Christmas Elf

Part 17

Two months later the warning came, a large burning sled with no rider flew into the village from the forest. We crowded around it to see no mark from the sender, along with no visible track it headed from.

"That's Dad's sled!" My nephew raced towards the sled with my daughter. Both looked for any sign a human was in the sled before it burned.

"Nion, no one was in the sled, it's been burning for days from the charred look." My daughter was as confused as us as the fire continued to burn.

"Come here kids." I called forward the two while still examining the sled. It smells of tar and rust. I could see the burn marks in the dirt under the snow. From what it seemed the wood was ignited mid run and whatever was leading the sled had been cut free just as the fire started.

"Holy Nion, come here get away from the fire." Nick called worried at the increased fire praying it avoided any trees that surround the village.

Soon the children raced for us and Nion held with him a broken lamp and seemed to be the cause of the fire.

"It was my father's sled, he sent a warning. I don't know what to do but it seemed large."

"Nick get everyone to safety, we need to confront the source." I pulled at the man's sleeve.

"Get the sled ready Nion, grab your bags and things you wish for the short trip." I hugged my daughter as I could tell she understood the warning. Her pale skin was as white as the snow under my boots, her hopeful eyes shrouded in doubts and worry.

By nightfall the next night we had set out for the plan to right a wrong in the world. The wind was brisk and harsh, I could see from the lights joining the endless woods we were nearing. I was too focused on being up in the skin to grasp the concept of the soon landing. I could see the village was docile, calm and yet more updated and refurbished than I last saw. By soon I saw the blue and black horizon turn a golden pink hue as we kissed freshly fallen snow.