The winter storm raged outside the unremarkable cave, cutting visibility to almost zero. The wind howled through the pine trees, bending branches and sending snow flying everywhere. It was a fierce storm that had come unexpectedly, catching the group off guard as they walked in search of Haldor's missing wife and their children.
At first, they made good progress, incredible even; the tracks they had been following grew more and more distinct with each passing hour, and it was just a matter of time before they would find them. The woman wasn't very strong or fast. She had her two young kids and a sled, and even though she had a significant head start on them, they had been quickly gaining on her. But as the snowstorm began, the tracks vanished into the white nothingness, leaving the men with nothing to follow.
Unfortunately, the group was forced to seek shelter instead. They were quite lucky to have found the cave on their way, as setting up the tents would've been a real pain in the ass in such a snowstorm and freezing temperature. Despite being cold and damp, the cave offered great protection from the snowstorm. The wind whistled through the narrow entrance, causing the small fire they had built to flicker and dance against the darkness of the place.
Haldor paced back and forth nervously, glancing at the cave's entrance every few seconds, hoping that the storm would subside any minute. But it didn't look like it would stop anytime soon.
Standing nearby, Eirik tried to comfort Haldor, but it was evident that he too was just as anxious. Their chances weren't great. "We'll find her. I'm sure of it," he lied, touching his friend's shoulder. Their dark hair fluttered in the wind gusts, beards littered with melting snow. Huffing in annoyance, Haldor sat by the entrance, his eyes fixed on the storm outside.
The wind continued to whistle through the narrow opening of the cave, making everyone inside tremble and shake. Odar shifted uncomfortably, his fingers drumming on his bow. He looked at Argo who was huddled against the wall, his knees pulled tightly to his chest. Clearing his throat, the archer broke the uncomfortable silence with a heavy sigh. "How often does it snow like this? How long do they usually last?" Odar asked, glancing at Eirik.
Eirik sighed wearily. "It's rare but not unheard of. We were unlucky," Eirik replied, rubbing his face to gather his thoughts. "From hours to a few days," he admitted, causing Haldor to let out a frustrated groan. Eirik glanced at him sympathetically.
"I hope it doesn't last too long. I'm freezing," Argo, the boy-healer, grumbled, his breath visible in the frigid air. He wrapped his cloak tighter around himself, but it did little to help
Odar let out a frustrated sigh and shot his friend a look. "You're always cold, man."
Argo glared at Odar, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Well, forgive me for not being a bulky-ass, like you, Odar."
Odar laughed, flexing his muscles playfully, making Argo roll his eyes. "Oh, my apologies. I didn't realize you were jealous. Perhaps you should spend some time working out. Maybe I can give you a few tips?"
Argo rolled his eyes, crossing his arms defensively. "Screw you, Odar," he muttered, annoyed by his friend's teasing.
Eirik chuckled, shaking his head at their banter. "You two bicker like an old married couple," he joked.
Odar and Argo exchanged a glance before they both burst into laughter. The once tense atmosphere in the cave was now more relaxed and lighthearted, easing some of the frustration of the unexpected situation.
To pass the time, the group shared stories and jokes, trying to keep their spirits up well into the evening. Unfortunately, the snowstorm showed no signs of relenting, forcing them to accept the fact that they would have to spend the night there. Aware that the surrounding forests were anything but safe, they agreed that one person should stay awake to keep watch while the others rested. After all, it was better to be safe than sorry. Eirik volunteered for the first shift.
The snoring that followed could easily have been mistaken for a bear's growl, echoing throughout the chilly cave. With a bunch of grown men crammed together, the odor wasn't much better; it smelled like a horse stable in there. Yet, after a long day, everyone was so exhausted that it hardly bothered anyone.
...
When the morning arrived, the small cave was filled with a warm orange glow as the sun's rays found their way through the entrance. The snowstorm had finally subsided, much to everyone's relief. The watchman, one of the local men who had volunteered to join the search, decided it was time to wake everyone up. "Everyone, wake up. Time to get up," the man said, poking the sleeping men with a stick he found in the woods. It was a damn nice stick.
Haldor was the first to wake up, his body aching from the uncomfortable night spent on the hard, cold ground. With a groan, he stretched his limbs, trying to shake off the stiffness. One by one, the others began to awaken too, their yawns and stretches echoing within the cave.
"Morning," Haldor muttered, squinting at the bright sunlight filtering through the cave entrance. He stepped out, peering outside, and then glanced back at the others. "We're losing daylight, everyone. Let's get moving," he said.
With a collective agreement, the group quickly packed their belongings and ventured into the fresh snow. Each step caused a satisfying crunch beneath their heavy boots, breaking the pristine snow. The air felt crisp and refreshing while the sun's radiant rays illuminated the sky, painting it with a vivid shade of blue, slightly colored with a pink hue.
Eirik rubbed the sleep from his eyes and turned to Haldor, a hint of frustration evident in his voice. "How the fuck are we supposed to find the tracks now, Haldor?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows. He knew the man was a seasoned hunter, but even he had his limits.
Haldor fell silent for a moment, weighing their options thoughtfully. "We were close yesterday, weren't we?" he asked, receiving a bunch of nods in response. They were definitely on the right track. Haldor continued, "They can't have gone too far. The storm hit them just as strong, surely. And we know the direction she was headed. This is already a lot," he reassured them. "Let's split into small groups, with two people in each. They will likely leave new tracks in the fresh snow. Those will be easy to spot. And during the night, try to get on the high ground and look for any fires. She will need one to keep herself warm, and that will stand out like a sore thumb," Haldor explained.
Eirik's face brightened with hope as he nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with renewed determination. "That sounds like a solid plan," he said.
Scratching his chin, Haldor added, "If you find a lead, send one man back to guide the others. Just mark the trees with a cross or something. We'll follow as soon as we see it." He hummed and continued, "Let's meet back here in two days. If you don't find any signs of her by then, come back here and search for the marks on the trees. Then, follow the trail." He glanced at his companions, making sure they understood the plan.
"Sounds good," Eirik replied, patting Haldor on the shoulder. "Let's hope we get lucky," he added.
And so, the group was divided into smaller parties. Haldor and Eirik headed towards the northeast, following Haldor's gut feeling. The remaining three pairs set off towards the east-southeast, spreading out to cover as much ground as possible.
[Argo]
As the day dragged on, the search remained fruitless. Argo and Odar trudged through the thick snow, their eyes scanning the pristine white ground for any glimpse of fresh tracks, but nothing caught their attention. Weariness crept into Argo's voice as he finally broke the silence, his words echoing against the nearby trees. "Do you think we'll find them?" he questioned, uncertainty lacing his tone.
Odar, usually quick with a response, fell silent this time. His intense gaze focused on the surroundings as if searching for something invisible to the naked eye. After a brief pause, he exhaled deeply and shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not sure, Argo," he admitted. "I really hope so."
Nodding in understanding, Argo adjusted the straps of his backpack, shifting the weight on his shoulders. Both of them were tired, having been walking for hours on end. "It's already been half a day, and there's still no sign of anything," he muttered with frustration.
Odar, too, couldn't hide his disappointment. "Yeah, it's gonna take a lot longer than we thought. We should've asked for more coin. That cave was freezing," he said, letting out a frustrated sigh as his gaze swept the horizon. However, his eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement, and he turned to Argo with a mischievous grin. "Speaking of coin... You won't believe what Eirik told me yesterday," Odar said, practically bouncing with eagerness.
Argo squinted his eyes at his friend. "What is it?" he asked curiously.
Odar couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "Turns out that this Nivalis, the man's wife, is actually a former elven royalty! How crazy is that?" he exclaimed, a hint of disbelief in his tone. "In this shithole! Can you imagine?"
Argo's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth hanging open in shock. "No way," he replied, disbelief written across his face. "You're joking."
Odar laughed and nodded. "Yep, she's a fucking princess. I'm sure she's worth more than the whole village, with all their belongings combined," he grinned.
— "Hmm... but how did a princess end up here?" Argo wondered, scratching his hairless chin. "I mean, just look at this place. It doesn't make any sense. And why did the man marry an elf? He hates them," the healer muttered.
"I have no idea, maybe she ran away and fell in love or some shit. Then life happened," Odar replied, waving his hand dismissively. The silence settled between them once again as they continued their tireless search. But soon, the archer's voice rang out again, filled with a hint of intrigue. "You know..." Odar trailed off, looking into his friend's eyes.
— "Hm? Wonder what?" Argo asked, his left eyebrow arching.
"You know... I know a guy who bought a slave-elf, a girl, for 250 golden coins," Odar continued, watching Argo's reaction closely.
— "Oh, alright," Argo replied, his brow furrowed. "That's a lot of money, I guess."
"And she was just a farm elf, picked up randomly from the countryside," Odar went on. "But we're chasing a princess, right now. And no one gives a shit about her, except her husband. She'd be worth at least ten times the amount. Maybe even more. She's a rare bird," the archer explained, his eyes shining with greed.
Confusion colored Argo's face. "So... What are you saying?" he asked, puzzled. "Please, don't tell me—"
The mischievous grin returned to Odar's face as he cut his friend off. "Why not?" he said, his voice filled with excitement. "We could sell her for a fortune, you and I. And we'd never have to worry about money again."
Argo's eyes widened with shock at the suggestion, and he shook his head firmly. "Odar, no. You're crazy. You're not serious, are you? And what about her children? The boy and the girl. Who will take care of them? They are just kids," he protested.
Odar sighed heavily, rolling his eyes. "They're halvlings," he countered. "You heard what elves did in the war, these savages. And besides, they're young. They'll be easy to sell. Maybe even along with her," he suggested, rubbing his hands together. "We could make a real fortune, Argo. Think about it. Your sister and mother, my folks too... They'll never have to struggle again," Odar urged, trying to persuade his friend. "Aren't they the reason why you became an adventurer?"
Argo bit his lip, his face filled with guilt and internal turmoil. "It's wrong, Odar. You know it. It's just... it doesn't feel right," he mumbled, avoiding his friend's gaze.
"Why not? Just... look around us, man. We are alone in the middle of nowhere. There's no guards to arrest us, no one to give a single fuck. We can do whatever we want," he argued, gesturing towards the vast, empty landscape. "No one will ever know. Just one, little bad thing... and it will help so many, our people. To give them the best life possible."
— "But... but..." Argo stammered, struggling to find the right words.
Odar's tone grew harsh, his eyes narrowed in frustration. "For fuck's sake, Argo! You're a damn low-tier cleric, not even a priest. Your light affinity can only heal scratches, and that's it. To earn more, you need to learn better spells. For that, you need to hire a proper master that is kind enough to teach a commoner like you, or you need to buy expensive books. And for that, you need a lot of gold. Gold that you don't have," Odar snapped, his voice rising. "And let's not forget that you can't even protect yourself in a fight. You have zero offensive skills. What will you do once we actually run into an actual monster or something? Hide behind me? I need to remind you that I have no affinity whatsoever, only this," he said, showing his old bow. "And I doubt it will do any good against anything stronger than a wolf."
Argo flinched at Odar's sharp words. "I-I...I never thought about it," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Then start thinking, you dumbass!" Odar barked. "How long do you think we can survive as adventurers, hm? A year? Two, at best? It's just a matter of when, not if, something will get us, and with current pace, it will take you at least a decade to gather the money you need."
The boy fell silent, his gaze dropped to the ground. He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat, refusing to come out.
Odar's expression eased, his tone becoming gentler as he remembered how soft of a person Argo really was. "Listen, I'm not trying to be an asshole here. But you need to understand that the world isn't kind. It's ruthless, cold, and cruel. It doesn't care about your stupid morals," he sighed, awkwardly smiling.
— "It's not stupid," Argo whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Fine," Odar conceded. "But think about it, okay? There's nothing wrong with what we're doing. We're not killing anyone or doing anything really evil. We'll just capture her, sell her, and that's it. End of story," Odar reasoned, patting his friend's shoulder. "We'll be rich and happy, and the princess will be happy too, in a new place with a wealthy owner who will treat her well. You saw that husband of hers. A real dick."
Argo swallowed hard, uncertainty still clouding his thoughts. "I... I don't know, Odar," he mumbled.
Letting out a long sigh, Odar glanced at their surroundings. "Look, let's put this discussion on hold for now. We need to focus on finding those tracks. There's no point in discussing it if we can't find her, right? And it's a damn big if," he suggested, hoping he just needs some time to change his mind. "We'll decide later. Let's go."
Reluctantly, Argo nodded and the two friends continued their search in silence. As the hours dragged on, the evening slowly crept upon them, casting long and eerie shadows throughout the forest. The air grew colder, even though it seemed like it was not possible to get any colder. Their feet carried them through the endless, snow-covered forest.
But then, as they reached the top of a hill, Argo's eyes spotted something in the distance. "Odar! Over here! I think I found her trail!" he shouted, motioning to get closer.
The archer ran over to where his friend was standing, his eyes widened in surprise. Sure enough, the tracks were unmistakable. The sled's runners had carved deep grooves in the snow, leaving a clear path. "Holy shit, we did it! Ha-ha! We fucking did it!" Odar exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.
Argo grinned widely, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Yes, we did. Now, we need to get the others. Should I go, or..."
Odar's expression sobered as he shook his head. "No, no. Not so fast," Odar said, placing a hand on Argo's shoulder. "Remember what I said earlier, our talk?" he changed his tone to a whisper. "About the plan?"
Argo's smile faded, his expression growing uncertain. "You mean..."
Nodding, Odar continued, "Yes. I won't do it if you're not on board. I can't. But this is our chance. We can make real money here and become rich beyond our wildest dreams."
Shaking his head, Argo took a step back. "No, Odar. No way. I'm not doing this," he stated firmly, his voice filled with determination.
Odar let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Argo, you're a good guy. Best I know. But please, think about it. You could buy all the best equipment, the strongest Blessing Stones. Learn so many spells that your head will explode. Or just ditch it all behind and buy a house in the city, anything you want..." Odar proposed, his tone pleading.
Argo shifted his gaze to the ground, his thoughts conflicting with his sense of right and wrong. "It does sound good," he admitted reluctantly, his voice barely audible.
A hint of doubt flickered across Argo's face, his thoughts conflicting with his sense of right and wrong. "It does sound good," he agreed, hesitantly.
"And remember," Odar continued, seizing the moment, "she's an elf. They don't even think or feel the same way as we do, right? They're... different."
— "It doesn't make it right," Argo argued, his voice shaking.
"Maybe not," Odar replied, shrugging his shoulders. "But that's just the way the world is. Well? Are you with me?"
Argo hesitated, biting his lower lip nervously. "I-I... I still don't know."
"Argo, please," Odar begged, his eyes filled with desperation. "I can't do this alone. You're my only friend. My brother," he pleaded, his words sincere. "Just trust me this once, and it'll all be worth it, I promise."
Argo sighed heavily, his eyes fixed on the ground as he considered the weight of his decision. Then, he finally looked up at Odar and nodded. "Alright," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's do it."
Odar grinned, relief flooding his face. "Atta boy! That's what I'm talking about." He was ready to hug his friend but stopped. "Now, listen closely. We'll follow her trail until nightfall. Once she stops to rest, we'll ambush her and catch her. It'll be easy."
— "Odar, I..." Argo's voice faltered as he tried to speak up again, his doubts resurfacing.
Odar quickly interrupted his friend, not letting his mind stray again. "It's okay, it's okay, don't worry. Trust me. We'll just tie her up and take her to the nearest city and then straight to the Valemor Kingdom border. We'll sell her there, and that's it. Piece of cake," Odar assured, his voice filled with confidence. "It's not like we will hurt her or do anything weird. We're not animals."
The healer-boy gave in, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Alright, I guess," he murmured.
"Alright, let's go," Odar grinned, eager to move on. "Quick and quiet, like a snake," he added, imitating the silent crawl of a serpent with his hand.
The two friends followed the faint tracks in the snow as the evening sky grew darker with each passing moment. A dim light flickered across the snowy landscape, fighting against the long shadows and illuminating their tired yet hopeful faces. With each step they took, their footsteps echoed through the silence surrounding them. Both men understood that their lives were about to change forever.