"Settle in for daring leads, vicious enemies, and an immersive world. Intriguing twists unfold a well-paced tale of survival and the age-old question, who can you trust?" Emily R. King - Author of The Hundredth Queen Series
R.J. Furness brings you h...
The Great Freeze changed everything... Before that time, our species colonised almost every part of our world. Yet centuries have passed since the onset of an ice-age which wiped out most human life. The phenomenon forced the few people that survived into a primitive existence. Living in small groups or alone, they fought to endure stark conditions. The climate was cold and cruel. Then, two hundred years ago, alongside a species known as the elrupe, people began to form new colonies...
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Ice shelves broke the surface of the ocean, shimmering in the moonlight off the shore of Port Harmony. When darkness came, the busy harbour town would always fall silent. To escape the cold, people would move indoors; and this night was no different to any other. The cobblestone streets had emptied steadily, until everywhere lay still. Everywhere, except on the wharf, where an animal trotted along the harbour wall. In the creature's saddle, a solitary rider examined a large supply store. The heavy snowfall made it hard to distinguish the buildings bordering the wharf.
Opposite, a warden known as Ermine pulled open a heavy timber gate twice his height, unaware that he was under surveillance. As squadron leader, he was there to assess the progress of his crew. It was a job he had done for many years, which was evident by the tired way he handled the gates. He was certain someone kept making them heavier.
Within the supply store, an enormous Land Transport dominated the vast open space. The scarlet, torpedo-shaped vehicle looked immaculate, and towered above Ermine. Scattered around it, his squad were busy preparing heavy crates of seafood; six wardens in total. They were getting ready for their thirteen-mile journey inland, to Scorr Tanta. Each member of the squad wore a fleecy, dark-grey cloak, made from thick animal skins for insulation. These garments flowed to the floor, and covered the wardens' crisp, white tunics. It was the standard uniform for a warden, and the same as Ermine's; although he also wore a purple band on his arm, to signify his rank.
A seventh warden—the pilot—inspected his vehicle. He was paying close attention to the caterpillar tracks, encasing the two large sets of wheels at the front. These were crucial for the transport to travel across the thick ice and snow. It was essential to check for any damage that may hinder their journey. Scorr Tanta wasn't that far, but Port Harmony was situated on a steep hillside leading to the ocean. The frozen terrain wasn't the pilot's only challenge. His machine would have to travel through the meandering streets, up the hills and away from the coast. Those sharp gradients always proved treacherous.
The pilot looked confident as he stepped away. Absorbed in his work, he didn't notice Ermine approaching.
'Magnificent, isn't she?' Ermine announced his arrival at the top of his voice. His nostrils filled with an overpowering stench of fish. Eating seafood was one thing, but Ermine hated the smell, and already wondered when he would be able to get clean. The transfer of supplies to Scorr Tanta was not the best part of his job. Luckily, he wasn't the one who had to go out to sea and catch it.
