1217-08-17
For the last few days, I had been training with Leader and Books. With Books, it was hard to understand her. She was always aloof, always quiet. She rarely spoke, and when she did, her words were curt, as though she wished to retreat back into silence. Leader was different—he stood out from everyone else. I often wondered how Books had ended up here and what her story might be.
Her eyes were a dull gray, tired and hollow from sleepless nights or some unshakable worry. She always looked like she was carrying a burden too heavy for one person. I also wondered about her name—Books. It seemed odd, especially here, where books were scarce. Most hadn't survived the unending winters.
Today, though, was different. Leader had told me yesterday to come to the main building as soon as possible. So, I got up early, changed quickly, and waited for Gold and Samantha to get ready before leaving.
My hair, now fully silver, caught the pale morning light. A silver eye reflected the sky's frosty hue. The cold didn't bother me much anymore. I wouldn't say I was immune, but I was certainly changed. Different, though not enough to stand out completely.
We made our way to the main building, the snow giving us a rare reprieve. For once, the roofs weren't weighed down by thick layers of white, and the people around seemed to take this moment as a chance to rest.
Inside, the room was warm and familiar. Others glanced at me and Gold as we entered, their expressions ranging from respect to curiosity. They guided us to the back room, one I recognized from a previous meeting.
Inside were Leader, Books, Dara, and two others I didn't know well.
One was an older man, his face lined with age, more so than even Leader's. Leader didn't look his age, but this man wore every year of his life plainly on his face. The other was a middle-aged man I recognized instantly. He was the one who had attacked me on my first day here. I didn't know his name—or maybe I'd forgotten if he'd even told me.
I walked over, shook Leader's hand, and sat down, my senses on edge but my face calm.
"Now that they're here, we can go over the plan," Leader said, his tone steady and commanding. He turned to the older man. "Warwick?"
The man—Warwick—sighed, his expression heavy. He shook his head slowly, as though weighing his words before speaking.
Leader stood at the table, his voice calm but commanding. "Now that we're all here, let's finalize the plan. Helm," he said, nodding at the older man.
Helm leaned forward, his weathered hands gripping the table. "Once the ships arrive we'll board and kill the guards. We'll use Disaster's Strait to our advantage. If a boat goes missing, they'll assume the waters claimed it. But we'll need a distraction to draw the guards away while we board."
"I'll do it," I said firmly.
Gold immediately turned to me, his face tight with worry. "No. You don't have to put yourself in danger like that."
"I can handle it," I insisted. "The dragon and I can cause enough chaos to keep the guards busy. Once you're far enough into the fog, I'll circle back to the boat."
Warwick spoke up, his voice steady. "The dragon's too young to do this alone. I'll go with you."
I blinked in surprise but nodded slowly. "Alright. Together, we'll keep them distracted."
Leader leaned forward, his expression stern. "Good. But remember, one mistake and we're all dead. This isn't just about you anymore."
Helm grunted, his voice gravelly. "Once the ship's far enough out, you'll have your chance to rejoin. The fog will cover you, and the strait will take care of any suspicions. But if you're late, we can't turn back."
I nodded, the weight of the plan settling in my chest.
Leader looked around the room. "Then it's settled. Jude, Warwick, you're in charge of the distraction. The rest of us will board and head for Shatar."
"You'll be in charge while we're gone," Books said, her voice steady as she addressed the group.
Helm spoke next, his tone calm but confident. "We could always circle back once you're far enough in the fog. They'll assume the ship was destroyed."
"And Maranona doesn't care about the lives of guards," Books added sharply. "Only the life of the king."
Gold hesitated before asking, "Are we sure Helm can take us all the way to Shatar?"
"I used to sail Disaster's Strait all the time, back when I worked for the king," Helm said, his face resolute. "I can make it."
Books crossed her arms. "The only thing that matters now is Shatar's response."
Leader placed his hand out, his voice calm but filled with purpose. "We are no longer Eleanor," he said, the words resonating in the quiet room.
"We are something different," he continued, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Shedding the weight of the past."
He paused, letting the silence settle before finishing.
"We are Nor."
Books smiled faintly, a rare softness. "I like the sound of that,"
The room grew still as Leader lowered his hand, and then, almost as one, the group began to chant.
"We are Nor."
The words echoed through the walls, gaining strength with each repetition.
"We are Nor."
As the meeting ended, I left the room, my thoughts on Warwick. The man who had once attacked me now stood beside me, ready to risk everything for this plan. For us.
Maybe this was what it meant to have a family. Not people bound by blood, but those willing to fight for each other.
If the plan worked, we'd have what we needed—food, dragons, everything to survive.
I glanced out at the horizon. Shatar wasn't so different from Eleanor, I thought, just a desert instead of snow.
Funny how two extremes could feel so similar.