Dark Snow

Chapter 1: The Stranger

Mia Snow pressed her hand flat against a tree, her fingers brushing the cold bark through her gloves. Her boots sank deep into the freshly fallen snow, packed tight like a sheet of ice. She exhaled, a faint mist trailing her breath. Around her, the small woods stood silent, the trees cloaked in ice, like a frozen tundra. Wrapping her woolen coat tighter, she moved forward, each step crunching through the quiet.

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

The woods soon opened up to a clearing, revealing a small village in the distance. No more than a hundred souls lived within, its border marked by a short, thick wooden fence—more to ward off prowling animals than people. She sighed softly, her light blue eyes catching a glint of sunlight through the clouds.

Stretching her arms to her sides like wings, she balanced herself as she crossed the thick snow, step by careful step. Smoke curled lazily from the chimneys in the distance, but she felt no longing for warmth. Oddly, the cold had never bothered her as it did others.

Something peculiar caught her eye: a man stood at the village entrance, gazing absently into it. It wasn't his appearance alone that seemed strange — no one ever visited their village.

He seemed unaware of her watchful eyes. Of moderate stature with a fit but lean build, he brushed his hand over the hilt of a sheathed dagger, then closed his eyes, as though the weapon spoke to him. He wore a woolen jacket and pants, and a mask partly obscured his face. His hair was short and dark, unkempt.

Mia's curiosity sparked. "Hmm..." she murmured, tucking her hands behind her back as she shifted her route to approach him from behind. The path, recently cleared of snow, felt firm beneath her boots as she sauntered closer.

"Dammit, Sebastian," the man muttered under his breath, not realizing she was close enough to hear. His voice was moderately deep, and from her shorter height of 5'3", he appeared tall.

"Sebastian?" Mia asked, causing him to startle and spin around.

His breathing slowed as he saw her, a girl about his age, perhaps nineteen winters. "Uh...do...do you need something?"

Mia shook her head, studying him, her gaze lingering on his clothing. "No, I'm just curious." She spoke simply, then held out her hand. "I'm Mia."

"Lucas..." He furrowed his brow slightly but shook her hand, his grip firm through a glove. His eyes moved over her features: her short, almost white-blonde hair, her light blue eyes as cold and clear as ice, and an expression devoid of any clear emotion. "Sorry. You just startled me a bit."

"Yeah. I do that sometimes." She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in faint amusement. "What are you doing here in Blueriver?"

His gaze drifted back toward the town, taking in the modest homes, built with stone supports and thin wooden walls — it was clearly not a wealthy place.

"I've been traveling for a few days. Needed somewhere to rest during the snowstorm."

Mia stifled a smile. "You mean...the one that just stopped?" She pointed upward, where only a light snow was now falling.

"Like I said...it took me a few days." He shrugged, pulling down his mask. She raised an eyebrow; despite her initial impression, he was moderately attractive. His hard eyes and smooth features hinted at youth, but his neck bore various scratches that suggested a rough past.

"Well, Lucas," Mia mused, "that's not a common name around here."

He nodded thoughtfully. "I'm not from Ellgrick. I grew up further south, around Yokonland. Haven't been there in years, but yeah — it's not an Ellgrickian name."