The Nation of Snow and Ice: Pilgrimage

Candle

Chapter I

The veil of stars that had blanketed the skies began to disappear as the sun peered over the horizon, putting the moon to shame with its divine illumination. Clouds formed in the sky partly blocking the sun’s radiant light and a shade of blue began to blanket the sky. As the sun ascended from the horizon and the moon began its descent, the city of Eastgate began to awaken along with the local wildlife that populated the land outside of the stone walls. The torches that were lit up along the wall were extinguished by the guards who patrolled and replaced the night watch. The snow that remained from the nights before started to melt and dampen the streets of Eastgate, creating muddy puddles where stray animals began to quench their thirst.

At the heart of Eastgate was Castle Violet View, named after the princess who had currently lived in it. The enormous structure represented the best Arcadian workers had to offer in architecture. A moat of freezing water surrounding it, and walls half the size of the ones that defended the city protected the infamous castle. The main structure was rectangular in shape, leading to the multiple sections of the castle. From the main building, a massive spire was erected, overlooking all of the city, and even visible to the neighboring city of High Hollow. Each window of the massive tower was dimly lit, as were the windows of the other sections that made up the castle. Two lesser towers rose from the castle, but not high enough to reach the heavens unlike their bigger sibling in the center. The tower to the left of the central spire acted as the Violet View Royal Library, while the tower to the right of the spire was the living quarters for the castle servants.

Ponies began to populate the streets of Eastgate, most of which wearing robes to defend themselves against the cold air that flowed through the city. As cold as it was, the ponies who had begun to leave the safety of their homes greatly enjoyed the wintry morning air, and not once did they complain about it being too cold for them. The inhabitants of the more run-down districts of Eastgate even found themselves unable to resist feeling a kind of joy in the cold breeze that swept in. Despite a slightly harsh winter, the ramshackle homes of the not-so-wealthy ponies managed to keep them safe and protected from the real devastating effects of the cold. Not even the brazen attitudes of the nobles could spoil the beginning of the day for the pauper ponies, nor could the pestering of beggars ruin it for the nobles.

From the highest tower of Castle Violet View, a single pony emerged from her chambers and onto the balcony that circled around the top of the tower. She stood taller than the average pegasus and was more slender than any regular pony. Her carefully braided mane flowed with the breeze; her bangs not once disturbing her cerulean eyes. Her long flowing tail did the same; flowing in the breeze majestically. She placed a book on a lone podium surrounded by numerous books, picked up a quill and began writing, though what she wrote remained a mystery.

Candle watched her from the window in his quarters, though his watching the princess was unintentional. In reality, he was just drifting off into space as he leaned his head on a hoof and tried to keep himself awake. Even the breeze that had brushed against his fur did not bother him. Books surrounded him, all regarding the same variations of spells and incantations; mostly glyph, arcane energy and alteration magic. Candle’s bed was littered with notes and miscellaneous papers that had no real importance; beside the bed was a nightstand and a small wooden drawer, the both of which appeared to have been older than the room itself. Elegant beige drapes blocked the door frame, barely obstructing the view into Candle’s messy room.

Candle shifted around in his seat, realizing he had been staring at the princess for far too long. He averted his eyes back down at his book, continuing his studies before Lord Iceberg woke. Candle studied magic as much as he could when not being given commands by his lord, relishing every moment of it. His studies had started almost six weeks ago, when Lord Iceberg found him casting a simple teleportation spell to get around the estate and castle. Candle thought he’d angered the lord, but instead only intrigued him. Iceberg allowed Candle to learn new spells, though on his own time. Which was during the early hours of the morning and the late hours of the night if he were lucky. Lord Iceberg’s family had much work to do and was one of the leading reasons why the city was as wealthy as it was.

The Snowstorm Family—Lord Iceberg’s family—had been in Eastgate for more than a thousand years, since the very beginning and the founding of the nation of Arcadia, after the departure from Equestria. Expeditions led to the discovery of a flat land surrounded by hills and a peninsula beside it and the House Snowstorm was one of the first to begin working on the small village. Then others began to help expand the village, turning it into a small community of nobles and beggars. Shortly, the town became a city and that city became home to some of the most well known families in all of Arcadia.

Candle read enough books to know that the families of Eastgate were rays of sunshine and rainbows compared to the other families in other cities like Whitehaven or West Rock. The one family Candle had no qualms meeting was House Flawed Diamond. They were known for their unfathomable wealth and power. House Snowstorm had to have been the kindest of all families, as shown by their actions of taking Candle, as well as his sister, Limelight, into their home, so long as Candle became a squire and Limelight a servant for Iceberg’s daughter, Chill Wind. Living in a lavish home such as the Snowstorm’s was only something Candle thought would happen in his dreams.

“Continuing your studies brother?” Limelight’s voice sounded louder than it really was. Candle stirred in his seat, his sister's arrival shocking him. “I apologize for the disturbance.”

“It’s alright,” Candle responded, his voice raspy and dry. “I was just finishing up. Is there anything you need?”

“I was just checking on my brother,” she answered, stepping into the room. She looked at the mess with an expression of disgust. “Surely there is some way you can keep your room nice and tidy.”

Candle chuckled. He did want to do something about the piles of paper and books, but he had no place to put them, so he just layed them out on his bed he seldom used. His studies left little room for sleeping as his pursuit of arcane knowledge was greater than that of any other squire in Eastgate. Forty books were devoted to just one field of magic, piled up on the bookshelf on the far side of the room, another twenty books explaining arcane theory. Numerous papers with just about anything magic related were scattered about as well. When Candle wanted to get information about something, he made sure he had everything to get it.

“So,” Candle closed his book. “Has Lord Iceberg summoned me?”

Limelight shook her head. “It’s too early for him to summon you. Lady Rime requested to see you.”

Candle pursed his lips. “What for?”

His sister paused briefly. “She did not say.”

Fear struck in the back of Candle’s mind. “She would've told me beforehand.”

“I know,” Limelight shuddered. Candle stood on all fours, standing a foot taller than his sister. “She said it was important that you went to her immediately.”

Candle swallowed hard. He wasn't mentally prepared for such an encounter. Lord Iceberg was an intimidating stallion just by looking at him, but was a very thoughtful and intelligent lord as opposed to his brutish looks. Lady Rime was almost the complete opposite. She was intimidating in every way other than her sweet looks. Candle had sworn to himself that she was evil and hated the idea of him being her husband’s squire. She never made an attempt to be nice to him, but was always so polite to Limelight. The fact that Candle was being called to her made his mane itch and his heart pound with anticipation.

“I’d go to her now brother,” Limelight said, guiding him from his room and into the hallway. “You know Lady Rime has no tolerance for your tardiness.”

Candle ignored her comment, continuing to follow the vibrant young mare. The house was like a castle, with the numerous doors leading to so many different rooms. Candle was sure he hadn't been in every single room the home had to offer. Lord Iceberg made it particularly clear that Candle was to enter certain rooms, and Candle was surprised he remembered which ones he was allowed inside and which ones he was unable to enter. The sounds of servants cleaning from some of the forbidden rooms and some more shady sounds were always coming from the doors. Candle often theorized, some of the rooms were bigger on the inside than they really were, almost like a form of space-saving magic.

The velvet carpets on top of the wooden floors were smooth on Candle’s hooves, a feeling he was still not accustomed to. He was often walking on the harsh dirt ground or the cobblestone near the castle before the lords convened and Candle was sent away to run errands for Iceberg.

Limelight gestured for Candle to go up the stairs when they reached the foyer. The spiral staircase seemed to go up and up forever. The fact that Lady Rime wanted Candle made the stairs go even higher than they really were. He could feel her cold aura up the steps, waiting for him. He looked at Limelight, hoping to get some words of sympathy from her.

“Just go upstairs brother,” Limelight spoke, placing a hoof on his shoulder. “You’ll be fine.”

“Right,” Candle noted the slight shake in his sister’s gentle voice as he climbed up the endless stairs. The cold air got stronger and soon Candle wished he had his robes with him. When he reached the top, he was met with a long hallway, the living quarters of the house for the royals. At the end of the hall was the chambers of Lord Iceberg and Lady Rime. The first doors to his left and right were the rooms of the children and the other rooms were their studies. Candle took his sullen steps forward, taking in a deep breath, increasing his pace as well.

Just before he reached the door, he took another deep breath, then gripped the handle with his magic and turned.

Lady Rime sat on a seat beside the window overlooking the town square. Her bed was furnished with red blankets and a veil hanging around it. The wood floor was the cleanest in all the houses rooms; not a spot of dirt or dust on it and a red rug with golden linings. Two windows were beside the bed, two nightstands beside them both riddled with papers and royal documents.

“Lady Rime,” Candle croaked, stepping more inside. His hooves were loud against the floors, but the lady hadn’t turned her head to look at him. Instead, she just looked out the window and at the ponies going about their day in the town square. Candle gulped and took a few more steps toward the ice blue mare before she raised a hoof and ordered him to stop, her voice strong and stern.

“Young squire,” Lady Rime acknowledged Candle’s presence. “Candle, is it?”

“Yes milady,” Candle responded. His eyes darted the room in search for Lord Iceberg. "Where is Lord-"

"He is not the topic of this meeting," Lady Rime cut off.

"My apologies,"

“I need you to deliver a message,” Lady Rime’s magic levitated a small bag towards the stallion. Candle raised his hoof to grab the bag, but its strap found its way around his hoof without much trouble. “I want you to go to House Gold Spear and I want you to give this to Lord Dagger Tip. Once he has it, he will give you a bag to give back to me. You shall speak not of any of this to my husband, or I will have your head.”

“What is it I am delivering milady?” The words spilled from Candle’s mouth unintentionally and he felt he would pay for it. He gulped when Lady Rime turned her head.

“What you are delivering across the city is none of your concern. All you need to know is that you should move swiftly,” Lady Rime turned back to the window. “There are dark forces that could destroy both of the Great Houses here in Eastgate if they acquire such an item. I’d suggest taking Ser Hammer Hoof. He may or may not escort you to the house safely.”

Candle slung the bag around his body, slowly turning away. His mind was reeling, angry with the lady for sending him to die on the streets to try and deliver the message. He knew what ‘dark forces’ were lurking about in the city. And he had no intentions with coming face to face with them. At the same time, Candle was relieved. His last encounters with her almost resulted with him and his sister being cast out of the city.

“And Squire Candle,” Lady Rime called before Candle left the room. “Please, do be careful out there.”