Morning came fast but that wasn’t the biggest issue. What caught my eye the moment I opened my eyes was the temperature drop in my room.
It wasn’t that noticeable at first but the constant cold eventually built up and became more prominent as sleep left me. This was enough to eliminate all the lingering sleepiness.
I looked at the closed curtains and felt the need to look outside, maybe just enjoy the scenery brought by the inconvenient snowfall. At that moment, the door was pushed open and Luna walked into the room pushing a cart of food.
"Master, it’s snowing outside. "
Luna said the moment she got next to my bed and started to organise the food on the side table. Some of the dishes were unfamiliar but I trusted Luna enough to know she wouldn’t feed me something that wasn’t beneficial to me.
"That’s unexpected, there weren’t any signs yesterday. "
I took a sip of the steaming tea Luna had just poured and leaned back on the headboard while looking at the closed window. Yesterday had been all sunny and not even clouds could be seen.
"The other servants said it’s normal for the weather to change abruptly here. They say it even changes in the middle of the day sometimes."
Luna explained noticing my fascination with the windows. I got out of bed, the hot tea still in hand and walked to the curtained windows. I pushed one to the side and what was revealed was a world of white.
Everywhere I looked was just white. At first, it looked beautiful but as time went on, it became worse with every look.
This was going to stall our travels again. It seems the world was against us in every way possible.
"What will you do master?"
Luna who was standing behind in silence asked. I was a bit irritated but there was nothing we could do about it.
"Do you think we’ll be able to travel in such snow?"
I asked still looking at the falling particles.
"Yes, we can but we’ve got to use specialised carriages. Snowing abruptly is a common occurrence here. People have already adapted ."
Luna said. I nodded.
"That is a good way, I was thinking about changing carriages since we were going to a different kingdom with different cultures. I don’t want to be easily recognised, we might just get into too much trouble or attract the attention of the nobles."
I said to Luna. While in the duchy or the capital i could do whatever I wanted, going into a different kingdom was different.
People might see me as an ally or an enemy. I was going to the ruins not to get into another political fight after just leaving another.
"Will we be leaving today young master?"
Luna asked in a voice masking a trace of worry. I shook my head.
"I want us to head to town for the caravan. Mother advised we travel with them since they know the troll forest better than the map."
I said to Luna.
"We should prepare ourselves for the oncoming journey properly since we’re going to a totally different kingdom. Even though we are at peace we really don’t know what will happen after."
I placed the cup of tea I was drinking on the window seal and pushed open the window. Freezing cold air hit me the moment it was allowed in. I could feel my blood slowing down from all the cold but that was it.
Since my body was naturally cold, the snow season didn’t have much of an effect on me but I could still feel the lowered temperature. It wasn’t comfortable.
This was why vampires preferred fresh human blood,it was fresh and could warm their bodies even just a little.
"Master, your bath is ready. "
Luna’s voice startled me out of my musing. I closed the window and walked towards the tub filled with hot water. It was one of my little pleasures in life.
The bath didn’t take long, I was out and fully dressed in a sandglass. Luna finished buttoning up my winter coat and stepped back admiring her work.
I looked at myself in the mirror. A snow white silver fox coat, black trousers underneath and white gloves, Luna was determined to keep the cold out at any cost.
"Let’s go."
We left my room and walked down to the main sitting room to find the other girls seated around doing their own things.
Jeneviv was lying beside Kianah as they read from one book while Nixie was in another chair eating from the bowl of fruits on the table.
The moment they all saw me they stood up and looked towards me their eyes filled with excitement.
Before i cold even greet them, Nixie shot up in excitement.
"Are you leaving? Why didn’t you tell us? I want to come too."
Nixie was the first to start complaining as she looked at both Luna and me.
I shook my head at her consecutive questions.
"No, it’s snowing really badly outside i would prefer if you all stayed here, I’m going for a small meeting then I will be back."
I said while watching their eagerness die.
"Lucian."
Seraph’s voice came from above me. I looked up to find her looking down from the first-floor balcony.
"Morning. "
I greeted her with a smile.
"Are you going to look for the caravan.?"
She asked.
I nodded.
"Since it’s snowing i wanted to know when they would be leaving. We might get left behind if they decide to leave while it is still snowing."
I said to her.
"Okay, take care of yourselves. The road will most definitely be slippery so be careful. "
She said worriedly.
"You don’t have to worry, we’re going by horse, the carriage will be slow."
I said. She nodded and dissappeared her footsteps retreating back to her room.
"Be good, I won’t be long."
I addressed the other girls who also nodded despite their low mood and left with Luna following behind me.
Stepping outside the cold felt much worse and the snow was piling up faster than I had ever seen.
"Those are big ones."
Outside two servants held two icehart horses. They were horses that were built to be ridden during winter. White in color, with a lot of fur, and strong muscles to trudge through anything.
"Good morning young master. "
The servants holding the horses said at the same time. I nodded and touched the horse’s smooth fur. Although shorter than a normal horse, this one was more bulky with muscles.
"They’re a bit different from the normal icehart but they still have the same build."
I addressed Luna, who nodded in agreement. I held the reins and climbed up the docile horse settling on its muscled back.
"They’re crossbreeds, young master, not the normal icehart but they still maintained their characteristics. Most people use them to travel in town since they are slow and can move through any height of snow."
One of the servants said in excitement as he rubbed the mane of my horse affectionately.
I nodded also stroking the gentle beast.
"Let’s go."
The man stepped back and I snapped the reins directing the horse as luna and I side by side followed the leading servants.
Since we weren’t familiar with the area, the use of a guide was required. Snow had started to fall lightly barely increasing the already piled snow height.
The horse’s feet crunched in the snow as they walked down the steep path. The snow was almost to their ankles and I was sure by the time we returned it would be higher with the rate the snow was falling.
Arriving outside the traders’ lounge felt freeing, it was as though we had gotten through a fight that we had to participate in regardless of our opinion.
"This place is next to the adventurers’ guild?"
I asked while looking at two large buildings. Despite the snow people were still entering and leaving the two buildings each of them as bundled up as we were.
"Yes, most adventurers go to them to buy things from the barbarian kingdom, unlike the merchants guild they are far cheaper and more efficient. "
One of the servants answered. We both got off the horses and he took them away to the stables.
"The snow seemed to be cleared around here but it’s still piling up just as fast."
I said to Luna as my feet sank into the snow which reached past my ankles. The feeling of coldness was immediate but it didn’t last long since my body adjusted to it.
We moved through the little snow until we stepped on the dry raised platform. There weren’t any guards by the door, and everyone seemed to be too busy to notice our arrival.
That made it better, less complicated.
We stepped through the large open doors and we were welcomed into a completely different world from the outside. It felt as though I had suddenly walked into a kiln with how abrupt the temperature difference was.
While outside was freezing, inside the hall was terrifyingly hot.