CHAPTER 4 (PART 1): THE FORGOTTEN WINTER

"Why is the supply of woods lacking from yesterday's delivery cargo? I received only half of what is requested!"

The dark and loud voice of the Lord of Casterfall had stopped Arth from taking a step down the staircases. The sun still had not risen, but he was already asked to meet Lord Nicholas at this very early.

The sleeves of Arth’s white cotton garment reached unto his hands, then partnered by his brown trousers. It was the only decent and presentable outfit he got from his bag. His black hair had also been fixed to the side, leaving some strands on his forehead. Thanks to the herbal medicines, his head injury had a smaller bandage now that it has almost recovered.

Wood supply? Arth repeated in his mind with his brows furrowed. He wondered if Lord Nicholas was talking about Frostwood, since it was the only village who supplies wood resources. He tiptoed behind the wall to eavesdrop on what the lord was ranting about.

"The village chief from Frostwood said that they were lacking manpower, my lord. He had recently sent some of his best men to the capital because the king requested so-

"I don't give a single damn about their manpower, Tobias," the lord cut him off. "They had signed the agreement about the exact supply they should be delivering every month! Send a word to their chief. I’ll give him two days to deliver the second-half of the supply.”

Arth’s eyes widened. Two days?! That’s impossible. It’ll take weeks to fill in the cargo deliveries. He’s out of his mind!

“And if he doesn't,” the lord continued. “I will double everything. Including their taxes!"

Arth squeezed his fist after hearing what the lord said. The chief was right. All the nobles and royal families here are rotting as hell… the reason why our village is suffering from unbearable taxes.

When Arth heard nothing more, he took a deep breath and stepped inside the Great Hall. His eyes were caught by the armed knights that lined up on both sides of the hall. The open curtains welcomed the light outside through the glass windows. The silver chandeliers on the high ceiling gave light to the huge artwork painted above.

"Ah, the champion!" said Lord Nicholas.

Arth stopped in front of the lord and bowed his head in respect. "My lord," he politely greeted.

After raising his head, he got a closer look of Lord Nicholas' old face. His curly, silver hair reached down to touch his shoulders. A stocky person he was. Under his black robe clearly revealed his round belly.

"Your name… I’ve forgotten… What is it again?"                                                               

"Arth, my lord,"

"Ah yes, Arth. Aldred and Tera said to me of how you won the competition… such an interesting young man, hmmm…?" Nicholas slowly bobbed his head. "Those blue eyes… you’re the son of…?"

"I’ve no real parents, my lord,” said Arth. “I never knew them. They're both gone even before I could remember."

"Well that's unfortunate,” the lord said, raising an eyebrow. “Because I happen to know only one family who had blue eyes on their bloodline-" he muted when a grand knight walked inside the Great Hall in urgency.

Arth blinked his eyes. One family?

"My lord, I've got terrible news," the grand knight spoke as he bowed.

"At this early?! What is it?" said the lord with a raise of his voice.

"Executive Silvester was found dead at his bed … just this morning on his mansion," reported the knight.

Nicholas pounded a fist against the armrest of his seat. "Another one of my nobles killed?!"

"I’m afraid so, my lord. His guards were killed. We’re still in the process of our investigation but we’ve found out that only one entered the mansion and assassinated the executive," he continued. "We believe the assassin is from… the Forgotten Winter."

Forgotten what? Arth turned to the knight, then to the lord.

"That treacherous rebel guild again?! Search the whole city! I want that murderer be captured and beheaded!” said Lord Nicholas.

"We’re already on the search, my lord," the grand knight lowered his head before walking out of the Great Hall.

“The King won’t be happy about this,” said the lord in a low voice, shaking his head in disappointment.

"You called, my lord?" Another voice came from the entrance of the hall.

Arth turned around to look, only to see Grand Knight Tera walking in with his blue cape flying out on his back.

"Yes, I was about to discuss with our champion his privilege of winning the competition," the lord coughed shortly before continuing. "Young warrior, you have been given the opportunity to receive advanced trainings from Sir Tera here. You no longer need to enter the Standard Knight Academy as a squire."

Arth’s eyebrows met. Train? And then what? Turn me into one of your stupid dogs who obey your corrupt and evil deeds? Chief Gregor didn't even want me to train as a knight of the kingdom. He told me every horrible thing the powerful are doing to the powerless.

Arth took a huge inhale before answering. "Forgive me, my lord. But I cannot take your offer.”

"And why not?"

"I’ve got other reasons of joining the competition, my lord," Arth replied. "And I couldn't stay here. I'm heading straight to the kingdom capital."

"Hmmm…truly an interesting man, aren't you? Very well, if you don't want my generous offer, I shall give it to the first runner up. However, we have to follow the rule that every champion of the competition must be ordained as a standard knight," said the lord.

"That, I humbly accept with pleasure, my lord,"

Lord Nicholas nodded. "Tera, take this young man to your office and settle the certification."

After bowing for his leave, Tera gestured Arth to follow him out of the Great Hall. The bright, cloudy skies showered gentle snow. Arth caught a glance of several armed knights marching around the Lower Ring of the city. He wondered if they were searching for the assassin who killed the executive last night.

"Uh…Can I ask you something, sir?" Arth said as they stepped down the stone-made stairs in front of the Keep.

"Go on," said Tera.

"What was that… Forgotten Winter the lord was talking about earlier?"

Tera took a pause from his walk, then turned his head. "You have not known anything about them at all?"

Arth shook his head.

The grand knight pinched his lips before pointing a finger at a cemented wall ahead. Two, wanted posters had been attached, showing one face each.

“The Forgotten Winter is the famous rebel guild hiding in secret. They’ve been terrorizing cities and the capital for years, mercilessly targeting the high ranking executives and upper class men," said Tera.

Rebel guild? That's interesting. Arth thought. “So… why are they called with that name?”

“I’m not certain… but I’ve known that some members of that guild were once great and talented warriors. But they turned their backs against the crown. They’ve forgotten their own names and where they came from, then became traitors of the capital.”

A few minutes went by when they reached the grand knight's office. It was bigger than any regular office, having couches and a small coffee table at the center. A golden lamp at the dark-painted wall shone the displayed books underneath. Tera walked to his desk and took a piece of document.

"Arth… am I correct?" Tera said while writing at the document. "What's your last name?"

“Uhhh…” Arth scratched his black hair. "None, sir."

The knight took a few seconds, staring at the young man. “If there’s truly none… then I’ll just put ‘Arth from Frostwood.' Is that okay?"

Arth gave a nod. 

After their short ordainment ceremony, Arth got his certificate and a shining, silver badge. It had the shape of a six-pointed star, indicating that he was a Standard Knight of Glacia.

"It's truly disappointing that you refused your privilege. What are you planning to do in the capital?" Tera said with his arms crossed over his chest.

"I have many goals set over there, sir."

"Like what?"

"Uh… Joining a guild, I guess…?" Arth shrugged.

"A guild? I have to say, guilds are quite rare nowadays,” said Tera while nodding slowly. “Well, I guess that's your choice."

After heading out of the office, Arth went straight back to his room. A breakfast meal had been prepared on his desk, so he ate it fast before getting back to his sleep.

***

Arth woke up in the afternoon undisturbed. It was time to leave. He dressed himself with his blue cloak and covered his head with the hood. He wrapped up his bag and sword, then headed out of the Keep. The knights let him pass because of the silver badge attached on the chest part of his cloak. He could use this as ticket to enter any cities or kingdom in the Glacian region.

The City Garden was located near the western gatehouse. Its wide and spacious park mostly displayed cyclamen flowers and winter cherry trees, adding beauty and fragrance to the cold environment.

Arth rested on the wooden bench under the winter cherry tree to wait for his friend. The gentle gust of wind gave a light shower of cherry blossoms from the tree. He rubbed his palms, then crossed his arms over his chest to give warmth on his body. With every exhale, white mist blew out of his mouth.

"Hey, bro!"

A loud, familiar voice came out from a distance. As Arth turned around, his face brightened up seeing a young man on a black winter coat. He waved his hand to Arth as he approached.

"Robert!" Arth jumped out of his seat in excitement.

Robert appeared to be taller than Arth, having a darker shade of skin; a man of good physique with a pointed nose and a sharp jawline. His brown hair and bright hazel eyes clearly resembled his father, Chief Gregor.

After their unique handshake, Robert tapped Arth on his shoulders. "Look at you bro, you grew up so fast! It's only been three years since I left the village."

“Yeah, you can say that,” said Arth while scratching his head. "So how's the capital?"

"You won’t believe it, bro! Life in the capital is hard as hell!" said Robert. "The guild had always been giving out missions and quests and any matters that I don't even have the time anymore to flirt with girls! You see bro, I met this cute girl in the capital with long hair and big tits and I was about to go ask her out but then this thing happened and our leader immediately called an emergency meeting for the guild!" He heavily sighed in disappointment.

Arth shook his head with a thin smirk on his lips. His memory of how loud and talkative Robert was had never changed, as if he was not running out of breath when talking continuously. Arth had no idea where his friend had acquired this playful attitude towards women, knowing that Chief Gregor was not that kind of a person at all. 

"Congratulations on your win, by the way!" Robert rubbed Arth’s hair like a younger brother. "You were incredible yesterday. I never thought you would actually defeat an A-class beast on your age… on your age!” he repeated. “You're a talented hunter, bro!"

"Well, Chief Gregor is a great teacher, so yeah," said Arth. "Wait, you watched the competition? I haven’t seen you yesterday."

"A friend just told me,” replied Robert with a shrug.

“So you didn’t watch, huh?”

“Bro…I was on a mission here yesterday," Robert's smile faded. He gazed around the garden, putting on his hood to cover his brown hair. 

"A mission?" said Arth with furrowed brows.

Robert gave a nod. "I'll tell you when we leave here, bro. Get your horse and meet me on the big tree outside the west gate.”

“Got it.”

Robert grinned before walking away.

Arth hasted to the stables beside the academy. He paid the man who took care of the horses, then rode back to the western gatehouse. After crossing the moat through the wide drawbridge, the big tree was spotted about a few kilometers away where Robert was waiting with his horse.

"Are we going to the capital now?" said Arth as they started riding towards west. The skies went almost dark and the cold wind breezed against them.

"Nope. We're going to our hideout, bro," Robert pointed to the direction ahead of them. "The kingdom capital is in the west of Casterfall, but our hideout is located on a vast snow forest between these two kingdoms. Oh and also…" he faced Arth. “I was the one tasked by our leader to bring you to the guild."

Arth stormed his eyebrows at Robert. "What? Your guild leader knows me? How?"

"Can't tell you now, bro," Robert smiled apologetically, then they started picking up their pace.

***

A few hours later, the two young warriors reached the White Forest. The towering trees rose higher than those in the Dark Woods. Light fog had lingered on the dusky air and the frostiness gave chills on Arth’s spine. They kept the silence, riding through the depths of the forest. Only the crunchy sound of the horses' footsteps on the snow was heard.

"I’m telling you, bro, many won't dare entering this forest," Robert whispered. "Powerful beasts inhabit this place."

Arth thought that this was the perfect place for him to train, having a new and leveled up environment. He would go out and hunt beasts here every day if he could. The forest had spread miles in vastness. However, it was surprising that Robert knew the place well.

They finally took a stop in front of a tree house. It looked like a mansion with its enormous size, supported by the strong branches of a huge and tall tree. The two-story house had a balcony in front with several glass windows around, where light could be seen from inside. A circular wooden staircase around the tree trunk led the path to the main door of the house.

“Let’s go, bro!” Robert wrapped his arm around Arth’s shoulder. “I’ll introduce you to the team.”

As they started climbing on the stairs, Arth’s chest pounded hard, a bit nervous of the members’ reaction. What if they won’t like me? Am I gonna be kicked out? His palms went cold and sweaty.

A blue banner hung above the main door. It had symbol of a six pointed star almost similar to a snowflake. Arth had seen the symbol before from Frostwood village but he could not remember exactly when.

"Uh… bro,” said Robert. “Before we go inside, I wanna inform you that our members here are... well you know," he pursed his lips for a moment, scratching his brown hair before continuing. "They might be a bit weird for you."

Arth blinked his eyes. "Okay…?"

"Anyway, welcome to our guild!" Robert opened door.