Eternal Winter

Ringing Fortune: Part I

The ringing of bells filled the clear mountain air of the small mountain town. Silver and tin. Copper and brass. Metals of all kinds jingled in the winter's wind. Merriment was all around in the streets from the people's voices to the buildings and stands. There was no shortage of garnish or flags or strings of bells for decoration. Even as the sun slipped behind the peaks, the torches were lit and the liveliness carried into the night.

This town was not alone with its joyful atmosphere, for tomorrow was Bell's Day across the kingdom of Mysti. As the date had approached, Sammy had been eager to make our way into town. He told me of the customs, the exchanging of gifts, the feasting of treats, and the singing of bells. Tucked in my own knapsack, wrapped in a new, fur-lined cloak, hid a blue-tinted steel dagger sheathed in tough leather—presents for my brother.

I hurried along the muddled streets back towards the inn we resided at for the night. Back to where Sammy waited for me. Within the deep shadows, I listened to the whispers, the dread and fear that permeated the overwhelming joy of the holiday: whispers of the marking of a whole year cursed under the Eternal Winter and reminiscence of the last celebration before it settled in. Even in the midst of happiness, despair was never far behind for the people. The constant reminder of the hardship and loss and change everyone has been forced to make, some in ways they would never have considered otherwise.

The feeling was one I would never know.

My chest was tight. I breathed in the cold air and blew heat into my fingers. With a quick glance at each end of the clear street, I crossed the frozen pavement. I put myself directly in the path of a couple late-night guards. My head was tilted away from them to keep eyes off my face. Well, my identity wasn't what was in question here.

The one snapped at me as our shoulders brushed, "Watch where you're going there, lad!"

I glanced to them with downcast eyes and nodded quickly. I murmured an apology but I didn't pause for them. Although, I didn't get far with that same shoulder caught and held by a firm hand. A twinge of pain from where the fingers dug into me had me staring at the two drunken soldiers with the hot glare I hid.

The hand immediately let go with my reveal. The man beside his friend, that had latched onto me and called me out, stumbled over his slurred words next, "Er, miss. You should pay mind to your surroundings better."

I stood there silently for a moment and composed myself before I slapped a smile onto my face. I sweetly replied, "Of course. My apologies, officers." Once the last word was out, I was moving back and turning away once again. I heard the click of a tongue from behind and not-so-hushed conversation pick up in my absence.

It was quickly followed by heavy footsteps that began to move after me. "Eubert! Leave'r alone mate."

"That's not how you pay respects to the reigning soldiers of Mysti," Eubert—the first soldier—hollered at me as he caught me once more.

I didn't hesitate to pull back his little finger hard. He let out a squeal and unlatched himself in an instant. "I apologized already," I snapped with bared teeth. "Don't push it."

The two men froze in place. My hands curled into fists and my feet dug themselves past the slush to stand firm on the earthen street. My eyes snapped to movement down the road as I looked for an opportunity to get away. It was another person. By his gait and confident demeanor, I watched as another soldier closed in. I didn't like the outlook on my fate here.

My feet shuffled backwards as this third man approached. He sauntered over to the two, tense, barely coherent soldiers and clapped Eubert's friend on the shoulder. He gave me nothing more than a passing glance. A glint in his eye in that brief moment. I narrowed my glare on them and slowly shuffled one foot back. Sammy waited for me only two buildings down. I was too close. I couldn't go now and bring them to him.

The attention began to shift from me with this newcomer, though. "Evening lads. How's the patrol coming along?" he asked.

Eubert hiccupped and took a moment to take in the new soldier's arrival with squinting eyes. His friend piped up first. "It's smooth so far, but you know how it is this time of year, eh soldier?"

The newcomer let out a light chuckle. "Oh, don't I know it. Hopefully, it'll be over for the both of you soon enough, for Bell's Day."

The friend piped up easily, the tension dying in the air around him. "Ol' Sallies want to keep the newbies for tomorrow—"

"Where's your patrol?" Eubert asked loudly. It wasn't going to happen that well with this fellow. I glanced back down the street towards the inn. My foot inched back more. His greedy eyes latched onto my movement and held me still. "And don't think I've forgotten you yet."

The newcomer stepped in instead, "I'm on leave from Austa, just visiting folks in town," he replied with a flash of his teeth.

"Ah, that's why we haven't seen you around 'ere before," the friend replied before Eubert could get another word in. "Good lad, givin' time to your family for the holidays. There's been a too many that ignore 'em. Ain't that right, Eubert?" He clapped Eubert on the shoulder and squeezed.

Eubert just narrowed his eyes at the newcomer and me. I could see the loose hold he had on his consciousness, and the looser hold he had on his restraint reflected in his leery eyes.

"Now, now, we're not here to stir up the trouble, we're here to prevent it tonight," the newcomer cut in. "Besides, I'm sure you'd rather not have the superiors catch wind of—" he sniffed the air for effect. "—elderberry wine, I believe? Quite the delicacy for this time of night."

The friend went stiff instantly. He glanced between the newcomer and Eubert and his stare lingered on his unsteady friend. It was a slow reaction, but that was customary of tavern frequenters. Eventually, he quickly nodded to the newcomer and began to shove Eubert along without another glance in my direction.

The newcomer promptly nodded and looked to me with a wide grin on his face. A crooked tilt to his lips at their corner. "I hope I didn't intrude on your evening, madam."

"I had it well under control," I stated briskly.

"Ah yes, so said the ripples of wind you had roaring down the streets only moments ago," he replied with a quirked eyebrow. "Quite the Art you have there, Madam Mage."

My eyes narrowed slightly, but I kept my voice even. "Regardless, I will not be so impolite as to not give my thanks, mister."

And, although it wasn't intended as such, he invited himself to continue, "Mister Julian d'Holleann, at your service."

I waited a beat. My face betrayed nothing. No irritated twitch, nor amused smirk. However, neither did his impish grin give away anything. The longer the silence stretched, the more of a light that danced around in his dark, mischievous eyes. "And you are..?" he finally prompted lightheartedly.

"Lyra of Olym," I stated, giving nothing more—though, I should've given less.

The grin slipped ever so slightly before turning back on brighter than before. "The Forbidden World? Quoted as the uninhabitable northern lands, and such a place grew a lovely flower like yourself?" his tone was bewildered, but I had seen his mistake. And mine. I intended to give nothing further.

"And I am much more poisonous than I seem," I snapped. A ripple of wind curled at the edge of my fingertips.

The sudden gust ruffled his already choppy hair. Just as quickly, all pretense was dropped from his face. He gently placed his right hand over his chest and bowed towards me, his other hand idly tucked behind his back. A soldier's stance. "I apologize. I meant no ill will. Still, it seems I took my fun a step too far." He lifted his head. "If I may wish you so, I bid you a goodnight and a Merry Bell's Day."

With a creeping edge in my throat I stated, "Thank you. I bid you goodnight as well, Mister d'Holleann."

My cloak billowed out behind me as I hurried away, hoping that to be the last of the confrontation. Regardless of his other intentions, I wanted nothing to do with soldiers under the Dark Master's reign—whether they were active duty or not. If they swear allegiance to my enemy, then I will bear no mercy.

I just pray I do not cower from the duty when I need to do so.