Side of the law

"Son…" The voice of Cashimir's father felt far away yet so close. Cashimir's body felt heavy as he tried to look for his father who was right in front of him, but everything was too blurry.

"Take this, in case something happens." He felt how a book was placed in his hands yet his father's voice was like a whisper and echoed into his ear. No matter how much he tried to sit up so he could take a closer look at his father, he couldn't move. He noticed how his father began to move away and got smaller and smaller.

"Father… Where are you… Going?" The words were difficult to say and despite the effort it only became a mumble and got no answer. Everything turned black.

As if he wasn't breathing, he took a deep breath and sat up. He felt his clothes sticking onto him and he felt warm and cold at the same time. He quickly looked around and noticed the familiar trees, the fireplace and the morning sun that had begun to rise. He let out a sigh of relief and placed his hands behind his neck after shoving his long hair out of the way. His eyes then glanced towards his bag where his father's journal was. He didn't dare to read it, fearing it might be something that would change his life. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to clear his mind from the worries.

"Theelia please give me strength…" He held his own hands tightly, praying to the goddess. He lost count of how many times he had prayed, to be able to keep going and hope that Eris… he sighed and slowly opened his eyes again shaking his head. He grabbed his notebook and looked at his sketches of Eris. He tried to capture her from his memories, setting her free from his mind. Yet no matter how many pages he has filled with her, she never left his mind and it was almost driving him insane.

"You're drawing her again aren't you?" Helene's voice interrupted his thoughts and he looked up from his notebook. A small smile was on her lips as she sat up. Cashimir looked at his notebook again and noticed that indeed he began to sketch again. He rolled his eyes and closed the book, placing it down beside him.

"I don't ever remember showing that to you" Helene simply sighed and began to pack up.

"It's hard not to look when you sketch so intensely almost everyday." Cashimir didn't comment and began to pack as well, trying to keep his mind busy. He checked the map and soon they would arrive at Frosa.

The closer they got to Frosa, the colder it got. The two of them had to wrap themselves in all the cloth they had to keep themselves warm. The forest turned from green to white and when they arrived at the city, it was like all the color had been sucked out of life. Something felt wrong… The fact that the city itself is always under snow and ice while the rest of the kingdom is in summer with beautiful trees and flowers. It didn't make sense…

When Helene and Cashimir was about to search for an inn to be able to rest and put down their things, they noticed just how many people were outside and yelling at each other. Helene just sighed and rolled her eyes not really caring,

"Let's just find a quick inn first then we can help them out." She said and left before he even answered. Cashimir was about to follow until he overheard what they were yelling about.

"Those disgusting creatures took everything from us! They stole food, money and even my beautiful boat!

"The king was generous enough to even let them be alive, after this I hope the king realizes the monsters they really are!" Listening to them made Cashimir gag. His mind was surrounded in a fog, observing the men being displeased. They were still wearing warm clothes which were decorated in expensive jewelry. Took everything from them? It didn't seem like it…

"Gentlemen, we have reported everything to the king. After some careful consideration it has been decided to tighten security and those creatures are now all illegal in the ice kingdom." A royal guard had appeared, explaining the details which made the men grin. Cashimir could barely believe what he just heard. He felt like he was slipping away from his body, his emotions became uncontrollable and he felt himself taking one step closer to them before he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't" It was Helene's strict voice yet her eyes were staring at nothing.

"We are on the side of the law, the chosen ones who will keep peace." Then she held her tongue but it seemed like she had more to say but Cashimir didn't question it. He should listen to her… After all, so far his sword hasn't been glowing as the legend has foretold. Cashimir stepped back but his foot slipped on the ground which caught the guard's attention. He looked at the two of them from top to toe before he moved closer and something had caught his eye.

"That sword… Isn't that?" The guard had a smile, not really believing it's the sword from the holy scripts of Theelia. Cashimir felt a wave of shame run over him as he pulled the sword out and let the guard have a closer look.

"It is… I am the chosen hero of Theelia" His voice was lacking emotion but the guard was more interested in the sword.

"Why… The king hoped to meet one of the gods' heroes! You must come to the palace and help us with keeping those creatures out of our beautiful kingdom" The guard began making his way towards the palace but Cashimir didn't move, neither did Helene. The guard impatiently gesusted for them to follow and so they did, not wanting the wrath of the king upon them as well.

When the castle was in sight, it seemed like everything was made out of ice. Thick blocks of ice and the temperature only kept sinking the closer they got. The sun shining on it made it only blindingly shiny. Cashimir's stomach kept twisting and turning as they got closer. He glanced towards Helene, hoping she felt something similar to him but no. Her face was blank, unable to be read while she could almost read anyone else.