The Ice Queen "The Village" - Ch. 23 (Patreon)

Cassian and I are heading to the village. My nerves are a mix of anxiousness and excitement. For me, it’s been a few months. But for my people it's been centuries. Seeing how big the village has grown, most of the Ikniri in residence now have probably never seen me. My existence only exists in legends to them.

“Don’t be nervous. You’re the Chieftainess that saved her people from extinction. They’ll be thrilled to see you doing so well.”

Silence overcomes us at his words. Though we’ve found common ground, the strain of our past still looms in some instances. But I force it from my mind shifting my gaze to Cassian.

“Have you seen the village yourself?” I ask.

Cassian’s grip tightens on the steering wheel but he answers.

“I have overseen the construction of everything from a distance, but I’ve never set foot in the village. No Dragonborn has. It just didn’t feel right.”

My eyes remain focused on Cassian is as I speak.

“Would you like to?”

Cassian releases a bitter laugh.

“I don’t think my presence would be suitable-”

“Cassian. These are your people now. You can’t punish yourself forever and you can’t hope for progress if you remain hidden. If we want our people to come together as one, we have to show them that we have done so as well.”

Cassian’s gaze shifts to mine. He studies me intensely for a moment before focusing back on the road. A soft laugh leaves his lips.

“If that is what you want, then I will not deny you.”

I watch him silently. He’s fighting an inner battle with himself as always. But it looks like I am the only person that he will allow close enough to bring him back to the present, and no longer wallow in self-loathing. Our past is one covered in blood and hate, especially with one another. I can see the effects of what my father tried avoid and the ripples that my brother’s terrible decision caused. It’s like Cassian said, we must honor our families by doing what they never could.

The rest of the drive takes longer than expected, but as we approach the bridge that leads into the village I feel my excitement bubbling over. The village is much larger at this proximity. It looms over our heads, rising into the mountains and dipping below as well. It’s almost like a city, the shops and buildings and Ikniri more visible than they ever were at the estate.

Cassian pulls over in the snow-covered field, turning the car off. I study the archway in awe as he rounds the car, opening the door for me. My heart beats rapidly as I take in the archway that has a lamp hanging in the middle, just like in the original village. I also take note that there’s a small flurry of snow floating around us as I place my hand in Cassian’s, allowing him to help me from the car.

We silently approach the archway, the bustle of life reaching us. I can see the Ikniri moving about their modern-day lives beyond the gate, joy filling my chest as I take them in. There are also two Ikniri standing guard outside the archway. They’re wearing traditional armor that has modern takes on it, but their weapons are sheets of ice made from their own source of power.

Their gazes shift to Cassian and me as we approach, widening when they realize who I am. Both Ikniri drop to their knees excitedly speaking their greetings as I stand before them. I can’t help but smile, stepping away from Cassian to kneel with them.

“Please, stand up,” I say softly.

Tears blur my vision as both guards rise, shock still on their features. My gaze roams over them in excitement. Their skin glows with symbols of our culture, magic running strongly through their veins. Their bright blue eyes and white hair stand out against their warm skin, the color ranging in beautiful browns.

My people.

When I look at Cassian, he’s watching me with a gentle smile as he approaches.

“Come. Let’s see the rest of the village.”

We step under the archway, excitement washing over me as I take in the modern village. It’s beautiful, the snow creating a soft blanket atop homes that have the traditional shape of Ikniri’s hut’s from my time. Warm lights pour from the homes, and doors to shops are open. The trees within the village are white, just like the trees from my original village, the leaves sparkling with the power of our people.

I hear the familiar call of our language as Ikniri who own shops call to customers. Some sell fish, some sell blankets, and some sell books. I silently make my way along the main street, Cassian following at a small distance.

“Wow,” I whisper.

Cassian really did it. He created a safe haven for my people. They are no longer surviving. They are thriving. My tears spill freely as I take in the land mass. It stretches for miles, further than my eye can see. And if what Cassian says about the train is true, there are more living in smaller villages in the mountains. There is much more now than what we discovered all those years ago. They’ve come back from the brink of extinction.

I turn to face Cassian again and he’s still smiling as he watches me. He gestures to me.

“Don’t hide. This is your home.”

Somehow, his words make sense. I know what he means, and what he expects of me. So, I turn to face my people, letting my excitement come to the forefront. In the time I’ve been awake, I’ve had to learn the ways of the new world, giving little attention to not only my past, but my people. My mind shifts to our time on the island. Cassian told me I still embodied the spirit of my people.

I turn to face Cassian, my joy overwhelming as I finally come to terms with the emotions that I feel in the presence of my people. I was originally terrified that I may somehow lose control, but I don’t feel overwhelmed. At this moment, I feel more at peace and in control than ever. I slowly allow the comforting chill to spread over my body, filling my veins. I close my eyes as I embrace the feeling of freedom, letting it take form on my skin.

I continue my walk, the sounds of gasps filling the air surrounding me as I take on my true form. When I open my eyes, I see Ikniri that were going about their normal day, stopping to look in my direction. A hush washes over the main street as Ikniri look in my direction, their movements stopped. Whispers fill the air, followed by shouts of excitement.

“It’s the chieftainess! She has returned!”

I smile as the Ikniri surround me. Their faces are filled with joy and excitement, each feature the same yet different. They bow, gently touching my hands as they express their excitement to see me. But they have no idea how I mirror their excitement. I find myself touching each of them, smiling in joy as I take them in. They’re here. They’re real.

I turn my gaze away from them, in search of Cassian. He’s still watching me from a distance with a gentle expression. So, I hold my hand out to him, silently coaxing him to join me in seeing my people. He watches me intensely but doesn’t move, his hesitance present through our blood oath. I know he feels unsure and guilty, but I continue to coax him over, the surrounding Ikniri noticing his presence.

I take note that they step back as he approaches, but I continue to keep my eyes lined to his, a smile on my lips as our hands touch. To my shock, my hands don’t harm him in this form. The Ikniri surrounding us have noticeably backed away, but I gesture to all of them as I speak.

“Do not be afraid. He is not your enemy.”

* * * * *

My cheeks are sore from all the smiling today. But being able to see the village and the people made every moment worth it. My gaze shifts to the window as the scenery passes by. The sun is setting as Cassian drives me to another location a little further up from the village. I face Cassian as we drive, his eyes focused on the road ahead.

“Thank you,” I say softly.

Cassian glances in my direction before shaking his head.

“Of course,” he says softly.

“Really. You could have left them to die in the mountains and become legends like the rest of the ancients. You owed them nothing. But you didn’t, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” I say turning to look back out the window.

“It was amazing to see them in such a way.”

The rest of the ride is silent, but eventually, I notice that we aren’t going in the direction of the estate.

“Where are we going?”

Cassian smiles to himself as he responds.

“Something has come up, so I’m taking you to Caius. He’ll bring you back to the estate when you’re ready.”

My eyes widen. Cassian has expressly voiced his irritation with me even uttering Caius’s name, and now he’s taking me straight to him without speaking to me beforehand.

“Did something happen?” I ask.

“No, I just thought your time would be better suited to seeing old faces.”

We pull off the main road, passing through a gate as we approach a beautiful home. I’ve seen this kind before when I was studying architecture. The house has a lot of windows replacing its walls, something I love about this particular style. It’s like living without walls, in the open.

Cassian turns the car off, looking at me.

“I’m glad you enjoyed today. Just because you live with me at the estate doesn’t mean you can’t come here to visit. I trust you. I think you’ve done a wonderful job containing your power.”

Our attention is pulled when the door to Caius’s home opens. He steps onto the porch, a smile on his face as he waves to us. I offer him a small wave, looking back to Cassian.

“Will you be okay alone?” I ask.

Cassian smiles, leaning across the center console. His fingers gently stroke my jaw pulling me in for a kiss. His lips are warm as they cover mine, and he finally pulls away.

“I’ll be fine. Besides, I’m not welcome here.”

I frown at his words, but he doesn’t give me an opportunity to refute his claim as he rushes me out of the car. I continue to watch him as he pulls out of the driveway, even when I hear Caius’s footsteps approach.

“Come, there are some people who have been waiting a long time to see you.”