Prologue

It has been five years since the events of Sharrakor and the war in the castle. We find our protagonists Tal and Milla in a tight spot. They are slowly realizing their feelings for each other but, due to cultural differences it is harder than normal. The ice is changing; the melting after the veil was temporarily devastating to all clans as herds of selski migrated causing competition between clans. Milla has since then resolved all issues and all is well. For a while at least. A faction is rising on the ice, one that does not agree with the alliance with the people in the castle. Milla and Tal find this faction early on but do not realize what it is yet. Inside the castle tempers are running high. Prejudice from the Chosen is causing tension between the Icecarls and Chosen. Can Tal and Milla defeat the threat out on the ice and keep their two cultures from tearing each other apart? Find out inside.

Tal's Decision

The day was bright and warm for all that dwelled in the castle, even under the veil. There was one however that with each passing day felt the world grow dark and cold. This person was none other the Emperor of the castle dwellers himself, Tal Graile-Rerem.

When not dealing with the business of the castle, Tal retired to his room in the Violet halls. It has been five years since the war of the castle and the defeat of Sharrakor. The last time he had seen the one person who was with him through the whole series of events was at his official coronation.

Though there was some that felt including the Icecarls in the ceremony was ludicrous and should not be allowed; Tal proclaimed that anyone who defied letting the people of his friend who helped him defeat Sharrakor to not be present would be stripped of their rank and sunstones and cast out onto the ice. This was needed to demonstrate the punishment of those who did not want to become allies with the people out on the ice.

The peace treaty was signed shortly after his coronation to signify the alliance of the people of the castle and the Icecarls. Though how noticeably weak the treaty was, both sides punished those who did not obey the treaty harshly. After an uprising of various Chosen "rabble-rousers" as Ebbitt would call them, and many assassination attempts, Tal went out alone to try and create peace where there was none.

Once finding the Emperor missing the royal guard set out to find him, and find him they did. He had no injuries, but he looked as if a Red Ray of Destruction had pierced his heart. His imperial robes were soaked with blood, his face was white with exhaustion and disgust, and there were bodies thrown all over the once Freefolk Fortress.

When they found the young Emperor, (after much help from Ebbitt with the Codex) the royal guard was stunned at the scene. There was the smell of burning flesh in the air, the once white marble floor was stained with blood and littered with various body parts. From what the carnage looked like, it seemed that a small war went on in the cavern. However the guards knew better, they counted upwards of twenty bodies but there were extra body parts strewn about giving the idea that the count was actually higher. They started to fear the young Emperor; these rebel chosen were not a bunch of pushovers. Many were established light mages in their own orders, some even belonging to the Violet order. Though they could see the mental and physical exhaustion, there was no damage to the Emperor. He came out of that battle unscathed; their Emperor was very strong indeed.

This was one of the thoughts that still haunted him to this day. He can still see the faces of the assassins as they were struck down one by one. He knew most of them from his childhood, how could they rise and fight against him. But, he has always been fighting, ever since he fell from the red tower when he was thirteen. It was then he started having to fight for his life, with the first being Milla.

"Milla" he said out loud even startling himself while slumped against his bed frame. He wondered if she remembered him being the busy War-Chief of the Icecarls she probably didn't have time to.

"Of course she did" Tal reassured himself. With what they had been through together how could she have? He still remembered her face when she first pulled her mask up. Even though still young and not even being interested in girls yet (or so he thought) he felt his heart skip a beat. He remembered seeing a young girl the same age as he with ash blond hair and striking emerald eyes. Those eyes he will remember for as long as he lives as they taunt his dreams and thoughts of things that are impossible to become.

He wondered if she was experiencing the same boredom he was.

"No" he told himself trying to shake the thoughts away. He was the Emperor for lights sake. The most respected person among the people of the castle. He should be thinking more of his duty to his people more than himself. As he continued to try to push the thoughts away he believed the only way to escape them was to bury himself under his own work, how wrong he was.

He moved over to the white stone desk inlayed with fragmented keystones that gave it a faint glow and sat down in the soft chair behind it. Picking up his quill and moving the ink cauldron over to his side, his vision focused on a crumpled piece of paper with a name on it. As he focused more on the words an audible groan came from deep inside. In frustration he launched the quill across the room and stood up with a force to slide his chair against the wall. He knew as soon as he saw the piece of paper that there was only one way to escape his thoughts now.

As he moved out and opened the door he thought to himself "Why did it have to be that name on the paper?" as he sighed and closed the door he said in a whisper "Milla."

Tal knew he had to leave the castle; there were too many signs to ignore. He could feel it deep inside that if he did not leave today something bad was going to happen.

"Ranil, order a meeting of the Spectrum Court immediately in the meeting hall outside of the throne room" Tal said as he walked past the guard in the hallway.

"Right away sire" Ranil replied already moving down the hallway. Tal knew it would not be easy to convince the Spectrum Court to allow him to leave the castle, especially with his father being the orange keystone holder. With that he rushed straight to the meeting hall.

"Where are they" Tal seethed with anger as he checked the time on the Violet keystone for the 12th time that hour. When suddenly the doors started to open as the Spectrum court began to file into their respective seats.

Tal immediately stopped pacing back and forth in front of his chair and conjured up his best imperial mask as soon as he heard the door creak. It's metal hinges squeaked as it opened and Tal made a mental note t o have them greased as soon as he was back.

"WHAT!" Roared Rerem as his sunstone on his hand glowed bright. As the other members of the court looked at Tal with confusion, Rerem's eyes glowed with a spiteful glare. Tal expecting this, was prepared and did not break his imperial façade. He could see where his father came from. It is not every day when the Emperor, the leader everyone looked to for guidance said that he needed to take a leave of absence.

"Rerem," Tal started, being careful to stay professional with his father. "I understand why you feel as you do now. I know you believe it is not wise to leave the castle suddenly on an instinct. But, I feel betrayed; you should know that I have relied on my instinct since you were lost to me, imprisoned in the orange keystone. On instinct I sought out to protect the family, on instinct I tried to procure a sunstone, on instinct I scaled the red tower to get a sunstone for our family. As I was battling the cold and trying to survive the ice outside the castle I relied on my instinct to carry me forward, I trusted it and look where it got me. I am a living legend!" with each sentence his voice growing louder and more commanding."I with the help of people I met on my journey defeated the spirit overlord Sharrakor and restored the veil saving the dark world. It was with this I became Emperor of the Chosen to lead my people into a new era of peace and reform; and it is with this I am sitting here before you today. Now I ask you why not as an Emperor, but as a son, why do you lack trust."

The anger and light fell from Rerem's eyes as he cast his gaze towards the chiseled crystal table. He knew his son was right. They had to trust he was doing the right thing.

"The Emperor is correct" proclaimed Rerem to the court. "We must trust our Emperor's instincts as he has not lead us astray. I now call for silence on this matter. This is not to leave this room, anyone caught doing so will be stripped of their title and respective keystone, and will stand trial when the Emperor returns."

Other than a few mumbles around the room the court agreed fully and trusted their young leader. They knew to be a leader you needed strong instincts.

"With that I leave the castle in your hands, however, there is to be no major changes to anything. I trust that you Rerem will uphold this." Tal proclaimed as he cast a glance and a quick smirk at his father. "If a major decision needs to be made head directly to the Icecarl embassy, they will know how to contact me."

After a final glance around the courtroom Tal announced "You are dismissed," and gave them light from his keystone as they returned the gesture.

Tal closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief. But, he could still feel eyes looking at him. He opened them to see his father still sitting at the table and he knew their conversation was not over.

"Now Tal I'll speak to you as a father, not as a representative of some court." Rerem began with authority in his voice. "I trust you fully with this decision, however you know better than anyone else of the dangers out on the ice. We do not have true peace outside the walls of this castle. There are still clans of the Icecarls that carry hatred of us, and I will not stand for you to risk your life for some 'savage'." The words seemed to spill out of his mouth. "So I ask you not as an advisor, but as a father to be careful, and to not do anything reckless. Your people still need you."

"They are not savages!" Tal screamed but to him it only sounded like a whisper. I will not stand for any talk making them seem like a lower species than us! If you do so again I will cast you out of the castle, even being my father! I understand what you are feeling, but I will not stand for prejudice in this castle. I have worked hard for peace. I will not let some arrogant citizen under my rule undo what I have worked so hard for to create. How can there be trust and peace between our two cultures if we do not think of them as equals? I will do what I have to do out on the ice even if it means dying for this peace. If I do return I will guide the people of this castle and those of the ice towards the future." Tal finished ranting noticing a dark purple glow coming from his sunstone. "Dark take it" Tal thought. I should be able to control myself better than that.

"You have many ideas for a young emperor." Rerem started "But, just a few threats will not stop the prejudice and hate we feel towards the Icecarls. If you want me to stop hating them find a reason for me to. Until then they will always be lower than us," Rerem finished being mindful to not use the word savage. With that said Rerem turned and left the room leaving his son with a face growing redder than the most powerful Red Ray of Destruction.

"Well that went easier than I thought it would." Tal thought "But how could father feel that way, oh well that will be a bridge to cross when I come to it."Now Tal needed to find a way how he was going to find Milla. She could be on the other side of the ice as far as he knew. After a second an idea struck him. Why did he not think of this before? There was an Icecarl embassy inside the castle full of crones and they could locate Milla easily for him. Without a second thought Tal ran to the laundry shoot on Violet seven and rode it all the way down to Red seven. He then ran toward the embassy as fast as he could. Slowing before he reached the doors clearly marked with Chosen script and Icecarl runes that signified the embassy, he took a deep breath to compose himself and walked in.

To Tal's surprise there were only a few crones at the embassy. He wondered where they were for a second but immediately got back to the task at hand. He walked up to the crone he knew as Yale. She owed him a favor for saving her from embarrassment in front of the other crones when she arrived from the Ruin ship.

Yale was surprised when she saw the Emperor walking toward her. She knew that he must be up to something since he was at the embassy for no particular reason. But, automatically she saluted his entrance with a clasp of her knuckles and he replied in turn with the same. He motioned for her to walk to a more secluded area and she reluctantly followed.

She could not believe his request. He wanted her to tell the Ruin ship that he was on his way and to prepare heavy furs and a sleigh for him. She was going to argue but even before she could start he stopped her.

"Yale I ask this in return of the favor you owe me." He started. "I know you have many questions but this is something necessary. I have already consulted with the Spectrum Court and wish to leave immediately."

She wondered why but, as asked her eyes grew bright as she told the crones at the Ruin Ship the news. After a minute of quiet her eyes faded and she turned back to Tal.

"They are expecting you. The items requested will be ready as you arrive." She told him still overflowing with curiosity.

"Thank you Yale." He started as he turned to leave, but then quickly turned back to her. "I need to ask you one more favor." He said sheepishly "Can you tell me where Mil..I mean the War-Chief is at currently?"

It was then she knew why he was going and gave him a smile that seemed to mock him. Her eyes grew bright once more; however, it was only for a few seconds this time.

"She is three sleeps South by South-West of the Ruin Ship, when you arrive ask the Shield Maidens to point you in the right direction. Yale said with a slight amusement to her voice.

"Thank you Yale, you do not know how much this means to me." Exclaimed Tal as he clasped his knuckles in salute.

"Oh, I think I do."Yale said matter-of-factly, with a mischievous smile and wink.

Tal didn't catch the wink as he was already out of the embassy door and off to his secret exit to the castle. He was glad that his great-uncle Ebbitt found the ages old escape route right near the Icecarl Embassy. This would make an easy and silent escape to the Ruin Ship.

It was much colder Tal thought since the last time he had been out on the ice. But, once he released a wave of warmth from his sunstone he felt much better. As he neared the Ruin Ship Shield Maidens came out spears high, but as they recognized the Emperor they lowered them and guided him to where he can change and get a bite to eat before he set off. They all wondered why the Emperor of half of the world came to the Ruin Ship by himself and prepared to go out farther into the ice.

When prepared and full he mounted the sleigh that was prepared for him. It was just like the sleigh they had took when leaving the Far Raiders clan and set out on their destinies. He smiled underneath his mask as he remembered how Milla controlled the sleigh. He noticed a strange feeling of holes being burned in the back of his head right before he was about to start off. Slowly he turned around to find a young shield maiden looking at him.

"Yes?" He asked looking straight at her and lifting up his mask. She seemed confused at first and started to turn, but he could tell there was something she wanted to ask.

"If you would like to ask something, ask it." Tal commanded with his most Emperor-like tone. This seemed to snap her back into focus.

"Well, your highness I just have the question if you have ever steered a sleigh pulled by wreska before?" The young Shield Maiden said confidently.

"Just between you and me," Tal started softly "I have not. But, I do not have time to walk to my destination, nor do I have time to learn so I figure I just have to hope for the best. By the way I have a few questions for you. First what is your name?" He finished with his commanding voice back.

"Breg," she replied calmly. "What is it you ask of me?"

"Well I just need you to point me in the right direction. Can you tell me what way is South by South-West?"Tal asked

With a point Breg gave him the direction he must go. Locking eyes on target and memorizing which way he felt he was pointed, he felt ready to leave. With a wink and a clasp of knuckles he thanked Breg, and without losing a second pulled his mask back down over his face so the amber lenses gave everything a yellow hue. Without a second thought he let out a loud yip and cracked the reins. The sleigh started slowly but continued to pick up speed as he left the young Shield Maiden and the Ruin Ship behind with only one thing on his mind.

Surprised he even knew how to start Breg smiled and pulled her mask back down and thought "The War-Chief picked well."