Iron Shadow - Book 1 Of The Iron Phantom Legacy

1. Phelãn

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You're a snake.
My fingers shudder, reminding me I'm not ordinary like the child standing in front of me. A vein pulses against my throat as I glance aside from his outstretched hand offering an iron knife. He remains, expecting me to receive it. I continue glaring to my side till he nudges me, recalling me to my purchases. His father offers me a curious expression from his perch behind his workbench. I whisk the iron sword and collar from the lad, exchanging it with a black coin. "Thanks," I grunt.
In one swift stride, I bolt out of the blacksmith's shop into the icy breeze that plagues Teragalt these days. Icicles line the scattered buildings, from last night's storm, and it frosts my overgrown stubble from sleeping in Raavek Headquarters. Now that I've graduated from a junior to a full-fledged Raavek Chaser, I no longer live there. I will pass through a Raavek halfway house or safe dwelling as others call it. It's far more functional than headquarters. Slighter noise and far less cold. Although, there were times the raw chill didn't bother half of me. Then again, I'm only half normal. I belong in a halfway house where nobody will ever meet me.
I focus on the snow-white wolf tied to an ancient lamp pole, averting eye contact with the public. Maleika, sniffles, one of the secret slots in my coat where the brand new knife lays. "That's right, Maleika. An iron blade for the Raavek Chaser."
I fumble in the other pocket, remembering the iron collar I purchased for her. The blacksmith claimed it had the power to drive away one's shadows. He continued, claiming it to be the ideal token for a loved one. No one comes to mind when I try to think of someone I love more than Maleika, so I secure it under her muzzle. She whimpers, but doesn't withdraw. "Good girl."
I untangle the constraints from the light post and kick the bobsled in line with Maleika. After shaking the ice off of them, I clench the reins at my hips.
Maleika lets out a low yowl, facing me with big puppy eyes. She blocks the dogsled with her frame. "I know, girl. I know."
She faces forward, breaking into a run. "We're going home, Maleika."
We race the sled at a steady pace, scuffing against the glaciers in a familiar rhythm. I watch poor Maleika as she sprints, dragging me and the sled with her. I'd buy a team for her. But I can't afford to spend the small savings I've collected. At least with a pack, she wouldn't have to do it all on her own. But she's strong. A fighter. Her wolf instincts are as sharp as they were when she was only a pup. It has been a month since, and I've become so attached, I expect I'll never be able to let her go.
A low horn growls, sending vibrations across the frozen plains.
I glance to the east and west before my eyes land on the northern peaks. A dusty white cloud of snowy mist is rushing in our direction. For a moment I push Maleika to keep going. But the farther we ride the closer the snow gets.
"Come on Maleika, let's turn around!" I shout over the distant roar of the snowy mist heading in our direction.
Maleika comes to an abrupt stop, and watches the billowing tornado of snow like we are at a southern jousting tournament. I shake the reins a little harder. "Maleika!" I shout.
She doesn't move. She just watches the storm as it slithers closer and closer...
1... 2... I count down to what I'm sure will be the death of both of us.
3!
Maleika swings around sending the sled rocketting across the ice. She darts back the way we came trying to escape the snowy mist riding close behind us.
I shoot a wary glance behind me and shiver. I'm not sure if it's from the cold, fear or both. But I shake the reins commanding Maleika to go faster. My hair flies in my face, standing straight against the wind's strength. I no longer see beyond Maleika's tail, and the wind is blowing in my ears so fast and loud I'm not sure if there is a world around me or not.
Crrrrr.....ck
My eyes go wide and Maleika comes to a jerking halt just in time for us to survive a frozen fate. The sled slides too far to the left reacting to pressure. The wind sends me and the sled across the icy ground and I thump to the ground head first. A rapid ache streams into my head, and the wind bites the tips of my ears, no longer protected by my hood. The mist swallows me and I realize I no longer hear anything. "Maleika!" I feel my mouth move but I don't hear my voice. "Maleika!" No difference.
My head throbs as I press myself up as far as the wind allows. I squint trying to find Maleika amongst the thick murky cloud of ice pellets. My body quakes, and I fall back to the ground. The icy air pierces through my skin, digging into my bones like frozen knives. My eyes freeze closed, and my lips quiver, desperately fighting for air and against the ice pellets. All sense of touch leaves my body and the wind seems to slow down. But I don't know if it has or not because I can't feel it. I take in a shaky breath and I puff it out. My lungs squeeze and I choke. But it is numb. I am dying.
I'm dead.
~
I hope to come face to face with a bright beam of golden light reflecting off of the royal robe of Ilshrai. Though I expect to be enveloped by black mist and sent into my eternal wandering.
I am surprised to find neither. Instead my eyes quiver, swollen shut and frosted. I groan, the ice digging cavities in my skin.
My ear burns, glued to the ice.
Frostbite.
I groan reaching in my pocket for the iron dagger. I reach up to my ear and clench my other fist. It's not the first time I've had to slice between a body part and the frozen earth. I gently pry the knife underneath the skin, biting my tongue as it pierces the burning flesh. A second later my ear is free from the ice, and I slowly sit up. I press one hand to my eye letting the little heat left in them to melt the frost so I can see again. Eventually both subside wbr I look out on the horizon, piled higher with snow than before I fell unconscious. I pull my hood up, pressing it close to my face as I search the white dust splayed across the frozen planes in front of me for Maleika. And my dog sled. I spot the sled a few yards off. With no time to lose, I get back on my feet and start walking in that direction. The closer I get, the better I can see. The wind has died down, but there is still a breeze carrying snow across the frozen planes. I kneel beside the sled, only to lay eyes on a thick split in the wood. I swear under my breath and I kick the long wooden planks that are now useless to me. I just don't know what I will do if I can't find Maleika.
I catch a glimpse of fur not far from the sled. I pray she's OK. Please let her be Ok. Please.
Maleika doesn't move. I can't tell if she's even quivering from frostbite.
I shiver. She could be hurt or even...
I'd hoped to get to the safehouse before midnight. Based on the frostbite, I'm guessing I've been here for a few hours, which would make it early morning. Without Maleika it will take me till the end of the day to get where I need to go. I walk over to Maleika's quivering body and I kneel beside her, gently brushing icicles out of her fur. I can still feel warmth and she is breathing. I face her, brushing more icicles away from her eyes.
"Can you get up, Maleika?"
She replies with another violent quiver and I reach for the reins still fastened to Maleika's new iron collar. I pry them off of the ice where they've frozen into through the night. What will I do? I'll have to carry Maleika with me. There is no way I will get to the safehouse in time.
I make a general habit of being on time for things. The average Raavek wouldn't rush getting to their safe dwelling. But this time I have to gather weapons and care for our frostbite. Then I have to ride for another ten miles to discuss a prospective bounty with some lout that's been searching me out for a couple of years. There's no way I'm gonna make it.
There is one way...
Would I? Could I? It's been so long I can hardly remember. Something about finding your inner spirit and embracing the darkness. I shiver just at the thought. All this time I've been fighting against that dark side, and now I'm going to let myself fall for it.
Yes...
I shake my head, and I wrap my arms around Maleika. I hold the reins in one hand as I carry her over my shoulder with the other. I'm walking. And that's that.