Cold As Ice
Rating: T
Word Count: 1932
Characters: Lissandra, Avarosa, Serylda
A/N: Hope you enjoy, there will be a second and possibly third chapter.
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It should go without saying that the winters of the Frejlord are horribly unforgiving; one could freeze to death besides a fire, wrapped in the warmest furs available. If, by some miracle, someone survived the chilling winds and the biting frost, another worry was food. The harsh terrain gave way to little to no growth and what meat was hunted was almost always tough and taunt. Overall there was no logical reason for anyone to settle the frozen hell-scape that made up the northern part of Valoran. These facts however did not stop the brave, and fool hardy from trying. Many tribes migrated north with the hopes of making a name for themselves, owning land and above all else, ruling.
Of the tribes that moved upward, only one prevailed, the clan of the Ice Dervish, whom were rumored to have been made of ice themselves, they felt no cold, panged over little hunger and were as brutal as they were strong. None opposed the claim that their great leader made. Under his rule the Frejlord was made to kneel to him, settling it what is now known as Rakelstake, the tribe flourished. However the tale of the Ice Dervish is not a story of victory, their undoing began almost as quickly as their uprising. The undoing was a slow process that would take many years though; it began with the birth of three daughters. The king's own daughters no less. Avarosa, the oldest and next to inherit rule of the Frejlord, she was wide beyond her years and showed the marks of a great leader, the one who would lead the frozen tundra to its golden age. Serylda, brute might and strength was in abundance for this middle child, she had the temper of a bull and respect was hard earned from her, a great war general in the making. Lastly, there was Lissandra, a small shy child, well versed in politics though, she knew just how to make people work, what they desired most and played upon said desires, her foresight and knowledge were unbound.
Each sister showed great promise in a skill that the other relied upon; Avarosa seemed the only one to be able to tame Serylda's wrath. However Serylda was the one that ensured Avarosa's words had sway, scaring any potential enemies and silencing quickly any naysayers. Lissandra's political games only worked when she had Avarosa's backing, since the eldest sister was so well respected they were more likely to listen. Truly the Frejlord would've entered a golden age much greater than the other city-states. Or, at least it would've been this way if fate had not been so cruel to the three daughters of winter. Sibling rivalry soon tore apart any progression that could've been made. This rivalry mostly stemmed from Serylda's disdain of her youngest sister, and Lissandra's dependency on Avarosa for protection. Tension soon rose, bitter words were passed and soon detrition began. However, this narrative is getting ahead of itself, let us start from the beginning, with a youngest sister's struggle for acceptance, a middle child's anger, and the oldest trying to keep them from falling apart.
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"I see your point Lissandra but it wouldn't be beneficial at all," Avarosa rubbed her eyes with frustration. For the last half hour her and her youngest sister had been arguing back and about expansion.
Word had come in about an unexplored part of the Frejlord, it was said to have magic and riches beyond belief. The only problem was there was no way to conform or deny these claims. The trader whom had brought word was an outsider, not to be trusted by any means. Unfortunately for Avarosa it didn't stop Lissandra's imagination from running wild. Despite how hard she tried her patience was running thin. While Avarosa was a great leader there was only so much so could take before had enough.
"You don't know that, what if-" She had begun to argue again; she had her whole plea planned out. However she was cut short.
"Oh give it a rest already will you." Serylda entered the tent snow covering her furs and melting in her short-cropped hair. "You have been at it since I left." Her tone was harsh and cold, with most of her frustration being pointed at Lissandra. "There's nothing there. End of story you idiot."
The two had been like this with each other since a young age. Whenever Lissandra seemed particularly interested in anything, Serylda was always first in line to kill her mood. There was one case, almost five years ago; the youngest of them had been about twelve, the oldest bordering twenty getting ready to rule over the Ice Dervish. Lissandra had come in with a poro bundled in her arms, it was shaking and letting out small little whimpers. Instantly the sight of the small weak creature disgusted Serylda. For the next few days the two argued like beasts over whether Lissandra should be allowed to keep the poro or not. In the end Avarosa had to put a stop to it, but Serylda was not happy until the creature was gone, which she saw to personally. Lissandra still had yet to forgive her for what she had done to the small animal. And, unfortunately that was merely one of many arguments.
So when Serylda cut in Avarosa was a mix of mortified and relieved, yes Lissandra had been running her down, but her entrance had been much too blunt. The hurt was already showing in the pale blue eyes of the youngest Ice Dervish, her lip was drawn into a flat line, trying to hide her emotions but her poker face was poor. Drawing her furred cape around herself she made for the exit.
"You don't know that," she repeated in a soft whisper mostly to herself, pulling back the thick ursine fur that served as a door. The cold wind sent a shiver down her spine but she ignored it and took a step out.
"Idiot." Serylda called after her not making a single move to stop her from leaving. Avarosa cast her a sidelong glance with a sigh as she took her head.
"You could've at least chosen your words." She scolded as she sank back into a hardwood chair to read over scrolls and maps. She shook her head all the while a look of worry overcoming her.
"Yeah…well… she just needs to learn the hard way." Suddenly the middle child didn't sound as sure as she did a moment ago, Avarosa tended to have that effect on her, the slightest disapproving word cast her into silence and shame. It was almost unearthly how easily she could be quelled.
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The few days after that argument passed in a blur for Avarosa. After Lissandra had left the hut that evening she had been distant, more than usual, even going as far as to avoid her sisters, which wasn't too rare to Serylda, but to Avarosa it hurt. She missed her little sister, eager to help but shy. Without Lissandra's kind presence she was stuck with Serylda, cold, angry and untamable.
Currently they were both sitting across from each other, the only sounds were awkward chewing of hard bread and sips of cooling broth. Avarosa's eyes flickered to the empty seat between the two of them. Lissandra had been gone all day, no one knew where. When her sleeping roll was checked it was found to be empty, un-slept in. Not a single clue to where she was going had been left.
"She'll be…ok" Serylda said awkwardly, she was trying her best to break the silence and tension. In all honesty thought she could careless, she was just tired of seeing Avarosa mope about in worry.
Avarosa chewed at the inside of cheek a bit nodding her head. "Yeah she's smart."
It was clear the half attempted sentiment did not really break through to the leader. The meal continued on in a more painful silence. Neither made eye contact or attempted to break the silence. Once the meal was done Avarosa rose without a word and left the dining tent to go to her own hut to reflect. She lay atop of her bed of furs and closed her eyes for a moment letting a light sleep overcome her...
"My queen," she was roused from her sleep by the voice of a scout, she had sent out a team when Lissandra had first vanished. "We have found the princess."
She shot up in her bed instantly, alert and focused. "Thank you, I'll be right out."
The scout stood there for a moment a look of indecision painted his hazel eyes. He was holding something from her that was clear within a moment's glance. He shifted his weight from his left foot to the other. When he was met with the piercing gaze of Avarosa his gaze quickly dropped to his feet.
"Well what is it?" She asked with a hint of exasperation, pulling on the hood of her cloak.
Another moment of hesitation, then he awkwardly he cleared his throat. "She's been injured."
"Take me to her right away," she was no longer able to keep the worry and anxiety from her tone. She pushed past the scout going outside.
The walk to the medic's tent was a worrying one, and the usually short walk seemed to drag on into eternity. She stepped past the threshold of people gathered around to see the princess. No. She was not prepared for what she saw. Lissandra was laid upon a bed of furs, bundled up, eyes wrapped. The young woman coughed a few times and shivered. Wherever she had been, she had managed to catch a fever.
"Where have you been?" Avarosa demanded with a harsh tone that surprised her. She didn't mean to sound so angry it was her worry showing. Sighing she softened her tone. "What happened?"
"I…" Lissandra had begun to respond, only to be cut off by her own hacking cough. "I went to prove her wrong." Her voice was weak but determined.
Worry painted her expression, she bit her lip. "What happened?" She repeated.
"We found her stumbling in circles, an ursine had attacked her, mauled out her eyes." A scout from among the crowd spoke up when Lissandra took too long to answer.
Avarosa tensed, her sister was in a poor condition, sick and now blinded. There was nothing that could be done for it though. The most help she could be of was to help her adjust to a world without sight. From now on she would need help, no longer could she immerse herself in books and writings like she used to.
Sighing heavily, the eldest finally asked. "Did you find anything?" She could at least humor her sister after she took such risks.
As sick as she was a smile spread across Lissandra's face, she turned coughed into her hand and nodded. "I found a great many things."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop drastically. Avarosa felt a so rare chill run down her spine. Something about Lissandra's words and the timing of the chill made her anxious. Looking about the room, she sighed.
"Everyone out." No one opposed, the crowd began to disperse. "You," she caught a scout on his way out. "Get Serylda, she needs to hear this." Finally she looked to Lissandra and gently she ran a hand over her hair. She was doing her best to be comforting. "Tell me everything."
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