Secrets in the Snow

Chapter 2

"I still don't understand why I can't show Gryffell all the cool things I can do in the snow."

A woman with graying hair bent down and cupped the light haired eight year old's face, staring at him with tender hazel eyes, "Because Gryffell is not like you, Shaemus. Things like you aren't supposed to exist. You're special, and special people can be hurt in this kingdom if they aren't careful."

The young boy frowned and kicked at some loose dirt as the two continued down the trodden path that lead out of the woods and back to their home, "But Gryffell would never hurt me. He'd think it was badass."

"Shaemus! I've told you a hundred times not to use that language," The woman snapped.

Young Shaemus let his gaze fall to the ground in shame, "Sorry, Nettle."

The woman's face softened as she patted the boy's head, "It's alright. I guess when you live with ruffians and thieves, that's what you can expect," She glanced over at the now perking up boy, "Gryffell is a nice lad and a good friend. I don't think he's one to worry about."

The blonde haired boy shifted his brilliant blue stare to the woman in confusion, "So who do I have to worry about? Do a lot of people not like me?"

The older woman halted and turned to face the boy, "Shaemus, I want you to listen to me," She began with a voice as soft and as warm as the quilts she knitted, "There is nothing wrong with you. Don't let anyone ever try to tell you different. Your powers are something special and something you should be proud of and able to show off, but unfortunately, you can't. Not here anyway. The people of this kingdom don't believe that anything like you exists. People like you have been forgotten about for many, many years. Parents no longer tell their children fairy tales of the creatures that once were. The kingdom is not fond of magical beings. If they knew what you could do, they might not be so forgiving."

"So that's why I can't tell anybody, to stay safe?" The child asked.

The woman nodded and turned back to face the path ahead of them, "Yes, that's why. To keep you safe."

And with that note, the old woman reached out her arm and walked hand in hand with her son back to the time-worn house at the edge of the woods.

* * *

Three loud knocks on the front door jolted Shaemus out of his sleep. Sunlight seeped through the slits between the wooden planks that were the walls. Shaemus blinked his eyes with drowsiness as he rolled over on his left side to survey the rest of the bunks. Across from his bunk lay Gryffell. The man looked like a beast that'd been shot, sprawled out like he was, and was snoring to beat the band. It was obvious that he hadn't heard the knocking. The royal army could blast a cannon straight through these walls, and Shaemus wasn't sure Gryffell would hear it.

Shaemus groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes, trying to survey the rest of the room. Most of the boys were gone except for the three that had gone with him to seize the golden horse. They were still asleep in their bunks towards the back. He wasn't sure of what time it was, though by the amount of sunlight coming in, he guessed it was around noon. Shaemus sat still and quiet, trying to listen for any noises in the room below them, despite the racket from his sleeping friend. A few seconds ticked by and he heard no shuffling about from the girl's bunk. The girls were probably all up and going about the kingdom putting on a show so they could rob people blind.

Three loud knocks came again from the front door downstairs. Shaemus pushed his blue and white patterned quilt off of him and instinctively reached for the knife he kept hidden under his bed. He quickly slipped on his black boots and carefully climbed down the ladder. He held the knife in his left hand and gripped it tightly as he approached the door. His heart sped up a bit as his right hand clasped over the doorknob. No one that lived there ever knocked before entering. They just entered. Whoever was on the other side of that door was a stranger. It could be a royal guard ready to lock him and the rest of the band away in a damp jail cell, a traveler that's lost his way in the woods, or it could even be the bastard nobleman coming to take back his jewel-encrusted horse. Gritting his teeth and holding his breath, Shaemus yanked the door open, ready to pummel whoever the poor soul was that decided to come knocking.