Frostheim glowed like a crown beneath the aurora.Ships came and went from the Dock of Blades, barrels of Crimson Frost rolled through the streets, and rune-tickers in the Red Vein blinked brighter than stars.
But Lumiel knew prosperity attracted shadows.He just decided to make those shadows his.
The Need for Secrets
Daniel was the first to notice the problem.
"We have spies," he said, dropping a scroll on Lumiel's desk. "Two from the southern guilds, one from Celestara, and a vampire scholar who isn't here for the wine.""So… business is booming," Lumiel said."No. It's leaking."
Luminous stood at the window, her silver hair catching the frostlight.
"Then we need to own the leaks.""Meaning?" Daniel asked."Meaning," Lumiel said, "we start our own spy network."
The Gathering
That night, in the Red Vein's underground cellar, Lumiel called together a dozen trusted allies—vampires, elves, humans, and one very confused alchemist.Luminous stood beside him, draped in a black cloak trimmed with frost-feathers.
"You're here because you understand silence," she said. "And because you're tired of being pawns.""I'm also here because you promised free drinks," one raider muttered."And you'll get them," Lumiel said, smiling. "After you swear."
He raised his hand. Red Code flared across the ceiling, merging with frostlight from Luminous's palm. The two magics spiraled together, forming a sigil like a wolf's fang wrapped in ice.
"From this night forward," Lumiel said, "we are the Brotherhood of Frostfangs. We gather secrets, trade truths, and protect Frostheim from the ones who think information is theirs alone."
Luminous's eyes glowed.
"Our blades are unseen, our words untraceable. The night is our domain."
Training the Shadows
The Brotherhood trained beneath the city.Lumiel taught them how to project their astral forms, to fight unseen and slip through mirrors.Luminous instructed them in stealth, misdirection, and the subtle art of persuasion.
Laura brewed elixirs for invisibility and blood clarity; Daniel tracked their finances like an accountant of the abyss.Even Klaus, though he pretended not to, sent them intelligence reports under coded names.
They became ghosts in Frostheim's veins—spies, informants, and sometimes silent assassins.Their motto spread like rumor carved into ice:
"In silence, we rule."
The First Mission
A rival guild from Celestara tried to undercut Frostheim's trade routes, sending smugglers to steal barrels of Crimson Frost.The Brotherhood moved before dawn.
Three shadows crossed the docks unseen, their forms half astral, half frost. A single whisper of Red Code pulsed through the air. When the smugglers opened their cargo, they found it empty—and every stolen barrel already returned to the Red Vein.
The message was clear.Frostheim protected its own.
By morning, merchants spoke of invisible watchers and silent retribution.The Brotherhood's legend was born.
Klaus and Eira
Meanwhile, in the Ice Palace above the docks, Eira reviewed the Brotherhood's growing influence.
"Your brother's reach is impressive," she said."It's concerning," Klaus replied."And yet… efficient.""That's what frightens me."
She smiled, stepping closer.
"Maybe efficiency is what this world needs.""Maybe," Klaus said softly, "but not if it costs our souls.""Then perhaps you'll be the one to remind us of them."
Closing Scene
At midnight, Lumiel and Luminous stood on the balcony of the Red Vein, watching snow fall over their city.
"Do you ever worry we're building an empire of shadows?" Luminous asked."Always," he said. "That's why I make sure the light shines from beneath."
Below, the Brotherhood moved unseen through the streets, their eyes glowing faintly red in the dark.The aurora above shimmered into twin fangs of light, as if blessing the birth of Frostheim's secret heart.