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Frozen: The Queen and Her Star
🕑 Added 2025-01-06 06:21:33 +0000 UTCCHAPTER 3: [Go Most Anywhere; To Find Where I Belong]
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The journey to Weselton was swift, with Eldrid covering the distance at inhuman speeds. What would typically take three days on foot was accomplished in just half a day, with minimal breaks.
It was hard to explain, but his metal prosthetic arm was more than a replacement for the missing arm. It was capable of amplifying his body to extreme limits.
With its power, he could lift heavy boulders without straining his body, possess the strength of at least fifty men, endure impacts that would shatter high-grade steel, resist elemental disasters, and move as swiftly as a cheetah in full sprint.
The only downside was the extreme stamina drain and the occasional migraines when using too much of the arm's powers, but it's a good thing that he had an abundance of endurance then, being able to use the boost for a whole hour before needing a short break.
Embarrassingly, it had taken him three years of wandering to accidentally stumble upon how to activate this unique magic feature of the prosthetic, but it was a tale for another time.
Traveling since the age of eight had its advantages. Seven years of constant movement had transformed his body into a vessel of resilience, and his resolve had grown sharper with every passing day.
As he passed the halfway mark to Weselton, admittedly, he was a little overexcited at the thought of getting closer to his goals, now that he cleared his mind during the run, but could you blame him?
7 years of travelling—that's almost 1/10th of his life searching for answers. Never stopping to find hints and trails of this weird haze that covers his mind and the instinctive feeling that he wasn't where he was supposed to belong. Now, it was different.
With the clue that landed before him, he could finally find where he was meant to go... At least, that was the hope. And if it wasn’t?
Well, what were another few years?
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Dropping off the sack filled with tattooed skin he had carefully sliced from the bandits of the Frostfang Marauders, Eldrid received his payment from the guild—210 coins, 5 per "head"—before turning his attention to the docks. He needed to inquire about any ships bound from Weselton to Arendelle.
Given the strong ties between the two kingdoms, bolstered by their frequent and mutually beneficial trade, the ships maintained a steady and reliable route. The bustling port reflected the alliance, with vessels of varying sizes and origins docking and departing under the watchful gaze of merchants and sailors.
Intending to ask some sailors about the schedule of vessels from Weselton to Arendelle, he approached a group of sailors gathered near a crate of supplies counting their stock.
"Excuse me, but may I ask when the next ship is leaving for Arendelle?"
The lone sailor who was supervising his crew, a broad-shouldered man with a graying beard and a captain’s hat, turned toward him, his piercing eyes narrowing slightly before they lit up, recognizing him.
"Tomorrow, at first light. You the Silver Blur?"
The man replied before looking back at his sailors to make sure that everything was in order. Eldrid nodded to his question, not really caring for his reputation as his mind calculated the time he had to prepare for the trip.
"And how much for passage?"
The captain’s gaze swept over him, taking in the worn cloak streaked with dried blood and the subtle, restless energy in his stance. His eyes lit up with a glint of recognition.
"Depends."
The captain said, a slow grin spreading across his face.
"You intend to ride as a fighter or as a tourist?"
Without a word, Eldrid reached into his cloak and pulled out the hilt of his sword, brandishing it slightly for the captain to see; the blade gleamed faintly in the light.
"Good steel."
He murmured, letting out a low whistle as his hand stroked his beard in approval, his eyes flicking over the worn marks etched along the handle.
"And it looks like it gets regular use, eh?"
Eldrid remained silent as he sheathed his sword back in its sheath, but he returned a nod to reply as his answer.
"We could use a man like you. Especially when the king's birthday is near."
The captain continued, scratching his chin thoughtfully with a slow grin starting to form on his face.
"If the seas turn rough or, heaven forbid, bold fools decide to play pirate for the merchandise, having you on our side might make the trip simple to deal with. Hmm... Passage will be free along with lunch and dinner—so long as you're willing to lend your sword should the need arise."
Eldrid considered the offer for a moment, weighing his options. A free ride to Arendelle in exchange for his skills? It was more than fair, especially if it meant saving more coins for future funds.
Trying to chase down often non-existent clues wasn’t exhausting—but costly. Time spent traveling aimlessly was time he could be using to work for more funds, and in a world like this, unfortunately nothing came free.
"Deal."
He agreed with the deal, extending his organic arm for a handshake. his laughter low and rumbling, but instead of taking the handshake, he clapped Eldrid on the shoulder with a heavy hand. The force nearly knocked him off balance from the surprise.
"Good lad, much better than the rumors. Be here before dawn, sharp. Miss the ship, and you’ll be swimming to Arendelle."
"Aye aye, captain."
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The gust of wind brushed his face as he held his cloak tightly, afraid that with one wrong move, his entire cloak would be swept away, leaving him exposed to the prying eyes of anyone nearby.
The sun stood high in the sky, a quarter of the day already slipping by since he stepped onto the ship. Time seemed to stretch as the vessel rocked gently, the sound of the waves lapping against the hull.
The journey to Arendelle would take a full week, so instead of sitting idle and waiting out the days, Eldrid helped the sailors with any tasks they needed.
Whether it was hauling ropes, securing cargo, or keeping watch, he made himself useful, taking every opportunity to keep his hands busy. His skills were appreciated, and the work helped him pass the time more quickly.
The gratitude and appreciation from the sailors were pluses as well.
Thankfully, there were no problems that required him to use his combat skills. The seas remained calm, and the ship sailed steadily toward its destination without any interference or change in schedule.
As the days passed, the horizon began to change, and eventually, Arendelle came into sight, the kingdom nestled between fjords and towering mountains. At the heart of the kingdom lies a large castle, overlooking a bustling harbor, where ships dock along the waterfront and colorful buildings with steep, gabled roofs line cobblestone streets, vibrant to the eyes.
Beyond the town, lush forests and rolling hills stretched toward the horizon, blending seamlessly into the rugged beauty of the surrounding mountains. The official crest of the kingdom, the crocus, is visible on banners fluttering in the wind.
The scenery of Arendelle made his heart swell, and he couldn’t help but breathe out a contented sigh, enjoying the warmth of the moment as he muttered to himself.
"I will go most anywhere;"
"To find where I... belong."
