Rumors and Rivals Arrive

Ovoli had left the Varal Mountains for the first time, carrying a heavy responsibility.

For him, this journey was undeniably important. Its outcome would not only affect his own fate, but also determine the fate of the Floating Snow Tribe.

So he had to seize every opportunity to learn about Her Majesty Luxanna, win her favor, and become the most trusted warrior under her command—to become her Blood Pact and the bond between her and the Floating Snow Tribe.

With that in mind, Ovoli made his way toward Nuskar Pass. Along the way, he gradually learned more about Her Majesty Luxanna.

First, he heard that she was ten years older than he was.

Well, that wasn't a problem. According to Freljordian tradition, a Warmother could have many Blood Pacts. As long as the age gap between them was less than twenty years, there usually wasn't an issue. A quick calculation showed that Her Majesty Luxanna was in her prime. Though she might have passed the golden age for childbearing by a little, it was still not too late.

Then he learned that Her Majesty Luxanna had no children.

That news put Ovoli under some pressure. At her age, and without children—could there be something wrong with Her Majesty Luxanna's health?

In Freljord, having no children was a very serious matter. It meant there would be no one to inherit one's power and strength. No matter how powerful a Warmother was, she couldn't protect her tribe forever. The Floating Snow Tribe had made its choice largely because it believed their slain Warmother had no reliable adult heir.

So, when Ovoli learned that Lux had no children, he anxiously began trying to find out more.

Then he received a very unexpected piece of news.

Her Majesty Luxanna didn't have a single Blood