Cleven navigated the snowy terrain using the sled, the wolves leading the way with their sharp instincts. They would find the three, he
was certain of that, they already knew their scent. It was only a matter of time. But the weather was turning worse by the minute. Snow was falling harder now, thick flakes swirling in the air as the wind howled across the open landscape. A snowstorm had begun to roll in, fast and unforgiving. Visibility was dropping, and soon, any tracks or signs would be completely buried. If they
didn't find them soon, the storm would erase every trace, and searching would become nearly impossible.
The masked man removed his cover and began tugging at Karin's shirt. His trousers were already pulled down. Karin kept kicking
weakly, but his strength had long faded. He couldn't even feel his limbs anymore, the freezing cold had numbed him entirely.
Tears rolled down Karin's cheeks as the snow fell heavier, swirling around them like a silent storm. His vision blurred. He was slipping.
"Don't sleep on me," the man growled, biting down hard on Karin's shoulder.
"Mmmph!" Karin tried to fight back, his body trembling violently as the man pressed his cold lips against his neck. His skin was
already freezing, but the contact made it feel even worse, like ice against ice.
Suddenly—
"Thwack!"
The man jerked, a startled grunt escaping his throat before collapsing on top of Karin. An arrow had struck the back of his head, piercing through the skull, blood mixing with the snow.
"What the—?!" another masked man shouted, rushing toward them.
"Thump!" Another arrow whistled through the air, slamming into his chest. He staggered back, eyes wide in shock, before falling lifeless beside his companion.
"Karin!"
He barely heard the familiar voice as his fading mind drifted in and out.
"Hey—wake up!! Damn it, you're so cold," Cleven cursed, quickly pulling the lifeless man off Karin's body and tossing him aside with fury. His face was pale but burning with rage, his eyes wild with horror at what he had just walked into.
Without hesitation, Cleven lifted Karin into his arms, holding him close to his chest. He placed him carefully on the sled, removed
his heavy cloak, and wrapped it tightly around Karin's frozen body.
"You found him," Rolen said, arriving moments later scanning the grim scene.
"I'm taking him to my cabin," Cleven said urgently, already moving the sled. "The manor's too far. If we don't warm him up now, he won't make it."
Rolen nodded, his face dark with rage and grief. "I'll cover the perimeter," he said grimly, turning toward the forest, leaving Cleven to
race through the snow with Karin clutched tightly in the sled.
Cleven finally arrived at his cabin, the wind biting at his skin as he rushed around to the back, where the hot spring steamed softly in
the cold air. The North was rich with natural springs, and he had built his cabin close to one for moments just like this.
Without wasting a second, he carried Karin's frozen body toward the spring. Gently, he lowered him into the steaming water, careful not to shock his weakened system. Cleven stripped off his cloak and clothes without
hesitation, submerging himself alongside Karin and pulling him tightly into his arms.
His chest ached at how cold Karin felt, like he was holding ice.
"Hang in there," he whispered, voice trembling with emotion.
He cupped Karin's pale face in his hands, using the warm water to rinse the snow and frost from his hair and cheeks, his touch soft but urgent. His thumb brushed gently over Karin's skin, as if trying to coax warmth
back into his soul as well as his body.
Once Karin's body began to show signs of warmth, Cleven brought him inside. He laid him gently on the bed and wrapped him in thick fur blankets, then quickly lit the fireplace. The glow of the flames cast a soft
light over the room as Cleven held Karin close again beneath the covers. Both were naked, sharing the only heat they had left, each other.
He held him tightly, protectively, his arms never letting go.
"You're safe now," Cleven whispered, pressing his forehead to Karin's. "I've got you."
***
Venn clenched his fists as his eyes locked onto the dark stain of blood smeared across the snow near a cluster of trampled plants.
His heart pounded. He's close.
Without hesitation, he moved swiftly, following the blood trail through the biting cold. It led him to the old diamond mine, specifically, the dark mouth of a cave nearby.
Inside, two masked men lounged in the shadows, oblivious and arrogant, confident that no one would find them in the silence and darkness of the frozen cave. They made no effort to hide, certain that the snowstorm and isolation would shield them.
But like a phantom in the wind, Venn slipped inside—silent, precise. A trained assassin.
He spotted them thanks to the faint sliver of moonlight seeping through a crack in the cave wall. In a single, fluid motion, he drew
his sword. Before either man could blink, two heads rolled onto the cold stone floor, their blood mingling with the darkness.
He wasted no breath on them.
Venn lit a torch, scanning the cave, and froze.
His chest tightened.
"Velzra..."
There, lying curled in the far corner, was Velzra, barely conscious, bloodied, and shivering violently. His skin was pale, his lips blue.
"Babe… wake up…" Venn's voice cracked as he rushed forward, dropping to his knees. His arms trembled as he lifted Velzra into his embrace, cradling him close to his chest.
A sharp breath escaped his lungs, part relief, part rage.
He turned toward the cave entrance, violently kicking one of the severed heads aside as he stormed out.
With a loud whistle, he summoned the wolves and nearby soldiers.
"Tell Rolen I've found him!" Venn growled. His voice was.sharp, filled with fury. "I'm taking him home. Now."
"Yes, sir!" the soldier saluted and immediately dashed off.
Venn mounted the sled, wrapping Velzra in every piece of warmth he had, his jaw clenched and his eyes burning with wrath.
The wolves pulled the sled with all their might as Venn pressed forward through the snow-covered path. The wind howled, but he didn't care, his eyes never left Velzra's pale, unmoving face. Every bump in the trail
made his heart squeeze tighter.
By the time they reached the cabin, Venn didn't wait for help. He kicked the door open and rushed inside, warmth from the fireplace
licking the frozen air.
He carried Velzra straight to the bathing room. Buckets of water were already warming by the hearth. With shaking hands, Venn undressed him, his breath catching as he saw the full extent of the bruises and dried blood marring Velzra's skin.
"You're safe now," he whispered, voice low, almost to himself. "You're safe."
He carefully lowered him into the wooden tub, pouring warm water over his skin, washing away the blood and dirt. Still unconscious, Velzra only shivered and whimpered faintly.
"Stay with me, babe…" Venn whispered, brushing damp hair from his face.
Once clean, he gently lifted him again, wrapping him in thick, soft towels, and brought him to bed. Venn laid him down, cradling his head on the pillows, and immediately got to work. He cleaned each wound with practiced hands fast, but careful, not wanting to cause more pain. His heart
broke with every mark he found.
Bandaged and dressed in warm, soft clothes, Velzra finally began to stir. His eyelashes fluttered before his eyes opened, slow and hazy, as if waking from a nightmare.
"V…Venn?" his voice cracked.
"I'm here," Venn whispered, leaning in closer. "You're safe. I've got you."
Velzra's eyes welled with tears. His lips trembled. Without another word, he suddenly reached out and threw his arms around Venn, clutching him tightly.
"I thought I'd never see you again…" he sobbed, burying his face in Venn's chest.
Venn wrapped his arms around him just as tightly, holding him like he'd never let go.
"You will always see me," he whispered fiercely, pressing a kiss into Velzra's hair. "No one will ever take you from me again."