Chapter 26: Allies of Ice, Enemies of Flame
Snow fell like feathers over the battle-scarred borderlands where the Iron Empire ended and the Sovereign Wilds began. Frost covered burned-out watchtowers and shattered siege engines—remnants of old wars that no one spoke of anymore.
Now, a new force moved across the snowdrifts.
Ilyana Veyr, Emissary of Frost, descended through the ruins in silence, her presence veiled yet undeniable. Each step left a trail of frost-rimed stone. Around her, Sovereignty scouts in white armor bowed and whispered, "The Frozen Saint walks again."
Beside her padded Thirn, his breath curling like mist, eyes fixed on distant light.
---
Inside the Argon Citadel, golden spires piercing the heavens, High Priestess Caldrein gathered the emissaries and archbishops. Cloaked figures of holy authority knelt before the awakened Ilyana.
"She returns," Caldrein announced, voice heavy with awe. "As the Light awakens in the South, the Frost awakens in the North. This is no coincidence."
A Cardinal objected. "But the Iron Empire supports the Light-Bearer. She is a weapon forged by the Luther Clan."
Ilyana raised her hand.
"I am not here to follow bloodlines. I am here because Kareth stirs. And when the gods move, mortals have two choices: bow… or break."
---
Far to the south, in the Drakenshold Palace, Jean stood within the Solar Chamber, her aura dimmed by what she had seen. The awakening of another Emissary had shaken her—not out of fear, but responsibility.
"They're awakening," Jean murmured. "One by one."
Whitney paced beside her, tail low, ever silent.
Valeria entered the chamber. Her armor gleamed with subdued heat. "Your presence has started a chain reaction," she said. "You know that, don't you?"
Jean nodded. "And not everyone will be an ally."
Valeria paused. "No. Some will see your light as a threat. Some will test its strength."
---
Three nights later, in the Vales of Iceglass, the Emissary of Frost met her first flame.
A detachment of Iron Empire vanguard had crossed into neutral grounds—unaware of Ilyana's march.
They found her alone in a vale of untouched snow.
The captain raised his blade. "State your allegiance!"
She did not reply.
With one motion, she raised her hand. The snow rose in answer. A wall of frost surged forward, sweeping weapons from hands and sealing armor in shimmering ice.
None died. But all remembered.
---
Word spread like wildfire.
"The Emissary of Frost walks the world again."
"She freezes soldiers without drawing her blade."
"She does not kneel to Jean Luther."
And in the silence of the night, as Jean trained under torchlight, a single raven landed nearby. Its message was written in blue ink.
> "From the North I come.
The wind does not favor flame.
Prove to me your light is more than legacy."
It was signed simply:
—I.V.
---