Scene 1


    Dark clouds bringing cold winds swallowed the full moon, guards on watch made their way around the perimeter walls of the grand castle of Seversnow. Tom neverunderstood why his father insisted on soldiers marching up there during nights like these, no-one was mad enough to oppose the Crofts, not in this cold anyways.


    As the night grew older the light snow was turning into a blizzard, perfect weather for sneaking out and going for a drink or two.


    Even though he was in his eighteenth year, Tom still hadto follow strict rules. Being the son of a High Lord came with its benefits, but it also meant he couldn’t do anythinghe wanted- going off and drinking with his friends in the middle of the night being one of them.


    Escaping the royal villa without being seen in a storm like this was as easy a task as outwitting a cupbearer in a game of chance, however, getting back in, drunk as hell, now that would be a challenge. Better worry about it later.


    As expected, the guards at the back gate weren’t at theirposts, instead, they were in a shed next to the entrance of the keep, crowding around a fire, laughing about something. This made it effortless for Tom to get up againstthe old stone wall without being seen.


    Standing fifteen feet tall, getting over this hindrance wasno easy task for a regular person, but Tom had experience, as he’d made the climb over a hundred times. Using the small holes and cracks, he was on top in no time, and down on the other side in less.


    Looking aroundMain Street[Other names?]there was no soul to be seen. All were either home resting after a hard day’s work, huddled around hearths, or already drinking in alehouses, singing with their friends.


    ‘That was easy enough.’ He remarked, ’Now off to the dragon’.


    The Dragon was not just a normal tavern, oh yes, it lookedrundown with its withered red walls, rusted green roof and broken, dimmed window panes, but it welcomed everyman with coin in his pocket, served the yellow, brown and sometimes even gold stuff and its hearth always kept itscustomers warm.


    At least this was what Tom kept saying was the reason he returned there, however, the real reason the Dragon wasunlike any other alehouse in Seversnow was that, in there, one could always find a man selling Pure.


    Some people couldn’t live without it, Tom wasn’t one of them, but from time to time, he didn’t mind taking some. And tonight was one of those times he’d indulge in itspleasures.


    Entering the tavern, he was immediately greeted by that familiar ruckus of men arguing, singing and generally beingthere. The air smelled of smoke, ale and old boots - just like always.


    ’This is going to be fun.’ he stated.


    ’Tommy boy!’ Said a short youth with long black hair, clean face and a sharp nose ‘There you are… You’re late!’


    ‘Better late than never Dereck’ replied Tom with a smileon his face.


    ‘Come Tommy, George’s got us a table in the back.’ He grabbed him by the shoulder and lead him through the tavern. They passed by all kinds of folks, a few glancingtowards Tom, but most minding their own business.


    ‘M’lord, didn’t think I’d see you here tonight’ said a ginger girl with red cheeks carrying three flagons of brownale on a tray.


    ‘Tomorrow’s a special day Betsy, I hope you’ve got the yellow stuff…’ he replied.


    ‘I’ll be right there M’lord.’ She smiled a wide grin.


    ’Thank you. Oh, and Betsy, how many times have I said it before? Stop calling me that!’ Said Tom slightly annoyed.


    ‘I’m sorry M’lord. Never again’ laughed the girl.


    Yes, his father was the Lord of Seversnow, and the High Lord of the Nordic Lands, making him a lord as well, nevertheless, he hated being treated like one. He wouldrather be a commoner - spending his days doing honestwork on the fields and his nights in alehouses - than listento priests endlessly talk about politics, history and philosophy during lessons.


    Approaching the table he recognized George immediately. His yellow head made him stand out like a lone torch in a sea of shadows.


    ‘Tommy what happened to your hair?’ He asked.


    ‘Anna said I must cut it for the wedding,’ he frowned, ‘She said I needed to look like a lord’s son.’ Just the otherday his brown hair curled all the way to his shoulders, but now, the locks were gone - trimmed neatly into a short, stylish cut, the sides carefully faded, accentuating hisfeatures.


    ‘Well, I think it suits you… makes you look like a properlord!’ He mocked.


    ’Ah piss off!’ Tommy laughed.


    ‘Come sit’ he pointed to an empty chair ‘I want to introduce you to these fine ladies!’ Besides George sat two young women, both light of skin, one wearing her black hair straight and the other tying her reddish weaves up high with a kerchief.


    As Tom and Dereck set down, Betsy, the serving girl brought them yellow ale, the best kind.


    ‘Ah yes, made from the finest grains north of the Iris.’ Dereck stated.


    ‘Oi Tommy, I was just telling these girls about that time when we got so bloody drunk drinking the yellow that we went to the stables and took your father’s horses- ‘


    ‘And then we raced them half way up the White Forest.’ Tom cut him off. ‘Those were the good days George’ he reflected, with a satisfied grin.


    ‘Aren’t you supposed to be preparing for the trip tomorrow my lord?’ Inquired one of the girls, dark browneyes staring into Tommy’s.


    ‘Well yes, here I am, mentally preparing for the trip,’ he took a sip of his drink, it was stronger than usual, ‘And please, don’t call me that, I’m just Tom.’


    ‘They said you were like this…Well then, alright Tom, Name’s Mary’ she raised her flagon ‘To a safe and prosperous trip!’ Exclaimed the girl and they all drank.


    ’To new friendships!’ announced Tom still holding her gaze.


    Five drinks later Tom was finally starting to feel relief. This was what he liked, where he felt he belonged, surrounded by his real friends. He always felt like he needed to be someone else when he was around his family, the servants, priests, knights, he was always pretending. But here, amongst the commoners, he felt care free, he wasaccepted by them and that made him feel good. No…not yet, but very soon.


    At that moment a man wearing a dark coat and hoodapproached their table ‘Heard you was interested in the purple’ he stated, a look of malice on his face.


    ‘You selling’? ‘ Dereck asked.


    ‘For the right price’ grinned the man.


    ‘How much you want?’


    ’Three gilded owls’ From his coat he pulled out a smallwooden box.


    ‘That’s ridiculous’ interrupted George.


    ’Now lads, it’s a fair price for fair men, besides, each and every one of these fine gentlemen around us would be willing to pay that price, and after all, I guarantee this is the finest product you’ll ever try!’ Boasted the man.


    ’Nekronis take you! You want to rob us, last time it wasone gilded owl for three boxes!’ Yelled George.


    ‘We’ll take it’ Tom said calmly pulling out a pouch from his overcoat, giving the three gilded owls to the man.


    ‘Now that’s what I like to see’ smiled the man and left as they exchanged the goods.


    Pure, the drug of the gods, no-one knew where it wasproduced or how it was distributed throughout the kingdom, however, everyone knew what it offered. Tom couldn’t wait for the thrill of the little purple pip, it was the size of his thumbnail, just small enough so that he could put it under his tongue and suck on the spice in it.


    As soon as he put it in his mouth the effects hit him. A slow warmth spread through his body as the Pure tookhold, a creeping euphoria that unraveled every knot of tension he had ever known. His limbs grew light, as if he were sinking into a feather-stuffed bed, yet at the sametime, floating weightless in still water.


    His senses dulled, the world around him losing its sharpedges, blurring like ink bleeding into parchment. Soundsfaded into a distant hum, as though he were hearing themfrom behind thick walls.


    Worries that once gnawed at the borders of his minddrifted away like autumn leaves caught in a lazy current, slipping further and further from his grasp. Even the weight of his body seemed inconsequential, his thoughtsuntethered, drifting in an endless expansion of quiet bliss.


    Tom glanced to his right, Mary, the red-haired girl, saidsomething, but with everything going on in his mind, he couldn’t understand a single word.


    The next thing he knew, she took him by the hand and led him upstairs to a room.


    Scene 2


    ‘Your grace the men are ready. ‘ Stated a man wearingarmor engraved in purple and white, longsword by hisside.


    ‘Sir? Did you hear me?’ The man’s grey eyes looked at him inquiringly.


    Thomas found himself on horseback on top of a hill, pale yellow clouds covered the sky, the air felt heavy. In front of him, a bright green field was stretching out as far as the eye could see. Turning around, he was surprised to find a wholearmy of men - cavalry, infantry and archers - all waiting in anticipation, majestic violet banners flattering in the windby them. Upon closer inspection he could not identifywhich family the emblem - a white dragon eating its owntail- belonged to. But wait, was he wearing a crown on hishead?


    Sounds of men screaming, clatter of shields and swords, horses trotting and wheezing all drew his attention back to the field. Two large armies had engaged in battle, theirnumbers exceeding tens of thousands.


    ’Your grace, the plan was for us to join the battle once King Parador confronted the enemy…What are your orders? Am I to give the signal to the infantry?’ Again the same soldier, apparently a High Lord of some sorts lookedat Thomas with those wide smokey eyes.


    ‘What was he on about? What signal?’ Thomas thought.


    ’Your grace, we need to start the advance before the enemy gains the upper hand!’ He stated.


    ‘You’re right! Cavalry advance! Full gallop! Infantryfollow behind!’ Yelled Thomas, as if waking up from a deep slumber, and spurred his white steed along with them.


    The sky was growing darker, as dark clouds startedmixing in with the yellow ones, bolts of lightning flashedover the battlefield. It almost felt beautiful, riding a horse full speed ahead, sword in one hand, shield in the other, Thomas could practically smell the blood of the upcomingslaughter, which unexpectedly roused up his ecstasy.


    Next to him, the grey eyed High Lord, gave him a glancethat said ‘I’m with you to the end’ his longsword drawnout, pointed high. More riders appeared around them, moving swiftly, yelling their battle cries, ready to clash against the enemy cavalry heading toward them.


    Thomas’s army hit the the opposing forces hard. Swordsmet shields, spears pierced breastplates, arrows fell from the sky hitting both man and horse. Slashing one footman,Thomas went on swinging his longsword at everysoldier who crossed his path. As he forced his way throughflesh and bone he realized something - he enjoyed this: the blood, the screams, the pain. He craved this feeling. This sensation made him feel alive.


    Fighting their way through an endless stream of men, Thomas and the High lord made their way to a smallvantage point, coming to a stop, they surveyed the battleground.


    ‘Your Grace’ grey eyes shifted his gaze from the onslaughtto the sky. ‘God have mercy’ with terror in his eyes he pointed at the sky‘Hellhail!’[Maybe Hellstorm]


    Looking up, Thomas saw something impossible: the skywas on fire, millions of balls of flame were falling from the clouds like rain. No… those weren’t balls of flame, theywere burning rocks, some as large as houses.


    ‘Run for your lives!’ Shouts were heard from both sides of the battlefield


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ’The heavens are punishing us!’ Men were dropping theirweapons on the ground, running frantically.


    ‘Save yourselves!’


    As rocks started hitting the ground, all hell broke loose. Soldiers were burning, screaming terrible screams, manywere being crushed by the falling stones. Thomas, nevertheless, continued the assault. ‘Fight! Fight you cravens!’ He swung his sword, taking one rider’s head clean off his neck. ‘Come! With me!’ He glanced at hiscomrades over his shoulder, who like in a trance, rushed to him, spears and swords at the ready.


    Distracted by what was going on behind, Thomas turnedback, only to see an arrow, its silvery tip reflecting fieryembers, flying threw the air coming right at his eye; But then, as if time itself had slowed down, he moved his head slightly to the right, letting the arrow pass by, just missinghis cheek.


    With no time to reflect upon what just happened, he directed his horse down the small hill and killed two, lightly armored, enemy archers with ease. Up ahead, he saw a tall rider, clad in blue inlaid armor, heading right for him, cutlass in hand ready to attack. Blocking his strike, Thomas swung his long sword, just missing the man’s torso, who in return retaliated, slashing his horse’s hindlegs, making it scream and fall to the side, droppingThomas on the ground.


    Lying down, he grasped for air and tried to sit up. From the corner of his eye, he saw the same tall man, now off hismount, coming in to finis him off. As he was going to swing, grey eyes put his longsword through his back. Crouching down, he gave Thomas a hand, and helped him get back to his feet. ‘We need to hurry-’


    Out of nowhere a shadow started growing around them, grey eyes pushed Thomas out of the way just before a flaming rock fell from the sky, crushing the High lord.


    Again on the grassy floor, Thomas struggled to get back up, but before he could, something hard hit him in the back and then everything went dark.


    ‘See….’ whispered a voice.


    ‘Wake up Tommy!’ A soft female voice called his name.


    ‘See me…’ the voice slowly faded away.


    Scene 3


    ‘Wake up Tommy!’ She slapped him on the face ‘For goodness sake Thomas wake up!’ A pair of bright blue eyes was staring at him, her golden locks flowing down her back. It was his older sister Anna, the angel of the North, they called her; she didn’t look so angelic this morning, not with that angry face anyway.


    ‘Anna what are you?The hellhail[Hellstorm?]? Where am I?’ Tom gasped. He looked around confusedly, sweat covering his forehead, face pale. He was lying on a strawbed, in a small chamber. ‘It was only a dream’ he thought.


    ‘Tom what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ She moved the stained curtains of off a window, letting in the light of the day.


    ‘It’s nothing… I’m fine, just overslept…’ he murmured.


    ‘Well… come on, let’s go.’ She turned toward him. ‘We’llbe late and you know father won’t stand for that. We needto get going!’ She remarked.


    Tom grunted then got up from bed, his feet could barelysupport him.


    ‘Are you drunk?!’ She took a closer look at him, thoseshiny eyes scanned him intently. ’Tommy out of all the days…’ she sighed deeply ‘Put on your clothes, we’releaving in less that an hour.’


    Tom tried to grab his breeches off the floor, but terriblyfailed, stumbling back on the bed.


    Anna stepped up to the bed, she knew right away. ’You’retaking it again aren’t you?’ Disappointment filled her voice.


    ‘No… I just had a couple of drinks and since it waslate…… or rather early’ glancing through the window, he noticed the sun was already halfway up. ‘I didn’t botherreturning to the villa.’ He said, immediately regretting it. Tom knew it was worthless lying but still did it. Why washe like this?


    ‘Don’t do that to me Tommy’ she whispered ‘I’m your sister, don’t lie to me.’


    ‘Look, I’m sorry… I won’t do it again.’ He lowered hishead and took the breeches she picked up for him.


    ‘Promise!’


    He looked at her confusedly.


    ‘Promise me you will never take Pure again!’ She lookedhim straight in the eyes.


    ‘I promise I will never take Pure again Anna.’ He sighed.


    ‘Tommy you don’t get it now, but one of these days you’llhave to start acting like a son of a High Lord.’ She saidsincerely. Tom grunted, eyes rolling. ‘For heavens sake, James is getting married in less than a fortnight, and he’s only two years your senior!’ Anna exclaimed with passion.


    ‘You know he isn’t pleased about the arrangement’ Tom cut her off ’As a matter of fact, he’s furious he’s being forcedto marry a girl he hasn’t even met!’


    ‘But still, you don’t see him drinking with commoners, getting high and sleeping with whores because of it…He is acting like an adult!’ She raised her voice ‘And look at Richard!’


    ‘Richard’s the firstborn!’ He interrupted her again.


    ‘Yes, but he’s also determined, full of initiative, a scholarand a leader… and father sees that!’ Pausing, she sighed. ‘And that leaves you…‘You’ll have the most important dutyof us all…’


    ‘You don’t actually think that keeping order amongst the outlanders is important, do you?’ he scoffed. ‘It’s just a dutymade up for youngest sons and bastards!’ And father can’t wait to send me off to that frozen hell so he can finally be rid of me!’


    Anna deserved better, his younger sister was probably the only person who he truly cared for. Always emphatic, she stood by his side even when he was wrong and helped him out when he was in trouble, yet, Tom always seem to unload his frustrations on her.


    ‘Look Anna, I’m sorry for everything. I’m just…’he hesitated ‘confused. Everything is happening so fast, it feelslike just yesterday, we were kids playing conquest, runningaround the keep, pulling pranks on each other, but now… everyone is expecting so much from us.’


    ’That’s called life Tommy’ whispering with tears in her eyes she turned and started for the door ‘Let’s go, father is going to be furious.’


    ‘Anna -’ he started before she could leave. ‘- I didn’t do it.’


    ‘Didn’t do what?’ She glanced back at him


    ’Slept with the girl.’ He looked her with honesty in hiseyes. Yes he did drink, he took Pure, but ever since losingher, Tom decided he never wanted to let another girl break his heart.


    Compared to last night the Main Street was flowing with people, both soldier and commoner. Everyone was in a hurry, rushing from one shop to another, one man was evencarrying a chicken, boasting to his wife of the deal he made for it. Apparently it was a steal.


    Going through the front gates of the keep, Tom neverfailed to notice the two glooming statues guarding the entrance, heads turned to the east. On the left, the figure with the long hair and trimmed beard, spear in his arm, represented his great-great-grandfather, Thorimir, the man who stopped The Outlander rebellion. Across him, a second stone giant was holding a long sword raised up high, hisface cleanly shaved, hair shoulder length. This was the firsHigh Lord of The Nordic Lands. Benjamin the Bold, theycalled him, the man who swore fealty to the Stallards, helping them bring peace to Edensburg.


    In the courtyard a group of soldiers clad in white and black, the colors of the Croft family, approached Tom and Anna. A broad-shouldered, dark-skinned man with a shieldtied on his back, and a short saber hanging from his beltstepped up to them. ‘My lord, my lady’ he spoke with a rough accent ‘Your lord father sent me to find and escort you to the docks. Everything is prepared for the voyage.’


    Tom always felt intimidated whilst speaking to Captain Jhyrek, the man had a towering presence to him, those deep purple eyes staring you down. With that white hair of hishe almost -


    ‘Wait, did he say the docks?’ Tom looked to his sister ‘We’re traveling by ship?’


    ‘Haven’t you been paying any attention?’


    ‘Apparently I haven’t.’


    ‘It’s winter Tom, with all the snow that’s fallen in the pastfortnight, we wouldn’t arriver at Zephyr until the next full moon. By ship we’ll be there in less than ten days’


    He grunted.


    ‘Well you could always stay here and help Magistrate Tiberion deal with local affaires.’ Her lips curled into a half-smile.


    ‘And let you have all the fun? Oh no, I’m not gonna freezeto death here, while you’re off on the other side of the continent enjoying the wonders of this world.’


    Scene 4


    A light breeze was blowing, gently flattering sails of different colors. The Bay of Ice was the largest harbor in The Nordic Lands, sheltering all sorts of ships ranged from one manned skiffs, merchant galleons, freighters, there wereeven a couple of frigates.


    Having the most important harbor in the region, Seversnow attracted many kinds of people. The docks extended into the bustling port, lined with markets on one side and anchored crafts on the other. It was alwaysswarming with local fishermen carrying buckets of the morning catch, weapon-smiths bringing in trunks full of freshly forged steel, southerners selling different types of exotic fruit and drink, tradesmen showing off their trinketsand jewelry, and of course, slavers leading branded men to the auctions.


    Even though sailing gave him terrible nausea, Tom loved the salt water smell. He envied the seamen - they were able to explore the whole world, follow the winds and theirhearts. In his eyes, they were free men seeking out adventures. They were something he could never be.


    At the far end of the port, a small crowd was gathered, probably there to see his family off on the journey and sayfarewell to James. Behind them, stood a grand war ship, white sails fluttering about in the wind making the Croft family sigil, an elegant sabertooth outlined with black, look as if it was running.


    The Valiant was the pride of Seversnow, the great threedecked ship, with its iron-clad hull made some fortresseslook tiny. The lower levels housing rows of canons and the uppers bearing ballistas loaded with bolts the size of full grown men, made it outshine its reputation.


    Heading through the crowd, Tom noticed that bothcommoners and noblemen gave him side glances as if wanting to say ‘They should have left you back, you’ll justdisgrace us’, and indeed, upon reaching the royal convoy, where his brothers and Magistrate Tiberion were waiting, he did feel like a misfit.


    Both Richard and James were tall, had blonde hair, lightblue eyes and a strong jawline - true Crofts, their father’s sons - whereas Tom was a bit shorter, had dark eyes and an upturned nose, like his mother, whom, unfortunately, he didn’t remember.


    ‘Well, well, look who’s decided to bless us with hispresence.’ Muttered James.


    ‘We were starting to think you would never come Thomas’ interrupted Magistrate Tiberion. Even though the man was past his seventieth year, he spoke as firmly as ever.


    ‘I’m sorry, I got held up with something important.’


    ‘I know your business in local taverns and alehouses is of great significance little brother.’ Richard, the eldest of the Croft children, grinned. ‘But I also think that the needs of your family are equally, if not more important.’


    ‘Richard! James!’ A commanding voice coming from the ship broke in. ‘Has your brother arrived?’


    From a top the boarding ramp, a figure came into sight. His stare always cold yet calculating, as if measuring the worth of everything he saw.


    Theodor Croft has been the High Lord of The NordicLands for nearly thirty years now. An experiencedcommander, famous for his conquests both in the northernand eastern parts of the kingdom, recognized by many for his land and naval stratagem, he always seemed calm and in control.


    As they were boarding the Valiant, amongst all the people shouting and cheering, wishing them safe travels and good fortune, Tom heard a familiar voice. ‘Thought you couldleave without saying goodbye?’


    ‘Dereck!’ A small smile appeared on his face. ‘Sorry I leftyou so abruptly, I was in a bit of a hurry.’


    ‘Never mind that Tommy’ he hugged him, and in doingso, Tom felt he slipped something in his overcoat pocket. ‘I hope it was worth it… With that girl I mean’ he laughed.


    ‘Why does everyone think I only care about sleeping with women?’


    ‘Well, you did go away with her, didn’t you?’


    ‘Guess I did…’


    ‘Tommy!’ Anna yelled from the ship. ‘You coming, or are you freezing to death?’


    ’Sorry Dereck, I got to go. We’ll talk when I come back’


    ‘Cheer up Tom, you’re going to a marriage!’


    Halfway up the boarding ramp he looked back once more at the castle of Seversnow ‘It’s only a fortnight or two’ he whispered to himself.


    On the deck, sailors were hoisting the sails, raising anchorand getting ready to set off for the high seas. The captain, a weathered man, with a long dark gray beard shoutedcommands.


    Before he could go down to the lower decks, his father approached him, a frown on his face. Putting a hand on hisshoulder, he leaned in close. ‘Thomas, I know where you’vebeen and what you did.’ A quiet, calm, yet vigorous voicesaid ‘We will talk about it later.’


    Feeling his feet tremble, Tom hurriedly moved past the crew and ran down to the lower decks, picking one of the smaller cabins which were prepared for the five Crofts.


    He sat on his bed, still feeling shivers from that gaze. Hisfather was not a man he wanted to anger. Sighing he opened a small round window of his room and foundhimself staring at The Bay of Ice, the castle of Seversnow slowly becoming smaller, as it loomed high above the port, its stone walls still reddish of color, lit by the winter sun.


    ‘Haven’t even left, and already can’t wait to come back…