

For a moment, Alvis imagined himself rooted in the palace garden, branches growing from his arms.

A muffled sound came from beside him. Nash had turned his face away, but his shoulders were trembling.

Alvis clenched his fist and raised it toward him. “I know what you’re thinking, you idiot.”

Kane smiled. One that may even surpass me.

Kane reached the doorway, then stopped. “I almost forgot. What comes after every training session?”

All the strength left Alvis’s face. “Studying…”

“Take Nash with you. Company makes studying easier.”

Kane left the chamber.

Alvis fell onto his back again. “I hate studying.”

Nash approached him. “Isn’t a future king supposed to know enough to lead an entire kingdom?”

“Yes, but Dad makes me read mountains of books. Sometimes he even brings in the most boring teachers alive.”

“Don’t say that, idiot. Knowledge matters.”

Nash extended a hand toward him. “Come on. I’ll help you study.”

Alvis stared at the offered hand.

Nash immediately looked away. “What? If you don’t want help, that’s fine.”

A smile slowly appeared on Alvis’s face. He took Nash’s hand and let him pull him to his feet.

In the corridor outside, Julia waited for Kane with her hands clasped neatly before her apron and a gentle smile resting upon her face.

As he approached, she bowed her head.

“Your Majesty.”

“Julia.”

She hesitated for only a moment. “May I walk with you?”

“Of course.”

Julia joined him, and they turned into the adjoining corridor.

Kane noticed almost immediately that something was different. She was trying to maintain her usual composure, but her steps carried a faint lightness, and her fingers kept shifting against one another.

A small smile touched his face.

“How did Prince Alvis’s training go?” Julia asked. “Has he improved?”

“Yes. He’s improving.”

“That’s wonderful to hear.”

“Yesterday, he and Nash came to apologize for what they did to the kitchen,” Julia said.

Kane glanced at her. “They did?”

A soft chuckle escaped her.

“Yes. Malvern made them.” Her smile grew warmer. “But their apology wasn’t what made me happy.”

“What was it?”

“Their friendship.”

Kane’s gaze shifted ahead.

“It’s still new,” Julia continued, “but I feel as though it could become something much greater in the future.”

“I hope so too, Julia.”

She walked beside him for another few steps before slowing to a stop.

Kane stopped as well.

“Your Majesty…”

Julia lowered her gaze. Her fingers moved nervously against each other, betraying the courage she was trying to gather.

“There’s something I wanted to ask you.”

Kane turned toward her. “Go ahead.”

“My next visit to the Vembert Orphanage is coming soon.” She offered him a slightly embarrassed smile. “I was hoping I could receive my salary in advance.”

“Your salary?”

“Yes. It’s been some time since I brought the children any gifts, and I wanted to surprise them.”

The smile slowly disappeared from Kane’s face.

“I would gladly give it to you, Julia, if not for what happened.”

Her excitement vanished at once.

“What happened, Your Majesty?”

Kane looked toward the office waiting at the end of the corridor.

“Let’s keep walking.”

Julia followed him, concern now clear upon her face.

“The royal treasury was stolen,” Kane said at last.

Her eyes widened.

“That’s terrible. Who could do such a thing?”

“I may know who is responsible.” Kane’s expression darkened. “What I still don’t understand is how he managed it.”

They reached the door to his office.

“Don’t worry,” Kane continued. “You’ll receive your salary as soon as the noble houses deliver their next tax payments.”

“There’s no need to worry about me, Your Majesty,” Julia said immediately. “I can wait.”

Kane studied her.

There was no disappointment in her expression, nor any frustration that she would have to visit the orphanage without the gifts she had hoped to bring. There was only concern for the kingdom.

“As an apology for the delay,” Kane said, “I’ll double your salary this month.”

Julia’s mouth opened in surprise.

“No, Your Majesty. That would be far too much.”

Kane smiled.

“I already told you. People with hearts like yours are worth more than mountains of gold.”

Julia went still.

They were the same words he had spoken when she first entered his service.

Her eyes began to shine.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Her voice trembled. “Truly. Thank you.”

“Don’t cry,” Kane said, “or Alvis will blame me again.”

A laugh escaped Julia as she wiped the corner of one eye.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

She bowed once more before continuing down the corridor.

Kane watched her leave for a moment.

Then he entered his office.

A short while later, Kane sat behind his desk, pressing the royal seal into warm wax. Documents covered the polished surface in orderly stacks.

A gust of wind slipped through the open window, sending several papers sliding from the desk and scattering across the floor.

Before Kane could reach for them, Malvern was already crouching beside his desk, dressed in his armor. “Forgive me for entering without permission, Your Majesty, but…”

Malvern gathered the fallen papers and placed them back on the desk. His usual smile was gone.

“We have a problem.”