Chapter 18 — Where is she!?


    <strong><span ss="userText">[Haldor Firefury]</strong>


    <span ss="userText">His head throbbed intensely as if it were about to explode, sending pulsating pain throughout his entire being. Shut eyes and a parched mouth became his unweepanions. The taste of stale alcohol clung to his tongue, leaving a disgustingly bitter aftertaste. A sudden wave of nausea threatened to turn his insides out, making him wonder how he hade to this miserable state.


    <span ss="userText">With a groan, he tried to sit up, only to find his body was stiff and sore. The events of the previous night floated in his mind like fragmented puzzle pieces, forming a hazy and confusing picture, leaving him with more questions than answers.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor slowly opened his eyes, revealing a dreary scene before him. He found himself lying on hay, his clothes stained and reeking of alcohol.<span ss="userText">Gradually, his surroundings came into focus. The dimly lit interior of the barn was illuminated faintly by rays of sunlight that managed to seep through the gaps in the old wooden walls. The cold air<span ss="aiText"> bit at his skin, reminding him of the unforgiving winter.


    <span ss="userText">The sensation of awakening alone in this cold and damp barn was far from pleasant for Haldor. The heavy stench hung thick in the air, attacking his nostrils. His clothes clung to his body, sticky with sweat and dirt, adding to his difort.


    <span ss="userText">As the morning light gradually filtered through the cracks in the barn walls, Haldor summoned the strength to rise to his feet, his legs trembling and unsteady beneath him. Each step he took was hesitant, his movements rigid and awkward, as if his muscles had forgotten their purpose.


    <span ss="userText">A wave of nausea washed over him, his stomach<span ss="aiText"> twisting as his body struggled to process the amount of alcohol that had been consumed the previous night<span ss="editText">. <span ss="aiText">Unable to contain himself any longer, he stumbled towards the nearest corner and emptied the contents of his stomach.


    <span ss="aiText">The sound of his retching echoed through the silence, ringing in his ears <span ss="editText">and <span ss="aiText">making his head pound even more. Once the sickness subsided, Haldor leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.


    <span ss="userText">Using the back of his hand, he wiped his mouth. Summoning what little strength remained, he gathered his resolve and made his way toward the barn door, squinting as his eyes struggled to adjust to the harsh sunlight.


    <span ss="userText">Stepping outside, he was greeted by the refreshing embrace of the crisp air as a cool breeze brushed against his face. Taking a deep breath, he filled his lungs with the<span ss="aiText"> refreshing air. Gradually, the throbbing in his head began to subside a little, and the foggy haze lifted from his mind.


    <span ss="userText">With every heavy step he took, Haldor trudged towards his home, his movements sluggish and burdened. His stomach still swirled with difort. However, the cool morning air and the gentle caress of a fresh and cool breeze helped him to ease some of his misery.


    <span ss="userText">Pushing open the door to his house, Haldor was taken aback by the noticeable chill that hung in the air. The warmth and coziness he had grown to were conspicuously absent, reced by a biting cold that seemed to seep into his very bones. He brushed off the difort and continued to shuffle slowly toward the washroom, longing to wash away the lingering remnants of the previous night.


    <span ss="userText">Atst, he reached the barrel of water, his hands trembling as he dipped them into the icy water. Cold shivers traveled up his spine as he sshed his face. Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he couldn''t help but notice his messy appearance. The dark circles beneath his eyes spoke volumes about the exhaustion<span ss="aiText"> he felt.


    <span ss="userText">A wave of confusion and unease swept over Haldor as his mind struggled to make sense of the events from the previous night. Memories shed before his eyes, muddled and indistinct<span ss="aiText">. He could not recall clearly the series of events that had led him to his current state.


    <span ss="userText">After taking a few minutes topose himself, he emerged from the washroom and headed towards his bedroom. His body ached, and his muscles screamed for rest. All he wants is to feel the soft mattress beneath him right now.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor made his way through the hallway, his footsteps breaking the silence as theynded heavily on the hardwood floor. He couldn''t help but wonder where his wife, Nivalis, might be. Usually, by this time, the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats would have filled the air, a sure sign that Nivalis was busy preparing a hot breakfast. "Probably still resting after childbirth," he thought.


    <span ss="userText">Each step he took was filled with anticipation, but as he opened the door to the master bedroom, his heart sank at the sight that greeted him — a cold, empty room devoid of any sign of his wife''s presence. The shock of the scene froze Haldor in ce, his heart pounding in his chest as his mind struggled to process the reality of the situation. His wife was missing.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor''s frantic search for Nivalis echoed through the empty house, his calls for her met only by an eerie silence. As a sickening feeling settled deep in the pit of his stomach, cold sweat formed on his brow. A flood of questions surged through his mind.


    <span ss="userText">"Where could Nivalis be?" he thought, his heart hammering in his chest. "Why isn''t she here? Maybe someone has taken her against her will?".


    <span ss="userText">His eyes darted around the house, scanning for signs of struggle, but the surroundings seemed undisturbed. Instead, he noticed that a significant amount of food was missing from the storage, and most of her clothing as well, a detail that gave only one possible answer — Nivalis had escaped. But where could she have gone?


    <span ss="userText">The weight of realization hit him like a physical blow, and he staggered backward, desperately reaching out for support that was not there.— "The tracks!" he eximed as the thought struck him like a lightning bolt. "I must find her tracks before the snow covers them!"


    <span ss="userText">Without a second thought, Haldor rushed outside, his heart pounding in his chest with each desperate beat. His eyes scanned the ground thoroughly, searching for any trace of Nivalis''s escape. And there, faint impressions in the snow were the tracks left behind by the sled she had used to carry her supplies.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor stood at the forest''s edge, his eyes fixed on the trail ahead. It was clear that Nivalis had fled east. In a moment of intense rage, Haldor channeled his fury and mmed his fist with brute force into a nearby tree,<span ss="aiText"> his knuckles splitting open and bloodying.


    <span ss="aiText">Haldor let out a loud, primal scream as he kept punching the tree, venting his frustrations and releasing the pent-up rage that had built up within him. <span ss="userText">In a few minutes, what is left of a tree trunk is just a pile of splinters. His blood seeped into the snow, leaving a crimson trail as he fell to his knees, his body spent and exhausted.


    <span ss="aiText">A heavy sigh escaped his lips as the realization that his wife <span ss="editText">had run away <span ss="editText">was <span ss="aiText">like a bucket of cold water. The anger <span ss="editText">and <span ss="aiText">frustration <span ss="aiText">he felt threatened to consume him whole, but he knew he needed to remain calm and focused. <span ss="userText">Haldor could not afford to waste a moment.


    <strong><span ss="userText">[Eirik]</strong>


    <span ss="userText">Ten hours before the snowstorm''s arrival, the morning dawn brought the sounds of birds chirping and the scent of fresh air filled with the sweet fragrance of nature. The sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting warm rays across the peaceful town that had not yet woken up. The sound of birds chirping and the rustle of leaves were the only things that could be heard in the early morning.


    <span ss="userText">However, the peacefulness of the morning was suddenly shattered by an intense and persistent knocking on Eirik''s door. The sound echoed through the house, jolting him awake from his deep slumber. With a groan, he rubbed his eyes, feeling the weight of exhaustion still lingering in his body. The sun''s rays reached through the window, illuminating his face and reminding him of the previous night''s drinking.


    <span ss="userText">As the knocking grew more urgent, Eirik reluctantly roused himself from thefort of his bed. His tousled ck hair fell messily around his face, and his rugged features were flushed from sleep. He stumbled towards the door, his bare feet making contact with the cold wooden floor. Each step felt heavy and sluggish. His shoulders were weighed down by weariness, and his eyes were still struggling to adjust to the light.


    <span ss="userText">— "Alright, alright, I''ming!" Eirik''s voice rasped, thick with the remnants of sleep. He impatiently grabbed his robe, draping it around his naked body, his movements sluggish. With each new step towards the door, he could feel the tension in his muscles, his body protesting against the early morning disturbance.


    <span ss="userText">— "Who the fuck is knocking at my door this early in the morning?" he grumbled, his voice a low growl filled with annoyance and frustration. He flung open the door, his face contorted with irritation and his breath heavy. However, his annoyance quickly turned to surprise as his gaze fell upon the figure standing before him.


    <span ss="userText">To his surprise, it was Haldor, d in leather armor with a sword strapped to his back. His face was weathered and worn, telling the tale of countless battles and hardships. His previously unruly ck hair, which perfectly mirrored his wild and untamable spirit, was now tightly tied back. And his eyes gleamed with a cold, steely determination, contrasting with the golden hue.


    <span ss="userText">— "Haldor!? What are you doing here?" Eirik asked, his voiceced with confusion and shock. He couldn''t fathom the reason for Haldor''s unexpected visit.


    <span ss="userText">He leaned closer, his face mere inches away from Eirik''s, his eyes zing with anger and fury. Haldor''s voice was gruff and gravelly, each word escaping his lips in a harsh whisper. "Nivalis. That damn wife of mine. She took my son and ran," Haldor hissed, his teeth bared and his face twisted with rage.


    <span ss="userText">— "Eh!? Your son?.. Oh, right, we celebrated... When did it..." Eirik mumbled, his body tensing as he tried to process Haldor''s words.


    <span ss="userText">"Yesterday, at night. And after I left to celebrate, she took the kids and a bunch of stuff and fled. They are nowhere to be found," Haldor snarled, his voice dripping with anger. "But she can''t have gone far," he added, his tone filled with determination.


    <span ss="userText">Eirik paused momentarily, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the weight of Haldor''s words. The news seemed surreal, almost too difficult to believe.


    <span ss="userText">Eirik rubbed his eyes, his mind racing as he tried to process the news.— "Are you sure? Maybe you don''t know where she is, or..." Eirik trailed off, his voice uncertain.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor''s gaze darkened, his expression shifting to one of contempt."I''m positive. They are fucking gone!" Haldor growled, his fists clenching at his sides, his tone leaving no room for doubt.


    <span ss="userText">Eirik sighed.—"So, what are you nning to do?" he asked, his voice hesitant.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor''s eyes narrowed, "I''m not going to sit idly while that woman takes away what''s mine! I will bring her and my son back, and then, I''ll make her pay for what she''s done." Haldor''s voice was tinged with a hint of madness, his words filled with unbridled fury.


    <span ss="userText">"Eirik," Haldor''s voice broke through the silence, carrying the weight of his request. "Will you help me? You know you owe me." The words came out of Haldor''s lips slowly, deliberately, his gaze never leaving Eirik''s.


    <span ss="userText">The weight of Haldor''s request hung heavily in the air as his eyes bore into Eirik''s. Eirik''s throat tightened from this look, his heart pounding against his chest like a wild creature seeking escape. He knew he had no choice but to help Haldor, no matter how sorry for Nivalis he felt. Eirik stared at Haldor, words echoing in his ears.


    <span ss="userText">— "Haldor... I... I''ll help you," Eirik finally managed to utter, his voiceced with determination and a touch of vulnerability. "You''re right. I owe you more than words can express. We''ll find Nivalis and your children. Meet me near your house in 40 minutes. I''ll bring some help as well," Eirik said, his eyes reflecting his conviction.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor''s expression softened, and he nodded, his hand reaching out and sping Eirik''s forearm. "Thank you, my friend. I knew I could count on you," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude and relief. Haldor turned on his heel, his boots crunching in the snow as he walked away.


    <span ss="userText">Eirik mmed the door shut, his fists clenched in frustration.


    <span ss="userText">— "Fucking hell."


    <span ss="userText">...


    <strong><span ss="userText">[Haldor Firefury]</strong>


    <span ss="userText">As Haldor stood just outside his house, his eyes swept across the surroundings, searching for any sign of Eirik. The sun''s rays warmed his face while the gentle wind carried the familiar scent of pine and woodsmoke. The vige is now fully awake, and people are going about their business. Haldor''s heart pounded against his chest, his veins pulsating with an anxious anticipation that seeped into his very bones.


    <span ss="userText">In his hand, Haldor tightly grasped a backpack, straining with the weight of provisions and survival gear, each item carefully chosen for the journey ahead. His fingers fidgeted with the strap, betraying the unease deep within him. He couldn''t shake the feeling of restlessness, thoughts of his son''s future without his presence threatening to consume him entirely. If he failed to find Nivalis, his son would grow up with no recollection of his father and the love he had to offer.


    <span ss="userText">"Haldor!" a familiar voice called out,<span ss="aiText"> snapping him out of his thoughts. He turned<span ss="userText"> his head<span ss="aiText"> towards the source, his gaze falling upon the approaching figures of Eirik and his <span ss="editText">sixpanion<span ss="aiText">s, each armed and ready for the mission.


    <span ss="userText">Eirik is a tall and muscr man in his early thirties. His jet-ck hair and blue eyes gave him a somewhat handsome, youthful appearance. A thick, neatly trimmed beard<span ss="aiText"> framed his square jaw,plementing his masculine features. <span ss="userText">Dressed in a dark red shirt beneath a sturdy brown leather coat, Eirik carried arge backpack on his back.


    <span ss="userText">"I''ve brought some help," Eirik dered, his voice confident.


    <span ss="userText">The six men walked towards him, right behind Eirik, their footsteps echoing through the silence. Most of them were d in leather armor and armed with a variety of weapons. Their faces were determined, their eyes filled with a sense of resolve and purpose.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor greeted them warmly, his eyes curiously scanning the faces of the group. <span ss="aiText">He knew each person well <span ss="editText">and had lived<span ss="aiText"> with them in the vige. Some were seasoned hunters, skilled trackers, and capable warriors. <span ss="userText">By local standards, of course.


    <span ss="userText">However, two were unfamiliar to him. Both were young men, their appearance telling that they were probably adventurers of a lower rank. The taller one, clearly an archer, stood with a bow slung across his back and arrows secured in a quiver. The other, a wizard, carried a staff, though its humble quality suggested it was one of the cheapest.


    <span ss="userText">Eirik took the initiative to introduce the strangers, and his voice filled with reassurance. "This is Odar and the other is Argo," he said, motioning towards each individual. "Both are adventurers, so I''ve hired them to help us. It was fortunate that they happened to pass through our vige. The rest of our group, of course, you already know."


    <span ss="userText">Gratitude filled Haldor''s voice as he addressed the assembledpany.— "Thank you all for your willingness to help me find my children." then, turning his attention to the unfamiliar faces, "My name is Haldor Firefury, and it is truly a pleasure to meet both of you."


    <span ss="userText">Odar, a tall and broad-shouldered man with short, dark brown hair and deep-set green eyes, stepped forward. He wore a dark blue tunic underneath a protective leather vest. A copper earring adorned his left ear, its green-ish gemstone catching the light, a slight touch of elegance amidst his rugged appearance.


    <span ss="userText">"You''re wee, Haldor," Odar responded, his voice<span ss="aiText"> firm and steady. "I''m d to be of service."


    <span ss="userText">Next to step forward was Argo, a youthful figure with a slender frame, pale skin, and untamed brown hair that fell in disarray. His face was adorned with a pair of striking hazel eyes that seemed to prate into the very depths of one''s soul. He was draped in a worn white cloak and a grey scarf wrapped around his neck. <span ss="aiText">But all of it contrasted with his humble, almost <span ss="editText">shy<span ss="aiText"> demeanor.


    <span ss="userText">Haldor''s gaze, full of gratitude, rested upon Odar and Argo.— "I owe you both a great debt," he admitted sincerely. "If therees a time when you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. Your help means more to me than words can express. The same goes for everyone else here."


    <span ss="aiText">Each of the men nodded in agreement, their voices filled with determination.


    <span ss="userText">"No worries, Haldor. It''s simply what adventurers do — helping those in need," Argo replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "And, by the way, I am a cleric, while Odar here is an archer."


    <span ss="aiText">"We will bring back your son and wife," Eirik assured, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.


    <span ss="aiText">Eirik''s eyes burned with determination<span ss="editText"> and <span ss="userText">a sense of urgency<span ss="aiText">. <span ss="userText">"Alright, Haldor, it''s time to set off. Where do we go?"


    <span ss="userText">Haldor''s voice dropped to a low, gruff tone.— "We head east," he dered with conviction. "I stumbled upon some traces of her path, leading us in that direction." he pointed with his hand and then added, "And you are right, there''s no time to waste. Let''s move," he urged, his voice thick with impatience.


    <span ss="userText">The group set off, their synchronized footsteps creating a rhythmic crunching sound in the snow. As they ventured forward, the wind grew stronger, howling through the trees and whipping at their faces. It tugged at their clothes as if trying to test their resolve, but they pressed on undeterred, their breaths forming clouds in the air.