Stronger Then She Looks.

Lost and found

They approached a cobble stone cottage that was built within a huge tree. The woven wooden door had carved vines and the five point star symbol with the circle around it, the same symbol that was on a chain around winter's neck. Smoke swirled out of a gap in the tree. There weren't any glass windows just ivy vines for curtains and two sticks that fitted in the gap to make up a window.

Hours had past. Winter's eyes still closed after what happened back at the creatures domain. Francis had laid her down on a moss like carpet by a wooden fire place that was weaved by sticks and rope. In side the fire place were three candles: one small, one middle sized and one tall. Placed circling around each other.

A silence blessed the room as the mage brought in warm drinks and a tray full of: biscuits, cakes and marshmallows. The tray was also made of woven wood.

"will she be ok?" Francis asked taking a biscuit and a cup of hot chocolate from the tray.

"its hard to say, but shes breathing so thats a good sign, the flames from the candles should help". Shadow answered quietly.

"another question, how do you get this stuff?".Francis asked after swallowing a mouth full of hot chocolate.

"answer, theres a shop down river from here." he pointed behind him giving the direction of the river.

"are you aware of the tales of the five guardians?" he continued.

Francis shock his head in confusion.

"in that case I'd better tell you, there once were five guardians, one spiritual, one air, one fire, one earth and water. Each of these guardians had a crystal that matched their elements and with their powers they kept the balance and peace, but one day there forest was attacked by darkness, by the same creature thats after winter. The creature wanted to rule the world but the guardians had to step in. He destroyed them one by one. All except the guardian of fire.. He escaped the beast with his next of kin. In time the fire guardian died. It is said that the descendants of the guardians have their abilities, but only if proven worthy do their powers awaken" he explained.

"so that must mean that winter is a descendant of the guardian of fire"..

"what did she do to awaken her flame?"

"She risked her life in a fire to save her family".

A silence fell upon the house again. Winter finally opened her big blue eyes and sat up slowly, "ok, where am i?" She was fine but confused. Her eyes wondered around the large room. "i know you from somewhere... I know i do" she pointed at shadow "Marcus... is that you?"

He smiled and laughed a little "no one has called me that in a long time".

She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. "youve changed so much since I last saw you"

"as have you, not grown much though.." he mocked. Winter gently smacked Marcus's arm in jest, "bugger".

"Can someone please tell me whats going on here?" francis demanded in confusion.

"Marcus is my brother. I just didnt recognised him".

"when i ran from home she was only eight years old, i had enough of being neglected from the family my only friend was winter, but i had to leave her behind. I left and studied magic and the magical histories of these woods. I feel terrible for leaving her behind".

Francis took a moment to him self and stepped outside for some fresh air. A twig break echoed in the distance. Black smoke pierced through the trees silence followed the dark filled air. Choking him of his bravery he ran back to the small cottage, slamming the door behind him.

"whats wrong francis". Concerned and puzzeled. Marcus ran to see what the commotion was. A huge thick cloud of smoke surrounded the house. The raw of a fire echoed around them. But no fire was spotted. It was the rattling of the old leaves on the ground as the thick black smoke surrounded him.

"Wheres Winter, Marcus.!" a voice echoed almost like an evil whisper.