Winter’s Rebirth: B1 - 7. Mind’s Eye

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Nyxie stood on the deck of a gallon transport ship, Cedric dutifully standing beside her, the only one currently aware of her presence on the vessel. The chilling sea breeze was mitigated by his close proximity, the ruby he channeled warming her as she sorted through his mind, diving into his own lived experience.

How have the twins been fairing, she mused, delving into his subconscious.

Cedric sighed, his fingers tracing the intricate carvings on the wooden table in the study. The sound of children’s laughter echoed through the hall, a stark contrast to the heaviness in his heart. It had been a difficult decision to send Lyra to serve as Elara’s personal maid, but he knew it was the best way to secure her future as the daughter of a low-ranked knight in Frosthelm.

As much as he wished for her to have a carefree childhood, their world did not allow such luxuries. It had practically been an order by the emperor, which was strange enough, yet it did afford her a life outside of active combat like him. Still, it would be a hard life to live up to.

He watched as Elara and Victor, only five years old, were introduced to his daughter and Constable Mathis’ youngest son, Jeffrey, set to be the young lord’s squire. He was a sturdy boy with a quick smile. Lyra, with her guarded yet inquisitive amber eyes and delicate features, was sure to enjoy being under Elara’s service.

Cedric felt a pang of pride and sorrow; his commoner wife would have approved had she been alive. Part of the reason he’d come to Frosthelm was the ability for the serf he’d fallen in love with to be elevated to a free woman under the Marshal’s influence, giving up any claim to his father’s lands or titles. Yet, not even Lady Anna’s healing powers could save her from the plague that swept through the north two years ago.

He watched from the back, watching the five-year-olds meet, Victor’s young face filled with delight. “You’re going to be my squire?” he asked, his young voice carrying a hint of authority that belied his age.

Jeffrey nodded with a grin and saluted. “Yes, Sir, and I’ll protect you,” he shouted, causing his father to give Lord Alden a strained smile yet it seemed to resonate with Victor as he returned the salute. Jeffrey loved to play soldier like his father.

“We’ll train together and become the strongest warriors in the world!”

Victor’s gaze shifted to Lyra, who stood beside Elara. “And you’ll help my sister?”

Pressure gripped Cedric’s chest at the young lord’s attention on his daughter.

Lyra smiled shyly, her hands clasped in front of her. “Yes, I’ll take care of Lady Elara and help her with anything she needs.”

Yes! You’re such a well-spoken girl for your age… Your mother would be proud.

Elara took Lyra’s hand and pulled her attention away from the future lord and Marshal of Frosthelm. “Don’t be scared of Vic. We’ll be the best of friends, won’t we, Lyra?”

“Mhm!”

The world swirled, memories and time flying past in a dazzling array of scenes as the spring of the next year arrived, only to be interrupted. Pulled back from the memory of when his daughter was only his, four years ago, his mind hastened to address the unexpected crisis.

Cedric instinctively reached out to stabilize the black-robed teenage girl beside him that he was charged to defend. His instincts and training flooded back with such clarity that he hardly thought. In an instant, he’d unhooked a rope on the railing and tied it around her waist.

“Hold fast to me, Lady Nyxie!”

Casting his eyes about, he saw a blast of frigid air collided with the ship’s sail, freezing the wood and cloth on contact. A chill ran down Cedric’s spine, fear gripping his chest as a nightmare scenario played out in front of him. 

“Titan orca off port-side bow!” the crew shouted, scrambling on the deck as the captain ordered men to change the remaining sails to divert closer to land. “Single female!”

Cedric breathed a sigh of relief, not realizing when his hand had gotten on his sword. He watched a spray of frosty mist shoot into the sky nearby, a warning signal from the apex predators of Frosthelm’s western coast to not venture into their territory.

“No need to worry, Lady Nyxie,” he said with a strained smile as he untied the calm inquisitor. “Titan orca don’t typically attack humans unless we venture too far away from the shoreline. Lone orca tend to be a tad more aggressive with their territory, but we’re accustomed to their behavior. Lady Nyxie?”

The Silent Inquisitor smoothly moved across the deck, Cedric feeling compelled to follow her as he looked across the sea. Chilled fog passed over them, leaving ice crystals clinging to their clothes and making them shiver.

Cedric gulped upon seeing the twenty-meter-long predator, her large cobalt-blue eyes fixated on them, making sure they were backing off. “They’re incredibly intelligent,” he said as the crew and soldiers they’d brought from Ravenshade City scrambled to melt the ice.

“They also possess incredible memories, allowing them to remember individual humans and ships… Someone on this ship in the past might have angered her at some point—and I don’t know why I’m telling you this,” he sighed. “You can just read my memory for anything you want to know.”

He snapped his jaw shut as the veiled teenager’s head turned his way. “I’ll just…”

Cedric’s mind blanked again, pulling him to a time when Victor was six, three years prior. The temperature rose above zero for the first time every year on the exact same day, the first day of spring, yet it wouldn’t go above freezing until the first day of summer.

He stood off to the side within Lord Alden’s manor to report on the progress of the road construction through the Snowveil Plains to reach the northern forest. They were close to being finished, allowing the discovery of several more mines in the Snowveil Woods that could provide more gold and silver that was needed for their settlement’s growth.

He heard the children rushing downstairs with Squire Katie in-tow. The young, affluent woman was twenty-years-old now, having defied her father’s wishes and joined the Frosthelm Expedition when she was only fifteen. Statistically, she should be dead as a female warrior in the north or run back south. Yet, ever since arriving she’d seemed to have something to prove.

In fact, she was making waves with her progress in armed combat, at least for a woman, but that was to be somewhat expected since she was highly attuned to channeling amber. Five years later, she was somewhat famous due to her accomplishments for her age, such as surviving the Winter Wilderness Survival Challenge.

Not only did she survive last winter, but saved the ruby channeler in her unit multiple times during it, landing herself in the young lord’s protection detail. At this point, she’d been practically given a permanent position for the task by Lady Anna herself. She may be Sir Justin’s Squire, but she mainly trained with the Former Grand Master, Musashi.

From what he’d heard, his daughter Lyra hated the exercises she was expected to go through with Elara, as her personal attendant. Victor and Jeffrey loved it, and even Elara seemed to enjoy the workouts.

However, his thoughts went away from his children as they went by him, his daughter offering a somewhat grumpy smile and wave in passing. Cedric’s gaze fixated on a nobleman from the far south that had docked with three ships, loaded to the brim with supplies.

He didn’t know much other than that and that he was dressed rather fancily for a baron. He wore a fancy cloak that spoke of the station, his clothes sturdy and suitable for travel. Pockets seemed to be sewn into his cloak and a book was held in his rough hands.

Likely in his late thirties, he was nearly two-meters-tall, looking down on Cedric. His face and green eyes were distant, almost haunted. His browned skin was weathered and dark due to the exposure to harsh environments. The man’s dark brown hair was long and tied back, his jaw strong and holding a commanding presence for his lean figure.

He stood off to the side without a word as Marshal Alden descended the stairs, his brow furrowed while addressing the man, making Cedric’s tongue lodge in his throat.

“Count Aldric Greenleaf… What brings you so far into Winterhold from the Southern Kingdom of Veridian? I’m afraid Lady Anna is busy in the town’s clinic at this hour.”

The man’s lips curled into a smile that didn’t touch his eyes as he strode forward to grip Alden’s hand. “No need for formalities, Marshal. I’ve left my title and region to my younger sister… Selene passed away from the Blood Plague that swept through the empire four years ago.”

Alden’s face turned somber. “I’m sorry to hear that. Anna had a lot of respect for Lady Selene. Would you like to join me in the study for a glass of whisky?”

Aldric shook his head, stepping back and looking toward the door. “I would rather get to work than drown my sorrows. On my way here, I spoke with Countess Isolde, and she directed me to you. I seek to contribute to the Frosthelm Expedition. In return…I’d like a manor built on the border between the Snowveil Plains and Woods. I’d like to move to Frosthelm.”

“My Lord,” the Marshal hummed, crossing his arms and studying the depressed former count, “there are a lot of threats north beyond our thick walls. Much less the magical winter that creeps over our land. Constructing a manor would require many land surveys, as well, since it would need to be built near a spa location for the winter months. Without our unique hot springs that feed through our town, we wouldn’t be able to survive here during the winter months.”

The former count didn’t bat an eye, holding up a hand with a nod. “I am well versed with your unique geographical location and requirements as a former count. I have created my own designs that your engineers can look over. I will require aid, but I’m sure given your town’s uniquely qualified workforce it will be more than possible to accomplish in a single summer.”

“A single summer?”

“Indeed, especially with the magic stone ban lifted by the emperor. I’ve heard the rumors that the north has many untapped magic gem mines. This is what I have brought to contribute to your expansion effort…”

Alden stepped forward to accept the stack of papers the count had brought, making his eyes widen. “My Lord…I know the Southern Kingdom is prosperous, but only the emperor  himself has contributed more than this.”

Aldric waved his hand dismissively. “I have connections to many counts and countesses across the kingdoms. I’m more than willing to allow you to use my name to negotiate, as well, so long as my terms are met.”

“Your terms…are essentially to be left to your own devices outside of our town. You do realize that everyone, no matter the terms, must follow the laws passed down by Countess Isolde Snowmantle? She is practically queen in this region, superseding King Thalorin since she was appointed to this region by the emperor himself.”

“Of course,” he bluntly accepted. “I do not plan to do anything against any of your laws. I simply wish for my privacy.”

“I see… It says here that your purpose in coming here is for research? Can I at least know what you are researching to have abandoned everything?”

“Blood hare,” he stated. “That is it. My wife died of the Blood Plague, and I suspect it originated from Frosthelm. I will purchase my own food and see to my own safety. I am quite capable of that, as you already know,” he whispered, producing a rare topaz, and not only did he have the golden gemstone, but it was the size of a lemon—the same attunement and rumored size as Countess Isolde. “Lightning has the ability to provide heat if you are proficient enough at it, as you are aware, Marshal.”

Alden glanced at the paper, a frown on his lips before looking back at the former count. “I’m a little concerned about the Greenvale region if you stepped down, but retained your family magic stone…but that is not my business. I see Countess Isolde’s signature and seal, so those details were already discussed. Your support would accelerate our progress and mission. We can discuss it further in my office…”

Cedric’s mind spun in circles as Nyxie pulled out of the man’s perspective and memories, leaving him blinking in confusion. Her inner eye expanded with every eye on the ship acting as her own, providing her a kaleidoscope of sight that anyone but a Silent Inquisitor would find overwhelming.

Nyxie’s grip tightened against each other at her front as she walked to the edge of the ship and used the vision of others to stare at the colossal titan orca, a frosty mist created in its slow wake. Her mind was a complex web of plots and possibilities.

Things are already spinning out of control. Greenvale will be devastated by Aldric’s actions. Three years, and news has reached the city of Ravenshade. Countess Vivienne and Greenvale are dealing with economic strain, their reputation is devastated, their lands are under threat of invasion from neighboring territories, and morale is at an all-time low…

If all the rumors I’ve gathered through traveling minds is true, Aldric is a fanatic, disowned by all of Greenvale after stealing their wealth in search of the legendary garnet… What would they say if they discovered the legend was true? The stone of immortality…at a price.

Her many eyes turned toward the docks of Frosthelm as a spotter shouted that they were drawing near the Northern Frontier homebase. Nyxie didn’t move, letting her thoughts wander between the underground forces moving throughout the kingdoms.

What do you know that you kept from me, Emperor… What did you see in the future? Why is Aldric’s presence so critical here? Garnets are dangerous… You should know that better than most. They were eradicated from the kingdom’s history for a reason.

She felt her mind lagging and eased back her channel, unwilling to cease her amethyst use and face her trauma again. Internally, she was safely secured in her focus, hiding inside her secret place and away from her searching twin. Few people outside of the Imperial Capital required her to operate her concealed jewel to more than a moderate degree, but she needed to keep her edge.

Nyxie invaded Cedric’s mind again, plucking memories like a fruit tree to bite into the juicy skin. She smiled behind her veil, seeing Cedric peek in on his daughter learning beside Victor, Elara, and Jeffrey, unaware that all of them were reincarnates, drawn in by Lady Anna’s mithril-enhanced celestite.

Yet, the truth was that there were so many, many more in their world due to the previous emperor’s meddling. Most of them weren’t from the planet the twins came from, such as Cedric’s daughter Lyra.

Nyxie sighed as the Frosthelm Docks came into visible view, seeing icebergs floating to their left and in the distance with still-frozen sections of the ocean, despite it being summer.

All I need to do is follow your instructions, Emperor? Yet…you couldn’t even tell me if I’d see you again before the empire’s collapse. Forgive me…but I must take my own action. But perhaps you already foresaw that, despite everything you said about the future being ever in flux. We shall see.

Nyxie stood on the creaking gangplank of the old galleon-style ship, her breath visible in the icy air as she surveyed the bustling Frosthelm Docks. The ship's wooden hull groaned in the frigid wind, echoing the quiet hum of progress that buzzed throughout the town.

Her silver hair would have glistened in the early morning light, if it wasn’t totally concealed under her veil and headwrap. She could count the number of people who had seen her face on one hand. Cedric, her loyal escort that had unknowingly been commandeered, stood at her side, his eyes scanning the dock with the practiced vigilance of a seasoned protector as a Frosthelm knight.

The docks were a hive of activity, far more bustling than she remembered from her last visit four years ago. As she stepped off the gangplank and onto solid ground, she didn’t only feel the eyes of the townspeople upon her but saw through their eyes. She could hear their thoughts, an incessant buzz of curiosity, fear, and hope.

“Look at her, arriving like a queen,” one woman thought, her hands busy repairing a broken net. “Things have improved so much since we started using the magical stones. I hope she’s not here to put a stop to it.”

“Serfs using amber shards now,” a new, grizzled immigrant dockworker to the region mused, his muscles bulging as he lifted a heavy crate. “You wouldn’t see this in Silverstone. They’re stronger, and can handle more work… Maybe I should take a course or else I could be out of a job. Maybe this year they’ll get that new housing district finished.”

Nyxie’s gaze drifted to the north, where she saw men and women clad in nothing but thin shorts or bikinis, diving into the icy waters with the aid of ruby shards to help them fish.

They would certainly die had not the rubies prevented them from going into shock, and drowning. Ingenious use of stones to gather resources from the bottom of the ocean shores; it’s opened up new markets…

Cedric kept a short distance away, and she used her many eyes to steer her towards a waiting wagon. In her passing, she wiped her presence from everyone’s minds, making her a ghost who would have never returned to these lands to these people.

As they walked, Nyxie observed the construction efforts in full swing, new storage and processing buildings rising swiftly against the backdrop of the frosted landscape. The serfs moved with a purpose, their strength enhanced by the amber shards embedded in their tools and worn around their necks like talismans.

Everything is changing so fast, Nyxie thought, climbing onto the back of the wagon. I barely recognize this place from the oppressed, hunkered down hellscape it was four years ago. To think they’d even develop a training school for serfs to develop power, specializing them in certain fields.

Nyxie settled onto the wooden bench, the wagon jolting as the giant reindeer, their domesticated beasts of burden, began to pull. She watched the scenery blur past, her mind drifting to the twins, now nine years old. Cedric rambled on to her inquiring mental prompts, unaware of his own tongue.

“The twins have grown so much in these four years next to my Lyra. They’ve completed their basic education shockingly fast. They’ve learned about the empire’s history, the local economy, and geography, their duties and responsibilities, and noble etiquette. Lady Elara is quite the storyteller! She’s got a creative mind that fascinates my daughter. They’ve become good friends.

“Hmm? Ah, yes, they’ve had quite a lot of nightmares… My Lyra has suffered from this horrible experience regarding this man dressed in purple who burned her books—she’s a reader and writer, my Lyra,” he said proudly, his smile becoming forced as his sharp eyes lifted to spot a few steel-beak swans flying overhead—2.2 meters tall, with a wingspan of 7.3 meters, they were among the apex predators of the skies in Frosthelm.

Nyxie didn’t pay the predators any mind. Most of them had learned behavior when it came to humans, not to start trouble, at least near the town. Her gaze shifted to the giant stone walls on either side of the path leading from the docks to the main settlement with its many gatehouses. She redirected Cedric’s mind to the proper topic, not planning to see the children themselves since she didn’t want Grand Master Musashi to learn she’d been here.

“Victor and Elara’s training?” He frowned, clearly not liking the topic in regards to his daughter since she was forced to train with them. “At just five-years-old, Master Musashi had them doing physical activities, improving their coordination and strength, including Lady Elara and Lyra… My daughter hates physical labor.

“At six he had them doing more intense physical training and swordplay. Lady Elara can scrap it with her brother and Jeffrey, but Lyra is a bit standoffish toward that stuff—oh, the Young Lady is mindful of her, though. I will say that Jeffrey and the Young Lord are very quick studies when it comes to combat.

“At seven they started learning about the magical stones and their use… All of them are naturals. They started doing a lot of household chores with the servants to learn about the daily tasks and requirements to upkeep the manor while further working on their other training regiment. Lyra…is attuned to moonstone, which is incredibly rare, but Lady Anna had a small one she’s been able to borrow, which is… Our Lord and Lady really are beyond kind.”

He cleared his throat and rubbed his red nose, looking ahead of them as they passed another gatehouse, Nyxie continuing to wipe her presence from others’ minds.

“Last year, Lord Victor and Lady Elara began accompanying their parents around town to gain a better understanding of our operations and get the townsfolk more accustomed to them. I think the twin lord and lady have a…bond it’s hard to describe.”

He shook his head. “In any case, Master Musashi added more training by using two swords, a short sword and a long blade. As I understand it, Master Musashi can never raise another weapon, but according to him, anything can be a weapon since anything can kill, so a sword is not a weapon if it is not intended to cause harm… It’s a strange philosophy.”

Nyxie smiled behind her veil at the familiar comment.

“This year, the children practice swordplay against each other and their gem use has improved. They’re a long way off from fully accessing a shard’s power, much less a pebble, but they’re making quick progress… Where did you want me to take you, Lady Nyxie? Right! The manor…”

Upon making it to the final gate, she abandoned the wagon, allowing herself to be directed through the back alleys. Steam blew out of the vents that went to the hot springs channels underneath, heating the stone. Her target was Lady Anna, the only person who would remember she’d ever returned to Frosthelm.

Nyxie’s thoughts turned inward for the charge her emperor had given her to build up and develop Lady Seraphina Ravenshade. The sole child from her second marriage, Baroness Morgana’s youngest daughter had more to be concerned about than political maneuvering as a reincarnate from the same world as her, not that Sera knew that.

She’s struggling with her amethyst training…and if I use the methods the Mother Superior used on me, it would break her. She thinks of herself as a tough woman, but she’s too soft inside. She can’t maintain focus. Yet, if this plan works, then maybe she will bloom to surpass me.

I only need to set it up before the accelerated mental state of the other reincarnates reaches maturity, merging with their past and present personas… One year is more than enough time. Now, the trouble of convincing Princess Anna.

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