Silver Frost

I arose the next day, my shoulder weighted with guilt from the night before. I never meant to upset that man, Clyde’s father. He had glared at me with so much hate and contempt last night, that I fell silent and left the room burdened by shame. Dale seemed so different from the man I met a long time ago. I knew he didn’t like me then either, but his eyes at that time seemed full of life and passion. Not the dead and hollow stare he has now.

“If you’re still worried about Dale, forget about it. That piece of shit is an asshole to everyone.” Clyde spat as I sat up in bed. He was in the corner of the room, his full attention on the large pack he had dumped out.

“You sound like you hate him,” I whispered, my tone laced with disappointment. “Why? Is he not your father? Is he not Shae’s mate?”

“It’s difficult to explain… And I don’t want to get into that right now.” He said as he sorted through the contents on the floor. He had almost finished with several neat piles. Clothes, bandages, salves, wood blocks, and various other items I didn’t recognize.

“Vivian?”

“Yes?” I climbed out of bed. And when I rose to my feet, I smoothed out my black nightgown that had wrinkled and bunched from slumber.

“Have you seen my mother’s journal anywhere? That book I had when we first met?”

I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“How could I see what was never here?”

He sat up and shot me a look of confusion, equal to my own.

“What are you talking about?”

“That journal was never here.” I repeated, while I smoothed out and untangled my long hair. “I never caught its scent.”

“Vivian,” he sighed into his hands. “If you took it, just tell me. I swear I’m not going to be angry.”

“I didn’t take it,” my brows furrowed. “I told you it was never here.”

“What are you trying to say Vivian?” His tone carried a small hint of anger. “Are you claiming someone stole it before we got here? Why? Who?”

“I make no claims of theft.” I huffed and crossed my arms. “It was never in this tavern. At least, not while I’ve been here.”

“Fine.” He took a deep breath. “Let’s just drop it for now. I’ll ask Claire and the others if they know anything.” He paused and gave me a soft, vulnerable gaze. “But Vivian, if you took it, please give it back. That journal means the world to me.”

I didn’t press the argument further and an awkward silence fell between us as we prepared for the day. I had been excited to work again, but to my disappointment the Silver Coin was closed. From what I understood, it was due to a Day of Grace. One day each week where non-essential Guild services are closed for rest. I was told it was optional, but based on Mara and Harlan’s stressed faces, it didn’t feel that way.

***

“So where are we headed again?” I worked up the courage to break the silence between Clyde and I sometime later. We had left the tavern and were headed into the inner city of Aurumspire.

“To the Guild Registrar.” He glanced down at me. “We’ll be getting our official Delver licenses today.”

“What for?” My eyes dropped to his hand, just a small reach away from my own. My fingers flexed, but I fought the urge to snatch him.

“To become official adventurers of course. You know, go on dungeon dives, take on guild contracts, things like that.”

“Does that mean we won’t work at the tavern together?” I frowned. “I had a lot of fun yesterday. I wished you were there with me.”

He laughed in disbelief.

“You don’t really want to slave away at that dingy old place, do you?”

“Slave away?” I gasped. “It never felt like that. I had a lot of fun and look forward to it again.”

He stared at me with genuine surprise as we walked. It was then when I noticed the sounds of hammers, stone masonry, and the hustle and bustle of people around us. If today was indeed a day of rest, why are so many people hard at work? The scent of sweat and body odor lingered potent and aggressive under this hot summer day. Most of the labor seemed to be repairs. Wagons that carried bricks and shirtless, sweaty men who hammered them into roads, built walls, or laid roof tiles.

“Vivian,” Clyde sighed. “You only say that because you don’t know how fun dungeon diving can be.”

I felt as if he just slapped me.

“Excuse me?!” I glared and wagged a finger in his face. “Did you forget I lived in the dungeon my whole life?!”

“Vivian don’t say stuff like—” He tried to cover my lips in a panic, but I shoved him away.

“Tell me what is fun about a glum and horrid place? What is fun about bloodshed? Day after day, just to survive?”

“Vivian, I’m sorry.” He whispered. “I didn’t mean to say it like that. Really. Just let me show you what a dive is like. With friends, yeah?” He spoke with an awkward, sincere expression. “You’ll see what I mean. I swear.”

I studied him for a few moments as the crowd flowed around us. Faceless people who walked to and fro.

After a moment of silence, I glanced down at his hands and had a wicked thought. Mara’s words from yesterday flooded my mind. Be more confident.

“I’ll agree to it,” I said with a sly expression. “On one condition.”

“Sure,” He nodded with enthusiasm. “Anything you want.”

My hand shot out and grabbed his. Our fingers interlocked. His cheeks flushed a deep red the instant I did so. Elation flowed through my body as well. Sparks along my hand that fluttered my heart with joy. A sudden heat crept along my cheeks and ears, paired with that wonderful weakness in my knees. It was only then when I understood an important truth. Discomfort and disgust are not the same emotions. And discomfort, can also feel good.

“I guess this is fine,” he mumbled, as his eyes avoided mine. “Sorry if my hand is sweaty, it’s so damn hot today.”

I glanced up at him with another sly grin. This bashful attitude of his had me quite pleased. I now enjoyed this, instead of the pain and doubt it once brought me. Perhaps he did see me as more than a monster and I just misunderstood his reactions.

I closed my eyes for a moment as we walked onward, and called upon the mana that surged within my veins. My skin glistened with faint snowflakes of frost and a cool, chilled aura embraced us.

“Is that better?” I squeezed his hand.

“Yes.” He sighed with profound relief. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know.” I smirked. “But I wanted to.”

***

The Guild Registrar rose before us. A tall and wide structure of ancient stonework. Aged enough to rival the human ruins I’ve seen buried deep within the dungeon. Massive panes of stained glass windows lined the exterior. Banners of black and gold hung from the ledges and flapped in a gentle breeze. Each one bore the silhouette of a shield crossed by sword and spear, and a spread pair of wings behind it.

The interior was a mastercraft of woodwork. Walls and rails made of high-polish oak and carved with intricate designs. The air carried a welcomed scent of subtle incense and old parchment. We proceeded toward the receptionist desk before us, where a woman with long, wavy autumn hair sat focused with her eyes locked on a ledger. She held a feathered pen in her hand that she often dipped in ink and scrawled across the parchments laid out before her.

“We’re here for registration. Summoner and Familiar pair.” Clyde said as we stepped forward, our hands still locked together.

The woman adjusted her glasses. I followed her gaze to Clyde, my tail, me, and then our hands. Her lips curled with what I thought to be disgust.

“The exam area is down the hall. A Magister will evaluate you shortly.” She grumbled and returned to her work.

Clyde followed her instructions and led me into an enclosed, circular stone chamber where we waited in awkward silence for several minutes. I could sense Clyde wanted to release my hand before the Magister arrived, but I did not allow it. He owed me this.

“Clyde Durant.” Magister Desmond Lenvall spoke with a curious tone as he entered. “I never would have imagined seeing you here.” His green gaze met mine. “With a Demi-Human Familiar no less. How curious.”

“Magister,” Clyde nodded and broke free from my grasp. “I’m quite honored to have you evaluate me.”

How odd. Clyde’s tone did not match his praise.

“I heard you were trapped in that dungeon for nearly a week.” The Magister shot me a quick glance. “I’m curious how you managed to survive with no Familiar and no formal combat training.”

“Disappointed?” Clyde grinned.

“Quite the opposite young man. Despite our strained history, I do care about you.” Desmond sighed. “Your father and I were once best friends after all. But you know that already. You just choose to forget.”

Clyde didn’t respond.

The Magister turned his attention to me, his emerald stare sharp with a focus that made me nervous.

“Right then, let us see how well you both harmonize.” He paused with a grin. “Might as well take her hand again. No point in being shy now.”

“I’m not shy,” Clyde muttered. His cheeks flushed as his fingers interlocked with mine. “I just didn’t think it was appropriate for the exam.”

Desmond laughed.

“Right then. Channel some mana into her. Try to invoke a response from her magic.”

Clyde closed his eyes, and so I did too. It took a few seconds, but I felt faint traces of his wonderful gold mana. Just a trickle at first, enough to drive me mad with anticipation. But then it swelled into a sudden river, then surged into a tsunami of immense power that threatened to drown me in euphoria. I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted it to grow and rise with even more force. To consume me.

My eyes shot open when a blast of cold erupted from my body and coated the entire chamber in a thick layer of ice. At the same time, a mist of frost gathered and grew dense along my back until it formed into a large pair of wings. These wings almost felt real, a flexible extension of my body. Not immovable, solid ice.

Startled, Clyde released my hand. And the moment he did, those wings dissolved into snowfall.

“Still never solved that lack of mana control I see.” The Magister spoke with an irritated tone. “You merely obtained a Familiar strong enough to endure it.” He had been coated in a thick sheet of frost and now struggled to move. Ice cracked and broke as he adjusted himself and stepped forward. “That said, a truly remarkable display of synergy.”

He defrosted himself with a quick puff of fire, and jotted down upon a clipboard in his hands.

“Now try the reverse. Draw upon her strength as a Summoner would in battle.” Desmond said flatly.

Clyde nodded and closed his eyes once more, so I copied. This time, I felt a small tug within me. As if an offered handshake. A request for my mana. I accepted and gave as much as he wanted. Not long after, my eyes opened to the crackle of ice that encased Clyde's forearms and molded into monster claws.

“Curious.” The magister spoke with awe. “Do you feel anything? Is it cold?”

“No,” Clyde flexed his hands and the claws moved with him. “It doesn’t feel cold at all. No movement restrictions either.”

“Right then,” Desmond jotted down further. “I supposed we’ll skip along to the last test. Obedience and Negotiation.” He removed a red rubber ball from his pocket and tossed it to the far end of the room. “Have her go fetch.”

Clyde looked at me with a grimace, his brown eyes wide with guilt and surprise.

“Vivian, can you—”

“Not a chance.” I said with a sharp glare. My arms crossed as I tapped my foot.

Desmond watched us with a subtle grin. It was obvious he fought the urge to laugh.

“Vivian, please.”

“No. I’m not going to humiliate myself for a stupid test.”

The Magister was almost in a full chuckle by now, his mouth hidden behind his clipboard.

“I’ll make it up to you later.” Clyde pleaded. “Anything you want.”

“Whatever I want?” My eyebrow raised and my arms loosened.

“Yes,” he nodded with almost a desperate expression. “Anything! I promise I won’t refuse!”

I fell silent for a moment in thought. There were several ideas that came to mind, but none that stood out more than the other. Still, I suppose I did not have to decide right this second.

“Fine,” I sighed. “I’ll go fetch your stupid ball.”

I walked across the chamber and picked it up, then walked back and placed it in Clyde’s hand.

“You owe me for this.” I winked.

“Thank you.” He whispered in shame, unable to meet my gaze.

“Right then,” Desmond snickered. “I think it’s safe to say you both pass.” He looked up from his clipboard. “Normally there’s paperwork and a further verification process, but emergency protocols are currently in place. The Guild is in desperate need of helping hands.”

“About that,” Clyde stepped forward. “I was wondering when we might be able to embark on our first dive.”

“As I said,” Desmond sighed. “Emergency protocols are in place. Tell me your desired names and I’ll get your tags stamped right now.”

“Clyde Durant,” He spoke right away. The Magister nodded and wrote it down.

“And you?” Desmond looked up at me.

“Names? What do you mean?” I asked.

“Our Delver names.” Clyde said. “Most just use given names or a nickname. I assume you’re okay with Vivian?”

“Not really.” I whispered. “I want that name to feel special, I’ll use a nickname.”

“And what would that be? Any ideas?” Clyde turned to face me.

“Frost Fang?”

Clyde’s eyes went wide with shock and The Magister shot me a curious stare.

“She likes to tell bad jokes sometimes.” Clyde gave a nervous laugh. “Try a different name.”

“Silver Coin?”

“Absolutely not.” Clyde sighed.

“Frost Coin?”

He laughed.

“What about Silver Frost?”

My eyes lit up.

“Oh I like that.” I smiled. “Silver Frost it is.”