Chapter Four: The Melting Island
Upon the break of dawn I was greeting with a gift from Chief Alfarin; a Sailboat kitted with the Redwake’s insignia on its sails. It was a thoughtful gift, one that I wasn’t sure that I deserved regardless of my previous deeds.
Chief Alfarin pointed me into the direction of Frostmill Island, where I would find the scout he had mentioned. He prayed for my safe travels as I set off for the Island. The water that splashed around became as cold as winter; the air became dry with frost when I approached the frigid island surrounded by icebergs and frozen patches of water.
I could see townsfolk dawning warm attire; their faces expressed signs of worry and unease. As I scoured the dock until I spotted a man who dressed similar to the people of Redwake. It appeared to be the scout that Chief Alfarin had spoken about prior to my departure. He greeted me with a stern glare as I then told him about how he wasn’t reporting back about his findings on this island. His eyes widened as he told me that he had forgotten about reporting back and he would sail back as soon as possible. Then he informed me that the island has some strange occurrences regarding the ice of the island.
As I watched as the scout had sailed off toward Redwake, I could sense that something on this island wasn’t right. I walked through the small town when I spotted an elderly man pacing with a worried look. Upon approaching him, he greeted himself as the Mayor of Frostmill. As I asked him what was wrong as he told me that the island was Cursed.
I was confused on how an Island could be cursed when he explained that the island was slowly melting. This information left me even more confused as I asked him if I could help with anything. The Mayor pointed me in the direction of a tall, stone tower who was home to a known wizard named “Enizor”. I stepped into the tower and was greeted by a man in white robes who was messing with a cauldron filled with a mysterious concoction. Enizor explained to me that a girl named Iris could be the cause of the melting and that I could find her at the frozen peaks of the mountain.
Scaling the frozen mountain was tricky with how cold and slippery everything was, but I managed to get to the top to make my way towards the source of the melting. The air got warmer as I traversed further forwards. The snow that had coated my clothing had began to rapidly melt, then I spotted a fire that had engulfed the area up ahead. Through the fire I could see a red headed girl who seems to be able to wield magic.
Before I could step closer the girl began throwing what seemed to be fire attacks at me as she proclaimed that she wouldn’t be taken captive. I tried to reason with her, trying to explain that I am not who she thinks I was, but she ignored me saying that she won’t believe any of my “lies”.
Iris began to use more and more of her magic to try and fry me. I try to dodge to the best of my ability, trying not to get catch fire from the attacks that set parts of my clothes ablaze. I realized that in order for her to come to her senses I would need to fight back. Upon coming to a decision, I sent a few of my Magma blasts in her direction; a few managed to collide with her own magic.
As if it were instinct I soon dashed towards her as a magic circle formed below my leg; I then stomped the ground, releasing a large explosion made of Magma that managed to hit the Iris. As the explosion hit her, she was sent flying then retreated near a cliff.
As the battle concluded I looked around the area, and saw her injured near a cliff. As I got near her she surrendered saying that she would never forgive what the “Ravenna” has done to her Father. I explained that I wasn’t the people she believed I was, asked her the reason she was melting this island. At first she didn’t believe me but then realized that what I said was true. She told me she was on the run from soldiers who took her father away from her, and explained that slowly melting the island could sabotage any plans that Ravenna would have.
After explaining her reasons for trying to melt the island, she soon said that she would be leaving the island to figure out more on what Ravenna did with her father.
I returned to the Mayor as I explained the previous events that had unfolded on top of the mountain. He explained that Ravenna had been ignoring their messages and though something had been going on with their higher ranks. He then thanked me for stopping Iris from melting the island, but before I left I asked him where she went.
He said that she started going towards the direction of a place called The Stepstones, as he pointing at a large mountain that seemed to pierce the clouds themselves.
After which I realized if I’m going to be sailing long distances I should fortify my sailboat before setting off again. I spoke to the local shipwright who was able to put a stronger hull on my ship for a price. I obliged and let them put the new hull on my boat.
I soon rented room for the night so that I may dwell on the events that have transpired.