Spine of the World
A shadow made its way through the falling snow. It wasn't moving very fast, but every step it took left a deep footprint in the snow, giving it a steady, determined air. The traveler wore a thick fur cloak, with a hood and scarf concealing every part of their face except a pair of brown eyes. The eyes were bright and alert. Though weary, they offered a reassuring warmth.
"If Garush hadn't told me, who would've guessed there was an Orc tribe living out here?" the figure muttered. Suddenly, something stirred beneath the thick furs against their chest, and the babbling of a baby came from within. "Oh, little one, have you been cooped up too long?" As the figure spoke, they opened the fur at their chest a little, revealing a baby's face. The infant gazed around with silver eyes, curious and bewildered.
"Ah, this really is..." Looking at the child, the figure spoke with helpless sorrow, then fell silent, unsure what else to say. This was the Spine of the World, a desert of life, a paradise of snow and mountains. Who knew why the child had to be brought here? But considering the child's background and the dying wish of their friend, he was a paladin and could not break the oath he had made to his fallen comrade. Still, bringing a baby here was, as his other comrades had said, little different from murder.
"God, please guide me..." The figure bowed his head and began to pray. A faint holy light began to emanate from him, forming a protective barrier. It was clear he was a skilled paladin, with a heart close to the deity he served. Otherwise, a mere prayer would not have been enough to call forth the holy light.
"Your father said we still have a little way to go before we get there," the figure said, lowering his head to look at the baby. "Avalon, the land where the Heroic Spirits are sheltered. Your father's homeland."
Half a month later
After crossing one snow-capped mountain after another and overcoming one dangerous frost monster after another, the paladin finally spotted a rock wall exposed beneath the ice. Ancient totems were painted across its surface.
Covered in wounds, the paladin limped up to the wall. "At last, I've found it—the entrance to Avalon," he whispered to the child in his arms. The baby's eyes widened as they looked at the paladin holding them, then turned to the rock wall. Though the child looked a little frail, by some miracle they were completely unharmed. Their eyes remained bright, and their gaze at the wall was full of thought and uncertainty. Such an expression should have been impossible for a baby, but the paladin didn't notice. Busy, he took a small totem made of stone and some unknown pigment from the pouch at his waist, then placed it against the wall. A flash of white light passed, and the wall disappeared, revealing a tunnel that stretched beyond sight. He picked up the small totem, which had fallen to the ground when the wall vanished, and strode inside without hesitation.
Avalon, the Bloodaxe Clan chieftain's tent
The paladin, dressed in somewhat battered armor, sat cross-legged before an old, one-eyed Orc with a full head of white hair and a resolute face, explaining something to him. The old Orc was immensely strong; even sitting down, his muscles were enough to make an ordinary person tremble. He regarded the outsider with his single eye. His face remained calm and resolute, but a multitude of emotions still flickered in that eye. Clearly, the old man was not as calm as he appeared.
Only after the paladin had finished speaking did the old Orc turn his gaze toward the baby, who was surrounded by several Orc women.
"He is Garush's child, and a descendant of the Bloodaxe Clan. He will remain in Avalon and carry on the Bloodaxe Clan's glory. As for you, outsider, the Bloodaxe Clan is grateful for what you have done and offers you the respect of our clan. But Avalon does not belong to the Bloodaxe Clan alone. It belongs to all the descendants of the prophets Garul and Reginald Tomya. We do not welcome outsiders, nor do we want them disturbing us. So I ask you to swear upon your honor to your god that you will not speak of Avalon to anyone."
Though his words were rather callous, the paladin held no resentment. He calmly swore his oath. "I, Sokya Arando Tirios Mayas, swear by the glory of the Lord of Radiance that I will never reveal Avalon's location to anyone. May my lord bear witness."