Swept away through a mystic mirror in Chuy tower, Jona searched for a proper place to face Clea. It had to be someplace where they could battle and no one else would get hurt. He needed a desolate island with no life at all. That means no people or animals. No eggs buried deep in the sands of the beach or nothing hidden or stalking deep in the jungle. That wasn't going to be a easy place to find. He moved from island to island each time he thought he had found a suitable place, he would detect some kind of life he knew would be destroyed if he stayed there. As he looked up to the skies he could see the gathering of the gray clouds. It was getting colder, Clea was getting closer and he didn't have much time for his search. Jona knew if he couldn't find a place to finish their affairs, Clea would. And he knew where she would go. She'll go home where her hate began.
High in the freezing storm, the radiant queen of ice spread her coldness all over the land below. With every crystal of ice she searched for her husband Jona. As he said, he wasn't anywhere on the island of Bravosa. Not in Chuy's tower, his families village or in any of the deep caves of the island. Fine, if he wanted a game then he would have one. She would send her cold out to every island in the ocean if she had to to find him no matter how long it took.
[And what of your promise to our queen?]
Clea looked back at the dark speck that followed her through the sky. She had forgotten the elf was there on his demonic horse.
[What of the promise you made?] He asked. [Will you honor it?]
[I thank your dark queen for reminding me that there is a world of warmth out there that I could be enjoying instead of hiding in the cold north.] Clea waved her hand a cleared the frost from between them so she could see him more clearly. [But I won't be honoring any promise. I won't be joining her in any war that she has planned. I have my own battles to fight thank you.]
A flurry of flame burst from Terror's snout surrounding the black winged horse in the ice cloud. Clea laughed at his anger.
"Queen Talsara won't stand for this betrayal." Taren screamed. "She will make you sorry you broke your promise to her. You will pay for this!!"
"My hear is frozen solid." Clea laughed. "I fear nothing. Go tell your queen the goddess Clea thanks her for her offer but if she comes looking for me, I will freeze her into an ice statue and crush her. Do you understand?"
"I understand." Taren called as Terror veered off away from her. "But you need to know this is not over. We will be back!"
Lightning flashed through Clea's storm cloud as she thundered on toward the southern islands. Jona had to be somewhere down here trying to keep her from going home. Yes, she knew what he was doing and if she didn't find him soon, she knew just how to make him come to her on his own.
As Jandar, Gird and Viggo reached the coast of Taggitia to the south, the skies took on the shade of the storm. They could all feel the chill of snow in the air. Gird flew closer to Viggo with Jandar on his back.
"How is it there's a snow storm brewing over a tropical area?" He asked. "Isn't that impossible"
"Unfortunately no." Jandar called. "It's happened before."
{ICE WOMAN} Viggo sent his anger making him tremble. {I KNOW HER. SHE KILL RUSH.}
"Easy Viggo." Jandar rubbed the thick fur on his back. "Now we know why Jona wants us to come see him. Clea has returned home. Bravosa is in trouble again."
"I remember hearing Nautica talk about Bravosa." Gird flew close. "She mentioned Jona, but who's Clea?"
"Clea was Jona's wife." Jandar explained. "She was a very warm beautiful woman until Muerte and the winter god Kearn got their hands on her. Kearn cursed her draining all her warmth and love and replaced it with cold bitter hate. She escaped Bravosa during the winter of Kearn and swore she would be back."
Gird listened closely to the story of Jona and Clea. Jandar explained how Muerte had recruited Kearn to her side to cover the southern parts of Taggitia with ice and snow. She was hoping Kearn had the power to take on the Dragons and maybe even destroy them. Unfortunately for her, Kearn didn't have the power for the task.With the help of Jona and Snowdogs Kearn had created, the dragons with the aid of Alee the sun god, put an end to Kearn's hellish winter and his cold ambitions.
Clea with her heart and mind frozen without compassion became a creature of cold hate. She hated herself, those who did this to her, and those who failed to save her. She craved three things. Heat, Jona and the death of every Dragon on Keanna.
Gird now knew just about the whole story. Clea was a remnant of Muerte and her vision of death on Keanna. Now it was their job to stop her from turning Keanna into a ball of ice but they had to find her first. Luckily they had just the right one there with them to track her. A Snowdog.
Closing his eyes, Taren called out to Talsara. They had been betrayed and he had to report and find out what she wanted done.
[My Queen.] He sent. [At appears the icy Clea has betrayed us. She's off on her task of revenge.]
[There is another close by that will help. Follow these directions to a snow capped volcanic island hidden south of Bravosa. You will find someone who can take care of Clea and the Dragons.]
[Yes my Queen.]
Directions appeared in Taren's mind and he whispered to Terror and turned south to the dark island Talsara showed him in his mind.
In the darkness of the night, Taren rode Terror high over Vanco island. It had taken them a few hours but atlast they had found the island Talsara had shown him in his mind. Thick smoke billow from the ever active peaks below him. Taren wonder just how they were suppose to get to the center of the volcano to find the one Talsara ordered them to find. With his sharp elven vision, Taren scanned the mountain for caves or a way in. He founf nothing. Every cave he found was blocked by an old lava flow that had seal the volcano closed. Maybe there was a water entrance somewhere that Terror could reach.
[No underwater caves here.] Terror sent him. [Just deep shadows.]
[Well there has to be a way in or Talsara wouldn't have sent us.]
[I told you] Terror huffed. [We go through shadows.]
[You can do that?]
[No but Talsara can.] Flames blew from Terrors nostril as they flew. [Look ahead. See the shadows in the clouds. That's where we enter. Hang on and do not let go or you will be lost,]
Wrapping the reins around his arms, Taren held on tight as Terror steered them into the shadow cloud. The air became freezing, burning Taren's lungs with each breath he took. Other then Terror's flame, this was the darkest place Taren had ever been. Hugging himself close to Terror, Taren hung on fearing what would happen if he lost his grip and fell off Terror's back.
Time ticked by slowly as Taren hung on to Terror. His hands became colder and stiff to a point where he thought his fingers were about to snap off at any second if they were to move. Then Taren felt a sudden flush of intense heat as they broke out of shadow into a deep cavern underground.
As Terror stepped out, they found themselves in a brightly lit burning hot cavern. Taren stayed close to Terror thanking the dark gods that hot and cold didn't have much effect on the demon horse. All around them the walls glowed with the molten heat of the lava. To the left a great lake bubbled popping ash and sparks into the air. but ahead of them they saw something Taren thought to be impossible. Ahead of them in the center of the cavern there was a great block of ice. Taren could feel the cold emanating out towards them.
"That must be it." Taren pointed.
Trotting on, Terror walked on until they came to a bridge of ice and stone. Steam hissed up as Terror's hooves melted ice with each step he took. From the bridge they entered into a small tunnel that led off in four different directions. One went high up into the ice while another sank deep down heading into a underground cavern. There were two more tunnels that went straight in. One Taren noticed turned right as it went deeper then all light ceased and the other just kept on going deeper into the ice..
"Terror stay here." Taren tied the reins to the saddle and took the tunnel in the center that went straight in. The coolness of the ice soothed the burning his skin had gotten from the lava outside. Taren knew that had he not been with Terror, he would have burned to death the second they came out of shadow.
Light shined in through the ice lighting Tarens way as moved deeper into the ice mound. Ahead of him he a strange noise. It sounded to him like moaning or some kind of sobbing. Taren wondered who it was he was here to find.
As the tunnel turned to the left, it opened into a larger cavern with ice statuary and the furnishings of a great palace. Statues of icemen and snowdogs, penguins and polar bears playing in a outdoors wintery scene. There was a long tables covered with ice food on serving trays like it was being readied for a banquet or feast. In the center on the room sat a throne where a great snowman sat motionless,
Taren walked in admiring the talent it must have taken to carve such art. He went to the throne where the ice man sat. He was about nine feet tall with a long frosted beard. On his head he wore a crown of icicles with colored ice jewels set all around it. On his body he wore white and silver majestic robes that wrapped over his shoulder, around his body and flowed to the floor. Taren had no idea who this was suppose to be but whoever it was, they didn't look very happy.
Looking around the chamber, Taren couldn't find anyone else here. Perhaps Talsara had sent him to the wrong place. Maybe this Kearn he was looking for wasn't even here.
"Who seeks Kearn?"
Startled, Taren jumped shocked at the voice that boomed through the chamber. He looked around for whoever had spoke but didn't find anyone. It must be magic he thought. He should have know magic would be involved.
"I'm here for Kearn." Taren called out. "My Queen would make a deal with him."
"And what is it your Queen wants?"
"She wants you to destroy an enemy for her." Taren wandered around the icy chamber admiring the intricate designs of the different statues set in the ice. Such beauty. "Do you remember a woman named Clea?"
The chamber began to tremble as ice and snow fall from the roof and walls. Taren steadied himself grabbing on to a table to keep from falling over.
"Yes I know the icy bitch." The voice said in a louder voice. "She is one of the reasons I am trapped in this molten hell. Her, Alee and those damned dragons. But I can't get out of this prison. If I could, I'd already have my revenge on all of them. How can your queen help?"
"My Queen promises you your freedom." Taren was beginning to feel much colder. He was losing his bodily heat the longer he stayed here, "If you swear to her you will kill the ice queen, she will get you out of here."
The shaking had stopped and the chamber settled down as Kearn thought about the proposition. The last woman that made a demand on him to kill had earned him this simmering prison. But his hate still burned deep inside of him and he wanted his revenge very badly. If Clea was all this queen wanted dead then no dragons or gods should get involved and he could start getting his revenge slowly one by one.
"I will kill Clea." The voice promised. "But make no more demands of me. Once Clea is dead I am free to go my own way. If your queen has any objections, the it won't be an ice queen she will have to deal with. It will but Kearn, the god of Winter. Do you accept?"
[YES.] Talsara's mind voice called out to them.
Suddenly the great Ice statue on the throne began to quake. The arms stretched out and the giant grabbed the arms of his throne and stood up. Taren backed away dodging falling icicles and chucks of ice the size buckets. Kearn turned to Taren then began to shrink down to man size. He stepped out of the icy debris walking towards the tunnel out.
"This way human."
Together they walked out of the cavern and met Terror. From there the went out to the ice bridge and Kearn stopped.
"This is as far as I can go. Now it is up to your queen."
Just then the lava chamber began to darken. Shadows covered everything beyond the bridge and the heat dissipated.
"We have one minute to get to the shadows beyond the cave there." Taren jumped on Terrors back. "We must hurry."
As Terror took off, Kearn clapped his hands together and became a frosty cloud and streaked through the chamber in seconds. As he reached the shadow he flew right in to emerge out in the night sky.
"I AM FREE!!"
In the forest of Silvermoon, the Deathead Goblin clan ran wild, killing stags, boars, defiling the land and herding nymphs into cages to be taken back as prizes. They ripped the living apart and feasted on the bloody meat while doing unspeakable things to the land. They pulled captive nymphs from cages and raped then devoured them. The carnage went on all through the night while their masters the Dark elves watched without any compassion at all. Talsara had ordered Silvermoon turned into graveyard for every living being they could find. She wanted them all dead for what she called their obscene ways. How dare he disobey his queen. How dare he share his bed with another man or call him his mate. She would destroy anyone including her own son for practising that kind of obscene behavior.
In the Deathead camp, Kranko Fearfist the Impaler stepped from the alter of one of Tyree's temples after relieving himself and pulled up his dirty pants. He spit and wiped his hands on the marble walls then grabbed his short spear and headed off to check on the cages and treasures they had collected while in Silvermoon He had left guards but he knew they weren't to be trusted.
After checking on his tent, Kranko did an inspection of the gate guards. They were there, They were having a game of roll the bones out of boredom, but they were on guard. A stupid job he thought. These Satyr's were a weak bunch deserving of the death Talsara had planned for them.
As he passed a campsite he heard the screaming of a young nymph as she was being ravaged. He looked left to see the beautiful naked lass dart out of a tent only to be grabbed and dragged back. Kranko licked his lips. She looked delicious. He would have to return back this way once he finished checking the perimeter to have a bite.
The camp was busy for a goblin camp. Yeah there were screams coming from every tent. Of course Goblins fought over nymphs tied or staked out to be used by the winner. But the Dark elves stayed out of the way. They got what they wanted and their queen was getting hers.The Goblins had ran through Silvermoon like a plague.The Satyrs, fauns and nymphs couldn't even hide now that they had captured that magic stick. All that was left to do here was to kill and take whatever the goblins wanted. And what they wanted was the nymphs as many as they could cage and carry off. It had been a glorious day indeed for them.
"Kranko!"
Kranko turned as a Dark elf named Per Lhoris dressed in the robes of a mage stepped from a tent and called his name. "No one stands at the camp gate, why?"
"Oh?" His eye brows curved in doubt. "I was just there. The mook's probably off rutting their dinner. Who care, These goats couldn't fight a baby goblin. Even drank on beer we could take what they have any day."
"Have a care Goblin." The elf rubbed his chin as he turned for the tents of his elven warrior. "Even the weak can stand against the strong and win sometimes. Guard my gates or I'll have Bog come do it."
"Bah!" Kranko spit at the elf's feet barely missing. "I rule here, not the Bloodfangs. Careful or it could be elf we feed on tonight."
"You don't scare me Goblin." Per turned his back in disrespect to the Goblin leader. "Security is on your head. Do your job or pay the price."
Kranko growled and pulled back his arm to throw his spear then stopped. The damned elf was right. security was his responsibility. If anything happened, his chief and the elf queen would blame him and the thought of what Scab Vilebreath would do to him, made him cringe. He had to make sure the camp was safe and there was no one out there that could cause any trouble.
Off he stomped grumbling towards the edge of the camp and it's entrance screaming for Goblins to get to their post.
From the top of the hill, Elan and Pacius watched the camp. They watch the horrors committed by the Goblins as they tore into the nymphs they captured, Elan had a hard time stopping Pacius from barrowing down the hill and attacking, throwing his life away. Elan knew it wasn't possible for the two of them to attack and drive the Dark elves and Goblins out. They would need help of some kind. "We need some help." Elan whispered to Pacius. "Someone strong enough or so scary, even the Dark elves would run in terror."
"If only Tyree were here." Pacius moaned. "His godly image would put some fear into them. But he's not, Why hadn't he come to help his own children?"
"Perhaps he will." Elan's face lit with and idea. "I have an idea. But I need help if it's going to work. Pacius, go out and round up anyone you can find that's still free. Satyrs, fauns, nymphs, anyone you can find and hurry. We have to do this before soon. Now go!"
Pacius nodded they ducked down and made his way out from the hill into the forest. Elan sat down and made himself comfortable. He had to call on an old friend. With a little luck that friend just might be looking for him too.
As the forest became quiet all around him and he slipped in to a much calmer state, Elan called out a name in his mind. He reached for a connection that had always been there all his life. He wanted the one he hoped would always be there to help him.
[ARGUS! COME TO ME, I NEED YOUR HELP!]
The moon was full and Jassin's house was quiet as Argus woke with a start. Ever since King Wyn had ordered him to find Elan he had searched all through the fairy lands, Eventide and Winterhaven to find him, but Elan had his mind away. He had closed himself off so neither his mother or his father could find him. And if an elven prince didn't want to be found, Argus knew he wouldn't find Elan until he was ready to be found.
And now here it was. Elan was calling him. Opening his wings Argus lifted off from the cushioned place Aron had made for him. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the prince and disappeared only to re appear seconds later in the forest on Silvermoon. Argus opened his eyes and found himself under a tree hovering right above Elan.
"Prince Elan!" Argus flew down to greet him. "I'm so glad your safe!"
"Aiya old friend." Elan smiled holding out his hand for the Imp to land on. "How is father doing with all this craziness going on."
"Your father is well." Argus said. "But worried about you and your mate Aron."
"Really? Why?"
The Imp's glow faded a bit as it took on a more reddish tint indicating the Imp's annoyance at what Elan had said.
"I have been with your father all his life from the day he was born until he released me and charged me to protect you and you mate. Your father may follow your mother, but he will see her dead before he allows her to hurt you or anyone you would call your mate. He loves you more then life. Can you not see that?"
"Father never said a word when mother sent me away to the Academy." Elan's throat tightened with emotion. "I thought he wanted me away so he could have Mother to himself."
"You don't know your father at all, do you?" Argus flew up to land on Elan's shoulder. "For years he fought to get you as much freedom as he could. He sent you to the Academy to be safely away from your mother. If it was up to her, you would have been married and off fighting in her wars long ago. You owe him respect at the least."
Elan became silent for a few minutes remembering days from his youth learning the art of sword play and riding from his father. Back then they had been close. He never knew why he had to be sent away from Darkshade. He always thought it was because he annoyed his parents and they hated having him around. Now he had his answer. This was how his father saved him from being a pawn in his mothers evil plans. Elan would have to thank his father properly next time he saw him.
"How's Aron?"
"Safe, waiting for you to get back to him." Argus brightened up again. "He'll be glad when he wakes up to find you there with him."
"We're not returning just yet. We have something to do here in Silvermoon and I need your help."
"As you wish my Prince." The Imp flew up and danced around his head. "My magic is your to command."
As Alee took to the sky and began his ride across the heavens, Jona stepped through his mirror and found himself on a hot volcanic island he had never been on before. He found himself standing on a beautiful sandy beach that overlooked the warm blue Saprein ocean. On his left palm trees waved in the salty ocean breeze while behind him, the volcanic mountain rumbled sending smoke and ash into the sky.
This was the fifth or sixth island Jona had visited randomly appearing to confuse Clea who he knew was tracking him everywhere he went. He was tired and getting weak from using so much magic. He thought this to be a good place to rest while he re charged his magic.
With a wave of his hand and a quick spell, palms fonds tore from trees to fly down and settle into a comfortable nest. Jona stepped out and climbed into his resting place. Just then out of no where a cold breeze blew in from somewhere. Jona shivered and had a suddenly familiar feeling. He felt weird and threatened but cold and alone like he did back during Bravosa's winter attack by Kearn. But that wasn't possible. Alee and Blaze had taken him away to some prison far from Bravosa where he couldn't use his cold to hurt anyone else.
As a cold wind blew across the beach, Jona pulled his cloak closed and looked up in the sky. Dark thunder clouds had started to gather over the island turning day into night. Jona stood up in his nest as the sinking familiar feeling came over him. The sky looked just as it did when Kearn started his deadly storm.
"Oh no!" He said as lightning flashed across the horizon, "This can't be happening again."
As the thunder rolled in, it had the distinct sound of laughter echoing through the night sky. Jona walked out on the beach as the winds began to pick up and cause the surf to surge up at the beach. Wave after wave rolled in growing higher and higher as it smashed into the surf. Jona stepped back out of the water and stood on a high dune on the beach. He reached deep inside himself to calm his fear and gather his magic. With his hand raised he cast out with an elemental spell to calm the waves and bring peace back to the ocean. Thunder roared all around as his spell flared into action,but to no effect. The magic guiding this storm was much strong then he could command.
As the clouds broke and snow began to fall, Jona looked to the sky and screamed out his challenge"I "I know it's you!" He raised his fist in anger. "Come out and face me Kearn!"
The sound of his laughter came from rang out from everywhere. Jona watched as a dark cloud began to swirl and rumble then descend down to the island. As it reached tree level lightning struck out searing spots on the ground at Jona's feet. He never moved a muscle showing absolutely no fear. Then two strike flew straight at him. Jona jumped into a defensive pose as he summoned his shields and deflected each strike away from him.With a quick twist of his wrist, a bolt of red mystic energy shot out at Kearn bouncing off his silver toga and into the sea.
With his hands on his hips, Kearn threw back his head and laughed. His eyes blazed white with power. Slowly he settled down to step out onto the sandy beach freezing the ground with each step.
"Where is she?" Kearn asked. "Where is that cold hearted wife of yours?"
"I don't know. And if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"Bold when speaking to a god aren't you." Kearn chuckled. "You should show a little respect."
"Why?" Jona asked. "Your not my god. Only Snowmen and the savage Kensi would worship the likes of you. You should go back north while you still can."
"I'll be on my way in my own time human, but first there's something I need to do."
Raising his arm, Kearn pointed at Jona and sent a blast of cold at him. Like diamond crystals it swept out it Jona to swirl around him. Jona pulled his cloak closed tight hoping it would be enough to protect him.
It started at his feet and moved upward inch by inch. Jona used all his concentration to generate hear to try and melt his way out but Kearn's magic was to powerful for him. As it reached his neck he took a last deep breath and called out to the one he thought would be his only hope.
"CLEA!!!!"
As the last bit of Jona was covered in ice, Kearn stepped up to Jona and put his arms around him.
"And that should bring the ice maiden to me and death will be her reward for love."
High in the summer sky Clea's freezing winter cloud rolled its way across the shores of Bravosa. She was tired of searching all over the ocean for Jona. She had gone from island to island searching only to be moments to late each time. She decided home was where she would get her wait for him. If she couldn't go to him, she would make him come to her.
As she flew closer to the island, a feeling came over her. She felt a strange presence like someone was watching just over her shoulder. Clea glanced left then right but there was no one there. Amused she smiled to herself as if someone could possibly be there on the cloud without her knowing. But still the feeling remained telling her she wasn't alone. From her seat on the cloud she sent out a mist of frost crystals that blanketed the area all around her. To her left something began to shimmer into visibility. Floating above her head there was a golden glowing sphere. Clea waved her hand at it to try and frighten it off but it wouldn't budge. Magically she know what it was. It was someones probe. Could it be Jona's? No, she knew his magic and it didn't have his signature. This was the magic of someone far more powerful then her husband. Could it be Talsara or maybe her servant Taren?
Whoever it was they should beware who it was they were dealing with for Clea the ice queen was not one to fool around with when revenge was on her mind.
[Is revenge what you really seek, revenge?]
[Who are you to question my intentions?] She demanded. Her gazed fixed on the sphere.
[Someone that might be able to help if I think you deserve it. Now answer the question.]
[What makes you think I need or even want your help strange one?"] Anger began to flare in Clea as her ice field began to intensify around her. [Do you know who it is you toy with?]
[Clea Metrka.] Came the answer. Clea's jumped surprised the strange knew exactly who she was. [I know more about you then who you are. I know why your here and how you came to be the ice queen you call yourself. What I don't understand is why you would want to hurt the one man that truly loves you.]
"Because he think me a monster!" She screamed out at the sphere. "Jona thinks I'm a monster now. An unfeeling creature of ice and snow with no heart ready to destroy all that stand in my way."
[Well, is here right?] The sphere turned to a warm green glow calming her down. [Since Kearn froze your heart, what is it you have become? Are you still the same simple girl he married?]
"No." She cried. "But that's not my fault. It's his. It's all there fault! Had he not been so busy helping the Dragons this wouldn't have happened to me."
[So its the Dragons fault too is it?]
[Yes, I blame all of them!] Tears fell from the corner of her eyes as small chips of ice. [This is not how I want to spend the rest of my life. This is not what I want.The life of an ice vampire seeking others heat is what Kearn condemned me to. I want my life back. I want the heat of love back. I want what I had back!]
[If revenge is what you really want.] The voice said. [I can't help you. But if there's more in your heart then hate, maybe I can.]
[My heart is ice.] Clea looked away from the sphere ashamed. [I can't feel much of anything.]
[Then let me in.] The globe changed and began to grow. It went from a small fist sized orb to the size of a wheel then the size of a man. It began to mold and shape itself until a handsome blond man sat cross legged in front of her. He would stand to the height of about six feet dressed in golden cloth pants and a tunic. Around his golden blond hair there war a crown ivy leaves. What a handsome man Clea thought.
"Who are you?" She asked. "You look familiar."
"Open your heart and you will know who I am."
Clea wasn't sure if she should trust this stranger. This could be Talsara's way of coming back at her for her revenge. But whoever this was, his eyes gave off a feeling of trust. They were so clear and blue she thought she could almost see the heavens in them. Maybe she should fight or run but then again, something told her to take a chance.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Just close your eyes and relax." He smiled. "Let me do the rest."
Laying back, Clea closed her eyes and let her mind relax. She felt warm and comfortable as the stranger took her hand and touched her face.
"Relax." He said with a soft soothing voice. "Let me see your heart."
Clea's mind opened and memories began to drift by. She remembered the first time she had met Jona. They were kids and her family had just arrived in Bravosa. They had moved into the house right next to Jona and his family. She remembered going out into the backyard and seeing the older Jona playing with his little stick men by a little stream. He had fashioned a castle from mud and grass and he was directing a small battle with his toy men. As she watched she could almost swear she had seen the little troops move against each other. He asked her if she wanted to play and by the end of the day, she knew they would be the best of friends. They went from neighbors to friends. Then friends to classmates. Jona and Clea would spend the better part of everyday together roaming the hills and forest just outside of Bravosa. Until the day that everything changed for the two friends.
It was long ago during the days when Clea and Jona were kids studying the stars under Master Chuy's care. Chuy had announced a special trip out into the field for some of his most advanced students. The subject would be astronomy, something both Clea and Jona enjoyed very much. They would be out for two days and nights studying and charting the stars and other heavenly bodies over Bravosa. Jona had had an uneasy feeling about the trip and really didn't want to go, but Clea love the night skies. Sometimes, with nothing but blankets and water they would spend hours watching the night stars. This was to be her chance to show Master Chuy how much she really about Astronomy.
With tents packed and food enough for two days, Chuy took his students out into the hills high above Bravosa. They found a suitable camping spot, ate a quick dinner, then Master Chuy separated them into pairs and sent them off to study different parts on the night sky.
Clea loved the freedom of the night sky. She and Jona watched as Alea did her nightly dance across the sky shining her moon light down the entire island. From where they were, Bravosa was hidden off beyond the mountains where they couldn't see it. But there were a lot of constellation they could see like Sazar's trident off to the left with its eight points shining brightly. The three Proteaus sisters that fought each night over Regulen the warrior and the almost invisible helmet of Patmos with its crack that zig zagged along its side.
While Clea giggled pointing out different stars, Jona's eyes were always on the forest around them. For days since Master Chuy had announced the trip, Jona had been having nightmares about it. Horrible dreams off him and Clea running from some dark clawed monster. Master Chuy had assured him that there was nothing to be scared of and that there was nothing in the forest up in the mountains, But the dreams kept coming getting worst every night.
Jona tired convincing Clea to stay home and that there would be other trips, but she was determined to go and swore she would go alone if she had to.
With no other choices and against his better judgement, Jona promised he'd go along with her.
Hidden in his bed roll, Jona had put an old sword his father had given him. He had never used a sword before and it wasn't very shape , but it was good enough to stab with. He had at least that much for protection.
It had grown late and Alea had flown far across to the other side of the sky. Clea still was deep in her star charting while Jona had just begun to relax when a cold chill went up along his spine. He had a feeling something was watching them. Keeping his head low, Jona searched all around them for any sign of danger. All he could hear was the sound of insects chirping in the distance. Then suddenly everything went quiet. Jona nudged Clea beside him.
"What?"
"Shhhh!!" He put his finger to his lips. "There's something out there."
"Oh will you stop this already!!" She pushed him away. "There's nothing out there. We're perfectly safe. Watch I'll prove it."
Clea stood up and waved her arms.
"See." She jumped up and down. "There's nothing here. Now will you just..."
That's when the both heard the growling begin. First it came from the right then it came from behind them. As Jona stood, a set of glowing green eyes came stalking low to the ground out of the forest in front of them.
"Jona?" Clea grabbed on to his arm as he grabbed for the bed roll and the sword. Holding the sword out in his shaking hands, Jona watched as three snarling grey wolves advanced across the grass at them. Looking around he realized they were surrounded on three sides. Jona stepped forward taking a swing at the wolf in the front. Just then the one to the left jumped at him grabbing at his hand that held the sword. As the fangs tore into his flesh he dropped the sword and was pushed back away from both the sword and Clea.. As he fell to the ground he heard Clea scream. He rolled to his side as a wolf growling snapped at his legs. Jona kicked out striking the beast in its maw. He jumped up and turned for the sword then stopped. There was a wolf standing right over it growling at him. Slowly with the wolf inching towards him, Jona made his way back to stand with Clea.
As he reached her, Clea grabbed on to him crying.
"What are we going to do?"
"I don't know." He said. "Master Chuy is to far away to hear our call and I can't get to the sword."
"I'm sorry Jona." She cried. "You were right."
"That doesn't matter right now." He said.m "I just want to get us out of here."
Just then, a wolf leaped at Jona knocking him down on his back. Growling and snapping at his face. Jona held the wolf off kicking at its body. As he fought he heard another wolf grab Clea. She screamed as it bit into her. Rage filled Jona as he fought. His head began to pound as his anger grew hotter and hotter. Again Clea screamed. the wolf had brought her down. It would be at her throat at any minute. Clea was about to be killed, He had to do something.
Suddenly his brain exploded as his hands turned to fire. A fantastic blast of heat came blasting out from somewhere sending the wolf on top of him flying like a torch out away from him. Jona jumped to his feet and turned to the wolves on Clea and reached out for them. As he reached, flames flared from his hands blasting one wolf aside. Moving with incredible speed, Jona kicked the last wolf in its head. Blood and brains splashed all over Clea as the wolves body tumbled over dead onto the grass.
As Jona reached down to help Clea, up she screamed again beating at him trying to get him off her,
"Its OK Clea!! Its me!! They're all dead, I killed them!"
Opening her eyes, she burst into tears and reached up for him. Jona took her in his arms and held her while she cried.
"I thought you were dead." She sobbed. "I thought they were going to kill me."
"Its OK." He rocked her in his arms. "Its all over."
"How did you do that?"
"Magic." He smile as he kissed her.
As Jona carried her away, Clea looked over his shoulders. Standing where Jona had fought off the wolves, there was a tall blond haired man. He was smiling and he blow a kiss at them then disappeared.
That was the day that Clea knew she loved Jona. That was the day she knew he would be the one she would marry.
As the stranger took his hand from her face, Clea opened her eyes. She looked deeply into his eyes as he smiled at her.
"I know you." She said. "Your Atol, god of love and you were there that day. You helped Jona to saved me."
"No, he did that all on his own. Don't you see Clea. Jona has loved you since the day he saw you step into his yard. You are his one and only love. Do you still want revenge?"
"No." Clea looked up at him. "I want my husband back. I'll do whatever I have to to get him back."
"Even fight for his life?"
"If that's what it takes, yes."
"Then I give you back what was taken from you." Atol reached out and touched her chest. "No longer is your heart made of ice. Your heart has just as much warmth as anyone else."
As he pulled his hand away a warm feeling spread through her entire body. The ice in her veins began to melt at her heart began to beat again. Clea looked down at her hands. The blue tint in her skin began brighten as he body warmed. She reached up and touched her face. It was warm again.
"Thank you so much!" She cried."I feel alive again. Now I can go home!"
" No." Atol told her. "Your still the ice queen but you don't have to steal warmth from anyone else. I can't take Kearn's curse off you completely, but I can modify it. Your no longer the thing you called a heat vampire, your hearts just as warm as anyone else. You still have command of ice and snow, it just doesn't rule your heart anymore."
"I understand."
"From now on promise me you'll think with more then your brain. You'll consider your heart too." Atol stood and spread his arms and became the sphere again. [Now there's something I must tell you. Kearn is free again and he's here after you."
"Oh no!" The thought of facing Kearn sent a streak of fear through her heart. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face the winter god.
[Well I think you better be.] Atol sent as the sphere began to drift off.. [Because to catch you, he's taken Jona. It's up to you to get him free.]
"I don't know if I can beat him. " She cried. "Help me."
[Help is on its way. Be strong Ice Queen. We will meet again.]
