Eckstedt, Dragon Clouds City, Heroic Spirit Palace.
Nuven the Seveth's administrator, Lord Byrne Mirk was standing in the corridor outside the Hall of Heroes. He was staring into the murky, snowy sky, deeply absorbed in his thoughts.
The White Blade Guards were on standby around him; their gazes were sharp and grim.
Mirk lost count of the times he stared at the falling snow in Northland throughout the forty years of his life.
The leader of the king's entourage and current head of the White Blade Guards, Nicholas the Star Killer approached him from behind and stood next to him.
"Winter will be harsh this year," said Lord Mirk without turning to look at him.
"I think so too, old pal." Nicholas squinted as he peered at the snow outside the window and smiled in a strange manner.
"Do you remember when we were still new in the White Blade Guards, those days of training in the harsh winter?"
