Chapter 5: Some Things You Don’t Ignore

"It will be nice to finally rest somewhere warm and get a proper meal," Vaelira stretched herself as she and Edrin walked into a village, the cold not too bad.

"Winter’s Rest should make for a solid stop. And soon we will leave Ilnareth. How are you feeling about it?" Edrin looked at her.

"Huh? Fine, why?"

"Well..." He hesitated and looked back at the way they came from. "You will be leaving your homeland."

Vaelira stopped for a moment and looked back. It was true that they made quite a journey.

Leaving my homeland... She hadn’t really thought about it. Not deeply. But they’d come a long way. It had been a couple of months now — foraging, hunting, sleeping out in the cold. Meeting Edrin.

She wondered if, had she stayed and kept studying under the Elder, she’d have perfected her magic by now.

"Don’t worry... Frost’s Embrace won’t find itself!"

Yet even as she said it, her eyes drifted back. A part of her did want to return. But going back means giving up everything she’d earned so far.

"Well, if you say."

They continued their steps, but noticed the villagers seemed beaten, as Vaelira approached one of them.

"Hey, why such mood among all of you?"

"Well..." A woman with her hair turning gray responded. "Some of our people never came back. They went up toward the old temple. Foraging party, a small one. They were supposed to be back a few hours ago. It’s probably nothing, but with the snow and the terrain..."

"Huh... That does seem odd, but might be nothing." Edrin joined the conversation, as another villager looked at them.

"But... Looking at you two," he pointed at Vaelira's staff "She is a mage right? There was another one who just recently arrived in the village."

"Huh?" Vaelira instantly looked at him. "Another mage you say...?"

The villagers nodded as Edrin put a hand on her arm.

"Let’s rest in the inn Vaelira, then we can try to talk with the mage."

"How did you—"

"Because I know you by now" He chuckled as she looked back at the duo.

"We’ll try to find the missing villagers too."

"Indeed. We'll leave first thing at dawn. It's too dark to track anyone now."

The tension in the villagers eased just a little. One of them even managed a grateful nod.

The warmth of the hearth and the smell of food hit them immediately. Well-seasoned steak, fried vegetables — for a second, it reminded her of home.

She shook the thought away and followed Edrin inside.

After ordering their food, they settled for a seat in the corner of the tavern, as Edrin smiled at her.

"Haven’t seen that kind of smile from you in a while."

"Hey, it's forever since I got a proper meal! Not out in the wild."

"My cooking isn't all that bad."

"No, it’s not! But sometimes it’s nice having something made by a proper cook, y’know?"

"Can't argue that."

As they waited for their food,

Edrin leaned back in his chair, glancing toward the door. "Place is busier than I thought for a village this size."

Vaelira followed his gaze — and saw a woman stepping inside, brushing snow off her sleeves.

She moved through the tavern, eyes scanning through the room like she was searching for something.

Her gaze settled on their table, and she approached. Up close, she was a human with long blonde hair and sharp emerald eyes, watching them intently. A spellbook and wand hung at her belt, her robes dusted with snow.

"Cozy place," the stranger said, glancing around — then at them. "You look like adventurers. And you—" she pointed at Vaelira’s staff, then sat down uninvited. "A mage?"

Vaelira frowned at the uninvited guest.

"Might be. Who's asking?"

"Marwyn. I’m a mage too. Exceptional one, depending on who you ask."

Edrin rolled his eyes.

Vaelira raised an eyebrow. "Right. And you just pick random tables and sit with strangers?"

"Only the interesting ones."

She leaned back slightly. “Didn’t expect to see an Ylvaari this far from the snowline.”

"Didn’t expect commentary from the seating committee."

Marwyn grinned at that — like she appreciated the bite. "Relax. Just making conversation. You’ve got the look of someone chasing something."

Vaelira shrugged. "And you don’t?"

"I’ve chased plenty. Some things are worth the effort."

"...Frost’s Embrace doesn’t find itself," Vaelira said, maybe too quickly.

Edrin looked up. Too late.

Marwyn went still for half a second.

"So that’s what you’re after."

Vaelira didn’t answer.

Marwyn’s tone didn’t shift much — but something had changed. She stood, brushing off her sleeves.

"Well. Guess we’ll see which of us finds it first."

"You’re heading to the temple too?"

"Unless you’d rather I didn’t."

She gave a short, insincere bow. "Thanks for the chat."

Then she moved to a far table, ordered something light, and said nothing else.

But she kept glancing back.

Vaelira looked at Edrin, quiet for a moment.

It was the first time they’d met someone who not only believed in the legend — but chased it too. She lowered her voice.

"I already don't like her."

Edrin chuckled, "What, looking into a mirror?"

Vaelira shot him a glare and smacked him lightly on the head with her palm.

"What was that for!?"

"You know exactly what for!" She crossed her arms. "Anyway... it just means I need to get stronger."

Edrin's expression softened a bit as he glanced toward Marwyn's table.

"I get it. Just... don't fixate too hard on one goal. If the legend turns out to be fake, it's good to have a backup plan."

"I know. That’s why we’ll save the villagers and check out the temple. If she’s here, there might be something in it after all."

Vaelira gave a short nod, but her gaze lingered on the mage in the corner.

Stronger. She meant it.

The next morning, they set off toward the temple. Birds chirped noisily in the trees, and the sunlight was already sharp enough to sting their eyes.

"I am surprised you woke up so early... Seeing you on your feet before me is a rarity." Edrin said in a lazy tone.

"Of course. I want to get to that temple before her... And we promised the villagers. You really think I’d go back on my word now?"

"Of course not, you just love your morning rest."

"Sometimes, there are more important things."

She said that, as Edrin smiled. Vaelira hadn’t even noticed how much she'd grown since leaving the village. Still wanting to prove she was a great mage, but at the same time starting to look into the safety of others.

"So, do you even know where we're going?" Edrin asked.

"Yeah. Before you left the tavern, I asked one of the villagers how to get to the old temple. We are supposed to follow this road and on the first crossroad, turn left then we will go up a hill a little... And we should spot the ruins."

"Huh... You soon might not need me at all with how knowledgeable you are getting."

Vaelira chuckled. "Don't be stupid. And what, return to adventuring alone without your humor?"

"Fair, I guess you couldn't replace me easily."

Vaelira put hands on the back of her head and grinned.

"I am so glad we set out so early. That means Marwyn won't beat us there. We'll get to be the heroes and explore the temple first!"

"You sure of it?"

"Of course. She doesn't seem like the early bird type."

"Mhm..."

They were nearly there — a weathered column rose ahead of them, half-buried in snow. And in front of it stood Marwyn, already studying the patterns etched into the stone. Vaelira’s eyes widened when she saw her. Her heart sank — just a little. She'd been so sure they'd beat her here. Of course Marwyn was already at the ruins, standing there. Was she always this early? Or was it just to spite me? she thought. Edrin just chuckled.

"You were saying...?"

"Be quiet..."

Hearing the commotion, Marwyn looked up and waved with a smile. As they approached, they noticed that The old temple was mostly in ruins now. Ancient patterns were carved into the stone, worn but still clear. A set of stairs led down into the catacombs, half-covered in snow and rubble.

"Well..." Marwyn said in a confindent tone. "Looks like you really enjoy your sleep." Vaelira shot Edrin a glare, but he kept his mouth shut.

"I expected you to be here before me, but it looks like we’ll be exploring together after all."

"Sure... So, what did you figure out so far?" Vaelira asked as Marwyn put a finger on the lips and twitched her head.

"Now, now... Let’s explore the place together first. Then — maybe — I’ll share what I know. After all, I shouldn't be giving free information to someone who is chasing the same myth I do, should I?"

Vaelira’s eyebrow twitched. Her hand clenched into a fist as she glanced at Marwyn, then back to Edrin — who shook his head slightly. As they were about to head through the archway, they heard a cry for help from the ravine.

"Huh? You heard that?" Edrin asked, stopping his step and looking back.

"Sounded like someone asking for help…" Vaelira said.

"They’ll survive. Probably."

Marwyn didn’t stop walking. "You think I care about villagers?"

She didn’t even sound angry. Just tired.

"I’ve lost more than that chasing what matters."

Then she stepped through the archway and kept going.

Edrin glanced at Vaelira. She froze.

What if it’s them? What if they’re in real danger?

Her hand tightened around her staff. She looked back toward the ruins.

This could be my only chance…

But then the cry came again. Louder.

No. This matters more.

"You go chase your legend, Edrin, lets go!" "Yeah!"

Marwyn shrugged, "Enjoy your heroics."

They sprinted toward the ravine.

Vaelira glanced back once — just in time to see Marwyn disappear into the shadows of the temple.

They reached the ravine — and found them.

A tree had fallen across the trail, splintered and half-frozen. Beyond it, several villagers huddled in the snow. One man lay pinned beneath broken branches. Two others were trapped under a slope of icy rubble.

One woman was stranded on a narrow ledge, barely holding onto the edge with frostbitten fingers.

"Gods," Edrin breathed. "No wonder they didn’t make it back…" An older man turned toward them. "We tried to send someone down," he said, voice tired. "But the path gave way. Then the storm hit. We’ve been digging since dawn."

Edrin bit his lip, glancing at Vaelira.

"Even with the two of us, we might not be able to get everyone." "I know…" Vaelira said, heart pounding. "But… we have to try. Edrin, I think I can do it.." "Vaelira… As much as I approve of it when it’s the two of us, this might—" "I know! It might hurt them. It might go wrong." The grip on her staff tightened, recalling the words of her Elder. But the destruction your impatience brings... could one day cost someone their life.

"It’ll work, Edrin… it has to.I’m not bringing destruction… I can help them." He gave her a slight nod. "I hope you know what you are doing."

She didn’t. But doing nothing felt worse.

She hadn’t even finished decoding the Lexicon sequence last time. But this time... she'd have to get it right.

She raised her staff into the air, closing her eyes, as she took a slow breath. The cold answered.

Frost began to form around her feet, thin cracks of ice racing out across the ground. Power gathered at her hands — freezing her fingertips. The runes along her staff shimmered, one by one, like stars lighting up in a night sky.

The air thickened. Snowflakes hung still, suspended around her like time had stopped. Wind pulled at her cloak, her hair. But she held steady.

"Please…" She whispered. "Just this once. Work." She drove the staff down. Her lips moved instinctively, the words rising from somewhere deeper than thought.

"Vel’arun thaess il’vorith." A wave of ice burst forward, ripping through snow and stone. The trapped villagers vanished behind a surge of white — then silence. For a heartbeat, nothing moved.

Her eyes looked down, defeated.

Then the frost cleared.

The tree had been pushed aside. The rubble cracked and peeled away in frozen chunks. And the path down to the ledge… was clear.

Vaelira staggered, staff slipping from her hand. Her vision blurred — everything felt distant, far away.

But they were safe.

Her legs gave out, and she started to fall — Edrin quickly caught her.

"Hey, don’t pass out now, hero of the day!" "Heh… I feel so spent…" "Not surprised after a spell like that. But that’s never happened before. Why now? And your hair… It’s no longer blue, but orange."

"My hair…? Hah. I always thought that was just some stupid legend." Vaelira laughed.

"Legend?" "The Mana Burn Effect… I was taught about it when I was young but never paid much heed to it." "And that’s..?" "It’s a phenomenon among our people that causes spell depletion… You push your magic too far and your body gives out… Which means no spell casting for me for a few days… Now you can let me go."

"Right." Edrin let Vaelira go, she stood on her own feet, holding tightly onto staff. The villagers approached her.

"Thank you so much… We are sorry to be trouble."

"No, it’s fine," Vaelira smiled. "We actually came looking for you." "We will let the village know what you have done."

A woman approached them, her cloak dusted with frost. She clutched the hand of a small boy, no older than seven, his cheeks still red from the cold.

Thank you so much, she said, voice trembling. "You saved my son. He was trapped under the rubble. I don’t know how to repay you."

The boy let go of her hand and rushed forward, hugging Vaelira tightly around the waist.

"T... Thank you I was ... I was really scared." he mumbled into her cloak.

Vaelira cheeks flushed, her blue skin warming to a noticeable red. She looked down, uncertain of what to say.

"I… It’s not a problem," she said softly, offering a small smile. "I’m just glad you’re safe."

She froze up a little, not sure what to do. Her hands hovered awkwardly before she placed one gently on the boy’s back. Behind him, the mother wiped at her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Vaelira glanced between them. She wasn’t used to this — being thanked, being seen like this. Back home, she was just the reckless one, the student who never listened. But here, with a kid hugging her and a mother crying with relief… maybe, just maybe, she’d actually done something right. They nodded as Edrin looked at Vaelira.

"Let’s go back to the ruins, we might still catch Marwyn. You need help?" "No. I can walk." As the duo returned to the temple, they noticed Marwyn emerging from the catacombs. With an annoyed expression. "Tch… I should have expected there was nothing. Oh, it’s you two, did your heroics work out?" Vaelira nodded.

"Yeah and it seems like you weren’t too successful." "Not at all. There was nothing related to Frost’s Embrace. It’s cute, what you did back there. Heroics. Hope they remember you for it." She raised her hand, giving a wave and started going in the opposite direction of the village.

Edrin glanced at Vaelira. "You believe she truly didn’t find anything there? Maybe we should check?"

Vaelira watched her go. That wasn’t a lie — it was something else. A warning. Or maybe a reminder.

"No, it’ll be pointless. Even if she did find something, she’s made sure we won’t. Let's return to the village and get back our pay." She looked at him with a grin. "But if I collapse, you’ll need to carry me." "I can agree this time for a job well done." "This time!?"

"If you collapse, I’m charging extra for carrying you," he said with a grin.

"Oh please, like you wouldn’t do it for free." "Don’t test me, mage." Vaelira shook her head, smiling faintly — but the warmth in her chest lingered.

Her legs ached, her magic was spent, and her hair was still orange.

But for once, that was enough.