In the Wooden Carriage, Afternoon
The wheels of the wooden cart creaked softly on the snowy road. The simple cart swayed every time it passed over a rock or ice mound. The cart had been specially built by the people of Blaumont as a token of gratitude for Damian and his friends.
Damian sat, gazing out at the vast, seemingly endless northern landscape. White snow covered everything as far as the eye could see.
Across from him, Liam was quietly cleaning his revolver, while Rin and Tessa sat close together on the other side, sharing a thick blanket to ward off the cold.
Rin rubbed her reddened nose. "I still can't believe the villagers actually built this cart for us," she said with a chuckle.
Liam turned, smiling. "They didn't say anything when we helped build the fortifications. In the morning, the cart was waiting in front of the inn."
Damian smiled faintly. "I tried to refuse, but they just said, 'If you refuse our gift, we'll build two carts.'"
Tessa looked at the simple wooden interior around them. "Simple… but comfortable too," she said, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. "At least we don't have to walk in this cold."
The sound of the train's wheels continued to be heard softly beneath them. Outside, the snow was still falling lightly as the train slowly made its way toward its next destination—Evercrag.
Flashback – The Night Before Departure
That night, the village of Blaumont was still bustling with activity despite the falling snow. Lanterns and bonfires illuminated the small streets between the wooden houses. Several men worked at cutting planks, while children jogged around carrying rolls of fur from the barn. Women prepared hot soup and tea for the workers who had been working nonstop since dusk.
The air was bitingly cold, but the residents' enthusiasm made the night lively. No one spoke much, but everyone knew who they were working for.
As dawn arrived, a newly constructed wooden cart stood in front of the inn. Its sturdy body, covered with sheepskin, and inside was a small stove with a chimney leading outside.
Damian left the inn with his friends. He paused for a moment, gazing at the fruits of the villagers' labor waiting in front of the cart.
One of the villagers, a middle-aged man with a warm face, stepped forward. "May your journey be as warm as your hearts in helping us," he said with a smile.
Damian stared at him for a long moment, then bowed slightly. "Thank you," he said quietly. He touched the wooden surface of the carriage with his cool hand and smiled slightly.
The long night of work ended in peace and mutual respect—a simple gift born of sincerity.
Back to the Present….
The carriage rocked slowly over the snowy road. The creaking of wheels and the gusting wind outside were the only sounds audible inside.
Rin glanced at Damian, breaking the silence. "Speaking of which… what is Evercrag like?"
Damian turned his head slowly. "That kingdom is known as The Mountain Fortress. They live on a plateau surrounded by cliffs and ravines. Their defenses are incredibly strong… almost impossible to penetrate."
Liam nodded, still holding his revolver in his lap. "That's right. Their weaponry is also far more advanced than most other kingdoms. People say that if Frostvale is the strongest kingdom in the north, then Evercrag is the kingdom that has never been defeated."
Rin stared in awe. "How did they get that nickname?"
Damian sighed, staring out the window. Snow was still falling gently outside. "Long ago, several kingdoms in the north went to war. Frostvale and Evercrag were among them. It was called The Great Northern War. I read about it as a child in a family history book."
Tessa tilted her head, curious. "So… your kingdom once fought against Evercrag?"
Damian nodded. "Yes. Frostvale attacked first because Evercrag built a new fortress too close to the border. Afterward, Frostvale's forces held off Evercrag's counterattack and attempted to counterattack, but Evercrag's defenses were too strong. The cliffs were high, and their kingdom's location was too impregnable. Many soldiers never returned from Evercrag."
He paused, his voice dropping. "After a few days, news arrived that all Frostvale forces were defeated. They didn't even manage to breach the main gate."
Liam glanced at Damian. "It was Master Damian's father who finally ended the war. He said he led the last of the troops to Evercrag and negotiated peace."
Liam smiled slightly. "Both sides stopped, not because they were defeated… but because they were tired of fighting."
Damian returned the smile. "That's right. Since then, Frostvale and Evercrag have kept their distance but maintained a mutual respect. My father often said, 'Evercrag is the kingdom with the strongest defenses in the world.'"
Rin stared out the window, noticing the thick fog in the distance. "It sounds… beautiful, but also terrifying."
Damian stared at the snow falling relentlessly. "Yes," he said quietly. "Evercrag has always been like that."
The train continued under the gray sky, heading toward the kingdom that awaited among the snowy mountains.
The train began to climb slowly, traversing an increasingly steep path. A thick mist descended from the mountaintops, blanketing the path ahead and making visibility increasingly limited. The air around them grew heavier, colder, and damp.
In the distance, a large shape slowly emerged from the mist—a massive stone wall with a tall tower standing atop it. A flag fluttered at the top of the tower, barely visible through the swirling mist.
Liam leaned forward and pointed. "Look, that's the fortress."
Tessa stared in amazement. "Oh my…it's bigger than I imagined."
Damian stared for a long moment at the imposing stone wall towering before them. "Evercrag," he said softly. "An unbreakable fortress."
The train continued through the mist, its wheels creaking softly over the rising ice track. Ahead, a large stone gate slowly came into view at the foot of the mountain, guarded by guard towers on either side.
Beyond the mist and the chill of the northern air, their new journey began.