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Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 3: Frostwatch
🕑 Added 2025-01-11 21:45:02 +0000 UTCJamie leaned against the tower's wall, observing the vast snowy territory that was somehow his. "So... Am I a cleric?" he asked, still trying to absorb the twists of his new destiny.
"Yes. No. Wait." In his peculiar way, the cat turned and put a paw over his ear as if listening to something in the distance, simulating an invisible phone. "Yes, yes. I understand, sure, I'll explain," he murmured to nothing while Jamie waited skeptically.
With a solemn air, the cat finally turned to him. "Right, my superior explained that no. You are not a cleric; only I am. When we go through the Passage, a class is assigned to our soul, not the body."
'Should I believe him? He seems more lost than I am,' Jamie thought, observing the cat with a hint of distrust.
"Right. What can I call you, after all? I'm not going to keep calling you 'cat,' and I don't want to use my name on you," Jamie questioned, crossing his arms.
"You can call me Master... or My Lord," the cat replied with a feline smile and a pompous air, adjusting his paw under his chin.
"Jay, that'll be it," Jamie said, shooting a judgmental look.
The peculiar pair began to descend the tower's long staircase. Jamie tried to organize his thoughts as they went down, seeking a way to take advantage of his situation. But he needed to know more about that world to understand his next step.
"Why is the castle so empty?" he asked, observing the silent corridors. He wondered if the Frostwatch family, which seemed noble, was perhaps poor.
"Everyone is in the city. Today is the Day of Passage, when all the young people who don't yet have a class go to the temple to receive it," replied Jay, descending the steps with a disinterested air.
Upon hearing this, an idea shot into Jamie's mind. "Can't I do the Passage at any time?" he asked eagerly.
"No. Only when there's a bishop in the city," explained Jay, gracefully jumping to the next step.
"Damn. Damn. Damn," muttered Jamie, accelerating his steps.
"Where do you think you're going?" Jay asked, trying to keep up.
"It's obvious. I'm going to do the Passage," Jamie replied without hesitation. "From what I understand, this ritual grants powers. And if it gives powers, it's exactly what I need." He stared at the cat with the determination of someone who had already mapped out his path.
Jay cast a look of approval before leaping to float beside Jamie. "This way," he said, pointing to a staircase that led to the castle courtyard.
Jamie nodded. "If I want to find Nytheris, I need to accumulate power—and a lot of it. Anyone who can imprison a god can't be just someone I'd find around any corner."
"Makes sense," agreed Jay, nodding in approval.
"So, if there's a chance to get powers for free, that's what I'll seek first," continued Jamie with conviction.
They reached the castle courtyard, where the high walls separated the castle from the city. Because of the festivities, a small gate was open at the main entrance. Upon crossing the threshold, Jamie slipped through it and could see Frostwatch more clearly. The city stretched below, nestled on the slopes of the hill, with the castle positioned at the top, providing a panoramic view of the snowy terrain.
Seen from above, it was possible to see stone and wooden buildings painted by a thin layer of snow, with roofs that descend at sharp angles, designed to withstand the weight of ice and snow. The walls of the houses were robust and seemed well-crafted, indicating the need for resistance against the cold winds that blew from the mountains.
In the city’s center stood an imposing stone temple. Next to the temple, a spacious square with some benches accommodated the comings and goings of villagers; some figures entered and exited the temple quickly. Many seemed nervous waiting in line for their turn, but upon leaving, many were celebrating, hugging the fathers and mothers who were outside.
Small stalls and stands sold typical foods and local supplies, although the movement was discreet—a typical winter afternoon.
Surrounding the city was a line of snow-covered coniferous trees that marked the beginning of dense forests. Beyond them, snowy peaks rose, forming a natural wall that protected and, at the same time, isolated the city from the world.
As soon as Jamie took the first step on the thin snow, he noticed how unprepared his attire was for winter. He wore a light, white linen shirt with wide sleeves, fastened at the cuffs with polished iron buttons. Over the shirt, he wore a dark brown leather vest, slightly adorned. The vest fits perfectly to his torso, highlighting his slim silhouette, and was closed by a row of metal buttons.
A thick leather belt with an intricate buckle at his waist supported an ornate scabbard; however, there was no sword inside.
'Where could the sword be? Could it be in Lord Frostwatch's office?' Jamie thought.
The dark and sturdy fabric of the pants molded firmly to his legs, allowing freedom of movement without losing style. They ended in well-polished, high-top leather boots that rose to just below the knees, offering some protection against the harsh climate.
"I should have brought a cloak and a coat," Jamie grumbled as he continued advancing through the snow.
He walked until he reached the square, but the people around him seemed to avoid him. No one looked him in the face, and in some cases, he even saw some elderly men spit on the ground as he passed by.
"Damn it, Jay. You messed up my reputation around here," he commented in a low voice, yet he walked with security and confidence.
The cat preferred not to say anything; he knew there wasn't much he could do to defend himself.
Upon arriving at the square, the line that had previously had dozens of people had only three left. The boy stood at the end of the line, waiting for his turn.
Jay was hopping through the snow when he realized a problem.
"How are you going to do the Passage again?" he asked Jamie.
"What do you mean?" he replied.
"You already did it once today. The Bishop will find it strange," the cat commented.
"There's a way for everything," Jamie expanded with a malicious smile.
While discussing with the cat, he could hear heavy footsteps in the snow. Without understanding what was happening, he felt a solid blow to his ribs. The air in his lungs was expelled, and his feet almost lost contact with the ground.
"Cousin, cousin. You really managed to irritate Uncle Maximus. Now you've come back to try to change your class? You know it's impossible."
Jamie was kneeling on the ground, trying to catch his breath. He could only see black boots in the corner of his vision.
As he turned his face, he saw a boy his age but much taller, with red hair and beard, carrying a giant axe. He had no winter clothing; it was impressive that he was alive in this cold.
"This is Leo Frosthaven. He's from one of the Frost houses. He's my... your... our cousin," the cat said without fear that others could hear him.
"Go... fuck yourself," Jamie extended his middle finger while catching his breath.
Leo's face immediately hardened upon seeing the boy's audacity in responding to him.
"James, are you crazy? I know you; you're a piece-of-shit coward," Leo knelt beside him, speaking through clenched teeth.
Jamie had seen many people like this in his life—people who believed that physical strength was everything and underestimated him. They might even manage to hit him, but he would never accept being defeated.
The boy opened an insane smile. "Go. Fuck. Yourself."
"You're asking me to cut off your hand," Leo rested his hand on his axe.
"Stop it, Leo. If you continue like this, even Uncle Maximus will have to intervene," a firm voice interrupted.
Until that moment, Jamie hadn't noticed that there was another person paying attention to them. Obviously, there were more people on the street, but they ignored Jamie as if he were a leper.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a tall girl with long red hair; she carried a war hammer over her shoulder. Unlike Leo, she was dressed for winter, with a long fur coat over her shoulders and heavy attire.
"That's Leo's fiancée, Lilian Frostwall," the cat commented.
As soon as his fiancée alerted him, Leo returned to his senses. He stood up from the snow and gave a final kick before walking away. "I'll still finish you off, you useless."
"No, I'll finish you off, you sack of shit," Jamie said in a low voice. He was daring but not insane. He wanted revenge but knew it wasn't the right moment.
As soon as he got up from the ice, he could hear a shout at the temple entrance.
"Next!"
