Chapter 150- Ice Steps
The stairs ended in a tight corridor, so narrow that only one person could walk through at a time.Sebeth walked ahead and stopped in front of two small wooden doors, standing directly across from each other.Click.She opened both.Inside were cramped rooms, barely large enough for a single bed. A dim yellow lightstone was embedded in the ceiling, casting soft warmth throughout the otherwise plain space.She turned to look at Selene and Alex."These will be your rooms," she said, voice calm but firm."Rest for the night. Tomorrow, you’ll head out on your first scouting mission."She pointed to another door at the far end of the corridor."That’s my room. If you need help, let me know—but don’t disturb me at night unless it’s an emergency."She crossed her arms and added seriously,"And by emergency, I mean someone better be dying. Understood?"Alex nodded immediately.Selene followed with a quieter nod of her own.Sebeth gave a small smirk."Good. Now go rest."With that, they each entered their assigned rooms and quietly shut the doors.
Inside his room, Alex collapsed onto the warped wooden bed, pulling the thick wool blanket around himself.Hati jumped up beside him, curled at his feet, and drifted off without a sound.
In the room across the corridor, Selene did the same—sinking into the blankets, closing her eyes, letting the weariness of the cold day take her.
The next morning began with a jolt.BANG! BANG! BANG!The sound of heavy knocking echoed through the corridor like a drumbeat.Alex’s eyes snapped open.He jolted upright, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and yanked the door open.Sebeth stood outside in her usual sky-blue armor, her expression sharp and her voice serious."Come on. Let’s go. You’ve got a scouting mission."Click!The door across from Alex creaked open.Selene peeked out, rubbing her eyes, still half-asleep.Sebeth narrowed her eyes and barked,"Selene! We have a scouting mission—get ready!"Selene’s eyes went wide.Bang! She slammed the door shut.
Two minutes later, she emerged, fully dressed, hair hastily tied up, standing in front of her frowning aunt.Sebeth didn’t say anything—just turned and started walking. Alex and Selene followed her down the now-familiar stairwell.
They ascended the lift once more and stepped onto the wall’s upper platform.The sky was still cloaked in dark grey, but there was a faint glow of predawn light breaking through the storm clouds—cold and pale.Sebeth led them toward the outer edge of the wall. As they neared the low barricade that protected scouts from falling, a sharp gust of air whipped through the gaps and slammed against them.
Alex shivered as the cold stabbed into him like needles. His coat helped, but not enough.Sebeth glanced back and frowned at his reaction—but she said nothing. He’ll get used to it, she thought.
They continued moving along the wall until two men came into view, standing near a small observation point.The moment the men noticed Sebeth, they dropped to one knee, fists over their hearts."Marshal!" they barked in unison.Sebeth gave them a small nod."Hans. Hook. I want you to take these two on your scouting mission today."Hans and Hook stood up, both visibly surprised.
Hook—his black hair wild and sticking up in all directions, his ice-patterned armor only half-fastened—scratched the back of his head."Marshal, they’re... kids!"Sebeth raised an eyebrow."So?"Hook’s mouth opened, then shut again. He turned to Hans, hoping for backup.
Hans—slightly older, tall with messy long black hairs and long messy beard hiding his face completely —stepped forward and bowed slightly."Eh... we’ll follow your orders, Marshal."Sebeth gave one final nod before turning away.Her cold voice lingered behind:"Treat them well—but let them learn the lessons harshly."
Hook exhaled sharply, rubbing the side of his forehead with only two remaining fingers on his right hand.Hans stepped closer to the two young recruits and studied them. His eyes suddenly widened.He stumbled back, slipping slightly on the icy surface of the wall."Hans! What happened?" Hook rushed to his side.Hans pointed at Selene, his voice cracking."Eh Hook! Eh—that’s the Ice Phoenix Princess, eh?!"Hook froze. He turned to Selene, then dropped to a crouch beside Hans, eyes wide.Both stared like they’d just seen a living legend.
Selene rolled her eyes and crossed her arms."Aren’t we getting late?" she asked dryly.Snapping back to reality, both men jumped to their feet."Yes, Princess. Mission comes first!" Hook replied, voice serious now.