Ferds Of Time

A Quiet Beginning

Chapter 1

A Quiet Beginning

It was a quaint morning in the Vale, winter was upon the land as the first dusters of snow fell upon the quaint landscape. The brown grass that had dried up in anticipation of the cold was shimmering white as the white powder landed on its dull blades. High above, the clouds churn with a promise of more to come. Alron slept soundly in the pile of hay, his body relaxed and at ease. The golden strands of hay offered a surprisingly soft surface, and the half-cut texture added a touch of homely comfort. As he lay there, the hay shifted and crinkled softly, its scent filling the air with a faint, earthy aroma. “"Alron, Alron! It's snowing!" A high-pitched voice rang through the air, jolting him from his slumber. Alron groaned and stretched, slowly opening his eyes to see a young woman perched on the windowsill, her eyes wide with excitement. "Come on, wake up sleepyhead," the woman chided, bouncing gently on the windowsill. "You have to see this!"

Alron rubbed his eyes, still waking up from his interrupted sleep. He sat up, the hay sticking to his rumpled clothes as he yawned loudly. "What's so special about the snow?" he asked groggily. "It's the first snow of the year, Alron, get up already!" Freya urged, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Alron grumbled and pulled himself out of the hay, his hair sticking up in all directions. He approached the window, still half asleep, and looked out at the white landscape. Alron leaned out of the window, the chilly morning air waking him up completely. The snow had transformed the village into a picturesque winter wonderland, and the people of Wolfur were out and about, enjoying the festivities. Children were giggling as they played in the white blanket, their rosy cheeks and laughter filling the air with joyful sounds. Parents were outside tending to their business, their faces red from the cold but their spirits lifted by the sight of the snow. Alron watched as the villagers hustled and bustled around, their arms laden with supplies for the evening. Men and women marched towards Pinechill with logs for firewood, while children carried ingredients for the feasting. Even their neighbour, Esmir, was carrying a large and fat pig for the event.

Alron turned to Freya, "What's so special about tonight?" he asked, still trying to shake the remnants of sleep from his eyes. "Al, wake up," Freya chided, shaking her head at his sleepy state. "It's the first snow of the year, meaning it's the Frostcall festival tonight! "Alron's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "Of course, how could I forget?" he said, rubbing his face to fully wake up. "No wonder everyone's so busy. The entire town will be celebrating, and there'll be feasts and merriment all night long! “ The Frostcall festival was a celebration in the nearby town of Pinechill. people gathered from all around even from the nearby villages like wolfur. Freya said "Ive heeard the old wizard is coming too, do you recon' he is even more messed up than the last time?" "I wonder if he'll do those magic tricks again like when we were kids," Alron chuckled, recalling memories of past festivals.

"Nevermind that," Freya interjected, her voice full of energy. "You need to get up and get ready. You don't want to miss the festivities, do you?" "Alright, alright," Alron said, rubbing his eyes and yawning once more. "I'm coming, just tell Maa and Beor to wait for me, will you?" Freya nodded enthusiastically and scurried off, her footsteps echoing loudly as she disappeared. Alron couldn't help but smile faintly as he watched her go, her boundless energy and enthusiasm contagious. Freya was more than just a friend to Alron. Since they were children, he had harbored a secret crush on her, admiring her sparkling eyes and her infectious energy. She lived nearby with her aunt and uncle, and Alron often found himself stealing glances at her whenever she was around.

Alron groaned as he lifted himself out of the hay and stood up, stretching his limbs as he did so. His body crackled and popped with each movement, relieving the pressure that had built up from lying in the hay for so long. He took a moment to relish the feeling, the sound of his bones shifting becoming a comfort in the silent morning. Alron looked over his clothes, trying to decide what to wear for the festivities. His eye settled on a woolen shirt and brown pants that had once belonged to his father. As he picked them up and dusted them off, he couldn't help but smile faintly, still feeling a bit of the warmth from his interaction with Freya.