Lord of Snow and Ice. Heather Massey

He lifted a hand in a farewell gesture. “Thanks again for the meal.”

      Stellan had almost reached his horse when someone grabbed his arm. He whirled around, simultaneously withdrawing a ready knife.

      “It’s only me!” Lionel said with a nervous laugh. “You’re not really a people person, are you?”

      Stellan sheathed his blade. “Not really.”

      “Well, listen,” Lionel continued. “I have just the cure! One of the King’s daughters is getting married a month hence, at sundown on the twenty-seventh day. Guests will be plentiful, and everyone’s been dying to learn about my heroic rescuer. If you want, I can try and get you an audience with the King, my uncle. I’m sure he’d be most interested in your findings.”

      Stellan mounted his horse. He glanced over a few yards to Edward, who fumed darkly behind his cousin. Clearly, he had overheard the invitation. He looked down into Lionel’s expectant face. “I don’t know. Somehow I don’t sense my message–or myself, for that matter–being very welcome there.”

      “Oh, nonsense, it’ll be fun!” Lionel cuffed him playfully. “I guarantee the most beautiful selection of ladies you’ve ever laid eyes on. Luscious…and looking.”

      Stellan nearly gave in to a smile at the exaggeratedly fervent expression on the Duke’s face. Then he glanced at Edward once again, and the good feeling faded. “You’re very kind, Lionel, but I still don’t believe it to be a sound idea. Good night.”

      Before Lionel could protest, he galloped away. He dove deeply into the night and made for home.

      While navigating a path through Dungeon Forest, he ruminated about the day’s events. What was surely worse than the Pestilence threat he had encountered was the Pestilence threat unseen. How many more victims lurked in the shadows, watching and waiting to attack? How many more suffered violent mutations of form and mind, and how many yet would there be? More importantly, what hand did Alucard play in all of it?

       “Aldebaran and its guileless, yet hateful citizens will soon acquaint themselves with the meaning of fear.”

      A cold wave of morbid dread plucked at his nerves. It grew heavy and more pronounced, like the frozen precipitation that hallmarked the entrance to his kingdom. At the far side of Dungeon Forest, Stellan drew his cape about him tightly. He wound a dark, thick scarf around his head, revealing only his eyes, and plunged ahead. As usual, snow coated both him and his horse within minutes. No matter how many times he went through this, it was impossible to adjust. Only minutes ago Stellan had been perspiring against the heat and long ride; now an invasive chill had wormed its way down to his very bones.

      He pulled his cape even tighter about him and sped onward. After a while, he stopped to cover his horse with a blanket, for even it could not withstand unguarded against the bitter cold for long. Stellan glanced skyward. A deep breath told him it was only a snowfall, not another storm. Good. He’d make decent time.

      Stellan began to feel more secure, but also angrier. Over the years, his clan had mostly left him alone, save for a spy or two. But Alucard’s appearance made him suspect the game had changed. Either they wanted something from him, or they wanted to dispose of him.

      He wondered if he should attempt a magickal barrier, but given his lack of training, such a defensive maneuver would be mere child’s play for the likes of his uncle. No, it was best to forget the whole idea. However, he still couldn’t shake the feeling that something now threatened his solitary life. If so, this would be a change he both feared and welcomed simultaneously.

      The thought prompted him to spur his steed on faster as they traversed the snowy plains. Only he and his animal companions knew the blighted terrain so well they could navigate it without the aid of torch or marker. His thoughts drifted to Lionel’s invitation. It was tempting. If he attended the wedding and spoke with Leopold, perhaps he’d gain entrance to Aldebaran for further exploration. How else would one such as himself obtain an audience with the King? But with the hope of contact came the risk of discovery, of derision, of rejection.

      There was one positive note in favor of attending. Nothing would goad Alucard and his father more than him taking up with his virtuous neighbor, especially one whose citizens were so virulent in their blind prejudice against warlocks. Stellan still bristled at the thought, but how could he possibly measure his pride against the potential death of thousands?

      Long ago, he had made himself a pledge to protect the Five Lands from Pestilence after learning how easily familial ties could be severed. The pledge tortured him because it went against everything he had been taught as a child–for he had not been taught to care.

      Yet somehow he did. Stellan was sure that path would lead to his undoing, but neither could he stop from taking it.

      Well, he thought. There it is, then… The answer. Stellan wasted no time upon his return to Vandeborg. After stabling his horse for a hard-earned rest, he sought out the one person in his kingdom who possessed the knowledge to help him succeed in his new mission. Finding his scullery maid at work by the kitchen hearth, he strode up to her with a newfound urgency.

      “Teach me how to dance,” Stellan commanded.

       Chapter 5

      The sun’s rays warmed Stellan’s face as he regarded the festooned entrance of Aldebaran’s royal castle. Why, then, did he feel so cold? The answer came swiftly. Even though his intention was to help, it was unlikely the King and his people would agree.

      Stellan slumped in his saddle. He had originally planned to enter the castle as unassuming as possible, but now the notion seemed unrealistic. There were guests everywhere. Even the youngest among them would instantly recognize him as an outsider. No doubt his arrival would spark the stern looks and bitter whispers for which he had, regrettably, grown accustomed.

      Beneath him, his horse pawed the earth uneasily. Even the animal sensed his agitation. Stellan patted the stallion’s strong neck. You and me both, friend. You and me both.

      It was now or never. Stellan urged his horse onward. The sounds of music and laughter filled his ears as he passed through the open gate. He marveled at the total contrast between this scene and his usual cold, desolate surroundings.

      Freshly picked lavender flowers lined the nearby Maypole as laughing children skirted to and fro. They sang songs unfamiliar to Stellan’s ears, for these were tunes of family and mirth. Roasted duck, vegetables and fruit of all sorts flowed over mile-long tables adorned with silken cloth; minstrels played instruments from far away lands; people dressed in the finest regalia… It all seemed too much to take in at once.

      Stellan risked a glance about him as he rode. A spreading sea of disapproval withered the faces of passersby as he calmly slid by them. Their reactions did little to disprove his initial theories about the place. He stopped and dismounted, unsure how to proceed.

      “Stellan! Bravo, my good man, you made it!”

      He turned around to find Lionel striding toward him. The duke was dressed in colorful, magnificent evening attire befitting his jubilant personality. Stellan braced himself for a comment about his own outfit, a somber sea of ebony from top to bottom, but none came.

      Lionel clapped him on the back several times as a wide grin split from ear to ear. “Come with me! I’ll get you some wine, and then there’s a whole gaggle of young ladies in the corner there who anxiously await the tale of how we met. Off with your cloak. The valet will see to it and stable your horse. There we go!”

      With a flourish of his arm, Lionel led Stellan into the pre-ceremony soiree. Everything in sight befitted a royal wedding. The great hall was ablaze with bright lights at every turn. Intricately woven garlands of flowers and ribbons stretched overhead from wall to wall. Countless tables overflowed with savory appetizers and wines. Troubadours wandered about playing jaunty tunes, winking and smiling at the guests who mingled about. Stellan followed Lionel dutifully through the maze of bodies. He had never heard so much laughter in his entire life. It