Frostheim had changed.
Smoke now rose from tavern chimneys instead of burning villages, and laughter drifted through the streets like thawed air after a long winter. All because of one glowing building near the docks—the Red Vein.
Inside, the scent of frostfruit and roasted pine mixed with something new: ambition.
Laura's Laboratory of Drinks
Laura stood over a table littered with vials, crushed herbs, and a steaming cauldron that hummed faintly, as though alive. Her white braid had half-unraveled, and her sleeves were rolled to her elbows.
"Don't come in unless you want to lose eyebrows," she warned.
Lumiel ignored her, pushing open the door anyway.
"Relax. I came bearing snacks and moral support.""Both flammable."
He ducked as a burst of violet steam hissed from the cauldron.Daniel followed, carrying a ledger.
"You promised this batch wouldn't explode.""It won't explode," Laura said confidently.The cauldron rattled."It might scream, though."
She poured the thick liquid into crystal bottles. The mixture glowed red and blue like captured aurora.
"This," she said proudly, "is Crimson Frost Essence. It heals fatigue, enhances magic flow, and makes people too cheerful to start bar fights."
Lumiel sniffed it.
"Smells like the afterlife but happier."He took a sip. His eyes widened."Tastes like hope with frostbite.""Good," Laura said. "Hope sells."
Booming Business
By nightfall, the Red Vein overflowed.
Ice Elves, raiders, and Celestara scholars traded glowing coins for bottles of Laura's new brew. The tavern pulsed with red-blue light from rune lanterns; Luminous sang at the corner stage, her voice soft and honeyed.
Daniel counted profits behind the counter with the satisfaction of a banker who'd finally weaponized joy.
"We made enough tonight to fund a small war," he murmured."Or a bigger tavern," Lumiel replied."No," Daniel said flatly. "Absolutely not.""You say that every time.""And yet here we are—one tavern richer."
Klaus and Eira
At a shadowed table near the wall, Klaus and Eira shared their own quiet corner. A half-finished glass of Crimson Frost sat between them, steaming faintly.
"Your sister's talent is remarkable," Eira said, watching the glowing liquid swirl."She's always preferred creation to destruction," Klaus answered."That's rare in your family.""You've met my brother."
Eira laughed softly—something she rarely did. "I find his chaos oddly refreshing."
"You're the only one," Klaus said."Not quite. Your people adore him.""They adore free drinks.""And yet, you're here too."He hesitated, then smiled faintly. "For diplomatic observation.""Of course."
Her gaze lingered. "And what do you observe, Jarl of Strategy?"
"That this drink is dangerous. It makes the world look… kinder.""Maybe that's what your world needed."
New Dreams, New Problems
Outside, Lumiel supervised the delivery of more barrels to the docks. Ships from the southern markets had begun to arrive, trading silks and gold for Frostheim's brews. The city was no longer a fortress—it was becoming an economy.
"We're turning pirates into merchants," Daniel said, scanning the ledgers."Blasphemy," Lumiel said. "Let's make them shareholders instead."
Laura joined them, her hands still faintly glowing from alchemy residue.
"We'll need bigger stills, better herbs, and a frost cellar if we're scaling up.""I'll handle the cellar," Lumiel said. "I've always wanted a lair."
Closing Scene
That night, as music filled the Red Vein, the aurora above Frostheim changed again.Red and blue twisted together, forming a ribbon that looked almost like a heartbeat across the sky.
Eira watched from the balcony beside Klaus.
"Your people are changing the north," she said."And the north is changing us," Klaus replied.
Below them, Lumiel raised his glass toward the forge's distant glow.
"To family," he toasted quietly, "and to profit."
The frost wind carried his laughter through the night.