Frostbound [LitRPG Apocalypse]

Gavin

Frostheim

Hal was nowhere to be found, and Gavin wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Younger, lower-level members were looking at him as if he were in charge, and Gavin most certainly was not!

He didn't know anything more than they did! Why were they looking at him like he did?!

Still, he did the only thing that made any sense and sent everyone towards the courtyard inside the Inner Wall. When they'd drilled for three horns, they all had specific spots on the Outer Wall they were supposed to fill.

Gathering for war didn't have a dedicated spot. It didn't have any plans for where everyone was supposed to go. An oversight, but one they couldn't do anything about now.

I should never have agreed to be a Lieutenant, Gavin thought. The Order of the Wolf used to be structured simply. One Captain with all the members under him. That was fine when there were only a few dozen people.

Now, the Order had over 500 members. Elliot's had even more. They'd taken tremendous losses over a year ago, but they'd grown past their previous numbers already. New people joined up every day, and after they returned with such goodies, the benefits were too hard to ignore for some.

At such numbers, further structure was needed, and Gavin just so happened to be one of them. Why did I say yes?

Gavin, while guiding the newer members he happened across, made his way towards the Castle as quickly as he could. He saw a few other people he knew, but they just shook their heads at his questioning gaze.

No one knew anything.

The Inner Gate was already open by the time he got there, and people were already amassing. Warriors in full plate that looked ready to unsheathe weapons at any time, Rangers in full leather ready to knock and loose, and everyone in between.

Mages stood among the crowd, loose and haphazard, as they didn't have a formal Order yet but had sworn the Oaths. They were still figuring out who would lead them. Their numbers were fewer, but were still many.

Healers had it easier, as Ashley was already among the crowd, attracting them all in one direction. They weren't an Order, per se, but they sure acted like one. It was only a matter of time for them as well.

The only class that didn't have one already or would have one soon was Rogues, but they had... something else. I don't even want to think about those people. They were shadows in the wind.

Over 1500 people stood waiting to figure out what was going on. More than they had ever fielded. Not against the Demons or against the Orcs.

Whatever it is, they're fucked with these numbers. Not to mention the big guns.

While the rank and file filled in, so too did the higher-ups. Hal and Elliot came walking out of the Castle together whispering about something, marking the first D-rank arrival.

Sydney, a fellow Lieutenant of his, rushed in from the Gates, her hair a mess and her bow half strung. Seeing that so many people had turned at her appearance, she quickly fixed herself and walked confidently towards the front of the crowd.

Anders, Elliot's Vice-Captain, rushed in next, the giant bear of a man. He even had his axe unsheathed, like he was rushing towards an imminent fight.

Hugo and Valerie walked in next. The duo of Warriors making their way towards their Captain and Vice Captain.

Nearly a dozen D-ranks shuffled in, but all of them paled in comparison to the next arrivals. The Castle doors swung open and out filed six people who felt stronger than any D-rank they had, maybe save Elliot, and some of them hadn't even evolved yet.

The City Lord, Christopher, in full armor and hammer. The Mayor, with her staff in hand. Jonathan, with full armor and both shields strapped to his back. Rachel, with a similarly powerful staff to the Mayor, but with a ruby red core at its top rather than a deep blue.

Mitchell and Carrie were lesser known to Gavin, but they each were armed and armored as they exited the Castle.

A hush fell over the crowd as they all waited in anticipation for why they were called. Especially to learn who they were off to fight this time. More Demons? Beasts? Something else?

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Christopher stepped upon a pillar of gathered snow to address everyone.

"I have just learned that our mine was attacked. The details are still scarce, but we do know many did not survive. We know of at least two dozen people who were killed, and we estimate even more will be added to that number after we finish investigating. Four days ago, during the dead of night, Lakeshore sent forces to kill and raid what they could. This attack comes after our warning to back off.

"They were told what would happen should they fail to do so, and now it has come time to deliver onto them what they were promised.

"I have stood before you and asked you to fight Demons. I have stood before you and asked you to fight Orcs. And now, I stand before you and ask that you fight men.

"This is the first time I am asking you to march on your fellow man, and I understand the heavy task that I am asking. I feel it myself, but it is one that is necessary. We must show that avenging our own is inherent, not a chance possibility if things line up just right. Inherent not only to our enemies, should they choose such a path, but also to everyone here.

"So that every single person sworn to me and this City knows that you matter. So that every citizen of Frostheim knows that they matter. That no one can kill citizens of our city and get away with it!

"The march will take 28 days until we get there. You have until then to come to terms with what I am asking of you.

"We leave in two hours."

Gavin was stunned. His eyes followed Christopher as he stepped down and let the gathered snow break apart, but his brain was going over what he had learned.

I was the one who told them they were scouts around the mine, but I never thought it would come to this...

Gavin's main question was why? Why would Lakeshore decide to attack anyway, after being warned? Then the sadness hit. He knew a few of the guards stationed there. They were rotated, as it wasn't a fun gig, but he had drank with a few of them on duty now.

And now they were dead. The miners, too.

"Alright, Wolves, we move out in two, so gather everything you need. Wagons of food will be brought with us, so pack light rations. Only one quiver is fine, as more will be available if you run out. Health and Mana potions will be handed out later." Captain Hal shouted. "Now get to it!"

That kicked Gavin into gear. He had his orders, and now it was to get to them.

The crowd broke apart quickly, and Gavin made off toward the Stables. It was the common jab at him that he was in charge of more wolves than men, but that came with the territory.

His unit was the bonded wolves unit. Every Ranger or Hunter who had taken the Skill and bonded to a wolf was under his command, which included all the wolves.

It also had him working closely with Sarah, as she was the caretaker and person in charge of all the stables. Those housing wolves, horses, or bison. She had a way with the beasts he couldn't even understand, and that was after being bonded to one for over a year.

She was probably off readying the mounts or workhorses, so he wasn't surprised when the Stable was empty of humans. The wolves were already up and pacing, nervous about what was happening.

"I know, I know. The horn was loud and startling. The others will be here soon, and we're heading out not long after that." Gavin had always talked to his dog and dictated what they were going to do, and he'd continued once he was in charge of the wolves.

They weren't smart enough to understand human speech, but they understood more than people thought.

The men and women in his unit entered not long after him and walked up to their chosen companions. Gavin did the same, as he walked up to the biggest wolf in the Stable.

"Let's go, Dog."

A name that wasn't as funny anymore. Not when he pictured his giant muzzle ripping people apart like he was about to.

Chris

The gathered Orders dispersed, and the flurry of activity only got more fervent. They had gone from all rushing toward the Castle to rushing all over the place to gather and ready what was needed.

Sophia and Grace were directing traffic expertly, and I only had one more thing to get. I needed to ready my mount.

The Stable inside the Inner Wall only had a few beasts in it, as it was dedicated to Family use only. In it were both of my mounts. Remi, the warhorse I acquired so long ago, and Icebreaker, the bison Austin had gifted me.

"I'm sorry, Remi, not this time." I moved past the chuffing stallion and went towards the multi-ton bison. "I need something a bit heavier this time."

We would be charging towards a heavily fortified position, and Icebreaker was the better choice. There hadn't been enough time to saddle train him before we left for the test, but there had been more than enough time by now.

There usually wasn't a point to ride into battle, as I wasn't sure anything could survive the charges I took part in. Remi, especially, wasn't sturdy enough to live through it, and even if he did, I couldn't fight upon his back.

Icebreaker was different. Sarah cared for him well, and he had grown into something I could ride.

[Longhaired Bison – Level 128]

He had reached D-rank faster than I had.

I wasn't sure how the fighting would go or if I would end up riding him this time, but I wanted the option to. If, for whatever reason, they decided to face us in the open instead of behind their walls, Icebreaker would make that charge something to behold.

He snorted as I saddled him, but otherwise stayed still. My bags and cargo probably felt like nothing to him, and I doubted I was much worse as I jumped up, even with all my gear, hammer and all.

It wasn't long before I was marching him through the city gates. Him and a herd of other mounted bison behind me, then followed by wagon after wagon, then by over a thousand people.

It would take a month, but we would soon deliver vengeance.

~~

It's starting. This is the spark, I'm sure of it. I know that Frostheim and Lakeshore are both far to the North and there isn't much around them, but I'm certain that after this, something will change.

A thousand people filled with righteous fury have just marched on Lakeshore with the Baron leading the charge.

He's either going to freeze Lakeshore off the face of the map, or he's going to die trying.

-Bennett

~~

A letter frantically sent South at the same time.