Lasgol wondered whether to tell the truth, but decided not to risk it. He did not know whether he could trust the Mage, and considering how the conversation had started, he preferred not to. “It doesn’t sound familiar,” he said evasively.
“They’re Creatures of the Frozen Continent, and they’re very special. The reason why they’re special, has three aspects. In the first place they’re creatures like no other in Tremia. They are unique, special, and only to be found in the Frozen Continent. Unfortunately, we don’t have much information about them. There’s very little in writing, and they haven’t been studied as well as they should be, for obvious reasons connected with the enmity between Norghanians and the Peoples of the Frozen Continent. It’s a real pity, in my opinion, as they’re extraordinary beings which ought to be studied in depth. There’s a lot we could learn from them. The second reason that makes them special is that all of them have a link with Ice, or to be exact, to low temperatures, which determines their physical characteristics. And finally, the most important feature about them is that they’re creatures which possess and use magic. These three things make them extremely interesting, powerful and dangerous.” He emphasized the last two words sharply, and his deep black eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t think it was a Specter,” Lasgol said. “Also, I had supposed that a being like that only existed in the Frozen Continent, and also I have to admit that I was left with no doubt that it had some kind of power, that meant steel had no effect on it.”
Eicewald looked at Lasgol and smiled. “An intelligent young man. I noticed that when we first met. I’m pleased to have it confirmed.”
“Thank you, sir.” Lasgol had not expected the compliment, and he was surprised.
“Although there’s very little information about these creatures, since few have been able to study them, there is some knowledge.” He indicated the thick volume on the table. “This tome of wisdom is a study on the subject. It was written by Irgen Gundarsen, an eminence among Norghanian scholars of the Magic Arts. I don’t suppose you’ve heard of it.”
“No, sir … do I understand he was a Mage?”
Eicewald nodded and smiled. “He was. One with great power, and greater knowledge. A Norghanian by birth, who was driven by his studies to move to live in the Frozen Continent. He had no interest in wars, or in Norghanian conquests. He was a scholar in search of the secrets hidden in the Frozen Continent. He was fascinated by everything to do with that tundra. The people, the climate, and most of all the magical creatures he found there: the creatures and the basis of their power, of their magic. Needless to say, he had great difficulty in carrying out his investigations, because the peoples of that continent are not exactly friendly toward Norghanians. Still, Master Irgen managed to get them to allow him to work. How he did it is a mystery.” Eicewald shrugged. “I think he came to some kind of agreement with the Leaders of the Arcanes of the Glaciers. Unfortunately, we’ll never know.”
“He didn’t survive?”
“I’m afraid not. He disappeared a long time ago. There were several expeditions to find him, but they were unsuccessful. I led the last of them.”
Lasgol was surprised by this. Why had Eicewald gone in search of Irgen? Why risk his life? There must have been an important reason. “Was he a relative?” he said to try to draw out the reason, though he did not suppose they had been family.
Eicewald shook his head. “Not by blood, but you could say we were thanks to our field of study. I too am passionate about the Ice Creatures.”
“Oh, I see, you study them too.”
“Exactly. Except that my interest is not just in those particular creatures, but all those which have power, which are born with magic.”
“I see, all the magical creatures of Tremia.”
“That’s right. It’s something that fascinates me. A long time ago one of Irgen’s tomes came into my hands by chance, when I was a young novice mage. It spoke of creatures which were possibly distant relatives of the vanished dragons, which lived in the Frozen Continent and had power. From that day on I began to study the subject in the hope of becoming an erudite. I don’t think I’ve done that yet, but my studies have taken me to different regions of Tremia, and I’ve learnt a lot.”
“It’s an interesting subject,” Lasgol said. He was beginning to understand why Eicewald had not appeared at the court of Norghana until relatively recently. He must have been away on one of his journeys of investigation.
“It is. That’s why I went in search of Irgen. I was very interested in rescuing his studies.”
Lasgol was very interested now. “Did you succeed?”
Eicewald smiled. “Yes. In the expedition to save Irgen’s work I was able to rescue several of his tomes, and the most important of them you see on this table. The scholar named it Compendium of Magical Creatures of the Frozen Continent. He liked to call things by their proper names, and he was very descriptive, hence the thickness and size of the volume, as well as its title.”
Lasgol craned his neck to see it better. “It looks really old.”
“It is. It required a lot of work to keep it in good condition. The creature we’re going to confront is mentioned in this volume.”
Lasgol froze. Then there was information about the Specter. This was wonderful.
“That’s good news,” he said. “There’ll be information that’ll help us destroy it.”
Eicewald made an odd gesture, which Lasgol did not know
