The night quietly passed away, its dark sky illuminated by the red sun of the daybreak. The snow-covered mountain, Walker's Pike, glimmered against the sun's first light. Its summit, thousands of meters high, shone more brilliantly than other parts.

  However, motionlessly sitting on the summit, a pitch-black figure appeared in stark contrast to the glistening snow.

  The sunlight did not fall on the figure—bouncing off its surface as if the sun's radiance did not want to bless the being with its glow—or perhaps it was afraid to.

  The figure's stygian-white eyes gazed below at a tract of mountain.

  Moving across the glinting snow, Elsyn and Lea approached the narrow mountain passage—that connected the mountain with the road below. They had woken up early to leave Bleakmoor Hearth and its adjacent areas before the nightfall.

  The events of the previous night and the sight of numerous rising smokes from the vast settlement of the Hearth, prompted this course of action.

  Lea, despite premature sleep, was full of energy and spark as she jumped and splashed the snow along her path.

  "Don't make too much noise; those snow leopards might be in the area—we have to be careful," Elsyn spoke.

  "I'm not," Lea replied, and continued hopping on the snow.

  We're almost off the mountain, those beasts shouldn't stray this far... Hopefully. Elsyn thought and picked up pace.

  Standing on the edge of the mountain passage, they gazed at the empty road.

  "When will Corvus arrive, sis?"

  "It's been a while since he left, he should've found a horse by now—be patient, he should be on his way back."

  Some time passed without any sign of Corvus in sight. Elsyn put her hand on Lea's head to assure her, but her own mind grew heavy with unease. Did something happen to him?

  Considering his powers and strength, it was unlikely that someone could harm Corvus. However, if yesterday's breathtaking encounter was any lesson, then she was aware of the mighty beings who roamed this world—and how little she knew of them.

  Corvus was formidable without a speck of doubt, but there were being who dwarfed him.

  Just as the seed of doubt began to take root in Elsyn's heart, sound of horse hooves running came from the road. Her fears eased and soon with Corvus's image—riding on a horse—in sight, a faint smile formed on Elsyn's face.

  He had discarded the white coat to avoid detection, and was now wearing a green jacket.

  Corvus looked at them and signalled for them to approach. Elsyn first crossed the passage, then Lea—following her steps—carefully crossed as well.

  As the siblings left Walker's Pike, the pitch-black figure atop its crest slowly rose and walked away.

  Below the spot where the figure sat, bodies of eight huge snow leopards could be seen. Their eyes agape in horror and disbelief.

  "You're late. Did something happen?" Elsyn inquired.

  "Kind of. I'll explain on the way."

  Corvus gave Lea a hand and pulled her up, placing her in front of him.

  "Horsy's hairs are so soft and fluffy. Where did you find him, Corvus?" Lea said while playing with the horse's hairs."

  "Some people had more than they required, so I loaned it from them."

  Elsyn looked at the horse and wondered how to climb on its back. She traced her hand slowly across the horse's body and felt it rhythmically rising and falling, its skin cold and smooth yet firm with an undercurrent of warmth.

  Beautiful...

  Corvus extended his palm to Elsyn; she looked at him warily, prompting Corvus to explain.

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  "It's safe. You can touch me. I patted Lea's head yesterday, she didn't feel anything. My guess is, I discharged all of the lightning into Ravina that day."

  Elsyn hesitated a little then took his hand. Using it as a support she climbed on the horse's back. Immediately she lost her balance and almost collapsed, but tightly grabbing Corvus's body she balanced herself.

  "Don't grip with your legs; keep them relaxed. Strengthen your core, and match your body according to the horse's movements," Corvus instructed.

  Too many things to do at once, Elsyn thought while clumsily following his advice.

  "I'm good, let's go," Elsyn signalled.

  Corvus yanked the horse's reins and moved it towards Bleakmoor Hearth. As they approached the sloping road, Corvus quickly added, "Hold tight."

  The horse descended the slope; its speed increasing at a terrifying rate alarmed Elsyn. She clung tightly to Corvus and shut her eyes. Lea, on the other hand, was smiling gleefully as cold, gusty winds blew over her face. She found the entire experience exhilarating and fun.

  Upon reaching the end of the slope, their speed dwindled and flowing hairs settled on their face.

  "Again, again!" Lea enthusiastically shouted.

  Please don't... Elsyn prayed in her mind.

  Corvus moved the horse forward, and said, "Glaswold is a mountainous terrain, there should be more slopes like this one ahead. We don't have to repeat the same one again and again."

  Lea replied, "Okay, fine. But make the horse go even faster next time—real fast!"

  "Fast? We'll be practically flying next time."

  "Like Sylphy?"

  "Sure, why not."

  Hearing their exchange, Elsyn imagined what the next time might feel like—she almost puked in nausea.

  Corvus doesn't know a thing about the road ahead, he's only speculating. There won't be any more slopes ahead... there won't be any... right...

  Only after convincing herself of a comfortable reality—without any slopes—did Elsyn finally calmed herself down.

  As they approached Bleakmoor Hearth, Corvus said, "El, remove your jacket, they might recognise us, and try to act natural."

  Elsyn removed her jacket, and asked, "Don't they know our faces?"

  "Some do, but with any luck we should slip away without much problem. They've not put up our posters yet; if they ever will."

  "What does that mean?"

  "People saw a Doomwarden walking into the Frostbound Legion's outpost, and all hell broke loose. I don't think they tried to talk it through, if it really even was a Doomwarden, and not an impostor, before beginning their war. And now it's too late to back off, for either of them."

  Elsyn understood what he was insinuating. "For the Bone-Rend Kin, they're falsely accused of something they never did and on top of that a vicious, unprovoked attack was launched on them. While the Frostbound Legion are seething to exact their vengeance and loss."

  "There's one more reason that they'll never verify the Doomwarden's identity. Care to take a guess?"

  Elsyn pondered for a few seconds, then spoke, "Reputation."

  "Precisely. Given the unstable, quarrelsome nature of these four factions, whoever calls for talks will be branded weak. Neither can afford that—their reputation would be ruined for years. Other factions would hesitate to ally with them and grow more inclined to strike instead."

  Lea silently listened—most of it going over her head—then interrupted, "Should we cross then? We can wait a few days for things to settle down, no?"

  "That'd actually be a bad idea; in a few days things are likely to get more heated up. Each of them will mobilize their full force, and the other factions might also intervene if their interests align," Corvus replied.

  Noticing Lea's shoulders lowering, Corvus assured her. "Fret not. Despite their warring state, they shouldn't bother mundane commuters or passersbys; nobody desires needless strife."

  Soon, they entered the stone pavement of the Hearth. Walls painted in scarlet, burnt buildings, and streets filled with armed people came into view. Many people on the streets were wounded and had a grim expression etched on their faces.

  It felt as though the Hearth were split by an invisible wall—one half guarded by fewer, well-armed soldiers; the other, by more numerous but ragged ruffians.

  The former belonged to the Frostbound Legion and the latter to the Bone-Rend Kin—two of the four major factions controlling Bleakmoor Hearth.

  Common folk were fewer than before. Those who did roam about the place did so cautiously, while avoiding the eyes of either faction. A general mood of apprehension permeated the settlement.

  The dim daybreak felt more like an ill omen than an ordinary phenomenon.

  "How long will it take us to leave this area, Corvus? I don't feel good here," Lea meekly spoke.

  It was her first time visiting the Hearth and its residents. The sight of slaves hung on pillars and lined across the market for sale was a new, harrowing experience for her.

  Her home, Caldraveth, had its own cruelties, but there at least law and order prevailed, even if only on the surface. Here, anarchy alone ruled the society. She felt unnerved by the unwelcoming and vacant gazes.

  "Soon," Corvus responded and caressed her hair.

  He maintained his current pace to avoid unnecessary attention, and mostly it worked.

  However, some ruffians stared at them, licking their lips and making obscene gestures.

  Control, Corvus... Control.

  Corvus somehow succeeded in restraining himself, and kept riding. It took him a few hours to work his way out of the rotten place called Bleakmoor Hearth.

  "Pipsqueak, are you alright?"

  "Yeah... I think... I never want to go back to that place again."

  "Cheer up, Lea. It won't be long before we reach the Covenant of Eldara. Think of that."

  "My friends will also be there. Think of all the fun we can have once we reach there, right?"

  "... Thanks both of you... I still have to thank sis's friends for helping me..." Lea was still shaken up from the sordid scenes she had witnessed.

  It's all I can do... Lea thought.

  Corvus and Elsyn wanted to console her, but they knew better than to dilute the truth with pretty words.

  They said nothing, but their presence alone was comfort enough to steady her.

  Behind them, the smoke of Bleakmoor still climbed toward the dawn. A reminder that the world below was far from done burning.