The cluster of igloos sprawled across the valley like a white honeycomb. Smoke from chimneys curled upward under the heavy gray sky.
Matthias followed Barto into the Frostwarden Tribe’s settlement. Guided by their host, the group navigated the bustling streets. The ice beneath their feet, polished to a mirror-like sheen by countless footsteps, reflected the gyrfalcon circling overhead.
Yetis on either side of their path paused to salute, while children pressed against icy windows to peer out curiously. Their necks were adorned with unique necklaces of animal bone. Some were inlaid with turquoise, others wrapped in dark red resin.
“This is Frostfang Valley,” Leopold said in a low voice. “The tribe has 8,300 yetis, divided into 12 hunting parties.”
He pointed toward a massive ice carving on a distant cliff. It was a three-eyed sculpture with glowing ice crystals embedded in its eye sockets.
He continued, “The highest point is the crystalline citadel, their ritual site. The chieftain lives near the reindeer pens to the east.”
Matthias noticed a hidden pattern in the arrangement of the igloos. They radiated outward from the three-eyed ice sculpture in a precise circular pattern. The structures grew progressively larger and more imposing toward the center. Even their walls were carved with intricate spiral motifs.
Barto led them into the largest igloo. Inside, a wall of fireplaces surprisingly held the bitter cold at bay.
A dozen yetis cloaked in feathered garments bustled around a large bronze cauldron. The rich, bubbling broth inside the cauldron released a hearty aroma-a deep, earthy fusion of resinous pine and the robust essence of slow-simmered bones.
“Please sit,” Barto said, motioning to a stone stool draped with deer hides. He personally ladled a bowl of steaming broth and handed it to Matthias.
Strange red berries bobbed in the broth, giving it an oddly sweet flavor. As the warm liquid slid down Matthias’ throat, it chased away the chill that had seeped deep into his bones.
Just then, the entrance flap was drawn aside, and an elderly man draped in a white bear pelt entered. His long hair had faded to the colour of snow, and though his eyes were sunken, their gaze remained sharp and penetrating. At his waist hung a string of ritual objects, meticulously crafted from human finger bones.
Barto immediately stood and saluted, followed by every yeti inside the igloo.
“That’s the Chieftain Monk, Korvak,” Leopold introduced him to Matthias in a low voice. “He’s the tribe’s second-in-command. The true, unchallenged authority is the High Seer of the crystalline citadel.”
Korvak fixed his clouded eyes on Matthias and uttered a short, guttural sound.
Leopold translated them to Matthias. “The Chieftain Monk asks if the Frostbloom given to you by the spiritual stag has been stored properly.”
Matthias instinctively touched the brocade box at his waist. “I’ve already kept it safe. I will never forget the life-saving grace of this flower,” he responded.
Korvak nodded, signaling Barto to continue hosting before taking a bowl of broth and retreating into an inner chamber.
Matthias watched his retreating figure. He noticed the three-eyed emblem identical to the ice sculpture embroidered on the hem of Korvak’s feathered cloak, and committed the symbol to memory.
Midway through the feast, he took the chance during a toast to casually ask, “I’ve heard there is an elixir of immortality on Elysium Isle. Mr. Murray, I wonder if you have ever seen it?”
“The elixir is merely a legend. Surely Your Highness doesn’t believe such tales, right? “Leopold replied. His tone was cryptic, and his smile was unreadable.
Matthias could tell he was hiding something, so he pressed on, “If you could assist me in obtaining the elixir, I would ensure you are handsomely rewarded.”
A faint glimmer flickered in Leopold’s eyes. He glanced left and right, noting that Barto and the others were deeply engrossed in their drinks and not paying attention to him.
He lowered his voice and said, “To be frank, I do know a thing or two about the elixir. But before that, I must ask Your Highness to help me escape my current predicament.”
“Escape? What do you mean?” Matthias was puzzled.
“I am being held under house arrest by the tribe’s High Seer. While I may move freely within the tribe’s boundaries, I cannot leave alone,” Leopold said, his expression turning grave.
He had tried to escape once before. For that, he had been beaten half to death and spent three full months confined to his bed. Since then, he hadn’t dared make another reckless move and was forced to bide his time in secrecy.
But now, seeing Matthias and his group venture into this frozen realm, he saw a renewed glimmer of hope for escape.
“If I help you escape this tribe, will you tell me the whereabouts of the elixir?” Matthias asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
“That’s right.” Leopold nodded. “Once we escape this tribe, I will immediately divulge all the secrets I know about the elixir.”
After ten years trapped on this island, he was teetering on the brink of madness. Compared to his longing for freedom, the allure of the elixir of immortality had long since faded.
“Okay. It’s a deal,” Matthias replied with a smile.
It was like searching the world over with no success, only for the answer to fall effortlessly into his lap. He had feared the quest for the elixir of immortality would stretch on for years, yet a clue had emerged so suddenly. He felt blessed by chance.
“If we’re going to escape, tonight’s our best chance,” Leopold said in a hushed tone.
“The hunting party brought back the largest polar bear of the year. The High Seer will personally perform the ritual dance to summon spirits.
“The guards at the crystalline citadel will be at their most lax then. We can use the hidden passage behind the reindeer pens and make a dash for the breach in the island’s boundary.”
Matthias looked out the window at the flickering bonfires. The yetis danced wildly around the flames, and the pounding of the animal-hide drums made the igloo tremble slightly.
“Sure. Let’s do it tonight,” Matthias agreed without hesitation. He knew chances like that wouldn’t come twice. For the elixir of immortality, the gamble was worth taking.
