CHAPTER 226: OFF TO THE NORTHERN PEAK 2

After nearly a week of traveling, the group finally began to see signs of habitation ahead....thin trails of smoke rising into the gray sky, flickering orange lights in the distance, and the faint echo of human voices carried by the wind. They had reached the northern settlement, the last pocket of human life before the desolate mountain range began.

The journey there had not been easy. The wind had grown fiercer with each passing day, biting through their cloaks like teeth. Snowstorms had rolled in unexpectedly, forcing them to take brief shelter beneath rocky outcrops while the old guide used his spiritual sense to navigate the path forward. Even with all his experience, the terrain had proven treacherous. More than once, the horses nearly lost their footing on the icy ground, and only the Empress’s calm authority kept the group steady and composed.

By the time the sun dipped below the jagged horizon on the sixth day, the faint lights of the mountain settlement shimmered ahead like a mirage. Relief washed over the group as the cold wind began to carry the faint scent of burning firewood. The settlement itself was small, a cluster of wooden lodges surrounded by stone walls built to withstand the northern storms. It wasn’t lavish or decorated, but it offered what they needed most, warmth and safety.

As they entered through the snow-caked gate, a few locals bowed deeply to the Empress, whispering her name in reverence. The old guide exchanged a few quiet words with the guards before leading them toward one of the larger lodges. The Empress gave a simple nod of approval, and the group began settling in.

Inside, a large fire blazed in the center of the lodge, its heat spreading like a blessing. Lucas rubbed his hands together as warmth slowly seeped back into his bones. He turned to glance at the others, Lira and Selene were visibly relieved, shaking the snow from their hair, while Nyx stood by the doorway, her breath steady, her body seemingly unfazed by the cold. The Empress, as expected, was perfectly composed, her crimson eyes watching the fire in silence, her thoughts unreadable.

Lucas couldn’t help but glance toward the frosted peaks looming in the distance through the narrow window. Even from here, the mountains looked menacing, tall, gray giants cloaked in mist and ice.

If it was this cold here, he wondered, just how merciless would the mountains themselves be?

Not long after they had settled into the lodge, the sound of boots crunching lightly against the snow outside caught everyone’s attention. The door opened, and in came a man wrapped in a thick fur coat, his beard silvered by age and frost, his expression warm yet respectful. He bowed deeply before the Empress, his voice low but filled with genuine reverence.

"Your Majesty," he said, his accent carrying the weight of the northern winds. "It is an honor beyond measure to receive you in our humble settlement. If I had known of your arrival sooner, I would have prepared a more fitting welcome."

The Empress inclined her head slightly, her tone calm but not without grace. "You have done well enough by offering shelter and warmth. We require nothing more than a place to rest before dawn."

The man smiled, the lines around his eyes softening. "That, of course, is yours and your company’s by right. I am Torin, chief of this settlement, and this," he said, gesturing gently beside him, "is my daughter, Mirielle."

The young woman stepped forward then, lowering her head with a graceful bow. She was strikingly beautiful...her long silver hair gleamed in the firelight, and her eyes, held both curiosity and quiet intelligence. She wore a fur-lined mantle over a simple blue gown, her presence radiating warmth even in the cold room.

Lucas, who had been sitting by the fire, lifted his gaze to her, and for a moment their eyes met. It was brief, no longer than a heartbeat, but something in that fleeting exchange made her cheeks color faintly. She smiled before she could stop herself, quickly looking away as if embarrassed by her own reaction.

Torin, seemingly oblivious to the subtle tension, continued speaking. "We are honored to provide for such esteemed guests. Food has already been prepared...warm stew, fresh bread, and mead. I hope it pleases Your Majesty and her company."

"Your hospitality is appreciated," the Empress replied evenly, her gaze flicking briefly toward Lucas before returning to the fire. "We will rest well tonight."

Torin nodded, clearly relieved by her words. He turned to Lucas then, his expression friendly. "You must be one of her envoys. The cold here takes some getting used to, but the warmth of the hearth eases it quickly, does it not?"

Lucas smiled faintly. "It does. Your people are generous, and the settlement is peaceful. It’s a rare thing to find such quiet so close to the mountains."

The old man chuckled softly. "We’ve learned to live with the mountains, not against them. They guard us and test us in equal measure."

All the while, Mirielle’s gaze flicked back toward Lucas, curiosity dancing in her eyes. There was something about him....not just his calm demeanor, but the way he spoke, the measured confidence in his tone, and the quiet strength he carried without even trying. It intrigued her.

Lira noticed it first. Her expression remained neutral, though her fingers tapped lightly against her thigh as she leaned closer to Nyx, whispering just enough for her to hear. "Seems someone finds Master interesting."

Nyx’s lips curved slightly, her icy-blue eyes shifting toward Mirielle. "I noticed. It’s the calm ones that always draw attention. Perhaps she’s never seen someone like him before."

Selene, who had been sitting quietly, smirked and added under her breath, "Or maybe she just likes handsome strangers who don’t talk too much."

Lucas caught their whispers and gave a small sigh. "You’re imagining things," he muttered, though his faint smile betrayed amusement.

The girls exchanged knowing glances but said nothing more. Mirielle, meanwhile, was still stealing glances his way, pretending to adjust her gown or brush a strand of hair from her face whenever their eyes accidentally met again.

Torin finally excused himself, saying he would see to their meal preparations, and Mirielle bowed once more before following him. As she turned, her gaze met Lucas’s one last time....soft, curious, and lingering for a heartbeat too long.

Lucas leaned back in his chair, exhaling quietly as the door closed behind them. He could feel the girls’ eyes on him already, and he knew exactly what they were thinking. The thought almost made him chuckle, but he decided it was best to say nothing.

He simply looked back at the fire, letting its glow reflect in his eyes, while behind him, the quiet giggles of his companions filled the room.