Eternal Winter

Cold Beginnings: Part IV

Months ago, the day I retrieved my hat, I had decided I would learn to live. Then, I would learn to train. Neither of these had reason. I was learning, but...there was yet no answer. My magic was one piece of an unfinished puzzle, yet, so many pieces remained hidden or lost. The elements became a part of me that ruffled the leaves, froze the ground, danced in the heat, and flew above it all. I was still incomplete...and I asked more questions than there were answers. Teacher could not keep up with me anymore. There was only so much a master in the Art of Crafting can teach one about controlling nature.

In his place, Olym taught me in its subtle ways. After one such venture to retrieve the capture from my snares, I was confronted with a problem I had not yet learned or was taught to deal with...people.

People clad in black, fur-lined robes emptied from the forest and neared the cabin. I inched further back into the trees and sank down behind the snow-covered brush to observe. My heart thumped rapidly in my chest and several deep breaths would not calm it. The crunch of snow was brought to my ears easily, as was the hard raps on the wooden door. 

A voice of harsh tone carried across and chilled me to the bone, "We are under the orders of Dark Master Matilda Lotus, Ruler of the Kingdom of Mysti, to detain Alius Stormlegion, the Great Wizard Crafter, for treason, evasion of the law, and non-sanctioned usage of magic. If this is the correct residence, please exit with your hands out, and other occupants shall be spared and excused for harboring a fugitive."

My mouth fell open in a short gasp. I shook my head, Teacher as a fugitive? That wasn't possible. It couldn't be.

The lightest shift of snow came from behind me and I instantly whipped around to face none other than Teacher himself. My heart squeezed as he looked out over the scene. His face was crinkled and his eyes glassy. He set a hand on my shoulder and turned to me. "It is time to move, Lyra."

I gave him a short nod. At another glance and seeing no other figures visible, we took off across the clearing and to the back of the cabin. They were repeating the message once more and were oblivious to Teacher as he pressed his hand against the wood. He traced his hand along the edge of it in a rectangle where a tiny line of light followed. Then, he shoved the wood he had carved along, and it swung open as another door. We silently passed through and approached the front door. The voices were now muffled through the wood. He took a finger and dragged it down between where the door and frame would meet, sealing it off.

"This will hold them for a moment," he whispered under his breath. "This way."

We hurried towards his room. I made sure my gear was secured and my cloak was tight as I followed. When he gave the word, I would be ready.

He stopped at the foot of his bed and pulled a chest free from beneath. From the floor, he traced out a key and inserted it into the lock. Inside there were only two things. A stripped wood staff that was no longer than a cane laid along the interior. There was a kink in its design where Teacher fit his hand and gently pulled it out. The second was a gray, dusty book. He picked it up with both hands and slid it inside a book satchel that latched with two buckles. When he got to his feet, he stared at the objects for a moment before he looked to me and held them out.

"It's too soon but...there is no time. Take them," he stated. "Take them and go."

I hesitantly took both. The book satchel went over my shoulder and the staff slipped into my gear belt easily. I nodded to him. "Let's go then."

He gave me a small smile and gave a minute shake of his head. "No, child, you will go."

There was a loud pounding on the door again. I gave it no attention, I only focused on Teacher. His wrinkles were deep, and his face was peaceful. I frantically shook my head. My voice cracked, "No, I won't leave without you."

"You will go," he demanded. "I will keep them from entering this home."

Warm tears cut a path down my chilled cheeks. "I can't."

"You will," he repeated as he looked up to me. He rested a hand on my shoulder, and I realized, I was taller than him. "Oh, how time passes, Lyra."

"I can't," I retorted even as the shouts from outside became more aggressive, more commanding. I gripped his hand in mine.

He looked at me with that smile still on his face. "You must learn to live." His hand pulled away and he stepped around me and into the kitchen, into the sitting room. "Go, child. Olym awaits." He stood beside the door he had made and gestured me out.

I wanted to stay. Everything in me screamed to stay. He let me out and closed the door behind, sealing it from me. I took a few steps back, still staring at the house. A moment passed and the cacophony of voices from the other side rose in volume. It grew quieter and I could hear Teacher's voice enter the mix. I bit down on my gloved hand and stumbled back, farther and farther away. A fight erupted and it took everything in me not to rush forward.

Then...silence. One set of footprints. I stopped, the tree line to my back. My heart lifted and I dropped my hand away. The space filled with this cold, monotonous voice and I froze with it, "You have let age best you, Alius. This heart of gold you so proudly bear...I will turn it to stone."

A bloodcurdling scream erupted into the air. I fell into the snow, hard. My mouth dropped open. My chest clenched and remained tight. My entire body began to tremble.

A man made his way away from the house and into my line of sight. He shook off his hand and brushed it in the snow, leaving a bloody, red trail behind in the crisp white. His bent head turned up towards me. The two of us made eye contact for but a moment. His savage face imprinted into my mind. Then, he barked out orders to the hidden people behind him, pointing at me.

Immediately, my daze broken, I scrambled backwards and into the woods. I continued to run while following the trails that were so familiar. I raced along by instinct alone as I became blinded by the tears that filled my eyes. I was surrounded by the forest and no matter which direction I went, it protected me and drew me further away from the pursuers. The snow under my feet left no trail and the trees moved to block my path. Surrounded by Olym, I was protected, my home would protect me. I was its child.

Yet, I knew I would have to leave. I would have to leave and stop this never ceasing cold, this Eternal Winter. I would stop this Dark Master. This Dark Master who killed my home.

This was why I lived.

End of Chapter One