Chapter 095 – The Land of Always Winter

[298 AC]

Phenex didn't move fast, but his form was one of grace and power as he stalked over the yard and towards the man. Like a shadow cat, he moved silently, but with lethality hidden in every shift of his muscles.

With the blunt swords at his sides, he approached without any intention to defend himself, something the veteran member of the Night's Watch wanted to make use of, as he attacked first.

Alliser's blade was fast and steady, as his thrust aimed straight for Phenex' throat. But just before his blow landed, a dull blade hit the left side of his jaw out of nowhere with incredible force and precision, directly breaking his jaw and tearing open his flesh.

His strike obviously missed as he cried out in agony, and that was the moment the second blade landed on his body, striking at his left knee with full force as Phenex had spun low to add more force to the blow.

Pain overwhelmed Alliser's senses, as he heard something snap and crack before his leg gave out under him and he just fell flat on his face, trying to stifle the scream that wanted to escape his mangled jaw.

Looking down at the bloody master-at-arms, Phenex reined in his anger as he threw down the dull blades and walked away, the urge to kill the man still burning in his heart, though he suppressed that desire ruthlessly.

Alliser Thorne would never walk without help again, his left leg having been crippled severely by him with a single precise blow, while his face would forever carry the mark of his defeat and shame. This, Phenex knew, was punishment enough.

…

Afterwards, Phenex went back to Arianne's and Missandei's side, and while the Lord Commander wanted to say something to admonish him, he found himself unable to.

Alliser had clearly provoked Phenex and judging from Phenex' effortless victory, he could have very well killed the master-at-arms even with dull blades. Truly, he was a Sword of the Morning.

Adding to the fact that Phenex was not only from House Dayne but also the husband of Arianne Martell, Princess of Dorne. His social standing made him nearly untouchable for such a 'minor' offense in Westeros.

Not to mention that he was a Great Commander of the Red Temple and traveled with members of the Fiery Hand, fearsome warriors of the temple that could fight dozens of normal men.

And even if Phenex had no authority or nobility to his name, the Lord Commander would not try to subdue him, as the Red God may have very well given him powers similar to the rumored High Priest Thoros, which would only lead to him sacrificing his men needlessly.

In the end, Mormont just wished Alliser had thought of these things, before blindly challenging the Sword of the Morning.

Phenex, Arianne, Missandei, and the Feathers continued to explore Castle Black, though there really was not much to see besides visiting the top of the Wall.

Still, seeing the snowy paradise beyond the Wall was definitely something that his wives and the Feathers wouldn't forget anytime soon, having never seen what true winter looked like.

He also told them all he knew about the Lands of Always Winter as they watched the beautiful frozen lands from high up.

"The forested land closest to the Wall is called the Haunted Forest, while the mountain range to the left is called Frostfangs. At the end of this mountain range lies a hidden mountain valley called Thenn, it's where the Thenns of the free folk come from."

"They believe themselves to be the last of the First Men and are much more sophisticated than you may believe. Even in this bitter cold, where only the strongest and fiercest can survive, they have built their own little kingdom in those mountains."

"They have laws and lords, and the one leading them is known as Magnar of Thenn. They mine tin and copper and forge their own bronze weapons. They do not need to steal and raid, so most of them will never leave their home if they are not forced to.", Phenex explained.

"What about the other free folks, the other tribes?", Missandei looked up at him, her golden eyes shining in curiosity, her little caramel nose a bit red from the cold winds.

She looked absolutely adorable and Phenex couldn't help himself as he stole himself a kiss or two while breathing some warmth into her smaller form.

"I am cold too, my love.", Arianne remarked softly, her fur-coated form pressing into his side.

Getting a quick taste of her lips as well, while simultaneously gifting his Dornish wife the warmth and affection she craved, Phenex continued: "There are other smaller tribes that live all over the Haunted Forest or the Frostfangs, but the Thenns are the largest group amongst them."

"There are the Hornfoots from the Frostfangs, who are in conflict with the Nightrunners from the Haunted Forest. Even further west, beyond the Frostfangs lies the Frozen Shore which is inhabited by the ice-river clans, who regularly battle with the Men of the Frozen Shore."

"Most of the Men of the Frozen Shore pray to the old gods and it is said that they ride large white bears as tall as a man at the shoulder, while the men of the ice-river clans are said to be cannibals that feast on human flesh."

"Those living in the Haunted Forest are the ones most likely to try and climb over the wall to raid the lands beyond, while those living by the Frozen Shore use boats to raid Bear Island and the western coast of the North regularly."

"To the east lies the Shivering Sea and on the tip of an arm of frozen land extending into the sea lies Hardhome. It is an old ruin of a settlement, that could have been the first town of the free folk, but it was destroyed under mysterious circumstances centuries ago.", Phenex ended cryptically.

"What happened there? You must know, so tell me.", Missandei pleaded.

Probably because Missandei had been trained as a scribe since young, this lover of his had an incredible thirst for knowledge and spent most of her free time reading through the books in the temple library of Volantis.

"Now, that would be telling, my love.", Phenex smiled mischievously, as he grabbed her by the waist and left a small kiss on her cheek, which caused her to pout cutely.

"I am sure though that Arianne can help you convince the Lord Commander to let you into the library of Castle Black to try and find out the reason for Hardhome's destruction. They have written knowledge here that you would not find anywhere else in the world after all.", he suggested, causing her eyes to light up and look at Arianne eagerly, seemingly wanting to go take a look immediately.

Phenex' next words though stopped her from dragging the Dornish Princess away for the moment, as he revealed: "The most mysterious part of the lands beyond the Wall is not something you can read about in a book though."

"Most mysterious part?", Arianne questioned before Missandei got the chance, clearly intrigued herself.

"Well, while it is common for people to call the land beyond the Wall the Land of Always Winter, the true Land of Always Winter is a forbidden zone even for the free folk. It lies beyond the Frostfangs and the Frozen Shore and no one that ventures into these lands has ever left them alive.", he answered mysteriously.

"That is for but one exception."

"What exception?", Missandei inquired, jumping at the obvious bait, which earned her a mild smile from Phenex.

"The cold shadows. The white shadows. The cold gods. The Others. The free folk gave them many names, but in Westeros, they are known as the White Walkers, beings made out of ice and darkness, cold and magic."

"They are the true rulers of the Lands of Always Winter, and one can only pray for all those that dare to enter their lands, as even death won't let you escape from their wrath.", Phenex ended in a deep voice.

A frosty breeze blew past Missandei and Arianne, as they listened to his words, causing them to shiver slightly, as they looked at the endless frozen sea before them.

Suddenly though a comforting warmth spread through bodies, originating from the rings on their fingers, as Phenex wrapped an arm around each of them and voiced out affectionately: "Though none of the terrors that may hide in these lands, will ever be able to get past me to harm you. Even a single Feather could bring an end to the White Walkers after all."