Author's Starting notes: Need to use this line so that the stupid chapter title will be centered.
Chapter 16
Jerome and Yrivanna, shifted precariously along the ledge, one leg shifting out after the next, slowly progressing forward. Their weights sticking to the back of the wall as they looked up, wary of any falling rocks. The high winds threatened to push them off the ledge. Moving to a reachable cliff edge, The pair jumped, latched onto the edge and pulled themselves up.
Quickly dusting himself off of any stray rocks and pebbles, Asmund looked towards the entrance of the mountain.
"We should be deep enough, we won't have to worry about any dragons from this point on," Asmund said as he slowly regained his breath. In the back of his mind, he prayed that he would never have to make such a treacherous climb ever again.
"Will our friends be okay?" Yrivanna said frowning. Staring out into the distance, she looked to the meeting point for any signs of trouble but could only see the green treetops. "Right about now would be the time that our friends will be meeting with the other dragon riders."
Of course it was all a distraction, to pull the other group's focus and to pull them away from the mountain. If they were to catch onto their plan, Yrivanna prayed that her friends would be able to get away.
"They will be fine," Asmund reassured. In his head he knew that at this point, it was too late to worry about his friends, "we should be focusing on the task at hand."
Asmund reached for Yrivanna's hand and gave her a comforting squeeze. Pulling her gaze away, Yrivanna could only give a nod and a small sound of affirmation. Together they raced towards the entrance and into the mountain.
Asmund and Yrivanna ran through the caverns for far too long. What they had hoped would be minutes turned to hours. The pair silently cursed their elders. Centuries of knowledge from their ancient Berserker ancestors, passed down from generation to generation and not one of them was a single map or general layout of the mountain.
The mountain was a maze to them. They would be running forwards, but the endless tunnel would have them running backwards. In the pure darkness, there was no markings to hint of where they are. Eventually lady fate graced the pair with mercy.
"There!" Asmund pointed towards the exit with a light at the end of the tunnel and raced off with Yrivanna trailing behind.
Yrivanna quickly changed her running direction and chased after her husband. A feeling of excitement reverberated throughout her body, as they reached closer towards the exit and ran with renewed enthusiasm.
A crack in the air was heard. Yrivanna's ears pricked as she reacted instinctively to the sound and sprinted forward.
"Watch out!" Yrivanna yelled, shoving Asmund forward as an axe flew by and between their bodies. Looking in the direction where the axe came from, the pair saw Hiccup and Astrid charging at them.
Asmund landed on his hand and rolled away as Hiccup ignited his blade. Covered by Hiccup, Astrid ran past Hiccup and Yrivanna to retrieve her axe. With his blade raised high, Hiccup swung at Yrivanna.
Sparks and embers flew as metal clashed on metal.
Bracing herself, Yrivanna deflected Hiccup's blade with her dagger. With her free left hand, she pulled out a second dagger from her backside, and took a downward swing at Hiccup. Her attacker, however, was undeterred by his exposed head, as he stepped in closer to Yrivanna and grabbed her left wrist with his left hand.
Yrivanna tried to pull her left hand away, but Hiccup's vice like grip was too much. Using her faster right hand with the faster recovery, Yrivanna thrust her dagger forward.
His right hand holding his blade was not fast enough, Hiccup had no time to counter. Holding her left hand, Hiccup shoved Yrivanna back, throwing her off balance. The loss of balance, altered the direction of the dagger just enough for Hiccup to jump back but the tip of the blade still made contact with skin and nicked a cut on Hiccup's cheek.
Regaining her balance Yrivanna regrouped, with Asmund. Their backs to each other, the action came to a standstill as Asmund faced off against Hiccup and Yrivanna faced off against Astrid.
Wiping the blood off his cheek Hiccup had his blade ready to strike once more.
"What are you doing here? What do you want to do with the Gems of Fire and Ice?" Astrid asked, her battle axe raised forward and itching for action.
"Centuries ago our ancestors, the Berserkers brought the dragons to Earth. It is time to send the dragons home. As the direct ancestors and stewards, we will use the Gems of Fire and Ice to complete the covenant long ago created by Ragnorok, to bring the dragons to the land between Asgard and Earth," Asmund replied.
"And what if some of the dragons don't want go back?" Hiccup asked.
"That is neither an option nor is it their choice. All dragons must return home." Asmund stated.
"Dragons are our friends, we will make it an option," Astrid threatened.
"If you truly cared about dragons, than you would not be interfering with our mission. The dragons are simply too powerful to be allowed to exist on our world. Not now, maybe not even decades, but eventually, they will be used for their power. They are fated to be tools of war, " Asmund said.
"We won't let that happen, We can move past all the wars and fighting. A gathering of all the vikings chiefs and everyone from the archipelago. We can show everyone how to coexist with the dragons for a better future for everyone.
"A naive solution, that will only lead to death." Yrivanna mumbled.
"I refuse to give up without even trying," Hiccup said.
Asmund carefully watched Hiccup's response and was on guard for any sudden movements from Hiccup. His green eyes, unwavering from his response, eyes full of conviction and strength. He knew those eyes well. He saw it everyday with Yrivanna.
"Than it looks like we have no choice but to fight." Asmund said as he and Yrivanna took off towards the exit with Hiccup and Astrid quickly chasing after them.
Running through the ancient city of the Berserkers, Asmund and Yrivanna ran their separate ways hoping to lose their pursuers in between the tall buildings. Hiccup ran left after Asmund while Astrid dashed right to chase after Yrivanna.
Yrivanna vaulted through a window and ran up two flights of stairs. The sound of Astrid's heavy footsteps trailing closely behind. Jumping through a window, Yrivanna landed on top of a roof.
Hopping from rooftop to rooftop and travelling across the expansive ancient city. Yrivanna let out a yelp as the rooftop she landed on gave weigh and she fell through the roof. Yrivanna landed on her hands and feet, splinters of wood splattered all across the floor. She had a brief moment of reprieve before rolling away from her position.
Astrid came jumping through the rooftop hole and landed with a thump.
Yrivanna silently cursed as she found herself stuck in a dead end. In front, left, and right. The only exit was the stairs directly behind Astrid. Slightly out of breath, Astrid returned to her full height and faced her opponent with a feral grin. As if a cat that had caught a mouse.
Backed up against the wall, Yrivanna clenched her teeth as she relented to the fact that she was forced to fight. "My name is Yrivanna, it is a pleasure to meet you warrior," she greeted as she pulled up her dagger at the ready.
"Astrid Hofferson, " the shieldmaiden of Berk replied, as her leather gloves gripped onto her battle axe tighter"
OoOoO
"Where is Yrivanna? She should have been her by now," Asmund thought as he entered Ragnorok's domain. Despite the stories passed down by his ancestors from generation to generation, Asmund was not prepared for the true splendor that was the God of all dragons.
Blended into the mountain itself, it was as if Ragnorok was a part of the mountain. A being so large that a single twitch from the beyond worldly dragon could bring mountains down.
Asmund gave short bow to the slumbering dragon God, but was quickly interrupted as he heard the distinctive, sound of metal hitting ground. Looking back, Asmund could see that Hiccup had finally caught up to him.
"It's too late now. I guess I have no choice but to do the ritual without her," Asmund thought.
Getting up off his knees, Asmund ran across the cavern and up the stairs to the altar. Moments later, Hiccup reached the top and the cauldrons around the altar lit up. The large and sudden radiant light from the burst of flames nearly blinded the pair. The mountain itself seemed to respond as it began to rumble and loose rocks fell from the ceiling.
Completely taken by surprised Hiccup lowered himself, prepared for any more surprises.
"I may not be able to beat Yrivanna, but with my ace I should be at least be able to beat him," Asmund thought.
"What's happening" Hiccup asked, as he looked warily at Asmund.
"We have begun the ritual before the God of dragons Ragnarok. Neither of us can leave until the ritual has ended. We will fight and we will be judged by Ragnarok. Whomsoever is deemed worthy will be granted stewardship and control over the fate of dragons."
"And if one or both us is deemed unworthy?" Hiccup asked in a near hoarse whisper, not liking the situation he suddenly found himself in.
"Do you have the Gem of Fire?" Asmund asked. Reaching down his neck, Asmund pulled a string and revealed his Gem of Ice, that rested comfortably around his neck.
Hiccup eyed the Gem of Ice warily before nodding to Asmund, as he mirrored Asmund and pulled out the Gem of Fire."
"Good, so long as you have the Gem of Fire and I have the Gem of Ice, our unworthiness will be a non factor and our survival is guaranteed." Asmund explained.
Hiccup eyed the tapestry once more and recalled his memories of yesterday. The first time he had looked upon the tapestry, the carvings made no sense. But now everything was made clear. The carvings of two warriors facing off before Ragnarok. In the hands of Ragnorok was the shining Gems of Fire and Ice, the keys being the determining factor to the fate of the dragons. Yes, the ritual was the simplest way to end all of this. Hiccup nodded to Asmund, in agreement to proceed with the trial. The two men backed up to their respective edges on opposites side of the ritual stage.
"My name is Asmund," the leader of the Berserker said.
"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third," the Chief of Berk replied.
The fires, around the altar flared, and with weapons in hand, the two warriors charged.
OoOoO
No matter what Astrid did, she could not break the other woman. They matched blow for blow and strike to strike. But Yrivanna was an impenetrable wall, slightly out of breath but her composure remained steadfast.
Astrid gripped the handle of her axe tighter, her knuckles turning white. Her battleaxe was simply too slow for a duel between two people. It was the same problem as Hiccup. All the power of an axe was nothing if it meant it couldn't hit its mark. Astrid eyed the daggers of her opponent warily. Luckily Astrid wasn't a one trick pony and was time to put her extra secret practise to use.
Astrid charged in and swung at Yrivanna, to which her opponent deftly side stepped as always. Preparing to strike with her daggers, this time, Astrid was ready. Dropping her axe, Astrid surprised Yrivanna by tackling her to the ground. Astrid snatched a sheathed dagger from her opponent and took a stab at Yrivanna for the final finishing blow.
OoOoO
Within the center of the mountain, before a sleeping God, the sound of metal clashing on metal reverberated and echoed across the vast open space of Ragnarok's domain.
Clashing all over the ritual stage. Asmund and Hiccup fought to gain the upper hand. Asmund circled the stage in a sprint before charging towards Hiccup who had taken control of the center. The vibration from the weapons clashing traveled from Asmund's sword, to his hand and reverberated into his very core. Pivoting to Hiccup's back Asmund let loose a flurry of slashes. Sparks and embers flew as Hiccup deftly countered each strike
Another unsuccessful attack, Asmund gritted his teeth and sucked in his pride as he was forced to jump back. Asmund's hands shook as he held his sword, his body desperate for oxygen as the sound of him breathing echoed in his head and his legs felt like they would break into two. Desite Hiccup unyielding style of a rock and never giving ground, Asmund could tell that his opponent was slowing down.
Despite his losing position, Asmund still had his ace. He just needed to find or create an opportunity to create it. One way or another, they were both at their limit, and the fight will be ending soon enough.
His opponent feeling the same, finally moved from his place at the center and charged at Asmund.
"Now!" Asmund thought seeing his opportunity. His blood boiled and his body felt like it was on fire. Asmund saw the flash of Hiccup's blade approaching in a downward motion to his head. Countering with an upward swing, the power behind Asmund's sword took Hiccup by surprise. Hiccup's blade was knocked out of Hiccup's hand and flew up high into the air.
Hiccup left defenceless, Asmund circled his sword back and went for the finishing blow.
OoOoO
The gleam of Astrid's dagger flew straight towards Yrivanna's head, but was stopped dead in its path, as her wrist was grabbed by a vice like grip. No matter how much force she put in, Astrid's hand would not move. An expression of shock fell onto Astrid face as she realized what was happening. Before she could react any further Astrid was kicked off of Yrivanna and Astrid tumbled back
Astrid was paralyzed with shock as Yrivanna slowly and quietly, got up from the floor. Her eyes were red! Ever since she had heard about the Berserkers from Valka, she had wondered if they too had the same hidden power and red eyes that the old norse tales often described. Astrid's worst fears have come to fruition.
In the small cramped room, Astrid found herself repeatedly pushed back. For each attack with her dagger Astrid executed, Yrivanna countered with her own weapon and let loose a devastating hit as punishment. Astrid quickly found herself completely bruised and battered.
What was once a even match, Astrid found herself completely overpowered by Yrivanna. Her opponent reacted quicker, her movements faster and her strikes hit harder. Yrivanna used to be in the same position her, disheveled and on the brink of collapse, but now she stood tall, with a cool calmness to her.
Gasping in hoarse rasps, Astrid rattled her mind to find to find an answer. Her blond hair clung onto her sweaty forehead in distasteful clumps. She needed to channel her inner Hiccup, and come up with something creative. From beneath her feet Astrid spied her battleaxe that she haphazardly dropped. She would have only one chance and had to be perfect.
Bending her knees and lowering herself, Yrivanna, took in a deep breath before charging at Astrid.
Mustering up the rest of her energy, Astrid kicked her battleaxe, sending the weapon spinning horizontally towards Yrivanna. Even with heightened reactions, the Berserker was caught unprepared as the circular handle of the battleaxe spun towards her and landed on top of her foot. Losing traction of the floor, the sleek wooden handle slid backwards along with Yrivanna's right foot causing her to stumble forwards, and stopping completely with her left foot forward.
With Yrivanna's eyes forced downward to the floor. Astrid moved forward for the last ditch effort. Yrivanna tried to sidestep Astrid's attack but even her Berserker boosted speed was unable to avoid the deep slice on her shoulder. Pressing her advantage, Astrid managed to get another strike in at her thigh. Two hands on her daggers, Astrid sidestepped and went for the final strike once more.
But Astrid's dagger touched nothing but air. One moment Yrivanna was right in front of her and in the next she was gone. In motion and wide eyed, Astrid knew that, despite her best efforts, she had lost.
Moving faster than what her injuries would suggest, Yrivanna spun around Astrid and let loose a combination of strike before unleashing a ferocious sidekick to Astrid's chest. The force of the kick sent Astrid flying out the window and even before hitting the ground, Astrid lost consciousness as her vision faded to black.
OoOoO
Hiccup was taken by surprise as Asmund knocked his blade high up into the air. There seemed to be no time for him to react as Asmund approached for the finishing blow. But as he got closer and closer, Asmund's sword seemed to move slower and slower. Hiccups blade spinning up in the air seemed to stayed above longer than it should have as if it was floating. The fires surrounding the ritual stage no longer flickered wildly and seemed frozen.
Time had seemingly have slowed down allowing Hiccup to take everything in. His hands that were once shaking were now completely still. The pains from his cuts and bruises that Hiccup had accumulated so far, had stopped burning. The throbbing pain of his stumped leg had also subsided. The only thing he could feel was the fire that radiated in his heart.
Even Asmund, despite his forceful push towards Hiccup, moved slow as if he was being dragged back or as if he was moving underwater. Hiccup could see every detail of his opponent. The cut on his arm that Hiccup had made, the slight preference towards his right leg after Hiccup had dealt a blow to his other leg. He could see that Asmund eyes had turned red, just like his own.
This was the power gifted by Oden.
Quick as lightning Hiccup unsheathed his dagger from his arm, and deflected Asmund's sword. The resulting clash with Asmund's sword caused Hiccup's dagger to shatters, unable to contain the energy inside the small blade. Taken completely by surprise Asmund was unprepared as Hiccup kicked him in the chest that sent him flying to the back of the stage.
Clutching his chest, Asmund stood wide eyed as Hiccup retreated and retrieved his sword that had landed further back on the stage "The red eyes of a Berserker," Asmund whispered in disbelief. Hiccup's emerald eyes had turned blood red.
"We are all descendants of the Berserkers," Hiccup said as he inspected his blade for any damage and recalled the brief history that his mother had given him yesterday, "Although some more than others," Hiccup noted as he turned away from his blade and looked to the pure descendent of the Berserkers.
"I suppose you're right," Asmund said with a sigh as he got up off the floor. "Legends hold that once the blood of a Berserker awakens and his eyes turns blood red, he will fight with endless energy until his enemies or himself is dead."
Hiccup gently waved his blade, feeling the lightness of his weapon as he contemplated Asmund's words. The few times he had gone into Berserker mode, the blood of his enemies certainly did not have to be all over the floor for his blood to calm, simply incapacitated was sufficient. It would certainly be a problem if his power didn't turn off whenever he faced off against Astrid.
"So what are you trying to say?" Hiccup asked, "That if it turns out that we are evenly matched that we could be here for awhile?"
"Yes that is certainly a possibility," Asmund confirmed.
"Then we should get started," Hiccup said as he dashed towards Asmund.
The tempo of fight compared to moments ago had just doubled. With renewed vigour and energy Hiccup clashed with Asmund expanding across the entire area of the stage. Ten strikes, turned into twenty, into thirty, and even more as both fighters fought relentlessly.
Hiccup parried Asmund's swords and flung his sword off the stage. Even without a weapon Asmund's Berserker blood made him fearless, as he charged at Hiccup unarmed. Sidestepping Hiccup's blade, Asmund grabbed onto Hiccup's sword arm. In a battle of strength the pair wrestled for control of the fiery blade. The struggle ended in a draw as Hiccup's blade was also flung off the stage.
With no weapons left, the pair resorted to their fists. A flurry of punches and counters are traded between the two warriors.
However, the fight was far from even. Hiccup still had one more trick up his sleeve. Sidestepping a punch, Hiccup let loose a ferocious kick with his metal leg to which, Asmund blocked cleanly with his arm. Without losing pace, Asmund moved left and let loose a punch only to be blocked and countered attacked with Hiccup's metal leg.
With every opportunity Hiccup chose to attack with his metal leg. Taking advantage of Hiccup's predictableness, Asmund blocked each of Hiccup's attack with ease and swiftly countered with his own. Despite the constant knock backs, Hiccup remained undeterred as he charged in once more, opening his attack with his metal leg and once more, Asmund blocked. With a spinning kick Asmund sent Hiccup flying back once more.
Finally Hiccup chose to attack with something other than his metal leg. An obvious and direct punch towards Asmund's face. Moving into position Asmund countered with his own fist. But in that very moment, Asmund went wide eyed, completely taken in by surprise. In his periphery vision, where his fist and arm should be, had gone completely missing. In that very moment Asmund realized that he had lost.
A Berserker who has activated his blood can feel no pain. However, the absence of pain was not the absence of injury. All the constant clashes, all the times that he had used his arms to block Hiccup's metal leg and shortly knocked back, Hiccup came out the victor. When it was a clash between bone versus metal, metal was the clear victor.
Asmund looked down and saw his arms hanging loosely at his side. He poured all of his will into moving one his arms but it all for not. Both of his arms were broken and was left completely defenceless. Relenting to his fate, Asmund watched as Hiccup's fist slowly approached him and connected to his face. The force behind Hiccup's fist was so powerful that it knocked Asmund off the stage.
OoOoO
One moment Hiccup was fighting to the very inch of his life, the next moment, he was standing in completely different world.
Hiccup was standing on a beautiful grassy plains, with gentles winds that caressed the fields of grass and in the far distance, stood tall mountains that touched the sky. North, west, east, and south the mountains could be seen from all directions.
"You have been chosen to be the Guardian of Fire. To be gifted with the stewardship of all dragons. In return you will protect the Gens of Fire and Ice and watch over the gates of Asgard. Will you accept this life contract?"
Hiccup spun in circles, looking for the source of the voice but found nothing. The voice was so loud and booming that it practically echoed despite the vast open air of the sky. It was as if the voice was bouncing off the clouds.
"To protect the keys between worlds and become the shepherd of dragons? Will you young descendant, accept the life contract?" the voice repeated once more.
Does that mean he won, and completed the ritual? Was this the voice of Ragnarok?"
To become the shepherd of all dragons? If Hiccup was completely honest with himself, he didn't want to be the protector of the Gems of Fire and Ice. To become the shepherd of all dragons. But in truth, Hiccup never wanted to become the chief of Berk either. All he ever wanted was peace and for his friends to be safe. But for some reason his dreams always ends with more fighting.
But nothing has stopped Hiccup's goal so far. If this is what Hiccup needed to do then he would gladly do whatever it took. Gathering up the fire inside him and all of his resolve, Hiccup stared up to the clear open blue skies, taking in a deep breathe.
He was the son of Stoick The Vast and a descendant of the Berserkers. Hiccup wasn't about to let anything get in the way of protecting Astrid, his friends, his tribesmen, Toothless or any of the other dragons.
"I accept the contract."
OoOoO
On a cliffside overwatching, the oceanside of Berk, Hiccup sat on a rock, in deep contemplation. The sea breeze, gently caressed his hair and open tunic. The Gems of Fire and Ice dangled freely around his neck.
Hiccup remained unmoved as wood hitting rock and earth drew closer and closer.
"Hiccup?" Valka said rousing her son's attention as she laid down her staff and sat down next to her son.
"Where's Astrid? I thought she would be here with you." Valka asked.
"She woke up early, and went off to train. She wasn't very happy with what happened." Hiccup explained. When Hiccup found Astrid laying on the ground, struggling to get up, Hiccup rushed to help her but was immediately forced to back off. The pain in her eyes in that moment was more painfully than any real physical blow. But this defeat would never keep down Astrid Hofferson. Hiccup swore he would do whatever it took to never see that pain in her eyes ever again.
"And what of the mysterious group of dragon riders what happened to them?" Valka asked as she recalled their clash with the group to protect Fishlegs. If you could call it a fight. Somehow the twins got everyone into a flinching contest. In the end the mysterious group of masked riders having felt that they had sufficiently wasted enough of their time had simply left.
"They're gone, I have taken over their duties as the Guardian of Fire, and they have entrusted me with the care taking of the dragons. They left their dragons behind on Ragnarok's mountain, and they said that they were leaving the archipelago to explore the world." Hiccup replied, with a feeling that he would never see Berserker group ever again.
"That is a lot of responsibility, for one person" Valka commented.
"It is," Hiccup acknowledged with a sigh, "But I still have Toothless and Astrid, all my friends and you mother, to help me. And so I must carry on no matter what it takes."
Valka with a pitying look, wrapped her arms around her son. After so many years without ever seeing her son grow up, Valka could never grow tired of holding her son in her arms. In response to her mother's embrace, Hiccup leaned in closer into his mother's warmth. As he slowly began to relax more and more, Hiccup noticed a speck in the distance that was not there before.
"What's wrong Hiccup?" Valka asked as she felt Hiccup's body stiffen.
Wordlessly Hiccup pulled a telescope from behind his back and passed the seeing instrument to Valka. His mother gave Hiccup a curious look as she took the telescope. Lifting the narrow end of the scope to her eye, Valka drew her sight towards the horizon line. In four wide angles, Valka could see four long ships their massive sails adorned with four distinctive color schemes and massive flags that flapped proudly along the ocean breeze.
"Bogs Burglars, Meat Heads, Bashem Oiks, and Lava Louts," Valka recalled, correctly identifying the colors associated with their respective clans. In mere moment the most powerful ruling tribes of the Archipelago were about to meet that has never happened in years since the previous tragedy struck.
The Great Gathering of Chiefs was about to begin.
OoOoO
Quietly sitting on a rock, legs firmly pushed to her chest with her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. Elsa's translucent body watched as Hiccup and Valka got up from their rock and made their way back to the village.
Elsa should have followed because once Hiccup was too far away the world would soon start to fade away as the memory world could not fill what Hiccup could not see. But Elsa wouldn't budge, too busy with her own mind, lost in a sea of emotions and thoughts.
But suddenly, instead of the world slowly fading, the memory world began to shake. This was no earthquake as the world shook violently and even the skies shook.
"Elsa!" a booming voice said that echoed across the world in a godly matter
"Elsa!" the voice repeated once more and snapping the Queen of Arendelle out of her thoughts.
"Hiccup?" Elsa said as she recognized his voices. Slowly the world around her shattered into a million pieces like a shattered mirror and was replaced with a black void.
Elsa's eyes opened with a meer peep, her eyelids struggling to open.
"Elsa!" Hiccup said with a worried voice, but with a sense of relief upon seeing her wake up. Hiccup gently shook her on the shoulder as he tried to get her back to her senses.
Elsa tried to respond back to Hiccup but a wave of sensations suddenly passed through her.
Her body was sweating all over profusely but her body was on fire and shivering at the same time. Her muscles felt weak and she could barely feel her hands and feet. Her sleeping gown felt heavy as it clung greedily onto her sweat drenched skin. Her vision began to blur as Hiccup's face turned into a mop of brown. A huge wave of dizziness passed through her before the one final overwhelming sense of nausea overcame her body.
With what little energy she had, Elsa struggled to move in one direction, pushing past a wave of vertigo. Moving her head over the bedside, the Snow Queen barely made it in time to heave the contents of her stomach.
Author's end notes: In the next chapter, we are back to the present for a bit to find out what's been happening in Arendelle.
Cover page by Mistress of Snow
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