Last Battle of the Icemark Read Online Free

countless stars glimmering in the perpetual night.
    The moon was different too. It was larger, and always full. And the shadowy ‘seas’ and craters on its surface made it look like a grinning skull that leered over the frozen land of snow-fields and sheets of ice. But unlike the natural tundra that lay far to the north of the Icemark in the Physical Realms, here in the Darkness each flake of snow and tiny crystal of ice was all that remained of the soul of one of those stupid enough to travel to this most evil of domains. Only the very strongest could withstand the malevolence that haunted its wastes, and of those who couldn’t, their spirits were drained and reduced to glittering shards of ice that would fall in a blizzard, together with countless other lost souls, to become part of the frozen wilderness of the Darkness.
    â€œThey’ve come to witness my victory, Orla,” Medea said,nodding at the constellations of stars, and smiling coldly at the hunched figure dressed in black rags that stood in attendance on her.
    â€œYes, mistress,” the figure replied in a voice of rusty creaks and groans. “And then you can take your rightful place amongst the greatest Adepts of the Darkness.”
    â€œYes! Just think, Orla, I only have to fight one small battle and I’ll have proved my right to be accepted as a citizen at last.”
    â€œJust one small battle, mistress,” the figure answered, but Medea’s sharp ears detected a tiny note of uncertainty and she whirled on her companion.
    â€œDo you dare doubt me, you piece of black rag? Only one other Adept in the entirety of the Darkness is greater than me! Who else can revive frozen souls and restore them to sentient life, as I did with you, and who else can then create a body for the vulnerable spirit to live in?”
    â€œOnly you, mistress,” Orla replied. “Only you, and one other.”
    Medea nodded. “Don’t ever forget that I rescued you from the torment of the tundra, you ingrate. It’s thanks only to me that you have life and a body again. Always remember, Orla, that unlike you and millions of others, I was strong enough to survive my arrival in the Darkness, even though I was badly injured and exhausted after fighting a battle with my beloved father!”
    â€œI do not forget it, mistress. You’re good enough to remind me every day,” Orla, Witch of the Dark Power, answered.
    But Medea didn’t seem to hear. “Even in my weakened state I was still powerful enough to blast the hideous Ice Demons to smoking skeletons when they tried to kill me! Andthen I managed to fight my way to the shelter of a cave, from which I fought off everything sent against me!”
    She fell into silent thought. For months she’d been forced to fight for her life, but eventually she was left in peace, and she’d begun to realise that the evil realm had become a home to her; its malevolence suited her perfectly, and as the weeks had passed she’d eventually understood that this was where she belonged. Truly belonged.
    In all the hatred and fury, in all the evil and the hideous death, she’d at last found a sort of family, one that loathed as she loathed, thought and acted as she did, and which expected nothing from her in return but violence and rage. Here nobody would be disappointed in her. Here her ability as an Adept could bring her power without limit. So what need did she have of the Lindenshields? What need did she have of parental love and acceptance?
    All she wanted now was to sever all links with her hated family, and to mark the occasion she would kill her hated brother, Charlemagne. What black joy such an act would bring. The final snuffing out of the life that had filled her parents’ very existence with love. Perhaps then they’d find it in their hearts to share out their care a little more evenly!
    But why should she worry about such things? She had her power. Nothing