Outer Skáld fell behind them. The stench of rot still clung to him and his men. He had lost many good soldiers that dreaded night.

Jacques rode beside him, his eyes wide and glazed over as he started into the horizon. His hands shaking as he brought the sparkweed pipe to his lips and inhaled deeply. He had been smoking nonstop. 

Valerius and his men had done the same, but no amount of sparkweed smoke was enough to clear the reek of death from their nostrils, nor was enough to purge the memories of that night. 

Everytime he closed his eyes, all he could do was see them. 

A nudge on his shoulder brought him back to the present, Jacques had his pipe raised, held out to Valerius, eyes glassy. Without a word, Valerius took it, in attempt to block out the memories.

When they reached Inner Skáld the buildings were massive; made of white rock and sturdy oak, the streets had gone from the crude dirt roads of Outer Skáld to cobbled and smooth. Castle Gwynne towered above all the rest. With white stone walls, gilded in silver, dark wood and stained glass, it shines like a light in the distance through the gently falling snow. 

With his heart pounding in his chest, he urged his horse onwards. 

"Stay with the men!" he called back over his shoulder to Jacques as he started to break away from the party. "Make sure they're treated and that they rest!" 

He was unsure if his second-in-command heard him, but he didn't stay. He pushed his horse forward, avoiding the rest of his men as he did so.  

His patience was wearing thin. He couldn't take the slow pace, he had to get to the castle. He had to speak to the King himself and warn him of the curse that lurked in the snowy mountains. 

He spurred his horse forward, goading it to go faster. 

***

The guards must have recognized his war horse, bacause they hurried to open the gates to let him pass.

A young stable boy came rushing to attend to his horse when Valerius drew closer to the castle's entrance. He barely slowed the horse down when her lept off of it. Tossing the reins to the young boy before hurrying up the marbled steps. A servant opened the heavy wooden doors just as he reached the top.

The inside of Castle Gwynne was just as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside. With black and white marble floors, expensive rugs and tapestries, gold and marble statues, and a dazzling chandelier that hung above the ground double staircase. 

"General Strand?" It was the prince who received him. 

From the top of the staircase, Prince Cassius Gwynne the Fourth gave Valerius a look of confusion as he approched him quickly, "You're back early?" his eyes surveyed the general, taking in the torn and blood stained clothes. "What has happened?"

"I need to speak to your father. Urgently!" And he advanced towards the staircase, fully intending to find the King himself if he had too. 

Prince Cassius threw an arm out to stop him, "He's in a meeting with his council!"

Valerius shrugged his arm away and moved towards the staircase again in single-minded purpose, "I must speak to his Majesty, its a matter of great importance!"

"Valerius!" This time the prince grabbed his arm in a tight grip.

The general paused, and turned back towards the young man whose blue eyes were wide distress.

"You can't go in there, Valerius." Prince Cassius said firmly, willing his friend to comply.

A moment passed before Valerius gave an annoyed grunt, yanked his arm away, "Please your Highness, inform your father that I need to speak with him. It's time-sensititve." 

The prince stared at him for a moment longer, his eyes wary and clouded with confusion before motioning to one of the servants behind him, "Please notify my father that General Strand is requesting a meeting with him and that it's crucial that her hears it now."

The servant gave the two men a bow of his head before scurring towards the council room. 

Once gone, Prince Cassius turned back to Valerius, his face twisted in confusion and worry.

"Valerius, my friend, what's going on?" 

He could only shake his head at his friend's concern, "I- I can't speak about it here. Just wait till I speak to his Majesty." and he grabbed Prince Cassius's shoulder and squeeze it in reassurance. 

Teeth gnashing. Hacking through muscle. Sinew. Bone. Still the enemy presisted. His grip tightened.

Prince Cassius opened his mouth to protest but the servant came rushing back into the main hall, King Jøren following close behind him. 

"General Strand," the old King's voice was strong and firm, his blue eyes guarded and calculating as he glanced from him to his son. 

"I was told that you had something that needed to be reported to me that couldn't wait?"

Valerius nodded, "Yes, your Majesty."

Saying nothing, King Cassius the Third motioned for Valerius to follow.