Inside the warmth of the chief’s cabin, the Ice Lord sat gathered with Volak, Rose, and Iris, the steam from their shared meal rising like mountain mist.

  "Lord of Ice," the chief began, his voice heavy with gratitude, "words cannot suffice to thank you for driving back the demons and preserving our village. And I must ask your path to cross with forgiveness for the harsh words my people cast your way."

  The Ice Lord remained composed, his expression as serene as a frozen lake. "Think no more of it. I have already cast those grievances aside. In truth, it is I who should apologize; my arrival was not swift enough to spare you all from suffering."

  "No, no," the chief insisted with a weary smile. "Let us say the scales are balanced now."

  "I suppose they are," the Ice Lord conceded.

  The chief’s gaze softened as he looked at his daughter. "I spoke just now as a leader. But as a father... I could offer my very life and still never repay the debt of my daughter’s safety."

  "Please," the Ice Lord replied modestly, "there is no need for such gravity. I do not deserve such heights of gratitude."

  "On the contrary," the chief countered, "you deserve that and more. And you too, Volak and Iris—stay your modesty; you have earned your place at this table."

  A Child’s Ambition

  The chief turned his attention to Rose. "Rose, tell me, are you feeling more like yourself now?"

  Rose met his question with a wall of silence.

  "I am speaking to you, child," he prompted.

  In response, Rose puffed out her cheeks in a classic display of youthful defiance and sharply turned her head away.

  "Forgive my sister’s temperament," Volak sighed, shaking his head. "She is nursing a grudge because you excluded her from the vanguard."

  "I have no objection to her joining us," the Ice Lord said calmly. Rose’s eyes instantly ignited with a spark of hope. "But only when she reaches her fifteenth winter."

  The spark vanished, replaced by an icy glare. "Fifteen?! That is blatant injustice! Volak is only thirteen!"

  "It is the Commander’s decree," the Ice Lord stated firmly.

  "It is a tyranny!" she muttered.

  A faint, rare smile played on his lips. "Then tell me, what feats have you achieved to earn a seat among warriors? Do you possess a unique craft or a hidden power that would serve us in the heat of battle?"

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Rose paused, her thoughts racing. "I have no tales of heroism... not yet. But I have a gift. I can heal!"

  "A healer's touch is a jewel in the dirt of war," the Ice Lord acknowledged. "Train that gift. Refine it. When the season is right, we shall see."

  "So, the answer is still 'no'?" she sighed, her shoulders slumping.

  He let out a soft chuckle. "Patience, little one. Your dawn will come."

  "Then I have a new strategy," she declared with sudden resolve. "I shall eat until I outgrow the world itself!"

  The Ice Lord laughed heartily. "A formidable plan indeed."

  The Silver-Winged Sentinel

  As the meal concluded, Rose’s curiosity took hold. "Lord of Ice, what is our next objective?"

  "Eager to know?" he smiled. "Very well. As we are a team, transparency is only fair. Our duty is to watch over this village and its neighbors. You will accompany Sora to scout the surrounding wilds."

  "Sora? Is that another member of your unit?"

  "Indeed. One of the most vital."

  "Can we meet him?"

  "He is waiting. Let us go."

  The group stepped out into the biting air. The Ice Lord let out a sharp, piercing whistle that echoed through the valley. From the clouds, a massive silhouette descended—a magnificent eagle with wings like crystalline shards and talons of polished steel.

  "By the gods," Volak gasped. "Sora is a giant eagle! He’s incredible!"

  "Our first mission," the Ice Lord announced with pride, "will be mastered from the sky."

  While Volak tried to assert his status as deputy leader, Rose had already dashed forward. To everyone’s shock, the great bird ignored the seasoned warriors and lowered its regal head toward the girl. With unexpected tenderness, Sora nudged her with his beak.

  "He shunned us all," Iris whispered, "yet he went straight to her."

  The eagle lowered itself into a crouch before Rose.

  "Do you wish for me to ride with you?" she asked softly. The eagle’s eyes gleamed with a silent, ancient recognition.

  "It seems the choice is made," the Ice Lord remarked. "Sora, take her."

  "But My Lord," Volak stuttered, "what if demons lurk in the heights?"

  "Fear not. Sora does more than just fly."

  The Burden of a Legacy

  As Sora soared into the heavens, leaving a trail of shimmering frost, the Ice Lord stood with crossed arms, watching the girl disappear into the blue.

  "Sora has never accepted a stranger until now," he murmured to himself. "You chose me as your master, yet your instincts remain a mystery. Why her? What did you see in her that I have yet to find?"

  Meanwhile, in the crushing depths of the ocean, a jagged portal bled shadows into the water. A masked demon emerged, swimming toward an abyssal cavern.

  "Finally," the demon hissed. "The cradle of a Legend. When this beast awakens, the world will bend to our whims."

  Back at the village, the scouting party returned safely.

  "The perimeter is clear, My Lord," Volak reported, though he looked exhausted.

  "It was breathtaking!" Iris added, her face flushed from the wind.

  "It was the greatest moment of my life!" Rose beamed. "Sora trusts me now. Surely that earns me a spot on the team?"

  "On the contrary," the Ice Lord replied. "Your excitement proves your impulsiveness. You are still a child, Rose. You cannot yet carry the weight of life-and-death decisions."

  "I am the chief’s daughter!" she countered, her voice trembling with earnesty. "I was raised to lead."

  "Then tell me," the Ice Lord said softly, "when the demons tore through your gates, why did you hide in the cellar with the children instead of standing with your brother?"

  Rose looked down at the necklace hanging from her neck. "Because I wanted to be their light," she whispered. "My mother was a healer. I watched her mend broken lives with nothing but a smile and her hands. When she passed, she left me this—her legacy. I tried to help the village, but when the demons came... I was paralyzed by a terror I cannot name. I wanted to protect them, but I was the one who needed saving. My brother almost died because I was weak."

  She looked up at him, a single tear catching the light. "But when I saw you, Lord of Ice... I saw more than just a warrior. I saw hope.

  The hope that one day, I too could become a true hero."