A ray of sunlight streamed in through the window, blinding Seth as it hit his face. He groaned and turned away from the light, his head pounding fiercely. Good Crim… he thought, clutching his head. What… what happened?

  He slowly blinked his eyes open and stared up at the ceiling, too exhausted to move. Then everything came rushing back to him: his drinking contest with Agmundr, Gloria’s glowing hair, throwing up…and…

  His stomach dropped. Oh Crim… He told Gloria everything—who he really was and why he was here in the Fjord Plains.

  Irrational panic spiraled through Seth. He bolted upright, his headache intensifying as he did. He groaned and held his head again as his eyes darted around the room searching for danger. But there was nothing; the room was just as they had left it, and on the bed was a mound of frizzy red hair that slowly rose and fell with soft breaths.

  Seth swallowed and dropped his head into his hands. Everything’s fine! It’ll be fine!

  There was a soft sigh from Gloria. Seth looked up and watched her sit up and stretch. She yawned, then froze and slowly looked back over her shoulder at Seth. Their eyes met, and neither one said a word.

  Seth cleared his throat and tried to smile. “Good morning.”

  Gloria tried to smile back. “Good morning,” she answered tightly.

  The room fell silent again. Gloria awkwardly picked at the blankets while Seth scrambled for something to say.

  “So…” he started, then winced and held his head. “Are you ready to go to the temple today?”

  Gloria nodded. “Yes. Are you ready to get some answers?”

  “I am,” Seth said, then gingerly stood and began to pick up the blankets from the floor. “I’m nervous, but I want to know what’s going on.” He wrapped up the blankets and piled them on the bed.

  “Everything will be alright.” Gloria gave Seth a gentle smile. “Today’s going to be a good day. I can feel it.”

  The dining area was nearly empty and incredibly quiet compared to the night before. Seth and Gloria ate a humble breakfast and were about to leave when a familiar voice called out to them laughing. “Hey! How was last night, boy?”

  Seth’s chest prickled. Agmundr! His head whipped in the direction of the voice. Agmundr sauntered into the dining hall. Seth shot him a dark glare. He didn’t want him anywhere near Gloria!

  The hulking man merely laughed. “That good, eh?” Seth clenched his fists. He had no idea what this guy was insinuating, but all he wanted to do was wipe that disgusting smirk off his face.

  Gloria gripped Seth’s arm. “Ignore him,” she muttered, and tugged him from the table toward the door.

  Seth continued to stare daggers at Agmundr, but he followed Gloria out the door. Agmundr just laughed and continued to holler after them until they shut the door behind him. When they were outside, Seth shot a final glare at the door—he hoped that’d be the last he’d see of that repulsive man, then he sighed and turned away towards the street.

  Westfjord bustled with the morning’s business. It was nothing compared to Autumnport, Seth mused, but not as sleepy as Northhorn.

  Alright, he thought, striding forward. Time for answers. He only got a few steps away from Lovers’ Respite when he stopped and realized that he had no idea where he was going.

  Seth sheepishly looked back at Gloria, who was already talking to someone on the street. A townswoman pointed in a direction; Gloria smiled and thanked her before hurrying up to Seth’s side.

  Seth blushed with embarrassment. “Were you asking for directions?”

  Gloria laughed and glanced at him nervously. “Yes, I had a feeling when you froze.”

  “Am I going the right way?” he asked, with a bashful smile.

  Gloria nodded. “For the most part.” Then she pointed down a side street. “We should go this way, though. I was told it’ll be faster.”

  “Alright, sounds good to me,” Seth answered, and then the pair headed off to the temple.

  As Seth and Gloria walked through town, they began to feel a sense of unease in the townsfolk. Seth shifted nervously as snippets of conversations floated past him.

  “Is this winter some kind of judgment?” one person asked.

  “Whatever it is, it’s not natural, that’s for sure,” someone answered. “Don’t worry, though; the brothers are fasting and seeking Crim’s guidance. As soon as they know what’s going on, they’ll tell us.”

  Seth felt anxiety rising in him, and he glanced at his bandaged arm. What if...? He wondered. What if it’s my fault? He’d never considered that possibility until now. His battle with Jay and Lizzy came to mind, and Seth remembered how the snow’s power intensified when she took over him. He swallowed and ducked his head down, then pressed onward. Answers… I need answers.

  Soon, Seth and Gloria stood in front of the temple. The architecture was simple compared to the grand cathedral he used to pass by in Autumnport, but it still held a measure of beauty. The temple was situated by the river and was made of the same weathered stone and dark oak wood as the rest of the town. Tall windows let in the sunlight, and in the front were four steps that led up to two wooden doors.

  Seth stared at the temple and tried to push away his anxiety. This was it. They were here.

  Gloria glanced over at him. “Are you ready?” she asked.

  Seth took a deep breath and sighed. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Then he began to ascend the steps. He opened one of the doors and held it open for Gloria, then entered after her.

  They stepped inside a quiet foyer where there were three doorways. The doorway ahead led to a humble sanctuary, while the two on either side of them led down two long halls that had sunlight dappling in through the windows.

  Gloria made a holy sign over herself while Seth glanced around him; it had been a long time since he’d stepped foot in a temple. Unsure of where to go, the two slowly stepped into the sanctuary.

  At the end stood a white altar, and above it was a stained-glass window with a golden eye gleaming like the sun. Incense filled the sanctuary, and Seth tried not to cough as the smoke snuck into his lungs. In the front pews, at least a dozen monks wearing navy-blue habits with golden cords tied around their waists were kneeling in prayer, chanting softly, or reverently poring over navy-blue leather-bound tomes.

  One monk noticed them enter and tapped the shoulder of a youth dressed in a white habit kneeling in a pew praying. He whispered into the youth’s ear and nodded toward Seth and Gloria. The youth glanced back, nodded, then rose and hurried to the back of the sanctuary to meet them.

  The boy looked to be around fifteen. He had ash blonde hair, and his grey eyes twinkled when he smiled at them. “Good morning!” he said, bowing. “Welcome to the Church of Crim. I am Novice Elias. How might a servant of The Holy Father serve you today?”

  Seth looked around the room and shifted uncomfortably. “We need to speak to an abbot or someone about a delicate matter.” He looked back at the boy. “It’s urgent.”

  Elias beamed. “Of course!” he answered and looked around him. “Father Verdas is around here somewhere.” He glanced back at Seth and Gloria. “I should warn you though. With current events, he may urge you to postpone your wedding.”

  Seth’s face flushed as he and Gloria stammered over each other. “Oh, we’re not here to get married!” Seth quickly assured him.

  Elias blinked in confusion. “You’re not?” He cocked his head. “But that’s what all the couples say when they come here.”

  Seth swallowed and glanced at Gloria. Her cheeks were bright pink, and a little smile twitched at the edges of her mouth. Seth looked back to Elias and gritted his teeth, trying to maintain his composure. “Listen, kid, it’s very important that I speak with Father Verdas. Can you tell me where he is?”

  Elias was taken a little aback, but he bowed slightly. “Of course, sir, I will go find him and deliver your message.” Then he stepped into the foyer and disappeared down the left hall.

  As soon as Elias left, Seth leaned on a pew. He cleared his throat and glanced at Gloria; she played with her coat sleeve and couldn’t look at him. Seth tried to laugh off the boy’s comment, but it came out a little too hard.

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  “What is it with people thinking that we’re a couple?” he asked, looking at her. “Pretty ridiculous, huh?” He forced a smile, hoping it would break the strange tension between them, but instead Gloria looked stung.

  She looked down at the floor and twisted the sleeve. “I suppose so,” she answered quietly.

  Guilt and confusion ran through Seth. What did I say? Why is she upset? He tried to meet her eyes, but Gloria avoided his gaze. “Gloria?” he said, still trying to catch her eyes. “Did I hurt your feelings?” Her pink cheeks turned red, and she began to stammer, but before she could get anything out, Elias returned.

  The boy approached them and bowed again. “Father Verdas said he can speak with you.” He pointed toward the hall. “He asked me to escort you to the scriptorium.”

  Seth noticed relief spread over Gloria. She quickly turned to Elias and anxiously brushed off her dress. “Wonderful,” she said, her voice tight. “Please, lead the way.” Then she strode after Elias.

  Seth shook his head and followed them. Maybe she’s still feeling sensitive from last night? He put a hand to his head to steady the dull throbbing. I feel the same.

  As they walked down the hall, Seth could feel the woman within him perking up, a slow, sly smile spreading across her face. Seth’s heart pounded anxiously, and each echoing step felt like a hammer in his chest.

  Will Father Verdas know who she is? He glanced at his bandaged arm. Will they give us a clue to what’s going on? Seth peeked out a window as they passed. Can I reverse this?

  Elias stopped and opened a large oak door, then stepped aside to let Seth and Gloria in. “After you, sir.” He nodded to Seth, then to Gloria. “Miss.”

  Seth and Gloria stepped into the scriptorium. Sunlight was let in by six large windows facing east; by each window was a desk with parchment, ink, and quills. Seth could see the frozen river from the windows and watched the wind kick up some snow resting on the top of an ice sheet.

  “Elias, bring over a few chairs for them.”

  Seth looked away from the window and saw a man in a navy-blue habit sitting at a desk in the center of the room. His graying hair and beard gave him a wizened air as he pored over the same navy-blue tome. Seth had seen the monks in the sanctuary reading.

  “Yes, sir,” Elias answered eagerly. He quickly crossed the room and started to drag over two chairs from the desks by the window. The sound of scraping wood against the stone floor echoed loudly in the room.

  Father Verdas’s face twitched in irritation, then he gave the boy a look. “Elias…” he said with a long-suffering sigh. “We’ve talked about this—Crim’s halls are to echo prayers and praise, not scraping chairs.”

  The boy stopped, his face falling momentarily, then he bowed his head before smoothing out his expression to serene obedience. “Sorry, Father,” he muttered, then lifted one chair and carried it over to the desk before returning for the second. Now his movements were stiff and deliberate compared to his earlier animated excitement. Elias arranged the heavy chairs in front of the desk, then offered them to Seth and Gloria before stepping aside and stiffly hovering nearby.

  As Seth sat in one of the chairs, he briefly glanced at Elias. Despite the boy’s rigid posture, a glimmer of curiosity sparkled in his eyes.

  Father Verdas looked up from the tome. His gaze moved over Seth and Gloria before landing on Elias. “Elias,” he sighed wearily. “Please give our guests some privacy.”

  Seth looked over his shoulder back at Elias. The boy’s mask quivered, but he bowed his head submissively. “Yes, Father,” he said, before turning and leaving the room.

  Father Verdas shook his head and turned back to Seth and Gloria. “Forgive him,” he apologized. “Elias is a very curious boy, always daydreaming about some place else rather than focusing on his duties.”

  He sighed and shook his head before folding his hands together and meeting their eyes. “Elias tells me this isn’t a request for marriage. I admit, I am rather curious what other matter a young man and a young woman could have that would require an audience with an abbot.”

  Seth’s mouth went dry, and he looked at Gloria. She nodded and mouthed. “Show him.”

  Seth took a deep breath. “Well, Father,” he said, pulling off one of the bandages around his arm and revealing a glowing, pulsing scar. “I was wondering if you knew what these scars meant.”

  Father Verdas’s chair clattered to the floor as he scrambled back, his eyes wide. “It’s you…” he cried, pointing a shaking finger at Seth. “You’re the reason this cursed winter has come! The blood of all who succumb to this wretched cold will be on your head!”

  Seth’s body went numb, and he stared back at Father Verdas in shock. “I... I don’t understand,” he said. “How?”

  “Those scars…” Father Verdas stared at the marks on Seth’s arm. “The winter… they could only come from one being.” He glared up at Seth. “The Lady of The Mountain.”

  Beside him, Gloria gasped. Seth whipped back to face her. She stared back at him, her face a blend of fear and horror. His heart sank when she shrank away from him. “I’ve heard stories about her…” she whispered. “I thought she was a myth.”

  “She’s not a myth.” Father Verdas glowered. “She is very real.”

  Seth looked desperately into Gloria’s eyes. He didn’t want her to leave! Not when he’d just started getting comfortable around her.

  “I didn’t know,” he pleaded. “You have to believe me! I didn’t know!” He started to reach out toward her. “I was afraid to die!” Gloria’s face paled, and she tried to lean away in her seat.

  Seth froze, staring into her eyes. It couldn’t end like this! It can’t!

  Within him, Seth could feel The Lady distantly chuckling at him. She smiled and leaned her chin on her hands—she was enjoying this.

  Seth shook his head and looked back at Father Verdas. “Who is she?” he asked. “Who is The Lady of The Mountain?”

  Father Verdas pointed to the door behind Seth. “You must leave before you desecrate this holy place with your cursed filth!”

  Seth gritted his teeth and put his hands on the desk. “Please! I must know!”

  “Now!” Father Verdas made a holy sign over himself and muttered a prayer. There was a burst of bright, white-blue light that blinded Seth.

  He put his hand up and stumbled back into his chair. Within him, The Lady hissed and receded a little.

  “My daughter,” Seth heard Father Verdas say. “Your soul has not yet been tainted by her foul magic. Leave this man’s company and flee the darkness that surrounds him.”

  Seth blinked back the blinding light, and his eyes darted to Gloria. She fearfully glanced from him to Father Verdas.

  Hopelessness began to consume Seth. How ironic… He turned away and gripped the back of the chair. Just when he wanted her to stay.

  “Father…” Gloria quietly spoke up. “Surely there’s a way to reverse this.” Seth perked up, and he slowly turned back.

  “You’re defending him?” Father Verdas’s eyes bugged out of his face. “

  Gloria frowned and rose sharply from her seat. “I’m asking for help!” Seth’s mouth dropped open as she clenched her fists and shook furiously. “We traveled all this way to seek Crim’s guidance and get help, but instead you can’t stand the thought of getting your pious little hands dirty!” She jabbed a finger at Seth. “He needs your compassion! Not judgment!”

  Father Verdas’ face turned beet red, and he thrust a finger towards the door behind them. “Leave!” His voice boomed throughout the scriptorium.

  A moment later, the door clicked open, and a monk poked his head in. “Is everything alright, Father? We heard shouting.”

  Seth snatched his wrapping from the chair and quickly covered his arm. I hope no one else saw!

  Father Verdas pointed to Seth and Gloria. “Escort these two from the temple. They are forbidden to return.”

  The door was pushed open, and a few monks entered the room and then put their hands on Seth and Gloria’s shoulders. Seth tensed but said nothing. Gloria, meanwhile, shook off their hands and puffed out her cheeks.

  “We don’t need your help!” she spat. “We were just leaving.” Then she grabbed Seth’s arm and pulled him to the door. “Come on!”

  In a daze, Seth followed her out of the scriptorium and into the crowded hall. The monks split to allow them to pass, but everyone craned his neck trying to get a glimpse and understand what was going on.

  As they left the hall and made their way to the foyer, Seth caught a glimpse of a white habit amongst the sea of navy blue. The boy was dashing off down the opposite hall and stopped by a door. He paused and looked back toward Seth and Gloria—his grey eyes sparkled with determination, then he disappeared into a room and shut the door.

  Seth and Gloria stumbled out of the temple and into the street. Gloria spun back just as the door slammed shut behind them. She shook her fist and muttered a few choice words. “You’re supposed to help people!” she raged. “Not turn your backs on them! Crim would be ashamed of you!”

  Seth, meanwhile, fearfully glanced around at the passing townsfolk who eyed Gloria warily. They’re going to know. Seth shook. He’ll tell them all. He gulped, trying not to make eye contact with the passerbys. Oh Crim… They’re going to lynch me!

  Seth reached out and gripped Gloria’s elbow. “We need to leave…now.” He didn’t notice Gloria’s elbow tense.

  She slowly turned back to face him. “We?”

  “Yes, we!” Seth anxiously called behind him. “Now, come on! Let’s go.”

  Seth started to push through the bustling crowd toward the tall fjord cliff. As he did, more snippets of fearful and desperate conversations drifted to his ears:

  “Val’s son got frostbite; the physician is doing his best.”

  “My neighbor already lost his spring crop; he won’t have enough seed to recover next year if he can’t plant anything this summer.”

  “Father is thinking about trying to head south; we can’t handle a second winter.”

  Anxiety began to surge through Seth. Oh Crim…he thought, the weight of his foolish choice began to settle on his shoulders. What have I done? The crowd beginning to overwhelm him Father Verdas is right! Panic began to rise. It’s all my fault! Everyone is going to die, and it’s all my fault!

  The lady chuckled. Run, Seth, run.

  Seth picked up his pace and hurried through the crowd. There were cries of indignation and surprise as Seth shoved his way through.

  “Seth! Wait up!” Gloria cried from behind him.

  Seth panicked; he couldn’t wait. He had to run! He had to escape! He ran faster through the winding street.

  “Seth!” Gloria called again, this time a bit further away.

  It was too much! Too much for him to handle! His chest tightened, and his breaths came in gasps. His mind swirled. He could drop everything now, right? He had done his duty and made it to Westfjord.

  That’s as far as he said he’d go, wasn’t it? He made no promises after Westfjord. He kept his word; he could go now. He could leave everything behind for someone else. Someone smarter. Someone stronger. Someone braver.

  The Lady laughed, then cooed distantly. Didn’t I tell you that you would soon understand? I did this all for you, my child. Aren’t you grateful for what I’ve done? What have you done?

  Make it stop! Seth cried in his mind. He gritted his teeth before he tripped and stumbled over in a snowdrift on the street. He looked up, and a few townsfolk looked down at him in surprise. Their faces burned themselves into his mind. How long would it take before they starved or froze to death? How many lives was he really worth?

  “Seth!” Seth’s eyes darted toward the voice; he saw Gloria push her way through the crowd. “There you are!” She cried, panting for breath. She held out a mittened hand. “What are you doing running through the snow? You’re going to break your neck.” Seth took her hand, stood, and mumbled an apology.

  Gloria tried to catch his eyes, but Seth couldn’t meet her gaze. Why was she still with him at this point anyways? Father Verdas was right. She should leave; then he wouldn’t continue to drag her down in his problems.

  “We’ll find a way,” she said softly. “There has to be.”

  Seth didn’t answer; what could he say? He had messed up so much already.

  Then Gloria took his arm. Seth didn’t fight; he didn’t care where he went now. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s go.” Then she guided him back towards the cliff face trail.